This old thing?

Earlier this month Joe and I attended the first annual Two Point Oh LA Snow Ball. Two Point Oh LA is a fashion bloggers organization established by the sweet Kelsi Smith. Kelsi and I met last year at Unique LA and it's awesome to see the incredible things she's doing with it.

While I don't think I fit into the fashion blogger category, I do love to tag along and play dress-up whenever possible.

For the Snow Ball I decided to take it literal and get my glam on with a full length vintage dress. Heck, Joe even dusted off his tux!

I was so excited to have found this green beauty at Shareen Vintage just days before the event. What made the score even better was that during the pre-purchase inspection (a must for any vintage buy) I noticed a label that had more than the standard "Made in the U.S.A." often found in garments from the past. This one had an official stamp from the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.  A google search later and I learned that the ILGWU was established in 1900 in NYC and has since merged into Unite Here, a service based labor union. Even found a nifty little video for a campaign in the 70's to "Look for the union label" when buying garments. Apparently the 60's and 70's were the decades when production overseas ramped up and production quality declined.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lg4gGk53iY]

It truly is incredible to own a piece that was made here and was so well stitched that I can now enjoy it decades later. Hooray for vintage!

 

 

Crafty aspirations

After attending Unique LA and Renegade Craft Fair this weekend I was inspired to make my own wrapping paper for this year's Christmas presents.

I used a roll of white butcher paper that I keep on hand for product photography and metallic paints and stencils from a craft bin that has gone unused for ages.

The end result was so satisfying...I now vow to make mini-craft sessions a regular part of my life. Hold me to it!

Left my tastebuds in Raleigh

Last month we took a weekend trip to Raleigh, NC. I never got around to doing a post on it because think I was too depressed from the thought that I had found, and then abruptly abandoned, the best pickle chips and chicken wings I have ever eaten in my life.

Nevertheless, above are two other memorable pieces from the trip: 1) stumbling upon a printed wood piece randomly posted on an abandoned warehouse wall 2) the outdoor installations at the North Carolina Museum of Art.

I give Raleigh a big thumbs up...just keep making them pickle chips and you've got me for life.

Pop up store is still going strong!

Stopped by the Apartment 3/Unique LA pop up store at HD Buttercup and saw how lovely the Anamu clutches and cuffs have been displayed.

If you are in the LA area and have not made it out to the store yet, here's a great write up on it with location details.

PS. I  hear a store-wide sale is coming so plan a trip!

Good break

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and long weekend! I took a bit of a blog break to over-eat, focus on the Anamu sale, and simply RELAX.

Thank you to everyone who took advantage of the sale over the holiday - hope you enjoy your new pieces!

 

Sneak Peek

Today was too beautiful to not be outdoors. I packed a lunch, a blanket, and rode my bike to the park for a November picnic. So what's the sneak peek? The large bag in the photo is a new Anamu design!!! I received the sample a week ago and have been enjoying it since. Beyond excited to show you the full bag soon!

High in Love...

...with my new Chloe shoes!!! Well, they're actually from the 2007 fall/winter collection but they're brand new to me thanks to Clothes Heaven in Pasadena (and an early Christmas present :) ).

Already dreaming up all the ways I can sport these around town right now and then transition them into spring and summer looks. So in love.

 

Car-less in LA

While sitting on the Metro Gold Line and flipping through a magazine I saw a car ad that read...

the car you drive says a lot about you. the car you don't drive may say even more.

After getting over how ridiculous the ad was , I realized that I hadn't shared the news of my new car-less life!

What's that? Impossible you say? Not at all. While having a car at your beck and call makes things easier, it may not always be necessary.

I moved to Downtown in December  '09 and that's when my car began to sit idle 90% of the time while I still forked out the cash for parking, insurance, maintenance, and gas on a monthly basis. I was paying for the convenience of knowing I could get in my car and "go".  With the decrease in driving, my tolerance for it also took a dive. All of this combined with a desire to save money and I knew I had a decision to make.

After getting better acquainted with public transportation and signing up for a local car share program, LAX CarShare, I was ready to let go and let someone else take the wheel.

It's been incredible to not own a car. Sure it takes some more time and planning but when the need arises, I simply rent one by the hour through the car sharing program. Otherwise, there's the Metro (rail and buses) that gets me to most places I need/want to go, my bike is great for quick trips, and I get more exercise by walking.

I used to think that being car-less in LA was impossible and that I didn't have time to spend on public transportation. However, I find myself with much more time than before. I can read, do emails, or simply relax. No need to pay attention to the road. Plus, its nice to be connected to the world and other people rather than sitting in your own bubble.

