With Memorial Day on the horizon, it’s time to talk sun. Being a girl with a pasty white complexion, not-inexpensive highlights, and a tendency to break out into a rash in the sun (no, really), I dread summer. The moment the sun first peeks out for the season, I bust out the highest SPF I can find, and huddle under any café umbrella in sight. Besides the fact that it causes wrinkles, freckles and melanoma (not necessarily in that order), a lot of time spent in the sun bodes for dry, unhappy hair and skin – not exactly that youthful, dewy look we’re all going for.

But this year, I’m feeling a bit less scared of those sun rays – because I have some excellent ammunition.

Clarins is always be my go-to for sun protection (and, well, most everything else too). For my skin, at least, they offer the best sunscreens around. Not too oily, not chalky in the least, and my skin doesn’t even put up a fuss when I make my seasonal switch from Multi-Active Day SPF 15 to UV Plus SPF 40 Day Screen. This year, they’ve released it in a tinted formula – excellent news if you happen to match one of the three shades. As for me, I’m still layering my Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer on top, but that SPF 40 leaves me much less tense about an alfresco lunch. Best of all? When I whipped out the Clarins for the first time this year (and skipped the Clinique), the husband asked if I was wearing makeup. When I said no, he said – I kid you not – “Wow, you look really nice – all glow-y.” Um, I’ll take a case, please.

For the rest of your bod, I recently got hold of Target’s new up & up continuous-spray sunscreen. Between the Sport SPF 30 and the Kids’ SPF 50, I think you know which I chose. The kids’ version applies seamlessly, isn’t greasy (as so many spray-ons are), and did a fantastic job of protecting me on that charity walk I did last weekend. There is a faint chemical quality to the smell, but I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a spray sunscreen without it. Oh, and it’s $5. Win!

Then, of course, there’s the matter of your mane. It’s no surprise that summer does awful things to hair – all that sun exposure, a few more trips to the salon for a few more highlights, and those “beachy waves” that turn into impossible-to-remove tangles. I’m kind of in love with Sachajuan, a line I was introduced to by the geniuses over at Woodley & Bunny (go ahead, just try to visit their awesome new online apothecary without being sucked in). They personally test each and every item on the shelves, so I knew I was in good hands. Sachajuan’s products are incredibly gentle and nourishing, with the goal of making you do as little heat-styling as possible (volume powders, repair balms) with as little product as possible, so your hair gets loaded down with moisture and not much else. Love the philosophy, and absolutely love the products.

And I can’t wrap up without dishing on my latest favorite lip balm (SPF 15, naturally). Bobbi Brown Lip Balm comes in this sleek silver tin, and is packed with goodies like wheat germ and olive oil. It feels absolutely amazing on (and can also work wonders with your cuticles in a pinch), and somehow lends just the palest of tints without having any color at all. Plus, it’ll save your lips from that super attractive sunburned-slash-scaly-and-peeling look. As always, I don’t know how Bobbi does it, but I’m sure glad she does.

What are your go-to summer products? Come on, fellow sun-phobes…dish!

I do love a Kate Spade sale…I feel like they’re one of the last brands that *really* knows how to tempt a girl with a bargain. There are some pretty gorgeous goodies to be had, at some pretty incredible prices (up to 75% off) – including that Scout bag we were all fighting for last season. If I was in a shopping mood (curse this hot weather!), I’d be all over it.

1. Bedford Road Leighton, $199 / 2. Sunnies $62 / 3. Scarf, $89 / 4. Japanese Floral Austin dress, $139
5. Selma sweater dress, $98 / 6. Idiom bangle, $69 / 7. Essex Scout, $179 / 8. Big Time Statement necklace, $69

So, first, I have to break the bad news…I didn’t get to meet Tim Gunn in person after all.

Wah-waaah. I know. But I did get to talk to him on the phone! Here’s how it all happened (I can’t believe I have actual celebrity dish for you!): Tim was coming to Portland to host a Lucky Brand Jeans event, and his PR folks contacted me to see if I’d like to interview him before the event (um, YES!). After our lovely chat on the phone last week, Tim asked me to attend the Lucky Brand event, and to let his people know I was there so he could meet me (!). Convinced we were destined to be BFFs, I showed up, dressed to the nines, of course. But alas, his schedule (or more specifically, I suspect, his handlers) had other plans. So, I had to settle for sitting 6 feet away while he expounded on everything from the tortures of warm-weather dressing (he shares my hatred for capri pants and showing too much skin) to that bitch, Gretchen, from season eight. Not a bad consolation prize…especially when paired with our phone chat. But I’ll admit, I was a bit blue.

