Bon Conseil - Page 28 of 50 - Expert advice to create inspiration every day.

à la Mod, Part Deux

18th April 2013

Styling references to the ’60s dominate spring fashion, so we’ll take a quick look at the how to’s in hair, and ways to ‘mod-ify’ any outfit with prime accessories.

Hair—The sexy, tousled bouffant

Photo Courtesy of: Vogue Australia

The first step is always a good volumizing spritz to the hair roots.

Use an oversized round brush to blow-dry hair big and voluminous.

Center-part hair.

Divide the hair on the crown of head into three equal sections. Two front sections (see picture above) and one back section.

For the back section, use 2-3 inch pieces turn-by-turn and back-comb with a fine-toothed comb.

Using your fingers to gently tousle, pull back the back-combed sections together midway down your head and cinch. This should have created a little uplift at the crown. Tease the two front sections to add a touch of volume. Keep the center part, or arrange as a dramatic side-part. Cinch the two front sections in the back as well and voila!

The Shoes—a touch of white

Photo Courtesy of: Vogue

There are lots of interpretations of the perfect white boot this spring. But, Jil Sander’s comes up on top!

Jil Sander Leather Half Boots in White/Beige or White/Black, stylebop.com, $1270.00

Photo Courtesy of: Harper’s Bazaar

Jil Sander Leather Boots, mytheresea.com, € 895.00

Jil Sander Leather Calf Boots, net-a-porter.com, $1250.00

Photo Courtesy of: Vogue

Photo Courtesy of: Vogue

Cuffy Sandal, Stuartweitzman.com, $335.00

Last Look—Key Accessories

Etnia Barcelona X Araki Sunglasses, colette.fr, $210.13

Dolcegabbana.com

Black (cream) resin bangle, wallis.co.uk, £5.95

Bonnie Jonas Stud Earrings,nordstrom.com, $8.00

Moschino Gloria Mini Briefcase Bag, farfetch.com, $1894.65

Parting Words…

18th April 2013

If we would guide by the light of reason, we must let our minds be bold.

Louis Brandeis

De Bon Goût—In Good Taste

17th April 2013

How many ways can you use bananas and the bounty of the banana tree?

Banana tree in Ban Xieng Men, Laos

Banana tree off of the lane in Ban Xieng Men, Laos

In Laos the banana flower is cut up and used in traditional salads, the leaves are used to steam food like fish, often as decorative plates for meals and in traditional floral décor and offerings.

Banana Flowers for sale in the morning market in Luang Prabang

Banana Leaf Plate

Floral Offerings

Experiencing all the unexpected ways they use bananas in Laos inspired us to dig-up this surprising and delicious beloved banana cake recipe. Similar to the above, it is an unexpected role for bananas in that they are center-stage in an upside down cake—nudging pineapple right out of the spotlight!

Caramel-Walnut Banana Upside Down Cake. Photo Courtesy of: Bon Appetit

Caramel-Walnut Upside-Down Banana Cake

(Recipe from Bon Appetit, March, 2008)

Ingredients

Topping

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
3 tablespoons dark corn syrup
3/4 cup walnut halves or pieces

Cake

1 3/4 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 to 3 large)
3 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon dark rum
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Preparation

topping

Spray 8-inch round cake pan with 2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. (We substitute a 9″ cake pan here) Bring butter, sugar, and corn syrup to boil in medium saucepan, stirring constantly until butter melts. Boil syrup 1 minute. Stir in nuts. Spread topping in prepared pan. Let topping cool completely.

cake

Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift first 4 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars in large bowl until blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then mashed bananas, sour cream, rum, and vanilla. Beat in dry ingredients in 2 additions just until combined. Spoon batter into pan.
Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes. Cut around cake. Place platter over pan. Holding pan and platter together, turn over. Let stand 5 minutes, then gently lift off pan. Cool at least 15 minutes for topping to set. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Parting Words…

17th April 2013

Mother Teresa said that in India, a woman dying in the street will share her banana with anyone who needs it, whereas in America, people amass and hoard as many bananas as they can to sell for an exorbitant profit. So half of them go bad, anyway.

