I’ve had my eyes out for a Prada Marfa print for my home ever since I saw the sign in Lily Van der Woodsen’s home in Gossip Girl.  Some of you may have seen a peek of this print on instagram, and I’m excited to share more details with you!  I love the simplicity and style…and to the rescue came DbyNbuzz!  This print is exactly what I was looking for and with a simple white Ikea Ribba frame, she’s a beauty.

I knew exactly where this print would go – on the empty wall space beside my hanging rack (on sale!) in the bedroom.

A big thank you to the talented DbyNbuzz Etsy Shop for this fabulous print that instantly made my bedroom a little bit fancier.  I’m in love!

I was a little worried it might be too girly for Christian, but believe it or not, he actually likes this print because it reminds him of this SNL skit that we love.

Marfa reminds him of “Amorfa.”  So every time he looks at this sign he looks at me and says, “Amorfa.”  I then usually say, “latte for Shar Shar.”

I laugh pretty much every time:

For anyone wondering, I have the largest size, the 14.5 x 22.  Thanks for reading! XO –

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When Christian and I were on our honeymoon, we would have this delicious green juice every morning with our breakfasts.  Packed with vitamins and greens but tasty with punches of pineapple, orange and lime, we were seriously into this drink.  I may have even gotten some to go and mixed it with tequila by the pool.  It’s a vacation, right?

We’ve been adamant about recreating this delicious juice ourselves (minus the tequila), especially after asking one of the sweet waiters what all was in it!  We’re slowly but surely getting there and I have to share the best version yet.

Y’all know I’m into using my Vitamix to juice – especially if you’ve read my DIY BluePrintCleanse post.  I blend everything in my Vitamix and then use a nut milk bag to strain the juice, removing some (but not all) of the pulp.

  • 2 cups packed spinach
  • 1 cucumber
  • 3 carrots
  • 1 orange
  • 1/3 or 1/4 a pineapple (depending on how much sweetness you like)
  • 2 apples
  • large handful of mint
  • juice from half a lime
  • juice from half a lemon

Combine all ingredients in a blender or juicer.  Blend until smooth and strain.  Store in an air tight container and drink within 3 days.

Are you into green juice?  If you’re hesitant about the green juice and smoothie trend, try this drink.  The flavor and sweetness will surprise you!

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Some of you may have seen on instagram that we recently went camping (or as I like to say, glamping) in California. Christian finally convinced me to go camping with him and some new California friends a few weekends ago, and I think it was the first time I had slept in a tent since I was in the single-digit years.

Christian likes to consider himself the outdoorsman and is always trying to include me in his adventures.  Now that we are in a different climate, I’m more likely to get onboard with nature and we’ve found some new outdoor hobbies to share that are really fun for both of us.

Camping, however, may not be becoming one of them.  We had a great group of people and it was fun to bring our dogs, go hiking and walk down to the lake.  The drive up to the campsite in the mountains was absolutely gorgeous – we’re not used to seeing such majestic mountains!  But at the end of the day, after a long work week, I would rather wake up in my bed than in a tent with Bailey taking up half the air mattress and breathing on me.  Not to mention the prep work for a camping trip is kind of intense!

I did enjoy conversation around a campfire with friends and Christian’s excitement to share his one of his favorite childhood adventures with me.  I am definitely glad that I went and hope that maybe in the future we can spend all day outside, but then come home to sleep inside.  Or at least sleep in a cabin.

Did you grow up going camping?  Do you have tips and tricks for falling in love with sleeping in the outdoors? Talk to me.

Thanks for reading!!  XO –

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Today I am excited to pair up with the adorable Amy of Coffee Beans & Bobby Pins for our third and final maxi collaboration plus a fun giveaway!  Our first maxi collab was a Fancy Maxi, then a Casual Maxi and now layers on layers (P’Trique shoutout).

I have loved teaming up with Amy and having a reason to chat with her on the regular.  A fashionista blogger / resident wife / Ohio to North Carolina transplant…could we have more in common?  She’s just as precious on the inside as she is in her cute as a button outfits on her blog, and I love following her adventures.  I am not only envious of that tiny waist in that adorable camo jacket, but also of the fall leaves on the ground.  I’m missing a Southern fall right now.  California is still beautiful and super green – no complaints, it’s just different!

As for this layered maxi, I also wore this dress with my leopard linmade clutch here.  Something about this pattern makes me want to mix prints and adding a blouse to belt gave the maxi a different feel.  Learning to layer your dresses can really help you get maximum wear from the items in your closet.  Blair Eadie from Atlantic-Pacific is so good at this!

dress – Forever21 (also worn here) / heels – Michael Antonio / lace overlay – Forever21 (old), similar here / bag – Meshka Design (c/o) / leopard calf hair belt – Target / sunnies – Ray Ban / bracelet – J.Girls Jewels (c/o) / watch – Swatch / stacked ring and earrings – boutique

Have you seen enough maxis and convinced yourself you must expand your maxi collection?

