Renegade highlights

It was nice to be a guest at the Renegade Craft Fair last weekend. I got to stroll from booth to booth, make new discoveries, and see familiar faces from past Unique LA shows.

Here are my picks from the day:

1. Printed patterned shorts have been on my mind since I visited the Trina Turk store in Palm Springs so I instantly fell in love with these by Echo Country Outpost.

2. Paulova Designs makes ceramics for the home. The bright colors inside the jars caught my attention and the natural texture of the outer clay sealed the deal for me.

3. Timber! had a great native/western feel to their work that resembled some of the patterns on the new ANAMU  Go Native clutches (available online soon!).

4. Dave of Holiday Matinee shows off new notebooks with his motto: Love Your Work. Work Your Love. Then Repeat. I met Dave last year and its great to see him sharing his awesomeness with craft lovers.

Craft-on people!

Fin de semana

It was Craft-a-palooza at the Renegade Craft Fair held at the LA State Historic Park over the weekend. Being that it was down the street, there was no way I was going to miss it. Joe tagged along but since it was so busy and warm, he opted to lounge in the shade under a tree while I braved the crowded booths; I'll share my highlights in a separate post.

Post fair we rode "the chopper" to Urth Cafe for a refreshing lunch and later headed out to Pasadena for a free concert in the park with Very Be Careful, a local band that plays Colombian cumbia and vallenato music. My mom and dad joined us and we nostalgically talked about the lively Colombian culture and the so-bad-for-you-its-good food that's available on every street corner there. It was the perfect event to share with them and Joe. Now we just need to take Joe there so he can experience Colombia for himself and understand what we're always talking about!

Trunk show

Last week, 3020 Designer Resale in Santa Monica hosted the first ever ANAMU trunk show. Between  introducing the new GO NATIVE collection* of clutches and jewelry, mingling with old and new friends, and seeing happy customers, the event couldn't have gone any better.

3020's very own Gina and Jessica were beyond hospitable and supportive...I mean, check out the cute sign they made! So sweet.

Their neighbor, actor (and sculptor) Paul Sorvino stopped by while we were getting ready and ended up staying the entire time. He just couldn't leave when every few minutes a new woman walked into the room!

I'm so thankful to Gina and Jessica for the opportunity to share ANAMU in such a great setting. Thank you to everyone who came out!!!!

*Some items sold but remaining one-of-a-kind GO NATIVE clutches and cuffs will be online soon!

Mark your calendar

Come on down to OC for a UNIQUE event!

Very excited that ANAMU was selected for this designer showcase in Costa Mesa. The event will be at the LAB, an incredibly hip and indie leaning spot that is unlike anything else in OC.  Word is that a beer garden will be a part of the festivities so come, shop, play and be merry!

p.s. anyone else feel nostalgic for Tragic Kingdom and Gwen's chola threads when they look at this flyer?

My friend is getting married

...and we took pole dancing lessons to celebrate. Well, we really went to Palm Springs for an entire weekend of celebration but the bowling shoes-like scenario of stripper heels is plenty description for this post :)

Congrats, Vikki....we love you!!!!!

Fin de semana

A bit late but still wanted to share.

BBQ for my friend Jen's housewarming/birthday, necklace making and supplies shopping, and a discovery - Novecento.

OMG was I excited to find such a well curated vintage furniture store in the neighborhood.  Then..... I visited their website and realized that the shopping spree I had in mind was not going to happen.  Though they are pricey, their pieces are impeccable so it could be worth it if you've got the cash.

I want this chandelier so bad that it hurts...

The 4th

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! We spent the 4th watching a friend play in the Hermosa Beach volleyball tournament sponsored by Bud Light. Yep, it was completely sponsored so that meant lots of free booze and lots happy people.

I only wish the America on Wheels van we spotted Downtown would have joined us.

The 4th

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! We spent the 4th watching a friend play in the Hermosa Beach volleyball tournament sponsored by Bud Light. Yep, it was completely sponsored so that meant lots of free booze and lots happy people.

I only wish the America on Wheels van we spotted Downtown would have joined us.

Summer Trunk Show

The fabulous 3020 Designer Resale will host a trunk show for ANAMU on Thursday, July 15th from 4pm -7:30pm. Be the first to shop from ANAMU's new "Go Native" clutch collection, never before seen jewelry, and more.

Wine and snacks will be served and some good ol' fashion mingling will be had.

