Chicago

For Labor Day weekend, I hopped on a plane and met my sister and a couple friends in Chicago. I left LA Thursday night, and after a quick stopover in Phoenix, landed at O'Hare early (lucky me!) at 4:50am Friday morning. I found my way to the terminal where my sister would be arriving, plunked myself down with my iPad, a venti Caramel Macchiato, and waited for their 8:27am arrival.

Once the group was reunited, we headed to the hotel. We stayed at PUBLIC Chicago, which was incredible. The hotel was gorgeous, had an amazing restaurant The Pump Room, and even a screening room!

After dropping our bags, we headed out and grabbed probably one of the best brunches I have had in my entire life. We ate at a place near our hotel called Hash House A Go Go.

After feeding our faces, we stormed the city by foot, exploring the streets, shopping, and taking an architectural boat tour. The city is so beautiful!

Friday night, we did what every Chicago visitor must do: try deep dish pizza. We chose to eat at Lou Malnati's, and it was a great decision. The pizza wasn't something I would choose on a normal pizza eating basis, but it was delicious to try!

Saturday we saw more sights, including Millenium Park, the Bean, and of course, a bit more shopping. We had lunch at Rick Bayless' restaurant, Xoco. 

I dragged the girls to Dick's Last Resort, because we had passed it on the boat tour the previous day, and I love cheesy places like this. While I think everyone else was horrified, I loved every minute. The waitresses were sarcastic and rude, and the menu was nothing to write home about. But it was great.

To end the afternoon, we went for drinks at the rooftop of The Wit. Ranked "One of three top rooftop lounges in the world" by Travel + Leisure, we considered it a must-see. However, we were all a bit disappointed. Though the view was nice, it didn't compare to most NYC rooftops. 

Saturday night, we decided to explore Lincoln Park. We went to Webster's Wine Bar for dinner and, of course, wine. Afterwards, we went to a nearby rooftop bar at Hotel Lincoln. 

Sunday, we decided to explore Wicker Park. We ate lunch at a great mexican place called Las Palmas. 

That afternoon, we took a drive out to Hyde Park to see Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House. Unfortunately by the time we got there we missed all of the tours, but we gave ourselves an outside tour by peeking in all of the windows! 

Also on our to-do list that last day in Chicago was to try cupcakes from More cupcakes. They were delicious! 

The last thing to check-off the list was trying a Chicago hot dog. It was my sister's priority all weekend, and it finally got completed. I only had a bite, but it was so yummy! The toppings definitely made it. 

Our last night in Chi-Town, we had dinner at the hotel restaurant, The Pump Room. The food was delicious, and the restaurant was beautiful.

After dinner, we went into the hotel screening room, which we had all to ourselves. We cuddled up on the couch with big, comfy blankets, ordered a bottle of wine, and put on a Sex & the City marathon. It could not have been a more perfect end to the weekend! 

Monday morning, we awoke at the lovely hour of 4:30am and headed back to the airport. It was such an amazing, fun-filled weekend! 

Housewarming

Last Friday, my roommate and I had our housewarming party. Although we moved in almost a month ago, we've both been so busy between work and travel that we hadn't had time to settle in and play hosts.

Obviously, I was in my glory having a party. We created a spread of food, including caprese kabobs, artichoke and spinach dip, fresh homemade salsa, artichoke stuffed mushrooms, veggie platters, cheese platters, and more! We had drinks prepared and awaiting guests: sweet tea vodka and lemonade, served in a mason jar with a paper straw and a wedge of lemon.

I also had a mini-Stella and Dot trunk show going on simultaneously, so everyone could browse the goods.

Everyone had a great time, and the apartment has officially been broken in!

Beach Days

Yesterday was quite possibly one of my favorite days so far here in LA. After sleeping in, my friend Sarah and I were trying to decide where to go for lunch. Finally, we decided upon being spontaneous and heading to Malibu.

{Houses along the Pacific Coast Highway}

We picked up my friend Jesse and headed to Duke's. Unfortunately, they had an incredibly long wait. Well, not so unfortunate, because instead we went to my favorite place - Cafe Habana.

{Prickly Pear Margarita}

Afterwards, we headed to Santa Monica. It was so gorgeous out! We even walked the pier and rode the Ferris Wheel.

We ended the night at Shutters, where watched the sunset and enjoyed a bottle of wine, a spread of delicious cheeses, and of course, truffle frites.