Thank you for reading! xo –

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Remember my python cravings last week?  Because one snakeskin piece is never enough, I thought I would share the most recent snakeskin purchase I made at a boutique back in Mississippi.  I’ve always loved snakeskin and python patterned pieces.  I’ve shared some of my favorites here (the shoes), here and here.  I think animal printed clothing is not only fun, but also really versatile and can be easily dressed up and down.

I’ve already worn this blouse with a pencil skirt, jeans and dress pants and I loved it each way.  Don’t think you have to leave the python print to just accessories!

Or…you can add a hat!

What do y’all think?  Hat or no hat?  Christian doesn’t love when I wear hats and my response is, “but my Mom always said I looked great in hats…”  Good thing I dress for myself more than I dress for my husband, right?

snakeskin blouse – boutique, similar here and love this and this / denim – Paige / heels – Zara / hat – Forever21 (old), love this one and this one / earrings – Shop Birds on a Wire (c/o) / bracelets – Derng (c/o), J.Girls Jewels (c/o), assorted David Yurman / watch – Michael Kors / ring – La Dama / lipstick – Urban Decay Anarchy

 

Thanks for reading!  XO –

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I think I’m addicted to this pasta.  And How Sweet It Is.  Remember the caramel apple grilled cheese from last week? Am I stalking Jessica and her food blog?  It’s possible.

I love making vegetarian meals with all of the summer vegetables available and this brown butter vegetable skillet pasta looked amazing.  The good news is that it tastes even better.  I have made this dish at least four times this summer (as long as it’s warm, I call it summer y’all) and it tastes just as good warmed up for lunch as it does for dinner, something that is really important to me when cooking large meals for just Christian and myself.

Without boatloads of cheese this dish would still be amazing…but I mean…why not add boatloads of cheese?

More cheese, please.

Make it.  Eat it.  And tell me how much you love it.

Add a baked or grilled chicken breast if your family won’t eat vegetarian.  So good!  Thanks for reading!  I’m hungry now.  Yums. XO –

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I accidentally published this post last Wednesday for a little less than hour because I’m a ditz.  My apologies!!  TODAY, I’d like to share a quick, easy and inexpensive DIY Ikea Bar Cart Hack.

You may have caught a glimpse of this recent addition to our apartment here.  Allow me to explain myself.  I actually have a bar, seen on our apartment tour, and I’ve also styled a tray table into a bar here.  I have a feeling I’m acting as if I’m cocktailing much more than I actually am…but it’s just the decorative bar cart craze that I’ve fallen into!

I was in Ikea several weeks ago and stumbled across this basic kitchen cart for only $25.  We have a very small kitchen in our apartment and I thought this cart would be a great way to store decorative glasses and pitchers.  I also loved this one, but at only $25 I couldn’t pass this baby up.

Before I put it together, I spray painted all of the hardware and nails gold.  I put sprayed about three coats, letting each one dry about 20 minutes before spraying again.

I’m still using my current bar for our wine and liquor, this one is mainly for our glasses, pitchers and some cute decorative things.  Not a necessary addition to our apartment…but like I said, it was a fun $25 project and I was still unemployed at the time with some extra crafting time on my hands!

What do you think?  Thanks so much for sharing your input.  Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for this fab pave chainlink bracelet!  XO –

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I love chainlink bracelets and all the different ways they can be worn.  Layered, gold, silver and even pave for a little sparkle.  This J.Girls Jewels bracelet has been on my wrist ever since I received it and I’m so thrilled that J.Girls Jewels has provided a fab pave link bracelet for a lucky CBL reader!

I’ve worn this bracelet dressed up, dressed down and in between.  If you want one of these sparklers enter to win your own bedazzled bracelet!

I’ve been loving these instagram contests – so let’s try it, y’all.

Giveway will run Monday, September 16 – Sunday, September 22.  Winner will be announced Monday, September 23rd.

MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF CARRIE BRADSHAW LIED TO ENTER

(via Google Friend Connect on right sidebar) 

TO ENTER:

  1. Make sure you’re a follower of CBL via GFC (on right sidebar)
  2. Follow CBL on Instagram
  3. Repost a photo from this post on Instagram (or repost one of the bracelet photos from my instagram) and hashtag #cblpavegiveaway and tag @CarrieBradshawLied

Easy easy easy – do all three and you’ve entered.  I hope y’all enter to win this bracelet…or don’t so I can have TWO!! I’m so greedy but it’s the truth, I’m in love.  Thanks so much for reading and for your participation – XO –

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– being able to have happy hour and Tuesday tacos with Christian –

– grabbing a quick lunch on the corner and falling in gryo heaven at Akropolis

– new bamboo breakfast trays I scored off of eBay that are changing my mornings in a big way –

– a little cajun taste of home from Ritters

– paddleboarding on a beautiful day…and falling in so many times I lost count –

 

Other Mentions:

  • Discovering Modere and thinking I need these satiery chews to curb my afternoon hunger at my desk.
  • Making Christian watch the camping episode (part 1 / part 2) of Nick & Jessica on Newlyweds (I own all the seasons of course) to prepare him for a better look at reality for our weekend adventure.
  • Stalking bloggers and instagrammers in New York for NYFW and watching some of the shows live online (amazing!).
  • A friend sharing 15 Ways “Sex and the City” Lied to Me About Life – hilarious.
  • She’s just being Miley.  This music video confirming that I think Miley Cyrus has lost her marbles.  She is starting to look like the female prisoners in Orange is the New Black.

I’ve had a flashback this week to Christian’s last year of med school.  I trot off to work and the house husband stays home, runs errands (mostly mine) and cooks dinner.  I gotta say, I don’t hate it. Christian has had this week off of work and has enjoyed relaxing, eating donuts and watching plenty of football.  Since I just started my new gig, I wasn’t able to take the week off to play, but we made sure to have plenty of adventures last week and I have agreed to go camping this weekend with our couple friends and neighbors (reference the Newlyweds clip above). Thanks for all y’alls camping advice here, I’ll be using it.

I hope y’all have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks so much for reading and HAPPY FRIDAY! xo –

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Y’all read me profess my love for hairstylist Meredith Morris last week here.  Today Meredith has kindly participated in a little Hollywood Stylist Q&A for both myself and all of you!  This girl has experienced it all, and I’m so fascinated by her and always asking her questions about her life and career.  I loved spending the day with Meredith and her sweet trio of pets,  rescue dogs Draper and Desmond and Miss fancy pants kitty cat, Winnie Cooper.  Swoon!

***

Q:  What is one of your proudest accomplishments in your career?

A:  I’m lucky in that I have proud career moments every day, whether it be watching a client walk the red carpet with confidence or simply hearing from a client that they love their cut/color and have gotten compliments on their new look.  Someone trusting me with their “crown jewel” makes me feel proud and accomplished.  

 

Q:  What are some challenges you’ve had to overcome adjusting to the culture change from Mississippi to Los Angeles?

A:  I have been living in Los Angeles for ten years.  I must say that I just had no idea what to expect, I only knew I wanted to be part of the “taste making” culture of Los Angeles.  I grew up fantasizing about life in California and I am a huge lover of film.  I think the hardest thing for me to get my head around was how steep the competition is here.  Everyone is beautiful, everyone is a talent, and I early on learned that you just have to be patient, work hard, and keep yourself grounded.  I believe I have had success in this city because that is how I have spent the last ten years living.  

 

The weather is also a huge help.  I love the health culture, and as a Mississippi girl I love the outdoors and have embraced so many wonderful outdoor activities.  Even after ten years of living here I drive down the palm tree lined streets and think to myself “Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here and be part of this magic.”

 

Q:  Do you have any Hollywood hair icons?

A:  I love Hollywood glamour!  My beauty icons are Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Doris Day and of course, pinup girls.  I love the detail and the formality of their styles.  They are probably the most influential ladies in my personal style and my personal look.  

 

Q:  Which celebrity hairstyles do people seem to most want to copy?

A:  The most exciting thing about being a hair stylist in LA is that I am part of a community that sets trends.  The work that I do is the work that people clip out of magazines and take to their local stylist to recreate.  That is such a dream to me and I pinch myself that people have that much respect and love for my personal passion.  

 

Rachel Bilson ombre, Kate Middleton layers, Christina Hendricks red, Michelle Williams pixie, Amanda Seyfried blonde, and Victoria Secret model hair… I  die for Victoria Secret model hair; It’s so beautiful, sexy and effortless looking.  I think these are the most requested looks and trends today.  I prefer rather than copying the look of a current hair icon, enhancing and giving each client their own individual look. These girls obviously can serve as inspiration but I feel it my duty as a hair stylist to be honest and to tell my clients why I see the importance of designing and creating a look specific for her face shape, her coloring, and her personal style.  It’s never about recreating something that’s already been done, it’s always about personalization and customization. 

Q:  What inspires you?
A:  I’m never lacking inspiration.  I’m most inspired by the people that I work alongside.  I love that I am able to work in a salon and amongst people who share my love and passion for making people look and feel great!  
 
