The Scene
One day closer to the Chanel party. And Sex and the City The Movie. This week is fabulosity.

Best part of my day was having lunch with Mr. Architect. We discuss stolen cars, our misters, work doldrums, blogging, looking skinny and yoga - all the important topics in life.

Adore that I get to see him more now that we work 10 blocks away from each other. He makes me giddy like the 20 year old schoolgirl I was when I met him.


The Outfit
Forever 21 black eyelet jacket
Banana Republic ribbed black tank
Rogan for Target wide leg trousers

The Accessories
Forever 21 bangle and fuchsia headband
Faux Van Cleef and Arpels necklace
Louis Vuitton earrings
Marc by Marc Jacobs Airliner clutch
Banks & Biddle bracelet
Stuart Weitzman flat gold gladiators
Gucci black horse bit sunglasses

The Grade
B


The Commentary
In a New York state of mind. What with the SATC movie coming out and my trip coming up next week...lots of Big Apple references swirling around up there.

Decided to to channel head to toe black fierceness with pops of fanciful color. A very L.A. interpretation of NYC style, me thinks.


The headband is sooo Gossip Girl I can hardly stand it. Adore. My favorite combination of late seems to be this fuchsia with turquoise. Feels so fresh and young and live to me. Cannot get enough of it.


This eyelet jacket is a dream. A plethora of details. The sleeves, the shoulders, the the neckline. The peekaboo sweetness that's kinda naughty. Very Chanel meets Nanette Lepore.

Bought it for under $30 about 2 years ago. It has more than paid for itself. Tres chic. The perfect summer jacket.



Felt like giving the new Rogan for Tarjay pants a whirl today. Let me tell you for $39 they are a grrrrrrreat fit. Especially through the seat.

Latin women typically come in two extremes when it comes to rear ends: JLo badonkadonk and Diabolina flat pancake. But this pant miraculously slims across the hips while simultaneously lifting the tush. Amazing feat. You typically have to choose one or the other. The entire Rogan line is made of organic cotton and let me assure you, these pants FEEL as good as they look. Like your favorite pj bottoms.







The leg was definitely more voluminous than I'm used to but I think heels would balance out the width. Felt a bit dumpy schlumpy in the flats. But comfort outweighed fashion today. Ugh. Did I really just say that?? Someone shoot me.





Have been seeing the Duffster in GREAT wide legged jeans lately. And she is tiny. Like a little over 5 feet or something.




Think the key to sporting them is truly adding height. And an of-the-moment bag doesn't hurt ;)

The Scene
Back to the salt mines today.

It's starting to sink in that this new life is mine. It's been feeling surreal for the past few weeks. Now it's starting to feel real. Probably because I have deadlines. Gulp.

Had lunch with a dear friend from a job I had five years ago. Can't believe we've known each other that long. He and I worked on a big project together and were work besties for nearly a year.

He kept me sane and vice versa. He is wise and hilarious and supportive and not bad on the eyes either. SOOOO pleased I get to see him more often now that I work 10 minutes from where he lives. YAY!

The Outfit
Strapless brick-colored jersey dress
Chocolate wrap sweater

The Accessories
Louis Vuiton Speedy
Manolo Blahnick d'orsay pumps
Me&Ro necklace
Forever 21 medallion necklace and bangle
Faux Van Cleef & Arpels earrings
Chanel brown sunglasses

The Grade
B+

The Commentary
Wanted to feel comfortable today after such a busy weekend. Wanted to ease into the week - outfit first. But instead of wearing the jersey yumminess with a flat, I decided to keep it on the dressier side by adding the Manolos. Manolos could dress up a trash bag. Plus I figured it'd be the purrfect way to kick off Sex and the City week ;)

I know I sound like a broken record but I just have to reiterate what a divine blank canvas these jersey dresses provide. They work on vacation at the beach and on a day off in L.A. and at a business casual office. It's all about how you accessorize them.

To that end, thought I'd do another little Lucky magazine inspired post. Remember how I've done one outfit worn multiple way posts? Each time I've focused on clothing and shoes and purses. Not so much jewelry.

I'm just not a big jewelry person. Neither is my mom. I learned it by watching her. But I am trying to change that since using jewelry creatively is such an easy way to reinvent an old outfit. It's a low cost way to breathe new life into an old frock. So take a look at how different the same dress can look by just changing ONE thing: the necklace.


