Haute Style

love notes: style

2012-02-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

as long as your boyfriend's idea of a night out on valentine's day doesn't involve a six-pack of coors and a twofer at applebee's, then it's your obligation to dress to impress (or at least dress in the spirit of love!). in years past, i've been one to step it up a few notches too many (also in typical julie fashion), and i've gone out to celebrate in attire way too fancy for my atmosphere.

hello?! it was in the spirit of love.

this year, my outfit will be more environment-appropriate. and what cuter than a pop of red, pink or heart to set the mood?

pictured:

wildfox heart sweater / on the prowl cheetah print halter / red or dead knit top

miu miu ruffled mini / j.crew mini pant / h&m zipper skirt

chopped perfection

2012-02-08T14:06:00.000-08:00

every couple of years or so i go through that phase where i really, really, really, really need to change up something about my appearance. i get that itch, and i usually scratch it at my go-to hair salon. although i've never been one to do anything too drastic to my locks, playing with the cut or color is a surefire way to liven up your look a bit. i always remind myself that no matter what, hair grows back.

when i graduated from college, i chopped all of my hair off, and although short hair may not be the most flattering for my round face, i fell in love with the drastic change. in my late magazine perusal, i've rediscovered my infatuation with a sleek, short white-blonde cut.

pictures via

and while the twenty-twelve itch has yet to strike, i will gawk at this glamorous cut until i can gather the courage to take the plunge myself.

valentine sweet tooth

2012-02-08T06:39:00.000-08:00

if you're like me, you use valentine's day as an excuse to cheat. no, not what you're thinking! cheat on your diet, that is. although i've been a die-hard fan of starbucks' cake pops for months now, valentine's day is the perfect occasion to test out whatever little baking skill you {i!!} have. they look simple enough to make, and are absolutely delectable. plus, their serving sizes are so small that indulging in two or three surely won't hurt!

image via

i will be following this recipe on tuesday and may or may not be sipping on a glass (or three) of asti.

love around the clock {gift guide for him}

2012-01-30T18:07:00.000-08:00

i promised you a gift guide: part deux, and that's exactly what you're going to get... but for the men in your life. i maintain that valentine's day is all about the women, but that's not to say your man (or dad... or brother!) should suffer. because the v-day man-scale goes something like: impartial to hate it!, your gifts certainly do not have to come pink, red or fluffy to impress.

in years past, i was a sucker for gifts like love coupons, silly boxers and cologne, and while any of these suffice, i figured i'd offer up a few flirty suggestions to let the most important guys in your life know you're into them and their interests.

(pssssst. your guy into beer? a subscription to the beer of the month club is just what the connoisseur ordered!)

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

#3 is remote controlled! how fun!

*all gifts featured range in price from $23 - $200.

the midwinter crisis: let's throw a party

2012-01-21T18:44:00.000-08:00

i can't even begin to assess the insane weather we've experienced here in the northeast this season (i'm referring to the freak of nature flurries in october, spring temperatures in december and today's snow globe snowfall), but i think these inconsistencies are the cause of my winter itches. lately i've been yearning to accessorize as though it's summer. think bright, fun and shiny. Party time!

i can't wait to experiment with a couple trends in particular that i've spotted over the course of the season (including lip tattoos and sexy head chains) but above you can find just a few of my fancied favorites that, when paired together, produce a fun and flirty ready to party outfit.

{ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 }

skinny mac and cheese

2012-01-19T16:38:00.000-08:00

mac and cheese was a classic when i was a kid, and if i wasn't so damn lactose, i'd be able to enjoy my favorite comfort food, at my favorite spot, off my favorite late night menu on a thursday night, but because my body doesn't exactly approve, i have to settle for substitutions.

however, i use the term settle very loosely.

after i discovered this recipe for "skinny" (skinny! i die!) mac and cheese soup, i knew where my next meal was coming from. i followed the recipe proportions exactly, as i was hoping to stick to as close to a low-cal dinner as possible. i couldn't have been more pleased with the result: a hearty soup chock-full of veggies with just enough cheese to satisfy my salty tooth.

fab images via

needless to say, skinny taste is my brand new go-to site for inventive and dietetic meals. yum!

love around the clock {gift guide for her}

2012-01-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

there's no hallmark holiday quite like valentine's day, folks, and it's creeping up quickly. whether you are a die-hard who's already planned your coworkers' goodie bags {err}, or a he-man woman hater, you can put a smile on anyone's face for the day... so long as you love them long-time.

allow me to introduce you to the first gift guide -- for her. whether you're shopping for your sister, your best girlfriend or your sweetheart, these goodies are sure to elate a bit more than the stereotypical box of candies and teddy (not that there's anything wrong with those!).

