Fashion: Festival Fashion

Hi lovelies! Its Carlinn here from Superficialgirls and I am getting ready for the festival season! Get out your cut-offs and maxi dresses, your boots and flower crowns and be ready for some seriously chic music festival style. Its your chance to be quirky and let your personal style show so be creative!

I love the mix of floaty feminine dresses paired with utility jackets and boots and if you always wanted to wear tie dye, now is your chance. Online you will find loads of stores with dedicated festival wear sections so you don't have an excuse not to go wild.

Here are some festival outfit essentials:

1. Funky sunglasses like these round ones from Asos

2. Denim shorts are always a go to when the weather is hot, we love ones with a bit of color from J Brand

3. Pile your arms with bracelets and let them jingle while you dance for a festival feel

4. Floral headbands make a statement and people might even mistake you for Lana del Rey

5. Flat booties are essential for dancing in the dirt!

 

Images via Pinterest

-post by carlinn


 

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Fashion: Stripes

Hi guys - Kat here!  I found this street style picture on tumblr and it inspired me to write today's post. I love how classic and cool this girl looks.  Stripes are timeless and can be worn so many different ways. You can wear a striped top with a basic pair of jeans or with a bold pair of floral pants.  

If you don't love striped clothing you can wear striped accessories like the ones below.  I need to get my hands on those striped espadrilles - they're only $36 and perfect to run around the city in!  

1.  Grand Bazaar scarf

2.  Vince sweater

3.  Clare Vivier clutch

4.  Kiel James Patrick bracelet

5.  J.Crew shorts

6.  Mar Y Sol tote

7.  Soludos espadrilles

-post by kat tanita

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DIY: Trim Wrap Bracelet

Hi, it's Stephanie from Henry Happened back with another DIY. I did tell you I loved bracelets, right? Well, I wasn't lying! Read on for the tutorial on how to make the easiest wrap bracelet ever. These DIY bracelets are great for teenagers!

  

 Have you ever roamed the trim section at JoAnns? No?! Well, you might be surprised at the selection of ribbon, lace, and even fur trim you can find. The bright colors of this trim called to me (yes, it even has studs!) so naturally I found a way to make it into a simple wrapped bracelet. 

 

What you'll need for your own wrap bracelet:

• About 1/2 a yard of whatever trim you like. Go with a neon studded one or try a Greek key, floral or Baroque pattern. I'm telling ya - there's a ton to choose from!
• Sticky back Velcro
• Scissors

 

First, measure your wrist with the trim. I like a 3 wrap bracelet but position it how you like it on your arm and then cut the length. 

 

Then take the Velcro and cut a piece to fit the size of your trim. 

  

Attach the sticky side to each end of the trim, and, voila!, you are done. The Velcro closure is a bit of a miracle because I can never manage to get my bracelets on with one hand. Please tell me I'm not the only one? 

 

Wear the bracelets on their own or make a couple and stack them together.

  

What kind of bracelet stack are you planning to wear this spring?

-post and images by stephanie gerber

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Fashion: Polka Dots

Hi everyone, its Carlinn here from Superficialgirls and I am in love with an adorable dotty trend at the moment! 

Polka dots are a fun fresh and flirty way to usher in Spring and I love this pattern on everything. Cute polka dot nails, handbags and even in your decor it gives a youthful touch to everyday life.

Mix dots with dots for a chic look or wear a cute polka dot skater dress to channel your inner Zooey Deschanel.

Here are some of my favorite dotty items at the moment!

 

1.Boohoo.com polka dot handbag 2.Topshop dotted skater dress 3.Kate spade polka dot scarf 4.Black and white dots Equipment shirt

Images via - Pink Peonies & Love shopping and fashion


-post by carlinn

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Fashion: Black + White Trend

Hi everyone!  It's Kat from With Love From Kat.  I hope you're all enjoying my fashion posts!  This week I wanted to get back to basics and talk about wearing black and white.  This color combo is classic, flattering, and chic.  

If you're ever stumped on what to wear - resort to a simple black and white ensemble.  I love how style icon Poppy Delevigne added a bright pink clutch to her outfit - such a fun pop of color.  Get their look and update your wardrobe with these versatile pieces.

1.  Zara coat

2.  Prada cat eye sunnies

3.  BCBG Max Azria clutch

4.  Maje cuff 
or similar here.

5.  Pour La Victoire booties

-post by kat tanita

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Food: Spring Tarts

I love the official start of Spring was a couple days ago, but I'm usually ready much earlier, like around March 1st--how about you? Lauren here, and today I'm back with a recipe that looks and tastes like spring. Light and flaky pastry dough, lemon- and thyme-flavored ricotta, asparagus, peas, and mint all come together (quite quickly) to make pretty tarts.

