The Scene

Big fat Jewish deli breakfast this am.

Worshiped at the altar of Italian couture in the afternoon.

And dinner at Pinches Tacos. What a (heathen) Easter ;)

If you love pugs, fashion, gays & Rome, the sumptuous new documentary Valentino:The Last Emperor is for you. It certainly feels like it was made for me. Seriously, run in heels, don't walk in flats.



Not only do you get stunning fashion like this ah-mazing gown which you follow from Valentino's dream one morning through the collaborative design process to the final runway debut months later.










But you also get a love story. A love story that spans nearly 50 years. A professional and personal partnership between two men - two fabulously talented and tan men. Two men who have created beauty and an empire together.



At a time when gay marriages are under attack and everyone's interested in turning a quick buck rather than creating an enduring legacy, this film is deeply inspiring.







Plus there's this priceless moment when Karl Lagerfeld whispers to Valentino, "Compared to us, everyone else is making rags." Me-OW. Me loves a cat.

The Outfit
Forever 21 dress and jacket


The Accessories
JCrew rosette pin
Gucci bag
Fashion District rosette bracelet
Vintage scarf
Marc by Marc Jacobs heels
Forever 21 ring
Me&Ro necklace
Louis Vuitton earrings

The Grade
A

The Commentary

After a week of so much black







I was ready for pretty spring colors today.

Read to get my easter on

Sans the ears and baskets ;)

Nothing says easter to me like a Pucci-inspired swirl of pinks and yellows




And nothing says (Playboy) bunny like today's plunging neckline. F. Had to keep tucking my bra away.

Today's dress may be a rag in the grand scheme of fashion but it makes me feel as though I was wearing Valentino couture.





The cut is just so flattering, the material so easy, the colors so vibrant.

Got quite a reaction all day.




Maybe people actually think it's this season Pucci.

Suckas.











Currently on the hunt for just the right Pucci-inspired maxi dresses.

They'd be perfection for this summer's Mexico and Hawaii trips. Dying for a tropical getaway.











If money were no object, I'd pick up this Milly dress

And pair it with these Stella sandals.

Alas, money IS an object. Haven't built my empire YET. My big splurge this weekend? Getting my nails did. Not quite the same ;(

The Scene
Got home tonight to discover that Mr. Diabolina left work early to buy and set up our tree all by hisself!!

Adore! Nothing like having a 6 foot 2 Christmas elf of your very own!





After basking in the glow of our purty holiday decorations, we met The Peeper and her husband Dr. Peeper at The Red Lion Tavern. You MUST put this German pub on your list of places to try in Lalaland. Have yet to find the man who doesn't fall in love with it.




It's fun for the ladies too. After all, tonight I tried German wieners :) Didn't think I could finish but somehow I stuffed all those wieners in my mouth! I am a wiener winner.



Any time we visit a restaurant that specializes in sausage there's alot of "that's what she said" joking. And tonight was no exception. The Peeper was not amused but Michael Scott would have been proud ;)



Over said weiners, Dr. Peeper regailed us with crazzzzzzzzy tales of his summers in Germany during high school. We also plotted the buddy comedy that he should star in with Mr. D. Picture Cheech and Chong meets Bosom Buddies. Or ER meets L.A. Law. Endless hilarious possibilities for this dynamic duo.



After dinner, we met Dr. Peeper's friends for drinks at The Palm downtown and walked over to L.A. Live. We expected it to be crawling with people since it just opened last night. But it was a ghostown.

I found the whole set up very disappointing. Was expecting something akin to Third Street Promenade or The Grove. Not just an underwhelming tree and a two-story ESPN zone. Plus there was nary a shop in sight. F. What are downtown fashionistas, chopped liver?




Regardless, we had a great evening catching up with one of our all-time favorite couples. Though I must admit whenever we hang out, I get nervous Mr. D might leave me for that charming Dr. Peeper.




The Outfit
Robert Rodriguez pants
Forever 21 turtleneck
Theory velvet miltary jacket

The Accessories
Chanel bag and earrings
Marc Jacobs Mary Janes
Pucci scarf

The Grade
A

The Commentary
Two months after beginning my search for black cropped pants, today I debuted the pair I found up in San Francisco. Hurrah for high water.






They are a little looser and a little longer than I would have liked.





But I really like the sheen and the tuxedo detaling along the side.







