diani living » Loving

Juicy Juices

dianiliving — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:57:50 +0000

I recently returned from an amazing week in the U.K. with my fiancé, visiting people and places from my childhood. And, aside from returning with many incredible memories, I also returned with a need to shock my body out of the carb heaven I put it in! So I headed straight to the new juice joint in Santa Barbara called the Juice Ranch. With their wide variety of fresh pressed juices, I committed to a three day juice cleanse and it was just what the doctor ordered. I was never hungry and my taste buds were always happy. And, it also gave me the opportunity to try a lot of the juices I had overlooked. To top it all off, the staff couldn't be more helpful, setting me up for the cleanse and explaining which of the six juices to drink each day.

A juice cleanse made easy. They box it up for you and number each juice so you know which to drink when. Love that!

And, they look pretty in your fridge. Who needs a candy store when you have this kind of eye candy?

How delicious do each of these juices sound? The Almond Joy is INSANE!

Get over there now, if you haven't been. You'll be hooked. Juice Ranch. 33 Parker Way. SB. 805 845 4657.

National Portrait Gallery – Man Ray

dianiliving — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:14:58 +0000

If you are in London before the end of May, make sure to check out the Man Ray photography exhibit at The National Portrait Gallery. It's a comprehensive look at the evolution of his incredible photography techniques and fascination with people. His surrealist style blazed a trail not only in the art world, but the fashion world as well, and he helped create a visual style used by Vogue and Vanity Fair. Here are a few of my favorites.

Eva Gardner - 1951.

Solarized portrait of Lee Miller - 1929.

Helen Tamiris - 1929.

Remy Duval - 1930.

Lee Miller - 1930.

I also always enjoy seeing what the NPG has in their permanent portrait exhibition as they often have new aquisitions like my three new favorites below.

Amy Winehouse by Marlene Dumas - 2011.

Mo Mowlam by John Keane - 2001.

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge by Paul Emsley - 2012.

I also highly recommend the Bowie Exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum. It was sold out while we were there, so book WAY ahead. It shows until August 11th.

Margaret Thatcher – 1925-2013

dianiliving — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:36:50 +0000

"What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose."

Baroness Margaret Thatcher 1925-2013

I happened to be in London when Baroness Margaret Thatcher died last week and I have to say, I became very nostalgic. Today she's receiving a full military funeral in London, with heads of state from all over the world paying tribute to her service. What I have to share has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with what she represented to me as a girl growing up in England. When I was 8 years old, I knew nothing about her politics, but I did know she was a woman, and she made it seem perfectly normal and acceptable to be a succesful and powerful woman in a man's world. I can't think of another country during that era with a similar role model. She made me believe that, as a girl, I could do and be anything I wanted to be. I never once felt like I couldn't go toe-to-toe with a man in any career I chose. She was courageous, outspoken, provoking and all the things that contemprary women like COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg advocate for. Sandberg says in her book, Lean In, "A truly equal world would be one where women ran half our countries and companies and men ran half our homes. I believe that this would be a better world. The laws of economics and many studies of diversity tell us that if we tapped the entire pool of human resources and talent, our collective performance would improve. Legendary investor Warren Buffett has stated generously that one of the reasons for his great success was that he was competing with only half the population. The Warren Buffetts of my generation are still largely enjoying this advantage. When more people get in the race, more records will be broken. And the achievements will extend beyond those individuals to benefit us all."

My hope, now that I live in America, is that more girls from younger generations will have the fortune of seeing more and more women at the top of the game.

Image Credits. From top: Jeffrey Doornbos, Thatcher Portrait, Thatcher in Moscow

Meet Gail, My Uber Talented Childhood Friend

dianiliving — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:03:12 +0000

I just spent a wonderful couple of days in London with my friend, Gail (who will be a bridesmaid at my wedding). I"ve known Gail for over 27 years and we've shared many interests growing up, including art. We spent many evenings after school, creating masterpieces in the Art Department. Whilst I went on to study Fashion, Gail moved to Edinburgh to study Textiles and Color. After graduating she worked for companies such as, The Conran Shop, Heals and Jamie Oliver, developing designs, packaging and branding. She now co-owns her own design firm, BrysonLoxley and works for many prestigious clients. She also has had her own print exhibitions, showcasing her limited edition screen print art (I have one of her pieces in my home and it's treasured). She's an amazing talent and I'm proud to call her my friend. Check out her website to learn more here. Here are some pictures of Gail's new design studio and exhibition space in London.

Gail and one of her limited edition prints.

Gail in her design studio.

A sneak peek at a cushion project Gail is working on for her own label.

One of Gail's inspiration boards.

Ribbons Gail collected on a recent trip to India.

Gail's website, incase you missed it is: www.gailbryson.co.uk. You can see all her prints and order from her online.

The Best of Issue – SB Mag

dianiliving — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:35:06 +0000

I'm so honored that my fabulous friend, Finola Hughes mentioned my boutique, DIANI as being her favorite place to shop! The always stylish actress, director and entrepreneur should be very proud of herself as she just wrapped up a movie that she directed called, The Bet which comes out in April. Be sure to check it out! I can't wait! Thanks, Finola for the love. xoxo

Happy Love Day!

dianiliving — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:52:52 +0000

Whatever you have in store today, have a day filled with love and hearts and flowers. Happy Valentine's Day!

Strung paper hearts from my favorite stationary boutique in Paris.

My favorite florists, the talented girls behind Saipua in Brooklyn, NY.

SAG Awards Stunners

dianiliving — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:59:40 +0000

My favorite dresses and suit from the SAG awards the other night. If I had to pick just one, it would have to be Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior. Perfection!

Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior.

Anne Hathaway in Giambattista Valli

Amanda Seyfried in Zac Posen.

Eddie Redymayne in Burberry.

Naomi Watts in Marchesa.

Nina Dobrev in Elie Saab.

Images.

A Fine Romance

dianiliving — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:19:40 +0000

There's no escaping the fact that I'm in love and right now am drawn to all things feminine and romantic. Here are some of my favorite images from my inspiration board. Image 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5 , 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

My New Guilty Pleasure

dianiliving — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:50:35 +0000

So, I started out the New Year with a new addiction. Tumblr. I am in love! It's so fun and you should join me! Are you Tumbling? Let me know your username if you are. Check out my page here: diani living

Black Beauty

dianiliving — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:38:04 +0000

Winter is a matter of taste for most people. Some look at the passing of the Winter Solstice as the official descent into a long cold season, with short days. I look at it as the moment when the days will get longer as time goes by. Not only that, but it's the perfect time to focus on the ever elegant color that lacks all color... black. Here are a few inspirations that bring elegance, sophistication, and class to this period of the ever lengthening day!

A recent purchase - Dolce and Gabbana

Georgio Armani

A favorite coffee table book

My well worn Zara coat

My black beauty, Plum. Image credit Jeffrey Doornbos

My fiance's new Cameo soap from Marie Evora

My Katie Upton charcoal

Image 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12