Mixing prints in Venice

Alfred knows.. But first, coffee

Dining under the sun at Eveleigh

Dress- Rory Beca (old but I like this one), shoes- Seychelles, blazer- vintage (similar here)

There's nothing fantastically exciting about this dress. It looks like a million other silk versions (or knockoff polyester versions) you have seen before. It was an impulse buy at the Saks in Vegas, the last lonely one left on the sale rack at a price that was basically free. Of course it was also a couple sizes too big, but I actually prefer the bagginess to it that makes for the perfect opportunity for a tailored jacket to go over it. The shoes are ages old, but the perfect example of how to ease your way into mixing prints if you're still intimidated by it.

On this particularly beautiful day I got to stop at my favorite coffee bar in WeHo Alfred's Coffee. It was packed with MacBook users, mom's, and The Hills former castmates (talking about Miley Cyrus' birthday party, yawn). By the late afternoon it was time for a couple of cocktails overlooking the water on top of Hotel Erwin in Venice, and finally winding down the night at Eveleigh in their "treehouse" as the sun set during our meal. The food is meh (I'm pretty sure I can make better salmon), but the setup is awesome and the staff incredibly attentive.

Exploring DTLA

View from the top of Angel's Flight

Grand Central Market

Shirt dress- Rag & Bone (I like this one), belt- vintage, sandals- Dolce Vita

I have a lot of great childhood memories exploring parts of Downtown LA through the garment and jewelry districts. These days it's changed quite a bit, which means finding hidden gems such as Angel's Flight and Grand Central Market...but also visiting classics like the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Not going to complain about the 4 for a $1 avocado deal at Grand Central, and we're talking California avocados so much better than anything I can ever find on the east coast. Not too mention the cool food pop-ups like eggslut and McConnell's Fine Ice Cream.

I rarely wear sandals, but these ones are so comfortable and just about as close to the Birkenstock trend that my feet are ever going to get to this season. What are your favorite DTLA spots?

The power of a red dress

Dress- vintage (similar here), shoes- Jean-Michel Cazabat, bag- Diane Von Furstenberg (similar), necklaces- kate spade new york and Tiffany & Co., ring- custom, bracelets- passed down, sunglasses- Ray-Ban

I had this hooded Lucky Brand sweatshirt in middle school that I was obsessed with (not very Avis, I know young and naive). Weirdly enough, it got me tons of compliments because of the red color. It became apparent to me and all my friends' moms that red worked well with my skin tone, and when you're the one of the only kids in your class that tans and doesn't burn you feel like you have an edge against your classmates in your closet's color spectrum.

Beyond the Lucky sweatshirt, I have this real love for red, and yet I have so little of it in my closet. Everyone automatically assumes it's a more romantic or seductive color, but I think it represents drive and power. It's an unspoken kind of confidence. This dress could come off a little like Jessica Rabbit so I tried to give it a masculine twist with these Clubmaster shades. For the jacket I would do a tuxedo or leather jacket. It's a trick I learned from my mom for my freshman high school winter formal, and it's become the only way I like to cover up formal attire.

In the past week alone I've had people ask for suggestions of things to do/see/eat/shop in LA, DC, Paris, and NYC... it's about time people. The newest segment of Avis is coming soon. Any ideas on where I'm going with this??

DCity Style

Blazer, Rag & Bone, pants- Zara, booties- Stuart Weitzman, camisole- Prada, hat- Rag & Bone, sunnies- Le Specs, bag- Marc by Marc Jacobs

A few weeks ago the latest issue of DCity Style was released, and I feel so lucky to be featured. It was one of the hottest days in DC and a little weird showcasing fall fashion as the temperature was rising through the 90s. However, I felt so lucky to work with this particular team who is so talented and has such a stellar background including photographer Sebastian Marin. Plus, I love the shot they went with. The print version came out in DC at the beginning of August, but the digital version is finally available here for those of you who haven't seen it. While I'm still relishing in the last days of summer, this outfit reminds me of all the fun layering that fall will bring and the beautiful New York foliage that is near.

Hidden LA treasures in Silver Lake

Lunch at Forage LA

Shirt- H&M, skirt- cut25, necklace- New Mexico street vendor, bracelet- Morocco street vendor (I like this one), shoes- Vans, bag- Misuri

There was a time when everyone used a sequin skirt as their go-to for a night out, and so now I'm left with one too many sequin skirts with no where to wear them. However, balancing it out with a casual shirt and some slip-ons takes away that awful sorority girl look and gives your sequin skirt some new life. Add on my Misuri handbag I got in Florence (apparently Grace Kelly used to buy her bags from there too), and you've got a much more mature way to wear sequins.

