Blonder Ambitions

Beauty. Intelligence. Lifestyle.

RECIPE TO TRY – CHILI, JALAPENO CHEDDAR CORNBREAD MUFFINS, & HONEY WHIPPED BUTTER

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In a word (or two... okay, three): ultimate comfort food. There is nothing I love more than comfort food.  My daddy is a Texan... so it's in my blood that the ultimate comfort food is chili and cornbread.  I whipped up the whole meal in literally 10 minutes (leave it to simmer for at least an hour and a half, though... chili is all about the simmer).  I used a ridiculously simple recipe (find it ... Read the Post

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach... right? Who cares. This tastes amazing. So cook some up. For your man. For yourself. For anyone who needs some good comfort food.

BLACK PASTEL

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The most fabulous part of hitting mid-week? Mid-week Happy Hour with the girls.  For an occasion that's not quite an afternoon affair... and may or may not trickle into the evening... it's best to keep the look light and soft... but with a bit of edge.  The chiffon, pastel print, and baby doll cut of the dress are balanced with the black vest and black patent leather shoes... both all tied up with ... Read the Post

Pastels aren't just for Easter... Add a splash of black and you can wear them anytime.

HOW TO – MAKE YOUR OWN CARDS

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I am a complete sucker when it comes to all things personalized.  I am also an utterly complete sucker for greeting cards.  Beyond this, I am an utterly completely ridiculous sucker for receiving a personalized (ie homemade) greeting card for no reason at all.  Those that know me know my obsession with one-of-a-kind gifts... accompany the gift with one of these ... Read the Post

You're crafty. And fabulous. No more excuses. Make your own card. It costs exactly the same (or less) as one of those mass produced Hallmark things... and it's worth so much more.

QUILTED LEATHER

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At the end of a loooooong work week, nothing kicks off the weekend like going out with your best girlfriends to play with the city lights.  When the night's plans include a nice dinner downtown followed by some time on State Street {Santa Barbara's main drag}, the look needs to be appropriate for the nightlife yet refined.  A sequined gray mini dress leads to some major skin exposure {perfect for ... Read the Post

Take a downtown dress uptown with a little ruffled leather.

MAXI CHIC

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I had a day full of business meetings and shopping {yesssss!} ahead of me.  The fashion challenge was to look polished and effortless, while still maintaining a level of comfort {didn't want to have to cut shopping time short}.  Enter: the maxi dress.  It comes in endless styles and every imaginable color (though I'm a sucker for embroidery and jewel tones... it totally screams "High End Puerto ... Read the Post

The maxi dress. Effortless, chic and universally flattering. Dress it up or down.

HOW TO – ARRANGE FLOWERS

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There is nothing like having a fresh bunch of flowers in your home. On your desk. On a table. Anywhere.  Everywhere.  However, you don't want those flowers to appear as if they have been haphazardly thrown into a vase.  Each and every flower should look like it is exactly where it is intended to be.  Here's how... {You should have two pairs of cutting tools... One standard pair of scissors [make ... Read the Post

Here's a little step-by-step guide to turn you (even if you are a flower arranging neophyte) into the Martha Stewart of flower arranging.