Friday Favorites: Aspen Cider Spices

The Panther would like to share with you one of her favorite products that she is especially excited about for this time of year.  Aspen Cider Spices are a must for the fall season. 

Created back in 1970, a home recipe for spiced apple cider was served to customers at a gift shop in Aspen, Colorado.  Word spread about the delicious cider given out at this little store and people started visiting just for the cider.  The owners decided to package and market their fabulous recipe.

Today, Aspen Cider Spices are packaged in darling little 5.65 oz cartons.  One carton of this amazing spice blend can be added to one gallon of either cider, wine, tea, or brandy for a delicious fall and winter drink.  It is designed to dissolve completely so it can be used in either hot or cold beverages.  I love to add it to a gallon of apple cider and let it warm slowly in the crock pot.  It fragrances the entire house with it's warm, invited aroma.  When guests arrive at the house their mouth's are already watering for a hot cup of the delicious cider. 

Think beyond just cider, wine, tea, or brandy.  Use your imagination and add this spice blend to any number of beverages.  You can even add it to your baking!

This product makes a lovely hostess gift as well.  Tie up a carton in celophane and a ribbon and it is a gift ready to give.  Also great as a stocking stuffer.

Aspen Cider Spices

http://www.aspenspices.com/

Visit their website to order some in, or to find out where it is sold in your area.

Enjoy!

-The Panther





Friday Favorites: Rain Gear

October has arrived and that means the rainy season has returned.  Here in Portland we will have rain for at least the next seven months but we are prepared with our favorite pieces of rain gear.  Just because the skies are grey and rain is pouring down, doesn't mean you cannot look chic.

People in Portland really do not carry umbrellas, but if we did, I'd probably sport one of these!

This Burberry Umbrella has a black exterior and the classic

Burberry plaid interior.

I love the graphic rose design on this cute umbrella by Chanel.

Rain hats are a nice alternative to umbrellas.  Don't worry, we're not talking your grandma's plastic bonnet.  Today's rain hats are quite stylish.

This patent rain hat by Eric Javits is darling and flattering to everyone.

You can't go wrong with this fedora style rain hat by Kate Spade.

Those are some options to keep your head dry, but don't forget your feet.  Walking through puddles is not fun in suede pumps.  You need some cute galoshes that you can stomp through puddles, care-free.

These A-DOR-A-BLE galoshes are by Valentino.

If you don't have the Valentino budget, these cute houndstooth galoshes

are a very inexpensive alternative from Target.  I actually own these and love them!

So we've covered all of the accessories, but you still need a rain coat to cover you while dodging the raindrops.

You cannot get more classic than this rain trench by Michel Kors.

This coat will go with anything.

Here is another classically styled rain coat by Michael Kors

but this time in a fun, cheerful orange.

For a hipper, more urban look I am loving this PVC raincoat by DKNY.

How great would this look with jeans and those fabulous Valentino galoshes!

Stay warm, stay dry and stay stylish!

-The Panther









Friday Favorites: Missoni for Target

It has been the talk of the week:  Target's hugely successful recent release.  You've all read about how Target's website crashed, and stores were sold out within the hour, but what do you really think of the Missoni collection?  The Panther checked it out and actually scored a cute little sweater.  Here are some of her favorite pieces in the collection.

This coffee set is darling and cheerful and would make a fabulous gift.

This zig-zag knit jumper is adorable!

This four piece patio set is probably my favorite part of

the Missoni for Target line.  I wish I had scored this set.

I'm always a fan of funky socks and these are fabulously funky.

Loving this scarf and especially these long gloves.

How fun are these make-up kits!

How can you not love this bicycle!  The Panther would loooove

to cruise around town on this thing.  According the a NY Times article, even

actress Jessica Alba and musician Jessica Simpson were tweeting about their

love of this adorable bicycle.

The Panther wants to know, what are your favorite pieces from the collection, and were you lucky enough to score anything?

-The Panther



Color Inspiration: Sunflower Yellow

As the seasons change the Panther craves color that is bright and sunny like summer but warm and comforting like autumn.  Whether you are bringing it into your home decor, or adding it to your wardrobe, the perfect color for the season is sunflower yellow.

Interiors are lovely in this shade of yellow.  Look how comforting and rich the walls are in this living room.

A big fan of using bright sunflower yellow in her interior design is Kelly Wearstler.  We love her look on the cover of her book, Modern Glamour.

Here is another Kelly Wearstler interior with a lot of punchy bright yellow accents.  I love the yellow club chairs and the classic ginger jar lamps in this room.

