Natalie's Menagerie

The Writer's Wedding

2013-05-16T23:18:00.002-07:00

Last Saturday, May 11, I married my best friend. Held at a charming home in picturesque Pacific Palisades, the intimate affair was attended by 45 of our closest friends and family. Although the whole thing seemed sudden, it's actually been a long time coming, given that Vlad and I have been together for nearly a decade. After being engaged for more than a year, I woke up one morning and decided that it was time to get this show on the road. With the help of my amazing dream team, I whipped up our wedding in two months.

The day was pure magic.

Vlad selected our sweet invitations, which were designed by Minted.com. Our wonderful friend Victoria Lara, who's an amazing photographer, took our official wedding portraits. (All photos here are by her, unless otherwise noted.)

Photo by Jesse Southern

When guests arrived, they were greeted by a timeline of photos from each year of our relationship. Vlad and I made these together using supplies from Paper Source. (Who knew I was the DIY type?)

I designed these shoes with an awesome Australian bespoke shoe service, Shoes of Prey. I wanted a shoe that was special enough to wear on the big day, but timeless enough to wear over and over again.

Crystal-and-pearl mani by celebrity artist Desiree Handly, aka Miss Handly. Take a closer look here.

Flower crown by my friends at Cult Gaia, who recently launched a bridal line. Makeup by Jamie Fisher of Blushington, haircut by Janine Jarman of Hairroin Salon and hairstyling by Marjorie Grissinger, one of my bridesmaids. (Fun fact: Marjorie and I have been best friends since we were 12 years old!)

Dress by For Love & Lemons and arm cuff by Vanessa Mooney. Major props to my girl Aimee Song for recommending FL&L immediately when I told her that I was on the hunt for a dress by a local designer. I wish I could wear this dress every day.

Photo by Jesse Southern

Fierce bridesmaid dresses by BCBGeneration. Necklaces custom-made by one of my bridesmaids, Jesse Southern of Rune Accoutrements.

How good is the back detailing on their dresses? I love the subtle silver shimmer, too.

This definitely helped calm the nerves.

Vlad's niece, also named Natalie, was our adorable flower girl.

My hero, my late grandmother Maria de la Rosa, was with us the entire time.

I walked down a white rose-covered spiral staircase to "Cherry Blossom Girl" by Air.

Photo by BJ

I was so proud of my dad for not complaining about wearing a suit in the scorching heat.

LOL

My dreamy bridal party, from left: Dina Darwish (maid of honor), Sara Paulsen, Dani Drasin, Jesse Southern, Jean Marie Jingco and Marjorie Grissinger.

Mommy!

My reception dress was also by For Love & Lemons. I surprised mom with a dance and selected "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain -- an instant tear-jerker.

Like a gift from Mother Nature (I'm a hippie now), the sun began to set just as our first dance ended. Our song is "Overjoyed" by Stevie Wonder.

xoxo

Inside Fred Segal's Alpinestars by Denise Focil Trunk Show

2013-04-30T19:44:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, I was invited to host a little trunk show for Alpinestars by Denise Focil and ASTARS at Fred Segal Girl in Santa Monica. A fun break from the observational journalist role that I normally play at parties, I spent the afternoon hanging with True Blood's Jessica Clark while trying on the LA-based designer's spring staples and getting my nails did by girls at NCLA.

Jessica and I sporting some AS by DF action.

What's a fashion party without some strawberries and champers?

VIP shoppers were treated to gift bags with purchase.

Some of the babes who made the day perfect.

Standout items from the collections included this knit top (which more child-sized self wore as a dress, of course), these tuxedo shorts, this cardigan and these 100% silk trousers. Yes, your all-black-everything girl was inspired to explore prints. Fun stuff.

(PS - two posts in one week is kind of a big deal, eh?)

Top 3: Growze on Larchmont

2013-04-27T09:20:00.004-07:00

Being a fashion editor, I find myself frequently visiting boutiques for research. If I really dig the place, the innocent work trip quickly turns into a personal retail therapy sesh, and suddenly I'm sifting through racks for potential closet conquests. (It all happens so fast!) To avoid feeling overwhelmed, I narrow down my choices to three items that I'm really feeling, eventually settling on one key piece. I'm debuting a new feature here to salute that process, starting with my Top 3 at Growze on Larchmont.

I first wrote about this Japanese-bred boutique here after attending the Taylor Jacobson-hosted grand opening. I like that they're always replenishing inventory with pieces that range from bold to basic, so every visit holds a new treat. Another bonus: it's on the same street as my go-to hippie eatery, Cafe Gratitude. This little white shorts suit in tweed has serious spring staple potential, no?

I also fell pretty hard for this graphic bomber jacket, which is definitely having a Prabal Gurung spring 2012 moment.

