la vie en rose.

As some one who's response to everything hard to find is, "let me Google it", I was challenged this weekend over a dirty martini and a glass of red cab to physically locating an Edith Piaf vinyl album somewhere in L.A. instead of clicking the "buy-it-now" button that delivers the album right to my door.  It all came about as I was telling my husband how much I want to bring home a vintage record player to listen to some of my favorite classic music.  If I can find an Edith Piaf album, my husband will personally bring home the vintage record player (I'm up for the challenge!). I was planning to visit the flea market at Fairfax High yesterday to jump start my search but the rain got in the way and I was happy to lounge around the house instead.  For those of you in L.A., where would you go if you were looking for vintage vinyl albums?

Is it just me, or do some vinyl albums transport you to the time and place they were created as soon as you put the needle down?  I wouldn't mind spending some time in 1940's France with Edith, or in Johnny Cash's 1950's Tennessee.

recycled vintage blankets.

via anthropologie

We picked up a red/beige/orange version of this blanket from Anthropologie just before the holidays and I wish they were still carrying it because I would definitely get another. It's perfect for the days you finally accept that you're still sick and the heaping pile of laundry should wait for another day. Yesterday was definitely one of those days for me and while I was debating whether I should go to the market or call for take-out, I was curled up this comfy blanket perusing gilt and rue la la, hoping dinner would magically appear while I distracted myself with Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs.   It didn't happen quite that way, but I did receive a text from my husband saying he wasn't feeling well either and was coming home early.  Any thought of making dinner went out the window and it was decided that we we're ordering chicken tortilla soup, perfect.  Is it bad that I was secretly happy he wasn't feeling well either so we could indulge in soup, some quality time on the couch and I wouldn't have to make dinner? Luckily we're feeling much better today and I think I'm finally on the mend.  Fingers crossed, xx.

P.S. Look at this throw, isn't it lovely?

wedding gowns.

As much as I love the over-the-top fabulousness of Carrie's Vivienne Westwood gown, I'm even more in love with the gorgeous skirt and jacket ensemble Carrie paired with the blue Manolo Blahnik's for her afternoon city-hall wedding. Her outfit reminds me of the pretty yellow dress with tulips that I wore one early Friday morning in April when I married my best friend. I'd love to show you a picture, but in the midst of the day we completely forgot to take one.  Luckily I was able to find an old bookmark for the dress on Anthropologie and you can always check out more pictures from our second ceremony here.

via Anthropologie

I came home from work today remembering Sex and The City was waiting on my DVR, so I threw down my bag, hopped on the couch and hit play. The gorgeous Vivenne Westwood wedding gown Carrie wears in the movie always reminds me of her fabulous Parisian wardrobe from the series finale. Maybe it's the fact that I'm still reading Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes and I have Paris on my mind, but I have the sudden urge to slip into something tres chic, open my book to the pâtes aux petits pots, roquette, et fromage de chèvre recipe (pasta with fresh peas, arugula & goat cheese) and cook a fabulous dinner worthy of the first meal using the new pot and pan set we purchased over the weekend.  Want to dress like a fabulous French woman? Check out this interview with garance dore over at A Cup of JO. 

sealed with a kiss.

Cheap Monday

I came across these necklaces after catching up on The Daybook the last week. I love the edgier look of the Cheap Monday version but think I'm leaning towards this softer gold version from Anirtak on Etsy.  If you were leaving a note for some one special in a cute necklace like this, what would you say?

Anirtak - Secret Love Letters

meet me in paris.

I finally got my hands on a copy of Elizabeth Bard's "Lunch in Paris" and I haven't been able to put it down since it arrived on my doorstep.  I already have several recipes dog-eared and I'm not even halfway through the book, and I have big plans to create my own "student" charlotte this weekend.  If you don't hear from me for a few days, I may have run off to Paris because nothing sounds better than enjoying a forbidden pastry from a delightful little Parisian boulangerie.

oui, mon cherie.

Oui to watching horror flicks, pushing my buttons, tickling my feet, making me laugh and everything in between.  

What does this pretty ring from Dior make you want to say "oui" to?

hello, lover.

I've been lusting after these Christian Louboutin's with the pink chiffon cascade since the very first time Carrie laid eyes on them and declared, "hello, lover." If you ever find them in a US 7, you must let me know.

chicken soup.

You know when you wake up with a raspy voice and before you know it your whole body hurts and you can no long deny that you're sick? I had a long list of things to do this week, but since Wednesday the only thing I've managed to do is sleep through some of my favorite shows and very little at night.  It's supposed to reach a warm 80 degrees here in LA this weekend, and I'm hoping the warm weather will cure my chills and chase away my cough.  See you on Monday, xoxo.

paper-bag princess.

via the sartorialist

I bought a pair of similar paperbag pants from Anthropologie last month, but I've been having a hard time styling them given the chilly weather. I think I've found my inspiration!

boot crush.

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Five Buckled Boot

Do these boots look familiar?  A few weeks ago I wrote about their black, high heeled fraternal twin and shortly after that I fell in love with this version.  I was more than happy to have them for my birthday, and even happier that I was allowed to wear them a couple days early.  Today I threw them on for the two block walk to the nail salon since it was freezing outside (by L.A. standards), even though I inevitably had to walk home in a pair of flips (and that walk turned into a light jog by the time I reached our parking alley). What do you think, aren't they fun? 

la cocina.

I hope the dear friend who gave me this adorable apron and fun measuring cups for my birthday knows this means she's going to spend a lot more time in the kitchen with me this year!  What would you like to make first?

new year, new job.

Remember all that good news I was telling you about last month? Well, today I officially begin my new job (in the same field) and I couldn't be more excited.  Things I'll definitely miss about my old job? All the great kids (like the one who drew this picture for me) and the cute things they said on my last day (like the one who kissed my cheek and informed me that I was to never wash that cheek, ever again). 

mt. wilson: after the rain.

 

I couldn't wait until Monday to share these pictures with you and tell you that you must go to Mt. Wilson as soon as you can.  We went off the beaten path, climbed into old kiln and hopped across a few rocks to the other side of the creek.  You might want to bring waterproof hiking boots so your socks don't meet the same fate as mine after I misjudged how deep (and cold) the water was when jumping from rock to rock. It's so beautiful after the rain.  Enjoy, xoxo.

happy birthday, mom :)

I hope you laugh/smile/giggle as much today as you did in this picture ... xoxo

Welcome to ...

The Twilight Zone .... My favorite episode so far? The Monster's are Due on Maple Street.

in 2011: join a bike club.

... and race in the Brentwood Grand Prix.  This picture was taken shortly after I wiped out and flew (in slow motion) into a guardrail during our ride and fell on my right side.  I said I wasn't hurt, but I was in pain for weeks.  Let's hope 26 is a crash (and ego-bruising) free year!

in 2011: more hitchcock.

Starting with Rebecca, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and To Catch a Thief.  

encyclopedia of the exquisite.

Another new book crush that covers everything from frilly lingerie to red lipstick.

a love story.

I was flipping through this book at Anthropologie and left convinced that I had to go home make every single one of the recipes inside.  I'm definitely going to bring this book home, but first I wanted to check and see if I could find it from one of the independent bookstores that sell through Amazon.

olliebollen.

This year I made olliebollen on New Year's Eve, a dutch "doughnut" I grew up with and loved as a child.   I followed this recipe and for the additional gluten free version I made (in the blue bowl), I substituted flour with 1 3/4 cups of Bisquick's gluten free baking mix and followed the rest of the recipe as it is.  

BTW, if you haven't already tried Bisquick's GF mix, I highly recommend it!