Bohemian Ruby

Going green.

bohemianruby — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:53:04 +0000

It is no secret to my family and friends that the one fashionable trend I have yet to try is that of eating vegetables. Okay, so it isn’t really a trend. More like a fashionable, nutritional staple.

Only recently did I try green beans and not gag like a child. In fact…I was surprised that I actually kind of liked the taste. I guess I have reached a whole new level of adulthood. Finally!

Over the past weekend, the strangest thing happened… I started craving green beans. It was a completley foreign feeling. But I decided to just go with it.

Using a recipe I found on Pinterest (my latest obsession), I made garlic-roasted green beans. And I ate them. And liked them.

Because this was a monumental achievement- cooking vegetables and actually liking them- I figured the recipe was worth sharing with y’all. Hope you enjoy!

And yes…I plan to use this same method with other green foods I have yet to try.

Roasted Green Beans
(Recipe by Confessions of a Foodie Bride, via Pinterest)

1lb green beans
3 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 lemon, juiced and zested
Salt
Pepper

Preheat oven to 425.

Heat the olive oil, red pepper flakes, and garlic over medium heat until the garlic browns. Turn off the heat and remove the garlic with a slotted spoon. Add green beans to the pan, toss to coat, and transfer to a baking sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes. Toss with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve garnished with lemon zest.

Serves 4

Roasted Green Beans by Confessions of a Foodie Bride

Forgive me Mack, for I will sin.

bohemianruby — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:17:23 +0000

Saturday is the greatest day of the year…the first game of the Longhorn football season. Yes last year was beyond disappointing, but We’re Texas. We rally. And hey, we can’t be on top every single year. What fun would that be? Wait…

I have always believed every Longhorn Lady should without question wear her cowboy boots for all gamedays. It is our signature….boots + mini skirts.

In recent years, some schools to the north of the Red River have tried to incorporate our signature style into a tradition of their own. That’s okay. Really. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But We’re Texas. We just do it better.

However, this season opener we have a bit of an issue. Record high temps in Austin are going to make it completely impractical to wear boots. I don’t know about y’all, but I’d like to not pass out -from heat exhaustion- before kickoff.

Thus, I will not be donning my beloved Luccheses. I will have to take a bi-week (or bi-weeks), and let our admirers have their summer fling with our sacred love.

See you in October, my dear boots.

How will I repent for my sins?
With a little of that Uniquely Austin, faux-hipster, almost preppy flavor.

: Woven Fedora, On sale.. $24.99, JCrew Triple digits, y’all. Triple. Digits.

Summer Straw Hat, On Sale...$24.99, JCrew Sun=Wrinkles, people.

White Denim Shorts, On Sale...$59.99, JCrew Because it is your last time to wear white for awhile. Just kidding. Most rediculous "rule" ever.

Tory Burch 'Miller 2' Logo Thong Sandal, Nordstrom, $225 A little more breezy than the beloved boots.

Denim Short in Clear Sky Wash, On Sale... $59.99, JCrew

Kork-Ease 'Bette' Wedge Sandal, $144.95, Nordstrom HOT legs. In more ways than one...

Retro V-Neck T-Shirt, $29.99, University Co-op Cleavage PLUS comfort. Winner!

Distressed Tee, $29.99, University Co-op Simple. Comfy. Casually cute.

Gameday face tattoos, $2.99, University Co-op. Duh.

Elta MD Suncreen. Expensive but worth it. Get it at your dermatologist's office. Or Amazon.

Triple Digits. TRIPLE DIGITS! H20 and lots of it!

Louis Vuitton Speedy. Because it is like it was made to go with Burnt Orange.

Come Early, Be Loud, STAY LATE. Win or Lose... Eyes of Texas.

Cheating on my namesake.

bohemianruby — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:25:50 +0000

When it comes to all things sugar & spice, I have always been loyal to my namesake, Victoria’s Secret. In terms of getting what you pay for, VS is right on the money. A nice quality product at a reasonable price. Not La Perla, but not Fruit of the Loom, either.

VS always has something for everyone….from Vegas Showgirls, 6′ tall Angels, sorority girls, to sassy stay-at-home moms. Of course I love the place…who doesn’t? Plus, there’s a bonus for me. My name is already sewn in my underwear. I kid, I kid.

