OFF THE GRID

Big Sur is the California that men dreamed of years ago, this is the Pacific that Balboa looked at from the Peak of Darien, this is the face of the earth as the Creator intended it to look”

- Henry Miller

This last weekend I was officially "off the grid" in Big Sur- no cell phone reception, television or internet for a full 3 days. My beau and I both agreed that a re charge was necessary and Big Sur proved to be just the ticket! I had not been to Big Sur since I was a child and it was as if I was seeing this truly magical place for the first time. Days were spent hiking amongst redwoods and on private beaches and nights involved cozy dinners and reading by the fire. I cannot wait to go back!

 

 

 

 

 

GREEK HEAVEN

 The daily work routine goes as so: get in , get coffee, eat breakfast and roughly 2 hours later I am STARVING! I mean on my deathbed STARVING!
However, in the last 2 weeks I have conquered this problem with my version of "Greek Heaven"
I have had Greek yogurt in the past , but it was always the kind with fruit on the bottom , or on the side- which is often high in sugar, not exactly what I want or lacking that certain something.
My version of "Greek Heaven" is much lower is sugar, higher in protein, and keeps me energized and full until lunch. I also think it is more delicious( obviously)!
All the ingredients below can be found at your local Trader Joe's or supermarket

1 cup of FAGE 2% Greek Yogurt (FAGE 0% is also available for a lower fat option)
1/2 cup seasonal fruit (I used blueberries- but I am now using strawberries or raspberries)
a generous drizzle of honey
light sprinkle of cinnamon and/or nutmeg
handful of slivered raw almonds (not pictured- this was recently added)

Mix together or layer separately to your preference. I like to use a lot of honey and have now started also using different combinations of fruit like strawberries ,raspberries and even nectarines! Get creative!

THE NEW CATWOMAN

This post is LONG overdue, as I saw " The Dark Knight Rises" approximately two months ago!
I truly enjoyed the film - and one of my favorite parts of it was Anne Hathaway's portrayal of Catwoman. I know people will argue with me on this - but I thought she was the best Catwoman yet! I loved the humor ,style and wit she brought to the role.  I was really inspired by her sleek, dark look and given that Fall is fast approaching I will use her as inspiration for the coming months.
I will be on the hunt for the perfect leather pants, crimson lips, something black lace & sharply tailored jacket...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY PICS

Something that I really enjoy about Instagram is that it makes you stop to enjoy the little things in life.
“The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it's all that matters.” 
~Audrey Hepburn
In no particular order, here are some things that have been making me really happy lately...

Henri Xavier relishing the taste of his chicken jerky treat

A delicious glass of bubbly savored while "putting on my face"
(as my dear Grandma would say)

A night out with my beautiful LA bestie

Peony season!

Birthday Cupcakes from Frosted in LA (my new favorite cupcakery!)


**Follow me on Instagram: jonesy_baby**

TROPICAL DREAMS
Why am I so OBSESSED with coconut lately? I have been devouring everything from
St Ives Coconut body wash to Trader Joe's Coconut Thins (cookies). I think it is because I am so excited for summer! I It has been even warmer than usual in Los Angeles and it has me
 " Summer Dreamin' "
Also because I think coconut scents provide the perfect sweet, creamy yet earthy base for any scent I layer on top of it. It just seems to make any perfume I layer on top of it even better.
My favorite coconut "base" as of late: Coconut Skin Trip lotion & Tahitian Monoi Oil!
The Monoi really is amazing it even contains a dried Tahitian Gardenia at the bottom steeping!
When I was younger I was lucky enough to go French Polynesia several times with my family- and they sell the delicious Monoi everywhere there! When I was at Whole Foods I discovered they sold it there too!
* If you ever get a chance to visit Tahiti please do it a heartbeat! It is one of the most magical places on Earth!

Huahine, Tahiti ( French Polynesia)
The best of the Tahitian isles in my opinion and I have been lucky enough to visit several

The Monoi Oil(Tiare) scent and Coconut Skin Trip
This combo smells exactly like Huahine, Tahiti!

SPICY KALE CHIPS
I had some beyond delicious kale chips at an event a couple of months ago and was amazed at the sheer deliciousness of them.
They were literally almost on par with salty potato chips- I just kept popping them in my mouth with no comprehension of the quantity I was consuming!
Then,to my dismay, I saw a minuscule bag at Whole Foods for $5.99(!)
When I saw a HUGE bag of kale yesterday at Trader Joe's for $1.99 I instantly felt empowered to make my own version! They were SUPER easy and were very delicious!

I followed this recipe here- but added my own little touches to make them even more tasty!

Kale, plus a few of my additions-lemon juice, chili flakes and garlic salt

Kale on a baking sheet , on parchment paper for easy clean up
Next time I will tear into larger sections, as the little kale pieces really shrivel up!

