Dolly Parton at the Hollywood Bowl

The other night some girlfriends and I went to see Dolly Parton at the Hollywood Bowl. We thought it would be kind of a laugh, and that we might know a song or two - wrong. We realized that we know (by heart, somehow!) almost every song that she sang, and are now die hard Dolly fans...my friend even bought a commemorative shirt!

Honestly, she was a great performer and put on such a fun, energetic show, and the Hollywood Bowl was amazing. It was my first time there and I really can't wait to go back!

Linus Bikes

The other day while wandering around Abbot Kinney, we popped into Linus Bikes. This little bike shop is set back from the street and offers gorgeous, old fashioned looking bike accessories (like the great bell above!) and well made bicycles.

Biking down by the beach is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon - I've blogged about how much I love it here - and I would love to have one of their beautiful beach cruisers.

It doesn't make much sense for me to have one where I live right now (not to mention they are quite expensive), but hopefully one day I will live closer to the beach and I can be one of those cute girls you see biking around with their groceries in their basket!

linusbike.com
1413 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA

Kate Spade Dresses

Dorothy dress

Studded Annette dress

Rose dress

Last night I attended a Junior League event at the Kate Spade boutique here in LA, where we had the chance to check out some of their new fall items, which are so cute. Literally, I wanted every single thing in the store, but particularly one of their gorgeous dresses!

The leopard one above is maybe the greatest dress ever; I have really been into three quarter sleeve dresses but it is surprisingly hard to find a cute one that fits well! I tried one on at Zara the other day and I honestly laughed out loud in the dressing room - it hung awkwardly and made me look pregnant, which isn't what I typically look for in a dress.

Anyway, the above dresses are perfect and I wanted to share them!

katespade.com

The Hungry Cat

I recently dined at the Hungry Cat restaurant in Hollywood, and loved it! The Hungry Cat is known for their seafood, and it really was fresh and delish. I have a particular fondness/obsession with shrimp and I really enjoyed the fresh peel and eat platter that we got!

The restaurant is tucked back from Vine Street and is a bit of an oasis from the craziness of Hollywood. The Hungry Cat features a sunny patio, indoor dining, and a gleaming silver bar which we opted to sit at for a snack and a cocktail -which they make with fresh juice from juicers behind the bar!

The Hungry Cat also has a Santa Barbara location, and recently opened a location in the Santa Monica Canyon across from the beach. My sister and I are planning to check out the Santa Monica location soon, and I can't wait!

hungrycat.com

Sephora Opening Nail Bars

Maybe this is embarrassing, but I am really (almost wierdly) excited about Sephora opening up nail bars in their boutiques in the United States.

They are beginning with their stores in San Francisco and NYC, and hopefully they will head down south soon to open one here in Los Angeles. I remember getting a manicure at a Sephora in Barcelona a few years ago before they even opened in North America, and thinking that Sephora was possibly the coolest store ever.

The nail bars are sure to have zillions of colors, and I bet the manicurists will be amazing - which is a lot more than I can say about my typical not so good but really cheap ($20 for a mani and pedi) neighborhood spot. I can't wait to try out the in shop nail bar next time I'm in one of the lucky cities that have one!

I'm off to read the news - I just spent way too long clicking from one article to the next about these nail salons. I think I should some time reading about something with a little more substance ; )

101 Simple Salads

Salads are a staple in my diet (partly because they are easy and healthy, though mainly because I am not exactly a good or patient cook) but eating lettuce and cucumbers tossed in oil and vineger can get a tad bit boring. So, when I came across this great article featuring recipes for 101 inventive and best of all delicious salads I was - and still am!! - very excited.

I plan to try these two recipes soon:

Salad # 9: Chop or slice jicama (or radishes or kohlrabi) and mango and mix with coconut milk, lime juice, curry powder and cilantro or mint.

Salad # 17: Cook whole, unpeeled eggplant in a dry, hot skillet or on a grill, turning occasionally, until completely collapsed and soft. Chop and toss with toasted pita, toasted pine nuts, cooked white beans and halved cherry tomatoes. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice and lots of black pepper. Or a yogurt dressing is good, especially one laced with tahini.

Check out the full article here for even more great recipes!

Montana Avenue Art Walk

This Thursday July 21st, chic boutique Only Hearts and the rest of Montana Avenue will host Montana Avenue's Second Annual Art Walk.

 From 5 - 9 pm the shops and restaurants lining the street will showcase the work of more than 50 visual artists and live musicians, with many of the spots offering refreshments, specials and discounts.

I always love wandering down Montana Avenue, and it is particularly fun when they do an event like this! I suggest checking this out if you are looking for something to do this Thursday.

The Olsen's Launch The Row Handbags

The twins & their chic little sister Elizabeth

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen recently launched a new collection of handbags as part of their line, The Row. The handbags are all modern takes on classic shapes and styles and are really quite beautiful - I feel like these two can do no wrong when it comes to fashion. They really seem to enjoy it!

Every article that I have read shows how passionate they are about the design and fit of their lines, and how involved they are in the whole process. The Olsens seem to be a refreshing anomoly in the whole celebrity-designer world - though I maybe sort of wish that they would make just one more twin movie like when they were younger. 'It Takes Two' was a really good movie!

Anyway, these new bags are gorgeous and are a really great fit with their classic, well designed line. I wish that gorgeous brown ostrich one would come home with me!

The Row handbags are available at Barneys 

top image from people.com

The Summer Sale

If you're looking for something to do this Thursday July 14th, you should head to The Summer Sale hosted by Revolve Clothing.

There will be drinks, dj's, food and deals - plus, a portion of proceeds will go to charity organization Freed by Design. Sounds like a good combo to me!