Anne Lamott

à la Mod, Part One

16th April 2013

Maybe it’s in homage to Mad Men starting up again, maybe it’s the release of Audrey in Rome, whatever the inspiration….if you loved the mod ’60’s look, now’s your time to really work it!

Photo Courtesy of: Marie Claire

Photo Courtesy of: Marie Claire

Michael Kors Optic Check Miniskirt, bergdorfgoodman.com, $595.00

Moschino 3/4 Length Dress, moschinoboutique.com, $1895.00

Two options easier on the bank…..

Jacquard Mod Skirt, forever21.com, $8.99

Colorblock Shift Dress, forever21.com, $25.00

The Louis Vuitton Mod Romper

Photo Courtesy of: L’Officiel Thailand

Other ways to do mod black & white….

Kate Spade, Photo Courtesy of L’Officiel Thailand

Marc Jacobs, Photo Courtesy of Marie Claire

Paired with a print or a solid color, this skirt is super flattering and packs a punch!

Marni skirt, marni.com, $760.00

Mod + Glam = a stylish, sexy look

Emilio Pucci Bicolor Stretch Wool Dress, nordstrom.com, $2590.00 (available on pre-order)

Beyond Black & White

Photo Courtesy of: Elle Thailand

Mod Styles with a pop of color

1.) Michael Kors Circle Pocket Mini, saksfifthavenue.com

2.) RED Valentino Ruffle Sleeve Shift Dress, neimanmarcus.com, $595.00

3.) Moschino Piped Tank Dress, shopbop.com, $1495.00

4.) London Times Dress, macys.com, $79.00

Cutest Kids Last Look

Zoe Colorblock Mod Shift Dress, neimanmarcus.com, $130.00

Parting Words…

16th April 2013

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls!”

Ted Grant

Stick it to them

15th April 2013

Lanvin Cravat Pin. Photo Courtesy of: DuJour Magazine

Kidd Lilavivat Stick Pins

Cravat pin, lapel pin, stick pin, whatever you call them, they’re a uni-sex stye that’s fabulous and incredibly on trend!

A whole array awaits at the Lanvin boutique.

Sonia Rykiel Smoked Crystal Brooch, forzieri.com, $83.00

Marni Wooden Bird Brooch, modaoperandi.com, $450.00

Prada Plexiglass Brooch, prada.com, $375.00

Lanvin Cravate Rose Pin, barneys.com, $165.00

With Lanvin and Prada both creating elegant versions of this accessory you know it’s time to go all out dapper and invest in one!

Acne Unisex lapel pin, farfetch.com, $51.07

For a large selection of antique stick pins ranging in price from $25.00 to well into the thousands of dollars, please visit rubylane.com and enter search “stick pin”

Last Look—A More Modern Approach

Photo Courtesy of: Vogue Italy

Parting Words…

15th April 2013

A well-knotted cravat is the first serious step in a man’s life.

Oscar Wilde

Soke Dee Pi Mai!

14th April 2013

Happy Lao New Year!

In celebration of Lao New Year from April 14-16, we are so pleased to share a recipe for this favorite Laotian breakfast, which is delicious for lunch or dinner as well!

Fer Broth served at the Amantaka

Fer Broth (Recipe provided by the Amantaka in Luang Prabang, Laos)

Broth

2 cups chicken stock

50 grams of chicken raw

2 pcs sliced ginger or galangal root

Organic Farm in Luang Prabang

Organic herbs

Seasoning

Soy sauce

Fish Sauce

Oyster Sauce

Lime Wedges

Garnish

70 Grams rice noodles

Bean sprouts

Diced Tomato

Sliced Spring Onion

Chopped Corriander

Fried Garlic

Fresh noodles for sale in the market of Luang Prabang

For the Broth:

Put the chicken stock, meat, ginger/galangal in a pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling turn down the heat to a very low simmer and let cook until the meat is cooked through. Season to taste with the soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce and lime wedges.

In a bowl, add your rice noodles and however much garnish you would like except for the fried garlic.

Once all of your garnish is in the bowl, add the broth and serve with a selection of chopped chili, lime wedges, soy sauce, lettuce, watercress, long beans, mint or basil, fresh cilantro on the side.

Then sprinkle with chopped fried garlic.