The Scene

Mr. Diabolina awoke with the sniffles. Pobrecito.

While he rested, I decided to be a good little American and check out the post-Christmas sales. Purely for blog research, of course ;)

Hit Stella McCartney first. STILL have a $130 credit left to use there. The 60 percent off sign upstairs looked promising. However, most of the sale shoes still cost well over $500. Ugh. Stella, PLEASE! Your shoes are created with man made materials aka plastic!

Marched out of the store within 15 minutes. Per usual. But not before falling for these brand new Spring beauties. FIE on that Beatle offspring!

Walked over to Intermix on Robertson where the sale section was much more "reasonable." These studded booties were down to the $400 range. Sigh.

These Stella's were velvety yum. $250ish. Not bad...IF I could use my credit. They were nowhere to be found at the actual Stella store. Boo.

Did you know Theory made shoes? Loving these brand new bondage beauties in beige. $269. Hmmm, sure you can find a Jeffrey Campbell version for less.

Got a chance to fondle this Elizabeth and James jacket in person. Love the collar and the cut at the waist. Over $600. No, gracias.

Tortured myself by going into Chanel. Have my eye on a burgundy chain purse that costs more than my mortgage payment. Also spied a sliver of the store carved out for menswear. Eureka for Sable Crow! Keep on truckin' for me...

Fingered the Harlow by Nicole Richie jewelery at Kitson. Wanted to buy the big starburst ring. $38. But it was gigantic on. There's statement and then there's redic clowny.

Went into Madison and Tory Burch and Reiss but everything I liked on sale was still $200+. Too mucho. So, defeated, I decided to peek in at Crossroads and check out my resale options.


Found a fun Marc dress for under $30. I've been in love with this print and color combo for years.

And a DVF for under $35. Great artsy print - still a big trend for spring. Alas both dresses were size 2 and wouldn't zip all the way.

But don't cry for me, Argentina. I did score a dramatic LAMB cape ($130) and never been worn Marc shoes ($27 -half off)!!! Then, emboldened, I visited the Marc by Marc store. It was crawling with frenzied Japanese tourists. Picked up a brand new studded clutch for just $50.

In the afternoon, Mr. D felt up to doing his Target shopping spree - my Christmas gift to him. He got lots of boy toys: flashlights and a drill and coffee makers and batteries and a paper shredder.

Sexy, no? Ugh. Trying to get him to research Blu Ray so I can gift him something more exciting...

In the afternoon, I worked out for the first time in a MONTH. Ran 4 miles and felt great doing it. Have officially accepted the fact that as a 31 year old endomorph if I want to eat what I want I have to work out a couple of times a week. Period. Otherwise a spare tire immediately settles in around my middle and my ass starts spreading...alot. Seriously, the wobble lately is tragic, I just hide it well.

In the evening, I blogged while Mr. D stole my Obama book. I couldn't put it down on the plane to NYC and now he can't either. I love it. It is lyrical and moving and stunningly candid.

As someone who never met her father, I can intimately relate to so much of his search for self realization, for a sense of community, for a sense of validation. Cannot believe in a few short weeks this man - the first politician I've ever identified with - will take the highest office in the land. What a year awaits us all...

The Outfit
Seven jeans
Old Navy sweater and henley

The Accessories
Forever 21 scarf

BCBG boots

Marc Jacobs purse and sunglasses and earrings

The Grade

C

The Commentary

Felt a bit blah today. Hence the schleppy Old Navy look today. Thank goodness for the boots. They pulled everything together for shopping on one of L.A.'s hippest streets.

I could seriously live in these boots - so comfortable and work well with everything.


Got a couple compliments on them yesterday and more today. One from a Chloe wearing customer at Intermix and another from the hippie headband wearing manager at Crossroads.

First time wearing this scarf and sweater. The $8 jersey scarf is more of a summer look but I needed a bit of punch today. Heart the color - especially with the yellow and beige. The striped hoodie I got in San Fran - $17. Will work great on vacation in Hawaii next year. Can't wait.

Looks alot like this sweater I saw at Intermix. $395! I know it's cashmere but puh-lease!


And this Theory one. Too much too at $275

Also love this Whitley Kros cardigan. Also $275 but this one is COTTON. Shopbop calls it, "The epitome of throw-it-on chic." Humph. I prefer my throw it on chic to cost less than $20, thank you very much.

The Scene
Don't let Mr. Saint's moniker fool you. Mr. Diabolina's buddy from high school is no saint. He loves him some Sin City and the ponies. So today he coordinated a degenerate gambler's dream: opening day at the Santa Anita races.

Mr. MBA (left) and Danny B (right) made it out completing Mr. D's high school possee. Here they are channeling Reservoir Dogs...Catholic school boy Reservoir Dogs. HA!

Confession: I'm not a gambler. Frankly, it's the equivalent of flushing money down the toliet to me. I'd much rather buy a handbag if I'm looking for a cheap thrill. Plus I find that where there's gambling there's the smell of desperation in the air. Invariably makes me sad about the human condition. Yes, I'm that Debbie Downer in Las Vegas.

Thank goodness today was so brilliantly gorgeous. Felt wonderful to be outside in the brisk air especially with good company. Keep staring up at the crystal clear sky instead of the people spending their monthly check.

At one point, I struck up a conversation with Mr. Saint's dear childhood friend, Sassy Lawyer. Mr. Diabolina had enjoyed meeting her last May at Mr. Saint's father's wake. And after peeping her big sunnies, sassy head scarf and zipper Uggs today, I sensed a kindred spirit. So when we were left alone sucking down cocktails to keep warm, I mentioned Mr. D's first trial - figured nothing like a legal victory to get a smartie lawyer talking. Never imagined the LOVELY exchange that would come next.

