Big Sur, Day Three: Jade Cove Beach

On our last day in Big Sur we decided to visit Jade Cove Beach at Willow Creek. Jade Cove was windy and cool so I put on my Reverie mint green windbreaker over a mint green All Saints cashmere sweater and threw on my M.Dot head scarf. Mint green is one my favorite colors, it's a surprisingly versatile neutral that works great in both warm and chilly weather. The color was particularly fitting for Jade Cove Beach and blended perfectly with the serene background.

Jade Cove is a popular adventure sport destination that draws both hang gliders and surfers to its rocky shore. The rugged beauty of the serpentine boulders is incredible.

The beach is famous for jade diving. We hiked down a rocky path and made it to the sand and, although we didn't find any of our own jade, we did find a new friend! Justin Barrett is local jade hunter and artist that handcrafts elegant statement pieces, working exclusively in jade. Justin even gave us a piece to take home!

M. Dot Paris Market bird silk scarf

A surfer at Willow Creek

Directly across from the shoreline are beautiful fields of brightly colored wild flowers that stand in stark contrast to the blue and gray hues of the beach. 

After three scenic and restorative days enjoying all Big Sur has to offer, it was time to head back to the city. Special thanks to my friend and photographer, Liz Brown, for being my travel companion. We had a great time collaborating on this project. Liz loves to travel and shoot portraits, fashion and culture all over the world. Check out more of her work at lizbrownphotography.com and on Instagram at instagram.com/lizbrownphoto.

Big Sur, Day Two: Hiking and the Nest

Although we had great sushi at Wild Coast Restaurant at Treebones, we didn't stay up too late because we knew day two would be a full day of exploring the great outdoors!

Bottega Veneta sunglasses and Helmut Lang beanie

Mountain air is always crisp in the morning and Big Sur is no exception. As always, when in California, layering is a must. I put on another great Mansoor Scott look, the Park City Pullover, which is fuzzy and so soft, with cream Newport scalloped shorts. I added my All Saints military boots for the rough terrain and my favorite backpack from House of 950. I love it's clean lines and the natural color goes with absolutely everything!

After breakfast at the lodge, we were ready to head out, but, wait! There was just one thing I wanted to do first - visit Treebones' famous human nest!

So fun! If it was just a bit warmer I would definitely want to stay here! Next time...

... And here is our view:

Now I am finally ready for a hike!

All images by Liz Brown, follow her on Instagram.

Thanks to Mansoor Scott for all their great contributions to this series!

Big Sur Trip, Day One: Treebones Resort with Mansoor Scott

My friend Liz Brown, a New York photographer, and I took a trip to Big Sur a couple weeks ago. It had been a bad winter in NYC and Liz was ready for some California sunshine and some beautiful scenery! Big Sur seemed like the perfect spot. Back East, we had collaborated on many projects so we wanted our trip to be a mix of fun and work. I love the outdoors but always like to keep fashion in the game when dressing, even out in the mountains, so we decided to shoot some great glamping looks!

Top by Mansoor Scott, sunglasses by Saint Laurent Paris. Cone spike earrings by Eddie Borgo.

We found an awesome location - the Treebones Resort, a unique, family run campsite with stunning views of the Big Sur coastline. Treebones is on the south end of Big Sur and the coastal drive is about four hours from San Francisco so I wanted to wear something pretty comfortable. Here I am in lounge wear from one of my favorite San Francisco based brands, Mansoor Scott by Bethany Scott Meuleners and Sabah Mansoor Husain. I love their Brooklyn track pants and Barcelona mesh turtleneck!

 

Crop top and track pants by Mansoor Scott. Shoes by Celine.

When we arrived to Big Sur we stopped at Nepenthe for lunch and more breathtaking views. It was finally starting to heat up so I changed into another fun Mansoor Scott top, the metallic Amsterdam crop top.

Detail of Mansoor Scott black mesh top. Bracelet by Miansai.

After lunch we headed to Treebones to check in. Glamping, according to Treebones Resort, is a luxury camping, blending the natural experience of outdoor camping with more glamous amenties, which sounds great to me! This certainly is true - next to the campsites, they have two fine restaurants, Wild Coast Restaurant and Oceanview Sushi Bar, as well as a hot tub, pool and lodge.

You can stay in a heated yurt, or in a human nest (more on this to come!), or you can park an RV or pitch a tent if you really want to. We decided to go with the heated yurt, and it was a great choice!

 

Upon arrival, we dropped our things at the yurt, which, although rustic, was quite spacious and pristine. Then, we took a dip in the hot tub and changed again for a beer at the lodge.

Here I am in my own Rag and Bone boots and jeans, the Mansoor Scott Mumbai moto jacket, and my favorite leather hat. The metallic embroidery detail really pops!

Stay tuned for what we saw on day two! 

All images by Liz Brown, follow her on Instagram.

Pop Up Boutique at the W San Francisco

I had an amazing time co-hosting a great pop up event last Thursday at the beautiful W Hotel in downtown San Francisco. The event blended high concept modern design and unique fashions by showcasing funky and flirty LA-based M Dot Design Studio and high-end home furnishings from Arkitektura Showrooms San Francisco.

Image by Currently Crushing

Here I am with fellow co-hosts LA Blogger Kristi from Currently Crushing and M Dot Designer Michelle Aquino.

The packed event had a great energy I had fun meeting a lot of new people passionate about all things design. 

Our model Kim Flink is wearing two looks I styled. The first look features M Dot's signature Rope dress in a stunning shimmering silver and mint. I accessorized the look with an oversized Leoluca metallic clutch and mule sandals from Freda Salvador, one of my favorite SF-based brands. All Freda shoes are hand-crafted in Spain with great attention to detail. In the second look, Kim is modeling a faux fur M Dot skirt paired with an M Dot scarf and tank. Kim is wearing Freda Explore heels in an eye catching multi-color nude. I love this look, it has an effortless elegance complemented by the Leoluca handbag across her shoulder. 

These are some of my favorite designs featured by Arkitektura. I loved the playful Cappellini cloud shelving and the simple yet striking Issey Miyake lighting for Foscarini.

And here I am with my beautiful friend and collaborator Sarah Holland, an interior designer who helped bring the event together. All and all it was a fantastic night and I'm looking forward to many more like it!

Check out all the designers who took part in the event:

M Dot Design Studio

Costella Handbags

Leoluca Handbags

Freda Salvador

Coral and Stone 

Robyn Rhodes

Mau Jewelry

Amy Agamemnon Jewelry

    

Diamonds, Still a Girl's Best Friend

There's not much to say here, because we are just speechless over the next post! We focused this shoot on the finest selection of high-design with the exquiste Poltrona Frau Oceano Trunk designed by Andree Putman, available at The Arkitektura Showrooms: Cassina San Francisco. This leather bedroom trunk is the perfect center piece for storing objects you adore, couture clothing, and accessories you love. With our focus being on high-design we were so excited to work with Rada Katz Fine Antique and Estate Jewelry at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco on this shoot, the combination of rare and exotic jewelry paired with the iconic Oceano trunk is simply perfection. 

Sparing no expense the Oceano Trunk has a place for everything with drawers in natural oak. This carefully crafted piece is the perfect complement to house all of your precious pieces. Rada Katz offers the most luxurious collection in fine antique and estate jewlery at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. This collection is all about the gold glam look with bold statement pieces.

Stealing the spotlight is the Kunzite and Citrine necklace, gold panther bracelet, large citrine cocktail ring, and white & gold south sea pearls. Front and center the Gold Rolex Daytona watch with diamond baguettes, with soft accents of white & gold south sea pearls, and luxurious Akoya pearls, complemented with Hermes Birkin bag. We love the fantastic gold shoes by designer Martha Davis.

Looking for a unique statement piece? Try some colorful creations that will transform a black dress or white shirt and jeans into an off the runway look. We love Rada's energetic and stunning pieces, including a Gold Rolex Daytona watch with diamond baguettes, Boucheron Paris ruby and sapphire frog ring, French blue topaz snake ring with rose cut diamonds, Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace, Lucien Piccard Black star sapphires and diamond vintage white gold cufflinks, large vintage Indian Ruby, diamond, and emerald necklace on silver gold, a set of fancy yellow diamond earrings & brooch leaves set in yellow gold, and a platinum diamond and onyx brooch.

Rada's platinum, diamond, and pearl looks are all about monochromatic luxury and, mixed in with the jewelry, we have a fun bralette top by Melissa Fleis.

 

This vivid cloud clutch by Reverie is so on trend, it's a perfect complement to Rada's colorful exotic statement jewelry.

This image is Rada's Carrera y Carrera Spain Panther diamond pendant, diamond tennis bracelet, pearl and sapphire tassel necklace, platinum pear pendant and brooch on pearl strand, and mother of pearl Mauboussin white gold choker. 

 

Special thanks to our collaborators! Visit them for more information:
The Arkitektura Showrooms: Cassina San Francisco
Martha Davis
Melissa Fleis
Rada Katz Fine Antique and Estate Jewelry at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
Reverie

All photos by Angela DeCenzo

Remix Your Spring Style

Every year Spring inspires new beginnings so why not start with a new wardrobe? This month Melange Mode's Ana Dahlman and interior designer Sarah Holland collaborated on a lifestyle shoot, where high-end fashion and interiors collide. All images were shot at The Arkitektura Showrooms: Cassina San Francisco. The showroom is a high-designed space with luxurious and timeless iconic furniture pieces. All images were photographed by Angela DeCenzo. Angela is based in San Francisco and is a regular contributor to national and local publications. Check out our Spring 2014 looks below in the ultimate dream closet!

