Tag Archives: pretty dometic

You Are Cordially Invited to Champagne Sunday …

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Hey Dolls! Welcome to Champagne Sunday, the 2014 Olympics Edition!

The Opening Ceremonies commenced Friday night with much pomp and circumstance; and Sage Kostenburg won the first USA Gold Medal on Saturday for Slopestyle Snowboarding. What better way to celebrate Champagne Sunday, than to sip on a libation that pays homage to the spirit of the games. Chin! Chin!

Gold Medal Martini

Ingredients

1.5 oz Old Tom Gin
0.5 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
2-3 large ice cubes
Edible gold stars

Recipe

1. Place ice, gin and vermouth in a mix glass. Add ice and stir 40 times to get very chilled.

2. Strain into a martini glass and add gold stars as a garnish.

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Image: Cupcakes and Cashmere

“Citius ~ Altius ~ Fortius … Higher ~ Faster ~ Stronger.” Go USA!

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

The Must-Haves: The Classics

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must-have \ˈməst-ˌhav\ –n

1. an essential possession: the pump, a stylish shift or sheath dress, the perfect bag, a crisp white blouse, tasteful go-to earrings, and a DVF Wrap dress are the must-haves for every Pretty Domestic Doll

–adj

2. essential: a must-have wardrobe

Recently I had a conversation with one of my Dolls, who shared that the most stressful part of her day was deciding what to wear in the morning. I was taken aback, because she is perfectly coiffed head to toe whenever I see her.

I soon realized that a lot of women feel this way. However, with the addition of some must-haves in their closet, and they can start the day with a little less angst and a little more confidence. So here it is, my list of 5 must-haves. Let’s go.

1. The Pump.

The pump is a true fashion classic and is associated with style and glamour. A Doll needs many pairs for many reasons; but the true must-have is a classic black pump in leather (and patent).

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Image: Christian Louboutin Pigalle 110

2. The Shift Dress or The Sheath Dress.

A shift is commonly confused with a sheath. Both refer to uncomplicated-looking dresses that end somewhere around the knee. The difference is that a shift tends to be less fitted around the waist and hips.

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Images: Net-A-Porter

3. The Bag.

The Celine Trapeze Bag might be so Twenty-Thirteen, but it’s still a great tote. It comes in solids and prints, leather and suede; but more importantly is stylish, yet sturdy.

Celine Trapeze Bag

A great clutch is also a must-have wardrobe staple. I love the soft-clutches being shown on the runways.

Sift Clutch

4. The Perfect White Blouse.

There is nothing like a perfectly crisp white blouse. In my mind it takes a skirt, suit or pants from 0 – 10 in a matter is seconds. I particularly like a white blouse with a french cuff. If you don’t have cuff links, borrow your hubby’s or S/O’s.

Now, nobody, I mean nobody does a white blouse like Carolina Herrera. I love that it is her signature look. (Every Doll needs a signature look, or signature piece.)

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CarolinaHerrera

Images: TallSkinnyRich & The Post_Gazette

5. The Earrings.

There are some days, and evenings, that call for a more ornate earring; but for everyday, a Doll needs a go to pair that fit every outfit, for any occasion. The go-to designer, David Yurman. His classic cable hoops never fail. They are simply a classic.

David Yurman Earrings

I know I said that these were my five must-haves, but the ultimate go-to frock for those mornings when you can’t decide what to wear is the Diane Von Furstenberg Wrap-Dress. This looks great on women of all shapes and sizes.

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Peep these pictures of DVF from 1974 in her original wrap! PS ~ She’s doing iPad and iPhone cases and covers now!

diane-von-furstenberg-vintage-collection-diane

Images: SheFinds

There you have it, my six must-haves. Leave me a message with the go-to staples in your wardrobe.

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

Get Your House in Order Pt. Deux

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Hey Dolls! I am calling this a “Wednesday Quick Post.” Several weeks ago, I posted the first edition of “Get Your House in Order,” with helpful hints from the ultimate domestic guru, Martha Stewart. Madame Stewart shared a daily checklist for keeping our homes needy and tidy sans outside help, or for between weeks when your help is not scheduled.

I have since found another helpful daily schedule to follow. Yes, I like lists and to-dos; and love the idea knowing exactly what I am going to tackle on a daily basis.  I hope that you also find it useful.

