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Archive for February, 2011

Boxed Wine = Not Necessarily Bad

I associate boxed wine with a summer I spent living in Australia with my then-boyfriend in what could best be described as a frat house with zero university affiliation, and thus zero reason to maintain any semblance of order whatsoever. It was a horde of sweaty soccer players and one blonde girl (me), and while this may sound like the beginnings of quite an excellent porn, let me assure you: wasn’t nothing sexy about it. By the time we moved out, the house was moldy in places you don’t want to know about and smelled like fifteen-year-old socks.

And merlot-soaked cardboard.

So my associations with boxed wine are not so good. But I’m working to change this, because boxed wine is not all frathouses and mold; these days, it can be extremely delicious (in addition to being dirt-cheap and eco-friendly).

Click here for Brokelyn’s list of the Best Boxed Wines For Your Buck; I like the one with the monkeys on it. But really, at just over a dollar per glass for most of the brands, you can’t go wrong with any of ‘em.

Image via.



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February 25th, 2011 | Eat | 6 Comments »

Two Of My Favorite Things In One Photo

Shih tzu puppies…and retro loungers.

(That’s reader Jessie’s 4-month-old, Igby.)

For more pictures of pets on furniture (I mean…right?!), click here.



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February 25th, 2011 | Lifestyle | No Comments »

DIY Braided Hex Nut Bracelet

Have this?

Make this.

Wear it like that.

Full DIY instructions here.

Discovered via.



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February 25th, 2011 | Lifestyle | 4 Comments »

BrunchCritic.com Launch Party

Remember Brunch Critic, the site founded by my friend Andrea that I wrote about the other week? On Saturday, March 5, they’re having a launch party at gastropub Park Avenue Tavern that will include a selection of fabulous brunch dishes, as well as unlimited mimosas, Bloody Marys, and cocktails.

I know, it sounds like a terrible time.

Here’s the good news: I have access to a limited number of invites, so if you’re around on March 5 and would like to come by the event to say hi and grab some brunch & Bloodys, shoot me an email (jordan@ramshackleglam.com) and we’ll see what we can do to make it happen!

And if you’re in the NYC area, don’t forget to check out Brunch Critic to find some brunch inspiration for this weekend. You can search by neighborhood or by mood, ask the community for suggestions, or check out Brunch Critic’s top picks in categories from Notable Pancakes to If You’re Still In The Same Clothes From Last Night.

(Oh, and you can follow them on Twitter here.)

UPDATE: I’m out of comp tickets, but email me for the Eventbrite RSVP if you’d still like to go! Tickets are $15.



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February 25th, 2011 | Lifestyle | 3 Comments »

Pink Lemonade Spritzer

To get you in the mood for lazy, porch-swinging afternoons in the sun

whip up a pitcher of pink lemonade

add sparkly white wine or champagne

squeeze in a bit of lemon

maybe muddle some fresh raspberries in superfine sugar

toss those on in there

and serve in big glass tumblers.

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February 24th, 2011 | Eat | 1 Comment »

Transform Your Lighting Fixture For Less

Love this tip from Houzz: if you have a boring old hanging lamp or chandelier, you can jazz it up for minimal cost by purchasing a whole bunch of individual colored crystals and hanging them from the existing fixture.

I’m not crazy about the colors chosen for the one pictured here – I would have gone with either all red crystals for a boudoir vibe or with white and silver ones for a deco look – but it illustrates the concept nicely and shows how it can work with even the most run-of-the-mill fixture. Here’s a minimalist spin on the idea, and here’s a more traditional one.

Click here for more chandelier inspiration!

Thanks to Alana for the link!

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February 24th, 2011 | Home | No Comments »

Dean & Deluca Favor Inspiration

During a quick break from shooting yesterday, we sought refuge from the cold in the form of lattes from Dean & Deluca. While waiting on line, I spotted row after row after row of delicious-looking sweets in little silver containers, and thought to myself how perfect they’d be as favors at a wedding or shower.

You can mix and match the tiny, gorgeously packaged tins (single tins are around $7 apiece) with various candies or go for a classic (like chocolate-covered almonds) for all your guests. My top picks: Mint Malt Balls and Dark Chocolate-Covered Orange Peel. Growl.

And!

While checking out the Dean & Deluca website I came across this Crystallized Natural Rose Flower ($14) – how stunning and unique is this? The crystallized roses are pricey, so they make more sense for a smaller event…but how gorgeous would a single one of these set out at each guest’s placesetting be?

And!

Of course if you’re handy you can just go ahead and DIY either of these ideas.

For the candy tins, just purchase inexpensive tins with clear covers here, and bulk candy of your choice here. Maybe add a pretty sticker to the top.

For the flowers, make sure that you buy organic blooms that haven’t been treated with pesticides or anything else iffy. Remove anything potentially sharp or, you know, alive (like bugs), and then dip first in frothy egg whites (use a paintbrush if you’re worried about the flower falling apart) and then in superfine sugar. Set flowers on wax paper and let dry in a cool place, turning occasionally to ensure even drying. (For detailed instructions, including a list of recommended flowers, click here.)



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February 24th, 2011 | Home | No Comments »

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