LIFESTYLE :: At The Table ~ Crab Pintxos

All images via Mark Miller

I've been over at The Luxe Life enjoying Stephania Varalli's culinary adventures in Spain, particularly her sampling of pintxos.

Like Stephania, I was amazed by the beautiful displays of these Basque bread-based appetizers in Barcelona and later in San Sebastián. Pintxos chefs spend a lot of time and creativity planning and garnishing these tasty little tapas, piling on colorful strips of smoked salmon or sprinkling on paprika, or setting little bits of quince paste or chopped peppers on top. The colourful platters sparkle like jewels on the bar counters, each topping speared with a toothpick to the crusty round below.

STYLE :: A 'New York State of Style' with Ellen Lubin-Sherman (05/21)

image courtesy of Chris Jorda

I never tire of clothes that were love at first sight.

Ellen Lubin-Sherman literally wrote the book on how to be fabulous.

The Essentials of Fabulous is available on Amazon, Kindle, iTunes and select shops across the country. To find out more about Ellen, go to The Essentials of Fabulous, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and you can always drop her a line right here at askellen@lilylemontree.com

STYLE :: Chic this Week : Best in Show for May 11-17, 2013

Who is your choice for best dressed this week?

Don't forget to scroll down and vote!

(Email and RSS readers click into post to access post)

Kerry Washington
In Lanvin
(clutch by Tod's, earrings by Joan Hornig, pumps by Christian Louboutin, watch by Movado)
At the 'ELLE & Tod's Celebrate Kerry Washington' event in NYC, New York

Victoria Beckham
In Victoria Beckham
(pumps by Casadei, sunglasses by Victoria Beckham, sweater by Diane von Furstenberg)
Out and about in NYC, New York

LIFESTYLE :: The Cocktail Hour ~ Watermelon Mojito

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you went to bed every night and hoped with all your might that when you woke, the whole bloody week would be over??!!

Well darlings, Lily has had one of those weeks (an absolute doozy if I might add) but since I don't want to bore you with all the horrid little details, let's just say that I have never been so happy to hear the words 'it's Friday' as I was this morning!

Now, I am dashing off to pick up whatever is left of my car off the side of the road (yes we had a little bit of that too!) but I wouldn't dream of leaving you today without a little something to enjoy during this holiday weekend (Happy Victoria Day Canada!).
A yummy, watermelon variation of one of Lily's summer staples, the Mojito, that should have anyone, yours truly included, singing a cheerier tune in no time!

STYLE :: A 'New York State of Style' with Ellen Lubin-Sherman (05/15)

image courtesy of Chris Jorda

I should do this more often. Just leave the office for an espresso, sit down, and dream.

Ellen Lubin-Sherman literally wrote the book on how to be fabulous.

The Essentials of Fabulous is available on Amazon, Kindle, iTunes and select shops across the country. To find out more about Ellen, go to The Essentials of Fabulous, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and you can always drop her a line right here at askellen@lilylemontree.com

STYLE :: Chic this Week : Best in Show for May 4-10, 2013

Who is your choice for best dressed this week?

Don't forget to scroll down and vote!

(Email and RSS readers click into post to access poll)

Zoe Saldana

In Elie Saab

At the 'Star Trek Into Darkness' premiere in Mexico City, Mexico

Giovanna Battaglia
In Dolce & Gabbana
At the Dolce & Gabbana Fifth Avenue flagship store opening in NYC, New York

OPEN CALL :: Party/Entertaining Contributor

We are looking for an 'Party/Entertaining' writer/blogger to join us here at Lily Lemontree as a regular contributor.

Are you…

Someone with creativity, passion and a strong knowledge of entertaining and party trends who would be available for ongoing contributions at least once a month.

Contributors are welcome from anywhere in the world!

Send your emails to asklily@lilylemontree.com with the subject line "Contributor Submission" and someone will contact you with more details.

Submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2013

Additional 'Open Calls' for other niche bloggers (weddings style, food and etiquette) will be posted in the near future.

THE LOVELY ONES :: Linda Evangelista

Linda Evangelista

Did you know...

1. She was born on May 10, 1965 in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada.

2. She is a talented accordion player.

3. She is considered to be one of five 'Supermodels' who reigned supreme in the modelling world of the late 80's and 1990's along with Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, and Tatjana Patitz.

BEAUTY :: 10 Ways to De-Puff Your Eyes

Spring is a time of refreshing rain showers, fragrant flowers, breezy butterflies...and of course, wretchedly puffy eyes! For the last two weeks, the blooming garden buds that aggravate my seasonal allergies have caused me to wake up more swollen around the eyes than a not-so lucky prizefighter at Madison Square Gardens and while this little fellow up above is as cute as a button with his swollen sleepy gaze, once the umbilical cord falls off and you can stomach solid foods, the look doesn't seem as cute anymore, does it?
Spring allergies, teary-eyed moments at weddings and the occasional hangover that accompanies a really super night out with the girls can pack a bloated wallop to even the prettiest of mugs so we have gathered the top ten ways to fight off the dreaded eye puff!
(Share your tips and tricks with us for battling the puff!)

1. Cold water splash

This should always be your first step in fighting swollen eyes. A few quick splashes of cold water on the face will give a mini shock to your body temperature and jolt circulation, starting the de-puffing process.

(We always follow this step with a couple of redness-reducing eye drops like Visine. Puffiness and redness seem to go hand in hand for most of us)

STYLE :: A 'New York State of Style' with Ellen Lubin-Sherman (05/09)

image by Chris Jorda

Hat: Lola Millinery

Glasses: L.A. Eyeworks

Pom Pom Earrings: L’Arte Per Inciso

Sweater: Lars Andersson

Socks: Antipast

Band-Aid: “Beach Sport” Band-Aid by Cynthia Rowley

Ellen Lubin-Sherman literally wrote the book on how to be fabulous.

The Essentials of Fabulous is available on Amazon, Kindle, iTunes and select shops across the country. To find out more about Ellen, go to The Essentials of Fabulous, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and you can always drop her a line right here at askellen@lilylemontree.com