taste the rainbow

some add bright flowers to add a splash of color to their home. my former boss, nely galan, adds eight shades of bold paint to her radiant three house compound on the venice canals. from yellow and orange to hot pink and green, all colors of the rainbow are essentially captured in this beautifully crafted home, designed none other than colorist patssi valdez. the color combination surprisingly work well together considering the interior remains somewhat subdued. the spectacular view from both the interior and exterior is one that certainly deserves a stop and stare.

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blue jean baby {no more}

there was once a time where blue jeans were the main staple denim in a closet. no more. lately the surge of colored jeans have added a splash of color to the everyday wardrobe. i've started off with a conservative white, moved on to a red pair and hoping to soon graduate to another bold/bright option. paired with a simple solid tee , this bright trend will leave you craving for every color in the rainbow. sorry elton, blue jean baby no more.

weekend wonder words

minimalism is key with these simple inspiration words - especially when hung up in an office work environment.

spend savvy

now a days, it is rare to pay full price for designer digs, salon / spa services, fitness memberships, photography / cooking courses, surfing lessons, vacations, and essentially everything and anything you ever thought you wanted. led by gilt (designer sales) & groupon (deal of the day), it is safe to say that the market is over-saturated with these flash sites but my wallet isnt complaining. here are a handful that can extend your online morning ritual:

gilt group
ideeli
rue la la
haute look
swirl by daily candy

groupon
buy with me
deal find
deal pop
living social
daily candy deals
la weekly deals
yelp deals
gilt city
social shopper
lifebooker

if you want them compiled in one place: deal surf

rose {gold} parade

as trendy as the michael kors watches have become, the rose gold edition is making me want to hop on the bandwagon. although the blush hued precious metal was initially popularized centuries ago, it seems as though a surge of rose gold accessories are now making a welcoming comeback. whether it is the vintage looking appeal or simply a departure from the standard gold / silver options, this parade is certainly a rose-y trend of the moment...

1. michael kors runway watch
2. two lips rosie sandal
3. shyan afshar ring
4. tiffany key necklace
5. halston heritage pleated silk dress
6. steve madden bmercy tote
7. steve madden aviator
8. amy tavern thin rings

local gem: cafe chez marie

its not often you discover a local gem and feel like you are transported into another city. bienvenue au cafe chez marie. blink and you will miss it as this cozy french cottage is sequestered on santa monica boulevard, among buildings with entertainment companies including BET and sporadic talent agencies. come for the delicious cuisine including the most perfect french onion soup, mouth watering croquette & savory latte's and stay for the charming decor, bright courtyard and the warmest customer service in town. this quaint & charming cafe has just taken hidden gems to the next level. bon apetit.

cafe chez marie
10681 santa monica blvd
los angeles 90025
between manning & westholme

sss: small space solutions

lets face it: not everyone can execute sss like gary chang. when i first walked into my then empty would be studio i scratched my head at what i can possibly fit into the diminutive place without it looking cluttered and constantly messy. with the help of several sites, such as apartment therapy, it proved that there are a myriad of creative possibilities especially when you have the least amount of square footage to work with. you truly learn the meaning of maximizing every inch and adore all products with built in storage. from the compilation of interiorspiration clippings, here are the ones that stuck out the most for sss that fused creativity and functionality...

{ladder accessible top to bottom shelves with a curtain}
{ample shelf space adorned with frames and decor to keep it aesthetically pleasing} {tucked in seating when not in use + storage ottoman}
{walk in closet converted into a bed, storage on top + below}
{glimpses of my sss attempt...}

indulge, indeed

some make lists for essentially everything and i would classify myself as one of these individuals. lately the list i have opted for are all things i currently care to indulge in. whether it is an adorable take on a popular dessert or a simple picnic in the park, these things are hopefully bound to come to fruition by the end of the summer...along with the angeleno adventure list still in affect as well!

