Concrete Oasis

The final destination, Los Angeles, California!

We rolled into Santa Monica just in time to watch the sun slip below the horizon before heading to dinner at one of my favorite LA spots, Cassia. We said goodbye to our beloved Volvo and checked in to the Hollywood Proper Residences. Before I moved to Provence I had anticipated ending up in L.A., an easier lifestyle than New York but still full of creative types doing interesting things. Well.. that didn’t happen because I fell madly in love with France. But I still wanted to know what it might feel like living in L.A. so I didn’t want to stay in a hotel. I tried a new private apartment / home booking service called Oasis which blurs the line between AirBnB type home rentals and a hotel. The apartments are meticulously curated so you don’t have to look through hundreds of listings to find a gem, and you know when you show up it’s going to be nice with fresh towels and linens. You have a 24-hour concierge they call sidekicks and upgrade options to welcome you, from a stocked bar to arrival snacks. They also partner with hip local businesses to offer you discounts at places like gyms or exclusive reservations at recommended bars and restaurants. They are in cities all around the world and I loved the entire experience. If you are a loyalty programs person, you can earn Hyatt points when you @staywithoasis!

Most of the time I spent in L.A. was full of meetings. My managers are there, many of my friends, book agents and gallerists as well. I tried as many new L.A. eats as possible and hit up some of my old favorites which is all been updated in this food guide to L.A. 

I think my favorite new discoveries, however, are Arcana Books with an impressive collection of art books, cocktails at the back bar at Cafe Stella, and sushi hand rolls especially at Sugarfish and KazuNori. Oh… and drinks on the roof at sunset of the Hollywood Proper are what movie star dreams are made of…. 

Snapshots from Los Angeles

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After heading out to L.A. to experience the Sound of Luxury we decided to make it a long weekend…why would you not, it was 18 degrees in New York at that time. We rented the most amazing Airbnb industrial loft in Marina del Rey to hide out in when we weren’t experiencing all the best food L.A. had to offer. Mostly, I wanted to just cruise around and play in the sun, dance in the light, and feel the ocean spray on my face. Here are snapshots from a weekend in Los Angeles shot on black & white 35mm film with the camera I first learned how to take photos with…

Los_Angeles_2016_03 While in Guatemala I discovered Swedish designer Rodebjer whom I’ve since fell in love with. Above, wearing Rodebjer’s white shirt dress that allows you to unbutton the front, back and sides in any conformation to change it from a shirt to a dress to the perfect beach coverup. Los_Angeles_2016_04 Continue reading “Snapshots from Los Angeles”

EAT L.A.

EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A.

It’s that time of year in which every New Yorker says… “Maybe I should move to L.A.”. I’ve been very resistant to the idea of the perpetual perfect 72 and sunny day, being the proud New Yorker I am I declare things like “I like seasons” and “I hate driving”. But…. when it’s 18 degrees and dark most of the day I find myself singing a different tune.

So, I decided to focus on something I do best: eating well. I love food. I love GOOD food. I love beautiful food. I love weird food. And if I’m going to ever really consider making the popular migration west, I want to know what’s the skinny on one of my favorite activities… and here is what I found when you Eat L.A.


Favorite Food Spots in Los Angeles

Salazar || Cafe Stella || Milo & Olive || Malibu Farm || Alimento || KazuNori || Rose Cafe || Republique || Petit Trois – ||Odys and Penelope || Bestia ||Cassia || Trois Familia || Guisados || Salt Air ||Guerrilla Tacos ||Tasting Kitchen || Verve || Love & Salt || The Bunglow || Salt & Straw ||Redbird || Gjusta || Sqirl || Sycamore Kitchen || Osteria Mozza || Jon & Vinny’s || Rustic Canyon || Maré || Sugarfish || Destroyer || Pizzeria Mozza || Sotto || Eightfold Coffee || Ostrich Farm || Baco Mercat || Las Perlas || Mercado || Father’s Office

EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A. EAT L.A., a photographers guide to best and most photogenic restaurants in L.A.