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Image: classyclutter.net

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

Don’t forget to “like” Pretty Domestic on FaceBook; and on Instagram and Twitter @1prettydomestic.

#husbandswhocook

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Here at “Stonewood Manor,” one of our New Year’s Resolutions is to eat healthier, as a part of larger lifestyle changes. Since the beginning of the year, my husband has been the driver of several changes in our home in support of this goal ~ healthier shopping, eating and incorporating exercise into our weekly routines. He is on it!

Together, we have been finding and preparing new recipes that are free of fat and an abundance of other ingredients, and GMOs, that are not good for you. It’s been fun, the recipes good, and more importantly, better for us. The other night he shared a recipe with me for Roasted Shrimp and Garlic. It looked really good, so off to Fresh Market we went to shop for ingredients.

Hubby prepared the meal when we got home, and “ya’lllllll” it was “some kinda good,” as my Grandmother would say. He also made Basmati Rice to serve with it; but when we tasted the first bite it was so good, we forgot to put the rice on our plates.

So today I share with you, “RS’s Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli.” Bon Appetite!

Roasted Shrimp and Garlic

Image: Stonewood Manor Kitchen

Ingredients. 

  • 2 lbs. broccoli
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/8 tsp hot chili powder
  • lemon zest from one lemon
  • 1 lb shrimp shelled and deveined

Directions. Heat the oven to 425. On a large cookie sheet, toss together 2 pounds of broccoli cut up into florets (but not teensy tiny florets, I like a little stem attached), 2 Tbs olive oil, 1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds (or 1/2 tsp. ground), 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds (or 1/2 tsp. ground), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and 1/8th tsp hot chili powder. Spread into a single layer and pop into the oven for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss together one pound large shrimp, shelled and deveined, with 2 Tbs olive oil, lemon zest from one lemon, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper (I just eyeball the salt and pepper) in a bowl. When the broccoli’s been in the oven 10 minutes, add the shrimp to the broccoli and toss (carefully.)

Roast another 10 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until the broccoli is tender and golden around the edges. Enjoy!

http://skinny911.sbcspecial.com/

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

50 Shades of Red … Vol. 3

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Ah yes, another month has passed. 60 days of wearing nothing but red lipstick. A Doll will not be deterred. Another page turns tomorrows, and with it a new shade of red. But quickly, a recap from the last month.

If you remember, I wore L’Oreal Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in “Target Red” ~ Tar-gee, in my world ~ with a MAC Lip Pencil in Brick. Simply put, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Volume 2

“Target Red” is the perfect shade of red, and lasts “foreva.” It has somewhat of a matte finish, which I love, but my lips still retained their moisture. This duo will definitely stay in rotation. But keeping my commitment, it’s time to move on.

In my mind, January and February are the dark days of winter. Little sun, dreary weather, just blah. I too am going dark, and will be rocking MAC DIVA, with its complimentary Currant Lip Pencil. These goodies have been sitting unused in my makeup case for a minute.

Vol 3

I purchased this on a whim one day when I saw it on a Doll in the mall. She was a make-up artist, so her face was beat. I mean fab. I couldn’t resist the urge to purchase. Anyway, I’m in. Let’s go!

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

Our Clean Eating Journey Continues

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Hey Dolls! We’re two weeks into the New Year ~ 14 days exactly! How are you coming with your goals, resolutions, etc.? Pretty Domestic is still hanging in their with adopting healthier eating patterns; although dinner tonight with my hubby and mother-in-law was a minor setback. Nothing wrong with a little treat from time to time.

Our Nik is still on the case though and has brought us another clean eating recipe this week to support our journey. Bon Appetite!

Nicole Nichelson

Nik Says:

Hey there! One thing you will see in many of my recipes is that I love to “hide” veggies in almost everything I cook. I load up my burgers, stews, etc. with vegetables; so, my latest meatloaf creation is no different. It’s perfect for moms who have picky eaters and also for those of us who like to make sure we get more than enough vegetables on a daily basis. Here is a delicious, veggie loaded Turkey Meatloaf that I created last week for my family. You can also play around and make this mixture into a yummy burger. I hope you will try it.
Turkey Meatloaf
turkey meatloaf
  • 1 small package of ground turkey (most packages are about 1.2 lbs.)
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 orange or yellow pepper, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small zucchini, grated with a cheese grater
  • 1 cup of cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 roasted red pepper, roughly chopped
  • 2 plum tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tsp. Sea Salt
  • 1 tsp. Pepper
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tbsp. almond meal
  • 1 tbsp. Herb de Provence

Directions. Preheat Oven to 325 degrees. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil. Add onion and pepper, and after about 3-5 minutes add your garlic. Stir together and let the onions get barely translucent ~ about 2-3 more minutes. Add the zucchini and mushrooms, roasted pepper and tomato, salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cook.

