What a place to have a wedding!

By Melanie

So, what do you think of the new header and look of the blog? We still have a few tweaks with the color to work on but we hope you like it!

This past weekend, Brian and I FINALLY had our engagement photos taken in Laguna Beach! I can't wait to share them with you!

photo by Strawberry Anarchy via Flickr

Now I'm totally in the wedding planning mood!

I started looking for a venue and it's tough out there! I've found a few but California is such an expensive place to have a wedding, especially the coastal area. For a beach view, it's way out of my budget if we want to invite more than family and very best friends. But now that I have my engagement photos at the beach, I'm thinking I would like my wedding to be a little more unique.

As you probably know, I have an absolutely LOVE Victorian homes. So it's quite fitting that I'm in love with The Newland House in Huntington Beach.

photo via localism.com

This home is a historic landmark. It was built in the late 1800's and was the FIRST residential home in Huntington Beach.


photo via hbnews.com

This photo is from the early 1900's. Houses and businesses are now built around the land. It's a bit surreal to see it back in the early days with all the empty land. The area doesn't even look the same now.

The Newland family were pioneers and helped build up Huntington Beach. I think having a wedding and reception at a beautiful home with all this history is pretty cool.

I found some photos of a real weddings that happened at the Newland House on the wedding chicks blog.

photo via Shannon Lot Photography.

I love the gazebo.

Another wedding here that I just adore was captured by Hugh Forte Photography.


I really love outdoor day weddings. So cheerful and fun. Great for photos!

I love the white picket fence. And her dress is so darling. The dress that I want is inspired by hers (more to come on that later).

Three photos above by Hugh Forte Photography

More wedding planning coming...

photo by Tiny Water Photography

Do you know of a coastal wedding venue that is just gorgeous and affordable? Any suggestions are welcome!

Fresh Face

By Melanie

photo via allure magazine

Underfunded Heiress is going under the knife! Don't worry, nothing too drastic, just a little nip and tuck.

If you've noticed the side bar to the right, UH already received a few touch ups. Heather incorporated some fresh ideas such as "Blogger Crush" and updated the "Have To Have It" and "Beauty Alert"! This weekend, I'll be creating a new header.

So excited! I love a good makeover!

Happy weekend!

Lookbook: So-Fall

by heather
I took these photos last weekend in Santa Monica. I finally started pulling out the boots and packing up the summer clothes. Last weekend was pretty warm, hence the outfit, but a cool chill has blown in this week and it's refreshing. I'm having fun layering. Although, since I'm by the beach it gets a little too chilly at night for my taste. I'm sunshine spoiled!




(click on photos to enlarge)

Burnout cream dress from Alternative Apparel; grey dress from Anthropologie; agate necklace with black silver chains by Heirra (my artisan line, coming soon to Etsy); Agate ring by Prettyfine; boots by Frye.

Flee To Cleve

By Melanie

Labor Day weekend was spent in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. Brian got to visit my family, see Ohio for the first time and have lots of fun of course!

At my Mom's house.

Ohio gets such a BAD rap! Television shows and comedians LOVE to make fun of it! I know it's not California, New York or some other desirable area to live/vacay in but it's not that bad of a place to live. The Northeast area of Cleveland is actually a pretty nice area. Sure the snow can be a bummer but the seasons are beautiful, it's full of lush trees (the metro parks are amazing), you can hear the crickets at night and Cleveland has a few cool neighborhood spots. But, I will admit that Cali is the best!

Our visit was a lot of fun. It's actually more fun to go back as a "tourist".

Downtown on a beautiful sunny day by Lake Erie. The Background is Rock n Roll Hall of fame. Which is THE coolest architectural design ever!

Ooh, some flames. Was this built to remind Clevelanders about the time the lake caught on fire? Ew! Don't litter :)

The Terminal Tower in the background on the far right.

The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland's claim to fame!

There is a lot of old beautiful buildings downtown. This one is a photo of a church.

We traveled down to 4th street where it's paved with cobblestone. This street is lined with restaurants, many with outside patios. This is such a quaint area. They've really rebuilt the city in the last few years.

We ate at a restaurant next to this one. But I love this sign.

