MOI XOXO

For those bored with terry cloth and less than glamourous beach proof fabrics, Savannah based designer Stephanie Lindley created James Gunn. This is a line of stylish but functional ultra suede accessories and clothing named after her thirteen-year-old son. The soft, luxurious fashions are stain resistant and machine washable, ideal for withstanding spilled ice cream and sunblock which is what I experience when my son and I relax by the sea. Other seaside necessaities such as shoulder bags for $110, beach towels with ultra sude trim for $140, sandals for $62, and cotton hats for $56, come in ten colors such as azune, espressso, and cantaloupe. Lindley’s collections for men, children, babies, and the home line make it easy to color-coordinate with my family beach trips!

Moi xoxo

You asked and I said yes! Here is a peak inside of my black and white purse, which matches every M-F wardrobe!

Inside of my Candies Quilted Dome purse, I tote a lot of everyday essentials—like a bold yellow Bottega Veneta wallet, Eclipse gum, Miss Sixty shades, and a good book, in this case Burr a historical novel by Gore Vidal. I try not to waste time reading trash at the office. I saw a documentary on the author and picked this up. If I do want to escape from reality, I snatch my US Weekly.

Buried deep inside is:

• hotel notepad for jotting ideas
• change for coffee
• clear cosmetic purse so I can find my stash easy
• digital camera
• eye cream
• match cars for bribing my son
• business card holder
• chocolate sunflower seeds from baby sis
• hand creme ~ yes Lumene!
• treo
• louis vuitton covered checkbook
• amore pacific face spray
• tiny pen flashlight
• tampons
• qtips
• tissue

Last but not least, I can’t leave home without my coveted lip glosses. My lips are always chapped probably from all my yapping so I’m addicted to lip balms and glosses. I have about six in my bag usually from Chanel in similar colors. I just reach in and grab one!
Whew! I’m tired from just listing all of that!

Moi xoxo

I favor the color black with punchy colors and offbeat combinations in work and my personal wardrobe. I love the unexpected: incorporating color with neutrals, mixing periods and having fun with style. Even in my home, my interiors are sophisticated, but there is a sense of humor to them. Being creative is my job, and looking good and feeling good is an important part to it. Living in Orange County, CA in a city run rampant with Juicy Couture sweat suits, flip-flops, and Los Scandalous (L.A.) as its neighbor, I like to set myself apart by favoring more electric and playful designers like Anna Molinari. L.A. has such a relaxed vibe, but I like to dress up the majority of the time.

I have been receiving a lot of personal email, especially the ones asking for tips and advice of my own style, not just on the people I like to write about! I weeded through a few and here are my responses:

How would you describe your style? An electric mix of vintage, modern, and designer. It’s different every day and I don’t believe in uniforms. Sometimes I am dressy, sometimes casual.

Who is your fashion icon? This is easy, Jane Birkin! I admire her style and direction. She saw the beauty in everything around her. I liked that she was a major risk taker and you cannot move beyond a certain point if you don’t take risks.

Beauty Essential? Eye cream. I have applied it three times a day since high school graduation. I carry the sample size tubes in my purse and re apply just a dab after lunch. Otherwise for day I use Estee Lauder’s Daywear because it has SPF and Kiehls Abyssine for night. It must be the texture but I reach for Kiehls on a regular basis.

Crystal in my cabinet? I don’t use that word as it reminds me too much of my mom’s formal hutch as a child. I prefer the colorful patterns and designs of Versace china and it’s fine to use it for everyday use. Why only use china for special occasions?

Favorite Fashion Haunts? Buffalo Exchange in Costa Mesa, Darewear in Huntington Beach, and Fred Segal in L.A.