In a mixing bowl, add your ground turkey, egg white, almond meal, Herb de Provence and the cooked mixture. Mix well and place onto an ungreased cookie sheet and shape into a rectangular shaped loaf. Bake for about 35-45 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. You will want to take the meatloaf right out of the oven once it is cooked through to keep it from drying out or losing its moisture. Serve hot with mashed potatoes or parsnips, for those of us who avoid potatoes.
Enjoy!
Until Then,
~ L.
The Pretty Domestic

Get Your House in Order

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Eight days into the new year and most of us have our healthy eating plan in place; exercise routine mapped out; and commitment to being a better manager, employee, entrepreneur, wife, mother, S/O, daughter, friend, etc. on our radars ~ check, check, check. (Not an all-inclusive list, of course.) But what about getting your house in order? Literally!

I’ve been told that I’m a neat freak, and maybe I am. I like order. Each month I do a little purging and a little organizing. I throw things out, find new storage options, consign and donate to Goodwill; but sometimes I get stuck on how to tackle a particular organization problem. The answer for me ~ WWMD ~ What Would Martha Do?

Several years ago I stumbled across the book, Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Book: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home. I picked up a copy for me and my Mom, and it really has become our housekeeping/organization bible. Yes, yes, I recognize that Martha can be polarizing, and I’m not asking you to like her; but she’s my girl and knows her stuff.

MS

Now I believe in having a little help. As my Doll FT says, “Housework never killed anyone, but why risk it?” I love this quote, but sometimes we have to get down and dirty and get and our own homes in order; and Martha gives us the blueprint.

The first tip I want to share is Martha’s checklist for “6 Things to Do Every Day.” I love this list because it maps out a simple plan for keeping your house in order on daily basis.

martha-stewart_checklist_sixthings

This list is do-able, definitely not overwhelming and nor too time consuming. I plan on sharing a few more organization tips in the weeks to come. Leave me a comment if there is particular topic you want me to tackle. Here’s to a “pretty organized” 2014!

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

New Year, New You

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Happy New Year Dolls!

Pretty Domestic was forced to take a much needed hiatus last week, but is back with a vengeance for the new year. The holidays are officially over and it’s time to commit ourselves to all of the resolutions, goals, etc. we made as the ball dropped going into January 1st.

Like many of you, I committed to adopting a healthier lifestyle. In my mind, “pretty” starts from the inside out, beginning with what we put in our bodies. That said, Pretty Domestic will be featuring a new, weekly clean eating recipe, provided by our own Nicole Nichelson, to help us along on this journey.

So, here’s to a new year and a new you! Let’s begin!

Nicole says:
This is one of my favorite clean dishes featuring “superfoods.” This version is vegetarian/vegan and is perfectly delicious just the way it is, but feel free to make it your own by adding ground chicken or turkey and chicken or turkey broth for added protein. You can also add more broth (about 5 ½ cups) to make it more of a soup, which would be vitamin packed and perfect for the winter months.

Sweet Potato, Kale and Garbanzo Beans

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Image: The Vegan8

  • 2 tbsp Coconut oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 small-medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ pound of Kale, finely chopped
  • 1 can garbanzo/chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup Vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Directions. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, melt the coconut oil, add the onion and sauté for about 1 minute before adding the garlic, cook until translucent about 3-4 minutes. Add the sweet potato, sprinkle with cinnamon and stir to incorporate all ingredients and cook for about 10 minutes. Add the kale, beans, broth and season with salt and pepper. Cover to allow to “steam” for about 5-7 minutes. Stir, check for seasonings. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
*Note: Lemon takes away the bitterness of greens. It’s great when enjoying your greens raw (like in a smoothie or raw green salad), as well with cooked greens. It also adds a little extra vitamin C to the dish. And who doesn’t need that this time of year? Enjoy!
Until Then,
~ L.
The Pretty Domestic

Oh Brow!

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As much as I love beauty products, I also love indulging in beauty maintenance rituals ~ mani, pedis, facials, massages and body scrubs. However, I am very particular about who performs my services. I can’t just settle for any “’round the way” stylist, aesthetician, nail technician, etc.

