Spotlight: Haute couture and Haute Cuisine collide in Milan

Update: Unfortunately this restaurant has closed

Milan, the capital of Italian fashion
and the home to many famous Italian designers is always filled with creativity and innovation. With trendsetters lining the streets and famous shopping districts such as Via Napoleone filled with the flagship stores for the likes of Armani, D&G, Marni, and Versace, fashion is everywhere. The food is no exception. Located in the high fashion district Dolce and Gabana's glamorous restaurant GOLD is my favorite place to go for trend spotting as well as delicious Eggplant Parmesan. As you approach the restaurant you would never guess it was a Dolce and Gabana original where Stefano can sometimes be spotted hanging out in the lounge. But when you walk in the door to the waiting room with the giant letters spelling Gold with an extra big O shining behind the counter and, the sleek white couches and modern chandeliers reflecting off the mirrors on every wall, you know you are in a Dolce and Gabana restaurant. I checked in and headed over to my table. My table looked out onto the boulevard and a modern chandelier hung over. The art like silverware and place setting is very fashionable. First I tasted the delicious bread basket on the table and enjoyed the Italian loafs very much. Then I ordered my favorite, a Shirley temple. As I looked over the Italian menu everything sounded delicious, I finally decoded on the Eggplant Parmesan. While I waited for my main dish to come out the restaurant began to fill up. Europeans usually eat very late. I watched the fashionable crowds file into the restaurant and listened to the hum of Italian in the room. When my eggplant parmesan came out it looked delicious and tasted even better. The eggplant was perfectly crunchy and the parmesan contrasted with the marinara sauce making the perfect combination.After finishing my meal I had just enough room left for the delectable sounding desert menu. I decided to order the cherry chocolate tray, of course! As a special treat I also decided to order the restaurant's signature dessert, a chocolate bar covered in 24k gold to take home and remember my one of a kind Dolce and Gabbana experience.

Lunch on Hillhurst: The Alcove

Appropriately named the alcove is exactly that an alcove full of nature in the midst of the bustling city of Los Angeles. Artists, writers, and many other creative people fill the tables at this cute little cafe.

 The all day breakfast served till 5 is pretty good. I tried one of the breakfast sandwiches with eggs and bacon and enjoyed eating it on the terrace among the trees and flowers.  

Inside the cute cafe is decorated in vintage style and filled with beautiful flower bouquets and delicious looking cakes and desserts. 

I tried this delicious Oreo cupcake. Made with moist chocolate cake and frosting that tastes homemade this dessert was the perfect ending to a great afternoon on Hillhurst. 

I would definitley recommend this cafe to anyone in the area looking for a local taste and LA artsy vibe!

Have you been to this cafe? What did you think? Did you find this post informative? Let me know in the comments below!

Patisseries by City

These are the best patisseries I've found and now I'm sharing them with you! Don't feel like you have to read it all at once, just use it as a guide if you are headed to any of the following destinations.

