|| What I’m Lovin’ Right Now ||

Posted in Beauty, Books, Explore, Fashion, Food, Fun, Handbags, Inspiration, Travel, Treats by C.

I’ve secretly always wanted to just pick-up and move to Europe for at least a year (it’s a toss-up between Italy or France). I would channel Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love (minus the messy divorce) completely immersing myself in a new culture. I’d learn French or Italian, sit and write (or blog!) in cafes, walk to museums, sip cappuccinos, develop a hardcore appreciation for fine wine with lunch and dinner, have conversations with strangers, and eat croissants with a side of pasta all day long (not gaining a pound, of course). Needless to say, I was elated to read Vanessa Larson’s inspiring story of a gal who stopped talking the talk and did it. This isn’t a dream that I’ve given up on completely. I’m still pretty young, but find that as I get older, it feels like time is slipping away and I’ll be twenty years older looking back at a youth that I wish I’d taken better advantage of. It’s my personal biggest fear and would be my lifelong regret. I cannot think of anything more enchanting than following your dreams, and when seeing that magic happen for someone else, it re-enlivens you to pursue your own.

here’s what i’m lovin’ right now

|| …Following your dreams // Read Vanessa Larson’s story here. ||

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|| Two Penny Blue // Cambridge Blazer in navy. ||

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|| Words. ||

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|| 10 Minutes to happy hour // Sparkling White Peach Sangria // Recipe here. ||

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|| Chic storage // Sunglasses case to store cords and cables in your bag. Genius. ||

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|| See By Chloé // My next perfume splurge. // Those magazine scented pages do work. ||

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|| Blueberry Dessert Pizza // Recipe here. ||

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|| Birchbox Tutorials // How To: Curl Your Hair With A Flatiron. ||

28Feb2013

Birchbox Review: February

Posted in Beauty, Explore, Fun by C.

February brought many smiles, but one that stands out was the day that I got my first Birchbox. Several of my girlfriends had been raving about theirs for months, posting pictures of their beloved treasures on Facebook, completely giddy. It was infectious. I almost passed on the craze thinking that it might be a total waste of money, that I would just start collecting samples of things that I would never use and create unnecessary clutter in my bathroom cabinets. After all, I had my go-to products that I was already happy with through years of trial and error.

Until one fateful January day when I thought about it from the perspective of treating myself to a little monthly surprise and indulge that side of me that likes to be in the know about any and everything! I decided to use this opportunity to experiment with colors and products that I would otherwise overlook due to the sheer volume of what’s on the beauty market and commit to really try the products (or as I ended up later doing, swap things out with other Birchbox ladies if it was something I knew I wouldn’t use).

Three weeks later, I got an invitation. Two weeks after that, my customized Birchbox was in my hands!

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{1}. Color Club Nail Polish in Wild Cactus: This is why Birchbox is cool! I probably would’ve never tried green nail polish without the low risk of getting a decent sized sample to experiment with first. I’ve gotten lots of compliments on my now festive toes.

{2}. Ghirardelli Chocolate: A small piece of chocolate inspired by Valentine’s Day was this month’s treat. I’m sure most of us are very familiar with Ghirardelli Chocolate and it would’ve been a bit nicer to get something more off-beat or original.

{3}. Lancôme Le Base Pro Makeup Primer: Admittedly, this was the product that I didn’t use much before writing this post. I did use a bit of it and liked the texture and non-greasy feel as a primer before foundation use, but wouldn’t purchase this full-sized. My foundation already has a great all-day wear and doesn’t need this expensive extra boost.

{4}. Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls: I’m African-American and therefore, have a very distinct hair texture making me extremely picky about what I put in my hair. 🙂 Since I knew this was likely something I wouldn’t use, I swapped with a fellow Birchbox friend for a perfume she said she would never use. Win, win!

{5}. Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator: This was the first product I saw that I was super excited to try. (I’m very anal about good skin care!) Of course, this is a product that is likely more telling the more you use it. I’ve used it a handful of times and find it be very gentle while exfoliating my skin; though if I’m completely honest, I’m happier with the tried and true (and much less expensive) St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I plan on finishing out the sample, but doubt a full-sized purchase will come of it

{6}. Nicole by Nicole Richie: The perfume I took on from a friend to try out instead of the Pillow Soft Curls was Nicole Richie’s fragrance. At first spritz it seemed very strong, but once it settled into my skin it was just okay. To its credit, it is a lasting scent. I can still smell it on me as I type this sentence 6 hours after I put it on. Again, I’ll finish out the sample, but won’t be adding it to my fragrance collection.

