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Life with Andre – My Epic Birthday Brunch

Prada Round Baroque Sunglasses | Dolce Vita Garren Wedge | Michael Kors Parker Watch | Glint & Gleam Arm Candy | Forever 21 Tank, Bandeau and Shorts | Brass Plum Bronze Studded Belt | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya GM

Prada Round Baroque Sunglasses | Dolce Vita Garren Wedge | Michael Kors Parker Chronograph Leather Watch | Glint & Gleam Arm Candy | Forever 21 Tank, Bandeau, Gold Cuff and Crinkle & Cuffed Shorts| Brass Plum Bronze Studded Belt | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya GM

After spending Friday night moping around the house, bummed that I would be turning another year older the following day, my amazing husband was trying so hard to cheer me up. He woke me up at midnight to wish me happy birthday and gave me the cutest birthday card ever, then surprised me with my birthday gift right when I woke up the next morning (the Michael Kors Leather Parker watch I’d been in love ever since I first stumbled upon it)! I was so grateful for his awesome efforts but part of me was still a little blue – I was officially in my late twenties. He asked me where I wanted to have brunch and I went to our old issue of Los Angeles Magazine (mentioned here and here). The first restaurant I landed my eyes on was Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills. I skimmed over the others but for some reason, kept going back to Bouchon. He called in reservations, we got ready and headed over to the bistro.

Prada Round Baroque Sunglasses | Dolce Vita Garren Wedge | Michael Kors Parker Watch | Glint & Gleam Arm Candy | Forever 21 Tank, Bandeau and Shorts | Brass Plum Bronze Studded Belt | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya GM

Prada Round Baroque Sunglasses | Dolce Vita Garren Wedge | Michael Kors Parker Watch | Glint & Gleam Arm Candy | Forever 21 Tank, Bandeau and Shorts | Brass Plum Bronze Studded Belt | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya GM

Prada Round Baroque Sunglasses | Dolce Vita Garren Wedge | Michael Kors Parker Watch | Glint & Gleam Arm Candy | Forever 21 Tank, Bandeau and Shorts | Brass Plum Bronze Studded Belt | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya GM

Prada Round Baroque Sunglasses | Dolce Vita Garren Wedge | Michael Kors Parker Watch | Glint & Gleam Arm Candy | Forever 21 Tank, Bandeau and Shorts | Brass Plum Bronze Studded Belt | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya GM

Prada Round Baroque Sunglasses | Dolce Vita Garren Wedge | Michael Kors Parker Watch | Glint & Gleam Arm Candy | Forever 21 Tank, Bandeau and Shorts | Brass Plum Bronze Studded Belt | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya GM

Prada Round Baroque Sunglasses | Dolce Vita Garren Wedge | Michael Kors Parker Watch | Glint & Gleam Arm Candy | Forever 21 Tank, Bandeau and Shorts | Brass Plum Bronze Studded Belt | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya GM

Prada Round Baroque Sunglasses | Dolce Vita Garren Wedge | Michael Kors Parker Watch | Glint & Gleam Arm Candy | Forever 21 Tank, Bandeau and Shorts | Brass Plum Bronze Studded Belt | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya GM

Prada Round Baroque Sunglasses | Dolce Vita Garren Wedge | Michael Kors Parker Watch | Glint & Gleam Arm Candy | Forever 21 Tank, Bandeau and Shorts | Brass Plum Bronze Studded Belt | Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Saleya GM

We sat on Bouchon Bistro’s balcony with a gorgeous view of the Montage Hotel and the shared courtyard. The food was incredible. We enjoyed their “The Promenade” cocktail, refreshing but strong, and started off with their amazing sweet and briny oysters on the half shell. My husband had their Chicken and Waffles which came with syrup, gravy made from the chicken jus and Tahitian vanilla bean butter. The chicken was perfectly savory and the waffles were crisp on the outside and deliciously chewy and fluffy on the inside. I had their OEuf Poché Royale; think eggs benedict but with smoked salmon instead of canadian bacon – it was absolutely divine!

