The Wingback Chair

The "wingback" style of chair has been around for centuries. Born in the 1700s, the original purpose for the wings was to protect the chair's occupant from drafty homes, and also to hold in the heat of the fireplace. Now in the 21st century, we just think they're so cool! I love the old world style that they bring to a dining or living room. Most retailers offer you a variety of fabrics and colors to choose from. One of the more important design elements to consider when choosing the right style for you are the nail heads. My pick? I like Restoration Hardware's smaller nail size for a more vintage feel.

Sideways Shop

Check out this French wingback chair upholstered in burlap coffee bag fabric from Sideways Shop.

www.sidewaysshop.com

Girl Guide Pick: Restoration Hardware: $995

French upholstered wing chair.

www.restorationhardware.com

Ethan Allen: $1199

Rand wing chair $1,199.

www.ethanallen.com

Oly Studio

Garielle Chair (price upon request).

www.laylagrayce.com

Aidan Gray: $1155

Eli side chair in light linen stripe.

www.aidangrayhome.com

Ballard Designs: $442

Skirted wing chair.

www.ballarddesigns.com

Girl About Town: January Jones

From the girlguide recipe book to yours... Memorial Day Barbeque: The Burgers

Here are three of THE GIRL LOOK BOOK's top burger recipes to make your Memorial Day BBQ delicious (Courtesy of Food Network Magazine)

Chipotle Corn Burger

Directions: (Yields1) Toss corn kernels and sliced bell pepper with lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Lightly mix 6 ounces ground beef chuck with a big pinch of kosher salt. Form into a ball, then shape into a 3/4-inch-thick patty; make an indentation in the center. Preheat a grill to high; brush the grates and burger with canola oil. Season the patty with salt and cumin and grill about 4 minutes per side.

Mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon minced chipotles in adobo and a splash of lemon juice. Serve the burgers on a crustybun with chipotle mayonnaise, the corn salsa, onion, tomato and cilantro.

California Burger

Directions: (Yields4) Mix 1 1/4 pounds ground chicken, 1/2 cup panko, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt and salt. Shape into four 1-inch-thick patties and chill. Brush with oil and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side on an oiled grill. Serve on whole-grain bread with sprouts, cucumber, tomato and avocado.

Salmon Burger

Directions: (Yields2) Dice 3/4 pound wild salmon; puree half with 2 scallions. Mix with the remaining diced salmon, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs and 4 ounces chopped smoked salmon. Shape into 2 patties; make an indentation in the centers. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat; sprinkle the skillet with salt. Cook burgers 4 to 5 minutes per side. Serve on sesame buns with sauteed spinach and mayonnaise mixed with mustard.

Tagine

If you thought THE GIRL LOOK BOOK's recipe for Chicken Tagine looked great, but you were missing a key ingredient: the TAGINE. My apologies!

Emile Henry Tagine $130

A Fire in Hell's Kitchen: Taboon

Don't be discouraged by its "middle of nowhere" location, because it is well worth the trek. Taboon, named after the Arabic word for "oven", combines both Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean flavors. If you ask me, it's a match made in hummus heaven. When you walk in the doors you are immediately greeted by a wood-fired, dome shaped oven which, among other dishes, serves up the restaurant's famous focaccia. Once seated, you will be served a complimentary loaf, brushed with olive oil, sage, and fleur de sel. I dare you not to order a second!

girlguide Tip: 
Even during the week Taboon fills up fast with locals, so call ahead! Don't have a reservation? Ask if you can sit at the bar... same food and sometimes faster service.

girlguide Favorite:
Branzino baked whole in the taboon with rosemary and served with cauliflower, tahini, and taboon grilled asparagus After discovering this restaurant with my boyfriend three years ago, I can honestly say we have been back at least four times.

What to Wear: Interview

1. Stella McCartney Blazer ($1,695)
2. 3.1 Phillip Lim sash silk chiffon-blouse ($375)
3. Nixon Time Teller watch ($150)
4. Isabel Marrant tasseled drop earrings ($150) 
5. Raoul Box Pleated Skirt ($200)
6. Hermes Notebook in taupe
7. Reed Krakoff Boxer in canvas and leather ($990)
8. Saks Fifth Avenue Umbrella Collection mini automatic umbrella ($34)
9. J.Crew Oxford Ballet Flats ($138)

From the girlguide recipe book to yours... Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemons, Green Olives, and Golden Raisins

Courtesy of Casey Solomon for Sunday Suppers

1 whole chicken, quartered
1 TSP each: turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, dried cilantro
½ CUP olive oil
½ CUP lemon juice
8 SLICES preserved lemon
½ CUP green olives
½ CUP golden raisins
2 CUPS chicken stock

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all of the dry spices together with the olive oil and lemon juice. Toss the chicken in the marinade and let sit refrigerated for at least an hour.

On medium-high heat, sear the chicken to create a nice golden crust, approximately 8-10 minutes. Make sure to turn the chicken so that all sides get the color.

Scatter lemons, olives and raisins over the tops. Pour in chicken stock and bake for 45 minutes to an hour.

In your Bag - Memorial Day in The Hamptons

1. Eugenia Kim Honey Sunhat ($249 on sale!)
2. Oscar De La Renta 24k gold plated disc necklace ($450)
3. Lanvin Plage woven jute tote ($1250)
4. Zimmermann Bikini ($250)
5. Kain Washed-silk T-Shirt ($160)
6. Stubbs & Wootton Kelly Ribbon Espadrille ($250)
7. Mother high-rise shorts
8. Gap cuffed boyfriend jeans ($69.95)
9. Etro Embroidered silk-chiffon poncho ($720)
10. Comtoir de Cottoniers Dress ($200) Call to buy 203.869.0640. 
11. K Jacques Darius Leather Gladiator Sandals ($260)

Girl About Town: Reese Witherspoon

Can you guess what Reese's favorite spring accessory is?

