Sweets In Solvang

I went on a road trip this weekend to the charming town of Solvang to kick off the weekend, bask in the warm weather, enjoy the Danish-inspired architecture, and indulge in some Danish sweets.  I finally had the chance to eat at the Belgian Cafe, whose menu I've admired on multiple occasions in the past.  It's practically waffle heaven, and for me, there's nothing quite like eating breakfast for lunch (or for dinner). The intoxicatingly delicious Banana Supreme waffle that I ordered was beyond my expectations with its perfect combination of fruits, nuts, and sugar. From there, I attempted to burn off some calories by taking my dog for a stroll around the quiet streets and manicured parks. On the way out, I made the required stop for cookies at Mortensen's. Although the baked goods at Mortensen's are expensive, they are some of the best cookies I've ever had, and well worth every single penny, especially if you have a weakness for marzipan.

Wearing: Forever 21 hat, floral tank top, and kimono, vintage Levi's cutoffs, H&M fringe handbag (similar), and Sam Edelman Louie boots

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Gossip Girl Clothing Launch

Tucked away in a quiet alley behind the bright lights and busy streets of Hollywood lies an inconspicuous and cozy bar called the Writer's Room, which played host to the launch of the Gossip Girl by Romeo & Juliet Couture clothing line last night.  Clad in a fringed zig zag poncho from the collection, I gathered photography and camera tips from a pro (who highly recommended the Canon 5D Mark II), and later cozied up on one of the retro couches. From my comfortable vantage point I sampled some mini crab cakes, admired a couple of sequin dresses from the collection as worn by attendees, spotted musicians Devendra Banhart and Pop Noir in the crowd, and chatted with other bloggers and familiar faces in attendance including Felix, Tiara and Annemarie. The most entertaining moment had to be when a man walked in with his dog, who looked eerily similar to the dog that Chuck Bass adopted in a recent episode, and was dressed in an orange tutu. It served as another reminder that Halloween is almost here. (While I won't be dressing up my dog for Halloween, I will be paying homage to my love for dogs with my 1950s poodle skirt and poodle print sweater.) It was a relaxing way to spend the evening in a casual atmosphere chatting about fashion and TV, and a fitting way to celebrate the launch of the Gossip Girl clothing line.

Gossip Girl airs on Mondays at 8/7c on the CW.

Wearing: fringe poncho c/o Gossip Girl by Romeo & Juliet Couture, Charlie flare jeans c/o Lucky Brand, and Steve Madden Collosul boots.

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Gray Days

Occasionally I allow the weather to inform and influence my sartorial choices. On this particular day, the thin layer of fog heavily influenced my neutral-hued outfit. While I typically steer away from wearing nothing but neutrals, on this day shades of gray, ivory, and pale pink undoubtedly echoed the gloomy skies.

A technique I learned from watching interior design shows on HGTV is that when decorating a monochromatic room (or styling a monochromatic or neutral-hued outfit), an easy way to add interest and develop a focal point is by incorporating prints and textures. This fall, I'm slowly incorporating snake prints into my closet in small doses, and any shade of gray snakeskin gets my vote.  (Who knows, maybe it'll replace my love of leopard prints.) The fringe bag is an old purchase from 2009, and now that my fringe obsession has returned, the bag is getting more use than I ever anticipated.

Wearing: H&M sunglasses, Forever 21 unicorn necklace, Sag Harbor cardigan (similar), Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's ankle zip jeans, American Apparel tee, Charlotte Russe snakeskin pumps, and handbag from Marshalls

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In Wine Country

Wearing: Missoni for Target cardigan, American Rag hat (twin version here), Topshop jeans, Aldo Qualheim boots (similar style), and H&M bag.

My weekend started off in stark contrast to the bustling energy and chaos of Project Ethos and Concept Fashion Week last weekend. On Friday, I welcomed the chance to duck out of town for a languid and highly enjoyable afternoon of wine tasting, scenic vistas, and deserted country roads in the Santa Ynez Valley. Although I'm not a wine aficionado, I did sample a few varieties in between snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables.  (All wine and no food is not an optimal combination for me.) Being in the area and soaking up the ambience gave me a new appreciation for the open roads, touch-and-go cell phone service, friendly small town feel, and endless rolling hillsides. They all constitute a refreshing change of pace, and are things that I could get easily used to.

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The Soft & Shaggy Jacket

Nasty Gal has been a source of styling inspiration for me since my early days as a fashion blogger. Perhaps it's because their outfits consistently incorporate an element of coolness that never looks overdone or trying too hard.  For example, a tight mini dress balanced with an oversized cardigan, or a demure dress paired with rough-and-tumble platform boots and a moto jacket for just enough edge. It's one of those sites that I browse regularly when I'm seeking inspiration on how to style my wardrobe pieces into cohesive looks. Those models make everything look appealing to me, and I admit that I exercise a lot of restraint each time I browse without buying. Last week, however, my willpower got the best of me; my latest purchase from the site is this voluminous and super soft jacket. Don't be fooled by the thick and shaggy texture, it's actually quite lightweight, and therefore perfect for layering over dresses on cool evenings when the fog rapidly rolls in from the coast.