Sassy Lawyer shyly revealed that she knew all about Mr. D's trial. In fact, she knew all about us. You see, well before meeting Mr. D this summer, she had randomly come across my blog via The Knot.

When she met Mr. D, it was so out of context, she didn't even recognize him. It took her a few weeks to connect that he was Mr. D and that Mr. Saint knew the Diabolinas. And when she did, she became an avid reader. Hearts! What a small world, no???

The two of us proceeded to talk fashion and professional passion and female friendships and writing and marriage for what seemed like an hour. Like old friends. While both of our misters looked on anxiously. Adore. Hope we can stay in touch - keep our girl crushing going strong ;)

For dinner, Danny B brought over lobsters he'd caught this season which we served with tamales and BBQ corn and apple pie for dessert. DELICIOUSLY RANDOM.

Today was a wonderful glimpse of what life might have been like if Mr. Saint

And Mr. MBA had come home to the West Coast after college.

Glad we have Danny B and Daisy Duke's to keep us company

until the other boys and girls come to their senses and leave those Chicago winters behind.

The Outfit

Banana Republic turtleneck

BCBG leather jacket

Forever 21 black jeans

The Accessories

BCBG boots

Marc Jacobs bag and zipper earrings

Thrifted scarf

Forever 21 sunglasses

The Grade

A

The Commentary

It didn't even dawn on me to get my Kentucky Derby on today. F.

Probably would have looked pretty ridiculous anyway in the plebian stands sucking down Bloody Mary's and placing $2 bets if I wore a fantabulous hat like this one on a horse's owner. Sigh.

As I was getting ready this morning, Seabiscuit was the last thing on my mind. I was much more concerned with showing off my new comfy BCBG boots. I heart them. They look so much like these Loeffler Randall boots with the sensible heel and gold hardware.

But mine cost hundreds less. YAY me!

Newsflash: Boots were THE footwear of choice for hot chicks today. They were everywhere at the track. None cuter than Daisy Duke's Dolce Vita ones.

Tres LC.

Not to be outdone, Mr. Saint wore his new shoes. Got alot of heat for how glaringly unblemished they were.

Danny B also got lots of attention. For making the biggest peanut mess in the shortest amount of time. F.

Finally let's talk about my butter-soft-perfectly-fitting leather jacket. Reminds me of this Elizabeth and James one but at a third of the price. LOVE!

Also feels slightly Alexander Wang with the zippers at the wrists.

Can't wait to wear it to toughen up a frou-frou dress

Or just to look tough.

So many leather looks to try out.

I fear I am going to start being referred to as The Fonz :)

Gonna see if the TheFashionableFonz.com is taken.

The Scene

There's nothing like that split second when you wake up and Christmas morning washes over you. Even in hustling, bustling Los Angeles, there's this magical stillness in the air. It's always eeriely peaceful. Love.

This morning, Mr. D and I picked up my mom and had a big fat JEWISH breakfast at our favorite 90210 deli. It's become a tradition in recent years.

Then we headed to our place and finally saw a CD of pictures from my mom's trip to Guatemala.

I imagined just how different the last 31 Christmases would have been if she'd never left, if I'd grown up there instead of here.

In the afternoon, the three muskateers watched Slumdog Millionaire. Wow. Stunningly original film. So many beautifully gripping stories still out there to be told. I find that endlessly inspiring.

In the evening, the three of us had a lovely dinner with Mr. D's extended family. I was in charge of the peas. Almost messed that up. Ugh.

Successfully dodged questions about getting married and having kids. Sigh. You know, the usual holiday fare.

And now to the all important capitalist pig portion of this post: this year's PRESENT haul!

I'd like to introduce you to my new BCBG boots - they are so Loeffler Randall I can't stand it.

And - FINALLY - the perfect leather jacket of my very own. Banded collar, button detailing at the shoulder and ruffle at the waist. Also BCBG and also 70 percent off.

Meet my new Dolce and Gabanna heels - 60 percent off at Saks. I've been dying for leopard print shoes my entire adult life. I guess I'm all growns up now.

But still young enough to love Hello Kitty and girly trinkets

We got bubbly from Mr. D's littlest sister.

With it's very own fancy traveling case. Adore!

Mr. D noted I would like anything - even a turd! - if it came with a purse. F. He knows me well ;)

The Outfit

Robert Rodriguez pants

Marc by Marc Jacobs top

Forever 21 turtleneck
Burberry jacket

The Accessories

Steve Madden boots

Forever 21 sunglasses

Chanel earrings

Marc Jacobs purse

The Grade

B

The Commentary

For most of my life, dressing for Christmas meant dressing for church. It involved multiple trips to Saks to find just the right red/green dress and Striderite for new patent Mary Janes. I relished the ritual of getting dressed up on Christmas morning almost as much as opening my presents.

Then when I was 16 my stepdad died and we stopped going to church...even on Christmas. My mom and I never really spoke about it...it just happened. Still feels odd some 15 years later to not have to factor in church into my Christmas outfit.

Picked up this Marc top at Macy's on deep discount while we were up in San Francisco. Knew it'd be perfect for today with a turtleneck layered underneath. Very Lucky Magazine ;)

Felt a bit edgy wearing tall leather boots around Mr. D's family today.

Probably shouldn't have. It's not like they were studded and Gucci and fabulous - sigh.

Didn't loooove my ensemble today but it was infinitely better than coke bottle glasses, PJs or a HUMONGOUS coat with self mutilated baby bangs!!! Ughs to the fugs.

Only a mother could have loved me through some of those unfortunate looks of Christmases past. Thank god I have the best one in the world.