Home Sweet Home

Silly 2011...  I started the year so desperate to move to LA and I'm ending the year so excited to move back to my sweet, crazy, filthy Manhattan.  Apparently that old adage is true:  If you love something, let it go.  If it comes back, it's yours.  If doesn't, then it never was.  

NYC, I am all yours.

Sweet Like Candy

Thanks to a recommendation from Cupcakes and Cashmere (and my need for pom pom swizzle sticks for our NYE get together) I went on a quick road trip down Santa Monica Blvd today to Sugar Paper in Brentwood.  Have any of you lovelies been here yet?  It's beyond. The store is very teeny but is stocked full of some of the best paper goods, stamps, and letter-pressed calendars you could ever want.  Aside from their collection of whimsical invitations, thank you cards, and stationary they have really sweet prints, hostess gifts, and lots of fabulous smelling candles.  For anyone not in LA, you can buy any of their trinkets via their e-shop located here.  Check out some of my faves below and you'll fall in love just like I did...

Thank You Notes

Note Sets

Personalized Stationary

Finally, can we discuss how amazing my swizzles are?

Well Played

I have a weird condition.  Sometimes I develop these outfit crushes and when I happen upon these looks,  my mouth literally falls open and my head kind of cocks to the side in wonder.  I'm sure from behind it looks a lot like when you hold something loud or shiny in front of a baby or a puppy.  It happens to me frequently while walking down the street in Manhattan, but most often it is when I'm sitting on my ass, procrastinating, and cruising through some of my favorite style blogs.

The best kind of style surfing is when, without even realizing it, you seemingly fall through an image rabbit-hole of vintage mink coats, perfectly distressed denim on lots of very thin legs, those smarty-pants spectacles everyone is wearing, and arm after arm of deliciously layered accessories.  One of those above mentioned rabbit holes just happened and click after click led me through an ocean of style envy to finally wash up at an adorable blog called A House in the Hills.  Aside from being just lovely, the author's post on her friend's immaculate style, found me at my latest outfit crush.  It. is. perfection.

Let me start out by saying that I don't know this woman from a waitress at Denny's but what I do know is that if our paths ever were to cross, we would immediately become best friends and shoe shop together while we shared guacamole recipes and funny stories about our boyfriends.  We are style soul mates. Those leopard wedge/booties (with the little gray nubby socks peeking out - LOVE!) have been very high on my wishlist, her rolled up skinnies fit perfectly, and a carbon copy of that J.Crew white mens oxford is currently in a ball on my floor because mine gets worn way too often.  Oh, and that nameplate necklace?  I've had one almost as long as Carrie Bradshaw.  Style. Soulmates.  Wherever you are lady....well played.

Stress to Impress

Today after an extremely stressful workday - one when many of my friends had the day off or spent their brisk Thursday shopping for holiday gifts - I had a mini meltdown.  Nothing crazy, mind you, just one of those silent-white-knuckle-wheel-gripping-don't-you-dare-cut-me-off drives home where you stew over everything that didn't go as planned and wonder if it's too late to completely change career paths and become a ballerina after all.

 Yep.  This was me fours ago.  Just not bald.

Nobody really discusses how to properly balance work and life.  As a woman in my late twenties it seems like you have two options - successful workaholic or a domestic life raising children.  If you know me at all, or read this blog with any regularity, you know that I fall into the former category and find as much satisfaction in being good at my job as I imagine parents feel when they teach their kids to spell.  While I am sure every good business person struggles with work stress, it's important to remind yourself to unplug and take care of yourself.  Usually these little reminders and de-stressing ideas are are crucial not just for the health of your career but for the health of, well...you.  