I eventually settled on this intense knit situation because I'm always looking for fancy tops to pair with my ever-growing plethora of dress shorts and miniskirts.

On another note, if you find yourself in Santa Monica today, swing by this shopping soiree that I'm hosting at Fred Segal with my friends at ASTARS and Alpinestars by Denise Focil. Free booze and manis, kids!

Shop My Closet, Y'all

2013-04-05T14:59:00.002-07:00

Please, please forgive me for not updating here. I'm in the midst of planning something very big, which I'll soon be revealing here. In the meantime, please come say hi tomorrow at the Blogger Bazaar. I'll be selling my closet castoffs with a few rad bloggers. Free manicures by NCLA and ice cold beer by Pabst Blue Ribbon. Hope to see you there!

Simply Stylist

2013-02-23T08:59:00.003-08:00

Proud to announce that I'll be speaking at this year's Simply Stylist LA seminar. On Saturday, March 23, swing by Siren Studios (6063 W Sunset Blvd) to catch chats with the likes of Whitney Port, Brad Goreski, Aimee Song, Louise Roe and yours truly. Panels will be moderately by our girl, Catt Sadler.

Get your tix here and leave a comment if you any beauty questions that you'd like me to address on the panel. See you there!

Recipes on Rotation

2013-01-20T09:15:00.004-08:00

Ever since I scored a Vitamix for Christmas, I've been cooking like crazy and have come to the realization that the majority of meals I enjoy involve some kind of blending. From pretty-hued smoothies to seriously addictive pates to no-fail pureed soups to dreamy dessert balls (heh), here are the recipes that are getting tons of play at the Casa de Alcala.

Beet-n-Berry Smoothie (adapted from Choosing Raw)

Not only is this smoothie ridiculously delicious, but the fantastic color reminds me of both Birchbox and my favorite luxury dessert shop in Paris, Fauchon.

Yields: 1 serving

1 medium beet, steamed, roasted, or raw (if you don't have a high-speed blender, use steamed or roasted)

1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries

1/2 cup fresh orange, sectioned

1 cup of almond milk

-If using raw beet, carefully peel beet and cut into squares.

-Blend all ingredients together.

Fresh Almond Milk (adapted from Kimberly Snyder)

This is a total game-changer. Homemade almond milk tastes way more rich, sweet and filling than the store-bought kind. You'll never turn back.

Yields: 7 cups

4 cups raw almonds (soaked overnight)

7 cups of filtered water

-Rinse the soaked almonds very well in a strainer.

-Place the soaked almonds and the filtered water in a blender and blend on high until smooth.

-Taking a nut milk bag (I use this one), pour the mixture through the cloth into a separate container.

-Squeeze all the liquid out of the cloth with your hands (this is the fun part!) and save the almond pulp for other recipes (like the one below!).

-Store the milk in a container with a lid in the fridge and use within 3-4 days.

Raw Cacao Truffles (adapted from Kimberly Snyder)

Here are the aforementioned dreamy dessert balls. This is the ideal way to get the most out of the almond pulp you have left over from making fresh almond milk. So insanely good.

Yields: 10-15 balls

3 cups of almond pulp

7 raw dates, pitted

3/4 cup raw cacao powder

1 Tbs. organic coconut oil

Pinch of Celtic sea salt

1 cup shredded, dried unsweetened coconut flakes

-Combine all the ingredients (except for the coconut flakes) in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.

-Take a small amount of the mixture and roll into golf-sized balls.

-Dip each ball in a separate smaller bowl containing the coconut flakes.

-Freeze overnight to harden the truffles.

Macadamia Nut & Sundried Tomato Pate (adapted from Kimberly Snyder)

I made this at my juice tasting party a few weeks ago and my girls gobbled it up. This is the recipe to make if you're entertaining guests or if you're looking for a quick dish to bring to a potluck or picnic.

Yields: 4 servings

1 cup of raw, unsalted macadamia nuts

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup sundried tomato, chopped

1/4 tsp Celtic or Himalayan sea salt

2 tbsp finely chopped parsley (I like Italian)

Black pepper to taste

-Soak macadamia nuts in water for two hours. Rinse.

-Place the macadamia nuts in a high-speed blender or food processor with the lemon juice, and blend well.

-Next add the chopped sundried tomato and sea salt, and blend again.

-Spoon the mixture into a bowl, and mix the chopped parsley throughout the whole mixture.

-Scoop mixture onto a salad for a quick lunch, or use it as a dip with jicama sticks (my fave).

Butternut Squash Soup (adapted from Local Foods)

My fiance loves this soup. It's perfect for dinner and holiday parties.