One thing that I am super picky about is who maintains my eyebrows. For years I was never fully satisfied with my brow service. As luck would have it, walking through Nordstrom’s earlier this year I happened upon Anastasia’s Brow Bar. I’d heard of Anastasia as the brow guru to the Big O ~ one Oprah Winfrey ~ but had no idea that I could experience Anastasia on the East Coast. I immediately made an appointment and one wax in, I was committed! The shape was perfect, and I looked as if I had a mini~lunch time “procedure.” (instant facelift, if you’re in to that type of thing.) Even better, I had six months for Anastasia to get my brows in shape just in time for my August wedding! Lacy Dodge, who performed my service, became MY Anastasia guru and my friend.

Basic CMYK

I’ve been going around prophesying about Lacy and Anastasia for months, and then it dawned on me that I needed to share the knowledge, so I asked Lacy to serve as a Pretty Domestic guest blogger, and give us the “deets” about eyebrow maintenance and the “Anastasia Way.”

Lacy and T

Lacy and Tiresha of Anastasia’s Brow Bar, Nordstrom, Towson, MD
Q1. How did you arrive at Anastasia’s?

I was working at another salon and I was always referring people to Anastasia Beverly Hills products for their eyebrows over any other brand.  I did some research and found out that they had brow studios in Nordstrom, and from then on it was my mission to become a brow artist with Anastasia. It was pure luck that the position opened up right around the time that I found out about it!

Q2. You are preaching to the choir with me, but what would you tell Pretty Domestic about what makes the Anastasia method so proven and popular?

The Anastasia method is unlike any other brow waxing service.  You will not find a service like ours anywhere else.  The brow waxing service includes eyebrow measuring, waxing, tweezing, and trimming. We also diagnose any problem areas, develop a plan to improve those areas, and send you home with the proper products to fill yours brows in perfectly until the areas are perfected.

Q3. What is your number one tip for growing in perfectly shaped eyebrows?

HANDS OFF!  The best thing to do is leave your eyebrows alone.  A new shape or a fuller brow cannot be achieved unless there is hair growth to work with.  We also have an amazing brow enhancing serum to encourage more hair growth in the brow.

Q4. What products would you recommend for maintaining perfectly groomed brows?

I highly recommend a good brow brush such as the Anastasia Mini Duo Brush which has an Angled Brow Powder Applicator on one side, and a Grooming Spooley used to brush your brows on the other. Also, I would recommend a Clear or Tinted Brow Gel to keep hairs in place throughout the day.  A Clear or Tinted Brow Gel will also set your brow look so that it stays put all day.

Q5. Finally, how often do you recommend having ones eyebrows done?

Anastasia Beverly Hills recommends that a client should have their brows done every 3 weeks to maintain a perfect shape.

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More about Anastasia’s:

“Anastasia Soare is highly regarded as Hollywood’s go-to expert on balance, proportion and natural beauty through her use of innovative ingredients and techniques. Professional makeup artists, beauty editors and the biggest beauty bloggers look to the Anastasia Beverly Hills brand as the authority on brow and eye beauty.”

Anastasia’s methods are available to you within your local Nordstrom store at the Anastasia Brow Studio.  Each Brow Studio expert is trained to the highest Anastasia standards of brow excellence and is eager to create the perfect brow arch using the Anastasia method. In the studio you may enjoy perfect brow arching, brow reshaping and sculpting, and facial waxing.

–www.nordstrom.com

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Images: Instagram ~ @anastasiabeverlyhills

Until Then,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic

Nik’s 12 Days of Cocktails … Days 9, 10 & 11 …

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Here we are, Christmas Eve; whatever is not done, probably won’t get done. House decorated, gifts wrapped, table set, meal preparations underway, and warm greetings for out of town family and friends. What’s left, the perfect cocktail to wind down the evening and await Santa!

Nik has given us some more holiday cocktails sure to please the palette. Chin Chin!

Nik’s 12 Days of Cocktails ~ Day 9

The Elf

12 Days of Cocktails_9

Nik’s 12 Days of Cocktails ~ Day 10

Gingerbread Man

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Nik’s 12 Days of Cocktails ~ Day 11

The Wine Selection

12 Days of Cocktails_11

Merry Christmas,

~ L.

The Pretty Domestic