The Decorista takes NY: Beauty and Essex

New York is just getting more exciting for me by the day. Regardless of the unimaginable heat, I keep discovering the most magical places AND the most decoratively delicious. This past weekend I got to thoroughly experience the beauty of Beauty and Essex. A fun and quirky vintage shop is the store front with the most beautiful one of a kind finds and a drool worthy guitar collection...

After gazing at the pretty trinkets you enter through chic double entryway doors and are transported into the most grand and swanky restaurant/lounge that I have yet been to. Soft and gleaming candle lights burn throughout the place and the incredible staircase is a sight for the eyes. The best part happens to lie underground, in the ladies lounge, where you are served complimentary bubbly and a yummy, leather chesterfield sofa sets as the perfect spot to gab with the girls. 
The food...out of this world and The dessert...there are no words. Our favorite were these sugar coated doughnuts with chocolate nutella in the middle, it just melted in your  mouth. 
If you find yourself in NYC, Beauty and Essex is worth the trip...especially with your best girlfriends.
photo by summer kais
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The Art of Living...poolside prettiness

NYC sure is hot these days, almost everywhere I go I have to plan my outfit accordingly. Sigh. What's on my mind...poolside lounging. I love love love really good poolside decor. The W Westwood is one of my favorite hotels in terms of poolside decor. It's so chic, bright and fabulous. 
This weekend I am going to be stopping by one of the chicest poolsides in NYC...
The Soho House, love these black and white striped chairs...



images...1) everythingfab 3) unkown 4) instylemag 5 & 6) elledecor 

The Art of Living...gorgeous natural light

As I have been endlessly searching for the perfect apartment in the city, I have come to realize that you just can't have it all. Well, maybe you can on the upper west side but anywhere in the middle of Manhattan you are probably going to compromise on an amenity or two. I have come to terms with maybe not the perfect sized closet or bathroom but something I will not part with...ample sunlight. I simply could never wake up to a dark apartment and be happy. Sunshine makes me utterly blissful and how beautiful are those morning coffee moments with bright sunlight? 


images via everythingfab and decoristadaydreams

nesting tables...more than one is a magical number!

After a weekend full of fun (and lots of birthdays in my life) I am ready to be back on the work grind. This week, I am in search of the perfect table for a certain project and I think I am all for a set of multiple tables, like nesting tables. They are a PERFECT solution for NYC apartments. They all fit into the size of one table, yet they can be pulled out to provide extra space when entertaining. Stylish, practical and oh so genius for small square footage decorating! 



1|2|3|4|5|6

The Decorista takes NYC: Aphro Chic Brooklyn Launch Party

Had a blast on Monday at the AphroChic launch party in Brooklyn at the Fabrica showroom. I loved seeing her latest collections placed perfectly all over the shop. The stylish were out in full force that evening and I was delighted to meet so many sweet and talented people. The flowers were styled by Kat Flower (I absolutely adored her) and her skills were so on point and gorgeous. It was the perfect soiree to kick off the Architectural Digest show festivities that are happening this week. Stay tuned for my many coverage on the many events I will be attending. For now check out the fabulous vignettes from the party...
Oh so pretty and perfect for spring, no?
I also found myself eyeing some pieces throughout the showroom which I absolutely adored.
I loved this perfect purple/magenta vintage velvet chair...
and this gorgeous and hot pink ribboned light fixture.
Mega swooning action! 

Home Tour: Jeff Lincoln's sophisticated in the city

Every once in a while, the New York Social Diary photographs the most beautiful Manhattan apartments. It is incredible how different each persons apartment is. I find it so fascinating that they can look absolutely stunning with very little square footage. Jeff Lincoln's manhattan apartment was such a nice little surprise to see on the site today. 
I love the cream walls of this apartment. It really keeps it light, airy and fresh. In this city, sometimes you need a completely calm place to come home to. His window treatments are fun too. Stripes and a geometric valance...so chic. He has fantastic art, beautiful gold mirrors throughout and great furniture with great lines. A very sophisticated NYC apartment. 
Not only do I adore the wall color in this dark, luscious room, I am a tad in love with the creativity on the art wall. So masculine chic.

Styleicious Sunday...NYC city girl living

Life in nyc just gets better and better. The weather is so amazing today. Decor shopping and strolling city streets of gorgeous neighborhoods has never been more enjoyable. A lovely sunday in the city is the perfect ending to another fabulous week. Loving the vibes...the street style...chic apartments and killer shops. oh and starbucks, too!

via. coveteur. dustattic. houzz. pinterest. moth.

art wall attractions


Last night I attended a very interesting art event. It wasn't an ordinary gallery showing, it was art on display in an upper east side apartment. Very fun. What was so interesting to me was the way that the art was displayed on the walls. The more art the better in this case, and it inspired me on the many different ways an art wall can work.
My favorite is this very streamlined and symmetrical look. So chic!
images via lonny. pinterest. tumblr.

10 things that rocked my world... the NYC edition

1. Getting together with my favorite ladies for a week of mag launch parties. 
2. Serious bonding time with the ladies of Rue (anne, crystal, cassie, bri).
3. My new lovely little rosette clutch from H &M that has gone with me all over the city.
4. A pair of black aviators I got at a nice little 99 cents store, they frame my face perfectly.
5. The magical world of ABC Home...the oversize jewel toned rugs took my breath away.
6. A lovely dinner party thrown by the talented Kelley Moore was a night to remember. 