OVERALL

Not a bad first Birchbox! It was great fun to play with the products and at $10/month, I think I got my money’s worth. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything in this month’s selections that I would consider buying in the full-sized version. The most exciting aspect was trying out a new nail polish color that I’ve gotten tons of compliments on! Until March…stay tuned and stay beautiful.

If you’re a Birchbox user, I’d love to hear about your February goodies! Please feel free to leave me a comment below…

27Feb2013

|| What I’m Lovin’ Right Now ||

Posted in Accessories, Beauty, Explore, Fashion, Food, Fun, Handbags, Inspiration, Shoes, Travel, Treats by C.

Longer days and warmer weather are just around the corner! I can’t believe February has come and (almost) gone so quickly. Sadly, awards season is over. The Superbowl has come and gone. And Valentine’s Day now a memory. Despite all the events that the end of one calendar year so excitingly flows into the beginning of another, I’m excited for the changing of times. Spring brings sunlight until 8:00pm, blooming flowers, and fruit that subtly becomes all the sweeter as we make our way toward summer. Flip flops, dresses without leggings, iced lattes, and the need to be at the beach or outside as much as possible become the standard in my life. I can’t think of anything more exciting to look forward to.

here’s what i’m lovin’ right now

{Officially obsessed with Wendy’s Lookbook // my newest fashion blog addiction. She nails it every. single. time.}

{The best laugh I’ve had all week = a funny satire of our growing hipster culture.}

{High standards.}

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{Jonathan Adler Universal Smartphone Dock.}

{Like. Seriously.}

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{Giuseppe Zanotti Suede Rhinestone Thong Sandals…in either color.}

{Where I want to be right now.}

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{Strawberry & chocolate nachos // recipe here.} 0afc9f89c157bbdd60941a8934219043

15Feb2013

Highlights

Posted in Breakfast, Cocktails, Dinner, Explore, Film, Food, Fun, Independent Cinema, Inspiration, Television, Treats by C.

It’s been a rough week where I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting – something I think we all need to do every once and awhile. Aside from the realization that it’s time to make some major changes, I had moments to smile about as well. After all, there’s always something to be grateful for. Here are a few of them.

Have a nice weekend. 🙂

TEA| jin patisserie

Purchasing my favorite loose leaf green tea from Jin Patisserie to take home to make a soothing cup anytime I want.

WATCH| downton abbey season one

Finally joined the Downton Abbey fan club. I sat on my couch for 2 days straight absorbing the complicated lives of a 20th Century British aristocratic family and their mischievous house staff.

VIEW| clear skies

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A few rainy days yielded fresh air and a clear, blue, beautiful L.A. sky which I happily appreciated on the way to yoga class.

DVD| celeste & jesse forever

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A very thoughtful gift that made me super happy – my favorite film of 2012, Celeste & Jesse Forever is now apart of my DVD collection!

EAT| breakfast for dinner

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Sometimes you just need a movie, a magazine, and breakfast for dinner to make an ordinary Monday night, something special.

VALENTINE’S DAY| gift

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A little something I gave to my valentine.

8Feb2013

Highlights

Posted in Accessories, Explore, Fashion, Film, Fun, Handbags by C.

Hello Friday! Very happy to see you. It’s been a week of exploring, trying something new on the blog-front, and a bit of splurging. I finally joined the legions of gals who’ve been raving about the Birchbox and treated myself to a new handbag I’ve been eyeing for weeks. Details below. I’ll be anxiously stalking FedEx.com tracking where my new goodies are in the world until they hit my doorstep. So excited!

Here are this week’s happy highlights. Have a beautiful weekend…

EXPLORE| chemosphere

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On a dreary Saturday afternoon we headed up to the Chemosphere house to see the L.A. landmark perched in the Hollywood Hills. I first saw this unique octagonal home in Brian De Palma’s Body Double (1984) and was struck by how unusual and cool the architecture was and wanted to see it for myself.

FASHION| superbowl sunday

Sporting 49ers jerseys to a Superbowl Party for added festiveness. Since they lost, I’ll just leave it at that.

BEAUTY| birchbox

I’ve heard several girlfriends rave about the Birchbox and this week I joined in. For a $10 subscription fee and after completing a short profile, each month you’ll receive the best in beauty and lifestyle in sample size right at your front door to try out a range of new products. If you love your sample, you can head to the Birchbox Shop to purchase a full size version of your fav new product. The best part? Each box is customized to you. I’m excited to see what comes in a few short weeks. If you’re interested, check out the video above and register to join their wait list. It took me about 3 weeks to receive an invitation. Looking forward to my monthly surprise and exploring new products! I’ll keep you posted.

BAG| urban expressions

My handbag splurge from Urban Expressions, this Sinclair Woven Hobo. I went with the cognac color. It’s perfect for all seasons and looks oh so chic on the shoulder.