We ate at Greenhouse Tavern. It's a cool, eco-friendly restaurant. I loved the decor and the vibe but the food was not that vegetarian friendly. The fries were cooked in duck fat! Yuck! Thank goodness our server was kind enough to tell us. I know it's the hip popular thing to do now but for a vegetarian, it's a disappointment! Plus, it's a bit ironic for an eco-friendly place.

Me, Brian and my Mom.

The next day, we met up with Granny at Cheesecake Factory. I love the mushroom veg burger.

Btw, Grandma turned 90 that week! Wow! If you look closely at the photo, you can see that she's rockin dark purple nail polish! She's so stylish!

Last stop- Ice cream of course! Well, frozen custard technically. It's Delicious!

Brian liked Ohio and love all of the family.

Cleveland Rocks!

My Special K

by heather
Over the weekend I fell in love. In love with Kafe K. Love at the first sniff of the robust aroma. A good cup of coffee - or soy latte - in the morning is happiness. And a delicious dessert in an inviting environment is the cherry on top. Although, I decided to take my berry creme brulee home where I could devour it in peace. They're located on Main Street in Santa Monica and it's owned by a friendly, hip, Euro-looking family.
Groundwork's (former #1) will still be in rotation with their organic goodies, DIY set-up, and heart-shaped frothy artwork topping my latte, but I'll be visiting my new friend quite often.

The outside of Kafe K. Isn't the Fork statue cool?

The inside - vibrant and cozy.

My tasty treats from Kafe K: soy latte, berry creme brulee, and chocolate fig truffle. The creme brulee came in a glass dish that they didn't charge extra for. It would be perfect for little floating candle.
A side note: don't you just love their logo?

One of my favorite weekend indulgences: relaxing in the yard with coffee and a new fashion magazine. This weekend I bought British Vogue and Nylon during my trek home from Kafe K. Nylon is usually hit or miss for me, but October's issue is excellent.

Feel the latte love.
Anyone know of any other good coffee shops in the Santa Monica area? I've always got one eye open. Or San Diego as I spend a lot of time there due to the BF.

How was your weekend? Discover any new places?

I know it's only Tuesday but I'm already counting down til Friday!

If I were a Starlet

By Melanie


photo via e online

With the Emmy's not too far behind us, I can't help to daydream of what it would be like to be a Hollywood starlet. Ooh, the fashion, the gorgeous home, the parties, the star treatment! What a life!

A day in the life of a starlet would go something like this.....

Welcome to my home!

photo via marie claire

My home would have romantic and stylish decor. Deep rich colors with a pop of romantic purple.

photo via living etc

This living room is so glamorous. It's the perfect spot to watch my latest movie.

After the movie, I would get to work and study my lines for my next project on this chase.

photo via living etc

And later relax in a bath...



photo via living etc

.......with a glass of bubbly.


photo via living etc

When it's time to get ready for my evening, I pick out a pair heels from my big walk in closet of course!

photo via gracemagazine.wordpress.com

Spritz on a little romantic "Very Hollywood" Michael Kors perfume.

photo via stylefrizz.com

And I'm off to a glitzy and glamorous soiree!

photo via altergroup.com

photo via allure magazine

And at the end of the night. I would rest my head in this lush cozy bed.

photo via living etc

Ooh, I could get used to this!

Okay...back to reality! Happy Monday!

Let's Celebrate!

By Melanie

photo via allure magazine

This will be a fun weekend. Plans to go out with my girlfriends on Saturday night and my aweful neighbor, who was evicted awhile back, has finally moved out! Yay!

Have a blast this weekend!

Lookbook: Yeah Yeah Yeahs

by Heather
On my way to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' concert at the Greek theatre in Los Angeles.





Here's some photos of Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs performing at the Greek theater Thursday September 17th. She had so much energy bouncing around the stage and belting out the lyrics. I saw them open for the White Stripes at the same venue about 6 years ago with the same crazy style and zest, except this time it was more high-tech.


(Click on image to enlarge)

Top: Rachel Pally
Cami: Calvin Klein
Bracelet: Heirra (my hand-designed jewelry line coming soon to Etsy). This piece uses an array of vintage gemstones newly strung with a fair-trade silver clasp. It also doubles as a necklace -- it's a two-fer!
Belt: Vintage YSL
Jeans: Forever 21
Shoes: Dani Black