7. Unlimited Subway metrocards are truthfully a lifesaver when running late.
8. The perfect way to spend the day when its snowing...inside a fabulous fabric store.
9. Celebrating our birthdays over fabulous desserts all over again. Nothing better.
10. Essie nailcolor, A Splash of Grenadine, is the perfect pick me up for the snowy days.

I'm having such a blast here in NYC...so happy to be here.

The Decorista takes NY: Lure Fish Bar, Soho

Everything in New York has been fantastic. The shopping, the dinner parties, the mag launches (rue, high gloss and matchbook), the art galleries, I have been having such fun. So far, this restaurant I went to the other day, Lure Fish Bar, really stuck out to me. For one, the decor was uber fun...it felt like you were dining on a cruise ship. It was packed, the music was great (think old 90's cruise ship songs like Carribean Queen by Lionel Richie) and the food was absolutely delicious. I love this place and if you ever come visit nyc, its a definite must go, especially for the decor! 
via 

It's FINALLY here...

my bags are packed and I am off to NYC...
please be patient with me as I get settled in, posts might not be as frequent I have lots of decorating to do. 
I already LOVE New York. Three clients have scheduled consultations this next week and lots of new interest. I am thrilled to be back to shopping in this city...everywhere is fabulous. I will keep you guys up to date on all of the NY projects and e-decorating projects. One in Sydney that is going to be gorgeous, I can't wait to show you all... very "OFFICE SPACE OF THE DAY" worthy! exciting!
  Be back soon LA! 

images via we heart it

Fashion inspiration for the weekend...the NYC look

As I prepare and pack for New York I am oh so inspired by the fashion! LA fashion is fantastic but it will be a nice change to layer up for cooler weather. As you can probably imagine, I want to make sure I wear the perfect nyc outfit everyday...gotta be a stylish decorista!
a gorgeous and sleek navy trench is oh so fabulous for those crisp days
Lately the belted trouser look has captured my heart, throw in gold chains and a loose blouse...lovely.
scarves, capes, tights and leopard...
oh and of course, shimmer and fur! 

images 1 & 2 bia, 4 seaofshoes

Weekend bliss, birthday fun + BIG NEWS

So last weekend was another celebration for my birthday. I had to have an LA celebration in addition to Miami, right? It was also a small kick off party for our fabulous new crew and LA Woman website. This dinner had some of the most stylish girls in the city of Los Angeles. How blessed I am to have been able to celebrate with fabulous friends. I got some of the most amazing gifts (notice the beautiful kate spade box in my lap? loves.)
 I just love girlfriend get togethers.

Suzanne my beautiful adopted big sis + founder of LA Woman hosted the most amazing dinner, she made an incredible pasta and the cake was absolutely to die for!
Here she is working her magic little hands.
Here is the rest of the fabulous crew... and be sure to check out their blogs too!
top left to right:
 Christine Kirk the luxury PR gal
 Crystal Gentilello Editor in Chief of Rue Magazine
 Nancy Pak the korean yenta
Nina Petronzio interior designer + owner of Plush Home
bottom left to right:
Bri Emery Design Love Fest
 Jaime Rummerfield the beautiful blonde half of Woodson + Rummerfield
me, Ashlina, La Decorista (as my mom likes to say)
and Catherine Sheppard Stylist + owner of The Life Styled

With all of these fabulous women taking over the world one business at a time, you could imagine how fun a girls get together would be, no?
So now for the big + exciting news...
The soiree was also a bit of a farewell party as I have packed up my things and am heading off to NYC next week! I am so thrilled to be making to be taking over to New York. It's something I have wanted to do forever. I have several projects in the works in Manhattan and I am ready to get those moving forward. So many exciting things happening.
I will keep you all posted on everything that happens of course. 
And don't worry, I'll be back in Los Angeles before you know it! 

*images via crystal G.

how to decorate like a NYC socialite {Lauren Santo Domingo}

 NYC socialite + fashionista Lauren Santo Domingo shows us how its done...Her manhattan apartment is equal parts woodsy, vintage inspired and glamorous. She has the hottest look for 2011 in decor and she knows it. In her recent article on Vogue.com she coaches us how she created her fabulous spread, one amazing item at a time. 
 Her beautiful office space is killer and oh so office space of the day worthy.
Feast your eyes upon her collection of shoes and with closet doors like those, who wouldn't kill for this personal space? I myself am also crazy about that inlaid bone chair.
 as usual, organized sparkling gems call out to me...
 I love that she used this retro vibe wallpaper with fantastic art prints and a collection of subdued graphic pillows...very, very chic. as every manhattan socialite should be.

rooms that rock my world! {NYC city girl glamour}

Oh my, the style in this room is such a fashionista meets decorista glam.
I completely fawn over spaces like this. 
Chic gold pieces and layered textures marvel in this super stylish abode.
I could imagine living in NYC and after a full day of walking in 5 inch heels,
coming home to soft music, candlelight and this ubiquitous glamour.

NYC city girl style...from Harpers Bazaar November 2010

This is the West Village apartment of Vanessa Traina.
Among her list of many credentials, she is a freelance stylist, Louis Vuitton model, Chanel Ambassador and also the daughter of Danielle Steel, the romance writer,
(how fabulous is that?).
It is incredibly chic. I just love taking a peek inside the homes of fabulous supermodels.
Ever so chic and stocked with one-of-a-kind vintage items, this apartment astounds me. I can only dream of walking into a closet like hers full of exotic furs, chanel bags and coveted heels. Then making my way over to my delicious bar cart adorned with vintage Gucci glassware. 
I simply can never get enough of looking at apartments like this.



notice the Vintage Louis Vuitton trunk? Gorgeous!