Bouchon Bistro - Beverly Hills - The Promenade Cocktail

Bouchon Bistro Beverly Hills brunch - Oysters

Bouchon Bistro Beverly Hills brunch - Chicken and Waffles

Bouchon Bistro Beverly Hills brunch - OEuf Poché Royale

Bouchon Bistro brunch, birthday

While we were finishing up, we realized our parking meter would be running out soon so my husband left to refill it. I stayed at our table, enjoying the view and beautiful weather. Out of nowhere, my phone started ringing, it was my husband, he told me he just saw “the guy that’s always with the Vogue editor“. My heart started racing and I yelped “Andre!?” into the phone. He said, “Yeah, I think so. He just got here and is sitting near Bouchon’s bakery. I’m pretty sure it’s him.” I was ecstatic and frantic all at the same time. I wanted to just run downstairs to see for myself but we hadn’t even asked for our check yet. My husband made his way back up right when the waiters brought me dessert for my birthday. I could hardly think as I blew out the candle, my head was spinning. He paid the bill and I jumped out of my seat. We raced downstairs and my husband pointed him out to me. I was officially in crazy fan mode. See, we often see celebrities around and I’m usually awesome at keeping my cool. I never really get starstruck. This time, this was different. This wasn’t a popular actor. This was about a major Fashion Icon. One of the most influential people in the industry. I have always been a huge fan of Andre Leon Talley and Life with Andre is one of my favorite reads every month in Vogue, living vicariously through his glamorous articles. I love Andre’s column – he is always so passionate, honest, extravagant and real.

There I was, about ten yards away from him, trying not to hyperventilate (or cry, yes, I was THAT excited!). He was seated with a pretty blonde woman, who I’m sure was also someone famous, deep in conversation. The last thing I wanted to do was to interrupt him so I kept pacing back and forth, waiting for an opening. There was a break in his conversation so I smiled, waved and he acknowledged me. I skipped over and stuttering over my own words – I apologized to both of them for intruding on their brunch, explained that it was my birthday, how I was a huge fan and asked if there was any chance for a photo with him. He was so incredibly kind and said “absolutely!” He even moved the things that were in the chair next to him and told me to have a seat. I was elated. My heart was beating a million beats per second and I could not believe this was actually happening. I was having an (albeit, short) conversation with one of my biggest fashion idols! He even told me I looked “fabulous” multiple times (gasp!). While thanking him and expressing what an incredible honor it was, I mentioned my blog and he said sure! he’d have a look at it, so I handed him my card. Now that I think about it, that was pretty ballsy of me, but to me, this was an opportunity of a lifetime and I just had to take the chance!

So, Mr. Andre Leon Talley, if you’re reading this 🙂 it was so kind of you and such an incredible honor. Words cannot express how grateful I am. Thank you so much for making my birthday an even more amazing one! It will forever be a birthday I will always remember!

Andre Leon Talley Vogue Editor-At-Large with An Dyer personal style blogger at HautePinkPretty

...me 🙂 with Andre Leon Talley, Vogue's Editor-At-Large

Thanks everyone for stopping by and reading about my exciting birthday brunch! I hope you all had a great weekend & happy Monday!

Xox,
An

P.s. I’m in the process of switching over to a self-hosted blog so please bear with me if things are in a little bit of a disarray here the next couple days!

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26 Comments

  • Reply Always Maylee

    You looked gorgeous, love your bag!! Can’t believe you met Andre, what a thrill! Happy birthday! 🙂

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

    April 30, 2012 at 1:02 pm
  • Reply lainspiration

    Sooo amazing!!! You looked gorgeous. LOVE Andre! Happy birthday!!

    April 30, 2012 at 1:06 pm
  • Reply Rejina Tyson

    This is such an amazing story. I’m so happy you had such a wonderful bday brunch and that you got to meet your fashion icon. Super cool story. 😉 Happy bday.

    You Like It? I Made It!
    //youlikeitimadeit.blogspot.com/

    April 30, 2012 at 1:20 pm
  • Reply Sutton

    A few of my thoughts 🙂 :

    1. Food looks AMAZING. Literally made my mouth water!

    2. Super impressed that your husband recognized him and knows who “the Vogue editor” is. I’m not sure my BF knows much about Vogue besides that it’s a magazine… lol

    3. That photo with Andre is AMAZING! Love how nice he was to you! Definitely a framer and SO JEALOUS!

    4. Hope you had a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🙂

    April 30, 2012 at 1:24 pm
    • Reply HautePinkPretty

      Thanks so much, Sutton! I was pretty surprised he recognized Andre, too, but he’s such a trooper and has watched SATC, The September Issue and tons of fashion documentaries with me 😛 lol!

