Lookbook: Creme Brulee Haze

by Heather
I'm sitting here in a creme brulee coma. I swear I was only going to eat half, but the spoon just took over. It's that time of the month, so calories don't count -- similar to the vacation rule. I pray my booty understands this. And I promise the food themed lookbooks will stop soon.





(click on images to enlarge)

Tweed jacket by S-Twelve (sample piece found for $20 on a sale rack at some random store on Main St. in SM); Blue knit dress by Alternative Apparel; Scarf by Alternative Apparel; Earrings by PrettyFine; Rings by PrettyFine; Boots by Franco Sarto (bought several years ago).

BTW, the movie "9 1/2 Weeks" is playing in the background as I'm working on my laptop. Too bad my BF isn't here while I'm eating my creme brulee ;) I can't remember the first time I watched it, certainly not '86, but it was a long time ago. And wow, Kim Basinger is stunning and Mickey Rourke was pretty sexy in his heyday (hard to image now). Gotta love the classic '80s fashion in this movie: over-sized silhouettes, shoulder pads, menswear influence, nylon stockings, heavy black eyeliner.

The Big Apple

By Melanie

Finally, NYC photos! As you know, I just went to New York Halloween weekend with some girlfriends. The reason for the trip was that one of the girls was running in the New York marathon (wow)! It was also a birthday! What great reasons to visit this amazing city!

So, I must share some of our adventures in the city.


Empire State building in Midtown.

We stayed in Midtown which was a great location. Right in the middle of all the boroughs. It was a very hustle and bustle area. In the above photo I'm trying to figure out how to get around.

Since we didn't get to see the Statue of Liberty this time, I had to take a photo next to a statue of it!

Below we our way to Soho and Greenwich Village. We toke a few cabs during the trip but it was actually fun to ride the subway.


This is my friend ready to sight see.



I love Soho and Greenwich Village. I think it's my favorite area. It's so quaint and I loved all the restaurants and shops. People were so stylish here.

A pink building!

The buildings are so unique. Such great architecture here.

Lunch time at Diva restaurant in Soho.

Magnolia Bakery!! Being a cupcake connoisseur, I was dying to go here!

The cupcakes were so delicious! I have to say it totally beat Sprinkles here in So Cal. I was in heaven!

That evening we dressed up for Halloween. My friend was an Eskimo and she looked so cute!

I was 80's Madonna. Although I opted for the black lace over the white (mainly because I already had a few pieces of the costume).

Stay tuned for more Manhattan this week!

Speed of Lightening

By Melanie

photo source: W magazine

Wow, this week flew by. Too fast actually!

I didn't get to do as much blog browsing as normal so this is a short lookey lou. Hopefully I will make up for that this weekend.

Weekly Lookey Lou:

• Cup of Jo - NYC wine totes. If I were still in New York I would have totally picked one up!
  
• Vintage Lollipops - She wears the cutest halloween costume ever in this blog post!

NYC Sneak Peak:

I love dressing for fall. Hat- H & M. Just bought it two weeks ago.

I love having New York as my back drop!


Riding the subway.

I had the best time. I already want to go back!

Have a great Friday and weekend!

Lookbook: Mac 'n' Cheese Dressing

by Heather
This is the perfect dress for macaroni and cheese binges, which I've been on lately! I'm actually having some left-overs from my lunch as I type. It's from the Co-op in Santa Monica and it's so oohey-gooey-good.

This dress is very forgiving yet figure flattering. The fabric drapes beautifully with the cross-over panels and nice tailoring.

It's also great for layering which is essential for Southern Cali living. It has spaghetti straps so it's perfect for a warm afternoon and then I can throw on a jacket and tights for the cool night breeze off the ocean. It's always a bit chilly at night by the beach in Santa Monica.

Best of all it was only $45! Surprisingly, it's Billabong but looks high-end contemporary.





(click on images to enlarge)

dress by Billabong; pleather jacket by Zara; necklace, bracelet, and earrings by Heirra (my handmade jewelry designs :)); thigh-high tights from StockingShopping.com; red leather purse by Carla Mancini (bought from Loehmann's a few years ago - my fav place for great bag finds); booties by Matisse (bought a few years ago); Rolling Stones "American Tour '81" vintage pin from Saint Thrift.

Happy Thursday! Not as good as Friday but heck of a lot better than Monday! I'm super excited because my BF comes back from his Tawain business trip tonight. :)

Hello Cali!

By Melanie

photo source: tiny water blog

I just got back from NYC and I hate to disappoint but I'm simply too tired to put together an in depth post. I promise to make it up to you. Soon I will have lots of New York to share with you. Amazing city, lots of laughs and tired feet!

I came across this cool fabric shelf. I'm thinking about adding one in my spare bedroom above the desk.

photo source: Living etc.

I love this idea.

Lookbook: Power Bun

by Heather
I had no idea Mel was posting about hair buns yesterday; must be sistertuition. Here's my tight bun with a haphazard swirly wrap.

I feel very controlled yet sexy in this outfit...I should have worn my glasses and held a book for a sexy librarian look. As if I was a librarian by day and high class hooker by night. How else can I afford to pay my bills on a librarian salary? Haha, I'm on a tangent.

It was actually way too hot in Santa Monica over the weekend to sport this look, but I was jonesing for some fall getups after countless hours of blogger stalking. I mean it is November! But I relish the warm sun, so I'm not really complaining.



(click on images to enlarge)

Dress from H&M (bought 2 years ago); denim wrap by Killah (bought 6 or 7 years ago on major sale); leather purse (with removable chain and loop attached in the back to fasten to your belt!) from some random shop on Main Street in SM [squealed with joy when I spotted it on sale]; tights from Stocking Shopping (great inexpensive novelty stockings online); boots by 2 Prima from Loehmann's about 3 years ago.

The Perfect Do!

By Melanie

Happy Monday everyone! I'm still in New York but I wanted to say hello! So let's start the week off talking about the perfect hairstyle!

Buns are such a classic hairstyle. Perfect for the days where you just don't feel like taking time to style your hair but still want to look like you did.

The bun is my favorite style for work. Pair it with glasses and you instantly look like a scholar!

photo source: bazaar mag

The bun in the photo above is so elegant and classy.

I love how the bun offers many variations.

The glamorous sleek bun with and without bangs.

photo source: makeupandbeauty.blogspot

The sweet and pretty bun.

photo source: bazaar magazine

The easy "just tie it" bun.

photo source: bazarr mag

The trendy side bun.


photo source: 2009hairstyle.blogspot.com

The party headband bun.

photo source: polyvore

The effortless messy bun.

photo source: polyvore

photo source: prohaircut.com

photo source: bazaar mag

I think the messy bun is my favorite!

The bun hairstyle gives you so many options for any situation, is easy to create and looks fabulous!