Twenty Ten.

What a fabulous year it was! Thanks to all who were a part of it.

Happy New Year!

xoxo, Ziggy

Nature Walk.

On Christmas Eve, I found myself on a 4 hour hike through the UC Santa Cruz campus. There is something about this campus I just can't get over.

What can I say? I'm a Banana Slug for life :)

Going Zen.

With the out of control basil plant currently growing in my tiny apartment and the funny emails inquiring about the plant in this picture, I knew I had to find another use for all this basil besides just my pasta - add olive oitl, fresh basil, goat cheese and pine nuts (yum!). I found a basil facial mask easy to make with ingredients found in most kitchens. It was nice to take a moment, place some cucumbers over my eyes and relax to the sweet smell of orange blossom - one of six votives from Jo Malone, a holiday gift favorite.

You will need:

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey

What for?

• Basil has antiseptic properties along with a relaxing aroma
• Avocado hydrates the skin
• Honey locks in moisture

Blend ingredients until smooth and apply facial mask on clean skin for 20-30 minute. Rinse with tepid water and enjoy the results!

The Classics.

When it comes to clothes I love a bargain. But it is an absolute must to raise the price point every once in while and spend on key items to mix in your wardrobe. If not? Cheap clothes, just look...cheap. This holiday season my mom spoiled me with some classic JCrew items sure to become staples in no time.

Mom's are the best!

{Tweed Tatum jacket}

{Soleil necklace}

{Coddington pumps}

{Shearling jacket}

Zonked.

From the beach to the country, these last few very special days have just flown by, which I can't wait to share. For now, I am just going to cozy up with my favorite pup and these fuzzy mary jane slippers from my grandma - she's so cute!

Back to reality....for a moment.

Happy Holidays!

As you can see, I have always love the holidays.

Have a fabulous weekend with

friends, family and those you love most.

Merry Christmas!!

Everywhere I go, there you are.

Seems every which way I turn, floor grazing skirts keep catching my eye. I wish I could transport myself back to when I was 12 where I had a sheer, white maxi similar to this - in which I paired with white black polka dot leggings (yeah, that's right!). Now I am on the hunt for the adult version to wear. Here are some of my favorites.

1. Fashion Union › F+F Lace Maxi Skirt, 41 GBP
2. Acne 'Nelli Long' pleat skirt, 285 GBP
3. RICHARD NICOLL - LONG WOOL FLANNEL SKIRT, 547 EUR
4. Richard Nicoll Silk-satin and tulle maxi skirt, $330
5. LNA Long column skirt, 80 GBP
6. Ashish Sequined silk maxi skirt, $861
7. James Perse Stretch French terry maxi skirt, $175
8. L'Agence Velvet maxi skirt, $395
9. Donna Karan Hammered-satin maxi skirt, $1,595

10. RICK OWENS - LONG SILK CHIFFON DRESS/ SKIRT, 429 EUR

Jicama & Mango Salad.

{Photo courtesy of Food Network}

It's no secret I am a fan of Tyler Florence and often get to see him here. So obviously I was excited to try his recipe for Jicama & Mango salad I googled after beomg inspired by the delicious Jicama & Mango slaw from Fine Foods at Home - so good I ate it as dessert. Although, I quickly learned I am lacking the culinary skills to give this dish the presentation it deserves (New Year's resolution #1), it was quite a hit at my office's potluck! I will be giving it another go during Christmas - it's the perfect salad for a beach Christmas.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium jicama (about 1lb)
• 2 small cucumbers
• 3 medium mangos
• 1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves + sprigs, for garnish
• 2 tsp powdered dried chili
• 2 limes, juiced
• Serves about 6

Directions:

{How to} Peel and cut the jicama into long thin strips. Slice the cucumbers in half, scoop out the seeds and then cut into similar in size to the jicama strips. {How to} Peel the mangos, cut the cheeks off, then slice into wedges. Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl with the chopped cilantro, powdered chili and lime juice. When ready to serve, season with a little salt and garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs.

Enjoy!

Presentation is Everything.

Boots, boots, and more boots.

After posting here about my over the knee dream boots, I found out from many of you these boots may be more like a nightmare - cheap fabric, faulty zippers, weird fit etc. All in all, not a good investment. After this, my mom and I decided one of our trips to DSW was in order. This way, I could try on a lot of boots and find my own perfect pair. After trying on some over the knee's similar in style to the ones I thought I had wanted, I started to think this wasn't actually the look I was going for. This was confirmed when I laid my eyes on these beauties....