1. Paris, France- In the city where they originated, and they line the streets, how is a foreigner supposed to choose a patisserie when every window looks so delicious! I've got you covered. Hidden in a little corner off the hip Boulevard St. Germaine it's not quite Laudrees but it's definitely got that Parisian charm! Filled with locals getting their afternoon espresso and sitting under the green awnings that read Un Dimanche a Paris this hidden gem is my favorite patisserie in Paris! The windows are lined with brightly colored treats of every kind and the friendly staff is always willing to help you decide between chocolate and caramel.
2. Aix-en-Provence- Surprisingly enough my favorite patisserie in this beautiful provincial town is actually in the local grocery store, the Casino. (I know what your thinking but no, you still have to drive to Monaco to gamble. Despite it's name this store only sells food.) with an array of beautiful desserts made fresh daily this store was the easiest and most convenient patisserie I found! They also sell cookies and biscuits by the box if your taking a road trip to the local beach not far from Aix. And of course they have Swiss chocolate for your cravings!
3. Milan Italy- As you step into the gilded restaurant past the shining letters that read gold, you know your in the capital of Italian fashion. since Milan is known for its high fashion its only fitting that this slot go to Dolce & Gabana restaurant Gold. Whether your eating in or picking up a to go order in a golden box from the golden pastry counter at the back of the restaurant there are plenty of delicious choices to choose from. One of my personal favorites is the cherry trio, a trio of three different desserts with different kinds of cherry flavoring on each one. This melt in your mouth treat is best for dining in as it includes ice cream cherry sauce and much more! If you're interested in a more expensive taste the golden chocolate bar is for you. This chocolate treat is covered in edible 24kt gold embossed with the name of the restaurant Gold on top. This treat can be taken to go in a matching shiny gold box and lasts through the jostle of the subways (I tried it) -gold intact.
4. Florence Italy- Florence in the summer is hot, and I mean hot, and its also humid which means that travelers can expect to be hot and sticky all day long. But the good news is that because Florence is so hot it also means there is an abundance of gelatto stores on every corner! Which is exactly what I recommend if you're visiting in the summer. Any gelatto shop is fine- they all have delicious Italian flavors like stracciatella and limon and trust me you won't even be looking at the name of the place when you're sticking your head on the ice cream coolers to cool off.
5. Los Angeles CA-Just down the street from FIDM in downtown Los Angeles super chic Bottega Louie's always has a line out the door. Just like real trees, the exquisite macaron trees lining the spacious windows of LA's modern version of the classical patisserie, change color with the seasons. The pink Louie's boxes wrapped with a ribbon can be seen all over downtown as downtown's most fashionable satisfy their sweet tooth with one of the delicious pastries that taste like they're right out of France. The modern white loft space gives off a distinctly LA vibe offsetting the bright colors of the Macaron trees that are placed throughout the restaurant.
6. New York NY- New York City- the city that never sleeps is full of delicious food from every country how can you possibly pick one patisserie. Well after exploring I found that New York's desert specialty lies in the art of cupcake making. the re are so many delicious looking cupcake shops to choose from but my absolute favorite is a little shop in the Columbus circle neighborhood called Melissa's cupcakes. Their specialty is in mini cupcake about the size of a strawberry and the tiny corner shop matches the miniature theme. But despite their small size these cupcakes have Big flavor. Creative flavors ranging from mint chocolate chip to cookies and cream line the wall behind he counter. If your feeling extra adventurous you can try the Rainbow flavor with secret ingredients. these mini cupcakes come in packs of 3 or more with a cute note from Melissa in the box and you can tae them anywhere in the bustling city.
7. London England- London home to the queen of England herself I can just picture her sitting down to a nice English afternoon tea with the Duchess and now cute baby Prince George! the English are famous for their tradition of afternoon tea which is why its no surprise that the best pastries in London can be found at high tea! As you walk to the Berkley hotel in one of London's most fashionable neighborhoods the first thing you'll see is the giant flower display hats freshly placed every morning. High tea in the caramel room at the Berkley can make you feel like the queen of England with every flavor of tea ranging from mint chocolate chip to berry flower you'll want to try them all. But the best part is the fashion high tea a special tea you can book with delicious pastries inspired by the seasons latest trends. From an Yves Saint Laurent parfait to a Sonia Rykiel stiletto cookie this is one tea every fashionista will die for.
