The Return of the Pointy Toe Pump

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It seems like there are always recycled trends in fashion. Whether Military, Menswear, Floral or Punk every trend comes back again. After a few seasons of the platform heels and wedges  I am noticing the return of the pointy toe pump. I have to say that I am secretly (or not so much) very happy about the return. The classic pump makes every women look long and lean. They make a cute outfit become instantly chic and put together.


The King of the Pump is Manolo Blahnik $595 

  Sophia Webster 
In love with these Sophia Webster Pumps $395

What I have learned is follow what makes you feel beautiful and you will always be on trend.

Avec Amour,
Tiffany

Running the race again…

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So I will be running the Nike Women’s Half Marathon again. I am so very excited about gathering with 15,000 racers at the starting line to take on the challenge. This time around I have been encouraged in how quickly my body is adapting.

I literally feel and know that I can and have done it before. It’s easier this time around. Which is great and makes me happy. I truly see that it is all mental. It also helps that I have lost a bit of weight. I could not tell the difference but my running friends could.

The first Photo is a week before the race in 2013. The second photo is training on February 8, 2014.

Avec Amour,
Tiffany

Winter Warm Up

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I am back! Back to share more wonderful fashion, food and fun in the Nation’s Capital.

We had a few days last week that that teased us with Spring weather. The snow is back but here are  my favorite looks from those wonderful warm days.

I am currently completely drawn to black, brown and animal print. 

Avec Amour,
Tiffany 

Avec Amour Restaurant Review: Proof

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It is no surprise that I love to eat. I love that food can elevate the mood, bring a smile to a face, or be the perfect end to magical night. Because I love to eat I have created a business around creating sumptuous delights to awaken the senses.

But every artist needs a bit of inspiration. My inspiration comes from good food. Whether a hole in the wall or a Michelin star restaurant. It is all about the quality of the fresh ingredients in a masterfully constructed way.

A close friend recently treated me a a wonderful celebration dinner. We went to Proof in Penn Quarter (Washington D.C.). We dined there on a Sunday evening. It was not crowed when we arrived at 5 pm but by the time we left at 8 pm it was nearly full.

The menu changes often some of the items that my friends and I ordered may not be available. Proof has a lovely selection of of cheeses. We ordered a selection of three cheeses. Everyone really enjoyed a drunken cow cheese that was sublime. I ordered the lamb dish that was done with a Middle Eastern/Mediterranean flair. It was accompanied with chickpeas and a yogurt sauce and topped with delicate onion laces. The flavors were distinct and evoked the a trip to a foreign land with rich and exotic spices. The lamb was cooked to perfection. I really enjoyed my meal. I was not alone.

We were 5 for 5 at the table, everyone was pretty pleased with their choices. The duck was fantastic, the halibut was lovely, the steak was fabulous and the chicken was good. My friend that got the chicken thought it was good but was not impressed with the accompanying vegetables.

 Overall, I give proof 4.5 out of 5 Hearts.

Avec Amour,
Tiffany

Vision Board

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In the midst of finding direction at my “carrefour” (crossroads)  a friend mentioned the power of vision boards. She planned to throw a party with several women in which we would unveil are vision boards. I had heard about the concept which is to take images, words, and or art to make a collage or pinterest page about your goals, plans and overall vision for life. I thought that it would be a useful exercise but it takes a decided to give it a try. 
It was interesting to have everyone reveal there process for evaluating their life and goals. We all had a different vision of where we were in life but there were common themes and goals. We all were reaching to achieve a new level of professional and personal growth. The groups was all women so there was a consistent belief that mind, body and spirit connectivity was something that we wanted to delve deeper into. 
 


 
Step 1: Strong Women at the base

 I revealed the process for my board by explaining that the board was a symbol of who I am. I am more than meets the eye. At the base of the board I wanted images of strong black women. I have often struggled with confidence so finding my inner strength and voice was and is an important part of figuring out my direction. 
 Step 2: Overlapping the the Bigger Picture 
Once I felt that I had a solid base I begin putting into place some of the things that are important for me. I felt that this centered around four major quadrants. Home, Business/Professional, Travel and Friends/Family. This blog factors into my business/professional goals. Avec Amour is my lifestyle brand, a twenty-somethings guide to sophistication.

