Enter to win my favorite Kate Somerville summer essentials here.
Trina Turk Spring Invitation
Style out with Trina Turk.
If you're ever caught with a one-way ticket (or roadtrip) to Palm Springs or to a resort across the world, make a stop at Trina Turk and pack your bags with her colorful collection, always inspired by modern architecture and the desert landscape. And if you haven't any jetsetting plans just yet, still come on over to her fabulous boutique where you'll be transported to a luxe mid-century inspired space for fashion and fun. This Thursday, March 12th, I'll be sharing how to wear my favorite Spring styles from Trina Turk's newest arrivals in her LA boutique. Check out my invitation to you below and hope to meet you and a friend there!
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Studio Session: Shaina Mote
Q&A with Shaina Mote.
Shaina Mote's inimitable designs first caught my eye on The Dreslyn and they were things I couldn't get off my mind until they were in my hands. Clean lines, elegant fabrics, and silhouettes that work for the sunniest and dreariest of days compose her versatile collections. If looks weren't enough, her transformable staples are cut from natural, renewable plant-based fibers that lend a hand at making this world a better place. How could you not get behind that? Among my personal Shaina Mote hoard, her perfect Tie Dress (worn here), a staple in each collection, works in the favor of every curve of your body and makes you feel like an earth goddess. I had to meet the woman behind the brand and I was lucky enough to take a tour of her handsome design studio in Downtown LA. Meet Shaina Mote.
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Please introduce yourself
My name is Shaina Mote. I am a fashion designer based in Los Angeles.
How did growing up in Los Angeles influence your design aesthetic?
Along with being a very easy going and laidback city, the weather is virtually seasonless. The line contains evolutionary styles that can be worn from season to season. There is an ease in attitude in the cuts that to me mirrors the personality of the city.
How do you find your inspiration in your creative process?
Art, philosophy, travel and friends.
What is the one thing you want the Shaina Mote brand to be known for?
Quality, attention to detail and thoughtful design.
We love and applaud that Shaina Mote is designed and produced with an eco-conscious mind – what inspired you to pursue this mission and how do you feel about the industry’s approach and momentum to become more socially responsible?
The line is produced in LA with all local, family run factories. This production method gives us closer-knit relationships with our manufacturers, ease of managing production and helps fuel our own local economy of makers.
In terms of actual materials, we often use fabrics made from birch pulp based fibers (tencel, cupra, bemberg etc) as it lends itself to a high-end silk like touch, but is still breathable and durable. This fabric is easily renewable and creates less waste to process and produce than many other popular options on the market.
I feel that the momentum to become more socially responsible is great. If we can have more integrity within the way we work and get things done, I think we will all benefit in a myriad of ways.
Your collections are full of sleek, neutral staples with easy-to-wear cuts, yet they’re distinct with clever details. What is your favorite detail to play with?
My favorite detail to play with is anything I can give mutli-functionality to. I have always been intrigued by the idea of evolution and reinterpretation. For example, I have a dress coming in for next season that has a cape like pleat in back. When undone, the side seam takes on a S shape side seam that drapes beautifully. I love when there is a dialogue between the wearer and the piece created, something new to discover.
If there is one piece every woman must have from your collection, which would it be?
Tie Dress. This piece embodies the core concept of the line in its versatility – it lends itself to be styled differently day to night.
How do you feel the brand has evolved since your first collection in Fall 2013?
I think the brand has stayed true to the roots and ideals within the brand philosophy. However, I have been able to grow into developing stronger offerings for all types of categories since the line started.
What’s next for Shaina Mote?
We are currently experimenting with new finishes and custom fabrics made from all Lyocell materials. On a different note, we have plans to collaborate with more artists and designers within the next coming year…. Stay tuned!
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Shop Shaina Mote's current SS15 collection here.
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Principessa x Coachella Invitation
Principessa is my spirit animal and I can't wait to party with them (and YOU) next Saturday.