{Photo by my darling hubs. Yes, that’s me, over in the right-hand corner. You can always spot me by the sunnies
perched on my head. And PS, aren’t those red jeans adorable on Tim? }

Minor setbacks aside, it turns out that, in person (and on the phone), Tim is every bit the poised, well-mannered guy you want him to be (if considerably skinnier). But he also loves to dish, just a little bit. He has some fantastic stories about behind-the-scenes wars with Heidi and the other Project Runway judges, which entertained me to no end. He’s nothing if not honest, but he has that rare gift for delivering the truth in a way that doesn’t make you hate him. {And as a bonus, it turns out the event wasn’t a total loss: Lucky Brand actually has some extremely cute summer wares, and is offering 20% off online today. Score!}

I know, I know, blah, blah. “Get to the part where Tim tells us the secrets of the fashion universe,” you’re thinking. And so, I shall. But be prepared…it’s long. He’s a chatty guy, that Tim Gunn. I edited for length, but not for content – I didn’t want you to miss a thing! So, this is the world’s longest blog post. You’ve been warned. Read the rest of this entry »

Wow, this weekend is hoppin’, friends! So many fantastic things happening, I have a feeling I’ll be a pile of mush by Sunday night. If you’re in Portland, come join me at any or all of the following:

• Tim Gunn (!) will be at Nordstrom in Washington Square on Saturday, hosting a summer trends fashion show for Lucky Brand Jeans (owned, apparently, by Liz Claiborne). And, um, HE ASKED TO MEET ME!!!! I may need to take a sedative. In other words, this will be an event worth seeing on many levels.
• West Elm has a pretty fun Mother’s Day event going: head over on Saturday from 10-3 and meet up with the floral experts from Solabee to design a perfect bouquet for Mom (or just nab some arranging tips from the pros). This one’s not even Portland-only – West Elm is hosting the same event in 7 cities, so check the list to see if you’re a lucky winner!
• Manor Fine Wares is hosting that fantastic Heather B. Moore trunk show I told you about recently on Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm. Take Mom over and check it out…between the free champagne and the couldn’t-be-more-perfect gift options, it’s a Mother’s Day slam dunk.
• Believe it or not, I’m participating in a fundraising walk for the Oregon Humane Society. Which means I’ll be wearing tennis shoes. In public. Feel free to come cheer me on…or, you know, be a little less self-absorbed than I am and just participate to raise money for needy furballs.

Whatever you’re doing, I hope it involves your mom somehow. Mine is jetting off to points unknown (aka, Virginia) for the weekend, so I’ll have to celebrate long-distance style by publicly embarrassing her. Love you, Mom!

{My awesome mom, being adorable in her leather trench, chunky knits and some pretty fantastic boots back in the ’70s.
None of which she saved for me.}

However you spend it, have a great weekend, friends…see you next week!

Summer is about the only time of year during which I open myself up to “cheap” pieces. Those espadrilles that will inevitably wind up speckled with cherry Slurpee stains, the tank tops that lose their shape from all that sun and sweat, and the sundress you’ll be wearing so often, the very sight of it will hurt your eyes come September – none of them warrant splurges. Instead, I’m perpetually on the hunt for the pieces I’ll use and abuse for the next three months, then be perfectly content to send off to greener pastures, or pleasantly surprised if they manage to survive.

Over the weekend, I popped into Cost Plus World Market in search of patio furniture for my new digs. Instead, I found the cutest little section of summer apparel! Who knew? Loads of pitch-perfect tunics, maxidresses and sarongs, all in actual cotton (no polyester that I saw), so they’ll be as light and airy as you’re hoping. I nabbed this adorable kaftan, took it home, and…friends, it’s pretty fantastic for $20.

One size really does fit all, the waist cinches in at just the right spot, and it’s long enough to be worn solo (it hits right above my knee). Sure, I might not win a sexpot award, but all that draping is actually pretty flattering. It’s going to be just the thing for those sweltering summer days when I don’t want a thing touching me…and it would make a dream cover-up for your next poolside vacation. All of their apparel is 20% off this week, so head in (plus, you get a free subscription to Martha Stewart Living with a $30 purchase). But you’ll have to beat me there – I’m off to buy one in another color.

Wow, it is just way too beautiful outside to be cooped up in my living room in front of a computer. So, pardon me for being brief. Fortunately, these gorgeous pics from last night’s Met Gala speak for themselves. The Gala is often referred to as the “Fashion Oscars”, and you’re about to see why:

All images via WhoWhatWear, except as noted

{From left: January Jones in Atelier Versace / Kate Bosworth in Prada (image c/o Just Jared) / Beyonce in Givenchy}

And just in case you thought the night might be short on sequins…

{From left: Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan / Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe / Bianca Brandolini D’Adda in Dolce & Gabbana}

Nina Dobrev’s train was the talk of Twitter last night…apparently, it was so long, she had to have a “train handler” for the evening. After the snoozefest that was the 2012 Oscars red carpet, I was so happy to see all of these bold, risk-taking, drop-dead-amazing looks walk the runway for the Met. Sure, there were a few to hate (Kirsten Dunst: seriously?), but that’s all part of the fun.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind being a celebrity just long enough to have a place to wear one of these gorgeous beauties (and a designer to give me one, for that matter).

