The Scene
Planned one final celebration for my mister's birthday tonight. Made dinner reservations at Loteria, next to Geisha House in Hollywood.




Have been dying to try it since I read this Los Angeles Magazine article months and months ago.






Think you can tell quite a bit about a Mexican restaurant from the salsa and margaritas alone.




And Loteria did not disappoint this salsa/margarita monster.







Mr. D's flank steak was also uber tasty and tender. A bit fatty though. But then again, so am I ;)





The hands-down winner of the night: my probaditas platter - a taco sampler of the restaurant's 12 tacos. GOOD GOD THEY WERE DELICIOUS.








After dinner, we went to see Rain at the Pantages. Like most old white men, Mr. Diabolina is a big Beatles fan. We loved the Cirque show in Vegas so we thought this tribute band looked fun too.



And it was. Such a wide range of ages, such beautiful timeless music, such an influential band. Perfect end to a long week, lovely way to celebrate 32 years of Mr. D.








The Outfit
Forever 21 dress
Vintage coat

The Accessories
Me&Ro necklace
DKNY tights
Marc Jacobs bag
Marni shoes

The Grade
A-









The Commentary
Started from the ground up today again. Love these Marni shoes. Especially with the MJ.




They'd be purrfection with this Marc Jacobs dress that Leighton stole out of my dream closet. F.










Tonight I opted to pair them with tights.







Make the look more evening.










The dress I found at Forever a few months ago. Pricey at $46.







But think it looks infinitely more expensive.










The obi type shape make it very Spring Vuitton.






Currently on the look out for a budget friendly obi belt










Also trying to find one that can loop around for a Phillip Lim effect.






Seeing it as an investment since bows will be all over waists well into the Fall.










Also thinking it may be worth it to take this dress in to my mom's tailor. Was right in-between the sizes. The large fits well in the hips but not so much on top. Boo.






Need to get on Gwyneth's work out plan. STAT. Would be so nice to not have to play magician and masquerade the middle wobble from all the gobble gobbling ;)












Update: Just found the dress still online at Forever. You're welcome.

Ugh. Think I love it even more in this color combo.

Must. resist.

Diabolina Styled Me...And I Liked it

The Modern Type

I didn't think of myself as the likeliest candidate to hire a personal stylist. I mean I know how to dress myself. Separates and accessories are my 'thing'.

Sure, I didn't always know what I was doing fashion-wise. I blame 12+ years in a Catholic school uniform. I remember those years, wishing I could stand out from the crowd, wishing I could indulge in the back-to-school shopping extravaganzas like the public school kids. But alas, I was limited to plaid skirts and soccer uniforms. Meh. Oh and I had a mom who liked to dress me and comb my hair right up until 9th grade. I know, GASP, right?


Once I was 'of age' to pick my own outfits, I quickly learned what worked and what didn't. I mostly stuck with a muted neutral palette. Lots of solids, mixed in colorful accessories. Bought a few go-to pairs of shoes and voila - a grown up wardrobe was born!

A few months ago, I found Diabolina's blog and I was impressed at the guts someone had to have to display her outfits daily for, like, the whole world to see. The frequent posts, the colorful outfits and her witty charm kept me coming back for more.

I started questioning my outfits and my wardrobe. Suddenly, I was paying more and more attention to what I was wearing every day. What was going on? All from a blog? Written by a stranger? Who had no idea I was reading?

I'm happy to report that I finally did have a chance to meet and work with D and feel less stalker-ish, more friend-ish. When she mentioned she was considering doing personal styling work, I was thrilled for her and told her I was interested. My engagement photo shoot was coming up and I had an amazing photographer lined up. I knew I wanted to look fabulous but I was unsure of where to start. Diabolina immediately stepped up to the plate and hit the ground running.

We initially met over lunch at ChinChin to discuss options. She asked me lots of questions. What was the location of the shoot? What kind of look was I going for? What were my fashion likes and dislikes? What makes me feel confident? What does Steven (my fiancé) enjoy seeing me wear?


It was in that conversation that I realized just how important fashion is to a person, how it can be soooo much deeper than wearing something simply because it's cute. Fashion can be about your history and who you are now and how you want others to see you in the future. It can be about function but it's also about inspiration. It's about having fun and taking chances. It can be a metaphor for how you live your life.

Early on D decided that I was an A+ at separates and accessories. She knew I could pull together a good casual look for the shoot. So she thought we should focus on a dressier look.

Confession: I don't enjoy shopping. And although I love to dress up, I feel like dressier looks require more scouring and searching and trying on and ugh. I have no patience. No bueno.

Thankfully, Diabolina came to the rescue by shopping for me. Plus she created, the most valuable resource that, in my opinion, will take her far as a stylist: THE lookbook of all lookbooks! Based on my shape, my personality, my likes and my style, she pulled together a customized Flickr folder for me full of nearly a hundred options for the shoot and beyond. Dresses, accessories, shoes, separates - you name it.

She chose things that would flatter my figure, colors that would work well with my skin tone and prices that would fit in my budget. She commented on every single picture. It was like she was talking me through why certain cuts and designers and styles would work for me. I'm not sure how many stores and racks and websites she perused, but I do know that I had lots to choose from.


From there, I chose half a dozen dresses to try on. We had our second meeting at Diabolina's stylish home. So fun to pull belts and shoes and necklaces from her own closet to mix in with the dresses we had picked!! She even had Mr. Diabolina weigh in with the male opinion - eeks!




