Saturday, March 27, 2010

Garden Flower Yellow and Green Dress US size 16, Euro size 44 US FREE Shipping by Parlene

This retro styled frock is perfect for any spring or summertime event. And even if you don't have an event to attend, it is just perfect for riding your bicycle, strolling, farmer's markets and all your other favorite summer time activities.
You can dress it up with pearls and wear it to a wedding or wear with with sandals and wear it to brunch. This dress will definitely be a head turner. So vibrant and so chic.
* Like New
* Store: Macy's
* Retail $118
* invisible back zipper
* pleated waist detail
* US size 16; Euro size 44
* bust 22 inches
* waist to waist 18.5 inches
* waist to hem 29 inches long
* hips free (full skirt)
* fully lined
* 100% cotton
* measured flat
Dress only. Other pictured items are for visual purposes only.
Merci.







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E C I Black and Pink Silk Vintage Styled Dress and Cardigan 2 piece Size 14, Euro Size 42 FREE US Shipping by Parlene

This beautiful 2 piece vintage styled garment is the perfect dress for attending weddings in the spring and summer or going out for tea or anything else during the season. So sweet with all the feminine touches you could ask for. First, the dress is a soft pink with little black polka dots. The dress is enhanced with a black sash. The coordinating cardigan sweater has a little pink crystal beading on the trim of the sweater. The collar, sleeves and body of the cardigan sparkle with sheer delight and beauty. 2 pieces, one great price.

DRESS:
* Slightly used
* Store: Macy's
* Brand - E C I
* Retail $128.00
* invisible side zipper (minimal fray, see photo)
* fully lined
* US size 14; Euro size 42
* shoulder to hem 42 inches
* underarm to underarm 22 inches
* waist to waist 18 inches
* measured flat
* hips 27 inches flared skirt
* 100% silk

CARDIGAN SWEATER:
* Mint Condition
* Store: Macy's
* Brand - E C I
* Part of 2 piece set
* bead work on matching cardigan
* US size 14; Euro size 42
* shoulder to hem 23 inches
* underarm to underarm 22 inches
* measured flat
* 75% silk
* 22% nylon
* 3% spandex

Dress only. Other pictured items are for visual purposes only.
Merci.



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Anthropologie Fei Purple Floral Silk Tunic Blouse US Size 14 Euro Size 42 FREE US Shipping $35.00 by Parlene

Just looking at this silk blouse you know it is something special. It has a unique mixture of patterns more commonly seen in European garments. Every shade of spring and summer is in this blouse. Beautiful hues of pink, purple, green and orange make this blouse stand out from the crowd. Pair this with capris, shorts or jeans so cute and stylish.
* Like new
* Store: Anthropologie
* Label: Fei
* Retail $118
* Pleated detail in the front* Pull over styling
* Sleeve with slight puff
* Purple accent buttons
* US Size 14 Euro Size 42* Underarm to underarm 21 inches
* Shoulder to hem 28.5 inches
* Waist 16 inches (elastic detail stretches past 16 inches)* 100% silk
* measured flat
* Free US shipping
Blouse only. Other pictured items are for visual purposes only.
Merci.





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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Anthropologie, the Cure for the Common Cold?


I have been sick for the past 5 days. I am fed up with staying at home especially during this beautiful weather we are having in Southern California. It is 80 degrees and sunny outside. So beautiful. I went to the doctor yesterday and found out I have a sinus infection. So now I have my antibiotics and I am hoping to be better in a few days.

After leaving the doctor's office yesterday I could not bear the idea of returning back home. I decided to make a "quick stop" at Anthropologie. The store called me last Friday to let me know that a blouse that I had inquired about had come in and they were holding it for me. I asked them to hold the blouse until Monday because I was very sick and could not leave the house. They kindly agreed.

So on my way I went to Anthro as I like to call it among friends. Never mind the fact that I had no make-up on and had thrown on a pair of jeans (with an Anthro blouse of course) and a news boy cap to hide the fact that I had not fixed my hair. Normally, I go into Anthro only looking my best. But I thought, "I'll just run in and buy the blouse on hold and run out". I was hoping to go unnoticed....and then it happened, just as it always does.

