Blog

  • 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}.

  • CURRENT OBSESSION – WILLIAM RAST

    CURRENT OBSESSION – WILLIAM RAST

    Yes, it all started with one simple {okay… not so simple…} purchase: a cream leather jacket embellished with ruffles and zippers that fit me like it was literally custom made {see the full outfit here}.  And, right then and there, William Rast stole my heart {that’s the name of this fashion line}.  I am now thoroughly obsessed with everything that William Rast has available.  They have a way of seamlessly combining elements of masculine style with those that are distinctly feminine in a way that is sexy and somehow classic.  Get a fix of this incredible fusion with one of the items below.

    1. ‘Combination’ Aviator Sunglasses $150
    2. Lace-Up Platform Boot $399
    3. New Ruffle Leather Jacket {just like mine, but in black} $525
    4. Belle Flare in Navy Chrome $165
    5. Retro Inspired Sunglasses $150
    6. Mackenzie Shorts $98
    7. Striped Twisted Seam Top $62

  • LOOK OF THE WEEK – GLAM GREASE

    LOOK OF THE WEEK – GLAM GREASE

    I was having one of those “Bad Sandy” kind of days… the kind of day where this good girl wanted just enough edge {but not too much!}… so I threw on some cigarette pants {buy a pair… now… I have a feeling this trend is on its way back in} and some red lipstick and sauntered {strutted?!} my way through the afternoon.

     

    1. Barton Perreira Faithful $395
    2. Oliver Peoples Limited Edition Balmain 1 $595
    3. Barton Perreira Brasco $480
    4. Striped T-Shirt $11
    5. RVCA Stripe Radley Sweater $60
    6. Soft Knit Striped Scarf $20
    7. Genetic Denim Raquel – Zinc $198
    8. Genetic Denim Raquel $165
    9. BDG Twill Grazer Cigarette Pant $49
    10. Poetic Licence ‘Dainty Doll’ Flat $100
    11. Christian Louboutin Cotonetta $695
    12. French Sole ‘Zest’ Flat $195

  • FABULOUS FOUR – BRIGHT & DELICIOUS

    FABULOUS FOUR – BRIGHT & DELICIOUS

    Something about the summertime makes me incessantly crave bright, colorful, fun food… A few of the current frontrunners:

  • FABULOUS LOCATION – A GIRL’S GUIDE TO VEGAS

    FABULOUS LOCATION – A GIRL’S GUIDE TO VEGAS

    My friends ask me frequently enough {mainly every summer} for tips on the places to be and the things to do when in Las Vegas.  I have already given you a guide for a mellow girls’ weekend {read it here}, but sometimes… it’s fun to go with your crew to Las Vegas.  If you’re going to spend some time in Vegas, make sure that it’s fabulous.  Here’s a quick guide to get you started.

    Where to Stay
    My personal favorites are Casesar’s Palace and the Wynn.  I also love the Venetian and Encore.  Though you may be bombarded with “hotel deals” that tout an astoundingly cheap $49 a night… you get what you pay for.  Consider upping the ante and shelling out a bit more cash so that you and your friends can enjoy where you are staying.  Do not underestimate the value of a comfortable/luxurious place to unwind {you need to frequently rehcarge your batteries in Vegas and, though an in-suite baby grand piano may seem like overkill… it’s not} and an abundance of mirrors {you’ll need them when all the girls are getting all dolled up}.  The places that I have recommended offer spacious rooms, great bathrooms with huge mirrors, and are luxuriously appointed.  They are also all located on the Strip, which gives you prime access to all the attractions.

    Where to Lounge/Party Poolside
    The cabanas at the Wynn are definitely the place to go if you just want to lounge, relax, and eat amazing food poolside.  The Encore Beach Club is architecturally stunning, filled with beautiful people, and outstanding service.  It still feels like a pool party {and can get quite rowdy}, but the vibe of the place is elegant {and they have bottomless mimosas on Sundays}.  On a Friday or Saturday, Wet Republic at the MGM is a fabulous pool party because they are fairly selective with who gets in, they always have great DJs, and their mojitos are to-die-for.

    What to See
    There are two shows that I highly recommend {and you and your girls may be wiped out after two days/nights of partying, so you might want to just sit and relax and enjoy some quality entertainment}.  The first show is Cirque de Soleil’s “La Reve.”  It is magical, a total feast for the eyes, and even the less expensive seats have a killer view as all of the seats are arranged around a circular center stage.  The show combines water, acrobatics, and a light romantic plot.  The other show that is so worth the money is “Phantom.”  This show plays at the Venetian and it is a rendition of “Phantom of the Opera.”  The show is sexy, powerful, and meticulously executed.  Definitely go.

    Where to Party
    Areas of Vegas can get a bit seedy… especially some of the lower caliber clubs.  All of my favorite clubs are also housed in my aforementioned favorite hotels.  A great place to start the night is at a lounge called “Blush” in the Encore hotel.  Order the melon flavored shots.  Elegant and fun.  Then you can try Tryst at the Wynn {beautifully located around a killer waterfall}, but it can get a bit cramped.  If you stay at the Encore, go to XS {which is an elaborately designed indoor/outdoor club that is spacious, full of Vegas’ most impressive guests and locals, and the best place to get bottle service… try to get the table that is right outside facing the dance floor… amazing people watching/social scene}.  Another fun club {though it is getting a bit tired} is Tao at the Venetian.  It’s perfect to eat dinner at Tao’s restaurant and then head upstairs to the nightclub.

  • LOOK OF THE WEEK – JET SET CHIC

    LOOK OF THE WEEK – JET SET CHIC

    I was about to leave to catch a flight to Vegas… I considered the comfortable option {cute sweat pants, sandals and a hoodie} and then thought about it… Arriving in style sets the tone and there is something nice about the way people used to get dressed up to travel.  I took a cue from fashionable women past and dressed the part… it was a fabulous flight and an even more fabulous trip.

    1. Chantecaille Lip Chic – Amaryllis $30
    2. NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil – New Lover $24
    3. Lipstick Queen – Red Saint $18
    4. David Szeto Panther Border Scarf $370
    5. David Szeto Patchwork Scarf $335
    6. Jil Sander Solid Linen Scarf $165
    7. Shipley & Halmos Guardian Cargo Dress $350
    8. Altuzarra Python Dress $3000
    9. Derek Lam Swing Dress $1290
    10. Jean-Michel Cazabat Penelope $285
    11. Pierre Hardy Open Toe Wedge $630
    12. Christian Louboutin Chus $455