friday i'm in love: fave things from the past week

Between projects, meetings, and my poor mom recovering from swine flu (she's MUCH better, thank God), I've had one helluva week.  Not only am I thrilled it's finally the weekend, but today is our "steel" anniversary. I got Mister a crepe pan since he loves making crepes and he's been wanting to get a proper pan. Practical? Yes. Romantic? Hm...maybe not to some, but when he makes me a Nutella crepe, I find it pretty romantic. :)

Anyway, here are a few of my favorite things from this past week:

• Le Petit Nicolas (the French equivalent of Calvin or Dennis the Menace) is coming to a theater near you.
• Don't you hate it when you fall a few dollars short of qualifying for free shipping on Amazon? Just enter the dollar amount you need and the Amazon Filler Item Finder will list items in that price range.
• The Water Bobble is a reusable bottle that filters water as you drink. One filter is the equivalent of 300 water bottles.
• Amazing art made with staples.
• The perfect "I'm Sorry" cards.
• Speaking of cards...I love these simple & classic "all occasion" cards.
• Easy and pretty DIY drawer knobs.
• Photoshop + stopmotion + cooking = deliciously fun & genius
• Loving the new Aldo campaign with Jessica Stam (photography by Terry Richardson).
• Wonder if you can write a negative review about Yelp on Yelp?
• A sweet short film with gorgeous imagery & cinematography...and a slight twist towards the end.
• Wondering where to eat in L.A.? Why not go by the list of James Beard semifinalists.
• And since we're on the topic of food, 99 things to eat in L.A. before you die. (thanks, Honey My Heart!)
• The slow movement has reached photography...and I'm all for it. (btw, have you joined the Slow Readers Book Club?)
• And, speaking of photography...the Hipstamatic app really makes me want an iPhone now - turns your iPhone camera into an analog camera.

And now, I leave you with The Brat Pack dancing to Phoenix's Lisztomania. Happy weekend! xoxo

currently...

. . . reading:

The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry: Love, Laughter and Tears in Paris at the World's Most Famous Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn

(via Amazon)

I'm about 1/2 way done with the book and I don't want it to end. Flinn's accounts of attending the Cordon Bleu in Paris is like the yin to Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential yang. Her writing is simple, clean, and endearing. Each chapter ends with a recipe and a life lesson learned and the story is sprinkled with witty bon mots and wise observations on cooking, love, and life in Paris. The book could have easily bordered on cheesy but Flinn makes it absolutely charming. I highly recommend.

. . . loving:

Dareen Hakim Collection

 

  

  

  

I love the Arabic calligraphy that adorn these clutches. They're hand engraved by metal artisans in Lebanon and you can choose between Live & Laugh, My Love, Happiness, and Wisdom & Strength. I think they'd look great as a statement piece against a simple outfit of jeans and tee or an LBD. The above are my faves - how perfect are the yellow and pearl colored ones for spring and summer? And the yellow can easily transition into fall...I love yellow paired with rich burgundies and purples. Fun, right?

. . . listening to:

My Blueberry Nights Soundtrack

(via Amazon)

As much as I'm a fan of Wong Kar Wai's films, this one was a miss. But the awesome soundtrack makes up for it (his films do have some of the best music).  I've been "shopping" my own iTunes library lately for music I forget I have when I re-discovered this and since been listening to it nonstop while working. My faves are the Cat Power tracks and Cassandra Wilson's heartbreaking version of Harvest Moon. And of course Otis Redding's Try A Little Tenderness brings a smile to my face thanks to Duckie's infamous serenade in Pretty In Pink (my fave Hughes/Ringwald film):

P.S. My fave Wong Kar Wai film is In The Mood For Love.  Love the soundtrack as well as the 2046 soundtrack. 

02.18.10

 

Target boy's blazer, American Apparel tee, Forever 21 skirt, Kinque.com (website mia) lace leggings (also worn here), vintage boots & sunglasses, Kate Spade bag, necklace - made by friend

A few things I noticed in these pics:

• Mister has an odd habit of cutting off feet when he takes photos. I suppose it's better than cutting off heads (although, he's been know to do that, as well).
• I need a trim. My hair's already grown a couple of inches and it's at the awkward stage where it's doing weird things.
• This is the longest I've gone w/out darkening my hair and the closest I've gotten to my natural color in a long time.
• Tried got2b's curling spray for the 1st time and it left my hair crunchy and limp. Not pretty.

