What I Loved in February 2020

A collection of things I loved in February, from beauty products and fashion to entertainment and everything in between. For Valentine’s Day and our anniversary, Billy and I usually enjoy a cake from Whole Foods or pastries from Bottega Louie. This year was different because in November Billy became a vegan. I wanted to find something sweet that we both could indulge in so I searched for “the best vegan cookies”. One name kept coming up, The Naughty Cookie and it had amazing reviews. There were a few types to choose from: chocolate chip, triple chocolate chunk, peanut butter chocolate chip, s’mores, or the samplerRead More →

How Los Angeles Plays A Role in Valley Girl Apothecary’s Incredible Candle Scents

Every now and then I find a candle company that I become obsessed with. I’ll go out and purchase an assortment of scents and place them in various spots around my apartment. For me, music and candles go hand in hand—I’ll rotate them depending on what playlist I’m listening to. Currently, my obsession lies with Valley Girl Apothecary. These handmade, 100% soy candles smell absolutely amazinggg, and as I sit here blasting Free Fallin’ I have the Ventura Blvd candle lit. The combination of coffee and vanilla has me mentally chilling somewhere in The Valley. Another one of my favorites is Valley Nights because theRead More →

Meet A Girl in LA's Newest Blogger, Celebrity Stylist Gina Checchia

We’re so excited to announce Gina Checchia is joining A Girl in NYC! We can’t wait to see the exciting content she brings, but first—here’s a little about her. Xo—Kristie I would never leave home without… my cellphone and purse. I stay fit by… taking long walks, doing yoga, and eating nutritious food. In my spare time I… like to thrift shop, listen to music, cook, read, go to the beach, play with my cat, hang out with friends and family, and find new places to explore. The first thing I do in the morning is… check my phone notifications and feed my cat. MyRead More →

The Museum of Illusions DTLA Mural

One of the many perks of living in Los Angeles is the opportunity to visit a myriad of unique places. Last weekend Billy and I were invited to explore the Hollywood Museum of Illusions. I’ve visited a number of pop-ups and museums in L.A., but I rate this as one of the best immersive art experiences in Hollywood. It’s divided into two fantasy realms—the 3D Illusions area and the Upside Down House. Both are designed to spark creativity, make you laugh, and give you an escape from everyday reality. Here are our highlights (and favorite optical illusion photographs) from our visit. This illusion reminded meRead More →

The Best Looks On The Oscars Red Carpet

Even though February is the shortest month, it can feel like the longest. The holidays are over and no matter where you live, spring can’t come soon enough. Aside from Valentine’s Day and Billy and I’s anniversary (which both fall on the 14th), The Oscars are something I countdown to every winter. I find as much enjoyment in tuning into the red carpet as I do in watching the actual show. I love seeing what the celebrities are wearing and getting a glimpse of emerging designers and upcoming trends. Here are my favorite looks from this year’s Academy Awards and The Vanity Fair after party.Read More →

52 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas For Every Budget

Choosing the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetheart can sometimes be a challenge. We’ve come up with a list of suggestions (52 of them) in a variety of price points. You’ll be able to find something no matter how long (or short) you’ve been in a relationship. Whether you’re shopping for him or her, your bestie on Galentine’s Day, or you want to treat yourself—we created this gift guide with every budget in mind. Must-Have Accessories A pair of Off-White socks are excellent for cold winter nights by the fire. ($78) The cutest croc-embossed purse comes in the prettiest shade of pink! ($348) ThisRead More →

4 Unique Ways to Style A Bar Cart

Since I returned from my vacation to the East Coast, I’ve been on a mission to update my apartment. I’ve spent endless hours scrolling through Pinterest searching for small (and inexpensive) changes that will elevate my home. What really caught my eye were the tasteful ways to style a bar cart. I ended up narrowing down my favorites into four styles: art deco, acrylic, minimalist, and eccentric. Then I researched where to find the quintessential pieces inspired by the themes. During my quest to create the ideal bar cart I took it one step further and built a comprehensive list of everything you could possiblyRead More →

Interesting Stories 1.27.2020

A collection of interesting, inspirational, and funny stories that are currently trending. From DIY projects, wellness advice, recipes ideas, travel tips, and more, these are the links to start your week off with. (1-27-2020) 1. A guide to souvenir shopping in ten countries. 2. This Q&A with fitness guru Rachel Nicks will motivate you to get to the gym. 3. These Ikea hacks are so good it’s hard to pick a favorite. 4. The ELLE Decor Café at The Plaza is now open, and it’s making me want to vacay in New York City again. 5. If you’re always tired, here are seven possible reasonsRead More →

My Favorite Plant-Based Recipes From My Go-To Vegan Cookbooks—Part 1

Every Monday and Wednesday, Billy and I receive fresh, pre-made vegan dishes from the meal delivery service Thistle. Three dinners (plus breakfast, lunch, and snacks) arrive at our doorstep and they’re ready within 5 minutes. This makes planning what we’re having for dinner three nights out of the week, pretty easy. The other four nights  we try to come up with something just as nutritious. In December Billy became a vegan so when I’m cooking for the two of us, I have a few go-to cookbooks that provide me with flavorful dairy-free recipes. Recently I went through each one and placed a post-it on theRead More →

My List of 30 Relatable Personal Goal Ideas To Try This Year

In the past, I’ve mentioned how I’m not one for making New Year’s resolutions. I believe if you want to make a positive change, it shouldn’t take the clock striking midnight to make it happen. I do, however, like to make a list of goals (these are mine from 2019) along with small things I’d like to do at the start of the new year. These are anything from tiny improvements to my personal well-being (like updating my fitness regimen and drinking more water), to organizing and deep cleaning my apartment. Then I also make a point of including fun things that will bring moreRead More →