Carine Roitfeld Leaves Vogue

"What we call the beginning is often the end.  And to make an end is to make a beginning.  The end is where we start from."

-T.S. Eliot

The fashion world endured a major shock this month, when french Vogue editor, Carine Roitfeld announced that she would be resigning to pursue other endeavors.  In all honesty, I think the first question that comes to everyone's mind is, What career path could possibly upstage being the editor in chief of french Vogue ?!  The tirelessly chic Carine Roitfeld claims that after ten years at the world's leading fashion magazine, it is simply time to move on to something else.  What that something else may be we aren't quite sure yet, but the world will be waiting with bated breath to find out what her next move is. There have been rumors circulating that she may go on to begin working with fashion powerhouse Tom Ford, with whom she conspired with throughout the 90's to revamp Gucci.  While Conde Nast is most likely sorry to see her go, there is no lack of rising talent willing and waiting to fill her shoes.  So, you can be sure that I will be posting as soon as the time comes to find out who that lucky talent may be!  

Jeffrey Campbell

"I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."

-Charles Dickens

Allow me to preface this blog post by wishing every one a happy holiday season.  I hope everyone reading this blog is having the very merriest of Christmases and the happiest of Chanukahs.  I know the holidays can be a stressful time of year, but it really is a great time to celebrate what matters most-family. I have been thinking a lot about what matters to me most in life, and it is without a doubt, my relationships with my family and friends.  While I do love fashion, none of it would matter if I didn't have people I care about to share it with.  So, with all that being said I wish you all the love and happiness in the world as we venture into the new year.  

Speaking of the new year, what are you all up to?  Anyone got any exciting plans for the big night?  If so, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO WEAR!??  I know they aren't dressy enough to wear on New Year's Eve, but check out my new Jeffrey Campbell's.  I've been waiting to share them with you because I actually bought them as a little merry Christmas present to myself a few weeks ago... And I'm in love with them.  Since I spend all day around models, they are the perfect 6 inch platform to put me face to face with the girls I'm styling!  I love it!

These little red socks that I bought in the garment district actually turned out to be great for the holidays!

Thanks for reading everyone!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Meet David

"One piece of log creates a small fire, adequate to warm you up,

add just a few more pieces to blast an immense bonfire,

large enough to warm up your entire circle of friends;

needless to say that individuality counts but team work dynamites."

-Master Jin Kwon (South Korean Martial Arts Master)

I have been incredibly busy lately; exploring L.A., making new friends, working with stylists, and enjoying life in general.  I must admit, I expected a much more difficult assimilation process upon moving here, but everyone that I've met so far has been incredibly warm and kind.  Today I had the pleasure of working with New York based stylist, David Zambrana a second time.  I worked with him about a month ago on an Ardell Fashion Lash campaign, and he is one of the most endearing people I've ever met- not to mention talented.  Today he interviewed for a hosting position on the Style network for a show called "How do I Look?"  So, fingers crossed everyone!

After the interview we dropped by the Kress, on Sunset, to watch one of David's friends shoot the cover of her new album.  She is an Austrian "house" music artist who lives here in L.A., and goes by the name Fawnie (short for Stephanie).  I fell in love with the building and its Art Deco interior, which couldn't be more perfect for a shoot.  It oozes with rock star appeal, which most likely explains my immediate obsession.  The crystal chandeliers enchant the overhead space and the lighting is exquisite; Dark and dudgeon-like on the lower levels, and luminous from the third floor up... Making it the perfect place to shoot multiple looks.

Meet David

Inside the Kress building

Gorgeous Art Deco chandeliers

The hair, makeup, and wardrobe room.  Makeup couldn't have asked for more natural light!

One of the many pieces of art work I found interesting

The view from the rooftop

A very relaxed Buddhist sculpture

Hair and Makeup!

The stylist's wardrobe

Rene, the Stylist on set, who introduced me to Dime Piece, a great new line that is the result of another sartorial collaboration between designers Laura Fama and Ashley Jones of LNA

The cute photographer

Fawnie

This was actually a really funny moment because a small group of tourists walked by as they were shooting and gasped at how "L.A." the scene was.

Peace and Love!

The Bodhi Tree Bookstore

"All you have to do is contemplate a simple grain of sane, and you will see in it all the marvels of creation.  Listen to your heart.  It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there."

-The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I went exploring (on foot) in my new neighborhood yesterday (Imagine that!  Exploring on foot in L.A.!) and I came across my new favorite place on earth... And no, it's not a clothing store.  Another huge shock!  It's called the Bodhi Tree bookstore, and it's absolutely marvelous.  The second I stepped foot into this bookstore I felt a sudden sense of calm; like I had entered some sort of parallel universe governed by the world's great eastern philosophers, where cats are free to roam amongst stacks of books and where the yummiest herbal teas are complimentary all day long.  

As you can imagine, I didn't make it far on my quest to explore my new neighborhood because this bookstore managed to consume almost my entire day.  I sat and read for hours, feeding my soul and absorbing some ancient wisdom.  It's on corner of Melrose and Westbourne, so if you're ever in L.A. I highly recommend giving yourself a few hours to spend in this beautiful little store.  According to one of the women who works there, it isn't going to be around much longer, so I plan to spend as much time there as I possibly can.  Big Hugs to the Bodhi Tree Bookstore! 

This is one of the books that inspired me to sit and read for hours.  I'm inevitably going to have to go back and buy it, but I couldn't seem to make a decision about which book to take home when I was actually at the store.  This one has been lingering in my mind all day, so I hope it's there when I go back.

I love when bookstores have lots of other things to look at.  I like feeling like I'm in a museum when I shop for books.  Such beautiful art work everywhere!

Behind the Bodhi Tree bookstore is the Used Book Branch, and what it lacks in literature, it makes up for in herbal teas and spices!

Thanks for reading!  I'm so excited to start sharing all my L.A. ventures with you.  I have so much exploring to do!

Black Friday at the Grove

"Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles."

-Frank Lloyd Wright

Yesterday I went to the Grove with a friend to take in all the madness that is Black Friday.  I wasn't so much interested in the sales, or what people were buying as much as I was in what they were wearing while they shopped.  It made me wonder how many people simply flock to the shopping malls just to feel as though they are part of something big, because after all, it is the biggest shopping day of the year.  I managed to make my way through the crowd without stepping foot into a single department store, which I might add, is a big deal for me because I am such a shopaholic.  Unfortunately, I always feel as though the things I want to buy are never on sale, so to me Black Friday was all about people watching... and that I did!

Since I am so new to L.A., I am still in the process of taking it all in; the city, the people, the traffic, and yes of course the shopping.  The one thing I can tell you is that everyone stands out in their own unique way.  If you really take the time to watch people closely, especially in a bustling crowd like the one I found at The Grove, you will find that despite the chaos spurred by department store sales, everyone is very much in their own world.

Here are a few pictures of some of the people that inspire me to explore L.A. fashion.

The thing about L.A. is that it's sunny all year, so even though it's not cold enough to need a fur hat, a great sense of fashion will always want one.

Eating lunch across from Morel's.  I love her laid-back body language amidst the bustling crowd.  Totally in her own world.

This girl has a sort of updated rasta look about her.

I know I'm always talking about how much I love fringe, but in this case I'm not so sure it works.  I do, however, appreciate her confidence to rock a fringe leather jacket with daisy dukes in the middle of "winter".

Totally caught taking a picture!

Love the red sunglasses and hat.

This man is way too cute with his elongated beanie and dog/shopping partner.

One of the coolest looking groups of people I saw at the mall.  They look like musicians, but that's the greatest part about fashion;  It allows you to be whoever you want to be!

The Farmer's Market Travel Angel.  I love him!

We had to check out the Farmer's Market while we were at The Grove, and I'm so glad we did because I finally found the Trapp grapefruit scented candles that I've been looking for.  They smell sooooo good!

I don't eat meat, but if I did, I'd probably buy it at the Farmer's Market.  Everything looked so fresh.

I couldn't help but notice this woman and her bakelite earrings when I was candle shopping.  Isn't she fabulous?!

And this man, in his blue suit! I love it!  He looked so studious amongst the hustle and bustle of the Farmer's Market.  It's nice to see people reading real books in this day and age!

"When you think things are bad,

when you feel sour and blue,

when you start to get mad...

you should do what I do!

Just tell yourself, Duckie,

you're really quite lucky!

Some people are much more...

oh, ever so much more...

oh, muchly much-much more 

unlucky than you!"

-Dr. Seuss, (Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?)

My poor blog has been neglected for weeks, and if you really want to know the truth I don't have it in me to delve into my 'new to L.A.' escapades right now.  I love my new place, and everyone I've met in my building has been extremely convivial, but I'm exhausted and can't wait to go into further detail about my new job in the near future.  Let's just say that I feel like I've been transplanted to an entirely different universe, where everything stays open past 9 o'clock, and people run up and down the streets of West Hollywood like they're in perpetual state of training for the New York City Marathon.  I have been extremely busy, working on and off set with different stylists and I still find myself trying to adjust to life in the city.  I promise to update more frequently now that I'm settled, but for now here are a few pictures of our new humble abode.  

Welcome...

This is the front of our building.  I like it because it's really inconspicuous.

 

A view of the Hollywood Hills from our street.

The fireplace is a major addition in my book.  There's nothing like a fake fire place to create the perfect ambiance.  But seriously, it really is nice, and it does give off heat.

We even have counter space to eat at! Yeeeahhhh, no more dining on the couch!

You have no idea what it means to me to have dishwasher!!!  I've been living without one for years, and it might just be my favorite thing about our new apartment.  Hooray to no more hand washing!

Our bedroom.  Looks pretty much exactly the same, except I don't have to turn to the side to walk between the dresser and the bed!