Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Monday mornings with five things/ideas/events for the week:

I.  Between Taylor’s deliciously twisted Blank Space video and Rosamund Pike’s sleek portrayal of Amy in Gone Girl, it’s suddenly chic to be crazy - particularly when doing so stylishly.  As someone who has been compared to both characters (something I have decided to embrace) I’ve taken it upon myself to provide you with a brief guide to pulling off the bad girl aesthetic this season.    

Ice Queen Blonde: Dwight Davis (SF), Ron Pernell (LA), Parvin Klein (NY).  Red Polish: Essie Bordeaux.  Red Lip: Nars Liner in Dragon Girl + MAC Lipstick in Viva Glam I.  Lingerie: White Silk (sans blood splatter) for Rosamund, Black Lace for Taylor.  Daydream Gown: Erin Fetherston.  Cool Girl Diary: Smythson.  Your Next Victim: Evidently, Tinder (see below).

II. Lobster Carbonara is one of my favorite go-to meals to make whenever I have leftovers from lobster boils.  There is probably a much more authentic way to make this, but I like to keep it easy during the week, especially when I’m dining solo.  Here’s how to make the glamorous dish for one: Ingredients - a handful of your favorite pasta (I use bucatini), 1 garlic clove minced, 1 strip of bacon, 1 egg lightly beaten, half a cup of lobster meat.  Instructions - while the pasta is boiling, cook the bacon in a skillet then set it aside to cool before cutting it into small pieces, throw the garlic and lobster in the bacon-greased pan and heat for two minutes then throw in the cut-up bacon, when the pasta is finished drain and transfer to the skillet, then add the beaten egg and whisk for a few minutes until all of the pasta is coated in the silky sauce.  Top with Parmesan and Crushed Red Pepper.  Voila!

III. Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting a launch party for fine jewelry house Coleoptere. Before guests arrived, I felt like a child playing in my mother’s jewelry box when I had the chance to try on all of the gorgeous pieces.  I fell head over heels in love with the La Cage Champagne Ring (wouldn’t it be the perfect accessory to wear while popping bottles on New Year’s Eve?!)  I’ll definitely be adding it to my Christmas Wishlist.

IV. Speaking of presents, I’m newly obsessed with a company called Parcel Portland.  Touting itself as the ideal alternative to the traditional gift basket, each box is masterfully curated using items sourced from the Pacific Northwest.  I’m smitten with the Pendelton Box (above) and the Mulled Wine Kit, which I’ll be handing out as hostess gifts throughout the holidays!

V.  When a girlfriend sent me a link to a new dating app a few days ago, I replied that we should chronicle our horrible experiences in an anonymous blog.  Well, it looks like someone beat me to it - though the majority of her dates were (gasp) awesome.  In 40 Dates & 40 Nights Jamy Madison reports on each of her suitors - all found on Tinder - including where the date occurred, how long it lasted, and what she learned.  While it’s fun to read about all her Prince Charmings, my favorite entry is about a guy named Chad who rivals Jersey for the worst date ever…

Have a wonderful week!  xx tt