      May 2, 2012 at 7:23 pm
  • Reply CY

    WOW!!! How amazing! What are the chances?! That’s awesome & I’m so happy for you! 🙂 Happy BELATED BIRTHDAY!

    April 30, 2012 at 3:50 pm
  • Reply Katherine

    Looks like u had an amazing bday 🙂 Loving what you wore and what you ate hehe 🙂

    April 30, 2012 at 3:54 pm
  • Reply Rachel

    Love this outfit, and the food looks amazing!! Your bag is so chic!

    April 30, 2012 at 4:42 pm
  • Reply Linda

    Ahhh, how exciting! 😀
    That would definitely make any birthday perfect. Haha, and its all thanks to your sweet husband.
    I can see why Andre kept telling you how fabulous you looked too. Great outfit! I love those shorts and the amazing jewelry you added.

    Trendy Teal

    April 30, 2012 at 4:58 pm
  • Reply An

    Happy Birthday! Your outfit is adorable and sounded like you had an amazing/exciting birthday! The food looks amazing too 🙂

    April 30, 2012 at 6:55 pm
    • Reply fifi

      OMG!!! what an incredible birthday! and you look so adorable!! the story of your husband calling to tell you is awesome! hope this year all your birthday wishes come true! xo

      April 30, 2012 at 7:21 pm
  • Reply Leslie

    this outfit is stunning! love those shoes and all of the jewelry you combined together! Beautiful

    April 30, 2012 at 7:26 pm
  • Reply Jade

    Aweee!! Happy Birthday, pretty lady. Getting older is for the birds. Mine happened the other week. Boo on you, late twenties. The whole Andre part made me smile. I can just hear him saying, “Absolutely!” Fun!

    April 30, 2012 at 9:42 pm
  • Reply Jamie

    That’s awesome!! Lucky you!!

    Also, I adore your wedges. Adore.

    May 1, 2012 at 6:37 am
  • Reply Shawna

    Oh my goodness, practically dying of envy! Sounds like my idea of a perfect birthday brunch, & you’re so incredibly lucky to have met & got a picture with Andre! Adore the casual, yet chic outfit. And last but not least – Happy belated birthday! 🙂

    May 1, 2012 at 8:24 am
  • Reply beckspick

    i love everything you’re wearing here! so chic x. and omg you met andre!! so lucky!! happy belated!

    http://www.beckspick.com

    May 1, 2012 at 8:58 am
  • Reply Ashley

    Um, hello gorgeous! Happy belated birthday! Love the watch- your hubby is so sweet!

    And Andre Leon Talley? Talk about a fashion score. 🙂

    -Ashley
    //lerougestylo.blog.com

    May 1, 2012 at 12:39 pm
  • Reply MOSAMUSE

    congrats!! and happy bday! thats an amazing bday story!

    please check out my NEW site… MOSAMUSE.com!!

    Thank u!
    xo
    MOSAMUSE.com

    May 1, 2012 at 1:09 pm
  • Reply ola munia

    wow. you did have a fabulous birthday! the outfit is super cute – I love those shoes.
    xox
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUNNY!
    ola
    http://www.stylesbyola.com

    May 1, 2012 at 5:05 pm
  • Reply blondebenedicte

    Nice pics darling!
    Aw, lovely short & amazing accessories 🙂
    bisous xxx

    May 2, 2012 at 6:53 am
  • Reply Taliah

    YES, YES,YESSSS!!!! First of all!!! Happy Birthday doll!!!! You look gorgeous as usual and second: The food looks amazing and sooo damn yummy!! Lastly, WOOWWW at meeting Andre Leon Talley…i know exactly what you mean about keeping your cool for the normal, regular celebrities but it is a different story when u meet someone in the fashion industry who you look up to or inspire you! Congrats! wow! 🙂

    //fashionwashere.net

    May 2, 2012 at 11:46 am
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    May 2, 2012 at 12:34 pm
  • Reply teddi

    omg you must’ve felt like you went to brunch birthday heaven meeting him! 🙂

    May 2, 2012 at 7:39 pm
  • Reply Beauty Follower

    Nice shorts, yummy photos!

    May 4, 2012 at 7:04 am
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