friday pic & pin + happy mother's day!

Happy Friday! Will you be celebrating the weekend with your mom? If so, I'm totally jealous! I would give anything to be with my mom and sister (mom of two) this Sunday to toast to their ever present courage, support, inspiration, and love.

We're staying put in KL and have plans for a fun night out on Saturday with dinner and a concert. It's been too too long since we saw a show so I'm really excited. If you still haven't checked out the Ring Cozy Kickstarter project - what are you waiting for?! Go go go! There's only 17 days left to make it happen so please pledge and/or share however you can (thank you!).

Have a good one and cheers to all of you beautiful and amazing mamas out there!

(image left: Bougainvillea, Pereira Colombia by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via CUYANA)

Fashionably late but still wonderful

So I'm just a liiiiitttllle behind on blogging.

The exciting news I mentioned in a previous post was that Anamu was asked to be a part of the Apartment 3/Unique LA Pop Up Store at HD Buttercup! I'm a big fan of the former Helms Bakery building HDB is in so the location was an extra bonus.

The opening party was held on Friday and boy was I impressed. The space for the store was much bigger than expected and there was truly something for everyone. The crowd was great and the open bar was flowing. Wish I had been in the mood to take advantage of it but we had just driven back from a quick getaway to the Central Coast and we were beat.

It had been a busy week and a half because I needed/wanted to make most of what the store ordered. Since I only had nights and weekends to work on them while simultaneously waiting for new frames to ship (that also required a new pattern), it turned into major crunch time. Thankfully it all got done with the help of my loved ones and I was really happy with the way the new vintage style clutches turned out.

If you're in LA and want to check out the new Anamu pieces and other great local finds, stop by the store, you will not be disappointed! Plus, there's a Father's Office right next door...need I say more?

The Apartment 3/Unique LA store is scheduled to run through January 2011 (perfect for pre and post holiday shopping) and is located at 3225 Helms Avenue, Culver City. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Happy local/indie shopping!

Fashionably late but still wonderful

So I'm just a liiiiitttllle behind on blogging.

The exciting news I mentioned in a previous post was that Anamu was asked to be a part of the Apartment 3/Unique LA Pop Up Store at HD Buttercup! I'm a big fan of the former Helms Bakery building HDB is in so the location was an extra bonus.

The opening party was held on Friday and boy was I impressed. The space for the store was much bigger than expected and there was truly something for everyone. The crowd was great and the open bar was flowing. Wish I had been in the mood to take advantage of it but we had just driven back from a quick getaway to the Central Coast and we were beat.

It had been a busy week and a half because I needed/wanted to make most of what the store ordered. Since I only had nights and weekends to work on them while simultaneously waiting for new frames to ship (that also required a new pattern), it turned into major crunch time. Thankfully it all got done with the help of my loved ones and I was really happy with the way the new vintage style clutches turned out.

If you're in LA and want to check out the new Anamu pieces and other great local finds, stop by the store, you will not be disappointed! Plus, there's a Father's Office right next door...need I say more?

The Apartment 3/Unique LA store is scheduled to run through January 2011 (perfect for pre and post holiday shopping) and is located at 3225 Helms Avenue, Culver City. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Happy local/indie shopping!

Nudes, neutrals…they’re new and fab

Stash away the frumpy canvas tote or the bulky leather bag and show off something light and fresh when you hit the town this summer.

Four new ANAMU bags made from vintage scarves that are completely on-of-a-kind. Get them while they're hot!!!

Featured: ANAMU in Fashion SALvation

Pick of the Week: April Showers...

...bring new ANAMU floral prints! Be the first to see and shop new clutches at the spring Unique LA bash, April 24&25.

Necklace shown is also an ANAMU design :)

Pick of the Week: Gold and Studded

Walked by a beautiful gold leaf Art Deco door on Spring St. today and I thought "how great would this be for a photo shoot!" - especially for clutches like the Gilded Age I.

This ANAMU clutch is made from a shawl purchased in a vintage shop in Cape Town, South Africa. I'm a big fan of gold so I instantly fell in love with the sparkly brocade pattern. Metal pyramid studs adorning the corners add some jazz to the mix that make it a perfect clutch for a glam night out.