 I know this recipe has me eager to plan a girls' brunch or lunch soon, and I hope you'll be adding it to your to-make list too. Keep reading for the details! 

These asparagus and pea tarts are made easy with store-bought puff pastry (from the frozen section) and made delicious with creamy ricotta, fresh herbs, and generous amounts of lemon zest. I love the flavor of lemon paired with spring vegetables, but you can always scale back on the zest a bit if you prefer.

There's really not much to it...just a bit of layering of this and that, and baking in between. I love a recipe that yields impressive-looking results but isn't complicated to whip up, and this one falls right into that bucket. 

Ingredients

1 sheet of store-bought puff pastry, thawed

A handful of thin asparagus, chopped into 2-3-inch long pieces with stems

3/4 cup ricotta

4 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed from stems

Juice of half a lemon

Zest of one lemon

Salt and pepper

1 egg, beaten

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Olive oil and white balsamic vinegar

About 10 mint leaves

Fresh parmesan, grated

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

2. Lay a piece of parchment paper on a baking tray. Place the pastry sheet onto the parchment and cut into 4 squares. Score a 1-inch border around the edge of each square and prick once in the middle with a fork.

3. Mix the ricotta with lemon juice, half the zest, thyme, salt, and pepper. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly inside the border of each square. Note that you may not use it all. Top each square with a few pieces of asparagus on the diagonal. Sprinkle with remaining lemon zest and season with freshly ground pepper. 

4. Brush the borders of each tart with the beaten egg, then bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden.

5. Place peas in a small bowl and drizzle with olive oil and white balsamic; toss to combine and season with salt and pepper. Top the cooked tarts with the peas, then finish with mint leaves, a bit of grated Parmesan, and additional lemon zest if desired. 

-Recipe & images by Lauren Craig

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Design: Brass + Beige

Hi lovely MBG readers! Amanda here today, with a look into two of this year's home decor trends - brass and beige. As we know that emerald green has made its statement in home decor, the beige trend predicted by Elle Decor was a surprise as beige can be bland and boring. But it is in for the Spring and far from boring when paired with bolder hues (perfect with emerald!) and mixed with textures.

The resurgence of brass metal on the other hand is the hot finish for lighting fixtures, furniture and hardware. But it's not the brass we hated. Whether it's polished, antiqued, or hammered, brass is back more refined and with a different kind of finish.

Vogue Living

Elle Decor

Windsor Smith 

1. Dipped Vase
2. Charles Brass Mirror Tray
3. Gold Leaf Agate Bookends
4. Mineral Pillow
5. Horn Vases
6. Brass Rivet Table Lamp
7. Harry 3-seater sofa
8. Antique Brass Chair
9. Table


-post by amanda dietz

 

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FOOD: SWEET PEA SOUP WITH TARRAGON

Hi Everyone!  Alison here from Heart of Gold Luxury this weekend & I'm very excited to share with you a recipe that will make you crave spring! Plus, it's perfect to try for today on St. Patrick's Day!

During the cold winter months, I crave hearty soups and stews -  meals that will warm you from the inside out; however, come spring, when the temperatures begin to rise and the sun shines just a bit longer, I still love soup, but in lighter versions that include fresh spring vegetables.  This recipe for Sweet Pea Soup with Tarragon is healthy, vegetarian and it comes together in about thirty minutes.   

This soup is delightfully flavored with fresh sweet peas and scented with a bit of licorice flavor thanks to the infusion of tarragon.  I finished it with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil - it served as a wonderful light lunch on a day that almost felt like spring here in New York.
 

Sweet Pea Soup with Tarragon

2 pounds peas, fresh if possible

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish

2 large shallots, chopped

4 cups vegetable broth

3 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped

Non-fat Greek Yogurt

Place chopped shallots into soup pot with olive oil.  Allow to cook down and to slightly carmelize  Add the broth, peas and chopped tarragon.  Allow for soup to come to a boil and to cook until peas are tender.  Once peas are fully cooked, transfer to a food processor and pulse until smooth. Garnish with a scoop of Greek yogurt and drizzle with olive oil. Makes about 4 bowls.  

*Recipe slightly adapted from Bon Appétit

                                                                                                   

-post & photographs by Alison 

 

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Design: Lucite Love

Hello MBG readers! It's Friday - the weekend has come. With that said, let's talk about....

