Polish Your Fashion Skills on Your Down Time

Let’s face it: we are always looking forward to some well-deserved down time. We want to spend time by ourselves, or with friends and family to unwind from the stresses of our busy lives. We may not always have time to squeeze in a vacation, but there’s always time to read a good book.

 I believe that an hour a day of free time is enough to read a couple of pages of a good book, and why not make that a fashion book? There are many fun, fashion-related reads out there that cover anything from frugal shopping, to designer bios, to style tips, to fashion fiction. This aids in relaxing the body while keeping the mind active and healthy, as well as keep our fashion skills as sharp as possible.

Here are 3 books that could be added to your library to curb your fashion savvy, relax your body, and expand your mind:

The Sartorialist, by Scott Schuman

The Little Black Book of Style, by Nina Garcia

 Alexander McQueen, Savage Beauty, by Andrew Bolton

Today's Recipe: Pretzel Shortbread Bars

     These delicious cookies/bars are easy and quick to make and make great gifts!  The recipe and picture come to us thanks to the geniuses at Martha Stewart's kitchens (www.marthastewart.com).




Pretzel Shortbread Bars:

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 3 1/4 cups salted miniature twist pretzels
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg yolk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat a 4 14-by-13 1/2-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment.
2. Pulse 1 3/4 cups pretzels in a food processor until powdery. Transfer 1/2 cup to a bowl; discard any remaining pretzel powder. Stir in flour and baking powder. Transfer remaining 1 1/2 cups pretzels to food processor, and pulse a few times until coarsely chopped.
3. Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and beat in egg yolk, then pretzel-flour mixture, until combined. Mix in 1/2 cup chopped pretzels.
4. Press dough evenly into pan. Top dough with 1/4 cup chopped pretzels, pressing slightly; discard any remaining pretzels.
5. Bake shortbread until pale brown and firm in the center, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack, and let shortbread cool for 1 hour. Remove shortbread from pan, and cut into 1/2-inch-wide rectangles using a serrated knife.
   
   
   Tip:
   Try baking these in greased muffin tins for perfectly round bites! Also, try adding your favorite dried fruit to the mix for an added sweet and gooey kick.

Today's recipe: Asian Banh Mi Bi Sandwiches

  This recipe comes from The Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood, FL. This delicious pulled pork sandwich cannot be found on their regular menu. It is a delicious creation that is reserved for special events. The best part of all? Every part of this recipe can be used separately as well. Make some Noise in the kitchen! Enjoy!

ASIAN BANH MI BI SANDWICHES

Photo by: Alicia Mazzara

http://mobile.dcist.com/2009/04/first_look_pho_14.php?gallery0Pic=1

Ingredients:

Sub Rolls (pick your favorite!)                                  
5 oz unsauced Pulled Pork Meat 

2 oz Asian BBQ sauce*                                                       
1/4 cup Cucumber Salad*

1/4 cup Marinated Carrots*                                               
2 tbsp Sriracha Mayonnaise

1tbsp chopped Cilantro                                                                             
1 tbsp Basil

For Asian BBQ Sauce:

2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil                                                      
2 tbsp grated Ginger

3/4 cup Hoisin Sauce                                                                      
1/4 cup Soy Sauce

1 tsp Salt                                                                                         
1 tbsp Sesame Oil

3/4 cup pureed Yellow Onions                                                              
1 cup Ketchup

1/4 cup Rice Vinegar                                                             
1/2 tsp Asian Five Spice

     Puree onions and reserve. Place the oils in a sauce pan over medium heat. Heat until they lightly smoke. Add onion and ginger and saute for 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and stir with a wire whip. Bring to a slow simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.


For Cucumber Salad:
2 cups Cucumber Slices                                              
1/2 cup julienned Red Peppers
1/2 cup Onions                                      
1/2 tsp chopped Jalapeno Pepper (optional)
2 tbsp chopped Cilantro                                
1/4 cup Sesame Dressing (store bought)
     Cut cucumber into half moons and place in a mixing bowl. Add red pepper strips, onion, jalapenos, and cilantro into mixing bowl. Add sesame dressing and toss.


