Ready, Set, Go!

Next week I'll be living in Argentina, albeit for a month, but a resident none the less. This marks my longest trip outside the US and away from work. Somehow I think I'll adjust just nicely :)

Hoping to eat amazing food, find unique fashions and relax like a local! Adios + Ciao! Here I go on my jetset adventure.

Adventures in...Underwear?

I like to think of myself as someone with an adventurous spirit, willing to try new things. On the fashion side, I love the latest trendy item as much as the next gal...spikes, animal prints, tie dye, maxi dress, etc. This past weekend I was shopping for a few things for my Argentina trip when I came across these "give and go" briefs. Sadly,  my openness and sense of adventure stop here. "17 countries, 6 weeks, One pair of underwear"!

I hate to be a wimp...I'm just not sure this is a good idea, and don't know that I have the stomach to find out if it works. I partly blame the copywriting..."control odor causing bacteria"! Ummm that doesn't sound too attractive to me.

On a separate but equal note, I don't want to sacrifice style over function. I will make the necessary room in my luggage for pretty panties!

No Foreign Transaction Fees Please!

On my recent trip abroad I noticed the credit card transaction fees rack up on my credit card bill.

Heading into a month long adventure in South America I knew I needed to do something. All the big banks charge a few for every purchase, Amex, Chase and Citibank, 2% or more.  So this morning I took to the internet to see if there is any relief and voila, I found an amazing credit card deal from Capital One.

This is not an ad for Capital One, but this is a fantastic deal:
Capital One offers a credit card with 0 international transaction fees! The card also provides 1.25 points per dollar spent, no annual fee, 0 interest until June 2012 and 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.

Fellow travelers this deal is a steal! Hope I get approved...

Seek and she may find...

One of my favorite shops in San Francisco is Aria Antiques. It's a treasure trove of strange curiosities...doll parts, old scientific equipment, vintage botany posters and maps, etc... It's fun to get lost in the fascination of it's other worldly relics.

On my recent visit I was so excited to find an ex-voto of a knee + calf (smaller one.) It's the perfect companion to my newly formed collection. I became interested in ex-votos both as a decorative item and as a talisman. Specifically I'm collecting the lower leg because my left calf often has knots in the muscle (source unknown). I thought it was time for divine intervention. 

An ex-voto is a votive offering to a saint or divinity after the fulfillment of a vow or promise. The offering is often made in a church where the person wants to give thanks or seeks grace. 

I have arrived...

At least that's what FourSquare said this weekend. I finally unlocked my JetSetter badge! Went up to Sonoma, via SFO, for some wine tasting and relaxation and presto FourSquare put the icing on the cake. Sadly in our digital age it took a social network to validate me!

For my flight I used my gorgeous new silver Hunter bag to carry on all my essentials: water, Vogue, bran muffin, mac book air, Burt's Bees lip gloss, lotion, etc. One key learning for me has been that travel is much better when you have the right essentials. It increases the pleasure 10 fold.

And oh Sonoma was amazing. What a beautiful spot! We saw rows and rows of vines. Bucolic is the word that best describes the region. Farm to food restaurants throughout the valley. It was amazing. 

Back to my new standing....many years ago I decided I want to be a Jetsetter...figured it's best to aim high!

The mantra "fake it til you make" keeps me booking trips, hoping it will take :)  Here's my vision board I created to support my efforts. There is a school of thought that says you can attain something by visualizing it. I put this together to hasten my Jetset fantasy into reality.

Seems I'm finally getting this off the ground one flight at a time! Thanks FourSquare for another visual cue towards my goal.

Hi, I'm a Compulsive Shopper

At the beginning of April I made a resolve to abstain from buying anything new this month. When I came up with this idea I thought it would be pretty easy to do. Just say no! I'm capable. Well it's April 4 and I’m faltering.

Let’s just say I came across a few things I had to have:

1. Pillows for my couch from onekingslane.com. 

RATIONAL: i've been looking for a while now. My couch really needs them!

2. Lemon pitcher from italy: onekingslane.com. 

RATIONAL: Hey we are heading into summer...and it's so cute....FROM ITALY!

3. Seersucker scarf from Japan: New High Mart, Los Feliz. 

RATIONAL: IT'S SO CUTE AND CHIC! AND FROM JAPAN!

