Make a splash at Swimspot!

As I gear up for Labor Day weekend in Vegas, I couldn't help but notice my bathing suit department (better known as a corner in my closet) was running low. Sure, I have a few to last me 2 weeks if I was stranded on a deserted island, but on any given weekend getaway in the summer, we can never have too many bathing suits. There is just no exception, especially when packing for your summer vacay! Your guaranteed tons of laying out poolside and catching some rays, Sunday pool extravaganzas, ordering cocktails from the hot bartenders that are just too good to be true or taking long walks on the beach or boardwalk if your the relationship kinda girl. Either way, in any or all of these scenarios, we should always look sun kissed and ready to conquer anything. Where do we start? The bathing suit! Dress it up, dress it down...It's the summer essential every women needs to look and feel beautiful no matter your age or size. We are all models in our own given right. That said, with my bathing suit department running low, I started hyperventilating thinking about the 100+ degree weather, Saturday and Sunday pool parties, both day and night. It was exhausting trying to plan what I would wear. After all, I'll need some casual bathing suits, some flashy and some just slightly Brazilian. All for different occasions of course. My motto is, if any of my fashion departments are running low...a little more shopping is the way to go. That's where the holy grail of all swimsuit online shops happened. Swimspot!

 What is Swimspot? Only the hottest online boutique for all things sexy under the sun! I've always had a hard time finding the perfect bathing suits when shopping online. No longer do we have to open multiple tabs on our web browser to find exactly what we're looking for. Swimspot is the one-stop shop if you're looking to buy designer swimwear! At Swimspot, you'll find designers like Guess, Reef, Ella Moss, Luxe, Hurley and so much more! Harbor designer fantasies with an idea in mind? They have a  Bikini Builder to help you find a swimsuit that is sure to fit your style and preference. It's brilliant and a little inspiring if you ask me! The Bikini Builder allows us to virtually tune in to our inner style and create a look using an amazing selection of designer swimwear. I love the idea of not having the same bikini as 5+ girls at a Sunday rooftop pool party. Because it happens. And it shouldn't. Luckily, Swimspot has us covered and we can now create our own look, mixing and matching different tops and bottoms to ensure luxurious individuality. Swimspot is online shopping at its best! Don't know your size exactly? Check. They have a size chart that is easy to use and specific to each brand. Need a little inspiration? Done. They have a little section called "The Spot" featuring health and fitness topics, beauty tips, celebrity swimsuit sightings, and swimwear fashion advice! Oh, and before I forget...shall I mention the word FREE?? No, the swimsuits aren't free. But they do offer FREE shipping, returns and exchanges and I think we can all get used to that! So ditch the "Free shipping" promo codes because shipping is free both ways, everyday! After perusing the site for hours, it was like a breath of fresh air. On one single website, I managed to narrow down 2 Must-Have-Swimsuits for Vegas and even picked up a couple of savvy beauty tricks from The Spot.  Looks like my swimsuit department just got a little bigger and I'm this much closer to my weekend getaway in Vegas! Hotel booked. Pool cabanas reserved. Dinner for 2? Reservations confirmed. Designer swimwear? In full effect! Swimspot is my newest guilty pleasure and I have a feeling it won't be a summer fling. After all, It's five o'clock somewhere and where it's winter in one place, the sun is shining in another. Visit www.Swimspot.com for year round, swimsuit luxury! Are you ready for the sun?

   Bikini Featured: 

Top- Reef  Santiago Summer Bandeau  Bottom- Reef  Hear Me Roar Tie Side Bikini 

  

  Check out my top 2-Must-Have-Bikini's for Vegas!! 

 Transition from day to night in these go-to-bikinis!

     Rooftop pool party anyone?

      Loved this look for a daytime pool party!    

Guess- " Risky Business" 

 Top- $47 Bottom- $43

 

Deserving of any nighttime pool party or late night swim, the

  Guess 'Skinny Dip' is a must!

                             Guess- "Skinny Dip"

                                     Top- $67 Bottom- $59

                                                                 

                         Happy Shopping Dolls!!

