10 HOT Summer Dresses

It looks like a CRAZY-HOT summer is about to go down here in NYC.  
Not. even. kidding. 

Because of this heatwave, I've been on an insane hunt for more dresses for both day & nighttime! Asos seems to have a bunch of different styles - so I managed to snag 3 different styles similar to #2 - and I hope they fit when they get delivered! 

However, the dress I really wanted was the #10 by Rebecca Taylor. I may give in, we shall see...
The styles I pulled together are so perfect for hanging out during the day or heading out with your date during the evening! Don't you think?!?



1. love stripe asos // 2. cold shoulder dress asos // 3. zara // 4. zara // 5. michell mason via shopbop // 6. baum und pferdgarten via asos // 




7. jarlo maxi dress asos // 8. striped dress via zara // 9. rebecca minkoff topez dress // 10. ombre shirtdress via rebecca taylor




Have you ladies bought your summer dresses yet?? Which of these picks would you wear this summer??



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Food: Chocolate Cupcakes & German Vanilla Bean Buttercream

Its Teann here from Teann Ingram Photography bringing you a chocolate dessert! Chocolate is a women's best friend, we eat it when we're happy, sad, grumpy, and excited. It can be savoury, sweet, mixed with spices or just eaten plain. Chocolate is apart of our everyday lives, well mine anyways :)
These chocolate cupcakes are incredibly light, fluffy, and moist. 

Plus, they are so easy to mix together, you have no excuses not to make them! The German buttercream is similar to swiss meringue buttercream, except it's custard based and does not have the strong buttery flavour some people dislike of swiss meringue buttercream. 

 

When you have completely cooled the custard, and have started adding your butter, you may notice the mixture resembling runny scrabbled eggs. This is the moment most people think they are past the point of saving the buttercream and throw out their mixture! Gah! All that delicious buttercream gone. Forever. If only they knew, the buttercream hasn't been ruined at all! The butter just hasn't been fully incorporated! 

This stage doesn't always happen, but I find when my butter is still a little too cold, it will create this texture. So no fear, all you need to do is keep mixing. Easy huh? Patience is key, it usually takes about 10 - 15 minutes of continuous mixing to completely incorporate the butter and what you are left with is...

 

...pure magic. The buttercream should be smooth and light. I suggest tasting it once or twice, or three times. Maybe four.

  I absolutely love using vanilla beans in my icing. The specks of vanilla throughout the icing is so lovely.

  

I made a combination of regular and mini cupcakes. This recipe will make about 12 mini and 14 regular.


Chocolate Cupcakes
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour 2 cups coconut sugar (or white sugar) 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 3/4 tsp salt 2 large eggs 1 cup buttermilk (or fill cup with 1 tbsp white vinegar, fill to 1 cup with milk. Let sit 5 min.) 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 tbsp vanilla extract 1 cup hot coffee (you can use instant coffee too)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease muffin tins with butter and flour or line with paper liners. In a large bowl of a stand mixer, mix together dry ingredients. Add eggs, buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla and beat until smooth. Carefully add hot coffee and slowly incorporate. Batter will be runny. Fill muffin tins, 3/4 with batter and place in the oven for 20 - 25 mins. Insert a toothpick and if it comes out clean, the cupcakes are ready. Cool completely before icing.

German Vanilla Bean Buttercream
1 cup whole milk 1 vanilla bean pod, split and scraped with a blunt edge to extract seeds 1/2 cup of honey (or white sugar) 1 1/4 tbsp cornstarch 1 egg 1 egg yolk 1 cup butter, room temperature 1/8 tsp salt
In a medium pot, bring the milk to a simmer along with the vanilla bean seeds and pod. Turn off the heat and set aside for 20 min or as long as time allows.

