Factory Girl

Photographer: Heather Dawn Smith - Factory Girl Photography

Makeup Artist: Kinsey Clark

Hair Stylist: Ash Vega

To see the rest of the set click here.

Rattled By the Rush

everything is thrifted

music: Pavement

Mango and Avocado Salad With Kale Chips

What you'll need:

2 bunches of kale, 2 ripe mangoes

1tsp hot chili, 2 ripe avocados

1 large tomato, minced onion (about 1/3 cup)

cilantro, lime juice, olive oil

cayenne pepper, 1 clove garlic 

tahini sauce, black pepper, sea salt, dried parsley 

Thoroughly wash kale and remove thick stems.  Cut into large bite size pieces.  Toss with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/4 cup if tahini sauce, 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast.  Turn you oven on to 200.  Place kale on a large baking sheet and dehydrate for 1 and half hours.  

Meanwhile, mash the avocado into a medium sized bowl with a fork.  Add 1 diced tomato,  2 tablespoons of minced onion, 1 clove of minced garlic, 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, 1 tablespoon of dried parsley, 1 teaspoon of lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.  Mix well.  Add sea salt and black pepper to taste.  

Dice the mangoes.  In a separate medium sized bowl toss the mangoes, 1 teaspoon of the hot chili, 3 tablespoons of cilantro, 1 tablespoon of minced onion, and 1 teaspoon of lime juice.

Garnish with fresh cilantro or other fresh herbs.

Enjoy!

I'm nearing the end of my fourth day on a raw foods fast.  This interesting fusion of flavors was precisely what I need to motive myself to continue.  It was simply delicious.  Even after the fast is over I plan on using this recipe on a regular basis.  

Reflecting

A look back on some of my favorite looks of 2011

Top 5 Albums of 2011

1. WhoKill - Tune Yards

2. Bad As Me - Tom Waits

3. S/T - Unknown Moral Orchestra 

4. Father, Son, Holy Ghost - Girls

5. On The Water - Future Islands

Honorable Mention: Biophilia - Bjork

Although it's been a wonderful year I look forward to what 2012 will bring.  Today starts day one of my two week raw foods fast, which is just one of the resolutions I set out to accomplish.  My winter reading list has been put on a temporary halt due to illness and demanding schedules.  I'm only on book three out of ten.  Three of the remaining books are 600+ pages.  Wish me luck!  Oh, did you see the trailer for The Hobbit yet?  See it here.  

Give Us The Wind

Sweater, Skirt: vintage

Boots (Steve Madden), Necklace: thrifted

Woodland Creature Rings: H&M

Tights: ?

Approximate Cost: $36

Music: Future Islands

Although I'm not looking forward to short days, freezing temperatures and ice storms winter does allow for time to catch up on everything I have been putting off during the warm seasons.  Books, crafts, that overflowing bin of clothing that needs mending or altering.... I can only wish for a productive hibernation.  


 I have nearly finished compiling my winter reading list.  It goes as follows:

1. Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugnides (Finished!! author of The Virgin Suicides- also a fantastic read)

2. Rant - Chuck Palahniuk (almost finished!)

3. House of Leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski

4. The Girl That Kicked The Hornets Nest - Stieg Larsson

5. The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova

6. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov 

7. Lunar Park - Bret Easton Ellis (author of American Psycho) 

8. The Shining (Stephen King)

9. ? 

10.  ?

Taking suggestions for 2 more books!!  

Innocent When You Dream

Dress, Cardigan, Tights, Purse, Necklace, Boots: thrifted or vintage

Ring: Hey Tiger!

Cost: $40
Music: Tom Waits

Isn't this ring wicked?   I found this at an adorable boutique by the name of Hey Tiger! in Louisville, Kentucky.  They offer quirky handmade, vintage and some new clothing and other goods like beauty products, accessories and decor.  Louisville is truly one of my favorite places for vintage and thrifting.  Unlike most cities, the prices are reasonable.  You've got to appreciate being in the good ol' Midwest sometimes.

I can't believe it's already time to think about holiday shopping.  I'm sticking to second hand and homemade gifts this year which means I need to kick it into gear and start frequenting the local thrift stores and crafting my gifts.  I'd hate to spoil the surprise for my friends that read my blog but I will say I'm using dictionary pages, tea, shot glasses, lace and vintage images for some of the projects I'm working on.

Vegan Beauty Products

I've really never been one for heavy makeup, pungent perfume or spending copious amounts of time pampering myself.  Sometimes I wish I had more girly skills -like those of you who can effortlessly apply beautiful, bold eye makeup.  And although not much goes into my daily beauty routine, there are a few products I use on a regular basis that I find to be simple, effective, and cost efficient.  Urban Decay, specifically, has an entire line of vegan products ranging from concealers to setting spray to a wide variety of lipsticks.  Read more about vegan makeup products from professional makeup artist Kinsey Clark.

Urban Decay Tinted Moisturizer
Light coverage, SPF 20 and a moisturizer.
Great for everyday use!

Urban Decay Finishing Powder
Works perfectly over the tinted moisturizer
for a clean, smooth finish.