Sprinkle Sprinkle

I recently learned that some find it gauche to have a full blown baby shower for anything but the first child.  So, instead of a shower, the Couture Confectioner and I threw a fall/nature-themed Sprinkle (i.e., lower key, request no gifts, classy affair) for our best 'soon-to-be-mom-to-another-baby' friend.

There were of course still:

French Macaroons (from the now confirmed LA favorite, La Provence).

Gourmet cupcakes (from Georgetown cupcakes, possibly the best).

Customized party favors (consisting of bird-nests made of chocolate dipped dried noodles filled with jelly beans and mama and baby bird cookie cutters.)

A themed diaper tower.  (Apparently, mothers need diapers. Who knew.)

And tons of hanging paper flower balls (official term lacking as I only know how to buy desserts, not decorate).

Sassy Tanks

On behalf of women everywhere (or at least the ones who eat), thank you fashion gods for the trend of loose, sassy tanks paired with fancy pants.  It's the least you can do given this whole crop top craze, which need I remind you has followed on the heels of bandage dresses (seriously?!).

Madison & Berkeley tank. Wayf pants. Halogen booties.  Louis Vuitton bag.  Jewelry: Michael Kors, Stella + Dot, Melody Ehsani.

Wake Me Up! (Top 5)

I love coffee shops.  Yep, there is a coffee shop for every occasion: when I need to work but want to pretend to be writing a novel or editing a script, when I want to drink a cup of coffee by myself in peace while people watching, when I am meeting friends, when I need a quick pick-me up before work, or when I want a specific type of latte and cannot focus on anything else until I get it.

No matter the occasion, I have searched high and low (okay, really the five mile radius around my apartment) for the perfect latte, which because it is me - changes daily.  Of course, this is when I am not drinking my four-pump, no water Chai from Starbucks!

Here are my top local spots (order varies only slightly depending on day): (1) Urth (obvious, I know); (2) Paper or Plastik; (3) Graffiti (best cookies ever); (4) Balconi Coffee Company (almond latte with pulverized almonds); and (5) Bricks & Scones (salted caramel latte).

Shout out to Susina (for white chocolate latte) and new and hopeful up and comer, Go Get 'Em Tiger. Oh, and best local black coffee in my opinion is Le Pain Quotidien (though Intelligentsia is a close second).

So Clutch

I am always on the lookout for a unique clutch.  This is the latest fave, by Antik Batik.

Antik Batik clutch. Velvet maxi dress. Jcrew chambray shirt. Goorin Bros. Mason Jackson hat.

An Unconventional BBQ

When invited to a BBQ, one often expects hot dogs, burgers, ribs, and any other form of meat available.  So, it was a pleasant and welcome surprise to attend a summer BBQ with none of the above but equally (or perhaps more) delicious food.  Both my aging/slowing metabolism and I appreciated it.

It was a BBQ where:

Apps = homemade rye bread with butter

Asking if I can help = picking fruit and veggies.

Grilling = cedar plank salmon on a bed of rock salt. 

Sides = shredded zucchini, spinach with pine nuts, beets, and cucumbers, all spiced perfectly.

LA tank from Notorious Boutique on Melrose. J Brand cutoffs. Jewelry: Jcrew, Melody Ehsani. Steve Madden booties.