Spring into Seychelles

I recently moved to windy Chicago after living in sunny Los Angeles and let me tell you, the weather change is pretty drastic! It's been snowing here all week long, but I'm looking forward to warmer weather. It almost seems like winter will never end here as I've heard from the locals that it's cold here through April, but luckily I'm taking a break from the snow and venturing back out to Los Angeles & Palm Springs in a month. 

With summer weddings and Coachella ahead, I'm already looking for inspiration for some warm weather outfits. Here's what I'm inspired by right now!

A Détacher multicolor dress / Thakoon Addition multicolor dress / Band of Outsiders / Organic by John Patrick sleeveless dress / Coach crossbody handbag / Karen Walker Eyewear cat eye sunglasses / Seychelles Footwear / MODEL CITIZEN flats

In A New York Minute

It's been several months since I've been back in New York, and as usual I had a blast! One week here never seems like enough time. Here are some photos from my trip. (Above) A necessary stop on all my trips is Momofuku Milk Bar. They have the best sweet treats.

(Left) As usual, my first stop was my favorite place: Shake Shack! I just can't say enough good things about this burger joint. I opted to eat outside in the cold, because the park never has a line in the winter time. (Right) Kim and I playing in the snow while we were walking to lunch in the West Village. This was right before the blizzard came to town. My YOU'RE THE ONE boots got me through the snow, along with a handful of compliments!

I was lucky enough to see Passion Pit play at Madison Square Garden while I was in town. They put on a great show and you can never go wrong with a confetti encore!

I spent one afternoon having tea at The Plaza. What a special treat! Don't be fooled by the tiny portions, the finger sandwiches and scones fill you up quite fast. This is one of the most decadent meals I've had in awhile.

(Left) It might have been cold in New York but I couldn't resist putting a little color into my day with my STRIKE A CHORD heels. Let me tell you - these shoes are a show stopper! I had multiple people stop me on the street to ask me where I got my shoes and to compliment me. Including the boys! (Right) I spent the morning of my last day at the Steven Alan presentation. I always adore their collections, and this season was just like every other. I wanted everything! I can't wait for fall to return again, just so I can pick up these pieces for my closet.

Holly-day Gift Guide

The holidays are coming up, and I must say that this is my favorite time of the year! Everyone loves to receive gifts, but I really take pleasure in gift giving. (Plus it doesn't hurt that my name is in so many Christmas songs!) Check out what I think would make great gifts for the special people in my life!

Enamel Coffee Pot | Milk Bottle Measuring Cups | Lemon Recipe Cards

Juniper Flats | Shaggy Mesh Sweater | Cat Embroidered Sweater

Foreign Fields | Hannah Georgas | Solange | Jens Lekman

Every Fall Day

I've been loving the change in the weather in Los Angeles! The chilly weather finally has arrived, so I've been pulling out my sweaters and boots the past few weeks. I asked my friend Melissa to help me style the EACH AND EVERY DAY boot that I've been loving lately. She has a more classic sense of style than me and always puts together great looks.

LOOK 1: Silence + Noise Blazer, Black Lace Dress / LOOK 2: d.RA Sweater, Paige Black Skinny Jeans

We had fun taking these polaroids around town for this post! I love her first look because it goes so well from day to night. The blazer dresses it up for work, and the dress keeps it feminine for a night out with friends. And her second look is just so comfy and easy going for fall! You can wear that outfit anytime, whether it's grabbing coffee or running errands.

How would you pair these boots?

Best Lunch Ever: Eleven Madison Park

I'm lucky to be friends with people who enjoy food as much as I do. When I first planned my trip to New York, one of my friends recommended we get lunch at Eleven Madison Park. I'll just let you marvel at the photos. But let me tell you, this is one experience that is more than just lunch... it's a work of art!

Perfect Summer Sandals

I spent the last week visiting friends in both Chicago and New York City! What a trip! Luckily I was accompanied by some great shoes that kept my feet comfortable during all my adventures. The IRIS has quickly become my new favorite summer sandal! My first stop was Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago where the days were hot and rainy, luckily these sandals have a patent leather bottom which makes is easy to clean off the mud. Then I jetted off to New York City where I spent my days strolling the city streets and the comfy soles of these sandals made it easy for me to walk for hours.

What sandals have you been living in this summer?

Photo credit: Chicago Reader, Coach Bleecker Women

Summer Days

(Brooklyn Tailors shirt, Corey Lynn Calter shorts, Seychelles Snarl sandals)
I forgot how great our rooftop was until the Seychelles team decided it was the perfect spot for their Spring photoshoot! I tend to spend most of my days at work stuck inside the office downstairs, but there is an incredible view right upstairs. The other tenants in our building have cultivated this garden on the roof filled with every succulent imaginable. I took a little break from work today and hung out with my raccoon friend & snapped these photos. 
I'm so ready for my summer vacation! I've been wearing these Snarl sandals for the last year, but have been on the lookout for a new pair. Which ones are your favorite? I'm loving the Star Gazer and Iris sandals right now!

Eating in New York

I just took a trip out to New York for work, and as usual I was ecstatic to return to my former residence and my favorite city. As previously mentioned, one of my favorite things to do is to go out and eat, so I had to share my go-to list* with all of you!

1. Shake Shack - I cannot rave enough about this place. Go to Madison Square Park for the full experience, but if you want to get straight to the food they've opened up a number of other locations around town where you won't have to wait an hour. Their burgers use fresh quality ingredients and is really the best tasting burger. (Yes, I think it's better than In N Out!) Make sure to get a concrete as well, it's a mix of their frozen custard and seasonal toppings. If I could eat here every day, I would!

2. Minetta Tavern - Make a reservation or get there early and sit at the bar. Order a Tom Collins and the Bone Marrow and you're off to a great start to your night! One of my favorite and tastiest restaurants around town!

3. Momofuku Milk Bar - Three words: Blueberry & Cream Cookie! You really can't go wrong with anything at the Milk Bar. I like Momofuku as much as the next person, but the Milk Bar is what I dream about back home in California. If anyone wants to mail me a box of Blueberry & Cream and Cornflake cookies, I'd be so grateful!

4. Baohaus - I just can't get enough of their baos! The Chairman Bao stays true to the Taiwanese classic, and the others are so playful and inventive, and most importantly delicious! I always make a point to stop by their shop when I'm in town.

5. Laudree - A little taste of Paris available in New York! You can't get a better tasting macaron out there. My only regret is not having time to make it up the to the Upper East Side during my last trip to get a box! Pistachio is my personal favorite flavor.

Where are your must eat places in New York?

*This isn't my best culinary eats list, but my frequent eats list.

Scenes from Coachella

I just got back from Coachella and I'm about to get on a flight straight to Taiwan but I wanted to share some photos from my weekend in the desert. As a music industry veteran I was fortunate enough to have a guest pass that let me get the best view in the house for all the bands I wanted to check out.

Left: I'm always lucky enough to stay with my friend who has a wonderful house in the desert.

Right: Beautiful day at the festival! I've actually never been on that ferris wheel, even though I've been to the festival many times.

Left: One of my favorite acts of the weekend, Destroyer's music is always so beautiful. 

Right: The gorgeous and talented Laura Marling, I've been waiting for a long time to see her live.

Left: Los Angeles band Dawes has been a favorite of mine for quite some time.

Right: Andrew Bird has one of the most magical and creative sets! He was perfect at the Outdoor Stage.

Left: One of the sets I was most impressed with was Bon Iver!

Right: One of the many art pieces sprinkled out throughout the festival grounds.

I didn't get photos of some of my favorite acts of the weekend including Jeff Mangum and Mazzy Star. There was so much more to the weekend than these quick snapshots but this is all I have time to share for now!

Is anyone going Weekend 2? Who are you looking forward to see?

Snap Goes the Dragon

My go to shoe lately has been the black Snapdragon heels. I've been wearing them with just about everything these days. I paired them with a super casual outfit for work, and then a simple black dress to meet up with some friends. I love that I can wear these shoes with just about any outfit, and the braided ankle strap is something new and unexpected. Definitely the perfect day to night shoe.

Eating in Los Angeles

My post is a day late, but just in time for the weekend! One of my favorite things to do in Los Angeles is to go out to eat. There are tons of great restaurants in the city, and here are five that I love to frequent!

The interior of A-Frame, the food is family style and the seating is communal!

1. A-Frame - This is my go-to place for dinner with my friends. The plates are meant to be shared family style, and pretty much everything on the menu is great. Also, make sure to save room for dessert because you'll want try their Banana Bacon Cream Pie!

2. Picca - I never tried Peruvian food until I moved to Los Angeles, and I've been hooked ever since! This is my new favorite Peruvian restaurant, with a slight Japanese influence. They also have a lounge upstairs, so if the restaurant is crowded you can asked to be seated upstairs where you can order from the full menu and have an eagle eye view of the dining room.

3. BLD - Best brunch in town! There is always a wait on the weekend, so be sure to go early. But if you are like me, and need a snack to tie you over after you've put your name down, take a walk over to Milk a couple blocks away for a pre-brunch treat.

4. Waterloo & City - This is my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. Located next to A-Frame, this British Gastropub serves comfort food and delicious cocktails. In my opinion, it's the perfect meal. (They also have a killer prices during happy hour and late night.)

5. Spice Table - If you are an adventurous eater, I'd suggest Spice Table located in Downtown/Little Tokyo. This place is influenced by the traditional cuisines of Singapore and Vietnam, and the menu includes curries, satays of all sorts, headcheese and other more exotic eats.