LANVIN STRIPES IN PARIS

Wearing what is probably one of my favorite Paris Fashion Week looks. Given my weakness for bright colors and full, flowy skirts, the moment I spotted this striped perfection from Lanvin on LUISAVIAROMA, it was pretty much game over! I love absolutely everything about it, from length and color, to fit and silhouette! Oh, and how fun are those side pockets! I don't know what it is, but I love when really dressy skirts feature little casual details such as side pockets. I just feel that adding that casual touch makes a skirt a bit more fun and certainly a lot more day-time appropriate:)

Since I wanted to keep all of the attention on the skirt, for today's look, I paired it with a ruffled-collared blouse, a pair of black pumps and a cream-colored Valentino tote. Reason why I went with a tote rather than a clutch is because I feel that a slightly more substantial bag makes this outfit a bit more day-time appropriate. Well, that's really one of the reasons:) The other reason is that I am utterly obsessed with this bag at the moment and find it very difficult not to wear it all the time and with everything, denim cut-offs included! Luckily, it happen to work quite nicely with this particular look, so no fashion faux pas had to be made:)!

VALENTINO Small My Rockstud leather top handle bag { similar here & here } | VALENTINO Tango pump { also love this strappy option } | LANVIN Striped duchesse silk skirt { cute dress option here } | THEORY Oakland B trench coat | CO Ruffled crepe blouse | GREY ANT cat eye sunglasses { also upside with this metallic pair } | OSCAR DE LA RENTA ear cuff { also love this option & this one }  / all items thanks to LUISAVIAROMA

PARIS FASHION WEEK READY WITH KÉRASTASE

If you guys follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed that I teamed up with luxury haircare brand, Kérastase to keep my hair looking beautiful throughout Paris Fashion Week. You see, I had gone to Palm Springs for a few very relaxing days right before the craziness of Paris, which was a great idea, but the combination of blazing hot sun and chlorinated water did a number on my hair and my do was looking a bit lackluster to say the least. Luckily, Kérastase was there to help transform my hair!

Though I've been using Kérastase products for some time now, it was so special to visit one of the salons in the brand's hometown of Paris! I had a hair appointment set up at MH Coiffeur, which started with a deep conditioning treatment. After washing my hair with Kerastase Bain Satin 2 Shampoo, designed specifically to care for dry hair, the stylist applied Masquintense Thick, which is a hydrating and moisturizing treatment mask made to nourish damaged hair. He left it on for about 15 minutes to help repair my hair, leaving it noticeably more healthy, smooth and shiny.

When it came to styling my hair, I wanted to try something different than the loose, messy curls that I normally wear. This time, we went with a straight, voluminous style instead! Normally, I am reluctant to wear my hair straight because it's so fine and lacks volume,  but I loved how this style looked! Smooth, shiny and perfectly straight - and the deep conditioning treatment didn't weigh it down at all! Honestly, from now on, that's the way I want my hair to look everyday! The style also stayed intact, despite the fact that we ended up walking around windy, rainy Paris all day! So, YAY!

Aside from getting my hair in shape, I also had the pleasure of attending an intimate event showcasing the iconic Nutritive hair care range that was first launched in 1979. Since I am a big fan of Nutritive hair care products, it was really interesting to hear how Kérastase's Nutritive formula progressed over the years. I certainly didn't realize just how dedicated researchers at L'Oreal are and how much effort is applied to include the latest technological advancements and improve even the best-selling products so we can all walk around with amazing hair! :)

I also had the pleasure of meeting January Jones, the brand's latest muse. Since I am a huge Mad Man fan, and absolutely loved January Jones's character on the show, you can imagine what a pleasure it was to meet her in person. Even more stunning than you can imagine, after speaking to her for five minutes, I felt like I've known her for years. We ended up talking about everything from her personal style to her favorite off-duty hairstyles, most of which we actually share. I guess high bun and low pony tail will always remain a classic:)

It was an absolutely magical evening and I would like to thank the Kerastase team for making this trip to Paris absolutely unforgettable!

GUCCI twill bomber jacket, pleated silk-chiffon midi skirt, Horsebit-detailed glossed-leather Mary Jane pumps, crocheted cotton beret & Dionysus embroidered GG canvas shoulder bag

PARIS ADVENTURES : STOLEN BAG & GETTING BACK HOME

I was actually reluctant to share this story with you guys at first because generally speaking, I like to reserve this site for good things only. But upon further consideration, if it might serve as a cautionary tale and possibly save someone from finding themselves in similar circumstances, then at least something good will come of it!

So, as I am writing this post, the Loewe bag pictured is no longer with me. It was stolen roughly half an hour after this shoot. My friend and I came to a cafe, I placed the bag on a table next to me, turned around to move the chair closer to the table we were going to sit at and when I turned back, the bag was gone! The first thing I remember is being in a state of complete shock, that ugly wave of panic running down my spine and complete and utter inability to accept what just happened. I am not exaggerating when I say that I say I turned around for 3 seconds at most. In fact, it happened so quickly that it took me a while just to realize that my bag was stolen. Like an idiot, I obsessively kept looking for it under the table and on chairs, thinking maybe I placed it somewhere else.

