Style Inspiration

Designer: Matthew Williamson

His use of color, prints and texture give us a fresh way to create a bohemian chic look.

 

New York Market Week!

Ellie trying on some looks from the showroom. 

Freepeople, we love oh so much. 

Jenny has got to be the most gorgeous mom prego ever. 

Bella Jonas from Paris

One of our favorites from Minnie Rose! 

Brightly twisted scarves and color patterns are back for Spring. Get your tie dye on ;)

More updates to come! See what new and exciting items are headed to our store for Spring/Summer!!

Style Inspo: Wendy's Lookbook

Wendy is one of our top favorite bloggers who flawlessly exudes posh and elegance. Her use of color combination, texture and layering are the perfect examples of how to be fun with your look, while  not being too over the top. Here are our favorite looks from her blog this week. Get inspired! 

Daily Om: Inspiration

February 20, 2013 Learning from the Big Picture Cycle of Life by Madisyn Taylor While we are on earth we are all human beings in different phases of our lives and soul development. As we walk through the world, the people we encounter appear so different from one another. We see babies, old men, pregnant women, and teenaged boys. We know couples on the verge of marriage and lonely widows. We interact with toddlers and the terminally ill. As different as each person seems, they are all living the human experience. They are just at different places in the cycle that begins with birth and ends with death. Every phase of the cycle of life has its gifts and its challenges. Each stage is temporary and ultimately gives way to a new phase. This ephemeral quality makes each phase precious, because it will never last.  One of the wonderful qualities possessed by babies and young children is that they are unaware that a cycle of life even exists. They simply are present to wherever they happen to be right now, and they don’t give much thought to the past or future. Being around them reminds us of the joy that comes from living fully in the moment. On the opposite end of life’s cycle are our elderly role models. They are a reminder that each phase of life should be treasured. Time does pass, and we all change and grow older.  Being aware of the cycle of life and our place in it makes us wiser. As we develop a true appreciation for the phase we are in, we can savor it more. A new mother going through a difficult time with her infant can more easily embrace her challenges because she knows that her child will grow up, and she will long for this time again. Difficult and challenging periods are inevitable, but – like everything that is a part of the cycle of life – they are temporary. When we are fully engaged with life, we get to savor and grow from each phase, and we are ready for the next one when it arrives. Fully embracing wherever you are in the cycle of life is the very essence to happiness.

February 20, 2013 Learning from the Big Picture Cycle of Life by Madisyn Taylor While we are on earth we are all human beings in different phases of our lives and soul development. As we walk through the world, the people we encounter appear so different from one another. We see babies, old men, pregnant women, and teenaged boys. We know couples on the verge of marriage and lonely widows. We interact with toddlers and the terminally ill. As different as each person seems, they are all living the human experience. They are just at different places in the cycle that begins with birth and ends with death. Every phase of the cycle of life has its gifts and its challenges. Each stage is temporary and ultimately gives way to a new phase. This ephemeral quality makes each phase precious, because it will never last.  One of the wonderful qualities possessed by babies and young children is that they are unaware that a cycle of life even exists. They simply are present to wherever they happen to be right now, and they don’t give much thought to the past or future. Being around them reminds us of the joy that comes from living fully in the moment. On the opposite end of life’s cycle are our elderly role models. They are a reminder that each phase of life should be treasured. Time does pass, and we all change and grow older.  Being aware of the cycle of life and our place in it makes us wiser. As we develop a true appreciation for the phase we are in, we can savor it more. A new mother going through a difficult time with her infant can more easily embrace her challenges because she knows that her child will grow up, and she will long for this time again. Difficult and challenging periods are inevitable, but – like everything that is a part of the cycle of life – they are temporary. When we are fully engaged with life, we get to savor and grow from each phase, and we are ready for the next one when it arrives. Fully embracing wherever you are in the cycle of life is the very essence to happiness.

February 20, 2013

Learning from the Big Picture

Cycle of Life

by Madisyn Taylor

While we are on earth we are all human beings in different phases of our lives and soul development.

As we walk through the world, the people we encounter appear so different from one another. We see babies, old men, pregnant women, and teenaged boys. We know couples on the verge of marriage and lonely widows. We interact with toddlers and the terminally ill. As different as each person seems, they are all living the human experience. They are just at different places in the cycle that begins with birth and ends with death. Every phase of the cycle of life has its gifts and its challenges. Each stage is temporary and ultimately gives way to a new phase. This ephemeral quality makes each phase precious, because it will never last. 

