Whistler

Good morning! We are off to Whistler for a few days (for my birthday - I am turning 25 which seems kind of weird - a quarter century!), and then down to Vancouver to visit my girlfriends and spend time in the city. In Whistler we are staying at the gorgeous Fairmont Chateau Whistler and I'm so excited - look how cozy and pretty it is:

I can't wait to cozy up by the fire, get some snowboarding in (I'm considering taking skiing lessons - I haven't gone since I was about 10 years old and have zero recollection of how to do it), and not take off my UGG boots for 3 days. I really wish it was still cool to wear UGGs out and about, don't you? They're just so comfy...

The new twinset?

You guys, Net a Porter is trying to tell us that this is a new trend:

I had to do a double take when I came across this editorial spread. Are they really suggesting that carrying two bags at a time is the new thing to do?

I usually think that anything Net a Porter does is amazing and the be-all/end-all (fashion wise) but this, to me, is just...strange. Maybe I should be happy because it turns out that carrying not only my purse to the office but also my boat 'n' tote with my gym clothes is not only practical but actually chic ; )

Now I'm rambling. What do you guys think? A fun look (not to mention way more storage) or just plain weird?

Tasting Kitchen

We were recently able to get  reservation at the Tasting Kitchen at a decent hour (the hostess told me they book out weeks in advance for weekend evenings) and I am so glad that we did.

I had been wanting to try the restaurant for ages, and am happy to report that it more than met my expectations. Their menu changes daily but always consists of fresh and often locally sourced charcuterie, cheese, pasta, seafood and various meats - and literally everything is amazing.

The best way to dine at Tasting Kitchen is to sample many items, either by ordering their 3 or 5 course tasting menu or sharing plates with whoever you are dining with - between four of us we ordered a lot and got to taste a variety of different items.

 Next time you are in Venice I highly recommend checking out this yummy restaurant, or at least stop by for a drink. The large bar at the back of the restaurant features highly skilled bartenders mixing inventive cocktails such as the Baby Bird (lavender tonic & vodka) and the English Garden (gin, fennel and cucumber). They also have an amazing sounding brunch! Omg now I'm starving and want to go back right now...

thetastingkitchen.com

Happy Friday/St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Friday!!

I have the day off of work today and I can't wait to just relax and watch Real Houewives and read blogs get some errands done. I'm really looking forward to the weekend - for St. Patrick's Day tomorrow a group of us are heading out on a boat with some drinks and snacks and lots of (hopefully green) Guiness. What do you have planned, if anything?

Some pretty St. Pat's appropriate outfit inspiration that I'm dreaming of:

1. Jill Sander Skirt
2. DVF Dress
3. DVF Kaftan
4. Pret a Surf Shorts
5. J Crew Cardigan
6. Chloe Dress
7. DKNY Dress
8. Rag and Bone Jeans

Animal Head Sculpture

Every time we go to West Elm (which is kind of an embarrassing amount - we live within walking distance!) my boyfriend stops and stares longingly at this animal head sculpture:

I said something along the lines of "It's really cool and I like it too, but we don't live in like...a cabin. Which is where that kind of thing makes sense". And then I began noticing cool animal head sculptures looking very chic and fun in non-cabins in home decor magazines and on Pinterest, and now I kind of want one.

Is my boyfriend more in tune with design than I realized? I guess it also goes to show that even if something seems like it isn't "in" or it won't go with everything, if you love something, you should get it and go with it. That's my inspirational quote for the morning!

Check out the images below from Pinterest and let me know your thoughts on decorating with animal head sculptures. Kind of creepy or cool?

Juice Cleanse

You guys, I have been eating so much rich food lately. My boyfriend's parents were in town and we have been eating amazing dinners (creamy truffle pasta at Hostaria Del Piccolo, buttery shrimp at Hungry Cat and way too much birthday cake from Susie Cakes, for example) which is great, but I am not exactly feeling my best.

