Take the Plunge

So as most of you lovelies know, I'm out in LA this week for the Victoria's Secret swimwear launch that took place yesterday morning at the rooftop pool at the Thompson Beverly Hills.  For VS, we do a lot of these photo ops as it's pretty easy to get the photos picked up (I mean, have you seen these women?) and it's a great opportunity to get some one-on-one time with local fashion/entertainment editors and to book the Angels on various broadcast outlets.  Yesterday was a little more over than top than most as Candice Swanepoel and Miranda Kerr stood on clear platform set just below the surface of the pool to give the effect that they were "walking on water." It looked beyond.

If you're looking for tips on swimwear trends for summer - and because there might not be two women better suited to discuss bikinis - both girls agree that mix and matching your swimsuit (an electric blue top with a yellow bottom, for example), crocheted cover-ups and anything embellished will be huge on the beach this summer.  Not that I'm at all biased, but before you spend $300 on something from Eres, check out the Victoria's Secret swim collection this year - it's really good.

Your Daily Pretty

I've always been a Tibi fan but the current spring collection is all that I want in the world right now.    Lots of mints, pinks, lavenders and tans - all colors that look great against tan skin - and the prints are PERFECT.  The Arizona print (in any variation) is at the very top of my wish list.  

Aside from the color palette, the easy breezy feel is perfectly adaptable to various body types and personal style.  Apparently the inspiration was about "modernizing and refreshing the nineties silhouette (think Gwyneth) with streamlined cuts, sportswear elements and asymmetrical hems in natural fiber fabrics contrasting with modern techno textiles."  Sign me up.

Image courtesy of Luella & June.

The Big D

I just spent the last two nights in Dallas for the last leg of the Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Tour and it's been pretty fun messing with Texas.  The last time I was in Dallas was my freshman year of college when my roommate and I roadtripped from Boulder to Padre Island.  Oh yes.....that happened...and it was awesome, but I digress.    As this work trip came along nine years later (time really flies when you're having fun), my experience was obviously very different as this one didn't involve a fake ID and me spending my Dad's money.  The coolest thing about this trip was that one of my very best friends was also randomly in town for work so I had a nighttime drinking buddy.  

First of all, let me just say that Dallas is a bit of an odd bird.  Apparently not a lot of people go out during the week so cruising around Deep Ellum at 10PM on a Wednesday found us with a whole lot of nothing to do.  Before we left the hotel I googled "hot guys, "downtown Dallas," "good food" and the World Wide Web sent us at this funky Ace-Hotel-esque restaurant with no sign above the door called The Cedars Social.  Nice work internet, you did me proud.

Had this bar been a little busier (or pardon me Dallas) had it not been a school night, I would have stayed there all evening.  The Cedars Social fancies itself a "cocktail den" as they create all of these funky, experimental cocktails served in retro glassware with things like springs of rosemary and strawberries sticking out of the drinks.  Still not sure why the cocktail den "doesn't do dirty martinis," as our server haughtily informed me, because if you ask me, that's just an affront against God and not very nice.  Haha.

The real standout of this place is the food though - it is AMAZING.  Our table just shared a ton of small plates and the rock shrimp two ways (flash fried and ceviche), calamari, deviled eggs, and salmon tartare were beyond delicious.  If you are looking for something quality, retro and a little funky I highly recommend that you swing by the next time you're in the Lone Star state.

Crank Up the Heat

Robin Williams once said that, "Spring is nature's way of saying 'Let's Party!'"  I could not agree more.  This gorgeous weather has me entirely too excited for BBQ's, cocktails on rooftops, breezy walks through the city, and....the beach.  

I fly out for Dallas this afternoon (something about Dallas always seems very summer-time to me), am probably flying to LA on Sunday, and then I have a fully loaded summer of badassery planned that requires all of the various pieces in the looks like below.  Lots of crisp white, bright coral, bold prints, and gigantic necklaces.  The warm weather is here loves, and I can't wait!

The World of Wearstler

With my twenties starting to round the turn into my thirties (eek), I've been thinking a lot about what it actually is that I want to do with myself.  While I have no desire to change jobs or my career path, I've spent more time looking into badass, inspirational women (and what they've done) and a little less time trolling around the internet looking for bags and shoes.  A little less...

On that note, I have been obsessed with Kelly Wearstler for ages.  If you are not familiar, Kelly has the most glamorous aesthetic of anyone on Earth (seriously) and has primed the lifestyle and design experiences for the best luxury resorts and hotels across the US.  She designs her own fierce line of home goods that remind me of Jonathan Adler but with a Hollywood glamour twist.  AND if all above didn't keep her and her team busy enough, in Fall 2011, she turned her interior design fabulousness into a ready to wear and accessories collection that debuted at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Net-a-Porter.  No big deal.

 Kelly.

 A residential design project in Bel-Air.  I mean...those walls are just....