Timeless Elegance: The Hermes Constance Bag

Trend: The Maxi Skirt

1. Rick Owens Lilies Ruched Maxi Skirt ($476)
2. The Row Ellena Pleated Silk-Chiffon Skirt ($1250)
3. Theyskens' Theory Sorga Slub-silk Maxi Skirt ($425)
4. Kain Washed Silk Maxi Skirt ($330) 
5. Sandro Pleated Chiffon Maxi Skirt ($335)

Gemma

www.theboweryhotel.com

Recently I was at the Bowery Hotel and decided to try their restaurant Gemma. What a pleasant surprise! If you like the feeling of an old French Brasserie and are in the mood for Italian this is THE place to try.

Good To Know: Gemma has a back room that can be rented for private events. Maybe your next birthday party? Celebrities Sightings: Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson

Girl Guide review:

With main courses ranging from $15 to $29, Gemma won't break the bank and you'll definitely get that "I just treated myself to a great dinner" feeling! My favorites of the evening were the zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, and the polenta fries! YUM!

Say "I do" with Style Me Pretty

www.stylemepretty.com

For those of you who have recently become engaged, first let me say congratulations! Now that your fiance has gone through the grueling task of picking out the perfect ring and popping the question, it's your turn! When people used to tell me that planning a wedding was like having a second job, I thought they were crazy! How hard could it be? I thought we could come home from Puerto Rico, enjoy being engaged for about three months and then I would start looking at wedding stuff. WRONG! It felt like the minute we stepped off the plane all anyone asked was, "Did you pick a date"? After a few days I got the hint. To give you a tip, most hotels and restaurants take wedding reservations one year out and they book fast. The next question you need to ask yourself is, "How many people are we going to have"? And so the planning begins...

Now let me introduce you to your new favorite website, Style Me Pretty. I stumbled upon it one late night while googling wedding invitations and it was life changing. There are hundreds of real weddings for you to browse through and I promise it will ease your stress and you will start to think, "I can do this". So tonight when you get home from work, take a deep breath, pour yourself a great big glass of wine, and start surfing!

WISHLIST: MAY

1. Isabel Marant Etien woven linen jacket
2. Church's Burwood perforated leather brogues 
3. Vanessa Bruno dress
4. Celine Mini Luggage Bad in Camel
5. Comtoir de Cottoniers shorts
6. Sandro silk pants
7. Hermes small Cape Cod Watch
8. Tibi maxi skirt
9. Missoni Metallic Patchwork scarf 
10. JCrew knotted mesh necklace

Bags at Bluefly

www.bluefly.com

If you don't already check it at least once a week, you will now! BlueFly is one of my go to sites for fabulous luxury items at discounted prices. They add new product every morning at about 6 am EST if you want to be fanatical about and carry some of my favorite designers from Chloe to Helmut Lang. In the market for a new handbag?

Here are THE GIRL LOOK BOOK's top picks for the new year!

Celine Two Tone Leather Bag: 
Originally: $1,750
bluefly: $1,260

Why we love it: Celine has mastered the two tone handbag with this one! A great size for work and can be worn cross body.

Get it at bluefly

Lanvin Bowling Bag:
Originally: $1,550
bluefly: $1,116

Why we love it: A great price for this uber expensive French designer. You will be the envy of all your friends with this butter soft handbag. And that bow!

Get it at bluefly

Bottega Veneta Quilted Leather Hobo:
Originally: $2,380
bluefly: $1,713

Why we love it: Although I would agree that every girl should have the classic Bottega woven hobo in their collection, this is a perfectly constructed twist on the oh-so-chic original. The color is not season specific and can be worn with black, brown, white... anything!

Get it at bluefly

Chloe Drawstring Shoulder Bag:
Originally: $1,695
bluefly: $1,220

Why we love it: Perfect size, perfect color, perfect Chloe.

Get it at bluefly

Yves Saint Laurent Sac Trench:
Originally: $1,595
bluefly: $1,148

Why we love it: YSL has done it again. If you don't already own a suede bag for Fall/Winter, BUY THIS ONE! If you can't tell by the picture it is dark green with chocolate leather stitching and the perfect touch to any outfit.

Get it at bluefly

Le Petit Prince

"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction" - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

If you haven't already read this little gem, pick it up! Written in New York in 1942 by French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince makes observations about life and human nature through the eyes of a little boy.

Check out this adoreable necklace on Artfire.com - throw it on in the summer with jeans and a white blouse!

From the girlguide recipe book to yours... Lemon Chicken Breast

From Ina Garten "Barefoot Contessa"

1/4 CUP good olive oil 
3 TBL minced garlic (9 cloves) 
1/3 CUP dry white wine 
1 TBL grated lemon zest (2 lemons) 
2 TBL freshly squeezed lemon juice 
1½ TSP dried oregano 
1 TSP minced fresh thyme leaves 
4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on (6 to 8 ounces each) 
1 lemon 
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the garlic, and cook for just 1 minute but don't allow the garlic to turn brown. Off the heat, add the white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt and pour into a 9 X 12-inch baking dish.

Pat the chicken breasts dry and place them skin side up over the sauce. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper. Cut the lemon in 8 wedges and tuck it among the pieces of chicken.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts, until the chicken is done and the skin is lightly browned. If the chicken isn't browned enough, put it under the broiler for 2 minutes. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot with the pan juices.