Today I layered delicate gold necklaces. Hills girl style. A super luxe one with a $4 one. Not sure you'd be able to tell which one is which and that's the way I like it :) Matched the turquoise earrings to both.




Now here are some necklaces that I've collected from the Fashion District over the years.

None cost more that $20 but look like something you'd get at Nordie's for three times that price, no?







All of them are unique and pretty and add such visual interest to an outfit.


They can all be dressed up or dressed down.








This was my latest purchase. Love the tribal feel with the cobalt color!


Dig how so many of them look like I picked them up on vacation.






These last four neclaces I got at Forever.



All of these I would say cost less than $15.






Liked this flat "stone" one so much that I got it in yellow too.


Never worn this one. Just liked the possibility of it in the store. Still waiting for the perfect outfit for it.




With today's look, you could obviously also change up the sweater/jacket, shoes, bag, earrings and bracelets and even rings to match your necklace of choice. You could even switch up your hair and your makeup too to create even more possibilities...

You gotta love being a girl. It's so much fun! :)

New Feature: Diabolina Don't

I know it's happened to you. It happens to all of us. It strikes swiftly and mercilessly. It goes by many names but I call it The Shopping Frenzy. And it's a big Diabolina Don't.

The Shopping Frenzy is that irrational thing that takes over when you buy clothes that you don't need or don't really want or don't have any business owning. They might be on sale or limited edition or made by your favorite designer so you justify the purchase.

The Shopping Frenzy makes you switch into consume, consume, consume mode. You turn off that sensible shopper voice inside you and turn into a big capitalist problem. Blech. It's not attractive and deep down you know it's not right but you do it anyway.

I have been pretty good about not falling prey to The Shopping Frenzy in the past few years. Only buying things I absolutely love. Thinking and rethinking the purchases I'm not sure about.

But out of nowhere, the frenzy took hold of me a few weeks ago. It happened at Barney's with the Rogan for Target line.

I KNEW the stuff wasn't me. Knew it from all that I'd seen online. Knew that I didn't really need any of it. But there I was buying it after reading what a frenzy it created in NYC. Buying it because it felt good to get stuff at Barney's (where I NEVER shop) that didn't cost a small fortune. F. What a dope.

All the warning signs were there. I expressed hesitation to Fancypants in the dressing room. When I got home, I didn't take the clothes out of the bag and hang them up. Two weeks later they are still in that bag. I don't know about you but when I really love something I wear it right away.



The final straw came a week ago when I saw two of my fave online fashion bloggers wearing the looks.



Confused? Let me explain, Childhood Flames is a teenager and Fashion Toast is in her early 20s. Both are model thin, no curves, deliciously waif-like. And they lead very different lives than I do from what I can tell.





The Rogan pieces fit them to a T. Me and my body and my life? Not so much. They are passable, yes. I could work them, yes. But don't really want to.


Not quite sure how I deluded myself. Probably the little cute details like the leopard print on the jeans and the colorful buttons on the jumper. I'm such a sucker for details. Sigh.





Well, at the very least I did get one good pair of wide leg trousers that are very me and tote bag that I want to be part of a greener me.

And I guess I have this cautionary tale to share with you to help steer you away from similarly misguided shopping frenzies.

The Scene
Woke up with a rat's nest on my head. Ugh. Kinda looked like this SATC poster. Except not remotely poster worthy. F to my curly parents.

Despite the follicle fiasco, enjoy a lovely leisurely breakfast with my love before taking him to behold the spectacle that is the new Americana at Brand shopping experience.

He allowed me to pop into the heavenly sprawling Forever 21 store for a quick hello. Knew not to press my luck and think I could shop. Mr. Diabolina rarely indulges me with shopping tolerance. We are talking twice a year - tops!

So I just did a quick as a bunny visual scan of the two glorious floors.


Saw lots of frilly tops that looked promising. Remembered I had just read that ruffly blouses are going to be big this fall. Get yours now :)





Ironically, while I wasn't looking, Mr. Diabolina found some preppy $22 shorts in the boys' Heritage department.


Snapped em up without even trying them on. Humph! How did that happen?? How did HE end up carrying the signature yellow bag out the door????



Relax at home all afternoon and enjoy a lovely dinner with Sable Crow at the Chateau.




Perfect end to a perfectly long weekend.






