Popcorn is my weakness. I would ten times rather have salty than sweet! So when I AM craving something sugary, caramel popcorn (or chocolate covered pretzels.. it’s lunch time!) is my dream satisfaction. And if I just happen to be the luckiest girl in the world, someone will magically show up with Garrett Popcorn Shop’s caramel + cheddar combo popcorn.

What is this divine Garrett Popcorn Shop you ask? Only the best place to hit on Michigan Avenue in Chicago when you need to rest your feet from shopping! The company is a legend, and their shops are set up sortof like ice cream stores – you choose the combos of popcorn you want, and they wrap it up for you!

Luckily I don’t have to wait for my few and far between trips to The Windy City to get the decadent crunchy-salty-sweet handfuls of my beloved caramel and cheddar popcorn. We have brides that get it for us! But when our sweet Chicago-dwelling (or Chicago-visiting) ladies’ gifts run out, I can always order it online – and you should, too!

Their delish flavors include caramel, cheddar, butter and macademia; you can have them mixed together or separated in a tin. If you need a REALLY great hostess gift, this is the way to go. The tins are adorable and vintage looking (they have some other options, too), and can be shipped anywhere in the country!

The Kitten Heel. A shoe making a huge comeback for the fall, a huge controversy splash here at Southern Protocol headquarters. Why? Because contrary to what the style editors at Marie Claire, Harpers Bazaar and Vogue think, a kitten heel is NOT a 3.5 inch shoe.

An abridged definition of “kitten heel”, courtesy of google dictionary: “a short, slender heel, usually from 1.5 – 2 inches high with a slight curve setting the heel in from the edge of the shoe.” Notice the max height of two inches. Notice the curved heel. Neither of which are found on the lace and zippered Louboutins featured in Harper’s article about the trend.

Now before you get all preachy on me, I realize that Fall 2010’s kitten heels are a modernized version of the shoe that Audrey Hepburn made famous in the ’50s. But you’re throwing off people all over the country! Why not just say that LOWER heels are now rising up against the 6 inch platform stilettos of the past few seasons? I’m sure women would love that, and wouldn’t abhor the trend from the get-go because you wouldn’t have scared them off with the term “kitten heel” – which let’s be honest, has become synonomous with dowdy.

Or modernize it by combining the traditional kitten heel with the chunky, strappy styles that are also popular right now.

I am now exiting my soap box – continue on your Thursday

When I saw the combination of 2 of my 3 favorite cities in an article from The City Paper the other day, I squealed with delight! (Do you seriously need to ask the 3rd favorite city? Sweet home Athens, Georgia!)

While people may not immediately think of St. Louis, Missouri as any kind of fashion capital, there’s a lot that goes on in that sweet Midwestern city. Case in point: the ever-growing St. Louis Fashion Week, taking place this year from September 7 – 11. Similar to Charleston Fashion Week, St. Louis’ version offers a an up-and-coming designer competition dubbed Project: Design!.

Event sponsor and St. Louis based Alive Magazine chose Charleston’s very own Julie Wheat, of the beloved Cavortress, as a semi-finalist, then opened voting to online visitors… YAY for Julie who was voted as one of the six finalists! The only girlfriend representing any of the Southern states.

Julie and the other five contestants will face a panel of judges next week, each vying to win the grand prize of a website and fashion spread in Alive Magazine. To win would be pretty huge for obvious reasons, but also because two past winners have made it to Project Runway.

GOOD LUCK JULIE!

I’ve really been into accessories lately. All forms – jewelry, shoes, purses, etc – are such an easy way to make a tried and true outfit feel brand new again! And while I’m all about the low cost costume jewelry from places like Forever 21 or So Good on King Street, a girl has GOT to have some quality, enviable pieces in her collection, too. Enter David Yurman, Tiffany & Co., John Hardy… and MiJa!

The MiJa jewelry collections, based in DC, actually started off originally just as fine jewelry for children; after making bracelets for her nieces using a gold chain and loose pearls from a broken necklace, the designer realized she just may be on to something. After a few successful lines for the kiddies, she decided the mommies could use something, too – and enter the first full women’s collection.

The pieces are absolutely stunning and fresh…I love the layered look of  stacked bracelets and rings, and MiJa’s elegantly thin versions of both have just enough pizazz to make a statement, but are simple enough to plop on top of each other, too.