Last week Mister and I both had meetings and errands to run in Koreatown and when we were done, we decided to treat ourselves to Korean bbq (when in Rome...). Unfortunately, I was too busy eating to get photos of the meat on the grill. But I can tell you it was delicious. (Btw, the restaurant is called Soot Bool Jib on 8th Street)

P.S. I just re-launched my Femme Rationale Shop...ch-ch-check it out. :)

anonymous monday | blogger confessional

(weheartit)

• Don't forget to post ANONYMOUSLY
• Don't include any names (or change names, if you must)
• Please play responsibly

(Out of respect, I will not publish your comment if you happen to comment with your name)

Today is a free for all...

Get anything and everything off your chest!

friday i'm in love: fave things from the past week

(more photos here)

The clouds have been descending down on So Cal and the sunshine we've been spoiled with the past 2 weeks is no nowhere to be found. We have a rainy weekend to look forward which really puts a damper on things (no pun intended).

Anything lovely on the horizon for you this weekend? I will be visiting my family and I also have a couple of meetings on Sunday. Sounds dreadful but they're actually fun meetings...yeah, that sounds odd to me, too, but I'm really not yanking your chain.

Anywho, hope the weekend treats you right and I'll see you next week! xoxo

• Flying just became a little more romantic thanks to Air New Zealnd's Cuddle Class.
• Not everyone loves Forever 21.
• Know what you want to do before you die? Put it on a polaroid.
• Coffee porn thanks to Luxirare.
• Love the layering job...especially the jacket sleeves pulled up to reveal the chunky knit sweater.
• Because you've always wanted to know how to make a cake slice favor box out of paper.
• 2010's best guilt free foods (chocolate Cheerios, anyone?)
• Stylish kids are giving the adults a run for their money.
• This photo really makes me wish I could pull of bright coral lipstick.
• Love Garance Dore's fashion week videos. That is all.
• How sweet are these hand cranked music boxes?
• Photoshop turns 20 today.

And the winner of my Perricone No Foundation Foundation Giveaway is Chic 'n Cheap Living!

Congratulations! Please email me your mailing address! :)

readers' thoughts & feedback

I would really love it if you shared your thoughts with me and gave me some feedback:




1. Which topic should I post about more often? Less?
2. Do you have any post requests?
3. Other suggestions, thoughts, comments?

Thank you! xoxo

P.S. You can comment anonymously...but I ask that you go easy on me. :)

blogger ethics | around here, free swag does not equal free praise

 (ffffound)

I should have written this post a long time ago but to be honest I didn't think it was necessary. However, in light of the recent debate regarding bloggers and free swag, I thought I would address my blogging ethics and what you can expect from me.

I get free stuff. That's no secret. I've always disclosed it and never played coy about whether or not I purchased it. Why should I? My readers aren't simple...you know it was free, I know it was free. However, there's more swag that don't make it on this site than do.

All my product reviews are honest. I have never given something a positive review because I received it for free. When a company wants to send me something, I consider 2 things:

1. Does it fit my blog and would my readers be interested?
2. Am I required to review the product even if I don't like it?

If I am required, I won't accept the product. I don't like being forced like that and having to lie to you if it turns out to be a dud. I don't know how many times I have contacted a company letting them know that I wasn't too impressed and wouldn't be able to write a favorable review. They've all been very gracious and appreciated the fact that I didn't trash their product and I was honest.

I hate it when something is raved about but turns out to be crap so I won't do that to you. I will always be honest and straightforward and any time I review something or promote it, you can be sure that I truly like it and I felt it was something you would like, too.

I think the old saying "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" sums it up when it comes to blogging and life.

anonymous monday | blogger confessional

 (from the movie Rushmore via Google Images)

Every Monday I'm going to start a sentence and you're going to finish it...ANONYMOUSLY. Easy and fun, right? Kinda like a Blogger Confessional. The only rules are that you have to comment as ANONYMOUS, don't include any names (change names if you must) and I ask that you play nice. :)

(Out of respect, I will not publish your comment if you happen to comment with your name )

So here's today's blogger confessional:

In light of Presidents' Day, do you feel President Obama (or for my international readers, your current leader) is doing a good job?

friday i'm in love: fave things from the past week

 
(photo taken from inside the car while Mister was driving) 

Can you believe it's Valentine's Day already? And Chinese New Year?  Mister and I don't have much planned...V-Day takes a back seat with us because our anniversary is 2 weeks later and we prefer to go all out for that.  Last year we celebrated in Vegas but I think we might just spend the day (or wknd?) in Santa Barbara this year.

