08.30.2010
Byron & Tracey Pre-Emmy’s Beauty Bar

So it’s Emmy’s madness once again here in sunny Los Angeles. On Friday I stopped by the Byron & Tracey salon in Beverly Hills to freshen up my highlights before the big Emmy’s weekend. For those who don’t know, Tracey Cunningham, Redken Creative Consultant for Color, is an A-list colorist whose clients include Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Reese Witherspoon, all who always look flawless, in my opinion.

As soon as I arrived, I had to sort my way through about 15 paparazzi who were camped outside trying to catch a glimpse of all the celebs going in and out of the salon. I walked inside and immediately saw Minka Kelly (aka Leila on “Friday Night Lights”), who probably thinks I’m stalking her since I’ve also seen her in SoHo AND at another event in LA. Anywho, Dani, my colorist, did an amazing job freshening up my blonde locks and the time flew by as I watched a ton of celebs come in and out. Other spottings included Jordana Brewster, Stephanie Pratt (who walked out with the biggest beehive I’ve ever seen), Rashida Jones and Mindy Kaling from “The Office.” I have to say, I’m very pleased with my highlights and, as an added bonus, I got to check out an amazing scent- Calvin Klein’s Euphoria. I’m really bad at describing fragrance but I will say that I know what I like and I know what I don’t like…and I like this. The scent has seductive floral notes and the bottle is really sleek and sexy. What’s not to like when you combine perfect blonde highlights, celeb sightings and great perfume.

08.30.2010
iVillage Makes Finding Your Fall Style Easy

So on Saturday I went shopping with India from Glam.com and Aly from SheKnows.com and I bought my first pair of jeggings. Yes, ladies, I have to tell you…the Gap’s version is actually a lot more flattering than I thought it would be. This little shopping excursion made me realize that yes, fall is coming. Since LA doesn’t really have any seasons, I’ve been kind of oblivious to the season changes and hence, started feeling a little anxious about fall shopping expectations.

This is where iVillage comes in- they’re holding a “Find Your Fall Style Challenge.” All you have to do is sign up and you can submit photos of your outfits or accessories to Style Coach, Kim Johnson of Gross of Chic Simple. She’ll give you advice on the best way to rock it…essentially she’s your free cyber stylist. And, as a bonus, just for signing up you’ll be automatically entered to win a $100 Target gift card to begin your fall shopping. Get on this fast.

08.26.2010
Havaianas Midnight Swim Club

So even though it’s been almost one year (can you even?) since I moved to LA, I’m still getting used to this whole super secret party thing that goes on. And yeah…I kinda love it. I was invited to Havaianas exclusive Midnight Swim Club’s last party of the season held at a private house (and by house, I mean mansion) in Hancock Park.

Now this wasn’t your usual LA party…upon arrival all guests were asked their shoe size and given a pair of the coveted Havainas Midnight Swim Club (MSC) navy blue and white flip flops before heading over to the bedazzling station. Score. Flip flops were strung over the pool and, by the time I arrived, there were plenty of drunk partygoers diving into the pool and having an awesome time.

photos by Catharine Acurso

08.25.2010
New fall lingerie from Frederick’s of Hollywood

So in the last year or so I’ve been really into fun bras. Up until that point, I wore the very basic plain black, tan or sometimes hot pink bra that, let’s face it, isn’t very exciting. They’re not terrible but there’s something secretly sexy about wearing a crazy bra underneath your regular clothing at work, no? Well when I was invited to the Frederick’s of Hollywood fall press preview, I got super excited to check out their latest line.

We sipped champagne as I was taken around the store and, gotta tell you, it was my first time actually inside a Frederick’s of Hollywood. I was really into all the leopard print and made a note that I must choose the most fun bras for my fall bra wardrobe. No more boring bras for me!

