I can't wait until Monday...

I was at a tasting party this past weekend for ALMA tequila. Oh my! It has a dangerously smooth taste without that icky burning feeling as it goes down. I instantly fell in love with ALMA's spin on a margarita. I fear (read "I know") I might have had too many because it was unbelievably delicious! So good. Sort of like hawaiian punch with a...wait for it...here it comes...PUNCH.

So yummy in fact that I am going to make VATS of it and serve it at my Labor Day party on Monday! I will need all the help I can get to ease the sting of saying bye-bye to summer.

Hibiscus "ALMA-rita" = Yes please, I will have another...and another.

1 oz of ALMA tequila reposado or blanco

(Its 100% natural, 100% blue Weber agave, handcrafted from juice to bottle from an 80 year old family recipe)

1 oz simple syrup

1 oz natural wild hibiscus syrup

0.5 oz fresh squeezed lime juice

garnish with wild hibiscus flower from jar

Hmmm, I think I will make it a theme night...

Seaton boyfriend cashmere sweater in...wait for it...here it comes...HIBISCUS!

Drag me into fall...

We just got warm weather and all I see in the stores is wool. Urghhh. Saying that I am not a winter weather girl is a gross understatement. Don't like it, never have, never will. So I was happy to see some transition looks from Zara that I really like.

Now...If only these pieces were made out of cashmere...I might learn to LOVE the winter.

Check it out...

As you know, I love the beach. So it won't surprise you that I have spent many weekends on both Laguna and Newport beaches in California. So easy and conveniently located for a quick exit from the city. When I discovered this blog...I immediately started planning my next trip.

If you live in Orange County you either all ready know about Greer or NEED to know about Greer. If you are planning a trip to the OC or live near the OC you must get to know Greer. Also, if you are planning a trip some place else...Please get to know Greer before you commit...I think you might end up changing your plans!

www.greersoc.com is the most amazing place to find out about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING Orange County. Her dining tips are better than Zagat's. Her video's from Fashion Island are more entertaining/informative then any travel guide. Her reviews of hotels (not just in OC) are better than any recommendations from a travel agent.

Check it out. She is a great girl and a fun source for all things OC! By the way...Her section called "20qs" is really fun. I might just steal the idea :)

I wish, I wish...

...I were that girl. In that moment. On that boat. Headed towards that water. Could she be more beautiful (in both looks and spirit), strong and confident? I LOVE HER!

I found this photo while looking at a friend's vacation pictures from the summer (you gotta love Facebook). I have been taken with it since the moment I saw it. This beautiful girl is jumping from a boat into the perfect Mediterranean sea. So happy. So alive. So fresh. So Seaton.

FYI, I find myself living my life chasing this type of moment. Doesn't it make you just want to jump...

Into Africa...

I am absolutely in love with these shots from the new Louis Vuitton catalog. I have renamed the campaign "OUT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: The Seaton Girl goes to Africa." Taken by Carter Smith, they are so beautiful. But they got me thinking...

I wonder if, like me, when I was in Africa, she is currently hallucinating because of the anti-malaria pills she is taking? I wonder if, like me, she is wishing the world would stop spinning, the nausea would go away and that she could eat a cheeseburger to make her feel better?

I wonder if, like me, she was thinking every minute, "Is that strange bug on my leg poisonous?" I wonder if, like me, she is currently wishing that she was in Africa with anyone but the guy she is with? I wonder if, while laying on this beautiful blanket she was thinking, like I was every second, "Will I be eaten by a lion or a cheetah today?"

I love photos. P.S. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVED Africa...Seriously, best trip ever! Especially the beaches in Kiwayu and Lamu (You had to know I would fit the beach in somewhere)!

The perfect weekend (everyday) summer outfit...

Tip to toes...My weekend outfit. If you see me this weekend...I will be wearing this!!

