I have died and gone to cupcake heaven. Cupcakes in a tiny cupcake box heaven. Did I mention that the box is tied with a hot pink bow? And adorned with a little crystal? And the cupcake is moist and chocolatey with marshmallow frosting and sweetened hot pink coconut? Now that is something worth obsessing over. Oh, if you’re wondering… I ate every last bite. And licked the wrapper.
I was obsessed with a certain Grecian headband (found here)… I was looking at one of my jewelry boxes and it was brimming with my late grandmother’s brooches. I thought to myself… “Why not make your own one-of-a-kind headband?” So I did. I grabbed some thick satin ivory ribbon and then fastened the brooches to the ribbon. I tied the whole think in my hair and was (very!) pleased with the result. You may not have a ton of vintage jewelry lying around… So head to a thrift store and buy a bunch. Go classic or garish.
After one of the best nights… ever (1. Went on a double date with my man and my sister and her boyfriend, 2. Sat in the front row at the Kings’ game, 3. Stayed at the Standard in Downtown LA, and 4. Drank chardonnay spritzers at the Rooftop Bar at the Standard and fell in love with the city lights), I woke up the next morning utterly starving. I wandered down the street and, by a stroke of luck (or fate, call it what you will), I found myself in front of Bottega Louie.
This place is perfect. My boyfriend and I have very different dining styles (he likes the low-key, all-American type of place… I like the hoity-toity restaurant that attracts the wannabe gourmand). Somehow, Bottega Louie manages to fuse the two. Even with its Los Angeles location it feels distinctly like New York. An exposed stainless steel kitchen, a hostess dressed to the nines with a giant reservation book (no computers here), and tiny two person tables charmingly clutter the floor. The place is bustling and loud, but maintains it’s high-class feel. The energy is contagious. It appeared that everyone was a somebody, or felt like they were a somebody, during the lunch hour that I spent here. Gourmet food and top-notch service at a reasonable lunch price range. We had the Portobello Fries, Onion Gratinée, and Napoli Pizza (we added pepporoni)… all of it: delicious. Plus, the full bakery and candy bar at the entrance (and, conveniently, that entrance is also the exit) basically demands that you buy something simply by its very adorable, well-decorated, and divine smelling presence.
I may not be able to afford an entire living room from one of my interior design obsessions… Jayson Home & Garden (yet)… but that won’t stop me from trying. I mixed and matched a few pieces to put together a compilation of my ideal living room. Feminine enough, yet rustic. Refined, yet comfortable. Chic, yet timeless. And just enough quirky elements to give the room some character. I’m sure my idea of an ideal living room will change daily (like my other style choices)… but that’s a chance I’m willing to take.
1. Garnier Fructis Style XXL Volume Mousse
Amazing. Smells great. Gives lift, but it’s not sticky. I work it into damp hair before blowdrying.
2. Got 2b Guardian Angel Gloss Finish Blow Out Lotion
Protects against the high heat of my hair dryer.
3. Conair Lightweight Ionic Ceramic Dryer
Inexpensive and gets the job done. Nothing dries my hair faster.
4. Babyliss Pro Flat Iron with Pink Swarvoski Crystals
Gets my hair stick straight and can add a cute flip to my ends. Plus, the pink crystals are adorable.
5. Infinity by Conair Instant Heat Ceramic 1.5″ Curling Iron
The 1.5″ barrel provides the perfect soft, loose curl or beachy waves. It also heats up super fast.
6. Helen of Troy HotSetter Pro 20 Hot Rollers
Totally old school. And totally perfect. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
7. John Frieda Sheer Blonde Dream Creme Instant Silkener
I couldn’t live without this. Smoothes my hair without weighing it down. Hides split ends and color damage.
8. Small Multi-Teeth Flipside Comb
Add volume, tease, sculpt, comb. I use it for any and every style and to lift my roots. Fits in my purse.
9. Scunci No-slip Grip Beautiful Blends Bobby Pins
The multi-colored bobby pins hold your style in place and totally disappear into your hair. Amazing.
10. Aqua Net Extra Super Hold Hairspray, Unscented
It actually is unscented. And does have extra super hold. And doesn’t dry your hair. My mom turned me onto this one.
I love trends just as much as the next girl… and fedoras were huge last year. I don’t care one bit if they are slightly out of fashion… I’m obsessed. Menswear made sexy is one of my favorite statements and I thought it was perfect for a day of work related meetings all over Santa Barbara.
