Packing Heat

My least favorite part of traveling is unpacking.  In fact, sometimes my suitcase stays packed when I get home until I use everything in it. I very much enjoy the packing process, but I know its not easy for everyone.  You pack too much, you pack too little or just plain never bring the right things.  I have it down to a science at this point.  I travel for work mostly, so I always feel it necessary to look stylish as my outfit is my business card.  But, packing for style and practicality can be the hardest part.

 How does she do it?

She DOES her weather research
She DOES find out what the plans for your trip are (no sense in needing a ball gown and not having one)
She DOES pack bottoms and outer wear that she can repeat
She DOES strategically plan her outfits so as not to pack unnecessary items (such as belts or shoes)
She DOES pack one extra outfit
She DOES take pictures so she can remember those outfits
She DOES take a picture of accessories for inventory purposes
She DOES pack a travel steamer and a small styling kit (double stick tape, safety pins, needle and thread, lint remover)
She DOES NOT bring an excess of shoes (they are the heaviest, next to jeans that weight 3 pounds)
She DOES NOT pack a bottle of wine (She learned the hard way)

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No trip planned?  Too bad I don't know a travel agent or I would plug them right about here.

Flea-ing the Scene

I like to Flea (I coined it).  I usually go to my favorite little place across the way from it (Lola's on fairfax) to participate in bottomless libations paired with fruit to gain energy.  I stop off at the ATM and pull out exactly my limit, as not to over spend which is easy to do at the flea market.  The stroll across the street is just long enough to gain excitement, just short enough to not lose interest on the way there, as I AM a Gemini.

I walk in and usually gasp every 5 steps at things I wish I needed {deer antlers, chandelier crystals, and assorted animal skins}  However, it's jewelry that I always need, and its just the place to find unique one of a kind new and vintage pieces.  Like the gem below, the real starfish dipped in gold that I bought for $20.










A few helpful tips when flea-ing:

* Take a full walk around the entire market first then come back to the booths you like best.
* Put things on hold if you can, most vendors will let you.
* DO NOT purchase the first thing you fall in love with, some vendors might have the same thing (or similar) for cheap.
*  Haggle a bit, chances are they will always come down $5 or $10.

Herb Ritts: L.A. Style

Oh yeah!  So many fashion/photography exhibits coming this Spring?Summer, and this might be my favorite!

April 3–August 26, 2012 Herb Ritts (American, 1952–2002) was a Los Angeles-based photographer who established an international reputation for his distinctive photographs of fashion models, nudes, and celebrities. From the late 1970s until his untimely death from AIDS in 2002, Ritts's ability to create photographs that successfully bridged the gap between art and commerce was not only a testament to the power of his imagination and technical skill but also marked the synergy between art, popular culture, and business that followed in the wake of the Pop Art movement of the 1960s and 1970s. This exhibition features a selection of Ritts's vintage prints, magazine covers, Polaroids, and commercial video projects.

Gone Mad

What a perfect introduction to Spring!  Sipping Scotch, while sitting for a caricature artist is just my kinda party.  Not to mention, the most adorable models lounging around in the new Spring Banana Republic Mad Men Collection: and what a brilliant, sweet, and versatile collection it was.  Doily laces, bright pink silks and statement necklaces makes me want to be a Mad Men woman for Spring!  Comfort Glamour I call it, and almost every body type can wear these pieces.