So how do you slow down when there is always something to be done?  Here are a few brilliant ideas that I wish I could take credit for:

• Step away from the computer and the phone.  This is almost impossible with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and email just a click away (I am as guilty as the next girl), but seriously take time to smell the roses versus taking a picture of them and uploading to Instagram - your senses will thank you.
• Clean the house.  When I'm feeling particularly overwhelmed I crank up the Rolling Stones and rock my way to tidier surroundings.  When my environment is in order I feel much less chaotic.
• Stop holding yourself to such high expectations.
• Take time to reflect.  Mediate.  Write in an actual journal (not a blog) and chart your course for the day.
• Exercise.  We all know it's good for us and if you are mainly stuck in front of a computer all day like I am, you are much more sedentary than you think.  Workout atleast 4x a week and not only will you feel better, you'll look better.
• Evaluate your goals and make sure you're still aware of while you're chasing them.  Why are you pursuing your career?  Take stock of the things you've already achieved and make sure you aren't excelling just to excel.
• Take the time to regenerate and allow for periods of stillness.  I read a National Geographic article about soil and farming once, and the point is for food to grow not for it to grow all at once and never again.  Soil does its job, but unless you let it rest it can't regenerate its own materials and do the same thing again.  You just have to let it lay there under the sun, dry out, get rained on, and be still for a little while.

Running for Office

Newt vs. Schrute.  Food for thought...

Image courtesy of Coke Talk.

A Real Head Case

I am really loving tousled hair lately.  I got a blowout a few days ago and was instantly disappointed by the boring...flatness of it.  I think stick straight hair is over - the sexy look this winter is hair that looks like you've actually lived in it.  Like you drive with the windows down, head bang at concerts, and can't be bothered with silly things like straightening irons. 

Gift Guide #2: Your Boyfriend Who Looks Just As Good In A Tuxedo As He Does In A Flannel Shirt

Prepara Round Ice Mold - $10

Lanvin Navy/Red Diagonal Stripe Tie - $249
Jack Spade Matchbook Leather Bill Holder - $149
Bear Paw Meat Handler Forks - $14
William Claxton's  Steve McQueen - $13
John Varvatos Artisan Eau de Toilette - $60
J. Crew's Fleece Lined Lodge Moccasins - $49

Gift Guide #1: Your Girlfriend Who Loves Fashion, Interior Design & Shiny Gold Trinkets

Rachel Gilbert Champagne Scala Beaded Silk Dress - $550

ModCloth Gold Carry On Necklace - $18

Non Je Ne Regrette Rien Print - $83

Leif Glitter Tart Servers - $20

Scalamandre Black Zebra Umbrella - $190

Kelly Wearstler Brass Legs - $1495

Write On

I have a crazy fixation with stationary and paper goods.  There is something very luxurious about thick paper,  address stamps, unique fonts and anything featuring a letter press. Aside from some of my faves like Pinhole Press (they helped me create the most fab photo book for J.P. as a first anniversary gift),  Mr. Boddington's Studio or Rifle Paper Co, there is a new kid in town - Mae Mae Paperie.  Mae Mae is based a little north of LA and aims to assist others in putting their rich stories and dreams onto paper through the means of design.  I adore a company whose only goal is to make things a little prettier for the rest of us.  

How much do you love the poster below with the synchronized swimmers or the dance-step coasters?  

Letters to Haiti

On Wednesday at Milk Studios, supermodel-turned-philanthropist Coco Rocha and her husband James Conran hosted the premiere of their film, "Letters to Haiti."  Directed by Conran, the film was shot on a trip that he and Rocha took to the island with fellow model (and Coco's BFF) Behati Prinsloo.  The group visited kids in schools and orphanages, delivering letters of support and encouragement from kids all over the world.  

Proceeds from the film benefitted LakayPam, an organization helping poor children meet their basic needs: shelter, food, medical care, and education.  Coco has set up an ongoing pen pal program for children in Haiti to correspond with others around the world as she thinks it's the lack of human contact that many of them are missing.  

An avid photographer, Prinsloo's photos from the trip were sold in a silent auction Wednesday night and Rocha encouraged everyone from Zac Posen to Rebecca Minkoff to pick up some photos for the holidays.  It is the season of giving after all...

