Summer interview with my lil sis

Hope you are having a great summer. Well I just come back from a week with my family in L.A. and watched my little brother and sister spend their last days of summer. I love sitting down and documenting D who is a talkative, fashionable, funny, sarcastic little diva and the baby of our family. Can you imagine what it would be like going into 8th grade with an older sister twenty years older then you? (Check out these other interviews I did with D a last year)

So take it away D tell us all about your summer thoughts...

What have you done this summer D?

Hanging out with friends, went on vacation a little bit, went shopping twice a week, water parks, sleepovers, cheer, went to the beach with friends, amusement parks and swimming.

Are you excited for the summer to end?

No, because school is boring and I can't talk during class, but yes because I want to see all of my friends.

Would you have rather gone to camp?

No, I have a strong passionate dislike for camp because they tell you what to do and I'm not with my friends. Since I'm older, this summer I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted like walk to lunch or take the bus to the beach.

*Photo taken by Julie Michelle.

How did you occupy your time and manage your money?

I occupied my time by hanging out with friends every week so every day I hung out with a different friend. I also got $25 a week to spend.

So D did your understanding of money change?

Sometimes I had a lot of the $25 left over and sometimes I spent it all. Getting the allowance taught me how to not to spend it all in one day and if I had more one week then I could use it the next week.

Are you looking forward to the 8th grade? What do you think it will be like?

I'm so excited for 8th grade and I think it's going to be the best year of middle school because it's the last year. We will be in charge of the school, but it won't be too fun because they banned cell phones from school 'cause so many kids were texting in class.

What was it like coming to San Francisco and being a bridesmaid at your sister's wedding?

It was fun and the Hindu ceremony was very long. We got to walk around, talk and not have to sit the entire time. I liked my outfits. It was an honor to be there for you Lala as a bridesmaid.

Thank you so much little sis D. We all loved reading about your summer fun and I can't wait to hear about 8th grade. How will you survive without your cell phone? Tell me sweetie doesn't this interview remind you of your grade school summer fun?

City Christmas window shopping

The holidays are some of my favorite times of the year because of the warmth and lights. I just wish we could celebrate all year round with the same spirit. So I grabbed my camera and went to a couple of cities to share with you some lovely city Christmas window shopping displays.

I loved the warmth of the colors, lights and maybe just maybe we can try some of their cake?

New York display of LV

Amazing window display at New York's Lord & Taylor...I would definitely stop to take a look closer, wouldn't you?

Hold on as I touch up some of my makeup. A girl has to look good even while window shopping!

Stopping for some bubbly is always a good idea just for your tired feet. Can you save some for me?

Ah the famous Christmas window display at the Macy's in San Francisco's Union Square.



I loved this picture of registry plates at Macy's. So festive, but not too over the top.

This is one of my favorite tree displays in Union Square in Neiman Marcus.

That was fun and thank you for coming with me on some virtual Christmas window shopping. I loved shopping without the crowds. Happy holidays to you and to your family! Which city do you love during the holidays?

Hot fashion for the cold weather

So this West Coast girl is currently on the East Coast visiting Boston and New Hampshire. Can you help me find hot fashion for the cold weather? Who goes for a couple of days away during snow storms and negative temperatures...this girl! I know I grew up in Toronto, but I swear my blood has changed. How many layers can a girl wear and still look fashionable?

Let me start by wearing this amazing pale blue coat (in my dreams) with the creative sleeves and out of control collar. There is something about this woman that makes me want to ask her, "Where are you going? Who are you looking at? Are you as cold as I am right now?"

Coffee mug Gifts

No matter how cold it is outside, I can imagine myself warming up by this fire. Maybe I'll just lie down on the comfy chair and throw a blanket over me. Can I borrow one of your books?








This incredible shot is of Pier 40 in San Francisco. I just love the lights of the city and the skyline. This picture makes me think of home and smile.

I just love dressing like a snow bunny. Don't you?





I think these fuzzy boots are the perfect hot fashion accessory for the cold weather. How fab is this woman on the subway? If you're out there please email me and tell me where you got these boots. Was it in New York or Boston? I promise to go out and shop right now! What advice would you give this West Coast gal for staying warm...I just love to travel. For more fun, check out this travel around the world post.

Our love story: Finding the perfect dress

Why do women put so much thought and effort into finding the perfect dress for an event? Well, my frenzy of finding the perfect engagement dress for our last weekend’s engagement party turned out to be a great story. I was still in the store when I said, "I have to post about this."

Thanksgiving drive down: For months I was looking forward to the drive with my Honey from San Francisco to Los Angeles. No matter how much you love spending time with someone, a road trip always tests your patience. On the drive, we drank our coffees, munched on chips, sang some songs and 450 miles later we finally got close to my families home. And then it happened, Honey suggested that we go to the outlet mall before we get there. Sorry Dad, we were so close…

I loved the idea, but I also felt guilt trickle down my spine.

