New York, New York

I just got back from a whirlwind work trip to New York. We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental that overlooks leafy Central Park and a cluster of white-hued skyscrapers from its perch on Columbus Circle.

After hitting the pavement hard for 12 media appointments with top magazine editors, my sunken bathtub and bath salts, the dreamy bed near the window wall, they swallowed me into R&R bliss, realms and realities from the electricity of this city that never turns off...

Midsummer's Dream

It was a go-go-go weekend, and a highlight was my friend Haley's 3-year anniversary party for her beautifully bohemian clothing line called Junim.

The mellow Sunday party was something out of a midsummer's dream! Things unfolded at her hushed little cottage in the Hollywood Hills, in a fairy-like outdoor space with handmade dreamcatchers swaying from leafy trees, wildflowers in a mish-mash of colorful bottles and silk-dyed ribbon garlands hovering over the table with popcorn in hand-painted bags and fruit-toppled sangria. Cool tunes, old and new, played from one corner of the studio - I sort of flipped out when "My Girl" from The Temptations came on (ha!).

Racks of her whimsical tie-dyed silk dresses, funky and sequin shifts and gypsy separates lined one side of the cottage studio, and I of course hightailed it to the bathroom to try one on!

Those dreamcatchers!

Hanging out with Kristen and Carlie

Ribbons for days...

Girls Night!

It was Saturday night in L.A, and not even a rare showing of rain could keep us inside. I mean, sometimes you just NEED a fun night out with girlfriends!

The night began with catching up over rose wine -- or as I call it, "summer water" -- and snacks at my place.

Then a moody Hollywood lounge with delicious white sangria toppled with fresh fruit.

All capped with some hip hop and '90s jams at a hole-in-the-wall spot on Fairfax Avenue that reminded me of a no-frills college house party.

Mission accomplished!