Whether you have a Valentine or not, I hope you spend the day with the people you love. xoxo

• Here's a coupon for Pinkberry (buy 1 get 1 free) - enjoy it with someone special. :)
• A fun quiz to see which color matches your personality. (My color is black...which isn't surprising)
• How about a little pampering? I think you deserve a massage...or facial...or both! Sign up for SpaFinder's Deal Days and be notified of specials happening in your area.
• Paper cups were never as fun as these. How cute (and cost efficient) are they as decorations?
• These DIY heart & lollipop flowers are easy to make and are perfect V-Day favors.
• A creative & ingenious way to recycle your favorite old tees - turn them into laptop sleeves!
• I think these custom silhouette mugs would make perfect wedding gifts...or any occasion gift for that matter.
• Turn any photo into a polaroid with these polaroid frames.
• LOL making the most of the snowstorm in the east.
• Don't forget to enter my Perricone giveaway!

And on a somber note...

I've never met him or seen him in person or had a conversation with him, but I loved him. He was the first person to really get me excited about fashion and clothes and runway shows. I've always loved fashion but it quickly became an obsession when he hit the fashion scene with his hauntingly beautiful designs.  As a young high school student, it was jarring & eye opening...and mind blowing.  I always thought my perfect wedding day would be saying I do in one of his dresses...and that was all I would need for it to be my dream wedding.

Fashion will never be the same...

RIP Lee Alexander McQueen

(I think Tim Blanks said it best)

win a bottle of Pericone No Foundation Foundation

Foundation can be like a mate - both can be flaky, aging, and just not good for you. So it's no surprise that finding the right foundation is just as difficult as finding prince charming.

Well, instead of foundation, how about the No Foundation Foundation? Pericone has developed a wondrous product that is "the first advanced anti-aging translucent finishing product".  According to the site, it:

• Instantly reduces the appearance of wrinkles, lines and pores.
• Provides non-chemical SPF 30 broad spectrum UV protection.
• Corrects skin undertones.
• Quick-absorbing.
• Moisturizes. Skin appears smooth and naturally dewy.

Smooth & naturally dewy? Uh...yes, please.

Thanks to the generous people at Perricone, one of my lucky readers will get to win a bottle!

1. Leave a comment and share why you want or need No Foundation Foundation.
2. Tweet this contest for an extra entry (be sure to include @femmerationale in your tweet so I can count it)
3. Contest will end 2/18 and winner will be announced 2/19.
4. Contest is only open to residents of United States & Canada. Sorry, international readers...I do love you so I'll have something for you soon, as well. ;)

Good luck!!

reading list

Remember I was reading The Road a little while ago? Well, I finished it and really loved it. It stayed with me for days - such a beautiful story and I couldn't help wonder what happened to the boy and hope that he survived.

After The Road, I moved onto Water For Elephants.

This book was GOOD. I couldn't put it down and as much as I dislike it when Hollywood tampers with the lives of my beloved books, I think a movie version of this will be fantastic. It has plenty of crazy and eclectic characters and the story has enough twist & turns and romance & action to please the movie audience (apparently Reese Witherspoon has signed on as Marlena (which I'm skeptical about) and rumor has it Sean Penn & Robert Pattinson will be signing on, as well).

After my trip to the circus, I read Love Is A Mixtape.

Rob Sheffield, who is a writer and music critic, talks about losing his first wife, Renee, when they were both 31 and after only 5 years of marriage. He recounts their love story one mixtape at a time. For anyone who loves music and acknowledges the power it can have, this is a nice read. And a reminder to appreciate and cherish those you love cuz life can be taken from you at any moment.

And finally, I read David Baldacci's Wish You Well.

I enjoyed the book but wasn't blown away by it. It was an easy and pleasant read - something you can take on vacation. It's about a brother & sister who end up moving from NYC to the mountains of Virginia to live with their great grandmother after a family tragedy. The one aspect of the book I really liked was the relationship between the siblings - reminded me so much of my relationship with my younger brother.

Now I'm reading Miss Misery by Andy Greenwald. I'm not far enough into the book to form an opinion yet but I will admit that I picked out the book because it shares the title with an Elliott Smith song.

P.S. Thank you so much for your vote of confidence but I did not win Akira Chicago's contest. :(  But it's ok, I had fun participating in it.

P.P.S. I'm having a blast answering all your questions on my formspring. I hope you enjoy reading my answers. :)

akira chicago | blogger contest

Sara from Akira Chicago contacted me a few weeks ago asking if I wanted to participate in a "who wore it best" contest amongst some fellow fashion bloggers. I thought it would be fun and decided to participate. We were each gifted with this LBD (little black dress) and was told to create an outfit. The winner will receive a $200 gift card to Akira.

