When in Doubt Wear Red.

September 15, 2014 Kelly Donohue

September 15, 2014

Los Angeles, CA

For me, getting back to the workweek after a relaxing weekend is always a bit of challenge. Now couple my usual “case of the Mondays” with the recent heat wave that’s kept temperatures in my third floor, un-air-conditioned apartment well into the 90’s, and imagine the snails pace that I am moving at this lovely September morning. Oh yes, I was feeling more like a seventy-five year old lady attempting to hold the triangle pose in a hot yoga class than the young sprite that I am when I first rolled out of bed this morning.

Therefore, I decided to skip layering for today, seeking refuge in just one perfect lightweight item in my closet. Without having to think about putting a whole ensemble together- one of the many perks of wearing a dress- this flirty number from Ruche has a vintage fit-and-flare silhouette and manages to make even the most unpolished of ladies (like me!) look put together.

The deep red color is also great for Mondays because, believe it or not, wearing brighter colors, like red, has actually been proven to give the wearer a boost of energy. So if, like me, you are in a bit of a rut, or you're constantly reaching for grays and blues, it is great to change up your color palate. You’ll quickly pull yourself out of that funk that you’re in and find yourself with a bit of added confidence. Try it out! In the words of designer Bill Blass, “ When in doubt, wear red”.

And for all of you lucky ladies who are enjoying cooler fall weather, this dress pairs well with tights and a cardigan too!

Dress: Ruche

Booties: Ruche (also love them in black!)

Rings: TopShop

Lips: Urban Decay from Sephora color 69

Shop This Look!

Photos By: Courtney Locks

An Indian Summer Giveaway with Aplaya!

September 8, 2014 Kelly Donohue

September 8, 2014

Los Angeles, CA.

On this Monday, I'm excited to be partnering with Aplaya Jewelry on hosting a giveaway! They are giving one of my lucky readers all three of their latest pieces: Tiki Bracelet, Arrowhead Necklace, & the Surfboard Outline Bracelet (all pictured below). If you are unfamiliar with Aplaya, it’s a local Southern California jewelry boutique that perfectly captures the lifestyle and essence of the California coast. All of the pieces are one of a kind, handcrafted with REAL seashells, and the entire collection is as affordable as it is beautiful. It’s truly my kind of shop! I have featured and worn their jewelry a bunch already this summer but since the weather has continued to stay so warm, these pieces are actually perfect for last minute beach getaways and Indian Summer weekends. In fact, wearing pieces like these actually help to keep a bit of summer alive all year long!

To enter the giveaway, just follow the instructions below in the Rafflecopter form. Open to all readers. You can also gain bonus entries by liking them on Facebook. Oh and leave additional comments below for bonus entries. This giveaway will close and be announced on Friday. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weekend Getaway!

September 8, 2014 Kelly Donohue

September 8, 2014

San Diego, CA.

Sunny Los Angeles will forever be an ideal vacation destination. Complete with delicious restaurants on every block, year-round beach weather, and jam-packed cultural offerings, the opportunities for entertainment are endless. But sometimes, even in the most beautiful of places, a change of scenery is necessary. Luckily, with California as my backyard, weekend getaways are made easy. A quick car ride may transport a Los Angelino to the tranquil wineries of Santa Barbara, or the steamy desert of Palm Springs. A welcomed retreat from my everyday city life, I find these little breaks to provide me with wonderful relief and clarity. Thus, regardless of where you live, finding a nearby oasis may be as simple as camping out in a local park or renting a room in a bed & breakfast in your town, playing tourist in your very own city because the truth is, changing up your scene is really the best way to relax and it may not even require a two hour drive!

This weekend, my sister and her husband flew in, and we all drove a couple hours south to San Diego. Instead of showing them around this time, I enjoyed playing the role of tourist too!

We packed a lot into a couple of days. Sometimes I find that is the best way to explore a city or a town. From the beaches of La Jolla, to the nightlife of the Gaslamp Quarter, to Point Loma Marina, to hitting up shops all around the city, and exploring the USS Midway Museum, we really did it all!

The ocean was incredibly warm this past weekend, so we swam for hours between the sea of surfers at La Jolla beach and we even saw a couple of small Sand Sharks and blue ‘Sailor’ jelly-fish in the water! Although everyone kept telling us that the sharks were harmless, I was a little afraid. I mean they’re called sharks for a reason right? I have to admit swimming amongst them was oddly invigorating! We also enjoyed eating big brunches. My favorite was at Searsucker over in the Gaslamp Quarter, and when we weren’t busy beaching or brunching, we explored the city on bicycles! We rode down to the USS Midway Museum and I fell in love with the stories that lie in the nearly 50 years of world history kept treasured inside this colossal Navy aircraft carrier.