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Simply Stylist LA

April 8, 2015

This post is definitely a bit delayed in going up, but here it finally is!
Due to some short notice and a less-than-flexible work schedule, I was only able to get off at 1 pm, to make it to the “cocktail hour” section of the Simply Stylist LA event. What I missed, and will certainly plan ahead for next time around, is the blogger brunch, featuring some of the industry’s top bloggers, and several expert panels, touching on everything blogging-related.
I made it there just in time to take a brief lap around the “brand experience” set-up, which I must say, I wasn’t thrilled with.. The lines were excessive, about 30 ladies in each waiting for one of two hairstylists, and one manicurist… There were so many people waiting for pizza and drinks, I didn’t bother with them because I knew I didn’t want to be late for the speakers upstairs at Morels!

The first speaker was the delightful and eloquent Calli Cholodenko, a social media expert. She spoke on timing, photo filters, hashtags, brand transparency and consistency in posts. I took over a page of notes and learned so much!
Next up was one of my favorite fashion bloggers, Jenny Bernheim of Margo & Me! I’ve always loved her feminine, yet eclectic style, and she’s so adorable with her petite frame and that hair! OK, I’ll cease with the girl crushing momentarily to say how much I enjoyed her time at the mic as well. She also spoke of consistency in blog posts, monetization, and staying true to your personal style and brand. I was able to grab her for a brief chat downstairs and she was very humble and gave me some great tips 🙂

I mean, seriously, how cute is her outfit!? Loved those shoes…
Since the boyfriend was able to join me for this trip out to the Grove, we decided to treat ourselves to a little meal at Bar Verde inside of Nordstrom.

The perfect chocolate mousse cake with raspberry sauce and cookie crumbles.

We stopped in to Banana Republic where I fell in love with some of their suede heels, but I restrained, knowing they are frequently on sale online… I did find these two gorgeous pieces of jewelry that I had to grab.. Each were in the clearance section for under $20 (hello, good deal!) and I will get so much use out them (pictured with a could of recent lip products from Planet Beauty.)

Sounds like a dare to me.

The rule-breaker in me had to check out this view and snap a few shots.

White button-down – Elizabeth & Clarke
Floral scuba skirt – ASOS
Coral crossbody – American Eagle
D’Orsay ankle-strap flats – Dolce Vita
Bee necklace – Kyle Chan Design
Bracelet – Jewelmint
Gold rings – LA finds

Kyle Chan Birthday Party

March 13, 2015

I love a good party… Especially one involving close friends, dressing up and a fun new venue. Last week, I grabbed my friend Amanda, some new pretties from Rent the Runway, and drove to LA for the birthday party of my favorite jewelry designer, Kyle Chan of Kyle Chan Design. We started the eve off with some primping at Nail Bar and Beauty Lounge in Beverly Hills, then headed to the Café Brentwood for soup, salad, and dessert, and finally, off to Pump Restaurant for the main event!

Lovely Amanda getting a little touch up. Her dress was from Rent the Runway, designed by Badgley Mischka.

Sitting down for a bite to eat before the party.

I so thoroughly enjoyed the mocha pot de crème.

A little red carpet step-and-repeat action with the birthday boy! My dress from Rent the Runway was designed by BCBG Max Azria.

Loved, loved, loved the chandeliers above the outside bar at Pump!

I was able to snag one more shot with the birthday boy, this time, joined by Tom Schwartz, a cast member from the reality show Vanderpump Rules.

A closeup of my Ivanka Trump heels for the evening and my little helper, Sole Serum.

CA Gift Show

February 8, 2015

A quick warning, this post contains a gratuitous amount of pictures that I shot recently in LA at the California Gift Show and the Reef. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the Gift Show is not open to the public, but only to those who have reseller’s permits (the majority of sellers are offering their goods at wholesale prices). My mother owns a gift basket company and she frequently incorporates jewelry and décor in to her designs, which led us to our first gift show, 17 years ago.
A few things have changed since then, such as the name of the LA Mart (now, the Reef), but some are exactly the same.. Every time we walk in to the cash-and-carry portion of the show, I know it’s going to be a fun, exploratory time, and that I will leave with some great new pieces to add to my collection. This time around, I tried to take as many pictures as I could to capture all that the Gift Show (at the LA Convention Center) and the Reef have to offer.. I hope you enjoy!