Of course what really piqued my attention was the recently released MiJa bridal collection! We love that all of our brides are fashion-conscious, and truly care about their entire look on their wedding day; but just because they care doesn’t mean it’s easy to find that perfect piece! MiJa’s bridal line is SO flawless; gorgeous without being the showstopper, it’s really there to enhance the rest of your look.I’m in love with these sterling silver and white sapphire drop earrings! The current line also includes necklaces, hair pieces, cocktail rings, and bracelets (so your right hand can be jazzed up, too!), with the full collection debuting this month.

Whether you need a gift for a little one – First Communion, a flower girl, etc – or you’d like to spoil yourself (wedding day or not!), definitely check out MiJa jewelry… she’s bound to become real big real fast.

As noted earlier, the extra pounds that result from football season are NOT just from the early morning, sugary mimosas and carb-heavy beers. The excess calories also hit the belly in the form of dips, burgers and other addicting little bites. Enter Hungry Girl cookbooks – a very health savvy lady took all the recipes we all love and tweaked them here and there to completely change the awfulness of their nutrition. Some of my favorites for gameday below!

Spinach Dip (makes 8 servings*)
Per serving (3 heaping tablespoons): 72 calories, 1 g fat, 310 mg sodium, 9 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 4 g sugar
One 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained thoroughly
4 ounces canned sliced water chestnuts, chopped
4 ounces fat-free block cheese (any kind)
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon reduced-fat Parmesan-style grated topping
1.3 cup plus 2 teaspoons fat-free mayo
1.4 cup fat-free sour cream
1 ounce light soymilk
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Cook garlic and shallots over medium heat in a pan sprayed with nonstick spray, until softened but not burned (a minute or two). Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, melt block cheese over a low flame with the soymilk, stirring occasionally. Once cheese has melted and the mixture is well blended, add mayo, sour cream, and Parmesan. Stir until thoroughly mixed (still over low heat).

Next, add garlic, shallots, and water chestnuts and stir. Add spinach to the pot and mix thoroughly.
Spoon dip into a medium casserole dish and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
*I always wish that I doubled the recipe – it’ll get eaten quick!

Portobello Skinny “Skins” (makes 4 servings)
Per serving (1 mushroom): 67 calories, .5 g fat, 404 mg sodium, 6 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 10 g protein
4 large portobello mushroom caps
2 slices (about 1 ounce) extra lean turkey bacon
2.3 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
1 small tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon minced scallions
1.4 teaspoon salt
1.8 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Over medium heat, cook bacon strips, in a pan sprayed with nonstick spray, until crispy (about 5 minutes). Once cool enough to handle, crumble bacon into small pieces and set aside.

Line a baking pan with foil and spray lightly with nonstick spray. Wipe mushrooms clean with a moist paper towel and let them dry. Spritz caps lightly with nonstick spray (mist both sides as well as mushroom edges). Sprinkle the flat side with salt and black pepper, and then place, rounded-side down, on the baking pan.

Divide cheese among mushroom caps. Bake for 10 minutes in the oven or until cheese melts and edges begin to brown. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle bacon, tomato, and scallions over mushrooms.

Return pan to oven and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until mushrooms are thoroughly heated.

It’s FOOTBALL SEASON! Wooo! Who else is excited? I woke up this morning in such a good mood, because I absolutely love the next four months of the year. The fall season is so festive and fun, and I can’t help but get giddy every time I realize it’s finally here

With football season comes tailgating… with tailgating comes eating and drinking. And lots of it. In an attempt to show you that it is possible to have a great gameday Saturday without drinking your body weight in beer, I headed to the notorious Eat This Not That website; online home of the books that swept the health-conscious nation. Unfortunately they actually want you to BUY the book to get the comparisons… which I did! So we’re in luck!

Here we are, the best and the worst to throw in your cooler this weekend:

THE BEST
Michelob Ultra – 95 calories, 2.6 g carbs, 4.1% alcohol
Yuengling Light – 98 calories, 6.6 g carbs, 3.8% alcohol
Amstel Light – 99 calories, 5.5 g carbs, 3.5% alochol

THE WORST
Guiness Extra Stout – 176 calories, 14 g carbs, 6% alcohol
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale – 200 calories, 12 g carbs, 5.6 g carbs
Corona Extra – 148 calories, 14 g carbs, 4.6 alcohol

Cheers!