Saturday and Sunday or EVERYDAY - Irene Neuwirth (the perfect Seaton Girl accessory)

I have 3 of these so on most summer days you will see me in one of them - Alexander Wang tank

Gold Bangles - The more the merrier. These are ippolita. I wish mine were!

My everyday basic - Seaton, boyfriend cardigan in "Sunshine." Perfect for when it gets summer chilly. Too hot? I wear it around my shoulders or hanging out of my bag for a spash of color. So many great colors!

I love, love, love my jean skirt. So comfy and perfectly worn. For the bohemian in all of us

KJaques - this "Clovis" style is especially versatile. In gold - Perfection

And last but not least important...Vaseline vitalizing body oil in cocoa butter. Smells yummy and makes your summer tanned legs look so amazing

It is all in your head...

I took surfing lessons ONCE. It was disastrously perfect. I was honored to be taught by the great Jefferson Wagner (Zuma Jay). Sadly, even he was unable to help me because, news flash, SURFING IS REALLY HARD. I sat on my board for almost three hours on the "other side" of very large waves waiting for the perfect one (read 'smaller one') to bring me in. It must be said that his approach was A BIT gonzo: Take me out and just expect me to get in. But if you have ever met Jay, you would do whatever he told you to do. Besides, I was surrounded by the best of the best, the tannest of the tan, the saltiest of the salty (not Kelly Slater types). But I kept waiting, straddling my board, facing away from the shore while basking in the sunshine. I made friends with guys who would come back to my calm spot after their forth, fifth and sixth ride. Watching as they paddled away with the hopes of a great wave in their souls. I have never had so much fun...Then I was forced to finally take a wave and go towards the shore. Calamity. I was standing for 3 minutes (it seemed like three minutes, more like 3 seconds) then fell AFTER I cut one of my new friends off. I then plummeted to the bottom of the ocean, hit my head on my own board and cut my knee. Dazed, I broke through the water and cried with happiness. I HAD SURFED!

I was Gidget for all of three seconds. But what meant the most to me and confirmed my lifelong love of the ocean was the time I spent on the board and in the water. I discovered that you don't need to "Surf" to be a surfer. Being a surfer girl is truly a state of mind! By the way, I still take great pride in the scar on my knee, my moments hanging with the real surfers and my seconds riding the"Big One".

Moral of this story? Before the summer is over take surfing lessons and tap into your inner "Surfer Girl" (then go for drinks at the new Cafe Habana in Malibu).

Not me.

Not me.

I love to see...

My favorite Seaton Girl, Reese Witherspoon, out and about wearing Seaton so perfectly.

3/4 sleeve, cropped, crew-neck, light cashmere sweater in navy. Timeless, effortless and versatile. Available at Jill Roberts stores.

Fond memories...

I was looking through some old pictures this weekend and stumbled upon this one. The view from our hotel room on the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Funny, I can still taste the "Painkiller" drink and feel the sand between my toes.

I love, love, love vacation photos!!!

How my mind works...

I saw on Habitually Chic this morning an homage to Catherine Deneuve and her obvious influences in the new Chloe campaign. This encouraged me to find images that showed her influences on the Seaton blog! She is one of the all-time greatest women (which is only exacerbated by the fact that she is french)!

So then my mind started to wander to more things FRENCH...

The French Riviera

French kissing

And then to a great, lip softening lipstick...

Beautifully sheer and moisturizing, Jouer SPF 15 Lip Sheer is loaded with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera to lock in moisture and assist in keeping lips smooth, nourished and protected.

People keep asking...

"What are your summer must-haves?". So I started thinking about what summer means to me, what the first things I pull out from the back of the closet are, what I run to the drug store for right before Memorial day and what I like to eat to keep me feeling great in my bikini (don't worry...I won't bore you with carrots and celery sticks).

Clothing wise, the first thing that comes out of storage are my Levi's jean shorts (circa. 1980-ish). These shorts have been mended and patched so many times that I wonder if any of the original threads are still there. I wear one of my 5 pairs at least every other day!!

