auld lang syne.

A toast for old times sake.  To remembering both new and long standing friendships and for all the things that have transpired over the past 365 days.

two thousand eleven.

via the huffington post

This year I'm looking forward to making dinner, curling up next to my husband and ringing in 2011 with a bottle of Cakebread, fresh olliebollen and maybe a movie or two.  Whatever your plans, I wish you a wonderful night and a 2011 full of reflection, growth and everything you hope for. May the food be better, the wine pour freely and your conversations be joyous and full of laughter!

What are some of your hopes for the new year?

twenty six candles.

As a kid I was always on hand to help blow out birthday candles, especially if those candles were attached to a chocolate cake.  I was looking through old family pictures recently and there are plenty of pictures of me blowing candles out (like this one of my mom and I), but I'm in serious doubt that any of those cakes were ever mine.Today is my birthday so hopefully I'll be blowing out my own candles later tonight, unless karma comes for me this year and my five year old self plows through the crowd to blow them out first. If she does, I hope she wishes for a fantastic year full of great family and friends, great food and of course lots of chocolate!

babycakes.

Last week we ventured out to Babycakes in Downtown LA where my Dad and I stocked up on some gluten free goodies for the holidays. I picked out all the delicious treats I have a hard time recreating at home (doughnuts and red velvet cupcakes) and I can't tell you enough how much they taste like their gluten-filled friends.  I especially loved the adorable seating section they had set up outside, if it hadn't been raining that day I don't think I could have resisted sitting down and enjoying one of my delicious treats right then and there. If you live in LA and are looking for a fabulous gluten free bakery, head over to Babycakes (check out their website here). 

pizza pizza.

If you're in Canada this holiday season, please enjoy an extra slice of gluten free pepperoni from Pizza Pizza for me (and remember to use a lot of the garlic dipping sauce).

marc jacobs tweets.

Marc Jacobs Salome Bag

When Marc Jacobs and Robert Duffy tweet during Fashion Week, I am addicted to my twitter account.  They are hilarious, and they have the best giveaways (like this completely outrageous but i-want-it-now Salome Bag).  

home sweet home.

Marc by Marc Jacobs High Heel Buckle Mid Calf Boot

How fun are these boots? I can't help it, I lust after other designers but I always come home to Marc.  

rainy day blues.

We haven't seen the sun since late last week and I've definitely been feeling the rainy day blues. So yesterday I slipped into my brightest rain boots, put on my yellow jacket and we headed out for a day under the dreary LA sky. Luckily the sun is peeking out from behind the clouds today, so before we start our tamale making assembly line later this afternoon I'm going to toss the umbrella aside and head out for a walk.    xoxo... naat.

birthday wishes.

My birthday is next Wednesday and all I want to do is head to a theatre in LA that's playing Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca. It's absolutely, without a doubt my favorite movie and I can't wait to see it on the big screen.  

can-american.

Like I mentioned in this post, there's been a lot of good, life changing events happening around our house lately.  One of those life changing events came in the form of 2 tiny but very important immigration papers that arrived a couple of weeks ago.  Let me tell you a little secret friends, those american channels that inundated my Canadian TV set as a child and made me feel like an honorable American were deceiving. It's not easy to immigrate to another country even if you speak the same language and try to impress the immigration officer with your knowledge of lovable 90's American sitcoms (hello, Full House). Remind me to share a few of the most memorable "cultural shock" experiences I've had since I impulsively hopped into a car as a wide eyed and naive 20 year old and drove out to California.

the great alexander mcqueen.

I spotted this Alexander McQueen scarf at Bloomingdale's this week and immediately had the urge to twirl around like a princess as soon as I draped it around my shoulders.  I have to say, it was love at first sight and this silky number is now at the top of my Christmas wish list (in multiple colours).

rain drops.