People watching also inspires me.  I’m constantly seeing young people “breaking the rules” with creative and bold personal style.  I love that being part of this Hollywood madness pushes me to be better than my best.  This creative freedom is what keeps me inspired and on my toes and that’s why after 13 years, I am still as passionate as ever about great hair.


Q:  What are your favorite hair products for the average glam girl?

A:  I am such a product junky!  I swear my bathroom looks like a Sephora or Ulta.  I love high end products along with inexpensive drug store treasures that I have found.  I’m a firm believer in playing around and cocktailing products to find that perfect combination that works for you.
  • Oribe – my favorite product line.  Tom Ford collaborated and did the fragrances for the product, so not only is every product perfection but they also smell so rich and expensive.  
  • Psssssst Dry Shampoo – my favorite drug store product that I cannot live without.  Every glam girl needs this product.  

Q:  How is celebrity hairstyling different from regular hairstyling?

A:  I style my salon clients with the same love and care that I style a celebrity walking the red carpet.  I think the difference is that styling a celebrity the stakes are a little higher.  The celebrity is going to be photographed and scrutinized and picked apart.  I try and not get too in my head about it and I always do my best to work with the stylist, makeup artist, and celebrity to create a perfect well rounded look that will have her feeling most confident.  After all that’s what it’s all about, confidence!  Confidence is what is beautiful and confidence translates.
 

Q:  To what do you attribute your success for becoming one of LA’s sought after stylists?

A:  I think I have managed success in Los Angeles because I have maintained my integrity behind the chair.  I’m a girl’s girl.  My love and care for each person that trusts me with their hair comes out and I think that trust is what has helped me create success for myself.  I have never taken any client or job for granted.  Hair is everything to people and I think my appreciation for that is what has helped me achieve so much here.  My parents always told me that when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.  I believe it to be true.  I am so blessed that I have found a job and career that allows me to express my creative skills and share my heart so openly while making people feel better about who themselves.  How lucky is that?!

***

I mean…how can you not love this girl!?  Thank y’all for reading and thank you to Miss Meredith for sharing her insight with us.  Check her out at Studio DNA, on her website, blog or via instagram.  She has a new pinup girl ‘do that is to die for!!!  XO –

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When I saw this sweater on Forever21 online, I was like…I have it have it.  Now.  Obviously it’s cute, but it also reminds me of my B*Witched cd I had in the fifth grade.  That music video is so terrible.  Terribly awesome.   In fact, that gem is somewhere in my childhood bedroom under the bed.  I admit that I just recently got rid of my cd tower and buried my cd’s in a giant cd case that has found it’s new home safely under my bed in Mississippi.  You can’t get rid of those babies! I have to have proof that yes, I actually paid money for the Crazy Town, Brandy and Space Jam cd’s.  And maybe stole a Coolio cd from one of my siblings.

Back to clothes.  When I ordered this sweater I thought it was a normal person sweater.  When it came in it looked like I had swiped it from my fifth grade closet…while in fact listening to B*Witched, because it is actually a KIDS SWEATER.  Since when did Forever21 have kids clothing?  I took this rare coincidence as a sign I must in fact find a way I could wear the now “cropped” sweater and keep it, so I layered it over a strapless dress and voila!  Instant love.

sweater – Forever21, also love this one (would totally buy if I was still a Williams) and this one / dress – Tracy Feith for Target (old), love this one (on sale!) / heels – Prabal Gurung for Target, similar here / bag – Chanel / bracelets – Derng Rose Gold Pave (c/o), J.Girls Jewels Gold Pave (c/o), Michael Kors watch, assorted David Yurman / cocktail ring – La Dama / nail polish – Essie Fiji 

 

Thank you for reading!! XO –

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When I saw this sandwich on How Sweet It Is (obsessed with this food blog), I knew I was going to be trying it. Caramel.  Apple.  Brie.  What more do I need to know?

This sandwich was so good I ate mine over the sink rather than plating it to sit down.  That’s a deliciousness giveaway right there – if you’d rather eat it standing in the kitchen than sitting at the table, it’s good.  I’m a big fan of the combination of cheese and bread in any form.  They are two of my all time favorite things, in addition to cola bottle gummies, air conditioning and the Real Housewives…but now we’re getting off topic.

This truffle grilled cheese is pretty incredible too, in case the idea of caramel in your sandwich isn’t striking your fancy.

But it should.  Oh, it should.

I strongly encourage you to try this sandwich that is breaking all the rules of grilled cheeses.  Amazing.Tell me…would you put caramel in your grilled cheese?  Thank you for sharing your thoughts!! XO –

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