Have you watched the Sex and the City movie yet? I haven’t. To be honest, I never caught on to the show in its hey day, when I was still in my “just one of the boys” phase - shocking, I know - so I don’t share that same ardor for the show like most women my age. But I’ll catch the film eventually, if just to see what they’ll be wearing. Like SJP wearing this Lake and Stars romper as a top. I’ve been watching this lingerie line for awhile - they’re for the girl who wants something vintage-inspired and comfy, but not grandma either.

I have been following model Charo Ronquillo since I found her pictures on the Fashion Spot. If she looks familiar to you, it’s probably because she currently appears in Target’s Rogan for GO International commercials. At least I think that’s her! Anyway she’s beautiful and fabulously tan - an accurate representation of Filipina beauty and a refreshing departure from the Snow White look. This is one of her more juvenile photos for TJ Maxx, but girl can work high fashion looks just as well as Kate Moss - and Charo is apparently famous for being the Asian version of her.

Well, it was fun while it lasted. The couples are switching partners for the summer and the storylines are getting more and more predictable, but I’ll still watch if only for one reason - I absolutely love these two together:

Blair, in a peony print halter neck bubble dress by Collette Dinnigan, and Chuck, looking fabulously fresh in pink on the season finale of Gossip Girl. [Photo from blairandchuck.com.]

I totally missed this exhibit’s opening this weekend, but the La Femme show will still be around until June 3 at Gallery Nucleus. The women’s only group show includes work by much-blogged-about illustrator Stina Persson and other equally talented female illustrators. This particular piece - Tra La La by Clio Chiang (already sold out!) - caught my eye on the website. So pretty and cheery!

This lovely pair of dresses feeds all of my current spring cravings - sporty stripes, anything blue, and the whole nautical theme that the navy color reminds me of. Kayla Frock and Dahlia Frock, both by Australian brother-and-sister design team Camilla & Marc.

I recently came across Sophie Griotto’s site and it was the first time in quite awhile that a creative find made me smile. Her work is such a breath of fresh air - uncontrived, uncontrolled, and understated in the best ways possible. And just plain freakin’ fun and happy. You can tell this girl loves what she does.

Oh yeah. It’s safe to say that I am obsessed with this line. OB-sessed. Effortless yet thought out, special but not precious. You put one of Development’s dresses on and you feel powerful and feminine at once. Speaking from experience.

Speaking of fashion, I’ve been busy with a fashion show (hence the more-than-usual lack of posts) and am currently looking for sponsors. It’s going to be a fun, sporty, spectacle of an event in L.A. - if this is something you’d like to get your name or product in, let me know.

I’m really into succulents right now. I suppose they’ve become quite the trendy accessory for any design-conscious home or wedding, but my black thumb loves them for their low-maintenance geometric-meets-organic beauty. I picked a few of these little lovelies up over the weekend to make my own arrangement. If you’d like one too but would rather leave the arranging to the pros, Succulent LA will send you one for $45.

I recently moved closer into the city - closer to all the places and things I love. So this week I thought I should share some of my favorite places to eat, shop, and hang out in L.A.:

Tiara Cafe is my place to have brunch on the weekends. It’s a pretty pink palace of a restaurant in the middle of the Fashion District - very fun and frivolous in the most stylish and well-executed way. And very opposite the celebrity-infested Hollywood ultra-lounge that’s so common around here. They serve up lots of organic and locally grown fare that’s unbelievably tasty. And if you’ve ever wondered what the inside of a jewelry box looked like if we could all fit in it - well, this would be it. They even play jewelry box music during lunch.

Sarah Sloboda has an intriguing style of photography, particularly with children. Her photos are neither precious nor precocious, the two categories that such portraits usually fall into. I am also a fan of her blog, the University of Sarah, where she documents her artistic experiments behind - and even in front of - the camera.

I’ve been a fan of Vena Cava’s for quite awhile. I love that you can’t quite put a profile on the kind of girl who wears their clothes. They hit on every element of style - sophistication, bohemian, lady-like, whimsical - and approach their designs in an almost philosophical, worldly way to still end up with something fun and approachable. I truly love them for that. And that they are originally from Los Angeles too.

I haven’t been keeping up with all the fashion shows lately, (or are they over already? I don’t really know) but up & coming Vicente Villarin caught my eye. I love the floaty, layered prettiness weighed down and balanced out with more structural elements. The designs are something familiar and different at the same time.

While doing research on the brand, I found out a bit of a fun tidbit: designer Joanne Cordero Reyes’ mother designed my prom dress! Mother, like daughter, also creates beautiful dresses for weddings and other special events at a local dress shop in the suburb that I grew up in. That is quite the hometown connection.

I found photographer Ramona Rosales flipping through the newest issue of Flaunt Magazine that I picked up at the Flaunt Hennessy party last week. Her work is so up my alley! I love the ironic, almost dark, sense of humor that lies underneath her photos’ glossy surface.

I just got an email from Jin Patisserie in Venice, my favorite place to get macaroons, and I am alerted to two things: 1.) that they are making dark chocolate Easter eggs filled with sea salt caramels, and 2.) that it’s been a long time since I’ve been there. Must go soon. It’s been quite a crazy month, but what’s one more item on the long list of to do’s, right?

You guys! Rachel Bilson is on the cover of this month’s Nylon Magazine! Yes, the unapologetically pseudo-hipster-with-mommy’s-credit-card magazine that I love to hate, but.. anyway, back to Rachel. I love her. Love her, love her, love her. I can’t vouch for her acting ability as I’ve never seen anything she’s been in, but her choice in clothing is always on the money. She always manages to look stylish yet appropriate for anything she’s doing, be it making her rounds at the fashion shows or going to Petco with her dog.  Here she is rocking a familiar Miu Miu dress.

The creator behind one of my favorite graphic design blogs, Graphic Exchange, has some photo prints and stickers for your walls on the site Harmonie Intérieure. I love these images and find myself constantly gravitating towards this derelict yet beautiful and emotive style of design - it’s an especially welcome contrast to the IKEA-esque modern and kitschy styles that are very popular.

I was really inspired by Modern Dog’s approach and outlook on design when they spoke at TypeCon last year. For a design studio so well-known and experienced, they are refreshingly down-to-earth, open, and funny. Not a single self-serving design aphorism for me to quote. 

You might recognize their packaging work for funny products like Dirty Girl and Miso Pretty, and lots of posters from the Northwest music scene. They spoke about their offbeat process behind this particular poster for the Seattle Repertory at the conference - the sweet and serene butterfly image is an imprint of someone’s butt. 

If you like their stuff too, they are commemorating their 20th birthday next month with a brand-new book.

It totally looks like I went out of my way to find today’s very Valentine-y images, but so not the case! Nevertheless I think they are very appropriate for the holiday in very unique ways. This poster by Mia&Jem, another San Francisco design team, is so clever! 

Don’t you wish thought of that too? Redbean has been a design inspiration since I was but a student wishing to go to art school, and now the studio is making cards like the one above to purchase on Etsy. I love how their style perfectly balances spare minimalism and organic ornament, and this card says it all so beautifully and clearly without the fluff and sappiness.

Even if you’re not located in perpetually warm climates like I am, sweet sunny days can be found in the pages of Urban Outfitter’s current catalog. I have been collecting their catalogs since 2003, and this one is the latest to join the inspiration pile. It is light leaks and flares galore, thanks to photographer Clarke Tolton. I’m not sure when they started crediting photographers or if they always have and I just never noticed, but I’m glad they do.

Although in all fairness, I have no immediate access to a pool or grassy fields. Can’t have it all.