One of the wonderful qualities possessed by babies and young children is that they are unaware that a cycle of life even exists. They simply are present to wherever they happen to be right now, and they don’t give much thought to the past or future. Being around them reminds us of the joy that comes from living fully in the moment. On the opposite end of life’s cycle are our elderly role models. They are a reminder that each phase of life should be treasured. Time does pass, and we all change and grow older. 

Being aware of the cycle of life and our place in it makes us wiser. As we develop a true appreciation for the phase we are in, we can savor it more. A new mother going through a difficult time with her infant can more easily embrace her challenges because she knows that her child will grow up, and she will long for this time again. Difficult and challenging periods are inevitable, but – like everything that is a part of the cycle of life – they are temporary. When we are fully engaged with life, we get to savor and grow from each phase, and we are ready for the next one when it arrives. Fully embracing wherever you are in the cycle of life is the very essence to happiness.

Top Favs from New Merch! 2.20

The perfect black knit dress by Minnie Rose, everyone MUST own this! Pair with this tribal printed cardigan and some booties! ;)

Yay Spring is here!! This dress pairs great with the Splendid denim top or Seven for Mankind Denim Jacket while it's still a bit chilly!

Fun breezy tank with cool tie dye effect!

In love with this melon striped cashmere pow wow by Minnie Rose! Looks great with an ombre scarf by Joie, we have many other colors, come in to see!!

Cocunut Curry Sauce Receipe from Girls Gone Strong

• Raw organic coconut butter
• Canned coconut milk (or organic chicken broth)
• Steamed broccoli florets (I prefer small pieces)
• Shredded carrots
• Red or vidalia onion
• Baby bella mushrooms
• Garlic salt or fresh garlic and sea salt
• Curry powder
• Dash of cinnamon, if desired
• Crushed red pepper or minced fresh jalapeno
• Shrimp (cooked or uncooked) or chicken-or really any protein source for that matter

• Depending on your protein choice, you may need to cook separately and set aside. I suggest cooking to almost done, and then simmering in the sauce.
• Caramelize the onions: Slice very thinly and add to a lightly greased pan set on high. After stirring for one minute, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the food.
• In a separate pan, brown the mushrooms. Don’t crowd them or they won’t brown! Instead they will get soggy.
• Set aside mushrooms, onions, meat and add a Tablespoon of coconut butter to a sauce pan on medium-high heat.
• Add a 1/4 cup coconut milk (or a 1/2 cup broth), as well as garlic salt, pinch of curry and red peppers. Stir, and bring to a low boil, the reduce heat to low-medium. Add the rest of the ingredients, and stir to coat. If you want your sauce thinner, add more liquid. If you want it thicker, keep the heat higher to thicken.

PL Private Event

A few shots from last night's private event at our Solana Beach store! So much fun, and so many yummy treats to eat ;) Call us if you'd like to have your private shopping event at our stores with your friends! 

Health: Broiled Fish with Shiitake

Our latest fav dinner recipe from Whole Foods!

Ingredients: 

• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup chopped stemmed shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup uncooked Bhutanese red rice
• 1 3/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 (4- to 6-ounce) tilapia, flounder or Dover sole fillets
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 small orange, very thinly sliced

Method: 

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onions and mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent and mushrooms have wilted, about 5 minutes.

Add rice and toast, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Add broth and bay leaf, stir well, bring to a boil and then cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer until all of the moisture is absorbed, about 40 minutes. Set pot aside off of the heat, covered, for 15 minutes; remove and discard bay leaf and fluff rice with a fork. Set aside, uncovered.

Arrange a rack about 8 inches from the heating element in your oven; preheat broiler. Arrange fish on an oiled foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil until almost cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide orange slices among the fillets, arranging them over the top of each and return to the oven. Broil until fish is cooked through and oranges are deep golden brown around edges, 2 to 3 minutes more. 

