Month: July 2012

by Allison

How do YOU wear white?

A few weeks ago I wore an all white outfit for an entire day and at least one piece of white clothing the following two days in an effort to see if I could keep myself clean for 72 hours.  What I realized when I accepted this challenge* is that

#1 I don’t have much white in my closet, and #2 I stopped wearing white of any sort around the time my daughter was born almost 13 years ago.

how do YOU wear white?

I wore head-to-toe white on the first day, just to get it out of the way and see if it was actually possible to go an entire day in white without looking crazypants.  I pulled out a pair of white jeans I only wear when I’m away from the kids, and even then only for a few hours at a time.  This outfit is pretty close to what I wore, pops of color in my purse, shoes, necklace, bracelets, and earrings.  I couldn’t help myself, and I really tried.

White just isn’t practical in my life with two kids and a horse, a black cat, and whatever else comes my way on any given day.  I didn’t even realize it was … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Make some tasty vegetable curry

I love to tell the story of how I went from hating on veggies to eating a mostly plant-based diet.  Part of that drastic progression involved eating plenty of curries–Indian and Thai especially.  I’ll save the rest of the story for another day, because today it’s all about how you need to make some tasty vegetable curry.

mixed vegetable curry

I kind of go crazy when I go to the produce section or farm stands.  Everything looks so beautiful, I can’t wait to buy a bunch of veggies and then I get home and don’t know what I was thinking.  So, if you are like me in that regard, or you have a prolific garden, this curry is for you.  It’s delicious to be sure, but it also is a good way to use up those excess veggies you went crazy buying last week or for when the inevitable “I’ve-got-more-zucchini-than-I-know-what-to-do-with” hits.

make some tasty vegetable curry

I adapted this from a recipe I like in a cookbook I found in the bargain bin at Borders years ago.  This was about the time I decided that I might as well figure out how to make my own curries or keep spending all of my pocket money at … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Signs of Vintage giveaway this week

UPDATE: Winner is Laura M., number 22.  Congrats and be sure to send us an email ASAP!

I have a super rad giveaway for you guys this week.  You’ll love it, I know it.  Because you all have exquisite taste and love all of the cool things.

Vintage sign giveaway

Maybe because I’m redecorating my master bedroom right now (no, decorating for the *first* time since we moved in going on 9 years ago) but I’m obsessed with signs.  Letters, numbers, vintage boxes with wording, I love it all.  So of course I love cool wooden signs like the ones from the Signs of Vintage giveaway this week.

beach house sign

One of you lucky ducks, (you like how I sounded like my mom right there?) will walk away with a 12″ x 24″ wooden Family Rules sign from Signs of Vintage, an amazing Etsy shop full of adorable.  I’d personally love the Family Rules beach house sign, but maybe I should have a beach house first?  I don’t think a suburban home in Utah is gets it done.  Lame.

Signs of Vintage giveaway details below:
  • Leave a comment on this post telling me which sign is your favorite.  Be sure to leave an

… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

What’s in your purse series dance bag

This week’s What’s in Your Purse Series purse is from Marta in Poland, who gave us a peek at what’s in her dance bag.  Thank you Marta!

–If you love this series and want more of it, submit your purse. Take two photos of your purse {NICE, CLEAR, NOT-BLURRY ONES} one of the outside, one of the inside, along with a listing of the contents to:

allison AT petitelefant DOT com

what's in your purse series

This is a simple messenger bag from GAP and I use it to go to my ballet classes.

Inside you can find a dancer’s essentials.
what's in your dance bag
  • -My ballet flats
  • -My almost dead pointe shoes
  • -Yellow box with Rosin powder in it, it stops the shoe from slipping.
  • -Little metal box with hairpins, bobby pins, hair nets, and hair bands in it.
  • Tape and more tape for my toes.
  • Liquid bandaje, for open blisters. It STINGS like hell.
  • Toe pads and any other type of pads that could protect my feet.
  • Scissors…I don’t really know whey are there.
  • Hair spray, a dancer’s must.
  • Baby powder, I put some in my toe pads after every class so they don’t get smelly.
  • Lip balm…I am a lip balm freak and I

    • … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Celebrating your own personal independence

Recently America celebrated Independence Day, the 4th of July when the whole country goes bananas with fireworks and parades and family picnics.

fireworks for the 4th of July

The 4th of July happens to be my favorite day of the entire year, and not just because I love celebrating with my family and a watermelon salad at the city swimming pool, although I won’t lie, that doesn’t hurt.

I really love the whole concept of independence, whether that of kids forging their own, or brave citizens around the world fighting tirelessly for freedom in the name those who’ve gone before.

celebrating personal independence

Or you know, in the case of me and my children, the celebration of sartorial independence.  Freedom as a 4-year-old to wear a knitted poncho and mustard yellow 70′s sweater, my mother’s patent leather heels, my father’s cowboy hat, and some bright red lipstick.

