A Little Pinspiration

Well readers, I jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon. I wasn't quite sure what the big deal was at first, but I'm addicted, and I've only just begun! Like a virtual bulletin board, each pin holds a taste of inspiration, and it's all perfectly organized. So far I only have 4 board, but I'm sure I'll be adding more soon.

Readers, are you on Pinterest? I'd love it if you'd follow me! And if you need an invite, leave a comment below or shoot an email to challemann@gmail.com--I have a couple extras!

For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

As a certified English nerd, I'm a huge fan of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I love the drama, the passion, and the timeless love story. Naturally, I'm super excited about the new film version set to come out in 2012. So far, I think the casting is spot on. Fresh-faced Hailee Steinfeld for the leading lady and Gossip Girl's resident bad boy, Ed Westwick, for Juliet's villainous cousin Tybalt.

Now the only question is "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" (I know, I know. I'm a huge nerd.) I'm quite curious to see who they cast. Can they do better than Leo?

Readers who would you like to see as Romeo?

An Eye for Design: Vintage Suitcases

 (Photo Credit: Emily Schuman)

I loved Cupcakes and Cashmere's retro-chic alternative to a bedside table yesterday so I scoured Etsy for the cutest vintage suitcases I could find. My favorites are pictured below. I think I might have a DIY project in my future!

 

 ($58)

($55)

 

($32)

($30)

($55)

Graduation

 

Ok, I've avoided the subject for long enough. I'm officially a college graduate. One week ago yesterday, I walked across a stage, shook Wake Forest University President Nathan Hatch's hand and received a rolled up piece of yellow paper that explained my diploma would arrive at my house in 30-60 days.

Just like that, my college career was over. The ceremony was bittersweet. Sad, mostly because I don't have a job, but happy because in just over two weeks I'm headed to New York! I won't give away all the details quite yet, but it's all very exciting.

So readers, what advice do you have? About New York, careers in journalism, life as a post-grad? I'm listening!

Taste Test Tuesday: The Grilled Cheeserie

Last Saturday, the Grilled Cheeserie sat in Centennial Park amid guitar-strumming hipsters and deafening cicadas in equal-sized crowds. A staple of Musicians Corner, the large black food truck parked mere feet away from a Ben and Jerry's cart. It was enough to inspire fear in sufferers of lactose intolerance.

But my parents and I weren't there for the music, we weren't there for the ice cream, and we most certainly weren't there for the cicada serenade. We were there to try the cheesey food truck taking Nashville by storm.

Started in November of 2010 by Crystal De Luna-Bogan and her husband Joseph Bogan, the Grilled Cheeserie is a mobile restaurant bringing its customers the best of hand-held comfort food. "I knew I had to do something I loved to make or I'd get sick of it," said chef Luna-Bogan in an interview with The Nashville Scene  last fall. "It's really good bread and really good cheese."

She's not just tooting her own horn. These sandwiches are tasty and decadent with a hint of homemade flavor. While there are several "Specialty Melts" ($7), including a clever tuna casserole melt and a traditional Croque Madame, my party and I opted to make our own. I started with a base of sourdough bread and cheddar cheese for $4. Extras like tomatoes and local Benton's bacon brought the total up to $5.50. Add a side of homemade tater tots with a smokey tomato ketchup and a cool IBC root beer, and my meal totaled just over $10.

The sandwich was gooey and rich, a grown-up version of my childhood favorite, but the real stars of the show were the tots. Crispy on the outside, hot and mushy on the inside, these fried potatoes were perfectly seasoned and paired well with the truck's homemade "Tot Sauce."

My parents ordered soup as their side ($2 for a small cup), a tomato bisque infused with smokey-bacon flavor that was perfect for dipping. I might go so far as to say I liked the sides more than the sandwich!

With active Facebook and Twitter followings, the Grilled Cheeserie uses social media as its main form of communication with fans. Daily updates inform where the truck will park for lunch and dinner, and specials are always posted as well.

Readers, has the food truck trend taken over your city? What do you think of a mobile meal?

Love Quote

 (Photo Credit)

Some words of wisdom from America's first lady of fashion:

"I've always thought of being in love as being willing to do anything for the other person -- starve to buy them bread and not mind living in Siberia with them -- and I've always thought that every minute away from them would be hell -- so looking at it that (way) I guess I'm not in love with you."

-Jacqueline Kennedy, age 17

I was Bombarded with Pornography at American Apparel

I'm the first to admit that I like American Apparel. I'm a big fan of the company's business practices, and I own several of the brand's most popular styles. However, I most certainly don't appreciate their website's use of full-frontal nudity with absolutely no warning.

I opened americanapparel.com earlier today in anticipation of the brand's newest leather clutches. As I clicked the accessories tab, I was bombarded by a photograph of towels displaying images of naked men, one of whom had his penis fully exposed.

Yes, I'm well-aware of the fact that American Apparel is known for having provocative advertising strategies. Maybe I should have known better, but I think that page should have had a warning or something. What if I had been at school? At work? In front of a child?

Am I being reasonable, or just prudish? Readers, what do you think?

Taste Test: Roasted Asparagus

With a basket of home-grown asparagus and a little inspiration from The New York Times Magazine, my mom and I whipped up an extremely simple, seasonal side dish for dinner last night.

All you need are a handful of asparagus stems, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan cheese, one lemon and a pinch of salt and pepper.

1.) Bend the asparagus stalks until they snap near the ends. 

2.) Place asparagus in a roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil.

3.) Season liberally with salt and pepper.

3.) Roast in a 450 degree oven until slightly crisped.

4.) Garnish with lemon juice and Parmesan cheese.

Bon Appetit!  
What are your favorite summer recipes?

More than a Mason Jar

How cute is this centerpiece? A graduation party from this past weekend had one of these on every table. I thought it was the perfect touch to an outdoor barbecue!

P.S. Check out La Petite Fashionista's recent post for more mason jar inspirations!

Tied Tight

(1. Prabal Gurung for J. Crew $225, 2. Sunday Shopping Skirt--Anthropologie $49.95, Felix Rey Lola Clutch--Shopbop $200)

Is there anything more feminine than a bow? I think everything looks better tied tight. Here are just a few bow-laden pieces I'm loving right now. 

What are your favorite trends for summer?

Spotlight on Nashville: More than Music City

I rolled into Nashville less-than 24 hours ago, and I've already stumbled upon two gorgeous pieces of art. The first, this stunning Nashville Scene cover photo by Eric England featuring dancers from the Nashville Ballet.

And the second, this playful illustration of Nashville's newest songbird, the cicada. Every 13 years these noisy bugs make an appearance on the Tennessee stage, and Anderson Design Group capitalized on this year's summer-time performance.

Even though I'm just here for a few weeks (more on my future plans later!), I love that Nashville's artsy attitude is still alive and well!

Movie Review: Something Borrowed

With plots of lying, scheming and deception, at first glance Something Borrowed appears more like a moral drama than a romantic comedy. But somehow the quirky charms of Rachel (played by Ginnifer Goodwin) combined with the charismatic cockiness of Darcy (played by Kate Hudson) make the film more How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and less Sophie's Choice.

Sure, the script is filled with rom-com cliches: the homely, intelligent girl falling for a tall, dark handsome hunk who just so happens to be unavailable, a passionate lover's spat in the rain, a campy dance sequence, the list goes on and on. But, that being said, the film is less than cookie-cutter.

Darcy is glamorous, blonde and charismatic, but she's also manipulating, controlling, and in the end, she doesn't get the guy. Rachel, on the other hand, is smart and determined, but she betrays her best friend for a man who's not only strikingly good looking, but also morally-lacking.

While I enjoyed the film, I was bothered by the betrayal of friendship in the script, and it left a sour taste in my mouth. I know the plot's conflict of ethics is a twist on the common-place happy ending, but more often than not, a happily ever after is exactly what I'm looking for in a trip to the movies.

But all criticism aside, John Krasinski's performance as Ethan, the sarcastic yet charming, brutally-honest sidekick carried the film, and let's be honest, he's the real reason I went to see the movie in the first place!

Readers, did you go see Something Borrowed? What did you think?

Graduation Quotation

Hello readers! I know I've been rather MIA lately, but I've been extremely busy with my final final exams and graduation celebrations. Later this week, I promise I'll begin posting regularly again, but until then, I'll tide you over with a quote from Wake Forest's graduation speaker, Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsi Co. and arguably the most powerful woman in business today.

"Whether it’s your first job or your dream job. Whether you’re running a business or running a photo copier, your effort has always got to be 110% be the best you can be at the task at hand."

Elaine O'Rourke

Blazer: Bershka

Top, Jeans & Shoes: River Island

Bag: Louis Vuitton

Accessories: Penneys

Kat Macleod Illustrations

My sweet sorority lineage gave me a basket of goodies as a graduation present, and hidden amongst candles, candy and wine glasses was this fun book of cocktails. Even more than the drink recipies, I loved the whimsical illustrations by Kat Macleod.Wouldn't they look lovely in simple black frames?

Happy Birthday Audrey!

"I believe in colors. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles." 

Happy birthday to my ultimate style icon: the lovely Audrey Hepburn!

Catherine Floyd

Jacket: Zara

T-Shirt & Skirt: French Connection

Shoes: Bullfrogs (Greenwich, London)

Bag: Topshop

Sophie Behal

Jacket: Swamp

Dress: Penneys

Shoes: Schuh

Bag: Enable Ireland

Obsession of the moment: One Day

While procrastinating for my final(!) final exam, I stumbled upon this gem of a movie trailer. Starring two of my favorite actors, Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, One Day looks like the perfect blend of sassy humor and emotional love story, all with a heavy dose of charming British accents.

Unfortunately the full-length film doesn't come out until August, so I'm stuck watching and re-watching the trailer for now. Readers--what movies are you looking forward to?

Lilly Pulitzer Animal Crackers

Brainfood doesn't get much cuter than this! :) What's your favorite study snack?

Review: Caylpso St. Barth for Target

Yesterday I took a much-needed study break to check out Target's latest designer collaboration with Calypso St. Barth. I was pleasantly surprised-- the quality of this line seemed better than other recent Target/designer collaborations (cough go-international dress re-release), but I couldn't bring myself to purchase anything and ultimately walked away empty-handed.

I liked the styles of several dresses, but unfortunately the color palate of this line just wasn't flattering on my fair skin tone. Also, while I will admit that the quality of these pieces is decent (the dresses have linings, and there are intricate details and embroidery on most blouses and swimsuits), the price-point is a bit high. If I'm going to spend $40 on a dress from Target, I have to love it, and nothing in the limited selection of pieces from this clothing line at my local store fit that criteria.

 

The jewelry and home lines on the other hand, are different stories entirely. I loved the designs for home. The sea glass-inspired tumblers, metallic votive holders and ceramic elephant teapots were all gorgeous, but I  wouldn't have a place to put them, so I had to pass. I hope I don't kick myself later!

My choice to leave behind the jewelry designs is a similar story. I thought the gypsy-inspired bangles were fun and the playful mix of leather and metallics was endearing, but in the end, nothing sealed the deal. There's a chance I'll go back for one of these wrap bracelets.  They caught my attention and $20 seems like a decent price.

Overall, I thought the collection had some real potential, but nothing worked for me. Readers--have you seen the line? What do you think?