2 Bargain Online Shopping Sites!

September 3rd, 2010 No Comments

Everyone loves a great bargain, right?  I know I do!  Anytime I can get the same item for less money, I’m stoked. This week I feel really compelled to share two shopping websites that a good friend told me about; endless.com and 6pm.com.  Both websites carry designer labels for much less than what you would find at department stores, but be cautious because some items are priced exactly the same as in retail stores.  Brands such as Marc Jacobs, Stuart Weitzman, UGG, Juicy Couture, LAMB, Betsey Johnson, French Connection, Donald Pliner, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Charles David and BCBG are featured on these sites.  Endless.com carries mostly shoes and accessories, but I find that the selection of shoes are the most magnificent.  6pm.com has an array of goods for sale including clothing, shoes AND accessories.  This site doesn’t have quit have the designer selection that endless.com has, but if you do find a designer item, it’s usually priced for less.  Just remember to check both sites for the same item and see which offers the better deal.  Sometimes the variations are $20-30 so do your due diligence!

Not all current designer styles are available, but if you pay attention you could score an item that they actually carry in the department stores RIGHT NOW for 20-50% less!

TIP: If you see something in your size and you can afford it,  and really like it, BUY IT before it’s gone! Things go quickly on these sites; especially if you’re an average size.

Have a great LONG Labor Day Weekend!  Stay safe.

Juicy Couture Wedge Boots $225 on 6pm.com

7 for All Mankind Sequin Slub Dress $103.50 on 6pm.com

Kate Spade Sequin Bag $212.63 on 6pm.com

LAMB Valisa Pump $172.50 on 6pm.com

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My Favorite Restaurants in Downtown San Diego

August 27th, 2010 No Comments

The restaurant post is here!  Over the last few months I’ve been receiving emails from several of my blog readers (thank you readers!) to write a post on some of my favorite restaurants in San Diego.  Since there are so many great restaurants in town I will start by writing about my favorite places in the Downtown area.  In the coming weeks I will write about my favorites in other San Diego neighborhoods.  Here we go!

Downtown:

I’m obligated to mention “The Mission” ($) first.  The reason being is that my husband and I collectively dine at their downtown location 2-4 times a week!  They’re only open for breakfast and lunch and you can’t go wrong with anything on this menu.  My two favorite things are the “Ginger Seasame Tofu Bowl” and the “Plato Verde con Huevos”, which is a delicious corn tamale served with scrambled eggs (I get mine fried over hard when I order this!) and a side of black beans!  Absolutely delicious!

The Mission - SoMa: South of Market St. - Downtown San Diego

Café Chloe ($$) – Very charming French Bistro!  Great place to go for a glass of wine at the bar.  My favorite item on their menu is the mac n’ cheese with pancetta!

Neighborhood ($)– One of the best selections of beer on tap I’ve seen.  Delicious sweet potato fries and decent black bean burger.

La Puerta ($) – I spent months avoiding this place because of the bar scene it comes with.  However, I was finally broken down to try it and I loved it!  The food is no joke.  If you love Mexican food this will be your new favorite place.  I especially love the guacamole with chunks of white Mexican cheese on top and their potato rolled taquitos.  There is a lot of flavor in all of their dishes.

La Puerta - Downtown San Diego

Tin Fish ($) – I love a good fish taco and this one is excellent!  The price is a bit higher, but worth it as the portions are HUGE!  I usually eat two fish tacos but here I can only fit one in!  I also love their cole slaw as its made without mayo, but with vinegar and made a little sweeter.

Basic ($$) – They have the best thin crust pizza in San Diego.  You can get it made to order with just about any topping imaginable.  Don’t forget to get the house salad packed with wonderful greens, fresh pears and homemade candied walnuts!

Basic Pizza Interior - Downtown San Diego

Oceanaire ($$$$) – Wonderful seafood.  Their crab cakes are the best I’ve ever had.  I would go here just for the crab cakes!

Look for future posts on “favorite restaurants” in San Diego in the weeks to come.

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Art of Fashion Styled by Tiffany

August 20th, 2010 No Comments

For the third year in a row Fashion Careers College and the Timken Museum of Art are in partnership to bring you the Art of Fashion.  FCC students and graduates will be showcasing 16 garments inspired by old master’s paintings at the museum.  The event has gained popularity in the community since its inception in 2008, attracting sponsors such as Tiffany & Co.  At this year’s event a handful of designers were selected to have their garments “styled” with Tiffany jewelry for VIP guests to enjoy.

