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Natural Products West Expo

March 21, 2015

It was my 5th year of attending the Natural Products West Expo and I must say that this was my favorite show thus far! The Expo is an enormous gathering of hundreds of vendors, introducing the latest technology and products in the health food, supplement, and beauty industries. It’s a trade show that’s different than most of the others I attend, because the vendors truly want you to explore, taste and experience what they have to offer and are happy to offer up samples of their goods to take home and enjoy (or sometimes not enjoy, I’m looking at you, Mama Chia!) at your own pace. I was able to take a couple shots, amidst all of the craziness..

A couple of my favorite vendors..
And now, for my wonderful haul!

So much tasty new stuff to try.

Here, all of my beauty finds.. I was especially happy to come across the booths for Nourish Organics, Acure, and Aubrey Organics! They definitely hooked it up, and I can’t wait to try some of their new products (especially this eye cream from Nourish).

Kyle Chan Birthday Party

March 13, 2015

I love a good party… Especially one involving close friends, dressing up and a fun new venue. Last week, I grabbed my friend Amanda, some new pretties from Rent the Runway, and drove to LA for the birthday party of my favorite jewelry designer, Kyle Chan of Kyle Chan Design. We started the eve off with some primping at Nail Bar and Beauty Lounge in Beverly Hills, then headed to the Café Brentwood for soup, salad, and dessert, and finally, off to Pump Restaurant for the main event!

Lovely Amanda getting a little touch up. Her dress was from Rent the Runway, designed by Badgley Mischka.

Sitting down for a bite to eat before the party.

I so thoroughly enjoyed the mocha pot de crème.

A little red carpet step-and-repeat action with the birthday boy! My dress from Rent the Runway was designed by BCBG Max Azria.

Loved, loved, loved the chandeliers above the outside bar at Pump!

I was able to snag one more shot with the birthday boy, this time, joined by Tom Schwartz, a cast member from the reality show Vanderpump Rules.

A closeup of my Ivanka Trump heels for the evening and my little helper, Sole Serum.

Beverly Hills Brunch

February 24, 2015

Two things that will get me out of a stressed-at-work funk every time – leaving town and brunch! Last weekend, the boyfriend and I took the hour drive to Beverly Hills to indulge in the most luxurious, tasty brunch menu at The Beverly Hilton. We had an Amazon deal which included unlimited mimosas (hello!), a starter, an entrée, unlimited trips to the buffet, and a dessert plate to die for… Everything was so fresh and gorgeous. I definitely recommend it if you’re in the area 🙂

Can you believe… All of this.. For just the two of us!
My favorite for sure was the pudding/chocolate mousse cup.

Random cockatiel sighting in the hallways.

Black cardigan – H&M
J’Adore shirt – Old Navy
Pleated skirt – ASOS
Plimsolls – New Look
Bag – Phillip Lim for Target

A closer look at the lovely grey, black and highlighter yellow print pleated skirt from ASOS, along with my Kate Spade wallet and rented Luv AJ ring.

CA Gift Show

February 8, 2015

A quick warning, this post contains a gratuitous amount of pictures that I shot recently in LA at the California Gift Show and the Reef. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the Gift Show is not open to the public, but only to those who have reseller’s permits (the majority of sellers are offering their goods at wholesale prices). My mother owns a gift basket company and she frequently incorporates jewelry and décor in to her designs, which led us to our first gift show, 17 years ago.
A few things have changed since then, such as the name of the LA Mart (now, the Reef), but some are exactly the same.. Every time we walk in to the cash-and-carry portion of the show, I know it’s going to be a fun, exploratory time, and that I will leave with some great new pieces to add to my collection. This time around, I tried to take as many pictures as I could to capture all that the Gift Show (at the LA Convention Center) and the Reef have to offer.. I hope you enjoy!

Rows and rows of perfect layering necklaces for $5.

Clutches and miniaudieres in every possible creature and color.

This breathtaking art deco piece in the middle caught my eye and held it. Such gorgeous detail. It also happens to be made with real diamonds and thus the $25K price that’s attached to it is slightly outside my price range (OMMGGG).

Some pretty little displays at one of the Reef’s showrooms.

These stacks of enamel, leather and gold bracelets are such great inspiration for stacking!

We hit a wall around lunchtime (so much walking!) and were happy to discover food trucks waiting for us right outside the doors at the Reef! I went with shrimp tacos and guac & chips, yumm!

I would love to be able to say that D.L.&Co. are my favorite candle company, based on their scents alone, but alas, I am not rolling in dough and cannot afford the $85 and up price tag that they command. So pretty though..

In lust with this rainbow display of home fragrance goods.
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Everything from this jewelry line was just calling out my name! Unfortunately, they had a minimum order (including how many of each piece you had to purchase) so I didn’t buy any of them, but a girl can dream!

House of Harlow Collection candle sets.

I love this bag! It’s fun and fresh and big enough to hold all the makeup and tools you’d need for a trip.

We finished our day with some sushi at one of my mom’s favorite spots. This is the schwarma roll (how they named it that, I have no clue!) but it has jalapeno, cilantro, and spicy tuna on top which make for quite a hot little bite!

Whew! I had so much fun at this year’s winter show and picked up some great little finds (such as my recent post on the necklaces I got from Kyle Chan!) and can’t wait for the next one in July… Who knows what that one will have in store for me!
Which leads me to the question I’m curious to hear your response on… Would you prefer just making a couple of multi-item or haul purchases a year (such as at a big sale or event) or do you prefer to make multiple small purchases throughout the year on random items?

😀