Personal Style [Vintage]-Color Saturated Handkerchief Blouse a la Retro Versace and Hermes

Handkerchief Blouse: Sunny Girl

White jeans: Zara

Purse: Celine

Sandals: Theory

Rings: Alexander McQueen.Stella Dot

Bracelets: Stella Dot.Belle Noel c/o Glamhouse.Vintage

Watch: Omega

It's hard to tell from the pictures but my handkerchief Sunny Girl blouse is sheer and ultra light making it the perfect top for mildly cool summer nights. To balance the blouse's vivid colors, I paired it with a pair of simple white jeans and nude strappy sandals for a casual summery look. My Celine purse has been permanently glued to my shoulders for the past three weeks as it adds a touch of vintage femininity to every outfit. 

US fashionistas may not be familiar with Sunny Girl as it's a very popular and well-known Australian fashion brand that's making its way to the Northern Hemisphere. The collections are trendy, cute, affordable but high quality. I foresee an inevitable American fashion invasion!

FAB LA Salon Spotlight-A Place to Fuel, Work Out, Shop, Pamper

The ever-so fabulous Nicole Winnaman is kind of a huge deal in the entertainment industry. Like literally. She's put together multi-million dollar endorsement deals for the likes of Britney Spears and Fergie. The girl seems to have the Midas touch! So, when she invited me to the grand opening of VIP Beauty, a posh beauty and hair salon fabulously situated in the back of her popular Rockit Workout studio in Pasadena, I immediately RSVPed.

Nicole's Rockit studio is centrally located in Old Town, Pasadena on the tree lined beauty that is Green Street. Don't be fooled by the name-the space is not just a workout studio as it's also home to Blend 54 Tea Bar and Industry 1212 clothing boutique. With the opening of VIP Beauty Salon, a girl can pretty much spend the entire day effortlessly gliding from one station to the next getting our FWBS (food, work out, beauty, shopping) needs fulfilled!

VIP Beauty houses some major VIP stylists and colorists. Twice a week, Dani Hernandez, whose set of skilled hands are responsible for Victoria Beckham and Rachel Zoe's gorgeous locks, makes the commute from the Byron Tracey salon in Beverly Hills to color the tresses of in-the-know Pasadenaians. I grew up near Pasadena so I'm excited that gals in San Gabriel Valley no longer have to make the trek to LA salons to get LA style!

Pink Tweed Jacket: Zara. Similar to this

Silk Shorts: Cynthia Vincent. Similar to this

Shoes: Sole Society

Purse: Celine 

Inspirational posters can found throughout the space. Girl power!

The black, white and yellow color scheme is fresh, modern and adds a touch of whimsy

The back courtyard space is zen-like and so pretty!

Nicole's 80%20 wedges perfectly match the salon's color palette 

A cozy makeup room completes the salon

VIP Beauty Salon

54 W. Green Street

Pasadena, CA 91105

626.657.2260

FAB Summer Spotlight-Stomach Slimming Swimwear

While glancing at my calendar a few minutes ago, it hit me. I will be in Vegas at least three separate times this summer. This means the many hours spent at the buffets will equal to even more time spent by the pool in my swimsuit trying vigorously and strategically to hide post-buffet bulges. Not an easy task if you've ever seen me at a buffet. It's like a fancier version of feeding time at the zoo as I devour everything in sight. No talking, just eat.

With buffets and poolside lounging placed at polar opposites of the spectrum, I need to find swimwear that can slim, hide and flatten the protruding devastation of my gluttony. While perusing Macy's womens swimwear collection, I found a great selection of swimsuits that can provide an instant tummy tuck.

1. Anne Cole Floral Swimsuit High waist design keeps the tummy rolls from rolling out. The cute sweetheart neckline keeps the eyes focused on the upper body and away from the stomach area. 

2. Jessica Simpson Floral Bandeau Just the cute floral print itself is reason enough to get this two-piece swimsuit. The bottom is adjustable and can be folded up or down to cover as much or as little of the stomach as you'd like. 

3. Kenneth Cole Reaction Floral Ruched Bikini The skirt bottom extends to the lower stomach and hips, providing a slimming cover up when you're not in the mood to reveal too much skin.

1. Jessica Simpson One Piece Halter Floral Swimsuit The fun floral print and plungingly low neckline will keep all eyes chest...up!
2. Badgley Mischka One Piece Swimsuit The elegant style and criss-cross ruching is simply divine and figure huggingly complementary. And of course, the color black instantly camouflages any unsightly protrusions.
3. La Blanca Ruched One Piece Swimsuit The ruching contracts and slims the waistline while providing ample volume to the chest area, fluidly creating an hourglass shape.