1. chocolate covered pretzel poppers; $12/pt!

3. philosophy "sweet on you" body lotion; $24

4. essie "need a vacation" and "set in stones" polish; $8/ea!

6. gilly hicks push 'em up plunge bra; $39.50

8. viktor + rolf flower bomb perfume; $107

9. melinda maria nina feather rose gold bangle; $175

10. betsey johnson heart + key mismatched earrings; $50

ps. don't you love what a spaz i am? i totally got so caught up in the aesthetics that i forgot how to count.

wave length

2012-01-16T21:02:00.000-08:00

the longer my hair gets, the more opportunities i get to really style it. of course, by styling, i simply mean lazing, because i'm not one to do anything drastic to or with my hair. that being said, beach waves in the winter are pretty crazy, no?!

...just roll with it.

i couldn't help but fall for mila's ridiculously sexy and carefree waves, before i realized how insanely easy they were to achieve (wait, that made no sense. i fell for them regardless of how easy i knew they were going to be to achieve. ha!)

the coolest part about making waves? the look can be achieved sans hairbrush... because it's lazy-girl proof.

1. it doesn't matter what you shampoo your hair with (although i kind of love bumble+bumble thickening shampoo because advertising totally hooked me. . . i'm a sucker for big volume hair!).

2. you're going to need leave-in conditioner. it keeps your hair moist (i know, i hate that word too) and easier to work with.

3. styling spray works wonders because unlike regular hair spray, styling spray isn't so thick (thank you, middle school cheer competitions!), so it won't hold every strand of your hair in place like glue. rather, it will act true to name, and create a bit of stiffness so you can mold. you're going to tousle your hair with your hands until it's towel-dry before you begin spraying. flip your head upside down, and scrunch the bottom half of your hair.

*you're going to want to make sure you don't scrunch any higher. hair closer to the root tends to look crimpy when it dries. waves naturally fall to the bottom of your locks (where the weight is!), so make sure that's where you're keeping your scrunch.

4. when your hair finally dries, flatten the tips of your hair with a flat iron set to low heat. you may want to run the flat iron over especially wavy sects of your hair for a wavier (less curly) look.

voi-la!
{mila photo via}

color crush: painting the town red

2012-01-13T19:07:00.000-08:00

lately i've been so into painting my lips red, that it doesn't matter if i'm swiping a bit of color on my lips before the workday, before i hit the bars, or even before i'm about to pop in a movie for a low-key night (anyone ever see the guardian?).

like, so obsessed with a sexy red lip.

while it might not feel like it's for everyone, it's my belief that a red lip is a look to grow on.

images via

below are just a few product suggestions should you feel so inclined to

iman red / stargazer red / rimmel london kate red / mac tour de fabulous red / chanel rouge / american apparel red

eat and {cheat}

2012-01-13T17:11:00.000-08:00

as anyone who's ever dieted before knows, there's no one simple cut-and-dry way to go about staying trim. by the same token, anyone who's ever successfully dieted knows that cheat days are in order to stay not only sane, but on track. there's a bit of give-and-take in the dieting world. like *i* say, you've got to treat yourself in order to trick your body.

i'm no calorie counter, but if i know i'm indulging in a delicious four-course meal for dinner, my day eating is going to be on the simpler side. think lots and lots of greens. no special dinner plans? i like starting the day off with a protein-packed (sometimes greasy!) breakfast sandwich (no holds barre on the cheese).

images via

what's your take on saving and splurging? do you agree with my dieting theory?

black and white

2012-01-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

there's no way i'd ever be able to claim stake to having a {signature color} but by the same token, there's nothing i feel sexier in than a pinch of black and white! i found inspiration in these chic nails:

image via

although i've seen the trend explode all over the internet since cupcakes + cashmere's first introduction of the loner nail, i can't help but ooh and ahh over these beauties. although i feel no need to provide you with a how-totorial, i did deem it appropriate to share a bit of my inspiration (plus some glitzy and less pocket-pinching materials to achieve my current favorite look).