Yields: 2 servings

1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed (here's an easy how-to)

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 Tbs. raw coconut oil

3 garlic cloves

4 cups of vegetable broth

Pinch of Celtic sea salt to taste

-Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add coconut oil and chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about 3 minutes.

-Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

-Add the squash and the broth. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the squash is very tender, about 20 minutes.

-Transfer small batches to a high-speed blender and whirl until completely smooth.

-Return the soup to the pot and add salt to taste.

-Pour soup into a bowl and top with steamed kale for added color.

My Top 12 Beauty Finds of 2012

2012-12-29T12:28:00.005-08:00

2012 was a great year for beauty. Although I didn't jump on the false eyelashes, dip-dyed hair or talon manicure trends, I did experiment with tons of new products, and found a few personal game-changers in the process. With that said, here's a roundup of the top 12 makeup, hair and skincare finds that I'll be sticking with well into 2013. Enjoy!

1. Jouer Matte Moisture Tint in Chamomile ($38): Just when I thought that nothing could veer me away from Jouer's Luminizing Moisture Tint (a beauty dream team essential since March), this mattifying wonder completely converted me. I love it's velvety smooth, lightweight texture.

2. HIPPxRGB Nail Tint in T2 ($16): After searching high and low for the ideal nude nail polish, I came across this brill collab from celeb makeup artist Jenna Hipp and eco-friendly brand RGB. Add a layer of silver flecks on top for a disco alien effect, as seen here.

3. NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in Fire Down Below ($24): Sometimes channeling '90s Drew Barrymore is necessary. This deep blood red hue helps me get there.

4. SkinCeuticals Serum 20 AOX+ ($118): After cleansing, I apply a few drops of this age-defying, Vitamin C-rich serum to my face, neck and décolletage. It makes my skin happy.

5. VMV Hypoallergenics Eye Serum ($85): My favorite thing about this eye serum is that I can actually feel (and see!) it working every time. It instantly tightens skin around the eye.

6. Fresh Sugar Lip Polish ($22.50): If I'm going to love matte lipstick as much as I do, then I better prep the hell out of my lips for this notoriously drying product. This polish is a lifesaver.

7. Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara ($10): Sometimes I talk to myself when I'm applying makeup. Sometimes I (heavily) curse when I make a mistake, like smudging mascara under my eye when trying to use a standard-sized wand on lower lashes. Annoying! This little cutie makes it easy.

8. Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair ($26): Long hair needs extra love, especially if you use heat styling tools as much as I do. This daily treatment keeps my strands looking health and shiny at all times. I haven't found another product that does it better.

9. NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Carpates ($27): This is my favorite item in the adorb Edie Gift Set from NARS' acclaimed Andy Warhol collection. Of all the liquid liners and smudge pots I've tried this year, this foolproof pen helps me nail a daily cat-eye best.

10. Urban Decay Naked2 Palette ($50): Who doesn't love this palette? It's a UD bestseller for a reason. I've taken it with me all around the world and plan on doing the same next year.

11. Topshop Nail Polish in Eclipse ($8): This is the 2012 version of my go-to galaxy mani essential, Orly's Space Cadet. I love the intergalactic iridescence going on here, and people always ask about it when I wear it.

12. Kinara Red Carpet Facial Kit ($145): Last but certainly not least is this amazing at-home facial kit from Kinara Skin Care Clinic and Spa in West Hollywood. The spa's founder and Halle Berry's trusted esthetician Olga Lorencin-Northrup first turned me onto it when I visited her earlier this year. Given that it has completely transformed my skin, I cannot recommend it enough!

My Life as a Gluten-Free Vegan

2012-11-03T11:47:00.003-07:00

Being 100% vegan and gluten-free isn't as insanely restrictive as one would assume. The first question people ask when I reveal my diet is, "What on Earth can you eat, woman?!" The answer? Earth. My daily meals consist of tons of fresh organic veggies and fruits, with a healthy dose of select grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Come to think of it, this isn't really a diet -- it's a way of life. I've been this way for a few years now and absolutely love it for both moral and health reasons.

Without sounding too preachy (I'm not one of those vegans), what I appreciate most about this lifestyle choice is that it inspires creativity. For instance, because I can't just slab together a bean and cheese burrito and call it a day, I bust out some nori sheets, tempeh and kale to create my own rendition of the epic vegan futomaki roll I had at Bob's Kitchen in Paris. Sure, preparation is time-consuming, but it's a therapeutic process that leaves my body feeling both satisfied and energized.

If you're looking to go vegan or gluten-free or both, here are some of my top tips and resources. I'm also constantly Pinning my favorite recipes here.

