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.

Happy Birthday, Blog!

To think that just one year ago I hesitantly entered the blogging world. My first blog was about starting my line and check it out now...up and running! Like a friend told me at the time "just do it, it'll be fun to look back on it one day." I realize he was talking about 20 years from now but seeing as how I dont do much of "Dear Journal" these days, I'm pretty proud of having captured just a bit of my life via the world wide web. Thank you for being a part of it!

Now here's a clutch that screams celebration!

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...

Sewing: @ Home...Finally!

My machine is back in commission and it took its first stitches in its new home tonight! I've been anxious to bring it out and use it on my new table.* So far so good!

*This table is amazing. It's another chrome piece from Virtue Brothers of California with side panels that drop down to form a smaller table. It's been super functional and practical in my loft space. One of the best buys from REVIVAL Vintage yet :)

Fave Creative Space: Common Thread Studio

My home sewing machine was acting up so I decided it was the perfect excuse to do some work at Common Thread Studio in my hometown, South Pasadena.

It was my first time using the work spaces and I will definitely be going back. Seriously fell in love with the character of the place: creative, hip, clean, stylish, personal, and fun.

The owner, Jin, was awesome and brings a lot of design experience and enthusiasm to her space. I spent a good three hours there so I was thankful that she was blasting the likes of Beck, Kings of Leon (their old stuff), and Arcade Fire on the iPod. Made me feel like I was working from home.

If only this place had been around when I was in High School! She has classes for all levels of sewing and also offers a screen printing area, how cool is that?

WARNING: chances are that you WILL buy something from her shop area. It's curated with great gift items for babies, crafters, and even the most discerning creative and stylish people in your life.

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.

Featured: ANAMU on EcoStiletto!!!

ANAMU's first press hit is none other than the fabulous EcoStilettoonline magazine! I am beyond thrilled, and honored, to be included in their upcycled fashion piece along such amazing designers (I've always admired Ashley Watson's reclaimed leather bags). They even used an ANAMU image for the homepage "What's New" section :)

Subscribe for your chance to win an ANAMU envelope clutch and other eco-designer goodies!

Thank you EcoStiletto!

ULA is in the bag, now on to moving!

Phew it's been a while! Well, the craziness that was Unique Los Angeles is over and I couldnt be happier with the experience. It was awesome to show my bags and necklaces to people outside of my personal network and get such positive feedback. Learned ALOT for any future events, met some great people, and most importantly had a blast.

I have never had to make bags by a deadline before so it was certainly interesting to make it all happen. Basically had my parents on an assembly line helping out with whatever they could! Thank god they are the most supportive people in the world and would do anything for me. Couldnt have done it without them - and my boyfriend Joe for the constant support!

Set up to make 60 new bags so I could a have a solid inventory but only managed to finish 20. Worked out okay because they all fit perfectly on the table. Now I have more to finish at my leisure and that makes very happy :)

Unfortunately (and fortunately for my bank account) I didn't get to do any shopping from the other vendors but did do a quick lap and there were some AMAZING things to choose from. My favorites were SucculentLOVE and Dewi. Joe got me a little succulent and I cant wait to put it in my new little loft.

Yep, I'm moving to Downtown LA (FINALLY!!!) this Saturday and I cant stop thinking about all the ways I can possibly decorate and enjoy my new space. Yiipppeeeee!!!!!!

WARNING: gushing decorating/new home posts may occur

Window Shopping: ANAMU on Display

Caught a glimpse of the Unique LA display at Tiara Cafe in the beautiful New Mart building.  I'm very honored to be one of several designers featured in the installation... even if the bag is a little hidden (on the right shoulder of the dress form), I know its there! Just a few weeks away and there's so much to do. Probably should be sewing rather than blogging :)

Pick of the Week: Pushpins

Autumn is here and even though I live in LA, I know how lovely fall folliage is. I spent a semester at the University of Rhode Island my junior year of college (yep, RI, and it was awesome!) where I indulged in all things New England: sailing, clam chowder, basement keggers, and admiring the reds and oranges that lined the views everywhere you looked.

This pushpin set makes me yearn for a long walk to find the perfect leaves to adorn my bulletin board. I can just see the speckled colors popping behind these textured mini-buttons...

Don't live where the leaves are a-changin'? No fret. Vintage button pusphins are always great for posting favorite items ... or not as they look great on their own too.

 

Back to the cutting board: new bags on the way

Had some fun this weekend with my "fall" scarves. The new bags will feature geometric/line patterns (so excited about these!) and some much loved brady bunch florals. Retro paisleys and Moroccan prints will also make an appearance as they are fast becoming my staples.

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ANAMU: Pick of the Week

Gold schmold, brass is where its at for me at the moment. It's light weight, neutral, and always gives the impression of having had it forever. I hit the jackpot of brass pendants and pieces from some closeout inventories downtown earlier this year. The dust on the boxes they came in only added to the reassurance from Jose (my fave sales guy) that they were in fact as old as they looked.

What was most exciting was that there were multiples. Prior to purchasing these I had been collecting individual brass pieces at flea markets one at a time and each one completely different from the other. While I'm looking forward to turning those into one-of-a-kind necklaces, I like that I can personally wear these while offering the same style to others who want them for themselves. It's fun to share!

This bowtie beauty is one that I can always count on to be the finishing touch to any outfit. It makes a simple statement but never goes unnoticed...a favorite "moment" was on a flight back from Vegas when a girl exclaimed "I love your necklace! It's like you're all dressed up with a girly bowtie but not really." I was wearing a v-neck white tee, cut off denim shorts, and rainbow sandals...yeah definitely not dressed up but the necklace was apparently enough to make it all a little special.