 Coco Rocha in SS12 Zac Posen right off the runway.

 Coco Rocha & Behati Prinsloo

 Coco Rocha & Karlie Kloss 

 Hillary Rhoda

Zac Posen

Karlie Kloss, Hillary Rhoda, Carolina Bettencourt, Coco Rocha & Behati Prinsloo

Get Your Head in the Game

Holiday hair is always something that throws me as my standard straight locks seem a bit too boring and whenever I try to zazzle up my 'do, it just doesn't work out at all how I intended.  I have been wanting to try out some hair accessories, but every time I attempt a cute barrette look, I feel a bit too Mary Kate and Ashley circa 1991.  I finally found some adorable options in Ban.do's holiday collection - they have some  super-girly barrettes, bows, and headbands that are perfect for every festive fete on your calendar.  Not only is Ban.do's price point really affordable, they provided some style inspiration below...

 Gingham Bow Headband - $25

 Odette Crystal Bobbi - $130

Gift Bow - $35

 Feather Glam Headband - $45

 Jumbo Party Bobbi - $15

Metallic Lace Head Wrap - $50

Russell and the Renegade

At last night's 3rd Annual Change Begins Within Benefit Celebration presented by the David Lynch Foundation, Katy Perry wowed everyone with her new, chic bob.  I've always been a Katy fan (for her music not her hair choices, mind you) and I think this is the best that she has looked in a while.  She has such a pretty face and finally she's not letting royal blue hair overshadow those amazing cheekbones.

On a style note, she perfectly complemented a gorgeous white Versace dress with a little Stella & Dot.  Priced at $59, Stella & Dot's Renegade Bracelet is perfect to stack with other bracelets for a little arm party, or bold enough to stand on its own.  The gold spikes are delicate enough to be considered dainty and rock 'n roll enough for a girl with a little edge.

The Cool Cat Lady

I hate cats.  HATE them.  Not only am I allergic, but there is something so pompous and pretentious about cats....ugh.  With the exception of the hypo-allergenic Molly Mittens, cats are not nearly as cool and friendly as a big, snuggly dog.  I mean, when is the last time that a cat fetched anything?  Exactly.

Grace Coddington (my favorite Vogue-ette) thinks the exact opposite and adores kitties so much that she actually published a book of her feline sketches a few years ago called The Catwalk Cats.  Not only are her sketches amazing, but the book is really heartfelt and incredibly fashion forward.  The only thing I want more than a signed copy is the ability to sketch such a spot-on Lagerfeld.  This book would be the perfect stocking stuffer....hint, hint.

Givenchy for the Day

On October 15th and 16th, the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) group launched Les journees particulieres (The Exclusive Days of LVMH) by opening the doors of 25 historical sites belonging to the group ranging from the haute couture ateliers of Givenchy in Paris to the champagne cellars of Moet et Chandon.  How am I just now finding out about this?  The exceptional - and free! - visits offered a look into how luxury is created and apparently Parisians were lining up at 6am to ensure admittance.  I would have been like one of those sad people who camp out the night before Twilight premieres.  Just me with a bag of snacks, in a sleeping bag like a bum with a blowout, waiting for my Givenchy experience.  

Apparently, each 30 minute visit was only for a group of fifteen, which ensured a quality and intimate experience. Guests watched a short film that traced the steps that it took to create the gowns, and were given an in-depth explanation of how each dress was put together, what materials were used, etc.  They were then allowed to watch four specialist seamstresses at work.  I mean...I can't even imagine how amazing that was to see.  

The images below are the press photos that LVMH took at Maison Givenchy to create a little more buzz around the event.  Buzz?  They needed to actually create buzz around this event?  I don't know if LVMH plans on doing this once a year (it is actually a brilliant way to open their brands up to a wider audience), but if it happens in 2012, you had better believe I'm booking my ticket to Paris.