For Marinated Carrots:
2 cups Matchstick Carrots                                                      
1tbsp chopped Cilantro
1/4 cup Sweet and Sour Sauce (store bought)
     Place ingredients into a bowl and mix until carrots are well coated.


To Assemble Sandwiches:
     Spread the pulled pork meat on the sub rolls. Ladle the BBQ sauce over the pulled pork. Top with cucumber salad and marinated carrots. Drizzle the mayo and sprinkle with cilantro and basil.


     If you want to make your sandwiches a little healthier, try substituting shredded chicken breast or flounder for the pork and omit the mayo. It's a delicious vegetarian treat too, just eliminate all meat!

Behind the Scenes: Lafayette 148 Fashion Show

     Yesterday I had the opportunity to be a dresser for the Lafayette 148 Fashion Show. It showcased designer Edward Wilkinson's Spring 2012 collection. The show was held at the Saks Fifth Avenue department store located at the Town Center at Boca Raton.

     The collection features bright pops of color paired with tried and true neutrals, such as oranges and yellows, shades of blue, grays, blacks, and whites. Wilkerson also mixes structured and billowy pieces, as well as delicate patterns and crisp solids. 

     You may be used to seeing models walk down the runway in beautiful creations, but have you ever seen what a show looks like before the show actually happens? Here's a look at all the craziness that goes on to pull off a fashion show without a hitch!

The stage is set. Or runway, in this case.

This beautiful display welcomed guests.

The guests begin to arrive.

Outfits are lined up and ready to go!

The Accessories table.
No outfit is complete without the perfect accessory, even at a fashion show.

And so the wild ride begins!
One model comes in, three go out, run run run!

Designer Edward Wilkerson and some of the models
wearing looks from the Lafayette 148 Spring 2012 Collection.

Models Ivy and May in looks from the collection.
No, you are not seeing double.
Yes they are twins, and two of the nicest girls to boot!

Making Noise at the fashion show.
All that hard work paid off!

 For more information on designer Edward Wilkerson or Lafayette 148, visit www.lafayette148ny.com.


Love Always!

Who said beauty has to be pricey?

                    Let's face it: that little black dress just doesn't look good if your skin is dull and dry.     
     I always hear friends, co-workers, and family members complaining about how expensive beauty products are. I myself have complained extensively as well, but I've found a solution: get out of the mall and into your local megamart, drug store, and grocery store.
    St. Ives offers a wide range of beauty products, from lotions, to scrubs, to soaps. They use natural and botanical ingredients and, best of all, do not incur in animal testing. They even offer a line of vegan products too! Best of all, St. Ives products are affordable beyond belief and are widely available.
     My favorite products are the Apricot Facial Scrub and the Makeup Remover & Facial Cleanser. Their lotions are luxurious and silky too! St. Ives' website is extremely useful too! In it you can find useful ingredient descriptions and their benefits as well as a Skin Profiler tool that helps identify the best products for your skin.
    St. Ives benefits and value clearly outweigh the price you pay (scrubs are less than 4 dollars!). This way it's easy to look like a million bucks without even breaking a 20.


With love,

www.stives.com

Sunday is Food Day!

Alright! Every Sunday I will post the recipe of the week. Some will be my own, some will be some tried and true favorites (sources will be provided of course!). Share your recipes with me!


Make some Noise in the kitchen!


With love,

Welcome, welcome!

     Welcome all to the first installment of Madame Noise's Food, Fashion, Fun! Blog. This is just a brief intro as to who I am and what this is.

     I am Madame Noise, so nice to meet you!

     I love Food and am an ever learning student of Fashion. Above all else, the most important thing to me is the pursuit of Fun! So, this blog's purpose is to share with you what I discover and hope that you will share with me what you have discovered!

     I will post deals, recipes, outfits, and how-to's, among other goodies. I will also keep you updated on fashion trends, new music, good food, good places to visit, and anything fun! I will also have guest writers that will elaborate mostly on those areas I am not an "expert" at. And of course, your feedback is much appreciated!

     Remember, I am based out of Hollywood, FL, so most of my deals will be local.

     Please feel free to ask questions, suggest topics or sections. I'm also on Facebook, so become my fan!

                    BRING IN THE NOISE!

With Love,