House Of Lavande Blog

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Vintage Chanel at House of Lavande

It's that time of year again friends! The vintage Chanel has arrived, and the trunk show is here until Friday night! If you are in Palm Beach, please visit us tonight for the preview cocktail reception from 6 to 8 pm, and throughout the days on Thursday and Friday until 6pm. If you can't make it in to see us, send us an email, or give us a call to make sure you don't miss out on all of the fabulous pieces that are here!

Info@houseoflavande.com 561.802.3737

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Food For Life

No fancy dinner reservations tonight? We actually think that that cooking at home is one of the best ways to spend time with the ones closest to you! Tonight we recommend some of these delicious menu ideas for a fun night of creativity, wine and laughter in the kitchen! Happy Valentin's day everyone!

Roasted Artichoke with Chipotle Aioli:

What you will need:
1 large artichoke
2 tbs of olive oil
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of garlic powder
1 1/2 cups of water
3/4 cup of vegenaise
1/2 tsp of hot sauce (optional)
1/4 cup of enchilada sauce
juice of one lime
dash of cayenne
1/2 tsp of chipotle powder

Preparation:

In a medium sized pot, place artichoke in water and bring water to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat slightly and allow to steam for 15 minutes.

Remove artichoke from the pot, place in baking pan and drizzle with olive oil, garlic and salt, Bake artichoke in 400 degree oven for 30-40 minutes, or until soft.

Blend together vegenaise, hot sauce, enchilada sauce, lime, cayenne and chipotle until well mixed. When the artichoke is done cooking, allow to cool slightly.

To eat, pull leaves, from artichoke, dip and enjoy!

Penne A la Vodka:

What you will need:
12 oz of penne pasta
1 28oz can of whole plum tomatoes
1 tbs of vegan butter
2 shallots, minced
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes
1/2 cup of vodka
2/3 of a cup of vegan heavy cream (I block of silken tofu and 1/2 cup of of plain soy milk, blended until thick and creamy, and lump free)
1/2 cup of nutritional yeast, or grated pumpkin seeds
handful of fresh basil

Preparation:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water, then drain the pasta. Empty the tomatoes into a bowl and crush with your hands.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots, and cook until slightly softened. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in the vodka, tomatoes and salt to taste. Return the skillet to medium heat and simmer, stirring often until the alcohol cooks off (about seven minutes) Stir in the heavy cream and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.

Add the pasta to the sauce and combine, adding some of the reserved cooking water if needed. Top with basil and serve.

Chocolate Fondue:

What you will need:

1/4 cup of Vegan Margarine
8 oz of vegan chocolate chips
2 tbs of flour
1/2 cup of corn syrup
1/2 tsp of vanilla
2 tbsp of soy milk
1/4 cup of Kahlua or other flavored liquor

Preparation:
Melt vegan margarine, chocolate chips and sy milk together in a saucepan over very low heat to ensure chocolate doesn't burn. Once melted remove from from heat. Add the rest of the ingredients, combine well and transfer to a fondue pot to keep warm. Serve with fresh fruit, or pound cake.

Monday, February 13, 2012

2012 Grammy Awards

Although overshadowed by the untimely and very sad loss of Whitney, the Grammy's definitely didn't disappoint last night. Adele's clean sweep (winning all six awards she was nominated for), her knockout performance of Rolling in the Deep and Jennifer Hudson's amazing performance of I Will Always Love You paying tribute to Whitney were just a couple of our favorite on stage moments.

For a full ist of last night's winners go here.

A few of our favorite red carpet moments:

Adele

Kelly Osbourne

Katy Perry

Kings of Leon

Carrie Underwood

Rihanna

Taylor Swift

Mumford and Sons

Friday, February 10, 2012

Cameo Love

We saw them all over the catwalk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, they are popping up in all of our favorite fashion mags, and yesterday Vogue.com was talking all about the cameo. A romantic piece of a time gone by, that can be worn today. Stacked with victorian bangles, or creatively added to your outfit as a brooch, the options are endless with the old school glam of the cameo!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Impact: Fifty Years of the CFDA

Tonight the museum at FIT will be hosting the opening night soiree for the CFDA's fifty year celebration. 100 garments and accessories that highlight the most influential creators from the last fifty years will be on display, as well as visual images of the over 600 designers who have been members over the last five decades. One of our favorite parts of the exhibition is that each living designer that has been asked to participate, will select a single object or ensemble that best represents his or her impact on the fashion world. We cannot wait to see what everyone has chosen to represent themselves!