It took me a while to regain what I would call a normal brain function, it was difficult to speak and my hands were shaken a little, but once I did, the grim reality set in. Sure, I mourned the loss of the bag, but though I quickly cancelled my credit cards, locked my phone and scheduled an appointment to replace my driver's license, I've made a crucial mistake of carrying important travel documents with me. Those of course were now gone with my bag and the prospect of getting home to LA was looking a bit grim.

I saw the first ray of sunshine when I realized I left my passport in my room, which by the way was a complete and total fluke. I was changing bags that morning and simply didn't take it with me! And so, after consulting with US Embassy, because I had my passport with me, I was able to get home alright.

Thinking back on what happened, I still find it difficult not to blame myself and imagine scenarios where I didn't put my bag down or turned around a bit more quickly or did something differently and my bag would still be with me. But that's the worst part of when something is stollen from you, isn't it? You blame yourself! Yet we should not! The blame lies completely with a person who, took something from you, fully realizing I'm sure, how divesting the outcome would be!

So, since this is rather a cautionary tale than a whiny story:), I'd like to end this post on a good note, saying that I'm back in LA safely, thanks to US Embassy in Paris and the nicest gentlemen at US Customs, planning on leaving all my important documents in a hotel safe from now on and thinking about my next trip to Paris! Because, nothing, and I say absolutely nothing, will ever ruin going to Paris for me! :)

DIOR blue denim ankle boot | ADRIENNE LANDAU Mongolian lamb fur jacket | CO Ruffled crepe blouse | FENDI crystal 52mm tipped cat eye sunglasses | FRAME cropped slim-leg jeans { similar here } | LOEWE small Puzzle bag & trip-color leather knot key ring | ELIZABETH COLE geometric earrings | RACHEL ZOE Set of 5 rings | JULES SMITH crystal claw ring | VITA FEDE Grape crystal ring 

PFW LOOK 1: GUCCI DIONYSUS

Always happy to be back in Paris, even if the weather is misbehaving in the most bizarre way like going from sunny to rainy and snowy all within a span of 15 minutes! :) Originally, this outfit was supposed to consist of a blouse, blazer and jeans, but I ended up adding a trench coat last minute to make it a bit more weather appropriate:)

Today's look is really a combination of all my current favorites! I am absolutely obsessed with these cropped slim-leg jeans from Frame at the moment. Though I am definitely still a fan of skinny jeans, lately I've been gravitating towards this particular fit more and more. Perfect for pairing with cute heels, I also love they way they work with cropped jackets and tucked-in shirts. For this look, I paired them with another favorite piece - a military inspired jacket from Isabel Marant! Aside from the fact that I am usually in love with everything Isabel Marant does and jackets happen to be my particular weakness, what attracted me to this particular one, is rich detailing and of course the military inspired vibe! So good with jeans, it works equally well with midi skirts or slim cut pants! Basically the possibilities of wearing it are practically endless, and of course you know how much I enjoy that!

Last but not least is the Gucci Dionysus bag! It was love at first sight the moment I saw it! Rich, colorful embroidery combined with classic Gucci canvas and uber versatile shape! I mean, what's there not to love!:) Though this bag is certainly a statement piece, it actually pairs absolutely flawlessly with every outfit imaginable. From dressy to casual, it adds that perfect finishing touch to an outfit and makes even the simplest of looks a little more dazzling!

ETOILE ISABEL MARANT Milford Navy Suits jacket | FRAME cropped slim-leg jeans { similar here } & blouse from PRE-FALL 2016 collection | VALENTINO Tango pump | THEORY Oakland B trench coat | GUCCI Dionysus embroidered GG canvas shoulder bag | RACHEL ZOE Set of 5 rings 

WEEKEND IN PALM SPRINGS

Emil and I decided to spend a few days in Palm Springs before we head to Paris for Fashion Week. A few days of calm before the storm:)

Though normally, we spend most of our time by the pool, working on our tans and indulging in an occasional swim, this time around we decided to do things differently, and actually explore Palm Springs a bit. And I have to say that I'm very glad we did because we ended up finding the cutest little place right in the heart of Palm Springs!

Korakia Pensione is a beautiful villa converted into an upscale resort. Honestly, as far as places to stay in Palm Springs go, this one has to be my new favorite! A perfect romantic retreat, I fell in love with the relaxed vibe of the place! And though we're back in LA already, I cannot help but start planning our next visit!:)

ULLA JOHNSON Ophelia top in natural | FREE PEOPLE Bandit denim cutoffs | OLIVER PEOPLES x ISABEL MARANT Daria sunglasses | CHLOE small Hudson bag studded cross body bag | AMINAH ABDUL JILLIL Love sandal | COORDINATES COLLECTION Legend engraved cuff & Legend ring