Short Cuts and Red Lips

Surprise: I cut my hair short again!

My hair is curly and thick, and, in the summer, often feels like I've wrapped my head in a mohair throw. I couldn't take it any longer. I showed up at the salon for a trim, threw my eight pounds of hair over my shoulder, and eyed the scissors longingly. My stylist (Julien Farel, if you're wondering) promised me he could cut a bob that, despite my hair's texture, would be wash-and-go.

I'm not dumb. I've had bobs before, and I've devoted hundreds of hours to disciplining them all with straightening irons because, left to its own accord, my short hair ends up resembling a yield sign. But I decided to take a leap of faith: A) Julien has done magical things with my hair; B) The combination of heat and humidity was starting to give me impromptu dreadlocks; and C) Dreadlocks can work on some people...but are mostly gross.

So I got this cut, below:

It actually almost kind of looks like the style in the photo, so long as I apply a healthy handful of Fekkai Glossing Cream to it every three hours. It also helps if you, like I, are legally blind in one eye. Nevertheless, success! I just have to keep hair products in my purse and maintain a 10' berth around all hoses and sprinklers and, um, rain. But give me credit: I'm not showing up to work with a topknot. (Don't even get me started on topknots. Nubby little topknots are the sweatpants of the hair world.)

However, I was nervous that, besides a triangular head of hair, a bob would put me in the "matronly" zone. (I'm turning 23 on Friday. Therefore, this is a legitimate fear.) Long hair is more feminine—so feminine, in fact, that my grandmother once said I looked like a "sexy hussy," which she meant as an well-intended insult. Insult or not, I was afraid I'd lose that along with the six inches of split ends. The fix? I took a cue from the same photo above and am now married to a dark red lip; my favorite, for both color and wear, is Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Color in Inimitable. I layer it with balm to dilute the intensity and take the Gaga look down a notch. Note: Don't use lipliner unless you do like the matronly vibe.

Next up: Growing in my eyebrows. Also, posing. And the possibility of rompers. (All inspired by the above photo.)

Photo credit: UFOs Over Baghdad

Summer Sweater

 Guys, the temperatures in New York are supposed to reach 90 degrees this week.

That is SWELTERING, sticky, sweat-down-your-back status, and about the moment that I desperately wish for fall: crunchy leaves underfoot, creamy lattes topped with cinnamon, and most importantly, sweater weather. Seeing as how much I like to wear jeans and indulge in my lazy-casual style, sweaters  are an obvious staple in my closet.

An oversized, cozy sweater just won't do in this heat (unless I want to shrivel up somewhere between my apartment and the 59th St bridge), but I've discovered the next best thing: sheer knit sweaters, also know as The Summer Sweater. See here:

The loose weave keeps it lightweight, breathable, and a touch see-through (come on, live a little!). Plus, the bright colorblock makes it season-appropriate—there's a right time and place for charcoal and navy, and mid-July is just not it. I love the punchy coral hue of the Knitted Kid top ($179; etsy.com) on the left. For a nicer price, scoop up J. Crew's fitted version ($80; jcrew.com). Pair it with denim shorts (or, for the brave at heart, a contrasting color like cobalt blue). Wear everywhere. Rinse, wash, repeat all summer long.

Top photo courtesy of: Sluchevskaya.

In the Summer Sun

Do you tan?

This weekend, I read this article in Self magazine about three women who give up the tanning bed. I've always been fairly consistent with wearing sunscreen in the summer, but thanks to my job, I'm now positively manic about it. One woman in the article said that she would "reconsider salons" after learning about alternative ways to reap the (few) benefits of UV light, such as vitamin D and serotonin boosts. Yes, reconsidering the tanning salon might be a good idea.

I'm vigilant about slathering sunscreen on my face and neck every single morning (I like Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30 and SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30), but I do admit that I'm not as careful about the rest of my body—specifically arms, legs, and ears. Do you use sunscreen every single day? I'm always tempted to skip when it's cloudy, but I have it so grounded in my routine that I rarely do so.

But to be perfectly honest, the best part of wearing sunscreen? Smelling like you're at the beach when you're (sadly) nowhere near it.

Photos courtesy of: Maudelynn's Menagerie and Sun Dance, both via Modern Hepburn

Sandal Season

Now that the weather is cooperating and I'm considering a badly-needed pedicure, a new pair of sandals are in order. I tore last year's pair to shreds, so I'm looking for something a little less wimpy this time around. The issue: I have...shapely legs, which means that with the wrong pair of shoes, my legs can resemble Christmas hams. Trying to avoid ankle straps on sandals leads me into the flimsy V straps of flip flops, which are neither comfortable nor stylish whatsoever. Alber Elbaz can't even make flip flops look cute. And if you cite Tory Burch's number with her little medallion on them, those do not count particularly because they have that little medallion on them.

