Highlights

Posted in Explore, Fashion, Food, Fun, Handbags, Life, Treats by C.

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Another busy but great week under my belt. Although, I feel like I haven’t had a chance to catch my breath lately and I’m exhausted. I’ve been getting to bed at decent times, eating well, and did stick to my yoga class this week, but I am in total need of a B.R.E.A.K.

The good news is that I am beyond excited for my mini-vacay next week. I really want to use the time to recharge and reflect on my next steps personally and professionally. I’ve even decided to write a list of goals (big and small) that I want to accomplish over the next year, something that I want to do in celebration of my upcoming milestone and to appease my “love-to-cross-things-off-my-list” O.C.D. personality.

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One big highlight within this week of complete chaos, was spending a quiet afternoon in the 90210 (window shopping only, of course). My boyfriend had never been and we wanted to check out the new ice cream craze so we rolled it into a short trip. Rodeo is such a fun street to stroll down and analyze: 1) who in the world can actually afford this stuff? 2) given the limited number of people who can, how do these businesses manage stay open and survive recessions? and 3) if I had the money, would I really spend $5,000 on a handbag? (If I were totally loaded – I could see I probably would, but would find it pretty surreal and strange when that day comes). My first purchase would be the classic Chanel Quilted Calfskin. The one thing we actually could afford was the ice cream and you can read more of my thoughts on the new Ice-Cream Lab here. I give it a year….tops.

This weekend will be all about celebration: prepping for my little b-day getaway and treating myself to a few splurges here and there that I’m still trying to decide upon. And in honor of Cinco De Mayo, at least one margarita and a trip to my favorite Mexican restaurant is in order.

Since next week will undoubtedly be a bit chaotic with birthday stuff and the fact that I’m giving myself some much-need relaxation time, you might not see me post everyday as usual. Rest assured, I’ll be back with lots to share with you!

Have a great weekend! xx

2May2013

Birchbox Review: April

Posted in Beauty, Fun by C.

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I’m beginning to wonder if the anticipation and the excitement of getting my Birchbox outweigh the actual products at this point. For the last 3 months, Birchbox has become my little treat to myself (you can read more here and here). While I know that there are tons of brands on the market for only a limited amount of beauty needs, I would like Birchbox to mix it up some. For the second month in a row, I received another lip/cheek combo product and another perfume. I’ve decided to give it a few more boxes before I make any rash decisions. I do enjoy the little surprise each month and love to experiment with the different goodies. Here’s how April shaped up:

Collage

1. Kusmi Tea Paris, Wellness Assortment – I’m a huge fan of tea, iced or hot. It was an unexpected surprise to see tea with this month’s selections! I received the “Be Cool” and “Detox” flavors. The “Be Cool” designed to promote relaxation and calming in a caffeine free blend was delicious and reminded me of a glorified version of chamomile tea. Since this was the case, I’ll enjoy the samples, but can easily buy a variety of chamomile tea options at a fraction of the cost.

2. Atelier Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue – An orange-scented perfume sounds somewhat appealing to me as we head into summer where I would want a delicate lasting fruity scent on me in celebration of the season. Atelier’s cologne was too strong and not very feminine smelling. This fragrance is a pass and not for me.

3. Ojon Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy – This is the product that I was most excited to try out because my hair is naturally very dry. Once I read up on what makes Ojon’s Total Hair Therapy so special – à la red, clear, and amber oils from the topics that once shaken create a blend that your hair eats up. I rubbed this into my dry follicles my hair did look instantly more moisturized and full of sheen. At $35 dollars for a full-sized bottle, I wasn’t that convinced to leave my tried and true Chi Silk Infusion that does something similar less expensively.

4. Supergoop! Advanced SPF 37 Anti-Aging Eye Cream – While an awful name for an eye cream (who wants to put goop around their eyes?), I do like what the product stands for. Supergoop! provides all one could want in an eye cream: reduces dark circles, helps with wrinkles, and has SPF protection. Unfortunately, like all eye creams this product would be hard to review or say much about without consistent use for awhile. I will note that the product doesn’t melt into the skin the way I would want in an eye cream when working with this very delicate area. It takes a bit of blending to get it in there and this was a turn-off for me. I’ll finish out the sample because I do need to get into the habit of using an eye cream.