Among the designers that will be on display will be CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg, Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Pauline Tirgére, Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Rodarte, and Proenza Schouler.

Even if you can't make it to MFIT before April 12th, be sure to pick up the companion book to the exhibition, also titled Impact that will feature more than 500 photographs documenting the evolution of the CFDA, it's strong ties to the arts, and the growth of the educational programs over the years.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Ladies in Lavande

The women of the spotlight have been at it again the past couple of weeks! Accessorizing everything from a pencil skirt, to red carpet gowns, House of Lavande is always going to be an eay, go-to answer. Don't forget you can send us your look or a certain piece you are looking to accessorize, and we will put together a vintage jewelry look specifically for you!

Michelle Obama wearing a House of Lavande belt

Angelina Joile wearing House of Lavande earrings and cuff

Sarah Jessica Parker layering two House of Lavande necklaces

Diane Kruger wearing a House of Lavande cuff

Elizabeth Banks wearing a House of Lavande ring

Kristen Davis wearing House of Lavande earrings

Katherine Heigl wearing House of Lavande earrings

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Ms. Nicks

Inspiring woman of the week, is the one and only Stevie Nicks. A rock and roll legend who is known for her etherial style, as well as being one of the most icon women in music. From the moment she joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974 with her then boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham, she has been consistently inspiring us with her meaningful lyrics. Her latest solo album was released in 2011, a project she created for herself, expressing the creativity she felt it was time to share. "I don't care if anyone buys it, and I don't care if everyone steals it" She said in an interview. "What I need is to make a record for me, the artist."

Secret Love: The first single off of Stevie's 2011 album In Your Dreams. A song that was written during her first year with Fleetwood Mac, that she never shared with the band.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Food For Life

It's meatless Monday! As you all know, we are always on the lookout for new and exciting vegetarian/vegan food blogs, and this time we have found 10 new ones! Courtesy of TheKitchn.com, these are fantastic and inspiring blogs for vegetarian and vegan cooking!

Chickpea Cakes with Lemon Garlic Aioli and Arugula Fennel Salad:

Courtesy of: Wouldrathergather.com

What you will need for the chickpea cakes:

1 tbsp of Earth Balance buttery stick

1 tbsp of olive oil

1/2 cup of onion, minced

1/4 cup of of red pepper, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp of chili flakes

1 tbsp of nutritional yeast

1 tbsp of flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

1/4 cup of bread crumbs, finely chopped

1/4 cup of cashew cream

1 tbsp of tomato paste

14oz. can of chickpeas, drained and mashed

chickpea flour, salt and black pepper to taste

enough canola oil to coat the bottom of the pan to 1/4 inch

In a saute pan, over medium heat, bring olive oil and earth balance up to temperature, saute garlic with chili flakes until golden, add onion, red pepper and saute until soft. Remove from heat and set aside.

While onion and red pepper mixture softens, combine bread crumbs and cashew cream. Let stand for five minutes, then using a fork mash bread and cream together to create a paste.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, mash chick chick peas until smooth. Add in onion and red pepper mixture, nutritional yeast, breadcrumb paste, tomato paste, parsley and mix well until combined. Salt and pepper to taste.

Form mixture into cakes and dust with chickpea flour mixture (1/4 cup of flour with 1 tsp of salt and pepper).

In a large heavy bottom pan, bring canola oil up to temperature(bread will immediately become golden) and fry cakes for 3 minutes or until golden and crispy on each side. Drain on paper towel and serve over salad with a dollop of aioli.

What you will need for the salad:

3 tbs of white balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp of oilve oil

1/4 cup o f red onion, in fine rings

1/2 cup of fennel bulb, shaved

1/4 cup of flat leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

2 cups of baby arugula

1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes, quartered

fresh cracked sea salt and black pepper to taste

Toss together until salad is evenly coated. Salt and pepper to taste

What you will need for the Aioli:

1/4 cup of veganaise (instead of mayo)

1 tbsp of lemon zest

1 tbsp of lemon juice

2 cloves of garlic, finely minced

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, cover and place in fridge until ready for use.

