monday morning glory

photo via Vogue September 2011

Live Life On the Edge

Between heaven and hell.  Let's all dance in purgatory.

A HEIDI MERRICK FILM

I think Ms. Merrick is downright awesome. That tie-dyed tiered dress is the bomb.

Deep V

I always envy the ballsiness of girls who chop it all off.

cat nap

here's to a relaxing weekend of lounging with cats. Re-posted from here. More amazing snaps here.

Fallon's Talons

Amazing All Points West Spike Pearl Choker .  And discounted 40% thanks to Refinery 29's deal here.

Sweden's Residing

I can't read a word of this but really who needs to? the homes are jaw-dropping amazing. Sweden's beautiful population residing in enviable homes.  More here.

Victorious: Ikat Dress

I'm pretty sure I just committed internet robbery.  I first saw this dress when Christene Barberich highlighted it as one of her must haves for Fall 2010 on Refinery29.  It was originally $148, then knocked down to $74 and yesterday all sale items were 50% off.  With my $25 promo for signing up to receive Apart's emails my dress came to $12. TWELVE DOLLARS. Take that F21.

more more more

just a couple of favs from The Antique Jewellery Company. Based in the UK naturally.

sure did

Nothing pulls at my heartstrings like an antique, dogeared book.  This particular one is on my radar.  I seen it range from $60 - $400 a pop. It's a treasure.

Prabal Gurung Color Blocking

my entry for the PG color blocking contest.  They are accepting entries until May 15th. More info here.

black, white and striped all over

This dress by Otis & Maclain and styled so perfectly by RZ will be my summer uniform.  note: It's tough to find this online, but Poppy in Soho NY still has a little stockpile. $150 + $10 shipping makes this oh so victorious.

ashley grey

I haven't been

But I know I love it here

Hartwood Restaurant - Tulum, Mexico. Image via the selby

Girl Works

Kristin Gallegos backstage at the Naeem Khan show.  She has a very honest, unassuming way about her. Comfortable in her own skin.  Maybe it's the SoCal girl in her.

ps.  those rings...gah. Pamela Love you're going make me go broke. Open cross ring available at shop bop.

hello, Meryl

A chic bag for my bike ride to work!

Black vegan Meryl backpack from MATT & NAT $150

Bi-Cabas

In my on going struggle to grapple with the plethora of amazing Celine bag options I of course defer to Jak & Jil to add fuel to my fire.  And here she is folks, my new shopper about town - the Celine Bi Cabas Tote.  Apparently there is a fashion god and she blessed me with this fabulous bag on eBay for $150 below retail. !!!!

On Magnolia

Saturday spent on Magnolia Street in Burbank immersed in some of LA's best vintage. Hubba Hubba, Playclothes and American Way. Also not to be missed: It's A Wrap where I spotted a Moschino jacket for $150. Thanks to Bekah for escorting me :)

cross process

 Free People Behind the Scenes

As a graduate of FP I hold a very special place in my heart for the insanely talented group of women that design and create for the label. I'll be mimicking their Spring makeup tutorial this weekend. Happy Spring!

White Lightning

I went to the parlour room in hollywood last Saturday to meet friends and was googly-eyed over their cucumber cooler drink that the bartender subbed with moonshine instead of gin.  Holymoly amazing. Now I'm on a tear to find this new clear moonshine whiskey. Thankfully the hip kids in Williamsburg (shocker!) opened The Kings County Distillery. I need me a club card! Oh and to boot, through KCD I found this little nug that makes me pine for Brooklyn.

Champagne

image via the selby featurng Tony Conigliaro
this needs to be hanging in my kitchen above my stove.

The Alexa Tux

ps. Pamela Love Skull necklace @ shopbop

the obsession continues

everything is so right. currently watching this rouge garance colored number on eBay.

Day Dreaming Steal

Stella McCartney Isabelle Body Suit $255 $122.50 @ journelle

Girls & Cigarettes

From Bruce Haley's new book Sunder

The Find

F21 lace ups: $25

and speaking of shoes

 NEED: Rag & Bone's Oxford Wedges

thank you Tommy Ton for highlighting the stylish gals @ Saks! I fell in love with Sarah's outfit. albeit one that wouldn't fly at my office sadly :(

Monday's Good News

Justified! Finally :)

According to the NYT article: An expensive shoe closet is worth every dollar. Michele Kleier of Gumley Haft Kleier has found that when buyers walk into a closet filled with Christian Louboutins, they are likely to pay more of a premium than what the seller spent on her shoe collection. She advises sellers, “You can buy 25 pairs of designer shoes, put them in your closet, and they’re going to get more than you spent on them.” That’s because, Ms. Kleier said, “people want to step into your life.”

Fashion: On Love

Here’s this beautiful young French girl, and I’m going, She’s going to be really great when she’s old. I grew up reading designers’ ideas about women, like: She’s so strong, she rules the world, whatever. I wouldn’t want to be with a girl like that, who’s type A. Garance is smart, driven, all these great Corsican qualities of self-determination, but she’s totally fragile. Totally insecure. That’s a real human. That’s the whole package.  - Excerpt from NY MAG by Scott Schuman on Garance

oil, baby

Thanks to my friend and new mommy Rebekah who shared this delightful little trick with me.  After you've completed your soapy wash in the shower, rub baby all over then rinse.  Pat dry & voila. the softest supple derriere por moi. Rumor has it, it prevents stretch marks.

In a world where appearances are currency

open rings & rhinestone hoops

2 things to obsess over...

