Halloween Costumes

Around this time in LA, is just about my favorite time of year. Halloween is 2 weeks away and this year, I'm going to dress up! I was in Chicago last year for a friend's wedding, so I didn't get into the Halloween spirit. Over the years, I've been many characters...an 80s partied out tennis player, goth girl, and a Playboy bunny to name a few. There's something so exciting about dressing up as something completely out of character for a night and watching others parade around doing the same. I always get a kick out of how many of us still dress up as if we were kids going out trick or treating in the neighborhood. Like, for one night, it's completely normal to see dudes dressed in drag, a super conservative friend in a "sexy" cop costume, or someone wearing a little bit too revealing of a costume when they shouldn't. Halloween really is a no age limit holiday and those that don't dress up are just no fun!

So, instead of procrastinating until October 30 this year to throw together a costume, my sister and I made a trip to the costume store. So many options...sexy cop, sexy cowgirl, sexy beer girl, sexy nurse, and so on. You get the picture. Put the word "sexy" in front of anything and you've got yourself a costume! I even mistook the teen girl costume section as women's because they were bordering on sexy. What is this? For one day, it's an excuse to dress up in the most skimpy outfit and it's OK. No one will think twice.

So after I realized that I couldn't try a "sexy" costume on over jeans and a T, I decided to hold off on spending $50 on a crop top, booty short type costume until I could see the full effect. The wig section on the other hand, was SO much more fun. There's the used car salesgirl wig, the 80s rocker chick wig, the Cecilia wig, the truckdriver mullet wig, and the list goes on and on. Feel like being a redhead for the night? There's a wig for you. Feel like channelling your inner Joan Jett? There's one for you. And the wigs aren't cheap. Some will set you back a cool $40 not to mention adding in the time spent styling the mangled tresses to look like the packaging's picture. Have fun!

So, here are some of my favorite costume ideas...

German Beer Girl

Shoot Em Up Cowgirl

FBI Agent

Flashdance

Punk rock chick

Shaken Not Stirred

Over the years, my drinking palette has changed. In high school, I could drink Natural Light beer with ease. As a teen, it's easy to throw back a few beers at backyard parties every weekend and NOT get that dreaded beer belly. When I went to college, I moved into vodka tonics as a refreshing cocktail in the hot Arizona weather and I'd order comforting Jack and cokes when the weather turned cold, which was almost never.

After college, Red Bull Vs were my favorite, then I ventured into different wines. At some point, it was a fun to pop a bottle of bubbly, either sparkling wine or Champagne. Most of which was sparkling wine. I'm a stickler for calling sparkling wine Champagne. If it's not from the Champagne region of France, it's NOT Champagne.

There were few occasions at family dinners, when I would try my mom's vodka martini with an olive. One sip, and I could never quite get into the bitter all alcohol taste. Maybe they were dirty martinis, of which, I don't like sipping olive juice. Steakhouses like Mastro's or Ruth's Chris will serve up a blue cheese stuffed olive martini, which pairs perfectly with a petite filet. Oooohhhh, my mouth is watering.

Lately wine, mainly reds, give me a headache and allergies. It's those histamines. I'm staying away for now or atleast the weather cools off. So, I decided that if I was going to have 1 drink with dinner, it would be a vodka martini shaken. I suppose if you can only have 1 drink, it might as well not be a watered down vodka soda or an overpriced glass of 2 buck chuck type wine followed by a catnap.

When I saw the Ultimat Martini listed on the drink menu at Bottega Louie, I ordered it. The cocktail was refreshing not bitter, and with olives not stuffed with those pimentos. I hate those pimento anyways. They ruin the olive taste. The martini glass was a bit on the small side. Not like the large martini glasses served at Mastro's, but suitable for a 1 drink kind of night.

I think next time I'm going to ask for Grey Goose vodka. I don't do Dutch or Russian vodkas, so I won't be ordering Ketel One or Stoli. Count me out. Ultimat vodka is Polish, so maybe that's why I took a liking to last night's martini. Nonetheless, my drink of choice is ever changing with my mood, age, and season. Kind of like, I never choose the password retrieval question that asks, "What is your favorite drink?" I would have to take several guesses at that and always find it quite amusing that that's actually one of the options. So, a martini it is, for now atleast.

Dressed Smart Like a London Bloke...

Before he spoke, his suit bespoke.

Hamilton custom shirts

Brooks Brothers suits...always in style

Loden Dager shoes

J.M. Weston loafers available at Colette

Created by Vanessa + Valentine

I stumbled across a Polyvore set created by Vanessa + Valentine. "I must say I'm amazed!"View 'Cuvee Chic' on Polyvore

Boudoir Chic

I'm always searching for the perfect French pieces for the ultimate boudoir chic look. Now, I just may have found the PERFECT items, surely fit for a queen, to complete the look, courtesy of Newton's Furniture Company of the UK, Urban Outfitters, and Ikea. Now the hard part...shipping the bedroom set over the pond! Oh bugger!

