Blogs on the Brain II

When I started blogging, I never thought it would be anything other than a digital compilation of words, pictures, and inspirations. Since I started in 2009, my blog has managed to become much more than a series of posts about fashion and food, but rather manifested into a medium that has opened up doors that I never thought could be possible. There is an entire culture of writers, foodies and fashion folks in the blogosphere that are making major waves in the digital universe and beyond. When I get questions about why I blog, I have yet to refine the best possible answer. I attempted to do this, but as you can read...my true thoughts are still under construction. 

However, I know that my blog is something that allows me to define and refine my personal taste and fashion sense. I think of my blog as a space where I can let myself to express, create and thrive by connecting with others who are doing the same. Right now, here are a few blogs I've got on the brain.

CLOSET RICH | Vintage & Pre-loved Fashion Finds

Major props for concept coolness, the Closet Rich blog is an extension of Closet Rich. An online store where curator Elizabeth Knott hand-picks designer and vintage finds which her site allows for viewers to buy or sell closet to closet. 

A Cup of Jo | Magazine Writer & Blogger in NY

Joanna fills her blog with tid-bits on everything eye-candy: travel destinations, design inspirations, movie reviews, delicious treats, and the future of fashion. Not to mention she has perfected finding links that just about anyone will love which she includes in her posts. How cool is this?

Lookbook Cookbook | Vegan Food & Fashion 

Food porn at its finest and I'm not kidding. What is better than food and fashion? When they are fused together to create a seamless collection of photographs giving a whole new meaning to tempting treats. Strawberry Coconut Ice Pop anyone?

Honestly...WTF | DIY & Everything Fashion

Seriously, one of my favorite blogs about art and fashion trends, tips and not to mention some of the most creative DIY tricks. Created by designer and stylist duo Erica Chan Coffman and Lauren Kolodny, get your daily dose of all things tastefully fashionable and artfully original. This velvet bow was all DIY. Honesty...amazing. 

Tostada Tuesday

There is no question that being a lover of food has ignited a plethora of scrum-di-li-um-cious foodie bloggers that want to share their passion for good eats. I would definitely not consider myself a "food blogger", but have taken note that it has been difficult to find recipes for exactly what I am craving, up until now. Thanks to Gojee, perhaps the next best thing in recipe scavenging (aka Pandora for foodies), combines the best from food bloggers themselves in a website that makes it super simple and fun to choose what you want!

Yesterday, my sister and I were browsing through the mouth-watering photos of home-made treats, sweets and eats  when we stumbled upon Roasted Vegetable Tostadas, from the kitchen of Erin Alderson and her yummy blog Naturally Ella. It's normally taco Tuesday around here, but we decided to switch things up a bit.

What you'll need:
2 large cooking trays
1 mixing bowl
4 corn + wheat tortillas (Trader Joe's has the best)
1 bell pepper
1 onion, we used red
1 tomato
1 avocado
2 tspns olive oil 
1 can of black beans (we used re-fried)
1 lime
1 cup of shredded lettuce
Shredded pepper jack cheese
cilantro
tin foil (trust me, easy clean-up!)
ground cumin
cayenne pepper


Total prep time: 45 minutes 


To begin:

Preheat the oven to 425. (Side note: This recipe makes 4 tostadas) In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1 chopped bell pepper, cubed tomato and mix with olive oil. Using one of the cooking sheets, cover in tin foil and spread out on flat in order to achieve proper roasting. Place in the oven for about 30 minutes. Continuously check at 10 minute increments to make sure no veggie goes burnt. 

Black Bean + Cilantro Spread: This was not apart of the Naturally Ella's original post because we went with re fried black beans. In a bowl combine chopped cilantro, lime juice and 1/2 can of beans. Mix together using a pinch of ground cumin and cayenne pepper. Set aside. 

On the second baking tray, place 4 tortillas and sprinkle with pepper jack cheese. Place in the oven a rack underneath the roasting vegetables. The cheese and tortillas will cook in about 15 minutes, pull out of the oven and let cool and top off with black bean + cilantro spread. Place in oven for a few more minutes until beans are warm, then add lettuce, sour cream, sliced avocado and salsa if you wish. We used an extra spicy chipotle sauce, which was amazing! 

From here on out, I know where I am going to be getting my recipes. Thanks Gojee & Naturally Ella! 

Lovely & Lacey

LA LA LA LACEY

 

Lace & Bows // KIDVISKOUS.com

 

 Nude Lace // Rinny Riot

 

Laced In // RubiLove

 

 Pearly Girl // Jennifer & Sherry

Spikes, Lace & Karl Lagerfeld // Diego DOM

What better way to feel lovely and light than wearing something in lace? I like to think of fashion as the individuals way of decorating themselves. My favorite is anything over-sized enough to drape over the shoulder or pair with a contrasting color. Above are just a few designers and fashion pros that are lovin' lace right now, too! 

Blogs on the Brain

At work, I was compiling a list of bloggers in the Los Angeles area and was really amazed with number of young people who were updating, writing and influencing followers everyday.

Click through links to some of my favorites (in no particular order)

 Fancy Treehouse // Coury Combs // est. 2009

I love pairing unexpected combination and seeing vintage with thrift or designer with hand-made. I also love wearing stripes and red, which you will see all over this blog. Did I mention she has the cutest Boston Terrier that occasionally makes an appearance? So adorable.
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Sweden's Miss Frida Johnson
 

LOOKBOOK's number one and for obvious reasons.  And only 17!

Again, with the red. I am beginning to think that investing in a red pair of tights might be a good idea right about now. 
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Wild At Heart // Kelley Ash

The female body, de-contexualized. 

A blog about beautiful bodies, beautiful faces.