Author Archive

I’ve been a fan of the earth-friendly Kimpton Hotels chain ever since I stayed at the glorious Hotel Triton in San Francisco, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to learn of yet another considerate effort on their part in Los Angeles: BLVD 16’s Rush Hour Happy Hour at Hotel Palomar in Westwood!

Fighting L.A. rush hour traffic to get anywhere is no picnic, but the dimly lit BLVD 16 and its Farmer’s Market-fresh menu will soothe your frazzled nerves right away. A perfect before-dinner excuse to munch with friends, co-workers and out-of-towners, BLVD 16 has a lot to offer, all in the $3-$6 price range. (more…)

Like it? I was in a hurry to get to the Farmer’s Market before they ran out of fish (so glamorous, I know) so I reached for these little gems. I was so pleased with the results I had to share. Follow the steps on the jump for product info, and stay tuned for a future post that uses green makeup alternatives to get the same look! (more…)

‘Tis the season for swimwear and sandals galore! My latest inspiration: Bohemian chic meets African beach safari. Here are a few of my latest summer must-haves, all of which remind me of vacationing to an exotic destination. Wear them individually with jeans or all together! (more…)

Just got back from a paparazzi-filled Reebok celebration to debut the new Reebok EasyTone shoe for women and lo and behold, look who was the DJ! Samantha Ronson spun tunes by Keri Hilson, Black Eyed Peas and more into the night as Reebok lit up 9152 Janice Place, a $10 million architectural masterpiece in Beverly Hills, with their pink logo and EasyTone shoe displays.

Roaming the property were TV darlings Audrina Patridge, Stacy Keibler, Karina Smirnoff and ANTM winner CariDee English as well as the very cute Vanessa Minnillo and High School Musical star KayCee Stroh. I also ran into the very funny actress Regina King and the apparently 14 weeks pregnant (though I couldn’t tell – see?) Kendra Wilkinson, left, both decked out in EasyTones. And it’s a good thing I got to there early to spot the Kardashians, including perfect-butt poster girl Kim (who looks just as beautiful in person as she does in photos). She was literally dashing out the front door 10 minutes after the event started with a coveted pair of the shoes … speaking of which: (more…)

If you head to Las Vegas this summer, consider XS at Steve Wynn’s Encore Las Vegas your must-see nightlife destination. Since the water-themed club and main attraction of the $2.3-million casino/resort opened New Year’s Eve, it’s been called by locals the “hardest club to get into” and “the best club in the country.” Great expectations? I’d say so. Here’s my full report on what it’s like, plus my secret to getting in hassle-free: (more…)

I’m mentally packing for a girls’ weekend in Las Vegas (so psyched)! My goal: to find chic, fun accessories that ooze style poolside. Spotted on Gwen Stefani and Kanye West, these funky aviator sunglasses from racing brand Carrera are the epitome of “cool” (and all the rage in Italy). Borderline tacky? Of course! But they stand out in a crowd and go oh-so-well with a string bikini – perfect for Sin City. Carrera Champion and Safari are perhaps the most popular styles (and compliment many face shapes) but my favorite is Cup in Green Shaded (pictured).

The glasses range from $120-$180 and are available at a Solstice Sunglass Boutique near you or in select styles at Bloomingdales.

I just tested these multitasking beauty products out as part of a low-maintenance/room-saving routine on a recent surf trip and I’m in love. Not only is Hamadi Shea Spray ($18) organic and biodegradable, it keeps hair naturally protected from the sun AND moisturized (be sure to reapply often if you’re going in and out of water). I also highly recommend it as a conditioning and styling aid that adds shine pre- or post-blow-dry. 

Further saving room is Aveda’s new Sun Care Hair & Body Wash ($20), an absolute summer travel must. It keeps sunburned skin and hair soft and healthy, whether you’ve spent the day in the ocean or the pool. Follow with my latest take-it-everywhere obsession, Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Skin Salve ($25), a compact hair and body balm that can be warmed up with your fingers and applied to soften any part of your body. It’s the perfect, non-irritating moisturizer, callus softener and hand cream. (It even got rid of my friend’s post-shave rash!) Absolute genius!

Products are available at Aveda.com, HamadiBeauty.com and Kiehls.com.

With summer coming, I’m craving sunlight and exercise so it’s a good thing I discovered Calidora Skin Care Clinic (currently in Washington and California), where skin care experts will keep me on top of my sun-induced brown spots. Upon my first visit, Andrew, the very sweet manager at the Glendale, Calif., location (in The Americana at Brand), gently performed a complimentary Photo-Imaging Complexion Analysis using UV and infrared cameras. As we chatted about the skin care secrets of monks (yes, monks), he pinpointed the dehydration, congested pores, sun damage and fine lines I always suspected were there, then gave me a color printout as a reminder to drink more water. (If only I could get an IV … )

Enter esthetician Jessica, who has the hands and complexion of a goddess. She did a round of microdermabrasion and extractions, then misted and massaged impurities away using Skin Medica products in one of the most relaxing hour-long facials I’ve ever received.

Facials are pricey, starting at $145; however the clinic does offer discounted rates if you refer friends or buy a package of treatments (great gift splurge). There is also a large menu of services ranging from makeup application to laser hair removal and Botox. To schedule a free Photo-Imaging Complexion Analysis at a sleek location near you, visit Calidora.com or call 1-800-750-0772. You can also buy the products used on you, as well as lash potions by Latisse and more, at Shop Calidora.

WHO: Partners Caleb Wines, John McGonigle, Garry Muir, Chris Schiffman, Craig Hoffman; Executive Chef Albert Aviles

WHAT: Corkbar

WHERE: 403 W. 12th St. in downtown Los Angeles

WHEN: Daily 11:30AM-2 AMish

WHY: Fancy yourself a wine connoisseur? I don’t. But Corkbar, a casual yet hip wine bar in downtown L.A.’s South Park neighborhood, sure has me excited about becoming one.  (more…)

Where can you get a Xylitol-sweetened Sno-Cone, raw food pasta, a customizable six-pack of beer and a box of biodegradable trash bags in one place? Frankly, nowhere … until now. Meet Locali, a cozy neighborhood one-stop shop for all your environmentally conscious needs. From a menu of freshly made, vegan-friendly sandwiches to a wall of energy bars, organic wines and raw, gluten-free snacks, it’s a green fiend’s quick-stop paradise. Owners Melissa Rosen (who loves to dole out ginger-agave slushie samples!) and Greg Horos created the environmentally conscious space, from its Sola-Tube lighting and reclaimed wood cabinets to its modern compost/recycle trash bins, to bring sustainable awareness and a sense of “community” to the hipster-packed neighborhood. And starting Memorial Day, I’m happy to report they are bringing a refreshing taste of Locali to you! Look for Locali’s THE ICYCLE – an ice cream tricycle that will tour areas from West Hollywood to Los Feliz – in your neighborhood. Enjoy 30 flavors’ worth of Sno-Cones (made with ultra pure Reverse Osmosis Water and Organic Brown Rice Syrup or diabetic-friendly Xylitol) or my personal favorite: lemon/honey-lavender Ruby Jewel handmade ice cream sandwiches. (Yum!)

Check THE ICYCLE’s whereabouts on Twitter (http://twitter.com/locali). Locali is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 5825 Franklin Ave. in Hollywood’s Franklin Village.