You can imagine the excitement than ran through our veins when we were handed the menu and told to please order whatever our hearts desired.  The table quickly filled up with small plates like halloumi grilled cheese over watermelon, bacon wrapped dates, grilled caulliflower, and short ribs.  My favorite small bite of the evening was the bone marrow.  I’m getting chills just thinking about the buttery meat melting on my tongue.  Perfection!  Other highlights were the heirloom caprese salad with micro greens and the lobster cobb, which Asael and I enjoyed as our second course.  Though we did enjoy our entrees of halibut and fried chicken, it was the tapas that dominated my taste buds.

Dinner with great company and delicious food is what I enjoy most in life.  When will you be going?

“Resort is about real clothes for our friends.” So said Jack and Lazaro of their Resort 2011 collection. I’m curious the last time the Prozena Schouler boys took a trip down to Tijuana with friends because that’s the last place I bought what people are calling the “baja poncho.”  Of course I think its ridiculous that the poncho you can buy at the USA/Mexico border for $10 bucks will make its way, albeit a slightly different version, to the sales floor for probably $500.

Aside from my reservations about the poncho, what a beautiful selection of colors and prints. Aesthetically speaking I’m totally in love with this collection. Trust me, I’m not losing my critical edge, but I’d really like to be wearing all of this RIGHT NOW.  Does that make me a bad Mexican-American?  Thoughts welcomed.

Since I decided that this Fall/Winter I’m FINALLY going to give knits a try – shocking, I know – I figured why not of compile a small list of things I’d love to have during the chilly months here in California.  When I say chilly, I’m talking 52 degrees in the evening!

I first spotted this blanket while perusing one of my favorite shops (especially for cards), Reform School, and I keep on returning to caress and obsess over this 100% lambs wool blanket.  It’s designed by Donna Wilson and hand woven in Scotland.  Maybe if I bought it, Tilda Swinton and I could use it to cuddle up on the couch?  It could happen.  Buy blanket here.

What are you looking forward to most in the coming colder months?

This is going to be a productive week, don’t you think?  With that in mind, please let me share with you an image I’ve spotted on two of my friends blogs (Sam & Alicia) that has really stuck with me not only because of it’s great design but because it’s inspiring.

Repeat after me:

Style without substance = flash. (Also, no one respects these people.)
Substance without style = unknown. (Everyone who knows these people respects them… but not many people know them.)
Style with substance = impact. (The goal.)

I plan on purchasing this print here, and integrating it into my work space asap.  What are your plans for this week?

Baguette, the store’s wonderful dog
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My top 3 items from their online shop

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Do you know what makes a store great? An official shop dog.  Preferably if his name is baguette, because his tail (not pictured) looks like one.  Add a million points if said dog is a rescue animal.

Not too long ago I moseyed on over to the Mohawk General Store where I proceeded to fall in love with many an object.  First there were the chairs (pictured), followed by a great selection of Clare Vivier bags, and by the time I saw succulents in geometric planters I figured I should give up because I was going to want 95% of the store.  But want does not equate need, and I do consider myself a subscriber to the school of minimalism, so obviously I didn’t leave with a truck load of goods;  factor in an empty wallet, and problem solved!

The Mohawk General Store is my kind of place.  The store is relaxed, the shop people incredibly friendly, and the treasures for purchase feel as if they belong in the space.  I’ve got my eye on some pretty cool gold earrings, and they’ve got my name on a bag coming in, maybe it is time I do just a little shopping.

Small Geo Planter, $80 / Vivier La Tropezienne, $320 / Griffith Observatory Astrorama, $49

Entrance to The Parker Palm Springs

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I was so excited to get away to Palm Springs to celebrate my birthday.  Sometimes I just crave 115 degree weather so I can just lay around the pool, drink spiked lemonade, and dive into total relaxation.  These past three days gave me just that, and I honestly wasn’t ready to come home.  If you’re looking for a resort where you don’t even have to leave the grounds, The Parker is the place for you.  Burn some sage, get naked and jump in the 24-hour pool.  Maybe you’ll see the moon bounce around, like I swear I did.

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Decor by Jonathan Adler

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This tapestry absolutely killed me;  I was ready to rip it off the couch and drive home never to show my face at the hotel again.  I rethought that idea, and decided to take this photo instead.  Are you taking decor notes?

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Sissy Bingo at the ACE Hotel

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I live for games, so when I read on the ACE Hotel’s facebook page that they were having a bingo night, I quickly added that to our agenda.  The evening was hosted by the amazing Linda Fabulous, who is as serious about bingo as she is her singing.  She was born in 1938 and has personality to burn.  If you’re not familiar with this spectacular woman, watch her here.  Even though my bingo cards looked promising, I did not leave with a win nor with the pieces of pie, champagne, and tote bags adorned on the lucky winners.  If you’re into good drinks, delicious food, and bingo, I suggest you swing by the ACE on a Monday evening.

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Feliz Cumpleanos

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This photo was too perfect not to share.  Asael surprised me with these adorable candles that spelled out “feliz cumpleanos” atop of a fruit tart.  The candles were melting so quickly that we started to laugh hysterically about not being able to photograph them because poof they’d be gone.  Luckily, we got this one just in time.

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Traditional Eggs Benedict at Normas

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One of my favorite breakfast dishes on the planet is eggs benedict, and Normas at The Parker makes them to perfection.  Their hollandaise sauce is a dream and whenever I’m in Palm Springs I must order myself a plate, accompanied by their fresh squeezed orange juice of course.  Even if you’re just driving through the desert, Normas is totally worth the stop to eat if you want something delicious. Did someone say lobster macaroni and cheese? (breakfast/lunch only).

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PSYCH indoor saline pool

This is Asael totally relaxed

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Much of our time was spent at PSYC (Palm Springs Yacht Club) where we decided we’d relax so much that we’d feel like two earthworms in the dirt. Thanks to a wonderful surprise gift certificate bestowed upon me by my best friends Stefani and Serge, I indulged in a “tailor-made” massage which proved to be one of the major highlights of this trip. Fyi, the spa gives you a shot of infused vodka before you make your way into your private room. My muscles are very thankful.  If you enjoy steam rooms, saunas, gel masks and floating in saline pools, please let me prescribe you a trip to this spa as you’ll leave a much happier person.  Throw in some robes, a quiet room, and some alcohol and you’ll be ready for a nap that feels like an eternity.

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Iced honey vanilla latte at Koffi

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We had to leave the hotel a couple of times to visit our favorite coffee spot in Palm Springs, KOFFI. How I wish there was a Koffi in L.A.!  I just love their lattes and Asael flips for their blended malt crazy coffee nusto insane drink.  Yeah, I just made that name up.  They have a great selection of coffees and teas so I highly recommend you check out this spot next time you’re in P.S.

A big thank you to all of those who sent me birthday wishes here, Facebook, Twitter, and text – I’m so grateful to have such great friends like you in my life!  If you’d like to join me on a getaway sometime, just shoot me a message.  I promise we’ll have a blast!

This past weekend I made it out to the hush-hush Havaianas midnight pool party thanks to an invite from my friend/fellow blogger Geri of Because I’m Addicted. The night was packed with loud music, trips to the open bar, dance moves with new friends and the coolest flip book making booth.

Aimee of Song of Style and I ran into each other at the party and we quickly made a dash for the booth. Click the video to watch the magic. AND since I discovered Aimee is totally thug life – we were both belting out Tupac – I thought this song would be apropos.

Currently packing for a birthday (its tomorrow the 23rd) getaway to Palm Springs.  If you’ve been following this blog for some time you know that two of my favorite places in California are Palm Springs and Big Sur.  The desert is a magical place that I’ve been visiting for most my life. Growing up, my family and I would go every summer; one of our favorite things to do was watch the amazing lightning/thunderstorms because they’re incredible in the desert.

Now that I’m older its fun to visit Palm Springs with my sweetheart and simply relax by the hotel pool, eat some delicious food and visit all the local thrift shops. My favorite place to stay is by far The Parker because it is the perfect mix of bohemian and modern. Can you say Jonathan Adler 5xs fast?  I love their drinks, I love Norma’s eggs benedict, and I love their landscape.

Read my other desert adventures here, here, and here.

My sweetheart Asael and I have been biking riding a lot.  Just now we returned from a 10 mile venture and I cannot believe how much fun we had. Riding a bike lets you discover new things you might have not otherwise if driving a car.  For example, while riding down Valley Boulevard we saw two girls eating lettuce cups at Phoenix Restaurant – I LIVE for lettuce cups and had no idea they served them there!  Now I know and cannot wait to go try them.  I’ll ride my bike over of course.

The next step in my bike love is to actually get a stylish/professional bike that I feel totally comfortable riding.  Back in January I mentioned here how much I loved the editorial of Arlenis Sosa riding a white Linus and I’ve come to the realization that Linus is the bike for me.  Its modern but looks classic, the combination of black metal and brown leather (pictured above) is a dream, and I look at it and just sigh with love.  Today marks the day that I’m officially saving up for a new bike.

“Inspired by French bicycle design of the 50’s and 60’s we have created a bicycle that preserves the simple elegance, and pure form of that golden era but has all the benefits of modern comfort and reliability. That’s LINUS… a simple, affordable, elegant bike for riding around and doing stuff.”

Read more about Linus bikes here.

I cannot believe I’m typing this, but I just bought something at the GAP.  The last time I purchased something there was in the 8th grade and it was their “Grass” fragrance, or something like that. Maybe it was “Cloud?”  Remember how cool those perfumes were in middle school?

If you’ve hung with me, you definitely know I have a deep affection for Los Angeles, the place I was born and raised.  Having love for your city helps make it a better place; you’ll have more fun and meet cool people – trust me.  When I saw this shirt, I felt as if it was giving me a high-five.  T-shirts with sayings on them are truly the last thing I want on my rack but I really fell for this shirt. Its finally hot here in L.A. (1oo degrees yesterday) and I thought, why not? Buy yours here.

P.S.  I saw Little Women on my first date.  Tell me one of your middle school memories!

While perusing the magazine stand at Vroman’s over the weekend, I found myself compelled by these images of Freja in the August issue of Vogue Paris. She looks tough, sexy, and ready to take charge.  Who doesn’t love a woman with a megaphone?

What do you think she’s saying?

Alicia & Sisterwolf / Jayne of Stop it Right Now
Chelsea & Jaclyn of (No) Subject L.A. / Sam of Sosupersam

Dianne of Diabolina Da Fashionista

Alicia, Dianne, Nikole of The Moptop Maven , Lori of HisHerChicago , Sherrin of Rinny Riot

My homegirls Gita and Sanam

Aimee of Song of Style & Jen of Agogo

The coolest girl ever, named Danielle

My sweetheart Asael

Last Thursday was Forever 21′s launch party for their very first designer collaboration, with the amazing Brian Lichtenberg.  I had the pleasure of being hired on for this event and absolutely loved working with Forever 21.  I’d like to thank Dawn, of the blog a/muse for this great opportunity.  I hope you all had as much fun as I did – thanks for coming out!

about the collaboration
Eclectic LA-based designer Brian Lichtenberg is known for his unique cutouts, geometric details, fashion forward designs and celebrity clientele the likes of Lady Gaga (he designed the caution tape look for her “Telephone” video), Beyoncè, the Kardashians and M.I.A. His namesake clothing line is featured in high-fashion magazines, music videos and artist performances around the globe, and now he’s bringing his avant-garde aesthetic to Forever 21. The collection of t-shirts and tanks will retail at $14.80 for women’s styles and $14.90 for men’s. See the collection here.

I’m really pooped from last night’s Forever 21 x Brian Lichtenberg launch party, so full coverage won’t hit the blog until later today/tomorrow.  All I can say right now is that is was great seeing all of my friends, meeting really cool people, dancing like a goof,  and chatting with almost every L.A. fashion blogger.  There were a ton of smart, well dressed ladies at the event last night, and I think I had to a chance to say hi to every single one.  I LOVED working for Forever 21 on this, I had a BLAST.  I hope you had fun!

xoxo
NJ

photo: my homegirl Diabolina Da Fashionista and me

Last night my dear friend Stefani and I treated ourselves to a night of Din Tai Fung, an insane documentary called Prodigal Sons, and non-stop face masks (5 total).  I could gush about every single mask we smoothed on our face, but I’d like to pay close attention to the one that started off the night of perfect skin.

I present Fresh’s Sugar Face Polish, a mask that combines both brown sugar and wild strawberries, leaving your skin feeling completely rejuvenated.  The delicious smelling polish felt like smooth sand rubbing against my face.  When it was time to rinse it off, my face had never looked so bright!  My skin still feels like every dead skill cell was wiped away, revealing a much softer face.

Buy it here.

Today my boyfriend Asael and I went on a 6 mile bike ride.  We didn’t set out any exact mileage goal, that’s just what happened since we were having so much fun.  Why have we waited so long (almost 7 years) to go on bike riding adventures?  Well, I think I’m just going to tell people I was waiting to find the perfect bike helmet, which I did this weekend.  I look forward to sharing it with you.

Another necessity – aside from the helmet – are sunglasses, for those moments the sun in blinding you so badly you start riding into the middle of the street. I’ve already got a perfect pair of black sunnies but sadly I do not have the perfect pair of tortoise shell lenses.  Did that sentence sound obscene?  I swear I don’t have a drawer of sunglasses.  Sooooooooooooo, I’ve found the perfect pair and here they are, for only $5.80 no less.

Buy here.