Friday, February 3, 2012

The New Street Style Darlings

We think it's fair to say that the style that graces the streets during fashion weeks all over the world is as exciting as the shows themselves. Next week New York Fashion Week will commence, and courtesy of Vogue.com, and five of our favorite street style photographers these are a few ladies to keep your eye on in the coming fashion season.

Anne-Catherine Frey: Stylist, The Kooples, blogger

Valentina Ilardi Martin: Editor in chief, The Grey Magazine

Ada Kokosar: Stylist, fashion consultant

Erjona Ala: Model

Celestine Cooney: Stylist, Fashion Director of Bi-Annual Twin

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Saw Red

Last night Bergdorf Goodman rang in 20 years of Christian Louboutin in serious style, as only Bergdorf and Louboutin can. Mr. Louboutin himself visited the 5th ave store and debuted his capsule collection inspired by designs from the past two decades. Parsons school of design also got in on the action. Five lucky winners were chosen by Louboutin and Bergdorf's Linda Fargo to create looks inspired by the shoes. These looks will be on display on the main floor at Bergdorf's until February 8th.

Check out the pictures of the windows on 5th Ave!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Fashion Inspirations

It's February! (Yes already.) You know we always love any reason to dress up, buy sweet gifts and share the love. Wether it be with your significant other, or your friends and family, this month is a great reason to let those close to you know just how much care. Let us not forget the big night, either! Go for a sweet lace dress, or a long sexy maxi, accessorized with Valentine's Day appropriate HOL jewels to top off your look.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Food For Life

So there is a good chance we are officially obsessed with the Green Kitchen Stories Blog. We are back at it again, sharing a couple of their fantastic recipes with you! A Beetroot burger and a delicious Moroccan Quinoa Salad on the side are a great pair for the springtime months, but why wait?!

Beetroot & Millet Burgers:

What you will need:

1 cup of water

1/2 cup of millet (rinsed in hot water)

a pinch of fennel seeds

salt

4 small beetroots

1/2 zucchini

1 large carrot

1 onion

4 eggs

1 handful of lemon balm (chopped)

Sea salt & Pepper

Boil the water in a small pot. Add millet, salt and fennel and cook on low temperature for 10 minutes. Set the cooked millet aside and grate the beetroot, zucchini, carrot and onion. Mix millet, the grated vegetables, eggs and spices in a bowl. If the mixture feels too juicy you can add flour, oats or more millet. Heat oil in a pan and fry the burgers for a couple of minutes on each side over medium heat.

Moroccan Quinoa Salad:

1 zucchini, cut into think slices

1 eggplant, cut into thin slices

olive oil

1 clove of garlic, minced

salt

11/2 cup of quinoa

1 tbs cinnamon

1 lemon

2 bunches of mint leaves

1 bunch of cilantro/coriander

3 tbs of raisins

2 avocados, cut into 1 inch squares

4 small spring onions, chopped

1 cup of almonds, dived in half, roasted and salted

Start by making the marinated vegetables. Spread out the zucchini and eggplant slices on a bbq, in a grill pan or in the oven, a couple of minutes on each side. Put them in a bowl, drizzle olive oil, garlic and salt over them and set aside.

Cook the quinoa according to the package but add one tbs cinnamon in the water. When it's done cooking, rinse and set aside to cool off. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon and add five tbs of olive oil into the quinoa. Chop half of the mint leaves, half of the cilantro and all of the raisins, add them to the quinoa and toss until everything is mixed. Serve in bowls together with the marinated veggies, avocado, spring onions and the rest of the mint, cilantro and roasted almonds.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Red Carpet Beauty: SAG Awards

The red carpet at last night's 18th annual SAG awards totally blew us away. Of course, Angelina in House of Lavande jewelry was by far our favorite look of the evening, but we were also loving Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen, the stunning Viloa in Marchesa and Rose Byrne's bold move in an Elie Saab jumpsuit. Let's just hope that last night is a clear indication of the fabulous looks we will be seeing at the Oscar's next month!