So, who did you love? Who did you hate? Who did you love to hate? Dish in the comments…

It’s no secret I spend a little too much time “researching” for the blog (ie, overshopping on the www). But I do it because every so often, a true treasure crosses my path, and I just know the day’s toil was worthwhile. My latest treasure? Amy Sacks eyewear. I was introduced to them by a darling buddy of mine, and friends – this is a company you want to know about.

I’m a fan of glasses from way, way back. When I was a kid, I faked a bad eye test to get my first pair, but soon realized that wasn’t a great long-term strategy. In high school, I treated myself to a pair of faux-glasses – from Camp Beverly Hills, thank you very much. They were red, and I was in love…but my forward-thinking style hadn’t quite caught up with the mocking teen set, and they were retired to a drawer somewhere.

Sadly, my vision persists in being 20/20, so, no glasses for me. But when a doc recently suggested amber-tinted sunnies to help with some other vision issues, I could hardly wait to track down my first legitimately custom pair! Fortunately, Amy Sacks will make any pair you’d like into reading glasses, prescription eyeglasses or custom-tinted sunglasses, and they were sweet enough to invite me in to pick a pair for myself. Want to see?

{Get it? Frames with frames…}

These awesome Wayfarer-inspired frames are so much cooler than I had ever hoped for. First of all, they’re the first Wayfarer I’ve ever been able to wear. Amy Sacks has done something wonderful to the top arch, making them suddenly suitable for those of us who can’t wear those completely straight styles. In fact, I do believe they’d be flattering on absolutely everyone.

That said, the brand has about a zillion styles to choose from – all utterly flattering (I was amazed, in fact), completely unique, and perfect for you lucky four-eyed ladies. And they’re so darn sweet to work with! They let me try on styles to my heart’s content, offered advice, and when I finally settled on a pair, they actually ordered them in with two different lens colors so I could test them out. For all that selection, help and fantastic service, those sunnies (that are now my go-to pair) were only $85. Irresistible.

If you’re a Portland local, you can call and set up a time to stop by (tell them I said hello!), or find them at a few of my favorite boutiques in town. If you’re not, they have free shipping, free return shipping (they’ll even send you a bevy of frames to check out in person, and you can just send them back once you pick your favorite), and a lifetime warranty. Oh, and part of their proceeds go to save homeless puppies via the Pixie Project. How much more could you ask of your glasses?

{Editor’s Note: I’ve been saving this one. I’m pretty obsessed with Michael Ruhlman’s latest cookbook, Ruhlman’s Twenty, but knew I’d never attempt most of his fantastic ideas. So, I recruited a serious foodie – my dear friend, A – to do my dirty work. She also happens to be an amazing photographer, and uses words like “penultimate” in everyday conversation. You’re going to love her.}

Hi all! I’m here to talk about Michael Ruhlman’s Twenty…also known as “How To Impress Your Friends By Making Your Own Cured Salmon”.

I am a longtime fan of author Michael Ruhlman. What’s not to like? He’s friends with Anthony Bourdain, advocates roasting chicken at home as a way to share some, uh, special time with your paramour, and even has his own apps to help you learn how to bake bread. Using your smartphone. Of course.

Ruhlman also collaborated with Thomas Keller on several of Keller’s cookbooks, in addition to numerous other books Ruhlman has authored on cooking and the art of cooking.

Given the detailed and complex recipes for which Thomas Keller is known, it might surprise you to learn that Ruhlman is not actually a fan of recipes as a rule. Indeed, Ruhlman’s penultimate book, Ratio, focuses on easy-to-remember basic ratios for some of the most popular items in American kitchens. For example, cookie dough? If you’re like me and you ripped open the Toll House chocolate chip bag right across the recipe, you needn’t fret if you simply remember Ruhlman’s ratio of 1 part sugar to 2 parts fat to 3 parts flour. Thus, when Ruhlman released his latest tome, Ruhlman’s Twenty, I was interested to see what he would teach me next in his quest to convince America to learn how to cook without a recipe.

