Wednesday, May 13, 2015

On neutral ground


I know, I still haven't written my post on the recent style consultation that has so simplified and clarified my clothing life, but I promise I will.

However, today is another example of happy simplicity.  When I got dressed this morning - which by the way was another cool, rainy, blustery Spring day - I decided I needed a little lightening. I actually have a pedicure booked for this afternoon and am looking forward to colourful toes, although I have painted my fingernails a lovely frosty lavender:

All those notes are little stickies that I write for myself
when an idea hits while I am drafting!


The colour is an older shade by Butter London called Lillibet's Jubilee.


 


I don't think it's available anymore, but I do find that Butter London does those metallic shades better than anyone!

Anyway, I am very creamy today, so creamy I remind myself of a crème brûlée with the reddish toffee topping...


God, that makes me hungry...

 
Anyway, here's Wendy as a crème brûlée:


Sorry for the blur of the smartphone...


 





 I'm wearing Joe Fresh trousers and the J Crew Factory Cotton Teddie sweater:





I paid all of $30 for it and it was just the ticket for these cool spring days.

I'm wearing my Stuart Weitzman wicket flats purchased last year.  That was a good purchase, as they are a lovely golden-y metallic shade and go with everything.


 
I also dug out an old string of pearls and a dainty pearl drop earring:
 
 


Simple, comfortable and flattering - it hits all the marks for me and is certainly brightening up my day.

And no - I haven't abandoned colour, but I am using it a little more judiciously these days.  I'll speak more to that when I write that darned post!

I also find the tonal dressing very pleasing for a shorty such as myself.

And speaking of crème brûlée, how about Ina Garten's recipe for it?  This is one I have used many times, always to excellent results!  You can go see it here.  I love Ina

crème brûlée
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the egg, egg yolks, and 1/2 cup of the sugar together on low speed until just combined. Meanwhile, scald the cream in a small saucepan until it's very hot to the touch but not boiled. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cream to the eggs. Add the vanilla and orange liqueur and pour into 6 to 8-ounce ramekins until almost full.
Place the ramekins in a baking pan and carefully pour boiling water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the custards are set when gently shaken. Remove the custards from the water bath, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until firm.
To serve, spread 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly on the top of each ramekin and heat with a kitchen blowtorch until the sugar carmelizes evenly. Allow to sit at room temperature for a minute until the caramelized sugar hardens.

Propane Gas Torch Safety: Propane gas torches are highly flammable and should be kept away from heat, open flame, and prolonged exposure to sunlight. They should only be used in well-ventilated areas. When lighting a propane gas torch, place the torch on a flat, steady surface, facing away from you. Light the match or lighter and then open the gas valve. Light the gas jet, and blow out the match. Always turn off the burner valve to "finger tight" when finished using the torch. Children should never use a propane gas torch without adult supervision.

Anything big going on in your world today?

xoxo wendy





 
 

28 comments:

  1. those pearls look great and have a lovely tone to them.

    Why is it that a home pedicure never matches a professional pedicure? If i do a quick touch up at home I use a brand called bourjois and it's the one coat type bc it really does work with just the one coat. I keep seeing everyone mentioned butter but i have never tried it so maybe I might check it out.

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    1. I've never tried Bourjois nail polish - will have to give it a whirl as I am sure it much cheaper than Butter London! I am dreadful at the home mani-pedis, I may try to talk her into doing my hands if we have enough time!

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  2. Enjoy your pedi today. Such a treat and having pretty toes is happy feet is key for (eventual) sandal weather. It is chilly here, but not bad. Today I'm working on a surprise scrapbook I've been planning as a gift for my hubby's 50th next month. Trying to get friends and family to write up a little note and send photos is a task, but the finished product will be worth it. Have a great day.

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    1. Love that! I did that for my brother this Christmas - it was a tremendous amount of work, but I was so glad I did it! Julie - keep forgetting to tell you that I ordered a pair of those everlane loafers - they are amazing! I must do a post on them! Hope your feet are good these days!

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    2. Glad the loafers are a hit! I ordered the Street Shoe- but they were too small, so the exchange is in process-but I love them :) I added a second u-neck white tee to my order as well...it is perfection.

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    3. Okay - am definitely trying the tees - TTS? Did you go up half a size in the loafers?

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    4. Ordered by true size but exchanging for 1/2 size up-which is what they recommend on the web site. I ordered the taupe and can't wait for the new pair to arrive :-)

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  3. Hi Wendy, I really like you in those neutrals, such a nice match for your lovely skin.

    I haven't had a salon pedicure for a long time, but now I'm all worried about that New York Times article. I hope that the same things aren't happening here in Canada. The nail salon I went to in Barrie was all Vietnamese people, though in that salon they all wore masks and gloves, and there seemed to be a good ventilation system. Anyway, I love the names of the Butter polishes!

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    Replies
    1. I get mine down at the little hair salon that I go to downtown so I think I am quite safe - hope so anyway!

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    2. I wasn't so much thinking about client safety, as about the exploitation of the employees, and the health hazards from the chemicals. But I agree - a small, local salon is probably good on those issues.

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  4. We had the promise of summer and now my heater is back on. I'm launching an official protest. Great outfit!

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    1. It's been brutal here, too! Mostly 10 or below. No sandals here yet!

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  5. I love pale tans and white together, so soothing, esp with the pearls.

    I have a couple pedicures a year, either pale pink "Ballet Slipper" or the OPI "I mainely eat lobster", something like that. One manicure in my life, can't sit through them. No sandals here either, but yes, hummingbirds.

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    1. I love that name of that OPI colour!

      Sun today! And bare legs. Cold bare legs, but bare legs none the less!

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  6. You look lovely. Of all the treatments, you really get the most for your money with a toe job.

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  7. I love neutrals, especially in the summer. The pearsls look great- they are my favorite. I like pearls better than almost any other stone. I have been on the lookout for a pair of dangling pearl earrings. The shoes were a perfect touch. I bet they go with everything.

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    1. I do love the shoes! Dangly pearl earrings - mine above are quite subtle, but I do have a few more and I love them!

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  8. I love the neutrals on you. You shine through. And the soft glow of the pearls is so flattering to everyones complexion. Bravo. Now
    I'm hungry:)

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  9. Creme brulee is my favourite dessert. Everywhere I travel I will order one and compare. The best so far has been a hazelnut one I had at the Flatiron Grill in Calgary. Unfortunately that restaurant no longer exists. :(

    Happy almost Friday!

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    1. Rose! That is terrible! I had my most amazing chicken at a small restaurant in Jasper alberta, but the chef moved away!

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  10. Wendy, those creamy tones are lovely with your complexion and hair. I was just thinking of Anne Shirley. And that's it, getting out my blowtorch which also contributes to fabulous lemon meringue cupcakes and making crème brulee with a surfeit of St. Lawrence market eggs. Happy long weekend and road trip!

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  11. even in the blurry pic you look beautiful. I love the neutrals on you! x

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  12. CB is my all time fave in puddings - I don't want to learn how to make it as then you'd have to wheel me out of the house! Pretty colors and nails Wendy, beachy and sophisticated

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  13. Wendy love these creamy tones on you...They were all over the new J Crew catalog too. I'll have to give this recipe a go. Looks so good! x Kim

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Kindness is a virtue...