I never really get enough time to explore the Echo Park/ Silver Lake areas but seeking a change of scenery led me to the lily pads at the Echo Park Lake and lunch at Forage. People on the west side always roll their eyes at visiting Silver Lake as if it's a continent away. However, I love the small community feel: watching people enjoy a Turkish coffee and read a book at the Casbah Cafe, all the unique shopping finds at MRKT and Undefeated, and some of the best vegan food at Flore or Sage. Forage is a great spot for market sides and protein or their pork belly and avocado sandwiches plus watching my mom interact with their hipster staff is a bonus.

Egg salad hold the mayo

I really can't stand mayo the look the smell just no, but mustard on the other hand I could put on anything. It's a much healthier and flavorful swap anyway, and it's a great way to use leftover salmon, chicken, hard-boiled eggs, or tofu to make a protein filled lunch on warmer days.

Serves four:
8 hard-boiled eggs chopped (I used 6 yolks)
3 tablespoons mustard (whatever type you prefer)
1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
2 celery stalks chopped
1/4 red onion chopped
15-20 corinchons chopped
Salt, pepper to taste

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Some things may need more or less depending on how you like it.
2. Put in the refrigerator and allow to get cold.
3. Serve cold with lettuce for wraps or bread/crackers.

Hot pink vintage belt in the Bu

Squash blossom, zucchini, cherry tomato, burrata and parmesean

Mushroom, fontina, truffle tremor goat cheese & thyme

 Dress- Le Spec, belt- vintage Carlisle, booties- Dolce Vita, bag- Marc by Marc Jacobs

The most frustrating part of LA can also be the most beautiful part of it. While getting around always means a long parking lot style ride through traffic, it also means you can feel like you're in a completely different place even if you're only 30 miles away. A day spent in Malibu enjoying good wine and time with those I love and a quick peek at the Planet Blue and Madison sales at Malibu Cross Creek ended with dinner at Gjelina. Yes the service is slow, but the squash blossom pizza makes the wait (without a reservation don't make that mistake) worth it. My style has instantly switched to a more relaxed colorful feel plus I've been borrowing accessories from the mecca of all belt collections (thanks mom).

SoCal Summer

Cauliflower taco with cashew cheese and grilled mushrooms, ensalada asada, agua fresca verde

The best interiors at Gracias Madre

Dress- Jet for Ron Herman (similar here and here), shoes- La Manual Alpargatera, purse- Prada, sunnies- Le Specs

Dry air (bye bye humid frizz), amazing Mexican food, and plenty of awesome backdrops to shoot in.. I'm really taking it all in while I'm in LA. An awesome lunch at one of my favorite spots in LA, Gracias Madre, led me to these cool stools posted in front of a closed restaurant. The wedges are one of my favorites that I purchased from the famous shoe store La Manual Alpargatera in Barcelona, and the white dress I got in high school and yet still has gotten so much use so many years later every summer. Invest in quality clothing, quality food, and quality time with those you love. Cheesy but quite the motto of how I'm feeling these days.

Summer dinner party ideas

Nothing beats making a meal for a few of your closest friends and getting to enjoy it outside. That relaxed feeling only comes with the warmer weather months, and I've been taking advantage of as many outdoor meals as possible.

Watermelon, arugula, feta, mint salad
Mint and watermelon literally scream summer and are a great refreshing bite to the spicier shrimp.
Serves 4
1/2 bag of arugula
2 cups cubed watermelon
1 block of feta cheese cubed
10 mint leaves finely chopped
Balsamic vinegar
Small squeeze of lime juice (over the watermelon)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Olive oil

1. Mix the lemon, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil (amount to preference) for your dressing.
2. Add the arugula to a large bowl and either mix with everything else, or for aesthetic appeal layer the other parts and coat with dressing.

Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp)
This is one of my favorite tapas to eat and one of the easiest to make.

Serves 3-4:
1 pound of shrimp (frozen and thawed or fresh)
2 tbsp. coconut oil
6 cloves of garlic minced
Cayenne pepper
Red chili flakes
Dried parsley
Juice of one lemon
Handful chopped cilantro

1. Add coconut oil and garlic to a hot pan till the garlic begins to brown. Add lemon juice (be careful of the splash), cayenne, and dried parsley to the garlic oil for a minute.
2. Spread out your shrimp on the pan. Cooking for a minute or two depending on the size and then flip to the other side. You want it so the shrimp is white and no longer that pinkish color. Not too long, no rubbery shrimp.
3. Plate the shrimp and add cilantro and more red chili flakes.
4. Pour the garlicky sauce from the pan over the shrimp and add olive oil if desired.

Corn, feta, guacamole
Tried this creation a few times with a few different versions and gotta say it's a winner.

3 avocados
Juice 1/4 lime
1/2 small can of corn
1/2 cup crumbled feta
Handful chopped cilantro
1/4 chopped red onions
Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper to taste

1. Mash your avocado and add the feta, onion, and corn.
2. Squeeze the lime and then make the cilantro and spices the final touch.
3. Serve with your favorite tortilla or root chips.