Archive for the ‘Fashion’Category

Fashion I’m currently coveting

What inevitably happens to me every Christmas is I end up either buying a bunch of stuff for myself, or if I’ve managed to stop myself from buying something then, I’ll keep thinking about it. And thinking about it. And thinking about it. Until I covet so much that I write a post about coveting fashion.

So here are some fashion items that I hope to get this year. Some are of-the-moment, but many are staples that I’ve been looking for but haven’t yet found “the one.”

Chunky cardigan sweater

Love the look, but it always seems to look better on a hanger/obnoxiously skinny model. I can’t figure out how to not look “chunky” in it. Maybe it’s not meant for me?

Chunky cardigan sweater

Chunky cardigan sweater

Aztec-patterned cardigan sweater

This one is just for fun. Big pattern on a layering piece means I can remove it if I decide it’s too much. But worn as a statement piece, it should work just fine.

Aztec-patterned cardigan sweater

Aztec-patterned cardigan sweater

Flat-heeled booties

I want an alternative to flats or sneakers for a casual-yet-stylish look. And I want to be comfortable. Always.

Flat-heeled booties

Flat-heeled booties

Perfect light-colored clutch

So many times I’ve found myself in need of a light-colored clutch, but have been empty-handed (literally). Also, an empty foldover clutch looks lovely, but what does it look like when there’s actually stuff in it?

Fold-over clutch

Fold-over clutch

Perfect black bag

The albatross of handbags. Does anyone actually find this? Here are a couple of styles I’ve been eyeing (imagine them in black, obviously).

J.Crew Teddie Satchel

J.Crew Teddie Satchel

J.Crew Biennial Hobo

J.Crew Biennial Hobo

Moto jacket

I’m especially loving moto jackets made with mixed materials. And that sideways zipper just screams cool.

Leather and wool moto jacket

Leather and wool moto jacket

If you have any suggestions that fit these bills, let me know. I’d love to hear and see what you think!

05

01 2014

Flavour Gallery whets appetites for stylish shirts

2013 LAFW tee

2013 LAFW tee. From Flavour Gallery.

If you’ve been to some of the country’s major food events, including LA Food & Wine, LA Times The Taste, Pebble Beach Food & Wine, and New York City Wine & Food Festival, then you’ve seen Flavour Gallery‘s T-shirts. The vintage wash and modern prints make these event shirts way cooler than the typical festival apparel.

Flavour Gallery has also teamed up with celebrity food personalities, including Chris Cosentino, Andrew Zimmern and Jenn Louis, to create unique food-inspired designs. Remember those stylish LudoBites T-shirts the pop-ups’ staffers wore? Those were Flavour Gallery’s, too.

Husband-and-wife team Erin and Alfredo Malatesta founded the company a couple of years ago after 10 years in the fashion industry as an expression of their love for food.

“We had spent many years designing and manufacturing for other brands and wanted to create something that was near and dear to our hearts,” Erin said. “At the time, there was no lifestyle brand focused on food — something that you would wear to express how passionate you are about cooking, being a chef, festivals or wine.”

If you order a shirt online, it’ll arrive wrapped like a piece of freshly butchered meat (this is a good thing), like so:

Flavour Gallery package

Flavour Gallery package

This style, called Classy Utensils, features some on-trend neon print on a soft burnout tee. I received a size medium, and Erin was right when warning me that this style runs small because even the medium is snug. I recommend a large if you like a looser fit.

Classy Utensils T-shirt

Classy Utensils T-shirt

While I’m generally not a big fan of tees with graphics, Flavour Gallery’s shirts are fun stuff for those of us who enjoy food and food-related things. That’s me, natch.

Note: This shirt was complimentary.

28

09 2013

This year’s Labor Day Sales!

J.Crew denim labor day sales

J.Crew denim. From J.Crew.

Don’t miss out on the long weekend’s Labor Day sales!

