Treasure Hunting

I found lots of things at The Pasadena City College Flea Market this past weekend. 

I picked up the earrings and wooden necklace for $20.

These vintage peacocks were white gold, around $300.  I didn't bring that much cash, so I moved on.  The $15 dotted purse reminded me of something my mom had back in the day.  I vaguely remember biting off the plastic dots.

I loved this magazine rack instantly.  It had to come home with me.  Tip: Ask the seller the price if it isn't listed.  Make your rounds and return to barter.  Prices drop as the day goes on!

Jewelry arranged nicely is easier on the eye, but it's more expensive.  The stuff on the left, $20-$40.  The stuff on the right?  $2!

Taclking the $2 bins.  I liked this ring, but I didn't get it.  Only get what you love.

I loved this $5 scalloped purse instantly and wore it out to dinner for my birthday.  I recently wore the tribal necklace the with vintage silver earrings from my mother.

Don't let me forget about the budding businesses!  I fell in love with these dainty necklaces by k bird designs.   Her online shop doesn't list much, so if you see something you like in the photo, email here: kellycalling@aol.com

Garlic Noodles Galore!

After a marathon shopping day at South Coast Plaza, my mom and I stopped by AnQi for happy hour.  (They call it Red Hour and here's the menu.)  The gourmet Vietnamese-fusion bistro is owned by the An Family, whose most famous spot is Crustacean in Beverly Hills.

So of course I had to order the famous garlic noodles!  I could eat these all day long.  Carbs. Yes.

The beef satay was $6 and juicy.  I wanted another round.

The Crispy Chicken Rice Rolls tasted just like egg rolls to moi.  I do love an egg roll.  $6 an order.

Some concoction...

The view in the powder room.  I didn't even get a pic of the catwalk in the middle of the restaurant!  Check it out here. 

My Birthday Suit

Okay, it's a dress.  Everybody calm down.  Deep breaths.

Gimme a sec to reapply my lip gloss.

I'm not even a lemonade person and The London's acai lemonade is my favorite drink on the menu!

My $5 purse (thanks Pasadena Flea Market), Moschino shoes and my birthday present (aka my new baby).

Vintage Japanese beetle earrings to match one of my favorite D&G dresses.

From Russia With Love

Before JLo, Adriana Lima, Penelope Cruz, Eva Mendes and even Kim Kardashian, Cindy Crawford was there for me.  Growing up with all blonde Barbies can do a number on a girl when you're Latina and your mom is a blue-eyed blonde.  Girls need someone (who kind of looks like us) to look up to.

Here she is on billboards for Moscow's TsUM, Eastern Europe's largest fashion department store. She's 44. Go girl.

Paige of Inspiration: Baby Animals

Baby animals….there is nothing more to say.

~Paige

Red Red Wine

"God made Cabernet Sauvignon, whereas the Devil made Pinot Noir."

If only every cab could be Opus One, Silver Oak or Groth Reserve! And may the last drop I drink be from the legendary Chateau Léoville Las Cases... okay, back to reality.  There are shoes to buy and bills to be paid.

Here are some of my favorite reds.  Not a cab on the list, yet lots of pinots.  Strap on your seat belt.

• Roessler Cellars Bluejay Anderson Valley Pinot Noir - ($30-$35, 90 points)  When I was living in Atlanta, I purchased a bottle of this on name alone.  It was so memorable I tried to buy it online, but it was sold out.  I joined the wine club just so I get a surprise bottle every so often in the mail.  It's one of my little joys.
• Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Merlot - ($13-$25, 88 points) The price of this wine jumps all over the place, so get it when it's cheap.  Every time I serve it, someone admires the wine and asks what they're drinking.  They're always surprised it's KJ.
• Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez Valley Syrah - ($20, 92 points)  A cook a mean petite filet and this big and bold red pairs perfectly with it.  It would be spectacular with lamb too.  A steal for the quality and not for the faint of heart!
• Francis Coppola Diamond Pinot Noir - ($12-$20) Easy to drink and summery, I was seduced by all of the Coppola wines after visiting the vineyard in Napa. The winery seems straight out of a film (naturally).  It's dark and sexy and built like one of those homes in the Godfather.  Not to break the spell, but I love pairing this pinot with hamburgers!
• Cambria 2006 Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir ($18-$23, 93 points)  Wine Enthusiast calls this the best Pinot Noir at this price on the market and number one of their top 100 wines. Here's how they describe it.  Absolutely dry and silky, with complex flavors of cherries, Mandarin orange, cola, pomegranates, licorice and cinnamon spice, made even richer by smoky oak. How could you resist?
• Francis Coppola Sofia Rose - ($12-$16) This deep pink wine is nothing like a white zinfandel. The finish is dry and I couldn't resist the sexy bottle.  Perfect for our dwindling summer afternoons and gorgeous as a hostess gift.

Shall We Chardonnay?

I like to cook with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food. - Unknown

I've received lots of emails from those of you just getting into wine, or want to bring something special to someone's party.  Love this!

I'm a California girl and love our wines, so I'm going to pick some of my tried and true favorites.  These chardonnays are easily available in Cali.  I went for six that instantly came to mind, so if you see one of your favorite whites missing, please share your recommendations in the comments section.

• Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay - ($35-$45, 93 Points) My mother introduced me to this splurge.  Cakebread used to be my fave chardonnay to blow money on, but Chalk Hill is even better.
• Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - ($15-$25) I see half-bottles of this wine in nearly every mini-bar across the country.  Don't be put off by it and give it a try.   
• La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay - ($12-$25, 90 points)  What restaurant doesn't offer this wine?  It's consistent and better than Kendall Jackson, which is nearly always on the menu with La Crema.  The extra two dollars a glass is worth it.
• Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Chardonnay - ($20-$25, 90 points)  I have special memories associated with this wine. When I turned 21, it was one the first bottles I ever ordered in a restaurant.  It was at Patina (which I believe is now Providence?) and it was light and fruity and I still enjoy it with fish and chicken.
• Acacia Carneros Chardonnay - ($12-$25) This is what I keep in my home at all times and buy in bulk when it goes on sale.  It's what I usually have with dinner at home, unless I'm drinking red! 
• Gainey Chardonnay - ($20, 92 points) I visited this charming Santa Barbara vineyard around Halloween one year and I remember thousands of pumpkins on the drive up.  Not only is this winery worth a visit, this wine that doesn't get the same attention as the others, but stands up to the rest.

Here are some budget-friendly wines under $10:  Coppola Chardonnay, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Kendall Jackson, Clos du Bois.

There is a Spanish saying that goes...  Good wine ruins the purse; bad wine ruins the stomach!

Gold Is the New Black

I just picked up this vintage blouse and belt at Swift.  You know how it feels when you wear an outfit that really works?  It gave me special powers. Despite being super late to my dinner reservation, the host gave me the quintessential once-over and forgiveness was immediate.  I was seated before I could apologize, which I still did of course.

The hair was a bit of a mess because I didn't have proper time to blowdry, but a little morrocan oil and ratting comb action took it down a bedhead turn, which I'm really liking.

Shirt and belt from Swift Boutique in Burbank, shorts from F21, shoes from Bebe, OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark polish. Guest appearance by @hoverkitten

Banana Pudding

I made the Magnolia Bakery banana pudding this weekend!  Recipe here.

A few tips to know in advance.  You must chill the filling for 3-4 hours before preparing the rest of the dessert, so plan ahead.  I finished mine with a group of girlfriends over at my house, so they ate it fresh and it was delicicous, but it's even more tasty if you refrigerate it and let it set.

I recommend a few changes from the original recipe.  Make half of the cream filling, but include the full box of Nilla wafers and same amount of bananas.  The recipe makes way too much of the filling.  It will still make enough to easily serve eight people.

Emmys Recap: Gold Is the New Black

With Christina Hendricks gracing the cover of every entertainment website because of her... ahem... dress, let's start with what we fashionistas really wanna see...the hot leading men!

Sam Tremmell oozes charm. Alexander Skarsgard is smoking hot no matter what he's doing, Don Draper wears a tux better than any man alive (yes, that includes George Clooney) and I have to admit I still prefer Peter Facinelli as a blonde, pale vamp.

Now, to the fashion.

Standing ovation to Anna Paquin in Alexander McQueen. Brav to the O.  No one else came close.

The updo is chic with a touch of Bride of Frankenstein that's just killing me. Kristin Bauer's gorgeous lips are begging for character Pam's signature red lipstick.

Couldn't resist.

Lorena!

Now to the dress everyone seems to be hating on today.

January Jones is rocking this Versace like nobody's business.  It's kind of like JLo wearing that "up to there" green Versace at the Grammys, or Bjork wearing that swan dress - it's memorable.  Plus, I happen to love this dress, unlike the other ones.  The asymmetrical bob works for me too.

I could go on all day, but after live-tweeting the entire show yesterday, I'm beat!

Emmys 2010: Fashion Predictions

Okay, so the red carpet for the Emmys doesn't exactly compare to the Academy Awards or Golden Globes, but what the heck. We haven't had a decent awards show in months. Bring on the fashion!

I hear Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer may wear Alexander McQueen.

  

May her dress be as beautiful as (what's rumored to be) McQueen's final creation.  His longtime friend and muse Annabelle Neilson wore this to Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball in June.  From the collar of silvered feathers to the impeccable draping, it's painfully romantic.  Stunning.

On the other hand, wouldn't Sookie look incredible holding this wicked McQueen clutch?  If she doesn't want it, I'll take it.  After all, she already has the most desirable accessory of the moment - that charming, gap-toothed grin.

Christina Hendricks, Claire Danes, Cheryl Hines and Olivia Munn are expected to wear Zac Posen.  He is making his first showing at Paris Fashion Week next month!  I couldn't resist posting this Zac Posen dress on Kitty Purry at the Grammys.  It is not working for me.  The gold flowers, the bindi, it's all too much.  But half of the fun is seeing the strike outs, no?

I keep hearing gold is the new black and I love Balmain's take.  It's heavy and rich, but a gal would melt in this body armor on the red carpet.  Better suited for night.

Kelly Osborne is expected to wear Bodyamr. Isn't she making her fashion police debut on E! with Joan Rivers today?  Love her.  The look below was presented at London Fashion Week from Bodymar's Autumn/Winter 2010 collection.  Kelly should wear something that pushes the limits.  After all, she's playing critic, so she gets to make the rules.

Happy Emmy day all.  Can't wait for everyone's critiques on le twitter.