Bold Bright & Blue.

September 24, 2013

 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA

Melrose Avenue.

I mean, a street name that basically has a TV show named after it MUST be pretty spectacular, right?  Well…  I am not sure if spectacular is the word, but I have certainly grown to appreciate all of the many hidden treasures that Melrose has to offer.  

Now I have to be totally honest, when I first moved to Los Angeles, I remember being a bit disappointed when I took my first walk down the infamous strip of land.  This can’t be it, I told myself over and over as I clutched my purse and walked past-what felt like a row- of stores with mannequins clad in leather leotards.  Oh, and I’m not kidding you, a man offered me a tiny rabbit (a real-life baby bunny) for a dollar! To this day I’m still not sure:  A. how I turned him down and B. Where he got it, but the real question was: WHAT THE HECK WAS THIS PLACE? It felt like some sort of circus. 

It wasn’t until my sister, Erin, came to visit me several months later, that I actually discovered the true magic that was Melrose Ave.   With an exceptional eye for fashion and an appreciation of art, she helped me realize how much fun it was to have access to such a dynamic block of shops and eateries. Unlike me, she had done her research about LA, relying on facts instead of dreams, and so she knew exactly where to go to seek out the best finds.  Throughout my childhood, if Erin gave something the approval, it was likely that I got on board and thought it was the greatest thing ever too.  Luckily, it’s something I haven’t seemed to grow out of, and so I have her to thank for the many wonderful days and nights I have spent on Melrose Ave.  And oh how lost I’d be without it…

Whether I’m catching an improv show at The Groundlings Theatre, having a girls night at my favorite wine bar, Vinoteque, shopping at the local boutiques, or eating at the Village Idiot (where I watched Obama get re-elected as President), this place, that I was so quick to shun has become an integral part of my life.  In fact, this weekend, I caught an improve show, went to brunch at the lovely French café, Maison Richard, and enjoyed searching for gems at the flea market… all on- you guessed it- Melrose Avenue!

I chose this bright blue, retro romper from Topshop for my weekend brunch and afternoon stroll.  I paired it with some bright yellow earrings from Forever21 to add even more color- why not?  Now that it’s officially fall, it’s tempting to stick to the darks, tans, and greens, but it is still wonderful to wear something colorful every once and a while.  You’ll feel energized and you’ll be amazed how many compliments you’ll get.  Again, this piece is a bit pricy for me, but it’s fun, irresistible, and unique- just like Melrose. 

Romper: TOPSHOP

Earrings: Forever21

Heels: Aldo

Oh and check out this amazing artwork! It can be found all over the buildings on and around Melrose!

Photos by: Jennifer Biswas

The Greenhouse Effect

September 17, 2013

XOTX-Tropico, West Hollywood, CA

Sometimes you don’t have to travel far to find an escape from the city walls.

In the heart of West Hollywood, just feet away from the chaotic and traffic-filled Fairfax Blvd, is a beautiful nursery filled with exotic plants, flowers, herbs and veggies from all over the world.  This unexpected little gem is called XOTX-Tropico, and although it is located on one of the busiest streets in town, every time I visit I immediately feel as though I’ve been transported to a quaint pastoral island somewhere far from the honking car horns that echo faintly beyond the pretty flowers and tall trees surrounding me.

Of course, the purpose of this nursery, as is the purpose of all nurseries, is to provide customers with flora… ya know, a place for customers to come and purchase flowers and plants.  However, without a yard, a balcony, or even a tiny windowsill to house said beauties, buying anything isn’t even really an option for me (and to my great surprise, the owner doesn’t hate me…yet!)  For me, it really serves simply as an oasis of sorts.  Instead of comparing prices, I wander around admiring the care that’s been given to each unique species, spend time in the greenroom- (always amazed at the lush density of plants and their ability to block out the noise of street traffic), dream about the garden I may someday be able to afford, and take in the various aromas as I pass down the rows of herbs and vegetables.

All I can say is it’s a good thing that they don’t have benches or I’d be perched all day, reading and observing to my heart’s content!

What this nursery reminds me of, ultimately, is that you have to make sure you take a moment to look around and take everything in, to treat yourself to some alone time, and to never miss out on the organic treasures that are (sometimes hidden) all around us.

This black and white maxi from Social Butterflies is as comfortable as it is beautiful.  Truly flattering for all shapes, this effortlessly adorable dress makes even a casual stroll in the garden look fancy!

Maxi Dress: C/O Social Butterflies

Necklace: Ruche

Sandals: Forever21 (SIMILAR)

Photos today by: Jennifer Biswas

A Birthday in Beantown

September 12, 2013

Cambridge, MA

I returned yesterday from a whirlwind visit to Boston and though the flights are a bit long, the jetlag a bit exhausting (especially when taking the redeye), and the New England weather a bit unpredictable, this short little getaway was well worth all of it.  I discovered that it’s possible to pack more into a weekend than I can pack into my purse-quite an amazing feat!  Not only was I able to enjoy the city I call home in its finest time of year, but I was also able to explore new restaurants, catch up with family at the beach, celebrate the first Patriots victory of the season with some locals, and spend the day with my boyfriend for his birthday.  It was truly a great time.  Now if only someone over there at MIT would hurry up and invent teleporting (I’m looking at you Eric), I could do it every weekend!

Most people who know me are aware that I associate Boston with being my home, but, truthfully, I grew up almost an hour outside of the prideful city, in a small town in New Hampshire.  Close enough, right?  That being said, while I’ve explored a great deal of Boston over the years, there are oh so many places that I still have yet to discover and this weekend was a perfect example of that.  In year two of Eric living in Cambridge, we’re finding incredible restaurants, coffee shops, and local taverns that while new to us, have all been sitting right under our noses this whole time. 

While he was in class, I spent some time walking through Harvard Square, admiring the large brick buildings and neighboring homes, while window shopping and spending some time in the Harvard Book Store.  When the weather is as lovely as it is in September, I could walk around for hours and so I did just that.  It’s a fascinating place, Boston, and though I’m sure I’m biased, I could visit a thousand times and still find it to be more thrilling than the last.

For Eric’s birthday, we had dinner at this delicious little spot called Bondir.  With a fresh menu that changes daily, a cozy ambiance, exquisite service, and delicious wine, it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while.  It is one of those places where each ingredient is deeply appreciated and carefully selected by the chef and if you are in the mood to really enjoy every morsel, this restaurant is a must.  

I chose to wear this black floral jumper, that looks like a dress, from Topshop for our cozy date night in the city.  It’s a perfect fall little number for a night out on the town.  I must admit, it was a bit outside of my usual budget, but for special occasions, you have to splurge a little.

New Finds in Cambridge:

• Bondir- A quaint restaurant with a daily changing menu, and personalized service!
• Casa B- Tapas at it’s finest! The cocktails are amazing and the incredible dishes are prepared in an open kitchen.
• Sweet- Discovered some of the tastiest cupcakes in town here in Harvard Square.
• Thirsty Scholar- Watched the Patriots game here and enjoyed great beer on tap and game-time appetizers- YUM!

I’ll definitely be frequenting all of these spots over the coming months!

Jumper: TOPSHOP

Black Booties: ALDO (Similar) 

Photos by: Eric Bromberg