                                                                          
                                          

                  

Burberry Reef Knot GabardineTrench Coat

So here we are in the infamous month of May. The month has finally come and it's only the best because I get to enjoy my fabulous birthday for 30 whole days! I'm a Taurus...do you expect anything less? A full month of cocktails, dinners, dancing, fun ...and oh yes! Shopping! While perusing the internet for essential Birthday necessities like pumps, dresses and tons of accessories...I came across something extravagant and absolutely necessary for any girl ringing in her 24th in true style. As we all know, LA weather is soo unpredictable and it leaves a 'May Baby' in dire need of a fashion 30-Day weather chart to prepare for ones birthday extravaganza! This is where Burberry comes in. This is where my online window shopping took a turn for the worst and left me considering a withdrawal from my savings account! That account has been a crucial year in the making and it calls my name like a bully. Soo tempting and mean! Deep breaths Monica. Deep breaths. Ladies, without further ado, I present you with the Burberry Reef Knot Gabardine Trench Coat.

 Of course Rihanna has it! But let's keep this about Burberry and I.

 Burberry Reef Knot Gabardine Trench Coat $3,358

                                             

I'll give you a moment to pick up that jaw of yours. The price tag and beauty of this coat tend to have that effect on me. I want it. I need it. I HAVE to HAVE it. I see this coat and all I think is...."Gimme Gimme Gimme!!!" Shopaholics Anonymous.... here I come.

 xoxo

Get Your Stunna Shades On

Obsessing over these bad boys. 

Me + Gucci Pyramid Shades = Tomorrow afternoon. 

Let's admire until I fall asleep. I'm tired and delusional but fashion conscious.

The only way to live. 

xoxo,

Monica

Break & Comeback

A break or pause...let's face it....it's been a while. I needed a breather. Had to feel the breeze, take a moment, step back and take care of myself. For a month or so, I took a much needed break to unwind and re-prioritize my health and life. Before I moved forward, I had to take a step back. I'm always going, going, going. Eventually, it caught up to me and had an impact on my health. I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy and for a month or so I went through all the ups and downs of this crazy, unspecified diagnosis. It happens to people everyday for many or unknown reasons. Mine, being unknown. Anyway, it's April and a little over a month since my last post and I am 100% fully recovered. Thank God. Really. I was so blessed to have the support I did from my family and friends. That said, I am back in full effect and ready to take on Summer 2010! I'm moving forward and getting my fitness on...hitting the gym as much as one can. Why the urge? Not only is summer around the corner, but so is my birthday! A big staple in this? VEGAS! Obviously. Where there is MAY....there is VEGAS. Memorial Day Weekend has yet to be dull for the last couple of years. Ahh. I can't help but sing Kid Cuddi & David Guetta's "Memories" song as I excitingly write about gettin ready for Vegas, Summer and my Bday. Good times! Anyway, as I prepare for summer and all of it's adventures... I hope your with me. Lot's of summer hot spots, bikinis, tote bags, shoes and accessories to peruse and it would be selfish to keep it all to myself now wouldn't it? 

Ladies, it's good to be back.

xoxo,

Monica

Oscars Best Dressed

The Oscars! A night of fashion and film, I have to say this Oscars was one of the best I've seen! The red carpet? Dashing!! Take a look at some of my favorites. Let's do this thing!

BEST DRESSED??

Zoe Saldana!!!

Zoe looked stunning in this bold and vivacious Givenchy Couture gown! Straight from Riccardo Tisci's spring 2010 Paris runway, I was in love! The color combination and the wow factor is enough for me to drool! The dress was a hit or miss. Some fashion critics loved this daring look while others didn't. Love it or not, this was hands down my absolute favorite look of the night!!

Some more favorites .....

Sarah Jessica Parker
(Carrie would be so proud!)
Chanel

Demi Moore
Atelier Versace gown

Sandra Bullock

Marchesa (LOVE MARCHESA!)

Helen Mirren

(Fabulous at 64!!)

Badgley Mischka Gown

Cameron Diaz

Marchesa

Meryl Streep

Chris March (Project Runway)

Penelope Cruz

Donna Karan

Lastly, Miley Cyrus. Yes, Hannah Montana. I hate to say it, but the dress she wore was fabulous! Just, don't tell anyone I told you.

Miley Cyrus

Jenny Packham gown

Thank you and Goodnight.

xoxo,

M.

 

Jewels of the 2010 Oscars!!!

As an avid fan of costume, vintage, fine jewelery and all things accessories, I just had to get a glimpse of the jewels that made it on the red carpet at today's 82nd  Academy Awards! Here, I'll give you a closer look at some of my favorite accessories and the celebrities who wore them.

