Uncursed. Yoko Ono's Vision.

On Friday, Yoko Ono's exhibition "Uncursed" opened in New York City. Her vision of 'uncursing' ourselves as a nation, being universally connected and move on is beautifully translated through doors. Nine doors total, that Yoko explains as "The doors that are opened and closed as we go through life. There are many doors that have blocked us in life, but we've opened them and went through. This is the journey to uncurse yourself"

Yoko has achieved great recognition throughout the art world, even receiving the Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement in 2009. This is her second solo exhibition on the Galerie Lelong. Tweet

Trick or Treat!

Halloween is one of the most exciting days of the year, but it falls on a Monday this year, so this weekend everyone is ready to get their beast tricks on for some fun Halloween treats! If you have yet to put a costume together, never fear, there is still time! You can always go to your closet and get creative, add a little do it yourself makeup, and you're good to go! For a bit of inspiration we looked to a few of our favorite celebrities who are always coming up with new creative ideas every year!


Zombie makeup tutorial that isn't difficult to achieve, or over the top.

Rosie Huntington-Whitley as a Saloon girl

Mary Kate Olsen as a Moon Goddess

Our personal favorite is Roberto Cavalli dressed as Karl Lagerfeld. Genius.

Jessica Alba and Cash Warren as Dora the Explorer and Diego. Great idea for a couple with small children!

 Agyness Deyn, showing how DYI is done

The Queen of Halloween Heidi Klum, as a cat

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Takin' It To The Streets: Fall Fashion

Seeing some of our favorite trends in action through great street style is one of the most exciting things in the fashion world. Elle has put together a fantastic list of trends and ladies who have executed them flawlessly. Of course being totally jewelry obsessed, we have added in our own suggestions of House of Lavande jewels to compliment a few of the looks!

Hats: Opt for a structured, masculine style and compliment with a girly braid.

Print on Print: Keep the accessories simple, yet interesting. A dangle in a basic brown could add just enough.

Printed maxi dress from spring: Add a blazer for a fall touch (and to stay warm)! A gold collar necklace is a simple addition and can be worn with almost anything.

            

 Leather: You can never go wrong with a great leather jacket. We love this quilted version paired with a great statement necklace.

Blazer: A navy schoolboy blazer adds a playful, yet put together touch to a spring mini. Add a statement ring when a necklace and bracelet may not work. (We love the high heel loafers here as well!)    

           

High Waist Shorts: Elevate your daytime shorts look with a dressier version high on the waist. A graphic wrap bracelet makes for a simple, yet bold addition.

Jeans: Skinny, and in bright colors. One of the simplest fall trends to create a look around! A small addition of a black and gold earring won't compete with other accessories.

         

     

Skirts: For those extra cold days, add a pair of tights under a ruffled mini. A silver art deco necklace is a great compliment to grey as well.

          

Leopard: Not just for accessories, but these shoes were too great not to add. Be bold with animal print in any form this season!

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Ladies in Lavande

The fabulous women of Hollywood are at it again!

Andrea Riseborough wearing House of Lavande Trifari leaf cluster earrings to the London premiere of W.E. 

Andrea Riseborough at the Hollywood Film Festival Awards wearing House of Lavande button earrings, and one of our most adored looks; stacked channel set bracelets!

Piper Perabo wearing House of Lavande earrings to the London press event for 'Covert Affairs'

Busy Phillips wearing House of Lavande button earrings to the Hollywood Film Festival Awards

Blake Lively wearing an Alan Anderson for House of Lavande bracelet on this week's episode of Gossip Girl. Wearing Alan while reading in bed? Absolutely fabulous!

Christina Ricci wearing House of Lavande button earrings during an interview on the Gayle King show

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Food For Life

With Halloween is just a few days away, this week's Food For Life is taking on a slightly different tone. We know that this time of year it is especially difficult to stay on track, and away from the candy so we have been diligently searching for options other than a snickers bar to curb those cravings. What we found are sweet treats that are vegan, and much healthier than their wrapped counterparts. Break out the bakeware, it's time to make some Halloween treat goodness!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies:

What you will need
- 1 1/4 Cups of sugar
- 3/4 Cup of brown sugar
- 1/4 Cup of shortening
- 1/4 Cup (plus one tablespoon) of unsweetened applesauce
- 15oz. can of pumpkin puree
- 1 1/4 Tsp of vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 Cups of flour
- 1/ 1/4 tsp of baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon
- 1/2 pound of vegan chocolate chips (whole foods brand is what we recommend)

Preheat oven to 375
Mix the sugars, shortening, applesauce, pumpkin and vanilla until light and well combined. Mix in the flour, baking soda and cinnamon until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Transfer by spoon to a greased baking sheet and bake for 12-14 min, or until set.