Routine

I'm a creature of habit, so I tend to eat the same thing every day. Mornings usually consist of raw whole oat groats (you can buy them in bulk at Whole Foods) soaked in water overnight and blended with Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk. I top it with a dash of cinnamon and bee pollen, which is a natural energy-booster since I don't drink caffeine (no coffee, soda, nada). About an hour later, I work out and then snack on a medium-sized Pink Lady apple to hold me over before lunch. Lunch is usually a big kale salad with a few bites of Dave's Soy-Free Tempha (highly addictive), topped with a light drizzle of my favorite dressing in the world, Follow Your Heart Organic Miso Ginger. If I'm in a serious time-crunch, I swap the salad for one slice of Food for Life Millet Bread topped with a bit of avocado. Dinner is a yummy mélange of quinoa, corn, spinach, zucchini and eggplant. And in case you're wondering, hell yes I indulge sometimes. My fiancé is hooked on my gluten-free pancakes (recipe coming soon!)

Travel

Luckily I live in a city (Los Angeles) where health and fitness is a major focus, so there are tons of eateries that accommodate my dietary needs, which I'll highlight in the next category. Traveling, however, can be a bit of a challenge, so I always plan ahead and bring tons of snacks, which you can read all about here. From my experience, New York, Turks and Caicos, Paris, London and Argentina have been the most accommodating. Miami and Curacao were the most difficult, but visually stunning nonetheless.

Eateries/Juice Bars

Los Angeles: Cafe Gratitude (639 N Larchmont Blvd), M Cafe de Chaya (7119 Melrose Ave), SunCafe (3711 Cahuenga Blvd), Liquid Juice Bar (8180 Melrose Ave; obsessed with their gorgeous acai bowls, as seen here, here and here), Pressed Juicery (8714 Santa Monica Blvd; the Greens 2 is my jam), Veggie Grill (8000 Sunset Blvd), Real Food Daily (414 North La Cienega Blvd), Bulan Vegetarian (7168 Melrose Ave), Evo Kitchen (7950 W Sunset Blvd), Newsroom (120 N Robertson Blvd; yummy smoothies) and Fonuts (8104 W 3rd St; mind-blowing gluten-free vegan donuts).

New York: Angelica's Kitchen (300 East 12th Street; best build-your-own plates), Juice Generation (171 W 4th St; another killer acai bowl), 'Snice (150 Sullivan St), Blossom (187 9th Ave), Quantum Leap (226 Thompson St), Sacred Chow (227 Sullivan St; perfect tapas), Candle 79 (154 E 79th St; nice romantic spot), Candle Cafe (1307 3rd Ave), Pure Food and Wine (54 Irving Pl) and Quintessence (263 E 10th St).

London: Vitao (74 Wardour St; amazing vegan buffet), Vantra (11-13 Soho St; although QuarryGirl sadly announced that they're closing), Beatroot Cafe (92 Berwick Street; cheap and easy), The Veggie Table (8 Southwark Street) and 42Raw (6 Burlington Gardens).

Paris: Bob's Kitchen (74 rue des Gravilliers; that futomaki gets my every time), Bob's Juice Bar (15 rue Lucien Sampaix), The Rose Bakery (20 rue de Debblyeme, Marais), Les Orchidées at Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme (5 rue de la Paix), and Chez Ferdi (32 rue Mont Thabor, near the Louvre).

Resources

Some of my favorite food and health blogs include: Kimberly Snyder (she's my #1 guru), The Chalkboard (simply inspiring), Oh She Glows (great inventive recipes), Golubka (divine imagery), QuarryGirl (great restaurant reviews), Gluten-Free Goddess (no fluff, just damn good recipes) and Manifest Vegan (healthy comfort food).

Good luck and hit me up in the comments if you have any questions!

Rosemary's Baby, The Omen, Suspiria

2012-10-25T14:33:00.001-07:00

Care to watch some insanely scary movies that also happen to be insanely stylish?

Behold my list for BlackBook Magazine.

Thematic Nail Art

2012-10-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

I've been intrigued with nail art since grade school. Given that I wasn't allowed to wear makeup yet, this was how I rebelled. I remember spending hours in my bedroom experimenting with crazy patterns and colorways, plotting new ways to make a statement that shocked the authorities. It was all very angsty.

Rather than copy existing nail art, I searched for themes in fashion, pop culture and nature, and challenged myself to channel the mani equivalent. (Awkward example: When Jurassic Park first came out, I honored my new fascination with dinosaurs by rocking dark purple/brown polish with little forest green spots. It was so bad, but so fun.) Over a decade later, I'm still experimenting. Here are a few recent, less embarrassing, creations.

Inspired by this flesh-colored costume that Britney Spears wore for her 2000 MTV Video Music Awards performance of "Oops!... I Did It Again." RGB's nude polish collab with eco-friendly celeb makeup artist Jenna Hipp is brilliant. To get this look, I applied two coats of HIPPxRGB's T2 shade and then used a sponge to add sparkly flecks of SpaRitual's Looking Glass, which is the perfect highly-pigmented silver polish.

