My New Business Cards

The Hairy Truth

A post from a few weeks ago got me thinking more about the wonderful process of removing body hair... not just for men, but women too (click here to read that little gem if you haven't already!)

When I moved to Los Angeles, I was faced with a lot of unknowns. I didn’t know a lot about sushi, I wasn’t well informed on the details of homosexuality, I hadn’t yet realized the wonders of Botox or fillers, and I definitely didn’t know that women were waxing every single hair on their @*#%&$. So, my slow movement towards sloughing off a little Texas and mixing in a little Los Angeles started with my first wax job. I went whole hog. I didn’t start with a little eyebrow tweak or the ever important lip wax - I went straight south. Now, I’m not new to pain; I’ve given birth twice and suffered through a divorce. But having my crotch waxed has been the most distressing experience in all my 30++ years. After I limped out of the frou frou wax salon, I realized this living in LA thing was going to be a mix of pain and pleasure.

How did we become so obsessed with shaving, waxing and lasering our bodies? I get men shaving their faces. Hell, I even know some women that should be shaving THEIR faces. I think all women should shave their legs and pits on a regular basis… hairy legs and pits just cause me to stare and wonder “why!?” I'm torn about men shaving their legs. Here are my personal rules on that: if you have legs that look like they belong to the son of Zeus, you’re clear to shave, wax or laser. If you fall into any other category, you need all the masculine fluff you can get to hide the bird leg effect that plagues most men.

Okay, now listen up and read closely. You must be careful when removing hair from your personal spaces. Men who wax or shave their junk just reveal more than we care to see. Don’t get me wrong, a little manscaping makes us all feel better. But I can’t imagine men walking around with their waxed balls, looking like they have a disease similar to an old hunting dog that suffers from “the mange.” Now for women, I have a totally different set of rules. Well, actually only one universal rule: REMOVE ALL HAIR FROM YOUR BODY EXCEPT FOR EYEBROWS AND THE HAIR ON YOUR HEAD — Period!! We are just better smooth. Trust me, no matter what you think, there are very few men out there that want you to get sexy… only to have you reveal your massive Burning Bush. They like it smooth, high and tight, or none at all. It’s not that I’ve had a ton of lovers that allow me to take such a strong stand on this issue - you just have to trust me on this one. Look, if you are currently not investing your time and money into shaving, waxing or lasering, it’s time to start. Don’t walk, run. 

So now that I’ve mastered waxing, the homosexuals, and LA traffic? I’m looking into Scientology.

Karen Walker Interior Inspiration

I came across this color palette by Karen Walker and immediately fell in love. If I was in the market to re-decorate, I would absolutely use these colors - a classic beachside color scheme accented with punches of terra cotta and subtle hints of dusty mauve is so delicious I could devour it. I would incorporate a mixture of textures (leather, wood, and metal) and fine art (photography, abstract art, still life - I love it al!!) See how I would do it below...

Fashion photo: Rosemary from Poshs Black Book via Pinterest

All other photos by Roland Bello

Vanilla Marshmallows

Sometimes when I see something that comes in a really beautiful package, I have to have it, even if I have no real need for what's inside. I felt that way about this gorgeous bottle of Tahitian vanilla - it's absolutely stunning, and I had to have it!!! I don't bake THAT often, so it took a little research to figure out what I could make that would showcase this delicious ingredient (but let's be honest, actually using the vanilla was mostly so that I can feel legitimate about displaying the bottle on my kitchen counter). After some searching, I found a recipe for vanilla marshmallows by The Kitchn, which sounded simple enough to make (although I admit I was a little skeptical after reading through the recipe). To my surprise, they actually were! The recipe makes almost 100 of the most fluffy, vanilla-ey marshmallows I've ever tasted - FAR superior to the bagged kind. The only problem is that I now have about a zillion marshmallows to eat - I think maybe I'll grab the boys and have a family s'mores session in the back yard! Click here to get the recipe.

Bottom image from The Kitchn

Spring Break at the Crosby St. Hotel

Saving The Season With Vodka

This easy recipe combines two things I love this time of year: blood oranges and vodka. Ok... you're right. I love vodka all year round. But blood oranges in California in the spring are absolutely delicious and pair excellently with a smooth vodka. Slightly sweet and slightly spiced, this drink is the perfect transition from winter into spring!

All you need is 1/4 cup simple syrup, 1 lemon, 2 blood oranges, 1 cinnamon stick, and 2 cloves. Put in a jar (like this beautiful jar from Heath Ceramics), top up with vodka, and let sit for up to a week. Serve with soda water on a crisp spring afternoon and enjoy, you deserve it!

Style From Day to Night

Some days I have an absolutely wild schedule, and I need outfits that can easily take me from day to night in case I don't have a chance to make it home to change. A dark, neutral dress in a soft and stretchy fabric cinched with a belt looks great during the day or night, and this tan leather jacket is the perfect color to easily make the transition as well (who knows where the day might take me??) Casual & refined jewelry is also a must - loving the mix of gold and silver in these rings. A great clutch with wood says casual, but the shell sides pull it together enough to look a little more sophisticated for evening. And finally, some comfortable shoes! Nothing TOO high if I'm going to be walking around all day in them (nothing takes a night from bad to worse like sore feet and blisters... trust me, I could share some stories) - the thick ankle strap on this pair is perfect to keep me strapped in and kickin' all night long. 

Owl Cuff by Wildfox Couture Jewelry, Marsh Leather Biker Jacket by AllSaints, Nahla Earrings by Stella & Dot, Tiered Ruffle Dress by Warehouse, Black Heels by Mango, Shell & Wood Clutch by KAYU, Set of Rhinestone Rings by Iosselliani

In The Kitchen

I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Not because I'm a gourmet chef or a health obsessed foodie - I believe the kitchen is one of the most important places in the home. It's a place where the whole family can actually spend time together, so it should be comfortable and warm; a place you can actually look forward to helping kids with the homework or whipping up a quick dinner. Kitchens should be functional and straightforward, but also a place where you and your family will actually want to spend some quality time. I love the use of wood, leather, and glass to give the space a warm, welcoming feel. Stacks of dishes in an open cabinet, vintage wine bottles hanging over a table, and rustic, cast-iron pans on the wall make these kitchens so inviting. I'd love to pour a glass of wine and stay a while...

Images from left to right, top to bottom:

1. En Mi Espacio Vital  2. Scandinavian Retreat  3. House of Bliss  4. Remain Simple  5. FFFFound!  6. Remodelista  7. S.R. Gambrel   8. Colby Zitelli via Pinterest  9. The Kitchn

Nickey Keyhoe Pillows

A friend forwarded me these gorgeous Nickey Keyhoe pillows the other day and I knew I had to put 'em on the blog. Unique pillows are a great way to add some interest to an otherwise boring room, and these watercolor beauties are a perfect example. Look for pillows in natural fabrics like cotton, canvas, or linen that create an illusion of texture or add a pop of color, depending on what your space looks like already. And don't spend too much - good pillows don't have to cost $500 to look amazing!

Pillows by Nickey Keyhoe

Cock-A-Doodle-Do

Listen, you country folks will be surprised by what's going on in these here Hollywood Hills; real live city slickers creating their own little homestead mini-farms. My neighbors have moved way beyond pots of herbs and a compost pile and are now adding Poultry Management to their resume. I swear, it seems like everyone is going whole hog with this clean living thing and it looks like I'm getting closer to convincing my we-will-never-own-an-animal-husband that chickens are an investment in the well-being of our family. Who wants to eat old, store bought eggs when you can walk right out into your backyard and pull one straight from the chicken's ass, errr, nest...?

Well, if we're headed down this road, we can't have some old chicken coop that doesn't match the neighborhood. I've got some Joneses to keep up with, so I thought I'd share a few that would look great in my backyard. And hey, if the chickens don't work out, I can always share my mom's famous Chicken and Dumplings recipe with you. Waste not, want not!

Counter-clockwise from top left:

1. The Art of Doing Stuff  2. Boing Boing  3. Homedit