Life Lately

If this diagram of what Americans do on an average work day happend to be an accurate reflection of my life lately, a 'wedding planning' bubble would surely replace "working & commuting". On some days it really does feel like a job of its own; I should be paid for this madness! I hasten to mention that I'm having a super small, private wedding; though what I've come to realize is that even I am not immune to the terrors that can afflict a person who embarks on any nuptial planning whatsoever. I can't imagine what headaches and hiccups the average bride actually encounters planning a typical American wedding. Egads.

{Image via NPR}

31

When you're lucky enough to wake up on your birthday to a hooting owl and an oh-so-chic brown box from one Louis Vuitton, you know it's not going to be an ordinary day. I'd say this birthday is already one for the history books. That fiancé of mine sure is a keeper.

Dog Days of Summer

Cuteness. Thy name is corgi. Can you handle the cuteness? Because I barely can. Dog days of summer indeed.


{From YouTube via Jezebel}

Curious French Cat

Oh kitten, what secrets are you guarding? 


{Image via The Paris Review}

Traveling LV Style

Behold the art of packing, Louis Vuitton style. This chic demonstration for folding, rolling, and packing up your things for a quick summer getaway greatly appeals to my highly-organized  (read: highly dorky) Virgo mind. And oh, such beautiful things to buy! Sigh. If this isn't aspirational living, I don't know what is.


{Via Youtube and Louis Vuitton}

Nora Ephron

I was terribly saddened to hear of Nora Ephron's passing this week (especially considering I had no idea at all that she was ill). She was such a talent, full of infinite spark and wit and humor, all of which were evident in her hit films like When Harry Met Sally (my vote for *the* best romantic comedy ever made, period) and Sleepless in Seattle, as well as in her numerous writings and essays (such mini essays would often creep into her films, too, as can be seen in this Starbuck scene in You've Got Mail). I remember listening to her director's commentary to You've Got Mail awhile back and feeling like I was listening to a super cool, smart, wise-cracking friend waxing lyrical on anything from good books to the eternal charm that is Tom Hanks. I could hear her talk all day long, she was that interesting a person (I can't imagine how fabulous it would have been to have actually known her). In a somewhat weird but not-at-all stalkerish way, I feel like I've lost a good friend this week. She leaves a gaping hole on the film and literary landscape.


{Image via here}

"You are not special"

Finally, the voice of reason (who knew it came with a sprinkle of dry humor?). For anybody who finds graduation ceremonies as mind-numbingly tedious as I do, you would do well to watch the above video. You won't regret it.


{Video via Youtube}

Hello, Summer

"I know I am but summer to your heart 

And not the full four seasons of the year"

-Edna St. Vincent Millay

Summer has shown herself in subtle ways in these parts over the last few weeks, but it's only *officially* summer as of today. I intend to celebrate the longest day of the year with some lengthy rosé-sipping time outside on my patio. I only wish I had some fireflies to keep me company (they look so magical, don't they?). 


Happy Summer Solstice!


{Image via Pinterest}

Good Eats

Whenever I go abroad (which is, admittedly, not often enough), one of my favorite things to do is nosh on the local cuisine. I've had some of the freshest, most incredible homemade pasta in Rome; the best gelato of my life in - of all places - Prague; and a seemingly simple goat cheese salad in Paris that looked fairly ordinary, but after taking a bite, absolutely blew my mind. Interestingly enough, the sentiment that is often conjured whenever I find myself lucky enough to travel around the world and *eat* (it might be my favorite thing to do ever, after reading) is that of appreciation. Because I can't help but feel that I eat pretty darn well in my regular life, right here in Santa Monica. With the ubiquity of great restaurants and world class farmers' markets, it's no wonder I'm living the good life when it comes to food, and for that I am eternally grateful. Here's a sampling of the delectable eats I've been enjoying of late. First up, the first bite of nectarine of the season.

And it was just as succulent and delicious as this image suggests.

