This weekend while doing a little shopping at Barneys in L.A. I fell in love with 10 Crosby Derek Lam’s spring dress collection. Normally, I would never look at these long flow-y dresses in New York but there’s something about California that made me take a second look. I’m loving the vibrance and slight quirkiness of the dresses. My favorite is the top dress which also comes in a shorter version that I would love to wear out dancing on a warm night!

(Photos via Derek Lam).

(A photo I took driving across northern Texas).

Guys, sorry I’ve been so quiet this week, it has been kind of a crazy. My grandmother died two days ago, so that’s really been a lesson in living a long, long distance from home. Also, I’ve had friends in town visiting (as you know). I’ll be traveling back to New York soon for the funeral so posts may be more sporadic. But I’d love to tell you about our little trip to L.A. soon.

Happy weekend guys!

We’re off to Los Angeles for a fun day trip tomorrow. We’re picking up one of my best friends, Erin, at LAX. She’s staying for the whole week next week! One of my other best friends, Marie (it seems I have so many, I’m seriously lucky) will be visiting for a day or two next week also. (Dear NYC school system, you may never see two of your best teachers ever again, I’m kidnapping them).

I’m so excited to visit L.A. as we’ve only slowly (ugh, traffic) driven through the city before. (I did snap a picture of the Hollywood sign though)! I’m ready to be a cheesy lame tourist; I want to drive around Beverly Hills, hang out is Santa Monica and see Hollywood sidewalk stars.

I’m mostly excited about eating delicious food! Specifically having a coolhaus ice cream sandwich. There are coolhaus trucks in NYC and let me tell you, those ice cream sandwiches are to die for! (And trust me, I’m a serious ice cream sandwich connoisseur. It’s embarrassing).

Do you guys have any suggestions? Since we’re L.A. newbies I’d love to hear any travel tips or super cool secrets. Where should we eat? (I have a list but I’d love to hear from cool locals)!

Have an adventurous weekend! xoxo

(Photos found via Pinterest)

Last week I made a loaf of this no-knead bread from long ago in the NY Times. I’ve been wanting to make my own bread for a while but alas, I do not have a Kitchen Aid standing mixer (one day!) and I’m lazy. No-knead bread is the perfect solution to my lazy fresh-bread craving issues.

Smitten Kitchen also has an easy to follow recipe and great photos (above). I substituted a cup of the bread flour for a cup of wheat flour and it turned out really great.

Happy Valentine’s Day lovies! I’m missing all of my east coast valentines! My favorite valentine has always been… my dad. He would always give both me and my mom little valentine gifts before school growing up. While in NYC he always sent Jacques Torres chocolates to my office via messenger. How awesome is that? Unfortunately, I don’t think Jacque Torres delivers to California.

I’m off to make my valentine a special treat (his favorite dessert). I have a little gift for him (hint: it was in my gift guide for men – I bet he didn’t even notice it!) and this hilarious card.

xoxoxo

(top photo via pinterest, second photo)

My limited interaction with the outside world this weekend consisted of getting medicine at Target and picking up a green tea latte at Starbucks. I don’t love Starbucks but I do love the Valentine’s cup they gave me. How cute, right?

So, this weekend was a total bust. I know, you’re all like “but Mousse, you were all ‘yay wine tasting!”. No one is more disappointed than I. I am fighting another sinus infection. It’s my second since moving here. My dad surmises “It’s California. It doesn’t agree with you, you should come home.” Yeah, I don’t think so.

However, this weekend did turn into a great movie watching weekend. There are so many great romantic comedies on tv right now in honor of Valentine’s Day. Friday night I watch one of my favorites, “Annie Hall”. I mean, come on. They don’t even make romantic comedies like that anymore. (Like “I Don’t Know How She Does It?” Please. I saw them filming a scene and just seeing Sarah Jessica Parker and Pierce Brosnan made me roll my eyes. I completely ignored the PA trying to get me to walk out of the park. Yeah right, I am not going to circumnavigate Madison Square Park on my way to work for some horrible rom-com). I really feel romantic comedy writers/directors/producers think that women can’t understand intelligent movies.

Woah, sorry guys. Must be the sinus infection.

But back to “Annie Hall.” Woody Allen is the epitome of the neurotic analytical New Yorker but the self-deprecation and wit makes it totally hilarious. And Diane Keaton’s wardrobe? What more could you ask for? (By the way, did you know all of Annie’s clothes were actually Diane Keaton’s)? The whole movie made me really miss New York.

What do you guys think? Have you seen “Annie Hall?” Don’t you love the quick dialogue? And do you love or do you love Annie’s look?

P.S. “Midnight In Paris” is another amazing Woody Allen movie I could watch over and over again.

Have a fun weekend guys! What are you up to? I think we’re going to do a little wine tasting this weekend (finally!) since we haven’t gone to any wineries around here yet. (Pathetic, I know). Have fun!

(I took that photo while I was in France, isn’t that little car so cute there)?

February in New York v. February in California.

(Photos via Pinterest).

 Macaroons. Yes. (via)

Heart Shaped Cheese! So great for those without sweet-tooths (you people exist?).

Heart sugar cookies with royal icing from Cupcakes and Cashmere.

 Sweet Cupcakes. (From William Sonoma).

The best chocolate bars ever! From Mast Brothers Chocolate in Brooklyn.