Newton's Furniture Company Chateau Noir Collection

IKEA Ung Drill Frame

Z Gallerie Clarity Mirror

Urban Outfitters Antoinette Fainting Sofa - Aubergine

Urban Outfitters Edie Velvet Chaise - Ink Blue

A real boudoir. So chic!

Le Toilette and Chinoiserie wallpaper

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

But, that doesn't mean you have to get soaked! So they say it's coming in...rain that is. And it's headed straight for LA in the next few days (in case you already didn't get sprinkled on today...I did). One of the most useful and timeless wardrobe staples may be just the thing you need to turn your grey skies blue. No matter your budget, there is a trench made just for you. Here are 2 I love...my budget loves one WAY more though.

Burberry Harbourne: $975.00

Old Navy Belted Trench: $49.50

Get the look: Gwyneth Paltrow

The Strokes Suit Up

There's something about a fall day in LA like today, that makes me want to throw on some Strokes tracks, particularly from "Is This It?" The album debuted back when rock made a smashing comeback. Mostly, I'm reminiscing about the Fall of 2003 when my sister and I were officially Strokes groupies. We crashed 4 Strokes shows in LA and Vegas...literally crashed.

Our neighborhood Sunset Strip Kinko's staff helped laminate our fake backstage passes that actually worked at both LA and Vegas shows. We snuck underneath the Shrine Auditorium's stage in heels, leather biker jackets, and miniskirts watching the crowd through a vent. The sound of Julian Casablancas and the other Strokes dudes playing just above us on stage will always make me laugh just thinking of how bold we were! Hey, you only live once!

These days Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr. has collaborated with Confederacy to design a line of rock inspired men's suits. And, by the looks of these threads, you'll want your dude rocking one too.

Hand Picked Music

I have to hand it to my fellow blogger "French Filter House Music" for providing me with some choice new picks in the more electro side of house. I LOVE HOUSE MUSIC! But, sometimes, I just need some fresh beats, new DJs to follow, and setlists to blast at home! Kudos to whoever is the master behind the music at French Filter. Keep me coming back for more!

Check out:

1) Wellness Is Wild - Goon & Koyote (listen for the Fleetwood Mac sampling)

2) Let Yourself Go - JSD

3) Freak It - Studio 45 (funky, disco-esque)

4) Hold On - His Majestry Andre (oddly sounds like "Turn Your Love Around" by George Benson)

5) Water Proof - Honom (sounds like such a masculine track)

6) Rinocerose - Le Triangle

Have a Beautiful Tomorrow

Music has some powerful words. Words to live by. Words that make you ask why. Here are just some of my favorite song lyrics. Can you name that tune?

What is in other people's minds is not in my mind. I just do my thing. I don't sleep to dream. I sometimes tick away the moments that make up a dull day. I've learned that you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you might find, you get what you need. Happiness is free when you lose your mind. Sometimes we need a holiday to love people better. A lifetime isn't enough to live. I don't ever want to play the part of a statistic on a government chart. My insecurities, my devious nature - make it go away. I'd had the college, I'd had the earning of the money, the material trip, I just decided I was going to find a new way of life, so I took off on my bicycle. It's getting cold on this island. If I'm not smiling, I'm just thinking. Your ship will never come in, unless the golden rule becomes your friend. I know where I belong and I'll know when I reach that place.

Brunching in LA

This weekend I'm brunching in LA. And I know just the perfect spot to quench my craving for an authentic Paris cafe sidewalk dining experience. Le Saint Amour in Culver City. This brasserie caught my epicurious attention recently when it was dubbed one of the most authentic Parisian culinary experiences outside of Paris, in LA. I'll have to see about that.

I mean, nothing compares to the real Paris cafes my sister and I had in 2007 on our trip to Paris, but I'm VERY curious to experience Le Saint Amour for myself. The nicoise salad looks amazing! And for kicks, I'll have a glass of French rosé. The cuvée chic way to end the week!

I'm visualizing this as my perfect brunching in LA outfit...

Next best thing to here...

Leopards Not Cougars!

Is it just me or are the words cougar and douchebag getting old and frankly not pleasant sounding! I mean, in France, they think you're saying a shower-bag, when you use the word douchebag to describe some totally cheesy guy! Talk about Lost in Translation.

Well, I'[ mgoing to try] throwing out the cougar in my vocabulary and replacing it with some leopard! That's right. It's time for a new breed of kitty to roar this fall! You know you all have some kind of leopard print accessory, handbag, coat, you couldn't quite bring yourself to sell at Buffalo Exchange.

Over the years, leopard always makes a roaring come back! Now that the weather is cooling off in LA, it's more appropriate than ever! Check out these HOT fall leopard looks, you too can pull off!

No, here's to you Mrs. Robinson. The original cougar. OK, I promise I'll stop wearing that word out.

