POCKET LINT.

LA (THIRD STREET): THE BEST DENIM LEGGINGS

You all know, from that recent ELLE article, that I've got a soft spot for all things J Brand.  Well, I have a soft spot for awesome denim leggings and LA shop Diavolina too (usually for shoes).

Is it me or is "soft spots" starting to sound weird?  I'm like starting to envision baby's heads or something.  Creepy. Whatever.

Anyway, all my favorite "soft spots" come together, as Diavolina has the exclusive on J Brand's new Mulberry, Charcoal and Navy Denim Leggings.  Don't worry non-LA LINTERS, you'll also be able to buy the leggings online at ShopDiavolina.com.

Between these and some of the new Wolford tights, I think I'll have my legs covered for fall.  Punny punny girl.

So, bring on the falling leaves.  Or, in the case of LA, 70 degree weather.

xo - N.

LA (THIRD STREET): THE BEST REASON NOT TO POST

Sorry, Charlies.  I would have written an amazing post for today, but, well, oh yeah--I was STARVING yesterday and could only think about eating massive amounts of food and curing my hunger headache.  Seriously, all my post would have said was, "FEED ME. FEED ME. FEED ME. FEED ME!""

But here's just part of yesterday's break fast spread pictured above.  Bagels from LA's bestest bagel option Bagel Broker, Salt & Vinegar Pop Chips (not quite traditionally from The Book of Life, but my new light, airy and relatively healthy snack obsession--they melt in your mouth like so many flat cheese doodles) and, way out in front, the delicious moist and cakey Ginger Bread from Whole Foods (lactose free my fellow lactards).

And, with that, food coma begins.  And the cycle continues . . .

xo - N.

LA (DOWNTOWN)/NYC (CHELSEA): THE BEST PLACE TO SNAG 7 JEANS ON SALE

Well, I love to spread the good word on Fridays.

And, by "the good word," I mean good news in the form of shopping opportunities.  What?   That's MY religion, mofos.

Anyhoo, 7 For All Mankind's first ever "Warehouse Sale" starts today and extends through Sunday in LA at the downtown Convention Center and, in NYC, at Metropolitan Pavilion.  Jeans get less and less expensive as the sale goes on, so pieces start at $65 on Friday, $55 on Saturday and $45 on Sunday.  RSVP at the city specific link above!

I know the above flier is for Thursday, but don't be misled.  The sales on both coasts are going on through Sunday.

TGIF, peeps.

xo - N.

PA (AND BEYOND): THE BEST "OLD BAY" CHIPS

This torturous heat wave has me wishing summer was over already.

Maybe I'll regret saying that later, when I'm shivering while getting out of the shower and wondering why I under-dressed yet again for a chilly LA evening, BUT right now I am over it.

Still, I love me some Old Bay and these UTZ Old Bay "Crab" Chips are at least one bastion of summer fun that I don't mind lingering.

Also, they're a lot less work than crab fests.

There is a serious seafood theme to this blog lately, no?  Seafood found among the LINT.  Gross.

xo - N.

LA (AND BEYOND): THE BESTEST RED FOR RED LIP PHOBES

I don't usually do red lips.

In fact, I don't usually even do lipstick, especially in a bold color.  Don't get me wrong: I love the look of a bright, statement red lip with an otherwise almost naked porcelain or tan face.

Just not on me.

I have pretty small lips, so I never feel like they're the feature I want to highlight.  That would be like highlighting your small boobs or flat butt, while hiding your tiny waist or long legs, you know?

BUT every once in a while (especially when I'm feeling a bit pale), I have the impulse to replace my sheer glosses with bright lipstick.  But how does one do that and not channel her great aunt Mildred?

Wait, "channel"?  Don't you mean "Chanel?"  Well, first of all, wipe the lipstick off your teeth.  Then run (don't walk) to the Chanel counter and grab some Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer Red Shine 217.  Now apply.