Typically I am pretty healthy so my body is pissed at me. Enter: a cleanse! I did a juice cleanse last year from Pressed Juicery, an amazing LA based juice company offering cleanses and really tasty juices for everyday. I continue to spend way too much money there, but there's something about a fresh pressed juice that makes me feel like it's worth it.

What do you all think about cleanses? I know that they are not a health 'cure' or a stable weight loss tool, but drinking loads of vegetables and fruit can't exactly be bad for you right? Even if it's a bit of a placebo effect, I always feel way better and more refreshed after having one of these gourmet juices.

There are so many different cleanses and fresh juice companies out there now - check out just some of them below, and let me know your thoughts on cleanses:

Ritual Cleanse

Cooler Cleanse

Blueprint Cleanse

Organic Avenue

My 'Uniform'

Lately all I've been wearing is some sort of version of this outfit;  jeans (by Paige - I recently bought my first pair and basically haven't taken them off since), a flowy top or tunic (this one is by Rory Beca and I have it in three colors because I love it so much), and a few accessories (check out Bauble Bar for amazing and affordable jewels).

The weather in LA has been going back and forth between cold and windy to boiling and 80 degrees, and an outfit like this is easily adaptable to either - throw on some espadrilles if it's hot, boots and a blazer if it's cold and heels and sparkly earrings if you're going out at night. So easy.

Do you have a 'uniform' or an outfit that you always seem to gravitate towards?

California Home

lI saw the pictures of this perfect California home on the Martha Stewart website and I can't stop thinking about it! There is just something special about this house. Check out the images and then let's discuss below:

I think that what I love about this home is that it looks so livable. Like you just want to plop down on one of that overstuffed chair by the fire (or, the chaise by the bathtub - how cool is that?) and hang out with a glass of wine and a good book.

This home has the perfect mixture of classic design/decor elements and personality (animal tusks, mismatched vases) and it just works beautifully. You can tell that everything is well thought out but it somehow doesn't look too 'perfect'. I want to move right in! Do you love the home as much as I do? I also really want that cute dog.

PS - totally unrelated, but equally interesting - Daily Candy & Suave are hosting screening parties across the country to celebrate that new tv show 'The Fashion Star' (the one with Nicole Richie, Jessica Simpson, etc) that sound really fun. I signed up for the LA  one, you should click here to check out and RSVP for the other ones in Chicago, NYC, Miami. It will be like we're hanging out!

One Piece Swimsuits

I think that I must have summer or a vacation on my mind, as I keep finding myself eyeing swimsuits in stores and checking them out online.

I've also found myself looking at one pieces as of late, which is not something that I had been into before. I think that one pieces are no longer simply a thing of the past or something that one resigns to wearing after 'a certain age', because the one pieces I've been seeing lately are anything but old fashioned! From one shouldered suits to ruching to color blocking to ruffles, these suits have it all - and, I think, are just as sexy (and sometimes more) as a bikini.

One thing is clear - one pieces have come a long way. I love all of the swimsuits below, though I am not totally sure I'd feel comfortable or be able to totally pull one off (my boyfriend is sighing with relief I'm sure). What do you guys think? Cool in a 'retro chic' way or just...not?

images via netaporter (duh!)

Warholmania

While recently browsing for art I came across a cool framed print of Andy Warhol's iconic Campbell's Soup painting that will be the perfect complement to my kitchen, and the perfect thing to cover the large, ugly electrical box that is placed in the center of the wall.

Then, yesterday I was flipping through a magazine and stumbled across a big feature on the pop artist, and  learned that this month is the 25th anniversary of his death (I think it's obviously fate, and that I am meant to get the picture). As part of the recognition of his death and celebration of his work, there is going to be a travelling exhibition of his art. Wouldn't that be cool to see?

In case the exhibit isn't stopping in your city, there is tons of Andy Warhol merchandise to be had (calendars, magnets, notepads, puzzles) from thewarholstore.com: