MY SWEETEST DAY WITH KATE DANSON

Who: Kate Danson, Actress/Photographer and one of the most stylish ladies I know
Where: The Westside and Hollywood
When: Friday


In truth, my sweetest of sweetest days would probably sound pretty uneventful if I were to write it all down… avocado toast in the morning at my favorite restaurant, my kitchen, then a long bike ride at the beach with friends, and to cap off the day, we would all return to my house where my husband and I would cook a big dinner for everyone and we’d end the night playing running charades (trust me when I say that it’s the best game you’ll ever play.) But for our purposes, I am treating this day as though I am taking a dear friend from out of town on a tour of some of my favorite places to SEE, EAT, and SHOP in LA!


1. Gjelina Take-Away. To start off our day, we would wake up relatively early and head over to the newly opened Gjelina Take-Away where we would grab an egg sandwich and cup of tea to fortify ourselves for our big day. Second to my kitchen, Gjelina is my favorite restaurant in LA and now that they’ve opened a take-out restaurant next door, I’m so excited, I’m not sure what to do with myself.

2. Tortoise General Store. Tea in hand, we’d take a walk down Abbot Kinney to Tortoise General Store, where they sell the most beautiful miscellany for the home, the best pens and notebooks, and green tea, just to name a few of my favorites, all of which is made in Japan. If ever I’m looking for a unique gift, this is my first stop. Plus, the people who own and run the store are so sweet, it’s always fun to pop in and say hi.

3. The Getty Center. After that, we’d head straight to the Getty Center and find a place in the garden to enjoy it. Having been born and raised in Los Angeles, I love getting the chance to feel like a tourist in my own city. Every time I go to the Getty Center, I can imagine what it would feel like to see it for the first time. My favorite thing to do is have lunch there, see one of their always changing photo exhibits and check out the panoramic view.


4. Creatures of Comfort. After a few hours at the museum, we would head to one of my favorite clothing stores in LA, Creatures of Comfort. I never have any trouble getting into trouble here! They have all of my favorite designers… Isabel Marant, Rachel Comey, No. 6, to name a few, and the best selection of shoes.


5. Largo at the Coronet. To top off our very busy day, we would end the night at Largo to see the always entertaining and oh-so-talented musician, Jon Brion, perform. Largo being at the top of the list for me. Alone on the stage, he is able to create the is a small theater in Hollywood that has really amazing shows, Jon Brion sound of a full band by looping all of the instruments onto one track. It’s just something you have to see to understand it! And he always has an amazing surprise guest come on stage with him. The first time I saw him, Fiona Apple performed a few songs with him! It was incredible.


6. The Roger Room. And just to add a cherry to our already perfect day, we would head next door to The Roger Room for a well earned nightcap! To quote my father, "heaven!"


**kate just launched a photography website. she has such an amazing eye- make sure to check it out here.


{photo of kate by Juan Iglesias shoes, getty, jon brion}

LATELY

Things have been more than busy over here, between getting ready for the launch of Glitter Guide, moving the boyfriend in, doing photo gigs, blogging and trying to keep up any semblance of a life. But guess what? I kind of love it and It's important to remember that. Ok, I don't love how some days I am lucky if I get to brush my hair, but I love spending my days doing exactly what I feel passionate about. But don't get me wrong, it's not always a passion/inspiration-fest. Sometimes I have "bloggers block" and nothing seems to get me going and other times I feel like I might explode I have so many ideas. And every now and then, I just don't have time to make my ideas come to life. That is kind of what I am dealing with now. So please bare with me for the next week until we launch. For today, here is a little photographic look into my life of late, and the sweet things that are reminding me to smile...

  • My favorite flower- peonies, brightening up my living room along side "my issue" of Martha Stewart Weddings. 
  • Macaroons from our double date night at Bottega Louie and First Fridays at the Natural History Museum. My favorite flavors are salty caramel and rosewater. 
  • A little vignette on my entry table, greeting me when I come home.
  • Summer fruit, like apricots that have started filling up my kitchen.
  • His clothes. A reminder that the boy actually lives with me now! {big smiles on that one}
  • My new office/dressing room. So far from being decorated but already has changed my life having a proper work space. 
  • My new clothing rack {a stand-in until I find the right one}. It has been so amazing having space to get dressed and to be able to see my clothes! I have re-fallen in love with clothes I forgot I had. Now I just need a dresser so I can show you the other half of the room. Right now it's just a messy pile of clothes. 
  • A fun discovery in the back of my garage. Some photos of me taken by my father, draped in my grandmother's costume jewelry. Yes I was a glitter girl even then. {i also had just woken up, hence my awesome hair}
  • The beginnings of my inspiration board that will hang behind my desk and keep me feeling creative. Now I just have to figure out how to hang them all. Ideas??? 