Britain's kittens

Cat women rule the catwalk

Cameron Diaz adds a hint of kitty print

My favorite leopard lady...Kate Moss sporting the Wayfarers

Start Wearing Your Scarves

One night a couple years back, I wore a scarf to the Edison Downtown LA's Happy Hour. My now brother in law's co-worker nicknamed me "Scarfy." I just realized lately I've been living up to that title! Silly name yes; fitting, yes.

Inspired by my own recent "French, Do It Better...Entre Nous" entry, I've decided to make one of my 15 different scarves a mainstay in any outfit I throw on. So, my boring old clothes are pulled together and chic again! You should too!

Scarf Street Style

I'm loving the leopard print!

Jen always chilled out...

Yacht Rock and The Topsider Crew

The Knights of Monte Carlo

A year ago, a friend of mine introduced me to a genre of music called "Yacht Rock." Soon after, we saw LA's premiere Yacht Rock cover band "Knights of Monte Carlo" (they are cute and pictured above) perform at The Mint in LA.

What's Yacht Rock you ask? You know the tracks...Sailing by Christoper Cross, Africa by Toto, Baby Come Back by Player, What A Fool Believes by The Doobie Brothers, Reminiscing by The Little River Band, and Love Will Find A Way by Pablo Cruise. You've heard them and probably know the words to all of them!

Last weekend another girlfriend of mine invited me to sail to Catalina on her beautiful sailboat. After we docked somewhere off a cove near the LA Yacht Club's Catalina spot, we spent the weekend catching rays, swimming in the cove, snorkelling, hiking, happy hour-ing, and partying at Buccaneer Days...the largest gathering of pirates around!

There's something so random, but fun about saying "Arrr" and "Matey" all day and it's not weird. Hands down, my new favorite weekend stay-cay near LA is Catalina.

You ought to wear this on the yacht...

Topsiders are perfect for fall bike rides at the beach...

1981 and Olivia Newton John

If you were an 80s kid, your mom probably did aerobics or jazzercise wearing the leotard, tights, and headband. You know the getup. I can remember when my mom did the 20 minute workout and would throw on Olivia Newton John vinyls. Well, I was recently reminded of this when I walked into Shampoo/Spray Tan Factory in the Fairfax District of LA (OK, I admit, sometimes I get an airbrush tan...but, my lady also does Brad Pitt, so it must be a good fake bake).

Listen and watch Newton-John do "Magic"...

CLICK HERE>>>"Physical" - the video - is pretty entertaining!

Wait, why are you famous again???

We ALL have our daily web surfing (why does that sound so 90s?) routine...email, online banking, Facebook, Twitter (haven't gone there yet), MySpace (well, not so much anymore), news, and that celebrity gossip page that you KNOW you secretly check out when you're bored.

Whether it's Perez Hilton, TMZ, X17ONLINE, or Page Six...it's all the same junk that somehow seems to waste atleast 20 minutes of your day/my day, daily! Whether it's Lindsay banging on Samantha's front door at 4am after Bardot, Jon Gosselin and his stupid Ed Hardy rhinestone Ts, Speidi having lunch (boring), and the Kardashian sisters getting married, knocked up, and promoting some speedy diet pills called Quik Trim...I always ask myself, "Why are these people famous?"

EAT! Food is GOOD!

'Nuff said...

Jon, less is more...

Khloe and Lamar: TRUE LOVE

The A in A & M Records

Lately I've been into Herb Alpert's music. I know...random. We all grew up hearing his 1979 hit "Rise" (Notorious B.I.G. later sampled it in "Hypnotize"). You know the track. I sometimes think it's the beginning song of "Chips" where Ponch and John are rolling down the 2 Freeway in Glendale. Same era.

"Rise" is trumpeter Alpert (also the A in A&M Records...didn't know that until my Dad told me) taking you back, taking you WAY back. Every time I hear this song...I picture some dude with a hairy chest and a gold chain driving a gold Cadillac El Dorado down Sunset Blvd. playing this song.

The guy looks like this...yeah, I pictured Burt Reynolds...

And, he's driving this...

You get the picture. Now, go listen to that song!

Iceland Airwaves

Believe it or not, Iceland is home to more than just blue-eyed blondes and a lot of ice.

Each year, the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival takes over the capital city Reykjavik's stages and clubs attracting the likes of new and upcoming Icelandic and world rockers and DJs.

Sigur Ros, Jeff Who?, and Steed Lord have performed with world artists Thievery Corporation, Fatboy Slim, and The Flaming Lips during the 3 day festival. Rock by day, DJs spinning throughout the night.

Some of the bands taking the stage from October 14 - 18:

Jeff Who? (Iceland)

Moto Boy (Sweden)

Gus Gus (Iceland)

Metronomy (UK)

The New Wine (Norway)

Trentemøller (Denmark)