happy new year!!

i miss LA. i never lived there, but i used to travel there about 4 times a year for work - and so i had a strong affinity for it and knew the lay of the land. aside from the plastique world of "the business" i love it. a lot. and miss it. a lot.

a quickie list of the best things about LA: my best best friend lives there. as in BFF. sister quality friend... it's sunny and warm. like, gorgeous. every day. spectacular.... CoffeeBean - the green circle brand can kiss my arse - CoffeeBean rules.... it's a quick drive to the ocean.... mountain/ocean landscapes rock my world.... the Grove - it beats out disney HANDS DOWN as the happiest place on earth... and last but not least - Fred Segal.

every trip i would take - and still to this day, involve a dose of all of the above mentioned things. heavy dosage on the best friend and the Grove. and always one trip to Fred Segal. usually the Hollywood store, but on occasion Santa Monica.

most often my visits lean heavily on the t-shirt, intimates and jewelry sections. which are nothing short of heaven. a few of my fave pieces of jewelry are from said mecca, and a few of the more trendy have been passed down to my nieces. elicits squeals of delight every time.

the Ron Herman/Fred Segal website is not as chock-full-of-deliciousness as the actual stores... but, if you, like myself, are not currently in LA, then we make due. starting on Friday, ye olde January Sale. always a fun activity for the bargain hunter in me. (she is a strong warrior) take a little cruise of the site - or go to the store if you can! - and do a pre-shop. the "i hope this goes 50% off" run, if you will... hmmm - perhaps this sweet little hummingbird? this gorge Chan Luu braided number? super adorable Free People tunic? and these Falke rouched leggings are already marked down. i just had to include them because i love them.

so what if it's minus 84 degrees where we are. put on some sunnies, sit near your radiator, hop on the computer and pretend you're in LA by shopping Fred Segal! sale starts Friday!