Here's what's brilliant about this gloss: first of all, the picture above doesn't quite do it justice.  The shade has a more "berry" tone and is flecked with gold.  I LOVE the color!  Second of all, because the color is glossy, it makes small lips look a bit bigger thanks to reflection.  Third, this gloss is a bit thicker than average, so the color stays on longer despite being gloss.  (I like to use a cheek gloss to put color underneath too, so that there are layers.)  Fourth, because the product is thicker, it can really be applied in an intense full throttle way or lightly for a more sheer vibe.  You can control the effect.

Anyway, I am totally in love!  Andre usually gets scared when I put on red lipstick.  Literally, last time he actually gasped and repeatedly asked me to wipe it off, Rain Man style.  But, this time, I applied the 217 color fairly heavily with just a tiny bit of mascara and he actually reacted and told me it looked pretty.

This particular color was created for holiday 2008, but I think it holds up.  I know I'll be wearing it around town this fall.  See you then!

Kisses!  (Big fat red ones.)

xo - N.

LA (HOLLYWOOD): THE BEST GUILT-FREE CANDLE & SOAP PURCHASES -- OH. AND PIZZA TOO.

I'm a few months behind with this post.

In this case, though, it's not that I tried something late, so much as I got super lazy about sizing the images for some odd reason and was negligent in my posting.  "Why is she being so LINTING honest?"  You might wonder.

Well, I have no damn idea.  Except maybe that the purity of the subject (as you shall soon read) might have inspired.  So, the aforementioned "damn" notwithstanding, I am actually trying to be righteous, but am probably instead coming off sanctimonious.  Now I'm just not making sense.

So, anyway: my family and I jumped at the chance to try Mozza 2 Go the week that it opened.  For anyone who has ever tasted the deliciousness that is Mozza, the hurry to sample needs no explanation.  Of course the pizza was amazing, as were the side salads etc., but that was to be expected.

But a joyful surprise came beforehand in the form of the sweet little larder I perused while waiting for our treats.  The Mozza 2 Go shop carries mostly gourmand accouterments, but also Further products (a line of soaps and candles made from leftover cooking grease--very eco-friendly).

And, as if a pizzeria, oesteria, to-go service and larder weren't enough, next door is a kitchen type space, in which Mozza will eventually offer cooking classes and demonstrations and such.

That is right before the takeover the world!

A world made of pizza sounds pretty good to me.

xo - N.

LA (CRUMPLED TWENTY): THE MOST CONFUSING POST TODAY

Once again, the Emmy opinions have alienated me and, apparently, anyone who has his or her brain intact.

I totally don't agree with much of this fashion dos and don'ts list from last night.  For one thing, I think Blake Lively's above dress is kinda awesome, but it got a big fat "don't" from this list.  And what was wrong with Tina Fey's dress exactly?

I think whoever wrote this article is working for Monique Lhuillier or something.  What do you think???  Am I crazy?  Are they crazy?  Are you crazy?  WHAT IS GOING ON?

Just to give you a sense:

THEIR IDEA OF FABULOUS "DO'S":

I mean, yes, if your design inspiration is MOB (that's "mother of the bride" to you).  SAY CHEESE!

And, in addition to Tina & Blake & Leighton's gowns, they hated these, which I think look kind of sweet on these girls:

Anyway, my personal favorite of the dresses pictured (along with Holly Hunter's number):

Good job, Ginny.  Love that exaggerated sweetheart bodice.

xo - N.

LA (MELROSE PLACE): THE BEST EMMY SUITE

Honestly, after watching last night's Emmy Awards, I'm sort of wondering if I'm in a position to dub anything "The Best."  Almost all my favorite shows and actors lost in their categories.  Was it just me or were the choices really weird?  Or maybe you all watch Damages.  Losers.

Anyway, all I know is that there wasn't nearly enough Hugh Laurie for my taste.  And why doesn't Julia Louis Dreyfus ever win?  Booo.  Hissssss.  Blah, blah, BLAH. BLAAAAAAH.

