A few weeks ago, I almost tackled down and hugged the FedEx courier to death when he delivered a gift from the Conde Nast and Versace press offices. It felt like Christmas and my Birthday rolled into one hot Summer day, but without sitting on a Santa’s judgmental lap. I rapidly tore into the box to find a buttery soft black leather hobo bag by Christopher Kane for Versus Spring/Summer 2010.
 
As I stroked and petted my new beauty between the Oohs and Ahhs from the discovery of all the gunmetal chain mail hardware and shiny zippers. I couldn’t help but research all about the line and season filled with a simple and classic color palette of reds, blacks, and a slated green grey. The accents of lace, chain mail, safety pins, grommets and piercings reminded me of that famous safety pin dress Elizabeth Hurley wore in the 90s. Kane was quoted saying “I was inspired by the early Nineties and I really looked into the heritage of the company – like the safety pin details and the lionhead.”
 
Donatella Versace tapped into Christopher Kane’s talent a season earlier to revive the Versus line. Kane brought a fresh new aesthetic with sexy and feminine silhouettes without the overt fetish look. ”It is emotional for me,” Donatella Versace – who enlisted Kane’s talents for a capsule accessories collection for autumn/winter 2009-10. “He’s a volcano of ideas. He knows how to dress a woman’s body and he looks at young people and the young world, and that’s the future.”
 

 

Thank you Conde Nast & Versace for the new arm candy. <3

As we roll into the extended holiday weekend, I love lounging in a hammock, lakeside with a cold cocktail in hand, snuggled up watching marvelous colorful explosions light up the sky. Yet this year, Hurricane Alex is putting a major damper on festivities. But I look forward to the R&R, BBQs with best friends, and my Grandpa’s annual memorial with the family.

Hope everyone has a safe and fabulous week!

If anyone knows how to throw a party, it’s my Twinkie and best friend, Stephanie. Every year her family graciously hosts and throws an amazing fete in honor of the HP Byron Nelson Championship at TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas.  While I’m definitely not an avid golfer (I’ve thrown out my back on the driving range, and sadly thrown my clubs in a frustrated rage);  I do love a good social scene with my a margarita or mimosa in tow.   The Byron Nelson has been a longtime Texas tradition I’ve been partaking in since high school when I am in town, but it does get increasingly better with age.

The Ramirez’s have a sick house on the 17th tee, thus making the Byron Nelson experience far more enjoyable. This year golden wunderkin Jordan Spieth, a 16-year-old Jesuit junior, made the finals with the veteran old timers. The energy was beyond electric for the young hometown hero.  Even though Spieth didn’t win it all the way, he did finish at 16th place in a seven-way tie, six shots behind winner Jason Day.  You can certainly bet Dallasites will proudly support him for years to come.

After many rounds of double fisting mimosas and margaritas, paparazzi style picture taking between windy gusts, and committing carbocide on some delicious Blue Mesa catering; we moseyed on down to the Pavilion.  Le Freak was doing classic covers of sing-a-long 80s & 90s jams and  we ran into some of the most interesting characters. For example, the matchy match Bachelor party group in white polos and red seersucker shorts, cougars on the prowl, dirty old men, cute guy doing the trash sweeping dance, and everyone in between. Dallas is a friendly place, so with a just a smile, you’ll be sure to make about 20 new friends.

If you’ve never been to the Byron Nelson before there’s a few things you should expect and here’s a few helpful tips:

1. WEAR SUNSCREEN! Try 1002394872384 SPF, and you’ll probably still get burned.
2. Hats will shield you from the intense sun and help cool you from the heat. Nothing will keep you from sweating though.
3. Girls, forget the heels, and yes this is coming from the girl who refuses to wear anything less than 4″ at all times. You may be able to get away with wedges, but I’ve seen some nasty ankle breaking accidents on those hills. You must remember it is in Las Colinas, quite literally meaning “The Hills.”
4. Dress comfortably but please still casual chic. If the golfers can wear put on a collared shirt, then hey Mister, so can you!
5. You will need a pass to walk the grounds and access the Pavilion, that is unless you have a friend that lives on the course or if you are a girl with big boobs. I think the latter trumps the first though, just sayin’.
6. You’ll most likely being drinking from dawn to dusk, so party hardy, but please remember it is a actual tournament and respect the players while they are swinging those sticks.
7. The Pavilion serves both beer and hard alcohol, accepting both cash or credit in exchange for tickets. Buckets of beer is usually the best bet and easy to share with your friends.
8. Lastly, if you do decide to sneak on to the green, do it at night and stay off the painted areas. Even the most talented dry cleaners can’t salvage those threads. Trust me on that one.

You can view the rest of the pictures on Facebook… eventually.  And a very special thanks to Stephanie and the whole Ramirez family for all your hospitality.  Much love.

They say “it’s like riding a bicycle”, you know, you’re suppose to never forget this little old skill you picked up along the way. I’m sorry, but I’m no elephant you see. I recall the first time my training wheels were removed and my Daddy giving me a heave-ho push off as I pedaled my scrawny stems off; right into some thorny rose bushes. Insert hysterical crying here.

Never wanting to give something up, I later in life gave it another go around; however, this time around the old neighborhood with my younger brother. Oh I was in bliss, I could actually ride from here to there! Here to there consisting of a straight shot, and the instant there was a bend around the corner I fell; bike and all. Mind you I was 21 and getting my ass laughed at by my skillful younger brother. I didn’t know what hurt more, my bruised ego or my bruised body.

