ShopEatSleep

The Grove. From Worship Worthy.

This Saturday, March 13, MOD: Matters on Design, a program that emphasizes style and technology, will be hosting a car and fashion event at The Grove. There will be a test drive event from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the new Kia Sorento CUV — the crossover utility vehicle that’s featured in that Hangover-esque commercial with life-size stuffed toys. The best part is you’ll get a $20 gift card to The Grove for doing the test drive, which shouldn’t be very extensive considering it’s confined to the valet roundabout. Then, if you’re so inclined, there will be a bebe fashion show at 7:00 p.m. featuring the Kardashians capsule collection and Spring 2010 looks.

Clothing and accessories inspired by a Disney movie? I was skeptical, even though I loved “Alice in Wonderland” as a child and love that Tim Burton made an updated movie version, because you never know what rabbit hole designers will fall in to when creating pieces based on a film. But after seeing some of the Alice in Wonderland Disney Couture items at the W Hollywood hotel’s party last week, I was pleasantly surprised — impressed, even.

When I saw this statement necklace by Tom Binns, I wanted to rip it off the mannequin and wear it right then and there. Who could resist these red candy-like hearts, safety pins and crystal chains? It’s cute and edgy at the same time. I want, want, want! Too bad it costs more than $1,000…

Tom Binns All Heart necklace

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I’m not sure how I feel about this:

Alexander Wang Pyramid Clutch

Back of clutch

The Alexander Wang Pyramid Clutch sure is different, but I wonder how functional it is. It’s still a flat purse like a normal clutch, but how is it getting inside? Since it doesn’t zip all the way across, I wonder if it’s hard to use. There are some cool stud-like feet on the back, but I wonder if that makes it hard to carry, too.

Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of this bag? Please share!

This past weekend will go down in L.A. food history as The Weekend That Was The Clusterf*ck Known As The L.A. Street Food Fest. Don’t get me wrong — I thought it was a great idea, and I enjoyed myself while I was there. But as is the case with so many first-time events, there were problems, though I guess things could have been worse.

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Valerie Confections Pour Elle box

Valerie Confections: This L.A. chocolatier has themed boxes for Valentine’s Day, with intense flavors in both. The Pour Elle 11-piece box comes with white chocolate and rose petal hearts, and dark chocolate and passion fruit ganache hearts. The Pour Homme boxes come with semi-sweet chocolate hearts made with toffee pieces and fleur de sel, and dark chocolate hearts filled with liquid caramel. I actually prefer the Pour Homme sweets — the liquid caramels are to die for — though the passion fruit ganache is really nice, too. (Full disclosure: Valerie Confections’ owners are my neighbors, and I received these chocolates as a gift.) Check out the Web site for more options, including a Pour Homme gift set with single malt scotch truffles!

Wanda Gale Design: This Falling Heart necklace ($69) made from either gold or silver and semi-precious stones (shown below in gold and citrine) is a cute and fashionable way to say “I love you” — or “I like you a lot.” Whatever. Or buy it for yourself because you love yourself!

Wanda Gale Falling Heart necklace

Charmed Circle: For the guys, there are these Nut and Bolt cuff links ($165 for silver) that are super cool and chic. There are also cool gifts for gals on here, too, including really unique and playful charms. The envelope, bird in a cage, and chandelier charms are ingenious.

Charmed Circle Nut and Bolt cuff links

Ice cream sandwich from Coolhaus, which will be at L.A. Street Food Fest

I thought the L.A. Street Food Fest was just going to be a gathering of a bunch of food trucks (yum), but then I found out that a mini Unique L.A. will also be part of the event (score!). If only the event were held at a hotel, as my friend Fiona of Gourmet Pigs said, it would be the perfect ShopEatSleep trifecta!

Alas, the event isn’t scheduled to be at a hotel. Instead, it’s going to be at L.A. Center Studios just west of downtown. On Feb. 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., more than 30 food trucks and other street food vendors, along with another 30-plus art/design/fashion vendors, will be selling their wares. Check out the list of participants here.

For an entry fee of $5, you’ll get a drink ticket and raffle tickets. For a $30 VIP pass, you’ll get access to a patio, indoor restrooms, a private bar, a gift bag and fancy food from a surprise guest chef. And there will be a bicycle valet for those of you who ride those contraptions.

I’m always on the lookout for cheap-chic fashion finds à la H&M and Forever 21. While I love to shop, I don’t have a lot of dough, so I either do a lot of window shopping, or I have to get creative in my purchases.

So when an email popped up in my inbox about Anique Michelle, an online boutique where nothing is priced for more than $60, I was intrigued. Sounds like Forever 21 prices, right? The difference here is you’re not forced into combing through skanky-looking inventory to find something decent; the site has already done it for you. I’m partial to these $16 clutches (right) and this $55 biker-style jacket:

The boutique doesn’t sell name-brand items, just private label stuff, but that’s why it’s so cheap. But if it’s cute, who cares? That’s my motto!

Anique Michelle was kind enough to offer ShopEatSleep readers a 15 percent discount off purchases through Feb. 15. Enter code “shopeatsleep” at checkout.

I’ve been meaning to say this for a while: These Missy Elliot-style puffy bags from Chanel are awful. The line is called Chanel Cocoon — what the hell? What have you done, Karl Lagerfeld? I actually like Lily Allen as the model, but I hope no one bought these with their Christmas money…

Marc by Marc Jacobs mouse ballet flat on sale for $119

Plaza Too: This online retailer is offering 25 percent off everything, including sale items, and free shipping on orders over $200. Shop from Comme des Garcons, Cole Haan, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Tory Burch, among others.

Rebecca Minkoff: Through Dec. 29, peruse Rebecca Minkoff for the last sale of the year, with 45 percent off regular prices and free domestic ground shipping. The company is also giving away two bags a day during the sale on its blog, Minkette.com, and you get to choose the bag you want, too. Pretty sweet.

ShopBop: Shop items from 30 percent to 70 percent off, including LnA, Cynthia Rowley, Whitley Kros and Alexander Wang, among many others.

Heath Ceramics: Free shipping on orders over $75 through Dec. 31.

I discovered these interesting brands at the Unique Los Angeles shopping event earlier this month, and any one would make a great holiday gift — the clock is ticking, guys!

Wendy Hacker-Moss Jewelry: I love the look of this brand. It’s at once delicate and edgy, with the flowers made from sterling silver wire mesh wrapped around gem stones. Find it at the LACMA Museum Store, Craft and Folk Art Museum, and other places around Los Angeles.

Wendy Hacker-Moss amazonite bouquet ring

Graf & Lantz: Made from merino wool felt, these bags, which include everything from totes to messengers to clutches and even wine bottle carrying cases, have a definite hand-made yet elegant feel. Find it at Zero Minus Plus at Fred Segal Santa Monica, Reform School, and other places around Los Angeles.

Graf & Lantz flap messenger bag

StyleSmith: This local L.A. company makes fancy feather headbands and cute fascinators (like mini hats fastened with a comb to your hair). Run by Kelsi Smith, the brand also carries vintage charm necklaces and lockets. I got a cute bronze necklace with acorn and leaf charms at her Unique L.A. booth. (Full disclosure: Kelsi and I first met via the Twitterverse, and she invited me to attend Unique L.A. as her guest. And, yes, I paid for the necklace.) You can order via the StyleSmith Web site, and if you’re local, you can most likely still get gifts by Christmas if you order by Monday, Dec. 21 (use the contact link to make sure).

StyleSmith crane headband