And The Verdict Is: Guilty As Charged.

Everyone has their guilty pleasures. For some its chocolate, wine, a great sale, a little Blue Box, or a really trashy tv show that you hate to admit you actually enjoy. Mine just happens to be all five. To be exact: Godiva's Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Don Miguel Gascon Malbec, Barney's Warehouse sales, Tiffany's, & Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami/Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Yes, we all have a vain or materialistic side - that's why it is called a "guilty pleasure."

For those of you who know me, you know I have a twisted obsession with Khloe Kardashian - I think she is fucking FABULOUS! She is gorgeous, definitely the most promising one out of her family and is, well, HILARIOUS! Oh Khloe, we gotta love you girl! There really is nothing better than a night in with a glass of wine and some Kardashian drama. Oh, and if you're really feeling like going to town, throw some Godiva into the mix! Get Em Girl ;)

MUST HAVE OF THE WEEK:

Love and Toast's Gin Blossom Hand Cream. It smells heavenly & is only $9!

Until Next Time Guilty Ones,

Love,

Kara Anne

The Big White Dress....

When you're a little girl you usually dream of two things: 1. Becoming a Princess and 2. Marrying a Prince. Since were all not as fortunate as Kate Middleton, getting married is probably the only realistic dream of the two. I don't know about you, but I have been dreaming of this day for, well, my whole entire life.

It is my belief that you marry once and go big. After being traumatized by my parents divorce that lasted last over a decade, I think it is a fair axiom to live by. This is not to say marrying more than once is wrong, because we all know you have to kiss a few toads before you find a prince.

Anyway, since your wedding day is

the only day you have to celebrate your lost life as a bachelor and your new life as Mr. & Mrs, I think you need to go all out. Sure you can go to town on your Bachelorette party, but ladies lets face it - you're never going to look better than you did on your wedding day and you know you're going to be a hott mess at your Bachelorette party!

Women are always comparing themselves to how they look,

felt, or how much they weighed on their wedding day. I think it has been made apparent that its a down-hill spiral after you tie the knot.

You get old, gravity kicks in, and you get wrinkles, despite efforts of every cream, oil, or laser treatment, and then stretch-marks grace your body after you pop out of few Little Mr. Prince Charmings. So why not spend thousands of dollars on this day, celebrating the pinnacle of your beauty, youth, & romance?

Expensive weddings aren't for everyone. Some want it simple and sweet, other's don't want to make it a big deal, or if you're like me you want it to be the most elaborate wedding of the season. Much to my dismay, I was not born the Queen of England, but luckily weddings

can be done on a budget and there are several

tricks of the trade to make your big day look like it cost some big $$$$.

If you're looking to plan your big day here are some places to check out & draw inspiration:

Tips from the Pros: My all time favorite wedding planner and family friend, Lisa Vorce, owner of Oh How Charming, is a woman who can turn any dream into a reality. Check out her website for ideas, themes, inspiration, or just to day dream. My personal favorite is the Vintage Fusion wedding in her picture gallery. Oh did I mention, she has been in almost every wedding magazine around?

If you're looking for a place to kiss and tell, Kiss the Groom is a wicked cute website dedicated to love stories. They have my personal favorite - "The Kissing Tree," Where you fill out your information and they email you a cute little Kissing Tree that you can print out like the one below. They also have "Kiss and Tell" where you can send your own love story of how you met your Prince Charming complete with pictures.

The Knot is great place to browse and find everything you need to know about weddings. From registries, to dresses, to gifts, its all there. Plus I love their wedding books! They give you great checklists to make sure you're on track before you take the plunge.

The Bride and Bloom is another site, similar to The Knot that has great tips, advice and more wedding fun! Their magazine is great, and they have a recent article you should check out if you're walking down the isle soon - "Tips to keep your sanity during the wedding planning".

My new favorite blog and place to draw ideas from for the big day is Style Me Pretty Bridal Inspirations. Newlyweds from all over the world can send pictures from their wedding that are posted regularly on the site. There are thousands of pictures that include every wedding theme out there, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Style Me Pretty also has a great place to find

vendors called TheLittle Black Book -they have it all from photography, invitations, music

you name it. For those of you Northern Californians like me, I linked the Sonoma-Napa Vendors.