8. Boston MA-  home to the Boston tea party and many other historical events from American history Boston is filled with culture and patriotism. However the freedom trail is not filled with bakeries. So what does that mean for those of us who have an addiction to sweets? Well we'll have to venture farther past Paul Revere's colonial house into North Boston's Little Italy to find a really good pastry. Mikes Pastries in Little Italy is always crowded with lines out the door and offers a wide selection of homemade Italian deserts-the best in Boston. My favorite is the chocolate chip cannoli made with flaky delicious pastry bread and a little extra sweet inside!
9. Manhattan Beach CA- After riding your bike down the strand past the beautiful California beaches you might be ready for a treat! The best place to get your fix is on Manhattan Beach Boulevard right across from the pier. The Manhattan Beach Creamery is always busy no matter what time of year because its always summer in California! The classic ice cream shop with white iron patio furniture and the pink and white tissue paper flowers hanging from the ceiling create a carefree California beach vibe where you can't help feeling relaxed. Whether you're looking for an ice cream cone to take as you walk along the pier or a delicious pastry treat, the Manhattan Beach Creamery has it all. I'm sure you can guess what my favorite flavor is - that's right Cherry Manhattan is my number 1 pick but I also recommend trying the French macaroon flavor in a custom  ice cream sandwich.  
10. Monterey, CA- In a quaint seaside town overlooking the beautiful Monterey Bay sits a bright little ice cream shop with a homey atmosphere.  The brightly painted interior invites you in to taste a variety of ice cream flavors.  This is a stop you can't miss while exploring the area and don't forget to take your ice cream down to the beach and look for sea glass- you never know what you might find!
11. Monte Carlo, Monaco- walking around Casino square at night watching the Ferraris and Porsche pull up to front door of the grand ornate casino you might want a little treat to eat while you people watch. The gelatto store on the corner is the perfect place to stop. With many delicious French and Italian flavors it reflects the cultural fusion of Monaco.
12. Lake Champlain, VT- If you're visiting Vermont in the summer time Lake Champlain is a must see. The beautiful lakeside town once a summer vacation spot for the wealthy colonists of Vermont is something right out of a story book. Right across from the shimmering waters is the delicious Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory is a must see for anyone who loves old fashioned candy. With every flavor of chocolate imaginable you can't go wrong. You can also take a to go bag and fill it with all your favorite old fashion treats including orange slices, saltwater taffy, Necco wafers and more! This is my favorite sweet shop in Vermont. 
13. Las Vegas, NV- You can't skip out on sinfully sweet pastries in sin city but with so many restaurants in all the hotels how are you supposed to find the right pasty shop? Well this answer is rather obvious- go to the Paris hotel! The best pastries originated in Paris, so go to the Paris hotel in Vegas. As your walking down the fake cobblestone streets in the casino you'll pass the creperie where you can find homemade breakfast and dessert crepes, the gelatteria where you can find delicious gelato and late at night you might just get the chocolate Eiffel tower decoration and the patisserie where you can find fruit tarts, chocolate bread and more delicious pastries that are almost as good as the  real thing---almost. Or you can choose to eat your pastries with a view in the Eiffel tower restaurant on the third floor of the Eiffel tower replica at the Paris. They have the best crème brulee in Vegas.   
14. Southhampton, NY- After hopping off the Hampton Jitney and wandering down Main Street you may be looking for a place to get a little something sweet. Well in this classic Hampton restaurant you'll find any delicious dessert choices! Watch out you might just spot a Kardashian in Sant Ambroeus which is right down the street from their new pop up store, Dash.
15. Grand Junction, CO-Enstrom's toffee. This hidden treasure is known worldwide for its delicious homemade toffee.  It was showcased on the cooking channel at Easter, giving an in depth look at how they make chocolate bunnies.  Besides the amazing toffee, you can buy the largest candy cane I've ever seen - a great Christmas present for someone who loves peppermint. 
16. Santa Barbara, CA- If you're craving something sweet in the misty seaside town of Santa Barbara all you need to do is head downtown to Renauds French Bakery. With a line out the door every morning with locals and tourists alike youll never be unsatisfied at this charming French Patisserie. I recommend the homemade hot chocolate with  a pastry of your choice.
17. Kennebunkeport, Maine- Mornings in Paris is the cutest little frecnh coffee shop and bakery located on the main boulevard in Kennebunkeport. It is always buzzing in the morning wth tourists and locals alike coming to get their caffeine fix. I tried the berry pie, a delicious mini pie filled with cream and topped with fresh local berries for the perfect mix between french pastries and local flavor! You can also try one of their many macaroon flavors if you are craving a sweet treat to go! 

