Summertime Casual: Quilted Jackets and Shorts

Isabel Marant Etoile Sumac Jacket, Uniqlo shorts, Zara tee and Swedish Hasbeens x H&M clogs

I've been living in shorts all summer, busy chasing little k around. With the exception of the last month or so, it's been an unusually cool summer, so this quilted Isabel Marant Sumac jacket has been the perfect piece to throw on for the cooler mornings and to add just a little polish to my very casual outfits. So happy that I was able to pick up this jacket on second markdown at Barneys, I've been coveting it all season long.

Tar and Roses: Simply Wonderful

Image from www.tarandroses.com

We had one of the best meals that I've had in Los Angeles at Tar & Roses last night. We try to go out sans little k a few times per month, trying new places, such as Hinoki & the Bird and old favorites like Gjelina. this was the best meal that we had by far. Every dish but one was an absolute knock out, we savored every bite. We ordered nine small plates to share and skipped the entrees, we wanted to try as much as possible. The standout dishes included: lamb heart kabobs, chicken liver pate, vietnamese beef tartare, charred little gem lettuce with dates and blue cheese, squid ink fettuccine with octopus, wood oven roasted sunchokes with goat cheese and hazelnuts, and the strawberry crostini with honeycomb ice cream. Everything just exploded with flavor, just perfect. Paired nicely with a bottle of 2010 Palmina Barbera.

Pretzels and Lattes

Afternoon snack at Cafe Tomo on sawtelle: a red bean and cheese pretzel and latte.

3.1 Phillip Lim x Target Purchases

3.1 Phillip Lim x Target Boom Sweatshirt and mini cross body satchel in yellow, Isabel Marant shorts and sneakers, J Crew hat

I was able to buy my two coveted items from the Phillip Lim x Target collaboration when it launched online around 1am pacific time last Sunday morning: the mini cross body satchel in mustard yellow and the boom sweatshirt. The pieces were delivered on Friday and I love them! Even though I was so close to giving up at several points, it was worth staying up late, pushing the refresh button on my computer, as there is no way I was going to battle the crowds at the stores. The mini satchel is so cute and the pop of color works on a small bag. Love that it's cross body and the quality of the material and hardware is surprisingly good, considering its not real leather. Honestly, the material feels and looks pretty similar to the Pashli messenger bag that I bought (and returned) a few months ago (bought a raspberry PS 1 instead). I'm really glad that I returned the real Phillip Lim as this version is perhaps even cuter and a lot cheaper. I regret canceling my taupe mini satchel order Sunday morning, but as I figured then and still now, I don't need two bags of the same style. I am still in my graphic sweatshirt phase so the boom sweatshirt is a great addition to my collection, alongside the Prabal Gurung x Target and Kenzo Tiger sweatshirts. I like the fit of the boom sweatshirt more than the Prabal Gurung sweatshirt as it is longer in the body and sleeves. I've always been a fan of the Phillip Lim comic book graphic prints but missed out on buying any pieces a few seasons ago so was happy to that Target made a version. As for the rest of the Target collaboration, I am not a fan; I've seen a few pieces in store and I just don't like the fabric or details, just nothing special. Not sure I will buy anything else, even on sale.

Lazy Sundays in Los Olivos

Wine tasting at Longoria

I love the little town of Los Olivos. It's such a cute little strip of tasting rooms, shops and restaurants, a perfect last stop to a day of wine tasting, or in our case, a morning stop before the drive home. We just stopped at two of our favorite tasting rooms, Tensleys, which make one of my favorite syrahs, the Colson Canyon, and Longoria, with its lovely outdoor garden. We grabbed a tri tip sandwich from the market before heading home, back to reality.

Isabel Marant Ariana jacket, Capu Elvis belt and Salome shorts, Jean Michel Basquiat Uniqlo shirt, Swedish Hasbeen x H&M sandals, Balenciaga bag and Prada sunglasses

The Ballard Inn

One of my favorite places to stay anywhere is the Ballard Inn up in Santa Barbara wine country. It's a charming little bed and breakfast a few minutes away from Los Olivos and right near the wineries on Alamo Pintado Road. We stayed in the Gaviota Room for our 1 year anniversary and this time stayed in the larger adjacent Mountain room for our fifth anniversary. Love the little touches like cookies with turndown service, afternoon wine and hors d'oeuvres, strawberry lemonade on the porch and a hearty post slight wine hangover breakfast. The restaurant downstairs is excellent, perfect for a relaxing dinner after a day of wine tasting. Best part is, you don't have to drive anywhere afterwards! I can't remember the last time we've gone out to a fancy dinner. My favorite dish was probably the beef tenderloin and we had a really good bottle of Demetria Cuvee Constantine that went perfectly with dinner.

Pork belly with napa cabbage fondue

Hamachi with soy yuzu vinaigrette

Rack of Lamb with edamame puree

Grilled Beef Tenderloin

Celebrating 5 Years

Gazebo at Beckman

We went up to Santa Barbara wine country for our first trip without little k in celebration of our five year wedding anniversary. We drove up Saturday late morning and arrived in time to visit a few vineyards: Lincourt, Rideau and Beckman. There's nothing more immediately relaxing and transporting than wine tasting amidst the beautiful scenery. We chilled in some adirondack chairs under shady trees at Rideau and had a little cheese, salami and bread picnic from Bay Cities with our wines in a little gazebo by the duck pond at Beckman.

Lincourt. Nice spot for a wedding

Chilling at Rideau

Some of the vines at Rideau

Beckman wine and cheese picnic from Bay Cities

Beckman. Always a favorite late afternoon stop

Day 1 wine tasting outfit: Etoile Isabel Marant Manuel Stars and Birds romper, Swedish Hasbeens x H&M sandals