Alright. So I attended the Grand Opening party for LN2 Pizza Shoppe last weekend in LA. First things first: The pizza is amazing (try the Shrooms pizza)! The ambiance is hot! the Nitrogen homemade ice cream is bomb! The cocktail menu is fire (your Melrosita will literally come to your table on fire)! And you have to try the brussel sprouts... cray. Not kidding I'm going back this week.

But, your girl was not red-carpet ready and should have just passed by and got straight to enjoying the festivities. Here's what happened. I was a last minute plus 1 (yay for knowing people). So, I closet shopped, did my own hair and make-up, and forgot to take a look at my nails before walking out the door. What turned out to be a great look in person - raking in lots of compliments - simply DID NOT photograph well.

There were a few lessons learned here:
1. Everything that looks good in person, may not look good on camera - including make-up.
2. I need a stylist.
3. If the nails aren't done, skip the carpet.
4. Jackets like this don't photograph well.
5. When in doubt, skip the carpet. Did I say that already?

I was happy that Getty Images decided to leave mine out of the bunch published for the night. But I was happy that my girl, Tysha Williams, dug up these taken by Bob Delgadillo so that I can see what I was really giving. 

I'll get 'em next time. Ain't no thing. 

Closet Shopping Round 2!

TOP - This little layered spaghetti strap top is one of those summer staples. It's the gift that keeps on giving. The tricky thing about spaghetti straps for me is the length of the straps fitting your comfort and cleavage taste level. What you can't see from the pictures is the back which has an extra  horizontal tie that allows for convenient adjustment. No extra strap adjusters necessary! LOVE this super versatile cutie. I have to work hard not to wear it all summer long! 

SHORTS - Another one of those finds from my favorite high-end consignment shop! These hot pink shorts are one of a two-piece summer ensemble and certainly the star of this whole fit! The high waist, A-line, split front cut forms the shape of a hanging tulip. So feminine, so comfortable. I cannot wait to wear the entire suit together. For this shoot, I decided to go a little more casual with it.

SHOES - Ah, more Footloose memories! These satin champagne BCBG MAX AZARIA 4 1/2" pumps feature a black heel and completed my ensemble for the premiere several years back. Yay to beautiful repurposed foot wear!

JEWELRY - I love a double stacked necklace. You can't really go wrong. The smaller of the two is from Anthropology and features a quartz crystal, hanging cubic zirconia, and creates a triangular shape that  is so pretty with a low neckline. The longer necklace helps to create movement with a hanging tassel and three pearls to recall the earrings. I really love a classic earring. These pearl drop earring also feature cubic zirconia. The real diamond is reserved for the left hand. :)

I had such a good time scouting a location for this ensemble. I happened upon these two picturesque vistas and knew immediately that they would complete the romantic, classic, girl-bossy vibe that I was going for. These photos are giving me all of the lady who is feminine and driven, nurturing and sensual, soft and powerful vibes. To me that's the essence of womanhood,  a masterful interplay of push and pull. I love being a woman and these photos reflect me about as well as any ever have.

Leave a comment. Let me know that you were here and what you think of this look. 

So I went shopping in my closet the other day and found some gems - some classic pieces that turned into a whole fit!

TANK - This is the only piece of the puzzle that is brand new. A classic white tank from UNIQLO. I snatched this and two other little must-haves from the store at the Beverly Center last week. GAH! Love that place. 

SKIRT - So one of my besties had to part ways with this bebe black faux leather mini. It had served her well but the curves she's gained (in all the right places, mind you) turned into a friendship perk in my favor. I did have to squeeze a little to zip it all the way but we did. Oh yes, we did.

JACKET - This emerald green scene stealer found me! I was looking for a very specific color dress at a consignment shop in Studio City a couple years back, and this jewel fit too well not to take as well. The brand is irrelevant. The cut is the story!

NECKLACE - Last summer my soon-to-be-fiance and I traveled by train from Rome to Florence, Italy (!!) I stumbled on this cool shop with tees, handmade jewelry, books, scarves, tanks. Think Anthropology meets Melody Ehsani. I found a few gifts for family and picked up this necklace that constantly gives me an excuse to tell where it came from.

RIGHT RING - I wore this ring on my first carpet. The Footloose premiere here in LA. Easily top 3 moments of my life! It was a gift from a friend who bought it from a mutual friend who was selling all kinds of beautiful crystal jewelry. Gotta love the friendship perks!

LEFT RING - This OM ring was one of ten that took forever to arrive from an online purchase... It's the only one that didn't end up in the trash 10 minutes after opening the package... The internet can suck sometimes. Don't get had.

SHADES - I freaking LOVE these! I wear them practically every day here in the Golden State. They're KOMONO shades that were gifted during a day party celebrating a friend's birthday at the LINE Hotel last summer in K-Town. Major come up.

SHOES - Classic black suede stiletto platforms. I'm pushing it with these... but these were my first 6" stilettos and I just can't let them go! I snatched these up maybe 5 years ago from ALDO. I'm just going to keep telling myself they're classic because I don't plan to stop wearing them any time soon.

MORAL OF THE STORY - Seek classic pieces and make stylish friends! I love this look. Do you?