Think there's something I missed? Let me know in the comments below!

Spotlight: Charleze Theron, Jennifer Lawrence, and Marion Cotillard at Dior

Some of the famous names dotting the front row among the live orchids at the Dior couture show this Paris fashion week were Charleze Theron, Jennifer Lawrence,and Marion Cotillard. Jennifer Lawrence wore a messy up do while Charleze Theron chose a silver frock. Marion Cotillard opted for an off the shoulder look. What do you think of their outfits?

Great make up on her this time but I'm not a fan of the minimalist shoulder detail on this outfit. Also I think the hair could have been better. What do you think?

This outfit is too metallic and 70s for me. She does not blend in with the cool floral background of this show. Also this dress is not fitting her shape very well I think she could do better. What do you think?

I really like the detailing on the front of this dress it's a little edgy but not overly so exactly her style. However I'm not a fan of this hairstyle or color on her. What do you think?

Travel Tip Tuesday

Walk and Talk
One thing I've learned on my travels is that one of the best ways to see the city is to simply walk it! Instead of trying to figure a confusing and expensive bus tour try signing up for a walking tour led by a local. Most cities offer walking tours with all kinds of themes so your bound to find one that interests you. Next time your on vacation pack your walking shoes and don't be afraid to get out there and get walking! Have you ever gone on a walking tour you would recommend? Tell me about it in the comments below!




Check back next Tuesday for another Travel tip and write into the comments if you have a suggestion for a tip you'd like me to cover! Have a cherry nice day!

10 things I can't live without

1. DiorAddict lipgloss in Flash- I carry it everywhere and can't imagine leaving the house without it! I got my first tube from the source itself- House of Dior in Paris on 30 Avenue Montaigne in the Quartier du Champs-Elysees. Christian Dior is my favorite couture designer and my idol. Of course I had to visit la maison Dior! Having that extra sparkle on my lips always makes me feel confident and glamorous!
2. Shoes! Shoes! Shoes!- I have too many to pick just one favorite but the perfect pair of shoes can solve almost any problem! I am always growing my shoe collection and am a confessed shoeholic! But any fashionable lady knows shoes can make or break the outfit! (Yes I'm talking to you Beyoncé. I will never forget those Balenciaga sandals!)
3. My iphone and Kate Spade pink polk-a-dot case- iphones are probably the most popular accessory today. We see them everywhere! But having an awesome case is almost as important! I think the key to picking the right case is to make sure it represents your personality because, let's face it, your iphone is going to be with you no matter what you're wearing. Also I can't live without my Instagram, Vogue, and TripAdvisor apps! They all help keep me up to date on the latest trends and make on-the-go shopping and traveling so much easier! (Coming soon! My top 5 favorite Instagram accounts!)
4. Samsonite rolling swivel suitcase in Pink- I can't picture trying to wind my way through that crazy airport traffic and keeping my outfit intact without it! I always bring it on my travels because it's so versatile. It works as an overnighter for a weekend getaway to Vegas or as a carry on when I fly to Europe, not to mention how nice it is to have on those uneven cobblestone streets!
5. Pastries!-Whether it's biting into a warm flaky Pain au Choclat in the morning or savoring a delicate Tarte de Framboise after dinner, I have a sweet tooth for sure! Mmmmm Napoleans or Opera cakes are some of my cheat day favorites! (Check out my list of patisseries by city for more!)
6.  Dior LadyCat2 Sunglasses in Pink- My version of Anna Wintour's famous shades. I never leave home without them. Perfect for when I need to look important I always get compliments on my stylish sunglasses. I think chic sunglasses are sort of the equivalent to a golden ticket in LA. You can get in anywhere if you have the right sunnies and attitude.
7. Lucky Charm Bracelet-For every place I visit I have to get a charm. That's the one thing I can't miss on a trip. My grandmother and I have silver charm bracelets that we collect charms for together. It's a family tradition.  I can't imagine being on a trip without it!
8. Little Dictionary of Fashion by Dior- filled with everything fom technical terms to sage advice to funny pick me ups- this book has it all. My go to for fashion do's and dont's as well as historical inspiration for when I'm feeling a fifties fashion moment. This little pink book is almost as necessary as a little black dress.
9. Clinique Citybloc- Part of my morning ritual. This foundation is both high quality and functional. Since my skin is extremely sensitive to the sun this foundation is perfect for me wiith spf 45! I also love it because it blends into my skintone and doesn't look or feel too heavy. Perfect for preventing wrinkles because I never forget to put it on- when do you leave the house without putting on foundation!
10. Temps des Cerises T-shirt- This American vintage inspired French brand is one of my favorites not only because of their flawless fusion between French and American style but also because of the name! In case you haven't noticed I looooove cherries or, cerises in French, hence my blog title! This is my favorite soft fitted T-shirt for that perfect chic casual summer look.