Although I liked several of the looks we tried, I fell head over heels with this one. Karen Millen. Diabolina scored it for just $75. Originally close to $300.





I decided I really had to have it even if I didn't end up wearing it for the shoot. I love, love, love it

In the weeks leading up to the shoot, I became obsessed with my lookbook. Diabolina's suggested looks translated into things I was able to easily find myself in stores near me/in my price range. Things I would never have considered prior to our meeting. The whole experience taught me that even if your wardrobe is pretty great already, it doesn't hurt to open your eyes to other possibilities.




The final looks I wore to the engagement shoot were directly influenced by Diabolina's lookbook and by all of her recommendations via the blog. I completely attribute my styling to all of her guidance.

I really really enjoyed working with and getting to know the fab blogger I love to follow! Diabolina definitely has a gift for conceptualizing a fashion idea into reality. I wish I had more money and more time and we could have dragged the process on for even longer. If she could dress me daily, I'd be the happiest girl alive!


- The Modern Type

***

Ugh, how adorable is she??? Couldn't have asked for a more supportive, lovely first client. It was a real honor to be a part of such a special time in her life.

And did I mention she is a mind-blowingingly talented photographer. Check out her stunning recent work at The Modern Type.

To see more of The Modern Type's GORGEOUS engagement photo shoot pictures, visit Jasmine Star Photography.

Finally, if you are interested in discussing a styling consultation, email me. Thanks to all of you for the support over the last year. YOU have helped ME transform in more ways than you know. Kiss.

The Scene

Today I had an impromptu lunch date with my favorite resale stores. Had to do it. Had to get through the work day somehow.

Fell for this navy Milly ruffle dress. So elegant. A little like Lanvin. Alas, the fit was weird on my hippy hips so I had to just say no.

Almost fulfilled my lifelong dream of owning Missoni. Sure the dress was snagged here and there but I loved the Neopolitan ice cream colors AND it was 50% off. Missoni for a $100!! Dress retailed for at least 4 times that.

Unfortunately, sleeveless, crew neck knit dresses are not particularly flattering on the curvy. Sigh. Thinking if I ever do pick up Missoni it will have to be a sweater or a top. No dresses for the no waisted.

Drowned my fashion sorrows over dinner at Cheebo. Mushroom truffle pizza. Ugh. No wonder my ass is approaching the width of a small truck. F.

But tonight I was celebrating. Celebrating the chance to catch up with my baby Styleminded. Miss her and the rest of the gang at my old job. S0.damn.much. Can't believe next month will be a year since I left. Glad we are always able to pick up where we left off every time we get together. They are like family.

The Outfit

Dolce and Gabbana skirt

Thrifted sweater

Image wrap sweater

The Accessories

DKNY tights

Forever 21 belt

Chanel purse
Dolce and Gabbana pumps

The Grade

A

The Commentary
Finally got my fashion mojo back today. Hooray! Built the outfit around the shoes.

It's impossible to wear Dolce and Gabbana leopard print and not feel fabulous.

Though I am not too fond of the Herman Munster leopard shoes they showed for Fall 2009.

But those tights they paired with them are HOT.

I was all about the tights today.

With the contrasting shoe

Fabulous skirt





And belt, I felt chic chic chic.







Wore this belt



Because I can't stop fantasizing about this one.

Some bloggers are mooning over these at TopShop.com. A tenth of the price of the YSL one. But I spit on them. They offend me. Too cheap and plasticy. They don't even compare with the real thang.

The blogosphere has been abuzz with this week's opening of Topshop in NYC. Heard there was a three hour wait to get in today!!!

Peach and I were talking about how we love Topshop as much as the next fashionable person on a budget. But we think the store has been overromanticized by Americans. Absence always makes the heart grow fonder. Remember when we didn't have H&M in the states? How I would pine for it. Now that it's here? I hardly ever shop there.

I will admit this shot of the shoe department has me dying to head back to NYC for a little looksee. Maybe this Fall...

The Scene

Mr. Diabolina got invited to this Clothes Off Our Backs charity event tonight. At La Perla. In Beverly Hills. But he didn't want to go. And I didn't want to go alone. So instead we had matzo ball soup and watched Intervention. No I am not April Foolin you. I wish I was.

Remember the delish gift bag at last year's party? I could have gotten fancy panties this time instead of Tarina Tarantino stuff. Which means he could have gotten me in fancy panties. F.

Think I am going to wear granny panty Spanx all week. As retribution.

The Outfit

3.1 Phillip Lim dress

Image wrap sweater

The Accessories

Frauda sunglasses

Chanel purse and earrings

Kate Spade slides

Marc Jacobs bracelet

The Grade

B


The Commentary

I dressed up today, hoping against hope Mr. Diabolina might change his mind and RSVP for the event at the last minute. Wah.

Would have fit right in with the color palette of the evening. Double wah.

Today's choice was inspired once again by the First Lady.



Our very own royalty.

Have been spying loads of black and white lately.

My signature colors.

Almost time to start wearing my white jackets.














And stocking up on white tees and tanks.












Realized today's dress was a little like Blair's dress last night. Jinx.

Wore the flats today to be comfy. In my head, I was rocking these flower power Pradas. Alas, even on sale this Christmas they were still close to $500. Ouchy.

My $30 flower MJ wrist will have to see me through until my million dolla book deal comes through....