The Scene
You've heard about companies renting Malibu beach houses for the summer and throwing par-tays to lure celebrities and promote their products, right? Well, that's where we started our Independence Day. Tres fab.

The beautiful Daughter D is a publicist and was gracious enough to invite us. Didn't get to hang out much though. She was too busy running around headset-style, coordinating celebrity arrivals - Jeremy Piven and Nicole Richie among them. Alas no Luke Perry this time ;)


Can't believe I used to baby sit her. She's all growns up now.


So is her little brother. He even has - eek - chest hair! Gawd, I'm old. Brother D just graduated college but he'll always be that saucy little 8 year old who refused to hit the hay when I was over babysitting.

Mr. Diabolina and I spent a couple of hours chowing down on the fancy (read: for skinny people) food, drinking tasty blueberry gin concoctions and strolling on the beach.

Also spent a good deal of time marveling over how blessed our lives are.

Only one thing would've made the Malibu experience complete: A Hills cast member sighting. After all, Lauren is on the cover of LA Direct, one of the sponsors of our event.


Alas the girls were at a neighboring beach house for DKNY. Wah! Mr. Diabolina would have been able to die happy if he caught just a glimpse of his faves in the (bikini) flesh.




In the evening we head out to the South Bay to celebrate with Mr. Diabolina's extended family. Tons of fun. We inhale burgers and hot dogs and watch the kids put on their very own fireworks display. Highly dangerous but highly enjoyable.


We end the night early. Feel as exhausted as this little angel. Wonderful relaxing day of family and fun with a little dash of Hollywood hoopla for fabulous measure!






The Outfit
Forever 21 striped halter dress

The Accessories
Louis Vuitton earrings
Fashion district bangles
Stuart Weitzman sandals
Marc Jacobs Irina purse
Forever 21 sunglasses
Me&Ro necklace

The Grade
A






The Commentary
Bought this Forever 21 dress about two years ago. Very Rachel Pally. Quite revealing for me since it's backless and has the plunging neckline. But it's perfect for the beach precisely because it displays so much skin. The tan lines are minimal the next day.

Thought it dressed up nicely with the gold accessories today. Love the turquoise paired with the rich clay color of the Marc Jacobs purse. Very Malibu Barbie ;)


Was disappointed by most of the outfits at the beach house today. Was expecting flash and sass. Instead I got function and frump. Only this YOUNG thing delivered in a shiny plunging one piece.


Unfortunately, she wasn't working it in all its glamrock glory. That suit was wearing her not the other way around. She just didn't own it. In fact, she kept throwing on a big white T-shirt when she came inside the beach house. F. Youth is wasted on the young.




She's lucky she didn't run into Jenny McCarthy or Jim Carey on the beach. Apparently they were traipsing up and down Malibu in the exact suit. HILARIOUS!!!!!! I actually think Jenny wore it best, followed by Jim and then the hot little youngin at our beach house. Am I right?

But I shouldn't jest. Mr Diabolina had a close fashion call of his very own. We were walking on the beach being romantic when suddenly he gasped. He whispered through clenched teeth at me "That guy is wearing my shorts!!!!"

HAHAHHAHA! See the guy in the background all the way to the right looking straight at me taking a picture!!???

At least it was a guy this time, not like the infamous women's tennis shoe incident of spring 2008. BWWWHAHAHAHAH!

But seriously, he had nothing to worry about - he was definitely the cutest Malibu Ken doll at the party. Though I might be a little biased, being his biggest fan and all...

p.s. Just a little update. Today Mr. Diabolina called M&M and her husband to wish them a happy 4th. He's been thinking about them alot lately. She's been home for about 10 days - after 5 weeks in the hospital and 2 weeks in Africa after the plane crash. Can't believe it's been two months.

She's making good, steady progress. Her right big toe began moving last weekend, and the other toes on the right foot began moving a few days later. Even though it is only small, incremental movement, it is a good sign of nerve recovery. She remains hopeful that she will walk again and early signs are good.

Thanks to all of you for the good thoughts. Keep 'em coming!

The Scene
Get a ton done at work. Incredible what the promise of a holiday can do for one's motivation.

