hello beautiful

I have no words, just love.

{Christian Louboutin Python New Declics}

Birthday Boy

{Poki then...}

{Poki now!}

Happy Birthday to my three year old Poki! 

I'm thankful for...

... our wonderful friend t.lynn who is coming to visit this weekend!  

Can't wait to spend the long weekend with friends and lots of food, wine, Christmas music, crafts, and shopping.

i love multi-glitter!

Deborah Lippmann's Happy Birthday nail polish

Christian Louboutin multi-glitter Ron Rons

Kate Spade Sparkler Missy clutch

Juicy Couture Glitter Jelly iPhone cover

Theory Nottin - Burning Glitter Blouse

Anya Hindmarch Valorie Multi-Glitter Clutch

Steven by Steve Madden Madee Slip-On

Kate Spade Carolina pump

my iPhone camera roll

{morning crack}

{NHRA drag races:  not quite suitable for girls like me}

{First time visiting the Grand Canyon}

{Grand Canyon Skywalk:  scariest experience of my life}

{Postrio @ the Venetian:  truffle potato chips with blue cheese}

{Palazzo autumn decor inspiration is wine harvest}

{prioritizing on my 2nd serving @ the M Resort buffet}

{my dessert plate @ the buffet: chocolate chip cookie, Coconut meringue, and mint chocolate gelato!}

{Bouchon Bakery goodies!}

{$20 worth of McDonald's breakfast}

{home-made chicken tacos}

{Mandy's Prosciutto, Date, and Thyme pizza-- YUMMMM!}

{Rachel brought Nothing Bundt Cakes-- my new dessert obsession}

{I've fallen in love...}

my Missoni

{Missoni for Target pouf}

I think I ordered my pouf a good week or two after the Missoni craziness.  It was never sold out and I think it's still available on the Target website.   I can see why no one ordered it-- the photos on the Target website make it look small and cheapy, but in person the size of the pouf is pretty substantial, the shape is quite unique for a pouf, and the material is much better quality than I expected.  I couldn't be happier with my $99 Missoni pouf!  Not to mention the aqua and white color combo is exactly what I was looking for for my living room.  I would seriously buy one in every color if I had a use for them...

iDone it...

... and iLove it!

comfy knits + statement bottoms

All the cool people are doing it. I think I should, too.

{Columbine Smille}

{J.Crew}

{Wendy's Lookbook}

{Zara}

{fashiontoast}

{Sincerely, Jules}

Happy Birthday

{Deborah Lippmann's Fashion + Happy Birthday}

Wine Gallery

 

{fresh burrata, proscuitto di san danielle, roasted red peppers, baby arugula, 

toast points, finished with a touch of balsamic reduction}

I really need to make it a point to come to the Wine Gallery more often. The wine selection is great for such a small place, and their list of California wines, something I'm at least a little familiar with, is even better. The service is always good (as with most places in Corona del Mar), and surprisingly, the food is AWESOME.

This was my first time trying the Cade Napa Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, which is a Bordeaux style Cabernet Sauvignon and it was delish.  It really is my kind of wine - fruity, full bodied, smooth, long, finish.  YUM!  I had never heard of Cade Winery, but apparently it is Napa Valley's first organically farmed, LEED Gold Certified Winery.  Seems like it might be an interesting winery worth visiting next time I'm in Napa, which I hope is sometime very soon (I swear Napa is like Disneyland-- no matter how many times you go, there are always a million more places you still have yet to experience)!  

{crostini toast points topped with roasted shiitake mushrooms & 

goat cheese over a brush of truffle oil}

 {beef sliders topped with vermont cheddar & white truffle ketchup}

ABC's Happy Endings

{ ABC's Happy Endings, WEDNESDAYS 9:30|8:30c}

I'm so excited that one of my new favorite shows, Happy Endings got picked up for another season. I want to promote this show to as many people as I can because I love it and would be sad if it got canceled. Think "Friends"-ish but a little more weird and random, and less politically correct. To me, the dialogue is similar to Cougar Town and Scrubs, with quick witty jokes every 20 seconds, keeping me constantly entertained. The editing perfectly accentuates the comedic timing, and the actors in the show are all great by themselves and it's really difficult to choose a favorite. The writers are clever and creative, even though it's basically the same premise as Friends, keeping every episode pretty fresh.

One of my favorite scenes is the one embedded above. Penny (the goofy, crazy, "Phoebe"-esque character) is forever single, and just met a guy she's interested in, but he's a "hipster" so Max is teaching her how to fit in with his friends.

