Enrique's Profile

Pretty pretty.

No Open Thread on the L.A. site right now, so I'm posting this here... Funny anecdote: my "stop-and-chat" with Jonathan Adler. [Forgive me for channeling Rona Barrett and Gawker Stalker.]

The other night, as I was walking out of the Apple at the Beverly Center (shopping mall here in L.A.), I see Jonathan Adler. Nattily-dressed in a navy jacket and white pants, cute as button, and looking just like he does in all of his press photos.

As we approach to pass each other, I blurt out: "Jonathan Adler, we love you!" He stops and says, "Aw, that's so sweet. Thank you." I tell him that I'd actually met him at a book-signing at his store a year and a half ago. The funny thing was he remembered meeting me and said: "Apartment Therapy, right?" [How about that, AT? The Jonathan name-checking you!]

We chat about him being in town to shoot season two of Top Design in downtown L.A. And I tell him that the location was all over the Curbed L.A. website. He says, "The funny thing about that location is that there's a porn studio on the floor directly above our location." And at times, they get to ovehear some pretty loud and boisterous pornstar action--which is pretty funny.

We chat some more about Simon Doonan. And he tells me that after the Top Design shoot, he's flying to London to meet up with Simon. One of the television companies has optioned Simon's book "Nasty" and shooting on the series is beginning shortly. Then we say our goodbyes.

We are so BFF. I'm totally inviting myself over for dinner... Kidding.

I'm on the road 3-4 days per week on average (and some weeks more). Here are my tips. I generally have one set of luggage dedicated to business travel that's usually about 60% pre-packed at all times. It generally takes me 20 minutes to pack for a 5-day business trip.

1. Ship work-related product (samples, files, presentation docs) to your hotel or first appointment location ahead of time.

2. Have essentials pre-packed in your one-piece of carry-on luggage at all times: dopp kit (with non-liquid, non-gel toiletries, toothbrush, razor, etc); gym bag; thin lightweight nylon messenger bag (to use as your briefcase on the road); gym shoes and board shorts that can serve double-duty for gym or pool (if you work out on the road); 1 mesh "packing cube" for clothing; hotel laundry bags and quart-size bags stored in a pocket; travel-size umbrella; small make-up bag with misc. chargers; 2nd small make-up bag for computer cords and peripherals. The initial investment of having a second set of cords and chargers pays off in the long run because nothing is ever forgotten.

3. Pre-packe Your smaller personal item bag with your quart-sized bag of liquid/gel toiletries and laptop.

4. Wear your one coat or jacket and pair of work shoes on the plane. Coordinate your clothing and accessory choices to that jacket and thoes shoes.

5. If you end up with more stuff on your return trip home, ship non-essentials back. Usually costs $12-20 depending on amount being shipped and level of delivery service chosen. (Great tip especially if, like me, you like to do a little shopping in between meetings.)

6. Check in for all flights the day before and pre-print boarding passes.

7. Join airline mileage programs, rental car VIP programs, and hotel loyalty programs. It saves time in the long run. You're often given priority status for boarding, don't wait in as many lines, have special TSA lanes with shorter lines, get comp'd upgrades, early check-ins and late check-outs, etc.

8. Approach TSA security line with your belt and jacket already off. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily (preferably w/o laces).

9. Bring one book, iPod. No more. It's a business trip, not a week in Fiji... Don't buy magazines at the airport. They're heavy!

Yeah, I'm that guy who zips through airports.

Vacation travel? Well, that's another story for me...

LOVE this house! That's my dream bathroom right there.

Heads up, y'all. The Marimekko-H&M collaboration hit the store shelves at H&M yesterday, 4/10. All Summer pieces, men's and women's collections. The few men's pieces rock hard. Kind of a Swedish take on Lily Pulitzer/Trina Turk cruise wear using Marimekko prints. How hot is that?

Fun.

That's a sexy lamp. (I'm not a West Elm-hater.)

I haven't noticed a sag on my actual mattress. But there is occasionally a dip in the featherbed on top of the mattress (which is easily remedied when I shake it out). Maybe I'll try sleeping on the mattress without the featherbed to see if mine is sagging, too...

Hot damn. That bedroom! Love it long time.

You go, dumpster-diver. Great use of color, pattern and texture. Feels very balanced and interesting at the same time. And loads of personality to boot... If this apartment was a person, I'd ask it out on a date.