Yellow is a great accent to wear with black.  This outfit has a lot of yellow but is put together nicely.

LOVING this vintage 1970's shirt dress.  Stay off of ebay because the Pather is bidding on this one.

Not brave enough to rock the head to toe yellow?  A bright little accent can go a long way like this chiffon silk scarf.



Yellow is often the color associated with cowardice but the Panther finds it cheerful and daring.  Bring it in your home and rock it in your wardrobe... Panther style.

-The Panther







Friday Favorites: Boots!

The best thing about the arrival of autumn is the fall fashions.  I have a great love of boots and finally we are at the season where I can rock my boots once again.  Here are some of my favorites.

Classic black high-heel boots by Calvin Klein

Every girl needs a pair of classic black high-heel boots.  These are indispensable in my wardrobe. They can be worn with almost anything:  short skirts, longer skirts, dresses, jeans, stretch pants, or gauchos.  Do you have a frilly floral print dress that feels too much like spring?  Pair it with some tights, a cardigan and some classic black boots and it is ready for fall.

Vintage leather cowboy boots

Cowboy boots are another must in my wardrobe.  The more scuffed-up the better so I recommend shopping the vintage stores for a perfectly worn-in pair.  Like the classic black boot, cowboy boots are adorable with a feminine floral dress and make the outfit more season appropriate. 

Motorcycle boots by Matiko

Always a sucker for mortorcycle-inspired fashions, a pair of motorcycle boots are a great addition to your wardrobe.  Cute over skinny jeans or with a skirt and tights.  Real motorcycle boots are made to last.  Invest in a classically styled pair and wear them for years.

Riding Boots by Franco Sarto

Equestrian inspired fashions are still hanging on because of their classic style.  Riding boots are super cute over skinny jeans and a cropped blazer.  Like the cowboy boots and motorcycle boots, riding boots are classic and a good pair can be kept for years and never go out of style.

Red suede over-the-knee boots by Christian Louboutin

Less practical than the other boots I've mentioned are these fabulous red suede boots.  I happened to see these in a magazine the other day and I cannot stop thinking about them.  Imagine these paired with a simple, short black dress and black tights.  They kind of remind me of a super hero and that makes me like them even more.

Monty Boots by Manolo Blahnik

These are just for fun.  They are simply statement boots but oh what a statement they make.  I can see these worn with skinny black pants and a bright colored oversize sweater.

The season is here so have fun with your fall fashions.  Pick up some of the "staple" boots for your wardrobe if you don't already own them.  Watch for the Panther... She'll be the one in the red suede over-the-knee Christian Louboutins!

-The Panther



Back to School in Style

As children everywhere return to school today after summer holiday, the Panther has been reminiscing about the eager anticipation of going back to school.  It was always so exciting to shop and pick out new clothes for the upcoming year, and stocking up on shiny new school supplies.  If the Panther had to do it all again, her back to school shopping list might contain the following...

1.  New wardrobe from Luella Bartly's collection inspired by school uniforms.

2.  Pink pencil case by Coach with Coach signature pencils.

3.  Aerodynamic fountain pens by Porsche Designs.

4.  Fun Seth Aaron iPad covers

5.  and a Louis Vuitton Damier backpack in graphite to tote it all in.



Have a fun and fashionable school year!

-The Panther

Color Inspiration: White the Right Way

Before we know it Labor Day will be here and our chance to wear white will be gone.  Some people avoid white all together thinking it looks too summery, too cold, too stark, or just too hard to keep clean.  White is quite elegant however and is even embraced by our friend the gilded panther.

If you are going to rock white, go all out.  Look how sharp Mel B and hubby look in head to toe white.  I love her white jeans with simple white tank and oversize jewelry.

I don't know why, but I've always wanted a pair of white gogo boots.  How darling are these with a graphic print mini skirt!

Not brave enough for the gogo boots?  These elegant strappy sandals in white will dress up everything from a sundress, business suit or your favorite jeans.

I've always been a fan of Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Chair.

It is especially elegant in white leather!

White accessories are a fun accent in home decor.

These fabulous porcelain vases are by one of my favorites, Jonathan Adler.

There is something about an all-white bathroom I've always loved.

The look is just so clean and relaxing.

Everyone should have a set of all white dishes.  They're just so easy and so much fun

to mix and match.  You can change out your table linens for a new look.  Food looks lovely on a white field.

Don't be afraid of a little white... even after Labor Day.

-The Panther