I mingle with my peers or no one, and since I have no peers, I mingle with no one.

New Orleans has always seemed like a weird, misty, haunted city to me, and ever since the slew of TV shows and movies (AHS: Coven, True Detective, Rampart) I have been increasingly interested in it. When I booked my flight, I really didn't know what to expect. All I had seen were apartments on Craigslist (I tend to daydream) and said TV shows.

The Inaugural (and Lazy) Meatless Monday

I am completely exhausted. This morning I woke up very early to fly back home from an amazing vacation in New Orleans. On top of that I decided to be Wonder Woman and go to work on time as well. I was surprisingly productive at work considering, so I'm a satisfied tired. 

After all vacations, I need to eat something simple because I go out to eat for every meal and sadly I don't order salads. It's all so delicious, but it's also just an unsustainable diet-- that's why it's vacation! Needless to say, I wanted a low-maintenance and (somewhat) healthy meal my first night at home.

New Orleans reminded me that Mardi Gras is right around the corner (March 4) and the Catholic in me remembers that Lent is also (March 5). I like the challenge of it, so this year I will be pescatarian for 40 days and 40 nights. When I first thought of vegetarian meals, my mind went to bread-based dinners, like pizza and pasta. Historically I have used Lent in a productive way-- almost always related to weight loss-- so eating a bunch of carb-based meals every night is not something I'm trying to do.

But I'm tired, you guys. So I made Kraft Mac & Cheese and classed it up with a simple arugula salad with my favorite dressing as of late. It has lemon, olive oil, dijon mustard, a clove of garlic, and salt & pepper. There's no exact recipe, but you MUST make it. It'll change your life. Next week I promise I'll make something super fab like Indian or something!

Halle Berry's Hair for Interview Magazine

Happy holidays everyone!

Now that the year is winding down, it's time for me to prepare my life for 2014. I will probably do a post later about my resolutions and things I intend to keep them with, but for now all I can think about is hair. I'm in the process of growing it out and constantly in search for hairspiration! Now, I'm not sure if this is Halle Berry's real hair, but I don't really care. This might be the prettiest I've seen her in a while-- and she's Halle Berry.

Praise the Lord

We're back! Sorry for the hiatus, but we're busy gals. Lucky for you, that means we're coming back with new Kanye and other wonderful things to post about :) Stay tuned.

For now, bask in the glory that is Yeezus Christ. No flaws or lies detected.

Building a Bar: An Epic Poem

Graduating from college and becoming a full-fledge adult comes with responsibilities. There are many, most of them boring and unglamorous, but today we'll just focus on the glamorous. My favorite adult role that I have to play is hostess and being a good hostess means having a well-stocked bar. What's the point in coming over to your house if there's no booze in it? Am I right? No guest should feel like a lush and have to ask for a drink. That said, the best way to keep the libations flowing is to be prepared and have a decent set of drink-making materials and you're in business.

I'm not going to lie, it's kind of difficult to get your bar together all at once. Alcohol and supplies are expensive! On top of that, you'll probably start drinking before you have everything that just needs maintaining. With patience and care put into curating a perfect bar set-up, you'll wow all of your guests in no time.

The Calm Before the Storm

It is Inauguration Weekend and, as a DC-resident, I am terrified. I made it through the traffic last night after a tiny hiatus at my parents' house in northern Maryland, but I know Monday is going to be a little crazy with all the tourists in town. So, to gather the last of my marbles before tomorrow, I've been relaxing on my couch, reading all day. Here's a few pieces of my day:

Totalitarian Restaurants and the New Tyranny of Today's Top Chef by Corby Kummer for Vanity Fair (via Layla)

Merrick's Art: Tutorials The DIY addict in me is dying for a sewing machine thanks to this blog.

Jenna Lyons, the Woman Who Dresses America NYTimes

Get fit, bb

I don't like working out. Let me repeat, I really don't like working out. Gym class in MIDDLE school was awful for me.. I would make up any kind of excuse to not participate. Anyway, music helps. Working out should be casual. As in, you shouldn't really think that much about the working out you're doing. This is something that runs in my family. Grandpa Mallatt enjoys long walks around anywhere (mall, usually) as long as he's not running. Working out that doesn't feel like working out, ya dig? I like pilates, because you're lying down the whole time; walking; riding the recumbent bike and reading magazines! However, I'm dating a marathon runner, so I should get into that cardio game. Here's what I've been doing:

WALK TO RUN program from Women's Health Mag-- get running.