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Save the Birds

The forecast is calling for rain today and I have my fingers and toes crossed that it holds off, because my poor umbrella (seen here) can't handle another windy, rainy day in LA.  This Marc by Marc has the splash of color I desperately need when it's dreary outside and Miss Marc's pigtails remind me that at least my hair doesn't look that bad on the worst of rainy days.

meet alexandra.

Yesterday I woke up before my alarm, had my lunch ready and even had extra time to  hold my morning coffee and catch up on news and my favorite blogs (like Oh Me, Oh My and Cupcakes & Cashmere).  Just as I was pulling up to work, I had a client cancellation and suddenly I found myself with an unexpected day off and nothing to do (a weird feeling after a hectic two weeks).  I wasn't sure how to feel about this since I was so unusually prepared for a Monday, but I guess it was meant to be since I came home and happened to come across these sunglasses on Rue La La that I would have missed if I had been at work.  Not only are they fabulous Tom Ford's, but they're the exact pair I've been trying to find for almost 3 years.  Luckily I was able to scoop them up and they should arrive just in time for my birthday!

p.s. i miss you.

via Beyond Boston Chic

I know I haven't been writing very much lately, it's been a hectic couple of weeks around our house and I've been craving some serious time with this little blog.  We've had a lot to celebrate (as I mentioned here) and I can't wait to share some of those things with you over the next couple of days! Until then, I miss you lots.  xoxo... natasha.

P.S. Check back tomorrow, because I can't wait to share what I found on Rue La La.

tuxedo jackets.

I love that both of these blazers are longer than most of the blazers in my closet, but I'm not sure I need yet another dark jacket in my collection. The J.Crew Blazer is $228.00 (you can find it here) while the Zara version is a more modest $60.00 (here).

Would you splurge?

conquered.

In my senior year of high school I managed to talk my parents into letting me take a part time job at a recently opened gym.  This meant as many spin classes as my heart desired and my legs could take. Unfortunately, it also meant being familiar with all of the other fitness classes, and that included step aerobics.  I dreaded that class more than anything and I did everything to avoid it until I was forced to take it. Begrudgingly I forwent a spin class, walked through those intimidating glass doors, set up my steps and hoped it wasn't obvious I had no idea what I was doing.  The first few minutes were great and I started feeling the tiniest bit of confidence creeping up until I went to step off the step in a particularly difficult sequence and plop, I fell flat on my behind.  Completely embarrassed, I managed to make it through the rest of the class and bolted straight home afterwards. I want to tell you it was the middle of winter, that I ran out of the gym in my shorts and tank top, that it was immediately after an ice storm and there was no way I could actually "bolt" home in that kind of weather, but it would be purely for effect, since I can't remember what time of year it was.  But we'll say it was winter anyway.  I  avoided high impact aerobic classes for years until yesterday when I made it through my first high impact aerobics class in almost 10 years.  I punched and kicked until my arms felt like jello and my legs were this close to colliding with one another. I might have left as the class began to warm down, but my parking validation was going to run out and I still wanted to do some ab work before I left, so I felt it was justified.   Even if my punches were wimpy and my kicks weren't as high as the instructors it felt good to stay in the class longer than 10 minutes. Maybe next I'll work on my fear of balloons (yes, I know ... you don't have to say anything.)

I promise you I'm not as healthy as it might appear, I promptly went home and consumed a giant piece of milk chocolate from my Laura Secord advent calender (and it was not the last piece of chocolate I enjoyed yesterday).

glitter. gold. sequins.

via anthropologie

I am absolutely loving this blazer I picked up from Anthropologie this past weekend. Since I have a lot to be celebrating lately, I have big plans to include this jacket in the many, many celebrations.  It goes well with amaretto on the rocks, don't you think?

shop my closet.

Welcome to my closet!  All inseams are 32 inches and these items come from a smoke free home. Shipping is $8.99 per item for Priority USPS (will combine shipping for multiple items). E-Mail me at naatdlopez@gmail.com if you're interested in any of these items from my closet.