Admittingly living Downtown makes the option more convenient (as does having a boyfriend you're always with anyhow) but it ultimately comes down to choices. I'm very happy to no longer pay attention to ads promising a better life with a purchase of a car. Sometimes not having those luxuries can have the same effect.

 

Central Coast lovin'

 Joe and I snuck away for 24 hours to spend some time up north in Cambria and Paso Robles. We had originally planned to be there three days and two nights but we came back early so we could check out the Apartment 3/Unique LA store opening. In hindsight, we should have stayed on vacation mode since we arrived at the party too exhausted to party anyway (sorry baby, thanks for driving!).

For the small amount of time we did have we managed to see and do a lot. From the world's best cinnamon rolls in Pismo Beach, to beachside bike riding in Cambria, and wine tasting in Templeton, we had the perfect mini-getaway.

It was the first time I had ever really explored parts of the Central Coast and I fell completely in love. For some reason I've recently been enamored with countrysides, small towns, old towns, and simple beach communities. Perhaps it's because places like Cambria are polar opposites from my dwellings Downtown or maybe I'm just getting older and am finally appreciating the slower pace of things. Either way, the trip was incredible and for the next visit I know exactly what antique stores I'm going to carve out an entire day for. One just wasn't enough.

And yes, I sported the Like a Gem Anamu necklace throughout the entire trip. It's been my favorite lately!

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!

These streets were made for playing - CicLAvia 101010

Yesterday had to be the most incredible day in LA yet. Out of all of the things I've done and seen growing up here, nothing has ever come close to participating in the first CicLAvia.  It's hard to explain ... the entire experience was truly sublime and judging from the buzz following the event, no one else who was there could believe how awesome it was.

7.5 miles of LA's streets were closed off to cars and opened up for its citizens to play. It was a come-as-you-are event with no schedule or agenda (other than enjoying the city in a new way).

Throughout the entire route all we could see were people of all ages and backgrounds smiling from ear to ear, looking up and around them, and simply soaking in everything in sight. It felt surreal to ride in the normally noisy and congested streets in complete silence other than the clicks of bike chains and the playful chatter of fellow Angelenos.

As cheesy as it sounds, it feels like CicLAvia changed the city a bit for those who experienced it, and vice versa. We discovered and rediscovered the beauty of neighborhoods we so often ignore or can't appreciate due to the constant traffic. And, we had a ball playing in the streets.

Can't wait for the next one and for more people to join the fun.

*Here's a video I put together for my family in Colombia (home of the original Ciclovia est. 30 years ago). Joe did a great job working his bike and iPhone camera!

 

These streets were made for playing - CicLAvia 101010

Yesterday had to be the most incredible day in LA yet. Out of all of the things I've done and seen growing up here, nothing has ever come close to participating in the first CicLAvia.  It's hard to explain ... the entire experience was truly sublime and judging from the buzz following the event, no one else who was there could believe how awesome it was.

7.5 miles of LA's streets were closed off to cars and opened up for its citizens to play. It was a come-as-you-are event with no schedule or agenda (other than enjoying the city in a new way).

Throughout the entire route all we could see were people of all ages and backgrounds smiling from ear to ear, looking up and around them, and simply soaking in everything in sight. It felt surreal to ride in the normally noisy and congested streets in complete silence other than the clicks of bike chains and the playful chatter of fellow Angelenos.

As cheesy as it sounds, it feels like CicLAvia changed the city a bit for those who experienced it, and vice versa. We discovered and rediscovered the beauty of neighborhoods we so often ignore or can't appreciate due to the constant traffic. And, we had a ball playing in the streets.

Can't wait for the next one and for more people to join the fun.

*Here's a video I put together for my family in Colombia (home of the original Ciclovia est. 30 years ago). Joe did a great job working his bike and iPhone camera!

 

Hide and seek

In starting to think about new designs, I decided to explore the option of using leather. While I considered re-purposing leather jackets from thrift stores, I realized that I wanted to work with a more consistent option since my other materials are already limited in quantity (vintage scarves, remnant pieces, close-out fabrics, etc).

And since my design philosophy is to either use reclaimed or eco materials (if new), I knew my direction would be with vegetable tanned leather, a more natural option. A few samples from manufacturers later and I've placed an order for one whole hide...hopefully one very good looking hide.  I'm nervous, excited, and anxious - this is totally new territory!

Busy bee

Friday brought some very exciting news that prompted me to get busy. While I'm not sure I can disclose details at this time, I can say that I got to work this weekend to make new product and plan for new design samples.

A highlight was meeting with a potential pattern maker/manufacturer that doesn't have any minimums (big deal!). Not sure if I'll go with them yet but it's a great start to finding help with sewing and continuing to expand the line.

Expect a fun retail announcement soon along with new clutches and cuffs!