four carats

...let's go to the beach, each, let's go get away...

2012-04-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

{Kate Spade Outlet bag, pouch, J.Crew outlet Tunic, Voda swimsuit}

Soooo ready for summer! Haven't been outlet shopping in forever, but picked up these Kate Spade and J.Crew goodies from Seattle Premium Outlets while visiting my sister a few weeks ago.

...and yes, I quoted a Nicki Minaj song.

hello beautiful

2011-12-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

I have no words, just love.

{Christian Louboutin Python New Declics}

Birthday Boy

2011-12-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

{Poki then...}

{Poki now!}

Happy Birthday to my three year old Poki!

I Heart Greek Yogurt

2011-12-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

Yet another reason I love Greek yogurt....

{Pasta with Zucchini, Tomatoes and Creamy Lemon-Yogurt Sauce}

I tried a new pasta recipe found via Pinterest last night... and it was absolutely delish! It was probably not quite as healthy after piling on the shredded parmesan... but healthy enough. I know Greek yogurt sauce sounds strange, but I promise, its creamy&cheesy and not at all tart.

The Weekend Is Finally Upon Us

2011-12-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

{Chanel Flap, Vince Skirt, Miu Miu Pumps}

Wishes & Dreams

2011-11-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

charmed kingdom
sammies random
ewlicious

I drink to that

2011-11-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving

elizabeth anne designs

I'm thankful for...

2011-11-23T11:05:00.000-08:00

... our wonderful friend t.lynn who is coming to visit this weekend!

Can't wait to spend the long weekend with friends and lots of food, wine, Christmas music, crafts, and shopping.

Black Friday Wishlist

2011-11-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

1. Faux Fur - Express - (Minus the) Fur Vest

2. Luxe Pants - Gap - Stretch Velvet Always Skinny Jeans

3. Accessories for my future new toy, only a few more days till my contract is up on my ancient bb! - J.Crew - Glitter iphone Case

4. Leopard Accessories - Stuart Weitzman - Leopard Print Calf Hair Pump

5. I need a new camera - Canon - S95

Peace, Love, & Chocolate

2011-11-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

Vosges

Collezione Italiana

Rooster
"Arresting in its visual shape & draped in bittersweet chocolate, the interior houses a combination of Italian Taleggio cheese, organic walnuts, Tahitian vanilla beans & bittersweet, dark chocolate."

Balsamico
"12-year aged balsamic vinegar from Modena blushes with dark chocolate & roasted Sicilian hazelnuts."

Olio D'Oliva
"Extra virgin olive oil drips into white chocolate topped with dried Kalamata olives."

Polline Di Finnocchio
"Wild Tuscan fennel pollen grows prevalently among the hills near Siena & Firenze. This delicate, chartreuse green pollen is so light that the slightest gale will set it in flight, making it difficult to college & thus extremely pricey. However, this catch is worth every effort, for its delicate flavor explodes into great lengths as it combines with dark chocolate. The finish leaves a green, floral anise that lingers on & on."

Sale Del Mare
"Sicilian sea salt is added to our burnt sugar caramel & then set juxtaposing a sweet milk chocolate ganache. Finished with a mark of a pine nut, this truffle is a beautiful balance of salt to sweet."

i love multi-glitter!

2011-11-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

Deborah Lippmann's Happy Birthday nail polish

Christian Louboutin multi-glitter Ron Rons

Kate Spade Sparkler Missy clutch

Juicy Couture Glitter Jelly iPhone cover

Theory Nottin - Burning Glitter Blouse

Anya Hindmarch Valorie Multi-Glitter Clutch

Steven by Steve Madden Madee Slip-On

Kate Spade Carolina pump

I found myself in Wonderland

2011-11-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Wonderland
photographed by Shawn McDonnell
for Fabulous Mag (UK)

sassi sam

my iPhone camera roll

2011-11-09T09:08:00.000-08:00

{morning crack}

{NHRA drag races: not quite suitable for girls like me}

{First time visiting the Grand Canyon}

{Grand Canyon Skywalk: scariest experience of my life}

{Postrio @ the Venetian: truffle potato chips with blue cheese}

{Palazzo autumn decor inspiration is wine harvest}

{prioritizing on my 2nd serving @ the M Resort buffet}

{my dessert plate @ the buffet: chocolate chip cookie, Coconut meringue, and mint chocolate gelato!}

{Bouchon Bakery goodies!}

{$20 worth of McDonald's breakfast}

{home-made chicken tacos}

{Mandy's Prosciutto, Date, and Thyme pizza-- YUMMMM!}

{Rachel brought Nothing Bundt Cakes-- my new dessert obsession}

{I've fallen in love...}

i want one...

