Here are the "sparkle" results from the Curly Girl Design Instagram Scavenger Hunt Challenge #2!. I will be posting "Magic" and "Delicious" over the next couple of days. Challenge #3 is going on right now and it is a colorful one! Please join us!!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! It was a fabulous one!

xoxo

Today is my 35th birthday. I have not done a ton of reflecting on this as per usual, the month of May is a busy one and the glorious occasion of my birth gets swept up in all the Mother's Day/Graduation/Stationery Show/Product Development mayhem. It's ok, that's how I like it for the most part.

Today I woke up a little early, had a few moments to myself and thought about what I would most like to have for breakfast. This Dark Chocolate Lemon Banana Bread immediately came to mind (sorry greens smoothie and healthy fruit!) and so I set to it. It is actually a tiny bit of a healthier version of banana bread with the whole wheat flour, heart-healthy olive oil and yogurt. It also has considerably less refined sugar than most recipes and if you are really looking reasons, good dark chocolate has great anti-oxidants...so technically, you are preventing disease by eating this. Hey. It's my party.

I found the first version of this recipe here, where I love almost anything Heidi makes. Heidi could tell me to follow a goose off a cliff and I would consider it. The goose would probably be delicious. My only tweaks were that I used the zest of a whole lemon (I think more lemon really balances out the chocolate and makes this really different, in a delicious way) and I once added walnuts. Which was good, if you like walnuts. I also skip the glaze. I didn't think it was necessary, but if you are an icing person, I think a lemony cream-cheese icing would be a good match over the glaze.

Birthday Dark Chocolate Lemony Banana Bread (BDCLBB for short):

You will need:

1.Cup all-purpose flour

1.Cup whole-wheat flour

3/4 Cup dark brown sugar (Make sure it's dark brown and not just brown, you can also use Dark Muscovado)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 Cup chopped bittersweet or dark chocolate (I think it is best when sort of shave-chopped...just be careful not to shave-chop your fingers)

1/3 Cup olive oil

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 large (or 2.5 smaller) mashed, ripe bananas

1/4 C whole milk yogurt (0% greek yogurt works best)

zest of a whole lemon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Preheat the oven to 350˚. Put rack in the center

Grease and flour a 9 x 5" loaf pan (or equivalent)

In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add the chocolate and combine.

In a separate bowl, mix the olive oil, eggs, mashed banana, yogurt, zest, and vanilla. Pour the banana mixture into the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake until very golden brown (dark, but not burned...keep an eye on it) for about 50 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool for a few minutes then turn the loaf out to cool completely.

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Enjoy!

Let me know what you think!

xoxo

Good morning! I am working on getting our _sparkle images up, but I wanted to share this with you. Melissa turned me onto this little gem a couple of days ago and I CANNOT GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD! I love perfect vocal harmony like ants love a picnic and this gave me goose bumps when I first heard it. I also love the use of cottage cheese containers... I mean, of course! Enjoy! And you're welcome, you will be singing this for days.

xoxo

Hello! Here is Challenge #3 for the scavenger hunt! I have been loving how all the photos look together and think these should be especially breathtaking! Go out there and find some color!! (This will not be hard for all of you... you are the colorful sort) Thank you all for participating in this! It is really swell to see all of the different interpretations of things and how we see the world collected into one place. If you are just joining us, you can get the jist of what we are doing here and welcome along!!

A few notes:

•Photos MUST be your own

•Photos MUST be Instagram photos

Also, I encourage you, if you can, to take the photos for the purpose of this hunt... part of what is special about this is that you go out into the world looking for these things and I think that has an effect on the way you see them. It's like that Proust quote:

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."

Anyhow, I would love to hear what you think of the project thus far!

Here is how we see the word "inspire":

Isn't it magnificent!? I particularly love the mussel shell in the sand from @ncampos1 and the box of fun from @droozstudio! Great compositions! We take inspiration from so many things, but this really showed me how good we are at inspiring ourselves! To see everyone's descriptions of their photos or comments about them search: #cgdscavenger_inspire on Instagram.

What are your favorites? Weigh in!

xoxo

Happy Monday! I hope this collection of our Curly Girl Scavenger Hunt images for "Inspiring" gets your week of to a fabulous start! I am loving this project more and more! You guys are finding some awesome stuff and I love seeing these words through other people's eyes!

You can join us on Challenge #2 here if you hurry and Challenge #3 will go up tomorrow! Will you help spread the word about this? The more the merrier!

To see everyone's comments and descriptions of their images search #cgdscavenger_inspiring on Instagram.

Couple of notes: You must only enter your own photos for this. It's doesn't feel right to bring in other people's work wIthout them knowing. Also, I cannot get access to the photos if they are not public or if I am not following you, so if you want me to include your private photo, email it to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Happy Hunting!!
xoxo

Good evening! Apologies for the late post, but I am traveling and that always screws up my sense of time and space.

