Some more of dead sea shells.....

I found these shells tucked away in my kitchen drawer. I guess I did not like it so much when I just picked them from the beach of Sanibel Island Florida a long time ago. That is why I put them away; until a few days ago I found them wrapped in plastic bag in the kitchen's drawer. Oh, I like them so much this time. They are broken, beaten up ! I love the corroded texture of the surface, it shows that they have been laying on the beach and washed away by the ocean water for a long time. And I also love the color; the pale orange, gray and cream. So lovely !

At the same time I am learning on how to take picture using a soft box in photography. I searched and learned from youtube {thank you Youtube!} on how to make a D.I.Y soft box. A soft box is a box covered with transparancy paper/fabrics so that the harsh natural light will diffuse when reach inside the box, therefore makes a soft picture of an object in photography.

I am just doing an experiment and I did not use the light as the natural light source from the outside is very bright in my living room.

Enjoy it !!

XOXO,

Ellya

Neon Pink Pump

I knew that this pair of neon pink pump was unusual in color when I bought it 3 years ago. What I love is the craftmanship and the 2-1/2" heel is low but still give a little bit of height especially I am only 5'1". It is "Gaia D'Este" and Made in Italy. {If you happened know about the brand; could you please let me know a little about it?} Oh, I just found about this company 'Gaia D'Este' through the internet search; click here. I love the classic look of the shoes and especially made of a bright neon pink patent leather. 

I wore this shoes only a few times in the past. And I couldn't be more happier because "neon"  is "the color" for this coming spring/summer 2012. I will definitely wear this shoes more often this coming season.

Top row; Stuart Witzman via www.fashionmate.inhttp://www.fashionmate.in/2012/01/pastel-neon-wedges-platform-latest-shoe-styles-2012-trends/ , Forever 21 via www.collegefashion.net, bottom row; www.pinterest.com, www.pinterest.comhttp://pinterest.com/pin/87327680244229413/

And, my Neon Pink Pump !

I am hoping that when the weather is getting a little warmer so that I could style and wear this shoes with an outfit to take picture out of and put in this blog.

Meanwhile, thank you for reading ..!

Vintage Plates & Macaron Display

I have been admiring these vintage plates since many years ago. It was started out from my first time visit to the US. I think it was in 1983. During each trip, I used to stop when driving through a small town at  a rural area of the US; bought a view plates and wrapped the plates in my clothing and placed them in the suitcase so I can take them home. 

These plates are my very reason purchases during our last trip to Delray, Florida. I love the soft beautiful colors and flowers printed on the plates in the middle or on the side. It is very feminine, soft and elegance.

I also developed the love of photography. And with my new Nikon D3100 my husband 'Steven' gave me last Christmas; I am now learning on how to be creative  when taking pictures with this wonderful camera.  Although I am still learning; I am very happy with the simple "Auto" mode result from this camera. I am planning to learn more on how to use the camera  'manually' so I can be artistic with the result. Right now I am reading this wonderful book "Plate to Pixel - Digital Food Photography & Styling" by Helene Dujardin (available here).  After reading it a few pages I already love the content of the book very much! 

Here are the pictures of those lovely plates, a tea cup and the macarons I made recently.

I hope you like the pictures and the story above ! Thank you for reading......

Love,

Ellya

Mojito

Do you have a sudden crave? Well, I did last night; a glass of mojito! The problem was I did not have any ice cubes in the fridge. We did not turn on the ice maker. I am not a fan of alcohol but I do love mojito lately as long as it is not so bitter in taste; I need a little sweetness to it.  So just now  I went out and bought some mint leaves and made myself a glass of mojito. Oh, it is so refreshing even though it is very cold outside.

Here is the picture and recipe in case you want to make some !

Recipe

* 1/2 lime cut into 6 wedges

* 1-1/2 tbsp lime juice

* 2 tbsp honey, warmed (I did not use honey because I used fresca and it is already sweet)

* 2 oz. of rum

* 4 oz. club soda (I substituted with fresca for a little of sweetness)

*Pestle or long spoon

* Martini shaker

*Rocks Glass

*Ice

1. Fill a martini shaker with 1 cup of ice. Add lime wedges, lime juice and mint. Muddle lime and mit with the pestle or spoon until well-bruised and fragrant.

2. Combine honey, rum and club soda; stir gently to dissolve honey.

3. Add to muddle mixture and stir until mixture is well-chilled.

4. Strain into rocks glass filled with ice; garnish with mint and lime if desired.

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Ellya's Pistachio Macaron goes fashion......

I just finished baking pistachio macaron with orange blossom cream filling this morning. The color reminded me of these spring 2012 fashion trends. So with pain staking Photo-Shop worked I put together a mood board, combining the fashion and my pistachio macarons.

Since  pistachio flour is yellowish in color;and to my surprised the result is yellowish minty color pistachio macarons. I think I am not too thrilled about it; I want it to be more minty color, so next time I'm making these sweets again I will put less pistachio flour. But I love them. Yes, I became a macaron baker fanatic !

Sources: Lucky magazine, People Style Watch magazine

Happy Sunday Everyone !

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What I want for spring?: "a pair of ankle strap wedgy!"

Okay, so we have seen these super sexy, gorgeous 'must have' spring summer 2012 shoes in a magazine, online store or in a lovely designer shoe store. I don't even want to know the cost of these shoes; but look what I found and ordered online. Thank you zappos.com !

Take a look at these lovely shoes !

Heels Ankle Strap

Sources; Shoesnob.com

Wedges Ankle Strap

 

Sources; Shoesnob.com

These two beautiful ladies surely can wear ankle strap shoes so lovely, elegance and sexy.........!

Sources; People Style Watch Dec/Jan. '12 & March '12

As for me; Michael Antonio in black on sale for USD 50.99 at www.zappos.com 

Hope you have a lovely week end !

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Fashion Picture Diary/Fashion Collage Spring/Summer 2012

I love the the soft pastely breezy color of spring/summer 2012 fashion. Let be it a simple flowy see through skirt or dress paired with a soft color slipper styled with a silvery/golden skinny and sparkly headband. No doubt that these two elements of style will make a perfect look for hot summer 2012. I am opt to follow this look myself. When spring comes it is perfect to pair the dress with a pastel color sweater. 

In home decor department; I am dreaming to live in a soft color interior. All white will be too  clean looking for me. Plus it is hard to pull this color in a four seasons environment. But I will go for more neutral color like white/grey with splash of strong color here and there. Can't wait to move in to a new home, {well, when this one is finally sold!} Until then I can only dream, dream, and dream !

These fashion collages I put together from an old magazines {well...Jan/Feb. 2012}.  Too sad to throw the magazines with lovely images inside but there is no room to keep them in the house. So I tore all the pages and try to do something pretty out of the pages.

Sources : Marie Claire March 2012, Flea Market Style, Southern Lady Jan/Feb 2012

Until next time, 

XOXO,

Ellya