Gap
Adult t-shirts $10 and baby tees $8 Thursday, Aug. 29, only
Up to 40 percent off select styles through Monday, Sept. 2
In stores and online

OpenSky
85 percent off clearance

Banana Republic
40 percent off purchase online and in stores with code BRWEEKEND through Monday, Sept. 2
Extra 20 percent off when you open a BananaCard in store by Monday, Sept. 2

Old Navy
30 percent off entire store or 35 percent off when you use your Old Navy, Gap or Banana Card online (with code SPREE) and in stores
40 percent off all adult Famous jeans (not combinable with other discounts) in store only
Through Monday, Sept. 2

Anthropologie
New items added to sale, and extra 25 percent off home sale items through Monday, Sept. 2

Diane von Furstenberg
30 percent off pre-fall 2013 collection online and in stores through Monday, Sept. 2

J.Crew
25 percent off denim Thursday, Aug. 29, only
Extra 30 percent off final sale items in stores and online with code HELLO30
Free shipping on orders $100+

J.Crew Factory
40 to 50 percent off everything online and in stores through Monday, Sept. 2

West Elm
15 percent off sofas, sectionals and upholstered accent chairs
15 percent off mirrors
20 percent off laundry and cleaning
Extra 30 percent off pillows and throw blanket markdowns with code XTRAPILLOWS
Up to 30 percent off bedding
30 percent off select rugs
Online and in stores through Monday, Sept. 2

C. Wonder
25 percent off full-price items online and in store with code LABORDAY through Monday, Sept. 2

Ann Taylor
30 percent off full-price items
Extra 40 percent off sale items
In stores and online

Barnes & Noble
15 percent off any item in stores and online with code BWJQV61LMZ6E3 through Monday, Sept. 2

H&M
Items available in store and online starting at $5 through Monday, Sept. 2

Lifebooker
Extra 20 percent off Loot with code LABORDAY

Travelocity
Extra 15 percent off hotel bookings with code GOWEEKEND15E Friday, Aug. 30, only

Gilt City
20 percent off with code THANKS20 through Monday, Sept. 2

Piperlime
25 percent off full-price women’s jeans with code DENIM through Tuesday, Sept. 3

Topshop
Extra 20 percent off sale items

Macy’s
Extra 20 percent off (15 percent off home, excluding furniture and mattresses) with code DEALS through Monday, Sept. 2
Free shipping on orders $99+

Williams-Sonoma
Extra 15 percent off clearance items with code SAVENOW
Free shipping with code LABORDAY
15 percent off table top with code LABORDAY
20 percent off cooking tools with code TOOLS20
20 percent off soap and lotion
Up to 75 percent off outdoor
20 percent off Williams-Sonoma cookware
In stores and online through Monday, Sept. 2

29

08 2013

Democratizing fashion with Stylyt

Hayden Harnett x Stylyt Toughen Up Cuff

Hayden Harnett x Stylyt Toughen Up Cuff

If you’re into fashion, then I’m sure you’ve toyed with the idea of creating your own designs, or at least tweaking an existing one to fit your particular style. That’s where Stylyt comes in.

Stylyt is an online community where you can customize designs from the likes of Lovers + Friends, Brandy Pham, Heet, and one of my personal favorites Hayden-Harnett, all with their blessings. Then, Stylyt members vote on their favorite designs, and the winning ones are actually manufactured and sold exclusively on Stylyt.com as limited edition pieces. The best part is, if you vote for the winning design, you get first dibs and a discount on buying it. And, if your design wins, then you get it for free. NICE.

That means you could potentially score a high quality piece like this Hayden-Harnett Toughen Up cuff made from American-tanned cow leather. It would look great with some leather leggings or a moto jacket. The eggplant color is gorgeous, too. One thing to note: it’s on the small side, even for me, and I have small wrists.

A new designer is introduced every week, so there are plenty of designs to play with on Stylyt. This is good news for anyone who has ever thought that a shirt, dress or accessory would be perfect if only one or two things were different — which is to say, just about everyone.

Hayden-Harnett x Stylyt Toughen Up cuff

Hayden-Harnett x Stylyt Toughen Up cuff

Note: This cuff was complimentary.

21

08 2013

Island hopping with Paradise Bungalow jewelry

sfsfs

Pink coral, mother of pearl earrings in 16K gold-plated hoops from Paradise Bungalow

Amy Jennings’ island-inspired jewelry not only comes from the time she has spent traveling Polynesia but also from a deeply personal experience.

The high school history teacher had made jewelry all her life, but it wasn’t until her grandmother fell ill in 2007 when she really started to focus on the art. Jennings would spend time with her after work, playing the ukulele, painting and making jewelry — anything to cheer up her grandmother, who was no longer able to walk. The jewelry seemed to make her most happy.

“My late grandma was so encouraging. After I’d make something, I’d show her. Watching her smile propelled me to make more,” Jennings said. “I would have never dreamed off all these jewelry designs burgeoning from this relationship.”

Now Jennings sells her simple-yet-stylish earrings, necklaces and bracelets through her etsy store, Paradise Bungalow. Some of the materials she uses include shells she has found on the beaches of islands such as Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand and Tahiti. Her husband, who is from Hawaii and Samoa, helps out by drilling the shells and carving mother of pearl.

Some of my favorite pieces include the pink coral, mother of pearl and 16K gold-plated hoop earrings (pictured above); sea foam blue chalcedony bezel and freshwater biwa pearl flake necklace; and the real red coral branch necklace.

pink coral

Red coral branch necklace

necklace

Blue chalcedony bezel and freshwater biwa pearl flake necklace

All photos by Amy Jennings.

17

04 2013

My favorite Oscars look wasn’t on a nominee

Stacey Keibler in Naeem Khan at the 85th Annual Academy Awards. Photo from FabSugar.

Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan at the 85th Annual Academy Awards. From FabSugar.

I know everyone is talking about Jennifer Lawrence’s dress (and her stumble up the stairs to receive her award, which just seemed so fitting for her — in a good way), and Anne Hathaway’s nipple dress (why would you wear a dress with darts placed there?), but my favorite dress of the evening was hands-down Stacy Keibler’s Naeem Khan gown. With its head-to-toe sequins and well-placed patterns, Keibler looked positively statuesque. And her date wasn’t bad-looking, either.

George Clooney and Keibler. From Huffington Post.

George Clooney and Keibler. From Huffington Post.

 

 

 

 

25

02 2013

Inbetweener fashion: ankle boots

clarks heath harrier

Clarks Indigo Heath Harrier in taupe

I’m really into ankle boots at the moment, especially after my recent purchase of a pair of Clarks Indigo Heath Harrier boots. I’ve been looking for a comfortable, easy pair of boots that I can dress up or down, and I think I’ve found them. I got mine in taupe, though the color is more like a chocolate brown than the grayish brown color I saw online. No matter; they’re still neutral enough to match with lots of things, and the distressed material makes it so I’m not so afraid of scuffing them (which I totally did the minute I put them on, of course).

Even though I love these, I’m having a bit of a hard time styling them. Obviously I’ve worn them with skinny jeans, but can I wear them with other pants that require a larger cuff when folding them up? And then do I wear them with or without visible socks? I’m talking winter looks, not spring/summer looks with dresses and shorts. Any advice, dear readers?

20

01 2013

Custom made in L.A. at den.m bar

den.m bar's style options

den.m bar’s style options

If you wear denim — which, let’s face it, is most of us — then you’ve probably been on a life-long quest to find the perfect-fitting pair of jeans. And you may have thought about getting a pair custom made, but that just seems cost-prohibitive.

Well, maybe not.

Downtown Los Angeles’ den.m bar, which opened earlier this year, is offering custom-made jeans at a fraction of normal costs. For about $300, you get to choose your own denim (sourced from the United States, Japan and Europe), pocket lining, thread and hardware (buttons, zippers, rivets, etc.) to be fashioned into the style of your choice cut to the exact dimensions that fit you — all within the span of two weeks. I’d say that’s a pretty good deal, especially for a pair of pants you’ll probably wear a lot for years to come.

