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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

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

Fred Segal Santa Monica is hosting an eco-friendly/sustainable shopping event tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 3, from from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., to benefit Toys for Tots. Shop from brands including Greenbees, Love Heals, Linda Loudermilk and Be Sweet, while enjoying mini makeovers from Tarte Cosmetics, food from O! Burger, Cream by Crystal and the Border Grill truck, drinks and music. The event, which will be hosted by actress Rachel Leigh Cook, is free, though a donation of a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 is suggested. To get on the list, RSVP to giftsgivingback@gmail.com before 11:00 p.m. tonight, Dec. 2.

I started using Code.ai‘s Lash Extend Serum and Brow Boosting Shaper a little more than a month ago, so when I was invited to attend the brand’s official launch party at Fred Segal Santa Monica, of course I jumped at the chance to go. Food, drink, beauty products and fashion? Yes, please!

While I didn’t take a “before” photo of my lashes and brows (those pictures creep me out, though I’m not sure why), I can say I have definitely noticed a difference, especially with my lashes, which are longer and fuller. Now, I started out with a respectable set of lashes, but now they’re even longer, making it even easier to not have to wear mascara — just curl and go, that’s my motto. As for my brows, I just starting noticing new growth, and the Brow Boosting Shaper has made the existing hairs longer. Tara of When Tara Met Blog, who represents the company and who I served on the Blogger Prom committee with, has been using the brow booster with very noticeable results, so I have hope that this bald patch I’ve been trying to grow in forever will be bald no more.

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"Flower Power" ring

I’m not really good at accessorizing. I’d like to be, but I’m just not. But if I were, I’d be rockin’ some of Andrew Hamilton Crawford’s rings and bracelets, which are beautiful and cute at the same time. The line, created by Southern-via-New York designers Andrew Tessier and Chad Crawford, features resin bangles (oval-shaped!) with either a sterling silver or 18-karat gold vermeil overlay and SUPER cute resin cocktail rings. AHC also has some nice necklaces, earrings and men’s items. In Los Angeles, the line is available at Intuition, Fred Segal, Surly Girl and W Hotel The Store. You can buy online, too.

"Leaf" ring

• The L.A. Planning Commission approved Rick Caruso’s mixed-use project at 8500 Burton Way. The 88-unit apartment building planned for near the intersection of La Cienega and San Vicente boulevards will include a Trader Joe’s on the ground floor. More at CurbedLA.

• The Wall Street Journal has a story on Pinkberry’s latest capital infusion: $5.8 million of a $15 million round. Here’s a story I wrote back in February about the froyo biz in L.A.

• Bravo is coming out with a new reality show that will follow the staff at Fred Segal Santa Monica, per Reuters. The network is also premiering “NYC Prep,” which looks like it’ll be a real-life “Gossip Girl” so hopefully we’ll see lots of pretty clothes (and bad behavior!).