pay tribute

crash into me...its my life...we are the champions...yesterday...crazy...sunday bloody sunday...painted black...and the list can go on and on! i can personally listen to those songs all day, everyday. luckily, a myriad of artists will pay tribute to legendary bands such as queen, the beatles, rolling stones, the who to u2, bon jovi, aerosmith, dave matthews, and more at the 2010 LA rock n roll tribute festival. if you missed coachella, you can still get your outdoor music festival fix this saturday at santa clarita central park...food trucks included.

outfit blogspiration

instead of turning towards fashion magazines, the plethora of celebrities, or the runway for fashion inspiration, these everyday women display some admirable looks showcasing their distinct style in their perspective blogs...

.

blogspiration:
Sea of Shoes
The Glamourai
Where Did U Get That
Song of Style

scoop up the goodwill

baskin robbins is hosting its fourth annual 31 cent scoop night celebration tonight from 5-10 pm at all so cal locations, to benefit the national fallen firefighters foundation. scoop up some delicious flavors for a good cause...

the momed moment

momed, the new medditeranean market cafe on beverly drive is here to stay. with an open kitchen, wood burning oven, and outdoor patio, you can come for breakfast and enjoy their culture classics including shakshuka and turkish coffee, swing by for lunch for their duck shawarma wrap and baba ganoush or make your way over after work for their selection of new world beer and wine - a somewhat rare/distinct concept for a cafe/marketplace in beverly hills. i opted for a sampling of their salad offerings and couldnt get enough of the lebanese flatbread and herb marinated olives. have yourself a momed moment.

spend/save mashup

in this weeks spend/save mashup we have two similiar versions of the cognac gladiator sandal...

will you:
spend: stuart weitzman 'donuts' sandal
or
save: cynthia vincent for target strappy ring flat sandal

local gem: more than a jewelry store

a store whose aim is putting money in your hands? That is where La Jolla Jewelry in West Hollywood comes in. this multi faceted store can transform your unwanted items to solid cash in your pocket. quite a find, huh? take your pick: pawn, consign, trade in, or sell your items on ebay. what i found exceptional is their honesty, customer service and attention to detail. i must say, with the money you will get, you may very well be tempted to purchase some of the exquisite pieces they have in the store from fine vintage and contemporary jewelry to home decor, rare memorabilia and sometimes even designer clothing and accessories at hard-to-beat prices.

some of my favorite finds:


La Jolla Jewelry
8246 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles 90035
323.654.0404
http://www.lajollajewelry.com

the art of trash

ever collect so much junk that you wish there was a creative way to put it all to good use? annie terrazzo did. this unique and inspiring artist has created exquisite portraits made out of found objects such as newspapers, magazine clippings and even restaurant menus. as soon as i discovered her work, i knew this was the long desired art piece i was meant to have and i cant wait for its arrival. it might just inspire me to look at ordinary objects in an unordinary way and hopefully one day make a creation of my own.

"There is great beauty to be found. Sometimes you have to go through the trash to find it." ~ A.T

earth day {fav picks, activities and freebies}

among the fabulous plethora of organic collections out there, some of my favorite choices for eco-friendly fashion and accessories are matt n nat, velvet leaf, and since i am such a fan of customizable items, maptote...just to name a few. For Earth Day events in LA, click here. for earth day freebies, click here.

bellacures

i purposely waited a few days after my visit to bellacures before deciding to post. upon browsing their site, it looked different than the other nail salons in LA so i made an appointment for a friend and i, expecting exceptional service and special added amenities. although it ended up seeming like a quick and regular mani/pedi, the nails still look flawless, shiny, and un-chipped, almost 5 days after - which is rare! it is for this reason, in addition to their cleanliness, comfy chairs, and convenient online booking that sold me. they seem a tad bit on the pricey side ($43 for mani/pedi) but they offer discounts when you sign up on their website, plus, if it lasts longer and you dont have to get your nails done as often, it may be worth ditching manicures for bellacures.

go nude

i have always been a fan of all things neutral with just a hint of color, from make-up and fashion to home and accessories. personally, the hardest yet most desired item for me to find are nude shoes. it has a sense of elongating while maintaining a classy, subtle look and makes for a perfect pairing to several outfits. i am destined to compile a collection of versatile nude shoe options in time for summer...stay tuned...all suggestions welcome!

cirque pop

cirque du soleil meets the king of pop. it was announced today that the incredible touring show production will perform solely to the epic music of Michael Jackson, making its debut in the none other than Las Vegas in late 2012. must.see.show.

the clash of the prints

mixing two different prints seems like an automatic fashion dont but if done right, it may result in an accomplished look. NY Times article "Print Mixology" shares some helpful guidelines to pull of this hard to achieve look:

1. Vary the scale. Mix a small neat print with a splashier one. Or an eye-popper with one that’s more neutral.

2. Stay within the same color family.

3. Mix up the fabrics, the weights — a rough-textured fabric with a more refined one. Somehow a nubby, slubby fabric pairs up more naturally with a flat weave than do two smooth-textured fabrics.

4. Toss in some polka dots, stripes or even leopard prints, which are easier to mix with other patterns because they’re simple and graphic. And they’re familiar to the eye.