The event will take place in two evenings.  On Friday, August 27, VIP guests will enjoy dinner at the museum and a premiere viewing of the garments before it is open to the public on Saturday, August 28.  VIP guests will be the first to see select costumes styled with Tiffany jewelry.  Tiffany jewelry will accompany costumes on Friday evening only.

2010 Art of Fashion,  Saturday, August 28

Timken Museum of Art, Balboa Park

1500 El Prado

San Diego, CA 92101

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  - Art of Fashion only $125

8:30 – 10:30 p.m. – Art of Fashion + VIP After Party $150

To purchase tickets online go to www.timkenmuseum.org, call 619-23-5548 x100 or email

fashion@timkemmuseum.org

FCC Designer Ernesto Flores for 2nd Annual Art of Fashion

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A few of my Fall Fashion Favorites

August 13th, 2010 No Comments

It’s no secret that fall is my favorite time of year. It’s when we start putting away

our summer dresses and pull out our cashmere sweaters and closed toe shoes!

It’s my absolute favorite season for fashion!  Even in sunny San Diego we

experience a subtle shift in the weather as fall arrives. The air seems more

crisp and you can smell autumn creeping its way into the atmosphere.

In last week’s post I gave you my two cents on hat trends. Today I’ve put

together a collage of some of my favorite pieces for fall. It’s an eclectic

mix of a few luxury/designer items and also affordable pieces for everyday

wear.  I just couldn’t resist including the YSL grey suede goat hair pumps

in the mix!  I’m seeing lots of faux fur vests, cocktail rings, glitz mixed with

casual, statement accessories, clutches, animal print, harem pants and the

platform heel (again….and I love it!).

Here are 15 of my fall favorites based on all of the trends I’ve spied:

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Hat Trends for Fall 2010

August 6th, 2010 3 Comments

Hats can alter the look of any ensemble (and hide a bad hair day!) with very little effort.  All you have to do is put one on!  I’ve always had a penchant for hats; especially fall and winter hats.  This season I’m particularly excited as designers across the board are showing  hats as an integral component of their fall collections.  Some of my favorites were the “bowler hat” by Hermes, the “quilted trapper hat” by Anna Sui, the “fedora” as seen at Carmen Marc Valvo,  and even” turbans” (a la Sex and the City chic!) by Hermes.   The Diane Von Furstenberg version of a beret (embellished with fabulous floral details) in the “Shiloh” hat is definitely on my shopping list!

Fedora by Carmen Marc Valvo

 

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FutureFashion Designers utilizing Eco-friendly fabrics

July 30th, 2010 2 Comments

A total of 28 designers participated in the FutureFashion show which featured the use of eco-friendly fabrics such as milk protein (an azlon fiber and by-product of the dairy industry;  uses dewatered skim milk, which is made into fabrics through a wet spinning process.), pina (made from the leaves of a pineapple plant),  corn-based polymers (a renewable resource version of petroleum-based polyester) and black mud silk (naturally dyed in crushed roots and dirt).

Donna Karan created a beautiful evening gown made from sasawashi (organic linen-like fabric made from paper and leaves) and peace silk. Maison Martin Margiela fashioned a ball gown made from three vintage wedding dresses.  Burberry created a coat dress of cotton, silk and plant fiber called abaca.  Rodarte’s cocktail dress was made from abaca, cotton, silk, and pina.  Martin Grant designed a red hemp silk evening gown.

FutureFashion represents the fashion industry in Earth Pledge’s goal to to …”accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices”.  The non-profit group also provides a free directory of eco-friendly fabric manufacturers that “…promote renewable, reusable and nonpolluting materials and processes at every step of the supply chain”.  This is a very handy tool for any buyer, designer or manufacturer interested in sourcing sustainable fabrics.  As you can see below, eco-friendly does not mean burlap sacks and unbleached cotton.  Highly fashionable apparel can be made using fabrics that are earth conscious.

Donna Karan evening gown made of sasawashi and peace silk

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H &M Retailer creates summer collection for Fashion Against AIDS campaign

July 23rd, 2010 No Comments

Swedish retail giant H&M gives back globally with their Fashion Against AIDS Campaign.  The concept behind this effort is to raise money for AIDS awareness and prevention through proceeds (25% to be exact!) from their summer “festival” collection. 