Bolognese spaghetti with parmesan, served al dente, courtesy of Rustic Canyon, a fabulous local restaurant. The couple who run Rustic also have a great little brunch place that offers the most amazing, savory baked goods (the co-owner hails from Tartine, so she certainly knows what she's doing), as well as a pizza place and an always-crowded ice cream parlor. I swear they're taking over Santa Monica....not that I'm complaining!

Rustic's prime New York steak with caramelized turnips and hedgehog mushrooms. Mouthwateringly delicious.

Lastly, I couldn't possibly skip dessert (if I did, you can safely assume aliens are at work here on this blog). Cupcakes from SusieCakes, the best cupcakes on the planet. Bold statement? Definitely. But it's oh-so-true!  Above is a chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting; below, a white chocolate strawberry cupcake - seasonal and scrumptious!

Is anyone else hungry? Or is it just me?

Scent Bar: A Perfume Mecca

I have no qualms about admitting to you that I'm pretty passionate when it comes to perfume. I wouldn't say I'm a connoisseur, by any means (I don't have a sizable collection of vintage perfumes - think classic Dior, Guerlain, or Chanel - to boast of), but I probably know a little more than the average person with a moderate interest, who'll stop by a department store perfume counter on a whim. So it boggles my mind that I have yet to pay a visit to perfume mecca that is Scent Bar - which happens to be right here in town. I mean, look at all the perfume goodies they have to offer.  

A veritable cornucopia of fragrant treasures, Scent Bar carries mostly niche, hard-to-find fragrance lines like Le Labo, Eau d'Italie, By Killian, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Serge Lutens, and Parfums de Nicolai, among many, many others. And they recently moved to the fabulous new digs you see here. After rifling through these gorgeous photos (even more can be found here), I think I'm ready to pay homage. Who's with me?

{Photos via LA I'm Yours}

Memorial Day

I've had an epically relaxing Memorial Day weekend filled with mimosas and fine wine, luxuriously long meals with friends, great conversation, and sun-filled walks overlooking a sailboat-dotted Pacific. 


Cheers to all the brave men and women who have served and who continue to serve this great country. Happy Memorial Day, wherever you are!

RIP Maurice Sendak

If you're like me, you were dismayed to learn the news of children's book author Maurice Sendak's death earlier this month. He's best known for Where the Wild Things Are, of course, but the book I remember most relishing as a child was his highly enjoyable Chicken Soup with Rice. Sendak wrote and illustrated this book and - bonus! - it was even recorded as a song by the ever-so-cool Carole King (see below). Warning: it will be on repeat in your head all day long. Pierre, about a boy with terrible manners who gets eaten by a lion, is also one to read (I've given this to little ones in my life and I can attest that it was an absolute hit with them).

I've been celebrating Sendak's life by listening to some of his interviews with NPR's Terry Gross (the most recent of which is a real tearjerker, oh man!). I suggest you follow that up quickly with his interview with Stephen Colbert (I promise you'll laugh). Sendak is at once cantankerous and delightful; his candor is so refreshing and real and you can't help but fall in love with him. His warm rapport with Stephen is wonderful to watch. I highly recommend. 


Rest in peace, Maurice. You will be greatly missed.


{Images via here and here}

Drunken Snow White (and other drawings by Gemma Correll)

The above scenario describes me to a T. It's like British artist Gemma Correll lives inside my head or something. And can you believe she has more hilarious and delightful illustrations on her tumblr? Methinks you can.

And who doesn't agree with the following sentiment? I mean really.

{Images via Gemma Correll}

Happy Earth Day!

T's been in the kitchen whipping up some freshly baked bread on this Earth Day. I love the idea of creating something healthy and delicious that's as easy on the environment (no pesticides) as it is on the old pocketbook (water, salt, yeast, and flour is all it takes). It's super simple to make, too. Very positive and life-affirming all around! 

Spring Offerings from Rifle Paper Co.