Rows and rows of perfect layering necklaces for $5.

Clutches and miniaudieres in every possible creature and color.

This breathtaking art deco piece in the middle caught my eye and held it. Such gorgeous detail. It also happens to be made with real diamonds and thus the $25K price that’s attached to it is slightly outside my price range (OMMGGG).

Some pretty little displays at one of the Reef’s showrooms.

These stacks of enamel, leather and gold bracelets are such great inspiration for stacking!

We hit a wall around lunchtime (so much walking!) and were happy to discover food trucks waiting for us right outside the doors at the Reef! I went with shrimp tacos and guac & chips, yumm!

I would love to be able to say that D.L.&Co. are my favorite candle company, based on their scents alone, but alas, I am not rolling in dough and cannot afford the $85 and up price tag that they command. So pretty though..

In lust with this rainbow display of home fragrance goods.
I
Everything from this jewelry line was just calling out my name! Unfortunately, they had a minimum order (including how many of each piece you had to purchase) so I didn’t buy any of them, but a girl can dream!

House of Harlow Collection candle sets.

I love this bag! It’s fun and fresh and big enough to hold all the makeup and tools you’d need for a trip.

We finished our day with some sushi at one of my mom’s favorite spots. This is the schwarma roll (how they named it that, I have no clue!) but it has jalapeno, cilantro, and spicy tuna on top which make for quite a hot little bite!

Whew! I had so much fun at this year’s winter show and picked up some great little finds (such as my recent post on the necklaces I got from Kyle Chan!) and can’t wait for the next one in July… Who knows what that one will have in store for me!
Which leads me to the question I’m curious to hear your response on… Would you prefer just making a couple of multi-item or haul purchases a year (such as at a big sale or event) or do you prefer to make multiple small purchases throughout the year on random items?

😀

Gilt City Warehouse Sale

January 3, 2015

I had soooo much buildup in my head for the awesomeness that would be the Gilt City Warehouse sale recently held in Hollywood that I suppose a let-down was imminent. Parking was no problem, there was no line and the sales people were all very friendly upon entering the location.
Unfortunately, that’s kind of where the good things tapered off.. My initial game plan was to go for the shoes first, most of which were used. I’m not totally against buying shoes that have been previously worn, but the prices did NOT match the wear and tear of most of the items. As an example, I tried on a pair of leopard calf hair pumps from DVF that were “on sale” for $240, marked down from $425. My impression of a warehouse sale would be to mark the item down by half, and then discount further based on use. These shoes should have been around $100, in my opinion. There were racks and racks of size 7’s, which was nice, but nothing that struck me as a pair that I needed to own.
Next, I moved on to the handbag and accessory section, and what a bummer! Everything was damaged in some way… marked by pens, missing crystals and straps, lacking working closures, or my favorite, a Moschino belt marked down to $85 from $650 that was completely unwearable.
Moving on to the clothing section, there were racks and racks of tops, skirts, pants, dresses (including Oscar-worthy gowns), thankfully organized by size. I was able to find a few items that I really did like, after an hour of scouring and trying things on in the community dressing room.

Another tee to add to my collection of basics with French words/sayings. This one is from the brand Best Society, still available here. I got it for $15.

I fell in love with this French Connection dress as soon as I saw the sweet embroidered print! How perfect for a spring event or even for running errands on a warm day (something to look forward to!)

So the color doesn’t really translate in the picture (light was not my friend when shooting these pieces), but this tweedy jacket is a pretty dusty warm mint, if that makes any sense. Also from Best Society, it has ivory faux-leather trim and a zippered front. I see this being worn in heavy rotation in a few months!

I’m not sure of the brand of this black and white number, but I thought it just had the most fun floral lace pattern and a great swing in the skirt.

The shoes and accessories sections, full of no-gos for me.

More duds and the men’s shoe section.

We started the morning off with cappuccinos and omelets at Vee’s café. Such a great idea.

Overall, I would go back for the next Gilt City warehouse sale, but instead of expecting to find new designer goods at fantastic discounts, I will vow to dig for finds from little-known brands, quirky basics and maybe even some fabulous piece that I will treasure forever.