Check it out tomorrow at Revolve Clothing - 8452 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Karma Living on One Kings Lane

When I checked out the deals on One Kings Lane this morning (as part of my usual am routine) I came across and fell in love with the brand Karma Living.

Karma Living features textiles and prints inspired by India, and all of their colorful pillows and throws are absolutely beautiful and unique. Above are some of my favorites from their collection of gorgeous pillows - tossing a few of these fantastic pillows could instantly make a room complete. Love them!

Check them out on One Kings Lane before they are gone...and if you haven't yet joined the site, what are you waiting for?! You can also check out Karma Living's site here.

Cobras and Matadors

 

I can't believe that I haven't written about Cobras and Matadors yet - I went there with a group of girlfriends a few months ago and we had such a great time! A late post is better than no post, right?

I loved literally everything about bustling this eatery from the dark wood and flickering candles to the artfully mismatched picture frames and seriously delicious food. Some of the very best dishes that we tried (and we tried a lot...a group of girls + byo wine equals probably a little too much food!) was the Burrata Jar with basil, olive oil and sea salt to eat with grilled bread, and the Wild Mushroom Flatbread topped with greens and truffled creme fraiche. Genius.

When you eat at Cobras and Matadors you really feel like you are dining in a chic little Spanish restaurant -I recommend this spot 100%, but I strongly suggest making a reservation as it can get super packed!

Located at 7615 Beverly Boulevard
(323) 932-6178

Nathan Turner

I am beginning to feel like I am one of the only people left who hasn't seen Million Dollar Decorators. Last week I googled to see what all of the hype was about, and I came across Nathan Turner, one of the stars of the reality show's website...and now can't stop drooling over everything that he does.

The site, nathanturner.com showcases amaaazing images of homes he's decorated and events he's planned, as well as a link to his store 1st dibs which offers a well curated collection of gorgeous (but expensive!) goods.

His work is so beautiful and well thought out, but the homes still look lived in and personal. I wish I could just move right into one of those perfect houses, and also that I could be invited to one of the glam events that he has done...the beachy place settings in the last picture I posted might make it hard to eat though. I wouldn't want to mess anything up!

Below are some of my favorite looks from Nathan's site:

Gilt City LA Party for Groundswell Book Launch

Poolside at The W Los Angeles in Westwood

Katie Lee

Me and my mom



Gilt City gift bags & champagne! And really gorgeous centerpieces



Last week I attended an event for Katie Lee's new book, Groundswell. The party was hosted poolside at the W Los Angeles - Westwood, by Gilt City LA.

I took my mother as my date and we sipped cocktails by The Edison Lounge (I had an amazing pink grapefruit margarita!), had our makeup done by Stila makeup artists, and snacked on Mexican themed hors d'oeuvres. My mom had her copy of Groundswell signed by Katie, who was super sweet and gorgeous in person.

We had such a fun night, and as a bonus I have a great new beach read. Now all I need is for the weather to stay nice in LA so I can actually go to the beach!

Red White and Blue (New Dresses on Net A Porter!)



DKNY




Paul and Joe



Yves Saint Laurent


Happy 4th of July! In honor of today I thought I'd share three gorgeous (and patriotic!) new dresses that I've fallen in love with from Net A Porter.

I am spending the day in Austin with some girlfriends, but if I was going somewhere fancy I would definitely wear one of these fab dresses - or more realistically, something similar!

Find the dresses here:

DKNY: http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/169354
Paul and Joe: http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/115906
YSL: http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/164140

The Foundation Polo Challenge in Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club in Santa Barbara will be the place to be on Saturday, July 9th. The polo club is playing host to the Tiffany sponsored Foundation Polo Challenge - aka where Prince William and Duchess Catherine will be spending their day!

The Foundation Polo Challenge is a charity event that will feature not only a polo match, but a gourmet lunch prepared by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis...sounds like pretty much the best day ever. Royals and a great lunch?! Perfect.

I am dying the go to this event, but tickets are just a little too pricey for me - even though glimpsing Kate Middleton in one of her amazing hats might almost be worth it!

foundationpolochallenge.com

Check out my previous post on watching polo at Will Rogers here and a post of my obsession with Kate Middleton's chic style here!

Canada Day in Los Angeles



I have been in the US for the past few Canada Day's, and have been pleasantly surprised to find out that there are actually quite a few events taking place and ways to celebrate right here in LA! So if you are Canadian and looking for something to do, or just want to celebrate your neighbors to the North (gosh that was cheesy), here's what to do and where to go!

Canadians Abroad is hosting a party tonight at Kress in Hollywood, which is the largest official LA event that I know of. My sister and I went a few years ago and it was quite fun. Well, now that I think about it, it was probably more fun for one of us than the other - she was pregnant and a Hollywood club was probably the last place she wanted to be (sorry Hil!). If you're not pregnant it will be fun!

Another place to celebrate would be with some poutine at Soleil in Westwood, which is where we went last night for an early celebration. The poutine was really good and the owner Luc is Canadian and is so sweet...a more detailed post is to come, but check it out if you're on the Westside!

If you are in the South Bay and looking for a little Canadian spirit, Redondo Beach Cafe offers Canadian favorites such as poutine, Montreal smoked meat sandwiches and Molsen Canadian beer. They host an annual Canada Day party as well!

Another fun resource for Canadians living abroad is Connect to Canada's 'Canada Day Across America' program - they have an interactive map where you can find a Canada Day party near you, and they will even send you a party pack!


Canada Day party at Kress tickets and information here
soleilwestwood.com
redondobeachcafe.com
connect2canada.com

PS - How awesome is that "Keep Calm and Love Canada" image?! I found it on the blog Hodge Podge: hodgepodge-babselou.blogspot.com via http://www.etsy.com/people/PosterPop?ref=ls_profile