Posts from — January 2010

When I was younger, I thought there were few culinary combinations as perfect as those in a chicken pot pie.  With its flaky crust and creamy filling of vegetables and meat, it really is the ultimate comfort food.  Normally I’d just pop into the nearest KFC, but after seeing Food, Inc. last month, I vowed not to eat from chains that support the inhumane treatment of animals.   So, in a torrential downpour, I went out to grab ingredients and whipped up my own batch (thanks to this recipe) of individual-sized chicken pot pies, followed by homemade chocolate chip cookies and Beatles rock band.

Mason by Michelle Mason Dress, Marc Jacobs Bag, Steve Madden Booties, Topshop Blazer, Cupcakes and Cashmere Ring

Winter white is one of my favorite colors during colder months as it’s such a stark contrast to the gray weather.  I got this asymmetrical Mason by Michelle Mason dress from REVOLVE, which I’ve already worn with tights, a thick belt and a chunky scarf, all on separate occasions.  To keep things simple and streamlined, I paired it with all black accessories (including my new Marc Jacobs bag that I got on Gilt Groupe) for a morning spent shopping followed by an indulgent breakfast.

The weather report is nothing short of dismal for the next five days, so we spent the last rain-free afternoon walking around Olvera Street.  Nestled downtown Los Angeles, this street is home to dozens of little vendors with kitschy souvenirs and some of the best Mexican food the city has to offer. We stopped for taquitos, bought colorful postcards and ate piping hot churros just as the rain started coming down.  

Also, please check out my updated Etsy shop (here) starting at 7AM PST.

Update: as of 7:10AM PST, all pieces have been sold out.  If you missed out on the sale, please feel free to email me with any requests.  Thank you for such an amazing response.

A portion of each sale is going to Haitian earthquake relief.  You can click here for more information about the organization I’m supporting.

{Custard-infused churros}

{Puppets and Rosaries}

{Hand knit hats and ponchos}

{Wouldn’t these flags look great strung over a desk?}

{A very patient boyfriend who waited while I browsed}

Brunya Dress, Alexander Wang Pumps, Coach Bag

Whenever I leave the house, I always grab an armful of bracelets and a stack of rings to slide on as I run out the door.  I love to accessorize, but when I find a sparkly dress that takes care of that for me, I’m all about it.  This jeweled silk dress was generously given to me during Planet Blue’s sale that I went to last week and I’ve been dying to wear it out on a warm evening.   I paired it with my nude Alexander Wang pumps that I scored on Gilt Groupe and kicked off the weekend on a great note.

Yesterday morning, I got up, drank my cup of coffee and then spent the remainder of the day making necklaces (I even forgot to have lunch and I never miss a meal).  I kid you not, I measured, snipped, wire wrapped and assembled so many pieces that by the time I was done, my hands resembled gnarled little claws.   It was a lot of work, but I’m so excited to share my new necklaces (and three amazing rings) with you in my Etsy shop on Monday!

The weeks following the holidays are always a bit tough.  The anticipation fades, morning mimosas are traded in for glasses of plain juice and the twinkling lights that illuminate the city are taken down.  In order to abstain from some of the daily disappointment that January brings, I’ve decided to focus on the pretty little things in my life.  Here were just a few of them that made me happy today.

{Essie pink polishes line a bubble bath}

{A new lacy skirt in the prettiest nude}

{A vintage glass cake stand I recently thrifted}

{A sleeping kitten all bundled up}

{A pint of mint chip gelato from my favorite Gelateria}

I’m what you’d call a bread addict.  Whether we’re talking about a warm, chewy bagel or a loaf of dark pumpernickel, I don’t discriminate.  Though they contain no yeast, popovers fall into this category and they’re at the top of my list.  For those of you that haven’t bitten into what’s essentially a piece of fluffy air, you’re really missing out.   I found the recipe on Orangette (adapted from The Bread Bible), and I must say, I was pretty impressed that they not only rose, but were light and flavorful.  To really bring it home, I whipped up some strawberry butter (by beating together 1/2 cup of butter with 1/2 cup strawberry preserves) and it was the perfect touch for an indulgent breakfast.