Interior décor can be an expensive endeavor. But if there’s one piece in a room that can make all the difference, it’s a fantastic light fixture.


Check out some of these chic examples of great interior decor made even better with awesome light fixtures as their centerpiece: 

I love classic looks like a feminine pencil skirt and heels. It's always fun to try new trends, but sometimes the classics are all you really need.

Marilyn

The pencil skirt-and-heels is a perfectly feminine silhouette and therefore timeless. You can always update it with trends of the moment, like stacking on jewelry, pairing a current print, or trying on trendy nail polish. This look is great for work too, especially with the right handbag to carry all your work to and from home.

Tribal-print jackets are a versatile way to add an unexpected pop of color and texture to your everyday ensemble. They let you add a touch of funky bohemian in a sophisticated, tailored silhouette. What can you pair them with? They work well with solid separates and look great whether you wear them with shorts, jeans, or skirts.

Take a gander at some of these chic examples below:  

If there's one thing that really suffers during summer months, it's your hair. Sun and humidity can take their toll and leave you with dry, parched locks. 

So the last thing you want is a product that takes away moisture. I had read about how harsh sulfates were on hair and after a bout with excruciatingly dry locks myself, thought I'd try this sulfate-free line from L'Oreal.


I wasn't sure what to expect, but knew I needed something moisturizing. The very little lather was unexpected and I felt like my hair was still dirty after washing. But after a few uses, I got used to it. In fact, when I switched back to my old shampoo and conditioner, I immediately noticed the difference. With the old products, I felt my hair being stripped. But after about a month of using the sulfate-free line now, I've definitely noticed my hair feels less brittle.

My verdict: I'd recommend this line for anyone looking for less-harsh hair products, especially in the summer when hair tends to get more dry.

Hello lovely readers!

Apologies for the lack of activity here over the past month. Some new developments have taken place (will share very soon!) but we're back now with more pics and tips for your viewing pleasure! 

If you're looking for a fun way to spend a weekend, there's nothing like NYC in the summer. That's where we spent this past weekend (which was also my birthday!) And if you're looking for a place to stay, a cute boutique hotel to check out is The Bentley in the Upper East Side. (I love exploring boutique hotels whenever we go somewhere - they're decorated so much more chic than your average digs, so they're a great place to see new furnishings and designs to get inspired.)

Here are some pics from our weekend - we got to see a little bit of MoMA, had dinner above Columbus Circle at Robert's in the Modern Art and Design Museum (which had a spectacular view!), and celebrated with dessert at one of our fave little cafes, Cafe Lalo in the Upper West Side.

Another great thing about NYC in the summer is all the free activities that go on throughout the city. We spent the day at the Bleecker Street Festival and walking (and eating lots!) around Greenwich Village, then lounging and people-watching at Washington Square. We tried for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park, but were beat out by the 2-mile-long line in Central Park. However, a less-known and and not-so-bad consolation prize is the New York Classical Theater that also puts on free shows in the park at the same time. So if you're in the city and miss out on Shakespeare because tix are hard to come by, this is a great alternative!

Enjoy!

Art @MoMA

Views atop Columbus Circle

@ Cafe Lalo in the Upper West Side - a great date spot!

@ The Bentley Hotel in the Upper East Side

Nothing like relaxing on a bench watching people go by in Washington Square on a beautiful summer day

Don't forget, you can follow The Style Matrix on Instagram for more pics!

Hubby and I were craving soup the other day, so I decided to whip this one up. (It's a lot easier than other soups.) It's also one of my faves! The recipe is from my go-to cookbook called The World Kitchen by Williams Sonoma. There are a lot of great international recipes in this little gem! And they're super easy to follow, so if you're an experienced cook or just a beginner, it's perfect for anyone looking to try something new.


Anyway I've been meaning to post more cooking pieces, but every time I get started on a dish I become so overwhelmed by the cooking (I have to follow every recipe step-by-step) that I can't seem to balance a camera at the same time. Just imagine someone absorbed in taking pics not noticing that the onions are on fire. (That almost happened this time, by the way.)

But back to cooking. This dish takes us back to India's colonial history. Originally introduced by the British, it's a slightly different take on a traditional North Indian lentil dish known as daal. The trick here is a generous helping of chicken broth and green chilies.


Now there are a lot of different types of green chilies out there - jalapeno, habanero, serrano, Thai... generally it's safe to say the smaller the chilli, the spicier. So go with whichever one you feel comfortable! We're working with Thai chilies here, but that's because we like our food really hot. 

What you're gonna need:

• One yellow onion, chopped
• 2-4 Green chilies, chopped (depending how hot you want it)
• 3 Carrots, chopped
• 2-3 small yellow potatoes, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth 
• 1 tbsp coriander
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1/2 tbsp turmeric
• 1/2 tbsp garam masala
• 1/2 tbsp red chili powder
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 cup red and yellow lentils 
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• cilantro for garnish 

Step 1. Chop up the onions, garlic, and green chilies. Fry for about 1 minute. Then add all the spices. Fry for another minute.

Step 2. Add the chicken broth and the pre-soaked lentils. Cook for about 25 minutes.

Step 3. Chop up the carrots and potatoes and add them to the stew. Cook until tender, about another 25 minutes.

Step 4. Add lemon juice and chopped cilantro for garnish.


And voila! You're done!

It's been chilly here lately, so I had to bring back the hat and gloves. Which I don't mind of course, because they make the best accessories! It's been so hot here recently, I was starting to feel sad about not being able to wear spring clothes. Spring and fall are my favorites for dressing because there are so many more options to wear different layers.

Anyway, here we are near the Library of Congress on a rather windy day. Living in D.C., sometimes we forget (or maybe take for granted) what a pretty city it is and how many beautiful sites and buildings there are. One of my favorite things about having this blog is that we get to work on things like photography and explore different parts of the city :)

I've been wearing lots of bright colors recently and have grown a little tired of it. Sometimes going back to basic black can be refreshing. I'm also loving this new dark blackberry lipstick, by the way. It's different from the usual bright red or pale pink and goes great with basic black.

Hey everyone!

Don't forget to come check out Haute Heritage on the runway at Fashion for a Cure this Sunday in Washington, D.C.! All proceeds go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help fund cancer research. It'll be hosted by the District's very own Paul Wharton of The CW's Paul Wharton Style. And looks like Refinery29 and The Washingtonian think it's where to be this weekend, too.

:)

If there's something DC is known for (other than politics) it has to be cherry blossoms. Every spring, tourists flock to the District to enjoy the new warm weather and dreamy, cloud-like trees. But just as quick as they come, they're gone. So if you didn't get a chance to see the blossoms this year, not to fear! Take a look at some of our pics here.

xoxo