Happy Valentines Day {wishing you good hair days}

Orlando Pita coiffs Amber Valleta more of his coils and coiffs here

This hairdresser's dream hairstylist Oribe

Big hair here and here with Serge Normant  

I mentioned about Jen's mane man Christopher McMillan and his hair tips here

Guido Paolo must have tools, hairdryer, teasing tool, curling iron, flat iron Mason Pearson brush, and hot rollers my picks here and here

Sending you a little love with some of my favorite hairstylist's, and their tips above. I  included mine in the mix too, of course.

I hope these hairstyling tips send you on your way to more great hair days ahead if all else fails there's always chocolate. My favorite truffles and peanut butter cups

decadent chocolate tart recipe here

via maryhowardstudio,modenewslicious

holiday home {links}

I finally hung my holiday wreath on my door, this one from here

I have my tree up complete with lights and cards hanging up too!

recycling is a holiday must I was pleasantly surprised at how many supplies I have from years past

Sweet scent of the season love my chocolate a recipe just like abuelita's

A welcome home awaits me outside the door with my holiday wreath and inside with the best greeting ever from my furry friends, their reward are these cookies that I have been baking. Love the warmth of  home, scented, with candles all glow and the presence of Christmas. How is your holiday home?

images: boxedwreath,marthastewart,sweetpaul

let it glow

Candles are the festivity of every day life that make my nights dreamier and the holidays brighter. I had to resist buying some pumpkin scented candles today instead I wanted to appreciate some simple voltives I have that I simply add a little pumpkin pie spice and vanilla home fragrance from the Body Shop and voila instant ambience! Here are some of my favorite candles anytime but especially scented for the Holidays. The Pacifica Mexican Soy Candle is a mix of chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, almond, clove, and patchouli, reminiscent of Mexico's famous hot cocoa yummy enough to satisfy my sweet craving! What are your favorites, seasonal or anytime?

images: fresh, jo malone, tocca, pacifica, diptyque, illume

hot chocolate before bed

It is so important to exfoliate in the winter time to slough off dryness so that my bath oil absorbs leaving my skin radiantly soft and glowing. Discovered a wonderful new sugar scrub to add to my favorites. Giovanni Hot Chocolate Sugar Scrub has a yummy chocolate scent as it exfoliates away dry skin. You can find it here. To leave me with even more chocolate kissed skin, I slathered on my favorite Cocoa Butter. Sweet dreams and a lovely weekend.
xo
Gina

cafe de leche

Always a treat to find that the new kid in town is a coffee shop in Highland Park with a little twist. Just down the street from The York one of my favorite bar hops, and the best media noche sandwich this side of L.A. Cafe de Leche on a late Sunday afternoon with wi-fi business keeping the customers happy and the latte's steaming. I love the orange bike suspended from the ceiling, in it's sleek setting with plenty of coffee tables. There is even a little family area with a checker board to be played and that we did. I sipped a Soy Chai Latte, but next time I'll try the horchata con expresso and sweets from Porto's Cuban Bakery. I love to give my business to local independent businesses doing good things for the community and with the little extra's like the current issue of W magazine along with the L.A. times I will be spreading the news.
A Cappuccino after a delicious cottage salad at Neiman Marcus shared with the flakiest popover and strawberry butter is a great way to unwind after Lollia candle shopping. The biggest chocolate chip cookie for two was a treat so much I took the rest home in my little chocolate chip cookie bag.
A fashion treat these lovely lace stilleto's from Fendi shown here make a smashing statement in colors that remind me of mocha and chocolate.

babycakes

I am always so excited to receive Gwyneth's Goop updates. Today's Goop Make post was about Babycakes Bakery. Health conscious foodie Erin McKenna's concept is sugar-free/vegan/gluten-free. They look deceptively delicious! When in New York my favorite cupcake is at Magnolia Bakery. These cupcakes have New Yorker's standing in line for the old fashioned, melt in your mouth taste. This crowded little bakery is one of the stops on the Sex and the City Tour. Back in L.A. known for their cakes with fresh berries and the lightest whipped frosting, my sister's favorite, Sweet Lady Jane's. I was first introduced to the biggest red velvet cupcake at Auntie Em's in Eagle Rock, sweet! In Pasadena Dot's , lovely little designer cupcakes are a perfect gift nestled in a polka dot bakery box. The mini-cupcakes are the best deal in town. The cupcakes at Violet's are topped with dollops of sugary frosting swirled artfully like beehive hairdo's. Love the Elvis cupcake and the Red Velvet with chocolate instead of cream cheese frosting. I can't forget Heirloom Bakery in my hometown South Pasadena, with their hostess cupcake inspired design and just as decadent. I hope to hear some of your sweet tooth favorites until then, Sweet Dreams!

joe

I love the ritual of my morning coffe or cafecito as I call it. I am especially happy to not only have found a coffee that is equally as delicious as my morning Caffè Verona, rich aroma and the taste is dark and smoky.at half the price. My new favorite, Joe from Trader Joes with 100% Arabica beans from Colombia, Brazil and Peru that are medium roasted. I love to share good news on great things. Another morning ritual is a daily blog read, I love to find a little bit of pleasure in the time and effort it takes to share our soul through writing. Here is a blogger that I have come across with a name that complements todays post, have a great morning!