 The Viceroy in Santa Monica.

BG at Bergdorf Goodman

Images from Kelly's fashion collection were shot on Kelly Framel aka The Glamourai at Kelly's Malibu Home.

Now do you understand my obsession??

Spring Fever

Maybe it has to do with the past few days of gorgeous weather...  Maybe it's because I'm starting to feel more like myself than I have in a while...  Maybe it's just because I love anything bright, light, and made for warm weather...  Regardless, here are some of my must-haves for spring. 

Calypso St. Barth's Marcella Pom Pom Cardi - $365

 Noir Jewelry Neon Pink Shaka Knot Bracelet - $143

 Tory Burch Traveler Slip On Sneakers - $95

Victoria's Secret Pink Ruffle Stripe Bikini - $56

Zara Neon Green Slim Pop Fabric Trousers - $80

Set Fire to the Rain

It's been a bit of an upside down, kick-you-in-the-teeth, shake-your-foundation sort of week.  My friend Dale sent me the quote below and it seems pretty perfect and right on track with what I need.

If you're going to try, go all the way.

Otherwise, don't even start. 

This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, and maybe even your mind.

It could mean not eating for three or four days, it could mean freezing on a park bench.

It could mean jail.

It could mean derision.

It could mean mockery -- isolation.

Isolation is the gift.

All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it.

And you'll do it, besides rejection and the worst odds.

And it will be better than anything else you can imagine.

If you're going to try, go all the way.

There is no other feeling like that.

You will be alone with the Gods and the nights will flame with fire.

You will ride life straight to perfect laughter.

It's the only good fight there is.

- Charles Bukowski, Factotum

Just Another Day at the Office

I spent the tail-end of my workday yesterday looking around online for some cool Dallas blogs as we have the Texas leg of the Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Tour coming up and I wanted to invite some fun girls.  (Quick side note: if you are a cool Dallas blogger - email me!).  Like expected, I found some great local blogs but what I wasn't expecting was to find the COOLEST. SHOE LINE.  EVER.

The Office of Angela Scott is a shoe line by...duh, Angela Scott.  Each of her Italian-brushed shoes are handmade by artisans in a bespoke process that involves carving, tanning, and many other cobbler-like techniques that have me very excited.  Her feminine/whimsical spin on mens shoes are just up my alley and would look just as adorable with jeans as they would all dressed up in a pencil skirt.  The price point is a little high (they start around $500), but as a single cobbler personally crafts every shoe from start to finish, you are definitely getting what you pay for.  

Tool Time

A few months ago (while still living in LA), I spent the morning covering Brooklyn Decker's British GQ shoot in the boiler room of the Beverly Hilton.  While my job is anything but normal, this morning was more unusual than most.  Imagine watching one of the most gorgeous women on Earth traipse through the hotel's various machine rooms while wearing a neoprene bathing suit and full makeup.  Now imagine that a team of five people are following behind her carrying oversized rubber props.  Complete spectacle.  As it was a shoot for GQ's Comedy Issue, the props made sense, but the custodians and security guards that we came across couldn't have known and stared like we were a traveling circus.

Regardless, the picture below came out amazingly and I got a chance to get to know Brooklyn, who I absolutely adore.  Now if I could just get myself that 24-inch waist, I'd be all set.

Hello Lover

By now you know all about my deep love of Zara's womenswear.  My Zara jackets, silk tops, and sweaters are some of the pieces that end up in my rotation weekly. At such a low price point, their products are literally the best bang for your buck and manage to perfectly straddle the line between trendy and classic.

But things over at Zara are getting pretty intense it seems.  Have you seen their line of spring sandals?  Oh my...  I think I need every pair and with each one under $100 - I think I can totally justify it.

Black Basic Sandals - $50

High Heel Sandal w/Buckles - $90

Sandal w/Snakeskin Straps - $90

Platform Heel Sandals - $70

Laminated High Wedge - $90

Pastels and Tears

The fashion rumor mill is abuzz saying that Raf Simons was fired from Jil Sander...  Whether this happened or he was just "forcefully shown the door" due to Jil Sander's return to Jil Sander is anyone's guess.  Something that can't be disputed is that he exited the brand on one hell of a high note, and by high note, I mean a standing ovation led by Anna Wintour at his last show in Milan.

Simons' final show was presented on the fourth day of Milan Fashion Week on Saturday and it was soft, serene, and very, very special.  You could almost call it sentimental.  The models paraded out in sleek pastel dresses and coats, the colors coordinating with the bouquets of fresh flowers positioned on the white runway.  Apparently after the final walk and Simons' bow, the applause continued after he stepped out of sight.  The applause continued when audience walked onto the runway and when the publicists all had tears in their eyes.  Apparently the applause thundered when Simons' came back out onto the runway with tears of his own.  God, I love fashion.  It's so perfectly dramatic.