I spotted the cutest little skirt that I had my eye on while browsing online. So I picked up the skirt and walked around the store a bit more. Then I was noticed by the Anthro girls who know me preposterously too well. "What a cute skirt" she remarked. I agreed with her and then went right into apologizing for my appearance and explained that I only looked this way because I was sick. I received kind remarks of sympathy and was offered a dressing room to be started.

The next thing that happened is all together nonsensical and splendid. My ever so helpful Anthro girl started to show me new things that had just arrived. She showed me skirts and blouses and told me that she was in "outfit making mode" today. In between all of this browsing around the store I was sneezing, blowing my nose and trying to manage holding items in my hand at the same time while using my "Shazam" feature on my iphone. Because, as you know, Anthro plays great music. Thanks to "Shazam" I can detect the name, artist, album title etc. and it stores it on my indispensable iphone.

So there I went into the dressing room to try on multiple outfits. I had to remind myself to look past the fact that I had not a drip of make-up on and just focus on the look of the clothes. To my surprise the blouse that I entered the store for was "not handsome enough to tempt me" as Mr. Darcy would say. During this time I was brought more clothes by my Anthro helper. I don't recall how many items were in my dressing room at that point, but the clothes were overflowing. I moved onto the other outfits. Voila! A match was made.

I left the store feeling rather rejuvenated. I have not had this much energy in 5 days! I was thrilled at the idea that I would be wearing my new outfit soon on a sunny clear day. I dreamed that this weekend the weather would be just as lovely as today and I would wear my new skirt while riding our Vespa with my husband. I imagined the handbag and shoes that I would pair with the outfit. I visualized myself feeling vigorous (sans my sinus infection) and wearing make-up again! And this has led me to a scientific conclusion. Anthropologie CAN cure a cold!!! Thank you Anthro girls! Or, maybe it is my antibiotics? Nah, it's Anthro shopping, it cures everything.

Finding a fabulous outfit on an unexpected day is just another day in my European Style Life.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Vintage and Retro - ModCloth.com

I can think of several occasions when I have been watching a movie such as "The Notebook" or "500 Days of Summer" and being in love with the wardrobe. I would see all the pretty dresses that had such style and flare and think to myself "I'll never own of those". Where do you even begin to try to find such clothes?

Yes, you can make it your life's mission to rummage through thrift shops and garage sales or hope one day grandma will remember a treasure trunk in the attic full of her old classic dresses. But realistically, it takes a lot of work and time to find retro clothes. And when you do find them, is it the right size? Blah.

Worry no more. I have stumbled onto a website where all they sell is retro style and true vintage clothing and accessories! My heart skipped a beat when I found this site as I was playing around on Polyvore.com

The website is called Mod Cloth. There were so many beautiful things to choose from. Adorable little dresses, handbags and of course HATS! It was love at first site. I spent hours navigating the web site. Clicking here, looking there. And to my delight there was a wide variety of sizes available.

The first thing I ordered was a Vespa bag. I had purchased my first one in Paris and paid a pretty little European penny for it too. The Vespa bags are made in Italy and I thought it would be near impossible to find another one outside of Europe. To my surprise, I located one on ModCloth.com.

With so many things items to choose from it is hours of fun and temptation. Enjoy!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Coffee Bliss with Nespresso Citiz + Milk Review

The Nespresso Citiz + Milk is an automatic and programmable single cup machine. It has dedicated space for coffee preparation and an integrated milk frothing device to prepare cappuccinos and lattes. The Nespresso maker is made in Italy and assembled in Switzerland. Sold! Well, that's all I need to know! I purchased my Nespresso maker 4 weeks ago through Bloomingdales.com and since then I have not purchased one cup of coffee outside the home. Not to say that I never will again, but that is how satisfied I am with my Nespresso maker. Satisfied is probably not a good descriptive word, it is more like coffee bliss.

