Posts from — February 2010

Later today my boyfriend and I are packing our bags (I’m bringing my Alexander McQueen suitcase) and heading out to Paso Robles, a little town in the central coastal wine region.  Neither of us have ever been before and since we weren’t together on Valentine’s Day, we’re spending the weekend at a rustic bed and breakfast.   I’m looking forward to a few days of wine tasting, elegant California cuisine and Scrabble by the fireplace.

Image via Flickr 

Ray Bans, Planet Blue Dress, Linea Pelle Bag, Michael Kors Watch

I’m a firm believer that a pair of sunglasses can completely transform your entire look.  Sometimes that’s a bad thing, as was the case with the massive white shades I sported all throughout college.   Since then, I’ve learned from my mistakes and now adhere to a few simple rules to ensure that I find a pair of glasses that fits just right.

1.  Know your face shape (and the frames that are most flattering).  These shades were literally the first pair that I tried on in the store since I knew that the updated Wayfarer’s size and slight angle would work for me.  Anything overly circular or too small is not my friend.  Neither are yellow tinted frames (another thing I learned while browsing through old pictures from high school).

2.  Be aware of what’s current, but don’t splurge on anything too trendy.  I’m all about the cat-eye trend, but I’m also am not going to dish out an exorbitant amount of money on something that will be outplayed in several months.

3. Pay attention to colors. This includes your hair, skin tone, eye color and the clothes you tend to wear.  Since I’m blond with light eyes, I only buy black glasses as I find it makes the most dramatic statement.

I like my McDonald’s hot fudge sundae just as much as the next girl, but there’s a different level of sophistication in a fruit that’s been soaked in a red wine reduction.  Though it may not feel like winter in L.A., I still crave rich, velvety desserts that require methodical stirring over a stove.  I made merlot-poached pears with cinnamon and lemon last night and the spicy smells that infiltrated the apartment were intoxicating.  Even better than the slight buzz I got from eating the fruit was the vanilla bean ice cream that was the perfect complement to all of the intense flavors.

When I was approached by New York Mag to pick some of my favorite Spring clothes for Shop-a-Matic, I could barely contain my excitement.  The wonderfully executed site consistently puts forth the most inspirational pieces and I got to sort through only the best of the best.  Ranging from a “meant-to-be-noticed” nude bra and paperbag shorts to watercolor print dresses and strategic cut-outs, I selected my favorite items in price ranges that can work within anyone’s budget.

Click here to see my top picks.

What’s on your must-have list for spring?

Forever 21 Top and Skirt, Vintage Aviators, Martin + Osa Necklace, Sabertooth Ring, Coach Clutch, Alaia Platforms

One of my favorite things about watching shows at Fashion Week was seeing the models’ hair and make-up.  The wind-swept styles were simple and sweet, while their lips were painted in vibrant shades of coral.  I don’t often stray from my normal make-up routine (which you can see here), but I love the pop of color Revlon’s ‘Strawberry Suede’ lipstick provides, especially when juxtaposed with a perfectly worn-in sweatshirt.

{Early morning light in my bedroom}

I love how a quick trip can have the most profound effect on your daily life.  When I arrived back in L.A., I promptly rolled down the car windows and breathed in the balmy air before heading out for some greasy Mexican food.  Besides the weather and culinary advantages of living in California, it’s just nice to be reminded of what you miss most about being away from home.

Also, a huge thank you to beso.com for sending me out to New York for Fashion Week and for taking such great care of me.

{It’s good not to have to resort to the mini bar for spontaneous snack attacks.  You’d be surprised at how easily the cost of pretzels adds up.}

{My boyfriend and I plan on catching up on missed shows and watching the Olympics.  I think it embarrasses him how often I cry during sporting events.}

 {Luna kept me up my first night back with spontaneous baths and a constant purr, but it was worth the loss of sleep to share my pillow with her.}

Every time I visit New York, I’m blown away by the energy of the city.  At all hours of the night, there’s an electricity that simply can’t be found in other places that I’ve visited.  My trip was an exciting whirlwind of fashion-related events and blogger meet-ups, but I still managed to squeeze in some quiet time just for myself.  Despite its reputation as “the city that never sleeps,” I can always find comfort  in fresh baked goods and a soft snow fall.

{A warm apple muffin, miniature chocolate cake and a latte.  Yes, I occasionally have dessert after breakfast.}

{Snow-covered trees in Central Park}

{I loved to work while it snowed outside.  It was so peaceful.}

{Jane’s Iced Latte at Le Pain Quotidien}

{Hanging marshmallows at The City Bakery}