{splurge on}

alexander mcqueen's structured leather blazer

chanel nail lacquer in velvet

deborah lippmann polish in today was a fairytale

{save on}

french connection leather jacket

essie polish in licorice

opi polish in crown me already

a 2011 wrap up

2011-12-30T18:28:00.000-08:00

listening to the radio every day this past week on my way to and from work, i've heard literally nothing but long-winded recaps of twenty-eleven's most memorable moments. everything from shocking celebrity break-ups {demi and ashton's, and today's announced katy and russell's} to breaking news {osama's death} to events that will go down in history {obama brought the boys home for christmas!} to all else in between.

i suppose you can say it didn't take much more inspiration for me to reflect on my year:

twenty-eleven started off as a super shitty year for me. the little confidence i had in myself, primarily brought on by the fact that i was unemployed, took a toll on many of my personal relationships, namely the one i shared with my mother. it sucked feeling like an adult, but being treated like a child; gone was the freedom i'd enjoyed for four years. gone was the privilege to come and go as i pleased. a prisoner in my own mind, twenty-eleven couldn't have started off any worse.

the warm weather brought a little bit of sunshine, as it usually does, and most importantly, a job, which is arguably my pinnacle of twenty-eleven. my life started picking up again in the summer. i celebrated my twenty-third birthday. my social life became more important again, as it had once been. smiling came easier, as did the new relationships i was able to form, and the old ones i was able to maintain.

as this year comes to a close tomorrow evening, there are several promises i've vowed to keep in twenty-twelve that have proven kryptonite in years past. every year, i remind myself, we grow stronger: mentally, physically, emotionally, and i am sincerely excited for all the new opportunities that twenty-twelve is sure to bring.

compo beach, westport, ct. 7/4/2011

{favorites of twenty-eleven}

something newly tried: hiking!

state visited: ohio!

fear overcome: the fear of being inadequate

memory: helping a friend in need

what are some of your most memorable (and favorite!) moments of twenty-eleven?

mozzarella, tomatoes and shrimp salad

2011-12-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

it's tuesday and i'm already feeling the new year's eve pressure to look really good in the sausage of a dress i bought for the occasion. i realize that the festivities begin a mere three days away, but in my world, that's plenty of time to knock off the couple of pounds i've been banking these past few weeks.

crunch mode means lots and lots and lots of leafy greens and proteins instead of my usual deli sandwich (i remind myself that this sacrifice is just for the next 72 hours!). i like turning to raw shrimp (cocktails, anyone?) and grilled {unseasoned} chicken for my protein fix, and spinach and tomatoes are my vegetables du jour. but, even when the pressure's on, i still allow myself a few slices of mozzarella with tzatziki sauce (balsamic if ya nasty!). new year's, baby! new year's.

keeping an eye on your diet this week can certainly help you stay (or get to) where you need to be by twenty-twelve. as a friend of mine likes to remind me, the goal is looking good naked. i mean, is there a better way to put it?

images via and

wing it

2011-12-27T16:12:00.000-08:00

i'm going to be honest, nothing frightens me more than applying eye liner. it's the only part of my beauty routine that puts me a tad on edge, because there's no guaranteeing that both eyes are going to match, or that either will look presentable.

moreover, i've never been a big liquid liner girl. let me rephrase that - up until this past weekend, i didn't even own liquid liner. but the big, brave girl in me decided to spring for a pot, in the hopes i'd experiment before new year's eve to concoct the perfect winged eye.

image via

when it comes to liner, i'm a simpleton. it took me years to actually perfect a straight black line above my lid (although there are still days i prove to be an epic failure at this), and it wasn't until high school that i learned i could actually line the inside of my bottom lid (crazy!). but, in honor of the coming of a brand new year and thus, a brand new start, i'm determined to rock a sizzling pair of wings.

as simple as 1, 2, 3, I've been told (yeah... okay), with a steady hand, light-handedly apply a thin layer at the innermost corner of your lid, and gradually thicken (press hard!) your stroke up and outwards.