Let's start with the Oscar winner herself, Sandra Bullock! Not only did she give a beautiful speech upon her win, but she dazzled in these classic Neil Lane platinum and diamond drop earrings along with her own Neil Lane platinum and diamond line bracelet and metallic gold clutch. Simple and classy. Proof that still exist!  

Although I wasn't crazy about J-lo's gown, she got two thumbs up for her $92,000 vintage Cartier 'Tradition' platinum and diamond clip earrings! Oh, and in case she didn't have enough ice on her ears, she gives us all a good look at her $169,500 Cartier platinum and diamond bracelet, a $22,950 Cartier Panthere Maillon XXL white gold/diamond ring and crystal encrusted clutch. It's safe to say she learned a few things from her days with Puff daddy!

Next up? Demi Moore! Why she was at the Oscar's, I have no clue but she rocked that red carpet as if she was nominated! And who does she have to thank? Rachel Zoe of course! I only expected the best and that's exactly what i saw!! The dress was fab but the jewels were mayjaaah! Let's take a closer look at Demi's Van Cleef & Arpels diamond, pearl and sapphire tassel earrings, Van Cleef & Arpels platinum and diamond bracelet and Tahitian pearl ring and some more Van Cleef & Arpels platinum and diamonds for her hair! The clutch?  A gold leather Ferragamo envelope clutch with pink stone closure. RZ does it best!!

 Another favorite was Academy award winning actor Jeff Bridges wife Susan Geston's jewels! I feel as though the wife or husband of an Academy nomited actor should always look just as stunning as their significant other. That said, Susan Geston looked dashing in her turquiose jewelery! As soon as her husband Jeff Bridges won, I couldn't help but glance at the tv screen in awe of her jewels! I immediately got on the phone and started dishing on those earrings!

Leave it to Rachel Zoe to glam you up and get you red carpet worthy! Cameron Diaz graced the oscars and looked fierce in her Oscar de la Renta dress and full on Cartier jewels! RZ does it again and adds some sparkle to cameron's decked out gown with a $58,100 Cartier white gold, princess and round cut diamond ring, a Cartier Private Archive Collection white gold/diamond ring and $49,500 Cartier white, yellow, rose gold and diamond pavé "Trinity" hoop earrings.  

I love stacking my bracelets till my arm can't get enough. It seems these Hollywood starlets share my liking!

Check out Sarah Jessica Parker in these Stacked platinum and diamond bracelets, a 9-carat cushion-cut diamond ring and 19th-century diamond earrings all by Fred Leighton. Fred, meet Chanel. Have some babies, yeah?

Another one who stacked her jewels was Mama Mia's Amanda Seyfried. From 'Mean Girls,' to the Oscar's red carpet. Not bad eh? Anyway, the 'Dear John' star failed me with that gown but surprisingly made me happy with her Lorraine Schwartz 250-carat brown, champagne and mint diamond geometric bracelets, brown diamond ball ring and blackened platinum diamond earrings.

 

Lastly, I got to give it up to Maggie Gyllenhaal! The dress was awful but those jewels were just my steelo! her Fred Leighton vintage ivory and diamond calla lily pendant earrings are reminiscent of Audrey Hepburns ear plugs in Breakfast at Tiffanys. LOVED THEM! They were made to be worn at the Oscars! Then there was the Fred Leighton vintage platinum and diamond bracelet with emerald and sapphire brooch and the vintage 18k yellow gold and diamond bracelet. The accessories were flawless! What happened to the dress?

All this talk of diamonds and pearls, I have some big news I want to share with all of you in regards to my own jewelery adventure! I'll fill everyone in at the end of this week....Stay tuned!

xoxo,

M.

Bubble wrap at the 2010 Oscar's?! Amanda Seyfried and Jennifer Lopez showdown!

Mama mia! Okay, was it just me or did Amanda Seyfried and Jennifer Lopez both rock similar bubble-wrap looking dresses at the Oscars? The sparkly, bubble-wrap looking dresses were indeed not of wrapping material but Armani Prive creations. Interesting gowns if you ask me! Although my aunt found it mean of me to think, it seems to be all the buzz on the internet so I am not the only one! Take that Dianna! Who's with me? Okay, so we figured out who the dresses were from but how about a little "Who wore it better"? Who was their stylist and why wasn't anyone told they would be wearing similar dresses? While they are not completely identical, they are very similar! J-lo's is a little more dramatic and Amanda's is simple and classic. I hate the dress but I have to give this to jenny from the block! I always love a little drama when it comes to fashion! What do you think?

Drama?

or

Classic?