ShopEatSleep

South Coast Plaza. From Examiner.

This is interesting…A party at Saks Fifth Avenue‘s South Coast Plaza location tomorrow, Aug. 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the Kogi truck, a steel drum band, live DJ, photo booth fun, Guitar Hero, models and champagne. The event will span all three levels of the store, too. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I think of Saks — at the fancy-pants South Coast, no less — Kogi and Guitar Hero aren’t the first things that come to mind. Models and champagne, sure, but food trucks and video games, no. But who am I to say it’s not a good thing? If you stop by, let us know how it went!

If you haven’t yet heard, the new Santa Monica Place mall opens tomorrow, Aug. 6, and if you remember what the old mall looked like, this is a real treat. Gone is the bunker-like feel (sorry, Frank Gehry, this was not one of your best designs), replaced by high-end stores and an open-air dining deck. There will be all sorts of hooplah surrounding the grand opening, including live music and dance, and sale specials, of course! Here’s a full list of retailers.

One of those special grand opening events will be taking place at Bloomingdale’s (yes, Bloomies!) with Nation LTD, the luxe basics brand. Designer Jen Menchaca will be offering styling tips, and there will be a giveaway contest with the chance to win one of three “Summer Survival Kits” filled with Nation LTD tees (retail value $325). The first 50 purchasers will receive a free denim Nation LTD tote, and Bobbi Brown makeup artists will be on hand to offer beauty tips and to give out mini Crystal Lip Glosses. If only I didn’t have to go to work tomorrow!

Friday, Aug. 6
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bloomingdale’s at Santa Monica Place
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA, 90401

Main Squeeze Clutch

While I love to shop (obviously), it takes something special to make me stop and say, “Whoa.” And the new Main Squeeze buckle bags from Rebecca Minkoff did just that when the email landed in my inbox. I prefer the clutch ($395) to the bucket ($495), but the buckle detailing on both is out of this world! I have a thing for zippers and buckles, so I was immediately drawn to these. They’re edgy yet feminine given the soft leather used to make the bags. Even though I couldn’t afford one of these, I hope they come in more colors soon so I can at least (browser) window shop!

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Ximena Valero, an L.A.-based fashion designer whose signature is the convertible piece wearable in myriad ways. While there are other brands that offer the same idea, Valero’s is the first I’ve actually seen up close and tried on. In fact, she gifted one of her OMG dresses to me, and I’m very excited to wear it. I’ve played around with it, but I haven’t had a chance to actually wear it out because it’s really long — built for leggy models, I guess. So until I can find a pair of suitable platforms, I’ll have to settle for studying this video that demonstrates all the different ways I could wear the dress. Fun!

A high-profile Disney film wouldn’t be complete without a line of Disney Couture to complement it, and “Toy Story 3″ is no exception. For its latest animated feature, Disney recruited designers to come up with a line of fancy T-shirts featuring some of the movie franchise’s most recognizable characters.

My favorites are the Woody tank by Victor Glemaud ($70) and Costello Tagliapietra‘s 70s glam Hamm shirt ($92).

Woody by Victor Glemaud

Costello Tagliapietra's Hamm

House of Holland designed a Jessie-inspired shirt ($108) that’s made out of a sweatshirt-like material, while Cassette Playa made a Buzz Lightyear shirt ($84) light as a feather. There’s also a Jonathan Saunders-designed black-and-white Rex shirt ($84). You can find all the shirts for sale at Revolve.

To launch the T-shirt line, Disney and Revolve hosted a party at the retailer’s shop in West Hollywood complete with tray-passed appetizers, wine and a candy buffet (score!). Celebrities were in attendance, including Cheryl Burke from “Dancing With the Stars,” actress Krysten Ritter and my personal favorite model Agyness Deyn.

Designer Henry Holland and model Agyness Deyn in the life-size toy display box

And there was this fun over-size chair out front where Tara of When Tara Met Blog, Esther of e*starLA and Katelin of Gorgeous Footsteps in the Sand and I took this cute pic:

Katelin, me, Esther and Tara.

My only issue with these Toy Story-inspired shirts are the prices. Nothing less than $70? Really? I understand that these are designer and all, but they’re T-shirts. I wouldn’t pay that much for a T-shirt from any designer, no matter how soft and comfortable it may be (which some of these shirts are), but that’s just me. I could understand the high price tags of the Alice in Wonderland Disney Couture items because of the obvious skill that went into each item, but I just can’t justify paying nearly $100 for a T-shirt. These Toy Story shirts are cute, though…

Fluxus Ursa dress

Shopping happy hour at Fluxus: The Larchmont Village store location of this drape-y clothing brand is launching a weekly shopping event with discounts on select merchandise and complimentary drinks every Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Starts today!

Fluxus
202 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Enza Costa Rogue sample sale: Cash-only sale of luxe basics and knitwear from $10 to $23 on Thursday, May 20, and Friday, May 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Enza Costa Rogue
2635 Nevin Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90011

Refinery 29 East West Tag sale at Space 15 Twenty: Fashion website Refinery 29 and Urban Outfitters are hosting a sale with 50 percent to 75 percent off designer items from Helmut Lang, Band of Outsiders, What Comes Around Goes Around and others. It’s happening all weekend: Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:oo a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Urban Outfitters at Space 15 Twenty
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Rebecca Minkoff sample sale: Can’t get enough handbags? Well, Rebecca Minkoff is back in Los Angeles with samples! Go Friday or Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. or Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Confederacy
4661 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027

From Palate, by Clare Crespo.