After chatting with Jene’ Luciani, author of The Bra Book, it was time to try on some fun bras. Every bra I tried on fit like a glove, which is fabulous. I love when you can just know your size in a store so you don’t have to try on 30 of the same thing. I’m now fully stocked for fall so if you see me, just know that I might be wearing a sparkly purple bra under my black dress. 😉

08.15.2010
“Eat, Pray, Love” advanced screening sponsored by Fresh

So I was lucky enough to check out an advanced screening of the talked-about movie, “Eat, Pray, Love” thanks to Fresh Beauty. I blogged about the launch of their new fragrance line when it was first announced back in June and I finally got the chance to smell the fragrances at the Fresh store at The Grove in LA before the screening. The verdict? Obsessed. I have to say, as expected, “Eat” is probably my favorite…it wreaks of Italy and its sensual wines and brings me back to my study abroad days. “Love” takes a close second with it’s floral scent that has fruity undertones. It’s soft but super feminine. “Pray,” though comes in third, is still amazing. It’s a little woodsy, which I have to be in the mood for, but I do like the exoticness of it.

As much as I love the fragrances, I’m also really obsessed with the candle trio. They can be burned together or alone and I have to admit that I’m already half way done with “Eat” and already thinking about buying a new one to replace it. They’re delectable, to say the least.

The film? Loved. Though it definitely reminded me of one of my favorites, “Under the Tuscan Sun” with Diane Lane, I thought Julia Roberts did a great job of bringing the book to life. Seeing her tour Italy reminded me (again) of studying abroad and even of my backpacking trip after college graduation. There’s something very beautiful about watching someone discover themself that I don’t think people will ever get sick of watching. I found myself inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert and took note that I have to start re-practing “il dolce farniente,” the sweetness of doing nothing.

08.04.2010
Completely Bare Laser Hair Removal

So living the LA life, I’m pretty much always dressed for summer…which is still something to get used to coming from the east coast, let me tell you. It seems like I’m in a bikini at least once a week and it’s been causing major stress on my bikini line, as well as my mental state. I used to wax in college because I found this amazing, cheap little hole in the wall that would do a Brazilian for $25 (NO JOKE) but then after college, I got lazy and/or stopped caring as much since I was so busy working that I didn’t really even have time for the beach. Fast forward to LA 2010. I can’t even tell you how many times someone yells “let’s go to the hot tub” and I cringe and have to think “ugh, am I prepared for the hot tub right now?”

After complaining non-stop to Sydne, she finally talked me into trying out laser hair removal and ladies, I’m never looking back. Since I was also about to go to New York, I figured why not try out the famous Completely Bare Hi-Tech Spa, known for their laser hair removal and also happens to be near my old apartment (tear). My technician was FABULOUS. I was a litle freaked out because one, a stranger was about to look at my vajay and two, because well…lasers are scary!

My technician poured on globs of gel (kinda like Vaseline) and I prepared myself for the first laser snap to come. Not gonna lie…it was a bit shocking but mostly cause I just didn’t know what to expect. After the first few “snaps,” as I like to call them, you kinda just get used to the feeling and it doesn’t hurt so much after that. Overall the pain is WAY less than waxing so I think it totally worth it.

The results so far? I went about a week with ZERO hair growth, which I think is totally amazing after just ONE treatment (you usually need about 4-6 to see long-lasting results). I’m definitely going back from treatment number two in another three weeks.

08.03.2010
Caress Girls’ Night Out at Drais Hollywood

So I was recently invited to a fun girls’ night out thrown by Nadine Jolie and sponsored by Caress. We all met at Nadine’s house and took a limo over to the W Hollywood to their rooftop club/bar, Drais. Once we got there, we were escorted over to our exclusive cabana bed by the pool where we got bottle service, mingled and danced the night away.

Our girls’ night out was probably one of the funnest nights I’ve had in awhile and, as an added bonus, I got the amazing Rebecca Minkoff Claudia dress that I’m wearing at Intermix on SALE for only $197 (marked down from $530)! Sydne and I were at the MAC store across the street for a press event so our makeup was already done (check) and I was stressing out about what I was going to wear. Sydne pulled the dress off the sale rack and demanded that I try it on, even though I was skeptical. Funny enough, I kept commenting that I felt like a Kardashian and Sydne informed me that a Kardashian never wore the dress…but Paris Hilton did. AND she wore it, ironically enough, at the Us Weekly Hot in Hollywood party held at Drais, which I also attended.

So who wore it better? LOL.