Despite my love for VS, lately I’ve been cheating on it. While I’ll never stop loving all things VS, the intimates + sleepwear line gilligan by Gilligan & O’Malley has stolen my heart. Or at least some of my would-be-Victoria’s Secret purchases.

gilligan by Gilligan & O’Malley‘s sleepwear is comfy, cute, and sexy…but not overtly so. The intimates are understated yet sexy- no secret trapdoors or scratchy, glittery fabrics. Think shabby chic, Anthropologie-style…. at a fraction of the price.

Here are some of my faves from this fabulously priced and easily accessible collection at Target. Xoxo….

'Dark Grey Dot' Babydoll, $19.99 for the set, Target

Lace accented Romper (they call it a teddy...) $19.99, Target

Lace accented Cami, $10, Target

Pajama Pants (Out of Stock online, check your local store) $10-$14.99, Target

The pajama pants in this line are super soft….not the scratchy kind. Seriously. Soft.

Lace accented Chemise (Out of Stock online, check your local store) $19.99, Target

I have this chemise, I love it, I want one in every color.

Demi Lace Bra in Jamestown Blue, $14.99, Target

Lace Tanga in Jamestown Blue, $6.99, Target

Demi Lace Bra, $11.88, Target

Cheeky Boyshort, $6.99, Target

Blinded by the Light.

bohemianruby — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:41:49 +0000

I love my little apartment. I’ve been here over a year now and plan to stay until I graduate from law school. I’ve “committed” to this place: I’ve painted the living and bedroom, installed an extra ceiling fan and added a new, programmable thermostat. As a renter, I normally wouldn’t have invested the money or effort. But here, it is worth it.

Despite these improvements, I still had a bit of a situation. A vertical blinds situation. Vertical blinds are hideous and disfunctional. I finally had enough.

Enter my mom: the source of my love of all things home decor and design. Since she stole my dream bathtub, I decided to steal her faux-linen curtain idea that she has employed in her dining room. What is that you used to say to me mom? Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

Everything you need can be found at Home Depot.

Vertical blinds are still there, but can be covered by the curtains.

When closed, helps reduce street noise and the hot summer sun.

View from another angle.

Canvas Drop Cloths....looks like linen. Cheaper and heavier duty than typical curtain panels. Adds an industrial touch to my otherwise bohemian apartment.

Curtain Rod, about $25, Home Depot

Drapery Rings w/ Clips, about $9 (7/pack), Home Depot

6' x 9' Canvas Drop Cloths, Home Depot

Namaste.

Dog Days of Summer.

bohemianruby — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:26:51 +0000

No new “news” here. Just wanted to share some of the models I’ve recently had the opportunity to photograph.

The canines below are seen doing what they do best….L-I-V-I-N’.

It’s a dogs world, y’all.
We just live in it.

“To err is human, to forgive, canine“

My ears love Merah

bohemianruby — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:15:34 +0000

While I have always had sensitive ears, I have always just dealt with the pain of wearing earrings based on looks- not the materials they are made with. The result? Sore, red, painful earlobes. Beauty is pain, you have to suffer to be beautiful…. yada yada yada.

Enter earrings by Merah. As stated on their site, “Merah provides stylish earrings, at reasonable prices to women with sensitive ears. The secret: nickel free earring hooks made from a material without impurities, like solid gold, but for a fraction of the price. Unlike metals used in other so-called “hypoallergenic” earrings, this nonreactive element is commonly used in medical implants.”

Created by one of my sorority sister’s Sister… Merah is based out of Austin. Just another reason to love them!

: LOVE my first pair of Merah earrings!

: Grecian Sun style, $32

Here are a few of the styles that I hope to acquire shortly:

: Sarah style, $46

: Tree Hugger style, $29

: Cinderelly Cinderelly style, $74

Two-fer Tuesday?

bohemianruby — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:01:11 +0000

I’m not sure if that is how you say it. “Two-fer”. Whatever. Irrelevant. You get the point.

Football season is fast approaching, and I just had to share the good fortune. My fave tees at the Co-Op (the Retro Brand styles) are buy one, get one half off.

Kind of like how our football tickets will likely be this year….
Buy one, get one half off. Oh please not again.

You’re welcome.

Blissfully Sweet Dreams.

bohemianruby — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:13:06 +0000

On our recent girls’ trip to San Francisco, Melissa and I stayed at the fabulous W San Francisco. The experience was great- the hotel is hip, nicely furnished, comfortable, and beautiful. They even feature Bliss products as the little hotel samples- Melissa and I purposely hid all of the bottles each morning in our luggage so they would give us a new, fresh set every day.

