Bohemian Rhapsody!

Yesterday was another beautiful day in Venice filled with all the bohemian goodness that I crave after living in the red carpet, bulb flashing, sometimes superficial, Hills. I wandered with my girlfriend through Abbot Kinney and hit up some super cute boutiques and somehow resisted the urge to burn a massive hole in my pocket.

Mark and Estele Clothing

There's something about this super long Kimono in the softest t-shirt material that makes me want to justify its almost $300 price tag. Even though it looks like I pulled a "Jack and the Beanstalk" and traded the Goose in for one of the Giant's t-shirts, I love it! I'd wear it in slightly see through white, with a deeply vibrant floral bikini underneath (my fav bikinis are here), massive shades and the 'peace, love, dove' attitude to match... Fabulous!

Ethiopian friendship beads.

I've been wearing these hand hammered beads for years now and always collect more whenever I'm at the Rose Bowl Markets in Pasadena.  I love to stack them and then give them to girlfriends when they're sans accessories.

Winter Kate Fringe Vest $17

Nichole Richie's latest line, Winter Kate is to die. I'm loving the no fuss, Boho chic. Check it out here! 

Urban Outfitters Raw Crystal Ring $18

I love raw semi precious stones. Sometimes you just want something that's a little less refined and little more organic to pull off the Hippy 'everything is as it should be' sentiment. 

Camilla Franks' Kaftans

Dubbed the 'Kafan Queen' by some of the industry's finest, Australian designer Camilla Franks' easy breezy chiffon Kaftan's scream Bohemian Summer.  Although they don't have the Bohemian price tag to match, it's certainly fun to scour her website and dream of hot desert nights donned in barely there chiffon.

Well before I change my dogs name to Rainbow and become a Yoga Instructor, I'm going to enjoy living out my alternate personality through fashion...sigh

spring brings new things

Spring time has me in the mood to create new things...that includes the much wanted redesign of my love nest. Check out some of the inspirations that I've fallen in love with..


Look at the wood on this stair case.

love the quilted sleigh bed

the right shade of grey and blue together are always calming


shelves, shelves and more shelves

love the grey beams

and different nooks for reading or entertaining .

Ladies and Gentlemen...

okay...just ladies. 
May I present to you.... Madewell online shopping...

www.madewell.com


For those of you who feel like you've seen these casual chic lines somewhere before, well you weren't wrong.  Not only do their well worn and vintage inspired pieces appear on pretty much every celeb from here to London town, they're also a subsidiary to long time American favorite J Crew. This smaller off shoot company was launched in 2006 (I know I know it says "Madewell since 1937", however this was the year J Crew was founded) and has quickly grown to 17 stores nationwide and counting... I was becoming accustomed to schlepping myself (and my girlfriends) to Glendale's Americana in order to get the "I just rolled out of bed looking like this" chic, but now I won't even have to roll out of bed at all! What on earth will become of me?

Striped Flutter Tee $42 and brunch shorts $49. I can already think of 10 occasions to wear this little collaboration but will probably add my trusty fedora to make it my own. 

                   fallen needles skirt $78. Farmers market chic on a hot summers day.

stonefruit scarf $38. Zing up your wardrobe with these summer colors that can take you through to fall.

 the canyon messenger $128. Perfect for summer days at the farmers markets and outdoor summer acoustic nights

fallen needles shirt $88, midi shorts in dust storm $59, panama hat $52. 

Pair this with a black blazer to immediately take it up a notch for a casual date night or walk along Abbot Kinney.

lazy days floral jumper $88. Which Jessica Simpson, Audrina Patridge and Hillary Duff have all been seen wearing in the past week.  While I understand if that immediately turns you off, you can't deny it's still adorable!

Spend some time trolling through this site and I assure you, you'll be furious at me for handing you another vice on a silver platter...

Happy shopping!

barely there

This spring/summer it's all about incorporating nude tones into your wardrobe.  I've always been a fan of understated fashion and still believe in the "less is more" philosophy when it comes to pretty much everything.

Here are some of my favorite neutral fashion finds for this season...

Porter Grey dress shopbop.com. Loving the feminine layers and can imagine a vintage jewel belt complementing these lines perfectly.

Anthropologie Headband also on my must have travel list.

 

Elizabeth Arden cream blush in Nectar. I love cream blushes for giving you that subtle warm glow.

Clutch by Rafe New York. Amazing. Enough said.