Summer is a time when outdoor festivals are ubiquitous.  In an attempt to savor the spirit of the season the company has created an entire collection of “…rock with bohemia and glamour with added ethnic touches.”  The assortment for women includes denim hotpants, patterned leggings, embellished tunic tops, maxi-dresses, leather jackets, gladiator shoes, chunky bracelets, wide belts and beaded necklaces. For men they’ve got slim blazers and jackets, faded and patched denim jeans, cropped shorts, embellished waistcoats and paisley vests.

2010 marks the third year that H&M has supported the fight against AIDS with their festival collection.  The proceeds have raised over 30 million SEK (Swedish Krona Currency) to date. The money has been divided between Designers Against AIDS (DAA), YouthAids, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.

Quoted from their press release:  “As well as raising funds for the fight against HIV and AIDS, H&M hopes to raise awareness about safe sex among the young by donating to such an important cause.” 

The festival collection is now available in stores.

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Stella McCartney to design for 2012 British Olympic Team

July 16th, 2010 No Comments

Stella McCartney, the world’s most famous eco-friendly fashion designer is appointed to direct the design team to outfit  ”Team GB” (team Great Britain) athletes in the 2012 London Olympics.

All uniforms for Team GB are to be made by Adidas.  Since 2004 McCartney has been designing a highly successful performance line for the brand called “Adidas by Stella McCartney” so the collaboration is a natural one.

McCartney is quoted saying, “As a British fashion designer it is an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be creative director of  Team GB as the host nation of the London 2012 Olympic Games.”

I personally love Stella for her strong convictions.  With her artistry and personal values she has created an empire based on practicing “green” and cruelty free methods in all that she does.  Her fashion forward sensibility is appreciated by dedicated aficionados and critics worldwide.

Designer Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney Summer 2010

Stella McCartney Denim Summer 2010

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L.A. based Milliner Styles San Diego for Opening Day at the Races

July 9th, 2010 2 Comments

It’s about that time again!  On July 21st we will gear up for another season at the Del Mar Race Track.  The track not only appeals to horse betting fanatics, but also a broad audience including the fashion conscious crowd.  The Races just wouldn’t be the same without the famous “One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest”!  Wearing hats has been a long standing tradition on opening day at Del Mar, attracting fashionistas from all over the globe!  This year proves to be no different, but is special indeed as Los Angeles based milliner Arturo Rios  travels south to San Diego to “style”  the perfect head piece for eager clients.

 Arturo Rios has been perfecting his millinery craft since 2001.  Each piece is designed and hand-made in the USA using only the finest materials such as shantung silks and flexible feathers.  Best of all, most of his hats range from $100-$150, which makes it affordable for most.  His pieces have been donned by celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Jaime King, Daisy Fuentes, Lindsay Lohan and Juliette Lewis.

 Arturo Rios will be in San Diego on July 10, 2010 from 12pm – 4pm for an exclusive Trunk Show at the Village Hat Shop in Hillcrest at 3821 4th Avenue, 92103.  This will  be a perfect opportunity to meet the designer in person and have him help you find the perfect hat for opening day at the races in Del Mar.  For more information on this event contact FCC graduate Bernadette Ramirez at the Village Hat Shop, 619-683-5543.

Paris Hilton sporting an Arturo Rios original

 Ginger Ice Cream Headband

Ingrid Cocktail Hat

 

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Customizable iPhone cases from sustainable Bamboo

July 2nd, 2010 5 Comments

Portland, Oregon based Grove is a five man operation of artisans creating iPhone cases using bamboo material sourced from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified suppliers when available.  Bamboo is THE sustainable material of choice as it can be harvested for use in 4-6 years, compared to 30-60 years for wood.  They are currently working on making their cases 100% FSC bamboo!  You can choose from a beautiful selection of  ”artist series” cases or customize your own design by uploading your file to their website.

Grove not only puts out a gorgeous product, but they are committed to “…utilize sustainable materials, natural finishes, and responsible packaging” in their total manufacturing process.  Everything they design and produce is 100% made in Portland, Oregon USA.  They pride themselves on practices that are good for them and the environment.  Now that is a very FASHIONABLE concept!

My favorite artist design....Birdland by Sven Palmowski

A few of the "artist series" designs

Sample of "custom designs"

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