7Feb2013

Why I Want to be a Yogi

Posted in Explore, Fun by C.

Have you ever come across those people that are insanely confident, well-toned, and relaxed like ALL. THE. TIME? Those people that take life as it comes, remain at peace, and look amazeballs (with the clearest skin and tightest ass) while they do it? See examples above if you need a visual. This is why I want to be a yogi.

I was first introduced to the practice of yoga about 7 years ago when I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Since then, I’ve experimented with several types of yoga: Hatha, Kundalini, Iyengar. I’ve been on a quest on and off (though honestly more like off) for years to really get to that place of centered-ness, to build strength, to tone my body, and to take the time to just focus and be utterly and completely present.

If you must know, I’m very aware of my ~~issues~~ ~~weakness~~ slight character flaw with focusing and admit that I’m borderline A.D.D. My mind is constantly racing with things that I have to do; things that are coming up; things that are upsetting me; things that I wish I could change; things that I desperately want to do (like be on a plane to Italy right now and not look back); things that have already happened that I can’t change; and things that likely will never happen, but I’m too paranoid to relax because the moment I do, everything will fall apart. Exhausting, huh? Tell me about it. I wouldn’t classify myself as neurotic, so much as needing to learn how to better balance, emotionally and physically.

Enter yoga.

I returned to practice last month after nearly a year off. I don’t know if I’ll ever be a stand on your head yogi, but I do love that whenever life gets complicated and you need to take a step back, that you can take a yoga class and be in a like minded space with others – it just helps. I like being around people that give a damn about their health, their bodies, their minds, and want to take the time to make the most of life and the vessel that carries them through it. It’s contagious! Simply put, I like that I’m doing something good for myself.

I’m turning the big 3-0 in a few months and I’ve decided it’s time to grow up. And when I say grow up, it’s time to find a more mature way of dealing with life and improving that imbalance. Not that what I’m currently doing is immature, but it certainly isn’t serving me.

I came across this article from Self.com that I hope motivates you (as it did me) to find that balance in however it may be lacking in your life for 7 exciting reasons.

7 Life-Improving Benefits of Yoga

A sunnier outlook on life
Say goodbye to those pesky aches and pains
Sleep better
Better sex life
Insane confidence
Top to bottom all over body toning
A sense of calm

All of these reasons are good enough for me. I know I can’t be alone on this journey, so if you too want to be yogi – stop talking about it and join me! Please do let me know in the comments section what benefits or mishaps I should know about as I return to my regularly scheduled yoga programming.

*Image courtesy Self.com

6Feb2013

|| What I’m Lovin’ Right Now ||

Posted in Accessories, Beauty, Explore, Fashion, Food, Fun, Handbags, Music, Shoes, Television, Travel, Treats by C.

If you really stop and think about it, there are so many awesome, inspirational, entertaining, thought-provoking, exciting, deliciously superficial, silly, glamorous or happy things that happen around you everyday if you just open your eyes. I’m opening mine! In addition to the posts dedicated to sharing my personal highlights celebrating the things in life each week that made me smile (you can read my most recent Highlights here) – I’ve decided to start a new recurring blog post to share all of the random things big or small that came into my world, said hello, winked, then either promptly turned it upside down, inside out, or made me give a good “ooooh!” Here’s to having your world ROCKED by a little bit of everything with eyes wide open.

here’s what i’m lovin’ right now

{God bless the person who heard the cries of so many Sex and the City fans who’ve been going through Carrie Bradshaw withdrawal. This new series follows a 16-year-old Carrie prior to becoming the sex column writing fashionista strutting down 5th Avenue in 5-inch Manolos. Fun!}

{When I’m ready for my big walk down the aisle, I’m taking a cue from Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere fame and hiring these guys! Instead of your traditional long form wedding video, Shark Pig takes a highly stylized approach to immortalize your big day by shooting on Super 8mm film and editing it into a music video inspired montage creating something magical and timeless. You HAVE to check out Emily’s big day and see their work. Enjoy!}

{Words to live by…}

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{Insert me here…NOW. Thx.}

{I needed a full day of chill out music earlier this week and I knew Porcelain Raft’s Drifting In and Out was the vibe I was looking for. Hello Pandora and my new Drifting In and Out Radio Station. Set just the tone and mix I was looking for.}

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{Mixing my love of cupcakes and popcorn into one yummy treat? Yes, please! The next time I’m in Union Square in S.F. I’m stopping at American Cupcake for their Pink Popcorn Cupcake.}

{Bar carts as side tables.}

{Well said glitter girls (and boys).}

5Feb2013

Making Progress: A Graffiti Coffee Update

Posted in Explore, Food, Fun, Treats by C.