{Crown Vintage Derby Over the Knee Boot, $179.95}

And then, I found these.....

{SM Luxe Latch Wedge Boot, $149.95}

I'm a happy girl :)

Red Chairs.

Since posting about a recent weekend (here) filled with nothing but relaxing (quite efficiently), I have received an overwhelming amount of inquires regarding my ever-so-comfy red leather kitchen chairs - Top 3 questions: Where did I get them? Do they come in other colors/fabrics? Are they really that comfortable? etc.

My mom discovered them while perusing the sales one Sunday. When she spotted them on sale at Cost Plus World Market, she knew they would be the perfect addition to my tiny kitchen area. They come in a variety of colors and fabrics and ergonomically ideal for those long nights with big deadlines - Yes, they are that comfortable! Combined with my stainless steel table these chairs are the perfect compliment to my eclectic city style.

{Sophia bonded leather chairs}

Dear Santa.

Pretty, pretty please..?

{Steve Madden Brewster, $79.99}

Tights Please.

Cha-ching! It's pay day & I just ordered Henry Holland's Citights from Tightsplease. I first saw these tights on the fabulously eclectic stylings from What Katie Wore and my only child self instantly wanted them for myself. I just couldn't decide between the cities, so I opted for all - somewhere I am headed in the coming months, somewhere I dream of visiting and somewhere I just came from. I can't wait until they arrive!

{New York}

{Paris}

{London}

Now back to shopping for my loved ones....

Nicki Minaj.

These days it seems every hit song has Nicki Minaj featured in it. I've had my radar on Nicki for some time now - her fashion truely does make a statement. From her incredible voice coupled with clever lyrics to her unique, but totally relevant sense of fashion, I look forward to what she brings to 2011.

Check It Out by will.i.am featuring Nicki Minaj. Plus what I think may be the first ever Starbucks commercial..?

Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man I know.

I am so lucky to have you as a father.

Love you so much! xoxo

In the doghouse.

You can tell Ziggy's done something bad when he voluntarily crates himself.....

Besides waking up to a mess this morning, I'm also suffering from what I think is a sinus infection - I know, I know..poor me. Needless to say the weekend couldn't get here faster.

As for the mess in question? Let's just say a new kitchen waste basket will definitely be purchased this weekend.

RichRocks.

If you haven't heard of RichRocks yet, you surely will in the near future. RichRocks features a unique mix of classic, contemporary and fashion-forward jewelry that appeals to woman of all ages, lifestyles and backgrounds.

And it gets better...each piece is under $100! Talk about the perfect holiday gift. I have already started my RichRocks wishlist.

{Three Strand Matte Gold Flat Beaded Necklace, $55}

{Gold Hanging Leaves with Champagne Crystals, $45}

{Gold Crystal Set Wave Ring, $60}

{Gold Tone Pave Set Bangles, $100}

{Gold Hammered Bangle, $55}

Enjoy 30% off the entire RichRocks website from now until December 15th -

just enter promo code 'holiday2010' at checkout!

Layering Leather.

I love the idea of a leather top - whether it be worn alone or as a layering piece, this item has definitely found a spot on my fashion bucket list.

Here are some of favorites I am dying to own.

1. Rick Owens Asymmetric leather top, $1,870
2. Maje Ampoule leather top, $485
3. The Row Gilmore Leather top, 1,025 GBP
4. Balmain Leather waistcoat with buckles, 4,205 GBP
5. Leather Shirt, $1,875
6. Maison Martin Margiela Structured Leather Gilet, 760 GBP

Special Finds.

Whenever in Palm Springs, it is an absolute priority to head over to the College of the Desert Street Fair - a great place to find gifts for any occasion or one-of-a-kind favors, a bargain hunter's paradise of vendors offering goods and services ranging from the new and innovatice to the creative and artistic to the unique and different. Should you ever find yourself here, you must stop by Deborah's "Of Course". This is where my mom discovered TAI Jewelry...an absolutely stunning find.

{Deborah's "Of Course"}

{Eight sterling silver balls measuring .5" diameter each}

{Each covered in gorgeous pave clear crystals}

{Small vermeil gold pieces woven in between each pave crystal ball}