With less than an hour before the stores closed for the holidays, we made it to the outlets. I felt a shopping 'sense of calm' come over me. My good side told me to find some perfume and my bad side told me to find the perfect dress. We ran into a discount perfume store and found holiday sales without the crowds and bought two perfumes for the price of one.

Boom done. Then came the hunt for THE dress.

Next, we ran into the White House/Black Market and Honey grabbed a dress off the rack that he liked. I put it on in the change room and loved it. I even had enough time to try on some pants. I met Honey at the register to pay. I was shocked to see my dress was rung up for only $20 (see dress below).

I looked at my watch and we had enough time for shoes….

I drove the back roads to my family’s home, just in time to wear my $20 dress to the party. And Honey was sworn to secrecy not to tell anyone. He did tell my best friend. Plus I felt pretty, oh so pretty.

It was the best $20 I’ve ever spent!

Liked this post? Check in next week sweetie for part 2 of the engagement party story. Tell me, do you find the perfect dress or does the dress find you? (If you haven't yet, you can catch up with our story here).

Discussing mistakes in a relationship

In a relationship, how do you let your significant other down after you know they’ve tried so hard? Don’t you have to forgive when you know that your sweetie made a mistake with the best of intentions? It can happen in any relationship and with something as simple as helping with groceries.

We were recently at a party, and hanging out with another couple, 'Brian' and 'Kara.' After a couple glasses of wine, Kara came over and to catch up. Kara had recently moved to the city and Brian wanted to help her move, but he was recovering from knee surgery. Kara lives in a fourth floor flat in San Francisco which is difficult for someone on crutches. Trust me, I can tell you! She took excellent care of him and Brian wanted to thank her for her love and hospitality.

What would be the appropriate gift for Brian to give her? Brian thought of getting her a present like flowers or wine, but decided to go more of the practical route. He logged into Safeway.com, and had her groceries delivered. Kara opened the door to see a delivery man with groceries and it felt like an angel had appeared.

Brian had thought long and hard about what groceries to order. Because of Kara’s help he ordered her favorites items and not his. After looking through her treasure chest, in the form of grocery bags, she saw something that disturbed her. It was a box of Triscuits! Why would Triscuits stop her in tracks? Because she’d never had a Triscuit before and this innocent little snack must have been someone else’s favorites like an old girlfriend.

I suggested to her that these Triscuits could have been his sister or mother’s favorites as well. She totally agreed and replied, “Brian got almost everything right.” She went on to say that the delivery man would not accept a tip. So I told her, "You know what you could have done? Tipped him in Triscuits!" Do you think these kinds of relationship mistakes happen all the time? Comment below and tell me one of yours…

Wear white after Labor Day!

Happy Labor day my blogging friends. If you give me your permission, to continue to wear my white flats from Nine West after Labor Day, then I promise to let you wear your favorite white dress at Christmas.

Can you hear the angels singing? Oh I can!

I love this black and white picture? Maybe she's in Brazil or Argentina getting ready to go dancing.


These ballet flats are too cute! Do you think these Marc Jacobs shoes would be comfortable?

A moment of silence please for this fab shoe! Do you ever think twice about wearing white after Labor Day?

Room inspiration: lifestyle color

I love the feeling that I have when I'm in a colorful room, especially when one wall is painted a solid color. (For four years, I lived with a mint green wall in my apartment's family room.) Living in San Francisco you have to be creative with our smaller living space. Which is why I think color can cheer up any room. And then there's something to be said for a clean, white laundry room that has built in cubbies for organization. Is this where I confess to you that if I could, I would live at The Container Store? Yes I really am that girl!

What's new in my makeup bag today?

Yes to tomatoes moisturizer has saved my face during the hot summer months. I also love the $15.99 price tag.




Kitten Stila eyeshadow works on most skin types. Especially if you like the shimmery look.

To get the best results, try using a couple of drops of Vive pro after you've dried your hair. I find if I use too much, my hair gets weighed down.

shu uemura has to be the best eyelash curler I've ever tried. What's the trick to perfectly curled eyelashes? Well, first lightly heat up your curler with a hairdryer, then curl your lashes and add your mascara last. Click here for my favorite mascara...

Revlon beyond natural in nude (04) has an SPF of 15 and lasts for hours. *Hint: To make your lipstick last longer, try adding some powder to your lips beforehand.

Hanae Mori is one of my favorite perfumes. You're bound to get a rave review for its light vanilla scent.

Laura Mercier kir royal sateen eye colour is lovely when paired with the kitten Stila eyeshadow.

For the sun-kissed look, try shimmer waves (compact on the left) from The Body Shop. I love this on my cheeks, but it can also be used as an eyeshadow.

MAC is a great bronzer to use. I use the bronzer sparingly and my MAC shade is refined golden. Comment below and tell me what product do you use to look sun-kissed? Under the Sheets-Shhhh...what's new in your makeup bag?