Shoreline Style in The Real OC DESTINATION: ORANGE COUNTY HOTEL: SURF & SAND RESORT EAT: BROADWAY BY AMAR SANTANA
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lthough LA is relatively close, it’s not too often that one has the luxury to scenically drive up to Malibu on PCH and spend the weekend with friends in a beach house that overlooks the Pacific. And even if you do cut minutes off your trip by beating the traffic, jumping from the 5N to the 405 to the 10W and finally to the 101 (Note: iPhone app, Sigalert, can be a huge pal through this navigational disaster), it’s still a solid two-and-a-half-hour road trip. What makes a little more sense, though, is the one-hour drive on the I-5N to Orange County, where LA and San Diego pals can meet up for a weekend of debauchery (or relaxation) on a level playing field. Our meet-up this month takes us to the Surf & Sand resort, a Mediterranean-style village that lies on the Laguna Beach shoreline— so beautiful! Orange County is uber stylish and super ritzy—hello, haven’t you ever seen Real Housewives of Orange County?! Gretchen Rossi’s long blonde wavy hair, flawless makeup, figure- hugging dresses, sky-high heels, glitzy accessories and Rolls Royce only slightly hint at the perfect housewife life, and to brush shoulders in her company requires that we bring it in all fashionable senses.
Orange County: Spring Fashion Trends 1. WHITE & GOLD - a ritzy color combination that’s timeless and never wrong 2. ACCESSORIES – arm stacks are still in, so layer on the bracelets! 3. SUNGLASSES – choose cat eye shape, like Jackie-O 4. LESS IS MORE! Fashion Valley, here we come! Of course you already know that Simon’s Fashion Valley has all of the best designer stores—Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Missoni, Emporio Armani, Burberry, Charles Koll Jewelers, Louis Vuitton, plus, plus, plus—but, did you know that it also houses Henri Bendel? If you’ve ever walked into a Bendels before, then you know that you’re in for a real treat, and if you haven’t; well, get your tooshie inside the store—it’s heaven on earth for us females. We’re looking to ooze class and spectacular taste during our Orange County rendezvous, so gold arm stacks it is, leopard printed silk scarf, luxurious leather totes and cat eye sunglasses—yes please, we’ll have them all! Our shift and body-con dresses deserve only the best of transportation, so we’ll take the rolling luggage, too...and the iPad and iPhone cases, oh yes, and that cute notebook, too. We aren’t chintzy, plus, we definitely wouldn’t want to look “too much,” so we’re off to Cache for dresses that are simple, chic, JackieO-ish and white. Amar Santana’s Broadway in Laguna Beach will gladly seat our party of VIPs for dinner and we’re requesting the coveted Chef’s table. Seated front row and center, a theatrical, locally-grown dinner is prepared before our eyes, as the kitchen is center stage at Broadway. Seriously though, who needs New York’s Broadway shows when you can reap the benefits and physically indulge, as in eat, in your theatre? Ridic! Santana sure knows how to grab our attention. Springtime is all about new beginnings; it’s the time of year when flowers begin to bloom again and us humans come out of a dark hibernation with pale skin and glassy eyes. Off the couch people, open your windows and breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the world around you! Take an impromptu road trip to a new destination—there are so many spots to discover in all directions! Pack a bag with your newly purchased spring fashions and open your eyes to the beauty of your surroundings. Happy springtime and happy travels!
| MARCH 2014 | 109