Ok, I have been stingy. It's time I shared one of my favorite London beauty spots with you!

Being born and raised in Southern California I am use to seeing a nail salon on every corner. Some better than others, but for the most part you know exactly what to expect. When I first started bouncing back and forth between LA and London I was shocked by how difficult I found it to find a nail salon that I liked and that gave me the same quality I was spoiled with back home.

I came across DryBy on Instagram and fell in love with the sleek decor and shiny shellac nails (try saying that fast!). DryBy has taken nail care to a new level. The service is always amazing, from being greeted and offered a drink to the finishing touches on your nails, you will be fully taken care of. Every single nail technician who I have had the pleasure of getting has been so friendly and most importantly a perfectionist! Edo is my absolute favorite, she has transformed my nails the last few times I have visited. The last shellac I had done lasted over three weeks without peeling or chipping!

DryBy also has a blow dry bar upstairs where you can have your hair washed and styled. I have tried this service as well and it is equally as relaxing. They use top products which smell amazing and won't damage your hair. Cost wise, you get what you pay for. In California a gel manicure is much cheaper, but I have yet to find a place that offers the quality of service that DryBy provides.

Tips:

- BOOK AHEAD. The space is cozy and there are a limited amount of chairs that provide nail services, but this is NOT a downside because you get someone who will take the time with your nails and make sure they are perfect. Plus the space is not hectic and great for a girls catch up or some solo relaxation. If you are going with a friend mention this over the phone so you can sit next to each other.

- PLAN FOR TIME. In a rush? Keep in mind a shellac manicure takes around an hour, give or take if you have previous shellac on your nails. A blow dry is a bit shorter. Take a friend and enjoy a coffee or glass of prosecco!

- TRY SOMETHING NEW. DryBy offers so many color choices your mind will be blown. They also can do some pretty awesome nail art from marbling to intricate designs. Go on their Instagram @drybylondon to get some inspiration! My favorite colors are "Creekside", "Winter Glow", and "Field Fox".

Visit http://www.dryby.co.uk for details!

PS Can DryBy please open in Los Angeles?!

K xo

February 20, 2015

Hello there!

This is one of my favorite closet projects I’ve done to date. This client has a very stressful job, works very long hours at odd times, and the last thing she wanted to do was tidy. Who would?

That’s where I come in! When I see a space like this I get excited. Changing an area from cluttered to orderly can lift a lot of stress, extra stress that no one wants (or needs).

We took every single thing out of the closet. One by one, we went through the items and decided whether they were “keep”, “donate”, or “trash”. When organizing, these are the three golden categories I use for deciding what to do with an item.

My client had also gone through a dramatic weight loss and still had a lot of her old clothing. My tip is this, keep a few items if you absolutely can’t part with them, but if they are more then two sizes too big get rid of them! You want to stay positive and look forward, not go backwards on your progress. These items are taking up valuable space in your closet!

At the end of the day a large amount of clothes were able to be donated, which is always a great feeling. All in all to get this closet from “before” to “after” it took me three sessions (keep in mind every project is unique!).

Here’s a few tips:

-There is always room for improvement…don’t be discouraged early on. Take a project on step by step, little by little. Don’t let it overwhelm you!

-Using velvet hangers in a closet can free up a LOT of space. If you’re using plastic/thick hangers you could be cutting down your hanging space by half. And no one wants that!

-Keep sentimental items that are never worn safe in a plastic crate or displayed in a fun way, like a shadow box. Keeping these items hung up with “every day” clothes takes up space and also puts them at risk to be damaged.

K xo