Before heading to Los Angeles for work, I stopped in San Francisco to take my Nanna out to lunch. I wanted something special, to make an occasion out of it. After a lot of research I settled on Auberge du Soleil. An amazing restaurant nestled into the mountains of Nappa. No less than nine people came by to ask if my grandmother was really 90-years old and the food was incredible. It was an afternoon to remember.

{ Joy Cioci sweater and shorts, Joie bra, Jimmy Choo heels, vintage belt, American Apparel clutch }

♫♪ Michael Bublé – Haven’t Met You Yet

I’ve been looking for a pair of paperbag shorts for what seems like forever. Why I’ve needed them so, I’m not quite sure– but I’ve worn these on repeat ever since Joy Cioci lent them to me. The pastel tweed makes them sweet despite their obvious man-repeller qualities, a juxtaposition I love.

My Nanna. We share a name, but I like to think we share a few other special things too. Like our love of cookies, she’s famous for this recipe. She has talked me through more baking disasters than I can remember (unfortunately I didn’t inherit her patience). We’re equally great at relaxing too. And yes, it’s a talent. We can sit on the couch for hours looking at her jewelry collection and telling stories. And we both love parties. She’s having a huge 90th birthday rager today. Which, with great regret, I’m missing.

I love you Nanna and am very sorry I can’t be there. But, I can’t wait to hear all the details. Happy Birthday! xx Your namesake

My Nanna on the right. She’s the one in the chic suit.

One of my favorite photos of my grandmother. And a good reminder, that sometimes those shots with our eyes closed shouldn’t be deleted after all.

Last Saturday some of my friends and I threw a bridal shower — we focused on light blue and white, the colors of her wedding, filling the room with flowers and food. I also did a variation on this chicken salad that someone declared the best they had ever had and offered to back me in a chicken salad company. The heart cloud was a coincidence, but we figured it was meant to be.

Since I’ve been meaning to put an outfit collage together for a while now, I figured I would share the one Equipment did with my summer picks. Right now I’m all about neutrals. They feel so clean in the warmer months, especially when they are tailored with sweet details.

1. Equipment Diem front-tie blouse, $184, equipmentfr.com
2. Burt’s Bees Lip balm, $3, burtsbees.com
3. Tom Ford Malin Cat eye sunglasses, $390, neimanmarcus.com
4. J.Crew ballet flats, $124, jcrew.com
5. Miu Miu shorts, $335, net-a-porter.com

{Marie Marie dress, Tom Ford sunglasses, Loeffler Randall flats, 3.1 Philip Lim sweater}

♫♪Loggins and Messina — Danny’s Song

With summer whispering in everyone’s ear this weekend it was easy to get swept up in the moment. We had dinner under stung lights Saturday night and spent the good part of Sunday just laying in the grass looking up at Central Park’s trees. One of my favorite things about summer is throwing on a light dress, flats and sunglasses and being ready to go for the day. Eventually the temperature did drop though, just in time to remind us that spring hasn’t completely left us.

This week I decided I just couldn’t buy one more disappointing ten-dollar salad. So I decided to try my hand at being prepared and health conscious. A little out of my responsibility threshold (I can barely do my laundry every week), but I figured I could give it a try. I wanted something fresh, veggie filled and free of refined carbs– and settled on this salad. The dressing makes it positively addictive and it’s super wallet friendly. Now, if only I owned Tupperware.

Quinoa Greek Salad

• 2 cups uncooked quinoa
• 3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 cup (or more) sliced, seedless cucumber
• 1/4 cup (more or less) feta cheese, crumbles (I used reduced fat goat cheese to cut down on calories)
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatos
• 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons sherry or rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Bring the quinoa to a boil in the chicken stock with the lid on. Once it comes to boil let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Once it’s done, but it in the fridge to cool. Slice the veggies and mix the dressing. Once the grain is cool, pour the dressing over it it and mix. Top with the veggies and cheese. Season to taste.

When a new restaurant pops up in the neighborhood my friends and I have to try it. Even when it has a wierd name, like Doma Na Rohu. Their german dishes were surprisingly simple though, and delicious. The best part though was that there was no pretention or ridiculous wait. And, we sat at the table well after we finished eating, without being rushed. It was like some sort of mythical NYC brunch place, with good coffee.

{ Cacharel blazer, All Saints tee, Lilly Pulitzer jeans c/o, Jimmy Choo sandals, Oscar de la Renta clutch, Cartier watch }

♫♪Kim Carnes — Betty Davis Eyes

A few weeks ago I hurt my foot running and can’t wear heels (or run, stand for long periods of time, or walk at a normal, non-tourist New York speed). The thing about heels though is that they instantly make you feel put together and chic, and without them you can’t help but feel a little dumpy. My solution: polished pieces. On Sunday I pulled out my new bright white jeans and a structured black blazer, and I managed to feel not only comfortable, but cute.

Up close and personal with some of my new sweet things:

1. Heart shaped glasses, Asos.com

2. Downtown Romantic illustration from Lilly Pulitzer

3. Acqua Converse, zappos.com