 

J. Brand Bootcut Jeans (Anthropologie spring/summer 2010)

Size 26 

Never Worn 

(I bought these at the same time as my first few pairs of skinny jeans and never went back to bootcut)

Price: $100.00

 

J. Crew City Fit Straight Leg Corduroy (J.Crew 2008)

Size 27R

Price: $25.00

 

J. Crew City Cut Corduroy Bootcut (J. Crew 2008)

Size 27R

Price: $25.00

 

Paper Demin Cloth Cropped Jean (2008)

Size 27

Price: $20.00

 

J. Crew Bootcut Corduroy (J. Crew 2008)

Size 2R

Price: $15.00

 

Adriano Goldschmeid Angel Bootcut Jean (2008)

Size 27

Price: $20.00

 

Gap Wide Leg Jean (Gap 2008)

Size 2

Price: $10.00

i wish it was christmas today (in the good old u.s of a).

I hope you're as excited as I am that it's finally December! 

all i want for christmas is...

                     

(bow & arrow buttonblossom dress)

(elevenses ruffled plume dress)

(bow & arrow yellow canary dress)

... these three items, laying in a large anthropologie box, wrapped with one of anthro's quirky holiday ribbons.  Both of these dresses sold out in my size before I could get my hands on them, and I fell in love with this coat after watching Amanda Seyfried in Chloe last year.  I've been searching for these three things for almost two years, so if you come across any of these items in a 0, I will bake your favorite dessert every month for a year. Seriously.

i don't like mondays.

(eating under the empire state building)

I woke up this morning hoping I had a few minutes to ease into the day before the mad dash to work.  Just my luck it was 6:05 and I slept through my first alarm, but even that wasn't enough to stop me from hitting snooze twice before finally getting out of bed.  I made time for my morning coffee, my favorite blog, packed a couple of banana chocolate chip muffins and headed out the door. Here are a few of the things from our vacation last week that got me through another Monday.  

(homemade banana chocolate chip muffins)

(empty beaches post Thanksgiving morning spin class)

(newly painted walls)

(return to oz and f.a.q. at the aero)

Does your Monday need a pick me up? Check out I Don't Like Mondays, a super cute online boutique that always makes my day better (and how can it not with colorful tights like these ... would you wear them?)

boots & bubbles.

How adorable is this mini-fashionista?

(Image by Stockholm Street Style via A Cup of Jo)

happy thanksgiving.

via cake pop lady

During the holidays I inevitably find myself sitting at a table when the "what are you thankful for" conversation begins.  This is one of the worst possible situations I can ever find myself in, because in the midst of all the very serious and sentimental things people are thankful for, I  get to urge to blurt out the silliest thing I can think of (like socks without holes). For those of you who spend many holidays with me and now know what I'm really thinking when we're gathered around the table, I hope you understand I truly do enjoy hearing the wonderful things you're thankful for and I'm truly thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful people during the holidays. But, if you happen to look down and notice my socks, just know how truly and deeply thankful I also am that they don't have holes in them.

Some of the things I'm thankful for so far this holiday season include

1. Bisquick gluten free baking mix
2. My husband, who gets out of bed before me and makes coffee 
3. Nom-Nom tacos
4. Our new "perpetual green" living room wall
5. Sunny California Christmases 
6. ...and my parents who are flying out to enjoy it with us
7. Reese peanut butter cups, Hershey kisses and creme brulee
8. Owl-printed aprons
9. Paper plate family members that step in when we can't all be together

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving weekend full of everything that brings cheer to your smile, makes your toes tingle and your heart sing.

very vintage, very lovely.

Yesterday we stopped by the new Bookmarc on Melrose hoping to find striped fingerless gloves (most of the accessories have been moved over here from the Marc by Marc store across the street).  They didn't have the gloves this time, but the new store carries a quirky selection of books you probably won't find at your neighbourhood Barnes & Noble.  In the midst of a very entertaining book about bottoms and a cheeky guide to manners was this treasure, Very Vintage. Instantly a favorite (thanks to the gorgeous photos and detailed patterns), I hope to find this book under the tree on Christmas morning.  I have to admit, I might not be able to wait that long so this book might come home with me the next time I visit Bookmarc.

lanvin for h&m.