Alas, my now-ex boyfriend decided he missed his old reckless riding days and some part of me is a glutton for punishment; so we headed to Bikecology in Beverly Hills. Two shiny new Treks later, an uber dorky helmet (hey, you have to protect the goods!), and a LA bike path map in hand; I had a new outlook on life.

No longer do I fall when there’s a break in the road, though I still can’t jump a curb without yelping that I just injured my ladybits. You can catch my long locks blowing in the wind on the Santa Monica bike path; now freed from the prison of the unstylish helmet since I’ve deemed the path safely mastered through profuse practice. Though through the mean streets of LA traffic, you will definitely not want a chance encounter with me. That is unless you want a mess of tears on the hood of your precious BMW, only then to roll off and kick the shit out of your car.

 
Pedestrians, drivers, doggies, et al… Wake Up!  You have been warned!

[Circa 2007/2008 at the Setai in South Beach]

Oh shit… the stars and planets must be aligned because… My twinks and I are in the same town. This could only mean one thing: debauchery all over Dallas.

We met at SMU in our marketing classes in Business school early on, had study sessions with champagne, got ridiculous college nicknames such as “Blackout and Tank” (I will let you guess, who is who), and our friendship continued on. These days, we rarely get to see each other as much since we’re on separate coasts, but when we do, we pick up like we never left each other’s sides.

She’s seen my ups and downs, my shortcomings and some of my proudest moments, and everything far and few in between. I swear this little lady will be my maid of honor; that is if I ever find a man lucky enough to hang with me for a lifetime. If that isn’t in the mix, then I’m blessed to have such an amazing best friend to share some of the most amazing memories with.

Love you Twinks!

Working on some distribution and marketing spreadsheets and reports for a client today… obviously I’m being productive.  It’s too gorgeous to not be outside.

[Vintage Chloe Button Down, Ray Bans, Siwy Shorts, Louboutin Minibouts]

The weather has been beyond gorgeous lately; complete with sunshine, highs in the 80s, and gusty winds.  However, after my bout with the wind yesterday in a skirt (yes, skirt flew up above the head, ass out, arms full), I knew I’d be safer wearing shorts and a flowy top.  So in the midst of running errands, I decided on a photo op to show off my new shorts.

Thanks to the Denim Blog and @MichelleSiwy, I’ve been rocking these Siwy Madeline shorts in Lilt.  I have a love/hate relationship with shorts due to my potato legs.  Meaning, any potatoes/carbs/yummy fat goodness goes to my legs, hips, thighs, and my ass that won’t quit.  Yes folks, I’m pear shaped.  So while my leggy model friends are wearing essentially denim undies during the summer, I’ve got on a skirt to hide the behind.  I’m not the only one, am I?

I’m quite happy with how these Siwys make my legs look, but I wish I sized down to a 26 because they’re a little loose in the waistband (hence the stolen belt from my bro).  They are soft and cozy, perfectly distressed, and come with adorable extra paisley print pockets that I tucked up for the moment.  I’m off to enjoy the weather with a walk with my pup and to work on those potato legs.

And I’m off again… just down south to Austin for some SXSW fun with my birthday girl bestie.  Let’s just say I need a change of pace and a distraction from the daily life.  I haven’t been posting because well… who wants to hear about hospitals and sob stories? So farewell sick people, I’m off to dance to cares away!

My plans are to not make plans and just live in the moment.  And of course eat amazing Tex Mex, see Miike Snow, The XX, and of course the Perez Hilton Party, go buckwild on some awesome Austin thrift action, and lastly… Give my bestie a birthday she’ll never remember but can’t forget!

If you’re out and about, send me a tweet!

Instead of an emotional hiatus, I’m going to try to power through and suck it up and post. I’m currently traveling and figuring out life. Though I was the one who made the decision to leave, it hasn’t made it any easier. Thankfully, Jack and Cokes numb painfully long flights, memorable sunsets, and surprise “Welcome Back/Happy Belated Birthday” parties, Sprinkles, and caloric crazy cakeballs are all helping me cope. I have the most amazing people in my life, near and far, and I never want to take that for granted.

P.S.  Making slight changes to the site, hope you’re enjoying it!  Share on Facebook, ReTweet it, or leave a comment via Disqus because hey, I could use a little loving in my life about now.  ^_^

Photo Credit: Me

Just wanted to share a little Valentine’s Day love with y’all. I miss the days of elementary school, you know where you’d sit in class creating and decorating baskets to hold all of your potential goodies. The irreplaceable rush from shopping for special valentines and gifts for that first crush. Ohhhh, and having my mom help hot glue charms and knick knacks to make the ultimate card ever for the first boy who stole my heart in first grade. Oh, Peter how I loved you so… until my basket was overflowing with other potential suitors. Perhaps that was the boycrazy turning point (Mama dukes still thinks it was in pre-school with the playdough saga).

I wish I could say I’m a huge fan of V-Day, but it’s more like relationship D-Day this year. So while all you lovebirds are stuffing your faces with fancy dinners and chocolates & champagne; I’ll be busting my ass on the Santa Monica Stairs and biking from Santa Monica to Venice and back. Gotta get the mind & body right…

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours <3