Cinco de Mayo is one of our absolute favorite Holidays.  Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican heritage and pride and is a great reason to get together with your family and friends.  From the décor, to the music, to the food, there’s nothing we don’t love about this day!  So, today we’re here to help you host a magnifico celebration!

The Little Things:

• Buy batches of colorful flowers and place in short vases
• Stream colorful paper banners and flowers along your yard
• Buy fresh peppers and place in large glass bowls as food table décor
• Place mini-cactus’ along long tables
• Use maracas for your place settings
• Give every female guest a paper flower for their hair and every male guest a sombrero
• Have a piñata for the kids!
• Serve sopapillas and fried ice cream for dessert

The Ultimate Playlist:

Bidi Bidi Bom Bom by Selena Quintanilla Perez

La Bamba by Ritchie Valens

Macarena by Los Del Rio

La Cucaracha by The Hit Crew

Hot Hot Hot by Buster Poindexter

Your Attire:

French Connection Gwendoline Flower Dress, Ray Ban Large Metal Aviators, Rebecca Minkoff Neon Park Avenue Clutch, Sam Edelman Josie Wedges

Ultra Healthy Guacamole:

The best guacamole is made with the freshest ingredients… this recipe has been a classic in our families for years.  It’s diet friendly and also includes healthy, detoxifying spices!

2 avocados

½ cup of pico

½ lemon

garlic salt

lemon pepper

cayenne pepper

Mix avocadoes with pico (the chunkier the avocadoes, the better!), add garlic salt, lemon pepper and 2 pinches of cayenne pepper.  Squeeze lemon over guac (this adds a tang and also keeps your guac from turning brown!).  Serve with pita chips.  Serves 3-4

Our Favorite Skinny Rita:

3 ounces Patron

2 ounces fresh lime juice*

1 ounce agave nectar

Mix in shaker with ice, pour into two salt-rimmed glasses, garnish with limes.  *Use grapefruit juice for a delicious grapefruit rendition!

We are so excited for Saturday & hope that everyone enjoys their celebration!  Adios!

Kelli & Lisa

Some of the things we love most have just come together into one bundle of amazingness! The new Macerich Mobile App combines our love of shopping, sales, organization and technology all into one slice of heaven.

What We Love 

Not only does this app allow you to map out your shopping trip with a directory and map of your favorite malls, but you can also organize your shopping list as well. If you’re looking for a great deal or have a store you frequent, the app also lists sales and events for stores with current offers. You’ll never have to miss out on a sale again!

Who hasn’t been that person roaming through a sea of cars in the parking lot looking for a needle in a haystack? The app solves this problem for you, too! You can plan ahead by scoping out all of the options for parking ahead of time and when you arrive and begin your shopping adventure, simply have the app save your GPS location so you can find your way back after a long day of focusing on what’s really important…shopping!

Stay in touch with your shopping centers of choice through the app with all of their contact information just a touch away. You can also leave your feedback on your oh-so-fabulous shopping experiences (we’re pretty sure you won’t need that tool for anything negative, but it’s there just in case you do!).

And if you’re still worried about not being able to find your car, you can purchase gift cards through the app as well. Aside from a lifetime of free clothes, we can’t think of anything missing from this lovely new tool.

How to Get It 

If you’re an iPhone, Android or Blackberry user, go to your app store and search “The Macerich Company”. From there, you’ll find a list of all of the Macerich shopping centers’ individual apps. Download apps for all of your favorite places to shop and you’re on your way to having an amazing shopping experience with your new personal assistant!

Happy Shopping!

Kelli & Lisa

Z Gallerie Portofino Pavilion

It’s green out, the weather is perfect, the sunsets are beautiful… it’s time for a backyard rendezvous!  To get ready for your backyard cocktail party, you need to first set the scene!

• Add sand and candles to mason jars and place around your backyard.  They look adorable hanging from trees as lanterns if you attach a wire handle.
• String white lights throughout your trees or bushes (you can order these online for only $5!).
• Spread scented candles around inside & outside.
• Use your potted plants as centerpieces.
• Our FAVORITE accessory for these parties is the bar cart.  This is a must for every household!

Other tricks of the trade:

• Start up your fire pit and have a s’mores bar for guests to make their own s’mores dessert!
• Send everyone home with seeds to plant in their backyard.
• Brew your own beer as a fun drink option.
• Keep food cool and refreshing – think fruit, iced beverages & chilled desserts.
• Don’t be afraid to serve an assortment of bite-sized goodies instead of a full meal.  Guests actually enjoy the mingling with finger foods!  Just make sure there’s plenty!
• Keep bug repellent packs near your back door for guests to use before they step outside.  Another great DIY option is peppermint oil which repels most insects, especially mosquitos and fleas.  Dab the oil on focal points of your clothing or skin.  Or mix 1 part peppermint oil with 10 parts rubbing alcohol and put in a spray bottle for guests to easily apply.
• Be sure to have charms or labels on hand for everyone’s drinks.

Our favorite place to stock up on backyard party items is Z Gallerie, here are our favorites:

Clockwise from left: Fete Appetizer Set, Trio Beverage Dispenser (great for 3 types of Sangria!), Silver Nest Placemats, Pebble Starfish Plates in antique turquoise, Silver Seaburst Napkin Ring

And our favorite, refreshing summer cocktail… a Cucumber & Cantaloupe Cooler:

Made with organic cucumber vodka, basil simple syrup and lemon juice.  Garnish with a slice of cucumber & cantaloupe!  So delicious!

Enjoy your backyard soirée!

Kelli & Lisa

{DVF gown; Sparkly Soul headband; Versace for H&M necklace; CC Skye earrings; Nicky Hilton ring; Kate Spade clutch; Christian Louboutin shoes}

*****

A black tie affair with nothing to wear!

That’s nearly how I felt this past weekend when I ventured to the good ol’ hometown of NYC for a wedding so fancy and fabulous, it repeated the aisle two step of “that Jonas brother” who got married at the very same venue mere moments (ok, years) earlier. If it’s good enough for a Jonas… it’s good enough for elshane. 

So in my closet I peaked…. I rummaged… I ravaged… I sulked. I found tons and tons of {ain’t fly enough for this fashionista} gorgipants gowns that just didn’t hit the mark. I needed inspiration to recreate these closet woes. And then, shimmering like the popular gal she was, hanging so peacefully, was this long sleeve sequin Diane von Furstenberg snoozefest (turned bombshell) of a gown. Yes! The identical gown that was seen on Giuliana Rancic on Fashion Police’s post-Oscar one-hour special, of course! OK, fine. If it’s good enough for a Rancic…it’s good enough for elshane.

With a few safety pins {Angelina leg alert!} and a strategic loose wrap tie situation, this conservative wrap gown went Rihanna Grammy edition in five minutes flat. Added some Lioness details like jewels, a fony {faux-pony}, and it.all.happened. Would you look at that?

Lesson learned: Something hanging in your closet can be salvaged with an inspiration. With the lingering image of Princess Ri-Ri Rihanna in my head from that unforgettable Grammys night, her “Scarface” Michelle Pfeiffer rendition of music royalty transpired into a Jonas Brothers PG rated hit.

Halloween in March? You can do it, too.

xoxo,

elshane

Sometimes all roads lead back to black.

From the most classic combo in the books, has emerged a new twist…make that Windsor knot… bow tie… collar dude…

So fresh that it’s seen nightly on the likes of {insert mega-scale age odometer here} Halle Berry, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Emma Watson, Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, Kim Kardashian, the {so} black {so} white menswear trend can be pulled off at any age!

{Jill Stuart blazer; DVF feather headband; Zara lace top; Marni at H&M sequin collar; H&M shorts; vintage sunnies; Kardashian Kollection for Sears bralette; Nicky Hilton rings; black bow pin (on left sleeve) and fanny pack from Japan; Alaia boots}

****

On a canned soup budget…

Grab your go-to-man’s trusty white collared shirt {oversized tunic style}. Buy a long 1 inch wide black ribbon from a local craft store and tie it in a bow around the neck {dainty detail}. Celebrate the “no pants party” by adding matte black tights to complete the look. Extra artsy? Affix two matching gold rivets to the tails of your bow to polish the tie into a classic Vogue moment!

On this week’s lunch money…

Good thing menswear is so.hot.right.now; it’s available at all of your favorite street-style mall stores like H&M, Zara, GAP, Urban Outfitters, and Anthropology. Check out my {cheap (ha!) as a 1 lb. lobster} H&M shorts (see above) and try to tell me you prefer a warm baked chunk of tail dipped in butter… Well, with these prices, you can actually have both…

On, well… not really on a budget…

Fill that gas tank with “regular” and put the pedal to the splurging metal. Head to luxe-land…Barneys, Saks, Bloomies {Rachel Zoe Collection- check!} and get your splurge on. Best to invest in a classic black and white combo menswear top with a removable bow tie/tie/sash. Why? {two-fer alert, two-fer alert!} That little removable detail will take you a long way…you can pair it back to any other top in your closet!

Lesson learned? Playing around with menswear is almost as fun as men playing around in heels.

xoxo, elshane

Shape-shifters beware: Blazer is a good word…

{DVF blazer; Urban Outfitters lace top; Kate Spade necklace; Lizzie Fortunato Jewels turban; JBrand jeans; Lia Sophia bracelet; Christian Louboutin clutch; Sam Edelman shoes}

*****

In wake of winter slowly passing and spring inching forward, layering is left front and center on any fashion fabu’s to-do list. The problem? It’s hard to make chic head to toe blazer looks when you have been wearing the same abused piece of cloth for the last two seasons. {Suit up, wo-man up, stand up} for investing in key wardrobe items that will create your signature look.

For the budding fashionista, a double breasted blazer has victoriously made her mark as spring’s big ticket item. The look? Think… navy double breasted blazer paired with {mis}matching navy cropped shorts and a tucked casual tee. {Re-occuring rule alert: Don’t dare button that blazer!} Add a bib necklace, a bangle, and swagger-fied gold leather flats. Talk.to.the.hand!

For any body type, try an updated menswear blazer {cheers to Theory for always making the most reliable versions}. This type should sit right at the upper hip and be perfectly tailored to your shoulder shape. Pop that step, confidence in check: Pair with black skinny jeans and a bright chiffon top. {Re-occuring rule alert: Don’t dare button that blazer!}. Finish the look with a bold pump and killer-I mean studded- I mean killer handbag.

To all my curvy ladies, a blazer doesn’t have to be so structured! A more “blanketed” blazer resembling an airy, fitted poncho will do the trick and {slim-ify}. {Re-occuring rule alert: Don’t dare button that blazer!} Picture… On fiya LBD to the knee with a blanketed blazer hitting the top of the small of your waist, finishing with a leggy pump…{promotion alert!}

Lastly…for my secret spenders. You know who you are. Scenario: Approaching big city bright lights store straight ahead…“Let me peak through the window….oh, maybe I’ll pop in just to see if they changed their floor around…oh, that’s a new shoe…no, I’m not buying anything today! Oh, wow…that shoe is really cute. Ok, size 8.5 please….can you put these on hold…OK, I’LL TAKE THEM!!!” {Sorry…that was me retracing yesterday’s steps…} Casual Friday came early this week… with the luxe new fabrications of the ultimate casual spring blazer. Linen, silk, and plain ol’ cotton will do the trick, especially for a Sunday {faux -splurge} at street style stores like H&M, Gap, or Old Navy. {Re-occuring rule alert: Don’t dare button that blazer!} Have fun with color and pair back to basic blues or white denim to complete the fresh look.

So there you have it. Looks like we all know what you’ll be doing this weekend…

xoxo, elshane

p.s.- my favorite stores to shop for blazers are Zara, H&M, Theory, Diane von Furstenberg, Forever 21, Helmut Lang, and J. Crew. Happy shopping!

H&M Bikini

It’s that time again… time to start preparing for swimsuit season!  It’s okay, don’t panic, you have some time and we have some helpful hints!

If you’re pair shaped:

• Just say NO to bathing suits with a skirt bottom
• Steer clear of bottoms with ruffle details which only add volume

If you’re large busted:

• Stay away from ruffles on the top
• Halters are best for you!

If you’re small busted:

• Avoid bandeaus that flatten
• Underwire and triangle tops are best for you!

If you have a large waist:

• Any sort of crisscrossing, gathering or diagonal pattern across the torso of a one-piece will minimize your mid section.

Desperado?

• Go for the Spanx one piece (we’ve heard amazing reviews!) and a colorful Trina Turk tunic!

Here are a few of our favorite swimsuit picks this season:

1) Betsey Johnson primrose bikini top and tie side bottom 2) Bebe hot coral heart slider bikini halter top and bottoms 3) Splendid marcel navy and white striped triangle top and tunnel bottoms

1)  H&M turquoise bikini top and floral bottom 2) H&M black bandeau style swimsuit 3) D-Cup underwire retro balconet ruched Hipster yellow and white bikini top and bottoms 4) O’Neill triangle and tab side multi-color triangle bikini top and bottoms

The ultimate bikini workout is the plank which targets the abs all around.  The details:

• Lie face down on the ground with your feet flexed, place the back of your fore arms on the floor with your palms facing up and thumbs out.  Lift your body off of the floor while keeping your back (especially your lower back) flat!  Hold the plank as long as you can – increasing as you get stronger.  You can also lift one leg at a time for an additional challenge.  This is the best all-around ab exercise = soon you’ll be bikini ready!

Like we said, don’t panic!  It’s just the first week of March- you still have time to perfect that healthy swimsuit body!

Dreaming of laying on the beach…

Kelli & Lisa

Secret’s out… it’s still February… still cold, still windy… still pale, still dark-rooted…

Oh, the day that I can store my bulky winter coats and release the air around my spring dresses… “still a distant dream,” says the multiple {un-cahooted} Groundhogs…

How confusing, then, is it that pastels have snuck their mellow muted magnificent way onto the racks of our favorite clothing stores? How rude! Or is it?

US Weekly magazine

PASTELS FOR WINTERY~SPRING:

No rules in fashion! Start shopping for those sucklin’ sherbert pastels and get them on your bod pronto! Think…

Creamy Pink cotton cable knit crew neck sweater (hi and thank you, H&M!)…

Winter/NOW: Confident prep’ster never felt so right… With dark denim skinnies and a nude patent pump.

Spring/LATER: With blue tweed shorts and gold flats. The leggy look… fans? J’Lo to Rachel Bilson to Betty White. Ok, reaching…

Baby Blue denim-inspired button down shirt (true denim button downs?///so last year!)…

NOW: Your Baby Blue baby buttoned up tight, tucked in right, a dark denim skinny, and glow all night! Navy blue pumps to stomp.it.out.

LATER: Same outfit alert? Oh yes! Just switch up those dark denim skinnies for classic white jeans and an open toe platform sandal.

Buttery Yellow trousers (open embrace!!: wide, skinny, tall, short)…

NOW: Tough chick, big personality: E-f-f-o-r-t-l-e-s-s. Classic loose white tee. Black leather jacket. Buttery Yellow trouser. Plus, colorful bangle or necklace (orange, pink, or mustard). Did you just tone-on-tone a pastel? No you didn’t! Yes you did!

LATER: This one’s easy. Color block with another pastel on top, of course! Powder green silk tee, casually tucked. Gold gladiator flat. Major smile. Major memories.

Orange Sherbert shoes (do it like Brooklyn Decker and score a tennis-pro hubby, too!)…

NOW: I hear the promotion bellz-a-ringin’. Off to work in a black {Victoria Beckham} sheath dress and Orange Sherbert patent wedges. The shoes just paid for themselves…

LATER: Learn from a style star like Brooklyn Decker {or elshane…cough, cough}. To a dinner date, a wedding, a vacation, and beyond… pastels are born to go on blind dates with other pastels…

(Pastel combo shirt, pink studded pack, and pastel watch from Tokyo, Japan; JBrand jeans; Lenora Dame necklace; Kitson earrings; Robert Rose bangles; Chanel flats)

*****

Oh how I love a two-fer!

xoxo,

elshane

I might be the utmost qualified ladylove to touch in on this subject; I cry at every Zales commercial ever aired.

The elshane motto of a brighter life is woven stems from catering {lewks} for specific celebrations, and Valentine’s Day is high up on the mega list of favorite holidays to play dress-me-up.

And why is this night different from all other nights, we ask? Because on this night, we dress for our significant other(s) (it’s 2012, peoples!), or the imagination of one(s). Trends are left in the dust of classic sex appeal. Edginess may have gotten you the date, but your inner {Sofia Vergara} is paying the bill tonight…

(Jennifer Behr for DVF turban; DVF maxi; vintage necklaces and handbag; TopShop boots)

****

Table For Two…

Steak and Martinis? A dress, of course, is required. Red, of course, is required. Leave the cliché comments at the babysitter’s door. Tonight you are dressing for the ultimate date night of 2012. You are your best self: the dress, the hair, the makeup, the shoes. Leave no step behind. Take the diamonds out of the safe. Bat those lashes and deserve that second drink without a peep…

“Roughing It” with Ham Sammies? A more low-key dinner out is often preferred by most Valentine-goers because of the clockwork overpriced holiday menus. {Ru-uude!} Doesn’t mean your wardrobe should reflect that change of sassy pace. On a night like Valentine’s Day, the fantasy of romance is between you and your partner– there is no one else in the room tonight! Stand out with a body-con pencil skirt and low cut printed top. Add a bright heel to keep your partner’s eye wandering…from head to toe.

