in the raw.

so, you probably know already.
Jessica Simpson posed for Marie Claire...with no make-up.
or, very little.
but certainly with no airbrushing.
i tried to resist re-posting this, as it's everywhere.
but the more i saw it, and her being bashed for it...
strong feelings ensued.

 i mean, i think she looks  beautiful.
if anything, simply because of the act of  bravery she just committed.
i'm terrified to take photographs of myself...in my own home...with no make-up.
much less look at the ghastly results.
and here  she is, in the raw, for the whole world to see...and judge.

she looks just as plain as i do.
she didn't even try to fake a tan.
and i like it.


and then you have Louise Bourgoin... 

un-airbrushed.
and still...untouchable.
this woman reeks of beauty.

so...
thoughts?
on this new wave of un-airbrushed photoshoots?

rather refreshing, until you discover why models become models.
they are gorgeous, no matter how hard one tries to disguise their beauty.

get out your wallet.

introducing...

(very enthusiastic drumroll)

...

the newest addition to the maple and shade family.
www.shopmaple.blogspot.com
cheers to thrifty shopping.
and supporting a good cause while you're at it.
now that's responsible.

if you have any questions, just email me :)

en la cocina: mango salsa and tilapia

 





{Joy of Cooking}

extremely light. extremely yummy.
goes wonderfully with a simple salad.
takes 20 minutes (at the very most) to prepare AND cook.
yes, that's my kind of meal.

1 small red onion
1/4 C fresh lime juice
1 small red pepper, cut into thin strips
1/4 C coarsely chopped cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 C fresh orange juice
1 jalapeño, finely chopped

combine first 2 ingredients in large bowl.
prepare remaining ingredients, setting them aside as you go.
then add them all at once to onion mixture.
season with salt and pepper.
serve immediately. on top of broiled tilapia, for my favorite results :)

now, for the tilapia:

   also,
{Joy of Cooking}

 1.5 to 2 lbs fish filets, rinsed and patted dry.
 olive oil
lemon juice
salt, pepper

brush filets lightly on each side with olive oil.
sprinkle with salt and pepper.
broil in oven for 4 minutes.
once exterior of fish turns opaque they are done.
sprinkle with lemon juice.
top with above salsa.
and enjoy, of course.

like I said...
so easy.
so yummy.

U.O.

So, I'm in a phase with Urban. 

And yes, that phase is lust.

You know that song, "I want it all?"

Well...I want it all.

  

mmm...yeah...

I want it all.

 

{Apples for Jam}

Deliciously simple.

This, with one bite, became my i've-had-a-log-day-but-still-want-a-decadent-dinner recipe.

I suggest you give her a try.

And buy the book while you're at it. 

Bonus: it looks really cute on a shelf. On the counter. Anywhere, really. 

{mapled}

olive oil

sea salt

1 tbsp garlic, or more, if you so wish

1 C cherry tomatoes, halved

4 chicken cutlets

all-purpose flour

4 tbsp white wine

1 1/2 tbsp drained capers

1 1/2 tbsp chopped parsley

heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a nonstick skillet.

add tomatoes and garlic. sprinkle with salt. cook til tomatoes start to pucker. remove and set aside.

add some more oil.

lightly dust the chicken with flour. saute over med-high heat until underside is golden. flip and do the same.

add the wine. put the tomatoes on top of the chicken. throw in the capers and parsley.

let the juices bubble up and evaporate a bit. cover with the lid. simmer for a few minutes.

serve immediately.

 

 {mapled}

mmm...okay...that did it. I am off to rummage through the leftovers.

Enjoy your day.

And I hope, your dinner.

decisions.

So it's down to two options.
I've navigated the treasure trove that is the wondrous ebay and come out relatively unscathed: I am burdened by only one tough decision...between two amazing rolls of wallpaper. I'm lining the drawers of my recently painted desk, if you recall.

My first instinct was to go with #1 here on the left.
It was love at first sight. I wanted something really unusual with hues of blue that would seem rather eclectic when paired with the light shade of mint.

But now that I see each compared with the paint color, I'm leaning toward option #2.
She has true vintage appeal, which was another trait high on the list...she has blue...a lovely, royal blue...and the mint really pops against the orange and cream.

So...any insight of your own?
Which would you go with?
Which would you love to see peek hello to you on a daily basis?

rebel.

 {Julio França}

Something magical happened yesterday.
Much to my husband's chagrin, I am sure.
He is happy for me, because he is perfect, but the UPS man dropped some competition into his world.
I got a camera.
And, not just any camera.
A Rebel appeared on my doorstep.
That Rebel XS, disguised so wonderously in a plain, cardboard box, beckoning every ounce of my excitement to my welcome mat.
So there went my yesterday.
Blame it on the Rebel--he stole it.

wall + paper.

 {flickr}

Currently in the midst of scouring ebay for some amazingly-vintage wallpaper.
And, oh yeah, looking for a job.
Anyway, last week I painted a desk (that belonged to my mom as a child) the faintest hint of mint green...nearly a creamy white (I know you're shocked as it absolutely is not painfully obvious that I like mint green).
I love, love how it turned out.
It has the most amazing ridge of elaborate molding that I scuffed with sandpaper to bring out the dark wood beneath and accentuate the architectural detail.
The iron pulls have tarnished, and I really wasn't in love with them before, but against the light hue they really pop. The paint brings out their exquisite antiquity.
So now it's my make-up table. It's adorned with an ornate gold mirror that was given to my Nana in the 40s, along with her matching crystal table lamps. Love the femininity of it all...makes it that much more fun to get ready in the morning.
The finishing touch, of course, will be the pop of pattern in the drawers that happily greets me as I search for my make-up.
Hoping to find a vintage paper with royal blue hues to pleasantly contrast with the light paint.
Later I'll post pictures, since my treasured DSLR arrived in the mail today :)

Til tomorrow, happy Monday.

holiday.

I made cookies tonight.
It was disastrous.
All I could do was laugh.
The best part is...they're a hostess gift.
Oops.

{i created disco}

So we're taking a holiday tomorrow and sneaking off to the coast. So excited to spend a bit of our Easter weekend in the company of friends, although I will have to wait til they're on their fifth drink to give them the cookies.

Hope your Easter is just as lovely, and your time is just as blessed.
Until Monday,
xoxo.

reveler.

Makes me want one cold day.
Just one.
Or maybe like, half a day.
Just so I can wear this.
Because wearing faux fur is fun.

 {fashion toast}