Wearing: Nasty Gal Sonia shag jacket, Zara dress, Boohoo handbag, assorted jewelry, and Jessica Simpson Dany heels (similar version by Asos)

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LAFW Weekend Wrap Up

Wearing: Foreign Exchange leopard print dress and Steve Madden Collosul boots

















Wearing: New Look headband, Forever 21 blouse and velvet skirt, and Ashish for Topshop zebra wedges (similar style)


After sifting through around 600 files from the past few days of LAFW this past wekeend, I've finally narrowed it down to my top picks, hence the image heavy post. Memorable moments for me include: an energetic performance by Black Cards (the latest project from Pete Wentz) at Project Ethos, bohemian fringe boots from B by Aperire, retro feminine looks from Pentard Couture, glamorous evening gowns from Glaudi by Johana Hernandez, ultra feminine and vibrant dresses by Lauren Nicole, subversive installations by black-clad models at Kittinhawk and Jessica Huang, playful tassel-trimmed shorts with retro hair and makeup at Elaine Marie, shiny, body-hugging gowns with strategic cut outs at Eduardo Lucero, edgy hair and makeup modeled by male models in the standout ocean-hued collection at Debakalis, and more than a few dresses with fringe, thigh slits, defined waists, and ruffles that I wanted to take home with me from the Thai Nguyen show.  Thai Nguyen's wide array of wearable dresses embellished with cascading ruffles, fan details, shimmer, and soft colors made for an enjoyable show that had the audience clapping with enthusiasm as several looks came down the runway.  Have a look at my Tumblr for additional photos.

Overall, it added up to an entertaining mix of art, fashion, and music that was equal parts fantasy and reality. Attending the events was well worth the lack of sleep that Fashion Week tends to induce, and I'm looking forward to upcoming events.

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Style Tips From The Style Tour

Wearing: New Look headband, Tucker for Target dress, thrifted lace cardigan, Sam Edelman Louie boots

I recently had the opportunity to meet with a style consultant at the Westfield Style Tour, where Stacy London and her team of skilled makeup, hair, and wardrobe stylists from Style for Hire were on hand to give shopping tips and help shoppers make informed shopping choices.  I was thrilled to be surrounded by a team of style and beauty experts, and as a clothes horse, my eyes went straight to the racks of printed blouses, faux fur vests, animal print handbags, and adorable ankle boots.

At the event, I met with Lani, my stylist, and after discussing my lifestyle, favorite trends, and style preferences, she chose an outfit complete with accessories that would work for me. After my appointment, I spoke with Stacy about various things such as cost per wear, shopping habits, building the ingredients for a strong wardrobe, and the convenience of fast fashion stores like Forever 21 and H&M.  Stacy, who was clad in an H&M leopard print cardigan and green polka dot skirt with Alexandre Birman heels, later hosted a talk show and fall fashion show. She answered audience questions regarding everything from the next season of What Not To Wear, what the color of the year was (purple), and to how to lengthen and elongate your body. I've posted more details from my consultation, including photos of the outfit Lani picked out for me, along with extra photos from the Style Tour on my other fashion blog, Fashion Trend Guide.  In this post, I'll focus on some of the style and shopping tips that I took away from the event:

• Instead of buying pieces, aim to buy outfits. You'll be more likely to incorporate them into your wardrobe instead of having pieces that you don't know how to wear
• Make a list before going shopping so you stay focused on what you need and what your wardrobe lacks
• Invest in quality basics that will last for years. Good arch support is key for footwear
• Have fun with accessories and inexpensive, trendy items
• The key to authentic style is never looking like you're trying too hard
• Don't look like you're trying to chase your age
• Avoid basing your personal style on someone else's
• Find what you like about yourself and show it off
• Enhancement and authenticity should be your goals when developing your personal style
• When choosing a garment, choose by cut first and color second
• Use color, texture, and pattern to create personality in a look
• Jewel tones with blue undertones work well with many skin tones, ages, and body types
• To look slimmer, dark colors like black work best. Great alternatives to black are navy, burgundy, charcoal, and chocolate brown
• Light colors will enhance a feature
• The key to looking taller and slimmer is to shorten and define the waist, and lengthen the legs. This can be done with a high-waisted skirt, a tucked-in top, and belted cardigan
• When getting dressed, think in terms of proportions that will flatter you. For example, a sweater should hit near the hip to avoid cutting your body off in the wrong place
• Aim to highlight your waist and create structure around it. This can be done with a belt or a tailored garment

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