just break it on down a little...

Take a cue from Micheal Cera and Jonah Hill this weekend...

Let loose. Move your feet. Hit the dancefloor.

xoxo

i think we all felt this way about mr. salinger...

"What really knocks me out is a book, when you're all done reading it, you wished the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it."

J.D. Salinger, from Catcher in the Rye

i don't need A vacation, i need THIS vacation...

Hello, you.

I was just browsing the February issue of SKI magazine (with Sun Valley on the cover!) and I stumbled upon this winter treasure on page 40...Please take in the new Ritz-Carlton Highlands in Northstar-At-Tahoe, Califronia. It's a ski-in ski-out hotel nestled halfway up the mountain at Northstar, and is accessed by gondola from the village below. Every room has a fireplace and goose-down comforters. The 17,000 square-foot spa has a heated outdoor lap pool. Their restaurant also boasts a world-class chef imported from San Fran serving up French-California cuisine. Sign. Me. Up.

Please? Someone? Just for like, a week?

(Rates range from $249 - $699 a night.)

R.I.P J.D. Salinger...

" I was half in love with her by the time we sat down. That's the thing about girls. Every time they do something pretty, even if they're not much to look at, or even if they're sort of stupid, you fall half in love with them, and then you never know where the hell you are. Girls. Jesus Christ. They can drive you crazy. They really can." ~ The Catcher in the Rye

J.D Salinger died today at the age of 91. Like pretty much every kid in high school, I remember loving reading The Catcher in the Rye because it was the only book we read that was fantastically well written and about something, and someone, we could understand. Holden Caufield represented the frustrations, isolation and impulses we all felt as teenagers. And he was cool.

“An artist’s only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else’s.”

J.D. Salinger, 1919 - 2010.

sweet escape: treehouse point...

O.M.G.

So remember when I showed you this last week, as where I was mentally for the weekend? Well the picture above looks pretty damn close, doesn't it? That, my friends, is Treehouse Point, in  Snoqualmie Valley, Washington. Oh yes. It's real, it's a hotel, and it's close. You can get married there, have a dinner party there, or just stay the night. Look at this excellent photo gallery. How badly do you wanna go? There's great hiking in the area and it's seriously less than an hour from Seattle. It would be a fun, sunny getaway in the summer, but I'm thinking... how beautiful and magical would it be to stay in a treehouse in the snow?

Still not convinced? Watch this...

(I don't know about the whole "Stop Work" thing, because it's definitely a real, working hotel currently. Treehouse Point won second place for Best Bed & Breakfast in the 2009 Northwest Escapes - however, the reviews on TripAdvisor.com are mostly less-than-stellar.)

I still want to go.

You?

cool blog alert: girl meets NYC...

Check out Girl Meets NYC.

mid-week music moment...

I've been battling a cold since Saturday, and today I really have to man up and put in a hugely productive day of work. I need to kick things of on an upbeat, groovy, note.

Hand me the Sudafed, heat up the lemon tea, gimme a couple squirts of Afrin and play this song nice and loud.

MSTRKRFT ft. John Legend - "Heartbreaker"

(You like? You better. There's a reason I've played it 145 times on my itunes... it's amazing.)

*UPDATE: This song brought to you by Hailey Jamar :)

two words: Chanel Couture...

Here are a few of my favorite looks from the Chanel Couture Spring 2010 collection:

Isn't Spring couture fashion week just magical? I love the fantasy and opulence and optimism of it all. I have to say, I like this collection a lot more than the fancy hoedown Karl showed us in the Fall. From these fanciful, silver-lined looks there are definitely a few trends I think we'll see a lot of come actual Spring:

- girlie - pastels - bangs (!) - short suits - silver accessories & tights - lingerie (boudoir dressing) - silk & sequins -

(I'm just going to go ahead and hope that the big hair bows don't catch on...)

Check out the rest of the collection on The Cut.

inspired by: Mary-Kate Olsen...

I love Mary-Kate Olsen's black-on-black-on-black look here. The short length of the shirt-dress is countered by long sleeves and mostly covering patterned tights. I know I've echoed Blair Waldorf's cries that 'tights are not pants' but I think this saucy little outfit is great. It probably helps MK that she's barely 5'2". For the more conservative real world, just pick a shirt-dress thats more of a dress than a shirt, like the James Perse one. (Image from Olsensanonymous.blogspot.com)

fending off the mid-winter blues...

Sooo, I've wasted a whole work-free weekend confined to the couch with a deathly cold. Talk about wah-wah. Not to mention, Woof. I got a great friday night out of it before I awoke in a congested fog Saturday morning, but I can't help but think that if I had surrendered to the hint of the sniffles I felt on Thursday, I may have still been a productive human over the weekend.

Anyway, Spending long, miserable days on the couch watching Friday Night Lights and season one of Gossip Girl (btw, we still have until March 8th until a new episode) allowed me to spend a lot of time making plans for all the things I want to do once I kick this illness.