All afternoon I play text tag with an old coworker who is in town for the 4th. He wants to meet up for drinks near work.

S2H (aka Scotty too Hotty) is a gem, an honest to goodness well raised kid. Rocket scientist brilliant and pretty boy pretty.



He's also quite ambitious, sweet and disarmingly hilarious. Check check and check. Everything I look for in an adopted little brother/mentee.

We actually became better friends after I left the company where we both worked. Funny how that happens sometimes. Love that he's a boy whose actually good at keeping in touch.

Has served him well since he moved to San Francisco last fall. Switched careers. Very proud that he took a leap of faith, shook things up. But I miss our silly times.


Today, he wasn't quite sure when he'd be able to leave work and then he got stuck in holiday traffic. Blah blah blah. I ended up waiting practically an hour for him. Ugh. There aren't too many people on the planet who I'd do this for.

When S2H finally arrives, I'm happy to see he hasn't changed a bit. His Pantene hair is still prettier than mine!

Over mojitos and martinis, we discuss life. Mostly our quest for personal and professional success. We share theories on how to find fulfillment and perhaps become richie rich along the way. We chat about making our own rules and throwing off the yoke of obligation and expectation. Love him. Excited to see how his story plays out. Think it's going to be good...

Have a late Mexican dinner with Mr. Diabolina. As we head home, he insists he wants Pinkberry. Now Mr. Diabolina never actually wants Pinkberry. He just wants me to be happy so pretends to crave it. And I play along.


The things one does for love.

The Outfit
Fashion district creme shift

The Accessories
Fashion district necklace
Forever 21 bangle and sunglasses
Stuart Weitzman sandals
Marc Jacobs hobo
Faux Chanel earrings

The Grade
B-




The Commentary
Could barely drag myself out of bed this morning, let alone pull together a fashion homerun. Got super overwhelmed super quickly in my closet. It's starting to look a little like Forever 21: overstuffed and disorganized. Ugh. Must clean out.

So I just grabbed the first dress that looked presentable and summery. This $30 dress always reminds me of Jennifer Lopez. Probably because I heart that bitch. But more likely because the neutral palette resembles those pretty album covers.



JLo rocks beiges/whites/nudes like no one else. With the tan and the highlights and taut body, she so often looks glowing. Love that effortless glamour. Very California.

Instead of doing a pop of color I decided to keep all the accessories - the bag, the necklace and the bangle - subdued. An external reflection of how ho-hum I'm feeling on the inside.

p.s. How annoying was this week's big hullabaloo about JLo daring to wear a bikini just four months after having her twins? Realized I don't look too different and I haven't had the pleasure of bearing children yet. Just alot of Sprinkles cupcakes up in this belly. Sigh.


Think JLo looks hot though. Love the post-baby curves.


And how her style seems softer somehow. A little less calculated. A little less perfect.





Love the idea of a mommy who still looks fierce.


Clearly a woman doesn't have to leave her fashion sense or identity on the birthing table. Good to know ;)

The Scene
After work, hit trivia pub night again with Danny B and Daisy Duke's. Focus on inhaling less Guinness this time and answering more questions.

By the end of the first round, we are in second place. INCONCEIVABLE! Danny B is ecstatic. Makes me happy to see his nerd ass so happy. However, I must admit, the questions overall are much easier tonight than last week.

The second round is quite a bit tougher and we fall to 4th place by the end of the night. Still super respectable in room full of 10 teams populated by a healthy smattering of Jeopardy champs.

Counting down til the holiday...

The Outfit
Forever 21 tank top and knit sweater
Blue Cult jeans

The Accessories
Fashion District bangle
Louis Vuitton earrings
Miu Miu sandals
Marc Jacobs bag
Forever 21 sunglasses

The Grade
B+




The Commentary
Wanted to feel comfortable today. And trivia pub night appropriate. Felt a bit overdressed last week in a DVF frou frou skirt when everyone else looked more Star Trek convention than pre-Fall collection.

So today I started with the jeans. Then I grabbed for this Missoni-inspired wrap sweater from Forever 21. Got it for $24 a few years ago. Bought it too large (what is my problem with sizing??) so have to slip a little thin tank top inside to make it appropriate to wear outside :)



Felt like Margarita Missoni all day. Love the rich amber colors of the sweater. They play so well off a tan. Tres summery.

