Shutter Eyes/ Shuts Her Eyes:

     I took this photograph of my neighbor Fallon, to highlight a few baubles and accessories I have been making as of late. These particular necklaces are made with Tiger's Eye and Onyx, two types of stones that I have grown very fond of. I thought it would be fun to style these edgy "teeth" style accessories with a simple but structured blazer as well as Cleopatra inspired makeup. When I shot this photo manually I put my shutter speed on very slow so that Fallon's eyes (while blinking) would have a unearthly effect and I'm happy with how the image turned out. But what I am most happy with is that I have been getting really creative and making my own accessories! It's my own way of redefining "personal style."

Yours,
Nico

PS: There are new ways to follow along with Satin&Salt! You can like me on facebook by clicking here, if you're into twitter you can follow me here, and on pinterest here! 

The Tale of a Bridesmaid:

      Once upon a present time in a land not too far away, there was a girl who was asked to be a bridesmaid. She happily agreed and after the wedding she ended up with a lovely black chiffon floor length gown to commemorate the occasion. The girl, not knowing when she would have a chance to wear the special dress again, decided that the only thing left to do was to style a photo shoot. She coiffed her hair, painted her face, and even constructed a blue moonstone and jade necklace for the occasion. The girl was even able to work with her favorite photographer, Maggie, and together they got creative and made art. All who witnessed their collaboration were suddenly whisked away into a world of fantasy and wonder, and everyone lived happily ever after. 

(I'm never sure which version of this image I prefer, which is your favorite?)

      It's been such a pleasure to work with an amazing artist like Maggie. She is truly one of my biggest inspirations and also one of the people that has enabled me to get creative, and as a result, feel more whole. Some of my favorite images that I have previously featured on Satin&Salt would be from this balloon themed shoot or perhaps these images that made me feel like I was in a luxurious perfume advertisement. You can view more of her enchanting works of art by visiting her webpage!

Yours,

Nico

Cinnamon Cupcakes with Nutella & Coffee Icing:

      I love the holidays for many reasons, but a couple of my favorite reasons are: the ability to use as much butter in your baking as possible with out feeling any guilt and also, creating new and exciting recipes. I wanted to bring cupcakes again to Christmas Eve dinner but instead of making my traditional red velvet I got a little more creative in the kitchen. I haphazardly pulled random fresh spices and flavorings out of my pantry and came up with these cinnamon cupcakes with nutella & coffee icing! When you drink a glass of chilled milk with these cupcakes they taste like a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch cereal with a cup of nutella flavored coffee, such an original experience to have in a cupcake! This unique recipe is not only tasty but simple to make, I hope you have a chance to create a batch yourself and enjoy the fragrant spicy sweet aroma that fills your kitchen and home!

Ingredients:

(for the cake)

-1 box yellow cake mix (plus additional ingredients listed on box)

-1/4 cup cinnamon

-1 tsp ground nutmeg

-1 tsp vanilla extract

(for the icing)

-8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

-12 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature

-1 tsp vanilla extract

-1 cup Nutella, at room temperature

-2 cups powdered sugar

-1 tablespoon coffee extract

Directions:

1: Preheat oven as directed on the cake mix box. It's very important to preheat your oven, make sure the oven has been at the right temperature for at least 10 minutes before popping your unbaked goods inside.

1: Prepare the yellow cake mix as directed on the box but also add the cinnamon and vanilla extract at the end, being sure to combine well.

2: Grease your muffin tins and fill each cup half way with batter .

3: Bake until the batter just stiffens and let the cupcakes cool in the tins on a counter top.

4: While the cupcakes are baking you can prepare the frosting, combine all ingredients into a standard mixer (or use a large bowl and a hand held electric mixer) and blend until light, fluffy, and delicious.

5: After the cupcakes have cooled, frost them up and serve!

      (I added a few extra edible pearls and stars to the tops of my cupcakes for additional fun and flare. This site has some of my favorite cake accessories and sprinkles!)

Yours,
Nico

PS: There are new ways to follow along with Satin&Salt! You can like me on facebook by clicking here, if you're into twitter you can follow me here, and on pinterest here! 