First, I'm going to take myself out for an Americano. It's been days, people.

1. Take myself to see A Single Man. Tom Ford's directorial debut looks undeniably elegant, stylish and intriguing. Much like the man himself. Quel Surprise. Julianne Moore looks amazing and Colin Firth won Best Actor for this roll at the Venice Film Festival. Here's where it's playing locally.

2. I must see the Michaelangelo Exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum before it leaves on January 31st. I've heard it's really nothing too spectacular, but my whole family has a membership so it's free, and plus, it's Michaelangelo. In Seattle. That's worth stepping out for, especially since then I'll have an excuse to take a little jaunt up to Cafe Campagne (one of my ablsolute favs) for a croque madame.

3. Joy! A new bar is opening on Capitol Hill Friday, called The Unicorn. Check out a little about it here and here. Or click around on their website, which is colorful, playful (and sparkly!). Is the wild decor a signifier of a gay bar? Is it's name a signifier of a gay bar? I have no idea. I care not. It looks fancy and fun. Count me in. Also on the docket of new bars to check out, Still Liquor, also on Capitol Hill. This story on The Slog was enough to sell me.

4. LOST starts again (the beginning of the end! The LAST season!) on February 2nd. I'm a pretty diehard LOST fan, but it can be hard to remember all the things that happened. I may rewatch a little of season five in my downtime, or I may just watch this a few times.

5. Pick up a jumprope. I've always heard it's an amazing workout, but my friend Jessica said her friend who has 12-pack abs does it a lot, and that's proof enough for me. Speaking of jumping, I also want to go back to AiRobics at Sky High Sports. That's right - 60 minutes of aerobics on a trampoline. So fun. So sweaty. Speaking of sweaty? Gotta get back to Hot Yoga, too.

6. Time to get crafty. Last year, I made tons of Valentines and mailed them to my friends around the country, and I did the same in December for Christmas. It's that time again, so I've gotta bust out the glitter pens, heart stencils, and construction paper. You should do it too, it feels good to spread the love!

7. I need to get my ski bunny on. This means a few things. First, it means I need to head out to one of the (many) local mountains I haven't been to yet. Also, it means I need to start planning my getaway to Sun Valley. My family has a condo over there, and I have 6 days off in February. Whiskey Jacques, if you're listening, I'm coming for you soon! I haven't been over there all winter and I've been craving a hot chocolate on Seattle Ridge, a lap around the SV ice rink, late night libations at the Cellar and shopping at Ketchum Dry Goods. Also, I want to go sledding. Somehow, somewhere, soon.

8. Oh, I also want to see Dear John. That's right - I said it. I love that adorable Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia? Mean Girls? anyone?) and don't act like Channing Tatum isn't hot enough to fork over $9 just to watch him soldier around cry over a girl. Because he is. Sometimes in the middle of the winter, you have to secretly sculk off to see a really girly Nicholas Sparks movie on a really rainy day. That way, your tears can be disguised when you walk outside...

9. More hot toddies. Have you had one before? They are delicious. They warm your cheeks and your insides, too! I had a really, really delicious one while watching Nine at The Big Picture. Additionally, have you been there? It's the best winter date spot in Seattle. I went before Christmas with a really hot date - my bff, LV. Note to local gentlemen, I'm ready to go back :)

10. THE OLYMPICS. OMG my darlings, I am positively giddy in anticipation of the winter Olympics in February. Figure Skating, The Luge, Slolem, Ski Jumping, Speed Skating, Figure Skating... ahhh I just can't wait. It's slightly depressing/exhilerating that they are taking place like four hours North of here, but I can deal. Bring on the 24-hr coverage!

Have fun being busy little winter bees!

xoxo

a little parisian treat...

Via my fav, the Olsens Anonymous blog, I discovered this 23-year-old French illustrator named Angeline Melin. Just take a look at a few of the fun designs she's done for various clients...

tres chic.

(She also has a really cute blog, mais bien sur, it's en francais!)

cold weather, hot man...

Ryan Reynolds keeps warm in the snow at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival  premiere of "Buried."

*Guys take note, this is how you wear a coat. You should all own a nice warm coat that isn't a ski parka or rain jacket.

for your eyes only...

 

Acetate-framed black sunglasses, $375.00$168.75 by Chloé at theOutnet

I don't know what to say, except that I have loved these Chloe sunglasses since i tried them on at Nordstrom last summer. Could I throw down just shy of $400 for a pair of shades? No. Can I throw down $170? Maybe. I do love them. And I mean, loooove them. Like, wear-them-every-day-they're-bigger-and-more-unique-than-my-Wayfarers love them. That being said, I'm going to search around a little more. I saw these for less than this on Gilt a few months back, and lets be honest, shipping from places like the Outnet, Gilt, and Shopbop can tack an extra $12 on the total.

Finding them in-store and walking out with them resting right on my nose sounds much better, don't you think?

SAG awards fav: Diane Kruger...