Inspired by the Halston x Liza Minnelli disco era. I loved the 2010 documentary Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston and often fantasize about what it must have felt like to be one of the iconic designer's muses, aka a Halstonette. To get this look, I applied two coats of NCLA's Bel Air Trophy Wife and let it dry for an hour or so to ensure that the second step would turn out flawless. After confirming that my nails were 500% dry, I affixed Avery reinforcement labels approx a half centimeter from the tip to mimic the nail's natural moon shape. I then applied one coat of my trusty SpaRitual Looking Glass onto each stickerless tip and let it dry before removing the label.

Inspired by 4th of July fireworks. To get this look, I applied two coats of my absolute favorite white nail polish, CND's Brilliant White #502, and then used the same sponging technique from the nude/silver mani above to add red and blue "fireworks."

Inspired by the galaxy. I hooked you up with a play-by-play tutorial on this back in April. Starring Orly's super cool Space Cadet shade, this is a favorite that I'll definitely be bring back this fall. (PS - I'm clearly obsessed with sponging.)

Natalie's Menagerie x LAFC x W Hotels

2012-10-13T10:10:00.001-07:00

I recently teamed up with the Los Angeles Fashion Council to curate an LA designer pop-up shop at the W Los Angeles - Westwood. Chanelle Laurence of The Penelope Times, Stephanie Liu of Honey N Silk and I each created our own individual shops within the space that featured fall apparel and accessories from our favorite local talents. Fun, right? Peep a few snaps from Thursday's opening party below.

I was honored to wear this jaw-dropping Fifth Element dress by Jen Awad. Here with the designer.

My shop's inspiration and featured designer roster.

From the moment I found out that I was going to be a part of this project, I knew that I wanted to feature jewelry from two of my favorite LA designers: RUNE and Kittinhawk.

Remember those awesome autostereograms books from the '90s called Magic Eye? This Popomomo blouse reminds me of them. Fun fact: The label's designer, Lizz Wassermann, used to be a Racked LA contributor!

I love the peplum action on this futuristic dress by AGAIN.

Here with one of my best friends Jesse Southern, who happens to be the designer behind RUNE.

Prior to the event, me and my fellow curators stopped by Blushington to get our makeup done. We loved the results! If you ever book an appointment there, which I highly recommend, ask for Angela and tell her I sent you!

See more party snaps and coverage on Racked LA and BJ Panda Bear.

Natalie's Menagerie x Viddy

2012-10-04T17:41:00.004-07:00

Did I tell you that I partnered with Viddy this past fashion week? It happened, and it was awesome. Here's a roundup of some 15-second vids I created in New York and London.

Anndra Neen presentation at Milk Studios, New York:

Carine Roitfeld dancing at her CR Fashion Book party, New York:

Illesteva presentation at Milk Studios, New York:

Phoebe English show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout, London:

Burberry finale at Kensington Gardens, London:

Chill guitar solo on the tube, London:

Ode to Pashli

2012-10-02T19:33:00.002-07:00

Dear 3.1 Phillip Lim Botanical Pashli Mini Satchel:

Your beauty is both timely and timeless. Although your nostalgic print offers a sense of carefree allure, it is your innovative shape that gently nods to the future. From exposed zip gussets that reveal your expandable nature to a detachable shoulder strap with lobster claw clasps, your construction is complex with purpose. In short, you're a babe.

Yours,
Natalie

Foolproof Fashion: NYFW and LFW Edition

2012-09-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts! After a whirlwind two weeks covering the craziness of both New York and London Fashion Week, I'm finally back in LA. Although the trip was absolutely awesome and left me with tons of new friends, content and inspiration, I must say that it feels damn good to be back home.

Since checking in luggage gives me anxiety, I only travel with one carry-on suitcase and one laptop bag -- and this trip was no different. Crazy talk, I know! Although most of my clothing is small enough to jam into minuscule spaces (I'm a shorty), packing two weeks' worth of looks into a 22-inch spinner was certainly a challenge. With that said, here's a roundup of seven transitional, versatile and, above all, comfortable pieces that I wouldn't have been able to survive without.

1. Marco Santi - Heather Buckle Wedge Bootie (Black): Thanks to the brilliant folks over at Sole Society, I've finally found the perfect bootie that looks good with everything and allows me to walk everywhere without limping after a few hours of ground time. I wore these sole-saving kicks all over both New York and London, and will definitely be rocking them to shreds this fall.

