Ray Civello - Civello Chicago NYE Giveaway

Civello Salons have set up three Chicago locations in the former Michael Anthony salons on North Avenue, Belmont and State Street. To celebrate we are giving away 5 New Years Eve Blow outs (that's right FIVE!) to some lucky ladies. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post (with a way for me to contact you) and follow us on Instagram. The winners will be chosen randomly. Congratulations to all our winners! This contest is now closed.


I first met Ray Civello, CEO/President of Aveda Canada and founder of Civello Salon at a dinner at Soho house and was just mesmerized by his story and charisma. When I heard him speak about building his business and his artistic vision I knew I had to capture him for the blog!

Recipe - Beet and Sweet Potato Chips

I'm on Jessica Murnane's One Part Plant podcast this week talking about life, work and food of course! Part of the deal was that Jessica asked me to share a favorite plant based recipe. So I whipped up a batch of beet and sweet potato chips. See how to make this nutritious, yummy treat below.

BEET AND SWEET POTATO CHIPS

Ingredients:

3 large beets, peeled

3 large sweet potatos

4 tablespoons olive oil

Sea Salt

Cracked Pepper

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350°. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a mandoline, thinly slice beets to a thickness of 1/16". In a large bowl, toss beet slices with oil to coat evenly. On prepared baking sheets, in a single layer, arrange as many slices as will fit without crowding. Bake until crisp, 25-30 minutes, rotating pans once halfway through baking. Really watch the oven because the chips go from crips to burnt in a matter of moments. Cool chips and blot with paper towels to remove any excess oil. Repeat, using a cool prepared baking sheet for each batch, until all beet slices are baked. Toss chips with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. 

The beet and sweet potato slices really shrink down so you have to bake a lot of batches to yield a decent amount of chips.

This recipe is based on one I found on Epicurous

AZEEZA for the Holidays!

I got to hang out with the lovely AZEEZA on an unseasonably warm and rainy December day here in Chicago. She previewed her AZEEZAxWOOLRICH dress that comes out next season and gave me major face. The great news is that for all you procrastinators there are so many beautiful gifts that are $100 and under at the AZEEZA showroom at 900 N. Michigan Ave. from beanies to cuff to embellished headbands. Head over to her store or purchase online.

Corri McFadden and Zelda

Someone just got woken up from their nap and it wasn't Corri :) The Holiday installment of Dose Market was the perfect way to cap of a weekend full of festivities, and running into Mama McFadden and her baby girl Zelda as we were leaving was the icing on the cake. Loving Corri's solid gold lounge wear and baby Zelda's lace patched jeans.

Corri McFadden is the founder of the luxury consignment destination eDrop-Off. Now is the perfect time to shop their holiday edit. Also check out Corri's rad fashion and lifestyle site here

PASSONI by Francesca Passoni

My co-worker at Leo Burnett, Francesca Passoni launched a rad fashion kickstarter for her company PASSONI. They make bespoke tailored shirts for the "sophisticated tomboy" all hand made in Italy. I caught up with her on the street last week sporting one of her unique designs.

There are tons of lovely rewards for backing at all levels. My favorite though is the gift for backing the project for just $30. You get an adorable little neck kerchief known as a "STROZZINO" in Italian, which of course sounds a million times cooler.

This is a photo of the artisanal tailor shop in Lodi Italy, just outside of Milan where the PASSONI line will be crafted. So beautiful.

The Très Awesome 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

It's Cyber Monday today! The perfect time to get all your holiday shopping done, save a ton of money and never leave your couch. I've collected all sorts of cool stuff from around the internetz and almost all of the sellers have a special deal going on today. So without further a do I give you our official holiday gift guide.

1) Kate Spade Toast Flats $228.00
2) Goldie Rox The Burger Ring $210.00
3) Moschino Toy Fragrance $110.00

4) Eugenia Kim Bo Black Felt Cap $228.00
5) Benefit Advent Calendar $100.00
6) Crosley Bermuda Turntable $249.95

7) Jonathan Adler Ceramic Dachshund Menorah $128.00
8) T+J Designs Pop the Champagne Tee $32.00
9) Freaker Doll Face Coozie $11.99

10) AZEEZA Collar Necklace $495.00
11) Clashist James Franco Crush Socks $14.50
12) TOMS Market Place Rose & Fitzgerald Geometric Candle Holders $89.25

13) Emerging Thoughts Totally 90's nail decals $11.00
14) Charlotte Olympia Taco Purse $1295.00
15) Local Ecletic boo + boo factory leather bracelet $22.00

16) Crew and Lu Pink Tassel Moccasin $62.00
17) Rifle Paper Co. Floral Temporary Tattoos $12.75
18) Stack Magazine Membership $190.00

19) CB2 Gold Turtle $64.95
20) Nike Lunarelite Sky Hi Sneakerboot $140.00
21) Storm Drone 4 Flying Platform $359.90