(if you can get this within your first six tries, you're my hero! if not, no worries. make sure you spend a good chunk of time practicing your technique before your event)

Stuck on your liquid liner purchase? A few recommendations I've received:

{ 1 } { 2 } { 3 } { 4 }

tight in the winter

2011-12-25T08:42:00.000-08:00

there is only one fashion rule in the colder months as far as i'm concerned, and it's: you must stay warm! long gone are the days of paper thin tights by day and scurrying into the bars bare-legged by night (yes, there were times indeed i did this!). warm tights and leggings have been taking over my closet of late, from fun and flirty floral print to crazy prints to plain basic colors. whatever the occasion, a cozy pair of tights complements virtually any outfit, and keeps your legs nice and toasty. i will even wear a pair of thinner leggings under my jeans on days i know there's going to be a bitter chill in the air. fancy that one?

these floral mary katrantzou leggings are probably out of budget even for the wealthiest of readers (they boast a $755 price tag), as are the crazy print lightning bolt alexander mcqueen-ies ($177), but there are certainly cheaper finds at mall digs like forever21, h+m, abercrombie + fitch and charlotte russe.

i recently sprung for a fab pair of jukebox leggings i spotted on kourtney kardashian. yum!

other items also pictured:

{abercrombie + fitch tights} {a.p.c ribbed tights} {topshop spot tights}

a giant christmas win {not for my team!}

2011-12-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

today was spent at metlife stadium at the long anticipated jets (swoon!) vs. giants game, and what a game it was. although i was primarily focused on keeping my toes as heavily circulated as possible and my hands as toasty as could be (which is not that toasty when you're texting throughout!), i was able to catch my boyfriend sanchez make a few (not-so-hot) plays to cost us the game.

while we'd made plans to tailgate with a few friends, we found ourselves grubbing down on some not-so-stadium concessions and concocting our very own massive jug of mimosa instead (one part pulpy OJ, one part sparkling italian champagne!). guess you can say it wasn't a terrible way to spend the day of christmas eve. that said, hope everyone enjoys a wonderful holiday tonight and tomorrow with their families.

caesar salad deviled eggs

2011-12-23T15:32:00.000-08:00

ok, i must admit: of all the recipes i've pulled for myself to test, this one is by far the most laborious, but i couldn't resist the urge to combine two of my favorite meals. admittedly, i was a little skeptical about this duo. eggs and caesar salad do not seem as though they'd gel, but surprisingly enough, these little babies are as delicious as they are adorable.

caesar salad deviled eggs; image via

if you read through the recipe provided via the link, you'll notice that it suggests you give your eggs a few days to "rest." not necessary, nor is the presentation of your dish, unless of course, you are taking it to your new year's soiree. also, these are equally as yummy sans anchovies (my humble opinion!). seriously dieting? the less panko, the healthier! a killer creative alternative to a typical caesar salad, with a greater kick of protein.

my chocolate, gold and {bubbling} nye look

2011-12-23T15:18:00.000-08:00

the older i'm getting, the more content i am with celebrating the new year in a low-key fashion. this year will most likely be spent at a comedy club in the city, sipping on something stylish (prosecco? veuve? the drink of choice is still up in the air!). what's not changing this year, however, is my burning desire to dazzle (helll-llllo glitter!) and top last year's look. bigger and better, you know?

although my evening attire has long since been chosen (a pretty little champagne-colored number with shiny embellishment), my makeup palette is still tbd. what's on your nye agenda? do you prefer a bright lip and little eye color, or va-va-voom eyes and little on the lips?

i found myself at the mall earlier this evening, on a mission to find brand new products that i promised myself would remain sealed until december 30th. although deborah lippmann's naked (2) is already part of my extensive polish collection, and judith leiber's topaz (4) is part of my mother's, i couldn't resist splurging on bobbi brown's divine chocolate + gold eye paint palette (1) and shiseido's bubbly and bright rouge in tender (3). i'm feeling chocolate brown eyes and bright pink lips will complement some full teased hair nicely!

of course, the details will probably change a million times over the course of the next couple of weeks. i am so anxious to hear what other people have planned for new year's. do share!

i'm looking at... an angel

2011-12-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

i took the day off from work as a little holiday gift to me (yay for four day weekends!) and i fully plan on spending my day out and about scooping up the best deals i can get my hands on, before everyone gets their gift cards for christmas (oh, the joys of celebrating hannukah this year!).

