Personal Style Outfit Post-A Sweet Santa Monica Night

Dress: Ivana Helsinki

Shoes: Steve Madden

I snapped a few photos at the beach on my way to the premiere and launch of Mashbox, a new web series on Myx.tv, a Asian American entertainment and lifestyle digital network. I went to the privy.net sponsored launch mainly to support producer Teddy Zee and Mashbox host Grace Su who are doing a fabulous job with the new show.

I love the demure shape of the dress and the whimsy of the puff sleeves. The shirring combined with the empire waist promotes a slimming silhouette.  Although the dress is not typical launch party attire, it added a note of sweetness to a fun night out in Santa Monica. 

The World is On Sale

Okay, when I say world, I really mean a few high-end sites on the world wide web. It seems like Net-a-Porter, Ssense, Shopbop, Neiman's and Barneys ESPed my high stress level and have joined forces to make sure I engage in retail therapy by marking down coveted Spring 2012 items by 30-40%. Some major shop-a-thon is going down as we speak.

Here's a look at my (ever growing) accessories shopping cart. Yup, I'm separating my shopping carts by category. You don't need to point out I'm being ridiculous. I already know.

If you know of any other juicy sales, please post them in the comments section!

Anya Hindmarch Makeup Travel Bag Raw Canvas $42.50

Kenneth Jay Lane 22 karat Gold Plate Resin Ring $45

Reed Krakoff Two Tone Leather Sandals $397.50

Stella McCartney Polished Gold Tone Star Ring $132.50

Rupert Sanderson Wedges $609

Marc by Marc Jacobs Wertmuller Wedges $266

Fallon Paulina Necklace $158

Alexander McQueen Shell Skull Bracelet $288

Personal Style Outfit Post-Catching the High and the Low

Dress: Isabel Lu (similiar one here )

Yoki Raven Orange Color Block Cutout Lace-Up Platform Wedges: Lulu's

Crystal Cocktail Ring: 2b by Bebe

There are no highs without lows. So when life throws you a curve ball, don't drop to your knees and dodge. Face it with courage. Catch the ball. 

I have been wearing this dress every chance I get. I love the off the shoulder sexiness, the neutral sky's the limit color, and the ever so trendy asymmetrical hemline.  As for the flatforms, they've been designated as Jenny's Summer 2012 Shoes. Aside from the fact that flatforms are part of the in crowd right now, this particular pair provides ample height and yet are so comfortable that I feel like I'm stepping on marshmallows.  

FAB LA Spotlight-Raising the Barre

Eating healthily and sensibly has become a way of life for me. In other words, I've been on a never-ending diet since 2009. My days are food-filled with fiber rich smoothies, salads, and lots and lots of fruit and veggies. But I cheat. Often. The buffet binges, my unconquerable addiction to sweets, and my penchant for Flaming Hot Cheetos detrimentally interrupt my otherwise bird-like eating habits.

To counteract my inevitable spurts of falling off the healthy eating wagon,  I try to work out at least four times a week. Cardio workouts are a staple and I supplement them with isometric training in the form of barre classes. Living in LA, I'm bombarded with a myriad of different barre studios that offer similar workouts. Never content with just one option, I've tried almost all of them and have found that each is unique and bring something different to the "bar."

Bar Method: Integrates the fat burning format of interval training, the muscle shaping technique of isometrics, the elongating principles of dance conditioning, and the science of physical therapy to create

The Good:

• Plethora of LA locations
• You can buy the Bar Method DVD and work out at home
• Each class is different which means you're never repeating the same exercises 

The Bad:

• Holding the correct body position make or break the exercises. Precision and slight adjustments matter greatly but individual instruction attention are hard to come by due to the large class size

The Fabulous:

• I don't break out in a sweat which means the classes can be easily integrated into my always unpredictable schedule

Cardio Barre: A unique, high energy/no impact exercise class that combines barre work and light weights with continual fat burning motion. Central to the workout are toning and resistance exercises for the butt. legs, torso and arms to sculpt muscles and elongate the appearance of your body.

The Good:

• The upbeat music make the one hour sessions go by quickly
• Great nontraditional cardio workout
• The leg lifts are killer but create killer butts

The Bad:

• The unavoidable wave of nausea that follows the leg lifts segment
• Classes are packed which means if you get there late you risk being turned away. 
• On a few occasions, my lower back stiffened and felt sore after class

The Fabulous:

• I can feel my abs tightening and my "seat" lifting after every class

Pure Barre: Using small isometric movements at the ballet barre set to motivating music, Pure Barre lifts your seat, tones your thighs, abs and arms and burns fat in record breaking time.

The Good:

• Great upbeat music
• Love the high effective abs and leg exercises
• Small classes means a greater focus on individual attention

The Bad:

• Expensive! 
• Fewer class locations (at the moment) as they've just recently expanded to LA

The Fabulous:

• The exercises are so effective I can feel the fat burning and melting away during class which keeps me motivated to work through the pain

Pop Physique: Incorporates a ballet barre inspired exercise system into an efficient one hour class set to excellent music that blends elements of ballet, Pilates and light weight work into a methodical series of strengthening, isometrics, core shaping, and luxuriating stretches.