After steeping, remove the vanilla bean pod. Return milk to a simmer. Meanwhile, whisk together honey, cornstarch, eggs and yolks in a medium bowl. Whisk 1/2 cup of the hot milk SLOWLY into the egg mixture to prevent the eggs from scrabbling. Continuing to whisk add the remaining milk mixture. Return the mixture to the pot and place over medium heat. With a wooden spoon, continuously stir the mixture until it has thickened and is bubbling sluggishly. Stir and cook for another full minute. Take the custard off the heat and place pot in an ice bath. Stir until custard has cooled to room temperate.

Once the custard is at room temperature, using a stand mixer, beat the custard until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Start adding the butter in tablespoon increments. If the mixture starts to look like scrabbled eggs, continue adding the butter and once the butter has been added, let the mixer do the work. Mix until smooth about 10 - 15 minutes.
Cupcakes adapted from: Foddess German Butter Cream adapted from: BraveTart


-post and photos by teann ingram

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SERIES: My Home My Space




What is your favorite area in your home and why?

"Hello MadeByGirl readers this is Lindsay from Pursuit of Style blog! My apartment is very much a work in progress, but this little corner of my living room is one of my favorite spots. If there’s one thing that living in tiny DC apartments has taught me, it’s to focus on surrounding myself only with things I truly love. There’s nothing worse than living in close quarters with something you bought on impulse just to fill the space--been there, done that!

The reason I chose this spot is because it features some of my favorite pieces I’ve collected over the years. The caned barrel chair is part of a pair I found on craigslist. They were the first pieces of furniture I ever had re-upholstered and I felt very grown up at the time. I still love the hot pink linen almost 4 years later!

I bought the large painting this summer at an antique store in my hometown on Cape Cod. It was a splurge at the time and she’s a little kooky (my family loves to make fun) but I knew if I walked away I’d regret it. The artist is German, but I think I was initially drawn to it because it reminds me of one of my favorite Picasso line drawings.
The black console serves as a makeshift bar. I recently painted the inside turquoise which is a fun surprise when you open the doors. The tortoise glass ice bucket (being used as a vase) is another favorite vintage find. It’s equally as pretty holding a bottle of champagne!"



- images via pursuit of style  
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Summer Swimwear

Summer has finally arrived. 

That means I finally have a reason to look for new swimwear, right? This Memorial day weekend, we will not be spending it at the beach unfortunately, but who says we can't escape for a few days another weekend. I've seen so many cute styles online & can't wait to try some on!  In fact, I put together a few pieces I thought would help you start your Summer-Bikini search!! So, have fun!! From the looks of it, it seems flirty prints & small details are trending most this season!

Normally, I prefer a thong bottom, to avoid the full back look, even though I don't have Giselle Bundchen's BUTT, I think I do just fine. Ha!!!


 Have you bought your Summer swimwear?? Which look do you prefer?
 










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FOOD: Curried Chicken Salad

Hi MBG readers, Lauren from Perpetually Chic here! One of my favorite quick lunches is to pick up curried chicken salad and a seeduction roll from Whole Foods. Since our Whole Foods is not close to my work, that curried chicken salad haunts me on weekdays. 

Inevitably my stomach begins to growl, and I'm left wishing I had it in my hands. I finally decided it was time to recreate my beloved chicken salad at home, so I can have it whenever I please. Keep reading for my version...

curried chicken salad

Like any good restaurant re-creation that happens in our kitchen, I examined the ingredients of the original then added a little twist of my own--Greek yogurt in place of mayo. I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with my recipe! It tastes lighter but still has that great curry flavor. 

curried chicken salad

This recipe comes together very quickly--it's also a great use for leftover chicken.

curried chicken saladcurried chicken salad

Curried Chicken Salad

Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 
Salt, pepper and garlic powder
6 tablespoons Greek yogurt
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup finely diced celery
1/4 cup dried currants
1/4 cup minced red onion
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
a dash of ground tumeric

Instructions
1. Season chicken breasts generously with salt, ground black pepper and garlic powder. Cook over medium-high heat on a grill, about 4 minutes per side. Roughly chop into cubes.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, curry powder, salt and tumeric. Add the cooked chicken and stir to coat. Then add the almonds, celery, currants and onion. Mix well to combine.
3. Serve on top of lettuce with bread or crackers on the side. 


-Recipe and photos by Lauren Craig



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Summer Wishlist

I swear, this SUMMER I feel like shopping for a whole new wardrobe...or at least a partial wardrobe. Fat chance that I'll go nuts spending $$$ on a shopping spree, it's just not like me. 

So, instead I decided to round up a few key pieces and will just choose 3-4 to sport around this summer! A new bathing suit is def a must right?? But then again, so is that Gucci fedora, to die for don't you think!?!

Which items on my wishlist can you see yourself sporting this summer??











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SERIES: my home, my space




What is your favorite area in your home and why?


"Hi I'm Kat from With Love from Kat blog! My favorite area in my apartment is my office.  I work from home, so I spend A LOT of time there.  My desk is from Bungalow 5, my planner is from Bergdorf Goodman, and my candle is from Diptyque. I try to always keep fresh flowers, books and jewels out for inspiration.  I stuck to a neutral color scheme for the space, but am dying to get my hands on a MadeByGirl painting to add a pop of color!"








-images via kat tanita


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Design: Graduation Gift Ideas

Hi MadebyGirl readers!  Sam here, from The Peak of Tres Chic, back for another decor post.  Lately my inbox has been full of graduation announcements and party invitations, which makes me reminisce on my own post-undergrad days.  

I remember being so excited to decorate my first apartment in the city, but also clueless about where to start!  Luckily, there are so many cute and affordable decor options out there for the new apartment dweller.  Here are a few of my favorites:


Shop This Board:

Kiwi Folding Mesh Cubes $2.99/ea/Candace Turquoise Table Lamp  $442/Amethyst Salt & Pepper Shakers $115/ Quips and Queries Notecards $28/Good Bones Great Pieces Book $20.69/Arianna Belle Hexagon Throw Pillow Cover  $67/"Measure Me" Measuring Spoons  $15/Shop Ten 25 Turquoise Nightstand $975

Are any of you in the process of decorating your space?  What's been your favorite purchase thus far?  Congrats to all the new graduates this year!



-post by samantha penner


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Changing Your Home & Style

Some days I wish MONEY was no object. I would totally change my entire wardrobe & home decor once a year. For those of you who like to change things up, wouldn't that be awesome? To be able to just snap your fingers & BAM! -  new wardrobe, new decor & if we could take it a bit further, we could even look like a specific person. Hmmmmm?

Again, this is not saying you should be UNHAPPY where you are, but like vacations, it would be a cool change of pace, a way to remove the same ol' - same ol' from our everyday lives, but still be able to come back to it! Of course, this is all FANTASY - but the thought intrigued me so much, I thought about how I would do it. So, how would I change things up?



Well, it would have to be a STYLE that is totally OPPOSITE (somewhat) of what I'm into now. With that said, I chose a Bohemian-Chic look. I also chose to go BLONDE & look a little like NICKY HILTON. Not super attractive, not too ugly, right??!!? 



Besides, I thought she looked fantastic in this Boho style outfit, which I plan to sport this summer, you, just, watch! Ok, my picks for Bohemian Style, My way home decor.... would look something like this:



 
1. navy lacquer desk - shopten25
2. spot pillow - barneys
3. horse art - shop candelabra
4. cobalt throw - jayson home
5. agate bookends - high street market
6. marc blackwell glass - barneys
7. nikko ceramics - barneys
8. gold ampersand - the cross
9. elya pillow - jayson home
10. paulaina reyes pilow - west elm
11. velvet ikat pillow - sukan
12. frank ottoman - jayson home

 

However, in the REAL WORLD I'm a tall brunette who loves glamorous living spaces & large scale abstract ART in my home.




