We literally want to wear this outfit everyday.  Check out our favorite items for Fall.

1. JCrew Regents Blazer- A classic cut which adds sophistication to any outfit.
2. R13 Cotton Cashmere Short Sleeved Striped Tee- We love this soft striped tee because it adds a little flare to any look.  (A classic striped tee in a modern cut can pull any outfit together.)  
3. Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Silk Scarf- A definite splurge, but we love this scarf because it's really soft , has a beautiful eyelash fringe and the color is so verastile that it can be worn with almost anything.  
4. Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag- This leather bag is beautifully constructed, and easy to pair as it has simple lines and is a neutral color. 
​5. Amo Distressed Cropped Jeans- raw/frayed hem is this seasons new trend that we love.  
6. Illesteva- Simple and chic sunnies to keep the rays out.  The shape of this frame is timeless. 
7. CND Vinylux Nailpolish- 7 day chip free nailpolish, who doesn't love a polish that lasts?
8.  Aromatherapy Rose Skin Tonic-  Leaves your skin feeling refreshed, and smelling delicious. 
9.  By Terry Baume  - This smooth, and stick free balm adds a touch of color to a clean face.
​10. Golden Goose Delux Brand-A broken in sneaker with a concealed wedge.  We love the extra height.

Entertaining is a double edged sword.  On one hand it is so gratifying and fun to host your closest (or not so closest) friends.  You get to dress yourself and home up, buy/cook food that you would never normally eat, create fun relevant playlists, and do whatever else is necessary for setting the appropriate mood.  On the other hand entertaining can be A LOT of work.  "What am I serving?", "Do I have enough liquor?”, "Wait, are you sure that's enough food?”, "Ugh, the apartment is a mess!”, “We definitely don’t have enough flowers.” , and “No one is going to want to listen to that!”.  Sound familiar?  We all stress ourselves out over the little details because we want perfection.  We want our party to be better than yours and our guests to have a wonderful time, of course.

One of our many secrets to kicking off a successful party right is our rustic cheeseboard. It looks equally amazing as it tastes and is always a hit.  Lets run through the key elements...

CHEESE: There should be an assortment of hard, soft, and crumbly.  Make sure the cheese is served at room temperature; take out of fridge at least an hour before serving.  To avoid muddling flavors, try to use separate knives for each cheese.

FRUIT: To add a little sweetness, we like grapes, dried apricots, fresh or dried figs, dried dates, cherries, and orange slices.

VEGGIES: Perfect for adding a crunchy element and another "vehicle" option.  Not to mention with all the indulgent cheeses its nice to have something healthy to offer.  We suggest carrots, celery, radish, cucumber, and jicama.

CURED MEATS:  A perfect savory addition to the board.  We typically like to add a dry salami or spicy chorizo and aged meats like prosciutto di parma or bresaola. 

NUTS:  Our favorite are Spanish Marcona almonds, but anything will work.

OLIVES:  Who does not love a meaty, nutty, and plump olive.  You can do a single type or go for a mixed variety.

VEHICLE:  Our favorite is a classic crusty baguette, but rye crackers, flatbreads, and water crackers are a great scooping device as well.

xx,
​Alex & Alice

Finding the perfect shoe for different occasions can be challenging. Knowing when to spend half your paycheck or to be thrifty can be a difficult task on it's own.  This season there are so many amazing heels to pair with the new Fall/Winter trends.  Here are our top picks and when to save vs. splurge.

Christian Louboutin $675

This is THE basic of all basics and a wardrobe essential.  A nude pump takes you from work to dinner, casual or dressed up.  From jeans to a dress, it does not matter; it works with everything.  Yes, this Christian Louboutin version is pricey, but we think this is one to splurge on.  As long the shoe is taken care of properly, it can last forever!

Stuart Weitzman $398

The Stuart Weitzman Nudist pumps are a bit of a splurge, but are extremely versatile and easy on the feet.  They can be dressed up for a black tie or cocktail affair, or simply worn with jeans.  We think this is a shoe that merits the hefty price tag.

Topshop $85

This Topshop shoe has a classic silhouette, but the cut outs and skinny tie add a sexy twist.  This style is comparable to the ever so hot Aquazurra, but at a fraction of the price.  We think it works best with skinny jeans, but would work equally well with dress of choice.

Steve Madden $100

We are certain if you have not invested in the latest denim trend, you have an old pair of bell bottoms hiding in the back of your closet somewhere.  Since we have been wearing skinny jeans for what seems like eternity, we may not have the proper footwear.  This Steve Madden platform pairs perfectly with the wide proportions of the flare and for only $100 we think it is a great purchase for Fall.

Steve Madden $100

Fringe goes in and out of style, so this is something you don't necessarily want to splurge on.  This shoe has great lines and would pair well with a chic pheasant dress or a pair of cropped pants.....and won't break the bank.  

xx,
Alex & Alice

They say the 5 most stressful times in someones life is death, divorce, moving, major illness, and job-loss.  That is a no joke list and unfortunately at some point everyone goes through at least 4 of those situations.  My family and I recently went through #3, which caused havoc in our lives for a solid month.  Even poor Bruno was turnt upside down.  Luckily are move was 5 minutes away bypassing the added stress of "starting fresh", having to meet new friends, and get acquainted with a new environment/culture.  We did that 3 years ago when we moved from NYC to HK.  That was no walk in the park, but at least it was exciting.  This time I felt stuck in an endless cycle of never-ending packing and being tied down waiting for things to get hooked up, delivered, and fixed!  It was mentally and physically exhausting.  However some aspects I can not complain about.  Here are some helpful tips for an easier move.

1.  "Spring Cleaning" 
This is the ultimate best time to eliminate items in your household that do not work properly, you do not use, wear, and just flat out take up unnecessary space.  I am not the type of person who holds onto things, so for me purging is fun!  My husband on the other hand has a hard time letting go.  My rule is if you need to think twice about getting rid of something, toss it.  Or better yet, if it is in good condition give it away to your local salvation army.  Same thing goes for clothing, but that is another post.(coming soon)

2. Packing
Now that your house is lighter and hopefully rid of the crap we can start packing it up.  It is important to have all supplies gathered and organized in advance. Ask your moving company for boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and a box cutter.  If you are moving yourself go to your local u-haul store or liquor store for free boxes.  I also start collecting newspapers about a week prior, just as extra wrapping.  Always pack by room and try not to mix things up.  Trust me when it comes time to unpack it will be much faster to have everything in the proper place.  Number each box, write what room it came from, and in a notebook detail the box #'s contents.  While this exercise is time consuming, it pays off in the long run.
Keep all boxes open until the room is totally cleaned out with nothing left to pack, this way you can always squeeze in that last piece that didn't fit in the previous box.  Repeat.

3. Relax
Here comes the easy part.  Because you packed so efficiently, and were so organized, unpacking will be a breeze.  Throw on a great playlist and slowly unwrap.  Take deep breaths and do not stress on getting everything put away in its perfect place.  That will take time.  So, relax, and enjoy your new home.

Deserted on an island....what would you bring, provided that your basic toiletries were accounted for?   These are some of the things that we couldn't live without; from our favorite linen v-neck to creams we swear by or snacks we crave. Here's a list of 5 items we would bring: 

1. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - Chapped lips have always been an issue for me and I find this cream to be the only thing that helps.  It is the first thing I put on when I get out of the shower and last thing I apply before I go to sleep.  I also use it to tame my crazy eyebrows.  Not to mention its great for soothing minor burns, which could be quite helpful on a deserted island!

2. American Apparel Hooded Sweatshirt - Ahh love at first sight!  I own this cozy zippy in 5 colors, but the salt and pepper grey is by far my favorite.  I wear it to the gym, around the apt., and my favorite way is with ripped denim shorts/jeans and Chanel ballet flats.

4. Havaianas Slim Flip Flop - A mindless throw on I wear way more than I would like to admit.  There are only 2 months in Hong Kong when I don't wear them!  They also match every casual item I own.

3. Hanky Panky Low Rise Thongs - Before this seamless thong was introduced to me I literally did not wear underwear because I hated the way other thongs fit me.  The seams always showed through my pants and they always pinched me in the wrong places.  Hanky Pankys have a flattering comfortable cut that works on everybody.  I now wear underwear everyday.

5. Mary's Gone Cackers Pretzels - These are my "go to" for my 3pm snack craving.  I guess you can say they are a healthy alternative to the typical pretzel, but I'll take these over Rold Gold any day!  Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I eat a whole bag in one sitting.  Hi, my name is Alex and I'm addicted to Marys Gone Crackers Pretzels.

1.  Linen V-Neck Pocket Tee-   I have about 10 of these in my closet and wear them ALL THE TIME as they are so comfortable.   I also love them because they are long enough to wear with leggings, and the v-neck is perfect in that it's not too high or low.  And the linen material makes it nice to wear during the summer months where the humidity can reach beyond 100% in Hong Kong.  

2.  Lucas' Papaw Ointment-  An ALL-IN-ONE ointment that I carry in my bag at all times.  Mainly used for my dry lips, but this antibacterial/antimicrobial ointment can be used for bug bites, minor cuts and wounds, and sunburn.  It's the best!

3. Toms-  Not the most stylish, but definitely one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.... and when you're stuck on a deserted island, comfort is paramount.  

4.  An oversized light weight cashmere scarf- Can be used as a cover-up or a just to keep you warm in the cool evenings, I always carry a scarf in my bag.  It's also makes an outfit look effortlessly chic.  

5. Kind Bars, Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt- OBSESSED with these.  They are so delicious; the combination of sweet and salty is just perfect, and the nuts add a nice crunch.  A perfect way to start the morning if you don't have time for a full breakfast, or a nice snack to have mid day when dinner is still a couple of hours away.  

With this pregnancy I've had a lot of different cravings, ranging from udon noodles to white nectarines.  Most recently it's been cashew milk.  I researched several recipes online, but in the end, this is what I came up with.  

Ingredients:
2 cups of raw cashews
6 cups of filtered water
1 tbsp of cinnamon
1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
1 whole vanilla bean (cut in half lengthwise and use only the seeds)
1/4 tsp of sea salt
1/4 tsp of nutmeg
1/4 cup of agave syrup
2 tbsp of chia seeds

Soak the cashews in water for at least 6 hours.  Drain and rinse.  Place cashews back in bowl and add 6 cups of the filtered water.

Using either a cold pressed juicer (or a strong blender like a Vitamix) add the cashew and filtered water mix.  Make sure to add equal amounts of water to cashew when putting through the cold press.  Keep an eye on the liquid container as it may overflow.  Pour the contents of the liquid into a covered pitcher.  You can discard the pulp, or put aside and use for another recipe.  This is one of our favorites.  

Next, combine the cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, fresh vanilla bean, agave, sea salt, and chia seeds.  Shake vigourously.  Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days and shake upon serving.

Bon appetite! 
xx,
Alice