SPENCER STUDIO

My friend Lauren of the sphinx & the milky way recently launched Spencer Studio, a site showcasing the art and design she has been commissioned to do for weddings. She specializes in watercolor, but you might remember her incredible sculptures here. Lauren is an insanely talented artist and I just adore her work. She even hand painted the hawk feather that lives above Sweet Thing. Her website shows some of her previous work as well as invitation and save the date ideas. She used some of her friend's names as "the couples" and James and I are lucky enough to be included {we're the 3rd one down}! So no, we are not actually engaged. If you are a bride looking for a personal and unique invite then look no further...
 {photos by kate danson}

A SWEET WEDDING IN MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS

This week I am mixing up the usual "sweetest day", because I wanted to share some exciting news {you already know if you follow me on twitter}! The summer issue of Martha Stewart weddings is out and my dear friend Lilly's absolutely stunning wedding {you might remember it here} has a whopping ten page spread. Not only do I love flipping through and remembering the day and all the creative details, but I AM IN IT! At the wedding the Martha Stewart team pulled me aside to photograph me "reading the menu." I have been crossing my fingers ever since that I actually make it in the magazine and  my dream came true! To top it all off, my friend Lauren of the sphinx and the milky way {remember her from here, here and here} made it in as well! I will forever cherish this magazine and the memories of this day...
a few links...

  • check out lilly's blog for more information and details on the wedding
  • find out how we made the napkins here
  • here we are on 100 layer cake
  • lilly's wedding planner was the amazing emily kelly of unscene inc 
  • lauren designed that adorable martha's vineyard tote, check out more of her work here
  • here are photos from lilly's bachelorette party


{photos by jessica antola via martha stewart weddings summer 2011}

SWEET STYLE. DANCE PARTY

A few weeks ago, our friends Phil and Afton, the boyfriend and I attended a little Flashdace soirée at Malo. I wore a dance friendly dress perfect for twirling and threw my hair up in Heidi braids to keep it off my face. We danced, we laughed, we snapped photos in the Smilebooth. The Smilebooth has a way of bringin' out your inner sillypants which I just love. We had fun, can't you tell?...
 
wearing:
h&m dress {worn as skirt}
zara top
grandmother's necklace
wendy mink ring
dolce vita wedges


afton wearing:
vintage pencil skirt
forever 21 t-shirt
jeffrey campbell wedges
ariella collection and jewelmint rings
vintage earrings

phil wearing:
vintage ralph lauren jacket
ralph lauren shirt
the hill-side pocket square
j.crew tie
j.crew jeans
ralph lauren belt
florsheim shoes


james wearing:
gibson shirt
h&m cardigan
uniqlo jeans

GLITTER GUIDE LAUNCH

   
How darling are our editor-in-chief Taylor and contributing editor Alicia celebrating the Glitter Guide launch?! Yes it's true, we have a date. I am thrilled to announce Glitter Guide is officially launching on Tuesday June 14th. 

We have been working night and day to bring you glittery, inspiring content. As the design contributor, all the photos and posts have been making there way to me and let me tell you, you are all in for a treat! You don't want to miss out on any of the fun, so make sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on facebook and twitter for all the latest updates.

*for more information on the glitter guide launch see taylor's post here


{photos by michelle drewes, makeup & hair by sarah dean}

SUMMER BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

 
Memorial Day has passed which means summer will soon be upon us. I thought I would share a few products that will be helping me get through the hot summer months...
Hairspray- L'Oréal Elnett
I love this hairspray, it gives me the perfect amount of hold without looking like I am wearing it at all. 
Tinted Moisturizer- Stila Illuminating 
This tinted moisturizer has SPF 15 and a slightly pearlescent tint. It gives my skin a dewy, natural look which is exactly what I want in the summer.
Volume Spray- John Frieda Luxurious Volume Root Booster
I spray this on my wet hair before I blow dry. It gives my fine hair body and volume, which makes it much easier for styling. 
Travel Candle- Nell's Compass in South 
I  love bringing this little guy with me when I travel. It makes me feel at home and smells like a lush garden.
Lipstick- Revlon in Love That Pink
Such a fun bright shade of pink. I think it will be my summer go to.
Self Tanner- L'Oréal Sublime Bronze
I have tried many self tanners and this one works best for me. I have both the gel and the spray.
Nail Polish- Revlon in Minted
I am loving all things mint green these days and this nail polish is perfection.
Dry Shampoo- Batiste Colored Dry Shampoo
When it starts getting hot in LA, dry shampoo is my savior. It gives my hair life in between washes.
Blush- Tarte in Tipsy
This cheek stain is the perfect peachy shade. 
Bobby Pins- Forever 21
Sweaty bangs is not a good look, so I like to keep bobby pins in my purse to pin back my bangs on hot days. 


HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

I hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day in style like these lovely ladies! I'll be sippin' on a margarita and BBQ'ing with some friends. Just what I need after a busy weekend of moving the boyfriend in, painting and organizing. We are both excited about our new life living together, but like anytime you move it can be stressful and moving him in was no exception. This weekend was not my favorite. 

I realized a few things: 

1. you should always prime before you paint white over blue {learned this to late}

2. I have way too many clothes {half of which don't even fit and are from four years ago or more}

3. I need to have a garage sale immediately

4. I have an amazing boyfriend who brings me scoops ice cream when I  am stressed and tired

5. #4 makes up for everything else.

Happy Memorial Day! xx


{photo via glamour daze}

MY SWEETEST DAY WITH AVIVA FARBER

Who: Aviva Farber, Actress/Artist and Mom to St. Bernard Oscar
Where: NoHo and Hollywood
When: Saturday

1. Hike Fryman Canyon. I've got to get my hit of nature in the city. This is a great hike because there is parking, shaded areas with lots of vegetation, multiple paths, scenic views, and it's dog friendly.  It's not unusual to run into really famous people who stop to pet your dog 

2. Fruit picking at Sky Meadow Farms. This pick your own fruit farm is so sweet. It's owned and run by an elderly couple who will talk your ear off if you have the time. It's the perfect place to take a loved one/best friend. Bring a camera! I like to pick a bucket of whatever is in season and then bake pies at home.  They make great gifts and if people are trying to eat healthy so does the left over fruit.

3. Lunch at Sweet Salt. This lil' sandwich shop is yummy. You may recognize the owner from "Top Chef". He's created a delicious menu with daily specials as well.  My man's favorite is the bacon- marshmallow- peanut butter- chocolate sandwich. There's almost always a vegan soup. Make sure to save room for dessert!  Seating is limited so be prepared to join other foodies at the community table.

4. Iliad Bookshop. I could spend hours and hours in this used bookstore. The staff can answer just about any question on literature you can come up with.  You can also sell/trade them your used books. It's the Amoeba Music of bookstores. They stay open late and are located right next to the Chandler bike path.

5. Cinespia. Movie screenings at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. This is such a unique experience for anyone new to Los Angeles. Pack a picnic, you can bring booze, and there's a Dj afterwards. This weekend is Hitchcock's Vertigo. The place can get packed so show up early and mingle. It's a cool way to meet new people. It's always a different crowd depending on the movie.

{photo of aviva by ken baumann, books, apple}

SWEET STYLE. A SPRING AFTERNOON

You will have to excuse my lack of "sweet style" posts the last few months. Between my photographer/boyfriend's crazy work schedule and my life pretty much belonging to my computer these days, doing photoshoots has not been our priority. Anyway, I decided to set up my tripod in my front yard, put my camera on self timer mode and snap a few of myself. And yes I felt like a total nerd. I can manage the close-ups but the full body shots never come out right. Ah well. 

It was a perfect sunny day, so I wore a few of my favorite spring/summer trends...a 70's inspired tie blouse {remember I like those?}, high-waisted jeans, fuchsia lipstick and green nail polish...

wearing:
madewell top
citizens of humanity high rise jeans
h&m hat and belt
jeffrey campbell oxfords
revlon lipstick in love that pink
opi nail polish in mermaids tears

VINTAGE MATCHBOOKS

I can't get enough of vintage matchbooks. It is really the only thing I officially collect. I am always looking to them for design inspiration. The use of colors, fonts and graphics makes my heart swoon. This collection of European mid-century matchbooks are some of the most beautiful I've seen...
 

A few from my collection...

{vintage matchbooks via misha west's pinterest and flickr, other photos by me}

WHITE LACE

There is something both innocent and sexy about a white lace dress. Dresses up or dressed down, it is just what I want to be wearing this spring and summer...