2. Suboo - Sun Kissed Nirvana Mini Dress: I discovered this fantastic Aussie label in July when I covered Miami Swim Week for Vogue Australia. I fell hard for this stunning kaleidoscope dress and was thrilled when they asked me to wear it during NYFW. It's the perfect transitional piece, too: sport it with a cropped denim jacket and booties during the day and pair with bare arms and a hot heel at night.

3. KAIN Label - Eastwood Dress (Black): This is the perfect LBD, hands down. I love the asymmetrical hemline and racer back detail, and the fact that it's the perfect canvas for gold jewelry. For day, I paired it with my trusty Marco Santi booties, a cuff by Bec & Bridge and my all-time favorite spiked choker by Joomi Lim. For night, I stepped up the fancy factor by wearing this dress with:

4. Sole Society - Brooklyn Round Toe Pump (Stardust): That KAIN Label dress looked ideal with the sparkly stems I wore to Carine Roitfeld's swank launch party for her CR Fashion Book at The Frick Collection art museum. (You can read my party recap for BlackBook here.)

5. AKIRA - Lace Panelled Peasant Blouse (White): The airy, sheer details of this dainty white top (which worked as a dress for my petite self) made it perfect for day, but looked equally chic paired with black scalloped shorts and -- you guessed it -- booties at night.

6. SGC N-Y-C Inverted Cross Tank: This is my friend Jason Alfano's awesome NY-based label. I wore this oversized tank with perforated leather to two of my favorite fashion week parties this season: the Jeremy Scott major rager at Le Bain in New York and the Marios Schwab x ASOS cabaret at Crazy Horse Paris in London.

7. Funktional - Indiana Contrast Jacket (Black/Grey): The day before heading to London Fashion Week, I freaked out when my friend BJ told me that it was freezing there. I was still in an NY state of mind at the time, so I didn't even think to pack a jacket for my trip across the pond. Luckily, my friends at LA label Funktional offered a cold weather solution in the form of this rad varsity jacket/peacoat hybrid. I wore it to shows, on the streets, on the tube and, of course, during my double-decker bus shenanigans, as you can see in the opening pic of this post.

My Week on Instagram

2012-08-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it, here are some Instagram snaps (are you following me yet?) from this week's adventures. Above is a memory from our Road to MAGIC pit stop at Calico Ghost Town. Those 80%20 wedge boots are so damn comfortable. They seriously saved my feet on this trip.

I couldn't resist trying on these Prabal Gurung x Linda Farrow frames at the ENK trade show.

Sarah and I loved running into our friend Elizabeth Kott from Closet Rich at the Hudson pre-party.

Participating in the panels at MAGIC was definitely a highlight. We provided brands with dos and don'ts for blogger outreach and the type of collaborations we actively seek. My advice to the audience: 1) Come with a compelling project. Bloggers receive redundant pitches (outfit posts, link-backs, etc) daily, so fine-tune your pitch to ensure it's unique and stands out amidst the many requests they receive. 2) Think long lead. Rather than reach out to a blogger last-minute, give them an adequate amount of time to work on the requested assignment. That way, the blogger doesn't feel rushed and they have time to produce quality content.

Sarah and I met up with our friend Catt Sadler (of E! News) at her party at 1Oak. Her silver Giuseppe Zannoti heels were killer.

My friend Tobi of rad online store Fox House captured a gorgeous sunset on the way back to LA.

Back in LA, my fiancé organized a fantastic dinner party at this amazing Peruvian restaurant called Picca. The food and drinks were beyond, leaving us all ohhhing and ahhhing with every bite. We ended the epic three-hour dinner with a standing ovation.

Vegas MAGIC

2012-08-22T15:12:00.002-07:00

I've been having such a blast here in Vegas covering the fashion trade show craziness that is MAGIC. Just like last year, I'm one of the official bloggers (check out our Road to MAGIC blog), so the trip has been a healthy mix of work and play. Days are filled with panels, workshops and vendor meetings, and nights are filled with stylish debauchery.

Thanks to the trip's organizer Kelsi Smith -- the brilliant founder/mother/wonderwoman behind Two Point Oh! LA -- we were treated to a sweet Rue La La-sponsored road adventure here in a massive tour bus, complete with a pit stop at the legendary Calico Ghost Town, as well as generous swag bags filled with goodies from Seychelles, Keds, Elizabeth and James, Lovemarks, Ellison, Fossil and more. There was also a raffle on the bus, which me and my girl Kiara Schwartz of Tobruck Ave won and each scored this rad FujiFilm mini polaroid camera.

From left: Emily Kolberg of Style Map, Kiara Schwartz of Tobruck Ave, yours truly (sporting a Blood Is The New Black tee, Zara faux leather skirt and 80%20 booties), Carrie Zaeh of Carried Away and Sarah Pollack Boyd of Simply Stylist (my roomie on the trip).