FAB LA Spotlight-Bollare PR Fashion Closet

One of perks of being a LA fashion blogger is gaining access to the "closets" of fabulous fashion PR companies. There's no greater fashion rush than being able to live a Carrie Bradshaw moment of stepping inside a room full of pretty shiny things and getting to play dress up with those pretty shiny things.

I love working with the gals at Bollare PR, a fabulous fashion public relations firm with offices in Los Angeles and New York. The company's roster of clients include some of the hottest emerging and established designers which means their PR fashion closet is tanked full on fabulousity. They're one of my go to LA pr companies when I need outfits for red carpet premieres, fashion shows or celebrity parties.

On my last visit to their West Hollywood office, I took a few pictures of their stunning interior and a sampling of the to-die for selection that gives the Vogue closet a run for its money. Almost all of their repped roster of brands can be found on Shopbop or RevolveClothing.

I'm impatiently awaiting Fall after trying on these amazing Smythe tweed blazers

British label Isabel Lu exudes soft femininity through ruffled and floral maxi dresses

Line knits are incredible lightweight, delicately sheer, and meltingly soft

Odylyne beautifully blends bohemian and vintage styles through modern, clean lines. Soft pinks and minty greens are showcased in their spring/summer '12 collection

6 Shore Road epitomizes casual, flirty beach style perfect for LA summers

These Dita opticals are incredibly cool, living up to the label's super chic clout

Because a fabulous outfit should never go unworn, here are a few shots of a minty green one-sleeve Odylyne maxi dress I borrowed but didn't get a chance to wear. It delivers drama and sweetness in one simple package.

Dress: Odylyne

Headband: Anthropologie

Fab Guest Post-Brightening Up the Office

For the most part, I get to dress freely at work, but if I have to make court appearances, attend licensing meetings or go to intellectual property conferences, I have to look and dress the part. After all, I am a lawyer! So, I talked to the stylists over at Donna Ida, a popular high-end boutique in London to get a few tips on how to look fashionable but professional in the work place:

Whether it's bright jeans, pastel knitwear, bold prints or Aztec jewelry, this season is all about color. Which is all very well if you’re lazing in the park with some Pimms or throwing parties on your rooftop every evening–but what about when you’re confined to the glass walls of your office, and the only sunshine you get is the Vitamin D from your Pret smoothie?

Luckily, the designers behind Current/Elliott have come to the rescue. Their leopard-print pencil skirt is respectable enough to command all attention in the boardroom, but naughty enough to cheer you up mid-spread sheet. Wear with a plain cream blouse for office chic, and add a statement necklace for a day-to-night look.

If animal prints are that little bit too risqué for your place of work, look to Stella McCartney for an office look with a twist. Her blue chambray dress with a Hawaiian print has a classic shift shape (with flattering three quarter length sleeves) but the bold tonal print injects some summer fun into a other-wise simple dress. Team with nude courts for a glamorous look, or dress down with black ankle boots and a leather jacket.

If you want to stick to the neutral tones that saw you through winter, go for some cropped trousers, like these ginger ones from Current/Elliott. You can brighten them up with a burst of color on your top half, and create a statement look by mixing up textures with a silk shirt or chiffon blouse. Throw on a cashmere jumper when the AC gets too cold, and trot around your office in a pair of strappy sandals, showing off your ankles.

When the only appropriate office-wear for you is a black fitted suit and courts, try injecting a bit of color into your look in a way that only you will notice. Think mint nails, coral jewelry, and pastel colored underwear. Even if no-one but you will know its there, you’ll still feel part of the summer trends happening outside. Hanky Panky do a fun selection of lace underwear that come in the brightest of shades, and the thongs are comfortable enough to stop you fidgeting in your swivel chair. Be brave and choose the neon yellow ones!

Emoting Through the SCENTses

Over the years my relationship with perfumes has slowly taken on a sense of personal meaning and significance as what started as an extension of conformity has now transformed into an instrument of self-expression. Here's a look at my Good, Bad, and Fab timeline with scents.

The Good


When I was in high school, I equated wearing the popular "it" scents with being cool. After all, high school was all about conforming and trying extremely hard to not stand out, a theme that extended to how I scented. CK One, Davidoff Cool Water, Tommy Hilfiger Girl, Curve, GAP Dream, and Bath and Body Works body splashes made heavy rotations in my perfume drawer. I didn't have a signature scent as I was a walking advertisement for ULS ("Universally Loved Scents"). 