Kimmichi Blue Nightie from Urban Outfitters can pass as a cute summer number on a warm balmy night.

Forever 21 Linen Jumpsuit, which I can't get enough of. The price is pretty fabulous too!

Tickle my France-y from OPI works perfectly with this spring time monochromatic madness!

Steve Madden's take on the Miu Miu wooden clog for a quarter of the price. 

There's nothing like a nude heal to elongate your legs. Especially when there's a platform to give you that extra height!

Hope this has inspired you to get nude ;)

dream house

When I was a little girl my dream house looked something like a cross between barbies bright pink love shack and the nature inspired Swiss Family Robinson tree house... Needless to say I wouldn't be the easiest client for an architect at age 5. Thankfully things have changed a little and my ideas are a little more feasible... I think!

I've been crazy busy lately designing a fabulous engagement party (stay tuned for pics) but wanted to share with you a design inspiration of mine. Quite simple her name is Nancy Meyers.  Some of you may immediately know her by name, but if it's not ringing any bells I'm sure her repertoire of films will jog your memory.  She's responsible for such films as The Parent Trap, Father of the Bride and more recently, Somethings Gotta Give and It's Complicated.  Not only is she known for these cinematic gems but she's also made quite a name for herself in the architectural design world.  The homes occupied by Diane Keaton in the Hampton's and Meryl Streep in Santa Barbara epitomize the same easy opulent living that I go crazy for.  I could see myself quite easily slipping right into either one of those dreamy estates and living out my life quite peacefully!  For now, I'll stick with my humble LA abode and aim to recreate some of that loveliness while I work towards that future!

Now, to make it happen...

In the Market for Markets?

Come this way, I've got just the one for you. Two words, Yamashiro Garden Markets. Did I say two words I meant three but who's counting. Listen your gonna thank me when you discover this lil' pocket of heaven for yourself. No, I mean seriously I'm gonna want a thank you card... 

Okay enough slick sales man talk, truth be told I am a little smitten. Now I know I say that about everything I post but don't let that fool you, this is truly one to check out before it becomes overrun with LA's 'native' hipsters.  Local bakers, foodies and famers unite at this picturesque location nestled on a Hollywood hillside and get this, the hours of operation are between 5pm-9pm every Thursday. Yes that's right folks, a night market! Did somebody say genius? Did somebody say "What in the world has taken so long?".   

I went with my usual group of larrikin friends and we listened to a fab jazz band, partook in a local wine tasting (shocker), ate taco's, bratwurst and a giant Nutella crepe (again, shocker).  There was the most amazing operatic singer who's angelic voice was carried through the market by the warm spring air as the sun was setting. Sitting back and enjoying a strawberry that was sweet enough to make me believe it was dusted with sugar, sipping my chilled white wine and laughing with my friends made me sorry that I didn't arrive at 4:59 to make the most of it!

but then again....there's always next week.

p.s. Sorry about lack of photos. Next week I promise to put the taco down and capture the magic!

Never mind where's Waldo... who IS Waldo?

No I'm not talking about that lil' red striped guy that's always getting lost in a crowd, I'm talking about LA based Cuban designer Waldo Fernandez.  If you're not familiar with his work then do yourself a favor and check him out. His clients include Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Keanu Reeves and Tobey McGuire (just to name a few) and he was recently commissioned to design the new West Hollywood SoHo House. Having just spent the day lounging around this 20,000 square foot roof top penthouse, I must admit that I was wrong. Upon arrival I expected to see paparazzi swarming (only until they discovered I'm a nobody) just to unveil another Hollywood hotspot that seemed to be an excessively inspired and overly contrived backdrop for Hollywoods finest train wrecks. 

This selective club (still don't know how I got in) just happens to be anything but that. Although I saw my fair share of international celebs, nobody was sitting front and centre 'wishing' they weren't famous and there was no diva behavior in sight. I was met with down to earth friendly staff, warm patrons and fabulous cuisine; which all reflected itself in Waldo's amazingly understated, warm design.  With old books strewn about the lofted space, breathtakingly miss matched vintage pieces, reclaimed furniture and more art than you can poke a stick at, (look closely at the wallpaper in the restrooms)  I couldn't help but feel that if Anthropologie and my great grandfathers gentleman's club had a love child, West Hollywoods SoHo house would be it.  My next question is, how (and when) can I move in?

...cameras are not allowed in the SoHo house so please enjoy these original design sketches.. though different in reality it may give you some idea of the fabulousness that is Waldo Fernandez.