Best Beauty--Blow Dry Products

As I've mentioned before, I think my hair is a big reason that I'm able to wear so much vintage and have it seem modern.  I always make sure that the cut suits me and how I live, and that includes a wide range of activities from elegant evenings out to surfing on the weekends.  Because I blow dry my hair quite a bit, I've tested many many a product over the years.  Here is a quick list of all of my favorites:


High Price

Shampoo--Kerastase Bain Mirror
Conditioner--Kerastase Chroma Reflect
Protect--Kerastase Ciment Thermique
Volume--Pureology Power Dressing

Low Price 

Shampoo--Pantene Color Preserve Shine

Conditioner--Pantene Color Preserve Shine

Protect--Pantene Medium-Thick Straighten & Smooth Creme

Volume--Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam Styler

Worth Any Price Finishing Products

Smooth and Separate--Enjoy Creamy Pomade
Hairspray--Enjoy Hair Spray
Dry Shampoo--Oscar Blandi Pronto
Shine--Kerastase Vinyle Nutri-Sculpt

Let There Be Light

After a two month absence, the sun finally reappeared--in the morning, no less--here in Santa Monica. I awoke to clear blue skies and gorgeous weather and could not have been more appreciative. I also got to spend much of my day on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica and all around Brentwood, so it's pretty hard to complain about the day. I optimistically chose white to celebrate the possibility that summer may indeed finally be beginning.  

A few changes and I'm all dressed and ready to go. I have to tell you how much I'm enjoying my hair growing out. I've found some really great hair products that I like, too, so I will blog about my version of the perfect blow out soon. I'll be sure to share lists of both high and low priced products because both are out there. The low priced ones are now truly salon competitive and worth trying...if you're not using them already.

Architects talk about and exhalt the special Southern California light, and I think you can see what they mean.  Afternoon in my kitchen, which always catches the most light. Charles David black snakeskin and leather strappy stiletto heels.  Shoes change below.

Summer white:  1950s white embossed cotton dress, 1960s black patent leather purse, Guess black patent leather platform peeptoes, jet and gold bead dangling earrings, single skinny gold bangle bracelet.

Revlon's Fuchsia Fever polish on toes.

Casual in Summer Trends

The other day I was out and about running errands and came home to find one of my fashion magazines waiting for me in the mailbox. I love it when that happens. I look forward to each and every one of their arrivals. Happily, I poured myself an Arnold Palmer, kicked my feet up to relax, and began to thumb through the pages of my latest Lucky.

Though I'm not necessarily someone who follows trends, I think it's still important to be aware of them and I'm always interested in catching the key looks of the season. Lucky pointed out two hot trends for summer--grey and wedge espadrilles. To my surprise and delight, I just happened to be wearing both in the outfit below as I was reading the magazine.

Hopefully the sun will come out soon in Los Angeles...the weather here has been as grey as my dress!

On trend for summer:  Simple grey knit sheath (found at a vintage store as a floor length dress), Banana Republic pebbled bone leather purse tipped in burgundy, Colin Stuart nude suede wedge espadrilles, fuchsia silk wrap (found at a vintage store), silver hoop earrings, silver Raymond Weil tank watch.  

Revlon's Fuchsia Fever polish on toes.

You can find these shoes at Victoria's Secret right now and I highly recommend them, especially since they're so budget-friendly and come in a wide selection of colors. The ones I'm wearing happen to hit three trends in shoes right now--nude, suede, and wedge espadrille. I'm a huge advocate of nude shoes in since they can go with so many things in your wardrobe.

Out and About--Casual in Santa Monica

Los Angeles is a treasure trove for anything you could possibly want, and this includes opportunities galore for vintage finds of all kinds.  Here I do a little weekend shopping close to home...

A little more red, white, and blue:  1960s white cotton dress tipped in navy with keyhole detail, 1960s navy patent leather purse, white plastic headband, gold hoop earrings, gold leather flip flops, gold Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses.  Essie's A-List polish on toes.