my new clutch
Monday, June 11
I asked LA bag designer and my friend Clare Vivier to monogram this new striped clutch she's just come out with. Doesn't it look great? Clare is opening a new, bigger store in Silver Lake later this week--a testament to her huge and ever-growing success. The spacious boutique will feature her entire collection of leather, zipper-trimmed bags and accessories, plus one-of-a-kind pieces. Everyone must check it out!
yellow fever
Monday, June 11
We were on the barbecue circuit this past weekend and indulged in all the yummy usuals, from smores to grilled salmon. Tis the season. My casual barbecue uniform invariably includes sandals (there's nothing worse than sinking your stilettos in the grass!) and a cute, eye-catching top, like this bold yellow one from J. Crew. I'd wear it with..
1. J. Crew pom pom top, $128, jcrew.com
2. Tory Burch cardigan, $395, netaporter.com
3. Ann Taylor sequin clutch, $48, anntaylor.com
4. Miu Miu sandal, $750, barneys.com
5. J. Brand jeans, $225, netaporter.com
loafing around
Friday, June 8
Unlike weather patterns, fashion trends seem to move from east to west. What I really mean to say is that I'll see a trend emerge in New York first, then after a few months, it will materialize in LA. When I was in the city last weekend, I spotted tons of girls sporting high top wedge sneakers, including Leandra Medine, the Man Repeller, herself, in a pair by Isabel Marant, outside Bar Pitti on Sixth Avenue. My sister was even compelled to buy them, having been in the city for the last few weeks working. (She bought this pair.) The other thing I noticed was the pervasiveness of penny loafers. Lucky's Editor in Chief Brandon Holley was wearing a modern, streamlined pair to a cover shoot the other day. And, above, fashion bellwether Julia Sarr-Jarmois is working a pair. (P.S. Note how she wears them with something decidedly feminine, so they don't look old-school preppy.) These shoes seem way more me (i.e., practical, easy to integrate into my wardrobe) than wedge high tops. Here are some options to ponder from Nine West and J. Crew.
Photo: Hanneli Mustaparta
seaside staples
Friday, June 8
TGIF. This is what I want to wear all weekend, every weekend this summer, along with the sand in between my toes. (P.S. The bikini is reversible. How good is that?) Enjoy!
1. Han Kjobenhaven sunglasses, $134, madewell.com
2. M Missoni reversible bikini, $135, theoutnet.com
3. Love Sam embroidered blouse, $96, theoutnet.com
4. Madewell woven bag, $68, madewell.com
5. Rada fringe sandals, $295, calypsostbarth.com
black and blue
Thursday, June 7
Everyone is saying black is the new black. Next fall, the lugubrious shade will predominate store racks. Rather than sport head-to-toe black, I am going to throw in some dark navy blue-- taking a cue from Derek Lam, Balenciaga and Jil Sander--to look less funereal, more fresh.
Photo: VivaLuxury
the showstopper
Thursday, June 7
One word: wow. This teal maxi-dress is a big night out at its best, and the under $200 price tag can't be beat. (Perhaps that is why it sold out before I could post this! They do restock though, so perhaps it will reappear. It also comes in white--very Grecian elegant--and is available now here.) Put on your dancing shoes and wear it with...
1. T-Bags jersey dress, $195, netaporter.com
2. Bauble Bar earrings, $24, baublebar.com
3. Zara clutch, $79, zara.com
4. Stuart Weitzman feather sandals, $255, bergdorfgoodman.com
a trip home
Wednesday, June 6
I was a frequent flier last week. The day after I returned from Mexico, I headed to New York for the weekend to attend one of my oldest and closest friend's father's memorial service in the Hamptons. Though the occasion was a sad one, it was a beautiful service attended by many old friends. Given the circumstances, I also felt especially blessed to be able to spend some time with my own dad, who lives there year-round, in the same house we used to spend our summers when I was growing up. The weather was early-summer beautiful and it felt good to be home.