Each accessory was a PURRFECT compliment to the swirl of colors in the sweater. I adore adore adore these Miu Mius. Need more more of them.

And are you loving the new bangle? One part Hermes, another part Van Cleef and Arples. Just $6.


Here are two pre-Fall Missoni looks. Styled to look so very Margarita. Digging the belt and the shoes too. Yum.




Hope Forever 21 gets crackalackin on whipping up some nice facsimiles. Can't really go spending thousands on knitwear that I'll invariably snag.

The Scene
Quite the momentous day. Met one of the readers of my blog for the very first time - real face to real face!!!

Her name is dapotato. From her blog and comments, I've gathered she is cool and witty and lovely. She also seems to be trying to find her way professionally. My kinda girl.

We figured out a few weeks ago that we work a block away from each other and have been IMing about getting together ever since. But I've been hesitant to meet blogger pals. Too afraid. Not quite sure of what. Most likely it's my mom drilling "beware of strangers" into my head as a child. Maybe I'm also afraid I won't be what people expect. That's a tough one for a people pleaser like me.

But despite my apprehension, lunch ends up being a real treat. dapotato is as funny and sweet in person as I had imagined. AND she's wearing delish Dior sunnies. Adore.

We discuss careers and going back to school and our mens and blogging and the state of the world. Heady stuff for a first meeting. I'm unfortunately a bit nervous and awkward at first but start relaxing toward the end.

As we part, dapotato unfurls this little bag and says it's for me. EEEKS!

Inside are two little perfect Crumbs cupcakes. So thoughtful of her!!! This kind gesture leaves me glowing the rest of the afternoon.


Then before I leave work for the day, I notice the blog is getting a ton of traffic. One of the referring traffic URLs is this Nest post. YAY to perfect strangers digging the bloggy blog!

In the grand scheme of things, it's probably not the biggest deal. But since I've been pretty down lately, these words of encouragement feel incredibly validating. So thank you to the women who posted on the Nest. Means ALOT to me.

Now get to commenting. I'm a WHORE for comments ;)

The Outfit
Fashion district jacket
Forever 21 tank top
Dolce and Gabbana wrap skirt

The Accessories
Chanel necklace
Forever 21 sunglasses
Fashion district bracelet
Faux Chanel earrings
Marc Jacobs purse
Narcisco Rodriguez sandals

The Grade
B+


The Commentary
Definitely had a fashion emergency this morning. Wanted to dress up for dapotato but not be overdressed. Wanted to be fabulosity but not look like I was trying too hard. OH THE HUMANITY!

Ultimately decided to stick to a tried and true palette: the always chic black-and-white with a dash of fire engine red. Made it even more me by mixing the high end polka dots with the inexpensive $8 tank and $30 jacket. The designer heels and the bag and the necklace all elevate the look, creating a very timeless, very Italian ensemble.



No one does polka dots or leopard print or corseting quite like Dolce and Gabbana. I sooooo need more D&G in my life. Yes, it's typically quite overt, even a bit vulgar, maybe a tad Euro trash but I love it.

They always know how to make a woman oooze confidence and sexual power and feminine strength. Think more women need to know how to own that side of themselves. Or at the very least feel comfortable with it.



Tapped into a bit of my animal instincts with this new zebra bracelet. It is the hotness. Bought it downtown. Just $12.

Have been wanting one of these opulent bracelets for years now. They are always all over the tiny wrists of celebrities. Kenneth Jay Lane. Typically at least $200. Think I like mine better.




Cannot get enough of these Chloe knock off sunglasses.

Feel sooooo Nicole Richie in them. Well except for the whole perfect hair and tiny thing. Sigh. As we got up to leave the restaurant, dapotato said she didn't realize I was so tall.


I'm really not. It's just that my height belies my Asianess :)

p.s. Here are some more black and white ensembles that have me drooling lately.


LC looking a hot mess outside a Hollywood nightclub.




Heidi gearing up to start a new season of Project Runway. Cannot wait.








At the Valentino couture show. Such simple "I have high net worth" elegance.



Xtina at the Ivy - fabulously gaudy mommy.