Surprise, surprise, D. Krugs has does it again, this time in Jason Wu. That dijion mustard color is next to impossible to pull off, but she manages to look radient, current and elegant. I love the detailing and delicacy of the gown, as well as the just-the-right-shade-of-red red lipstick to go with her drop earrings. How fun that she managed to combine a side up-do with a one-shoulder dress, too.

I think it goes without saying that her longtime boyfriend Joshua Jackson continues to be sooo adorable, and they look great together.

Partially because she's my girl crush, and partly because she really does look incredible, Diane Kruger gets my vote for bessed dressed at the 2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

SAG awards red carpet style...

I don't know what happened between this weekend and last, but for some reason, I found the array of designer gowns at the SAG Awards to be altogether more chic than it was at the Golden Globes.

Marion Cotillard wore another short, one-shoulder Elie Saab frock that incorporated a mix of architectural structure and delicate, feminine details. This white number seems to be much more natural and easy-to-wear on her than the multi-layer lace peek-a-boo gown she wore at the Globes.

This dress mixes a lot of detailing like crystal beating, draping and feathers, but i think it comes together prefectly in the short length and because she kept her accessories, shoes and make-up simple. The pop of color in her green ring is a perfect finishing touch.

Lovely legends Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep wore gracefully swept up hair with long, printed gowns (Bagley Mischka and Balenciaga, respectively). These two women are insanely talented and so beautiful, and it really pleases me to see women dress themselves in ensembles the are befitting of that.

This is a pretty safe look for Penelope Cruz. Fitted black dress and peep-toe heels? Of course it looks good. Her side-swept hair is gorgeous, but I'm not sure how I feel about the blond highlights. Overall... meh? She's so firey and sexy, I just hoped for a little more.

Glee girls Lea Michele and Dianna Agron both rocked long curls and belted-style gowns. I love the color of Lea's Malandrino dress and it drapes beautifully. Dianna's dress I am more so-so on. I love the bodice, but the extra drape I could really do without. Don't you agree?

Kate Hudson wore white again. I like this look much more than her structured be-feathered gown from the Globes, but, I don't know, I just dont love this.

I love the fit and pattern of this short Alexander McQueen dress on Anna Paquin. Her hair is easy and pretty, and her shoes are to die for. I defintely loved her golden gown from the Globes more (because you know I can't resist a good sparkle), but this is still fun and youthful event-appropriate.

Christina Appplegate in Cavalli. She has made some seriously questionable red carpet choices in the past, but I think this look is more-or-less flawless. The dress is gorgeous and fits beautifully, and the color is unusual. I'm not wowed, but I totally approve.

I love Anna Kendrick's Alberta Ferreti gown. The purple shade is just right and the little layers of fabric add a lot of interest. Not to mention that gorgeous flower bracelet!

Tom Ford and Collin Firth. Delicious.

Here's Sandra Bullock (who won again for The Blind Side) and her husband Jesse James. I love this Alexander McQueen dress, a lot. I think the structured shoulders, the blue-lined cut-outs and simple silhoutte look perfect on her. Upon further consideration, I decided I didn't really like her purple Globes dress, and this is such a far cry from that. So, well done, Sandy.

if this cover were a lover...

I feel like this magazine cover sums up what I look for in a guy: nice to look at and hopefully full of lots of interesting things to say.

...And has an appreciation for three of my favorite things: Gossip Girl, Jay Z and Ellen.

Way to be, Esquire.

Own that ponytail! Work that up-do!

Oh yeah my little croissant... a little cheese on my croissant.

T.G.I.F.

Party Pony.

The weekend is here, so go out and find a man who can handle the regalness of an up-do.

GTL baby...

"It was pretty much GTL from the start."

They're sort of undeniable, right?

Even Leo respects the schedule.

It's a situation.

Marc by Marc on Gilt Groupe... a little a.m. online retail therapy

As I'm sure you guys know, Gilt Groupe is a blessing and a curse. I often delete their emails before even opening them in the morning, just to save myself from being tempted by too many really great deals on designer clothes. Girl on a budget, people.

One time i never skip my Gilt email, though, is when I see those four glorious words: Marc by Marc Jacobs. I always browse the MJ sales because you never know what great little deals you might find. This morning while babysitting, I was feeling down that I didn't have a ticket to the sold out Phoenix concert at the SODO Showbox this weekend. Wallowing in self-pity, I started to browse today's Marc by Marc sale. I was in the mood to let the money I would have spent on a ticket be diverted to a purchase I could wear.

Behold, the Marc By Marc Jacobs Ikat Jersey Top. Originally $138, this cool, comfortable top went for $54 on Gilt. Because items on Gilt Groupe sell out very quickly, I made a split-second decision, added it to my cart and clicked "Buy It Now."

I can't wait for it to arrive in 5 to 7 business days so I can throw it on with skinny jeans, silver ballet flats and cool earrings. I'm also already imagining that it will be great in the spring with my jorts.

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