{photos via  cupcakes and chaos, studded hearts,  harper's bazaar,  the coveteur}

MY SWEETEST DAY WITH KERRY CARNEY

Who: Kerry Carney, Actor/Writer/Professional Matchmaker
Where: Eastside and Midcity
When: Saturday

1. Village Bakery. My ideal, sweetest day would start off where I live in beautiful Atwater Village on a sunny, Saturday morning.  My boyfriend Joel and I would get up and walk a few blocks to our favorite breakfast spot, Village Bakery.  It is never too crowded, and the vibe is warm and friendly.  We always order the same thing, The Atwater Special, there is never a need to try anything else. It is an amazing concoction of eggs, mashed potato and bacon served a fried cheese crisp thingy that is absolute heaven!! After that we would walk off breakfast with a stroll through the hood for an hour or so, probably cutting along the LA river, and ending up back home to shower and start the day.


2. Playclothes. Once refreshed, we would probably part ways for a bit so I could do some vintage shopping.  My favorite store is Playclothes in the Valley.  You can really get lost in there, and the staff doesn't care if you hang our for ten minutes or three hours.  The store is huge, and they have clothes, accessories and home goods, so it is easy to spend an hour or two looking for a find.  I happen to know the costume designers from Mad Men rely on this place as a go to favorite.  It is easy to see why.


3. Jetrag and Jessie's House. Although they are far apart, I can't hit Playclothes without also going to Jetrag.  I have the BEST luck here, and there vintage is so affordable.  I usually have to get creative and have their stuff altered, but I always walk out of there with something great.  I would take the scenic route, over Laurel Canyon to get there.  I have loved that drive since I first moved to LA.  I feel like a Bond Girl/Racecar driver every time I take it...even if I am in my little Hyundai:)After JetRag, I would probably swing by my friend Jessie's house (you may have heard of her).  She is just around the corner and I like to pop in when I can and have a cold beer on her delightful little porch and catch up on life.


4. The Gorbals. After that, home to change into whatever I bought that day (hopefully nothing needed to be hemmed) and spruce up for the evening.  Making sure my heels aren't too high, we would park near the Vermont Subway stop, meet some friends and take the subway into Downtown for dinner.  Our favorite spot of late is The Gorbels.  The food is delicious, the drinks are amazing, and it is located in this really cool, old hotel.  I DO NOT recommend the pig face.  Go with your instincts, nobody should eat faces.  It is not surprisingly good, it is, expectantly terrible.  Just a heads up for the adventurous. 


5. Bar 1642. We would head back towards home, stopping in at Bar1642 for a glass of wine and some good conversation.  This place is a little hole in the wall on the eastside that has delicious wine and microbrews, a great atmosphere, and is reasonably priced.  I had my birthday here this year, and it is quickly becoming our favorite neighborhood spot.


{photo of kerry by erin gibson, playclothes, my porch by me, the gorbals}

FRIENDS

I promised you a two {shorter} post day, so I thought I would share some recent photos of me and one of my oldest and best friends Teissia. You might remember her from here, here and here. She is making a big move next month all the way to New York City. I am going to miss her like crazy, but hey, I am thrilled to have one more amazing friend living in my most favorite city to visit. She is a wedding planner extraordinaire, so if any of you New Yorker's are headed down the isle or know someone who is, give her "a ring." Also, if you're planning a wedding make sure to check out her pinterest. There is all kinds of dreamy wedding pinning going on over there.


DIEPPA RESTREPO OXFORDS

These shoes are so amazing I had to devote a whole post to them. I want one of each. You know it's love when you keep checking the website over and over, just to have another look at them. Which color is your favorite?...

Dieppa Restrepo Oxfords in Pulp, Teal, Light Gray and Lilac $250


You'll have to excuse this short but sweet post, I am just getting over a cold. My attention span has been pretty close to zero, so this might just have to be a two {shorter} post kinda day.  

COLLECTED MAGAZINE. GET THE LOOK

Have you checked out the premiere issue of Collected Magazine? I just love the clean layouts, laid-back interiors and of course the LA love. It has already become a favorite! 

While flipping through, I found myself totally drawn to director Claire Cottrell's calm and effortless LA home. With some link help from Collected and my few added pieces, I made it into a "get the look"...

1. Willow Sofa $1,699
2. Mike Mills Print $10.99 {current bid}
5. Sweater Rug $229 for 8x10
8. Essex Dresser $999
11. Floral Art Succulents $75-$100
14. Colander $17.95
15. Parsons Mini Desk $199


{photos by cara robbins for collected magazine}


*you can also check claire out as this month's "lucky girl."