On Sunday morning, I made my way back into the city to see my twin sister, who was working. Before we met, I made a solo expedition to Topshop and spent a good two hours in the dressing room, trying on all the clothes, pictured above. The store had just received a new shipment the night before, so there were pickings aplenty. The hard part was whittling down my selections. Here's what I chose and returned to LA with. P.S. The white dress below is leather. It's crazy awesome.
day dress
Wednesday, June 6
Ahhh... warm summer days are upon us. Time to bust out the cute, easy dresses, like this one, which bears a vivid ethnic print. I'd breeze around in it with...
1. Monsoon dress, $122, monsoon.co.uk
2. Topshop sunglasses, $32, topshop.com
3. Tory Burch fringed raffia clutch, $395, neimanmarcus.com
4. Madewell platform sandals, $119, madewell.com
the getaway
Wednesday, June 6
My husband and I took an amazing trip to Las Ventanas in Los Cabos, Mexico, for a few days last week. If you have never been there, it is worth putting on your list of places to visit someday. The Mexican-Mediterranean style resort is an incredibly beautiful place combining minimalist yet still warm architecture, with perfectly executed traditional interior decor, all set on the impossibly blue Sea of Cortez.
We've come to love the hotel, having celebrated our ten-year wedding anniversary there last year. This time, we were with a few other couples. Once again, it was nirvana, from start to finish, beginning with the Las Ventanas signature welcome greeting: Upon entering the open-air palapa lobby, shimmering sea looming in the distance, the smiling hotel personnel approach, and you expect to be ushered to a desk to do what you are hoping will be a quick check-in, etc. Instead, along with a warm hello, you are handed a delicious foamy margarita and escorted immediately to your insanely beautiful room. Five minutes after arriving, you are in your bathing suit, 100% on vacation.
Unlike trips that involve sightseeing, restaurant hopping, and shopping, this vacation had no itinerary. The one and only goal was to enjoy the sun, sand and sea, the company of friends and each other. We woke up early every morning and indulged in a big breakfast on our room's balcony (egg white omelet with veggies for me, Huevos Rancheros for John, along with fresh papaya and tropical fruit smoothies). Then we languished by the pool, took walks on the beach and bobbed in the temperate ocean--with some tacos and tequila shots in between. The staff is friendly and incredibly efficient, and the overall service is truly as good as I have ever had anywhere.
Needless to say, the trip was heaven, and we came away rejuvenated and reminded again of how important it is to get some quality alone time with your significant other (especially once kids are in the picture!) Here are some fun pics from our trip. I hope they inspire you to plan your next getaway!
The striking hotel entrance.
The spell-binding view from the lobby. Since there is no check-in desk, let alone a line to wait in, I am not sure this actually qualifies as a lobby per se, but I wish every hotel lobby could be (and work) like this.
Ready for the hotel pool.
The balcony and view from our room. The spiral staircase leads to an upper deck, where we stargazed at night.
The grilled shrimp tacos, laced with chips and guacamole are weighing me down in my seat at the hotel's outdoor restaurant. The salsa fresca is so good (and healthy) I ate it by the spoonful.
It's cool and shady in the outdoor restaurant.
Me, frustrated, in my white jeans--because, as you may recall, I failed to bring more than one nice dress!
Cool architecture.
Of course, I did manage to do some shopping! I bought these woven bracelets for $10 a pop, from a strolling beach-side vendor.
lady mary
Tuesday, June 5
I've been catching up on the second season of Downton Abbey (it's much better than the first) and it has me smitten with all things English countryside: chintz fabric, dainty tea cups, wild garden roses. All of which explains my attraction to this floral peplum blouse. It's vibrant and feminine. Very Lady Mary, if she were around today. I'd pair it with Dowager Countess-approved earrings along with something modern and unexpected, like a flashy pair of leather jeans...
1. River Island peplum top, $39, riverisland.com
2. Dannijo earrings, $260, shopbop.com
3. Bottega Veneta pailette leather clutch, $2029, barneys.com
4. Manolo Blahnik sandal, $644, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Helmut Lang leather pants, $920, netaporter.com