Before heading to my local H&M store this weekend (which by the way, I was informed sold out of this line by 11am), I was already on e-bay flipping through all the listings that were up within an hour of the east coast release. I slowly felt my Lanvin for H&M excitement disappear when I saw the insane mark-ups on the merchandise.

H&M, I love your designer collaborations, but if my only hope of finding anything from the collection is on E-Bay (like the dress that was selling for $199 at your store but now sells for $549 on E-Bay), I'd much rather go to Neiman's and spend a little more for the softer fabrics and better tailoring.  Please don't become the go-to supplier for the opportunistic e-bay seller , it takes away from all the great things you have going for you!

catching my breath.

I lingered in bed longer than usual for a Monday morning after waking up in a brief panic at 6:05 when I thought I missed my alarm. Remembering we have the entire week off, I laid back on my pillow, curled up in the blankets and smiled at all the things I can do this week just because I want to.  

Some of the things that made me smile:

• Painting the final wall in our living room after finding inspiration during a trip to Lula's last week
• Sunrise spin class on Thanksgiving
• Holding lots of coffee
• Buying a new pair of MJ fingerless gloves (perfect for holding coffee)
• Hip Hop classes at the gym
• Man Shops Globe marathons
• Letting my pesky alarm sit in silence
• The smell of turkey in the oven
• Lanvin for H&M (more on this frustration later)

I've been known to literally jump out of bed in the morning and make a mad dash to the shower while wishing horrible things upon my alarm clock. In my sleepy daze it usually takes me until mid-shampoo to realize I'm either on vacation, or it's a Saturday (trust me, this happens more than I'd like to admit).  So even if I do absolutely nothing from this list, it reminds me that I can linger in bed longer than usual and spend more time on the couch enjoying my morning coffee.

dear santa: diy inspiration.

If you haven't already visited Erica at P.S. I Made This, you should definitely head over there with a warm cup of coffee and plan to spend the afternoon admiring her DIY creativity.  My favorites so far; this pom pom purse, these vases and this very Moschino-esque safety pin tank that reminds me of my favorite Moschino hardware cuff.  After spending hours making mental notes of all the things I want to pull from her blog, I would love to curl up on the couch with a copy of P.S. I Made This - I See It, I Like It, I Make It and start a list of all the diy projects I've fallen in love with.

banana and avocado dip.

After recommendations from several friends, I took a slight detour on my way home from work recently and stopped by Atlacatl for homemade pupusas.  I couldn't help it and ordered a few "to go" before I left but still craving the plantains chips I resisted earlier in the meal, I picked up a plantain from the market so I could make homemade chips later that night.  I came across this banana and avocado dip from Martha Stewart (you can find the recipe here) and turned these simple ingredients into a fabulous dip that went perfect with the thinly sliced plantains.   

dear santa.

On my way to work this morning I noticed lush green wreaths and bold, colorful ornaments popping up on the lamp posts along Wilshire in Beverly Hills.  Let's just say the rest of my day was spent dreaming of all the things I would love to find under the tree this year.  Emmanuelle Alt's outfits are one of the main reasons I enjoy The Sartorialist so much, so Santa if you don't mind, I would love a white blazer like the one she's wearing here. 

love.

I love, love, love this outfit from The Sartorialist.  I would make this outfit my own by leaving the cigarette in its box and adding a bit of color, maybe in the form of the perfect yellow clutch I've been searching months for or the little splash of green heel on a marc by marc grey bootie.

read.

I was looking at my most recent library picks the other day and I started thinking, if we had (or have) never met and your only glimpse of me was this snapshot of a stack of books on my coffee table, what would my reading list reveal?  

What does the stack of books on your coffee table say about you?