Kale with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic salt, pepper, chili flakes and grated parmigano reggiano.The parmigano was my best idea!

They may not look delicious but they were! Super crispy, salty and spicy!
Nutritious and delicious!

JADE ROSE aka the perfect nude...

To follow my post on the perfect bright red polish - I thought it was only natural to reveal (in my oppinion) the perfect, pinky versatile nude polish!
I think a veratile ,pinky nude polish is essentiel in any girl's "polish wardrobe".
My absolute favorite was given to me several years ago by a dear friend of mine:
Chanel's Jade Rose
Jade Rose was a limited edition release with Chanel Jade, but you can still buy the polish on Amazon. If you cannot find it I have also heard that NARS Vestale is a  good substitue.     .

Chanel polishes are higher on the price spectrum but I strongly believe they are worth the investment. I have been using this same polish for years and it is still as fresh as ever. This is the same trend with the other Chanel polishes I own
What I really love about this shade is that it is a rosey nude, and when put in the light it has a very subtle aurora borealis quality to it. This particular shade also happens to really complement my fair skin tone.

What is your favorite nude polish?

IT'S RAINING MEN! AKA THE PERFECT RED

Confession: I am pretty boring when it comes to nail polish... I like a soft nude, a bright red and occasionally if I am feeling WILD a pink of the fruit punch variety! And I am an absolute perfectionist with those colors- they have to be the perfect incarnation of those colors. I have been searching like Sherlock Holmes for years for the perfect, shockingly bright, clean red. In my opinion, there is nothing better than a bright red manicure on short nails.

When I discovered Deborah Lippman's "It's Raining Men" I heard angels singing- I had found "the one"!! It is truly perfection the exact color of the bottom of a Louboutin and shiny and paints on glossy like a new penny. I highly recommend this PERFECT red!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Love Jonesy & Henri Xavier Jones(above)
xoxo

ZA ZA ZOOEY!!
Seriously- how can you not love Zooey Deschanel? I have loved Zooey's style, spunk, and humor for as long as I can remember...
I would definitely consider her as one of my major style inspirations- she has a pretty, modern retro look that I really gravitate to.
500 Hundred Days of Summer is in my Top 5 Movies and I really adore her new hilarious new show on Fox "New Girl".
In the February issue of Allure - her editorial is pure genius. Usually I feel like Allure when doing editorials tries to reinvent the personality of the celebrity into something different than their actual personality. However, this time they got it just right! The editorial I feel really echoes the "Essence of Zooey". Below I included some pics from the editorial and my recent transformation and a few pics of myself trying to channel Zooey!



My new Zooey Bangs!

               

                                                                           Red Lips, Bangs, and Curls

PINTEREST OCD
I have a rather severe case of what I like to call Pinterest OCD ( otherwise known as Pinterest Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I can literally sit pinning and repinning for hours at a time everyday. Now I have cut down and limit myself to 30-45 minutes a day- I am quite proud of this achievement.
In my defense, Pinterest is really one of my best places of inspiration and a great place to channel creative ideas on a vareity of topics
For those of you who have not discovered Pinterest...It is an "online pinboard" for you to organize and share things you love.

Follow me on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/laura_in_paris/

I will definitely follow you back- I like to have as many creative ideas flowing in as possible!
Message me with your e-mail address if you need an invite

Here are some of my favorite "pins" as of late as you can see they range on everything from fashion to beauty to decor to cuisine:)

Mimi Holliday Lingerie: obsessed!

Very Parisienne

I am on a quest to find the perfect set of delicate gold rings to stack like this

Oven Fried Zucchini Chips
I really adore all the healthy , delicious options Pinterest has to offer

Ahhh Paris- please let's meet again soon!

 Taylor Swift's bangs/hair in this Vogue editorial.
I am copying asap (in brunette of course)!

Kate Bosworth /Emerald Heaven
I am really loving this color right now!

ANTI- SUPERBOWL SUNDAY
It is my yearly tradition to do something girly and fabulous every Super Bowl Sunday in protest of the game.
I mean after all, the commercials and half time performance can be watched on YouTube post game-right?
This year's agenda took place in Pasadena:
* Savoring a delicious brunch at Europane
* Foraging for treasures at the Pasadena City College Flea Market (first weekend of every month)
* Mulling over the best art collection in LA at the Norton Simon Museum

Daffodils and fresh artisan bread
Love the calming, beautiful atmosphere at Europane!

Open Faced Egg Salad Sandwich at Europane
Delicious ,light egg salad laid on baby greens on toasted fresh cranberry walnut bread.

Cool horse sculpture at the Pasadena City College Flea Market
I thought it best not to bore you with Flea Market pics!

Beautiful day in the Norton Simon Sculpture Garden!