It took me awhile to figure out as a parent, but letting my kids figure out their own stuff without intervention has been critical to their independence and self-confidence.  Every time I try to step in and tell my kids how it “should” be done whatever “it” is, I undermine their ability to be strong, independent, empowered little humans.

4th of july sparklers

They … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Amazing Greek chicken salad recipe

If you like Greek salads, you’ll love this chicken salad.  It pairs all of the favorites of Green salads–tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives and feta, with the fun addition of minced capers, tossed together with a creamy, lemony yogurt dressing that will knock your socks off.

chicken salad

We ate this on fresh, organic salad greens from a local farm as a gluten-free lunch.  But we also think this would be fantastic inside pita bread or on a soft roll for a light dinner, or as is for a healthy power lunch.  To make it even more substantial, you could add some cooked, cubed potatoes and double up on the dressing.  However you make it, it’s sure to be a hit with your family.  The dressing is so fantastic you might just want to drink it.  Just sayin’.

greek chicken salad

This would be a great addition to any potluck BBQ as an alternative to, or in addition to, a burger and other traditional fare.  Other options–add some diced roasted red pepper or shredded carrots.  If you buy rotisserie chicken from the store, this would be a great way to use up some of the leftovers.  You could even add shredded coleslaw mix, if you … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

My top 10 make up picks

I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly inundated with make up “must-haves” everywhere I look and it’s hard to know what’s really great make up and what’s nonsense.

Top 10 make-up picks

I’ll tell you what, I’ve worn make-up for an embarrassingly long time and the same go to’s always end up in my make up bag.  So today I’m here to share my top 10 make up picks, the stuff that goes with me whither I goest.  Which is to say, I can’t live without the stuff.

  1. MAC kohl eyeliner
  2. Carmex/Savex
  3. OPI nail polish
  4. MAC highlighter
  5. Revlon lipstick
  6. Stila liquid eyeliner
  7. L’Oreal Studio Secrets
  8. L’Oreal Voluminous mascara
  9. M.A.C. eyeshadow
  10. Avon Glazewear lip-gloss

The M.A.C. + Stila makeup is the most expensive out of the 10, but you get what you pay for when you buy either of those brands – the makeup stays on until you’re ready to take it off, and it lasts forever.  Money well spent, for sure.  The rest of my picks are amazing grocery and drugstore buys that prove you don’t have to spend a fortune on great makeup.

– What do you have in your make up bag?  What is a must-have you can’t live … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Vegan hummus and avocado taco recipe

vegan hummus + avocado taco recipe

It’s summer.  It’s hot.  I want something to eat that doesn’t involve turning on the stove.  I also crave the freshness of summer produce.  This is the perfect lunch to fill me up and keep me running after my kids.  Pssst!  It’s also gluten-free and vegan.  Which means it’s healthy.  It’s also portable.  Take it with you on your way to the pool or the park.  Whip it out when you’re on a hike.  Perfection wrapped up in one little corn tortilla.

Other veggies would be great in this too–I’m thinking crisp strips of red bell pepper, leftover roasted veggies (zucchini), thinly sliced radishes, and corn.  Instead of hummus, try a little bit of re-fried beans.  Lunch is served.

vegan hummus + taco recipe

Hummus Avocado Tacos
To make 4

Ingredients:

  • 4 corn tortillas (you could also use flour tortillas or pita bread)
  • 4 Tbsp. or more hummus
  • a few handfuls baby lettuce or spinach
  • 1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced
  • 8-12 cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
  • 1 carrot, cut into thin strips
  • 1/2 cucumber, seeded, cut into thin slices
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • dash each:  cumin, chili powder, cayenne, salt
  • squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice

Instructions:

Spread 1 Tbsp. (or more) hummus … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Yellow + grey bedroom design

After eight years of living in our home, it’s finally (finally!) time  to redecorate our master bedroom.  I’m really antsy to get started on the design and have spent many, many hours on my Pinterest boards pinning yellow + grey bedroom design ideas.

Yellow + Grey

 

The whole point of the redesign is to make the bedroom a more current reflection of my style, and to make a calm and serene place to retreat at the end of a long day.  Isn’t that what bedrooms are supposed to be?  Serene?  Mine isn’t serene at all right now, it’s cluttered and stress-y and I really need to fix it.

What do you think about this design board?  I’ll put together about 3 or 4 yellow + grey bedroom design boards before I splash paint on the walls, and I’d love to share the journey with you on Petit Elefant.  So many of you are clever little cleveristas, so I welcome (constructive) feedback when it comes to the actual logistics of things.  Are you in? I am.

Team huddle.

( Yellow + Grey by petitelefant on Polyvore.com)  … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.