But, if you were to ask me my favorite part about our fabulous stay at the W San Francisco…it wouldn’t be the insanely awesome massage I got at the in-house Bliss Spa. It wouldn’t be the swanky decor or ultra cool lobby bar. It would be the beds.

The W’s beds are utterly fabulous. The linens are super soft and comfy, and you melt into the down featherbed. It was almost hard to get up and explore the city in the mornings. Almost.

So, when my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday, what did I tell her?

: W Hotels Featherbed, $85-$185

Happy (early) Birthday to me. Thanks Mom!

UPDATE! Use coupon code WSTAR35 for 35% off your purchase at the W Store online.
(Thanks for the tip, Ginny!)

Color junkie.

bohemianruby — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:12:38 +0000

So, I’ve recently had the itch to redecorate again. This is nothing new- it happens about 4 times a year…I like to think of it as a seasonal design itch.

My mother is the same way. I’ve never experienced one of those movie-scene moments where you visit your parent’s house or grandparent’s house and it looks exactly the same as it did in your childhood. That’s funny. I didn’t even know that happened in real life. But I hear from you people that it does.

I love, love, love the feel of a continually changing home. We update our wardrobes every year, every season,every week..errrr… no? Why not update our humble abodes!

Here are some inspirational designs that I adore. Aside from the essential “spa-like” bathroom, I shy away from most beige/neutral palettes. Sorry mom, that’s just not my style.

Designer John Willey's take on a 'Modern Retro' bedroom

"Gentle Medley" color collection at Sherwin Williams

Moroccan inspired bedroom designed by Gene Meyer and Frank de Biasi

Dark and Cozy bedroom designed by Moises Esquenazi

Dramatic foyer designed by Jonathan Berger

Family Room designed by Hattie Wolfe and Abby Rizor

Casually-chic bathroom designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Garden view bathroom designed by Dana Lyon

The other side.

bohemianruby — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:33:48 +0000

Occasionally I receive some requests for “guy stuff”. I tend to like the more casual look for dudes. Not too metro, not too….haphazard? For instance, I prefer a slightly fitted jean on a guy, as opposed to completely baggy. But no skinnies. Please.

So, here are a few of the things I would buy if I were a dude who was making my dreaded semi-annual shopping voyage.

: Joe’s ‘Classic Fit’ Straight Leg Jeans in Dixon Wash, Nordstrom, $158

I like the fit of these Joe’s jeans….just fitted enough, but not too fitted. I could care less about brand names for denim (for guys AND girls), so any denim with a similar fit would be right up my hypothetical-male-alley.

: Secret Wash lightweight button-down shirt in Van Buren gingham, J.Crew, $59.50

Love a large scale gingham. Untucked. Yum!

: Relaxed-fit jean in Dark Worn Wash, J.Crew, on sale $85

: Alternative A Game Short-Sleeved V-Neck Football Tee, Urban Outfitters, $48

I’m not a fan of graphic tees, but I do love a good V-neck. And this has a little extra spice to it. Plus, it looks comfy. Perfect for those girls who steal their guys’ shirts.

: Nike® for J.Crew Vintage Collection Cortez® sneakers, J.Crew, $75

Love these! I also like similar styles, regardless of brand/price. etc. I chose these because I like the color combo.

: Denim washed khaki shorts, Gap, $44.95

These shorts are the perfect length in this photo. Guys- your shorts look best when your knees show. If you find a pair you like, and they are too long, take them to your local dry cleaner (they usually do alterations, too) and have them hemmed. I have to do this with every pair of pants I own, trust me… it is worth it!

: Cotton-cashmere V-neck sweater, J.Crew, $59.50

: UGG® Australia ‘Leighton’ Chukka Boot, Nordstrom, $140

: James Perse Crewneck Sweatshirt, Nordstrom, $135

: Sperry Top-Sider® ‘Bahama’ Boat Shoe, Nordstrom, $69.95

: Heavyweight slub jersey pullover, J.Crew, on sale $49.50

: Clarks ‘Jink’ Oxford, Nordstrom, $94.95

: Lightweight Oversized Beanie, Urban Outfitters, $15

The inner hippie in me can’t resist a slouchy beanie on a guy. I think every guy can pull it off. Rawr.

: Vintage V-Neck Tee, Banana Republic, $29.50

: Daniel Buchler Pima Cotton T-Shirt, Nordstrom, $45

The perfect lazy Sunday lounge-wear. Better than your stained white tee shirt. Better than your favorite tattered basketball shorts.

: Daniel Buchler Pima Cotton Shorts, Nordstrom, $45