The International Frank Sinatra

Music is the soundtrack to life. So, when times call for some fun musky electronic lounge, check out Louie Austen. The Austrian born international crooner of leisure entertains with the charm and charisma of Frank Sinatra and has gained success among the younger electronic music scene. Tracks like "Glamour Girl", "Dreams Are My Reality", "Disco Dancer", "Take Your Time", and "Myamy", and "Rain" are worth checking out.

Click here for Louie Austen's website

Take a Stay-cation

It's been much too long since my last REAL vacation. Weekend getaways to the California desert don't count. So, I'm on the hunt for inspiration that'll take me away to paradise...and I won't even have to step foot out into the "StormWatch" type conditions going on outside.

My all time favorite island scent in a can is Comptoir Sud Pacifique's Vanille Coco. One spritz and you'll be in paradise. LITERALLY! You'll go ape for the Vanille Banane scent. It's truly bananas!

Bring the sea, sand, and sun inside with Trina Turk's Beach candle.

Do you like Pina Coladas? You will now! 2 of the best coconut lotions are: Mountain Ocean Skin Trip handblended in Boulder, Colorado and PURE FIJI Coconut Hydrating Lotion.

Winter InVESTments

When I'm not at work, kick-it-wear is what I like to wear this time of year. For durability, warmth, and style, the North Face offers the best selection of vests, jackets, and fleece. So, you can still look cool while staying warm.

Winter whites are a great alternative to basic black post-workout clothes.

For FREEZING winter nights out on the town, nix the mountain cabin look for something a little more stylish yet functional. The fur vest look took quite some time for me to warm up to, but now I think I'm cool with it.

Rachel Zoe says, "I die for this fur vest!"

The Art of Comfort Food

The grilled cheese is one of the easiest and cheapest comfort foods to prepare at home. All you really need to make the simple sandwich are 2 slices of your favorite bread, plenty of melty cheese, and real butter. Basically, the fat on fat on fat concoction takes about 5 minutes to grill up and lunch or dinner is served.

As a kid, my mom would grill up a few of these cheesy creations at once for us kids. It was typically the weekend lunch or even dinner meal....served with a big glass of chocolate milk. The sandwiches ALWAYS tasted better when she'd make them, especially when prepared with wheat bread, medium cheddar cheese, and of course butter. She never used margarine.

The great thing about comfort food is that there is no wrong way to prepare it. And when it comes to sandwiches, there really are a million and one combinations. I recently discovered one of the most amazing takes on the grilled cheese combining crusty grilled raisin bread, talegio cheese, and apricot-caper sauce. Enjoy!

Short Rib and Tallegio Grilled Cheese with Apricot Caper Puree

Yields 4 sandwiches

Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

15 dried apricots

1 tablespoon nonpareil capers

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

8 slices dark raisin bread

5 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

4 small handfuls arugula

3 oz chopped braised beef short ribs

8 ounces taleggio cheese, rind removed, at room temperature

4 pinches fleur de sel

Preparation:

Place apricots in small saucepan and add water just to cover. Bring to full boil and immediately remove from heat. Mix in capers, mustard and olive oil. Pulse in blender to chunky consistency; set aside. 


Spread one side of each bread slice evenly (to the edges) with 1/2 tablespoon butter. With buttered sides down, top four slices with 2 tablespoons of apricot mixture, handful of arugula and equal portions of cheese. Top with remaining slices, buttered side up. 


Place large skillet over high heat, and melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Reduce heat to low and add sandwiches. Cook until browned and crisp on both sides, about 2 minutes a side. Transfer to a platter lined with paper towels, and sprinkle each with a pinch of fleur de sel. Cut in half and serve.

Recipe courtesy of:

The Foundry on Melrose

7465 Melrose Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90046

Phone: (323) 651-0915

Restaurant website: http://www.thefoundryonmelrose.com

The Pretty Little Party Dress

Tis the season for parties! And, that means lots of sparkles, lace, and kisses under the mistletoe! Get your party on in one of these little numbers.

Be a devil in a blue dress. But, remember...Santa is checking his list of who's been naughty and nice. This sparkly one is courtesy of Trina Turk.

You can never go wrong with the LBD. Make that an LLBD. Little Lace Black Dress. Get this one at Trina Turk.

Winter whites are always in style. This Urban Outfitters strapless number even has pockets for those extra chilly nights out on the town.

Cheers dolls!

Heart and Sole

Pretty little shoes always make a lasting impression on me. A pair of red heart shoes once brought a friend and I together 7 years ago. The shoes have since worn out, but that friend will always hold a special place in my heart. Here's a few of my favorite kicks:

XOXO,

Chelsea Valentine

Haute Chocolat

One of my oh so guilty pleasures is dark chocolate. And, not just any old Hershey's dark chocolate; but the really good kind that with just one little square, nips that chocolate craving in the bud. It works for me atleast. I'm SO glad this is one vice (in its purest form) that actually has some health benefits. They say it's heart healthy to have your daily dose of 1 little square containing 65% or more of cocoa. My heart and I have fallen for any chocolate with 85% or more of cocoa...particularly, Scharffen Berger, Godiva, or Lindt.

Wardrobe Update: The Tan Suede Fringe Jacket

My R & R weekends are never complete without a little shopping. So, my sister and I headed to the consignment shop in Palm Springs where you'd undoubtedly find anything from sequin jumpsuits that most likely still have residue from Studio 54 parties amongst that to-die-for circa 1983 Chanel tweed suit. Among the second hand clothes, we managed to find a couple black blazers, that with just a little swap of the buttons and a thorough dry cleaning, will create a multitude of outfits this fall and winter. And, just when we thought we'd rummaged through enough of the vintage threads worn by some of the most stylish Coachella Valley lady retirees, we spotted the coolest jacket. The perfectly fitting tan suede fringe number is in next to new condition. I can't wait to complete the look with white jeans, a white tank and real Native American turquoise jewelry.

For $60, my jacket was a bargain...

Especially, when I found this nearly identical one for $462 at www.shopbop.com.

Peace and Love

SUCCEXY

I thought 3 was always a charm. It took me 3 times to pass my driving test when I finally got my license at 17...3 times to remove my 4 wisdom teeth...and 3 jobs in less than a year...I FINALLY landed a permanent 4th job. 4 was always my favorite number.

Starting Monday, less than business casual won't cut it at my new gig. So I'm checking out some new digs and throwing around some outfit ideas. Here are some SUCCEXY looks to inspire me:

Because It's The Weekend

Don't get lost in the crowd...

My beautiful sister, put your hands in the air. Be free...be strong! Just like Diana Ross circa 1978 in Studio 54's DJ booth. Back when the DJs spun records.

Check out the white jumpsuit Miss Ross wears so well in "The Boss" video. Love it!

Fun With Words: Classy

OK, this is a topic I didn't want to address, but after I've heard this word repeatedly used in several unrelated situations over the past 3 weeks, I can no longer hold back. Classy is a word that much like "douchebag" has somehow managed to become an overly used term in the daily vocabulary of those I seem to encounter. Maybe not everyone is noticing the resurgence of the misuse of "classy," but it's certainly made me want to "Google" the dictionary to get a proper definition.

By the way, I love how "Google" is a new verb. When did I stop pulling out my big red Webster's Dictionary to get a proper definition? Alright, nevermind.

So, UrbanDictionary.com claims that "classy" is a "Ghettofied adjective from the late 70’s & 80’s that somehow became socially acceptable with predominately middle & upper class homogenized White Americans, especially during the last few years. The biggest mistake connected with the use of this term is that it should never be used to describe oneself. Those who use it to describe themselves never are."

I love how dead on this definition is.

When someone says, "That's classy." I always laugh. Sometimes out loud. Sometimes, quietly to myself. I hate to say it, but using that word seriously is a dealbreaker. Really, it is.

What's more appropriate to say, is "That's classy, with a 'k'." I find myself saying this. My circle of friends get what it means. They know we're being anything but serious when we add in the "k" part.

Ordering a glass of white zinfandel at a sports bar while wearing a Tiffany heart chain link necklace and matching bracelet is classy with a "k." Wearing the tiniest Louis Vuitton purse, because it has the logo, but it was the only affordable bag in the LV line is classy with a "k." Wine tasting in an obnoxious Hummer limo through Napa is classy with a "k." In some ways, classy is used to describe those who try a bit too hard. Because you would never use it to describe yourself if you actually are classy.

So, pay attention and see how much the word is misused. You may be surprised too.

*The klassy Kardashian sisters toast with champagne, and of course the klassy ladies of the "Real Housewives of Orange County."

Back in Black With Studs

Lately, I've noticed studs everywhere. Not the hot guy type studs (I wish), but actually, studded clothing and accessories. Just last Sunday, I stepped into a Zara store and realized any chick can pretty much channel rock star style with anything from a studded blazer that goes from the office to the club, a belt, spike high heel pumps, handbags, and driving gloves. Studs may get you back in black or even make you wanna sing "Pour Some Sugar On Me."

The Doors

Do you ever daydream and wonder what could have happened if you'd left the house just 1 minute later? Maybe you avoided a horrible accident or missed running into someone you really didn't want to see by only a minute. I totally do this. What really got me thinking about this, is the movie, "Sliding Doors" with Gwyneth Paltrow. In life, we have opportunities that are presented to us like doors. Sometimes, we walk through them and other times, we walk the other way. I sometimes wonder what could have been if I'd done this and not done that. How different would the outcome (life) really be? Because the doors we choose to open not only affect our own path, but the paths of everyone we encounter. Of course, these are the metaphorical doors for change, chance, and opportunity. Here are some other doors that are worth checking out:

In feng shui, a red door brings good luck into the home...

A yellow door is a cheery entrance...

A blue door in Mykonos, Greece...

A modern sliding door...

A Miami style villa in London with glass sliding walls bring the outdoors in...

Double stainless steel doors...

And of course, The Doors chillin at the Morrison Hotel, 1246 Hope Street in Downtown LA. Circa 1970...