Thursday, August 25, 2011

#hurricanepocalypse


So unless you've been living under a rock, everything should know that a pretty hefty hurricane is moving toward the East Coast as we speak. What a week it's been, with an East Coast earthquake (pretty scary!) and now a major hurricane! Speaking as someone who currently resides on an island (Long Island), I can't say I'm too thrilled about the impending storm. As far as I heard, Long Island is not going to be evacuated, so my housemates and I have nothing to do but ride out the storm. So what to do when you are stuck inside? Make the most of it! 
The Hurricane
(makes 10-12 servings)
- 12oz light rum
- 12oz dark rum
- 10oz grenadine
- 10oz orange juice
- 10oz lime juice
- 3 tablespoons superfine sugar
- 1 large orange (for garnish)
* Serve on the rocks*

Hurricane Irene: The Playlist
- Hurricane- Bob Dylan
- Hurricane Drunk- Florence and the Machine
- Come On Eileen- Dexy's Midnight Runners (Eileen=Irene? Eh?)
- Mr. Hurricane- Beast
- Jane Hurricane- Black Kids
- Rock You Like A Hurricane- Scorpions
- Stormy Weather- The Kooks
- Don't Rain on My Parade- Glee Version
- Rain is a Good Thing- Luke Bryan
- Rain On- Woods
- Four Winds- Bright Eyes
- Ay Bay Bay- Hurricane Chris

If you're going to be stuck in a hurricane, make sure you get proper provisions... but also make sure you have some fun too! 
xox devon shea

** But seriously, everyone stay safe in this storm. I know parts of the East Coast are being evacuated as a precaution... make sure you listen to what the authorities suggest, stock up on food, water and flashlights, make sure you (and your pets) stay inside, etc! STAY SAFE! **


Saturday, August 20, 2011

What Not To Wear: The Jersey Trash Edition


Let's face it: our culture is enamored with Joisey. Jersey Shore, Jersey-liscious, The Real Housewives of New Jersey... the list goes on. As a born and raised Jersey girl, I have constantly been fighting against the Jersey stereotype ("Oh, but you see, I'm actually from South Jersey... no, I'm not Italian, how shocking right?"). And I have to say, the shows on TV right now about Jersey make my fair state look like a hot, skanky mess. My biggest beef with the people on these shows is that they dress like the stereotype. If they tuned down some "Jersey go-to" trends, they might actually do the state some justice. Before you can say "Prostitution Whore!", check out my suggestions below to de-Jersey the "Jersey Girl".

1. Big Hair
The Snooki Poof
Hey, I love big hair as much as the next girl... but the "Snooki" poof style is too much. TOO much. So much that even Snooki has retired it. Throw away your bump-its, and try a pony tail with some volume for a more chic approach to big hair, like Carrie Underwood did at the 2009 Grammy Awards (below). Still dramatic (not for everyday wear) but much more pretty. 
Carrie gets it right with a low pony


2. "Bling"
Melissa, too much. 

First of all, don't call it "bling". Now, shimmer isn't something to shy away from... who doesn't love a pretty sparkly dress or a glamourous necklace? The trick is knowing when to stop piling on the shimmer... the old rule "less is more" applies here. Note Real Housewive's star Melissa, above. The dress (and the feathers)! The shoes! The earrings! The bracelets! Way too much. Pick one focal point in your outfit, and keep everything else understated, including hair and makeup. I've found that Taylor Swift pretty much nails the sparkle trend in a way that is young and fun, but not over-the-top. Also, this trend is best suited for teenagers and early 20's, not middle-aged housewives.
Taylor Swift in her element. Fabulous. 


