Hey, I'm Not Going To Judge You...

1. If you got your face painted on Easter... at the country club... with your boyfriend's family.

2. If you like to yell "Abe Lincoln!" to yourself every time you see an Amish person.

3. If you're compelled to smell every single perfume sample in every single magazine you read.

4. If you get the mail in your bathrobe.

5. If you're infinitely more fun your first night in vegas than your second.

6. If you forced yourself to stash away your astrology books because you were starting to say things like, "you're such a capricorn," in conversation and it got weird.

7. If you crave beer (over water) when you're thirsty.

8. If you like bologna.

9. If you've ever blow dried your dog.

10. If several of your notebooks happen to be have red wine stains in them.

Viva Las Vegas: A Photo Diary

Two weeks ago I spent the weekend in Vegas with five of my girlfriends. Since we're of the real world, employed, generally functioning (for the most part) category of people now, the excitement really built up quickly for the weekend getaway. 

In our eager haste our email chain quickly got raunchy and giddy and included quotes such as, “Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.”

We stayed at the Venetian, which, if you don't know, is pretty in a my-grandma's-knock-off-italian-kitchen sort of way. I brought the cheese puffs and forgot my second pair of shoes, naturally. 

Here's a little photo journal. I'm working on becoming a more thoughtful blogger and taking artsy photos of food and drinks and all those other things I (sometimes) care about in addition to clothes... But, for now, here's some images of my friends and I standing in front of things.

Highlights: 

1. The Cosmopolitan Hotel (Specifically the Chandelier Bar) 

2. Max Brenner in the Forum Shops

Lowlights:

1. Saturday Morning (or, more accurately, 4 pm) 

2. The beds at the Venetian


3. Walking down twenty four million stairs in an attempt to exit Marquee... 

Other Notable Moments: 

Nighttime Dress Gets Daytime Treatment

Shirt- American Apparel; Dress- Some Boutique in San Clemente; Purse- Vintage (London); Belt- Vintage; Scarf- Vintage (Grandpa); Sunglasses- H&M 

We all know I'm a bit dress obsessed and one of my favorite things to do is re-purpose a fancier frock for daytime. This dress is super "here-are-my-boobs" on its own, but with a casual tank and scarf its suddenly daytime appropriate.

I've also been pretty obsessed with coral pouts for the past month and this Revlon "Kiss Me Coral" lipstick is one of my favorites.

I'm running out the door to Vegas with five girlfriends right now and I'm consumed with the fear of what I forgot to pack (as always). I might snap some pictures in the midst of the mischief making so stay tuned.

Wishing you a magical weekend. xx

Hey, I'm Not Going To Judge You...

1. If your boyfriend is more domestically talented than you are. 

He just loves doing the dishes.

2. If you've ever read the words "bread crumbs" in a recipe and wondered, "how the hell do I crumble up that much bread?@!"

3. If you really like your dog but you only really love it when it smells good (the same can be said of men...).

4. If you refuse to ever institute an open pooping policy in your romantic relationships.

5. If you think guys posting topless mirror shots of themselves on facebook is more gag worthy than females doing the same (girls are known to be insecure and needy, especially when they have daddy issues... duh.)

6. If your bladder is perfectly trained to require a trip to the girls' room when the check is about to hit the table.

7. If you go to bed with your mouth watering at the thought of your morning cup 'o joe.

8. If you get speed-level competitive with everyone around you when you're on the treadmill... especially the stupid chick in the itty bitty spandex shorts... bitch.

9. If you read every single review when you're researching hotels.

10. If you live meal to meal; weekend to weekend: modern girl's hedonism?

Daily Quote Dose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"When I was young I used to have this thing where I wanted to see everything. I used to think ‘How can I die without seeing every inch of this world?'"

Leonardo DiCaprio

... I have this exact thought on the reg my little Leo. But then I wonder, maybe you can see everything if only you choose to see it. Maybe you can see a world of possibilities in what's around you. Maybe... 

A Happy Head...

... wears one of these....

