Worthy reads roundup - Lanvin's archives, chic pumpkins, and personalized bikes

How was your week lovelies?

Here's what happened at Chic n Cheap Living this past week:
- We all experience our rough patches, but should still continue to choose hope
- Gorgeous 3-d butterflies and birds from beer cans have flown onto the Gossip Girl set via Paul Villinski
- Send your good vibes to Summer and her daddy Butch as you cherish your own loved ones
- Peek into the Lanvin fashion illustration archives and learn that glamour is timeless
- Amazing travel deals (one of the most extensive I've seen) at VoyagePrive
- Crispy oven fried zucchini and Sonia Kashuk giveaway winners!


Here are a few fun posts from blogger buddies and beyond:
- These are the cutest painted pumpkins and so easy to create!

- Lauren Stern can read Sue aka the Zhush's mind and mine too - the doorway and wallpaper are spectacular!

- Diana showed us these amazing personalized bicycles.  Actually "amazing" would be a nice bike!

- Gotta love food art - undeniably fun, thanks Jude! 

Sonia Kashuk Giveaway winners and Crispy Oven Fried Zucchini (recipe) for dinner

I like to combine winners and dinner (recipes) so just skip down if you want to know if you've won or browse through this lovely recipe first!

Somehow zucchini, that humble little slightly squishy squash, has become a weekly part of our diet. Did you know that the zucchini is actually an immature fruit?  Well perhaps that is why it makes for some great sweet bread!  While we don't eat zucchini bread often, we often have it in some form because it is low in calories and somewhat high in manganese (trace nutrient in all forms of life).  That and my husband really likes it.

Without further ado, I present a slightly different spin on zucchini that makes it a bit more crispy than usual.  It's great as a side dish or perhaps as a topping or add into to a pasta dish (that's what I did tonight!)

Crispy Oven Fried Zucchini

Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchini or 1 large zucchini
- 1 cup panko
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt plus more if you want to salt and dry out zucchini
- 1 tbsp garlic seasoning mix
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional, esp.if your garlic seasoning has red pepper already)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup butter milk/or almost 1/2 cup milk with 1 tbsp vinegar set aside for 5 minutes (optional)
- cooking spray or oil to coat pan/baking sheet

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Slice zucchini into 1/4" slices.

3. Generously salt the zucchini to draw out the moisture.  Let zucchini stand for at least 30 minutes. This is optional, but makes the zucchini a tiny bit less moist.
4. Mix together egg and buttermilk.
5. Combine panko, 1/4 tsp salt, garlic seasoning, and crushed red pepper.
6. Rinse salt off zucchini and dunk in egg mixture. Let it stand for a few minutes.
6. Coat zucchini with panko mixture. Note: It helps to use a larger sheet or container for the panko mixture because it gets everywhere!

7. Place zucchini on an oiled cooking sheet.

8. Bake for 30-45 minutes until zucchini is golden brown and crispy.  This may take longer depending on your oven, position of baking pan in oven, and size of pan (mine was smaller so my zucchini overlapped and need a bit longer to become crispy). I would recommend a large baking sheet with little overlapping if possible.

Now onto the winners of the Sonia Kashuk giveaway!

Congratulations to...

Brooklyn Shoe Babe and Miss Love!

Please e-mail me at cncliving{@}gmail.com this weekend with your Name, address info, and product choice (I have to order them soon before the month is out and the items are gone!)

FFF - VoyagePrive, Priscilla of Boston nationwide sale, and Gleeking out!

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

Cool Members Only Sale Sites

Are you familiar with my newest travel sale site obsession - VoyagePrive?  They already have 5 million members globally and are now breaking into North America.  I'm planning quite a few vacations next year and Western Europe is on the list.  Right now, the four star Barcelona Princess is on sale for more than 50% off - $239/2 nights with welcome drink and breakfast.  Nice.  I'm also tempted to go to the Tuscan Riviera too after seeing this photo.

Too many places to visit, too little time!

I like this site so far because they have a huge selection (about 13 sites on sale now).  If you'd like to join, feel free to use my invite here.

US In-store sales
Once again Priscilla of Boston is having a sample sale at ALL of their nationwide boutiques.   I am kinda loving this long sleeve lace shift (and I saw someone wearing a similar dress at a La Perla party the other day so it's not just for weddings!) That and you can get a cocktail dress for the same price I did.

Otherwise, I am...
...going to a friend's Glee party tonight (you have no idea how excited we are to watch this season and they're not showing it on our networks yet).

Image from here

...eating at one of the best clay pot rices in town (always excited to try a place that is supposed to make the best of its genre)

 Image from here

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

{Fashion} Fun Finds: Jeanne Lanvin's library via the Selby

Oh how I would loved to have pored over these sketches!  Fashion of decades (even centuries!) past and the inspiration behind them are such a cool peek into the perspectives of glamour and trends of that period.

Apparently, long, lean luxurious looks are timeless.  Selby got the chance to photograph Jeanne Lanvin's library and here are some favorite images.

View the rest of the images here.

What timeless fashions do you admire?

Blog Day of Silence for Daddy Butch

Summer is a blog buddy with a heart of gold.  She also has a fun collection of tights, love for her native Saints football team, and underwent an incredible set of trials the past year.

I've never met her though she resides in my native NYC.  But I am glad to have "met" her through this lovely blogging community.  I feel for her love and her loss of her dear dad.

Let's celebrate his life and their family's love while remembering our own dear ones and remembering to cherish them as we continue to build our own memories.

Fun Finds/{Art Highlight}: Paul Villinski Butterflies - from Gossip Girl and beyond

I may not have a Mariah Carey level of passion for butterflies, but I do indeed find them beautiful - how can you not be captivated by the colorful fluttering of a delicate creature that migrates thousands of miles to reappear to us in the spring?

Paul Villinski is a  New York based designer that has likely found a new level of fame among the well-heeled female set for his art appearing in "Gossip Girl"  He has a collection called "birds and butterflies" that is made entirely from found beer cans (and sometimes vinyl records).   Butterflies are a perfect symbol of how a somewhat rough item such as a beer can be transformed into something beautiful.

Here are a few favorites:

"Paradigm" - similar to the one he designed for Serena's bedroom in "Gossip Girl"

"Vessel (For Amelia)"

"On Final (For Saint-Ex)"

"Diaspora"

"Wish"

All images from Paul Villinski

I love how the ordinary can be converted to something quite extraordinary.  It's definitely inspiration for DIY projects at home as well.

What do you think of Paul Villinski's work?  Is it something you'd display in your home?

Photo Love {Inspiration}: Choosing Hope

Once you choose hope, anything's possible.

Christopher Reeves

Sources:1, 2, 3 

Today I thought I was interviewing for a great job and it sounded exactly like what I want to do.  It was except that it was in another country (and moving to two countries twice this past year is enough for me).  I was a little bit deflated after hearing that.  It has taken a while to find and switch to a job that really interested and excited me...and then it didn't quite work out.  The Manila visit was also hard as we saw my husband's grandma valiantly fighting but still slipping away.

I'm sure you've encountered difficult situations.  I know it can be crushing.  But keep on going, keep on trying, and keep on hoping for the best (and it will happen eventually).

I choose hope.
I hope you do too!

Have a lovely week!

Worthy reads roundup - xoxo, a wedding, and a Sonia Kashuk giveaway

How was your week lovelies?

Here's what happened at Chic n Cheap Living this week:
- Homme/femme vases - fun or just funky?
- Remember to insert some xoxo in your life!
- Giveaway! Enter here to win your choice of a Sonia Kashuk beauty brush or nail polish set.
- Fabulous blogger gift guides are coming soon!
- A few amazing examples of wall art - yep, giant words or a blown up photo would be amazing
- Personalized puzzles that double as guest book or decor - brilliant!
- Get $20 for joining Ruelala and a free large Picabo book this week!

Here are fun posts from blogger friends this week:

- Jen talked about ear cuffs here - wow talk about dramatic and fun!

- A reminder from Dawn  here that Coco Rocha's apartment and wardrobe are awesome

- Feather trim mantilla? Romantic, brilliant and totally fun from One Little Dove here!

- My lovely blogger buddy, Perpetual Party Planner is getting married!  Don't you love her cakes and cake toppers?  Congrats and xoxo dear!

FFF - $20 credit at Ruelala, Free large Picabo book and Manila dreams

Happy Fun, Free, Friday lovelies!

Have you shopped at the fabulous Ruelala yet?  They have a great selection of designer items on sale for a limited period of time each week - think everything from Marc Jacobs to Kitchenaid.
If you haven't joined yet, now is the time.  Get a $20 credit just for joining before 10/25.  Here is my invite if you're interested!