Alexa Chung + Vivienne Westwood

Watching Alexa in my old neighborhood made me a little nostalgic for Williamsburg, but truthfully I stopped paying attention halfway through the video because I was frantically googling her shoes...those coveted "torture" Vivienne Westwood strappy Mary Janes.   While I haven't found the exact match, these come pretty close!

LA Love

LA ECO BEAUTY as covered by Vogue

Black Tie Winter Wedding

Incredibly excited to spend New Year's Eve celebrating the nuptials of our family in New York!  And now on the hunt for beautiful winter dress.

today in missing new york

thank heaven for Metropolitan Diary.

weekly words to live by

 

"The unobserved life is so totally worth living."

and sort of an oxymoron for a blog...but it still very true.

From Margaret Talbot's article in the New Yorker.

you give me fever

It's rainy and cloudy in Santa Monica so I'll be catching up on my reading (The Unbearable Lightness of Being), channeling my domestic goddess as I attempt to bake homemade Oreos, testing out my new gadget You Curl which was inspired by the fabulous b.jones "cheapest accessory" hair tutorials and catching up on blogs...my new fav intothegloss.

victorious black ankle boots

Although seemingly everywhere this season, the blank ankle boot designs (within my budget <$100) have left me with much to be desired. The heel isn't high enough, too many embellishments, etc.  While reading about Charlotte Ronson's party I noticed what a divine little pair she was wearing. And since I don't have Ms. Ronson on speed dial, I knew I'd have to go it alone on this quest to find my perfect pair.  So thanks to Wasteland Santa Monica for pulling through! $32 and we have a winner. Thanks to this ridiculous deal, I decided I had a little extra funding for a BNWT Acne Dress for $65, Vintage black velvet dress and slouchy blank pants. Done and then some.

Maxi Skirt + Knotted Shirt

wickedly sexy and sooo simple. kudos to whoever pulled this lil number together.

Tuesdays Thrifting: Lesson I

The lesson I'm going to share today has been a hard one for me to absorb. Just because the item is $4.99 and you vow that if you have it "taken in" or "taken out" know that there is a 99% chance this item will end up costing you quadruple what you paid. I've spent absurd amounts of money to have hems taken up, sleeves ripped off and arm holes reduced. Sometimes it pays off, other times it costs me a week's worth of lunch money. Moral of the story, think HARD about your purchase.  Yeah, that silk screen print moo moo is crazy cool, but are you willing to throw down a Benji for a piece you might wear once or twice? Just sayin.
Here is a case in point. Dress $7.99 from Saint Matthews Thrift on Santa Monica Main Street, cost of alterations $55.00.  Now if you're a handy Marthette and have a talent for sewing or you're one of those "I just taught myself to sew" braggarts, then good for you, consider yourself exempt from this lesson.

waking up to sunrise

This just makes my soul ache for NY and the resourcefulness and opportunity that abound if you know where to look.

Zip & Dash

Growing up in rural Upstate NY, I didn't have much fashion know-how. Lot's of LL Bean, JC Penny and Sears. Let's just say I believed ESPRIT was as good as it got. While I LOVED clothes and begged to have every trend imaginable, my scope was very limited. But like an angel from above, MTV sent me Cindy Crawford on House of Style. There I was in my pastel ESPRIT leggings and Mary Lou Retton style bowl cut sucked into her Glamourous (albeit monotone) world of super model friends and fashion designers. I had a front row seat and I was taking notes. But it wasn't unil her shopping trip to Sears with Duran Duran that my awaking happened. You can shop in the boys department! You can wear cut off mesh shirts! Ties are accessories not just for dads! THIS is style. It's what you make of the clothes and how you wear them that define you. Thank you Cindy.

Soldier On

The military trend.  It resurfaces every season or so and designers slap on cargo pockets and military emblems. Well, here's the secret kids: You're local Army Navy store is a mecca for military items - I know it's painfully obvious, but it's shocking how underutiziled these stores seem to be for ethe most amazing, CHEAP clothing and accessories. Like blow your mind inexpensive! For West LA locals, I'm partial to The Surplus Store in Culver City.

Ms. Yaeger's Words to Live By

"it’s the true lovers of fashion, cobbling together their fantastical fantasy looks and then venturing out to face the world, that really keep this business alive." 

On fashion week, seating charts, and where the real fashion is.

*photo by the sartorialist

I will never have enough

BLACK.

Proud to know her @OscarPRGirl

Erika Bearman, Director of Communications for Oscar de la Renta, is every bit the jealousy invoking style maven whose daily work includes hobnobbing with celebrity clientele and being privy to some of the world's most divine courtier pieces.  She is successful, smart and beautiful. Prepared to be movitated to take on Twitter if you haven't done so already.  You can read more about her on in the WSJ's feature! And of course, follow her words on Twitter @OscarPRGirl.

As Seen On

I DIE for Bravo TV. And of course, as a devoted fan of fashion, Rachel Zoe is my Tuesday night highlight. Last night's episode featured actress Beau Garrett.  Girl doesn't need much, since she's downright naturally stunning, but she certainly did shine in the Diane Von Furstenberg Tiny Dancer Dress! So far I see that only Saks.com and Shopbop.com carry it. Happy hunting!

I believe in LA

Heidi Merrick kills it with her Fall 2010 collection. The Rodney Pants send shivers down my spine.  Closet make room!

Hunting: Angel Skin Coral

I'm currently fixated on angel skin coral. Particularly the vintage gold rings with large stones and intricate filagree on the bands. As always, when in immediate need, eBay is there in a pinch. Some beauties.