4. Beaded necklace: New High Mart, Los Feliz. 

RATIONAL: This is a work of art. So unique. I'm supporting this store and the artist who made this!!

I think it's time to get down to brass tacks. I'm a compulsive shopper! Yesterday I went to the library and checked out "Confessions of a Shopaholic." One chapter in and it's a pretty fun read. The character is very familiar. It's amazing what we can justify as we buy something...i need this, it's such a great deal i'm actually saving money, i'm helping drive the economy, it's downright patriotic! On it goes!

As any good addict will tell you it’s one day at a time with this stuff. So today I pledge to not to buy anything new. Wish me luck!

Where Horses Run Wild

That's how I felt this weekend at Santa Anita Park's "Uncorked" event and I was the horse! It was an open bar, open food, horse race affair and my routine throughout the day went like this: Wine, Food, Horses, Bet, Race, Wine, Food, Horses, Bet, Race, repeat...ah paradise.

In deciding what to wear to the track I mulled over the "pretty woman" dress, but instead opted for the equestrian look: black boots, cap and jeans. I'm not really the damsel in distress type, although Richard Gere is hot. But I prefer powerful women and a Ralph Lauren look.

Santa Anita is a wonderful track that harks back to the golden age of Art Deco, built in 1934.
It's just the next town over from Pasadena so it's super accessible (dangerous!). At the beginning of each race you can see the horses, jockeys and owners up close as they work their way to the field. It's a lovely sight.

On April 2 they are hosting a Food Truck Festival with over 70 trucks! Uh oh, here we go again...anyone want to join me in the fun?

Ooh Spike Dreams

Came across these gorgeous shoes in my email today.

Christian Louboutin - Pigalle Spikes

These days most of my shopping originates from emails...every day I get hit from Jcrew, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Anthropology, Gilt, One Kings Lane and more, hawking the cutest things often at a deal.

It's just too to easy to shop online...the adage "shop til I drop" takes on a new meaning from bed...I can shop until I pass out! Shipping is typically free and returning is a breeze...they provide labels....

Back to these shoes. I really love them, but I'm not in a place to plunk down $975 for a pair of shoes. SJP I am not. So I can just dream about them.

I suppose it's time for a new morning routine that doesn't include reading emails!

For the Love of Art

Yesterday I spent the afternoon looking at art. First stop was LACMA where I fell for a Rodin statue. They have a wonderful little garden area with about 10 Rodin sculptures. 

Dressing for the day I wanted to look art chic. I wore a black blazer with my new Joie studded shirt. Some dark blue jeans by ACME and my spiked JCrew ballet shoes. I paired this with a scarf I got last year in  Buenos Aires, Argentina. I felt sufficiently eccentric and artsy!

I also saw a photography exhibit by Larry Fink. He worked for Vanity Fair and took photos at Oscar parties from 2000-2009. Interesting camera views and mood. It was a small show in the Resnick Pavillon with maybe 20 black and white photos. 

Next stop was a downtown LA gallery, CB1 gallery. I loved the space. The art was definitely over the top. They have a show for Larry Mantello. Never seen so many SpongBobs in one place. 

Peace Rally Garb

Last weekend I attended a war protest/peace rally in Hollywood, CA. Deciding what to wear to the protest took some effort. I wanted to look radical and chic at once. I mean let's face it even in times of war a girl has to look stylish!

Then I remembered my recent rock t-shirt purchase from Em & co with John Lennon and Yoko Ono on it. I don't typically wear rock t-shirts, but couldn't resist due to John. I've always admired what he stood for. This seemed to be the perfect item for the occasion.

The protest felt great. Seeing everyone ban together to speak out.
All we are saying is give peace a chance! And fashion too :)

Gray Matters

Got a new dress this week from Gilt.

It's a simple silk dress by Rory Beca. I really like the color, cut and details.

Since it's still winter I paired it with a black sweater. 

Stud Week

Got two arrivals this week and both are studded with metal.

The first item is a cute pair of green beret ballet shoes from Jcrew with metal spikes on the back.
I love the look!

The second item is a Joie brand shirt from gilt that's covered in jet metal dots.

I'm feeling so rock'n'roll with these new pieces!

Gypset Style + Beaton: The Art of the Scrapbook

Just got a couple new books from Assouline yesterday.

I'm so excited to read GYPSET STYLE.  GYPSET = gypsy + jet set lifestyles combined.
This is my dream lifestyle, so I'm looking forward to read stories of people who are living this around the globe. Hoping it will kick me into gear for my summer in Buenos Aires!


