DIY :: Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Sensitive is an understatement for my skin. It has always just been super delicate and always slightly rosy. Again, I some how missed out on the jackpot olive skin tone gene we Italians are suppose to have, and instead, have the ivory and problematic-to-the-touch skin tone. Awesome.

After getting a full-on lecture from my dermatologist (also known as 'the skin whisperer' by Glamour Magazine) on using harsh beaded face washes and rubbing, instead of patting, my skin dry..... she suggested going a more natural route for my beauty routine. And when she whispers.... I listen. That woman is a miracle worker. 

Supplies :: 

- Apple Cider Vinegar (raw and 'with the mother'.... yes, you read that right)

- Cotton Swabs 

- Some old fashioned H20

- A container 

Directions :: 

WARNING - This will smell like death. Don't curse me when it does. You'll get over it when you see how gorgeous your skin looks. 

1. Using an 8 oz container - combine 4oz of Apple Cider Vinegar with 4oz of purified water, if you're fancy... it's also known as tap water in my house. (If this is too harsh or drying out your skin, use less ACV)

2. Shake well. Wash face and use a clean cotton swap to apply. Then apply a gentle/unscented moisturizer. 

3. Store in a cool, dry area. Some people are known to keep it in their refrigerator. Since this ACV contains no preservatives, make a new mix ever couple of weeks to be sure it's fresh. 

Few things to note :: 

- I know, I know. Apple Cider Vinegar's holistic methods for anything and everything have been around forever and I, apparently, am the last to listen to any of them. I'm stubborn. 

- I've read that some people also add asprin tablets, witch hazel and green tea. Those are also great natural options to consider if your skin requires any of their added benefits. 

- My skin has never felt cleaner or looked fresher! I'd like to know who even thought of putting this stuff on your face to begin with.  

So do share, how do you use ACV? Have you used it as a skin toner before? What are the best ACV uses?

Let's chat about it! 

New York City :: Real Estate Heaven

Raise your hand if you've ever walked by this street corner and been convinced that the building at 190 Bowery was abandoned..... (my hand is up). Maybe it's the graffiti covering the ground floor exterior (the Keith Haring used to do one-of-a-kind chalk works on the brick), or the trash that quickly accumulates outside or the general riff-raff that seems to gather there. But, it always seemed to radiate a little of that creepy vibe to me. 

Well guess what, it's not just a graffiti filled building waiting to be turned into luxury apartments. It's a six-story, 72-room, 35,000-square-foot family home..... and it's currently valued around a mere $40 Million. Yep, a family of three live there.... and that's all. Astonished? Yea, me too. Furious it wasn't your dad who bought the property for next-to-nothing back in the 70's? Yea, me too. I feel like they could spare one measly floor for us to live on.... some people just need to learn to share! 

 

Photos via :: NY Magazine

Antler Headband + Week(end) Roll Call

It's the weekend.... and I'll tell ya what, this girl is excited! And I'll tell ya who isn't.... apparently that girl with the antlers on her head. Although, I'm not sure how she could be so unenthusiastic when, frankly, I'd love a pair of those. Very 'Where The Wild Things Are', don't you think? Could an adult (ahem, me) get away with that as a headband?  I know I've got ribbon and some antlers lying around the apartment... and it is Friday after all! 

------------------------

A few things I found extraordinary this week ::

- You don't have to be a summer bride to rock a floral headband. I, for one, plan on making a DIY version of my own to wear with a maxi dress or cut off jean shorts. Here are a few to get inspiration or go directly over to Etsy for a slew of great handmade options. 

- I wanted to shout from the rooftop... AMEN SISTA, after reading this. So wise that Abby Larson:

"Breathe, my friend. You are not old, you are young. You are not a mess, you are normal. Extraordinary, perhaps. In the blink of an eye your life will change. And it will continue to change for decades to come. Enjoy it, embrace it…be grateful for the ride. You are not old, you are young. And faith will get you everywhere. Just you wait."- Abby Larson, Founder of Style Me Pretty (via The Every Girl) 

- Let me start by saying.... Alexa Chung, you are stunning and amazing. You can do no wrong. Except now...  you managed a major wrong. 

- Have you heard about Jamie Oliver's 'Food Revolution Day' coming up on May 19th? Find an event in your area and get involved. It's time to get back to basics.... learn and think about where your food comes from. 

- New Yorkers, hope you weren't planning to see Bon Iver at Radio City. Tickets sold out in 10 minutes this morning. It's likely Justin Vernon slept through the whole thing and doesn't even know. 

That's all for today. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!  

Photo :: Small Magazine 

sisterMAG :: Pastels are the new Neon

The blogging community is where it's at people! For example, I first met Thea and Toni via Blog Brunch. We kept in touch, and then as they were gearing up to launch their online magazine, Blog Brunch was there to support and celebrate in their hard work and overwhelming success. 

So, you can imagine it was truly a delight to be asked by the ladies of SisterMAG to do a full fashion feature for them! After a near two-hour long video chat (mostly chatting away about everything but the article!) what better topic to focus on than the current domination of pastels this spring. Well, I don't want to share too much here so you have an incentive to swing over to the SisterMAG site and thumb through the entire article and issue. So... go on now.... get over to the site and see what these wonderful ladies have put together!

My heartfelt thanks goes out all the way to Germany to the lovely Thea and Toni. Hope to visit soon! 

Photos :: E

Naan + Bananas :: New Recipe From Heaven

Last week, I had the privilege of attending an evening with Stonefire Naan at The Culinary Loft here in Soho with the lovely Anna from The Yellow Table. Stonefire's resident chef Alison was on hand to teach us a few of her personally concocted step-by-step recipes. The most surprising of all..... you can make desert with Naan. Who knew?! Even though I'm not one for sweets (it's true, I seriously lack a sweet tooth), I thought it was such a unique treat, it just had to be shared. 

INGREDIENTS :: 

1 package Stonefire Tandoori Naan // Original variety
4 ripe bananas, peeled and halved lengthwise
7 tbsp unsalted butter – melt 1 tbsp and set the other 6 tbsp aside
6 tbsp packed brown sugar
¼ cup sugar
1/2  tbsp + ½  tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
1/3 cup light or dark rum
vanilla ice cream

DIRECTIONS ::

Mix the ¼ cup sugar and ½ tbsp of cinnamon together in a small bowl, there will be more sugar than needed – use the extra cinnamon sugar to top the finished dessert. Spread the melted butter over the bubbly side of the two pieces of Naan, sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture and place on a baking tray.  Set aside until ready to top with the banana mixture.

Cut bananas in half lengthwise and set aside.  In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat, when melted stir in the brown sugar and mix well.  Add the bananas, cut side down and cook for about 5 minutes turning once.  When the bananas feel tender to the touch sprinkle with ½ tsp cinnamon and the pinch of nutmeg, remove pan from the heat. Place the baking tray with the Naan in the oven for 3 minutes to warm them, once warm the Naan should be cut into 8 pieces (or 4 according to serving size) and placed on the plate used to serve.

Turn the heat back on under the banana skillet and pour in the rum.  Shake the skillet to mix and distribute the liquid and ignite the rum with a long match.  Using a long handled spoon, baste the bananas with the sauce until the flames disappear.  Remove from heat and spoon over portioned cinnamon sugar Naan. Top with vanilla ice cream.

Serve immediately, cause you won't want to wait around once their done! 

Check out some more of Alison's Stonefire recipes here. I can't wait to try out a few of the panini and flatbread pizzas! 

:: Recipe compliments of Stonefire Naan