EVENING GO-TO: THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS

When you’re a Gal on the go, sometimes the simplest answer to a night out on the town is an easy go-to, like the LBD (Little Black Dress)!  This is one of my faves because it’s simple with a touch of detail – the top of the straps are leather and the outside lining of the pockets have leather too.  I got this LBD at Banana Republic but it looks as though Banana no longer carries it.  Thankfully I was able to find it online (here on E-bay )!  I decided to pair the dress with a cute shoe (and you all know I am a sucker for a wrap-ankle shoe – this one is from Topshop – Nordstrom).  To complete the look, I added a small black clutch (from Gucci).  I love this bag because it fits my cards and make-up; and it has a gold chain, so I can easily wear it on my shoulder or as a cross-body bag (here the chain is in the purse), and it isn’t a logo-overloaded bag which is so not my style!  All in all, the outfit is simple, classic and refined – in line with my style preferences and perfect for a night out on the town!

WHITE IN WINTER – SI OR NO?

So I am OBSESSED with my white jeans!  I wear them always and with just about everything!  But the big debate has been, should one wear white after Labor Day (aka in the Winter)?  My vote is a big fat SI!  Yes!  The times, they are a changing, and one can now dress up a pair of white jeans with a cute warm sweater, a flannel, or even a gorgeous thick jacket with a great scarf.  And not one to let go of my signature colors (black and white, if ya haven’t caught on yet), I love pairing my white jeans with black, gray, nude or neutral tops and a pop of color!  Here I pulled together a very quick outfit (literally, as I was heading out the door to shoot with my friend Danny, I was already wearing my white jeans and a white tank (under the sweater) and since it was cold I threw on this nude sweater).  I then added a great scarf for a pop of color!  If ya want to get a similar easy look, just pair an oversized sweater (from Don’t Ask Why – AE) with a pair of white jeans (from American Eagle) and a cool scarf (I got mine from Aldo a year ago – here is a similar version – Aldo).  Then I also added my current favorite pair of heels (from Topshop – Nordstrom) and a neutral purse I like to throw on when I’m wearing nude, tan or neutral colored shoes (from Tory Burch).  It was very last minute thrown together, but I think it works for the Mom on the go who still wants to wear her white pants in Winter and a cute heel to dress it up!  So familia, tell me what you think!  White in the Winter?  As my grandmother use to ask when trying on an outfit, “Dime, Si or No?”  So tell me, Yes or No?

EASY OUTFITS IN ONE COLOR!

In a rush?  I’ve found that the easiest way to throw together a great outfit is to just stick with one color and one or 2 pieces at most.  No need to mix and match or try to make patterns and colors work (although when I have time, I love to plan all sorts of outfits)!  But given that I’m a single Momma and often in a rush – I just stick to one color and add a neutral shoe (like nude or black) and voila!  Ya got a cool outfit that still looks nice but didn’t take hours to plan.  Here are a couple of my fave examples.  And you can never go wrong with black or white – my two fave colors in my fashion palette!

BROOKE AND ISABELLA STAR IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA’S WATER CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN!

Isabella and I were so excited to have booked an ad campaign for the State of California’s Water Conservation Project!  As many of you may or may not know, California is in the middle of a drought – so the state is heading up a campaign to urge Californians to conserve water.

As you can see – I am holding up my hand with a water drop written on it with the letters “CA” in the water drop, in order to urge others to conserve water.  You can find these ads on billboards all over California (SF, LA, you name it!), as well as in print and on their social media!

Isabella and I had so much fun booking and working another job together as Mother and Daughter and Isabella even got to learn more about preserving our water – a win-win for all!

OUTFIT OF THE DAY: THE WRAP DRESS FOR ANY OCCASSION

With the hustle and bustle of all the hats I wear (I own and run a PR/Social Media company and I also work as a TV Host, Model and Actor, while playing Mommy everyday!), I often have to dress for multiple events or work functions where I need to look stylish but not overdressed.  I’ve found that the wrap-dress is an easy go to!  Here I am wearing a purple Calvin Klein wrap-dress (Calvin Klein) with a pair of my fave nude heels (Topshop – from Nordstrom) and an easy, cute purse to carry my basics (Jimmy Choo).

DOMAINE CARNEROS PRINT AD

As most of you know – I don’t drink alcohol but I will “play a wine drinker” for the beautiful print campaign that was shot for Domaine Carneros Winery!  The other models and I had an awesome time touring and taking pictures all over the beautiful chateau that is Domaine Carneros.  As it’s website boasts, Domaine Carneros is a singular winery best known as a small grower-producer of methóde champenoise sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, certified organic estate vineyards, and a breathtakingly beautiful château.  The heart of Domaine Carneros has always been sparkling wines, with distinctive styles ranging from the classic vintage-dated Brut cuvée to the luxury Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs.  And while I did not sample any of these (the other models did!), I can say first-hand that Domaine Carneros is absolutely a breathtaking sight!  If you’re ever in Napa Valley – you must take a tour and get a first-hand look at how they make their gorgeous sparkling wines.  And if you’re a non-drinker like me – there is amazing food, cheese and charcuterie plates, desserts and fruit galore!  I have nothing to complain about when it comes to my work, that’s for sure!  😉

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND AT WALT DISNEY WORLD!

Most of you who know me, know that I love a fancy dinner, a big party or an epic night out on the town for my birthday.  But boy have things changed since becoming a Mommy!  This year, Isabella said she wanted to “take Mommy to Disney World” for my birthday – so who am I to question Izzy’s birthday plans for her Mommy!  I am so glad we did just that, because we had a fabulous birthday weekend, especially since my Mom (Izzy’s Nana) got to join!  And luckily, I was already headed to Orlando for work, to attend the Gartner ITXpo Symposium conference.  So I just tacked on an early weekend (which happened to fall perfectly in time with my bday weekend) to the trip and voila! We had an awesome time and it was a trip to remember for a lifetime with my Mom and Isabella!

For this trip we got a gorgeous suite at The Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, Florida.  As you can see Nana and Izzy loved the view!  It was an amazing suite complete with separate rooms, living area, kitchen, bar and 2 bathrooms.  Here are a couple of pics of Nana and Izzy on the plane ride over and them getting comfy in the suite!

The Waldorf went out of their way to welcome us for the weekend by having personalized treats for us each night and they even sent me cupcakes after I checked out and checked into another room for my work week!   Here are some of our treats!

After enjoying the room for the first couple of hours the first night, we decided to head to the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot Center!  It was so yummy – wish I had taken more pics but I was busy eating!!

The next day, I woke up to this beautiful view near my bed and this even more amazing view from our balcony!

On Saturday, we spent the whole day at Disney World and it was absolutely magical!  Saturday was also my birthday and I got the BEST gift ever – to be able to enjoy Disney with my Mom and daughter!

Breakfast in our suite before heading to Disney!