Posing as Chef Betty? Nothing says female empowerment like a home cooked meal! Light candles, dim the lights, and serve up your famous Saucy Special in a dramatic non-formal maxi dress (chiffon, silk, or cotton). And, don’t forget the heels! If you are bringing the restaurant “home” into the kitchen, keep all restaurant rules in play tonight. Last time I was in a restaurant shoe-less was, well, last week in Tokyo, Japan… So unless you’re searing sea bass and slicing sashimi, stay stiletto strong!

The Brooding Bunch? For every whimsical Sally running through daisy gardens with effervescent fervor, there is a crew of {hit the beat, DJ!} To All My Single Ladies! who will gather together this evening and reflect on bad dates, celebrating their fabulousity! {You go gurl!} Forget red and black: go bold! This is your time to celebrate yourself: go Green {with envy} for your untouchable swagger cool. GAP and Joe’s Jeans make green denim that skinny-fy any leg and add a winter zaa-zaa-zoorific to a snowy or shiny backdrop. Bring the look home with a wildly entertaining top and rewarding accessories.

And what will I be wearing? I’m going Chef Betty on this holy night. Meaning… while my Beef Tenderloin Tips and Truffle Mac n’ Cheese are a-roastin’, I’ll be doing a swift oil-proof rapid quickfire change into a beachy chiffon pink snow leopard maxi and tough chick booties. Hair long and wavy, heavy on the eyelash, and strong on the ’07 Malbac.

Ambiance and all smiles.

xoxo,

elshane

It’s official! Our tans have faded into the memories of last…

Long are the days of summer. In New York, we actually held on for a bit… a few dribbles of sunshine here, a leather jacket day there, a sunglasses splurge to keep the Groundhog… {grounded}… And creepy are the winds and snow… sneaking up on us like this, laughing through the bustle of the trees: Al Roker, we hear you loud and clear! It’s a cold one ahead…

Coats: Investing in the right coats is a vital tool in balancing the classic fashion yin and yang: Aesthetics vs. Utility. Here’s what you {need/must/lust}:

*Fabu/Gori-wear: A coat that is meant to be a timeless {a total moment!}: think ankle length black wool with bow closure, grey tweed double breasted menswear silhouette, chocolate mink with shawl collar {ulti-DIE-moment! (Literally for some?)}.

*Practical-wear: A puffer! For snow, rain, football game, the works. Keep it basic, black, and inexpensive.

*Under-wear: Leather jacket gone winter! Don’t dare retire those fall-favs once the blizzard hits. Leather jackets make great layering pieces under an oversized coat, like a puffer. (Situation: Heading out to your birthday dinner… in the snow? Doctor orders a sleeveless sheath dress with tights, leather jacket, and puffer to peel off the second you enter that restaurant!) E.F.F.O.R.T.L.E.S.S.L.Y E.L.E.G.A.N.T.

(Fur hat from Russia; Sasha Samuel headpiece; DVF dress; Mosley Tribes sunnies; Fur gloves from Paris; TopShop boots)

Accessories: With the abundance of small business shops, D-I-Y craftings, and re-gifted store credits, buying multiple sets of hats, gloves and scarves should never intimidate! Like a fine wine, these quirky extras add personality, long shelf life, and worth to your winter layered look, and they never go out of style. Splurge…on quantity, not quality!

Shoes: Oye! Snow salt? Muddles {muddy puddles, anyone)? Head to the local shoe sale and buy last year’s boots for these slushy days. I prefer a dry and revived chic outfit from head-to-ankle, over a salt-stained couture shoe to complete a head-to-toe look. Plus, if your shoe in this weather doesn’t quite hit the mark compared to your nosy neighbor… just wait until she steps in that sad, sad suede-eating bath… Who’s laughing now?

There’s something so charming and nostalgic about the chills of winter. We always remember where and when that snowstorm hit… let’s also remember the flippin’ fresh n’ fly look we donned…

xoxo,

elshane