Step 3: Sprinkling in Words of Power
In the final step I added in words that a matched the vision and purpose that was revealed to me through the process of creating a the board. Overall, I loved the process and found it perfectly cathartic. It was really a remarkable evaluation of where I see my life currently and in the future.  Have you created a vision board? What did it reveal to you? 

Avec Amour,
Tiffany

Thoughtful Thurday- "7 year itch"

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I have always been one to set goals and make plans. In the last year my goals and plans have changed dramatically. I had to take a step back from some relationships and focus on my personal development and growth. I was literally and figuratively at a crossroads.

The last time I felt like this was 7 years ago when I was living in France. It seems appropriate that I would think about my time in France  and the person I was before how that experience shaped me.

In french the word for crossroads is “Carrefour.”  I love the word because it evokes these thoughts of four directions for life. The future and the past are are in front and behind you making your path brighter or dimmer with each step.

The timing of this change in me also was of interest. I remember hearing a theory on personal development coming every 7 years. Do you buy into the thought the every 7 years you change?

Check out this article:
http://dreamhawk.com/body-and-mind/every-seven-years-you-change/

Avec Amour,
Tiffany 

May Day Window Shopping in Georgetown

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Today, I had an appointment in Georgetown and I decided to be posh. I put on my favorite sheer dress by Ali Ro with a J.Crew leather belt,  J. Crew two-tone sweater and Animal Print Prada Shoes. I topped the ensemble with the oldie but goodie J.Crew Gayle Red Ruffle trench.

 

 

 

 

 

As I walked the cobbled stone streets I was reminded that everyday there are bumps in the path but you have to walk with your head up and shoulders back and make it through…

Additionally, no trip to Georgetown would be complete without a bit of window shopping. Here are a few of my favorite finds.

BCBG by Max Azaria

Fancy Leopard Jacquard Dress. Was $338 Sale $169

I normally feel self aware in dresses such as this  one but it made me feel smokin’ hot, especially paired with a leather jacket…

 

 

Anthropologie

I love the smell and feel of Anthro, it is like a big comfy chair with blanket and book by the fire. Whenever I go in the store I find a quirky or beautiful idea or piece to enhance my wardrobe or life.
Today’s finds were all about the simplicity.

Capsleeve Shift Dress by Maeve – $98

Ruby Belle Marseille Pencil Dress – Was $148 Sale $79.99

 

Well those were the highlights. Where are your favorite places to window shop?

Avec Amour,
Tiffany

95 Mile Lesson

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If you would have asked me a year ago if I would ever run a half marathon I would have told you were crazy. A couple of months ago a friend sent me the link to the inaugural Nike Women’s Half Marathon in Washington, D.C. What initially drew me in was that at the end of the race you get a little blue box with a Tiffany’s Necklace. But the challenge turned into so much more…

I now truly understand when people say that it is not a race but a marathon. Training was tough but you took it step-by-step until you reached your eventual goal.

I was inspired by the women that I ran with. When you are running for 3+ hours you talk about everything. You encourage each other to keep on going. In addition to encouraging others you also have to encourage yourself…no matter how much it hurts or how much you want to quit, that you can’t. You can’t let the course defeat you or rather you can’t let life defeat you. In the end I amassed more than 82 miles in preparation for the race.

I am amazed, proud, and thankful for my teammates. But most importantly, I am proud of myself. I conquered my fear that I could not succeed. I believed in myself even though I was not the fastest on the course. I kept going and I made it to the end. A lesson about life with 95 miles on my soles upon the streets of D.C.

BTW: The little blue box hardware rocks 🙂

Avec Amour,
Tiffany 
http://www.washingtonian.com/gallery/health/recap-the-nike-womens-half-marathon-in-dc.php#&panel1-3