Felt simply chic today. Like a Euro fashion editor. Booties would have made the outfit tres Nina but opted for the MJ MJs instead.





The Pucci scarf spiced up the all black perfectly. Heart how it matched the swirl of colors that was the L.A. Live tree of lights.


I looked almost as gouda as Brit Brit did last night at the grand opening in her blue dress, white coat and bejeweled Louboutins. So happy to see her looking so healthy and styled.

The Scene
Earlier this week, Peaches sent me this article about breakfast spots in L.A. Notified me that he'd like to sample a few the next time he's in town. He is the only pig I know that plans meals months in advance. Love him.

The article got me thinking that I've been dying to check out the new hotel The London. And THAT got me thinking about this Sable Crow blog post which got me thinking about another little piggie I know, Weemo.


Fast forward to today - the three of us had a fancified Sunday brunch with


One impeccably turned out Sable Crow






And two adorably hungry Monkeys. Truly the perfect six-some!






The setting was stylish. Very Kelly Wearstler, very Bergdorf Goodman, very Sable Crow.

Love how he perfectly matched the decor in shades of steely gray. Love the emblazoned Juicy Couture too.





The food was stupendous - Gordon Ramsay stupendous. Proof positive is the eyes of cuisine connossiuers rolling back into their monkey heads! Hee hee!





But hearing my mom laugh was the best part of the experience. She adores Sable Crow. She gets such a kick out of his clothes and his stories and well, his gay Andy Rooney SELF.

And ever since my birthday party, she's been falling for The Monkeys. It was great to hear her giggle over their antics. It was great to see her relax and forget.

It was a bit of trip down memory lane for the two of us. When the hotel was The Bel Age in the 80s, we'd come here for Mother's Day brunches. Have such fond memories of us dressed up with my dad, hoovering waffles and omelettes.


My mom also got a HUGE kick out of the fact that half the table was bloggers. She kept encouraging our obnoxiousness. Setting up shots. Suggesting angles. F. It's like feeding the animals at the zoo. Not a good idea.



I love that Mr. Monkey and my monkey as the dignified non-bloggers at the table were so tolerant of all the picture-taking. They are gems.

In fact, Mr. D was on a roll today. After brunch, he ran a few errands and picked me up the Gossip Girl DVD. FINALLY I can be part of the in-fashionista crowd!!! I don't deserve him.


Relaxing weekend after a stressful week.



The Outfit
3.1 Phillip Lim dress

The Accessories
Prada shoes
Chanel bag and earrings
Tarina Tarantino Mod Kitty bracelet
Pucci scarf

The Grade
A



The Commentary
The big debut of the Phillip Lim little black dress. Ugh it is simply perfect. Love the drape at the neck and the arm holes. So elegant.


The peeps of white at the hemline and at the pockets make me giddy. So Chanel.







But the drape at the back is my favorite part. It's just the right hint of sexy for me.



Makes me want to dance like this Josephine Baker print in our bathroom.





Today was also the grand debut of the Pucci scarf! Originally wanted to wear it around my neck but it didn't work with the neckline of the dress.


Then I wanted to tie it around my head but figured it would be too much, too Maria.







Ultimately just tied it around my bag and called it a day. Provided a much needed pop of color(s). Think it worked beautifully with the Prada shoes and made the whole look more brunch appropriate. More festive.






Did you notice my mom's top? It's Forever 21!!!




Great copy of the designer top all the glitteratti were wearing earlier this year!!! Suckers!!!!!!!!







Loved how she and I matched YET AGAIN today! We both even wore Chanel earrings. Yummers!



There was actually lots of matching today. I wore my Mod Kitty for Weemo and she wore it for me. ADORE!




Even the non-bloggers in the house matched in polos and jeans. I take it as a sign that we're all linked. That today was meant to be.


Read WeeMo's account of the day here.
Sable Crow's behind the scenes look here.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE blog cross-over episodes!





p.s. Here are two of the dresses I am considering getting with my left over credit at Phillip Lim. Part of the holiday line. I love.




p.s. Random note: The Bel Age hotel was also the site of the infamous Color Me Badd Beverly Hills 90210 episode. Do you remember???

It is also the episode where they caught Donna's mom cheating. And I do believe Dylan "lived" at The Bel Age Eloise-style for a season between drugging and living at that random shack of a house. 'member????



Maybe there's a potential tie-in with the new hotel and the new season coming up...