Smelling the Roses

It's been so gorgeous in  LA these past couple of days! Clear skies, snow capped mountains and sun. Such a welcome reprieve from last week's torrential downpour! Though, the warmer weather has made me feel a little impatient for Spring to get here. One of the things I'm most looking forward to, is visiting the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, when the roses are in bloom.

I could spend an entire day with the roses... taking in the splendor of the garden and smelling every variety imaginable. Pure heaven! Last year I went to the Huntington in April, and it was just perfect! The only thing that can make it better this year, is to make reservations for the Rose Garden Tea Room. Here are some of my favorite shots from last year's visit...

 

A collection of the various roses I captured that day...

{  Happy Weekend! }

Sweet Tarte

I need more makeup like I need a hole in the head, but this was just too good to resist! I managed to scoop up one of the last of the holiday sets from Tarte.

Tarte Cosmetics Crown Jewels Lipgloss Multi-Gift Set ($39) is a kit featuring three boxed sets of glosses - each containing five lip glosses.

This Set Contains:

- Glittering Green Goddesses Set: (sheer nude-peach, sheer beige, sheer sweet pink, sheer cotton candy pink, sheer shimmering cinnamon)

- Dazzling Divas Set: (dazzling warm sand, dazzling gold, dazzling orchid, dazzling violet, dazzling coral-pink)

- Twinkling Trendsetter Set: (twinkling strawberry, twinkling melon-pink, twinkling fuchsia, twinkling brick-red, sheer raspberry)

Thanks to t5 super fruit complex™, these glosses are highly pigmented and glide on so smoothly.


Tarte's Crown Jewels Lipgloss Multi Gift Set is still available at Sephora. It came out before Christmas, and it's limited edition. Get 'em before they're gone!

Song of the Day: She & Him - Sentimental Heart

Bobbi Brown's Pretty Powerful

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This spring, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is launching a new campaign called Pretty Powerful. Bobbi’s always believed that all women possess natural beauty, and has made it her mission to give women the tools and skills to look and feel their absolute best. The campaign will feature real women, or “Friends of Bobbi,” their before & after photos, videos and testimonials as the focus of the campaign, which you can find here.

As part of Pretty Powerful, Bobbi Brown has just launched a video contest: She wants to hear how you go from Pretty to Powerful using Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Now through February 9, makeup aficionados are invited to share their transformative stories and tips by submitting videos.

From the submissions, 15 finalists will be chosen and sent a personalized selection of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and the new Color Strips collection to create their next Pretty Powerful video submission.

In March, the gallery of Pretty Powerful videos will be open for public voting on BobbiBrownCosmetics.com/prettypowerful. For every vote cast in the Pretty Powerful contest, Bobbi Brown will donate $1 to Dress for Success, an organization close to Bobbi's heart that provides underprivileged women with interview suits and career development advice.

Bobbi will hand pick the three grand prize winners, who will be flown to New York for a master class and brunch with Bobbi! Doesn’t that sound amazing?!

Good luck to all of you Pretty Powerful glamour girls!

Blame It On the Rain

Last week it was so rainy in LA, that my usual footwear just wasn't cutting it. Living in sunny So. Cal. means I'm not as well equipped as one should be for such stormy weather. What I needed were these:

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 Ever since reading Nicole's post (circa 2008) on Making it Lovely, I've wanted a pair of my own. But Emily, at Cupcakes and Cashmere, has really sealed the deal. She makes these practical wellies look stylish! I love the red, but with so many color choices, it's hard to decide. I want them all!

Which color should I get? (please comment)

A Stroll in the Park

My last day in the city was absolute perfection! I started the day with breakfast at my favorite spot, Norma's, and then headed to Central Park to go ice skating. I prefer Wollman Rink in the park as opposed to Rockefeller Center, purely for the scenery. It's so gorgeous having the skyline as your backdrop. Truly magical!

Although I'm a better roller skater, I managed to ice skate for two hours and didn't fall once!  After skating, I took a leisurely walk through the park. No rush, no agenda, just enjoying the scenery around me. It was so pretty, even if the trees were all barren.  I was clicking away on my camera, at anything that was inspiring. Here are some of my favorite pics:

Have a great weekend!

Chocolate & Carrie Bradshaw

At the top of my NYC to-do list last week, was the chocolate emporium, Max Brenner. I'd seen it featured on the food network not too long ago, and honestly, they had me at "Chocolate."

Instantly when I stepped through the door, I could smell the sweet aroma of cocoa in the air.

Whether you prefer dark, milk, white or a combo...they everything your little heart desires, and then some!

They're known for they're chocolat (hot) served in a "hug mug," which is described as "the cappuccino of chocolate."

With so many chocolatey treats to choose from, there's no way that one trip will satisfy a true connoisseur.

I did have to make a choice though, and went with the dark hot chocolate and a hazelnut cream banana toffee crepe. One word...AMAZING!

After leaving Max Brenner, I decided to take a walk to Perry St. (66 Perry St. to be exact) Maybe it was the chocolate high I was on, but I totally geeked out and had a tourist moment.

I went to Carrie Bradshaw's apartment! Well...the exterior at least.

Here I am in all of my Sex & the City glory!

A perfect ending to the perfect day in NYC.

Sabon Soho

Last week I was in NYC for work, but managed to squeeze in a bit of shopping, sightseeing, and eating. While in SoHo, I stumbled into the most amazing bath & body store, Sabon.

A friendly woman greeted me at the door and asked if it was my first time there, of which I said yes. I had heard about Sabon, but never had the pleasure of visiting one of their stores. She then guided me to the back of the shop where a large, rock sink stood along with an array of their scrubs and lotions.

I was asked to pick a scent, and decided to try the Lavender Apple Body scrub, but they all were amazing.

