Balancing Act

I truly believe with all of my heart, that the key to happiness in life is BALANCE.

When one aspect of your life is lacking, (or overflowing!) the cycle can get off kilter and cause things to falter.

So for today, mid-week-Wednesday, let's take a moment to look at our lives and take stock of what needs some balance.

"Things which matter most, must never be at the mercy of things which matter least."
~ Goethe

Have a beautiful day... xx

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NY State of Mind...

Dreaming of side street flower marts...

Central Park picnics with friends and loved ones...

Free standing moments...

And breaths between down time...

Cherish your days. xx

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Wedding Nostalgia

I love my girlfriends. They are my heart and soul. They are the reason I found the most amazing man to marry, because they stood by me and helped me through all of the hard times it took in order to get me here. And to my amazement, three of these gorgeous ladies (pictured here in my November 2008 wedding in Playa del Carmen) all got engaged this year!

So even though I'm swamped these days with the new fashion gig (which I will tell you about very soon!), the new house (disastrous!), and the tiny monster (teething, poor baby!) I am delighted to be a part of any and all of their wedding planning madness.

Mission Numero Uno:
Check out the Monique Lhuillier sample sale for the most far-away bride's upcoming nuptials.


While the thought of fighting off desperate bridezilla's for designer dresses on the cheap, kind of makes my heart rate go a little spastic (and not in a good way), I have to admit that when I started perusing Monique's site and all things bride, I got super nostalgic for my special day a couple years back... and am really excited to be a part of such a special time in their lives.

My dress, handmade and designed by Sonia Woodfield.
Bridesmaid headpieces - vintage.

Here's some of Monique's current loveliness, and more things of inspiration...



Kinda makes me want to plan a vow renewal...

Happy Weekend. xx

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The Met: Fashion, Art = Bliss.

If you know me personally, then you know of my immense and passionate love for the glorious Pablo Picasso. I'm almost a bit weird about it, feeling a REAL connection as if I knew him in another lifetime or something. I became consumed one evening, after seeing a photo of the young Pablo at age 19, and have since written an entire screenplay based (in part) on his budding years as an unknown artist in early 1900's Spain. (I know, I know, this has suddenly taken a hard right into hippie-ville, but I can't help it!)
Forgive me while I gush a bit. I just love him. Of course his art, but there's always been something about those incredibly soulful (slightly devious) eyes, that captivated me almost as much as his influential Blue Period. Oh, just stop me now. I could go on and on...
So, when our recent trip to New York led us to a free afternoon with nothing to do, the decision to spend it at the Met, was indeed the right one. It was like the curator spent the past thirty-something years, dreaming up a way to make me happy.
In addition to my unearthly obsession with Señor Picasso, (as if that weren't enough) the second exhibit was a trip through time, honoring women, in all our glory ~ through FASHION. Yep, heaven.

American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity was the most breathtaking display of how we have spent the past fifty years inventing, reinventing and expressing ourselves (politically, socially, sexually) through what we wear.




My jaw was literally on the ground the entire time. I felt proud, and feminine and special to be a part of this esteemed gender. How, ladies, can we walk out the door every day and NOT care to express ourselves this way? And the bohemian and flapper periods were so spectacularly gorgeous, that dare I say, I'd wear EVERY SINGLE PIECE today. (Sigh)

I left with passions renewed and a deeper sense of why I love being a woman. The above photo that guided me into becoming a writer, and the snapshot I took of this unknown artist... contemplating his own creations, who unintentionally inspired me.



I am in awe.

x

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Gig.

Been busy, busy, busy...

In addition to moving back into our bungalow, taking care of the monchichi, and working on my blog, I got a part time gig in fashion. So far, so fun!
Off to style a photoshoot for a the new gig. Lots of pictures and details to come.

Have a beautiful weekend... and don't forget to laugh. xx

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Cloudy Weather = New Ideas

What to do with a favorite dress (that you usually wear with wedges or heels) when the weather just won't cooperate?

Mix it up!

Throw on some tights, slouchy boots, and a breezy attitude...

Dress - Vintage.
Boots - Aldo.
Ring - Downtown LA shopping district for $1!!



Sending lots of love your way... xo

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Monday, Monday...

Happy Monday, Lovlies...

Whatever it is that lifts you up in the morning... I hope your 'right now' is jam-packed with it.

Cinnamon spiced latte's, designer shopping deals hovering in your overstuffed in-box (just a quick peek!), your favorite music, kisses sending you off... the smiling face of someone you adore on your desktop, or if you're lucky enough~ working somewhere you love.

Here's some of my daily faves:

Morning dew on my favorite tree...

Staying in bed just a little longer...

(With Cafe Del Mar Music gently whispering me awake.)

Finding the perfect outfit with ease...

(Fashion Fashion Fashion!! (big surprise) And at a steal!
Hautelook, ideeli, Billion Dollar Babes, Rue LaLa.)

Daydreaming...

("Spaces in your togetherness")

And making plans...

(To Do lists ~ Yes, this makes me happy and set's me up for the week! Call me anal, er, Type A.)

Have a wonderful fab filled week! xx

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The Big Bang Theory

Never underestimate the power of a thick, heavy, crisp bang. (Or fringe for my Brits!) Since chopping off my locks a few months ago, several of my girlfriends have followed suit. No, I'm not bragging. I didn't invent this look. I stole it from my sister who has rocked the hell out of them for years. Since I didn't have the guts to go all the way (a la Natalie Portman in Closer), I chose to lop off just the bangs, keep the length, and have not looked back since.

The reason I love this look is because it's so easy to HAVE a "look" ~ and without really trying. Sleek and pulled together in a pony, tousled and sexy if you choose, pin straight and dramatic if you wish.