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Sound of Luxury

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Sound has the power to take you through time, back to places or moments you want to last forever. Like an intoxicating spell, it provides the power to dream in the future, feel in the present, and dance into your past in a way no other sense can. And if you can harness that power of sound, of music, why not have it wrapped elegantly around you? A journey can truly begin not only with where the vehicle physically takes you, but where your heart and soul want to go, too…

I recently spent a weekend in L.A. with the Lincoln Motor Company experiencing their “Sound of Luxury” pod, which celebrated their new 2016 MKX model by making use of the power of Revel speakers in a 360-degree sound experience that took you out of our world and into another. As one guest put it, “It was like being inside a piano.”

We had the opportunity to interview Kevin Voecks, the sound engineer for this groundbreaking experience within each and every Lincoln MKX equipped with Revel; Paola Prestini, who composed the original score for this special weekend event; and a few of the special guests invited along on this ride where sound touches on that universal thread of human emotion that we all share…

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Above, stepping into the new Lincoln MKX with available Revel Ultima Audio System shown to begin the experience. 

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Speaking with Kevin Voecks Revel sound engineer, on the importance of designing a system customized to the environment:

“The better the music sounds, the more it affects you, the more the emotional component is conveyed.” – Kevin Voecks

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L.A. Lady

NYDJ Summer 2015 photographed in Los Angeles, California

I was recently introduced to one of the most successful jean brands in the country, NYDJ. The relationship started when they sent me a pair of jeans to try out, which have now become my go-to photoshoot pants not only for their comfort but the fact they stretch slightly, making moving more functional and my job easier. I also like the fact they are slightly high-waisted and when she complimented me on the fit I knew there was something here.

Furthering the relationship, NYDJ sent me on a west coast adventure around Southern California with a suitcase full of their new summer looks to try on and wear out. For a week I lived in NYDJ and here is what I have to say – not only do the clothes travel well, they are easy to dress up or dress down making the unexpected travel plans manageable while still appearing completely put together on the outside and incredibly comfortable on the inside. What you don’t see is how they manage to do that. On the inside of the dresses they have a built in second layer that is similar to shape-wear, but not uncomfortable or constricting. It makes a flattering support system that keeps everything smooth and pretty while still allowing you to move, eat, sit and play with ease. It actually gave me more confidence while wearing dresses that showed off my natural figure.

I’ll be honest, this was a brutal winter in New York causing me at one point to actually take a cab four blocks home because I was too cold to carry on. This, in contrast to the endless snapchats of L.A. friends wearing tank tops and having backyard pizza parties in mid-February, was just cruel. I was happy to get out of New York which still seems to be slowly awakening into spring. I wanted to be surrounded by a color other than gray and something to do other than work 28 hours a day. Funny enough, I’m not the only one that feels this way. While in L.A. I woke up to a handful of texts, emails, tweets, snaps saying “did you read this!?”,  with a link to a New York Times article on just the sentiment I was living. It also didn’t help the case for New York that we were able to borrow a Jaguar F-Type convertible and spent the entire week with the top down, wind in our hair, and that sweet smell of honeysuckle wafting by.

Here are some of my favorite NYDJ summer looks and the great discoveries to be had along that gorgeous California coast….

 NYDJ Summer 2015 photographed in Los Angeles, California

Above and below- watching the sunset in a Jaguar F-Type convertible in the canyons in NYDJ’s Rosella Stretch Crepe Drape Dress, Phillips House earrings, and Phillips House “Love Always” bracelet before heading to dinner at Giorgio Baldi

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We chose to stay in Santa Monica, just a few blocks from the ocean, at the Palihouse which we loved. Below, leaving in NYDJ’s Maia Jumpsuit (FAVORITE), Maiyet gold bangle, Schutz Juliana heels and Kotur clutch to meet friends at Jones Hollywood for a cocktail and then live show of our NYC friend that happened to be out in L.A. Matt Sucich.

 NYDJ Summer 2015 photographed in Los Angeles, California   NYDJ Summer 2015 photographed in Los Angeles, California Continue reading “L.A. Lady”

Backyard Pizza Party!

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I met Gaby a few years ago on a trip through Chile and then later we were travel companions again through Brazil. We bonded over Pisco Soursred lips, and avocados (Gaby is VERY serious about them). I taught her the term “on brand” as a way to get in or out of any situation, and she taught me that slutty brownies are the greatest thing on Earth. Gaby is that west coast girl I fantasize I could be- healthy, fit, tan, on it, bikes everywhere, doesn’t drink eight cups of coffee a day like I do, and makes the most amazing food on the internets.