I'm very tempted by this Janice Girardi onyx necklace now.  Hmm should this be my birthday gift to myself?

The holidays are fast approaching and a great gift for loved ones is a photo book.  Picabo is once again giving away a free large photo book (just pay shipping) for new customers through Oct. 25.    Choose a classic, custom, or leather book and save $39.99 with code fallbk
What a lovely way to share your cherished memories!

Otherwise, I am...
...flying to Manila this weekend to visit my husband's sick grandmother.  Please send your thoughts and good vibes our way.


What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Fun Finds/{Wedding Look}: Photo, word puzzle guest books

Thanks to Josie for introducing me to Bella Puzzles.  They are the coolest guest book and real-life decor idea I've seen in a while (and if the bride and groom don't get it, wouldn't it be a great gift for them!)
I especially love how you can insert custom photos, words, and fun puzzle shapes.

What a great idea for your wedding guest to commemorate being a "piece" of your life.

Custom puzzle, 12" x 18", 80 pieces, $240 here

Custom puzzle, 14" x 18", 90 pieces, $240 here

Insert custom words,

have cool shapes,

and ask your loved ones to sign!

What kind of design do you like most?

Decor Thoughts: Beyond wallpaper - unique wall art

By now, you've seen that I like atypical wall art, whether it be foliage inspired wallpaper, a floral background, or post-it art.  I saw a few new examples that are now on my wish list...

....Jason Wu's newspaper wall

....a proclamation of what the room is all about

...3-D texture

...sleek patterned panels

....or photos blown up on a wall

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

What's your favorite example of unique wall art?

Blogger Holiday gift guide - coming soon!

I'm super excited to be working with some of the coolest ladies around to come up with a holiday gift guide for you in the next few weeks (Jessica picked this one below!)

I'll be designing a guide for someone who is Eternally Feminine and Fun.

Style Obsession will be coming up with a Fashionista gift guide.

The Thirty Something Bride will be sharing her interior design finds.

Little Blue Deer will be bringing the glitz and glam!

Micaela will be picking gifts for the Etsy lover.

Living Luxe for Less will have a great list for the men!
Honey my Heart, Gina, Krystal, and Helena will also be coming up with some loveliness!

Do you want to contribute? Have another theme or idea for a great gift guide?

Please e-mail me at cncliving{@} gmail.com.

Watch out for our gift guides in November!

Chic 'n Cheap Living Contest: Sonia Kashuk for Target Brush or Nail Polish set (2 winners, USA)

Last week I recommended a few chic and pink items here that were donating proceeds on behalf of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

What better way to share the love than to give away a few of these fun items and contribute to a great cause too!  Get it for yourself or a loved one this holiday season!
Two of you lovelies have a chance to win either of these lovely items (your choice, the first seemed to be pretty popular and I love the colors in the second me):

{Le Rules}

This is for the Chic 'n Cheap Living family (aka blog followers - Blogger, BlogLovin, Google or other Reader) only because you rock!  New followers are always welcome too of course.

Please include your e-mail address if you do not have a blog or Twitter ID.

Check the blog to see if you win.  If you win, please e-mail me within 3 days.  I would hate to redraw a winner but everyone deserves a fair chance.

First entry:

Comment below - what is your favorite pink item?

Extra entries (leave a separate comment for each entry):

1.  (+1) Become a Twitter Follower AND tweet about this contest with this line: "Win a #pinkoctober beauty brush set or nail polish from @cncliving http://su.pr/1OxEez " (or use the Tweet button below!)

2. (+2) Become a Facebook Fan - for my friends who love to keep up via Facebook! (or remind me if you are already a fan, I changed Facebook fan pages, please come here!)

3. (+1) Blog about the contest/sidebar w/a picture on your page linking back here.

I'll leave this contest up until October 26, 11:59 pm PST .  This is open to readers in the USA because that's where Target delivers, sorry international friends!

Good luck!

Photo Love {Inspiration}: A touch of xoxo

Take time to enjoy some love, hugs, and kisses every day.

Photo from Elizabeth Messina

I know I for one am quite a huggy person.  To me, there is nothing quite like enveloping a new friend or loved one in an embrace.

It can mean...
hello,
I miss you,
it's ok,
great to see you,
I'm here for you,
I love you.

Remember to give and get your dose of xoxo.

Have a lovely week!