5. Consider the accessories. Though it’s fun to tote a print bag with a print frock, you can tone down the brights with a great tan leather bag or pair of sandals. Straw works, too.

clashing prints done right: Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere tastefully put together outfit with just the right mixture of floral, lace, and accessories

office style in a manilla world

with the amount of hours many of us spend behind our desks, you would hope this magical space of ours is a pleasant one amidst the pile of post-its, mountain of papers, and random array of supplies. to live well at work (and even at home), my solution has been...sorting with style, my go-to online boutique for the most chic office organization needs and accessories. finally, a destination that offers "office style in a manilla world!" in addition to the boutique, the office stylist shares daily tips, office makeovers, insights, and hand selected items in the online magazine. you would be surprised what a difference transforming your working world will have on your productivity ... stay tuned for photos of some of my favorite picks from the collection in my own office makeover. transcend out of your manilla world and start sorting with style! the modern, clean, and chic office space of the office stylist herself

gaga for lulu lemon yoga

a friend of mine introduced me to yoga a few months ago and ever since i have come to see the beauty of the practice. it truly has a profound effect in its ability to calm, nourish, and restore while providing you with balance, flexibility and poise. its benefits extend beyond just the physical and tap into the inner emotional elements as well. if you have yet to experience it, or a continuing yogi, lulu lemon offers complimentary yoga classes every sunday at 9:30 at most of their retail locations. they select the top local yoga studios and rotate monthly. after class enjoy the juice and wholesome muffins. it is certainly a refreshing way to start off your sundays...roll out your mats and catch up on your zzzz some other time!

(smart) spring cleaning

we all do it at least once a year. glance at our closet and realize we dont wear half the outfits and/or still try to manage to squeeze that one last hanger in the bunch. as good of a feeling as spring cleaning gives us, there is a chance these next options will make you feel even better. Cinderella Project is a wonderful nonprofit that allows you to donate your unwanted dresses and fancy attire to help girls who cant afford a dress for their special occassions. If professional attire is what you have excess of, Dress for Success helps disadvantaged women get back on their feet by providing professional attire, (in addition to career development assistance, and more). Or if you have old prescription glasses or sunglasses lying around, Give the Gift of Sight by donating your genty used eyewear. These causes can truly make a world of difference to those in need.

Another unique option I just came across is a new "swap boutique" called Give & Take, in Playa Del Rey, where you can trade your old clothes for someone else's treasure. Imagine a hybrid between a clothing swap and a second hand boutique.

(smart) spring clean away...

everyone's favorite price

realizing that april 15th has become one of the most dreadful days of the year, some restaurants and retailers are using it as an opportunity to make it a little more exciting by offering items at everyone's favorite price....FREE!

CINNABON: two free bite-sized cupcakes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m

STARBUCKS: free brewed coffee if you bring your own mug

BOSTON MARKET: free meal for each one you buy

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S: $10.40 dinner and drink specials1-a nod to the 1040 tax form

P.F. CHANG'S: 15 percent off food purchases

TGI Fridays: $5 or $10 bit cards with purchase of $15 or more

MCDONALDS: free coffee

WALGREENS: 15% off till april 20

PAPA JOHNS: large pizza with three toppings for $10.40

and lastly, why cant there be a HYDROMASSAGE closer to LA?
HYDROMASSAGE: Get a free massage Thursday through Sunday

let the games begin

catch phrase, texas hold em, guess who, taboo, connect four, or good ol fashion monopoly....game nights are under rated. we tend to underestimate the amount of fun you can have when you take out a deck of cards or open up a classic game. a simple yet addicting game i recently became hooked on is called TAKI. it is a similar version to UNO but with many more twists and turns along the way. trust me when i say, it will be very difficult to put down! and if you are in the game night spirit, check out some themed finger foods to create such as checkerboard cheese sandwiches and domino chocolate chip cookies...

you got that where?

it seems like lately, more often than ever, some amazing looks have come from none other than stores such as forever 21 and h&m. whether it is a change in buyers and/or newly added collections, these retailers have certainly amp'd up their lines in time for spring and summer. as always, its all about the way you wear it and mixing and matching these affordable pieces with the right combination always does the trick. i especially adore the new garden collection from h&m...not to mention it is made with environmentally adapted materials such as recycled polyester and organic cotton and linen. look fashionable while contributing to a more sustainable world...snag em while you can

state of mine

where are you from? where are you going? skip the Q & A and just wear it around your neck. Represent your hometown pride by customizing a 14k gold map pendant with a diamond on your favorite state. Or if you are true blue to your city, opt for the state pendant with a diamond on your destination. Such a simple yet distinct, personable concept...

www.stateofmine.com

engage yourself

Delve deep into a world of strong emotions, controversy, mixed interpretations and overall visual stimulation. Josh Separzadeh, an incredibly talented Los Angeles based artist does just that through his thought provoking and engaging work. Through his highly stylized admixture of irony, metaphor, and symbolism, the artist creates images that transcend the traditional bounds of photography. Although these are just a few of my personal favorites, view the entire series to truly capture the essence of the work. Expect the unexpected.

www.joshsep.com
www.facebook.com/joshsepart