SPRING IS IN THE AIR!

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Happy Springtime, all! It's the first day of Spring so smile and prepare yourself to be" twitterpated."

How great is this flower arrangement?? My new favorite bouquet tip: throw in a few sprigs of fresh mint from the garden (or potted herb trio from Trader Joe's) for a fresh and unique beauty to add to the room. Not only does the bright green mint look gorgeous next to the hot pink roses, the entire things smells amazing too!

This season is always so delightful, truly a favorite; green popping up everywhere, flowers blooming, beautiful days, crisp weather while still being sunny.  Everything just feels fresh, like each day has the potential to be that new beginning we have all been waiting for.  And that's the beauty of it... it can be the perfect excuse to kick your butt in gear.  Get your spring cleaning done... because it's Spring and time to refresh yourself with clean air and scrubbed floors.  Start your marathon training and make those morning runs happen... because it's Spring and you can't say no to the lovely weather and charged energy everywhere. Make your Farmer's Market fresh meals at least twice a week... because it's Spring and time to eat healthily and only put the good stuff in your body to prepare for summer bikini season.

FLOWERS AND FARMER'S MARKETS

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We took advantage of this weekend: its sun, its splendor and all that LA has to offer on a gorgeous day in March. We started off the weekend with a trip to IKEA. That massive Swedish store with instruction booklets that look like coloring books. It's a store that serves as a catalyst for couples fighting; if they don't get you at the store, they'll get you when you're trying to assemble the dresser you purchased. But by some miracle, Thira (who I will now refer to as T) and I explored and imagined our future homes with the help of the pre-designed kitchens and bedroom sets, without the use of profanity or angry gestures. We had no intention of buying any large items, like a bed frame - although we do have matching bed frames from IKEA- but instead vowed to purchase little additions for the apartment. Small things that make life easier, but nothing too noticeable or fancy. Simply little somethings to make Mondays a bit brighter.

LOOKS WE LIKE: T.D.D. STYLE FILES

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Trending.

LA is a city of trends. Trends that come and go as quickly as the busloads of aspiring starlets seeking fame. For example, one minute a club with a "sexy, fresh" angle, like no lights or electric eel aquariums, will be the hottest thing on the nightclub circuit. Then the following month no one can remember its name. LA lives and breathes "the next big thing" as the city that has carved its own global footprint as the place where dreamers come to flourish and everyone is clamoring to be part of the famous elite, those who set the trends and don't have to follow them.

Fashion offers one of the most prominent platforms for trends to be showcased and encouraged, as everyone wears clothes every day (or so we hope). What you wear can say a lot about who you are, want to be, or aspire to become.  As fashion observers, we are not strangers to spotting new trends. Spring trends are currently upon us with the season right around the corner. We've picked out two trends we've been seeing a lot of recently and given them our own flavoring.

*And keep in mind that not all trends will be flattering to your body type, so pick the ones that make you say, "Shoot, I'm looking pretty darn good in that!" and not "Whaaaattt am I thinking?!"  :)

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LOOKS WE LIKE: T.D.D. STYLE FILES

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We are working girls. We work hard and have big career ambitions. Most days we love what we do. Or, rather we love what working hard enables us to do, the independence it grants us, and the royalties that we indulge in to make the difficult days more bearable (e.g. drinks with friends, shopping, dinners out, movies on the big screen, etc.).  But let's face it, the daily grind can get to you. When that fancy cup of coffee just won't shake the serious case of the Mondays, try turning to your closet and spice up your day with the excitement of a classy ensemble or "impossibly chic" getup. Looking good can make you feel good, and vice versa, which makes you more confident and able to strive for that next big step, whether that is a promotion, a raise, or a new job you have had your mind on. 

We put together two looks inspired by the Los Angeles workplace for women that show drive and a love of fashion.  First, we have the "PR-type" girls, those who have a job with a little wiggle room in regard to the dress code, where looking chic and "of-the-moment" style-savvy goes a long ways. Second, we were inspired by "The Editor" career path, those office girls who can easily look put together without raising any eyebrows for the wrong reasons, but still turn heads because they always just look so good!

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BAO DOWN

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We love food, exploring and shopping. The Westfield Century City Mall combines all three!

Take A Bao located in the fanciest, hippest food court in Cali (at the Westfield Mall), offers a delicious, modern take on Asian cuisine. We often treat ourselves to the delicious fare after having visited the usual stores: Madewell, H&M, and ZARA. You might be confused with all of this bao talk. What exactly is bao? Basically, it is a dim sum dish that traditionally consists of a bun stuffed with vegetarian or meat filling. But "Take a Bao" has rolled out the dough, transforming the bun into a flat, doughy pita. Thira's bao was basically a fancy, Asian sandwich. But, the flavors and the unique texture of the bread are to die for.

Bao with cabbage salad

LOOKS WE LIKE: T.D.D. STYLE FILES | Valentine's Day LOVE-ly Fashion Inspiration

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If you're anything like us you've been debating what to wear on Valentine's Day, regardless of your plans. Do you have a fun night out with the girls? A fancy date with that boy you really like, or maybe even love?! What about a casual, yet fun outing with someone new?

Well don't worry whatever your plans might be, we've got you covered! We have taken the liberty of pulling together three looks. Don't see a perfect match? Don't panic. Take a breath, choose your favorite look and make it your own with personal touches like that ring your mom gave you or that scarf you bought abroad! No one said you had to rock red and pink from head to toe, so please don't. Instead use red and pink as accent colors to make a fun and modern look!

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A LILY FOR A SMILE

The last few blossoms of my lily bouquet.

Having fresh flowers nearby always makes me smile. I don't know if it's that stereotypical girl thing, where it is ingrained in us to like flowers and want them given to us as presents, but I'm leaning more towards a personal preference as I know many girls who consider fresh flowers to be a waste of time and money. The exact opposite of how I feel. In all truth, my instincts tell me this love of flowers on the kitchen table or office desk is primarily influenced by my mother. She always had fresh flowers around, always bought a bouquet for the home, for the host when she was a house-guest elsewhere, for special occasions, even if we were just invited to dinner at the neighbors. While her European roots consider this behavior to be ordinary and expected, it is not as common in the US. Sure, we are known to buy flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, when a friend or family member is in a stage production, funerals, and of course, Valentine's Day, but fresh flowers do not carry the same commonplace role in daily life as they do in many other places.