Came home from a spontaneous trip to San Francisco and was going to post another chic professional work outfit, but decided I would share a few photos from the weekend.  I have found that the Bay Area is always cold, but to my delight, I had brought the Los Angeles sunshine with me and it was a joy to walk around, meet up with up friends, and enjoy the city.  'Till next time, SF!

Gossip Girl lives on! Gossip Girl en espanol! O mi dios! (Or is it ay dios mio?!) Yo espero que yo no necesito aprender espanol ahora jaja :) The Upper East Siders have exchanged their winter clothes for summer fashion all year long in Mexico.  Dan Humphrey is now Dan Parra; Jenny Humphrey is now Jenny Parra; Blair Waldorf is now Barbara Fuenmayor; Serena Van Der Woodsen is now Sofia Sisniega; Nate Archibald is now Nico De La Vega; and Chuck Bass is now Max Zega.  I think I spotted Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith in the preview too?! Watch the new cast here: Gossip Girl: Acalpulco

It is Labor Day 2012, which means the end of the summer 2012 season. I have been terrible at blogging this summer, mostly due to beach days, weddings, bachelorettes, bridal showers, engagement parties, birthdays, graduations, trips, pool parties, and, of course, the usual summer shenanigans. Summer in Los Angeles has been HOT, an upward of 100 degrees most days in the Valley. My trips this summer consisted of a brief Vegas weekend, and a couple weeks in Toronto and Montreal. All in all, it was a good summer, and I look forward to cooler temperatures and increased blogging in the months ahead. Thanks for the continued support, dear bloggees :D

I just came back from Miami and am now on my way to Chicago and Washington, DC. All these trips are exciting - visiting friends and places I do not normally get to see. It does feel like I am trying to escape Los Angeles ... Nevertheless, Miami was a dream. Gorgeous people, gorgeous building, gorgeous beaches, and a gorgeous atmosphere. My highlights were staying in the Viceroy, eating at Meat Market, partying all over South Beach, viewing the unique art deco, and even biking from Lincoln Road to the Port. No wonder everyone wants to bienvenido a Miami ;) I absolutely cannot wait to go back!

Today (or yesterday?) marks the first day of Summer. So happy that the June Gloom is finally over! Here are some inspiring photos to get you in the mood, with my chosen colors of the season: cotton-candy blue, bubble-gum pink, and creamsicle orange.

I will mostly be in Los Angeles, which is the best place to be during the summer. For the Day-glo sunsets, the hiking-trail dust that gets under my fingernails, and the feel of a gas pedal under my nearly bare feet. It is a strange mixture of urban and tropical, with skies that look both vaguely toxic and heartbreakingly beautiful at the same time. Hope you all get to experience it first-hand someday.

As promised, here are a little more than a dozen blackberry photos taken while vacationing in Playa del Carmen. It was a fantastic trip, filled with a tour of the Mayan ruins in Tulum, plenty of Mexican food (fish tacos, fajitas, ceviche, huevos rancheros, and enough guacamole and salsa to last me a life-time), snorkeling in the cenotes of the Riviera Maya, rappelling and zip lining through the forest, swimming in the warm and glistening waters of Mamitas Beach, enjoying the nightlife and the laid-back town of Playa del Carmen, and relaxing in our luxurious condo residences at El Taj. All of these adventures, combined with a fabulous group of some of the most fun and delightful people in the world, made for an exquisite and entertaining fête. Big shout-out to the organizers, Roxanne and Roja, with a special mention to Anissa, Martha, Samira, Anyssa, Olivia, Shireen, Navid, Nima, Yvette, Justin, Nima, Carmel, Saam, Leila, Nicole, Gus, Nieku, Nataly, Jen and Crystal. Miss you all, including Joaquin! See you soon in another paradise.

Just got back from Coachella 2011 and am still overwhelmed. The sights, the sounds, the heat, the people, the fashion, and the awesome and unbelievable talent which not only wowed the audience but was so appreciative to be able to perform there. Festival-goers from all around the world were all united for the chance to see their favorite artists. Nothing was shocking but everything was amazing. Unbelievable. It was really an investment into our memories. Need to sleep now. Wake me up in time for Coachella 2012!

I can not stop watching this Adidas commercial. Hello Adrienne Bailon, Agyness Deyn, Ana Ivanovic, Calle 13, Cassandra Steen, Cheer Chen, Ciara, Dee Edwards, DJ Neil Armstrong, Fernando Verdasco, Ian Brown, Jay Baruchel, Jeremy Scott, Kazuki, Lee Hyori, Louise Roe, Mark The Cobra Snake Hunter, Mr. Hudson, N-Dubz, Noel Gallagher, Ryan Leslie, Snoop Dogg, Tallulah Morton, Whitney Port -- and of course, my fave, David Beckham! I am going to recreate this magical fusion of fashion, music, sports, and games this summer in my backyard, stay tuned :)

Just came back from India, am still on sensory overload and dreaming of the bold and bright colors, the refreshing temples, and the benevolence of the people. Thank you to Sid and Mona for a brilliant time and a beautiful wedding!

But before I recoup, a public service message -- Listen up LA! Get outside, HEAT WAVE 09 is happening. Bust out your Seals & Crofts and free Ben & Jerry’s and do it. Let’s party like its 1863 - Happy Ridván! See you in the sunshine.

Dear Rest of the World:

Probably you have already heard it from your other friends in Los Angeles, but I wanted to make sure that I drove the point home. It has been over 80 degrees lately here. New York, Paris, Toronto, Munich, and Moscow, enjoy your highs of 20. Chicago and Montreal, good luck out there with -5 today. I hesitate to mention that I am headed to a patio at this time to barbecue. Outside, of course. Now carry on with whatever it is you do out there in the cold.

keep warm,
Tala

PS. Although having fun in the sun, we did lose a dear friend to Los Angeles today. R.I.P. Indie 103.1 – I was pretty bummed to hear the news. Joe Escalante, Jonesey, and the rest of the Indie 103.1 team, thank you for years of awesome music.
PPS. This news does not deter me from putting my Ipod on full blast and lounging out by my pool in the middle of winter. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

You may not know this, but somebody is having a birthday this week... That’s right, it’s your old buddy America :) And to celebrate, President Bush has given all his loyal subjects Friday off. With the specter of a long flag-filled weekend looming in the horizon, some folks have decided to check out a little early- including me! I will be at Zuma, lifeguard station #7 from tomorrow till Sunday. Come out and catch a wave, eat some pie, and wear your stars and stripes. Happy Independence Day!

Welcome to SUMMER OH EIGHT.

So buy a new bathing suit, take out your sunscreen, put on your stunna shades, and join me on the beach bus to Zuma. Destination: WAY TOO HOT SUMMER.

It is spring!

Go out and pick some flowers!

It is so hot in LA that the city is burning. Literally. So, I flew to Seattle.

When you leave California you realize that there is much more news rather than the latest club opening (Opera) or the latest celebrity sighting (Dennis Rodman at Katana). In Seattle everyone is so aware and conscious of what is going on in the world that I feel embarrassed not knowing about the latest news on Iraq or the 2008 elections. Although, luckily, thanks to Leonardo, I can contribute to conversations about the green movement and global warming.

Well, next week I'll be back in LA. Back to reality. Literally. Meeting reality stars on the street and watching reality shows!

First umbrellas, now cars. This is the summer of Rihanna.