January 2010
1 post
Hi! Are You Looking For Me?
Well, I’ve moved! Better in French has moseyed on over to BetterInFrench.com
Until I can figure out how to have my virtual cake and eat it too, by somehow meshing my Tumblr site with my new-and-improved site, you’ll have to check out all new posts by visiting me there.
Tell me how you like the new digs!
See you soon.
XOXO Miranda
December 2009
1 post
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Manolo Blahnik AKA The Mothership
During my recent trip to Las Vegas, we took a window shopping stroll through the Wynn, where my in-laws were staying. I was calm, cool, and collected until I saw this, and stopped dead in my flat, equestrian-chic boots:
Spellbound, I dropped Paul’s hand, and floated toward the open doors of this store, my eyes and mouth wide open. I may have stopped breathing.
“It’s,...
November 2009
16 posts
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Whatever's Clever: Easy Peasy Pie
I am thankful for all sorts of things on this Thanksgiving eve, including this insanely easy berry pie I adapted from two existing recipes.
The fantastic thing about it is not only that it’s yummy, and relatively healthy—as far as pies go, anyway—but that it’s so easy to make, and completely adaptable.
I happened to have 1 bag of mixed frozen berries in my freezer, and a...
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A Sunday in iPhone Photos
Paul and I took advantage of the sunny fall Sunday, loaded our pups Bailey and Lola into the car, and headed for Huntington Beach Central Park.
We stopped first for NY Style bagels at Bagelmania in Huntington Beach—now my destination for perfect bagels in an adorable setting, with colorful old school sodas, and the best service—and then parked at the Park Bench Cafe adjacent to the...
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Red Shoe Diaries
I spent last week/end in Las Vegas, celebrating my in-laws’ 35th wedding anniversary. We had a lovely time, adored our hotels (reviews and photos coming, soon) and even managed to catch a show: Cirque du Soleil’s Le Reve, which was phenomenal. My MIL and I sat next to each other so we could have someone to squeal to, but were both so breathtaken, I could only blindly bat her arm a few...
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Use It Or Lose It
You’ve heard that phrase, right? Use it or lose it? It’s true, you know. Don’t worry if you don’t believe me; it just means that you’re under the age of 25. And at the wizened—er, wise—age of 27, I can tell you with conviction that you’ll soon understand exactly what it means.
This photo below, for example. I made this sandwich three weeks ago, tops. It’s a vegetarian version of a BLT,...
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My dear friend Bradley Keys, hip hop artist...
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A Project All About Shoes? Sign Me Up.
So, I finally got around to setting up a Flickr account, because all the kids are doing it, and my husband Paul has sworn it will improve my quality of life by, oh, 3%. At least.
Last night I uploaded a few blog photos, and lo and behold: upon waking, I had very sweet Flickr comments waiting on my screen.
While people saying nice things about you never, ever, ever gets old, I was most intrigued...
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Hair Miracle? Here's Hoping. →
Have I told you the tale about my poor, fried mane? How after going blonde this summer, for the first time ever (blondes might just have more fun, after all) I ponied up the big bucks to have a keratin treatment, also known as the Brazilian Blowout, and soothe my poor, processed hair follicles?
Well.
The Brazilian Blowout essentially toutes itself as the America of hair products; give us your...
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600 Thread Count Sheets On Sale? Yes, Please. →
So, I have become minorly obsessed with Nate Berkus, since seeing an interior design spread he did in Glamour magazine, using items for his own line. It was, in a word: perfection.
The only place to get your hands on his wares is HSN.com, which was easy enough. The only thing I was miffed by was the shipping charges; each pillow I ordered cost an additional $5-8 in shipping and handling, as did...
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Hey! Did You Know It's National Novel Writing... →
For 30 days and 30 nights, seasoned writers and newbies alike will join together in the pursuit of writing their novel. 1 month, 1 novel.
I’m in. Are you?
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Alice in Wonderland
Ok. So, I didn’t exactly provide you with moment-by-moment Phish fashion coverage, as promised. Frankly, I was distracted. Not just by the surprising amount of edgy looks, fringy boots, and hair strand-thin metallic headbands worn high on the forehead (they were a revelation), but by the experience itself. I felt like Alice in Wonderland, but was in a meticulously cared for polo field,...
October 2009
38 posts
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Makeover: Frozen Standbys
There are just some nights when “cooking” is out of the question, and I draw the line just shy of heating things. That, I can do. But, the heating of food must not require much effort or participation on my part; there will be no simmering, then boiling, then bringing back down to a simmer. Not even my beloved grill pan makes the cut, and on these nights I rely on one appliance and one...
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WatchBetter in French’s Almost, Practically, Mostly Effortless Cooking Series
I wanted to make a new pasta dish the other night, but had limited ingredients. Using basics already in my kitchen, I came up with this “Not Meyer Lemon Pasta” with shrimp. There were a few rough moments, but it turned out beautifully.
Bon Appetit!
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Be Pretty Inside and Out
Ladies: I’m going to share a link with you, and ask you to do something. Which, I rarely do (the asking you to do something part).
Now, you may say:
“But Miranda, we come here for fun! For a break! For pretty pictures. And now you want us to do something?”
To which I’ll respond:
“Yes. Yes, I do. Please do it for me, for you, and all of the women in the US. Because...
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If possible, I adore Mr. Blahnik even more now →
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“Me: I’m just exhausted. I wish Glee was on Hulu.
Paul: Well, let’s...”
– It’s nice to get surprises like this. Sometimes, it’s the little things, you know?
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All Dressed Up With Nowhere to Go
We all have those pieces hanging in our closet—you know, the ones that we bought because they’re just so darn pretty, but for whatever reason, haven’t worn.
I look at these items in my closet often, but sigh and pass right by them. They’re too wonderful to purge, but I haven’t figured out what to do with them.
That is, until today. I grabbed two of the “just...
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Rain, Rain Go Away
Since it’s looked like this outside all week:
I was in dire need of some sunshine this morning, and it was clear that I wasn’t going to get it from mother nature. So, I pulled up the sun shiny-est photos I have, and instantly felt better—even virtual sunshine is better than none.
These photos are from our honeymoon this past March, in Bali. It was the warmest, sunniest, most...
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Salty & Sweet
I’m sorry to do this to you. What I’m about to show you may forever weaken your ability to shun sweets in favor of healthier fare. That, and cause you to frighten the bejesus out of your innocent friends, like I did the other day:
It’s a mix so perfect, so genius, that I’m shocked it took me 27 years to stumble upon it. Ice cream and potato chips! Now, stay with...
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One Sided Convo with My Puppies
Me: Could you just try to be nice to each other? And snuggle quietly?
Bailey (ignoring me completely): Grruff-squeak-squeak!
Lola (also ignoring me): Harumph-grr-grr-eek!
Me: Sigh. Never mind
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“Bethany: I need a blue velvet couch.
Me: Ooh! Look at Nate Berkus’...”
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Group On
Have y’all heard of Groupon.com ? I hadn’t until a few weeks ago, but I’m now obsessed.
Here’s the skinny: Group On makes deals with all sorts of fabulous businesses and events, and brings you a “Daily Deal” based on your location. Using “collective buying power”, if enough people promise to buy that day’s deal, the deal is on!
Paul and I...
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Cliff's Edge Cafe, Silverlake
Cliff’s Edge Cafe in Silverlake (on Sunset) has been on my “Eat Here” list, since reading about it in LA Magazine, or Daily Candy (I can’t quite remember where). It was touted as the closest thing to eating in a treehouse, without the pesky climb or bothersome younger siblings.
It was delicious—the olive bread brought to the table was super soft, and didn’t...
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Disneyland!
I’ll just put it out there; Ikea is my personal Disneyland. Inexpensive, streamlined, and brightly colored (usually—I don’t appreciate the autumnal tones their pillows, throws, et al. have been dressed in recently, but anyway) thingamabobers as far as the eye can see. And…ice cream! Fat-free frozen yogurt, actually:
What’s better than that? The only unpleasant...
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Vote for Tavi on HuffPost
The one fashion blog I check almost daily, without fail, is Style Rookie. It bears mentioning that this blog is authored by a 13 year old. A sharp, witty, and wickedly fierce fashion visionary. I adore her.
If you haven’t heard of her yet, you will. And if you haven’t checked out her site, you should; her posts are quirky and charming, and her ensembles aren’t to be missed.
I...
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Listen Live Now: Gustavo Dudamel (The Obama of... →
“The Obama of Classical Music”. Love it.
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WatchMy husband is battling it out with his coworkers…’stache style. For the month of October, a group of gents are growing mustaches, and the best ‘stache wins.
Although I’m not traditionally a fan of the look, I’ve embraced my husband’s inner Tom Selleck, but begged him to let me tame the ‘stache, so it was more stylish, and less ’80s creepy.
...
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“House of Blues Doorman: Are you OK?
Me: These are very high heels, sir.”
“Every moment of your life is an opportunity for fashion”
– Kurt (Glee)