LP in Polka Dots

Olive & Olivia Polka Dot Maxi Dress, Hermes Bracelet, Vintage Bangles 

Aside from blogs, magazines and runways, some of my biggest style inspirations are my closest friends. We share tips on favorite vintage stops, boutiques, beauty products, new designer obsessions and heads up on good sales. At a friend's recent rehearsal dinner, my friend LP (seen here and here) wore a flowey black and white polk dot dress that I was crazy about. I loved the trailing long skirt that billowed in the wind and the exposed back. Thanks to LP, I'm now craving polka dots and gownish long skirts. 

Nude and Navy

Lately the days have been feeling more and more like fall. I was hoping for a warm Indian Summer but alas, the sunshine gods dropped the ball this year. So I've officially started embracing bits of autumn starting with a pumpkin that now sits at my front door—nothing like a holiday involving sugar to get you in the mood! Here's a look at my most recent color combo obsession: Navy and nude.

Clockwise from top left:

1. Vintage Christian Dior Sunglasses, $285

2. A.L.C. Tessa Ruched Stretch Jersey Dress, $435

3. Topshop Suede Platform Shoe Boot, $245

4. Current/Elliot Roller Low-Rise Jean, $195

5. Equipment Silk Blouse, $208

6. Hunter Tall Wellington Boots, $125

7. Stella McCartney Wool and Alpaca Beanie, $220

8. Ariel Gordon Silk and Chain Woven Bracelet, $114

9. A.L.C. Pleated Chiffon Maxi Skirt, $425

10. Butter Hen Party Nail Color, $14

11. Acne Atlantis Two-Tone One-Shoulder Dress, $440

12. Bobbi Brown Beige Lipstick, $23

13. Kain Trixie Modal T-Shirt, $90

Chocolate Soufflé Cake

I'm a lover of just about anything that has to do with chocolate. In fact, I'm not sure I live a day without having just a little bit (or sometimes a lot). The beau's mom taught me how to make this Chocolate Soufflé Cake and it never fails to impress at dinner parties. I have to convince people that it's not store bought. And the best part about that? It's actually a fairly simple and easy recipe (see below). 

Chocolate Soufflé Cake:

9 eggs • 1 lb. chopped bittersweet chocolate • 3/4 sugar • 1 c. butter • parchment (or wax) paper • cocoa powder • confectioners sugar 

Melt the butter and chocolate over low/medium heat. Stir occasionally. While chocolate is melting separate the egg yolks and whites in two bowls. Beat egg yolks with 3/4 c. sugar. With clean mixers beat the egg whites with 1 tablespoon sugar until fluffy with *peaks. In a large bowl *fold 3/4 of the melted chocolate/butter mixture with the egg yolks and a third of the egg whites. Keep folding in ingredients until mixed. Pour into a greased and floured spring form pan with parchment paper lining the bottom. Bake at 300º for 30 min or until the sides are firm and the center still jiggles. Set aside to cool. Once cooled sprinkle cocoa powder and confectioners sugar on top (TIP: Put the cocoa and sugar in a mesh strainer and tap over the cake. It will give that professional look).

*Cooking terms always intimidate me and turn me away from recipes if I don't know what they are, so here's a little translation. Peaks: when you beat the egg whites long enough that it forms mini peaks on the surface when you lift the mixers out. Fold: a type of mixing. Instead of making small circles or beating, you make a wide circular motion folding the bottom mixture to the top (TIP: I like using a wide spatula).

Shine Blow Dry Bar

I loved getting my hair washed under these beautiful lights!

Ever since I heard of the concept "blow dry bar" I've been wishing and hoping for one to open in Santa Barbara. It's such a simple luxury with a small price tag ($35) and big reward, especially when you can sip a mimosa, have a mini cupcake and, most importantly, relax. Shine Blow Dry Bar recently opened in Santa Barbara and I raced to make an appointment. My experience? True bliss and an incredibly soft, bouncy blow out. Besides being utterly pampered I was smitten with the interiors—crystal chandeliers, heavenly shades of blue, marble countertops and glassware with the signature Shine star on them. I couldn't think of a better place to start off a girls day with friends or just treat myself. I can already tell I'm going to be a regular at this spot! 

A sweet and feminine hand mirror sits at each station.

I was crazy about the scent of the Davines products they used on my hair.

Mimosa? Yes please!

The end result—perfectly wavy, bouncy and smooth locks.