Palate art show at Scion gallery: Art inspired by food. Art that looks like food. Check out Palate featuring artists Clare Crespo, Jeph Gurecka, Scott Hove, Tamara Kostianovsky, Alan Macdonald, James Reynolds, Martha Rich and Jeff Vespa “exploring the idea of food as muse and medium.” The opening night reception on Saturday, May 22, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. has free admission, free valet parking and an open bar. It’s the trifecta of L.A. events! There will also be a raffle to win a free cooking class from EATZ. The exhibit will run through June 12.

Scion Installation Space
3521 Helms Ave.
Culver City, CA 90232

Sonic 410 for women

New Balance has a new collection of what they’re saying are environmentally friendly sneakers called the Sonic 574 for men and the Sonic 410 for women. These shoes are made using heat and pressure applied to the seams of the pattern pieces, which fuses the shoe together and cuts out waste while making the shoe airtight and watertight. This process is used in place of sewing or gluing.

Intrigued? Head over to Fred Segal Santa Monica Thursday, May 13, and check out the new collection. There will be a special wall build out inspired by the collection, as well as a DJ, cocktails and appetizers. You’ll have to RSVP, though (see below).

Fred Segal Santa Monica
500 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA

May 13, 2010
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

RSVP: Cara@RedLightPR.com

Junior Drake: The warehouse sale is back (did it ever go away?) starting today, May 6, through Saturday, May 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. I would expect many of the bags that didn’t sell the last time, though the handbag powers that be say there will be new merchandise for sale. And once again, if you spend at least $150, you’ll get to spin a wheel for a chance at prizes, though last time I spent $115 and got to spin the wheel (I won a coin purse).

740 E. 60th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90001

Carla Amorim: Brazilian jewelry designer Carla Amorim is holding a trunk show featuring new pieces from the spring 2010 collection at Broken English in Santa Monica from May 7 to May 9 during the store’s regular business hours. A special opening night party for the sale will take place Friday, May 7, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with an open bar, DJ and gift bags.

Broken English
225 26th St. #17
Santa Monica, CA 90402

Nights With Neve at Osteria La Buca. From Caroline on Crack.

A year ago, having just lost my job as a reporter for the Los Angeles Business Journal, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with myself. But within days, I started this blog, building on the reporting I had done as a retail, dining and hospitality journalist, and I have never been happier. This blog is a labor of love for me, and I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive responses I’ve received. To celebrate my first year online (the exact date was actually April 22), I would like to thank my readers — because without you, I’d just be talking to myself. To show my appreciation, I’m giving away a grab bag chock full of awesome stuff I’ve generously been given over the last year but could never go through on my own (and why should I? That’s just greedy!). I’m going to keep this shrouded in a bit of mystery, but expect full-size cosmetics, accessories and anything else I can get my hands on before the entry deadline. All you need to do to enter this giveaway is:

1. Leave a comment on this post (if you’re reading this on Facebook then please go to the blog URL — do NOT comment via Facebook, or else your entry may not be counted) explaining what you like most about ShopEatSleep and/or what kind of coverage you’d like to see more/less of on the blog. I always strive to do better, you know.

2. Follow me on Twitter and/or “like” ShopEatSleep on Facebook (the Facebook page is brand new, so you’ll have to search for it until I can get enough fans to qualify for a username) and tweet or post on the Facebook wall “I entered to win a grab bag of goodies from @shopeatsleep to celebrate its 1-year blogiversary! You can enter here: http://ht.ly/1Govf”

That’s it! The deadline to enter is May 12 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Once all entries have been made, I’ll pick one lucky reader at random. Good luck, and thanks again for making this blog so much fun!

**Contest is closed.**

UPDATE: Congratulations to Emily (@emilythepanda), who just won products from Trees, Hourglass, POP Beauty and more!

Mike & Chris scarf. From Chocosho.

Maven Collective: On Saturday, May 1, go to the final sample sale featuring Mike & Chris, b.son, Anzevino & Florence (current season!), Gram, Sneaky Steve and more. Everything will be priced from $5 to $50 with both cash and credit accepted.

Maven Collective sample sale
324 Flower St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Saturday May 1st 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

1642: This new Echo Park/HiFi (Historic Filipinotown) bar is holding a night of romance (or whatever floats your boat) with its Slow Dance on Saturday, May 1. Gypsy Tailwind and friends will be spinning soul, rock, country and folk starting at 9:00 p.m. Expect craft beers and boutique wines.

1642
1642 Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Whist at the Viceroy Santa Monica: The Viceroy’s restaurant, Whist, is introducing Savor Sundays starting this Sunday, May 2, with family-style prix fixe menus through June 20. This Sunday’s menu features butter lettuce wedges; buttermilk fried chicken with bacon cheddar biscuits, collard greens, grits, mashed potatoes and market slaw; and pecan pie with whisky caramel and vanilla ice cream.

1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401
$27/per adult, $12/per child under 12
Sundays, May 2 to June 20, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.