These two go well together. I suggest you get in on it! Running isn't so bad. :)

Also, I am really interested in this cleanse. The point isn't to lose weight, though the author of the article says they lose a few. It's to recalibrate your body after a hectic and rich holiday season. Why not get all reset with delicious, in-season foods? I don't see why not. I've made several of the recipes and they are delicious. Mainly the Lemon-Fennel Relish, mm!

Prediction: This is going to be a great year for women (musically, at least)

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL.

Sorry for the lapse in posting. You know how the holidays are. The other day, I was talking to my lovely boyfriend who mentioned how surprised he was to notice that his Best of 2012 album list has a ton of women on it. Isn't that wonderful? Maybe my man is an anomaly, but I like to think 2012 was an amazing year for women artists, commercially or not. Here are some of my favorites from 2012, so keep an eye/ear out for these talented women in 2013, as well as others.

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Joan Didion's Mexican Chicken

I love when people move. One day in Philadelphia I found a box of free books on the sidewalk and picked out a few gems. My favorite selection is a copy of The Great American Writers' Cookbook. There are tons of recipes and I always end up pleasantly surprised at the author who contributed it. Some are written as recipes, some are written as essays on cooking the recipe.. it's just a fantastic read. If you can get your hands on a copy, I highly suggest you keep it.

Anyway, one of my favorite authors in the book is Joan Didion. I've made this simple Mexican Chicken recipe many times and it's officially in my regular mix of dinners. Nora Ephron called it "Joan Didion's Chicken Thing."

Joan Didion’s Mexican Chicken

Chicken breasts: 1 whole breast per person
Onions: ½ per person
Tomatoes: ½ per person
Fresh chiles: see below
Garlic: 1 clove per person
Salt & Pepper

This is very simple and takes about half an hour if you have cooked the chicken breasts ahead. If you haven’t, poach them in water with an onion, a carrot, celery tops, bay leaf, whatever; remove the chicken from the bones (I usually throw the bones back in to the pot to make stock, but the stock has nothing to do with the recipe) and tear into rather large bite-sized pieces. Set the chicken aside.

Slice the onions and sauté until limp in a little olive oil. Add the chopped garlic (if you’re doing this in quantity you cut down the amount of garlic) and the chopped fresh chiles. The amount of chile depends in the heat of the particular chile available; I use very hot small Serrano green chiles, and chop maybe three for six people. Chop the tomatoes roughly and add to the onion mixture. (The amount of tomato you use should also decrease if you make a large amount, or the sauce will be watery.) Add salt and pepper; cook five or ten minutes, uncovered, over low heat; add the chicken, mix thoroughly, and cook only until heated through. This can be kept warm for quite a while but if you keep cooking it, the tomato turns watery and the chicken gets stringy.

Serve with hot tortillas, a bowl of guacamole, a bow of fresh cilantro, a bowl of sour cream, and a fresh salsa. (The salsa is made by chopping up more chiles and mixing with a little chopped onion, a little tomato, some cilantro leaves and a splash of cold water.) The idea is to break off bits of tortilla and wrap it around bits of chicken and anything else you want and eat it with your fingers. I do this all the time as a main course, usually with a chilled cucumber or water cress soup first and a banana tart or flan for dessert.

Tis the Season.. for Tights

These tights are beautiful! Check out the Flash Back Collection on Gal Stern.

Some more from the collection...

GIFT GIVING TIPS

I pride myself on being a good gift giver. Even if you don't know a person too well, if you pick out cool, unique gifts, you too can be a good gift giver (GGG?). Here are a few tips for giving good gifts:

1. Instead of one big gift, a few smaller gifts look better. For special occasions like birthdays and Christmas, I like to get an eclectic mix of three little gifts. It's easy to put together in a store like Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters (a store that sells nice quality novel items).

2. Pick unique gifts that are as relevant to the recipient as possible. Do they like to write? Notecards are a good pick. Do they like food? A chic cookbook. You get the idea.

3. If you don't know the recipient (like a Secret Santa-type situation) go generic, but nice generic. By generic I meant in the creativity of the gift. Pick a fancy candle that you would like for yourself, but have to be generous. Easy to maintain plants are nice too, actually. Succulent plants are great gifts.