But anyway . . . at some point today, my story about this year's lovely Kate Somerville Emmy Suite will be posting on Blackburn + Sweetzer.  (Yes, it's shameless self-promotion time again).  So keep your eyes peeled.  Plus, as far as I'm concerned, the suite might have been more entertaining than the show itself.

And it was definitely more fair.  Just ask Julia Louis Dreyfus.  She hearts K.S. too.

[READ THE STORY, NOW UP ON B + S.]

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go stalk Hugh.  And find out what the hell Breaking Bad is.  And also what that red blob was attached to the side of Padma's dress.  Maybe she lost a bet (or a high stakes quick fire).  Looked that way, if you ask me.  But, then, you didn't.

You're too busy watching FX.  Loser.

xo - N.

P.S. Please excuse my rampant bitterness, but I mean JEEZ.  What's a girl to do?

LA (DOWNTOWN): THE BEST URBAN CLAM BAKE

A "clam bake" evokes images of east coast beaches strewn with cheerful sun-kissed vacationers at dusk and a fire pit or two.

Well, time to reevaluate.

LA is weirdly not known for seafood, though the city sits on the ocean (obviously) and the sushi is out of this world.  So, it's actually bizarrely backwards, but in keeping that the most notoriously landlocked part of LA proper would be home to the newest seafood feast.  Yup, peeps, LA's newest New England Clam Bake is happening Downtown at Water Grill.

Every Sunday, for $55 a person, diners can, well, have the amazing experience I had last night . . .

[CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE: Raw Bar Tasting with Uni with Ponzu, Shrimp Cocktail and Oysters]

First, we had a "Raw Bar Tasting," which is always fantastic (and this was especially amazing), including several types of amazing oysters with varied toppings from a vinaigrette to cocktail sauce and a Shrimp Cocktail (delicious, despite doing an impression of "Village of the Damned" with all those eyes).

I'm sometimes a little wary of uni (a.k.a. sea urchin), but this was incredible.  Just a delicious bite!

The amuse bouche was a play on two types of Lobster Rolls in buttery brioche with house made pickles (pictured above).

Next up: a seasonal salad or a salad with gorgonzola--gotta get your greens!

Then (Yes!) Maine lobster with lemon and drawn butter and a casserole pot filled with clams, mussels, carrots, potatoes and linguica sausage in wine, herbs, shallots and garlic (oh, and most thoughtfully, side dishes of the sauce for fresh warm bread dipping).

But (and I almost never feel this way) the dessert was actually as good as the best oysters, uni and lobster rolls.  Your choice is between a seasonal fruit cobbler (in this case a perfectly tart strawberry, rhubarb situation--so good) or a homemade root beer float wth ginger cookies (yup, chef David Le Fevre even makes the root beer himself in house).  Apparently, he's mastered it now, but there was an initial explosion or two.

So, those are the deets.  I guess I "have it in on the heavy clambakes."  Does anyone get that reference?  I'm crazy.

xo - N. 

LA (RUNYON): THE BEST FAITH IN MAN (AND WOMAN) KIND

Time was when I walked Runyon Canyon all the time.

In those days, I could make it to the top still breathing easily, while carrying on a conversation, subtly absorbing star sightings and suppressing the desire to exclaim, "Why are people hiking in full make-up, aviators and Ed Hardy hats?!"

BUT now I am no longer a regular and so I can't help myself from wondering why people would exercise in Loree Rodkin gothic necklaces.  Fortunately, for The Drewser (my current hiking partner) I'm too winded to voice my indignance out loud.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to find the above food and water cart perched at the foot of Runyon Canyon with an honor system in place.  You take what you want and put the correct amount of cash in the slot at the front.  Personally, I just love that, even in a city as big and crazy as LA, there's still an honor system cart at the foot of a public park.  Not to mention Runyon's free yoga.

Though I think they should implement an extra fee for people in Ed Hardy.

xo - N.