Entre Nous.

Blogger Book Club (March & April) - I'll Drink To That

For the sixth installment of Blogger Book Club we read the compelling, I'll Drink To That: A Life In Style, With A Twist by Betty Halbreich. The 86 year old personal shoppers memoir was a delicious read. I truly adored this book from beginning to end.

Betty is a true original. She basically coined the phrase "personal shopper" when she started working at Bergdorfs some 40 years ago. Her memoir is a roller coaster of highs and lows.

Here are a few Betty gems:

“My clients often ask for advice on how to get rid of clothing. I always say to keep the beautiful pieces: embroidered, beaded, or one-of-a-kind looks. They are usually sumptuous and feel new when revisited. Treat them like lovely antiques.”

“I tell all my clients that you should love yourself in something immediately: nothing gets better the more times you look at it in the mirror.”

“Even more important than having a keen sense of fit and color is the ability to discern another person’s deep desires, which I can only do in a one-on-one situation. That’s why I’m constantly trying to push others out of my fitting room”.

Now I want to watch the documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorfs, for even more Betty.

 Have you read "I'll Drink to That"? If so, what did you think? Do tell! 

I've had a really challenging time sorting out what to read next. Typically there's a few books making the rounds on social media that are on my to read list. But of late I was at a total loss. I was scrolling through my wish list on Amazon and came across the book White Girl Problems by Babe Walker. It's currently en route to my house and I'm quite excited to delve in. Here's hoping it's the perfect start to summer reading season, when you're looking for a bit of fluff. As always you'll have two full months to read "White Girl Problems", then we'll discuss on June 29th. Use the hashtag #bloggerbookclub if you're reading along.

Lilac Mania

My obsession with lilacs has moved beyond the vase on my bedside table. They've bloomed rather early this year, what with our mild winter, and I was craving a way to preserve them post their bloom date. After seeing several friends posting on Instagram their clever lilac creations, I decided to tackle a few lilac DIYs of my own. I started yesterday by making lilac sugar. From there I made a small batch of lilac simple syrup and lilac ice cubes this afternoon. What with all this lilac deliciousness, a cocktail recipe or two will be in order soon! But that will have to wait until I'm post my 30 days no sugar. The irony of tackling these sugar laden projects when I can't consume a bit of it.

Lilac Sugar

• 1/2 cup lilac petals (stems and green bits removed)
• 1 cup sugar

Layer petals and sugar in a jar. Let stand in a cool dark location for a few days. Shake every now and then. Pick the petals out and now your sugar is ready to use.

Lilac Simple Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup lilac petals (stems and green bits removed)

Combine the water and sugar over medium heat on the stove. Heat until dissolved. Add the lilac petals and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, drain through a sieve, bottle, and store in the refrigerator.

Lilac Ice Cubes

Self explanatory. Fill an ice cube tray with water then place a number of lilac petals, sans stems, in your tray then freeze.

Next I want to tackle lilac perfume. The one ingredient wonder. And I'm contemplating a lilac sugar scrub or bath salts. The scent seems right at home in a bathtub.

Lilac Perfume

• Fresh lilac petals
• Cheesecloth

Put 1 cup of lilac petals inside the bowl on top of the cheesecloth. Pour 2 cups of distilled water over the lilacs. Make sure they are completely covered. Place a plate on top of the bowl. Allow the flowers to soak overnight. Using the edges of cheesecloth pull it out of the bowl and gently squeeze the scented water into a small pot. Simmer the water until about 1 teaspoon is left. Let it cool. Pour your lilac perfume carefully into a dark glass bottle with a tight fitting lid and shake.

White Girl Problems

How did you all fare? For those of us that reside in the pacific northwest, there wasn't the same frenzy as in the southern and eastern states. Waking up at 6am to everything sold out online, I ended up trekking to my closest Target. I got in line about 20 minutes before the store opened and there were only 7 people ahead of me. Once the store opened everyone behaved very civilly and no one appeared to be hording or taking more than their share.

What I really coveted was available, but I didn't end up purchasing it. The hammock with stand, priced at $300, was beyond what I could justify spending. The garden stool, also overly pricey, was really lovely but did not come home with me either. I did manage to go home with a pair of pineapple sandals, a pineapple dish, the palm print lounge pants, a palm print beach towel, and an adorable pillow edged in pom poms.

For those of you that had to go home empty handed, I'm giving away one of my Lilly spoils on Instagram. All you have to do is like my photo and follow me at @hissandtell to win a Train Case makeup carryall in the Fan Dance pattern.

Cape Town

Ever since spying Solange Knowles's cape wedding gown, I've been OBsessed with the look. There's something so structured and superheroesque that just speaks to me. Then Rebel Wilson appeared at the MTV movie awards in the be all cape dress. The pop of interior color took the concept to a whole new level of brilliance. After a bit of sleuthing I discovered that Rebel's gown is by Adrianna Papell. Though the department store version doesn't come with the pop of interior color, it's still quite striking in all black. I'm contemplating it's purchase.

              

#nochella

I must admit I am just a wee bit envious of all the Choachella photos I keep scrolling past on Instagram. Anyone else feeling not part of the cool club?

This illustration of a girl in a flower crown, by Maya Beus, makes me think this is just the look I'd like to sport if I were there.

 

 

This little illustrated gem is available at Life Styled. More loveliness to be added to the shop in the next few weeks.