2011-11-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

{via pinterest}

She can keep a secret

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

[Oh girl, the stories they could tell]

[Elina]

hey lauren
tonyroma45

treats-no-tricks

2011-11-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

This is how I celebrate Halloween weekend... no costumes or crazy parties, but definitely filled with lots of goodies.

{Bouchon Bakery Macarons}

{homemade sushi}

{Better Than Crack Brownies - recipe by How Sweet It Is}

{Goat Cheese & Summer Black Truffle Pizza - Cecceoni's West Hollywood}

I remember Halloween

2011-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween
at the 2011 Tompkins Square Dog Costume Contest

[miniature husky as a butterfly]

[shiba inu as a bumble bee]

[pomeranian as lady gaga]

[french bulldogs as dogzillas]

[dachshund as a football player]

my Missoni

2011-10-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

{Missoni for Target pouf}

I think I ordered my pouf a good week or two after the Missoni craziness. It was never sold out and I think it's still available on the Target website. I can see why no one ordered it-- the photos on the Target website make it look small and cheapy, but in person the size of the pouf is pretty substantial, the shape is quite unique for a pouf, and the material is much better quality than I expected. I couldn't be happier with my $99 Missoni pouf! Not to mention the aqua and white color combo is exactly what I was looking for for my living room. I would seriously buy one in every color if I had a use for them...

iDone it...

2011-10-19T04:00:00.000-07:00

... and iLove it!

comfy knits + statement bottoms

2011-10-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

All the cool people are doing it. I think I should, too.

{J.Crew}

{Zara}

Fall Favorites

2011-10-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

While on the calendar it is officially fall, the weather here in socal has taken a u-turn back to summer. With temperatures nearing the 90s this week, most people are basking in the last warm days of the year. But I'm secretly wishing for crisp cool days where I can enjoy all my fall favorites: scarves, comfy knits and pumpkin flavored everything.

1. Starbucks - Pumpkin Spiced Latte

2. F21 - Knitted Colorblock Sweater
3. Piperlime - Mia Tracey
4. Deborah Lippmann - Single Ladies
5. Zara - Two-Tone Leopard Print Scarf
6. J.Crew - Heather Carbon Tights

Happy Birthday

2011-10-06T10:57:00.000-07:00

{Deborah Lippmann's Fashion + Happy Birthday}

Wine Gallery

2011-10-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

{fresh burrata, proscuitto di san danielle, roasted red peppers, baby arugula,

toast points, finished with a touch of balsamic reduction}

I really need to make it a point to come to the Wine Gallery more often. The wine selection is great for such a small place, and their list of California wines, something I'm at least a little familiar with, is even better. The service is always good (as with most places in Corona del Mar), and surprisingly, the food is AWESOME.

This was my first time trying the Cade Napa Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, which is a Bordeaux style Cabernet Sauvignon and it was delish. It really is my kind of wine - fruity, full bodied, smooth, long, finish. YUM! I had never heard of Cade Winery, but apparently it is Napa Valley's first organically farmed, LEED Gold Certified Winery. Seems like it might be an interesting winery worth visiting next time I'm in Napa, which I hope is sometime very soon (I swear Napa is like Disneyland-- no matter how many times you go, there are always a million more places you still have yet to experience)!

{crostini toast points topped with roasted shiitake mushrooms &

goat cheese over a brush of truffle oil}

{beef sliders topped with vermont cheddar & white truffle ketchup}

ABC's Happy Endings

2011-09-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

{ ABC's Happy Endings, WEDNESDAYS 9:30|8:30c}

I'm so excited that one of my new favorite shows, Happy Endings got picked up for another season. I want to promote this show to as many people as I can because I love it and would be sad if it got canceled. Think "Friends"-ish but a little more weird and random, and less politically correct. To me, the dialogue is similar to Cougar Town and Scrubs, with quick witty jokes every 20 seconds, keeping me constantly entertained. The editing perfectly accentuates the comedic timing, and the actors in the show are all great by themselves and it's really difficult to choose a favorite. The writers are clever and creative, even though it's basically the same premise as Friends, keeping every episode pretty fresh.

One of my favorite scenes is the one embedded above. Penny (the goofy, crazy, "Phoebe"-esque character) is forever single, and just met a guy she's interested in, but he's a "hipster" so Max is teaching her how to fit in with his friends.

I don't know if anyone else will find this funny, but I couldn't stop laughing at this clip (if you watch the whole episode it's funnier, but this still cracks me up):

I also love Jane, who plays the anal, obsessive, control freak, "Monica" character, but better. I couldn't find any of my favorite scenes of her online but here's one:

I also found some reviews of the show from LA Times, NY Magazine, and this other website if you're interested in reading more about the show.

back to the islands... again

2011-09-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

{I always have to capture the amazing view when arriving}

{beautiful wedding at the fancy Halekulani Hotel}

{last bento on the plane ride home}