4. Don't be afraid to make your own gifts! It's really inexpensive to give homemade food as a gift. Cake mix in a jar, homemade jam, a pretty bracelet-- I would love to receive all of those things tbh.

I don't know, use your imagination!

White glazed Terracotta hanging ceramic pinch pot planter - $35

Hinoki Memo Cube - $16

Nestled Ring Dish - $10

Vintage Book iPhone Charger - $68

Brass Plant Mister - $20

Now go buy great gifts! xo

New Music Post

These songs are new to me and I figure I'd let you in on what I'm listening to these days. It's pretty electronic and hip hop.

I hope you like!

Instead of watching CNN, BOW.

LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN

Rihanna is our hero here at Alicia and Layla headquarters. "Rude Boy" was my ringtone for years and she's pretty much flawless in our eyes (save for gross Chris Brown dramz). I don't have much to say about this except it is just ratchet flawlessness incarnate. Honestly, based on the snippets I've heard, this is the first Rihanna album that I would actually buy. The first song, "Fresh Off the Runway" had me DYING. It's all so, so good. The Chris Brown song (ugh) is even okay, but not the best on there. Seriously Rihanna, well done. 

I am so thankful for this because it took my mind off of the election, which is stressing me out massively. Bless.

Girl Crush: Anna Faris

Anna Faris is really underrated, in my opinion. Ever since I saw the movie Smiley Face where she plays a stoner girl, I saw her in a completely different light! That lead me to watch The House Bunny and I was surprised that I found it so hilarious. I think she's a great example of a female comedian, and she really inspires me ~as a woman~.

Recent Beauty Buys

I guess it's been instilled in me since my high school/ college years that CVS is like, the best place for beauty products. I work right across from one, so whenever I go in, I have to take a moment to just peruse the makeup section. CVS is like a blackhole and I always end up getting something! C'est la vie.

My latest buys are:

L'Oreal Infalliable Lacquer Liner 24HR Eyeliner, Blackest Black 171

This is actually a fantastic eyeliner. I'm never good at drawing decent lines, but this brush and pot combination is perfect for me. The brush gives me a lot of control and the liner isn't messy.

Revlon Photoready Cream Blush, Pinched 100

This picture isn't really true to color, as mine looks a little more coral than the orange, foundation-looking example in the picture above. It's sheer and gives a pretty little glow to my cheeks! Usually I don't wear blush, but now that I have some, I will! Thanks, CVS, for trying to make me a prettier me.

Essie Nail Color Wicked

Again, this picture isn't true to color. Get it together, CVS photographers! While this looks black, it's actually a deep garnet. I couldn't be happier with the color and it's perfect for fall! Apparently jewel tones are in this season... like every fall season before it.

Another place that I found that I LOVE is the little miscellaneous section near the check out at Sephora. I picked up some Smith's Rosebud Salve and some L'Occitane Nail and Cuticle Cream (though I didn't pay $18 for it. Hmm..)

Vive la CVS!

A Bit of Advice

Go to a museum! Go to an art museum. Go to a history museum. It's all Layla and I do when we get together, whichever coast we're on. In LA, we went to the Getty. In DC, we went to the Corcoran. 

I guarantee you will find at least one thing amazing and fascinating and be happier for having gone to the museum!

Our Favorite Scary Movies

Since Halloween is on a Wednesday this year, it's very possible you'll be staying in-- all tuckered out from costume parties over the weekend. To prepare for this, we here at Alicia & Layla have compiled a list of our favorite scary movies.  These movies range from legitimately scary to hilariously campy. There are thrillers and horror movies, old and new. Let it be noted that I'm not too keen on slasher gorefests, so if you're looking for that, my apologies! I'm a wimp, I know.

Dawn of the Dead

I haven't see the original, and I probably should. But I love this movie. It's set in Milwaukee, Mekhi Pfeiffer is in it and it's a zombie movie. I feel like a zombie apocalypse would be pretty cathartic.

Scream

I think this movie was the perfect modern day scary movie for a teenage me to watch. It's funny and meta and Neve Campbell is fab as Sidney. 

Psycho

You should watch any and all Alfred Hitchcock movies. I almost suggested Rear Window instead. Anthony Perkins is perfect in this. 