I nearly died when I spotted David Tutera of My Fair Wedding, who was at FN Platform (the big footwear trade show) pushing his new bridal shoe line. How fabulously gaudy is his get-up?

One of my favorite moments was when my girls Julianne Waters and Tiana Brown of GIOGO interviewed me for their fantastic Get IN or Get OUT Show. We talked about everything from footwear trends to travel to stealing candy from MAGIC booths. More to come!

Beauty Dream Team: August

2012-08-17T07:12:00.001-07:00

Save for a fantastic nude nail polish and clutch-friendly lipstick, this month's beauty dream team is all about skincare. I've been on a real kick lately and try to get a pro facial treatment at least once a month; standout facials from the last few months include the Red Carpet Oxygenating Hydrafacial at Kinara Spa (read my review here) and the SkinCeuticals Micropeel at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery (read my review here). Speaking of SkinCeuticals, they're my current obsession, which is why I made sure to include at least three SC products in my August roundup. Now, to the list!

1. O.R.G. Skincare Organic Mineral Peel Body ($29.99): Coined as "the only product to offer immediate results within minutes of application," this stuff is pure magic. Rub it on your body right before you take a shower and watch a layer of dirt and debris literally fall of your skin. What I find interesting about this exfoliant is that boys (including my fiancé) love it, too. There's something about the instant gratification and visible change that they appreciate. Bonus points for it being alcohol, parabens and sulfate free.

2. Kinara Spa Red Carpet Facial Kit ($145): Pricey, but worth it. What's good for Halle Berry, is good for me. Her go-to esthetician Olga Lorencin-Northup created this kit to offer customers a high-quality at-home facial that can be applied weekly, in-between month facials at Kinara Spa. I love that the three-step kit comes with a little bowl and brush to whip up the treatment yourself. The peel and neutralizer steps sting so good (I love a good sting -- it feels like something's working) and the mask leaves skin ridiculously radiant. Highly recommend.

3. RGB + TenOverSix Blonde on Blonde Nail Polish ($16): This is a true meeting of the minds. TenOverSix is one of my favorite boutiques in LA and RGB's wide range of cruelty-free nail polishes are equally addictive. I got this lemony nude polish at Tavi Gevinson's party with Wren last month and have been hooked ever since. Summer staple.

4. SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 ($32): Titanium and zinc are the most important ingredients to look for in a sunscreen, which happen to be this product's top benefactors. I apply a sheer layer prior to putting on my tinted moisturizer (I haven't worn foundation in years) to ensure that my face is protected from crazy UV rays and heat stress. If you want to prolong your skin's youthful appearance, start with preventive care now instead of waiting until you have a problem. Sunscreen is a vital step.

5. Kinara Eye Cream ($60): Speaking of preventive care, eye cream is an absolute must if you want to avoid those annoying crow's feet and wrinkles. The Tetrapeptide-3 in this baby helps to boost elasticity and soften lines. I apply a thin layer to the delicate skin under eyes twice a day, morning and night.

6. SkinCeuticals Serum 20 AOX+ ($118): More SkinCeuticals. While titanium and zinc are musts for sunscreen, Vitamin C is essential for face serums. This product offers a max amount of C to neutralize the skin, slow down aging and protect against environmental damage. After cleansing and patting my face dry, I apply four to five drops of this to my face and décollage. Then I apply suncreen, then moisturizer, then eye cream.

7. SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic ($146): I know, I know -- SC products don't come cheap! But you only have one face, so why not give it the max amount of love? Since this serum's claim to fame is UVA, UVB and infrared radiation protection, I apply this before sunscreen when I know I'm going somewhere significantly sunny. This product also stimulates collagen synthesis aka is awesome in the anti-aging department.

8. Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15 ($35.50): I only recommend this moisturizer to those with oily skin like mine. Some say it's too drying, but I'm digging it so far. While I love that it controls excess oil and minimizes the look of pores, my only suggestion to the Boscia team is to work on the scent because it smells a little weird.

9. Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Mini Lipsticks ($29.95): These little guys fit perfectly in my smallest clutch. I love that they look matte but contain enough moisturizer to not dry out my very dry-prone lips. Their matte bright red shade is killer.

10. Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment Tube ($14.95): This is like the Vaseline of Australia -- people put it on everything. You can't purchase it in the states, so I buy it online or gently stalk my Aussie friends for more tubes. I slather it on my lips to hook them up with a burst of moisture and also apply it to my cuticles when they're feeling extra dry. Love!

DIY'd: MINKPINK Slasher Shorts

2012-08-02T17:51:00.001-07:00

Sometimes you just need to make shit. It's been a long time since I flexed my DIY skills, so when my Aussie friends at MINKPINK asked me to supe up their popular Slasher Flick Shorts, I gladly accepted the challenge. Monogrammed cut-offs immediately popped into my head, so I headed to my local Blick Art store, picked up a pack of Helvetica stencils (similar here) and Jacquard textile paint (here), and went to town.

