My Lucite Prada Necklace (wink, wink)

Meet my purchase of the summer. I first glimpsed her in the Fashion District. Half-off at a jaw-dropping $14. She is gaudy fun retro fabulosity. I call her Mrs. Roper.

The best part?  She reminded me of Prada Spring 2010. The stripper-on-a-chandelier heels.  The see-through bags.  The transparent dresses.

For nearly a year, I searched far and wide for Mrs Roper. She had to be chic. But frankly cheap was my number one criteria. I looked for lucite but no luck.  Had almost given up finding even a plastic version. 

Glad I didn't because Mrs. Roper is a dream. She works with a drapey tank top and gladiators at The Grove on a Mommy Sunday.

With mixed prints for a big meeting at work.

With hot pink lips, pre-Brazilian Blowout curls and a hot date at dinner in Newport Beach.

And a post-Brazilian side braid, red lips, and black-and-white maxi for a casual Friday at work.

Summer, fall, winter and spring, every woman needs a Mrs. Roper. A trendy piece that will outlast the trend and reinvent her wardrobe.  Accessories that go with everything.  Jewelry, shoes, belts, bags, hats that add flair to your look and make you feel pretty - plain and simple.  

Here's some fun inspiration for you to end the summer in style. Kisses!

Mommy Diabolina's Annual Shopping Spree!

My mom and I are twins.  The cheeks, the sense of humor, the passion for fashion - all identical and adorable ;)   But one of our defining differences: her annual MAH-jor shopping spree. 

I shop pretty consistently throughout the year, at Forever 21 and my favorite resale haunts, never pay full price, never drop more than a couple hundred bucks at once.  She, on the other hand, without warning, every year, goes APESHIT.  On Rodeo Drive no less. 

This year, the spree started at Prada. Dee-vine, dee-licious, dee-lovely Prada.

When my mom hit 60 last year, shoes became an issue for her.  She became even more particular about what goes on her tootsies. She can barely handle heels anymore.  And flats are too rough on her lower back.  Marc Jacobs, Tayrn Rose and Tory Burch have become her go-tos. That is until she met Prada.  

She found a purr-fect pair of sensible, comfortable beauties.  Go-with-everything color, pretty peep toe, rosette detail.  AND 60 percent off. 

Pretty much the holy grail for a mommy.

Most women would have been satisfied. But my mami is not most women.  Homegirl bee-lined up the street. To Chanel!!!

For this beauty.  She's had her eye on for at least six months.  Only certain stores stock it. Patent leather, red and two-tone interlocking C's.  Heaven.

This is what buying and owning heaven looks like

I contented myself with the fact that I bought some Chanel flip flops the day before. 

Well...actually they were Chanel-esque flip flops.  Fashion district.  $10.  Nearly identical to the real thing!

Also picked out my mom's floating heart knuckle ring. CRAZY FOR KNUCKLE RINGS lately.  And now so is she. 

I really have to remind her of all the years of free styling I've given her. Maybe next time we're in Prada. And she feels a spree coming on ;)

Brazilian Blowout Before and After

I got my third super sweet Brazilian Blowout done this weekend.

Saturday I let my hair dry naturally cuz I figured: f it, the curls would be dead soon enough.  To my COMPLETE AND UTTER shock, even after 5 months, my curls emerged much looser, smoother and prettier than my natural frizzy geri kinks.  Almost cancelled my appoitment. ALMOST being the operative word, my friends.

Sunday the Brazlian Blowout left me with Poccahontas dream hair - the hair I dreamed of for 32 years, the hair I could never quite get even after decades of honing my curl murdering strategery.  I've been swishing it around like Marsha Brady ever since.  Startling myself in the mirror even - "who's that lady" style. Best beauty treatment EVER.

Read more about my adventures with Brazilian Blowouts in previous posts here. 

And contact my magician, my hairdresser, my homegirl Nelly Mollison for a $100 discount off your first treatment when you use my nombre.

Nelly Mollison
Argyle Salon and Spa

(w) 310 623-9000
(c) 323 371-3407

http://www.nellymollison.com/

What to Wear to Palihouse (Hint:One Bare Shoulder)

Sable Crow recently planned a TGIF dinner at Rob Pattison-fave Palihouse with two of his best girlfriends from high school

I managed to snag an invite because one of them has become a reader of ze blog.  Heart!

I rounded out the par-tay with two of MY best college girlfriends: Mr. D and Mr. Architect.  Double heart!

Dinner was tastier than I expected for a trendy hotel hot spot

My fave was the asparagus poêle & oeuf sur le plat - asparagus, sunny side up egg, brown butter, lemon!  Seriously heavenly snarfing.

And seriously hilarious dinner conversation. Lots of sex talk for some reason.

We're talking Samantha Jones would blush. Good dirty times.

Luckily I was the dressed the sex-ay part in my short F21 bubble skirt, Tashkent by Cheyenne cut-out booties and YSL leopard downtown purse.

But the centerpiece of the outfit was the Forever 21 one shouldered hot pink top.  Bought it because it reminded of that cotton candy confection Diane Kruger wore to the Golden Globes. ADORE!

Plus, like Luann from HWONY, I've never met an asymmetrical neckline I don't love. Think they are one fashion-y look that woks on virtually any woman. Remember Donna Karan's motto: no matter what your dress size, a woman's shoulder is always sexy. And there's something especially hot about showing one but not the other. 

But there's one diva that's been OWNING the one shouldered look lately. 

Though she better watch out - there's another one-shouldered sparkly Latina in town. 

Breaking News: AMAZEBALLS F21 one shouldered dress.  $19.80.  Great drape but that material could be dicey. Must see in person.  Thank CheapChica for the tip!