Mine have grown out a bit, so I can tuck them with a bobby pin, hide them under a headband, or wear them hovering over smoke rimmed eyes for a seriously mysterious effect. Not to mention, they always make you look younger. Cons? None, I think.

On my way to a wedding rehearsal wearing: Mother in Law's pearls, vintage purse and ring, gifted bracelet, and Chanel Particuliere Le Vernis Nail Colour. (Which is currently sold out! ~ but find a similar here.)

H&M dress from Garden Collection. Forever 21 heels


Tip: Make sure to find a good stylist! Thin and curled under are so 90210 ~ the 90's version! eek!

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Hello lover, LA that is.

Back in LA (finally!) and after a month of travels, I realize that this is exactly where I want to be. Any fantasies I had about living in NY or Boston have vanished now that we're back in blissful Venice Beach. This is our home and I simply cannot imagine leaving. (Funny how a drive to Hollywood with starlit eyes, all those years ago, turned into my sanctuary, my soft-place-to-fall, where I found my husband, and made my daughter. It wasn't easy, though... hang in there, sweet ingenues!)

So, I'm once again up to my ears in boxes and stuff, which is overwhelming to say the least, but I'll suck it up cuz I can't wait to redesign our space! (Hot pink shoe closet anyone?) I also love that before we left I streamlined my wardrobe down to the beautiful basics, to make room for all the lovely new summer dreams...

As I was unpacking, I popped on one of my all time favorite music videos and although it's several years old, got newly inspired. Oh, Gwenie... your style is always to-die.

Anthropologie Shibori Silk Dress $298.00

Shop these summer looks inspired by the video. Here, here, here, here and here. OH, and also here and here.

Watch the video and dream away... Gwen Stefani "Cool"

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Shooting Beauty

I can't keep my hands off of my camera these days... with so much to shoot and experience in my final days on the east coast, I'm simply in love with all the memories and moments I'm capturing.

H&M lace top.

Floral shorts.

Vintage braided belt - find similar here.

Stretchy lace as headband.
Sunlit train rides...
Seeing (and being in) love...
Uptown fab...
And midtown rides...

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Sexy City No Matter What You Say

First of all, can I just say to all the SATC haters out there (you know who you are) that you can just bite me. We will be lining up to see these movies as long as they decide to make them. And for the very few females I've encountered who did NOT like the movie, well, skip ahead little snarkies... I'm going to indulge.

Yes, we realize that there are outrageous plot lines, unresolved relationships and silly circumstances in this sequel... but we just don't care. It was our girls. It was OUR girls doing what they do best, and giving us our FABULOUS fix once again.


I saw this movie in Salem, MA (how apropos - they burned us "witches" there, didn't they?) and although a skip and a hop from NY, and many, many miles from LA, I looked around the theatre and could not wipe the happy off my face. Everywhere I turned was a friend with a friend, dressed to (her interpretation of) the nines and ready for the ride - I dare you haters to find another movie that brings us together like this.


As my best friend was pouring pomegranate champagne cocktails into our snuck-in fancy flutes (no plastic here - cuz that's how we roll) she declared that Sex and The City is our porn. How perfectly stated. YES, it's unrealistic. YES, it's ridiculous. But YES, OH YES, it's a very necessary fantasy. If I had my way, I would have lined up every female I hold near and dear to my heart to watch this movie together.

And it wasn't entirely glitz and no heart. For one thing, there was a very touching and genuine moment between Charlotte and Miranda on motherhood. So real I forgot I wasn't in LA where uproars of claps and whistles are perfectly acceptable, and burst out with an "AMEN!"... (but my fellow sisters seemed to forgive me.)

I was also VERY surprised at how much I LOVED Miranda in this movie. She was the fun one, the lovable one. Perhaps because she was the only healthy character. Ahh... but enough about "healthy" enough about "motherhood"... the fashion. SJP as Carrie, as always, a bit over the top but sublimely divine.

In finality I will say that despite the fact that the posters were criticized for being overly photoshopped, I must admit that when I saw this one for the first time, the anticipation and girly girl inside me flipped. It's sparkly and stunning and did the job at enticing me to the theatre opening weekend. And we will Carrie on, Carrie... we will.


And just because I love you, here's some delicious champagne cocktail recipes from Real Simple.

Cheers, darlings. xx


Ingredients:

1. POMEGRANATE CHAMPAGNE

Ingredients:
4 oz champagne
1 oz pomegranate juice
1 teaspoon cassis

Directions:
Pour chilled champagne into a flute, then add pomegranate juice and cassis. Enjoy!

2. BLOOD ORANGE FRENCH 75
{recipe via Epicurious}

3 blood oranges (about 1 pound)
1 1/2 cups gin
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon angostura bitters
2 750-ml bottles chilled Champagne

Directions:
Cut 1 orange in half through stem. Cut each orange half crosswise into 6 slices; reserve for garnish. Using small knife, cut peel and white pith from remaining 2 oranges; chop oranges. Transfer chopped oranges with juices to bowl; mash with potato masher or wooden spoon. Stir in gin, sugar, and bitters. Strain into 2-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to release liquid. Chill 4 hours.

Pour scant 2 tablespoons gin mixture into each of 12 glasses; fill with Champagne and garnish with orange.

3. CHAMBORD AND CHAMPAGNE

Ingredients:
4 oz chilled Champagne
1/2 oz Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur

Directions:
Pour the champagne into a champagne flute.
Add a healthy splash of Chambord, and serve.

4. STRAWBERRY CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Ingredients:
.5 oz strawberry liqueur
1 oz vodka
Pink Champagne

Directions:
Combine strawberry liqueur and vodka in an ice-filled shaker. Shake well and strain into a champagne glass. Top with chilled champagne.

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