Wearing Stolen Hearts top and Jen's Pirate Booty shortalls from Principessa
Reason #3 (just trailing behind reasons 1 and 2 of being by the beach and access to TOMS cafe) of why I'd live in Venice if I had choices would be to make Principessa my remote closet. Their incredible mix of designers - high and low, LA and worldly - assemble a dreamy selection of lace tops, flared denim, sexy one-pieces, exclusive bags, and so much more for the perfect outfit this festival season.
Their annual Coachella party is coming up on March 14th and I'm so excited to host and join in on the chaotic fun! Drinks will be flowing all day, fashion will be served, and I'll be dancing. It's a Saturday so there's no excuse for anything less. SAVE THE DATE and come join me and the goddesses of Jen's Pirate Booty, Heyoka Leather, Minimale Animale, Mate the Label, One Teaspoon, Unicorn Airlines, and 2 Bandits for a real good time.
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Rimmel London Wonder'lash
Lash inspiration.
Beautiful, sweeping eyelashes are the most captivating part of the face, and I love making my eyelashes stand out. I’m constantly on the prowl for new mascaras; when I recently discovered Rimmel London’s new Wonder’lash mascara, I was instantly drawn to its gorgeous copper packaging in the aisles at Walgreen's. Warm metallics are on-trend this season, and Rimmel London’s Wonder’lash inspired me to put together this bold and smooth outfit. This silky black jumpsuit is comfortable yet chic, so it’s easy to wear all day through business meetings and project runs. When the day is over, I add a couple of bold, metallic accessories to take this jumpsuit from office to after-hours for a fun and flirty look.
I was excited to see Argan Oil as part of Rimmel London's Wonder'lash formula because it's a natural ingredient I use daily in my beauty routine. Curling and swiping on mascara is so much more fun with lashes that are clump-free and high in definition. Give Rimmel London’s Wonder’lash a try, it’s worth the experience.
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The Collective
Winter in Beverly Hills.
Wearing Reformation dress. Seychelles booties. Westward Leaning sunglasses.
Not so long ago, on a beautiful winter day in LA (if you can believe it's winter), my friends and I got together for a day in Beverly Hills. I know, we can't be more serious in the last picture, but the laughs that ensued after walking back and forth a hundred times made for a ridiculously fun time.
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Pas De Calais
Exploring new nature in Pas De Calais.
Pas De Calais coat. Gypsy05 top. Pas De Calais skirt. Free People shoes.
The subtle concurrence of smooth, brisk winds and soft, warm sunlight made this moment on the trail a surreal memory. It's this time of year that I wish would last a little longer than usual, in which light linen coats like this casual one from Pas De Calais can comfortably add an elegant depth to a look. The breeze is welcoming and the glowing warmth is just right at all times of the day. The pieces that make up nature - I'm talking about the color of the hill's shadow, the texture of the grass, the impression of the elements combined - deeply inspire my creativity and style, which is why I adore and claim the nostalgic and romantic spirit of Pas De Calais as my creative twin. Their landscape palette is a constant in each collection, as inspired by different elements of scenery. Pas De Calais' current season of indigo hues and blended textures captured my enthusiasm for the cool and calming countryside.
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Flurries in Central Park
Embracing the snowfall in Central Park.
Christine Alcalay coat. H&M sweater. Designers Remix skirt. La Canadienne boots. Zadig & Voltaire beanie. Rovi Moss bag. Designers Remix gloves.
Although New York was a glacial tundra, with biting winds that only reminded you how poor of a decision it was to leave the house, I was at my merriest in a gentle snowfall in Central Park. Kyle and I were wandering through the MET when snow flurries caught our eye through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, seemingly for a moment as if we were in our own snowglobe. Instead of finishing our meandering through the Roman statue courtyard, we raced to the nearest exit to get out to Central Park just behind the museum. If you're wondering who this incredibly astonishing coat is by, it's Christine Alcalay. Remember the name and get to know her, she's going to be an amazing up-and-comer! I'm also so glad to have scored some of these winter essentials from The Dreslyn like these warm and chic calf-hair gloves and a mood-lifting skirt, both by Designers Remix, and my cozy Zadig & Voltaire beanie - I couldn't have survived the bleak and frigid cold without these functional and stylish details.
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#HoneyNFriends at NYFW
I aimed to make this New York Fashion Week special, with something that'll make a unique and lasting experience.
While planning our trip, Kyle and I found a beautiful apartment for our stay in the coveted West Village, our dream neighborhood when we find ourselves in bi-coastal lives. Living in a cozy apartment with a three-story walk-up would become our first real New Yorker experience outside of a hotel. I was in love with our place; one look at its graceful interior inspired me to share this place with a few of my friends. Soon, this idea turned into planning a full-blown event, because so many ideas were pouring in and I wanted to go big or stay home. New York Fashion Week is an exciting time during the year not only because of its big-production runway shows and sightings of supermodels and Bill Cunningham, but also because of its place in reuniting friends, old and new, from all over the world, for a super good time. I knew this apartment would be a special place for providing a warm retreat for good conversations and relaxation. Because of the apartment's elegant and chic New England decor and my obsession with tea, I thought a stylish afternoon tea would make the perfect theme. This is the first time ever in my life that I've put together an event, so it was an exciting yet daunting task that I knew would require any help possible. Trust me when I say, planning a destination party can get super tricky! To help me put together the main components of the party, hashtagged #HoneyNFriends, I reached out to my favorite brands that I know would make this party a fabulous affair.
As a loyal patron and drinker of Art of Tea, a premium tea producer straight out of Los Angeles, I of course asked them to be the star of the tea party. And I mean I'm loyal. I carry their loose leaf teas and a couple of tea satchels in my purse and just ask for hot water at cafes and restaurants (yeah I'm that kind of person, but it's worth it). Anyway, for the afternoon tea, we selected three delicious blends for serving: Earl Grey Creme, Eisai's Choice Sencha, and Chocolate Monkey. Each blend was presented in a square wooden sake box for our friends to breathe and sample their aromas. It's one of the best ways to effectively pick a tea you'd favor. Plus, each blend was then placed on separate platters coordinated with its own dessert tasting to bring out its unique flavors. Throughout the party, Earl Grey Creme and Chocolate Monkey were the crowd favorites! Oh, and a little side note: I completely forgot to buy cream and honey and all the little tea add-ons, but everyone loved the teas plain and as is, which shows how enjoyable their teas are!
Now, you can't do a proper afternoon tea without pretty little sweets. Minamoto Kitchoan is a luxurious Japanese confectionary brand with locations all over the world, including one right in my backyard at Fashion Island, Newport Beach - it's where I discovered their vast selection of whimsical, high-end "wagashi", or japanese confectionaries often served with tea. Made with natural ingredients like unrefined sugar, their desserts are never too sweet and they're perfect for healthier lifestyles. Every little bite of their Tsuya cakes and mochis is a moment of heaven! Like I mentioned earlier, I paired each tea with their own wagashi tasting to enhance the flavors of the tea as well as the dessert. The Chocolate Monkey tea had notes of silk chocolate and ripe bananas, so it was paired with Minamoto Kitchoan's light and crispy Langue De Chat chocolate cookies and decadent chocolate bon-bons that include rich flavors such as rose and passion fruit (their rose extract is actually from the king's palace in Versailles, France!). Eisai's Choice Sencha, a traditional japanese green tea, was accompanied with Fukuwatashi Senbei (vanilla) and Maccha Senbei (green tea), which are crunchy crackers filled with light vanilla or green tea cream, and Ayashirabe, a mini pound cake filled with velvety white bean paste. Lastly, the Earl Grey Creme's decadent creme brulee-like top note tasted perfectly in combination with soft and lightly sweet Hakutou Mochi, a delicate white peach flavor, and a rich Chocolate Mochi that I could munch on for forever. Our friends also each went home with a Tsuya, a comforting snack of pancake filled with red beans for on-the-go protein and sweet cravings. Everyone raved about the desserts and although I thought I had ordered plenty for the party, every last piece was gone before I even had a chance to taste them all myself! They're a huge hit and I'm already planning my next visit to Minamoto Kitchoan in Newport Beach to stock my pantry.
To smooth the transition from afternoon tea into night, I brought in every kind of my recent choice brand, Chloe Wine Collection. I discovered them while perusing the wine aisles in Vons for a spontaneous bottle of red; Chloe's simply elegant label captured my eye and sealed the deal. And for a curious impropmtu buy, their Red Blend was found to be extraordinarily good. The timeless beauty of their collection was sublime for our party aesthetic and Chloe's sophisticated look flawlessly resonates with those of style and fashion - perhaps its the eponymous name or their stylish black bow. Our friends and I were obsessed with their beautiful and aromatic bottles of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Red Blend. You have to try them, so check them out at your local BevMo or wine store (or find the nearest location here).
The lovely tabletop accessories were all found from Lulu & Georgia, an inspiring online store of cute and stylish interior decor. I loved having little gold accents, such as the antique mirror trays, foiled Kate Spade napkins, and the adorable giraffe and antelope statuettes, that elegantly embellished the strong white and neutral palette of the apartment. The artichoke statue also became a great centerpiece that brought together the tabletop to the rest of the apartment. A multitude of Voluspa candles added to the warm ambiance with decadent scents like Baltic Amber (my personal favorite), Santiago Huckleberry, Goji & Tarocco Orange, and French Cade Lavender. Their embossed glass containers and printed tin covers are such gorgeous details that make a statement in itself. Friends loved taking some of these pretty babies home.
Since fashion people love fashion (naturally), I thought it'd be fun to share two brands I love to go to for jewelry and clothes. To add a lot of sparkle to the ambiance, Kyle and I displayed a beautiful, curated collection of Chloe + Isabel jewelry throughout the apartment and every piece fit into the decor so seamlessly. Some of my favorite pieces included the Sedona Statement Necklace and the Heirloom Tortoise Link Bracelet (guess which one I'll be styling soon!). The ladies loved playing with the jewels and trying them on as they sip tea. And just so the ladies can be prepared for my next tea party, Ruche & Threadsence sent some of their prettiest tea dresses and outfits from their latest arrivals to try on and take home. This floral babydoll dress and vibrant pink and coral dress from Ruche are adorable and I'm jealous of my friends who'll be wearing them this Spring. And for pool parties at Coachella, these floral dresses here and here from Threadsence would be so fitting. Ruche and Threadsence are also Orange County-based, so I have to show love to my OC neighbors! If you're in the OC, they have a super convenient pick-up option when you order from their site.
A couple of other brands I'm obsessed with also contributed amazing product for the gift bag that my friends took home: Sonix phone cases, Sultra and Schwarzkopf hair tools, and Elan Veda essential beauty oils. Sonix is by far the prettiest designer of phone cases out there - their prints are unique, colorful, and ultra-feminine. The one I'm wearing is this elegant Dahlia case, but one of my newer favorites is the Jasmine because it's so fun for Spring! For my hair care, I currently rotate between the Sultra Volumizing Dryer Brush and Schwarkopf Pro-Flat Iron after I dry my hair with the Schwarzkopf Mini Giant (this little guy is a travel life-saver!). So each of the ladies got a fabulous tool for good Fashion Week hair days. And lastly, as a long-time user of natural oils for skincare, I was excited to share Elan Veda's Skin Renue serum made from natural and organic oils for refreshed, moisturized skin, which is a must-have during this harsh winter environment.
I must give a huge THANK YOU to each of my sponsors who helped make my first #HoneyNFriends get-together a beautiful and successful one! The party went on so effortlessly and I had an incredible time hosting everyone in our New York home like family. I am so grateful for having such wonderful friends in my life who support me and who are just plain awesome people. Thank you to these aaaamazing friends for coming to #HoneyNFriends at New York Fashion Week and making it fun and memorable with great conversations and big laughs: Kristen, Jess T, Kier, Jessica R, Tommy, Elaine, Taye, Rey, Alyssa, Roxy, Ruby, Eugenie, Coco, Paola, Thania, Linh, and many more new and old friends! Of course, I couldn't have done a single thing without the help of my loving boo, Kyle.
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California Natives
Beauty in the details.
Etoile Isabel Marant dress. Jerome Dreyfuss backpack. Marc Fisher shoes. Samantha Wills necklace. Miansai ring.
Keeping it easy in Etoile Isabel Marant, emphasizing textures and details inspired by green California natives.
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Valentine's Day in NYC
Cold and cute is a tough combination.
H&M sweater. H&M skirt. Rovi Moss bag. H&M fleece tights. La Canadienne boots. Bauble Bar earrings.
It's a cold, cold winter in New York and Kyle and I just happened to be in the city for Valentine's Day. Dressing cute and flirty for the couple-y holiday becomes much more of a challenge when all you want to wear is a thousand layers of puffy jackets to fend off the icy winds. H&M however had a ton of great winter wear pieces that were functional yet pretty for a good date night. This chunky geometric sweater weighs about 5 pounds just on its own, but that's the only way its heavy knit would keep you warm and cozy inside. And with all that room, 3 extra layers underneath ain't even a thing. Their thick fleece-lined tights is what makes wearing their leather skirt even possible. If you don't have a pair of those, buy 7 for every day of the week and wear them under pants, jeans, skirts, dresses, everything! They've saved my legs from frostbite this entire week in New York.
Check out more of H&M's newest arrivals here, and even if it isn't Spring just yet, there's endless ways to make cold look cute
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The Grammys
My first-ever Grammys experience, and how I got red carpet ready.
Cynthia Rowley dress. Miu Miu bag. Tacori necklace. CC Skye bracelet. 3.1 Phillip Lim shoes.
Seeing the invitation to the biggest night of music pop up in my inbox was the start of a surreal, glamorous adventure to the red carpet. Finding the perfect look wasn't as hard as I had imagined. There is much more creative freedom in dressing for the Grammys, so fun and flirty black tie attire is the theme of the red carpet. The brand that I immediately went to first and only was Cynthia Rowley, for her chic dresses and playful details and I fell in love with this light and Spring-worthy shift dress. Done and done, hardest part was over. I wanted to go for a youthful, dazzling look (because it's the GRAMMYS), so I paired the simple dress with a statement clutch from Miu Miu, a long chain necklace of a blue topaz from Tacori, and my favorite and super comfortable 3.1 Phillip Lim shoes from a couple of sample sales ago. But the finishing touch to this look (and any look) is a bright and shining smile. The whole week prior, I used Crest 3D White Whitestrips to help me achieve that red carpet-worthy smile when the flashing cameras come out.
Walking the red carpet was a chaotic but thrilling time just before the show started - you're glancing and firing up the phone camera for quick shots of famous faces that you pray won't be blurry. You're trying to take selfies when the massive crowd is hurrying through the doors to their seats. Pray those aren't blurry or dim. We got some pretty awesome seats next to stage right, where we had clear sight of everything happening behind the walls that obscure the TV audience's view. I watched Ariana Grande get up on her platform just minutes before her incredible performance and shake out all the jitters - you could tell she was super nervous/excited! During the first commercial break, no one could not stare at this pink, floofy thing waltzing across the floor and you realize it's Rihanna in her can't-miss Giambattista Valli gown just getting to her seat (or two for that dress). There's so much production that happens off-TV camera, but in plain view of the Staples Center audience, that is unexpected and fascinating. The Grammys was overall an amazing experience, because essentially it was a 3 hour concert of the best talents in music and I also had great company with Grasie and Jen. I owe a huge thank you to Crest 3d White for inviting me as their special guest to the Grammys! Now that I've got the Emmys and the Grammys down, I think I'm very prepared for the mother of them all, the Oscars. Now to find my way there...