Spoon pilaf onto plates and top with fillets. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Info: 

PER SERVING:530 calories (100 from fat), 12g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 70mg cholesterol, 810mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (5g dietary fiber, 3g sugar), 43g protein

Top Favorite Picks from New Merch

Elizabeth and James: Create a chic look by pairing this blouse with black skinny jeans and over the knee heeled/flat boots. Add a long gold statement necklace to complete the look. You can never go wrong with black and gold ;)

Joie: pair this with black tights and booties/tall boots when it's cold, and wedges when it's a little more warm!

Peace Love World: The perfect lounge sweater that's unique and comfy :)

Valentines Day Chocolate Truffle

Ingredients
For the Ganache:
21 ounces bittersweet chocolate
18 ounces (generous 2 cups) heavy cream
2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, softened
2 ounces (1/4 cup) orange liqueur or raspberry vodka (optional)
For the Coating:
3 pounds bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
2 1/2 cups shredded coconut, toasted
2 cups nuts, toasted and finely chopped

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/chocolate-truffles-recipe4/index.html?oc=linkback

Directions

1. Chop the chocolate: Use a chef's knife to chop the chocolate as finely as possible; this will help it melt quickly and evenly. Then place it in a medium glass bowl. (Glass retains heat, so the chocolate will stay melted longer.)
   
   Make the ganache: Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until bubbles form around the edge. Remove from the heat and add about one-fourth of the chocolate; whisk until smooth. Slowly pour the cream mixture over the remaining chocolate in the bowl and let sit until the chocolate melts, about 30 seconds. Puree the melted chocolate with an immersion blender or beat with a whisk until all the lumps disappear and the ganache is smooth. Stir in the butter until smooth, then add liqueur, if desired. (Jacques adds the liqueur last, so the flavor doesn't cook off.)
   
   Pour and set: Line a rimmed baking sheet with plastic wrap, leaving a 2-foot overhang on one side. Pour the ganache onto the baking sheet and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Fold the plastic wrap back over and press directly onto the surface of the ganache. Let cool at room temperature at least 4 hours or overnight.
   
   For the truffles: Using two teaspoons, scoop small mounds of the ganache onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Set aside until firm enough to roll, about 15 minutes in the refrigerator or 2 hours at room temperature.
   
   Roll into balls: Place the chocolate mounds between both palms, squeeze slightly and roll. Refrigerate until ready to coat.
   
   Temper the chocolate: This is a gentle melting and cooling process that gives chocolate a glossy finish. For the coating, place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until melted, about 40 minutes. Pour into a clean glass bowl; stir to cool to between 88 degrees and 90 degrees, about 40 minutes. (Jacques recommends a laser thermometer for checking the temperature.)
   
   Dip and coat: Spread out the cocoa powder, coconut and nuts on parchment paper. One at a time, dip each truffle in the tempered chocolate with a two-prong dipping fork (you can buy one at a baking-supply store or break off the middle tines of a plastic fork). Lift the truffle and let the excess chocolate drip off. Roll in toppings and place on a rack to dry. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
   
   
   
   Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/chocolate-truffles-recipe4/index.html?oc=linkback

Inspo from the Concrete Runway

Skinny blue jeans, plain or printed loose fitted tea and over size coat/blazer are a great combo for staying city chic.

Dress it up a bit with black leather skinnies, button up blouse and over size blazer. 

Business-chic can be mastered with the right texture and color combo. Keep it neutral by pairing a printed or textured blouse with a tweed pencil skirt. Or pair a plain white bliuse with a neutral pencil skirt, and a fun jacket to spice up the overall look. 

Black skinnies are great with a simply chambray and elaborate chocker necklace!

For our more daring ladies, pair neon yellows with royal blues for complementary color matching, and add thick jewelry to complete the street savvy look. 

Keep it casual with a pair of nude pumps, button up short sleeve blouse, and those good ole skinny jeans. ;)

Sheer black tights and black leather shorts are always a win. Pair these with a metallic or textured blazer and neutral blouse/tee :)

