Chic Places

I don’t quite know where to begin in describing the magic of San Ysidro Ranch . Located right off the Santa Barbara coast, tucked between the lovely residential area of Montecito and canyons, the property is everything I love: plush greenery, romance and an undeniable charm. I came here right around sunset for a lovely dinner with my special guy and left with a heart filled with admiration and a borderline obsession with this idyllic place. It truly stole my heart, and here’s

My favorite thing about Los Angeles would have to be the almost perfect climate. Second, would be the city’s proximity to so many other absolutely beautiful places, like Carmel by the Sea, Santa Barbara, Ojai, Del Mar, Laguna Beach, Napa, and of course, Palm Springs! Palm Springs is a resort town in the desert, known for it’s mid-century architecture, making it truly feel like a blast back to the 70’s, straight out of Slim Aarons’ poolside gossip! Here are some of the places

If you know me, or follow me on social media, then you are fully aware of my obsession with the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel . So when a good friend wanted to stay for her 25th birthday, I knew it’d be a memorable staycation, and that it was! Enjoy. Birthday = champs and yes, The Beverly Hills Hotel has their own champagne label, rightfully pink and served with delicious chocolate covered strawberries. We decked the room with pretty pink flowers and put on our white robes stat

On my most recent visit to my hometown of Chicago, I discovered another favorite place. Let’s just say the new RH flagship store has put the restoration right into a classic piece of Old Chicago. And the result is spectacular. Enjoy! { via restoration hardware } The building, positioned right in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, was formally a club and home for creative women in the arts, known as the three arts club. The space became a historical landmark in 1981 and ha

I'm ready to move in!!! Xx, Monica

If I could snap my finger and appear somewhere magically on vacation it would most definitely be this amazing pool scene captured by the classic lifestyle photographer, Slim Aarons at Hotel du Cap Eden Roc in the south of France. As much as I love the holiday season and all the cold weather festivities, I just can’t help but swoon over the resort wear collections every year and even more so the breathtaking resorts their respective inspiration comes from. Unfortunately, I ha

It’s the most wonderful time of the year; parties, family, friends, gifts, giving, food, festivities, generalized merriness, and the MONTANA AVENUE HOLIDAY WALK . It’s a night of fun on one my favorite streets in Los Angeles, where almost every shop stays open and celebrates the season with festive drinks, goodies, and good sales. Rumor has it Santa tends to show up too. So in the spirit of the holiday season, here’s you’re shopping guide, one lovely stop on my favorite Mont

Faith and Flower has become my absolute favorite restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. It’s decorated beautifully, like Gatsby’s 1920’s mansion. The food is equally spectacular, particularly their dinner menu. A few favorites of mine: the deviled jidori eggs, oxtail agnolotti, roasted mushroom pizza, and young leaf lettuce salad. I haven’t yet tried the cookie board for dessert, but I can already tell you it’s fabulous. This place is a definite must try for any time spent dow

My favorite day in Los Angeles just came and went at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic! The sun was out, the grass was green and the rosé was flowing. Polo ponies, pastels & champs. What more could a girl ask for? Enjoy. Every other year I’ve worn a dress but this time I wanted to change it up. So I decided to go back to basics; big stripes, a little flare, and my favorite tassel. I received so many tassel shoe compliments, they can be found here , hopefully they aren’t sold

I’ve lived in Los Angeles now for four years and it honestly feels like home. People are always coming to visit my bestie and I, and I must say, we are superb hosts! We love entertaining and showing off this beautiful city that now feels all so familiar! Naturally, I intend to share some of my absolute favorites. Disclaimer, this list started much longer, however, I narrowed it down to my personal best! More city guides and hotspots to come, I promise, enjoy! 1. The Beverly

One of the things I love most about living in California is the subtle luxury that seems to penetrate the lifestyle. Perhaps it’s easily attributable to the combination of a comfortable climate, naturally resplendent landscape and rich culture. Despite the typical flash I see from most Los Angeles based jewelers, I’ve found that oh so demure elegance here, with the just the right amount of opulence. Terry Snider Jewelry is understated and yet breathtaking at the same time: it

Gray Malin has quickly won my heart with his dreamy leisure photography. He literally nails the simple elegance of some of the most sophisticated cities, colorful pop art contrasts and chic beach destinations. But for me, none are more inviting then his bright and blue scenes off the spellbinding cliffs of the Italian coast. My day dreams are now consisting of all those colorful striped umbrellas, homemade pastas, loudly colorful head scarves and an afternoon apéritif. I thi

Not sure if I love my birthday more because it’s in the summer or if I love summer more because that’s the season of my birthday. Regardless to say, I truly believe everyone needs to stop whatever they are doing that week and CELEBRATE! I’m lucky to have done just that. I wanted this year to be a simple as possible, as a lot of other things have happened this month of August. I made sure to take the full week off from work and keep it simple, simple like the ocean. { Summery

Well summer is in full swing and I’ve been all over California, traveling from one relaxing weekend to the next! Despite my opportunities for some R&R this summer, I feel as if my to-do lists have been getting longer and longer lately. Isn’t summer about relaxation, ice cream and white dresses? One big constant task on my list this summer was to try leg waxing, something I had always wanted to do for the practicality, umm, who wants to shave every day, especially while on va

After living in Los Angeles for four years, I have finally taken a quick weekend up the coast to the breathtakingly beautiful city of Santa Barbara! We ended up staying in a new Kimpton hotel , The Goodland , located in Goleta, CA, just ten minutes up from downtown SB. The best way to describe this place was California Hipster. The space was relaxed and cool with white washed walls, neutral furniture and ethnic accents. It reminded me slightly of The Bungalow in Santa Mon

Ever since moving to Los Angeles four years ago, I have made an annual Chicago trip each summer. I stopped going back for the winter holiday after my mother realized a palm tree Christmakkah is better then a white one and so this year being no different, I set out to the midwest for some good old #SummertimeChi. Making the most of my time, I hit up all my favorite spots, some new, some old, with my Chicago people along for the ride. Enjoy! { Chicago Summertime Skyline } { Su

Staycation all I ever needed! I had always heard the term “staycation” and chuckled at the frivolity, but to be honest, secretly wanted an excuse to indulge. I do live in Los Angeles, one of the most desirable cities after all. So when the opportunity arose to spend a night of fun with a group of girls I don’t get to see often, I went for it. Lucky for me, my friends found a place just five minutes from home! { Staycation at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel } The Luxe Sunset B

Well, Monica made it Downtown, thank goodness. Living on the Westside of Los Angeles has made me somewhat immune to everything else, DESPITE the fact that I drive all over the city for work! It’s just so easy to miss new territory when you’re stuck in a car, battling traffic, hiding from the sun and ready to get to where you need to be. I have to admit I love spending time being a “local” on the weekends, walking places and avoiding my car and the potential for more traffic,

I realize we have hit sweater weather, yes, even in Los Angeles. However, I couldn’t have left out such an amazing trip from this year. After spending a few days in New York City this summer (one of those days being my 25th birthday) my friends and I traveled a few hours out to an east coast oasis, causally known as, The Hamptons. It’s a wonderful summer spot, a classic strip of East Coast communities. If I could live anywhere between the months of June and August, it would b

Although I spent my actual birthday in New York this year, I decided to celebrate somehow here in Los Angeles, and so naturally a brunch at the Polo Lounge would suffice! The Beverly Hills Hotel is classic Los Angeles glamour. It’s just a great favorite loved by so many locals, tourists and Hollywood icons. It’s that laid back sophistication that sets it apart from everything else in this city. It’s a retreat from the hustle and bustle with a country club/vacation home feel a