Sugar and Spice Roasted Pumpkin Seeds:

What you will need
- 1 Cup of pumpkin seeds (or however many come from your pumpkin!)
- 1 Tbsp of vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp of sugar
- 1/2 Tsp of cinnamon
- 1/4 Tsp of nutmeg
- A pinch of cayenne pepper

Heat oven to 300. Rinse seeds well and blot dry with paper towels. Toss seeds in a large bowl of all ingredients mixed together then spread on a greased baking sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes, turing every so often until seeds are nicely browned.

Peanut Brittle:

What you will need
- 1 Cup of sugar
- 1 Cup of light corn syrup
- 1 Cup of boiling water
- 1 Lb of raw peanuts
- 1 1/2 Tbsp of vegan margarine
- 2 Tsp of vanilla extract
- 2 Tsp of baking soda

Have a large sheet of aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray, and all ingredients measured and ready next to the stove. In a medium saucepan bring sugar, corn syrup and water to a 300 degree boil (use a candy thermometer) , while constantly stirring. Once the 300 degrees is reached, stir in the peanuts. This may be a bit difficult at first, but it will become easier. Keep stirring until the mixture reaches 325 degrees. Once it is at 325, remove from heat and stir in the margarine, vanilla and baking soda. Spread evenly onto foil, allow it to cool, and harden. Break into pieces and enjoy!




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Celebrity Skin

Ever wonder how the fabulous women of hollywood always happen to look so fresh faced and glowing on the red carpet? Well it isn't by chance, and Allure.com has put together a list of tips and tricks that will help all of us achieve the radiant glow all year long. 

Here are a few of the tips we love. See the complete list here. 

Bronze Powder: 

Apply over fresh moisturizer and even out with your hands. 

Allure recommends: L'oreal Glam Bronze Powder

Exfoliate: 

Try not to use anything too harsh, and an easy home recipe is to mix a half a cup of olive oil with a cup of sugar and rub in circular motions right after a shower.

Allure recommends: Brown Sugar Body Polish, by Fresh

Body Oil:

Oil can add a beautiful sheen to your skin, but can be very messy, easily over applied and can get on clothing. Try an oil infused body balm instead.

Allure recommends: Bathina, by Benifit

Illuminate:

Apply a body illuminator that has a soft iridescence, not glitter.

Allure recommends: Guerlain Terracotta Huile du voyageur nourishing dry oil tan intensifier

Highlight:

Highlighting the right parts of the body, just like the face, add a great subtle effect. Apply to Collarbone, Shoulders, shins, tops of thighs, and forearms.

Allure recommends: Mally Beauty Perfect Prep Body Slimmer  

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Video Fashions

If you haven't been over to Style.com recently, you should go ahead over and check out the film shorts by some of our favorite designers in the Video Fashion Week feature. Some tell stories, some are montages that take you to your own creative place, and some are a great behind the scenes look into the runway shows from fashion week. All with great music as the backdrop.  A few of our favorites lately are Rae Francis, Sophomore, and Wendy Nichol for their Spring 2012 collections. Enjoy!

Rae Francis. Spring 2012 Collection. from Neighborhood Watch on Vimeo.



Sophomore Spring 2012 Collection

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A Few Things

Things that are so great, we just have to share!

Jack Peñate, Pull My Heart Away:

Diane Keaton's Memoir: 

There is no argument that Diane Keaton is by far one of the coolest kids on the block, right? Well next month we will all have a small glimpse into why this is actually true. Her memoir titled Then Again, will be excerpted in the November issue of Vogue. Seriously can't wait for this! 

Baby Zara:

The October look book for Zara Baby has the cutest duds for the mimi me's! 

C. Wonder:

The newest addition to Soho shopping is C. Wonder, by Christopher Burch. Preppy, bright, and on site personalization!

Faces Cases: 

Always on the lookout for cute and fun(ny) things, this is right up our alley. Great for gift giving as well! 

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Fashion Inspirations

Party season is here friends, and we wanted to touch on a few of the fall trends we are loving, and bring them to you in the form of dresses! Lace, bright color, leather, polka dots, and sparkle are all here and ready to party. Paired with simple, modern jewelry it's the perfect combo for looking snazzy this fall!

  Dresses: Netaporter.com
   Jewelry: Houseoflavande.com Tweet

Food For Life

We have found another wonderful blog FULL of vegetarian/vegan recipe ideas, that we have to share with you! Sadly, Vegan Yum Yum hasn't been added to in quite some time, but there are pages and pages of warm vegan comfort foods that will keep even the most devout meat eater happy. And there is a cookbook, so you can have these great recipes at your fingertips all the time! Here are a couple of recipes we will be trying out this week.

