i'm a sucker for advertising.

Image Courtesy of It Girl Rag Doll.

the comforts of home

Sometimes there is nothing better than a warm, well-made meal to make you feel comfortable and at home, and a fabulous coat doesn't hurt either.  This past holiday weekend I was able to enjoy both.  I was in the San Diego area and spent a lovely evening in the North Park neighborhood and dined at Urban Solace, a restaurant with a New Orleans facade specializing in Southern Comfort, I mean comfort food, although I'm sure Southern Comfort is also available but I myself am a Tequila drinker.  I was also able to showcase my newest purchase, the Ascot Swing Coat from Anthropologie and a lovely frock gifted to me from one of my very favorite fashionistas.  Good food and good clothes, done and done.

 {Outfit Details}

Coat: the Ascot Swing Coat, Anthropologie

Dress: gifted, Rachel by Rachel Roy

Shoes: Merona, Target

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Pulled Chicken and Buttermilk Dumplings, Savory Chicken Gravy, Fried Sage

Salted Caramel Pot de Crème Bittersweet Chocolate Cap, Whipped Creme Fraiche

the icon

Despite the fact that I named my blog Miss Della Street, I am slightly embarrassed to say that I haven't properly introduced the namesake, Della Street herself.  Della Street is a character from the series of novels by Erle Stanley Gardner and then the 1950's-60's television courtroom drama Perry Mason, played by Barbara Hale.  Ms. Street is Perry Mason's, the criminal defense attorney, private secretary and one of his sidekicks.  In the series she is probably in her late thirties or forties, unmarried and full of sass and wit and of course always impeccably dressed, a commendable combination considering the time in which the character was created. Here's to you Della. 

twenty five

So I recently turned twenty five amidst a flurry of emotions about having my life in order a bit more than it is.  However despite all of my anxiety it turned out to be a very lovely birthday indeed and I am optimistically hoping that this milestone will not be as bad as I was predicting it to be.  And who doesn't love a weekend of birthday festivities?  I was able to spend it with all the important people in my life, which makes it that much more special.

Day One 

Disneyland

 

Day Two

Dinner at First and Hope Downtown Supper Club

 

Day Three

Lunch at Felix Continental Cafe with Mom and Dinner at Second Story

beauty parlor

I've noticed my mood dampen a bit when  my hair begins to dull or just starts looking icky, so a trip to the beauty parlor always seems to do the trick.  And, I have found that if you have a pretty fabulous beauty parlor to go to it certainly makes a difference.  Now I have been gettin' my hair did since high school, but I must say, in all those years and all those stylists in all those salons I have never so happy with the experience as I am with my current stylist/salon.  Where is this fabulous salon you ask?  Who is your stylist?  

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Well let me tell you my friend, Ultra Lux Salon and Lounge it will change your life.  Martha Stewart says the gift wrapping is half the present and that is something I live by.  At this salon it is definitely true, the decor is amazing, retro chic with cheetah prints, retro vanities, and hot pink, oh and great music to boot!  This might sound like it appeals to a rather narrow market but I have seen 60+ women there, men, as well as the usual twenty somethings. Oh and did I mention the complimentary cocktails...?

 

My stylist is Sara Marie, what would I do without her? ( I HIGHLY recommend you go see her, pictured above) She is a magician with color, and has never left me with a less than fabulous look, and her fearless assistant Ashley is a total doll and does a great blow dry.  AND, if you are in need of a great blow out for an event or a date go see Jen (Jennifer Mendoza), oh what that girl can do with a blow drier and a brush.

 

Even the bathroom is fabulous!

looking through windows

I must admit one of my favorite things to do is go for walks at night and steal glances into peoples windows as I am walking by.  I love the tiny glimpse into these stranger's lives.  With the passing gaze I am able to construct a little narrative in my mind about the people that inhabit these mysterious spaces, what their lives are like, what they do for a living, what they do for fun, etc.  It is my little guilty pleasure.

 

Rear Window

 

Anthropologie Catalog- August

 

Mrs. Kravitz, Bewitched

 

Rear Window

 

Shizuka Yokomizo's Stranger photographic series

 

avec ma mere

Because my mom lives a bit away from me, between our schedules I do not get to see her as often as I would like to.  This last time I went to visit her aside from our usual, shopping and eating, we ventured out to try a new cupcakery that opened in her neighborhood, The Cake Mamas.  I am so glad we did because they are as delicious as they are cute!  They have so many fun and interesting flavors.  We tried the salted caramel (mini of the month), raspberry lemonade, red velvet and german chocolate cake.  I guess I will definitely have to find time in my schedule to go visit her more often. And cupcakes aside, some days you just need your mom.

I couldn't resist, I had to take a picture of my mom's crazy ol' dog Ruby with her one ear that stands up.