Once again, I wasn’t overly enthused with any of the Emmys red carpet frocks. Is it just me, or did half of the women there look like they were headed to a Christmas fete? It IS August, is it not? I don’t want to see what looks like maroon velvet, I don’t want to see so much navy, I don’t want to see heavy and stiff draping.

I watch the red carpet to remind myself of why I love fashion – and also to be bitter that I don’t have frequent opportunities to don ball gowns and fabulous vintage couture dazzlers. And two leading ladies that reminded me? January Jones and Anna Paquin. Two leading ladies that are on half the best dressed lists and half the worst dressed lists? January Jones and Anna Paquin.

I loved the “mullet” that was January’s electric blue Versace dress. Perhaps it’s because we’re such huge fans of the crinoline look, I don’t know. It was so flattering on her, and she seriously stood out. I wasn’t entirely wild about the cocktail umbrellas that were covering her girls, but all-in-all the detailing was fantastic.

I also loved the sleek Egyptian hardware at the top of Anna’s McQueen dress. Who needs millions of dollars worth of accessories when you have THAT built in?! She looked modern and simply elegant all at the same time. My one tweak to her: as much as I loved the mullet of January’s dress, I very much disliked it on Anna’s. It just looked the tailor forgot to take out some pins.

One hugely best dressed candidate that I DO agree with was Heather Morris. She took the head to toe sparkle look that’s so popular right now and twisted it with a big dose of Old Hollywood Glamour. A style that’s right up my alley… She looked gorgeous! It was fun seeing her dolled up in something other than a cheerleader’s skirt and ponytail, a la her Glee character, Brittany.

Notables that made me screech in horror when they debuted on the screen: first and foremost Christina Hendricks. Oh my GOD it was such a hot mess of lavender, low-cut and feathers. Yikes. Accentuate your curves, don’t strangle them! Holly Burrell also literally made me choke on my popcorn – I mean it was just God awful!

The Emmys are on Sunday – woo! That just sounds like such a great way to end my upcoming weekend… hanging out on the couch with some popcorn and wine, cheering when shows I love win, but most of the time scratching my head when shows I’ve never heard of win. Top night.

I was going to do a fun “who I think will win” post… but then I realized I’m so completely biased towards Modern Family and Glee, that it just wouldn’t even be fair. So I’ll leave the guesses to y’all, and we’ll be back on Monday to discuss red carpet hits and misses.

Just so there is SOME small point to this post, then: have y’all heard about what they’re doing to be super tech savvy and interactive with all of us at home? On Wednesday NBC posted a list of celebrities on their site who will be making appearances at the awards show on Sunday evening, encouraging twitter fanatics across the country to submit a line or two introducing each of said celebrities. 15 winners will be chosen, and their tweets will be read live on air as the awards are handed out. Two of the celebrities on the list? Jon Hamm from Mad Men and Matthew Morrison from Glee. HOW COOL!

What I HAVE been loving lately are easy-to-use coupons, like Groupon.com and Restaurant.com. The ones that come directly to me. I personally love Groupon, as it includes not only great restaurant deals, but other activities and salons around town; I’ve heard people saying it’s not as good as it will be yet, as it just got to Charleston, but I’ve gotten some amazing deals just in the past week!

Lizz is a huge fan of Restaurant.com to feed her growing family, which is why she was super excited this morning when we heard that Restaurant.com is having a clearance on their coupons today – we’re talking 80-90% off already hugely discounted “gift certificates” from some of your favorite Charleston restaurants. The deal has been going on since this morning (enter in “clearance” at checkout), so I don’t know how many are left – but it’s definitely worth checking out!

Another trick I’ve learned is to always check online for coupons and discounts when I’m shopping online. I’ve gotten free shipping, 10% off… all by just searching on google! These are the kinds of discounts I’m willing to do…minimal effort, maximum savings

Quite a few big time fashion trends have stemmed from leading ladies’ roles in movies. We were just talking about Audrey Hepburn and her LBD in Breakfast at Tiffany’s; Diane Keaton’s menswear debut as Annie Hall; Katherine Hepburn defying all popular culture and showing pants could be feminine… the list goes on and on.

There were also those one-time ensembles that were so “iconic” that while they didn’t make it to mass production, they are forever seared in cinema (and wardrobe) greatness. Marie Claire decided to put together a list honoring those fashion leaders – and the list includes everything from the rebellious Scarlett O’Hara’s dress-of-drapes to Alex Owen’s off-the-shoulder grey dancin’ sweatshirt.

