Waste not, create more

Production scraps from a designer sample sale will soon adorn the next collection of ANAMU clutches. At the time of purchase I had no idea what I would do with a full bag of neon and pastel silk pieces, just that I had to have them!

What I did know was that the design inspiration would come as it's usually driven by the pieces themselves. Using existing materials is a different kind of challenge because they dictate what you will create (rather than dreaming something up and then going to the store to buy it). Challenges + inspiration = fun creative process :)

Down the street

The boyfriend won tickets to a show at The Mayan Theater and since neither of us had ever been, we were excited to check it out.

The venue was about a ten minute walk from my place and though we didn't love the headliner too much (we left early), we did enjoy feeling like we were on an Indiana Jones set. One of the openers, Everest, had a giant disco ball and we joked that it was going to come loose and roll into the audience!

En route back home we got a night cap at Broadway Bar, one of my faves in the neighborhood and another spot with amazing decor...a blend between art deco and art nouveau.

With a taco truck dinner added to the mix, it was a perfect night in the neighborhood.

Clothes Karma

It was time to clean out the closet and make space for pieces that I really love and still wear. There's just no point in holding onto things I don't use, especially when there are great re-sale and donation options.

A full bag (yes, it was reusable, of course!) and visit to Crossroads Trading Co. later, and I'm in possession of a $48 credit to shop other people's previously loved fashions.

I NEVER browse the pants section but since J Brand Love Story jeans have been on my mind for months - and I missed their recent warehouse sale - I decided to take a look. Lo and behold, there they were, hanging in all their glory.... a pair of Love Story jeans in my size...and for a mere $30 (!!!).

Paired those with a silk Nina Ricci blouse and a ruffle J. Crew tank and my out-of-pocket expense was $10...one of the best hauls ever!

Cleaning out space to make room for the new, especially when the new is pre-loved, makes for excellent clothing karma.

New York again?

The new Met exhibit American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity just might be the reason. I absolutely LOVE the exploration of fashion and its cultural significance...

Focusing on archetypes of American femininity through dress, the exhibition will reveal how the American woman initiated style revolutions that mirrored her social, political, and sexual emancipation

I  even remember managing to make my high school history thesis all about the hippie counter culture and their clothing!

We'll see if I can make it out since it only runs through August. In the meantime, I'll just drool over my keyboard while watching their teaser video.

Fin de semana

On Saturday I met with a professional pattern maker and I'm so excited about all of the possibilities for taking ANAMU to the next level. She had some great recommendations for streamlining my processes and even making the bags themselves feel and look less DIY. What is most exciting is that I could potentially focus solely on design and the business side of things while contracting a local seamstress to take care of the sewing. Sewing takes up a serious amount of time and though I enjoy it, I'd be okay passing it off.

After my meeting I stopped by the Steven Alan Outpost in Los Feliz to celebrate their launch of carrying Les Morceaux jewelry. This hot new line is designed by a new friend and Downtown LA neighbor and I'm SO excited to see her getting such great buzz!

Spent the rest of the day cutting new scarves at home and thinking about what's next for ANAMU. I swear, I think I stood staring at all of my scarves, scraps, and fabrics for half an hour...literally just standing there and thinking.

Thankfully the boyfriend and I had planned a sunset dinner at our favorite Manhattan Beach sushi spot (otherwise I could work until the cows come home and forget to eat!). It was so relaxing and yummy... the perfect end to a busy day.

On Mother's Day I spent most of it playing with my niece Juliana. She was very fond of my bracelets so I'm taking that as a sign that she's going to be all about accessories as she gets older. Already a girl of her auntie mu's heart!

Can't eat, can't sleep

Well, not really but it's that kind of love that I have for this house.

Over one year ago I was driving down the street where this beauty resides when I literally slammed on the breaks and reversed so that I could take a picture of it (yeah, I do stuff like that but I know what I like when I see it!).

Last month, a local Pasadena magazine featured the home in an article and I instantly fell in love, like, crazy in love. The funny thing is that the article only showed interior shots such as the one pictured above. It also noted the name of the house as the Alson Clark Studio and Residence.

A quick google search later and I come to realize that it's the exact same house that I took a picture of over one year ago!!!

It's meant to be...

(and yes, this is the house pictured in my recent "fin de semana" post. Not a stalker, we were just in the area :) )

Fin de semana

Scenic route through beautiful oak tree covered neighborhoods in Pasadena.

My dream home of the moment. It's modern, small, has native plants, and overlooks The Arroyo and Rose Bowl.

Some of the best fish tacos around are found at Gerlach's. And yes, it's that little kiosk looking place next to the liquor store.

Ride up to Dodger Stadium via China Town. Love how prominent City Hall looks in the mirror.

7th inning stretch. I needed it after two Dodger Dogs!

It was the boyfriend's birthday so that meant no work for ANAMU! We revved up his bike, bought me a new helmet, and rode around town. Not pictured here was an amazing dinner at Dish Bistro and the best movie experience ever at Gold Class Cinemas, both in Old Pasadena. I like Joe's birthday :)

Unique LA Spring 2010 is in the bag

It just gets better and better. The folks at Unique LA (spearheaded by the amazing Sonja Rasula) pulled off an incredible two-day event filled with independent design, craft workshops, music, and good people.

ANAMU lucked out with a corner space that was perfect for creating a walk-through gallery feel. I learned a lot from the last show: each bag needs to be highlighted individually. With so many different prints and colors, they each need to shine!

The bags and display got incredible reactions. Lots of oohing and ahhing with some personal compliments that included gals saying that they loved my sense of design and overall aesthetic. So cool :)  Some women literally bolted into the booth from across the walkway to check out a bag that caught their eye!

Though it's always difficult to see my bags go, it's also gratifying and joyful to know that they are going to adoring new owners. Thank you to everyone that came out to support local talent. I had a blast sharing ANAMU with you!

View more booth photos here

Haute Olive Boutique opens in the Fashion District

Haute Olive Boutique is nearly two weeks old and it's quickly becoming a local favorite - some designers have already snatched up pieces to knock off for future collections. What's old is new right?

When I walked into the quaint space, owner Amara was still merchandising the floor and unpacking accessories out of boxes. Even though she obviously had her hands full she instantly made me feel at home and we chatted the entire time I shopped. Turns out that she moved the boutique from Echo Park after being there for a few years and she had been eying the downtown space for just as long.

Very happy that she made the move to the neighborhood but I know that I'll have to be careful.  As a former model she really knows how to sell her style along with everything in her store! I was good though and walked away with one blouse that I'm excited to wear this weekend at Unique LA.