Twenty is organized by twenty techniques and ingredients that range from Onion to Egg to Braise to Fry. Initially, I didn’t think I’d learn much, but I was surprised. In the Salt section, Ruhlman points out that when making vinaigrette (ratio: three parts oil to one part acid, like vinegar or lemon juice), salt doesn’t dissolve in fat, so it’s best to mix the salt with the acid so that you don’t have grainy salad dressing. Brilliant! Similarly, Ruhlman’s technique for roasting chicken (um, in the Roast section) means that this once intimidating meal is now a weeknight staple at home that even my husband is willing to make. It’s as easy as:

1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Place 4lb whole chicken in appropriately-sized roasting vessel, which could be as simple as a ovensafe skillet (no nonstick, please). Rub chicken generously with salt.
3. Use a knife to quarter a lemon or lime or onion. Place in the cavity of the chicken.
4. Put chicken in the oven for an hour. After an hour, poke the leg with a knife. If the juices run clear, the chicken is done. If the juices aren’t clear, let the chicken roast for another 15 minutes.
5. Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 15 minutes on a cutting board.
6. Eat delicious roast chicken.

And it works, every time.

After poring over Ruhlman’s Twenty, I was especially curious to try his technique for citrus-cured salmon because it sounded fancy, not too hard, and had helpful step-by-step photos to show what to do. First, I zested a couple of lemons, a lime, an orange, and a grapefruit:

Then, I combined 1 cup of kosher salt with 1/2 cup of sugar, and spread about a third of the mixture on a piece of foil. I placed my 1.75lb piece of salmon on the foil, skin-side down, and covered it with all four types of zest. Next, I dumped on the rest of the salt-sugar mixture:

I folded up the foil to contain the salt and sugar, and then placed a second piece of foil on top and wrapped the pieces together snugly to prevent leaking. I put the salmon into a dish, and placed a weighted baking dish on top of the salmon to encourage everything to get happy together. It stayed in the fridge for 24 hours.

(Why, yes, that is some of my zested fruit weighing down the dish. You may also use any canned goods you have lying around).

After a day passed, I pulled the salmon from the fridge and rinsed off the salt and sugar. I lined my baking dish with paper towels, put the salmon back in, and covered it all with foil to sit overnight to further dry.

The next morning, I pulled the salmon back out and sliced some thin pieces to create this delicious breakfast for myself:

I had friends over later in the day, so I followed Ruhlman’s suggestion and diced some shallot, mixed it with some creme fraiche and a pinch of salt, put a dab of the mixture on sliced cucumber rounds, and topped it off with a small piece of salmon:

Not only does the salmon look pretty, but I also earned some major foodie cred when I revealed that I actually cured the salmon myself, instead of relying on my usual sous chef, Trader Joe. And the kicker is that it takes hardly any effort at all: salmon is available almost everywhere, and citrus is in season right now.

Next time, I am going to track down some fresh pork belly and try Ruhlman’s take on DIY bacon. Wish me luck! – A.

We interrupt our regularly-scheduled programming to bring you a high-pitched shriek of pure excitement!!

That’s right: What Would Tim Gunn Do? That’s the question I’m posing to myself today (and, if I’m honest, a lot of other days as well). Because I’m interviewing him this afternoon! For you! EEEEEEEEEEE!

So, the real question is this: What should I ask the most debonair style guru ever? Leave your burning fashion quandaries in the comments, and I’ll run them past the man himself. Can’t wait for your ideas!

Ha! As if I could “find” anything in this mess of a house. Moving is so not conducive to my hyper-organized style. My living room is like something out of Hoarders, my kitchen looks like a bomb hit at my local Williams-Sonoma, and don’t get me started on the state of my closet. I can’t even get to my shoes!

But, I’m making progress. And if nothing else, I’m back to blogging. Which really, is not nothing at all. So, shall we talk Friday Finds?

First up is the highly-talented Nichole Robertson’s much, much-anticipated new book, Paris in Color (from Chronicle, of course). I am obsessed…and much too tempted to take an X-acto knife to the thing and frame half its pages. There are oodles of photos of this gorgeous tome floating around the www this week, but none as cute as mine:

{Daisy-approved!}

I am almost sorry to tell you about this find, because it’s biggest problem is just that: it’s really hard to find. Also, not cheap. But Philip Kingsley’s styling products are a serious obsession at my place these days. I use the Smooth Cream for frizz-free curly hair days, and the Preen Cream (this site has a killer price, and free shipping) for blowouts that last at least an extra day, sometimes two. Totally worth the hunt.

Spotted this J.Crew linen tee via the lovely blue moss girls, and am now obsessed. Slouchy, bright, and just the thing to throw on when you’re feeling style-less. Since I have at least another two months of long sleeves before summer arrives in Portland, I think I’m entitled to a little treat, don’t you?

To say that the very last thing I need right now is something else for the kitchen would be a massive understatement. That said, I am in love with this measuring cup from Terrain (via creature comforts), and it needs to be mine.

And last but not least, my weekly Pinterest pick. Truth be told, I haven’t been anywhere near prepared to Pin this week, but I hope to remedy that by catching up on my 800+ unread blog posts over the weekend. For now, I am borrowing a pin from Nina Garcia, a seriously awesome pinner. In the midst of moving chaos, nothing looks better to me right now than a room that’s utterly blank and serene.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!