The Eve Before Christmas:

 

      It's Monday again, but this one doesn't feel like your typical start of the week because it's the eve before Christmas! I had one of the best weekends of my life before today arrived and for perhaps another first in my life... I'm not dreading the holiday. Spending time with friends that become family, celebrating, and generally getting in the Christmas spirit will do that to you I suppose. Today I'll be enjoy another one of my favorite holiday past times, baking cookies and creating new flavors of home made truffles. I've already utilized over 7 pounds of butter over the weekend and I think that today will be no exception to that type of behavior. Happy Holidays everyone, find beauty in all that you see, happiness in whatever you do, and wonder at the idea of an upcoming new year! 

Image taken by MacClavey Photography, originally featured in this post.

You can find my recipes for truffles I made last year by clicking here!

Photo originally featured in this post. Image taken by my classmate Igor.

Chocolate White Chocolate Chip cookies! Utterly chewy and delicious,
 this year I may add butterscotch chips to the recipe!

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles, I love giving boxes of these morsels away as gifts.

Another creative image by MacClavey Photography, find similar
 images of inspiration in this post.

Milk Chocolate & Frangelico Hazelnut Truffles!

A red dress moment, image by my classmate Igor as well. 

 Yours,
Nico

It's Raining...

Rainy Day by nsaich featuring alexander mcqueen

American Apparel zip up hoodie, $68 / theyskens' theory wool blazer / Theory blazer / Acne slim fit jeans / Ash sneaker / Yves Saint Laurent / Corinne McCormack / American Apparel knit beanie hat / Alexander McQueen , $270


This is what I've been loving to wear lately: 
1: American Apparel Hoodie- Perfectly cozy and warm, I'd love one in oxblood under my Christmas tree this year.
2: Knit Beanies- Another American Apparel favorite that I've been coveting.
3: Structured Blazers- I picked up a couple Theory blazer at the local consignment store, Twist. The fit truly is fantastic on these jackets!
4: Moody Lipstick- My makeup routine has been simple; tinted moisturizer, a bold eye brow, and a dark sultry lip. 
5: Luxurious Scarves- This McQueen one is a favorite of mine!
6: Prescription Glasses- Lately I've been digging my quirky glasses over the usual contact lenses.
7: Denim- Alloy is still my favorite site for purchasing extended lengths and sizes, there is something for everyone here and the low price points are incredible.
8: Sneakers- I'd love to add these shearling lined kicks to my shoe line up, style plus warmth in one!
9: YSL Muse Bag- Always on my arm, last worn in this post. 

Yours,
Nico

Small Morsels: Black & White Edition

(Enjoying a cup of tea with my neighbor Fallon as
well as a batch of delicious pumpkin cookies she made)

     As the holiday season lingers forward I find myself taking extreme comfort in the moments that are usually overlooked. Telling secrets over tea and cookies early in the morning with a neighbor, or even finding a quiet moment alone to prepare breakfast for yourself in the AM, both exquisite ways to get your day started. Old family traditions seem to be resurfacing in small quiet ways and I couldn't be happier to welcome a new year very soon! I feel like good things are just ahead! 

(Shopping for holiday gifts in a local antique shop's garden area.)

(An inquisitive pelican outside a window on the Santa Cruz Wharf.)

(A family tradition: drawing on restaurant place mats with my father.)

(Making a hearty breakfast each morning with black coffee.)

      I hope that you all are enjoying the small morsels in life during this holiday season!

Yours,
Nico

Gems and Jewels:

(Natural Boulder Opal pendant paired with two strands of hessonite, a type of garnet that displays the tone of copper and fire.)

      After my parents divorced, I got to spend time with my dad every Tuesday and Thursday after school and every other weekend. He lived in Santa Cruz and I lived in Los Gatos with my mom, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays he would come to my side of the hill (a mountain divides these two towns) and he would take me to do creative things! Sometimes we would paint pottery but one eventful day he took me to a beading store so that I could make my own jewelry and I guess I was doomed to have an affinity for accessories from that day forward. I started working with beads to craft necklaces, bracelets, and my personal favorite item (this was the 90s...) anklets! To this day I still adore the idea of crafting my own personal accent pieces. However instead of making beaded anklets I am drawn to the idea of making jewelry utilizing natural gems and minerals because I love Geology. Here are some of my most loved pieces that I have constructed recently:

(This is the necklace I wear daily.)

