The Essential Spring Skirt:

The Essential Spring Skirt: by nsaich featuring mid length skirts


      The Mid-Length Circle Skirt by American Apparel has quickly become one of my favorite pieces in my humble closet. The high waisted style is perfect for lengthening the leg line and the mid length (and soft fabric) allows for comfort and ease. Whenever I can't decide what to wear I reach for this skirt. Every.Single.Time. If you have been following my blog you know I already own the orange shade......

Orange Crush

Electric Lady

      ...But I have been dying to share this bright cobalt color I added to my collection! 

      The best part about this skirt? I discovered it at Crossroads Trading Co for a fraction of the original cost!

      This skirt is originally $58 buckaroos for all the inquiring minds. Now if I can just get my hands on this spearmint-peach-skin color!




Yours,
Nico

Pineapple & Mint Sorbet!

Magic Ingredients:

-16 ounces frozen and cubed pineapple

-1 cup agave/honey

-Juice of 3 limes (1/2 cup)

-1/2 cup of chopped mint

-6 strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Let's get started:

1: Throw all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and incorporate until smooth.

2:Pour into serving containers and let chill in the freezer until hardened.

Serve, and watch it disappear!

Yours,

Nico

Accessory Organization:

      I swear my body has it's own internal time clock that couldn't be more accurate. A few days ago, I got the itch to start cleaning and reorganizing my living space. My closet was the first place I started and I eventually migrated to my accessory collection. Living in a small space sometimes forces a person to use their accessories as art and that is exactly what I did! Has your internal time clock set an alarm for Spring cleaning yet? Here are a few ideas on how to keep your gems and jewels pretty and organized! 

My friend Tania of Picasso's Closet made this brooch and earring holder for me out of an empty picture frame with netting stapled to the back. Not only does it keep my earrings from being misplaced but it also takes up no counter space when hung on a wall. 

I scooped up this bracelet/necklace holder when a local
business closed down. You can find similar options here.

Because I'm always misplacing my earring backs, I pick
up a box of my favorite kind at the local craft store. 

I found this mirrored gold toned tray at Salvation Army and it's become a huge
time saver when running out the door. All of my (sun) specs are neatly displayed. 

A model hand used for drawing holds my rings and hoop earrings.
 The glass dish is another vintage find and contains stud earrings and the like.

Vintage candy dishes hold bits of spare change and nail
polishes, but I also use them to display my jewelry. 

A selection of my favorite perfumes are corralled in this vintage
glass tray. I'd love to add this fragrance to my collection. 

A sweet cupcake box holds miniature sample scents that
would otherwise be lost or cracked while inside my purse. 

Will you be doing any Spring cleaning 

along with Spring shopping?

Yours,

Nico

The $3 Dress:

Hat- American Apparel, Dress- Salvation Army (3!), Sunnies-
Michael Kors, Watch-Michael Kors, Bag- Michael Kors, Scarf-
Vintage Oscar De La Renta, Shoes- Stuart Weitzman

Note: Do NOTE place your sunglasses on your head, this causes the frames to stretch out. 

All photos shot by Shahin of TheJukeboxGallery.net

      I know that polka dots are extremely on trend right now but I also find them to be a prime example of a forever print. I always feel so very timeless while wearing polka dots and this occasion was no exception. However, I always seem to pair different dotted pieces with the same accessory. This large brimmed "luggage" colored hat always adorns my crown while wearing polka dots (for example: here & here). Do you have any other ideas for how to style this fashionable print using items I may already have in my wardrobe?


Yours,
Nico

Bold & Colorful....

Party Pants by nsaich featuring skinny leg jeans


      One trend I'm utterly smitten with are vibrant (and sometimes printed) "party pants." This fashion trend easily merges comfortability with a major wow factor. Perhaps my favorite thing about these flashy pants is how easy they are to style. All of my (1,000+) plus white t shirts will be thrilled to make another appearance when paired with these pants. Or all my boring (but really classic!) blazers will be put to work for a more upscale look. Too bad I have yet to purchase a pair of these.... the ones of the printed variety are rarely available in my lengthy inseam. How about you..... 

Will you be wearing "party pants" 

this spring season?

Yours,

Nico

PS: Have you already started sporting colored or printed trousers? Leave me a comment with a link to your look! I can't get enough of these babies. 

Wisteria Antiques:

      One of the best aspects of living in the unique town of Santa Cruz are all the locally owned shops. The people of Santa Cruz are creative and talented business owners and typically have a flair for the dramatic. Wisteria Antiques is no exception to this notion. A massive local property (yes, this business is run out of a commercial home instead of a retail location) houses a magnitude of versatile merchandise. The grounds are filled with garden sculptures and fountains, roses perfume the air with soft floral aromas, and perky lemon saplings, herbs, and the like are just waiting to find a new home in your backyard. Wisteria even maintains a large bird house filled with the most serene doves you will ever lay eyes on (I wish I would have snapped more photos of the grounds!). In addition to colorful flowers and cooing doves, Wisteria has turned the housing on the property into beautiful show rooms for housewares. In one large house you may find a green room, in another you might find incredible antiques, and some rooms have even been converted to large scale closets! Wisteria brings fresh plants, delicate housewares, and history laden antiques to one truly beautiful and inspirational location at 5870 Soquel Drive, in Santa Cruz California.