Just one little scoop of this Dead Sea salt scrub drenched in macadamia, almond and soy bean oils, revealed my smoothest skin ever! I was then treated to the macthing lotion, and my skin felt completely moisturized and hydrated. This is a miracle in the middle of Winter! Done and done.

I also tried a few of their other products and scents, such as the Musk Body Oil,  and will be placing my order for new bath treats soon.

Sabon, which began in Israel, offers an unparalleled range bath and body products, using time-honored remedies based on the finest natural ingredients. If you're ever in the NYC area,  a visit to Sabon is an absolute must!

Golden Globes - Beauty

Yesterday was all about the dresses, but today is nothing but beauty, beauty, beauty. The wrong hair and makeup can completely ruin a look, and for Award season it's even more important to get it right. Luckily there's a team of people (aka the glam squad), spending hours primping these actresses into perfection.

Makeup:

From top left to right: Gennifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Marion Cotillard and Kate Hudson

1)  Gennifer Goodwin's makeup has that French gamine look. I loved the black winged eye with lashes added to the outer corners, complimented by soft pink blush, and a barely-there lip. Ooh-la-la!

2)  Jennifer Morrison is doing a classically, vintage face like nobody's business! The liquid lined eye, sculpted cheeks and true red lipstick are simply regal. She's definitely chaneling her inner Grace Kelly.

3)  Marion Cotillard is gorgeous, french and always spot-on for the occasion. I loved her fresh take on the cat eye. If this were done using black liner it would look more "punk rock" than red carpet. Instead she kept the lid neutral and lined the eyes in shades of navy and teal. The look is sultry not harsh. Soft rose blush, and pink shimmer lipstick add a sweetness to keep everything looking pretty and polished.

4) Kate Hudson puts her own spin on the bronzed goddess look that her mother, Goldie Hawn, has rocked for years. It's a modern version...Not overly bronzed,  just sunkissed in all the right places. Her eye shadow is kept simple and glowy, with a little liner inside, and TONS of lashes. Her tawny blush, and champagne shimmer lips balance the look without over doing it.

Hair:

From top left to right:  Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz and Rose Byrne

1) Jennifer Aniston has truly been blessed by the hair gods! I've honestly never seen her hair look bad. (ok, maybe in the early days of friends) Whether wearing it wavy or straight, she always gets it right. (and so does her amazing stylist, Chris McMillan) Jennifer vamped up her "California Casual" style by switching to a side part and face framing long fringe. Instant sexiness! Also, loving that it's not too perfect, maintaining that casual feel.

2) Julia Roberts makes every girl crave waves. Here she has the perfect blend of "not too curly/not too straight." I love that she's taking the basic Jessica Simpson hairstyle, and giving it a new modern twist. A little less curl at the crown, and on the ends, adds texture without looking fussy.

3) Penelope Cruz looks like a young Sophia Loren. I'm normally not a big fan, but this look head to toe was perfection! Loved the polished look of a "Veronica Lake" style on her. In my opinion, she's never looked better.

4) Rose Byrne was also doing the Retro look with soft brushed out waves, pulled back on one side with a vintage "broach style" barrette. The added bling, was the perfect finishing touch to this Hollywood glamour girl style.

Golden Globes - Fashion

Last night's Golden Globes were unfortunately dampened by a little rain (yes, it does rain in LA), but that didn't stop an array of gorgeous gowns from sashaying down the red carpet (albeit, accessorized with black umbrellas). There was definitely a theme happening...Asymetry, Ruffles, Purple, Nude and Black.

Here are some of the looks that I was loving last night...

Black:

 

Julia Roberts in Yves Saint Laurent, Jennifer Aniston in Valentino, Kate Winslet in Yves Saint Laurent

 January Jones in Lanvin, Lea Michelle in Oscar de la Renta, Penelope Cruz in Giorgio Armani Prive'

Lilac:

Jennifer Garner in Atelier Versace, Chloe Sevigny in Valentino, Fergi in Elie Saab

Purple:

 Leona Lewis in Roberto Cavalli, Sandra Bullock in Bottega Venetta, Rose Byrne in Lanvin

Pink:

 Emily Blunt in Dolce & Gabbana, Diane Kruger in Christian LaCroix

Nude:

  Jennifer Morrison in Luis Antonio, Drew Barrymore in Atelier Versace, Nicole Kidman in Nina Ricci

White:

            Kristen Bell in Jasmine di Milo, Kate Hudson in Marchesa

Cobalt & Teal:

 Ginnifer Goodwin in Vionnet, Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior

Make sure to stop by tomorrow,  for my favorite hair and makeup looks from the Golden Globes.

Shutterbug

All week long I've been in New York working, but I've also had some play time too.  Come back next week and I'll have photos to share of my NYC adventures.

Enjoy the weekend!

xoxo

Skating is Back

I was so excited when I was flipping through the January issue of Harper's Bazzar, and found this picture! A model, looking fabulous in ROLLER SKATES! In 2010! It's ON people...Roller Skating is BACK!

And check out these Riedell "Mustang" skates....ordered, and on the way!

Pork with Strawberry-Herb Sauce

 One of my goals this year is to cook at home more. So, I decided that my first home-cooked meal should be Pork, because frankly, I was pretty tired of everything else. I first had this Pork Tenderloin at my Aunt's house for Christmas, and it was so delicious, I just had to have the recipe. I called her about a week later and she couldn't find it, but knew she pulled it out of Food & Wine magazine. I went on a hunt! I searched pages and pages until I found THE recipe. (from 2005!) I've made this several times, and I'm always surprised by how simple and tasty this dish is. For sides, I made roasted potatoes (from Barefoot Contessa At Home), and steamed broccoli.