Daily Om: Letting the Curves Take You

February 8, 2013 Letting the Curves Take You Control by Madisyn Taylor The answer to control is practicing surrender. Trying to maintain control in this life is a bit like trying to maintain control on a roller coaster. The ride has its own logic and is going to go its own way, regardless of how tightly you grip the bar. There is a thrill and a power in simply surrendering to the ride and fully feeling the ups and downs of it, letting the curves take you rather than fighting them. When you fight the ride, resisting what’s happening at every turn, your whole being becomes tense and anxiety is your close companion. When you go with the ride, accepting what you cannot control, freedom and joy will inevitably arise.  As with so many seemingly simple things in life, it is not always easy to let go, even of the things we know we can’t control. Most of us feel a great discomfort with the givens of this life, one of which is the fact that much of the time we have no control over what happens. Sometimes this awareness comes only when we have a stark encounter with this fact, and all our attempts to be in control are revealed to be unnecessary burdens. We can also cultivate this awareness in ourselves gently, by simply making surrender a daily practice. At the end of our meditation, we might bow, saying, “I surrender to this life.” This simple mantra can be repeated as necessary throughout the day, when we find ourselves metaphorically gripping the safety bar.  We can give in to our fear and anxiety, or we can surrender to this great mystery with courage. When we see people on a roller coaster, we see that there are those with their faces tight with fear and then there are those that smile broadly, with their hands in the air, carried through the ride on a wave of freedom and joy. This powerful image reminds us that often the only control we have is choosing how we are going to respond to the ride.

February 8, 2013 Letting the Curves Take You Control by Madisyn Taylor The answer to control is practicing surrender. Trying to maintain control in this life is a bit like trying to maintain control on a roller coaster. The ride has its own logic and is going to go its own way, regardless of how tightly you grip the bar. There is a thrill and a power in simply surrendering to the ride and fully feeling the ups and downs of it, letting the curves take you rather than fighting them. When you fight the ride, resisting what’s happening at every turn, your whole being becomes tense and anxiety is your close companion. When you go with the ride, accepting what you cannot control, freedom and joy will inevitably arise.  As with so many seemingly simple things in life, it is not always easy to let go, even of the things we know we can’t control. Most of us feel a great discomfort with the givens of this life, one of which is the fact that much of the time we have no control over what happens. Sometimes this awareness comes only when we have a stark encounter with this fact, and all our attempts to be in control are revealed to be unnecessary burdens. We can also cultivate this awareness in ourselves gently, by simply making surrender a daily practice. At the end of our meditation, we might bow, saying, “I surrender to this life.” This simple mantra can be repeated as necessary throughout the day, when we find ourselves metaphorically gripping the safety bar.  We can give in to our fear and anxiety, or we can surrender to this great mystery with courage. When we see people on a roller coaster, we see that there are those with their faces tight with fear and then there are those that smile broadly, with their hands in the air, carried through the ride on a wave of freedom and joy. This powerful image reminds us that often the only control we have is choosing how we are going to respond to the ride.

February 8, 2013

Letting the Curves Take You

Control

by Madisyn Taylor

The answer to control is practicing surrender.

Trying to maintain control in this life is a bit like trying to maintain control on a roller coaster. The ride has its own logic and is going to go its own way, regardless of how tightly you grip the bar. There is a thrill and a power in simply surrendering to the ride and fully feeling the ups and downs of it, letting the curves take you rather than fighting them. When you fight the ride, resisting what’s happening at every turn, your whole being becomes tense and anxiety is your close companion. When you go with the ride, accepting what you cannot control, freedom and joy will inevitably arise. 

As with so many seemingly simple things in life, it is not always easy to let go, even of the things we know we can’t control. Most of us feel a great discomfort with the givens of this life, one of which is the fact that much of the time we have no control over what happens. Sometimes this awareness comes only when we have a stark encounter with this fact, and all our attempts to be in control are revealed to be unnecessary burdens. We can also cultivate this awareness in ourselves gently, by simply making surrender a daily practice. At the end of our meditation, we might bow, saying, “I surrender to this life.” This simple mantra can be repeated as necessary throughout the day, when we find ourselves metaphorically gripping the safety bar. 

We can give in to our fear and anxiety, or we can surrender to this great mystery with courage. When we see people on a roller coaster, we see that there are those with their faces tight with fear and then there are those that smile broadly, with their hands in the air, carried through the ride on a wave of freedom and joy. This powerful image reminds us that often the only control we have is choosing how we are going to respond to the ride.

Style Collage Update!

Katie styled the perfect day time-fierce look with a black dress, top knot bun, lots of layered jewelry and arm candy ;)

Victoria wearing our last Rory Beca dress and Missoni pumps!

Katie rocking this boho chic looks with layered jewelry, a tied blouse and our fav Missoni flats.