(Aren't the rivers of electric water stunning on this piece? It almost looks as if a water source is penetrating a desert, which helps to explain how this type of rock was formed.)

(A shark's tooth pendant capped in silver and ruby on a delicate strand of tourmaline, another well loved piece from my jewel box.)

(An edgy yet somehow feminine necklace that I wore in this recent post.) 

(I know I said that I prefer to use natural gems and minerals but I believe this shark's tooth is just as valuable and precious.)

(A classic blue necklace made with an aquamarine
pendant and a strand of vibrant apatite beads.) 

(A quirky piece made with a vintage silver and amber brooch/pendant and a strand of natural citrine.) 

(I love the charm that this necklace has. Typically insects get preserved in amber but this little bug managed to capture some of it's own. I also adore how the citrine reminds me of a strand of honey dripping off of a spoon.)

      I feel like designing your own accessories is not only a relaxing hobby to have but the result of all your hard work lends a huge hand in creating truly personal style. I really love how my friend Kim designs her own knit wear, which I highlighted in this post. Do you create any of your own personal accessories? If so, please share, I'd love to see your projects! 

Yours,
Nico

The Hello Kat:

      For the most part, I'm a bit of a tomboy. I am continually referencing video games (luckily I gave up World of Warcraft years ago), browsing the men's department for clothing rather than the women's, as well as collecting an array of comic books. But despite all of that, I still love Hello Kitty, after all what girl doesn't? She's like Barbie, covered in feminine pink but Hello Kitty comes without all the ridiculous body proportions. She is an icon from my childhood. Her celebrity like status caused me to covet pencils, lunch boxes, and notepads all graced with her pleasant kitten face. These days I don't collect school supplies so instead I've picked up a few accessories that can be stowed away in my purse! However, my tomboy-esque nature couldn't be curbed all the way because I couldn't resist collecting Hello Kitty action figures as well! 

Yours,
Nico

PS: There are new ways to follow along with Satin&Salt! You can like me on facebook by clicking here, if you're into twitter you can follow me here, and on pinterest here! 

A girl in snake's clothing:

Sunglasses- Vintage Gucci, Necklace- DIY project, Dress- Calvin Klein,
 Watch- Michael Kors, Tights- American Apparel, Silver Ring-
Tiffanys, Bag- YSL, Shoes- Vintage Chanel

      I actually wore this outfit for Thanksgiving dinner last month but wanted to share the look anyway. I have also worn this dress before recently on the blog here but for a holiday I decided to gussy myself up a bit with strappy suede heels (a birthday present found while consignment shopping in November) and a bold fuschia lipstick. I love when a dress in my closet can work for multiple occasions. 

Yours,
Nico

PS: There are new ways to follow along with Satin&Salt! You can like me on facebook by clicking here, if you're into twitter you can follow me here, and on pinterest here! 

Neary Lagoon:

      Here on Satin&Salt I love to share my favorite stylings as well as recipes that I devour, but what I am really trying to highlight is the simple desire to live well. This can be done in many ways, whether it's upcycling old furniture for a custom look that saves a ton of cash, or even making yourself an "unbirthday cake" just because! Today, I am putting a spotlight on living well by visiting beautiful places like Neary Lagoon here in Santa Cruz, California. 

      Santa Cruz has been my home for more than 3 years now and my favorite local hang out is this quiet lagoon. This is my utmost favorite place to take short walks, sit down and read a book, or just witness the local wildlife. Sometimes it is essential to take a break from the everyday chaos of life and just let your brain relax... Don't you agree?

(I felt real lucky to get a moment with this butterfly before it fluttered away)

(Nine West flats that I have been wearing everywhere as of late.)

     Whatever life throws my way, I know I always have a place of refuge in Neary Lagoon, do you have a favorite location to escape to?

Yours,
Nico


PS: There are new ways to follow along with Satin&Salt! You can like me on facebook by clicking here, if you're into twitter you can follow me here, and on pinterest here!