Don't forget your Ray Ban sunglasses:

         In the 90s I used to love the Ray Ban sunglasses commercial featuring vampires. As a kid, Ray Bans seemed like the pinnacle of cool especially if they could even prevent a vampire from the stellar rays of the sun! I wish I would have paid closer attention to the last line of the commercial when the lead vampire says "I guess he forgot his Ray Ban sunglasses," because I forgot mine while running errands. Although I am sad that I lost them, at least I have this photo to remember them, shot by my friend Igor. 

Do you have a favorite pair of sunglasses and how do you avoid misplacing them?!

Yours,

Nico

Pleasantville On A Saturday Night:

      From black and white to extreme vibrant color, that is typically how my week goes. Monday thru Thursday seem dull and grey and as soon as Friday hits, the weekend is here and full of good times! I guess I'll be painting the town red in this dress. 

Silk Dress-  Thrifted Ellen Tracy (previously seen here).
 Necklace- Self made, Shoes- Max Studio.

Yours,

Nico

PS: All photos were shot by local Santa Cruz photographer, Igor. You can view his facebook page by clicking here.

Walking On Flat Ground:

Walking On Flat Ground by nsaich featuring wedge shoes

      Do you ever feel like this world is filled with a little too many twists and turns? Too many hills and mountains to climb? Me too, that's one of the reasons that I like to wear flats (the second being that I am already 6'1 and heels aren't necessary)! I also know that even if I'm wearing flats, it doesn't mean that I have to look any less fashionable. From bold prints, delicate ankle straps, or even animal motifs, flats are no longer boring or dull! Take a look at a few of my favorite selections by clicking the link below my collage! I think that you will find life's hillsides much easier to handle while standing in a pair of these shoes!

Yours,

Nico

A Light In The House:

      I've always loved lighthouses and their ability to lead us to light in times of great darkness. The fog rolled in heavily on Saturday evening and the change in weather also seemed to indicate turmoil in my own life. How lucky am I to live so close to a beautiful coastal lighthouse? A permanent reminder to always look for the light whenever my surroundings seem dreary!

      I got to the beach right before a beautiful sunset accompanied by stinging winds. This vintage suede studded jacket was ideal for balancing the gusty breezes of the ocean. And I loved how the rays of the falling sun caught the shimmer of my titanium quartz necklace that I made!

Sunglasses- Coach, Titanium Quartz Necklace- Handmade, Top-
Express, Suede Jacket- Vintage Marciano, Jeans- Vintage, Bag-
 Vintage Gucci, Watch- Michael Kors, Shoes- Cynthia Vincent.

      My friend and classmate Igor, shot these lovely photographs at Seabright Beach here in Santa Cruz. To learn more about this fantastic local photographer, click: www.Facebook.com/giga.broz!


Yours,
Nico

PS: While we are on the subject of facebook, I would really love and appreciate it if you visited my Satin & Salt page at www.Facebook.com/SatinAndSalt, feel free to "like" it for instant updates!

Lillian's Italian Kitchen:

      It's Saturday and that means the weekend is in full effect. Sadly I do not have anything romantic planned for "date night," because my man friend has work (however I will be enjoying some great live music with friends!). But if I was headed into town on a fancy romantic evening, Lillian's Italian Kitchen would be the ultimate destination. Lillian's is located on Soquel Street here in Santa Cruz in a venue so miniscule you would almost pass it by if it weren't for the long procession of hungry folks waiting outside! If you plan on taking a lady friend sometime soon, try getting there right when the restaurant opens to ensure a table (or anticipate waiting at least a half hour and head down the street to The Crepe Place for a pre dinner drink). The careful planning or long wait time will be worth it, I promise! Lillian's offers a wide variety of authentic Italian dishes that will entice and satisfy your taste buds. One of my favorite plates is the Sunday Gravy over penne noodles, which is a thick tomato sauce overloaded with bits of chicken and beef. And be sure to have a salad with dinner because the creamy balsamic dressing makes any vegetable taste utterly phenomenal! No matter who you take with you to Lillian's Italian Kitchen, they will leave full, satisfied, and utterly impressed!

(I order a full salad along with my dinner every time I hit Lillian's, the dressing is that good.)

(I wish you could smell this dish thru the computer screen... the aroma
of carbs and perfectly oven baked cheese would hit you instantly in the face)

(Perhaps the most indulgent thing on the menu, Perfectly cooked
steak with gnocchi and gorgonzola cream sauce.....I'm salivating)

      If you happen to be heading to Lillian's tonight then you are in for a treat. Not only will you receive a delicious meal, but stop by The Crepe Place (a few steps down the street) either while you are waiting to be seated or after you finish to see some great local bands play. Including my friend Stephen's band, The Red Light District. How's that for a perfect date night, dinner and dancing?!

Yours,
Nico