The solution: nude sandals. Just as nude heels elongate the leg because they create an illusion of length, a similar hue on an ankle strap doesn't break (and thus shorten) the line of the leg. If the shade of the sandal is close enough to your skin tone, it works. Here are a few versatile options that would look just as cute with shorts as they would with a sundress:

1. These KORS Michael Kors leather sandals ($125; Click to Buy) have a more substantial sole than what you'd find on a typical flat sandal, and I love love love the look of the double ankle-strap. It lends a touch of the gladiator look without going all Russel Crowe on your footwear. The shade's a little dark, but it's not a jarring contrast.

2. This pair of J.Crew leather sandals ($118; Click to Buy) is the trifecta: made in Italy (read: better quality than most at this price point), the perfect shade of nude, and has a padded sole for comfort. These would look great with shorts, or a maxidress, or a skirt, or a sundress. Do you see where I'm going with this?

3. If you need a little lift, Marais suede wedges ($160; Click to Buy) are a sophisticated option. They're not exactly nude (the height of the wedge excuses the grey shade)(I make the rules)(this is an autocratic blog!)(just kidding)(kind of) but I love Marais shoes for the focus on comfort and urban designs. That T-strap just kills me. Come to mama.

4. Coral counts as a nude if you have VERY pink undertones or didn't slap on enough sunscreen before hitting the beach. (Doesn't it?) I understand that I'm taking a lot of liberties with the definition of "nude" here, but if you think about, the color nude for a Swedish girl isn't exactly nude for Eurasian me. Anyway, these Delman calfskin sandals ($195; Click to Buy) are simple and pared-down without looking stark. I love the small details on the sides; they're a great option for the more feminine of ladies.

Current status: team J.Crew. You?

Summertime Reds

One of my favorite paintings ever is that on the top left. I met Elisabeth de Cherisey at a perfume launch—she's the great great great great great great great great granddaughter of Marie Antoinette's best friend, as well as a fantastic artist. I'm obsessed with her work. Her paintings make me want to wear a red dress, or a red sunhat, or a casual pair of red sneakers. There are oh-so-subtle pops of rouge that just seem perfect for the long and lazy last days of summer.


[photo cred, clockwise from top left, to Elisabeth de Cherisey, 2 and 3]

Ziggy Stardust

I'm not usually one for zigzags and/or prints of any kind, but that ethnic-inspired upholstery and this playful Charlie by Matthew Zink bikini are calling my name. They're yelling, "Deanna! Stop wearing black tees because you're no longer a sulky English major. THIS IS REAL LIFE, GIRL. BRIGHT PRINTS. GO FOR BRIGHT PRINTS." And let's be real, who could say no to a swimsuit like that?

[photo cred here]

Garden Party

I'm crushing on just about everything in the summer Anthropologie catalogue—I've never felt such a desire to sit outside and drink lemon water (or lemon verbena lemonade, anyone?) while wearing something light and feminine. Now that I'm done with class and have no excuses for rolling out of bed, throwing on a tee and dark jeans and calling it a day, I swear I'm going to put in more effort. I'm a sucker for this bracelet and that pleated top.

How perfect are the navy pleats for an appropriate (but not too obvious) Fourth of July ensemble? Plus, you can wear a style like that anywhere, from a casual barbeque to late-afternoon drinks with friends.

[photo cred to anthropologie.com]

Raspberry Red

How genius is the idea to stuff tart raspberries with chocolate chips? You get antioxidants and a fix for your sweet tooth, all for far less calories than inhaling one of the Truffle Pig chocolate bars that I adore. I love you, Truffle Pig, but my little denim shorts do not.

[photo cred, clockwise from left, to 1; 2 and 3 via Cognac and Coffee]

Sarong Season

Aren't these sarongs from Madewell absolutely beautiful? I think sarongs are so versatile -- they can masquerade as bright and breezy skirts, sunny poolside cover ups, makeshift scarves for chilly late-August nights, and impromptu beach or picnic blankets. I feel like it's difficult to find a sweet sarong that's all grown up and not at all campy, as some have a habit of becoming. I have my own dark cobalt sarong from a trip to Bali when I was nine years old; it cost me only $2 and is somehow still in perfect condition. Unfortunately, the price for this isn't quite as pretty, but the idea of these skirts paired with a thin cotton tank and flat leather sandals are enough to hook me.

