General

Fashionable Friend Friday

posted on : May 1, 2015 posted by : nicolesteinthal 0 Comment
Today’s Fashionable Friend Friday is my friend Stephanie, a very talented floral designer. Every Friday she posts a “Friday Flowers” arrangement on Instagram and they are all to die for!! Flower arranging is truly a gift and Stephaine sure does have it.. I asked her to give us some flower tips, especially how to take ordinary grocery store flowers and turn them into a Stephanie Worthy Bouquet!!!

What’s your favorite flower?
Thats like picking a favorite child . . . if I had to say, Gardenia.

Where do you look for inspiration?
Everywhere . . . even your blog 🙂

Do you always have fresh flowers at home?
Always, it makes everything nicer.

What are all the tools of the trade and supplies that we need to get started?
Great vases, and oasis. Oh, and sharp scissors.

So we are in the grocery store and see the rows of pre made bouquets. How can we turn these into something that looks like a professional arranged them?
First, check their stems to see if they are fresh. They should not have a filmy coating on them. Then take them home and separate them, cut their stems and get rid of whatever looks cheap . . . ( too much greenery, for example ) Then see if you have any fresh greens around. I will often cut some boxwood from the back yard and add it to the flowers for a fresh look.

What do you recommend to make a quick beautiful arrangement with flowers you can buy in the grocery store?
I think Trader Joe’s has the best flowers and you cant beat their prices! If you are new to arranging flowers then its best to stay with one color.

Do you prefer monotone arrangements or very colorful?
Both, it really depends where its going. My family room has a lot of pattern so I usually just keep it to green and white.

How do you use greens in a arrangement?
I use them to frame the arrangement.

Can you make an arrangement without flowers just using greens?
Absolutely, and it is a very chic look.

How do you use your garden flowers to make an arrangement?
I am always cutting flowers from the garden. Flowers, branches holly…whatever I can find. Right now I just cut a huge bouquet of tulips that had just started to fall over. They now have a second life on my kitchen island.
I have a lot of bud vases but never know how to use them or what to put into them. How can I make a bud vase look pretty in my home?
Bud vases look beautiful all lined up with a single flower or green. Keep it simple. I also love a bud vase in a powder room or on a bedside table. Right now I have a single gardenia next to my bed and the entire room smells wonderful!

What types of decorative containers do you like for flower arranging?
Interesting shapes with small openings so you don’t have to use too many blooms.

Is there an all year round flower?
You can get almost any flower all year, but you will have to pay up. I always try and wait until the flower is in season. But, roses from Costco are around all year and I use them all the time!

What is the best way to keep an orchid alive?
One ice cube a week.

What is the arrangement that you keep coming back to and making again and again?
I love wild arrangements with branches and ivy trailing. I want my flowers to look like I just brought them in from the garden and plopped them in a vase. You know the “no makeup look “

If you would like to contact Stephanie for arrangements for events or your own “Friday Flowers” her email is stephanie@hooverfamily.com



General

Kentucky Derby Style

posted on : April 30, 2015 posted by : nicolesteinthal 0 Comment
In our house the horse racing is HUGE.   My grandfather always “followed” the horses and had many friends that owned thoroughbreds, that won many races.  Needless to say everyone in my family looks forward to these events and have for years, hoping to see a triple crown winner.  This year the favorite is American Pharaoh.  However, there is a local horse racing on Saturday, Upstart.   Upstart was bred right here in Westchester, in Bedford.  His owners are from Greenwich Ct.  How exciting!!!  If you are lucky enough to attend The Derby or are invited to a Derby Party, here are some outfit ideas for you!  

Kentucky Derby Style

General

Rachel Zoe

posted on : April 29, 2015 posted by : nicolesteinthal 0 Comment

I feel like Rachel Zoe is my fashion soul mate.  We both adore fur, black, pointed shoes, Chanel and vintage jewelry .  I think her look is always flawless.  Yesterday, I got the chance to meet Ms. Zoe and “Rog” in person at ANGELAS in Rye.  I was so excited mostly because I was going to see her outfit in person, right before my eyes and BOY SHE DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!!!  We previewed her clothing line.  Her new line is total “BAA-NAN- NAS!!!!” (as Rachel would say), while still remaining elegant and so well priced for designer pieces.  You can view Rachel’s pieces on my Amazon blog wish list HERE.






General

How To Have A Fabulous Hair Day

posted on : April 28, 2015 posted by : nicolesteinthal 0 Comment

I have been reading more and more about the procedure called the “pre shampoo”.  It is suppose to be the secret to red carpet beautiful celebrity hair.  You use a pre shampoo before you shampoo and I have read that people use it anywhere from once a week to every time they shampoo!!  A pre shampoo helps the hair regain its elasticity and suppleness.  It also helps the hair regain some of its natural oils after the use of harsh shampoos.  The shine and luster will return to your hair because the pre shampoo “penetrates the hair cuticle, replenishing vital moisture and nutrients”.  There are many pre shampoos on the market I have showcased four brands that have received the best reviews.  If pre shampooing brings me one step closer to Hollywood hair, sign me up!!!!


You can buy these products HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE

General

John Robshaw

posted on : April 27, 2015 posted by : nicolesteinthal 0 Comment
Last week my friend Meg and I went to the Home Boutique of Greenwich to meet textile designer John Robshaw.  I had seen his colorful prints before in magazines and blogs many times and was looking forward to meeting John in person.  He is such a friendly guy, who resembles Hugh Grant!!!  He explained his background and we talked about everything from mutual friends to his fabulous custom button down shirt, made from some extra block print fabric.  John started his career by attending Pratt and studying block printing in India.  He travels all over the  globe for inspiration for his textile designs.  You can see John Robshaw’s complete line on his website HERE.  He also has a fabulous design book John Robshaw Prints: Textiles, Block Prints, Global Inspiration and Interiors that can be purchased HERE.
We both purchased one of these colorful Ikat towels to use for picnics at the beach this summer!!!
My friend Meg, my model for the day!!!!!!

General

FASHIONABLE FRIEND FRIDAY

posted on : April 24, 2015 posted by : nicolesteinthal 0 Comment

This weeks Fashionable Friend Friday is my friend Susie.  She is a swank New Englander, with a sense of style, that can best be described as preppy chic.  She is preppy with a hip flare.  Susie lives in an adorable backcountry greenwich carriage house.  After driving down a long driveway, Susie lives in a cozy grey cottage adorned with spring flowers and animal garden statues.  It is so picturesque.  Inside is such a visual treat and reflects Susie’s perky personality to a T!!!!!