BEATON: THE ART OF THE SCRAPBOOK is a really cool coffee table book.

Love his intro quote:
"Perhaps the world's second-worst crime is boredom; the first is being a bore"

Cecil Beaton was one of the 20th century's most important photographers. Assouline presents his private scrapbooks—personal collections of the man who helped invent the cult of personality.

Closet Cleaning - Ebay Fire Sale!

Finally photographed all my prospective ebay items. It's quite a process:
1. Go through the closets
2. Decide to part with items...weeping!
3. Photograph items (after clean up and photo opt set-up)
4. Scout around ebay to see what your item is worth
5. Set up ad....
6. Cross fingers that the item will sell

Hope these lovely PRADA shoes find a nice home. I loved the look but they are too steep and hurt my feet..sigh...In case you're interested: visit sale.

One auction ready, 10 more to go!

Culture Week!

Very excited about the coming week. Just got tickets for two cool shows at Red Cat and the Opera.

LA Opera: The Turk in Italy by Rossini

James Conlon conducts Rossini's zaniest comedy, which has been described as The Barber of Seville meets Così fan tutte. Nino Machaidze returns as Fiorilla, a woman determined to rid herself of the two men in her life - her exasperated husband (Paolo Gavanelli) and tedious admirer (Maxim Mironov) - in favor of a more exotic suitor, a pompously beguiling Turk (Simone Alberghini). The great Thomas Allenreturns in the part of the poet Prosdocimo.

• MUSIC

March 7

JOHN HOLLENBECK LARGE ENSEMBLE

John Hollenbeck is one of the rare artists who has mastered the tradition of big band composition while crossing aesthetic borders. 

Click here

• FILM/VIDEO

March 8

THE BIRDWOMAN AND HER DREAMS: ANIMATED WORKS BY NANCY ANDREWS

With characters and stories synthesized from sources including history and autobiography, Nancy Andrews works in a hybrid form that combines research with storytelling, documentary, puppetry, vaudeville.

Click here

Mardi Gras LA Style

Unfortunately I couldn't get to New Orleans this year for Mardi Gras, so in lieu of that I headed to the LA Farmer's Market on 3rd Street. They host a party every year with live music, gumbo and beads.
To get in the mood I pulled out a green shirt and some purple bead necklaces (no flashing!). Folks were dancing, eating and everyone was in great spirits!

Gorgeous Water!

Leave it to the Italians to make their water stylish. Yesterday I came across this San Pellegrino bottle. The label is designed by Missoni with it's iconic knit print. It's so pretty I plan to use it as a flower vase!

Jetsetter Gear!

Got some new arrivals today from Onekingslane.com that will definitely enhance my Jetsetter arsenal. 


The first item is a Jane Marvel Mini Jitney Tote. This will be super handy as a carry-on piece to house my laptop, phone, magazines, lip gloss, eye mask, etc. What's great is it has a zipper so no items will get lost in the shuffle.

The second item is a cute Little Honey Travel Mask/Pillow set. They are super stylish with a chandeler print. The pillow is filled with microbeads so it will cradle my neck comfortably and naturally.

Now I'm set and ready to jet....just need to book my next adventure!

FAB or FAUX PAS?

Just got these Tart cargo pants from Gilt. Upon first review I was considering shipping them back, but I'm leaning towards keeping them.  Tried them out with a few things in my closet and am starting to warm up to them. 

New Shoes to View!

Here's the latest arrival this week, compliments of Nordstroms.com. I'm loving these Cole Haan booties. They have some sass but are basic enough to go with everything in my closet. They are a bit steep in the incline so I hope I can balance in them.

New arrival from Gilt!

Just got my new boots today!
Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Marlin ankle boots.
I'm loving the studs. Will definitely work these into an outfit next week!
Stay tuned.

First Day on the JOB - What to wear?

Starting a new job always poses questions about what to wear. You want to look professional and wear something you feel confident in, but not too boring or too far to any fashion trend. Need to unveil your signature style over time.

Thankfully I work in Advertising so I don't have to pull out the Business Suit.
For this occasion I'm sporting a silver JCrew skirt, a white Club Monaco tuxedo blouse and black Tory Burch pumps. These pieces have some personality and I'm throwing in the black hose to jazz it up.