Sheer Thing

Of Two Minds dress, Jennifer Fisher Flat Circle Bangles and Moon Charm, Vintage Snake Ring, Ariel Gordon Spike Pendant Necklace, Ash Cutout Booties 

I'm a sucker for sheer, printed fabrics so I was instantly drawn to this printed dress by Of Two Minds—a line that I've been crazy for ever since discovering it a year ago. I love the splashes of pink and coral, making it a perfect transition piece for fall. Major perk, it looks incredibly cool with my black leather jackets seen here and here.  

New Season, New Scents

With the change of season on our hands, I've been craving new scents as a way of starting fresh. I put an exotic floral candle in my bedroom, found extra thick rose scented face creme and recently come across two perfumes that I'm crazy about—one that's a bit heavier for evening and one that's subtle for daytime. I love learning about new perfumes, leave a comment below and tell me what your current favorite is!

Two of my most recent finds, Tom Ford's newest scent Violet Blonde and ActivAroma Rose Damascena face, hair and body oil—I love putting this on at night. 

MOR Bella Donna candle that has been filling my bedroom with hints of White Narcissus, Moroccan Rose and Pink Tulips.

 Every fall my skin gets extra dry, so this year I'm arming myself with this extra thick lotion by Eminence. I'm crazy about the Red Rose scent and how soft it leaves my skin. 

*Beauty Tip. For extra sensitive, dry skin that's prone to redness grab something with rose oil in it. I've been using pure rose oil for 6 months and it's made a noticeable difference.

Dark Essentials

April,May Peach Maxi Skirt, Forever 21 Jacket, Ava + Aliria Vintage Bead Necklace, Forever 21 Chain Necklace, Vintage Clutch from The Reformation, Erin Wasson Cuff, Breslin Raen Sunglasses, YSL Lingerie Pink Lipstick

Bright colors have taken center stage these days in the fashion world but I can't deny my love for basic black essentials—especially when the summer tan starts to fade. I'm utterly smitten with this black maxi skirt by April,May because of the antique pink waist detail and full pleated cut. It's incredibly graceful yet cool when paired with a leather jacket and layered jewelry. 

Borrowed, Blue, Old And New

The bride's Jimmy Choo Heels

Like most anticipated celebrations, a wedding always seems to fly by in the blink of an eye. This past weekend was an unforgettable whirlwind of fun watching one of my best friends become a Mrs. I managed to hold back tears at the littlest moments but just about lost it when I saw her walk down the aisle on the arm of her dad. It was quite possibly the most beautiful wedding I've been to set against a lush Montecito property, The Hahn estate. Here are a few favorite bits from the weekend.

The bride's Herve Leger dress she wore to the rehearsal dinner

 Each bridesmaid had a different hairstyle. I loved this side knot updo. 

 The bride wore a silk Yohji Yamamoto robe to get ready in

 Each bridesmaid wore vintage rhinestone jewelry picked out by the bride

 Something borrowed, the bride's grandmothers ring

The maid of honor's vintage clutch

 An adorned bridesmaid

A high Audrey Hepburn-esque bun

Champagne toasts!

A gift from the bride—white robes with our initials embroidered in gold

 An elegant updo

 Pale pink nails, vintage jewelry and effortlessly cool updos. 

 Bridesmaid dresses by Tibi

The bride, moments before putting on her Monique Lhullier wedding dress

Bridesmaid Duty

[ Invitations to the rehearsal dinner, wedding and brunch ]

This weekend one of my best friends is getting married in Montecito and I can hardly wait for the three-day festivities to begin. There's nothing quite like the excitement and anticipation that surrounds a wedding. Between the all day prepping and beautifying, to the bride's entrance, the groom's expression, hitting the dance floor and eating cake, I love every second of it. And, I actually will wear this bridesmaids dress again—an incredibly cute Tibi dress with a sweetheart neckline. Here's a look at a few things for the big weekend ahead. 

[ Antique hankies I picked up at Punch ]

 [ New gold shoes to go with my dress and Stiletto Hardware foot cushions so I'm not hobbling at the end of the night ]

 [ My nail and lip color of choice for the weekend—OPI Bubble Bath and YSL Lingerie Pink ]

 [ A gift for the bride from my favorite local lingerie store, A Tropical Affair ]

In my bridesmaid clutch:

An extra pair of Stiletto Hardware memory foam foot cushions

Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl to touch up throughout the night

My iPhone with a playlist for getting ready day of

Hollywood Fashion tape

OPI Bubble Bath Nail Polish

Aquaphor

Colgate Wisps

Blotting papers

YSL Lingerie Pink Lipstick

YSL Gloss #7

Band Aids