Take a trip down movie memory lane and marvel in the fabulous costume designer choices. My personal favorite? Cher from Clueless – gotta love those knee socks and plaid miniskirts!

Seriously, could Cynthia Rowley BE anymore all over the place lately? She’s taken fashion to every possible corner of industry in the past year – bridesmaids, surfers, vintage bicycles – and now she’s taken it one step further. To help you and your loved ones cover up ghastly paper cuts and shaving knicks in style.

That’s right, Cynthia Rowley has partnered with Band-Aids in one unprecedented fashion-meets-function alliance. The 14 designs run the range of Cynthia’s go-to “downtown” trademarks: lace, sparkle, sequin, gemstones, and all kinds of intricate patterns.

Also true to any kind of recent collaboration, by purchasing the Band-Aids you donate to a good cause: one dollar from each sale will go to Design Ignites Change, “an organization that engages high school and college students in multidisciplinary design and architecture projects that adress pressing social issues in their own communities” (glam.com) What a mouthful – but it IS a great cause.

Just the other night I was chatting with a group of friends about the fabulous little fashion documentaries that always sprout up right before or around fashion week. Then here we are, a mere 2 weeks before the tents debut at the Lincoln Center, and what do I hear about? A film by documentarian Loic Prigent called “The Day Before”, set to premiere on The Sundance Channel on Fashion Week Eve (September 8th).

The much anticipated four-part documentary follows six design houses in the chaotic 36 hours prior to the lights dimming on the runway. It’s been reviewed as a refreshing glimpse behind the scenes as 4 big name designers scramble to make everything come together! Set your DVRs to catch Sonia Rykiel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Proenza Schouler, and (the one and only) Karl Lagerfeld.

The tell-all documentary starts Wednesday, September 8th at 5:00 pm eastern, and runs every night at the same time through Saturday.

I am just in the mood for somethin’ sweet today, so the Taste of the Week absolutely needed to be in the dessert category. I know there are tons of decadent chocolate lovers out there, but personally I love a dessert that is fruity and tart… which is why I’m salivating just thinking about this recipe I found on delish.com. Using the grill for a sweet treat is just so perfect for summer!

Mixed Berry Hobo Packs with Grilled Pound Cake (serves 4)
1 pound (3 cups) mixed strawberries and blueberries, strawberries quartered or halved if large
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon corn starch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
4 12-inch squares of heavy duty aluminum foil
4 1/2 inch thick slices of pound cake
Creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream

Light a grill. In a medium bowl, combine the strawberries and blueberries with the lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar and cornstarch. Spoon 1/4 tablespoon of butter in the center of each sheet of foil and top with fruit. Bring 2 sides of the foil up over fruit, and fold to form a seam across the top. Fold the remaining 2 sides to seal the hobo packs completely.

Grill the hobo packs over medium heat until the fruit is sizzling, about 10 minutes.

Spread the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over the pound cakes, and grill on each side until just toasted, about 1 minute. Transfer to plates. Open the hobo packs and pour the berries and juices over the pound cake. Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream.

Yum!

This pretty entertaining 10 minute bloopers reel comes to you courtesy of NYPost.com! It made me so excited for the next season of Gossip Girl, and I don’t even know when it starts.

Really, all I have to say is that the head honchos over at the CW should strongly consider finding a way for Chuck Bass to become British… because Ed Westwick’s accent makes my heart melt.

Gossip Girl Season Three Bloopers

Lizz and I always lament the over casualness of modern dressing. Like really, would it kill you to take off your sweatpants before you left your house? There’s actually a great little page in September’s Marie Claire where Tim Gunn – in his Tim Gunny voice that makes me so giggly and happy…because yes I can hear his voice even in print – said that he’s so tired of people complaining about not being as “comfortable” in tailored clothes, because you’re not SUPPOSED to be as comfortable. You’re supposed to be presenting yourself to the world, and not wanting to lounge in bed. Touche, Tim, you win again.

Anyhoo, someone we can always count on to never, ever dress down is Karl Lagerfeld. I stumbled across this picture of the elusive mastermind vacationing in St Tropez – did he ditch the Victorian suit? The gloves? The heavy shoes? Never! The tight suit and all its accoutrements stayed. The only difference? Tan fabric of course, because that makes it look so summery in the tropical heat! I actually originally found a picture of him hilariously lounging on a swing, in his traditional super stiff demeanor, but I can’t remember where I saw it… so this pic will have to do.

Gotta love Uncle Karl!