Be It Ever So Humble...

A recent bit of travel has made me appreciate a few simple (but somewhat notable) things I come across during a regular workday:

6:15 a.m.: My Nespresso Machine (before a Starbucks Chai).

7:00 a.m.: My bathroom setup.  Davines Delicate Hand Wash (I said simple and yes, there is a difference), Marc Jacobs Lola perfume, Anthropologie Mercury Square Trinket Box holding a variety of small earrings, West Elm Stacked Apothecary Jars, Anthropologie Homegrown Initial Mug.

 

8:30 a.m.: Office art.

8:31 a.m.: The view from my office, even with the smog.  Downtown Los Angeles. 

7:30 p.m.: Work-related but casual dinners.  Aqua Blazer, Final Touch Open Back Top, Seven Roxanne Jeans, Kate Spade Envelope Work Bag, Gucci Flats.

7:45 p.m.: Valet service at most restaurants, and dinner at Hatfield's which has an open kitchen and is unlike most LA restaurants simply for its spacious dining area where you can appreciate not hearing the conversation at the next table (I'm looking at you, Mr. Chow - please apologize to the older woman next to me for almost sitting on her rice as I scooted out of my seat).  Frisee and Smoked Trout Salad, "Croque Madame," Date and Mint Crusted Lamb, Darjeeling Tea.  

11:00 p.m.: Changing into pajamas and catching up on all of my magazines.  Juicy Couture Velour Sweats.  New York Times Style Magazine.

The Year of 30

Last year, I feared the idea of leaving my twenties and went down a dangerous path of trying to recreate them - until I realized two things: (1) the only thing worse than your twenties is trying relive them; and (2) 30 is the new 20 (with more direction, money, peace and technology, all of which are good). 

This year (and three 30th birthday soirees in the past two weeks later), I realize that the year of 30 will bring more than usual theme parties, weekend vacations, bottle service, and dinner parties - again, all of which are good.  So, here is to welcoming it all, even if it comes with some truth to a random, ever so classy 22 year-old LA  guy's recent (uninvited) comment, "daaaamn, you're old." 

Last year's response: "Damn!"  This year's response: "Damn straight."

A notable birthday party:
                           

The shoes that came out for the occasion.  Christian Louboutin Helmour Pumps (Glitter Multicolor).   

  

                   

Dessert/candy station. Rented dealers with craps, roulette and blackjack tables.  Two wins.

                               

The morning after - Weho restaurant Salt's Cure.  No egg white omelette, Angelenos.  Potted pork.  Pickle Plate.  Biscuits and Jam.  Smoked Salmon and Toast. 

Lounging in LaLa Land

Over the past decade, I have consistently threatened to move to NY (welcoming the idea of being surrounded by other dry, cynical city lovers).  More recently, however, my bluff has been called on a couple of fronts - from a job offer in New York that I turned down to a New Yorker friend (by way of New Jersey - think Justice Alito, not Jersey Shore) simply calling me out.  It is on these occasions that I recognize that my love/hate relationship with LA leans more toward love - especially when it is 85 degrees in March. 

Notable reasons for loving/hating LA this past weekend:

Going to my favorite bakery Susina (where I can park directly out front in between two Range Rovers).

Brunching at Kokomo (where I had a decent tofu scramble, conspicuously absent from NY brunch menus, with a large chai served by a struggling actor, and where they film the current 90210).  Tory Burch sunglasses, James Perse dress, Tory Burch necklace, Jennifer Zeuner necklace, Green Malachite bracelet with rough diamond by Kimora Lee Simmons in support of the Diamond Empowerment Fund. 

Attending an amazing 30th birthday dinner at BLT Steak (and listening to people name drop).  French Connection dress, Aqua blazer, Michael Kors black pumps, Be&D bag.

Enjoying the famous "Popovers" - soft, fluffly, delicious bread - at BLT Steak (and immediately feeling guilty for doing so).

NYC with the BFF (Part 2)

Notable highlights not captured in photos before and after paying homage to J. Lo On the 6 train:

Brunch at Dutch. Cornmeal Flapjacks.  Fried eggs, hominy grits, chorizo, guajullo salsa.  Necessary.

Lunch at Eataly (beer garden).  Best sausage I've had.  Overall, just an amazing and successful endeavor by Mario Batali.

Dinner at Ippudo.  Good ramen.  Better pork buns.  Get here two hours before you want to actually eat and go with good company because you may run out of things to talk about.

Shopping.  Alexander Wang.  Opening Ceremony.  Derek Lam. 

Chai.  Delicious non-Starbucks chai.  NYC's JOE.  Excellent. 

NYC Weekend with the BFF (Part 1)

The BFF and I make it a point to see each other every few months despite living across the country from each other so naturally, the Mondrian in Soho for a weekend trip was necessary.  Yes, necessary.  

Notable highlights from the itinerary captured in photos:

Walk through the Mondrian entrance to a hotel wrapped in various hues of blue.  Banana Republic booties.  Citizens of Humanity jeans.  Kenna-T leather jacket.  Standard James Perse wifebeater layered with Fluxus tee.  Botkier bag.  J. Crew hat.  Tory Burch necklace.

Enjoy view.   

Enjoy view from shower while using Malin + Goetz product.

Visit newly married friends on upper westside.  I've decided that their apartment is more worthy of pictures than where we headed after (though a classic) - Balthazar.  Everyone has seen Balthazar, but not everyone has seen this beautifully styled (and huge for NYC) apartment.  Two things I loved: (1) mixture of frames; and (2) framed art on a rustic stool.

Approach Met and prepare to battle the crowd. 

Check out Modern and Contemporary Art and Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia Galleries.  Photo of "Spectrum V" by Ellsworth Kelly.  

Take a picture in lobby.  Alter it using Instagram.  Head to dinner at WD-50.  Juicy Couture skinny corduroys.  Vintage silk top.  Kenneth Cole leather jacket.  Gunmetal shoes. 

Brunch at Imperial No. 9 in the hotel.  Food was okay.  Decor was breathtaking.  

Say goodbye to the BFF as she heads back to DC.  Sigh.