Most Recent Purchase? Bottega knot keyring and Burt Bees lipbalm

Worn to Shreds? Marc Jacobs two tone heels

Signature Scent? Frangipane by Chantecaille

Affordable Fashion Thrill? Urban Outfitters and Target

Spring Shopping List

• Michael Kors jeans
• White Bottega hobo purse
• Holly Dunlap mules
• White and Orange canvas tote for my many trips to Palm Springs
• Nars lipgloss in Dolce Vita

Moi xoxo

The best diaper bags must hold to two very important standards. First, the bag should be practical and set up for easy access. Second - and so important - it’s got to look cool and stylish. I never wanted to walk around with a bag that screams “baby slave”! Forget the fact that I was a slave to my child (to some extent at least) but I wasn’t going to advertise it. With a stylish diaper bag, you can at least pretend to be both an independent and lovely woman (or man) who can have it all - a great baby and a stylish look. My baby is no longer a baby, but that’s not going to stop me from purchasing Stella McCartney’s Mum line from LeSportsac. Stella has three kids of her own all under the age of 5 so she knows a thing or two about designing bags with the essentials in mind. Plus her past gigs were design director for both Chloe and Gucci … HOLLA! Her must have items include a spacious interior, insulated pockets, matching accessory pouch, and a fold out changing pad to keep us organized. She created a 17-piece line that runs from makeup cases to 26-inch suitcases to diaper bags. The whole collection, including the Mum, is made from 100 percent-recycled materials. This holds true to both McCartney’s ethics (she’s an animal-rights activist & strict vegan) and to LeSportsac’s tradition of soft, durable nylon. The collection also has a little something for the little ones: a bunny-shaped knapsack and a small carry-on wheelie.

This is soo tempting me to have another one!

Moi xoxo

I just received wonderful news from my friend Gabby that she is pregnant..and freaking out! She’s excited but scared of raising a child due to the price tag that comes along with it. I thought I was helping her by mentioning that you don’t have to pay for it all at once, but you also can’t return to sender if you are not satisfied! That got me to wonder if my mom thought the same when she raised me. Her first two were simple and quiet, and then I came along. I remember when I was a little girl, I raided my stylish mom’s closet to play dress-up! I recall the Louis Vuitton logos in her walk-in closet as mesmerizing ~ like swirls of butterscotch flavored candy letters. Nowadays, toddlers can dig deep into their own closet, as designers are debuting pint-size fashions of their own! Suri Cruise is not even two yet and her haircut and Juicy Couture coats are the most talked about. Marni sells cotton tops and skirts ranging from $135-$165. Adidas crib shoes for newborns are $20 and oh I would love to register for Burberry’s nova-check car seat for $495. Having a child is terribly expensive and stressful!

In between Gabby’s sobbing, I gave her some helpful tips all the while crossing my fingers that the good Lord bless her with a model pregnancy.

• Walk, walk, walk. Or try a prenatal yoga class.
• Put away your Manolos and find a pair of comfortable shoes and flats. {I heard her gasp} That’s how I discovered Converse sneakers and Tory Burch ballerina slippers.
• Pumpkin Maternity pants and dresses were the best! They are chic and affordable and doesn’t make you feel like the pumpkin that you are becoming. {More sobbing}
• Splash some lavender oils in a warm bath to help relax and most of all - sleep.
• I used Beautiful Belly Balm by Wiseways Herbals to help prevent stretch marks.
• Listen to music-everything from Bob Marley to Mozart.
• Meditate. It calms the mind and helps you focus on controlling your breathing, which is important during labor.

Most of all, be thankful every day for your little miracle. Mine is six now and a little devil disguised in a freshly shaved mohaw …but adorable never the less!

Moi xoxo

I remember back in the late 90’s seeing pics everywhere of Helena Christensen and Naomi Campbell carrying water bottles everywhere with them. Then I thought I now have a reason to drink eight glasses of water a day for my health. Stupid analogy I know but this warped viewpoint was coming from an obsessed mag o holic, {still am} I knew more about the supermodels than themselves!

Great news! If you’re a Billion Dollar Babes subscriber, Fiji Water is offering discounted home delivery service to your home & free shipping. Visit www.figiwater.net . Shoot me an email for the promotional code!

Chug away in good health!

Moi xoxo