Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, everyone! This picture makes me smile because even the thought of a possible rain shower in Los Angeles makes me so incredibly happy! I apologize for the late postings this week - these past couple of days have been a bit hectic but I think i'm back on track. What will you do this weekend? I have plans to indulge in Vegan cupcakes with friends, go paddleboating and hopefully see JULIE & JULIA. Enjoy your weekend!

L.A. Coffee Shop Round-Up

There is nothing I love more than meeting up with friends on a Sunday afternoon for coffee and conversation. Here are some of my top favorite spots in L.A where I get my fix!

Intelligentsia cafe: This Silverlake hot spot always has a line out the door and wrapped around the corner. I can honestly tell you that it's worth the wait! The coffee is delicious and created with so much love that they drizzle hearts into their milk foam. The combination of the hip bohemian french decor, the great music and the excellent people watching makes Intelligentsia one of my favorite spots!


The Casbah Cafe: The Casbah is another great Silverlake coffee spot. I am especially fond of their Moroccan Mint Iced Tea they make daily right in the store. They have a zillion different tea's to choose from and lots of yummy food morsels to snack on. The prices are good and the lines are short. It's the perfect place to invite a friend to join you for an Oragina and some quiet conversation!


LaMill Coffee Boutique: Three words: Lavendar. Infused. Lemonade. This MAY be my favorite drink of all time, and Lamill does it the best! I stop by Lamill to treat myself after a walk around the lovely Silverlake Resevoir. Their prices are a bit high, but I DARE you not to try one of their famous cheddar jalepano scones! The decor is lovely and grown-up and you can count on everything being great tasting and beautifully presented.


Stories Books N' Coffee: Stories completes me because it's a coffee shop attached to a book store attached to an outdoor patio! I go there often to browse the new book section, or to pick up a cool vintage classic. They have great gift options and an adorable cafe that serves delicious food and coffee. Their outside patio is private and a great place to sit with your laptop in your yoga pants and not be bothered. I usually go here when I have serious work to do because it's quiet and peaceful.


Chango: Chango is tucked into the lower hills of Echo Park and is sort of like a hidden treasure. Funky artwork adorns the walls. The coffee is cheap, the music is great, and the people are friendly. I love going here and sitting outside and people watching. There are a few vintage stores next door I pop my head into and I always feel good after I leave here!

The Fix: The Fix is another one of my Echo Park favorites. They serve some of the best gelato I have ever had and have daily special drinks like " Oh my Darling" tea. Their outdoor patio is excellent and shady and a great place to meet friends. It is never crowded as it's fairly new and it's become one of my recent weekly drive-by destianations.


Lost Souls Cafe: This is my favorite downtown L.A. coffee spot! Lost Souls serves the best crepes and milkshakes around town and on the cheap. There is a record shop at the back of the store selling vintage vinyls, and up front is a microphone where anyone can go up to slam some poetry or sing a lyric or two. I love this place because it's hidden in a back alley. It's unpretentious and industrial and I sort of imagine this is L.A's own "Live Cafe" a la RENT! (Maybe it's the christmas lights up all year round or the exposed brick, i don't know!) All I know is that I love it!

Yudu Screen-Printing Machine

I have a lot of friends who are into screen-printing, so this one's for you! Paper source is now selling the Yudu personal screen-printing machine. Apparently it is easiest and cleanest way to produce high quality screen-printed images. With access to a computer and an ink-jet printer, you'll be able to create and print your own designs for t-shirts and other apparel items, home decor, art prints, posters, and cards. The best part? When you purchase the Yudu from Paper Source, you'll receive a $50 Paper Source gift card!

The Colors of Summer

Check out these adorable pictures from my favorite new french blog, The Cherry Blossom Girl. Tres adorable, right? The best part about her blog is that she writes in French, translates in English, has a GREAT camera and takes some phenomenal pictures of really cute girls in super cute clothing!




Check out more pictures here!

Love in the Launderette

I apologize for the late-day postin', friends. Here is an adorable video that just makes my day. (Thanks Nance!)

After the Break-Up, what about the Lake House?

A friend (thanks lulu!) passed this article from the New York Times onto me the other day and I can't stop thinking about it. It's about an adorable and sweet couple who buy a lake house together, break up, then decide to throw a big ole birthday party bash at the house on the weekend they would of been married. It is very bittersweet because the couple talks about how difficult it is to create a home together, and then slowly take it apart. Yet somehow throughout all of this, these people are still hopeful. There is an article and a really cool audio slideshow that goes along with it which I urge you to check out. Enjoy!

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, everyone! This picture reminds me of the bohemian tea parties I used to have as a child outside in our garden. Have a great one!

Wedding Entrance

This is the most awesome thing in the whole entire world. I almost threw up from happiness watching this puppy! Thanks Cup of Jo for sharing!

The Perfect Outfit

I have been gathering my perfect outfit pictures for a while now, and I think it's time to share em'! These outfits give me good inspiration for when I'm out vintage shopping, because I don't actually know who designed any of them! I don't have any of these, but I hope to soon!

Blueberry Lemonade

How delicious does this look? I simply can't wait to make this this weekend!

Bless this House

Hi Friends! I'm back from the east coast and had the most amazing time celebrating at Jess's wedding! I wanted to give Jess something really special as a wedding gift, so I had the lovely and very talented Lily Stockman create a wonderful camp inspired paper cut out that I am so jealous of, I could barely stand to give it away!


Lily is currently working hard on her artist website, which I will be posting in the near future. Until then, if you want to get a look at some of her work check out her blog here. I really loved the idea of creating something very personal for a friend, commissioned by another friend! It felt like sort of a double-present! Enjoy!

The Uniform Project: 1 Dress 365 Days

Ok, to this is RAD.