5. Mirenesse Glossy Kiss – My unhappiness with this product rests more in the color that I was sent. I have a caramel colored complexion and I think Mirenesse’s Perfect Kiss color is a bit brighter than I would use. Looking at the other options in their line, I would’ve preferred the Angel Kiss or the Romantic Kiss shades. Aside from the fact that I’m very content with my Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks, I’m not convinced this is something I would need anyway and I better not see another lip/cheek combo in my May box.

If you’re a Birchboxer, I’d love to hear what April brought you?

1May2013

|| What I’m Lovin’ Right Now ||

Posted in Accessories, Books, Fashion, Film, Food, Fun, Treats by C.

Happy May! Sweeter (and cheaper) fruit, BBQs, birthdays, and blockbuster flicks are here! Of course, I’ll maintain my film school cred and squeeze in a good indie here and there, but this time of year brings big budget movies and I’m not ashamed to say that I totally buy into them (well, sometimes). While I’m very much looking forward to Richard Linklater’s return to Jesse and Celine’s romantic journey in Before Midnight; I’m beyond stoked for Iron Man 3 this weekend, Star Trek: Into Darkness a few weeks later, and my personal CANNOT-wait-to-find-my-booty-in-a-theater-seat-cradling-the-largest-tub-of-popcorn-ever: Fast & Furious 6 (yes, you read that right!). Memorial day weekend is going to rule!

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. The perks of spring conditions and impending summer life bring me to what should be an important reminder to all of us: sunscreen. I thought I would kick-off May’s love fest with a little video I came across discussing 5 myths about sunscreen and SPF protection. Apparently, that expiration date I keep ignoring on my can of Aveeno sunscreen sitting in my cabinet right now is legit. So while I’ll be tossing that out, now having yet another excuse to hit Target (and walk out with 6 other random things I really didn’t need)…

here’s what i’m lovin’ right now

|| 5 Surprising Myths About Sunscreen and SPF. ||

Champagne Wishes, Caviar Dreams and Blue Velvet Ice Cream

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

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Where: Ice-Cream Lab

Location: 9461 South Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills

Welcome to the land of champagne wishes and caviar dreams! Ice-Cream Lab recently opened its doors just down the street from famed Sprinkles Cupcakes on Little (South) Santa Monica Boulevard in the 90210. Its shtick? Creating freshly-made organic ice cream to order using futuristic liquid nitrogen machines to freeze your treat right in front of you.

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We headed down to Beverly Hills for the afternoon to walk around and check out the newest addition to the boulevard. I have to say that overall, the experience was just okay. I very much enjoyed their approach in using fresh ingredients, and the liquid nitrogen gimmick was cool…for about 5 minutes. While they all sounded yummy, I was not happy that essentially you’re limited to choosing from only 6 pre-designed lab creations. It seems in this day and age, the way to go is by offering customization in my humble opinion – especially, when it comes to ice cream. Didn’t anyone get the memo? At $5.00 for a small (5 ounce) and $7.00 for a large (7 ounce) cup of ice cream, it was a pricey treat – but this wasn’t a huge surprise.

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I went with a small Blue Velvet ice cream: blue velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting (pictured above). It was a delicious way to spend 20 minutes on a Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, beyond the made to order gimmick, I wasn’t terribly impressed and didn’t have that “I’ll be back” feeling. Ice-Cream Lab is going to have to beef up their menu options and/or offer customization for its patrons. I’m not saying it was “never again” awful, but with Sprinkles just down the street, you’ll likely find me there. I not 100% sure Ice-Cream Lab has staying power.

PROS: Awesome location, hip decor, organic and fresh ingredients, serves Intelligentsia coffee.

CONS: Non-customization available, pricey (not surprising), not a lot of seating, and a very limited menu.

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29Apr2013

Milestones

Posted in Fun, Inspiration, Life by C.

One week from today is a milestone birthday for me. I’m officially closing out my twenties. The strange thing is that I’m not as super freaked out as you often hear people going on about (then again, talk to me in 5 more years). Admittedly though, it does sound pretty unbelievable when I say it out loud or think about it closely. I mean, I don’t feel any older; and get me someone on the phone right now that can explain where the HELL the last 10 years went? I do vainly take comfort in the fact that I have a bit of a baby face and therefore look much younger than I actually am. The perks of being African-American (Black don’t crack!) with good genes (you should see my mom!). 🙂

I’m beginning to wonder if the anxiety surrounding big birthdays are as over-hyped as the first time I had a sip of beer then promptly made a nasty face (til this day, I can’t stand the taste). It really is just another day, where at the close of it you unceremoniously (or very ceremoniously), without much effort become a year older and life goes on.

Sure, it’s extremely surreal to me how quickly time passes and it seems the older I get, the faster it goes. I still remember my 16-year-old self camped out in front of my TV every Wednesday night entranced in Dawson’s Creek (don’t judge). I still remember my 17-year-old self elated at finding my first job in a retail store at Knott’s Berry Farm, called “Girl Power” (this, you can judge). And I still remember all those years when all I wanted to do was grow up so I could make my own money, have my own place, and drive a sexy car anywhere I wanted to and didn’t need anyone’s permission. While I am a supporter of enjoying the care-freedom of childhood, these things about adult life are worth the hype and totally ROCK.

What I do find myself doing is reflecting. There’s a huge stigma attached to all milestone birthdays where you also start thinking about what life should be, and where it should take you. Being that I’m naturally very analytical – this is probably the area where I’ll struggle most and will really think about moving forward. What I do tell myself when I have those moments of “OMG, I’m turning 30 next week,” is what I have often heard and found to be true: the older you get, the better you become, the better life gets.

See you on the other side!

26Apr2013

Highlights

Posted in Cocktails, Dinner, Explore, Film, Fun, Home Decor, Music, Treats by C.

1-IMG_20130421_195717_856 {An early birthday present.}

It has definitely been a more lively week than usual on my end. I’m trying to wrap up some loose ends at work before I take a much needed vacay the first week in May. The good news is that while it’s been busy, I always sort of revel in the challenge in the end. Somehow getting the things you need to get done are all the sweeter when you realize that if you just do it and push through, you can do anything. You just have to take the first step, then the next.

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Outside the office, I had a happy week. I met a friend at one of my favorite places to splurge every blue moon, Rock Sugar in Century City for dinner to kick-off my weekend last Friday night. While it was a fantastic Pan Asian feast, I think in the future I’ll skip dinner and head there for their delicious Lychee Blossom cocktail and their AMAZING warm coconut donuts served with a passion fruit dipping sauce. Yes, it is as good as it sounds and looks. Go!

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When thinking about small pleasures this week, a trip to the Hollywood Farmer’s Market on a sunny Sunday morning, then sitting on the Manhattan Beach Pier with my boyfriend gazing out at the ocean with an ice cream cone on that same afternoon come to mind and make me smile. And every time I head home, I smile even bigger when I see my new artwork hanging on my wall (pictured above). A few months back, I was with my boyfriend admiring it (because, hey – it’s “me” in a ball-gown and chic haircut starting out my window at the Hollywood Sign :)) and as an early birthday present he surprised me with it. What a guy, huh?

I’m not sure where this weekend will take me, but I know that I’ll be at the ArcLight opening night for the highly anticipated new film, Mud. Since this gorgeous weather is expected to continue over the next few days, the plan is to find some time to be outdoors (rocking my new maxi dress). And the soundtrack of my life lately that will certainly continue into the weekend has been the soundtrack from Celeste & Jesse Forever. I can’t. stop. listening to it.

Have an amazing final April weekend, guys! Things only get better from here! xx

25Apr2013

Take A Hike

Posted in Explore, Fitness, Fun by C.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, one of the best things about Southern California living is how much outdoor adventure awaits you. When the weather turns cold, you can hit Big Bear in less than 2 hours and find yourself playing in the snow and sipping cocoa. When things heat up, the beach is less than 20 minutes away for many of us for some fun in the sun while cradling an iced latte. And without much effort at all, you can enjoy sweeping city views (and much-needed exercise after sitting in traffic then at your desk 75% of the week) perched high on a mountain-top after an invigorating hike.

