From Hollywood to Sweden

(This is our little amphitheater in town, what I like to call our version of the Hollywood Bowl)

I was raised in Los Angeles starting from when I was 5 1/2 (before that I had lived in NYC), and one can only imagine how strange it was for me to move out of a big bustling city to a small town in west Sweden like I did last year. I often get asked why I left LA for Strömstad (the town I live in now), and once I explain that it's because my now-fiancé is from here, people understand, but it is the number one question I get asked when I'm meeting someone new, no doubt.

I grew up in a suburb of LA called Valley Village (back when it was still considered to be North Hollywood), so the word "Hollywood" has always had a strong significance to me (not only because, fun fact!, my dad is an actor so I've grown up in the entertainment industry). I remember going on a summer trip to visit my childhood friend in Atlanta, Georgia, when I was 11 years old. Our moms had signed us both up for tennis camp (I played tennis regularly at that age), and on the very first day, as soon as the other kids found out that I was from LA, they immediately referred to me as "Hollywood" every single day for the next 3 weeks. I wasn't offended by it, but it made me realize that "Hollywood" was a special place to a lot of people, especially to people who had never been there and had always fantasized about it, like these kids at the camp. 

Do you remember watching the movie Hocus Pocus? I mean, who doesn't if you grew up in the 90s, but the main character (Max, coincidentally enough) went through the exact same thing when he moved to Salem from LA. The two guys he met in the cemetery on the way home from his first day of school teased him, called him "Hollywood" and stole his shoes. Luckily my shoes were never stolen, and I wasn't totally offended by being called Hollywood, but I always found it funny, and the older I get, the prouder I am of being from there. So when I saw this sweater on Joanie Clothing's website, I knew I HAD to have it.

Since moving to Sweden, I've discovered that I find the most comfort in surrounding myself with clothing and even home goods that make me feel connected to my old hometown, and that definitely includes this jumper. It's soft as can be, can be thrown on with a pair of denim and converse, or can be dressed up tucked into a skirt with a cute pair of flats like in these photos I'm sharing here! I plan on wearing it all spring and summer, and into the fall, too.

*gifted*

Link to the Oscar Hollywood Slogan Jumper can be found by clicking this link HERE

Hanging on the Telephone

The other day, I went exploring around Little Tokyo with my friend Karen of Little Sweet Thing, and we stumbled into the cutest boutique, where she found herself a purse in the shape of a tea kettle! I was looking around for something special myself when I locked eyes with the sweetest little telephone bag in pink (it came in other colors, too, but I couldn't NOT get the pink one)! I knew I had to have it. I love novelty bags and dresses, so this was right up my alley. As if I couldn't be lucky enough, I found this ADORABLE 60s print dress from a local shop called Matrushka. I love one-of-a-kind pieces and supporting local designers so much! I can't wait to wear this dress out more when the weather gets warmer. It's been mighty cold here in LA!

I love what the bag says, too! So fun. "I love to hear the sound of your voice!"

 

Dress by: Matrushka

Telephone bag is from: Miss Lady Bug and purchased at Kools

The End of an Era

I'm one of those people who gets into popular television shows reeeeaally late, and that goes for Mad Men, which I finally caught up to just a few weeks ago. I ordered Netflix one day in early April and blazed through six seasons in less than a month! I'm amazed at how long it took me to give this show a chance. I've always been such a fan of the 1960's and have paid homage to my favorite decade many times (such as when I dressed as a 60s go-go dancer at my Senior Prom in 2003) and I thought that it would be fitting to now pay homage to the best written TV show set in the 1960s - Mad Men, which airs its final episode this weekend. What better way to say goodbye than a trip to the one and only Beverly Hills Hotel aka The Pink Palace for some sunshine and a vanilla milkshake? <3 My good friend Amy of A Fashion Nerd snapped these photos, and I couldn't be more excited to share them with you now!

 

The Fountain Room is one of my favorite areas of the hotel. The diner is just one long counter top, with the beautiful leaf wallpaper cascading on all the walls behind it. I could imagine Roger having a cup of coffee here the morning after a rendezvous with a young lady the night before. Whenever I'm feeling like I need to feel like I've stepped back in time, this is the perfect place for that!

I just scooped up this Barbecue (!!) retro print dress (and cropped sweater) from my new favorite store Unique Vintage in Burbank. It's such a flattering dress and fits so well, and I love that the print is so, well, unique! The designer is Bernie Dexter, who makes many retro-inspired dresses that can also be found on Modcloth, another favorite of mine. The suitcase is vintage that I purchased at the Sherman Oaks Antique Mall, and my shoes are by Sam Edelman.

I brought along my favorite Elvis purse that I found on Ebay one lucky day. It's one of my favorite pieces that I own and I always get compliments on it! So fun.

The Cabana Cafe, which is located by the main pool, would've been a great place to meet Don Draper for a business lunch, only to be stood up and have Pete Campbell in his place (which, let's face it - I wouldn't mind one bit) :) In fact, I think there was an episode somewhere in there where that actually happened! Ha.

As I'm preparing to say goodbye to a show I only just got to know, I'm so grateful to have been able to do my part in paying my own respects to it. Janie Bryant, the show's wardrobe stylist, is a genius and I really think the show's success is not only partly due to the writing, but also due to her ideas and innovations. Every outfit worn, every tiny little detail painted such a picture for each character. I really feel like I know them all so well, just by seeing the subtle changes they went through during each year between 1960-1970s. My favorite character is of course, Sally Draper (she was SO gosh darn cute in the early seasons), but I also love Peggy, Pete, and Megan. And Joan. And Trudy. And Glen (the neighbor who asked Betty for her hair that one time)! And Meredith, Don's final secretary.

And I like Betty, too, as evil as she could be sometimes. Ahh, before I start crying I guess I'd better end this here. Mad Men, you were wonderful, and this truly will be the end of an era come Sunday night! <3

Hair by Marissa of Marissa Cydya (Instagram: @marissacydya)

Makeup by Laura Altamirano at Sephora in Glendale, CA (Instagram: @psychedelicsourceress)

The Beverly Hills Hotel

Dress purchased at Unique Vintage
Photography by Amy Roiland of A Fashion Nerd / Instagram: @afashionnerd

Candy Colored Kitchens

For those who don't know, I live in a castle that my boyfriend's parents built around ten years ago from what used to be a ranch style house (I will post pictures of that soon). As awesome as it is, I can't help but daydream about having a kitchen that I can decorate myself someday. I've been looking all over pinterest and google for the perfect kitchen inspiration and so far I've been finding the most amazing pictures! I love the simplicity of the appliances, and the rich cheery hues of the walls, cabinets, fridges & stoves. Who else has an eye for retro themed houses?