When she found out we were heading west to LA this week she called up her best friends and creative soul mates: food photographer Matt Armendariz and food & prop stylist Adam Pearson and threw together a backyard pizza party in our honor. Knowing that Ecco Domani pairs well with pizza parties, Kevin and I brought over a mirage of wines by Ecco Domani to pair with the different style pizzas from the red Merlot to the Pinot Grigio and ended the night sipping on the sweet prosecco by the outdoor fire.

Being a New Yorker, anytime I get to go to someone’s freestanding home is thrilling, and this backyard setup was one of the best I’ve ever been to. Matt and Adam have been working together for 10 years as a photography & styling duo for multiple cookbooks and industry giants such as the Food Network and in the new media world for places like Gaby’s site. Aside from curating a beautiful historic 1920’s Long Beach Home, running a successful studio that banks on editorial style and natural light, they were also married seven years ago on the first day same sex marriage became legal in California.

Cooking, eating, and hanging out with three major foodies comes with a bounty of tips and new recipes to update your traditional pizza. Pizza is one of mine and Kevin’s favorite at-home meals which typically occurs on Sunday night paired with a bottle of red wine and Game of Thrones. Of course it would be different taking this pizza party out west with old friends and new. Matt and Adam set up a pizza topping station where you could customize your own pie while we all hung out, caught up on our world travels, enjoying that perfect LA weather with our California sun kissed skin.

It’s nice to be reminded that the best things in life are shared memories with friends over good food and great wine. I hope this inspires you to have your own pizza party with friends or family and try out one of the recipes below and, of course, any pizza can only made better with a bottle of Ecco Domani.

 {PS- I brought one of my old Polaroid cameras some impossible film to take some instant party pics, the kind you can hold on to and rediscover one day in an old shoe box. You’ll see some of the moments developed below!} 

Scroll down for new recipe ideas and pizza cooking tips Adam & Gaby!

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For your pizza party, arrange jars of a variety of ingredients for guests to mix and match their favorite flavors and try to add some surprises such as roasted corn, jalapeño, green onions and soy-rizo (soy version of chorizo!).

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We always make our own dough, it’s so easy and makes the whole pizza process even more fun. Gaby’s recipe for homemade pizza doughContinue reading “Backyard Pizza Party!”

Soniat House

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When we were planning our travels to New Orleans to shoot our latest inspiring woman, Christina Graci, I knew I wanted to stay someplace magical, a true “N’awlins” gem: and I found it in the French Quarter’s Soniat House.

We fell in love with the warm Southern charm, the friendly hotel cat, and of course the amazing breakfasts. Now, you go down south for the music and the cocktails, but the food was the shining star of this trip.

We loved the classic French Quarter fare of Marti’s and the modern casual elegance of Lilette in the beautiful Garden District’s Magazine Street. If we are talking about simple pleasures, a cocktail (or two or three) at Bouligny Tavern is the perfect way to end the day in the Big Easy. And you know… I can never come to New Orleans without always stopping in for a few of these….

All of this is barely scratching the surface of all this great American city has to offer…New Orleans, I’ll be back for you…

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Christina’s Guide to New Orleans

Yesterday we heard all about the life of our Southern muse, Christina Graci…and today we get insider knowledge about all her favorite New Orleans hot spots! A city so full of culture, life, music, color, food and amazing shopping, it’s no wonder it’s one of the fastest growing cities in America. So here’s the scoop!

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Above & Below~ Christina is wearing a vintage dress from an estate sale, shoes by Roger Vivier, vintage tassel earrings, a vintage ocelot leopard belt, and HopeConfidence, and Stability Charms by Pandora Jewelry.

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New Orleans Museum of Art

“Museums are my favorite places to go alone or with my brother, Chad.  I am fascinated with history and culture so I truly find visiting the museum enlightening and so peaceful.  The architecture of NOMA is beautiful too.  It is located in City Park and has great exhibits.  What more could you ask for?!”

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Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

Last weekend Kevin and I got to escape the crisp fall air of the east coast and join our Veuve Clicquot friends in sunny California for a perfect Saturday of polo and bubbles. The west coast did not let us down with its beautiful people, bevy of celebrity, the CUTEST polo players and endless sunshine set amongst a 1922 New Delhi themed event. It was really torture… muwha.

Welcome to Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Los Angeles, California~

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