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!

IMAGES OF A LAZY SUMMER...
"Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language."
— Henry James

Courtesy of the Hippstamatic Iphone app. Seriously if you don't have it- you MUST get it!!

CHANNELLING TALITHA G...
Talitha Getty was full on, decadent, 70's Moroccan elegance.
She was "glam boho"- lots of jewelry, kohl eyeliner, and undone hair.
I plan to emulate her this summer in my bikini: wearing heaping amounts of gold bracelets, kohl eyeliner, wearing my long hair down and undone, and a short chiffon caftans
In other words- taking unnecessary elegance to the pool or beach...
After that I am going to close my eyes and pretend I am in Marrakesh:)

 

DAILY INSPIRATION...
There has always been a cheesy cork board above my desk area in my apartment holding ragged snippets of inspiration I have torn from magazines, old Playbills, etc.
In other words- a horrible mess! I wanted to create something that would provide a burst of daily inspiration, fuel creative thoughts and basically start my day off in a happy way!
I was at my local office supply store when I saw this cork board edged in a chic, black frame and knew this was what I was looking for- a cork board that didn't really look like a cork board per se

I gathered photos/mementos/ads that either made me feel happy, fulfilled,or inspired. Some of these things include:
1) Homer Winslow postcard of "Nuit D'Ete" ("Summer Night"- quite appropriate given the season)
2) My nephew Mason's birth announcement- so chubby and delicious!!
3) Dreamy Miss Dior Cherie ad campaign shot by Sofia Coppola
4) Old black and white photo of my beautiful mom feeding her horse and lambie
5) Picture from my trip to Cap Jean de Ferret in the South of France last year. Seriously, one of the most magical, beautiful places I have ever been!!
6) Postcard of Audrey Hepburn and Carey Grant in "Roman Holiday". Can you really get any better than Audrey and CG?
7) Picture of me feeding my Frenchie Henri Xavier a dog friendly Sprinkles cupcake
8) Silly Polaroid of me from a costume party last year
9) Pierre Herme business card from Paris- I vow to eat those macaroons in the very near future!

Finished Product

AN EDUCATION
One of my favorite movies is "An Education" with the simply adorable Carrie Mulligan and Peter Skaarsguard. If you have not seen it I highly recommend it - you will not be disappointed!
I can watch it over and over and never tire of it.  Nick Hornby of High Fidelity and About a Boy (also great movies) created the screenplay and it is beyond charming, hilarious and bittersweet. One of the things I like the most is the 60's era fashion, hair and make-up. As today is Monday.. I thought we could all use a little inspiration..

Love the silhouette of this dress and the lush floral print!

Cat eyeliner and a soft updo



The perfect outfit for a Parisian rendez-vous- right down to the cat eye sunglasses

 

So dapper! Love the skinny tie and hats

CALYPSO FOR TARGET
Dreaming of warm summer days full of bikinis, sunbathing, and cocktails by the pool Calypso has released their chic but super affordable line for Target!
I happened to walk in Target at the perfect time when there was still product left of some of the best pieces!

White Cotton Sleepset
I am so excited about this little sleepset! Usually, I wear some of the most unattractive things to bed- a.k.a work out clothes, old mismatched clothing.  So when I saw this sleepset I was excited to actually feel pretty and comfy in this chic little white cotton set perfect for balmy summer nights

Maxi Dress
I saw this brightly colored maxi and knew that it would be the PERFECT cover up for the pool/beach. Throw on some wedges and you are good for a casual night out!

Sequin tote
Perfect for hauling all my stuff to the beach/ pool! Trust me - I usually bring enough stuff for me to camp out there for 3 days/ solutions to any situation that may pop up

I am also OBSESSED with the original Calypso St Barths line. To say the the Spring / Summer collection is drool worthy is an understatement! See the link to the website here.
The price points are much higher , but I am thinking about purchasing a statement dress from there as my summer "go to dress".
HAPPY FRIDAY!!