Last week, a colleague of mine introduced me to an amazing app to have handy on your phone called All Trails. Its aim is to help you discover hiking trails nearest you no matter where you find yourself in the U.S. Simply pull out your phone or visit their website, enter your location and sift through the over 40,000+ trails featured on the app that conveniently note the distance and how long it would take to complete. What I personally dig, is how you can search for specific outdoor needs and elements important to you – like searching for trails with lakes or waterfalls, trails that are easy or more difficult depending on your level of fitness, or looking for trails that are great to bring Fido along on. Be sure to check out the reviews, it’s like a concentrated outdoor version of Yelp to help you decide what trail is best for you.

Surprisingly, there are tons of hiking opps in LA alone (460 trails popped up when I entered zip code 90049). Admittedly, the caveat is that the popular trails are usually crowded and I’ve even seen people annoyingly gabbing on their iPhone when they should be enjoying nature!

I’m a huge fan of the Temescal Canyon Loop Trail off Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Palisades. After a moderate hike up the mountain, you’re rewarded with the best view of Los Angeles you could ever see.

My experience with hiking in LA is not vast and as frequent as it should be. I tend to stick with the same trails. (Totally boring!) Believe it or not, I’ve never done the famous Hollyridge Trail. This 2.60 mile journey takes you as up close and personal as you’ll ever be to the beloved Hollywood Sign (legally). Naturally, this is what I’ll tackle next. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, take a hike!

22Apr2013

Me and Celeste and Jesse Forever

Posted in Explore, Film, Fun, Independent Cinema, Music by C.

Though the title of this post is rather dramatic (catchy though, huh?), one of my unexpected favorite films of 2012, Celeste and Jesse Forever is the epitome of one of those cinematic experiences that I’ll never forget; so much so that I’m still reveling in the residuals of its effects on me as a fellow Angeleno seven months after seeing it. The film not only introduced me to arguably the best soundtrack of the year, it also captured the complexities of relationships humorously and touchingly; and better yet, captured the essence of Los Angeles in some of the best cinematography I’ve seen of the city in some time. It even inspired me to finally take a tour of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

I followed the seemingly complicated efforts to get a digital release of the album made available and after hearing the news a few months back from the Music Supervisor himself, Jonathan Hafter, (gotta love the power of the blogosphere, you can read more here) – I finally purchased the soundtrack from iTunes. Unfortunately, some of my favorite songs weren’t included on the official soundtrack release, so I bought all of the singles (noted on a Spotify playlist) separately. Let’s just say I spent a great deal of this insanely gorgeous L.A. weekend vibin’ out the likes of Sunny Levine (my new fav), BLO, and Vetiver among others.

Soundtrack Links:

iTunes

Spotify

I see hundreds of films every year. There are tons of characters and stories that stick with me as a result, and my devotion to all things cinema oftentimes leave me in a state of never committing to having a single favorite. (Til this day, I cannot answer that question, it gives me a headache even attempting to do so.) Sometimes there are those stories that unexpectedly open your eyes to new things and this is one of those films. I can’t explain why – some hit you harder than others. Perhaps it’s because you were in the right mood, at the right place, at the right time. I walked into this story thinking at best, it would be a fun popcorn flick. I certainly didn’t expect it to resonate so much.

If you’re looking for new tunes (which I happen to listening to as I write this post!) and a great independent film, join me and Celeste and Jesse Forever. 🙂

{Film review excerpted from a previous post.}

Celeste & Jesse Forever – This was one of those films that I left the theater with such a high thinking THIS is why I LOVE movies. Celeste and Jesse are the best of friends, but terrible as husband and wife. The story picks up with their struggle at sustaining a friendship while in the midst of a divorce and pursuing other romantic interests. Rashida Jones (Celeste) and Andy Samberg (Jesse) have such a fluid and natural on-screen chemistry between them that drew me in immediately. What I was most enchanted by was not only the precise well-written dialogue; but the indie feel to how this narrative was told through its stunning salute to another main character, the sweeping city of Los Angeles, via its cinematography choices. I experienced almost every major emotion in 90 minutes of being in Celeste and Jesse’s world and I didn’t want to go. I laughed, felt my eyes water, and smiled at the very complicated, yet entertaining and relatable situation. This is also the first film I’d seen in quite some time where the music was used so impeccably it enhanced the overall experience of the film and introduced me to some of my favorite music of the year. If I had to pick my top film of 2012, this would be it (or closely tied with Zero Dark Thirty).