For all the yearning I have for Europe, this is one thing that soothes the pain of being at home. Those cold rainy days when I dream of sitting at a cafe in Paris, I can appease myself by sipping on my delectable coffee right in my living room.

I also enjoy serving my fancy coffee and espresso to my dinner guests as well as my overnight guests. With nice presentation the coffee creates a feeling of warmth and indulgence. I delight in watching my guests take their first sip always with a look of disbelief. Particularly guests who have been to Europe are surprised with how similar the taste mimics their favorite cafe in their preferred European city.

Enjoying an intense cup of coffee, espresso or a latte at home is just another day in my European Style Life.

Some of my favorite coffee flavors are:
Chestnut Cream (seasonal)
The unique aromas of chestnut cream coat the mellow flavour of the Livanto Grand Cru. A delicate marriage, infused with the flavours of autumn.
Apricot (seasonal)
The juiciness and sweetness of sun-ripened apricots, give a fresh and silky flavour to the Livanto Grand Cru. A sensory marriage that brings a sunny touch to the heart of winter.
Arpeggio
Arpeggio receives its distinctive character and full body from a blend of Central and South American Arabicas. The long roasting develops each origin to produce an intense bouquet, combining roasted, woody, and cocoa notes.
Roma
A subtle balance between strength, depth and finesse, Roma is distinguished by its woody and roasted notes. Central and South American Arabicas combined with Robusta are lightly roasted to preserve the delicate aroma of the blend. Roma is the ideal coffee for those looking for an espresso that is short, but mild.
Cosi
A blend of East African, Central and South American Arabicas, lightly roasted to preserve the fragile citrus note, creates the personality of Cosi. Its light body helps reveal a refreshing lemony note.
Decaffeinato Intenso
Decaffeinato Intenso is a strong espresso with a dense body and subtle notes of cocoa and toasted cereals. The marriage of South American Arabicas with a touch of Robusta undergoes a short, intense roast, which intensifies the flavours, and highlights the strength of the blend.
Vivalto Lungo
A complex yet balanced marriage between South American Arabicas cultivated at high altitude, such as “Cerrado” from Brazil, and an East African Arabica. Vivalto Lungo combines roasted and subtle floral notes. Split roasting of the beans enhances the character of each origin.
Finezzo Lungo
This light and thirst-quenching Lungo expresses a floral bouquet of jasmine, orange blossom and bergamot. A lightly roasted blend of floral East African Arabicas and aromatic Arabicas from South and Central America, Finezzo Lungo is lifted by a touch of acidity.



Friday, January 22, 2010

Dutch Cuisine - Zuurkool Stampot Recipe

A few days ago we visited some friends who recently moved to Las Vegas. The husband is Dutch and his wife is American. Experiencing hospitality in a European household is quite different from any other experience. We were treated to many tasty meals, baked goods and of course, spectacular wine.

One dish that stood out in our mind was Zuurkool Stampot, a traditional winter Dutch meal. Our taste buds sang with joy as we tried this dish for the first time. We simply could not return home without the recipe.

After being home for one day I had to give it a try. We enjoyed eating Zuurkool Stampot in our own cozy home on a rainy winter evening. It is funny to think that my first Dutch meal reminds me of my time spent with this lovely couple in Las Vegas. I hope you enjoy this recipe contributed by our dear Dutch friend who as a child used to make this dish with his mother in Holland. He has quite the reputation for being a fast potato peeler!

I am very pleased to be able to say that I know how to cook a Dutch dish. Enjoying a warm European meal on a cold rainy day is just another day in my European Style Life. Bon Appetite!


Zuurkool Stampot
3 Lb potatoes
1 36oz jar of Sauerkraut
1 Lb Bacon
2 packages of Kielbasa Sausage

Boil the potatoes until they are soft enough to mash. Mash the potatoes and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix in the cooked bacon and the bacon grease left over from cooking along with the Sauerkraut and 2 table spoons of butter. You may add milk into the potatoes if you'd like. Cut the Kielbasa into large pieces and warm in a pan on the stove until brown.

Note: When cooking the bacon remove it from the heat or oven before the bacon becomes crispy.

Serves 4