The Outfit
Forever 21 knit sweater
Proenza Schouler for Target tank
Target skinny jeans

The Accessories
Lucite bangles
Chanel necklace
London Soul flats
Louis Vuitton Speedy
Faux diamond studs

The Grade
P


The Commentary
Woke up feeling blah today. It was partly the weather and partly the fro. Gravitated to this cozy sweater and the headband to address each issue, respectively.

Decided to attempt a monochromatic grey look like the one I threw together back in February. Mr. Diabolina said I must be dressing to reflect the grey skies, that the outfit embodied the bleak uninspiring weather. He is getting good.

Love the Chanel necklace with this little PS top. Very feminine. It's a great top because it mixes equally well with casual or work looks. It was my sole PS for Target purchase, much to my dismay.


Unfortunately, my top does not scream signature Proenza Schouler like, say, a bustier inspired tank does. But the Tar-jay "bustier" just didn't work for me.

Didn't feel like it was worth the $40 price tag with it's cheapy satin sheen. And, well, the rest of the collection felt too East Coast for me, too costumey preppy. I didn't really get it. It just left me cold.

Still love the PS boys tho. So hot, so young, so very American sportswear. Can't remotely afford their stuff but working on it ;)


Their Crayola-like Fall 2008 collection was one of the few that made me giddy this season. Love the use of clashing colors to create a strong yet still very feminine statement.




Two of my fave fashionistas Gwyneth Paltrow and Carrie Bradshaw recently stepped out in Proenza Schouler looks.



Love how their clothes are so distinctly womanly, somehow modern and retro at the same time. They have a pretty strength that appeals to the wild-haired Amazon in me :)

The Scene
Mommy Sunday. Have a nice Venezuelan brunch with her and her new YSL leopard tote. Drool!!!


She looks adorable today, no? I mean exceptionally tiny and doll-like.




In the afternoon, we head out to see M&M and her husband. Stop by Target and go crazy getting them little trinkets to make the next 3-8 weeks at the hospital bearable. Snacks, magazines, beauty products. Anything I can think of to lift their spirits...



But when we get to the hospital, I realize there's really no need. They are already in great spirits. Even as they recount the horrific details of the crash and delineate the long recovery process ahead, they are so positive and grateful. My mom and I leave feeling truly inspired and awed by their resilience.

Don't get me wrong. During the two hour visit, we cry and discuss the possibility of permanent paralysis.


But we choose to focus on the miracle of their survival. We acknowledge every moment we share now is a gift. No point in focusing on anything other than that.


For dinner, we head over to Chowmein's house and St. Jude comes over with her baby girl. Mr. Chicken Nugget and the girls play with my mom while the three of us discuss M&M.


It's the first time the three of us are together since the crash. It's still so surreal. Never thought we'd be having these conversations. Never EVER.




But as I looked at their little angels, falling asleep and running around, I am reminded that I also never knew we'd have randomly beautiful nights quite like these.

Nights filled with babies squealing and girlfriends supporting each other. This is life. It is rich and textured and challenging and luminous. We are lucky to have one another. That's the lesson that comes shining through in all of this for me.

Emotionally draining yet uplifting day.



The Outfit
Forever 21 leggings
Forever 21 tunic
Vintage Parisian trench coat

The Accessories
YSL tote
BCBG flat boots
Forever 21 purple leaf bracelet
Faux diamond studs

The Grade
B


The Commentary
Was super anxious about seeing M&M today. Wasn't sure how I'd react to seeing her and how she'd react to me reacting. Ugh. Just didn't want to upset her in any way. Wanted to do and say the right things.

Consequently I didn't put much thought into what I wore. Loved yesterday's comfy legging and boots look so decided to repeat it. Just added last night's dress and tucked it into the leggings. Pretty bold of me since it showed quite a bit of thigh and tush. Did wear a trench coat most of the day but still...

When I took the coat off in her room, M&M remarked on the dress and said my hair was looking cute. So kind of her to comment with everything on her mind. But she's always been so generous with compliments. She's a good friend like that...

She was the one who looked amazing. Fresh as a daisy in a pretty little blue tank top and sweats. Today she was proof positive that a good attitude is more important than any designer outfit, that a woman's beauty is not strictly defined by her physical appearance, and that the human spirit is one of the most stunningly radiant things on the planet.