The Shining

I actually caught this on TV the other day for the first time in a while and it's such a great film! Stanley Kubrick did a beautiful job adapting this from the Stephen King novel. Aesthetically, I mean. The movie isn't terribly faithful to the book, but it's still subtly and overtly terrifying.

Drag Me to Hell

This is my super campy pick. This movie is about a scary old lady cursing and terrorizing a young bank employee after denying her a loan. Warning-- it's kind of gross, but whatever, it's fun and scary. Nothing beats Alison Lohman's screaming "I got you, you old bitch!"

Funny Games

I made the mistake of watching this movie on a weekend when my roommate was out of town, and I spent three days freaking out about every noise I'd hear. It's more of a psychological thriller than a horror movie, but it's fucking terrifying, I promise. I've only seen the original Austrian version, but there's also a shot-for-shot remake that came out in 2007 and stars Naomi Watts.

                                                                      Repulsion
This movie is so fucking intense, oh my God. The fact that it has so many scenes that are shot from the perspective of the main character makes it almost too suspenseful to handle. And Catherine Deneuve is the apotheosis of flawlessness.

The Exorcist

Let me tell you exactly what's going to happen when you watch the Exorcist. You'll rent it for laughs with some friends and expect it to be full of 60s-era special effects and not even remotely scary. You'll start to get a little scared as it goes on, but you'll play it off so your friends won't make fun of you. Finally, you won't be able to suppress a scream at a particularly scary scene, and your friends WILL make fun of you, all the while totally freaking out themselves.

Carrie

Here's my pick for super campy but still totally awesome scary movie. Carrie has so many unintentionally funny moments, like the one pictured above, where our teenage protagonist gets her period for the first time and proceeds to freak the fuck out. 

So I'm watching The Sopranos

I am blown away by how fantastically this show has aged. Yes, I laugh when I hear Jamie Lynn-Sigler singing "Oops, I Did It Again" and I smirked when Tony defended sending AJ to military school because "the US hardly goes to war these days."But really, I've watched four of the six seasons so far and I occasionally find myself thinking how thoughtfully written the characters are. Like, Tony Soprano gives me all sorts of feels. He is, by definition, a total psychopath. But why, as a critical viewer, am I completely drawn to him? I love Tony Soprano. I love James Gandolfini for playing Tony Soprano.

Tony is the father of two good kids and the husband to the flawless Carmela (Edie Falco). He's also the godfather of the New Jersey mafia. He has panic attacks because his mother is just insane and a total nut as well. Also because he is the godfather of the New Jersey mafia.

Tony is a relatively stand up guy. Of course, you're comparing him with scummy people in the mafia business, so his good morals usually come into play when like, someone kills their mistress. What I've noticed from the show is that it likes to punish you for liking Tony so much. You begin making excuses for him. "Oh, yeah he constantly cheats on Carmela, but at least doesn't have affairs with multiple women at the same time." "Yeah, he kicked the shit out of the poor bartender at his strip club again, but it's funny." I mean, when you think about it, it's unsettling.

I love the range of problems written into story arcs. I suppose in that business and lifestyle, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Things like the FBI bugging your basement or the neighborhood priest being a mooch and eating your whole tray of ziti. (By the way, I made baked ziti after hearing about it all the time and I now understand how there's always a tray of ziti in their fridge. There was so much I must have eaten it for five lunches and I still had leftovers. Ziti making hopefuls, beware of recipe sizes.)

On my journey to watch all four New Golden Age of Television shows (The Sopranos, The Wire, Mad Men, Breaking Bad [subject to vary I suppose]), I think The Sopranos is my favorite. It's the first show to inspire better television writing and I absolutely understand it while watching. I'm not kidding, this show is fantastic. It's like Breaking Bad where you're supposed to hate the main character, but the difference is you actually hate yourself for liking and rooting for Tony Soprano and a lot of the people associated with him. Also similar to Breaking Bad, the wives are the best. Carmela Soprano is my hero.

Really worth watching all six seasons. Try it!

Man Candy: Tom Hardy

Layla might disagree, but I think Tom Hardy is FINE. It also helps that he's the best part of every film he's in. If you haven't seen any, I recommend Bronson, The Dark Knight Rises, Lawless and the rest.

Azealia Banks "1991"

Azealia Banks might be the only 21-year-old I want to be like.

Watch the video here (it won't embed :\ )