{Trailer.}

19Apr2013

Highlights

Posted in Books, Documentary, Film, Food by C.

As I think about the last 7 days, I think about how all over the place it’s been emotionally. I’ve been enjoying the residuals of a good spring cleaning, yoga was a much-needed hour and a half of “me time” this past Tuesday, and I’m still thinking often of our friends in Boston and worldwide.

A few ordinary nights were spent exploring what’s new in cinema. I saw Robert Redford’s film, The Company You Keep (wait for Netflix on this one); and a new documentary, No Place On Earth, capturing the story of the Stermer family’s struggle to hide underground during World War II in a calculated effort to elude the Nazis. It’s a pretty amazing story. I didn’t particularly care of the use of re-enactments, but then again, I suppose there was no other way to tell such an incredible journey of living in a cave for a year and a half.

The good news? It’s going to be gorge this weekend in L.A.! Looking forward to a relaxing and fun-filled 2 days. I’m kicking it off by meeting a friend tonight for dinner at one my favorite places to indulge in. A visit to the farmers’ market Sunday morning is definitely in order, and I’m excited to start a new book. I’m going to keep it light this time with Rachel Bertsche’s memoir, WMF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend. I’ll let you know how it is.

Have a great weekend!

15Apr2013

Spring Cleaning 101

Posted in DIY, Home Decor by C.

This past weekend was all about hardcore spring cleaning, a huge milestone to The Spring Project that I happily crossed-off on my list of things to do. I’m one of those strange people that actually likes to clean (my own messes only – sorry, I’m not for hire :)). It’s therapeutic for me. You put on some music, zone out, and get the job done.

By nature, I’m a total neat freak – everything is always in its place, I rarely leave dishes in the sink, or let my place get too rowdy in general; but one always needs a good scrub down in the bathroom, an intense dusting session all over, floors need to be mopped, and the fridge cleaned out.

While I was completely exhausted after a day’s work, I’m already seeping the rewards (and the annoyances) of intense spring cleaning. Sure everything feels completely refreshed in my apartment right now, but it also upsets me how quickly the dust is settling back onto my furniture tops, and seeing small specks of dirt on my once immaculate hardwood floors…only hours later. 😦

I still have another phase to get to in my big project and that’s the purge portion. It’s time to delve into my closets, drawers, and shelves and say goodbye to what is no longer serving me. And I think this will feel even better than the “no germs” portion. Out with the old, and in with the new!

When approaching my big cleaning session, I had five basic principles that I thought I would share:

1. Work on one space at a time. It’s best to focus on one room at a time. It keeps things streamlined and less overwhelming. For me, I liked starting with the bathroom. It’s my least favorite place to clean and I’m likely to give it my all because I’m pumped and have tons of energy at the onset.

2. The iPod must be ON, LOUD, and playing all your favorite tunes. Yes, I’m totally admitting that I sang and danced…basically had a private concert with a mop and sponge in my hand.

3. No distractions. I became a hermit for the day so that I could focus. Once I’m in the zone, I just want to keep going. My thought is if you stop to take a phone call for 45 minutes, you lose motivation and momentum. Just push through it!

4. Wear gloves. I don’t know about you, but I HATE the residual smell of chemicals on my hands even after you’ve vigorously washed them. We want to keep our hands soft and sexy at all times!

5. Treat yourself after a job well done. Spring cleaning takes a lot of time and energy. Once you’re done, you deserve something special. I bought myself a gorgeous bouquet of bright flowers that enhanced my newly cleaned home AND treated myself to some take-out. Admittedly, the take-out treat was two-fold. One, I didn’t have the energy to cook or even push buttons on the microwave after I finished the big scrub down; and two, there was no way in HELL, I was going to dirty even a spoon after the day I had and ruin my pristine kitchen.

Happy spring, happy cleaning, happy spring cleaning! xx