Hey people, it’s unofficially summer! You know what that means: crop tops, bright colors, cold drinks and SUNNIES! Warby Parker (the ultimate cool glasses company) is launching a new collection—Ocean Avenue.

They gave me a little sneak-peek and I immediately picked out my two favorites—the Orange Fizz and the Ginger Lemonade—delicious! Of course I had to design the perfect outfits to match each pair, and then find the perfect drinks… take a look.

Outfit   //   Drink

Outfit   //   Drink

Big thanks to Warby Parker for initiating this fun post! Love you guys.

*** This post was not sponsored by Warby Parker. I did not receive any product or compensation of any kind. I genuinely like this brand, and when approached about posting for them, I wanted to support them. ***

I’m not sure what prompted me to buy this book on Amazon a couple months ago. I think I just wanted to know more about Coco Chanel. She’s such an icon, and I didn’t know anything about her. This short book was the perfect introduction.

I love the way Karbo structured the book. It’s broken up into 12 chapters, each explaining Chanel’s philosophy on a single subject—On Style, On Femininity, On Love, etc.—spanning her entire life. It really painted a broad yet detailed portrait of a very complicated lady.

I really love reading biographies. I love the way they can trasport you like a novel, but you learn something real and factual at the same time. While reading this book, Chanel more than once reminded me of my maternal grandmother. She was petit, principled, and fierce—also a big Chanel fan I learned later. I love making those kinds of connections.

Have you read this book? What did you think? Any biographies you recommend?

May 29, 2013

Getting back in the swing of things this week, and that means it’s Wedding Wednesday! These picks should give you some hits to where I’m headed with my accessories, and some of the pretty things I’ve bought my girls. As you can see, gold still plays a big part.

No. 1   //   No. 2   //   No. 3   //   No. 4   //   No. 5   //   No. 6   //   No. 7   //   No. 8

I love accessories. Necklaces, bracelets, bags, shoes, I can’t get enough. So when it came to my wedding, I wanted to go big. No diamonds or delicate pieces for this girl. Go big, go colorful, go sparkly or go home. I really love that 31 bits necklace (No. 6 above). Wouldn’t that look rad with a simple white dress and some kickin’ gold heals???

May 16, 2013

With all this hot weather we’ve been having, I’m starting to get used to what will be my reality for the next 4 months. Along with the high temperatures and long sunny days, Summer also brings along popsicles, pool parties, shorts, and all things bring and colorful. All together I guess it’s not so bad. Here are some things I’m wishing for this summer.

No. 1   //   No. 2   //   No. 3   //   No. 4   //   No. 5   //   No. 6   //   No. 7   //   No. 8

Happy Friday!

This weekend is Mother’s Day (incase you didn’t know) so I’m planning on spending some quality time with my mom. Tomorrow we’re going to Unique LA (her first time) to shop til we drop, and Sunday we’ll spend the time with the boys (Dad, brother, and M) at the Huntington Library and maybe take a family bike ride.

I’ve noticed a floral pattern trend recently, and in this case my mom is way ahead of her time. She’s been crazy about flowers since forever. In her honor, I’ve created 3 floral-centric outfits for this weekend.

outfits created with Polyvore

I’m so thankful that my mom lives just 15 minutes away. I don’t know what I’d do without her. She came over yesterday and helped me assemble our wedding invitations, and she’s been nothing but supportive in everything I do.

Are you and your mom close? How will you be celebrating her this weekend?

 

May 02, 2013

Bold. Color. That’s what Cinco de Mayo means for me… and of course margaritas and good food.

Having grown up in Los Angeles, I like to tell people Mexican food is in my blood. I really can’t survive a week without salsa or a tortilla, and therefore Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite holidays. Throw in some good music and bright patterns, and I’m all yours.

Our Photoshop Workshop is this Sunday, but after we’re done I’ll be heading over to my parents pool for some fajitas and guacamole. This post is making me so hungry, I need to stop.

created with Polyvore

If you’re planning a Cinco De Mayo party, head over to Studio DIY for some really fun craft ideas!

Last week was crazy busy in my office (hopefully I’ll be able to share some exciting news soon) and super slow on this here blog. Whenever I have weeks like that the blog isn’t far from my mind… the time eludes me however, and I don’t get my thoughts published. I really love this outlet, and I’m going to make it a priority this week and get back into a regular schedule. Wish me luck!