Celebration

To celebrate moving into our new place (pics to come soon!), my roommate and I went out to a delicious celebratory dinner at Duplex on Third. It was amazing; I love it. I want to go back immediately. I had a one night stand: Hendricks, gin, basil, lime juice, muddled cucumber and agave. We started by sharing the black truffle frites and heirloom and goat cheese crostini. For my entree, I had the farro + lentil + mushroom burger, and I know it seems like all I talk about is food, but everything was so good!

So continue talking about food, just last night, I went to dinner with my aunt in Larchmont. We went to a delicious place called Cafe Gratitude. Everything on the Menu has such uplifting names (I ordered the "I AM HAPPY"), and all of the serving dishes display the phrase, "What are you grateful for?" It is all organic and vegan food, that is delicious, enjoyable, and makes you feel very, well, grateful. At the end of dinner they ask you the question of the day. Last night's question was, "What in your life makes you feel blessed?" 

Right now, I am blessed to be living in such an amazing city, and having such an incredible time!

Happy Birthday

This year was my first birthday truly on my own - away from my immediate family. Although I haven't been here long, I had great friends and family who helped me celebrate.

My day started by getting breakfast with my (Ex)Roommate and friend Jesse at S&W Diner. He had been talking about getting breakfast there since the first time I met him, so finally we went. It was delicious. It is a cute, old country-style diner, and I had a great omelette.

A few short hours later, I met my sister Nina for an amazing lunch at Tavern. The food was incredible, and the restaurant was gorgeous. We also fit in a little shopping, of course.

{Tavern}

After eating all day, I met my (current) roommate at DryBar to get our hair blown done. A glass of champagne and blowout later, I was ready for the evening!

My roommates, sister, aunt & cousin all met for a big birthday dinner at Rosa Mexicano, one of my favorite restaurants. Dinner was great, and it was so much fun being with everyone.

The night continued afterwards at The Colony. It was my first true LA nightclub experience. While the setting was very cool, I think I will stick to quieter bars and lounges from now on.

Overall, it was an incredible birthday! Thank you to all those to made it so special!

Missing In Action

So, my computer has been sick. Only a year and a half old, it was deciding to freeze whenever I tried to use it. That was if it wanted to turn on at all. Three Genius Bar visits and leaving my computer at Apple for a week later, I finally have my laptop back in working condition. Yippee! Now I have a lot to catch you up on..

Settling

This Friday the 13th, I will have officially lived here for one month. I can't believe it! Time flies! I've loved living here, although I still don't think it has kicked in that it is permanent and not just a fun summer.

I still love my internship. It is so much fun to watch outfits be constructed, and different stylists' choices for their clients. Working in the fashion world is very exciting, and so busy. I'm pretty sure my day at work today was much more vigorous than a day at the gym!

My fourth of July, I went down to Hermosa Beach for the night with some girlfriends. We all packed into a hotel room, explored the numerous bars at the pier, envied all of the amazing beach parties going on along the strand, and enjoyed a delicious dinner at the fanciest Cheesecake Factory I have ever seen. Literally, it looked like a yacht club. And we sat outside overlooking the marina..it was amazing.

(the picture doesn't even do it justice. ok, i'll stop, i get it.)

(cayle & i)

Since then, my future-roommate and I have been constantly apartment hunting. It's getting hard to keep them straight! There are a lot of pro's and con's to every single one. Some have great locations, walking distance to amazing shops and restaurants, but are a little more run-down, while others are more of a drive to exciting outings, but have great features and are very spacious. Decisions, decisions.

Apart from that, I've been spending a lot of time with Nina and the gang. Her home is so welcoming and Tempur-Pedic bed is just so impossible to refuse. I've gotten her hooked on Nip/Tuck, so we watch episode after episode late into the night, catching up on years of sister bonding time.

Most importantly this week, MY BIRTHDAY is just 5 days away! Although I'm secretly hoping to be surprised last minute by some visitor or another, I know better than to get my hopes up. I'm in the process of planning a great birthday dinner, and fun night out afterwards! I can't wait!

A Little Bit Of This

This week has been surprisingly very busy. Tuesday night I went out for a comforting mexican dinner with my cousin at El Chavo in Silverlake. Their Cadillac Margarita was muy delicioso.

Wednesday night I had movie night in with my sister Nina; I've practically moved into their house. It is just so hard to leave their company and amazing pool. We got up early by noon and went on a walk around the neighborhood. Everyone talks about hiking and walking, the difference lies in whether you are walking on or off a road. I call everything a walk.

Thursday night I met a new friend! We had met via my sorority's national Alumni page for the area. We went for a great dinner at Porta Via in Beverly Hills. We hit it off immediately, she just might become my new roommate!

Friday I spent the day at work, got my nails done (obsessed with the color - Essie's Absolutely Shore), checked out an apartment, then went back over to Nina's. We went out to a late dinner at Desert Rose, then afterwards off to El Cid to see some live music. She is currently taking guitar lessons, and her teacher was playing there live! He was great - an extremely talented guitarist and singer. You can hear his music on his band's page: Wise Cub. After Wise Cub, his friends' band also performed. It turns out, the drummer is McLovin from Superbad! I got a little excited - that's about the extent of my celeb sighting here.

I spent Saturday with Nina and my niece & nephew. I managed to get everyone obsessed with Words With Friends, so we sat around the kitchen table playing each other on our iPads for hours on end. Then Saturday night, I finally tried In N Out Burger!!

It was so good. It definitely lived up to the hype. I didn't love the fries, but apparently they are better if you order them "Animal Style" off of the Secret Menu (I'm learning).

Saturday night I went out in Santa Monica with my roommate and his sister who is visiting. It was my first night out in LA! We went to a place called Central, which was very different from any place I'd usually go, but reminded me a lot of the bars in Edinburgh. Overall it was a super fun night, stopping for late-night breakfast at Denny's (first time there too!).

LA Living

My time in LA thus far has been a whirlwind. I arrived just over a week ago, and met my mom at the airport. Right from there, we headed to Santa Monica to pick up my new car. We were vagabonds for the week, hopping from house to house of family and friends for almost a week.

The first house we stayed had two of the most adorable Golden Retrievers I have ever seen. I wanted to take both of them with me; I’m going through a little bit of dog withdrawl.

The next day, my mom and I decided to tour some apartments I’ve had my eye on for some time. They were beautiful. A perfect location, great pool, gym, huge, spacious apartments in a gated community. Needless to say, now everywhere else looks like a dump in comparison. The  hardest thing right now is trying to find a roommate my age. Multiple websites are flooded with open bedrooms, but with older rooommates. It is a bit trickier than I expected to meet people here!

It has been great catching up with family and friends I rarely get to see. Now I will see them all the time!

Welcoming my cousin & friends back from being on the road touring with a delicious spread! 

Mom’s last night out here, we checked into a great hotel and celebrated the evening at the rooftop bar with delicious cocktails and some great food!

I started my internship Monday – it is amazing! So much fun, and never a dull moment. For now I’ve been enjoying my days off, still on the hunt for a great apartment, roommate, and job. In the meantime, I move into my summer apartment on Saturday! Yipee!

More to come…pictures, not text, I promise!

Stella & Dot

During my sorority's Senior Week, one sister put on a Stella & Dot trunk show. If you've never seen their jewelry, look now - you'll be obsessed! Worried about breaking the bank? 50% of the line is under $50! The jewelry can be seen everywhere, on television, in magazines, on celebrities - a contestant in the Miss USA pageant was wearing a necklace just last week! After drooling over every single piece, I decided to become an Independent Stylist, and be able to host trunk shows of my own.

After building a significant collection of items over the past few weeks, and holding my first trunk show in New York City, I am ready to do more!

Hosting a trunk show is a great opportunity. You are able to invite all of your friends over, break out some wine, cheese, crackers and all of your favorite goodies, and browse the Stella & Dot collection. There is no cost to host, and no pressure to buy! In fact, as hostess, you even get great discounts and free jewelry!

Check out the website to see the jewelry and even shop online, or contact me and I will come host a trunk show for you and all of your friends!

The Real World

So, since I graduated college a few short weeks ago and am now entering the real world, I thought it was time to re-launch my blog.

On May 19, I graduated Cum Laude on a beautiful Saturday, with amazing friends and family there cheering me on. They (still) have the sunburns to prove it! Each night of the weekend was celebrated with a delicious dinner at my favorite local Portsmouth restaurants, Agave and The Library.

I had been planning to move out to Los Angeles at the end of June, but recently got word that I got the internship at an incredible Fashion PR company in West Hollywood - and I start soon! I've been scrambling to figure out flights, car shopping, and where I am going to live.

Now, my ticket is officially booked, and I am off to Los Angeles on Wednesday! I just have to figure out how to pack my entire life and wardrobe into two not big enough suitcases.

Wish me luck!