The Bad

My very first spritzing into perfumes was in middle school. One ordinary day, I woke up and decided I had become an adult. As an adult, my first order of business was to cover every inch of my body in my mom's Elizabeth Arden Red Door perfume. It was a school day and needless to say, my classmates did not appreciate the scent of my newly anointed maturity.  

The Fab

After high school, I stopped wearing perfume for a very long time. Distracted by work and school, I simply didn't have the time or energy to discover myself through scents. But recently, I revisited my love for perfumes and have successfully albeit carefully and thoughtfully, curated and collected a tray of signature scents.

Lollia "Relax" Eau De Parfum. The scent contains a rich exotic blend of fresh lavender, bee blossom honey with white orchids and warm woody undertones of Indian amber delicately completed with a touch of tahitian vanilla. Top notes fragrance: Fresh Lavender, Bee Blossom Honey and White Orchids

Chloe Eau de Toilette is feminine, bold and natural. The rose reveals new olfactory colours, with hints of mandarin orange zest in the head notes, enhanced by freesia and watermelon and a touch of sandalwood and fresh iris in its base. It unveils and renews itself with a light and luminous character. Top Notes: Mandarin, Watermelon. Heart Notes: Rose, Freesia. Base Notes: Iris, Sandalwood.

Tocca Bianca Eau de Parfum is intoxicatingly fresh, clean and sparkling. Top notes: Bergamot, Lavender, Mandarin and Lemon Orpur. Middle notes: Rose Petals, Jasmine and Green Tea. Bottom notes: Musk, Sugar.

Danica I am...Peace Eau De Parfum is a calming blend of soothing scents of white peony and tuberose with a hint of jasmine, finishing with sandalwood and heather.

Danica I am...Rich Eau De Parfum is the perfect blend of delicate white florals, peach, gardenia and jasmine.

FAB LA Spotlight-Young Hollywood Awards Red Carpet Musings

Last week, I attended the Young Hollywood Awards at the Hollywood Athletic Club. Presented by Bing, the 14th annual award show continues its legacy and evolution as the premier event for honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of emerging young talent throughout the entertainment industry. Regarded as the "Oscars of Young Hollywood", this red carpet event is a launch pad for the future careers of actors, directors and entertainers. A must-attend for Hollywood's A-list, industry executives and fans alike, it draws extensive media coverage from national and international press.

I got to the red carpet before the celebrity arrivals so I had a couple of minutes to chit chat with friends and take in the moment. The red carpet faced Sunset Blvd, one of the busiest streets in Hollywood which led to many curious drivers slowing down to take pictures. A few fans stood off to the side with paparazzi sized cameras ready to snap away. I'm still a bit baffled by the red carpet phenomenon. It's incredible knowing that the event of having famous people pose for pictures becomes projected, magnified, and glamorized by a thousand when those pictures are disseminated by the media. I'm so grateful I live in LA, where I get to see and experience the behind the scenes ordinariness of the red carpet.

For the event, I channeled red carpet glamour and borrowed a curvalicious cocktail dress from La Femme. I felt like Christopher Columbus in this dress as many newfound curves were discovered that night. The ruching slimmed my tummy and perked up my chest and derriere while the cut perfectly complimented my height and body shape. My hot pink platform stilettos from Sole Society are one of my fav soles and I love wearing them with black dresses as the color contrast heightens the drama of the outfit. I wore my Celine cross-body purse to add an unexpected touch of vintage to the outfit. 

with my girl and super fierce fashion blogger Sydne!

with blogger Aimee of SwellMayde and her friend

Dress: Le Femme

Purse: Celine

Shoes: Sole Society

Cocktail Ring and Bracelet: c/o 2b

Bangles: Belle Noel c/o Glamhouse

Earrings: c/o Live! On Sunset

Walking the red carpet is definitely a job in and of itself as the celebrities' every move and pose are scrutinized by the media. And then there are the interviews. So many interviews. It must be tough to look and sound perky and interesting when you have to answer the same questions over and over again. 

Alex Pettyfer looked quite dapper that night

 Ashley Greene is incredibly skinny and toned. The girl is all muscle, zero fat.

I'm not feeling Whitney Cummings' dress as the muted color washes out her skin tone.

I love Ginnifer Goodwin's vintage inspired Monique Lhuillier lace dress! Her hot pink lipstick and nails perfected the outfit. Josh Dallas's Mad Men-esque slick hairstyle completes his girlfriend's vintage look.

Aubrey Plaza and Chris Pratt from Parks and Recreation! The show is hilarious and tragically underrated.