We hope to see you there!

3020 Designer Resale | 3020 Nebraska Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90404

*Visit the 3020 Designer Resale facebook page for peek at their amazing space and selections! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Monica-CA/3020-Designer-Resale/162844907196

Conscious shopping. Just my size.

Very excited that ANAMU is featured in the Conscious Shopping section of The Great American Apparel Diet!

I don't know if I could go without buying ANY apparel items  for one year but I do know that I can shop in a responsible manner.

What exactly does that mean? Responsible/conscious shopping can mean different things to different people but when it comes to apparel, for me its about buying pieces that:

- I truly adore and will use for years to come

- complement my existing wardrobe in multiple ways

- demonstrate style vs. trends and fashion. The latter are fading and cause for more consumption (Forever 21's fast-fashion anyone?)

- are made locally or in the US

- use sustainable materials (vintage, reclaimed, organic...)

- have quality construction and are timeless if buying from non-eco or  non-independent options

- inform of the following as much as possible:

WHO - who made it?

WHAT - what is it made out of?

WHERE - where is it made?

HOW - how is it made?

This shopping philosophy began after I left my job at Nordstrom my junior year of college.  I thought about all of the clothes I had bought simply because of the great discount or because they were in-fashion. This made me sick. A ton of money spent and a tired wardrobe of trendy items that I could care less about.

At that moment I vowed to think about my purchases and what they mean to me, my life, and to the lives of those who make and sell them. I've never looked back and have loved my wardrobe ever since.

Kudos to all of the TGAAD participants, you are rock stars!

Art Deco Heaven

The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood is an absolute dream. I tried taking photos of the inside of the theatre but they didn't come out very well (the ones above are from the powder room and foyer). By the time we were seated, I was so mesmerized by the decor that I didn't want the lights to go down. Simply beautiful.

ps. who would kill for a vanity room with mirrors like that?!?

Sew machine, sew

Started sewing over the weekend but it didn't go too well: my machine needs yet another stitching adjustment...gggrrrr.

It has served me well, but I think I'm ready to find some help and maybe buy an industrial machine for myself. It's amazing how much time is needed for every little thing (websites, designing, shipping, buying, sourcing, etc) and since I do it all myself in addition to my day-job, having help with the actual construction would be beyond amazing. I'd love to focus more on design, creating more samples, and getting ANAMU into stores. All in good time, right? :)

Preservation matters

The Los Angeles Theatre , built in 1931, is one of 12 structures on Broadway in Downtown LA that make up the largest concentration of historic theatres and movie palaces on one street in the nation. Most of them date back to the 1920's and 1930's and as in the case of the Los Angeles, they feature classic French baroque details , crystal chandeliers, and the expected opulence of the era.

The Los Angeles Conservancy's annual Last Remaining Seats is a film series that opens the doors of these historic landmarks to the public for special screenings of beloved classics. I've been meaning to participate for years so I was excited to snag opening night tickets for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. It was a sell-out at 2,000 seats and the film was more entertaining than I could have ever imagined. Since it was a musical, it made me nostalgic for the middle school productions of years past...the costumes, the silliness, the sets...aahhhh.

The film was introduced by Matthew Weiner, creator and executive director of Mad Men, my absolute favorite show. He talked about growing up in LA and having an appreciation for the culture-rich history here as he got older, and his sadness over the demolition of buildings where he originally shot Mad Men. To summarize his speech he said "Stop tearing shit down!". They should sell t-shirts with that at the concession stands; I'd buy one.

I live a block off Broadway and I specifically chose this location because I love the architecture and the area has potential to be fabulous again. Although I love it now, for the last few decades cheap clothing and discount electronic stores have filled the storefronts, and some actual theatre spaces, leaving the street to only be utilized in the day with few nightlife options (thank you Broadway Bar!).

Bringing Back Broadway is an initiative that aims to change that. They are working to create a district with vibrant restaurants, shops, cafes, a trolley, and most important, to bring the theatres back. They are working closely with The Los Angeles Conservancy and I'm so thankful that they both exist and do what they do.

It was amazing to walk into the theatre and feel my jaw drop (and see others' do the same). These places are special and I left that night even more enthusiastic about their preservation and revitalization. I only have one request: please please please do not let supergraphics and LA Live/Times Square-type digital screens obscure the architectural beauty of the Broadway corridor.