This Instagram Scavenger Hunt thing is so dang fun!! You guys are crazy brilliant and insightful and I really love seeing what you come up with! A handful of you participated in this first challenge and some of you got really into it! SO GREAT!! Here is how we (collectively) interpret 'inspired':

Isn't it beautiful! For more info, like everyone's description of what they shot, search #cgdscavenger_inspired on Instagram and select individual shots. I loved @Mlsgb's "glass half full" and @Alyssabarr's "teacher who comes to the house". I loved them all!! Which ones struck a chord with you!??

I will post _inspiration and _inspiring over the next few days, but in the mean time, the next Curly Girl Design Instagram Scavenger Hunt Challenge is up!! These should be crazy fun to do!! Will you do this with me!?

Say yes! I know you see magic everywhere.

xoxo

OH THIS IS GOING TO BE SO FUN!!! Ok, so I am sure I am not the first person to think of this, but since I think you guys are so cool and interesting and creative and amazing, I wanted to try it here.

As I am sure many of you are, I am obsessed with Instagram , though only recently ( I know many of you are old pros at this point...) it is changing the way I see things, and making me so much more aware of the tiny beauty and little millimeters of my life that I actually stop and observe every day. It is a real genius outlet for the visually minded! But is also such a nice way to share what you see and how you see it with friends.

So, according to my research quick poll, there are potentially around 150 of you out there that might want to take part. I think that is a great number and could make this stunning if I can pull it off the way I want to. Here's the deal:

There will be 5 challenges, a new one every few days. Each challenge card will have 3 words/things to find on it. Each thing will have it's own hashtag. (ie: #cgdscavenger_inspire)

Interpret the words/things however you want and take a photo of your interpretation. Tag it accordingly and make sure to also include me (@CurlyGirl510) on it so it will be easier for me to find it.

You can do one word/thing or all three, but make sure your photos are in by the deadline on the card. I will then compile all of our interpretations here for all of us to see together. I think it could be beautiful and amazing!

Will you play with me? (Mom! that means you too!)

Today's challenge is above, and starts now.

Ready, Set, Go!

xoxo

P.S.: If you don't have Instagram yet, and have a smart phone and want to participate, you can get it for free online or in the App Store on your phone. I believe it just became available for non-Apple users too.

Hello pigeons! I have spent the weekend giving my good friend from Kansas City a little tour of Boston. It was filled with lots of coffee, good food (of course), some art, some flea marketing and naturally, some shopping! It was a real treat and I feel lucky to have such great friends and live in such a fun city.

As you might imagine, I have been beside myself with this year's trend towards tribal. The patterns, colors, prints and geographic wonderfulness of it all has me a little bit beside myself. I love anything that errs on the side of ethnic and everywhere you look these days you can be treated to a little bit of it. I have taken the liberty of compiling some of my favorite finds for you. I hope it starts your week off with a little wanderlust!

1.) Illume Boho Jar Candles - Marmalade (call:617-484-0093): This new line from Illume is just breathtaking. The patterned jars, the fancy lids and the exotic scents are a perfect storm for a little tribal touch to your decor. Bonus: once your candle is done, how cute would this container be to keep your Q-tips?

2.)Beaded Earrings by AV Max - Cusp: A glorious combination of seed beads and sparkle these fancies will bring light and color to any boring old thing.

3.)Lulu Toluca Print Tunic - Calypso: It's no secret that I love a tunic. In fact, I fully intend to grow old wearing nothing but tunics, caftans and muumuus. You're welcome, honey! This one is just so festive and Mexicali that I just might show up with margaritas, guacamole and bare feet to work tomorrow.

4.)Rupert Sanderson 'Kibo' Wedge - FarFetch: If I had to own only one pair of shoes for the rest of my life, I would want it to be these. (and it would kind of have to...I have expensive taste!) I cannot find a single flaw in this swoony combination of color, pattern, shape and practicality. If only my shoe habit was sponsored....

5.)Rosanna Sammi 'Monsoon' Bangle Set - Cusp: These thread-wrapped bangles will bring a little ethnic to any outfit! I love the colors and the tiny little sparkle of gold thread!

6.)iPhone Case by Sandra Diekmann - Society6: Tribal patterns do not have to be limited to fashion! What better place to pop one than on your technology tether? It's with you all the time anyway right?

7.)Geometric Straw Pouch - Loft: I found this little beauty recently and have finally switched my wallet over to something a little less....as my friends say: "well-loved". It is the perfect size to use as a clutch or shove all your essentials in as a wallet in your larger bag. I had trouble locating it online when I went back for another, but check your local store...they usually have more than the site.

8.)Native Tassel Scarf - Topshop: A bold scarf is such a great and easy way to bring something trendy into your wardrobe without all the commitment. This gorgeous Lurex scarf is such a perfect addition to a tee and crops or a denim shirt. Big on boho, little on the price tag.

9.)Tribal Beaded Bangle - Forever21: OH how I love a chunky bangle! Add a bold pattern and make it under $10 and you've got yourself a must. This black and white version is all of the above.

10.)Pom Burst Tote - Anthropologie: Is it just me or is a neon accent just the thing? This raffia tote is so summery and chic, with just the right amount of "Oh this? I picked it up in Africa...". I might have to go on your next adventure with you!

11.)Cynthia Vincent Platform Wedges - Nieman Marcus: Remember before when I said I would only need one pair of shoes for the rest of my life? Well, I could be talked into two....

