Outdoor Living Ideas For Balconies and Small Spaces

Living in a high rise apartment, I’m lucky to have a balcony that overlooks the skyscrapers in downtown Los Angeles. The other day I was viewing my Instagram stories and saw how my sister turned her new backyard in Brooklyn into a garden lovers paradise. This gave me the inspiration to think about creating my own outdoor area. I went on Pinterest and searched for outdoor living ideas. I came across so many eye-catching spaces, that I made a list of my favorite 20 so that others can get some inspo. These are for people with tiny balconies, little patios or small backyards— they proveRead More →

Arizona Trip Packing List

In a few days Billy and I will be heading to Arizona (where he grew up) to watch his son graduate high school and to spend time with my family who will also be there. I’ve never been to the desert before so I’m thrilled to explore an area that’s so unique to me. We’ll be staying in Scottsdale and spending most of our time there and in Phoenix. On my list of things to do is shopping at Fashion Square, exploring Old Town, and taking photos at the Desert Botanical Garden. If there’s time I’d love to check out some museums and devote aRead More →

Bohemian Style Maxi Dress

What I love about Sundays is getting dressed up and heading to brunch. I’ll splurge and order a dish I wouldn’t typically eat during the week—it usually involves a ton of butter, sugar and syrup. When choosing where to dine Billy and I have a few favorite spots, one of them being Perch in downtown Los Angeles. This trendy French inspired bistro sits high in the sky and has some of the most incredible dishes and cocktails. Once we’re finished dining, we’ll head up to the rooftop bar for a drink and a spectacular view of the L.A. skyline. My style staple for spring andRead More →

grilled shrimp carbonara

When summer nears its end and the sweltering days give way to cool and breezy evenings, I like to plan meals that I can enjoy outdoors. Usually that means setting my outdoor dining table and firing up my grill to barbecue a light meal of meats and veggies, but lately I’ve been craving carbs. I decided to satisfy my craving with a spin on one of my favorite pasta dishes, Grilled Shrimp Carbonara. Grilled Shrimp Carbonara is a classic pasta dish from Rome consisting of just a few simple ingredients: egg, Pecorino Romano cheese, cured pork, and pasta. I chose to get creative with myRead More →

Evening Summer Soiree

I recently threw a party to celebrate my 25th birthday. Being a milestone, I wanted to host an extra special event, so I planned an evening summer soirée with my closest friends and family. I curated everything from the food and beverages, to the decor and the floral arrangements, with a few DIY projects in between. It was a magnificent event that took a lot of preparation but was so worth the effort. You will see that throwing a successful party can be made easier with the appropriate planning and a bit of creativity! Planning for the Event I knew it would be sunny andRead More →

summertime bucket list

We’re almost a month into summer which got me thinking about what I’ve done so far this season… Took an exotic vacation Watched the sunrise on the beach Had lunch at Gjelina (I’d been wanting to try that restaurant for a long time) Spent a day on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, had ice cream, and then strolled the Venice Canals. Got excited about a new TV Show (hint: Sharp Objects) Hosted a 4th of July get-together and watched the fireworks Attended a dessert festival Went Jet-skiing But it also made me think about all the things I would still like to do but haven’t had theRead More →

Fourth of July get-together

Last week my boyfriend and I decided to have a Fourth of July get-together at our apartment in Downtown Los Angeles. The idea was to invite our friends over for an evening gathering with food, drinks, music, and of course fireworks! Setting the Summer Vibe  I wanted to set up a pretty holiday display so I considered my centerpiece options. I decided on a white ceramic pineapple cookie jar that goes great with my kitchen table and a silver placement that resembled nautical rope, but with an elegant twist. I added seashells around the centerpiece to carry out the summer vibe. Pineapple cookie jar: Amazon |Read More →

Patriotic Recipes and Entertaining Ideas

Fourth of July is the ultimate summer holiday. Friends and family gather together to BBQ, listen to music, spend the day in the sun and view the fireworks display that will light up the nighttime skyline. Whether you’re hosting a fancy soiree or attending a backyard cookout, we’ve created a list of patriotic recipes and entertaining ideas that will make your July 4th both entertaining and memorable. From starters, to red white and blue inspired desserts and drinks, we’ve got you covered! Once you’ve figured out what tasty recipes you’re going to make, set the theme of your party with our entertaining ideas. Next onRead More →

california airbnb's

Who says you need to leave the state to go on vacation? California is such a versatile place with the mountains, desert or the beach that you can choose where you want to go based on the mood you’re in. The following California Airbnb’s are listed in order from Northern California to Southern California and all offer a different experience and theme. We’ve included stays for every budget, ranging from $60 to $400. They all come equipped with the basic essentials and appliances so you don’t have to stress about packing and can bring the important stuff (swimsuits, suntan lotion, and sandals). These California Airbnb’sRead More →

picnic on the beach

I’ve always wanted to have a picnic on the beach but it seemed like a lot of work. When I think of a picnic I think of homemade muffins, a variety of sandwiches and pasta dishes, and all of the prepping that goes into it. The other day my friend Kim contacted me and asked me what I was doing that day. Neither of us had anything planned so we decided to enjoy the beautiful Los Angeles weather and head to Venice Beach. We through together a picnic with an assortment of store-bought food and drinks. Before I left my apartment I thought about whatRead More →