CB2: Acrylics, Grays, and Splashes of Color

On a recent trip to CB2 (Crate and Barrel's edgier, more modern sibling) I found some interesting trends in home decor. My favorite trend was the eye-catching neon acrylic accents CB2 had scattered around the store. Acrylic is not exactly a cozy material and can appear cheap if it's overused. Also, neon accents are very trendy in interior design right now, but I think these neon acrylic frames would add the perfect dash of color to any space:

Vase of neon acrylic flowers.

Multicolored-striped armchair.  

Black, white and a splash of red. Love the 'Relax' headboard!

Around L.A.: LACMA

As a resident of Southern California since birth, I'm a little embarrassed to admit that two weeks ago was my first visit to LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art, I know that, thank you very much!) I was pleasantly surprised to discover that LACMA offers free admission to L.A. residents after 5p.m. on weekdays. Looks like I just found an excuse to go more often.

Words can never describe how much I want this huge balloon animal:

Spring/Summer 2012 Ad Campaigns

I love this video. Alice Dellal is one of my favorite models because she always manages to look badass, yet still emulate high fashion. I was so excited to see her work her magic for Chanel's Spring-Summer 2012 collection, check it out:

Lanvin's Spring-Summer 2012 ad was also one of my favorites. I love the upbeat music and the use of stop motion. The snakes and jeweled masks make me feel like I stumbled into a secret soiree:

And although a little strange, a couple of honorable mentions go to Alexander Wang for featuring Die Antwoord in his campaign, and to Missoni for featuring Pedro Almodovar! It's always nice to see artists from different mediums collaborating, even if the result leaves you scratching your head. 

Around L.A.: Some Super Bowl Sunday Sunshine

View from my apartment on Super Bowl Sunday. Yes, that blur on the hills is the Hollywood sign! Turns out iPhones don't make the best cameras.

I've Been Featured! Street Style On 'Just Jasmine'

Check me out! I was featured on Just Jasmine's blog, which has great styling tips and fashion advice. Here's a sneak peak, but check out the rest of the post (and my outfit) on her awesome site!

Courtesy of Just Jasmine

Shameless Food Post: Bricks and Scones

I'm not one to normally post photos of my food, but seriously, how awesome is this latte art?! Creation courtesy of Bricks and Scones in L.A.'s Larchmont Village:

Taste Test: Starbucks Blonde Roast, Veranda Blend

Before I go into my review, you should know that while I love coffee, I have always preferred lighter, more mellow blends. I also happen to not be on the "Charbucks"-hating bandwagon, I truly believe the company makes a good cup of coffee! According to Starbucks' market research, both of these characteristics make me predisposed to like the new Blonde roasts. 

Anyways, on to my review. After much deliberation between the Willow and Veranda blends, I decided on Veranda, which is described as a mellow blend with hints of nuts and cocoa. For the sake of comparison, the Willow blend is meant to have a bright, clean, and citrusy finish. Final verdict? The Blonde Veranda roast is just ok, and to be honest, it's a little bland. It's as if an important flavor note is missing from the blend. There is also a strange aftertaste that follows each sip, an aftertaste that can only be described as 'coffee water'. As mentioned above, this is coming from a coffee drinker that prefers lighter blends. Unfortunately in this case, I think the roasters mixed up 'lighter' with 'flavorless'. If I think it's too bland, I would definitely not recommend the Blonde roasts to someone who enjoys a more full-bodied coffee. Looks like I will be sticking to the Breakfast blend!