What a fabulous weekend I had bonding with my sweet, adorable nieces. Marrying Ryan, if anything was the best thing because I gained these two into my life. They live in Ohio so they were only here for the summer, and sadly they have to leave to go back to school tomorrow. Kylie, the ever stylish and girly 12 year old, and Joli, the spunky 9 year old tomboy, loved helping me with everything ALL weekend. I couldn't believe how these two wanted to cook with me, clean for me, pick out my clothes- everything! How did I get so lucky, and when did kids become this fun and helpful?? I'm already bummed about them leaving, but looking forward to a lifetime of dancing the "nay nay", swimming in the ocean holding hands, future holidays, clothing shopping, photo taking, watching American Ninjas, Tammie's muffins and watching these two beautiful girls grow up- hopefully not too soon. 

PS they picked my outfit and photographed me for todays' post :) 

Aren't they just the cutest????

Hat: Nine West

Shirt: Nordstrom soft black V Neck

Lace halter bra- lette: from Frocks & Rocks in El Segundo

Skirt: Forever 21

Bead Necklace: Nordstrom

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Booties: Dolce Vita at Nordstrom

Let's face it, I'm not a size 2, or a 4. I am also cursed, or blessed, with rather large hips and a butt too. In this day and age where curves are all the rage, I still haven't come to embrace mine, and it's difficult to wear all the super cute styles that are suited to a tiny girl, and not a size 6. However, I do enjoy my muscular legs and am thankful at times that I look like a woman. I am still learning to wear tight dresses, but as I get older (oh my god 32!), I sometimes feel like I garner too much attention with my big hips and I am not the girl that loves all eyes on her goods. So, until I embrace the bootie I will show you one of my favorite flowey dresses that works perfectly in the summertime and can easily transition into fall with some cute leggings, boots and a scarf. And maybe soon, I'll debut a tighter look, if my husbands' lucky.... ;)

White dress with eyelet detail: Nordstrom Rack

Scarf: Nordstrom Brass Plum

Lace booties: Anthropologie

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Turquoise earrings: vintage

Obviously when you live at the beach life is pretty much fabulous, and we are the luckiest people in the world to live where we do. I happen to be even luckier to have my parents live up the street from me. Which also means, family brunch- all the time. My family frequents our neighborhood café, Tammie's, for their delicious muffins, cappuccinos and omelettes. However, on this Friday, Tammie's was ::gasp:: closed! How could she? So my parents and I had to venture up north to 22nd street to try out the new Green Store spot. As a kid I was a regular at The Green Store. They had those delicious gum cigarettes (how could they make those??), and long fruit popsicles. But now, since Hermosa is changing everything, they sold and updated to a fancier, schmancier shop that serves french bread, Boar's Head meat, and "Boxed Water" (what?).  We had a blast trying something new, (even though my dad's Greek Omelette had green martini olives in it), and I had fun wrangling my momma to snap a few pics of me in my Friday Brunch Best. 

Leggings: Nordtrom

Tank Top: Old Navy

Long button top: Forever 21

Sandals: Old Navy

Necklace: Forever 21

Sunglasses: TOMS

Last weekend I happily became a Godmother. Ryans' sister, Jenny, and her hubby, Joe, asked us to be there for their precious daughter, Presley. How proud we both were and what a special day for the family. I've told you all in my previous "Going to the Chapel" post that we always have a wedding to attend, and this was no exception. From the Baptism in Malibu, we were to head straight to a 3:30 wedding in Cayucos, California (central coast). So, I had to be ready for both the baptism and the wedding, that was to go ALL night. Church and outdoor wedding attire into one...you think it's easy, right? But you want to be somewhat cute and sassy for a barn wedding, and you have to be classy and elegant for a baptism....how to tie them into one??? Here you go..... 

Tie tank top : ANGL

Ruffle skirt: Anthropologie (on sale!)

Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (the red shoes are everything here)

Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Leaf Bracelet: H & M

For my 32nd Birthday this year (yikes), I asked Ryan if we could go fancy camping, which apparently has a name now, and they call it "Glamping". I had recently seen a lovely article on the cover of my travel magazine of this gorgeous lit up tent with a bed, in the middle of the forest and thought, I have to be there. Now. So I showed Ryan the exact tent we had to stay in and told him exactly what we were going to do. Relax, sleep, hike, eat, make s'mores, and drink wine, the normal things you do when you camp. So my sweet, sweet husband, who does everything right (sorry ladies), booked what I wanted. The day of the trip had come and we were on the road to Santa Barbara. We arrive at El Capitan Canyon, where the man at the desk (let's call him Adam), gave me a curt hello (ummm...it's my birthday, how dare you?), and sent us on our merry way to our fab tent that I had been waiting so long for.... and it's, oh my god, jaw drop, horrible. I wish I had a picture to show you, but if you can imagine, it's facing a hedge, no view, crammed between two cabins filled with children and in the direct hot, hot sun. Now I know, poor me, I get what I asked for, but no way in hell was this happening, it was my birthday, and I get whatever I want on my one day. I basically start crying and poor Ryan, disappointed as well, convinces me to talk to Adam.