I heart so many of the spring offerings from brilliant letterpress company, Rifle Paper Co. Designer Anna Bond's whimsical, brightly colored illustrations have a vintage, slightly child-like quality to them. And pretty. They're so very pretty. I'll take one of each, please.

{Images via Rifle Paper Co.}

Happy Vernal Equinox

‎"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." ~Margaret Atwood

{Photos 1 & 2 via Pinterest}

Book Porn

My life's ambition is to build myself a library akin to the one seen in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This scene is straight up porn for a book nerd like myself. 

And it's even better when you see it in action. I still get chills every time I watch the magical unveiling of the wonder that is Beast's library. Chills!

{Photo and video via here and here}

Hello, my lovelies

I picked up these beauties a week ago at my local farmer's market and they're still flaunting their come-hither good looks and charm. I don't think I will ever tire looking at a lovely bouquet of flowers (or in this case, freesia). They're a balm for the soul. 

Little Free Libraries

Wee little libraries such as this one above are being shared across the country as part of a new build-a-small-library-on-your-front-lawn movement. It first started as a way for one Wisconsin man to honor his late mother, who had been a teacher and book lover in life. The basic concept is take a book (it's free!) and leave a book (pay it forward). Now how lovely is that? 

{Photos via here}

Owl Bandwagon

From notepads to paperweights, vases to pocket watches, owls are everywhere these days (and would you believe it if I told you that I'm the proud owner of all of the aforementioned pieces? Though if you've read this blog before, then you might not be all that surprised). When uber cool London design house Burberry sends cozy owl-adorned sweaters down the Fall 2012 runway, you know it's a trend worth jumping on. Hop aboard if you want to be super chic like Burberry....and yours truly (ha!). 

{Images via Garance Dore}

Happy Valentine's Day

I heart Valentine's Day. There, I said it. I know a lot of people don't, and I can certainly see why people are disenchanted with the day itself - as if there isn't already enough pressure to find love, now there's a holiday to emphasize it (if I may loosely quote Charlie Brown). But I don't necessarily equate the day with romantic love, although the holiday can certainly encapsulate it. My sentiments are thus: why not be generous and spread the love around a little? Whether it's your zany twin nieces or your grandmother who lives too far away or the neighbor's crafty, but adorable cat who likes to use your patio as her own private salon, there are other types of love worth celebrating, not only on a day like today, but every day. So shower someone with a little love, and include yourself while you're at it. Splurge on that sexy perfume you can't get enough of or indulge in sinfully decadent chocolate. You only live and love once. 


P.S. My favorite mini essay on Valentine's Day. Spending the day with a glass of excellent wine + well-written novel = my kind of day. 


{Image via Pinterest}

I heart you

To me, the perfect Valentine's Day card is a mini heart from Egg Press. They're inconspicuous enough to be tucked into a wallet or coat pocket for a sweet surprise for your loved one. It's a small, but adorably effective way to brighten your sweetheart's day. 

Word

"The only way not to think about money is to have a great deal of it." -Edith Wharton (The House of Mirth, 1905)


Oh so true, Edith. Oh so true (says the girl who's been thinking a lot about money).


{Image via PBS}

Best Dressed

Did anyone look more radiant and chic than Emma Stone in her Lanvin gown at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards? And what's not to love about that eagle belt? 

{Images via Stylebistro}

News for the New Year

Oh, hello there. I know I haven't been seen around these parts lately. Blame the holidays, blame travel, blame my blogging laziness (I personally blame all three). But I did want to pop by to let you (yes, you!) know that I have some exciting news to share. So here goes: just before the new year, my boyfriend whisked me off on a last-minute getaway to Paris....and proposed! I'm still recovering from the shock and magic of it all. The proposal itself, as well as the entire trip, was something out of a fairytale, truly. Who knew the old boyfriend had it in him to sweep me off my feet the way he did, and out of the clear blue sky, to boot? 2012 has already gotten off to an unbelievably amazing start. Here's hoping that positive energy continues throughout the year. Happy New Year!


{Image via Pinterest}