Yes, I realize I do not boast a royal pedigree (not one that's been realized at least!) or tea-drinking abilities and a British accent but I've haunted London's best pubs and shops for more than a few months and I think it gives me the right to eccentric headware. If you see me in Southern California in said accessories, no I do not need to be committed, I just need a royal British suitor, thank you.


Image via InStyle 

Hey, I'm Not Going To Judge You...

1. If you always kind of think you're going to die when you fly.

"My wipers are so much faster than everyone else's! Crap."

2. If you've ever been self conscious of your windshield wiper speed level.

3. If you instantly crave mexican food when you hear mexican music.

4. If you've ever brought a magazine to a football game.

5. If you're frustrated by the amount of perfect, thoughtful, fiscally appropriate (ehh....) birthday gifts you find... for yourself.

6. If you've ever been given two sets of chopsticks with the chinese delivery you ordered for yourself.

7. If you always think about how hilarious it would be to write "sexual favors" on the what-this-check-is-for line of your checks.

8. If you've ever been saddened by the fact that Charlie Brown is a cartoon and not a real boy.

9. If you like potato skins and not potatoes.

10. If you've ever thought to yourself, "life would be so much better if I had the body of my shadow" (obviously disregarding the fact that you'd be 10 feet tall).

* One person thinks this post is funny:

Daily Quote Dose

"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." - Samuel Johnson 


image via Lovers in Vain

Monday On My Mind

Listening to: (I listened to this song on repeat when driving to Palm Springs this weekend)



Craving: A good massage. 

Coveting: Laika Headpiece by Litter SF

On My To Do List:write thank you notes for christmas gifts (so tardy!); plan a weekend getaway; take advantage of current sunshine; find birthday gifts for my longtime best and my dad; contemplate life's complexities. 


Watching:

This Is Litter from Litter SF on Vimeo.


Reading:LA Times obituaries. I know this is a weird habit but I find them inspiring and often the most "ordinary" people have extraordinarily romantic stories. 

Inspired by: Littledoe Is Love Lookbook

On My Social Agenda:Bachelor viewing party tonight (team Emily); Blue Valentine movie date tomorrow night. 


Wondering:Why there ever got to be a right and wrong in fashion? It's relative and nothing but fun. 

Daily Quote Dose

"It is not down in any map; true places never are."- Herman Melville 

Image via the Neo Traditionalist

66 Things I Learned in 2010

Style
1. Certain things are worth splurging on (champagne, lipstick, hair dryers...).
2. Other things are not worth splurging on (mascara, trendy items, over the top gifts).
3. It's all about fit.
4. It's best to wait 15 minutes before applying your topcoat on your manicure because that allows the polish to set and avoids chipping.
5. Polyester isn't that scary.
6. Camel toes can happen to the loveliest of vaginas in the wrong pants (witnessed primarily at the gym).
7. There's nothing wrong with wearing your best jewels to run errands.
8. Ebay bidding wars produce high blood pressure and nightmares.
9. A scary Halloween costume and clubbing in Hollywood don't jive.
10. Lounging in fur and cashmere makes strep throat a bit better.
11. Screw regular trims... refusal to cut your hair also makes it grow.
12. The thrill of shopping can give you legitimate endorphins.
13. Middle parts are not for me (despite valiant efforts)...
14. Embrace what fits your body and duplicate the silhoutte in different patterns, fabrics, etc.
15. The best style is personal and unique.
16. Sequins and leopard print can always make you happy.

Relationships 
1. Boys can be sensitive too.
2. Mystery does not always beget coolness.
3. Boys gossip as much as girls (just in a different style).
4. Thank you notes are better with personal anecdotes.
5. Girls will judge you, get over it ahead of time.
6. True friends will give you the dress of their back when you like their outfit better than yours.
7. My Grandma had four fiances before my Granddad hitchiked in his military uniform from Texas to Hollywood to steal her away from her latest fiance. She "had a lot of fun."
8. No matter their age, most women are socially programmed to reject compliments.
9. Chivalry goes a long way.

 Random 
1. Good lighting is everything.
2. Kissy faces in photos always make you look drunk or fish-faced.
3. It is possible to feel incredibly old and wildly young simultaneously.
4. You absolutely must trust yourself.
5. You can't take tweets back.
6. Life moves dizzyingly fast.
7. Paparazzi are people too.
8. Taking your google search safety off moderate is one of the most disturbing things you can do.
9. It is not appropriate to high-five obese strangers at the gym.
10. Report cards and credit card statements are one in the same: how much damage have I done?
11. The only problem with being a writer is that you have to write.
12. Anonymity gives people the courage to be rude.

Food & Drink
1.You can order straight up coffee at Starbucks (there's a world outside of lattes!)... and ordering a grande coffee with room makes you feel badass in a corporate way.
2. Gin and tonics and productivity don't always mix.
3. Salads, baked potatoes and spaghetti are not good driving foods.
4. Green onions don't look like other onions.
5. French fries and tequila don't like me as much as I like them.
6. Coffee Bean is a Kosher establishment.
7. Bloody Mary's hold the key to a happy weekend.
8. "Chips Ahoy" is a pun on "Ships Ahoy"... woah!
9. Cheeseburgers and zumba class do not mix well...
10. You can train yourself to love cooking by opening a bottle of wine every time you make dinner.
11. Raisins can restore fizz to champagne. Drop a couple in the bottle a few minutes before serving.
12. Eating poppy seed bagels can show up as heroin on a drug test.
13. Ordering a salad but then eating all of your boyfriend's french fries does not count as dieting.
14. Absinthe at family gatherings can be iffy.
15. Wine tasting is my happy place.
16. Kraft mac and cheese beats fancy, four-gourmet-cheese mac and cheese.
17. It's not the best idea to buy fancy dinner packages off of Gilt group...
18. Consuming generous amounts of champagne the morning of your college graduation leads to napping during the graduation ceremony.

 Practicalities 
1. Credit card bills don't pay themselves.
2. Getting your car serviced isn't as optional as it seems.
3. Polyester cannot be dyed.
4. Cleaning out your friends list on facebook feels even better than cleaning out your closet!
5. You can make DMV appointments online.
6. There's a little arrow next to the gas icon on your dashboard that points to the side of the car your gas pump is on.

Travel 
1. Alcohol at the airport is always a good idea.
2. You can fit 17 people in one tiny house in Georgetown... as long as you throw six girls in a closet-like room with only one mattress.
3. After you've been waiting over 10 minutes for a public bathroom it is not worth it anymore. Time to walk away.
4. Brunch in Georgetown means an open bar and half a bagel...
5. It can snow in Vegas!


Image 1 via Belle Maison, Image 3 via Lula Magazine

Thanksgiving Thank You Note

Since it is the time of giving thanks (and stuffing yourself with food), I decided to write a personalized thank you note to some of my favorite individuals.

To my best friends, 
Thank you for assuring me that you love every blog post (the good and the bad). Thank you also for telling me when I am being inappropriate by dancing on top of a fountain or sharing life secrets with the bartender. Finally, thank you for continuing to be my friend despite the fact that I send you blackberry pictures of my dog and outfit contemplations regularly.

Serving the bartender might have been the point it got inappropriate

To my parents, 
Thank you for always answering your phone when my car is broken or I can't find green onions at the grocery store.

To my grandma,
Thank you for giving me your amazing mohair and fur sweaters that I wear with pride. It ups the cool factor that I'm able to say "this was my grandma's."

To 103.5, 
Thank you for accepting that November is a perfectly splendid time to start playing Christmas music.

To Dan,
Thanks for introducing me to over easy eggs, handling the heavy lifting and dressing like Ronald McDonald on Halloween...It's a real pick me up whenever I need a laughable mental image.

To TLC,
Thank you for filling your line-up with reality shows (cough, Say Yes to the Dress, Sister Wives, Four Weddings...) that are disturbingly addictive.

To wine,
Thank you for always hanging out with me on the weekends, despite your other obligations. Also, thanks for making the world seem rosier.

Other things I'm thankful for: kindness from strangers, the bravery and sacrifice of our troops, Jesus (my main man), my brothers, stuffing, pumpkin pie, the fact that I graduated (somehow), people that let you cut in front of them when you're stressed during freeway merging, black eyeliner (for sticking with me throughout the past eight years of our relationship), my travel adventures, dirty martinis, USC football games (for allowing me to step back into college every so often), warm towels, peonies, pasta, flea markets, and miraculously comfortable high heels.

An Ode To Taxi Drivers

I don't know what it is about taxi drivers (or fast food employees, security guards, and bartenders...) but whenever I get in a cab I feel an overwhelming need to uncover their life story. My questions are Peabody award probing and my inability to understand what they are saying is usually masked in a glazed over, excited grin. And then, I take their picture. Why? Sometimes because the situations are absurd and must be remembered. Other times, just to make them feel included (since I'm usually taking pictures of girls in the cab anyways). 

I've met some stellar cabbies in my day and wanted to pay tribute to them- the good and the few that turn a blind eye to a sippy cup of champagne, turn the music up to nightclub levels and don't run up the meter by taking the long route. Here's to you.


In Chicago, some cabbies like to join the party:

In Chicago they also lend you their pillow on long road trips (this is technically a bus driver but his outstanding personality warranted inclusion).

Taxi drivers in downtown LA have real style (hello leopard print).

They also let you do the driving from time to time...

In Hollywood they dress especially spiffy.

And in London they're on the other side- shocker!

In Tucson some cabbies like to bring their wife to work... (this is a city of romance)

 And in Washington D.C. you get... the SUV treatment.

Until we meet again Yellow Cab! xo

Tuesday's Top Ten; Top Ten Worst Things About Flying

So, don't let the title of this post fool you, I love to fly. I love the excitement of the airport, the TV screen with a never-ending list of destinations, the people watching, the time I spend imagining why every other person is flying to wherever they're flying to (example: guy in skinny jeans is off to surprise his long-distance girlfriend and propose to her in New York City atop a candlelit rooftop... they're always romantic stories, what did you expect?) and most of all I love traveling. Duh.

BUT, sometimes flying is more annoying than a snag in a brand-new pair of tights. And because I brought home a lovely cold with me from my recent flight to San Francisco, I am feeling particularly bitter. So here's my personal list of the top ten worst things about flying.

1. Recycled airplane air... it's a breeding ground for germs and you really only needed to smell that old lady's far-too-floral perfume once, thanks.

2. The line at Starbucks.

3. The 3-1-1 liquid rule for carry-ons. What do you mean I cannot bring my (way too expensive) perfume with me on my weekend jaunt? Don't you realize a woman's outfit is never complete without her signature scent (just ask Coco Chanel)!!

4. The stealthy farter that stinks up the whole freakin' airplane but can never be identified because he is silent but deadly.

5. Personal space invaders: arm rest hogs, the guy in front of you that reclines his head so far back that he's practically in your lap, the lady behind you that puts her un-pedicured foot on your arm rest and thinks that you're not going to notice.

6. Chatty neighbors...nope, I actually didn't want to hear about your neighbor's daughter's c-section complications.

7. Taking your shoes off when walking through security... thinking of all the feet that made the trek before yours is more cringe-worthy than stepping in a fraternity shower sans sandals.

8. The food. It's just too obvious to say that the sodium infused lumps of "food" airlines serve are sub par... but what really gets me is the people that bring stinky homemade entrees to be consumed in flight.

9. The scary airplane toilet bowls. Flush that puppy and it feels like you're going to be sucked out of the plane's jet.

10. Baggage charges. High heels are heavy and they take up space. This is an unfair attack on women... obviously.

What do you think travelers? Anything I forgot?


Image 1 via dimbulb.net, Image 3 via Jaunted.com