Adieu, Santa Monica

So I am back in the Palm Dessert. Sigh. My parents are excited - "It's much more laid back and casual here!" "...and easier to drive!" - but I'm forlorn: I think I could live quite happily in [parts] of L.A.. I can't imagine I would be able to ever afford to live in Santa Monica or Venice, but a girl can dream. And dream I will.

But, for now, reality. I promised you gazpatcho and gazpatcho I shall deliver.

I stumbled across the recipe on Pink Parsley, a favourite blog of the PBRunner, and, with the help of my uncle and my mother's amazing Vitamix blender (but, as she would say, you can't describe it as a blender - it's a class of its own. Seriously, if I kept the thing running longer, it would cook the gazpatcho into tomato soup...).

The recipe was followed exactly, save the addition of cilantro, which my uncle insisted upon.

 So after letting it sit for a day - to better let the flavours mingle - we had it for lunch with some beautiful sandwiches.

And, lovely as this soup may look, it was fated for the garbarator. The red onion I had used, which I vaguely recall my mother exclaiming upon purchase "God that's a big red onion - you probably don't want to use all of that..." was overpowering. And red onion is a taste I have very gradually warmed up to, so having strong and acidic red onion flavour dominating was truly disappointing. Hopefully Chopper didn't make my mistake...
 
On a more inquisitive and excitingly sartorial note, I'd love some feedback for a look I rocked my last night out in L.A., to the very posh Boa Steakhouse on the Santa Monica waterfront.

Jean Jacket Colin's | Top Free People | Skort Free People | Purse George Gina & Lucy | Belt Wilfred

 The top and shorts were L.A. acquisitions, and when we bought them, my mum assured the girl at the register "Don't worry, she's not going to wear them together." Oh - but she did. Not my dream way of rocking the skort - I am thinking some bad ass boots or rock-n-roll heels, like these from Sam Edelman (drooldrooldrool), plus a white sleeveless dress shirt in a drapey, transparent fabric, with either a leather vest or a structured overlong blazer. That said, is this really too much animal print?? How would you rock those shorts, and should I be afraid to show my face at boa on our return trip next week?

Let us not say good bye, but, as the French have it, Adieu, Santa Monica

Crossing the Picket Line

There is some weird, unspoken rule in the world of blogging that no one blogs on Saturday. I was left out on the meeting where everyone who blogs was corralled and told that no one, under punishment of death (read: total internet anonymity), is to blog on Saturdays. So I'm going to do it.

Blogging isn't work - it's respite from work! This nonwork-ethic is probably evident in the haphazard nature of most of my posts (exception being my recent, painstakingly composed post on Dirty Dancing). Apologies - the more I inundate myself into the world of blogging the more lovingly do I plan to craft my posts. But, furthermore, Saturdays are probably full of bustling excitement for most people who blog themselves: you lucky ducks - I have no such bustle.

This is not to say that I haven't had a lovely Saturday. I have. Complete with productive errands, yoga, froyo and another 2 hour chat with Papa B. Today is the first hint of summer in Montreal. I had been thirsting for spring, but my shoes-without-socks blisters and slightly pink decolletage tell me that it has come and gone and summer is, instead, on my doorstep. Sweet. Spring is overrated anyways - we only like it so much because it isn't winter, that frigid bitch. So here are some of my favourite summer things of the moment:

My new orange manicure. I have really decided to invest the time (and this time, the money) into making my tips look tops, and taking the opportunity to play around with some fun colours. My darling Yule and I did mani pedis yesterday after brunch, during which we contemplated potential colours:
"I have no idea what I want!" - Yule
"Me neither - I want something new..." me
"Yeah. Me too. Just nothing orange though..."

c'est inspiration!

 Also holding a special place in my heart are all the adorable flats which I have been coveting for seasons. I remember last spring, lusting vocally, but fruitlessly, over a pair of grey oxfords while I was on vacation in Turkey with my parents ("Oh mom! LOOK at those shoes! Oh they are just so precious. Think of those with shorts, or a little skirt, or jeans, knee high socks - they are just so perfect!"    "You're not getting anymore damn shoes." sigh)

I am a footwearphile, it's true. But my closet haphazardly strewn apartment floor boasts very few cute summer flats. Sandals, sure. Even a couple of pairs of espadrille wedges and some varyingly well maintained sneakers from my days of Puma and Lacoste obsession (thank God I never parted with those babies after two seasons of highschool neglect!). But slip ons? I have an adorable pair of patent yellow Arnold Churgins, but I can only wear them so many days in a row before the absence of any give in the patent plastic inflicts truly ruinous injury to my toes.

Long story short, I felt completely and totally justified in purchasing the following two pairs yesterday.  Maribou moccasins and (my first ever!) Ked's saddle shoes.

Clarks Women Desert Boots Oakwood | $119.99CAD

 In my shoe future? Fingers crossed for a pair of cute suede ankle booties: either these Clark's or the Dolce Vita Scholin ($110CAD) would be right up my alley - adorable with my hot pink J Crew shorts!

I'm also desperately thirsting for these topsiders. Blue, grey and pink dock shoes? This is the love child of my hightop obsession and my desire for
adorable slip ons. I even have a coupon for 40$ off at the store which brought these darlings to my attention.

Seriously. You may need to get me to a self help group of some sort: my dad was talking to me about an article he read about how to be a millionaire when you retire, and about how much easier it was if you started when you were in your 20s, and all I could think was "but there are too many cute things to spend money on!"

Sorry Dad.


Also on the docket for summer is copious amounts of Yeh frozen yogourt (a serve yourself frozen yogourt sundae bar. Four minutes from my house. So. Dangerous) and patio sangria. Maybe some colour blocking.

Sartorial Distractions

I have been utterly caught up reading fashion blogs, as of late. I think I could spend hours looking through archives of fashionable, put together people, wearing the latest trends and innovative classics. They fill my mind with longing for weather that would allow me to wear something other than skinny jeans and snow boots.

They remind me how wearing a great outfit changes your day. It makes you feel ambitious and proud. What does one aspire to when they wear a t shirt and sweatpants? I can tell you, from very intimate acquaintance with such a state, the answer is "very little."

So, thus inspired, though without deft camera nor photographer, I took it upon myself to don something I could be proud of and, as the weather leaves me snuggling inside with peppermint tea and books, I will share the ensemble with you.

Turtleneck, Theory | Button-up, Clothing Swap (thanks Kathy) | Vest, Elie Tahari | Belt, Banana Republic | Wide-leg Slacks, Selfridges | Kilt Pin, Raphaelle Bijoux

The kilt pin was a recent acquisition, which I am rather proud of. A little shop on St Viateur, just off St Laurent, where I also picked up these delights: