Monthly Archives: September 2015

Fashionably Late: Remaining August 2015 Events

I really did try to get my event posts up in a timely manner. But the end of summer and beginning of fall is a very busy time for fashion, so attending the events and then posting them up became quite the endeavor for this fashion/lifestyle blogger! Here are the rest of the August events I attended, so that I can move on to September (now that it’s almost October)!

Kiehl’s LifeRide for amfAR Wrap Party Recap (August 15, 2015)

The riders arriving to Kiehl’s at Fashion Valley

Kiehl’s raised $250,00 for amfAR!

Food and drinks provided by Soda & Swine and Juice Saves, so yummy!

I brought Dominic, and he had a great time!

With fellow San Diego Style Bloggers Paulina of Lil Bits of Chic, Vanessa Balli, and Alessandra Gonzalez

Order Up San Diego/Pacific Beach (August 20, 2015)

OrderUp is an online and mobile food delivery service, and their focus is to provide delivery from restaurants customers truly want. My husband and I attended their launch in Pacific Beach at Backyard Kitchen & Tap.

(Photo courtesy of OrderUp Pacific Beach’s Facebook page)

The appetizers at Backyard Kitchen & Tap was fantastic!

Great to see Ayana of Thrifting Diva again!

(Photo courtesy of OrderUp Pacific Beach’s Facebook page)

Thank you to Colette of Contour PR + Social for the invite!

FWSD Culinary Couture (August 29, 2015)

“Fashion Week San Diego is back for its 2nd Annual Culinary Couture held at the fabulous Harrah’s Resort Southern California and we’re ready to take your tastebuds on the trip of a lifetime!

This exclusive, invite only event takes you on a culinary trip around the world in true Fashion. From Europe to Asia, South America to North America- Fashion Week San Diego will help you explore the world’s top fashion capitals through cuisine and cocktails. – FashionWeekSD”

I had such a great time at Culinary Couture. The food and presentation were fantastic. Thank you for the invite Fashion Week SD!

1^st Course Bangkok

•Presented By Executive Chef David Abella, West Steak and Seafood•

2^nd Course Monaco

•Presented by Executive Chef James Montejano, La Valencia•

3^rd Course Buenos Aires

•Presented by Executive Chef Julian Quinones, Sheraton Carlsbad•

4^th Course San Diego

•Presented By Executive Chef Marc Therrien, Omni La Costa Resort and Spa•

5^th Course Tokyo

•Presented By Executive Chef Jon Palsson, Harrah’s Resort Southern California•

6^th Barcelona

•Presented By Executive Chef Jon Palsson, Harrah’s Resort Southern California•

What I wore: Dress from Irene’s Story; Enzo Angiolini Coadi Houndstooth Pumps; Bodhi purse; Stephanie Kantis earrings c/o Neiman Marcus; “Mona” glasses c/o Spy Optic

My Dream Workspace

My Dream Workspace by any2ndnow

Lately, I’ve been thinking about creating a better workspace at home. Should it be in the bedroom, or should it be in a common area, especially with a growing boy who will need a larger space to do homework in the future? I was inspired by WeWork to think of my dream workspace and what would it include. If you are unfamiliar with WeWork, they create beautiful shared workspaces that build community and inspire through togetherness. They have office spaces all over the world, including the US and London (check out their amazing space at Aldgate Tower).

My dream workspace would incorporate art and music, as well as functionality and comfort. I absolutely love the space in the picture above, because it looks like it leads to a common area, which we have in our family room at home. I want to move my husband’s turntables to our room and get a decorative, yet functional record player to be placed aside a large shelf for our growing record collection. We would have a desk for the computer, and a drafting table that could double as another desk when needed (as we have a couple of laptops). I could also level the drafting table to hold my mini-lighting studio to use for product pictures. Finally, I’ve also always wanted a beautiful chaise lounge, which would add to the modern vintage feel of my ideal workspace. I would then sprinkle the walls with our favorite music and movie posters. If it all works out to be as visually appealing as it is functional, the “office” could also be used as a backdrop for outfit posts!

Thank you WeWork for helping me really put some thought into my ideal workspace. Now, how do I convince my mother that we need to move the china cabinet into another room…

The New John Varvatos Store at Fashion Valley

I was invited last month to preview the new John Varvatos store at Fashion Valley prior to their public grand opening. I became familiar with the brand because it’s one of Matt Goss’ favorite stores in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas (though this blog post), and the management at John Varvatos love him as well (they spoke very highly of him when I was asked about how I knew about their brand).

I noticed immediately the edgy, rock infused style. The store is rugged and music permeates everything, from the pictures on the walls to the clothing displayed on the tables. The light fixture upon entering is impressive, and I like the hidden cash registers. It has a different effect on the whole store, allowing every bit of space for the clothing and shoes. I know the store is menswear, but that didn’t stop me from buying something from the John Varvatos USA line, which was the Bowery Graphic T-Shirt. It’s way soft and has a very cool and simple design. I also purchased a book by John Varvatos called Rock in Fashion, which is what this store embodies. Congratulations to John, his crew and Fashion Valley on this fantastic new location!

If shoes could grow on trees…

Who doesn’t love a wall of shoes?

Great decor throughout!

The “Bowery Graphic T-Shirt” I purchased is located under the “New York” white shirt above.

I want that Tiger hoodie next!

Guests of the preview enjoying the new space!

Doesn’t this book look right at home with all of our records?

Our gift, c/o the staff at John Varvatos, which I promptly gave to my husband, of course!

“The List” For Fall 2015, Presented by Neiman Marcus

I’m finally getting to post the events I’ve attended last month! Each year for the past couple of years now, Neiman Marcus at Fashion Valley held a luncheon and fashion show to preview what they affectionately call “The NM List”. It’s a set of trends they foresee will be at the forefront of fashion for each of the seasons, and right around the launch of this list, they invite select bloggers and stylists to see those trends in action as styled by Alex Yanez. It’s always a lovely event, and each season its presented, I fall madly in love with a few of Alex’s creations. This year was no different, and I was able to capture all of them for this post, enjoy!

Lunch was so very delicious! And that dessert…it was a yummy as it looks!

My first favorite outfit of the day, was from the “Full-Bodied Reds” trend. The mixed prints and splashes of red are so attractive. Plus, I was overwhelmed by the gorgeousness of the Valentino purse and Prada shoes.

I believe this outfit was from the “Modern Fur” and/or “The Last Layer” trend, and I could not get enough of it! The modern yet very vintage feel of the lace flares, in combination with the fur poncho, leather gloves, stylish hat and that YSL Bourse Star Fringe purse is what makes it all happen for me. If money were no object, THIS is how I’d dress all the time.

“The NM Men’s List” of trends includes the following: Go Green, Statement Coats, Velvet and Full-Bodied Reds. I think my husband should definitely rock any of these for fall!

Alex with the final looks of the day.

Can I take these all home?

Other than the Valentino and the YSL purses, I absolutely adored the Bottega Vaneta Irish Madras & Exotic Skin shoulder bag and the “Hello” clutch by Edie Parker.

With the always dapper Alex Yanez.

(My outfit: Topshop dress; Elisabeth Gothic boots c/o CorsetDeal.com; Chanel earrings & necklace from Designer Vault; Depeche Mode wrap bracelet by Little Treasures by Mir; Rings by Wendy Brandes)

Part of the fun of this event is seeing all of these beautiful bloggers and stylists! (Picture 2 going clockwise is courtesy of Ayana of Thrifting Diva‘s Instagram account here.)

Our gift from Neiman Marcus was a beautiful pair of earrings from Stephanie Kantis, which I wore recently to the FWSD Culinary Couture event (post to come).

Thank you Neiman Marcus for another lovely event!

Warby Parker’s New Fall Collection for 2015!

Glasses are very much a part of my style, just as much as the shoes I wear or the purses I carry. Imagine my excitement to be able to preview Warby Parker’s new 2015 Fall Collection, which launches today! Warby Parker is a family owned business, and they pride themselves on being able to provide stylish yet unique glasses at an affordable price, which is evidenced so well in their new collection. Plus, they have a wonderful “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair” program, where a pair of glasses is given to someone in need for every pair sold.

If you like what you see below or with any of their frames, Warby Parker also has a “Home Try-On Program” where you can try five pairs of their glasses for five days before deciding which ones you want to purchase. For those of you in the San Diego area, they are also opening a retail location at Westfield UTC on September 19th, so you can see the collection for yourself in person.

I am loving the beautiful autumnal feel of each of the frames in the new 2015 Fall Collection, which inspired me to create some fall style boards around my favorites. Cheers!

Caspar in Jet Black

Not so black & white by any2ndnow featuring a mini skirt

Percey in Scarlet Tortoise

Get it in Red by any2ndnow featuring Oscar de la Renta

Simone in Tea Rose Fade

Burberry Love by any2ndnow featuring fringe booties

DAISO Japan Grand Opening in Kearny Mesa & Deluxe Goodie Bag Giveaway!

I’m SO excited! DAISO Japan is opening a new location in Kearny Mesa, and they have a grand opening celebration happening September 12th & 13th, starting at 10am! If you are unfamiliar with DAISO Japan, they are a bright and cheerful retail store who’s mission is to help customers “find surprises and fun!” Their stores are filled with lots of Japanese based items where most of the prices start at $1.50. I’ve been to the Mira Mesa location more times than I care to count, and I can easily lose track of time because they have so many adorable yet useful items.

Inside of the DAISO Japan Mira Mesa location, pretty isn’t it?

In addition to goodie bags for the first 100 customers who present a receipt for that weekend and other fantastic prizes DAISO Japan is giving away during their grand opening, I’m also giving away a deluxe DAISO Japan goodie bag filled with items from their store to one lucky local Any Second Now reader, who will receive their prize at the grand opening!

TO ENTER THE DELUXE GOODIE BAG CONTEST:

Input your information in the Rafflecopter widget in this post for one entry.
For an additional entry, post a blog comment in the “Comments” section below.

The winner will be chosen at random and announced on this blog on September 9th.

Cheers and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Edited to add on 9/22/2015: For transparency, the original winner, Ronald D. did not respond to the initial and subsequent emails sent, and did not pick up his prize at the grand opening. I randomly selected another winner and have contacted Judy L. as the new winner!)

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