Happy Monday!

Last Tuesday, boyfriend and I went hiking at Mohonk Mountain in New Paltz, New York. Isn't it gorgeous? Being there feels like taking a mini-vacation, away from Condé Nast and internships and the real world. I love to climb up the enormous rocks and soak up the sun before dipping my feet into a lake. If I close my eyes and concentrate, I can pretend that I'm anywhere.

I love quiches more than anything - large quiches, mini quiches, quiches with things I usually don't like baked inside of them. Maybe it's the crust, or it might be the cheese. Do I care? No. Just hand me a quiche and there's a 100% chance that I'll eat it.

The good thing: I have a repertoire of two incredible quiche recipes.

The bad thing: When I'm grocery shopping and don't have said recipes on hand, I mix up the ingredients.

The other good thing: Once, this resulted in a new and even more delicious quiche recipe.

By once, I mean Wednesday night. I accidentally combined the best components of both recipes and ended up with what I'd like to call a Quiche Lorraine, But Better. On account of just how good it is, here is the recipe. Try not to salivate on your keyboard.

Quiche Lorraine, But Better

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

3 tablespoons butter

5 or 6 strips bacon, depending on the size

1 cup Swiss Gruyère cheese

1 cup whole milk (you can also substitute 1-1/4 cups of half-and-half)

1 pre-made pie crust

- Pop the pie crust in the oven at 375-degrees for 8-10 minutes, until it's a pretty golden shade.

- Heat the butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Throw in the onion and sauté until very fragrant, soft, and golden -- about 4-5 minutes. Let cool.

- Cook the bacon. I do this in the microwave because I can only stand to be burnt by oil drops for so long. Sandwich it between paper towels; tuck the top paper towel well, or else the bacon fat will spatter and require a half hour of clean-up. Give it 15 seconds for every strip of bacon. If not cooked, continue to heat for 15 second intervals until crispy-ish. Crumble and let cool.

- Beat the eggs and the yolks (to separate the yolks, I suggest cracking the eggs and transferring the yolk back and forth between the two halves of the broken shell, because you can then use the edges of the shell to cut the yolk from the white as you do it)(I don't suggest plopping the white in the sink, because it'll clog the drain)(my mother wasn't happy at all). To the eggs, add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, whole milk, sautéed onions, and crumbled bacon. Whisk well.

- Add the cheese to the egg mixture, saving a handful. Pour cheesy egg mixture into the pie shell, spreading the onions and bacon. Top with the handful of cheese and bake at 375-degrees for 30-35. The end result should be wiggly but quite firm, and when you slice into it, it ought to be liquidy but still able to retain its shape. Let it cool for five minutes or else it will fall apart; try to resist inhaling it as soon it comes out of the oven. It's okay if you don't -- I wasn't able to either. Happy eating!

[photo cred to Kate Silberger, Chaucercat, and Pillsbury]

Monday Morning

I apologize for the sparse updates - my commute to NYC is hellish and I sleep during most of it. I absolutely love my internship at Allure, though; I learn something new every day and particularly enjoy having a security pass for the Condé Nast headquarters in Times Square.

I bought a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti peep toes. They're lilac and have enormous platforms, so there's a good chance I'm going to topple over while wearing them. Unfortunately, they were only available through a Ruelala sample sale, so I can't seem to find a photo of them. During my hunt, though, I stumbled across this sweet duo:

Typically, I'm not partial to anything that matches perfectly. I like when there's a working relationship between two pieces - they complement one another, but manage to avoid looking like a set. These broke my rule. Wouldn't they look awesome with a short black dress for a night out? I love that black patent perfectly grounds the python print and puts a spin on two great classics. On the other hand, I would wear these with a flowing white dress:
The bright, spunky hues are perfect for the summer, and the embellishment is beautiful. They somehow manage to back away ever so carefully from gaudy (as I usually tend to find gemstones to be) and towards elegant. The best part is that I'd want to wear the pieces together instead of separating them and trying to find some way to incorporate each one on its own.

Actually, the real best part is that they're available here, where many of the Summer 2010 styles are marked down. And with that, my dears, we start off our week!

Summer Dreaming

Finals are upon me, so I figured I'd take a short break before my last one and pretend that instead of being trapped inside with eighteen shmillion flashcards (the only way I actively study) on this rainy day, I'm actually sitting in a swinging chair on a sunny dock in Westhampton. Doesn't that egg-shaped chair look delectable? Lemonade, fresh air, warm breezes, splashing in the blue bay... come to mama.

[photo cred to anthopologie]