{longing for warm LA weather and at least one bike ride along the beach}
{concert & fireworks at the hollywood bowl...which will surprisingly be a first time visit}
{picnic in the park- or even backyard - with some good food, good company, and good book} {an apparent east coast classic that is making its way to LA}

LA spots: they just blow

they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. with that in mind, it wasnt long before the surge of salons that just blow{dry}, a la drybar, were popping up on every corner. after at least one visit to many variations around the city, here are some of the top picks:

drybar - various cities: the salon that sparked the trend (in LA that is), remains at the top and based on how fast they are expanding, they are bound to be blowing to a city near you. flawless execution and impeccable branding.

bubble blow - brentwood: $50/month membership which equates to $25/blowdry. inside the spacious location, they also offer 'make-up and go' concept as well as an adorable boutique called jane where nothing is over $100. for a night on the town or a special evening, this can be your one stop shop.

yoshi's haute air - 'some like it haute' at this blow bar where where the standard prices far exceed the moderately priced blowout options for $35 not to mention the most refreshing cucumber water in town!

have yet to try: style bar - beverly hills: newly opened and ultra chic with a simple concept. 3 services at $33 each all performed in less than an hour. make up, mani/pedi, blowdry.

go ahead, get blown away.

{bubble blow / makeup & go}

weekend wonder words

{something that puts a smile on a face: receiving balloons for no particular occasion}

last night i attended a gala honoring my former boss where memorable quotes and wise tid bits were overflowing. among the favorites was from a fellow award recipient, stacia robataille who founded the charitable organization, echoes of hope:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

midnight snack

every midnight from now till may 10, enjoy a martini inside the luxe beverly wilshire for a not so luxe price tag of a mere fifty cents in celebration of their fifty year anniversary residing in the 90210. dont arrive at 12:21 because this midnight snack will be over after 19 minutes and 61 seconds after the clock strikes 12.

natural highs

it has been nearly a year since the initial quest for nude shoes was carved out but there has been a pair i recently discovered that may have finally put a halt on the never-ending search. rounded at the toe with a hidden wedge and a tassel with stitching along the back, these super soft suede soles by dolce vita are surprisingly as comfortable as can be. that doesnt mean other 'natural high's' cant be scoped out, such as some of these nude picks...

1. DV by Dolce Vita 'Toni'
2. Stuart Weitzman 'Alex'
3. Giuseppe Zanotti Strap Wedge
4. Dolce Vita for TARGET
5. DVF 'Opal'
6. Aldo 'Longtin'
7. Corso Como 'Decoy'
8. Lanvin Nude Single Strap
9. L.A.M.B 'Kapono'
10. Dolce Vita 'Jade'

invisible man

now you see him, now you dont. the talented lui bolin that is. in his collection titled "hiding in the city", this chinese artist manages to camouflage himself in essentially any surrounding, from graffiti on a wall to a supermarket aisle to brick & rubbish. after working up to 10 hours on perfecting a single photo, his work is so detailed and believable that passer by's dont realize he is there until he makes slight movement. these images sure take "where's waldo" to a whole new level. the reasoning on how & why he started is just as interesting as his art: in 2005, the government shut down his art studio so this is in an effort of "not fitting in to modern society" and a protest against the action of the chinese authorities. rebel on, invisible man.

color me good: nail color gel

it is no surprise that manicures last a mere few days and sometimes dont even manage to get into the car in a chip-less manner. i heard about a new service nearly all nail salons are now offering called color gel that lasts for an average of two weeks so curiosity made me try it immediately. after countless encounters with your hands entrenched in water, this nail application will remain flawless. the process involves two coats of polish applied one nail at a time and placed under an ultraviolet light before the top coat is applied. it runs for a little bit more than the average manicure and takes about an hour but this outlasting shiny perfection will prove to you that the extra dime and time was very well spent...

INteriorSPIRATION: nyc edition

sometimes interior inspiration (aka INteriorSPIRATION) doesn't have to only come from lavish estates and hard to achieve images in magazines. case in point: a recent visit to nyc, where my friends quaint apartment was filled with tons of inspiring pieces that were effortlessly chic and easy to attain. some favorites included a set of nine framed wall decor in the living room that was made from none other than lace from a fabric store; gold accents such as an ornate mirror and coat hanger with a turquoise painted backdrop; a flowery pillow that embodied femininity and looked perfect in front of the brick wall; as well as a chic take on a cork board - 4 pieces brought together and home to inspiring images & quotes, photos, schedules, and reminders. looks like i just might be adding a few of these images to my vision board...

weekend wonder words