I don't know if anyone else will find this funny, but I couldn't stop laughing at this clip (if you watch the whole episode it's funnier, but this still cracks me up):

I also love Jane, who plays the anal, obsessive, control freak, "Monica" character, but better. I couldn't find any of my favorite scenes of her online but here's one:

I also found some reviews of the show from LA Times, NY Magazine, and this other website if you're interested in reading more about the show.

back to the islands... again

 {I always have to capture the amazing view when arriving}

 {beautiful wedding at the fancy Halekulani Hotel}

{last bento on the plane ride home}

Ann Taylor 40% off everything sale

{Glazed Lace Pencil Skirt}

Last week, I succumbed to Ann Taylor's 40% off sale again (I went a bit crazy here, purchasing an excessive four silk blouses, but haven't regretted it one bit!). I love the quality of the clothes, but rarely shop in the store as I tend not to find too many things I really have to have--some of the styles of pants (the wide-legged pants look horrible even on the models) and tops (people who know me know that I dislike cowl-necks!) are a bit questionable for me and stuffy feeling, and I just don't understand those cheap looking printed wrap dresses they always seem to have. I do, however, think it is a great place to find costume jewelry, great quality scarves, and simple basics in small sizes like camisoles, pants, skirts, and blouses. And I'm hoping that when my shoes come in the mail they fit me because they are so pretty and simple and well-cushioned (I tried them on in the store but they didn't have my size), and look like the perfect work pump. 

I ordered the Glazed Lace Pencil Skirt and Tweed Pencil skirt, because although I tend not to like pencil skirts, these two skirts have really unique details that I think keep them from being too boring. I love the lace overlay (as usual) on the first one, and the "flap detailing" and exposed zipper on the tweed skirt (I'm also a huge fan of tweed!).

{Tweed Pencil Skirt with Leather Zipper Pull}

I also ordered the patent pumps as a more sophisticated and classic alternative to the black platform pumps I wear pretty much every day, and the python pumps on a whim just to see what they look like in person.  I love neutral and monochromatic animal prints, and I love that these pumps are shades of gray, which would probably fit right into my current wardrobe.

 

{Perfect Patent Pump}

{Perfect Pump - Mini Python} 

I also had my eye on this blouse, I loved the gold buttons and mustard color, but couldn't get over the random trench flappiness going on at the shoulders.  I also loved these suede platforms which I was surprised to see because I think they're quite edgy for Ann Taylor.  They're pretty expensive and when I tried them on they felt really thin, like they'd stretch out a lot or fall off, which could result in some pretty traumatic ankle-bending embarrassing moments.  Also, the toe cleavage was a bit obscene.

{Silk Trench Shirt and Lucia Suede Platform Wedge}

Anyone else score anything at the sale?

The Constance

 the coveteur: monica rose

 jak & jil blog

My latest obsession, the Hermes Constance, isn't exactly new (according to the all-knowing Purse Forumers, Jackie O. had one), but it is definitely making its way around the internet and fashion community like the new "it" bag.  Like the Coach classics (like Mandy's vintage find!) and the Celine box bag, the Constance seems to be making a huge comeback, and I'm in love!

I read a few claims on the price tag to own one of these beauties, and I believe it is around $4k to $6k.  So for those of us who can't exactly afford to spend more on our handbag than what our car is worth, I found some cute alternatives, including the more affordable yet still expensive and chic Proenza Schouler and Celine (price is pretty much comparable for this one but I had to include it!):

 1.  Coach Willis bag

2.  J.Crew Edie purse

3.  J.Crew Rigby saddle bag

4.  ASOS Leather Flat Lock Shoulder Bag

5.  Celine classic medium flap bag

6.  Proenza Schouler PS11

Secrets From a Stylist

It's quite ironic how much I like Emily and her show Secrets From a Stylist, but I'm in awe of every episode, and look forward a new episode every week!  Emily is a prop stylist and styles all her rooms using tons of decorative objects, and I actually really dislike objects in rooms that have no purpose (random animal sculptures, art that has no meaning, antique masks, or any masks for that matter, random objects that are only meant to be looked at, etc.).  But lately I've been feeling like I need more "stuff" in my house so that my rooms look more "complete."  I'm still going to try to stick to my personal rule of "not using things that have no purpose," but I definitely want to put more effort into finding those finishing touches to add more character to each room.

One of the things Emily uses a lot of are tall branch-type floral/plant arrangements.  According to my rule, plants of any kind as decor are OK, and I'm loving the effect of these arrangements in every room.

 

I'm also pro-vases-as-decor, because vases can in turn be used to hold floral arrangements.  But there can't be a ridiculous amount of vases in my home, because that's just ridiculous.  This is an example of just a few too many vases, dishes, and one bird sculpture gone crazy, but I still can't stop looking at it.

Emily styles her rooms using tons of books.  Books are decorative and useful, too!

I love her frame walls-- this has been on my to-do list, but finding the right photos and art is proving to be a challenging and time consuming task!

I love how she incorporates so many antique furniture pieces into her rooms.  I'm still hesitant about this (considering the dirtiness and ugliness of most "old" things), but I'm hopeful that I'll find at least a few antique pieces for my home one day.  I just love the idea of having a one-of-a-kind room.

I'm already looking forward to more Secrets in the next episode!


all photos via Emily Henderson's blog