Hurry Up Alfredo:

You can never go wrong with things that are made in a blender, right? Right. This savory pasta sauce is the first on our list to try out. 

What you will need:

1 cup soy milk

1/3 cup raw unsalted cashews

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

3 tbs low sodium tamari or soy sauce

2 tbsp earth balance margarine

1 tbs Tahini

1 tbs fresh lemon juice

2tsp dijon mustard

1/2 tsp paprika

1 pinch of nutmeg

2-4 garlic cloves

black pepper to taste

Add all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour over cooked pasta and cook over medium heat until heated through. Add in any of your favorite veggies as well! The sauce is also very versatile, and can be used over veggies, over lasagna, or to use in casseroles. 

Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Couscous with Aceto Balsamico

Second on the list is another simple recipe that would be perfect for a quick lunch or mid-day snack

What you will need:

3tsp olive oil

1/4 cup of salt

1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil

10-12 oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1 cup couscous

1 cup boiling water

1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts

Aceto Balsmico di Modena (or any high quality balsamic glaze)

Boil 1/12 cups if water. In a bowl mix the olive oil, salt, basil, tomatoes, and couscous. Measure out 1 cup of boiling water and add to couscous mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 5 minutes. While you wait for the couscous, toast the pine nuts, but make sure not to burn them! Lightly fluf the couscous with a fork, add in pine nuts and drizzle with balsamic glaze. This dish is fantastic warm, or at room temperature. 

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Fall Hair

Courtesy of the fabulous folks over at Allure, here are 10 Fall hairstyle ideas taken from the hottest runways that are easy, and fun to try this fall season! 

The Loose braid: As seen on Lanvin and Pucci Runways. Use a texturizing cream before roughly blowing dry and begin the braid at the nape of the neck, leaving the front pieces loose. 

The Low Pony: Ralph Lauren, Prada, Balmain. Spray a light hold hairspray onto straightened hair. Pull hair back to the nape of the neck, and spritz with a glossing spray for added shine. 

 Glam Waves: Oscar De La Renta, Marc by Marc Jacobs. After blow drying your hair, sleek and straight, tuck the two front pieces behind the ear, securing with bobby pins. Then Using a curling iron, curl the ends of the hair from the nape of the neck down. Spray all over with hairspray.

The loose bun: Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana.  This is one of our favorites! For the look above create a low side part, and mist with hairspray. Pull hair into a low side pony below the ear, and tease. Then braid the last two inches of the ponytail and tie with a hairband. Then roll the entire thing into a ball and secure loosely using bobby pins.

Half Up: Nina Ricci, Miu Miu, Giambattista Valli. Apply a blow dry serum to the bottom half of your hair, and a volumizing mousse to the crown before blow drying. Curl your entire head, part down the center and tease at the roots. Pull one inch sections back from above the ear and secure loosely. 

Rumpled Texture: Marni, Balmain, Chloe. The simplest hairstyle of the season, and easily compared to Kate Moss' signature look, this is one for the days when there is limited hairstyling time. Spritz the crown of your head with water, and mess the top with your hands. Create a center part and pull back at the name of the neck.

Hair Accessories: Chanel, Valentino, Rodarte, Prada, Nina Ricci. Add a bit of flair with embellished headbands, scarves, simple plain headbands, or even barrettes.

Pop of Color: Parabal Gurung, Jason Wu, Haider Ackerman. If you aren't ready to make the leap into officially dying your own locks, you can opt for brightly colored extentions, like the ones seen here on the Parabal Gurung runway.

Intentional Frizz: Gucci. Dig out that crimper! (We know you still have one) After sleeking back the top portion of the hair, and securing in a tight , low pony; crimp the ponytail and backcomb.

Deep Side Part: Blow dry hair to a sleek finish, and part deeply on the side, bringing the hair over the forehead and one eyebrow. You can gather loosely at the nape of the neck into a pony tial, or a loose bun. Tweet

Yesterday And Today: Through Photos

Last week the exhibit "More American Photographs" Opened at the CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts in San Francisco. During the great depression, the Farm Security Administration commissioned photographers to document American life during the years of 1935-1944. The result is beautiful and captivating photos of one of America's most difficult times. Fast forward to present day, where America is coming out of our most difficult time since the years of the great depression. Twelve new photographers are being commissioned to take an entirely new set of photos that capture the hardships that many have endured throughout our country since 2008. The photographs will be displayed side by side at the Wattis Institute until December 17, 2011 and will then travel to Denver and Columbus. (We are keeping our fingers crossed for an East Coast location!) If you can't make it to any of the locations though, there will be catalog available in January.

Photos of the 30's and 40's:

Photos of today: 

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