I walk in and tell Adam, listen, this isn't exactly what we had in mind when we booked the trip, and show him the magazine cover, which I think many people have done. Ryan then enters and tells him it's my birthday, which doesn't make him seem to excited either. We then decide that maybe the tent isn't the best way to go and swap to a beautiful cedar cabin with a gorgeous view of the trees and creek, and no children for at least a hundred yards. We did all the amazing things one does when glamping: hike, drank wine and sat by the fire till it was time to fall asleep. My birthday turned into a beautiful three days and my outfits weren't too bad either. Glamping at it's finest!! Happy Birthday to me.

Hat: Olive & Pique

Shirt: Abercrombie & Fitch

Shorts: H & M

Sandals: Kenneth Cole

Sunglasses: TOMS

So I am not exaggerating when I tell you this : in the last 3 and a half years I have attended 48 weddings. You heard me- 48 WEDDINGS. Totally normal. This also started occurring about 7 months into my dating relationship with my now husband, Ryan. All of my friends continue to ask me, "how the hell do you have that many dresses in your closet?" I truly have recycled a dress maybe twice, never three times and I could probably count on one hand how many dresses I have recycled. Nowadays, many people are at the same weddings so you need to rotate your attire. I have now learned to go the uber cheap route, occasionally, when it comes to my wedding style. I recently posted this picture on my Instagram and can't tell you how many messages I received asking me where I got this summery, flowery, off the shoulder long gown, that you can dress up or down. And the answer is..... drum roll..... Forever 21. Not kidding you. This dress cost me $28 at Forever. It might not last me a long time, but in this day and age of the ever changing trends, who the heck cares?! You can't beat 28 bucks. And if I had had time the day of this Friday wedding, I would have boho curled my hair out, maybe accessorized with more jewelry, but lo and behold this was all I could muster. 

So thanks Forever 21 for being my life saver for our friends' special day. 

And for you ladies wanting to dress your man with a similar suit (jacket is off because it was 95 degrees)

Suit : Hugo Boss

Dress Shirt: Ted Baker

Tie: Hugo Boss

Shoes and belt : Hugo Boss

Last week my husband and I ventured to our nations' capitol to visit his beautiful grandparents, explore the city, and of course, work in between. I had not been to Washington DC since I was 14 years old, and I honestly don't remember too much. I may be a bit of a presidential daydreamer....I'm literally obsessed with Annette Bening in The American President, I love Scandal, I think Obama is pretty rad (but lets not get political), I play JFK's rumored love interest, Marilyn Monroe for a living,  I can't get enough of House of Cards,  I honestly think I'm meant to work for the CIA, and American History blows my mind. I have dreamt of going to the Smithsonian (mainly to check out Dorothy Gale's ruby red slippers), pretty much since I was a kid. So of course, this city gave my everything and more in 4 whirlwind days. Amidst all the craziness, I wrangled my husband, Ryan, to snap a few pics of me in my glory. Even though I packed last minute, I managed to bring a few fun things for you to see, that were extremely easy to pack since they squished down, and you could throw on heels with this for a night on the town if need be.

Hat: David & Young 

Tank: LUSH

Romper: Free People (splurge)

Shoes: BCBG 

Sunglasses : Forever 21

I hate to complain, because honestly who likes a complainer? But I found myself becoming increasingly exhausted this week from waking up to go to work at 5:30 am. Who does that? I know all my friends with kids are rolling their eyes, but geez! I'm not sleepy when my alarm goes off. It's once it hits 4 pm on that long drive home that makes me want to pass out on the wheel. However, it's Friday, and I'm finally off, unlike most of you who have to work on a Friday. I couldn't help but still, arise somewhat early (8 am, ugh), and take my trusty old pal for a quick stroll, yes, in my chunky heels. Sawyer, my 9 year old morkie who now lives with the parentals since I got married, is the sweetest, silliest dog, who for sure has dog ADD (which is why I can't get him to pose/sit/stand/look at the dang camera), but nevertheless, calms my nerves and always make me laugh. 

For my stylish dog walk I went with a lacy tank, my safari hat and a cozy skirt for an outfit that's all under $100. Minus the purse! My one splurge this year. 

Lace Top: Irene's Story

Skirt: ANGIE

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Hat: Target

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Watch: Anne Klein (on sale at Macy's)

Purse: Hammitt 

old man doggie: priceless

So we're halfway through summer, and when you live near the ocean, summer is everything. Days filled with sand, surf, sun, happy hour, and of course, effortless looks. No piling on the makeup during this time of year. It's all about looking fresh and casual. I can't help but live off bronzer and sunless tanner.  I love to put together sweet, flirty and fun looks too, especially after a crazy day of working in the hot sun, it feels good to freshen up and meet your friends looking like you've spent a day tanning and relaxing.  

Here I've paired a fun 60's inspired top with flowey shorts, vintage heels, a statement necklace and my fave- heart glasses, to pull the vintage look together.

Shirt: Irene's Story

Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: H & M

Shoes: vintage

Glasses: Urban Outfitters

Entire Look- under $100!