on my to-go list? victoria's secret! after weeks of eyeing one bra in particular, i can finally cash in. *fireworks!* ps. how amazing is the picture down below? a co-worker of mine had my face photoshopped into an angel's body. i'm a little bit obsessed, to say the least!

now, the real question is: who wore it better?!

ps. there are some killer deals going on right now at gilly hicks. 10 pairs of ridiculously cute undies for $25? just saying, if you're looking to spend your cash! i may or may not have sprung for twenty pairs...

shishito peppers with pomegranate caviar

2011-12-22T18:28:00.000-08:00

it's certainly harder staying active in the colder months than it was in the summer, although totally not unmanageable (i still run every day!), but what i do find difficult is staying on track with my diet. something about getting to wear heavy sweaters and pants makes it easier to take in an extra spoonful of pie at dessert, or go for the burger instead of the salad.

one of my favorite fruits to snack on in the summer is pomegranate, and if you live anywhere near me (southern connecticut!), stew leonard's and fairway market {fave} serve up the freshest selection. pomegranates are full of antioxidants and help fight off the "bad" cholesterols, keep your skin looking fab and youthful, and increase oxygen levels to your heart (psssst -- they've also been known to combat ED! teehee). not to mention, they are absolutely delicious.

shishito peppers with pomegranate caviar; image via

preparing meals for myself is not my thing (if it were up to me, i'd eat boxed pizza bagels every night), but in keeping with my winter health-oriented goals, this seems like a simple enough d.i.y. dish with just the right amount of spicy + sweet zing.

you can follow the recipe by clicking the link provided under the picture.

pops of color

2011-12-22T04:38:00.000-08:00

i've never been known to not do something because it may have been construed as inappropriate, so when i had the opportunity to highlight my blonde locks with cotton candy pinks, lavenders and blues, i jumped. obviously. i am fortunate enough to work for a company that cuts me some slack for my creative "endeavors," but i realize that not everyone may be that lucky. still, there are ways to circumvent this (semi-permanent dye!) and have a little fun.

My highlights look a bit more like the ones down below {i'm blonde!} but i usually mask them at work with clip-in extensions so the colors aren't so blaring. if you are a working professional and still want to go for the gusto (snaps for you!) then i suggest highlighting just a few thin strands of the bottom-most layers of your hair.

all images via

this whole color biz stressing you out? seriously can't smurf out your hair without ruining your career? there are numerous other fun ways to express your love for funk. i found this fun (+ easy!) sorta-french mani pic that i'm taking to my nail salon this weekend.

scrumptious {and adorable!} inspiration

2011-12-21T21:14:00.000-08:00

i spend an embarrassing chunk of time browsing the internet, and find inspiration in uncountable forms. tonight's (err, this morning's) happened to be in the form of cupcakes. when you're on pinterest, polyvore, and weheartit as often as every other blogger and their mamas are, it's rare to find something really special. well, i got my dose of special and i'm hanging on for dear life.

aren't they adorable? i'd probably stash as many of these in my purse as i could (especially the things) and find some use for them (definitely not for snacking on!).

images via {stumbleupon - no recipes, boo!}

celery, blue cheese and hazelnut salad {game day alternative}

2011-12-21T19:52:00.000-08:00

it's pretty often that i frequent the local pub (it's literally right down the street from my house), and it's hard for me to even consider passing up a bevy of juicy, sauce-splattered, finger-licking wings while i watch a little football. i realize this is a habit that is going to be impossible to keep up without developing a ~~small~~ winter pooch (okay, that may have been in works for awhile now), but i've found a fix that's sure to substitute my indulgent calorie party.

celery, blue cheese + hazelnut salad; image via

so you can either follow the recipe provided, or d.i.y. (if you d.i.y., you're my kind of girl), which simply involves throwing your basic ingredients in a colander amongst a bed of greens, and topping off with a bit of barbecue sauce (swap for the maple syrup... trust me on this one!). honestly, ten times more satisfying than a half dozen wings, ten times less the cals and bloat.

psssst: if your diet is on the stricter side, make sure you skimp on the cheese (not like i had to tell you that!) and dip your fork sparingly into the bbq sauce once before taking a bite. adding apple slices sweetens the pot if you so desire.

(disclaimer: i am not a nutritionist {just a blogger!}

and take no responsibility for the dietary choices you

make. these health suggestions are reflective of my

dietary choices alone)