3. Animal Print
SO WRONG

Nothing scares me more than too much animal print. My taste is to shy away from it completely, but recently I've been incorporating it into my wardrobe. Like everything listed in this post, it is best in moderation. If you're going to rock anything leopard print (or zebra, or giraffe) make sure it's not tight, shiny, or cheap-looking (see above). Instead, incorporate in accessories. Animal print, when done right, works for the little things, such as headbands, shoes, and cardigans. Take a hint from my personal style icon Rachel Bilson:
A pop of an animal print can be classy.
4. Fur
How many animals died in vain for bad fashion?
There used to be something so glamourous about a fur coat back in the 1920's... however, now it's a look that reads dated, or Jersey. Not to mention that I'm sure the women above aren't wearing faux. Fur did make a comeback last fall season, with vests becoming a popular staple (I admit, I do own a faux fur vest and I'm pretty in love with it). Since the trend is most likely here to stay for this upcoming fall season, here's how to do fur in a more casual way. And always keep it faux! 
Loving the white button-down underneath, paired with jeans!

There you go! When you take the "Jersey" out of these "Jersey trends", they don't seems so bad. In fact, they can be down-right fashionable. As for me, I'll continue to try to lead by example that a girl from Jersey does not a Jersey Girl make. 

xox devon shea

(PS: This post was in good fun, I mean no offense to any of my fellow Jersey readers!)

Walking In A Lacy Wonderland

* Let me preface this by saying I'm sorry I've been so neglectful of this blog! Life has been getting in the way, I'll promise to be more active with posting :) *

I am a HUGE clotheshound... ask any one of my friends ("Wow, I didn't realize how many shirts you have..."). So it may come as a shock that my favorite things to buy clothes-wise are not what you can see, but what you can't see.
 I'm a girly-girl through and through, so to me there is nothing better than pretty lace details. I was enticed to browse aerie.com by their offers of free shipping and 40% off, but instead uncovered some very pretty (and affordable!!) lace pieces that make me want to run out to my nearest aerie store! In fact, I think I may ;) Some of my favorite picks:

Aerie Vintage Lace Bralette in Pink Shock
Aerie Lacy Long Bralette in Ikat Grey

 Aerie Drew Lace Pushup Bra in Missile 
Aerie Lace Tank in Pink Sand

What do you guys think of Aerie's lacy line?
xox devon shea


Saturday, July 9, 2011

College Prepster & Jack Rogers GIVEAWAY

Carly over at The College Prepster is teaming up with Jack Rogers for a chance to win a pair of Navajos! How she manages to set up all of these awesome giveaways, I will never know. 
If I won this giveaway, I would definitely choose the Hamptons Navajo in Silver. How perfect are they? Whoever wins this will be a very lucky girl :) 
To find out how you can enter, click HERE!
xox devon shea

Friday, July 8, 2011

TGIF

For Instant Karma's very first TGIF cocktail recipe post, I thought long and hard about which recipe I wanted to present first. And then it hit me... Caribou Lou. It may not be the, ahem, classiest of beverages (151 rum, pineapple juice and Malibu, caribou... you know the rest of the song) but it is pretty delicious and just what the mixologist ordered after a long work week. And who doesn't like a drink they can sing about?

If you know the song, you know the ingredients, but here's the recipe anyway:

Makes one serving
1 and 1/2 parts Barcardi 151 Rum
1 part Malibu Rum
5 parts pineapple juice
Shake or serve over ice

Enjoy! And be forewarned... it's stronger than it tastes! Happy Weekend!
xox devon shea

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Tell me anything you want, any old lie will do

Really busy today with both my jobs and I don't have much time to post, so I'll leave you with a beautiful song instead!

Ragged Wood- Fleet Foxes

I hope everyone's having a great day!
xox devon shea

Monday, July 4, 2011

Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

I have to admit, the 4th is usually a pretty low-key holiday for me. The same holds true this year, no big plans because I just got back from vacation last night. But I hope everyone has fun celebrating today! Enjoy those cold beers, burgers, and firecracker ice pops (my favorite!) And, as always, remember our troops today as they continue to protect our freedom!

Music on the menu today: a little Springsteen. Get that Happy Hour music playing!  Happy 4th everyone! 
xox devon shea