Jack White’s most recent album Blunderbuss (2012) is a work of genius. Every song on there is gold. We just drove back home from a long weekend in Orange County and I fell in love with this album all over again. Not only is Jack White incredibly talented, but he is a genuinely nice, humble, good human being. If you have time, watch this intellectually stimulating interview with Conan O’Brien to see what I mean.

Wedding planning is picking up speed! It’s an exciting time as we make our way into the 3 month mark (AAHHHHHHH!!!). A talented friend offered to shoot our wedding video (she actually approached me, which was amazing), we booked our DJ (sweetest, coolest guy ever) and I’m currently debating printing options for our invites (letterpress? gold foil? metallic paper? pattern background?). We’re staying within our budget and there’s been very little fighting. Our parents are happy and almost as excited as we are. Things are good! Fingers crossed they stay this way. (Photo of my bridal shower invites via Instagram)

Do you all know about the J Crew Factory? I stumbled upon it via Pinterest, and my jaw dropped… Holy amazing J Crew outlet website… You guys gotta check this out. Also, I’m kind of obsessed with their site design.

Happy Monday!

We’re holding our first LA Blogger Workshop this month! It’s all about Photoshop. Sarah from Very Sarie and I are going to answer any and all questions about the program. If you’re in LA, and thinking about starting a blog, or even if you have no desire to blog and just want some tips on Photoshop, please come! Details are going to be posted on the Facebook group. Leave a comment here if you want to be added.

For the past couple years now I’ve wanted to do a continuing creative project. Something I could focus on for a set amount of time. I’ve had a lot of great ideas, but the time framework was always the challenging part. Daily was too much pressure. Weekly wasn’t flexible enough. Monthly was too flexible. Yearly, well, just forget about it. Last month when I did the Braid ECourse, they suggested framing projects and goals into the quarter system. April starts a Quarter 2 of 2013, and so I’m off on my first project! Just have to figure out what it’s going to be… (the photo above is an example of a project idea I had: take my film camera around, and shoot on a theme, like breakfast.)

I just started reading The Gospel According to Coco Chanel by Karen Karbo. What an incredible woman. I really didn’t know too much about the fashion icon before I started reading. It’s amazing how many of the standard pieces of any woman’s wardrobe can be directly attributed to Chanel’s genius. She’s a fascinating and complex character.

Mar 29, 2013

The weather is gorgeous right now in LA. It’s perfect—not too hot, and not too cold. We can leave the windows open, and don’t have to run the heat or the AC. This won’t last long, so I’m trying to enjoy it as much as possible.

My family has celebrated Easter with the same family friends ever since before I was born. This family lives in Orange County (about an hour south of LA) so we always switch off hosting and traveling. Back when we were kids we would exhaust ourselves with the Easter “traditions”—easter egg hunting, eating a big meal, stuff ourselves with chocolate bunnies. Now days, kids have grown up and moved away, but those of us still around get together and catch up, drink lots of wine, and stuff ourselves with chocolate bunnies… somethings never change.

I looked up my Easter post from last year, and decided to update my look. This year revolves around one of my favorite colors this season: peach! Just so sweet and delicious…

I hope you all have a peachy, and chocolate bunny filled Easter!

outfit styled using Polyvore

Mar 18, 2013

While out shopping this weekend, I got my bra size measured for the first time. OMG you guys. I have been wearing bras 2 sizes too small for years. I have been enlightened. My new bra is so freaking comfortable. I can’t stop talking about it. So if you’ve never been measured, go to Victoria’s Secret right now and be amazed. I also found out I’ve been wearing the wrong style too. My life is forever changed.

I told you all last week that I would be hanging out in Orange County with some great friends all weekend. They discovered Lisa Eldridge’s amazing make up tutorials, and we’re all hooked. Lisa is so sweet with her posh British accent, and she explains her techniques in such detail. Now, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to recreate these looks. Lisa is obviously a talented artist. But I think I might try a couple things, and either way it’s really fun!

I just found out about Lucius yesterday via NPR. I really wish there was more to listen to, because their 4 songs on Spotify are so great. Definitely worth checking out. I’ll update you as soon as they drop a full length record.