Tiffany: What Makes Love True by Garance Doré & The Sartorialist

I follow my fair share of style blogs; two that I have loved for years are The Sartorialist and Garance Dore. Garance Dore and Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) became influential fashion players, and their mutual love for photography and fashion budded into an adorable romance. The incredibly talented duo is now engaged! This only adds to my love for the bloggers. 

I saw this video -- directed by Dore -- posted on The Sartorialist this week, and I had to share it! It's just in time for Valentine's Day, I hope you like it! 

Great buys under $30.00

I have a knack for finding great deals on classic pieces. Last weekend ZARA had an unbelievable sale that I was fortunate enough to stumble upon. I walked around and decided I wanted to buy everything, but thankfully resisted the urge. I did, however walk out of ZARA with a number of great steals!

Classic pieces under $30.00-

ZARA skirt: leather band, pleated (on sale)

ZARA loose shirt: leather pocket and patches

Leather pocket 

Side view

ZARA shirt: low back (back pictured)

ZARA Rain boots (had the leather version last season <3)

H&M camel hand bag: multiple hand straps 

Detail

H&M Jeans: "&Slim"

The Item We Love-

This month's item to die for is the "Pammy" wedge from Steve Madden. Thees wedges are insanely comfortable and add a much needed 5 inches to our 5'04" statures. Hello high altitude!

Happy hunting!

Looks We Like: Dorothy Style Files

LOOK ONE

Scarf: Madewell

Wedges: TOMS

Skirt: consignment/vintage

Shirt: Target

Bracelets: Chinatown flea market, assorted bangles

Why we like this look:  Our apartment lives in infinity scarves.  They are easy to put on, always look great, no fidgeting required. Pairing with a skirt, wedges and a loose top, creates a casual yet elegant look.  We chose wedges for a daytime friendly look.  To turn into nightwear, pair with classic stilettos and a black blazer.

LOOK TWO

Denim Button up: Forever 21

Boots: Corso Como, Richmond Boot

Black Jeans: Forever 21

Necklace: Madewell gold necklace

Fedora: vintage

Bag: Urban Outfitters

Watch: Michele Watch, with black patten leather band

Ring: vintage

Bracelets: bangles from India (travel gift)

Why we like this look:  Denim has been hot this season and from glancing at spring lookbooks, it isn't going anywhere.  Pair with white or black jeans for an easy, on-trend daytime look.  Spice up the classic look with a splash of color on your lips.  Bright red takes any outfit from mundane to sexy.  Personalize your look with vintage jewelry and a boyfriend watch.

LOOK THREE

Jean Jacket: vintage Abercrombie (kids)

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban's wayfarer, black

Bag (black): Marc by Marc Jacobs

Purse (red): vintage, red genuine suede 
Jeans: Madewell

Shirt: Old Navy

Boots: Roxy

Necklace: vintage

Why we like this look:  Bright blue skinny colored denim or pants are all the rage in LA.  Not to mention the color combo of bright yellow and blue is HOT.  Pairing two bright colors together will make your outfit pop.  Accent with classics, such as a denim jacket and comfortable boots.  A chunky necklace is a great statement piece to break up the bright, solid colors. 

 

Luxxe-urious Coffee for Coffee Lovers

Caffe Luxxe latte art. Photo credit, Thira.

Do you ever crave a really good cup of coffee or espresso drink? Or perhaps "latte art," as it is called these days. I know I do. All of us Dorothy girls appreciate a superior cup of joe when we can get our hands around one. Every now and then it is worth that extra dollar or two to indulge in an espresso experience where you savor each sip and it gives you that extra kick of energy:)

Every city has its Starbucks, Coffee Bean, Dunkin Donuts, Dutch Bros., Peets, or whichever other large coffee chain is sprinkled on city corners around the country. Now don't get  me wrong, I frequent those corner coffee chains as often as the next person... I LOVE my coffee. But then there are the days when I crave more than a just a cup of coffee: I want a really good cup of coffee. So I pop over to the nearest boutique coffee shop. Artisanal coffee roasters have become a popular and successful trend, with coffee aficionados (or snobs, as many like to call them) heralding the superiority of local, freshly-ground, brewed-to-order caffeine. Every city has their collection of boutique coffee haunts that have garnered a devout following and solid reputation for "the best coffee," in someone's "expert" (or pretentious) opinion. I am often that person and will easily tell you all about the predominance and perfection of a better cup of coffee like it's a necessity not a choice. I hear about these "in-the-know" coffee spots that are a must try from friends around the country and the handful of cities I have been to: San Francisco has Four Barrel and Blue Bottle; Denver has Novo; New York has Bluebird, Mud, and Think Coffee; Portland has Stumptown and Barista; Chicago birthed Intelligentsia, which is now also an LA favorite; Los Angeles also has Groundwork, Lamill Coffee, and Caffe Luxxe.

Caffe Luxxe latte. Photos by Thira.

Now, I am not going to stop going to Starbucks or Peets when it is nearby and I get that coffee craving, because I appreciate their pervasiveness, convenience, and wallet-friendly prices as much as the next person. But, I also most certainly will throw in a boutique cup of luxurious and outstanding coffee when I feel like it:)

Jen and I did just that a couple days ago. We walked the few blocks from our apartment to Caffe Luxxe on a lazy Sunday morning. We didn't even mind waiting in line for ten minutes to order because watching the espresso artwork being made is entertainment in itself! The coffee treat that resulted complemented a lovely morning and every sip was thoroughly enjoyed and worth it.


What are some of your favorite boutique coffee roasters or coffee shops in your neighborhood? See Bon Appetit's Top 10 in 2009 here.

My Bike

When I finished the Peace Corps, I came back with a mission, to go car-less. Abroad I thoroughly enjoyed living without a car; I loved exploring new cities and cultures by foot, bus or train. I found walking around with my ipod and a new playlist to be calming and an opportunity to reflect. Not to mention it helped me get my daily workout in without thinking about it.

When I moved to LA for my TOMS internship, I was determined to walk or bike to work, being that HQ was only two miles from our apartment. So I bought a cruiser bike and made good on that promise. I have experienced LA with a new pair of eyes-- it's crazy what you can miss in a car. I've seen plants that I didn't know existed, cool houses, scary spiders, people of all ethnicities and ages, random acts of kindness, poverty... you name it I've seen it. I even saw a moving truck spew out precious belongings while people (myself included) rushed to the aid of pots, pants and guitars on Santa Monica Ave.

But I've decided after much consideration that I am going to buy a car at the end of the month. Part of me is sad for the environment, my worn out boots and the walking time I will miss out on. But ultimately I think a car will bring back a new set of freedoms, some I haven't been privy to for about two years now. I have to admit I'm a little terrified to drive again, but hey I'm sure it's like riding a bike...pun intended!

Here are some photos of my purdy bike and my favorite nail polish as of late- "Butter" expensive but worth it if you hate nail polish that chips!

Schwinn Cruiser

Birthdays go best with amazing friends & family. And delicious sweet treats add a nice finish as well!

It was my birthday this week and I could not be more blessed with the best roommates (a.k.a. adoptive sisters), always thoughtful and loving family, amazing coworkers, and the good fortune to be surrounded by generosity and kindness. My day started with surprise gifts from my lovely roomies:

This darling dress from Zara. I am loving bright orange and coral shades right now!

This fun nail art project from Sephora. O.P.I. for Sephora has created Trend Tips Real Lacquer Strips for your nails in all sorts of cool colors. designs, and styles. I now have the black and gold glitter style to try for a fun occasion! Dressing up your nails with color, gloss, sparkles, designs, etc is such an easy and fun way to add a splash of creativity and uniqueness to your daily style. Can't wait to try them out, will keep y'all posted on how they turn out!

This amazing moisture remedy for my always-dry-and-thirsty hair! I am excited to treat my hair to Bumble and Bumble's Quenching Conditioner for "terribly thirsty hair" (yes, that is my coif to a T). Bumble & Bumble products have gained quite a solid rep for themselves in the beauty world, but when it comes to hair they really do prove that quality matters and can be worth the price (which is steep in BB's case! And their Styling Lotion spray is best finishing touch for your hair before you head out the door;)

THANK YOU to my ever-thoughtful girls! They know me too well:)

*Personalized mug was a thoughtful Christmas gift from my manager and friend, Airel at Resolution.
** The pomegranate tablecloth that I adore was a beautiful Christmas gift from my mama.

I enjoyed a wholesome and thoroughly satisfying breakfast: big mug of Peet's coffee with soy milk and a dash of cinnamon and drop of honey, two poached eggs on whole-grain sprouted wheat berry toast, a grapefruit (always peeled and eaten like an orange, not cut in half and spooned out).


My work day began with a delivery of 70 pairs of new shoes to at-risk youth. Never a bad way to start off any day, putting a smile on a stranger's face. Then a productive day at the office with plenty of birthday wishes. That evening at work at the restaurant I was surprised with a huge chocolate cake and sparkler brought to me by my amazing coworkers. I was embarrassed in the good way and certainly enjoyed stuffing my face with rich, chocolatey goodness. Birthday drinks post-work with the roomies and neighbors at our local bar topped off a wonderful day! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO MADE IT GREAT!

Music we love

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Have you ever fallen in love with a song and listened to it on repeat for weeks? I'm sorta infamous for this type of listening behavior. Gotye and Kimbra's "Somebody That I Used to Know," was no exception. I was originally introduced to this song by my friends Michael and Jaime (the cutest hipster couple I know). They are really cued into the music scene, always suggesting great new artists and songs. When Jaime and I were driving home from The Misfit (a great place for happy hour in Santa Monica) she played "Somebody That I Used to Know," but halfway through the song, the ipod died. I was frustrated, after having had a tasting of an amazing song, I was an addict wanting more. When I got home I looked on my Facebook wall and sweet Jaime had put a link to the song. I listened to it once from beginning to end. I was hooked. Love at first listen. I listened to it getting ready, walking to work, riding my bike, getting pretty, walking to bars...it was my personal soundtrack for a few weeks. I decided it would be a great first music post, I hope that you all love it too!

Above are two versions of the song-- the original and a cover. Let us know how you like the song, and what version or video you like best!

Happy Sunday!

"There's no place like home."
-Jen

Fairy Tales and Flight Attendants = Shameless Entertainment on ABC Sunday Nights

I'm a sucker for movies and television shows. I have loved storytelling on the screen for as long as I can remember. That being said, I am also easily entertained. I can find a reason to fall in love with most TV shows, especially the formulaic sitcoms and melodramas, and genuinely enjoy most movies (as long as they are not a horror, thriller, or scary in any way... those you would have to pay me a lot to even watch in the first place).

This season, I have found a couple new ABC network dramas that I am enthralled by week to week. One of those shows is ABC's Once Upon A Time, bringing the magic of fairy tales to the modern world and keeping alive those stories of love, heroism, and hope. Each show surprises with its clever ways of incorporating a new tale, a new character, and a new take on the classic stories that we all know and love. And I'm not gonna lie, I love a good fairy tale. Definitely worth a watch!

Another show that hits home with my secret fascination with an era is ABC's Pan Am. The period drama follows the lives of several Pan Am Airways flight attendants and pilots in the 1960s, when flying was glamorous and the Pan Am lifestyle was envied. Not only is the show well-cast and -acted, everything from the amazing fashions to the details of capturing such a glamorized and glorified time in history make this show great. Each episode is epic and travels the world touching on history, politics, culture, character... like watching a little movie every week!

Both shows are available to watch full episodes at abc.go.com/shows or on Hulu. Happy "shameless entertainment" time!

P.S. Two other ABC comedies worth watching: Modern Family!! (if you not IN LOVE with this show already, then watch it now and you will be hooked... just good TV) and Happy Endings (a cute comedy trying to be the new "Friends," not nearly as good but still brings about a few good laughs).

Hey, nice to meet you.

"Coffee and love are best when they are hot."  --German Proverb

Five score and three minutes ago, aka 2007, Thira, Amanda and I met through a Facebook ad featuring a cute UCLA apartment neighboring campus. Thira and Amanda had been roommates for two years and were looking for a new roomie to fill the place. I auditioned for the part and because of a SATC quote about fires in the kitchen, we were united. It was love at first sight. Since then we've been each others families. Sure, one of us will take off to brave the wide unknown for a few months, or even a year, but we always seem to find our way back to one another. Here we are, three years after graduating UCLA and living together on the westside of the "Emerald City." We hope this blog will be an outlet to regale funny memories, fashion, giving back, eco friendly finds, city deals, leading a healthy lifestyle and whatever adventures we manage to worm ourselves into.

Without further ado, let me introduce you to "Gilt Groupe," the groupon for chic ladies. I recently purchased a pair of brown riding boots for 119 (originally 200+).  Visit the site for great living social and fashion deals.

Stay tuned for more fashion finds and fun.

"There's no place like home."
-Jen