After painting some "N" action on each side, I cut out the front white pockets and sewed in a fabric underlay using pieces of a psychedelic vintage blouse I bought at Jet Rag on La Brea for $1.

Check out MINKPINK's Suped Up Slashers contest gallery here and "Like" my creation here!

Insta-diary: Miami Swim Week

2012-07-28T21:02:00.003-07:00

From July 19 through 24, I was in Miami covering Miami Swim Week for a few different outlets. Here's a roundup of some memorable moments, as filtered through Instagram.

Rooftop at The Raleigh after the Éclairée presentation at MBFW Swim.

The incredibly cool designer behind one of my favorite Aussie labels, OneTeaspoon. Peep my chat with her for Vogue Australia here.

Miami packing list: prints, prints and more prints.

Reunited with Galena, my Buenos Aires bestie, at SLS South Beach.

Killer Linda Farrow x Prabal Gurung eyewear at SwimShow. Need, want, etc.

Best thing about this trip? Making new friends. Daniella Ivana Sredni of beach-to-street label Aquarius is a keeper. Read my chat with her for BlackBook here.

A few days later, I visited Daniella at her Salon Allure booth. Imagine my surprise when I saw this post blown up and on display. (Thanks again, Dani!)

Another highlight: hanging with my favorite Miami blogger Ria Michelle for days. Here we are in deep thought at the La Belle Rebelle booth at SwimShow, as captured by sweet Tobi of My Fox House. PS - Ria and I also had a Miami HuffPost moment here.

This high-waisted bikini by Wildfox Swim does things to me. Read my runway review for Racked LA here.

Oh hey Kim Crawford sauvignon blanc popsicles! (cc: Ria Michelle)

Last but certainly not least, Mara Hoffman's swimwear blew my mind. I uncovered all of her show's beauty secrets backstage for Birchbox here.

In the News

2012-05-05T07:26:00.004-07:00

Here are a few fun interviews that I've done in the past week:

Read the rest of my Wren interview here.

Read the rest of my SGC N-Y-C interview here.

Read the rest of my Simply Stylist interview here.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy May

2012-05-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

Source: fashiongonerogue.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: love-spain.tumblr.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: fashiongonerogue.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: instagr.am via Natalie on Pinterest

Follow me on Pinterest here!

xn

Taylor Tomasi Hill's Styling Magic for Moda Operandi

2012-04-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

Look 1, Look 2, Look 3

I'm loving the new "Tailored by Taylor" styling series on Moda Operandi where the runway-to-closet platform's artistic director, former Marie Claire style and accessories director Taylor Tomasi Hill creates looks for fun themes like "Prep Rally" and "New Wave." These are just a few of my favorite curations.

Look 4, Look 5, Look 6

Nailed: Galaxy Mani

2012-04-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

Per my recent Birchbox blog post, I'm utterly obsessed with celestial-inspired nail art. At first, I was intimidated by the DIY process, which requires starting with a dark base and then lightly sponging various solids and glitters over it, but after discovering this comprehensive video tutorial, I decided to take a stab at it. Shocker: it actually is super easy!

In an effort to match the nebula on my business card and website, I selected a deep purple base color and complemented it with grey, blue, gold and lots of shimmer. The cosmetics sponge comes in a two-pack at Rite Aid.

Colors from left to right: Essie Luxedo, Zoya Megan, Petites Sapphire, Orly Space Cadet, SpaRitual Looking Glass and Essie As Gold As It Gets.

PS -- I'm really feeling the sponging technique. Maybe next I'll do a pastel base in one color and a sponged pastel in another over it for a spring spin. Stay tuned!

Instagramin'

2012-04-05T05:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a roundup of my latest Instagram posts. Are you following me yet?

I hope everyone's having a stellar week. xn

DIY: Metallic Nails

2012-03-29T16:57:00.001-07:00

While I've experimented with all types of trendy polish shades in my day, I always seem to revert back to metallic nails. I love the look of silver, gold, and iridescent digits because they feel like you're wearing jewelry without being obviously blingy (a la rhinestones and other nail art add-ons).

Bored with my current color collection, I decided to play around with some to whip up my own batch of metallic goodness. Luckily, I nailed exactly what I was going for on the first try. After applying a base, I adding one coat of Essie's "Chinchilly" (which is this awesome granite gray). I could have added another coat but didn't feel the need to since I was layering anyway. After letting the first color dry, I layered on Essie's amazing new glittery top coat in "As Gold As It Gets." It immediately enhanced the look!

I think I'm going to call this polish mash-up "Goldchilly."