Blonder Ambitions

Category: Fabulous

  • FABULOUS EVENT – THE MAKING OF A SHOWGIRL

    FABULOUS EVENT – THE MAKING OF A SHOWGIRL

    I am a firm believer in never letting an opportunity pass me by… So when someone asked me if I wanted to fly to Las Vegas, be fitted for a showgirl costume, be flown back out to California, head to Palm Springs and do a photo shoot with my sister in the aforementioned showgirl attire…. I said, “Why not?”  After I first took a look at the costume {and the headdress!}, I was a bit trepidatious about what I had stumbled into.  However, after mastering my balance, finding the perfect pair of clear heels, and giggling with my sister all the way through the photo shoot… I realized I had made the right decision.  Being a showgirl {for a day} was scintillating {and, obviously, humorous}… and, somehow, instead of the large headdress feeling oppressive, ridiculous, or demeaning… it made me feel a bit powerful {perhaps because I was about 9 feet tall while wearing it}… and beautiful.  Every girl should get the chance to be a showgirl for a day.

  • FABULOUS LOCATION – THE STANDARD {HOLLYWOOD}

    FABULOUS LOCATION – THE STANDARD {HOLLYWOOD}


    {some photos courtesy of The Standard Hotel Hollywood}

    I was in Los Angeles this past weekend with my closest friends and my man for a bikini fitness competition {article elaborating on this to come soon!}.  We decided to stay over at The Standard {Hollywood}… and it turned out to be an utterly fabulous decision.  The hotel is located on Sunset Boulevard and close to anything and everything you might want while in LA… However, we had such a wonderful time here that we didn’t even leave the hotel {we actually ended up “going out” to their club, The Purple Lounge}.  This hotel is simultaneously chic and retro kitsch.  There is something entertaining, quirky, or fantastic around each and every corner.  For your next trip to Los Angeles, you should consider a stay at this stellar spot.


    The Lobby: upon entering the hotel, one is immediately made aware of the attention paid to detail and the nod to the kitsch of the 60’s.  Stark white walls and a crisp front desk are offset with beanbags, cacti, bubble chairs, and a woman in a glass case {when we arrived she appeared to be doing homework on her laptop and listening to music}.  The tone is set for the rest of your time at The Standard Hotel {Hollywood}.


    The Rooms & The Pool: don’t be expecting the glam style that is apropos for the Hollywood Regency era… instead expect a throwback to a decade past.  The large flower print curtains, bright orange bathrooms, and mirrored walls are all a part of the fun {you’re in LA after all… go with it}.  The late night room service {which you will likely be craving after a night of partying in Hollywood} was prompt and coated with the kind of guilty deliciousness that one would expect from a late-night munchie menu.  The pool {which was lounge-like and cool in the evening… and packed during the afternoon on Sunday} has playfully bright inner tubes constantly floating in it {good luck getting one… they are coveted by the LA Scene-sters looking to make a splash}.  Enjoy the people watching… celeb-wannabees {and perhaps a few actual celebrities} lounge waiting to be noticed in fedoras and aviator shades.  It’s worth getting a tan {real or faux} before attending the Sunday pool session… as bronzed bodies are the norm.


    The Purple Lounge: this spot was small… but every inch was done perfectly.  The purple and pink lighting created an intimate, yet surprisingly club-like atmosphere.  There was plenty of space to sit {which is a luxury in Los Angeles} and the music was the perfect volume {loud enough to get things going… but not to the point that one had to shout to be heard when speaking to another}.  The drinks were delicious and priced fairly {by LA standards} and the bartenders were prompt and genuinely friendly.  The outdoor patio was tiny, but well appointed and offered a glimpse onto busy, loud, and wonderful Sunset Boulevard.

  • FABULOUS SANTA BARBARA SPOT – SALON PATINE

    FABULOUS SANTA BARBARA SPOT – SALON PATINE


    Salon Patine is one of my best kept secrets {clearly, not anymore}.  I won’t trust my hair {highlights, haircuts, trims, blow drying, and styling} to anyone/anywhere else.  The hairdressers at the salon are professional, fun, and make sure that your hair is exactly the way you want it to be done.  And, unlike other salons where the owners aren’t stylists, you can find the owners Rob {a hair cutting guru… I can thank him for my recent long layers} and Sarah {I wouldn’t let another person in the world highlight my hair} behind a chair cutting, coloring, or interacting with clients.  It is the culture of Salon Patine {in addition to the high quality of work} that sets this salon apart.  I actually look forward to the hours that I will spend in the chair at this salon… I am always greeted warmly, offered a hot cup of amazing coffee {I always say “Yes.  I’ll take my coffee black, please”… immediately upon walking in… I blame my affinity for early morning appointments}, and then caught up {willingly and with much anticipation} in the swirl of the salon.  It is hard to describe the experience to one who hasn’t been here… because this place is one-of-a-kind.  Imagine a room full of engaging personalities, artists, and friends… that is just the beginning of Salon Patine.  The paint colors on the wall change frequently, as do their featured artists.  This salon is a community that is worth being a part of… it’s a huge bonus that your hair will look utterly fabulous when you walk out their doors.