The Uniform Project: The Idea

Starting May 2009, one girl pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day she will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies. Think of it as wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like she just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade's boudoir. The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums.

Check out some of her looks below, and click here to find out more info!

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm taking off for a long weekend to head to Northampton to attend one of my bestest friends beautiful wedding. Will be back on Tuesday! Enjoy yourselves!

Terrific Transformations Contest

Modcloth, one of my favorite clothing websites, is having a contest for bloggers! Listen up. So the contest is called The Terrific Transformations Contest. All you need to do is write about a personal metamorphosis you've had on your own blog. Make sure to link to ModCloth and this Terrific Transformations Contest in your post, so they can identify your entry. Then, comment on this post with a link to your blog. Entries are due by July 22nd and the prize is $100 gift certificate to Modcloth! Good luck!

Sprinkles BFF Contest

All of my dreams have come true: Sprinkles Cupcakes is having a best friend contest!



When Sprinkles reaches 100,000 fans on Facebook, they will randomly choose a BFF to win an all-expenses paid trip for two to visit the world’s first cupcake bakery in Beverly Hills! Sprinkles’ BFF will dine and have a bakery tour with Sprinkles Founder and Pastry Chef, Candace Nelson, stay at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, and enjoy free cupcakes each day, including a 4MYBFF message box which has yet to be released in stores! They’ll send you home with 12 Sprinkles Cupcake Mixes – including Spice mix which will debut in Fall 2009 – and a Sprinkles Cupcake Tray so they can be at your special occasions all year just a like a BFF should!

Prize Includes:
+roundtrip airfare for two within the continental United States
+hotel accommodations at the Beverly Wilshire for two nights
+$500 gift card to cover meals, transportation and even a little shopping in the heart of 90210

To enter, simply become a fan of Sprinkles!
https://www.sprinkles.com/BFF/terms_condition.html

Happy Bastille Day!

One of my favorite fashion websites, Refinery 29, put together this adorable fashion spread to celebrate french fashion everywhere for Bastille Day! Couldn't you just eat these outfits right up?


Natalie Ruffled Tank Dress
Soft Panama Boater
Striped Tank Dress
Mary Janes


Madras Canvas Cape
French Stripe Bubble Top
Basile Saddlery Print Silk Scarf
Unisex Wool Beret


Lanvin Pearl and Ribbon Choker
Satin Bow Tie Headband
Repetto Garbo Oxfords
Lace Bodysuit

Maira Kalman: An Artist

The fantastical Ms. Lily told me about an incredible artist a while back, and I can't believe I've waited this long to share her with you!


Maira Kalman was born in 1949 and is an American illustrator, author, artist, and designer. Born in Tel Aviv, Kalman came to New York City with her family at age 4. Ms. Kalman has authored a series of children's books about Max Stravinsky, the poet-dog. She has done several covers for The New Yorker, including an iconic one she did with Rick Meyerowitz called New Yorkistan. She also created the sets for the Mark Morris Dance Group production of Four Saints in Three Acts, an opera by Virgil Thompson and Gertrude Stein. Kalman is also known for her illustrations for the 2005 edition of the popular guide to writing style, The Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E.B. White.

Maira Kalman wrote the monthly illustrated blog The Principles of Uncertainty for The New York Times for one year, ending in April 2007. The blog was published in a book of the same title, which was released in 2007 to critical acclaim. Kalman started a new illustrated blog in the New York Times on January 30, 2009. The first entry chronicled her visit to Washington, D.C. for President Barack Obama's inauguration.


Here is some of her recent artwork she did for an article in the New York Times called Time Wastes Too Fast where Maira takes her first trip to to Thomas Jefferson's house, Monticello, in Virgina. She writes and illustrates her trip so beautifully, you feel like you are right there with her. Enjoy!

Wedding Bouquets

One of my bestest friends is getting married this weekend in beautiful Northampton, MA and I am having dreams of what her flowers will look like! Maybe something like these? What's in your favorite bouquet?

Skating, Drinking, Dancing & Making Out!

To me, this is heaven. Rollerskating at one of my favorite bars on a school night? Count me in! To RSVP and only pay $5 go to this website! P.S. the best part about this event is that it's in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York AND Pittsburgh!


I went to this party last month and I can honestly say it's totally worth the hangover on Friday morning!

Strawberry Mojitos

I am counting down the days till the weekend so I can make these!

Strawberry Mojitos:
18-24 fresh strawberries
1bunch fresh mint
12tablespoons brown sugar
3 limes, wedged
24ounces Captain Morgan's rum
Place 2-3 strawberries, 3 mint sprigs, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar in a shaker.
Squeeze 3 lime wedges over glass and then drop in wedges.
Mash together with a spoon.
Add ice and rum.
Cover and shake.
Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a strawberry.

Happy Monday!

Happiest Monday to you all! I had the most fantastic weekend and can't wait to tell you all about it. I have some lovely things in store for you in the near future!

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you have the best weekend! I have plans to do some vintage flea market shopping (and hopefully nab myself some dining room chairs!), take a crack at making some strawberry mojiots and finish Twilight: New Moon (total guilty pleasure!) I'll also be dreaming of my next pay check so I can finally buy this awesome t-shirt I've been coveting! What are you up to?

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland is one of my all time favorite children's stories. I am getting extremely excited to see Tim Burton's new movie rendition coming out in the spring of 2010! Anne Hathaway will play the White Queen, Johnny Depp will play the Mad Hatter, and Alan Rickman will play the caterpillar!

Girls n' Chucks

I have always loved the combination of wearing a super girly dress and throwing on a pair of my old warn out converse! Look at how adorable these ladies look! I especially love the bride wearing the purple chucks!