A Little Bit Longer...

My favorite way to start off my day is to watch the Today Show. This morning on their beauty/style segment they featured designer slips from Farr West. Their Style Editor had the greatest idea with these pretty little numbers - if you have a tunic that is too short add one of these fancy slips underneath and voila problem solved - instant length! My problem has always been with wearing a slip under a short dress or tunic... when it inched out the bottom I felt like a grandma... well these have pretty lace or chiffon detailing at the bottom that make you want them to poke out! Genius!

Best part is they are completely reasonably priced! Ranging between $38-$80!

pics: Farr West

Fresh Start...

There is something about leaving the hair salon with fresh color and cut - it is like you are transformed into a whole new person and are ready to conquer the world. Well today I got my much needed roots back to blonde and I feel 100% better about life... even if the sun still hasn't come out to play :-)

Comic Con Style...

While I was bronzing in the desert sun - San Diego was invaded by geeks and beauties. This past weekend the annual Comic Con was held in the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. Although I have never attended this four day festival... I have been on the streets of downtown while it is going on and boy are the attendees a sight to see... a very eclectic bunch to say the least :-)

Here is some of the red-carpet style that I missed out on...

pics: InStyle

If you won't come to us... We will come to you!

The stinkin sun is never going to show it's face in southern California! Before we know it is going to be fall! Well we found a simple fix for our problem - we are heading to the desert... Palm Desert that is :-) I will be laying pool side sipping on fruity cocktails and soaking up all of the vitamin D one girl can take!

Have a fabulous weekend!

pic: weheartit

Perfection...

I was first introduced to Anna Beck's lovely jewelry about four years ago - and instantly fell in love! I was treating myself to her beauties way too often... I just couldn't resist... I seriously probably have about eight of her pieces! Three years later not much has changed - I am still totally smitten with her jewelry!

I am not a fan of the huge gaudy statement pieces that you find in most shops - I mean I think they are lovely, but just not on me. I am much more of a simple, understated type of girl - which is EXACTLY what Anna Beck's jewelry is... I love the way she mixes silver and gold - perfection!

All of her jewelry is handmade using ancient Balinese techniques that date back hundreds of years - how cool is that??

pics: Anna Beck Designs

And They're Off!

Don't forget your fancy hats today at Opening Day!

My favorite time of year officially begins today - Del Mar Race season - Yeeeooowww! I don't partake in too many bets... clearly I don't know much about horse betting... I make my calculated picks by the names of the horses :-) However, there is nothing more fun than getting dressed up in your sassy summer dresses and heading over to the track for cocktails in the sun... oh and some of the best people watching of the summer!

pic: Maidenking

Queen Bee Mixes Prints...

One of my favorite trends right now is the mixing of patterns and fabrics such as florals and stripes. I came across this photo of Blair Waldorf today - the article was reporting that our beloved label-snob, queen bee Blair was sporting a - gasp - $25 skirt! However, what caught my eye were the two unexpected floral prints - Love this look!

Ps... Doesn't this get you all the more excited for the return of GG?!

pic: Refinery

Good-bye Friends!

Today was a sad day... I drove my dear friend Camille and her dog to the airport. She was jumping on a plane to her new/old life on the east coast. Cams and her husband made the difficult decision to move back to PA where she is originally from. She moved out west for college ten years ago... can you believe we have been out of high school for ten years (yep-I have my high school reunion this fall!) - and out of college for six?? Crazy! We have another couple that we are good friends with that are also moving the first week in August - It is one of Dylan's good friends from college. He and his wife also made the tough decision to move back to Maui... where they are both from (they too came to California for school). It got me thinking - where is the time going?? Seriously - it is like we are officially growing up - everyone is slowly migrating back to their home towns to be closer to their families and begin the next chapter in their lives. Both of the couples that are leaving are in different circles of our friends; however, they remind me of each other - probably the most genuine people that I have ever met and I feel so fortunate that they came into my life and I am so happy to call them life-long friends!

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!

pics: weheartit

How Have I Been Missing Out??

One of the things I truly love about visiting my favorite blogs is being introduced to new designers. I was scanning Elle today and ran into an interview with designer, Heidi Merrick. She is not a new designer by any means - unfortunately she is just new to me. Her first collection was a few years ago and I am trying to figure out how I have not come across her beautiful pieces sooner??

She is daughter to legendary surf board shaper, Al Merrick. Al was actually one of the award recipients at the Waterman's Ball I attended last week! She has a way to make her clothes look effortlessly, fabulous - I am in love! I cant believe I have been missing out the past few years!

"I believe what you wear on the outside affects who you are on the inside. It is so much easier to be kind when you feel beautiful. You know this is true." - well said sista!

pics: Heidi Merrick

What's Old Is New Again...

Here I am the night of the spill... unfortunately I don't have an image of the whole dress - but you get the idea of the original color :-)
Dye, salt and steaming water is all I needed...

And the final product - pic doesn't do the purple color justice...

So a few years ago - on an infamous girls weekend to NYC I somehow ruined one of my favorite dresses (the perfect red Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent dress!)... okay - so I guess it wasn't 'somehow' - more like I spilt a cocktail on it... and being as it was 100% silk it was quickly ruined... It was the first time I had worn it so I did everything to try and revive it when I got home... took it to the dry-cleaners multiple times with no avail. I threw it in the back of the closet... thinking one day I will attempt to dye it. Well - that 'one day' happened to be today! I went to Michael's and picked out a fabric dye - trust me this was a difficult choice - I really wanted a fun, vibrant color that equalled the pizazz of the red; however, I figured that I should probably go with a darker shade to better mask the dark stain. Well... after an hour of stirring my beloved dress in the sink I think this dress may have a couple more wears in it!

The downfalls I have to report is that for some reason the thread didn't dye - it is still red... but to tell you the truth I don't really mind... sort of like the look of the contrast. Also it didn't completely mask the stain but it is definitely way less noticeable - and definitely wearable.

Good Riddance Guilty Pleasure...

Now...
and Then...

The Hills is finally coming to an end tonight... it's about time! Not saying that I ever stopped tuning in - of course I did... but am happy to finally say good riddance! MTV, the network that has produced many of my oh so guilty pleasures is finally putting a stop to the The Hills. If you ask me it has been pretty painful to watch since LC left... but it was like a train wreck that I couldn't take my eyes off of. Now I can focus my time on more important shows like the return of Jersey Shore :-)

pics: MTV

Weekend Fun!

We had a whirlwind of a weekend! We spent Friday night at the Ritz in Dana Point for the Waterman's Ball. It was a lovely evening... I love getting all fancied up! On Saturday we spent the day searching high and low for the perfect 90's gear - yep that's right we attended a 90's themed party... sort of made me feel old... considering it is typically 80's inspired parties... but it ended up being a ton of fun. We went as Zack and Kelly from Saved by the Bell! I may be biased but I am thinking we had the best getup's :-) We got a hotel downtown for Saturday night since the party was down there. On Sunday we were moving slow from two late nights - but we eventually made it over to Fiesta Island for the Over the Line tournament. My brother and his friends played in the tourney for the second year in a row. They won 4 out of 5 games - pretty freaking good! They will advance to next weekend! So that was my weekend wrap up - but it isn't over yet - we have a going away party tonight for two of our good friends that are moving back to Hawaii.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend :-)

pic: weheartit

Ballerina Dreamin'...

Oh how I love tulle... dresses, skirts, accessories - you name it - everything is perfect when made of tulle! Lace is always pretty... but tulle is just as lovely and usually unexpected... maybe the ten year old ballerina in me is raging to get out!

pics: Weheartit

Belle of the Ball...

Well - it sounds a little fancier than it really is... but tonight the boy and I are going to the Waterman's Ball in Dana Point, held at the Ritz. It is the second year we are attending... so I know a little more of what to expect... it is the who's who of the surf industry. I am looking forward to a night away and an excuse to wear a new dress. I bought the most perfect Trina Turk dress the other day at Nordstroms and am oh so excited to show it off!

Hope yall have a fabulous weekend!

pic: weheartit

In Holland's Shoes...

DVF

Stuart Weitzman

Seychelles

Steve Madden

Kors Michael Kors

I am sure you are all fully aware that Holland's favorite choice of footwear has made a come back for 2010. Chanel first sent them down the runway with their spring collection - and it seems it created a buzz ever since. I have yet to jump on this clog train - but I am beginning to reconsider...

What is your take on the clog frenzy??

pics: Zappos

Just Call Me Old-Fashioned...

One of my favorite movies of all time - have to include Audrey of course :-)

I am not sure what it is - whether it is my obsession with both Audrey Hepburn or Jackie O glamour or maybe the southern roots in me... but I have a deep love for my pearls. No matter the length... whether it be my long strand or simple short strand - I love the way a string of pearls adds a timeless, femininity touch to any outfit... cocktail dress or jeans - pearls never go out of fashion... LOVE!

pics: weheartit

Sseko Designs... every sandal has a story...

I first heard about these fabulous hand-crafted sandals last year... ever since I have been totally smitten... not only for their simplicity but the story behind each sandal... that is correct each sandal has it's individual story. Sseko Designs is located in Uganda. It was created in hopes of helping young women of Uganda to continue their education which will assist them in the effort of finding a job in a male dominated society after graduating from university. Sseko Designs has created a program for the young women to earn and save enough money to continue on their education. The goal of Sseko Designs is to provide university tuition to promising young women through a sustainable monthly income, while also contributing to the overall economic development in Uganda - now if that isn't reason enough to shop... then I don't know what is!

Find a more detailed look at their story and mission here.