Fearless Fashion

(Zara t-shirt, Armani Exchange denim skirt, borrowed red sweater, J.Crew necklace, Crocs Melbourne II Nautical Graphic shoes) 

I like to think I'm pretty much fearless when it comes to trying new things, particularly in the realm of fashion. So when I was asked to participate in the Fearless Fashion campaign (sponsored by Luxury Palladium and Cosmopolitan), I was game for anything. To my surprise, I received a pair of Crocs to style—ones that looked nothing like my idea of Crocs! The comfy canvas slip-ons (covered in a charming lobster print, no less) lent themselves well to an equally laid-back outfit.

 

Also, be sure to enter the Fearless Fashion Giveaway sponsored by Luxury Palladium and Cosmopolitan to win $1500 worth of jewelry.

Where vodka and very stylish people meet...

When vodka and style collide, you get EFFEN's Art of Design event. Held at Marvimom in downtown Los Angeles last week, the soiree showcased top-notch design across the board: local mixologists crafting martinis made with EFFEN's silky-smooth vodka, as well as the work of up-and-coming designers and artists like Amanda Thomas of Luv AJ, Alana Hale, and Bethany Barton. An evening of fashionable tastemakers and tasty libations? Count me in.

 
Alana Hale with a model in her custom-made design for the night, a gorgeous white dress with provocative cutouts meant to evoke the EFFEN bottle's streamlined design. Hale said she was considering producing the dress for her line, including a shorter, more versatile version. Um... putting in my order now.

Designer Amanda Thomas told me she'd been making and designing jewelry for years, and finally decided to take the leap with Luv AJ. Thank goodness she did, as her incredible pieces are somehow both wearable and edgy, the kind that make friends go, "Where'd you get that?" 

One of my favorite cocktails of the night was this delicious mix made with EFFEN's Dutch Raspberry flavor. I had as many of these concoctions as I could handle. 

The gorgeous venue, Marvimom.

Channeling Frank

(Frank Ocean t-shirt from eBay, Zara leather skirt, Loeffler Randall sandals, Michele watch)

Photo by Sarah Chiarot.

Most of my friends know how much I adore Frank Ocean (with my nearest and dearest subject to Channel Orange listening sessions). Naturally, I wanted to express my love to the world, so I hunted down the best Frank Ocean t-shirt I could find. After a thorough Internet search, I found just the one on eBay: a unisex shirt by Actual Fact featuring a photo from Frank's 2011 GQ shoot. 

For the office, I proudly wore my Frank with a leather mini and heels. For his recent concert at Los Angeles' Wiltern (read my review here), however, I swapped the skirt for shorts, the heels for ankle boots, and the coffee for an alcoholic libation that was the perfect accompaniment to Frank's silky vocals.

Brews, blueberries, and blowouts

Owner Nava Nabavi (left) and me, post-blowout

When I was invited to get a blowout at Séchoir+ (pronounced seh-schwahr) in Santa Monica, I jumped at the chance, especially when I heard the hybrid hair salon served up blooming tea, espresso, refreshments, and iPads at every guest's station alongside a full blow dry bar and a menu with options like cut, color, highlights, and extensions. A latte and Internet access at my fingertips as I'm getting a blowout? Yes, please.

With 20 years of training (including a stint as one of the original Drybar stylists) behind her, owner Nava Nabavi clearly knows how to fine-tune the salon experience. As soon as I walked into Séchoir+, I was stunned by the attention to detail: a crystal chandelier and soothing blue walls, a piping hot latte (with refills!) and an array of yummy treats and fruits like fresh blueberries, a scalp treatment and hand massage as a stylist washed my hair (note: the salon uses only Aveda products). Nava herself worked on my blowout, and as her nimble fingers whipped my hair into sleek, bouncy strands, I found in her a kindred spirit.

But the moment I realized I'd received an out-of-this-world blowout was several hours later, when I confidently skipped out of my apartment with barely a glance at the mirror. I didn't need to look: Thanks to Séchoir+, my hair was perfection.

Séchoir+, 1121 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. 310-310-8238.