 LUCITE: (lu-cite, /ˈlo͞oˌsīt/, n.) A solid transparent plastic made of polymethl methacrylate. Who'd have guessed plastic could be so classy? It's Katie here from H2 Design & I don't know about you, but I am a BIG fan of the lucite craze. It is such a versatile material and can be seen working it's magic in interiors of all types, as seen below...

via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

via escapade.

source unknown via Pinterest.

 image via Lonny Mag

I've pulled together some of my favorite lucite pieces. If you don't have lucite included in your home decor just yet, I would highly suggest checking them out! A few of these pieces can get a little pricey, so be sure to additionally check out CB2's Peekaboo series to find some great wallet friendly options.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

What are some of your favorite lucite pieces??

-post by katie hackworth

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Design: Coastal Accents

Hi MadebyGirl readers!  It's Sam from The Peak of Tres Chic here, back for another decor post.  Around this time of year, I begin dreaming of summer.  The warm weather, lying by the pool, beach vacations, and evening soirees occupy my mind and help me get through these last few cold months of winter.  Needless to say, my mind has been focused on all-things-coastal, especially beach-inspired interiors:

{Munger Interiors}

{Coastal Living}

{Lonny Mag}

{Lonny Mag}

I am so delighted to see so many fabulous coastal accents in stores lately!  Here are a few of my favorites:

Shop This Board:

1.) Large Pink Sea Fan $38/2.) Jamie Young Mother of Pearl Table Lamp $299/3.) Phi Seaweed Starfish Hook Pillow $48/4.) Jayson Home Cabebe Shell Dish $44 .) European Seltzer Bottles $80/6.) Chunky Coral on Glass Base $50

Are you ready for warmer weather like me?  Any beach vacations planned?

-post by samantha penner

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Design: The Four Poster Bed

Anyone out there a fan of the four poster bed? Katie here, from H2 Design, and I'm ready to convince you! 4 poster beds originally gained popularity in the 15th century and were generally very heavy and ornate. Lucky for us, they have come a long way and can now be seen as the main attraction in stylish bedrooms of all aesthetics.

via 1 Kind Design

via A Country Farmhouse

via Mix and Chic

I've collected some of my favorites below, in no particular order. Whether you're an eclectic collector or an uncluttered modernist, there is a 4 poster bed for you! My only deal breaker is ceilng height. Be sure to give your bed some breathing room... nothing looks good stuffed into anything!

Keep scrolling... I'm not done yet!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

So, which is your favorite? I think I would lean towards the eclectic number, although the transitional one might have the best timeless appeal. hmmm...

-post by katie hackworth

 

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Fashion: Emerald Green

Hi everyone!  Kat here from With Love From, Kat. Today's post is all about the Pantone color of the year; Emerald.  Emerald is a color of love, beauty, and prosperity.  

I adore this color because it looks good against every skin tone and every hair color.  I don't own nearly enough emerald so after I finished this post I ordered #3 and #7!  I'm excited to start wearing these pieces because they are season-less and can be dressed up or dressed down. 

 Which pieces are your favorite?

1.  Michael Kors clutch

2.  Alexander McQueen scarf

3.  Kendra Scott earrings

4.  BCBG blazer

5.  Alice and Olivia heels

6. Joie blouse

7.  Gerard Yosca necklace

-post by Kat Tanita

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DIY: studded shirt

DIY Studded Shirt Hi! I'm Stephanie from Henry Happened, and I'm excited to share fashion DIYs here on MBG as one of the newest contributors. If you have ideas on DIYs that you'd like to see, definitely let me know! For our first project, we're updating an everyday basic - the white button up!

 

When it's cold outside I am a big fan of layering. At any given time I'm usually wearing about three shirts! So I like my layers to have a little pizzazz. An easy way to spruce up a plain button up is with studs. This DIY Studded Shirt is simple (no prongs to stick your fingers!), chic and easy on the wallet too.

Fair warning: Iron on studs are a little addictive. They're so easy you'll want to stud everything! And before you know it you'll be half way to buying a Harley. 

 

You will need:

• A plain button-up shirt. I like the look on a white shirt but it would also look great on denim.
• Iron on studs. You can find these at any craft store.
• An iron

 

Start by cutting the studs into individual pieces. Then remove the black backing (but not the top plastic!) and place them evenly along the middle of your sleeve cuffs.

  

Then carefully flip over the sleeve so you don't mess up the placement of the studs. And iron according to the package directions. 

 

When the studs have cooled (trust me they're hot!) you can peel off the plastic on top. That's it! 

 

 I also added three studs to my shirt collar. Again, all you do is stick them on the fabric in the pattern you want and iron them on. So easy!  

Are you a fan of studs? What would you put them on?

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