Watermelon - Basil - Feta Salad

Refreshing salads during these warm Spring and Summer days are the ultimate epitome of the season. Usually these salads are a breeze, combining unconventional flavors with elements of fruits and cheeses with various herbs. One of my favorites is the Watermelon, basil and feta salad.  Three simple ingredients create a refreshing and fulfilling meal for lunch or dinner.  Thanks to the composition of watermelon being 91% water, you'll quickly slim down just in  time for bikini season! For the dressing: combine 3/4 cup lemon juice; 1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 1/4 cup olive oil; 3 garlic cloves; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp dried mint/oregano.  Bon appétit!

 

Hummus 101

I'll be the first to admit, I'm an hummus addict.  Its become a weekly yet convenient event to buy, devour, repeat. But last week, we decided to try it homemade.  I had heard the recipe was quick and easy, so I gave it a go.  Step aside, Trader Joe's hummus, I don't need you anymore.  After making my homemade version, I've realized what a shame it is to purchase the grocery store versions that really steer away from that middle eastern flavor I crave. The only thing that held me back at first was the intimidation of the multiple pieces {ahem, blade} of my Cuisinart. Talk about stage fright.  Now, I can easily say we have a nice working relationship. 

What you'll need:

• 1 22 oz. can of Chickpeas, drained
• 1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
• 4 garlic cloves
• dash of ground cumin
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• juice from 2 lemons
• 1 or 2 tablespoons water to smooth
• Olive oil, paprika or Aleppo Pepper for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a Cuisinart, add half chick peas, tahini, garlic, cumin and salt and pepper - mix/puree for one minute.
2. Add other half of chickpeas, lemon juice and tablespoon of water to smooth hummus.
3. Follow pictures below to add drizzle of olive oil and dash of paprika or Aleppo pepper
4. Enjoy with pita chips or raw veggies
5. For an added twist, mix in your favorite Tabbouleh recipe, for a kick! {"Noelle's touch"}

 { Ingredients: Chick Peas // Tahini // Fresh Garlic // Ground Cumin// Lemons // Paprika or Aleppo Pepper // Salt/Pepper }

 

Sun's Out

{Dior Sunnies // Skirt, H&M Italy // Blouse, Nordstroms // Zara Heels // Zara Clutch // Jewels: Free People cuff & F21 necklace // Lips: NARS Red Square // Nails: Essie's Instant Hot }

Everyone knows me as a huge Fall/Winter weather fan, and I've proclaimed my love on VV  numerous times.  But for some strange reason, this neutral dresser {a.k.a. me} is quite excited to embrace the vibrant colors of Spring! Spring in SB can be quite a mystery. Some days there isn't a cloud in the sky, and others are grey and misty with the ocean fog.  On this particular day last weekend, the sun decided to come out to play and I was ready.   This floral ensemble felt so right paired with a sheer tea length maxi skirt, leopard clutch and my favorite Zara sandals for a Sunday brunch with the husband.  Hope you had a great weekend.

Create Your Canvas

{Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation, $62}

{Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser, $40}

It's no secret that we love makeup.  We get countless emails asking what face makeup we wear and what the new hot ticket item is!  Well, look no further, we are in love with the new Giorgio Armani Maestro foundation. I have used the infamous Armani Silk Luminous foundation which is nice but this one trumps it. It is so lightweight and leaves a luxurious feeling on your skin! The formula is water-based and is made to be applied with the fingers. If you apply it with a brush, the brush will absorb the product and you will end up using more unnecessarily.  One layer will give a light tinted-moisturizer glow, but if you apply two to three layers you will get a full coverage look. I also love that there is SPF 15 infused as well. I recently learned that some foundations that contain SPF have titanium dioxide which gives you the white-ish mask/bounce back effect when taking pictures that have a flash.  The Maestro foundation doesn't have titanium dioxide in the SPF, so thankfully, you can wave goodbye to that pale-faced Twilight look that used to ruin your pictures.  I also really loved the Maestro Concealer.  I used to be a Clea De Peau {the infamous "best" concealer in the world} devotee but I am finding the thick consistency of their formula accumulates in any fine lines around my eyes...not cute! I know the price of these products is a little steep but I suggest going to your local Nordstrom's and asking for a sample of the foundation and concealer and see if it's a right fit for you. It's so important to create the perfect canvas to a flawless face.

In the Trenches

{Walter Baker Trench {sale!!}; ALC Blouse; Zara Skirt; Zara Sandals; Topshop Necklace; Vintage bracelets; Club Monaco Clutch (old, similar here}

With the sporadic rain and fog these past few weeks, this trench has literally saved me.  I loved the versatility of taking something so staple like a trench in its classic neutral khaki and adding the edge of the black leather sleeves.  Granted, So. Cal rain is a joke compared to the rest of the world but, for some odd reason, I never have an umbrella with me.  I guess that should be next on my purchase list since rain is usually in the forecast for Spring... April showers bring May flowers right?