The Good:

• Class size very small
• Great music
• The Silverlake location is close to all my favorite cafes and boutiques

The Bad:

• Intensity level is too low for me
• Not enough on the barre exercises

The Fabulous:

• A lot of gazelle-bodied dancers take the class which make for great body envy/motivation

Fete For a Princess-Mont Blanc Grace Kelly Brunch at the Bel Air Hotel

A decadent brunch took place one Saturday morning during Oscars award season. Actually, to call it a brunch is to call a diamond a stone. It was more of a masterpiece created by the coming together of three timeless and legendary classics. Mont Blanc, the craftsmen of luxury pens, watches and jewelry hosted and footed the bill for the fete, which took place at Hotel Bel Air, an indulgent retreat tucked away in the heart of the enclave of the wealthy. The event celebrated the launch of the new Princess de Monaco jewelry collection, stunning pieces that exude opulence and grace.

While nibbling on caviar and delicate libations, I mingled with the celebrity guests, chit chatting with famous faces about fashion, life and awards season. Princess Albert and his new wife made an appearance. Everyone was in a chipper mood, enjoying the food, the bling-candy, and the beautiful ambiance. After all, it's nearly impossible to not be in a good mood when pints of caviar, endless bottles of champagne, and royalty are present.

the collection is inspired by the iconic and symbolic Grace Kelly pink rose

Rosario Dawson in Salvatore Ferragamo. She was super cute and down to earth. We talked about our brittle nails and her semi-permanent London residency. 

Giada de Laurentiis in Balenciaga. I asked if I could hang out in her Malibu home and watch her cook. Creeper alert.

Petra Nemcova in Mont Blanc jewelry. She is beautiful, inside and out. 

Funny girl Arden Myrin in Cynthia Rowley. My fav The Office gal Kate Flannery in Lela Rose. They create laughter while looking absolutely fab. Love!

David Haysbert, my favorite Prez! Seeing him made me feel safe and "in good hands."

I'm just a fat kid at heart.

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Purse: Chanel

Fab LA Spotlight-Byu-Ti Hair Therapy Salon Brentwood

A few weeks ago, I was invited to enjoy a complimentary blow out and makeup session at Byu-Ti Brentwood, the second outpost of celebrity hair stylist Natasha Sunshine's Santa Monica salon. The celebrity and industry faved spot is known for holistic beauty transformations that involve more than just a cut and color. Byuti offers custom blenders which are concentrated additives designed to create personalized regiment for all different hair types and specially formulated hair vitamins that help build strong and radiant hair.

Located on the second floor of the El Pastaio plaza, the Brentwood location is serene and calming and food friendly as it's conveniently located near Pinkberry, Sugarfish, and Whole Foods. The decor is clean, fluid and accented simplistically with Asian influences. My hair and makeup gurus Rebecca and Mindy were beyond friendly as I was treated to an afternoon of pampering and beauty education. I made good use of the makeover as I headed straight to Spice Table in DTLA for a friend's birthday dinner following my salon visit.

Byu-Ti is giving my readers the opportunity to experience their own beauty transformation. Mention my blog to receive to a complimentary blow out! Offer ends June 1, 2012. They are also offering $25 off your first visit if you get any other treatments. Fabulous!

Weekend LA Sample Sales May 18-20

Line and Dot is having a one day sample sale on Saturday May 19. Expect tons of goodies from their spring/summer collections at heavy discounts. Food and drinks will be served. What a party! Saturday, May 19th | 10am-4pm 2807 S Santa Fe Ave. Vernon, CA 90058 

Fashion Industries Guild Charity Clothing Sale  is on May 18 and 19 at the Cooper Design Space  Participating designers include JBrand, Velvet, Romeo & Juliet Couture, Becca Swimwear, Karen Kane and many more. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Pediatric Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. You can't go wrong with shopping for a good cause!

The Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale is on May 18-20 at Confederacy. Friday and Saturday from 11am-7pm, Sun from noon-6pm. Save 30%-70% on samples and overproduction apparel, shoes, handbags and small leather goods. 4661 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles 90027.

The BCBG Max Azria Warehouse Sale is on May 19-20 from 8am-1pm. Save 70%-85% on women’s apparel. 2761 Fruitland Ave., Vernon 90058. Bring school supplies and get an additional 10% off as part of the proceeds go to a children's charity.

LA Colors

I'm back from a whirlwind DC trip! It was my first visit to the capital and definitely will not my last. The city-district's food, people, culture, sites and history impressed me to no end and I honestly cannot stop raving about my quasi Elle Woods a la Legally Blonde 2 experience to everybody. I will dedicate an entire post to the memorable trip but for now, I want to give a shout out to NCLA-a super sexy, color popping line of nail colors and accessories that can truly create a nail frenzy!

Influenced by the cosmopolitan diversity that is the fabulous city of LA, the one of a kind nail wraps and lacquers are sprinkled with a dash of LA style, love and sunshine and are available to trend-setting fashionistas around the world. The polishes contain absolutely no harmful carcinogens such as DBP, toluene, formaldehyde or camphor. And nothing is tested on animals. Ever!

My hottie gal pal Elin is the nail mind behind the brand and has worked tirelessly and endlessly to put NCLA on the map. The girl is a serious workaholic! I admire her dedication and am so happy for her success. Through her unyielding perseverance and natural business acumen, she has been able to drive the brand (which is just a year old!) into mainstream retail platforms like Kitson, Fred Segal and Harvey Nichols. Anything is possible when the combination of amazing woman and fabulous products collide.

Here are a few of my favorite NCLA nail colors and wraps:

Gold Dust Nail Wrap

The Ray & The Ro Nail Wrap

The Powder Room Nail Wrap

Poolside Party: All Eyes On Me Nail Lacquer

Hollywood and Vine Starlet Nail Lacquer

Like...Totally Valley Girl Nail Lacquer

It's time to color. LA style!