I get by with a little help from my friends...

Speaking of friends, a photo of Biel and Garner co-stars turned besties- read the article at Marie Claire

My darlings, would you mind if I asked for a little help? You see I'm slowly checking things off my list: I've received my official LLC paperwork and started a bank account; I've birthed (tough stuff, people) a beautiful baby marketing plan; I have a brand name I'm super excited about; Product development is moving right along; I've got a beyond talented web & graphic designer and as soon as the look and logo come out I can spill the beans about all this fuss! My designer asked me to gather up brands and websites I like so she can get an idea of my likes and dislikes. I have quite a handful of faves (too many!) that are undoubtedly my cup of te(a), but I was wondering if you'd like to share yours? Don't they say two heads are better than one? Please do share as I'd love to hear from you :)

Karen Mordechai

My darlings, how was your weekend? I'm in a bit of a daze this morning even after my venti soy latte.  My allergies made their first appearance on Saturday and have overstayed their welcome. My eyeballs are so itchy, I fear I will rub all my lashes out by the end of the day and if I have to labor through only breathing out of my mouth for much longer my lungs may collapse. Because of all of the above I hid out inside all weekend, despite the beautiful weather, pining for my bike and brunch outdoors. I am now having sun-kissed daydreams of outdoor splendor à la Karen Mordechai.

Have you been over to Karen's blog, Sunday Suppers? From weddings and food to family and more, it's so lovely and the perfect mini getaway for a Monday morning!

Weekend Picture Book

How Do You Know the Bride & Groom?



L to R via MS Weddings: 1) "This 'How Do You Know Christy and Hunter?' poster is a guide to the button patterns. 2) Guests can pick from buttons covered with patterns -- each signifies a certain time, place, or activity in the couples' lives -- to identify their connection with them. 3& 4) Guests can pin their buttons to their collar or shirt for an easy icebreaker and conversation starter."

Do you think it's socially acceptable to renew your vows after 3 years of marriage? Between BHLDN and this fabulous editorial, the idea is becoming less and less loonie and more and more genius. Don't they say there's a fine line? I'm on a tightrope. Anyways, I just had to share this cutesy and clever ice breaker button idea conceived, styled, and made reality by boutique event-design and styling firm Styled Creative (also responsible for Dallas Shaw's fantastically sparkly shoot!) and Two Paperdolls. Isn't it darling?

They also remind you to make time for your Mr. To Be with tea for two!

To read the rest of the article, see Martha Stewart Weddings.

Book a Room at the Pantone Hotel

Did you know in its efforts to promote itself as a lifestyle brand, Pantone now has a hotel taking reservations in Brussels? How's that for living colorfully?! Interior designers Michel Penneman and Oliver Hannaert designated each of the 7 floors its own color to encourage guests to choose their room based on the color, I guess you could say, of their mood. In light of this year's crazy ventures, I would have to request a room on the Pantone 200 C floor dubbed "daring and fiery." Would we be floor mates, darlings?

{Via The NY Times Blog}

I bet MacGyver Couldn't Pull This Off

Paper Cup Wreath

Teabag and Glove Garlands

Coffee Filter Pendant (or more likely a more expensive version) on cover of Downtown Chic by Sixx Design

Remember MacGyver from the 80's and early 90's? That silly show in which the secret agent, MacGyver, rigged and resourcefully found his way out of every problem. He basically made miracles out of nothing. Well, my brain works in odd ways, whereas a normal person would probably say, "How clever, creative, and utterly resourceful are those decorations?!" My first thought was "I bet MacGyver couldn't pull that off." Seriously, I think he would be so screwed if he had to appear on Design on a Dime. Just sayin'.

Weekend Picture Book II LA

So I kind of realized my blog has been leaning more towards my personal adventures lately. I usually try to keep it separate, at least during the week, but it's honestly really nice to be able to share little moments with you here and there. I hope you don't mind :) I promise to try to get back to regular programming soon!

It turns out the only picture you ever really want is the picture that turns out blurry. I'm really such a huge fan of Ms. Robin Roberts...have you read her book? You should.

Did you see me and A's pics? Jane and James took part in the fun too. You can see more event pics here. Scroll right, and you'll see more of A and I!

Jane's home was near unrecognizable. We were actually sitting on top of the tennis court and decked out in Open Hearts style...

The food was to die for, but this is a photo of what happens when you are too busy mingling and making new friends to eat or really rather when the Patron is free flowing. Priorities, people. Priorities.

Do you like to day drink during vaca? I do. That smile you see is not for the cam, but for that fabulous bottle of red you can see in the mirror...