To all my decaf-soy-2 shot-vanilla-mocha-frappuccino-no whip-latte lovin’ readers:

Ask and you shall receive! I won’t take full credit for this, but apparently the right people over at Graffiti read my post last August (and probably all of the ~~complaints~~ feedback on Yelp) and made some major improvements to how they do things. I stopped in for a pre-Superbowl party caffeine fix this past Sunday and was pleasantly surprised when I was….

1) …asked for my milk choice!?! And not just your typical 1% or 2% options, they even offered me almond milk (which I jumped on and thoroughly enjoyed)!

2) That cash only nonsense? Gone. They take debit, baby! Something that shouldn’t have ever been an issue in the first place and I knew wouldn’t last long anyway.

3) I’ve been here a handful of times in recent months and the very unnecessary valet parking service is seemingly kaput. Thank goodness. I’m all for high glam, but there is a fine line and this totally pushed it.

4) It also looks like we’ve hired an interior decorator, somewhat. It’s still very much a completely stark white and black palette with a minimalist flair; but I had to admit, I loved the new addition to a wall that just needed something. It’s become my new personal motto:

Graffiti went from a B- to a B+ in my book thanks to the improvements, but because 1) I don’t get the really random, huge, and completely misplaced painted portrait of Anne Hathaway on the wall; and 2) I’m noticing in the attire section on Yelp, apparently Graffiti has gone formal and a jacket is required? I’m assuming this is a joke, but if it’s not it’s a step back. Even the baristas are in jeans. Come on.

Now if I can just get them to re-think the name or work with it in a more concrete way – you can’t have a business called “Graffiti” with not one iota of color in the place besides the pastry case.

We’re making progress, people. But as they say, there’s always room for improvement. I’ll keep you guys posted (as I’m finishing my no fuss decaf vanilla latte from Coffee Bean).

31Jan2013

Sun. Snow. City. Subs.

Posted in Explore, Food, Fun, Lunch, Travel by C.

Location: (A frozen) Big Bear Lake, CA

One of the most enviable things about living in L.A. is that you can hit the beach one day, enjoy city life the next, take a step back and melt into the calm suburbs the following day, then head to the mountains for some snow action if that bores you. I even came up with a nifty (and cheesy) new thought when you break it down: Sun. Snow. City. Subs. = L.A.

A glance up at the distant snow-covered mountains a few weeks back and an upcoming long weekend that also happened to be around my boyfriend and I’s anniversary, seemed like just the right time to leave the sun and the city to play in the snow. A drive up the winding mountainside; and we were in the charming, quaint, and snow-covered Big Bear Mountains 2 hours later.

{Driving up.}

The plan for the day was simple: enjoy the drive and a change of scenery, walk around the small town, have a nice lunch (the Peppercorn Grille was amazing), check out some of the shops, smile, and head home!

While it’s been pretty cold (then randomly warm) in L.A. over the last few weeks and I knew it would be rather “chilly” being up in the mountains – my body was not all ready for the sharp temperature drop during the day because I’m such a wuss when it comes to cold weather! Thus, I didn’t even attempt to go tubing this time around.

Here are a few more photos from the day. We couldn’t have picked a more beautiful one. Enjoy!

{Stopping to take in the view.}

{The town.}

{Buying bulk Jelly Bellys – which I can totally do back home but I couldn’t resist.}

{Lunch.}

{Admiring the snow.}

{Heading home.}

30Jan2013

The Groundlings

Posted in Explore, Fun by C.

Location: 7307 Melrose Avenue, Mid-City

If you ever need a good laugh (and who doesn’t these days), you can’t go wrong with a night at The Groundlings! The Groundlings is the uber famous improv and sketch comedy theater on Melrose that holds some of the most funny, pee in your pants (T.M.I.?) moments you’ll ever experience. Some of our greatest comedy talent got their start as a Groundling and gone on to grace the stages of Saturday Night Live and the silver screen.

{Close-up: Hall of fame.}

My first date with my now boyfriend was here (he did good!) and for our recent 2 year anniversary we decided to relive that laughter filled night. As luck would have it our anniversary, on a Thursday, is also the night of the hot ticket weekly Cooking With Gas performance, a fully improvised show based entirely on audience suggestion. Even better, these Thursday night performances are accompanied by a special guest host each week and we were blessed with a night of comedy with my new BFF and Groundling alum, Kristen Wiig! Okay, so technically we’ve never actually met, but after Bridesmaids it somehow just feels like we could be really good girlfriends, seriously! And P.S. I’m not a crazed, obsessed, celebrity stalking whore or anything.

Uh em! Back on topic!

Like all cool places where you would actually want to document it rather solidly, there was no photography in the theater space, but I snagged some random pictures outside and in the lobby to share.