The Cappelini Container Closet System design is all about versatility. This simple design solution can be customized with high-end finishes and storage options, making it the dream closet. Closets are becoming more of a focal point in a room and this design quality is gaining popularity fast.

Pastel tones are on trend for Spring 2014, check out some of these haute hues. The fun, flirty tones mixed with some bolder colors adds some unexpected contrast to these finished looks. The pieces are by Reverie, from Melange Mode's Ronit Genik, and M Dot Design Studio, from designer Michelle Aquino who creates limited edition, handmade clothes in Los Angeles. The unique shoes on the left are by local SF shoe designer Martha Davis and were inspired by the Redwood Forrest.

 

Bring the heat to your Spring look this year with these edgy, chic downtown looks. Graphic prints paired with metallic accents and some bold colors make this collection the perfect storm, and we are not just referring to the lightning clutch by Reverie. These looks can be sleek for day or add the drama for a night out. San Francisco based fashion designer Melissa Fleis creates an effortless style. Her Whitewash collection mixes patterns and textures with different materials. Staple pieces are transcended by Melissa with the use of leather. The orange jacket masters a monchromatic look seamlessly.

Check out some of these key pieces. Melissa Fleis, Lucent Dress (yellow), Slip Vest (white), Metric Legging (black/white), Pop Leather Jacket (orange), Slate Jumper, and Cope Moto Jacket. We are also loving Reverie's eye catching fire inspired dress and metallic copper dress! All shoes are by Martha Davis.

Prints Please! Add some variety to your closet with these eccentric patterns by M Dot Design Studio. Floral prints have become such a year-round trend and we love the fun wrap dress that plays up this style. Other pieces not to miss are the Rope dress, black cut out silk dress, and the Blair dress in mint green. Next time we are in LA we have to visit Michelle's Studio!

Men's lifestyle fashion is all about having quintessential pieces from day to night and the Wingtip Store San Francisco has everything you need for your work meeting, date night, and weekend brunch plans. In this series of images, all men's pieces featured are available at the Wingtip Store San Francisco. Custom shirts by Wingtip and the classic custom sports coat by Wingtip paired with their silk pocket square, gives a crisp look for spring. Keep your iPad and files in this classic distressed leather portfolio by Moore & Giles. Break up your style with some textured suede loafers by Peter Millar or beige leather shoes, top shelf, by Michael Toschi. 

A classic black men's suit is the men's equivalent to a little black dress. Everyone needs one! Check out this stunning custom suit by Alfred Dunhill and black leather shoes by Saint Crispins. We love pairing this look with the black and white silk polka dot printed pocket square and black bow tie. All you need is a martini to complete the look. The custom shirts by Wingtip, along with colorful ties, make you forget all about your winter blues. You can always dress down these shirts with some dark denim on the weekend, and speaking of weekend plans, the Wolverine 1,000 Mile boots, top shelf, are the prefect distressed compliment to add some edge to your style. 

To end on a classic note, let's celebrate spring with these classic men's pieces. Here are a few investment pieces every man should have. Custom navy pinstripe sports coat by Peter Millar with a crisp white shirt paired with brown leather loafers by Wingtip. This simple look can be your go to for a business lunch or a special dinner res with your sweetheart.

Special thanks to our collaborators! Visit them for more information:
The Arkitektura Showrooms: Cassina San Francisco
Martha Davis
Melissa Fleis  
M Dot Design Studio
Reverie
Wingtip Store San Francisco

All photos by Angela DeCenzo

M Dot Design Studio & Arkitektura at W San Francisco

Ana will be hosting this event at W San Francisco presented by M dot Design Studio and the ARKITEKTURA Showrooms. Featuring amazing interior design pieces, M dot designs & dot dot, Costella Handbags, Mau Jewelry and Amy Agamemnon Jewelry along with wine, cheese, and dessert.

RSVP Now!

Let the Good Times Roll at Coachella

We wanted to share some of our favorites snaps from Coachella, shot by our wonderful LA correspondent, Sarah! 

Crop tops are still all the rage in the Golden State!

We love the mix of this lace maxi skirt and western cowboy hat

These girls are keeping the party going in a flowy maxi dress and bold print top

The 80s still rule! These girls are rockin rainbow colors and google eye rings

Show your love for chronic with these pot loving socks

Surfer dudes and Native American headdresses always 

have a place at a musical festival

Our fun loving photographer and make up artist, Sarah, thanks for sharing your memories! Visit Sarah's site at sarahleomakeup.com.