    Local Tip: Salon Patine oftentimes throws events at their salon after hours or on weekends.  Don’t miss out, as these events are definitely worth attending.  Check out their website {here} for upcoming events.

  • FABULOUS SANTA BARBARA SPOT – BLUSH

    FABULOUS SANTA BARBARA SPOT – BLUSH


    Blush is a killer spot.  The food is delicious.  The nightlife is phenomenal.  The happy hour specials are spot on.  True locals know that the real gem is Sunday brunch and the bottomless mimosa bar {Fresh fruit? Check. A variety of flavors like strawberry and pomegranate as juice options in lieu of the standard orange-juice-only-mentality? Check. Bubbly champagne? Mmhmm, checccck.}… My closest friends and I can often be found lounging, laughing, and sipping those mimosas into the late Sunday afternoon on Blush’s beautifully designed outdoor patio.  Need to host an event? They’re easy to work with, accommodating, and professional {look at an earlier event that I hosted at Blush here}.  Blush is a scene in which you want to be seen… there is an inherent connotation of class and elegance infused with just enough of the edgy stuff to keep things fresh.

    What to Try
    Food    : The Blush Burger is always spot on {it comes with to-die-for truffle fries}.  If you’re looking for a flavor explosion {and to seriously indulge} get the lobster mac n’ cheese.  Dining here for breakfast? Try the Eggs Benedict or the Blush Toast {their special twist on French toast}.  The Chicken and Waffles are also delicious and surprisingly chic {see it to believe it}.  Their Chicken Sandwich and Cobb Salad are also spot on.  Tip: make sure that you get a bread basket with your breakfast… sometimes you’ll luck out and get some warm chocolate-filled croissants with whipped butter and strawberry jam.

    Cocktails:  The Love Potion No. 9 is a scene-stealer… a martini glass full cotton candy is then doused in a ridiculously delicious libation, dissolving the cotton candy and leaving you with a swanky glass full of pink goodness.  They also have an extensive wine list and plenty of wines are available by the glass.  You can order at the inside bar or, if it’s after 10pm, order outside at the back bar and take in the local nightlife in all of its {charmingly} pretentious glory.  Mimosas {especially with a variety of fruit juices and combinations!} are delightful.  And, as just being at Blush is reason enough to celebrate {if you truly need to find a reason… just celebrate life… read about it here}, have a glass {or two} of champagne.

    Local Tip:  Wednesday nights are a steal… the Wine Discovery dinner is only $25… you get to partake in a wine tasting hosted by a local winemaker, pick a glass of your choice to accompany your meal, and enjoy a starter and an entrée.  Sunday brunch is the place to be all summer long as Blush has an outdoor patio with a bottomless mimosa bar {and the fruit and juice combinations offered guarantee that you needn’t have the same mimosa twice}.

  • FABULOUS EVENT – THE PERFECT GIRLS’ WEEKEND

    FABULOUS EVENT – THE PERFECT GIRLS’ WEEKEND

    If you read my packing article earlier this week {found here}, you may have wondered exactly what I was packing for… I was packing for a girls’ weekend.  There is a common misconception that a girls’ weekend has to be all about boys and partying {and, yes, that can be a fun weekend…}, but what can be even more fabulous {and refined} is a more relaxed version of that weekend… a weekend of sunshine, food, poolside cocktails, shows, and treating yourself {or being treated} like a princess.  Another positive: instead of ending the weekend exhausted and hungover {a sad side-effect of the boy-chasing shot-pounding girls’ weekend}, you end the weekend refreshed, tan, and utterly pampered.

  • FABULOUS EVENT – A SURPRISE BIRTHDAY BRUNCH FOR MY SISTER

    FABULOUS EVENT – A SURPRISE BIRTHDAY BRUNCH FOR MY SISTER

    So, if you don’t know by now… I run a design house in Santa Barbara (see it here or here).  One of the things I LOVE. Love. love. is event design.  My little sister (and my best friend in the whole wide world) was turning 24… I thought a surprise brunch in her favorite color {green} at her favorite restaurant (Blush of Santa Barbara) was in order.  I whipped up a theme, stuck with the color scheme, did a little graphic design on some menus, and scoured the local Farmer’s Market so that I could put together the flower arrangements {my how-to on arranging flowers is here!}.  A party isn’t truly a party without some ridiculously fabulous people… we’re blessed with the most fabulous friends that life has to offer.  Needless to say, with the genuine surprise on my sister’s face as she walked in (whew! she had no idea!), the wonderful guests in attendance, and the bottomless mimosas (no better way to pass a Sunday afternoon)… the party was quite a hit.