And of course, the most important accessory of the Wedding - The Dress. There is no one who can make you look more beautiful than Vera Wang. She has mastered the art of the timelessness and beauty. Im not sure there is a feeling that compares to falling head over heels with a Vera Wang dress, and I say this from experience.

Until Next Time Newlyweds & Brides to Be,

Love,

Kara Anne

Here are some inspirational pictures, compliments of Style Me Pretty.

When You're In La...

LOS ANGELES (noun): According to Urban Dictionary it is "the only place in the world where a person can be seen flipping someone off with one hand, talking on a cell phone, reading the newspaper and drinking a latte, all while doing 90 in the right lane of the freeway." Clearly the drivers of Los Angeles belong in a zoo or in jail with Lindsay Lohan. Yet, despite the the plethora of freeways that zig zag through the city filled with the countries worst drivers, there is something about LA that attracts millions of people each year. Maybe it is the idea of fame that romances the traveler, or maybe it is the one-of-a kind shops, restaurants, and attractions. Whatever it is, there seems to be something for everybody.

Here are a few places that are my must-see places every time I come home to visit.

1. Galae Thai on Barham Blvd. is the perfect place to take that special someone or a good friend to catch up. I recommend going for the happy hour from 3-7 where there are $5 appetizers and drink specials. The patio seating is by far the best seating and is great on a summer night. Although the restaurant is never crowded, it has by far the best Thai food in Los Angeles and their food looks and tastes like it came straight out of a magazine! They even oragami the paper on your straws to make them look like roses, so precious!

2. Aroma Cafe on Tujunga is an amazing place to go to for brunch or to grab a cup of tea and read a book outside. If you forget your book, there is even a cute little bookstore right next to it called Portrait of a Bookstore! If you're a tea loving freak like I am, they have a huge selection of organic loose-leaf teas or if you're looking to satisfy your sweet tooth craving they have delicious imported chocolates and other sweets. If you're going there to eat, I highly recommend the grilled Atlantic salmon salad or the caprese press. It is often very crowded, but it is well worth the wait. The outdoor seating is the way to go if you want a peaceful relaxing place to enjoy your meal or coffee.

3. Timmy Nolan's Tavern on Riverside is the best place to go to grab a drink with a friend or bring your man. If you like beer they have a huge selection of imported beers from all over the world. Their bartender Steven, who is also one of the owners is absolutely amazing!!! He knows everything you want to know about the beer your drinking, from where it is brewed down to the nitty gritty process of how it was brewed. I highly recommend the Old Speckeled Hen Cream Ale from England or the Green Flash West Coast IPA from San Diego.

4. Runyon Canyon off of Mulholland Drive is a great place to walk off those drinks from last night or catch a view of the Los Angeles skyline. From time to time you'll often spot a familiar celeb face with their pooch. Previously spotted are Lauren Conrad, Jessica Biel, Adam Brody, Ryan Phillipe, & Channing Tatum. It is an extremely dog-friendly place, but obey the leash laws because the Rangers can be lurking waiting to give you a ticket for not having your furry friend on a leash in the designated areas. If you're an early riser they sometimes have sunrise yoga down towards the southern entrance. Its a great place to be seen & get those buns in shape ;)

Here are some picks by Emily Darling:

1. The Wood Spoon on 9th in downtown is another great date place. While you're here you should stop by Banksy's legendary graffitti on 9th and Broadway. They have delicious Brazilian food and chic decor! Guys, this is definitely a place to take that special lady!

2. The Bodhi Tree Bookstore on Melrose is unique bookstore for the book-lover. They have a wide variety of unique books that you probably won't find in your average bookstore.

The Must-Have of the Week comes from the LA based Jewelery company Wednesday Inspiration owned by Natasha Carr-Ottaviano and Marley Engebretsen. It is a necklace with a real maple leaf dipped in 24k gold and is absolutely to die for!!! All jewelery can be purchased online and they even are offering free shipping, so get it while its hott!!


Until Next Time Los Angeles,
Love,
Kara Anne

Le Premier

After much back-and-forth, I've jumped on the bandwagon and created a blog. There is nothing here that will be off-limits - there are no rules, rights or wrongs. There is just life, love, and letters strung into words. With that being said, let the words spill from my keyboard & into the abyss... be careful though, I hear they're contagious.

Love,

Kara Anne