Sunday, August 28, 2011

Grounded in happiness

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New York has a dirty little secret...

One of its rooftops in Brooklyn is actually an amazingly productive farms with views of the Manhattan skyline!! If only I was more motivated on Sunday mornings to go and volunteer! The one time I went was truly something breathtaking, a rooftop farm by the water was simply too good to believe. They're extremely hands-on with volunteers as well, I felt like I learned a lot about cucumbers in those 2 hours. There are several of these rooftop farms, but I found this one to be the most accessible for an upper west sider. I really need to plant something- like now.

Annie Novak, Co-founder of Eagle Street Rooftop farm, stated that she feels the most at peace when she's:

Outside with my hands in the earth, listening to the seagulls by the water. It takes a lot of concentration to do it right.


couldn't agree more.
An interesting interview with Annie can be found here.

rooftop farm

In other news, FASHIONS NIGHT OUT. What's everyone's plans?

<3 Catherine

Monday, August 22, 2011

Giving away our bones

Reminder: don't forget to Like or Tag Ellie Wolfe in a post for a chance to win an exclusive piece of Ellie Wolfe designs! The three winners will get to choose from our collection of nature inspired bones, leather, and feather designs. Make sure to take a look at our Facebook page to preview the collection before we officially launch our Etsy store!!

I am more than excited about this website - Pinterest.com that came highly recommended by one Chelsea Monroe! It's an indispensable tool for every stylist, designer and especially the dedicated blogger. By subscribing to the website and downloading a small button to your web browser, you can "pin" any picture on the internet to a personal mood board. The magic of the site is the way it also allows sharing and re-pinning of mood boards with friends. (essentially Facebook and Tumblr's love child)

Seriously, get ready for another internet addiction. This one changed the way I surf the internet, no more bookmarking because the pictures on your mood board links directly back to the original site of the image! Easy peasy, nice and easy.

Btw, I'm too much of a spazz for tattoos, so these Rodarte X Opening Ceremony tights are as badass as I'm gonna get. And at $110, they're pretty much the only affordable Rodarte piece out there. Living the good life!

Rodarte Tights


<3 Catherine

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Ellie Wolfe Jewelry Giveaway! - perfectly unpredictable

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I am OH-EM-GEEing right now over the official launch of Ellie Wolfe Jewelry, a collaboration between me and my friend Stephanie Schwarz!

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All Ellie Wolfe pieces are inspired by organic shapes and materials such as bones, feathers, and leather. Ellie Wolfe tiptoes the line between lovely and little shop of horrors for a truly one-of-a-kind stunning design. All the jewelry is hand crafted in New York City and features a collection of statement as well as everyday pieces. Ellie Wolfe is the perfectly unpredictable conclusion to any look.


To enter in the giveaway for an exclusive limited edition piece, simply LIKE Ellie Wolfe on Facebook and/or TAG Ellie Wolfe in a Facebook post. Three winners will be selected. Good luck everyone!


Although the official price of each piece is still being determined, all pieces will ship in eco-friendly vintage cigar boxes or mason jars to display the jewelry as mementos when not worn. If you have a special birthday, anniversary or special outfit that you need a piece for, please don't hesitate to ask for details right now!

Look for the much anticipated launch of our Etsy shop and the official website in the following weeks!

<3 Catherine

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

the lovely bones

can't wait to wear this baby out!

in

in2

in3

Skull sourced from the US.

I'm thinking Winter 2011 collection??


<3 Catherine

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Happiness is...

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growing basil in a tiny NY apartment

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decorating with naked ladies

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reading about eating

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wearing classic pieces

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creating

What does happiness mean to you right now?

<3 Catherine

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Fashion+Food 2! - Hey neighbor, can I borrow a grain of sugar?

This Fashion+Food post features tantalizing bite-sized blueberry vanilla scones. It's drool worthy, trust me.

See Very Mary Kate for the sugar reference and if you're hooked for two hours straight, I'm not to blame.

Last weekend, my friend and I had ourselves a little picnic in Central Park. It's an absolute haven for me, a chance to escape from the speed of the city. I think you can tell I was pretty darn happy.



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Leather duffle bag - vintage
Suede heels - vintage Philosophy di Aberta Ferreti
Dress - Urban Outfitters
Necklace - Free People
Studded leather bracelet - ChainChainChang!

Onto the edible goods!! When I grow up, I want to be the Pioneer Woman. This lady made her living in NYC and then somehow met a cowboy and is now living on a ranch with her giant family. I think that is one great life path. The following scone recipe has been adapted from her version of vanilla bean scones.

Ignore the green onions and cheddar, they sneaked in there but they're not included in the recipe.
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You're going to need flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, an egg, heavy cream, vanilla extract and blueberries.

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Check out my new toys! Makes me pumped!

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In a large bowl, sift together flour, 2/3 cups sugar, baking powder, and salt.

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Cut cold butter into pats, then use your hands to work the butter into the flour until the flour mixture resembles crumbs. COLD COLD butter is the key to perfect scones. If you're working in a sweaty summer kitchen like me, pop this butter-flour mixture into the fridge for just a few minutes while you move onto the next step.

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The liquids of vanilla extract, cream, and the egg go in another bowl.

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Pour the cream mixture into the flour and work the dough with your hands. Do not overwork the dough, butter pieces should be visible. Carefully fold the blueberries into the dough making sure not to burst the fruit.

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Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and use a rolling pin or just use hands to form it into a rectangle about 1/2" to 3/4" thick. Cut into 12 equal-sized squares and cut each square diagonally into triangles as shown.

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See?

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Bake for about 18 minutes on a lined tray, keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't brown. Take it out. Try to let it cool for 15 minutes. Again, the dough has to be kept cold so if you're going to bake it batches, keep the raw pieces covered in the fridge until it's their turn to be baked. Take them on a picnic.


Can you resist?
I couldn't, and burnt my hand. WORTH IT.

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<3 Catherine



The following is a highly adaptable recipe. Replace the blueberries with any sweet morsels like caramel, chocolate chips or another fruit. Just adjust for moisture with trial and error.

Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 2/3 cups sugar
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, chilled
- 1 whole egg
- 3/4 cups heavy cream
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract

- 1 package blueberries

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, sift together flour, 2/3 cups sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut cold butter into pats, then use your hands to work the butter into the flour until the flour mixture resembles crumbs.

2. In another bowl, combine vanilla extract, cream, and the egg. Pour the cream mixture into the flour and work the dough with your hands. Do not overwork the dough, butter pieces should be visible. Carefully fold the blueberries into the dough making sure not to burst the fruit. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and form into a rectangle about 3/4" to 1" thick. Cut into 12 equal-sized squares and cut each square diagonally into triangles.

3. Bake scones on a foil or parchment lined baking sheet for 18 minutes. Remove from oven just before browning begins. Allow scones to cool for 15 minutes on the baking sheet before moving onto a cooling rack.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Why don't you grow a pair?



Eco-friendly 11X17 prints singed by the artist from TreeHugger at just $25.

More here

I <3 the Earth.

<3 Catherine