Pick of the Week: Margaritas and Flowers

Spent last Sunday frolicking around in the beautiful Carlsbad Flower Fields for new ANAMU Spring lifestyle shots. When you are just starting out, you've 1) gotta be your own model and 2) the boyfriend becomes the fashion photographer (he did a GREAT job!).

After we wrapped we cruised a bit further south to grub on some yummy Mexican food at Las Olas in Cardiff. Seriously, this place is amazing and I'm so thankful that my gal pal, Erin, introduced me to it a few years ago!

I had flowers and Margaritas on my mind that day and thought this Senorita clutch to be perfect for this week's Pick of the Week!

The flowers and paisley combo drive me crazy in the best of ways.  Muted colors on the lining scarf  really play up the matching patch pocket that carries the vibrant and flirty designs from the exterior of the bag.

Pick of the Week: Mad About Stripes

With the excitement surrounding Mattel's launch of Mad Men dolls, this bag is perfect for this week.

The stripes and tones of this scarf just scream midcentury modern. I particularly love the complimentary floral lining that adds a flare of femininity.

Pick of the Week: Green Beyond the Stout

Are you ready to dodge the St. Patrick's Day pinchers? You will be with this little green beauty!

There's no reason to not look stylish on this beer holiday so toss the glittery shamrock antenna headband you've got lined up and sport something you can enjoy beyond the hangover.

Sneak Peek

Some nearly finished bags. Loving the nude colored ones...

Pick of the Week Returns with New "Behind the Seams"

After a long hiatus, the oh so loved Pick of the Week is back! Why was it gone for so long? It was kind of like working out - you do it consistently then you miss one day and boom, done until.... well, whenever you get around to it again.

I did miss it dearly so I'm happy to have the mojo for it back.

First up for 2010 is the Metallic Muse II Envelope Clutch...

This one is part of a little series I was able to do since the shawl used was so big! This brocade piece has metallic stripes that I placed perpendicular to each other for some added interest. I'm a big fan of mixed metal colors so a brass pyramid stud was added to each corner as fun and edgy dressings.

This is a hot one!

Behind the seams...

If you follow this blog then you know that I make it a point to seek out local vintage goodies wherever I am. In this case it was Cape Town, South Africa where a cramped and dusty shop on Long Street caught my attention.

This place was packed yet I somehow managed to find this great shawl to make some glitzy bags with! The shop's owner was super sweet and happily told me about the cabinetry behind the register; the location used to be an old pharmacy and the custom carpentry was left intact throughout the years.

Here I am putting down my Rands ...

The lining in Metallic Muse II is made from an old Indian sari purchased in Durban, South Africa. Now THIS thing is big! Many bags to come from this baby...

SALE: 25% off ANAMU through February 10th!

Because you are beautiful and unique.

Fellas, this is what you tell your lady

Ladies, this is what you tell yourself

Indulge a little this Valentine's Day.

To redeem this offer, go to www.anamu.etsy.com and note VDAY in "message to seller" at checkout. Discount will be applied after full payment is received.

ANAMU: Pick of the Week

Summer may be over but that doesn't mean you cant have a little color in your accessories! This envelope clutch features a bright and retro mini-garden with a complimentary polka dot lining. I love the way the inside dots play off of the circular shapes of the white flowers; always like to  pair floral patterns with more geometric ones.

There are two ANAMU bags made from this polyester scarf ... pretty rare since a typical scarf allows for just one. Dont fret though,  each one is still one-of-a-kind!

Vegas as a testing ground

Took one of my prototype bags to Vegas with me and it was the best thing I could have done. Not only was I able to enjoy the fruits of my labor but I got to test it out to the ultimate degree with non-stop dancing. I'm talking about jersey fist-pumping all night long. Well, not really but you get the idea.

It was during "boom boom pow" that I felt the chain snap off on one end.  I caught it before it fell to the floor and since the material is soft and is easily grasped, holding it as a clutch versus wearing it over the shoulder as a purse was still really comfy. Good thing it's designed for either use :)

Though I was bummed (for a second before proceeding to dance) it never would have happened had I not taken it out so I'm very thankful that it did! Now I know I need heavier duty rings so we can have happy dancing ANAMU lovers in the future.