What Happens in Vegas...

What happens in this magical city rarely stays there, especially when it comes to shopping. My mom and I were in Vegas last week for a bit of relaxation and shopcation before I attended a trade show for work. Here are a few of my recommendations:

1. Bauman Rare Books. Most people won't be able to actually shop in here (see prices above), but I highly recommend going in and browsing. They even let you take pics! If I ever win it big while gambling this will probably be my first stop. They have first editions of classics, rare memorabilia from famous authors, and the place looks like Belle's library in Beauty and the Beast.

2. Kate Spade. Kate Spade is everywhere in Las Vegas. There's a store in the Grand Canal Shops, Fashion Show Mall, and in The Forum Shops. The outlet (off the strip) is where you can find some amazing rarities like their partnership collection with Swarovski.

3. Charlotte Olympia. I made my poor mother race over to this new store in the Forum Shops our first night in Vegas. I loved the exclusive Vegas merchandise like the showgirl shoes and kitty poker face flats. I ended up buying the black velvet kitty flats, pretty much a timeless staple and worth the investment. The experience of shopping in this store was like none other. Talk about truly wonderful salespeople who love their job and love making customers feel happy! Definitely go for the experience, and of course, for the cute shopping bags!

4. Ted Baker Outlet. Ted Baker is already an affordable brand, so you can image how great the deals are at the outlets. I walked away with 3 dresses, a top, and am now regretting not buying a wallet for under $60. 

Happy Shopping (no matter where your vacation may take you)! 

Chic in Chicago

One of the things I would consider a perk at any job is the ability to travel. Every year NAILS Magazine goes to Chicago to attend America's Beauty Show. I never had the urge to go until a couple of months ago when something nagged at me to volunteer. I had this sudden curiosity to see Chicago, a city I had long heard of, and now was desperate to see. 

I've always been a fan of exploring new places and Chicago is a city that's fun to get lost in. I stayed at the W, saw the Bean, had cocktails and tacos at Mercadito, stopped in for a Midnight Kiss at Elephant & Castle (I was attracted to this pub because it shares the name of a tube station in London), had breakfast at the new Seven Lions, and a pretty great business dinner at the Gilt Bar. 

Food and drinks in Chicago are pretty fabulous, but the Chicago Art Institute is the place I would really like to revisit. I had the opportunity to attend the Beauty Changes Lives gala honoring Leo Passage my second night in the city. Only one wing was open for partygoers to peruse, and luckily for me it was the Modern wing, my favorite period in art and literature. Picasso paintings danced along the walls and sculptures took center stage. Downstairs, a live fashion show took place with models wearing works of up and coming designers along with avant garde hair and nails. I posted some of my favorite pictures here. 

While most guests chose black to wear to the event, I opted for white. I had packed black, but at the last moment I craved the clean crisp lines of a white linen and feather blazer from Elizabeth and James and a BCBG pleated white dress with simple black pumps. It was cold outside, but to stand out in the crowd was completely worth the risk. 

Our last day in Chicago a mini miracle happened. The snow fell in droves and blanketed the streets, caking my hair and gloves. Even though it had been 90 degrees in Orange County, the extreme difference in weather made me inexplicably happy. It was like being inside a snow globe, newly shaken. Living somewhere that is beautiful but un-seasonal can make you crave days like this, where the bite of the cold doesn't even seem to phase you. I stood outside in my bare legs and un-waterproofed boots to allow the snow to fall on my shoulders. My flight home was delayed over three  hours, but looking back, I think it was all worth it. I may forget the outfits and hairstyles the models showed off; the taste of a meal may fade; I can sleep off the best glass of French wine; but watching the snow fall stirred something in me that I never knew was missing. Until next time, Chicago. 

What Joan Did

Writers like to be remembered for what they said. After all, their words are their legacy. But one of the reasons why I love Joan Didion is because of what she does. Didion is a non-fiction writer, so her memoirs and journalistic accountants are filled with research. I can picture her typing away daily, with notes and books at her side. Didion started young too. She won an essay contest at Vogue, back when the glossies cared about real writing and giving new voices a start. Her work at Vogue paved the way for a career full of literary and screenwriting contributions. Now at 80, Didion is the new face of Celine's Spring campaign. I've always admired the ease of Didion's look; she looks like how I always pictured a writer to look. 

Seeing her in this campaign reminded me of finishing her collection, "We Tell Ourselves Stories In Order to Live" on the way back from my Napa vacation. I thought it so fitting that I completed this very California-centric read (see her work, "Where I Was From") while driving through the state. Being a native Californian, I feel an even deeper connection to Didion's words. I was reading by flashlight (the sun had long gone down) as I completed my 1104 page book that had begun on a separate road trip to the Midwest a couple of years ago. On the second to last page this phrase caught my eye, "There is no real way to deal with everything we lose." I let this sentence wash over me just as the dark of night washed over the California scenery and the road seemed to tuck itself under the tires of our car like a long black ribbon. 

I began reading Joan Didion in college with 'The Year of Magical Thinking," a book all about the subject of loss. I've lost people I love, memories, things, and maybe even time, but Didion is the writer who has showed me the best way to deal with loss. After reading her work I became interested in writing memoir, which I pursued in college. Because of her, I too know where I come from. Joan deals with things by writing about them. She has that perfect cadence that speaks beyond years and pages. Her words yank you from the darkness of a lonely road somewhere and place you onto a clearer path. That's what Joan does for me. Kudos to this fashion house for reminding us that we still have one of the greatest writers of our time with us today.

*Images & details on the campaign via Vogue

Christmastime in the City

Having a December birthday means seeing everything decorated at its Christmas best. I spent December 4th in my favorite city in the world, San Francisco. I went shopping in Union Square, walked Knob Hill, and ate lunch at Macy's. I stayed with my mother in Sonoma, where we toured the Coppola Winery, drove to Santa Rosa, and enjoyed cupcakes from Sift. While celebrating, I wore a very special vintage sweater that was a birthday gift from my stepmom and dad from DMarie Vintage. The sweater is my first real fur and the buttons are costume jewelry. It's the perfect piece to celebrate turning 30 in. I left Northern California with many bottles of wine and memories made. The entire trip, like the sweater, were tailor made for my 30th birthday. 

Art of the Matter

It's that weird limbo between Christmas and New Year's. I find myself content with things given and received, and suddenly look forward to the year ahead. There's a great energy that exists in this interim of time. Because of the days off work I finally feel like I can get back to my own art. Seeing all the unique artwork in Napa was such an inspiration, but I could''t find the time to blog about it until now. This interlude may very well be the most (if not only) relaxing time out of the whole year. 

But it struck me as I was writing this that I am most thankful for other people's art. It's because of those brave souls who are always so giving, so determined to make time for what they love to do that I have had the jobs I have been fortunate enough to have. I appreciate people who appreciate someone else's craft. So I was particularly happy with Sterling, Mumm, and Domaine Chandon wineries in Napa, all of whom promote the arts by having collections on their grounds. I saw everything from Ansel Adams photographs to Picasso doodles. 

When my mother gifted me with this beautiful necklace she made using vintage glass beads, it all came full-circle. Where would I be without the artwork of others? It has put food on the table, shoes on my feet, given me plenty to write about, and established such deep connections. It is my sincerest hope that 2015 brings even more artistic inspiration and outpouring for myself and anyone who else who feels the constant need to create and connect.