12.)Vintage Hilltribe Davenport Ottoman - John Robshaw: I am pretty sure that Mr. John Robshaw is my long lost twin or soul mate or something of the star-crossed variety, because every single time I see something from his line, I get all goose-bumpy and my heart beats a little faster. This Ottoman is no exception. Yes please. Thank you.

What are your favorites? Does this rock your gypsy soul??

xoxo

We had a cold and rainy start to the week here in New England, which reminded us for a moment that it is not, in fact, summer yet (though the recent weather patterns had us lulled into thinking so...). Besides crawling back in bed with a stack of magazines and a hot cup of coffee, my other instinct is to make soup.

While I will eat soup of all kinds at all points in the year, many of us crave lighter things as the days get longer so this soup, my version of chicken tortilla soup, is both light, and alarmingly easy to make. It is perfect on it's own or served with tortilla chips, (I like a tiny dollop of sour cream and some Cholula's hot sauce) and is wonderful re-heated.

Chili Lime Chicken Soup:

You will need:

2 tbs. olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped (I stick mine in the food processor and really let it have it... it ends up more part of the broth than chunks)

Meat from 1 rotisserie chicken (yes, all of it), or roughly 4 chicken breasts cooked and chopped small

3 canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, finely chopped, plus 2 tablespoons adobo sauce

7 cups chicken broth

Juice of 2 fresh limes

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Salt and pepper

Avocado (1/4 or 1/2 per person)

Serves 6

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1.) In a large saucepan, on medium heat, saute the onion in the olive oil until it begins to brown. (5-7mins)

2.) Add the cooked chicken and stir in until well incorporated.

3.) Stir in the chopped chilies and adobo sauce and let cook, stirring occasionally for 3-5 mins.

4.) Add the chicken broth, lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 mins.

5.) Stir in the lime juice and cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste.

6.) When serving, slice a portion of avocado into cubes and put in bowl, ladle soup over it, top with tortilla chips or sour cream or whatever makes your heart sing.

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Yum! I hope you enjoy this!

A reminder:

I will be in Wayne, PA at the Blue Horse Boutique on Saturday May 5th for a signing and a little fun! If you are in the Philadelphia area, I would LOVE to see you! Stop by and say hello and enter to win a canvas (yes! they are giving one away!!) For more info check out their website.

Let me know if you are planning on coming!

xoxo

Hi Guys! Happy Friday! I am SO excited to introduce you to one of our newest Sweetheart Sponsors, Susabelle Boutique. Christine Willard is not only a long-time Curly Girl fan, she is also one of our fine customers! She has put together a gorgeous web-based retail experience and has a mission to support American artisans. Her well-trained eye and loads of retail experience are on display at her beautiful e-boutique and isn't that lucky for us! Be sure to check out her site, and "Like" her shop on Facebook for a fabulous Curly Girl Give Away!

I asked Christine to tell me a little bit more about what she and her shop are about and here is what she said:

Susabelleboutique.com is a lifestyle e-boutique with a twist:  all of the product on our site is made in the USA. 

After owning a brick and mortar store for ten years, I wanted to come back to retail, but this time, it was time to “start something that matters”; there are a million websites out there, so,  I wanted this one to be one that stands out by helping others.  It’s my chance to help bring America back—even if this is my small way,  it’s still very important to me. I want to make buying made in the USA “tantalizingly chic”.  It’s become my mission!

The site is a spin-off of what I had created in my brick and mortar store.  Most of my inspiration for my creative process comes from my buying trips and travels.  I have always had a knack for picking up on trends—especially the next “what’s hot” or the next color trend.  When I am buying, I always try to put myself in my customer's shoes: “would this be something I would spend my hard earned money on?”

My work is unique in that I have managed to bring together an entire boutique—one that you would love to frequent on a regular basis—of products that are all made in the US. There was discussion on major networks that intimated that made in the USA was just too hard to find.  I took that as a challenge; after ten years of going to markets around the country, I knew it was out there; someone just had to make it all readily accessible.  I think that more folks would buy products made in the USA if they were more accessible.

Interestingly, I started my career in nursing! After a wonderful, long career with Johnson and Johnson, I let my creative side be expressed through my award-winning brick and mortar store, La Belle Maison.  After just under ten years as a brick and mortar store, a series of unfortunate events and circumstances led to its closing.  In very short order, I decided to move the store online.  But, as I mentioned, I wanted it to be more than just a store for my personal gain.  I wanted it to be something that was more about “economical consciousness” rather than just being another store.  Just think, even if we can create 5, 10, or 20 jobs by increasing business for American manufacturers, wouldn’t that be worth it?

Please check out our blog on www.susabelleboutique.com for more insight from our first blog entry.

Please take a minute to check out the fabulous stuff Susabelle's is doing! Check out the shop and stop by their Facebook Page , and mention this post for an exciting Curly Girl Give Away!!

Thanks for supporting those that support this blog!!

xoxo

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Think you have something the Curly Girl World needs to know all about!? Would you like to become a Sponsor? We are growing fast and have some spots left at introductory rates. Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to learn more.