Posts from — August 2008

Off to the desert!

Hopefully I’ll be returning home with a nice tan, some new clothes from the Cabazon Outlet mall (almost worth the 90 mile drive on its own), and some much needed peace of mind. Have a great long weekend and I’ll be back on Monday Tuesday with lots to share.

In L.A., things come into style just about as quickly as they’re deemed unhip. This applies to clubs, fashion, celebrities and even restaurants. While some popular eateries are ridiculously expensive with little rationale (hello, The Ivy), every once in a while, there comes along an idea for a restaurant that is simply brilliant.

So is the case with Lemonade, a minuscule cafe that recently opened up near my office. The wallpaper alone, that covers the outside of the place, is so intriguing that it nearly caused me to rear-end the car in front of me when I first drove by several weeks back. The cafeteria-esque setting, that showcases 15 different salad varieties allows for a versatile and healthy dining experience. Not to mention four types of lemonade and perfectly packaged goodies like red velvet cupcakes and miniature meringues.

Despite the fact that I live mere blocks from Rodeo Drive, I’m relatively unfazed by news pertaining to the relationships of celebrities. Given that information, you can imagine my embarrassment when I nearly shrieked with delight when I found out that Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling were seen cuddling over breakfast in Toronto on Thursday(especially because he no longer looks like this). Maybe it was that kiss they shared in the rain from ‘The Notebook’ that made me become so invested in their love, but nonetheless, it got me thinking:

What are my top 5 favorite movie kisses?

5. “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” – Good movie? Eh. Hot bathroom make-out session? Very.

4. “Unfaithful”- Any movie that deems Richard Gere the ‘ugly’ one has got to be steamy.

3. “Notting Hill” – When the mega-movie star plants one on Hugh’s lips, it makes anything feel possible.

2. “Love Actually” – A man that travels to a country to declare his love for a woman in a language he doesn’t speak is a winner in my book.

1. “The Notebook” – Water makes anything more sensual, so when Ryan scoops her up in a storm, it’s the perfect culmination of events.

What’s your favorite kissing scene from a movie?

My week

Taunted by the fluorescent lighting in my cubicle and a four-day weekend approaching, I planned a weekend away at the Viceroy in Palm Springs. Under normal circumstances, I might find 107° to be a bit on the uncomfortable [read: unbearable] side, but the dry heat of the desert is completely therapeutic. The decor of the Viceroy is reason alone to be excited, with its citrus-lined pools and Kelly Wearstler-designed interiors, so I’ve taken it upon myself to find some good last minute sales of the season so that I can sunbathe in style.

Since Trina Turk’s first boutique opened in Palm Springs, it’s only fitting that she would be my go-to for my trip this weekend. Inspired by the landscape of California, her pieces are always bursting with vibrant colors in shapes that are both casual and chic. Her Short Helena Strapless Dress is no exception, with a gentle draping down the front that will be a perfect transitional piece for going from the pool and out to lunch.

I always imagine that I’ll become one of those girls that lies under the shade of an umbrella by the pool just reading a book and sipping mojitos, but that’s never the case. Instead, I splash around in the water the entire time and usually end up with quite a lovely burn. For instances like these, flowy pieces in breathable fabrics are best, which is why Alice + Olivia’s Trapeze Pleat Bottom Dress is a great choice. I’d pair it with some metallic heels like these, a swipe of charcoal eye liner and some silver hoops for a sultry evening look.

For a normal hotel breakfast, I might show up to the continental spread of boxed cereals in sweats and flip-flops, but I have a feeling that’s not exactly the case at the Viceroy. Instead, I want to appear fresh-faced and radiant so my clear choice was this Leaves of Grass Voyage Tunic Dress. The white embroidery adds a fun, vintage touch and I’d throw on some earthy flats to complete the warm-weather ensemble.