They are my summer version of the perfect jean.

I wore them to a gallery opening with a sequined coat. To the beach with a tank. And to a cocktail party with heels, a tight turtleneck and lots of long girly necklaces.

The best part is when I see current styles that sell for near/over $100! Let's do the math...if my original pair of Levi's were $14.99...then they are now paying me every time I wear them!. By the way, this little math exercise is what allows me to buy a pair of shoes for...let's just say NOT $14.99.

More "Must-haves" to come...

More hmmmmm...

More summer dreaming...

Hmmmm....

Sorry, my mind just wandered...

Food for thought...

I pulled this photo off of the Garance Dore blog. I saw it last week and could not stop thinking about it. It does everything a picture is supposed to do: Take you away, remind you of a memory, cause you to wish and dream for something unseen, put you in the shoes of the photographer...and in my case, start planning my next get-away!!!

Shot in Australia for Muse magazine

Nothing could be easier...

Just bought my third bottle. Perfect for your purse or beach bag. I love the gardenia...so ladylike and fresh.

A great day...

The sun finally decided to make an appearance (before 1pm!) in southern California this weekend. So I took FULL advantage and headed down to Manhattan Beach. So much to do and see. Growing up I always thought you had to be a Republican (nothing against Republicans, I have a friend who is a...) to enjoy this little community. Boy have things changed! The place is alive with beach energy. Bike riders everywhere, not a leather soled shoe to be found, bikinis as outerwear, not a blow dried lock for miles, the delicious blend of coconut oil and salt water wafting in the air and the best part...Everyone had a smile on their face!

Took some time to catch up on back issues of the New Yorker...And the new Us magazine!

Brunch at North End. I had (no judging please) the "Zachary" hard fried egg, brie, bacon and raspberry jam! I went in thinking I would eat half...best laid plans, ate the whole darn thing. You would have thought it was my last meal. I fancy myself a bacon connoisseur...this place is the best (more on my favorite subject, bacon, in blogs to come)

Then Sloopy's, a great dive that has been around since 1989. They deliver which in my mind could not be more decadent...Having a chocolate/banana milk shake brought to your door? Come on!

Took a bike ride down to the pier...I had to after the sandwich and milkshake! Note: Nothing screams "California" more then riding along the beach in a bright bikini on a bike.

Took a quick look at some furniture and "things"

Stopped to watch some surfers...obviously not these surfers. But nothing has changed except the length of the board shorts.

Had a one hour $49 massage...not a typo!

Then dinner at Katsuya. If you can call two orders of crispy rice with spicy tuna and a Burning Mandarin (jalepeno and mandarin vodka) "Dinner."

A great day. So great in fact that I have every intention of doing the exact same thing next weekend.

Oh so chic at the Hotel du Cap Ferrat!

My beautiful friend Elizabeth looking fabulous in her Seaton Crochet Tunic!

Elizabeth is the owner and designer of La Loop.

Ahhhh, Sunshine on the Cote D'Azur!

Bonnes Vacances!!!

www.laloop.com

Guess what I'm doing on Sunday...

A couple of these...

Plus...

Equals this...

Mark's Kumquatini

3 sliced kumquats

3 fresh mint leaves

1.5 oz. vodka

.5 oz. apple juice

2 oz. fresh lemon juice

Natural Agave sweetener

-muddle 2 kumquats and mint in a shaker

-add vodka, apple juice, lemon juice and Agave (depending on how sweet you like it)

-2 ice cubes

-shake well

-pour through sifter into a frozen martini/old fashioned glass and garnish with sliced kumquats

**I like to serve it over rocks in a bigger glass...less trips to the bar!

Resting on a few of these...

Surrounded by a bunch of these...

Wearing something like this...

Listening to some of this...

(Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM)

I AM COUNTING THE HOURS!