If you could change your home decor & the way you look for 1 year, who would you be & what style would you choose??





-top image via purodeco
-nicky hilton image via w.e.n.n
-bottom 2 images by jen ramos




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Design: Tropical Glam

Hi MBG readers, its Amanda and I am back with two absolute summertime fave of mine: the iconic banana leaf print and the Massimo Vitali beach photograph. Not sure about you guys but there's no palm trees over here (in ohio) so I'm determined to bring the classic glam style of vacation destinations into our home.

And if you're not planning on any vacation soon, I've picked out a couple of pieces that will be sure to get you feeling the 'Palm Springs chic meets 1950s hollywood' vibe!



Martinique Wallpaper | World of Interiors via Art of Interiors



1. Rio Wall Sconce
2. Faceted Pendant Light
3. Jacquard Forest Towel
4. Sunburst Mirror
5. Massimo Vitali Photograph
6. Ikea Sofa (Tullinge Gray Slipcover)
7. Palm Leaves Pillow
8. Threshold Toss Pillow
9. Basketweave Metal Accent Table
10. Bamboo Lucite & Brass Bar Cart
11. Stud Poof
12. Safavieh Courtyard Area Rug
13. Jo Malone Osmanthus


-post by amanda dietz

 
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SERIES: my home, my space

 
What is your favorite area in your home and why?

"Hi I'm Edie from Life in Grace blog! The multitasking type of room has long been a dream of mine.  A room that’s like me - that reads and does laundry and blogs and dabbles in paints and maps and printing and child-rearing and bird watching.  We’ve only lived here two weeks but I can’t even  count the hours we’ve already spent in here. 



My girls’ new favorite pastime is to watch nail art videos and make their art come true whilst listening to me read “Gulliver’s Travels.”  It’s the first room we use in the morning and the last room we leave in the evening.   It never looks this clean.   There’s usually books and nail polish and writing projects strewn about.   We clean the green table off 27 times a day, only to make room for more art."






You can see more of the renovation here.



-images via here



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Floral Trend - Yes or Hell No?

Here in NYC I've been spotting the floral trend in pretty much every store in town. In fact it looks like this may be in full bloom this Summer! Even though I haven't made the jump to this TREND, I'm really digging these styles below. From skinnies, leggings to trousers, they all come in floral prints these days. I can get a bit wild, but sometimes I think I'd feel like a spectacle if I was walking down the street with some bright pink flowery jeans. 

How about you? Do you like this trend? Which could you see yourself wearing, floral pants, bathing suits or tops?



1. shopbop
2. shopbop
3. mother via shopbop
4. peg trousers via asos
5. current elliot via shopbop
5. floral leggings asos




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Fashion: Jumpsuits

Hi everyone!  It's Kat from With Love From Kat. Today's post is all about jumpsuits.  I recently purchased this jumpsuit from Theory and have already worn it to lunches, cocktails and meetings. It's so comfortable, yet flattering, and can easily be dressed up with a pair of heels or dressed down with a scarf and flats.  

Jumpsuits look best with a tie or belt around the waist.  If it doesn't come with a tie or belt, add this obi belt from Lafayette 148 or this thin leather belt from B-Low The Belt.  I try to stay away from wide leg + strapless jumpsuits and lean towards sleeveless/short sleeved versions like below.







-post by kat tanita

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Domaine

Have you guys seen Domaine?

Domaine is a shoppable online magazine spotlighting stylish homes for hip & trendy consumers. It was launched by the creators of WhoWhatWear, and led by Mat Sanders (Domino, Apartment Therapy), the site is a fantastic place to visit when you're looking to get home decor inspiration & ideas. 

The online mag was recently launched in 2013, & is located in one of the world’s most exciting design capitals, Los Angeles. Sweet! I very much enjoyed the entire site, as you can see below are a few of my favorites. How cool is that drawer pull made of skateboard wheels? Enjoy!



















-images via domaine





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