There was a LOT more eating to make up for the lack of it at the gala and because I have fantastic luck, the only restaurant we really had plans to go to was Anthony Bourdain's Philippe's. It was downtown near the Staples Center, it was also NBA All Star Weekend and sitting in traffic for an hour makes a French dip taste even better. Well that and slaw...and chili...and pickles...and pie...

There was hiking with great vistas, albeit a rainy day. I will spare you the grimy pics. Then of course more eating at the most darling brunch spot the Larchmont Bungalow. Eggs Benedict is my jam...

Before too long, I was in a food coma so I opted for my usual soy latte, but it was bigger than normal, and I was totally okay with it...

And last but certainly not least, we met an old friend and a new one at El Compadre's in West Hollywood. Good company, good food, and a mariachi band to boot!

Bobbi Brown Does Fashion Week

Did I happen to mention that my make-up bag bears a heavy resemblance towards something like this?

Bobbi. Obsession.

I kind of really adore how she takes au naturel to the next level at Halston...

and adds just a touch of smokiness to the lid at Tibi.

At Rachel Roy she stepped up the romance with tones of olive and copper, and I kinda fell in love with fall all over again before spring has even sprung...

All via

...and just because I'm feeling brave, or rather I'm not feeling well again, and looking terribly vain is the least of my worries, this is my Bobbi. Do you Bobbi Brown?

My favorite Face Palette, Mauve, by Bobbi Brown. You can find it here!

10,000 Count Pucci

 Limited Edition Book on everything Pucci. Wrapped in recent Pucci fabric. Only 10,000 made...ever!!

I'm always finding myself in bookstores. My last jaunt to NYC I spent entirely too much time at Marc Jacobs' curated bookstore in the West Village, Book Marc, and for $1.50 bought these for kicks, but mainly because I couldn't afford to fork over $200 for Pucci. At the Grove in LA this past weekend, we met again. Only 10, 000 copies available in the entire world. Each unique copy bound in a recent Pucci fabric. My coffee table is seriously coveting...just one.

Again the piggy bank ran in the other direction at the sight of the $200 price tag so instead, I bought a beignet for a $1.95...

...and people watched for free :)

Weekend Picture Book I

Hi my darlings! We just walked in the door from our weekend extravaganza, and I couldn't wait to share bits of our trip with you. A and I flew to LA to attend the Open Hearts Inaugural charity gala at Jane Seymour's home in Malibu. We proudly had our rent-a-Kia valeted (right behind Emmit Smith's town car and before a sweet Benz...entirely ludicrous, we could not stop laughing), I got my pic with Robin Roberts from GMA, met India Arie who is insanely down to earth and super cool, and lots of money was raised for a good cause! Did I mention the party was sponsored by Patron? Heaven.

I must unpack before the week and wash off these airport germs, so I'll share many more moments from our trip tomorrow. Can't wait to catch up with y'all! Until then, kisses loves :)

Happy Birthday, Mom and Good Luck, Sis

Left, right! Left, right! Playing dress up at the Royal Palace in Seoul this past summer

I'm pretty sure Royal prison guards don't have this hard of a time standing at attention!

Today is my fabulous mother's birthday and my darling baby sister's first collegiate tennis match. I'm on the entirely wrong coast, but I'm thinking of them today. Happy Birthday, Mom and Kase, I'm so proud of you! I love you both very much!

Happy Weekend from Cali!

My darlings, what are you doing this weekend? A and I will be navigating our way around sunny Cali in a rent-a-car with a gps and hopefully a little bit of luck. We hope to eat our way through LA with Anthony's help, hike the hills, and catch up with some old friends. On Saturday, we're getting all gussied up to attend an event and somehow, once again with said luck, I'm hoping to get my hair into a messy chignon.  Any helpful pointers, loves?

{1 & 2}

Retro Glam Fascination

RETRO. GLAM. DESIGN. Kelly Wearstler’s redesign of the landmark Tides South Beach.

RETRO.GLAM. DRESS. The "hostess gown" in Woman's Day 1967

I'm absolutely fascinated with this so-called hostess gown that keeps popping up on several vintage sites I've come across. Have you heard of them?  I'm dying to find one and have had full on daydreams of throwing a fabulous social. Cocktails would all be certain throwbacks- gimlets, gin fizz, the French 75, the pre-Prohibition Waldorf's Jack Rose. My home would be decked out in Wearstler retro glam, and I of course, would be in my hostess gown! Do you fancy my fête?

Pretty Little Things

BHLDN is so pretty, it kills.

Pretty dresses, pretty shoes. I can't seem to fit enough into my suitcase this morning! How do you manage to fit fête-worthy "options" into your carry-on? I'm afraid my silk frock is going to look horrific once I make it to the opposite coast. On another gorgeous note, have you seen it? It's been traveling at lightning speed around the world wide web. BHLDN by Anthro is truly a sight to behold!!