I layered the lace leggings with the shiny ones since the weather is a little too cold for me to be prancing around in just lace covered legs. The fur vest serves the same purpose - warmth. The dress is actually a prime candidate for cold weather layering and oh so versatile due to its simple & classic design. It's definitely going to be a vip(iece) in my wardrobe. (Thank you, Akira!)

Well, here's my entry...Wish me luck! :)

Akira Chicago dress, vintage fur vest (also worn here), Target shiny leggings, kinque.com (site seems to be down) lace leggings, Guess heels (last worn here), Nasty Gal Vintage sunglasses (worn here along with the rings), hand crafted necklace by my friend Ellen, Mister's watch

anonymous monday | blogger confessional

(weheartit)

Every Monday I'm going to start a sentence and you're going to finish it...ANONYMOUSLY. Easy and fun, right? Kinda like a Blogger Confessional. The only rules are that you have to comment as ANONYMOUS, don't include any names (change names if you must) and I ask that you play nice. :)

(If you happen to comment with your name, out of respect I will not publish your comment)

So here's today's blogger confessional:

When I look in the mirror, I see...

friday i'm in love: fave things from the past week

The rain decided to pay us another visit this weekend. I'm not a fan but I know we need it and I will admit that mother nature looks prettier after a nice shower.

Some gf's and I will be attending to projects this weekend and I'm hoping to squeeze in some major reading time. There's nothing like curling up with a book as the rain taps on the windows.

Hope you have a warm, cozy, relaxing weekend! xoxo

• Remember my lovely ring from Ice.com? Well, just in time for Valentine's Day, Ice.com is offering my readers 25% off their order (excludes sale items, engagement rings & watches). Enter code IBLOG at checkout. (valid til March 31, 2010)
  
• I'm loving these typography juice glasses.
• These stainless steel straws are not only good for the environment (since they're reusable) but they're very industrial chic.
• I loved the Basil one so I will definitely check out the new set of Marc Jacob's Scented Splashes.
• Hey fellow tweeps, remember our coffee discussion? Well, check out this site Putting Weird Things In Coffee (the name says it all).
• Unexpected stuff you can borrow from some public libraries.
• Encouraging & inspirational design quotes you can use as screensavers.
• What is your Swedish name if you were a piece of furniture made by a giant retailer that rhymes with Eye-kea? According to the name generator, mine is NINN which is funny cuz that's what my friends call me. (via How About Orange)
• 100 ways to look younger (some are obvious but still good reminders)
• I never liked umbrellas but this photo is changing my mind.
• Nutella packets to go? Omg, yes please. And check out the new Heinz Ketchup "dip & squeeze" packaging. We can finally eat our french fries in the car worry free.
  

paper or plastic?

People who know me are usually surprised that I don't use an electronic planner. Here's the thing...I love me gadgets & gizmos a plenty. I'm all for technology and in a fire I'd probably grab my Mac & Blackberry...and my external hard drive...oh, and of course my camera...

Anyway.

But when it comes to scheduling my time and making notes, I'm all about the good ol' paper & pen combo. Writing things down helps me remember and I like to be able to see everything laid out & be quick about jotting notes.

So I'm on the hunt for a new planner. As much as I love Moleskines and their hip ways, I want something a little more fun. Here are some I found that I'm really digging:

It's pretty obvious why this one made my list...I am so loving the vintage images. And I like that the daily calendar portion feels more like a journal. You can find it here.




This one's from the same Etsy seller above and I like its simplicity. You can find it here.




How fun & adorable, right? These are also from the same seller. How can it not brighten up your day? You can find these here.




I really like the cover design but my favorite thing about this planner is how the week pages lay inside the monthly calendar so you're not flipping a bunch of pages going back and forth from month view to week view. Love it. You can find this here.




Doesn't this look very Kate Spade-ish? The simple, modern design & colors really appeal to me. You can find this here. (Thanks, Honey My Heart!)



Love the color, love the print, & love the fabric cover. It's unisex, too. You can find this here. (Check out the leather journals & map notebook sets, too...good stuff)




Shoes + planner = fun fun fun. You can find this here.




How sweet are the dandelions? This is made by a company called Posy Paper and they use paper that's 100% recycled, processed chlorine free, and made with wind generated electricity. Look good & feel good with this planner. You can find this here.

All images via Etsy & Amazon