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Small Town Truckee
Small town adventurer.
Left on Houston sweater. Free People overalls. Luxe Me Now slippers. Trina Turk coat. La Canadienne Boots.
A town between history and unyielding beauty, Truckee came to be an unexpected destination discovery that fulfilled the weekend's off-the-grid mission. While we holed up in our cozy lodge just outside of downtown Truckee for a good 45 hours through the weekend, we took a few hours to venture out to Donner Memorial State Park, downtown, and Lake Tahoe to at least legitimately validate that we visited Truckee and not just a cabin in the woods. The lack of snow was disappointing, but our layers weren't wasted because the air was brisk. It was the perfect, refreshing weather to hike a trail at Donner Memorial State Park and explore a pattern of nature that surrounds the populace of Lake Tahoe. Admission: this was my first time learning of the history of the Donner Party, which casted a slightly grim overlay to my hiking experience. But natural beauty overcomes all, and the warming fragrance of forest pines melted away any thought except that of an existential moment. The same can be felt at the beach of Lake Tahoe, where your view becomes a painting you wish to grab hold by the sides and haul away. It's a surreal view like this that resets yourself back to peace of mind. Isn't that what all getaways are for?
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Woodlands of Truckee
Put me in the woodlands and I am right at home.
Free People dress. Free People jacket. La Canadienne boots.
Over the weekend, Kyle and I set out on a roadtrip to Truckee by Lake Tahoe for a couple of days unplugged and uninhibited with good friends. The refreshing air was still a biting crisp, but this ultra shaggy jacket from Free People kept me snug and warm over this gorgeous sheer dress. This is us exploring the breathtaking nature of Donner Memorial State Park. More from Truckee to come tomorrow!
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Selects Apothecary + Giveaway
Global curation and understated luxury. Read more for what's new and what we're giving away!
Besides Benjamin's extraordinary hair transformation talent, gracious and down-to-earth demeanor, and elegantly eclectic salon, he can claim another achievement that sets him apart from the typical - a personally curated apothecary of natural and organic beauty brands from around the globe. As a client, I've seen and heard the many travels of Benjamin, so it's an exciting indulgence to experience these brands at the salon-attached Selects Apothecary as if they were souvenirs from his destinations. While the salon and apothecary are located in West Hollywood, you can now shop the newly launched Selects Apothecary online shop!
***GIVEAWAY***
To celebrate this exciting launch, we are giving away a $50 gift card to shop Selects Apothecary and a 20% discount code for your online purchase: just enter HONEY20 at checkout! There are so many great things to pick up like Davines Love/Smooth Conditioner, Fig + Yarrow Facial Scrub, and RMS Beauty Oil. Details to enter the giveaway are as follows:
1. Follow Selects Apothecary, Salon Benjamin, and Honey & Silk on Instagram
2. Regram the photo below on Instagram, tag us, and use hashtag #selectsxhoneynsilk (profile must be set to public)
3. Winner will be picked on February 10th. Good luck and thank you for entering!
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Marc Jacobs Daisy
It's Daisy Day.
blue Tobi dress. Ivy Kirzhner heels. Made sunglasses. white Reformation dress. Crap sunglasses. Dogeared necklace.
Marc Jacobs Daisy, Daisy Eau So Fresh, Daisy Dream fragrances.
To celebrate National Daisy Day, I indulged in beautiful sunny weather after Monday's pouring rain in dress looks inspired by Marc Jacobs Daisy fragrances. The original Marc Jacobs Daisy was the first designer perfume I fell in love with in college and I've been wearing it ever since. Its subtle-y sweet and alluring floral scent is a simple classic. I've welcomed the fresh, sister variations such as Daisy Eau So Fresh and Daisy Dream into my scent wardrobe, but nothing is quite like the original.
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In partnership with Refinery29 and Marc Jacobs Daisy. All views are my own.
Good Dress Day
The epic kind of dress.
Johnny Was dress
This day was a good dress day and on good dress days I wear epic bias-cut dresses for maximum wind effect.
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