Terra cotta pots paired with a head form I would love to use for hats.

A green room filled with lush foliage and bird cages. 

Currently loving this combo of yellow furniture,
crystal chandeliers, and leopard print. 

...A blue walk in closet I wanted to live in.

Yours,

Nico

This is (NOT) a test....

Shades-Chloe, Cashmere Cardigan-Vintage, Tunic- Ann Taylor, Watch-Michael Kors
(Get it here!), Bracelet- DIY, Leggings- Victoria's Secret PINK, Moccasins- Cole Haan

Backpack- Gap

      Contrary to my Blue School Daze post, this is what I actually wear to class. I love the "optical illusions" in this outfit. While editing these photos I thought I looked pretty put together for such an early morning. I mean, I coordinated my notebook to my lipstick, cardigan, and moccasins. However my sunnies are covering up puffy eyes and the bold (AKA: bright pink flamingo) lipstick was an effort to distract people from dirty hair. And oh yeah... I'm kind of wearing leggings as pants because I'm a b@d @ss who hangs out under the bleachers at school and doesn't care about sporting a total fashion don't. You know you commit fashion crimes sometimes too. 

What was your worst fashion moment?

Yours,

Nico

PS: All photos snapped by Shahin of TheJukeboxGallery.net

A New Logo for Satin & Salt!

      As much as I love the self portrait that has been hanging up on my blog for some time now, it is time for a change. I adore this slightly exaggerated caricature that was drawn for me by Shahin Gutierrez. I love how the ink drawing straddles the line between reality and fantasy (I wish my lips were that luscious and perfectly glossed!). Here are some of the other images I considered for Satin & Salt:
      

Drawn by Shahin Gutierrez

"Drawn" (more like doodled) by me!

Drawn by Shahin Gutierrez

      
Shahin Gutierrez is a talented musician and artist and  also the creative energy behind the blog TheJukeboxGallery.net where he shares his own images as well as featuring other artists and musicians from various genres. I feel so lucky to have one of his pieces on my web page! 


Yours,
Nico

Butter... YELLOWS

Butter... YELLOWS by nsaich featuring silk pants

      Lately I find my wardrobe is influenced more and more by the dishes I prepare and the ingredients I use. For spring I am lusting after shades of butter yellow and this neon yellow ipad case/purse/clutch is climbing to the top Nico's most wanted list. 


Yours,
Nico


PS: For more fashion and food tips and tricks you can follow me on twitter by clicking here or check out my facebook page

Pink Elephant On Parade:

...I was frantically waving around this pink BCBC maxi skirt
just waiting for magic to happen in front of the camera. 

Does anyone else have a difficult time wearing sunglasses
(Michael Kors) with hats (Ross) while having heavy bangs?
Please share your tips if you have any!

When it's warm out I like to knot my tanks tops, like this striped one
 from Gap. I think it's fun when you see just a peek-a-boo of midriff. 

Green Bracelet: Banana Republic

These DVF sandals look great but why are my feet on all wrong?!

Yours,

Nico

Basil & Goat Cheese Biscuits:

      I always seem to have a (mostly full) carton of buttermilk in the fridge left over from baking red velvet cake. Lately it has become a challenge to find new ways to utilize buttermilk (one option is to use it to tenderize chicken before breading and frying). About one full container of buttermilk ago I started creating this savory yet fresh biscuit recipe. Very similar to the ever popular chain restaurant cheddar and herb biscuits, these are instead made with the bright flavor of fresh basil and the creamy texture of goat cheese. This recipe requires neither a standard mixer or the use of a handheld mixer (how convenient!) and the ingredient list consists of items I can typically find in my kitchen on any given day. 

     I was incredibly excited for this particular batch to come out of the oven (my second try, my first batch was almost good enough but not quite perfect). I even called my neighbor over to watch the oven door as the biscuits reached a flakey golden deliciousness and devoured a couple in mere minutes! Hoping you get to watch your oven door as if the most riveting television show is on (just as I did!) while watching these biscuits bake and crisp to tasty perfection! Here's how:

Magic Ingredients:

-7 tablespoons room temperature butter, cut into small cubes

-2 1/4 cups flour

-2 tsps baking powder

-1 tsp salt

-1 1/2 tsp sugar

-1 1/2 cups creamy goat cheese at room temperature

-1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

-1 cup buttermilk


Getting Started:
1: Sift flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. 


2: Add the butter into the mixing bowl and combine with your fingers until a crumbled dough forms


3: The basil and goat cheese can now be added in. Mix with your fingers until combined.


4: Add the buttermilk into the dough and combine with your fingers until just mixed.


5: Place the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes and preheat the oven to 450 degrees. 


6: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, divide the biscuit dough into a dozen balls, place on the cookie sheets and bake until a golden brown crust appears.


7: Let biscuits cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then serve!

Replace the goat cheese and basil with jalapenos and cheddar cheese for an extra spicey kick!

Yours,

Nico