Denim choices

Denim choices

Thread, lining and hardware choices

Thread, lining and hardware choices

Once your measurements have been taken, den.m bar will keep that pattern on hand for future purchases. And if you have a pair of old jeans that you love but they’ve just worn out, bring it in and the folks at den.m bar will use it as a pattern to make you a new pair.

Patterns

Patterns

While the store obviously fits both men and women, as evidenced by my first photo, it turns out that most of den.m bar’s customers are men. Why am I not surprised? Ah, to be a single man with disposable income!

28

10 2012

Personal pick: Hayden Harnett Barnard Crossbody

Hayden Harnett Barnard Crossbody

Hayden Harnett Barnard Crossbody

I’m currently coveting this pretty, pretty bag — Hayden Harnett‘s Barnard Crossbody. It’s a nice size (oftentimes crossbody bags are too small to be practical), the strap is adjustable so it can be worn as a shoulder bag or as a crossbody, and the navy color is pretty. Even the lining is cool! Oh, and the materials are locally sourced. One bad thing — it costs $450. Why?! Why do the purse gods hate me so?? Oh, well. I guess you can’t have every pretty, perfectly sized bag. SIGH.

14

10 2011

Fashion’s Night Out at Malibu Country Mart

Courtesy of Malibu Country Mart

Malibu Country Mart is hosting its first-ever Fashion’s Night Out event September 8, and it will be hosted by none other than celebrity stylist Taylor Jacobson, formerly of “The Rachel Zoe Project.” You’ll have fun with a fashion show curated by Jacobson followed by a Q&A session, complimentary food and drinks, a $500 gift bag giveaway, as well as discounts and activities at many of the shopping center’s stores.

The fashion show, which starts at 7:30 p.m., will feature looks from the mart’s retailers, including Earnest Sewn, Madison, John Varvatos, Planet Blue and the newly opened Rubin & Chapelle. Immediately following the show, Jacobson will take questions from the audience and the mart’s social media sites via Twitter (@MalibuCntryMart) or Facebook. You can also enter to win at the mart’s Facebook page a Fall Goodie Bag valued at $500 filled with Jacobson’s top seasonal picks from retailers at the center.

And with all this fashioning, you’re bound to get hungry, so the Malibu Country Mart will have complimentary Italian appetizers from Tra di Noi, ice cream from Coolhaus, and wine and liquor bars.

Many of the retailers will have in-store events, promotions and sales. Here’s a list:

Canvas: Malibu artists customizing Converse sneakers and specially designed FNO t-shirts, with proceeds going to FNO charity; tequila tasting bar hosted by Karma Tequila
Chrome Hearts: serving chocolates and champagne
Earnest Sewn: 25 percent purchases; with each purchase become eligible to win a $500 gift certificate
Encore: Isabella Fiore trunk show (handbags)
Henry Beguelin: 10 percent off all purchases; 15 percent off purchases of $2,000 or more
John Varvatos: complimentary photo booth
Juicy Couture: Viva La Juicy fragrance sampling; treats; 20 percent off all full-priced items
M. Fredric: enter to win a $100 M. Fredric gift card
Madison: participate in a styling challenge for a chance to win a pair of MOTHER jeans
Madison Gallery: Malibu jewelry designers Nancy Newberg & Irit Ehrlich offer a sneak peak at their newest collections
Malibu Lifestyles Soft & Man: enter drawing to win a $1,000 gift certificate with $200 purchase during FNO
Oliver Peoples: serving champagne
Planet Blue: Stone Cold Fox trunk show
Rubin & Chapelle: 15 percent off all purchases
Tylie Malibu: meet Tylie Malibu designer Lisa Popp; enter to win a Tylie bag; 30 percent off Tylie products
Vince: In collaboration with SUPER, skin care experts providing facials and skin care tips; champagne and cupcakes; for every $350 spent, receive a $100 coupon to use at SUPER, along with a 20 percent discount
Yosemite by James Perse: 10 percent from entire purchase of California Wildlife merchandise donated to the foundation

Malibu Country Mart
3835 Cross Creek Road
Malibu, CA 90265
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

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06

09 2011