Fashion. Music. Family. Life.
Hello and happy Friday! Just wanted to share a quick post on an awesome sale from Tiecoon that ends this Sunday at midnight. Enjoy!
Tiecoon.com needs to clear more ties, bowties, and XL ties out of our warehouse in preparation for new stock arriving.
Take half off everything in stock, just use coupon code “RIGHT” for 50% off everything until midnight on Sunday 3/30/14.
In addition to Topshop in Nordstrom, I was excited to find out recently that another British favorite is coming to Fashion Valley: AllSaints! Here are all of the details this fantastic new addition to Fashion Valley, and I’ll be sure to keep you posted on all the new stores popping up, as there are more to come in the near future!
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (March 20, 2014) – San Diego’s fashionistas have even more options to help spruce up their wardrobes with a new selection of retailers slated to call Fashion Valley home.
“As the premier retail and lifestyle destination in San Diego, both for local shoppers and visitors from around the world, we’re thrilled to welcome all of these fresh new retailers, including the first standalone AllSaints store in San Diego and Orange County,” said Chris Lane, director of marketing and business development at Fashion Valley.
British fashion house AllSaints, a newcomer to the San Diego market, will be the first in the series to set up shop. The store is slated to open March 28 in a 5,200 square-foot space on Fashion Valley’s lower level next to Michael Kors, near Macy’s.
The store will carry a range of the brand’s iconic British collection as well as technology aimed at enhancing the shopping experience and embracing digital innovation.
Founded in London in 1994, the Spitalfields headquartered AllSaints began as a menswear brand and quickly moved into the womenswear space. Known for its edgy and attitudinal clothing, AllSaints aims for creating fresh, innovative design, encompassing an ideology of reinventing the traditional standard. The cult cool brand has earned a reputation as the destination for vintage inspired design. AllSaints is a global brand with 107 stores in eight different countries.
About AllSaints
The British fashion house AllSaints was founded in London in 1994, with the aim of creating fresh, innovative design, encompassing an ideology of reinventing the traditional standard. After the success of their menswear collection, the brand moved into womenswear; still created with the same design-led commitment to high quality yet attitudinal clothing. The brand’s metropolitan location remains a key influence, proving to be an ever-evolving, creatively inspiring hub. In 2005, AllSaints’ head offices were relocated to the Spitalfields neighborhood of London, an area famed for its historic links to the fashion industry, and this artistically dynamic community is still home to the AllSaints HQ today. As the brand grows, so does its digital and online presence. AllSaints increasingly operates as a digital brand, creating music, film and art content available to view online at www.allsaints.com. In 2013 the brand launched its own film production company, AllSaints Film. A further extension of their contribution to visual culture; AllSaints’ creative projects are a testament to their brand values of creative disruption, innovation, independence and individuality.
(FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.)
I’ve been a lover of Lego since my childhood. My mother-in-law has been collecting Lego sets for our son since he was born. Now that Dominic is five, his love for Lego has grown exponentially, especially since The Lego Movie has been out (we’ve seen it twice, and we are planning a trip to LEGOLAND in the near future). Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine Lego would become a fashionable part of my life, until now. I follow eclectic fashion blogger, Georgiana Boboc, (of Vintage Traffic) on Instagram, and she posted an amazing purse: a shoulder bag with the word “Love” emblazoned in Lego! Designed by Maria Sole Cecchi, the Les Petits Joueurs collection (translation Little Player) is completely fun and I am coveting everything they have (especially the Janis Piano clutch in glitter calf leather and the Alex Mondrian). Someday, I hope to add a purse or two from this creative collection to my own!
(Photo of the Alex Black Widow above, courtesy of Les Petits Joueurs)
Last week, the folks at Madewell UTC invited me to have a little Insider Event with a few of my friends to view their new spring looks. Bianca of The Inbetween Girls and Laura of Laura Neuzeth joined me for a fun evening of shopping. I was especially excited about the wonderful new tees that I saw because they’re simple yet chic. Thankfully, this Insider Event provided me with my last haul before my Catholic service of giving up shopping for Lent. So I’ll be “shopping” in my closet and doing quite of bit of re-mixing until Easter. It’s a nice challenge because I want to feel inspired without having to constantly buy something new (although I will admit that it is fun). Thank you Lauryn and Joseph at Madewell UTC for setting up the event, and special thanks to Ashley and Courtney for showing Bianca, Laura and me a great time that evening!
The tee I was going to get, but…
I decided on the following: the linen Paris stencil muscle tee (which runs big, I’m wearing a small) and the Tête-à-Tête tee (seen below in medium, but I could not locate it online). I also purchased the Inlet Cardigan in Colorblock (at the time was on sale for $49.50), Skinny Skinny jeans in cream (on sale for $24), and the Braided Geochain Bracelet in true black (not pictured).
Afterwards, we all had coffee together before Bianca had to leave. Then Laura and I bought more macarons to take home from Lette Macarons La Jolla (their kiosk is pictured below) because we loved them at the event. Now, I’m completely addicted to their macarons, especially the Salted Caramel ones.
I discovered British designer Cleo Barbour’s line, Cleo B, through the Instagram profile of Vanessa of FashionMixtape, and instantly fell in love. Although Cleo has many fantastic shoes and accessories, I’ll have to say her “It’s Like That” line spoke to the musician and fashionista in me simultaneously. Cassette tapes as heels, shoe clips and purses? You know I’ll rock them! Cheers and have a great weekend!
(Photos courtesy of Cleo B)
I thought I’d start of this week with a lovely little offering from Tiecoon.com, where I recently purchased the four ties pictured above for my husband, using an exclusive code for Any Second Now readers. Use tiecoonblog2 when you’re ready to place your order, and you’ll get 50% off of your purchase! There are plenty of handsome ties to choose from, many of which are $5.95, like all of the ones pictured above. I helped my hubby pick out the ties, because you know I’ll be borrowing them for my own outfits (like in the posts here and here). But you better get to shopping because the code is only good until 2/28/2014. Cheers and happy Monday!
There’s a saying I saw somewhere that somewhat goes “When a woman says she can’t decide what to wear, she really means she can’t decide who to be that day.” Well, this past weekend, I decided to be everything. I wore this while running errands with my husband and son, and I completely felt like this was a combination of dressy, yet casual and edgy. Wearing flats with a plain white t-shirt and long skirt felt comfortable, so I put on a classic black cardigan with shiny silver accessories to bring a dressier edge.
Outfit: Cotton On cardigan; Bitten t-shirt (old); unknown brand skirt from Shimmer; Tieks California Navy ballet flats; Rebecca Minkoff Jody “C” leather pouch; Suki Bijoux rings; London Tube Metro cuff c/o Designhype; Blue Triangle necklace and earrings c/o Majestical Jewelry; Timex Originals Classic Round watch c/o Timex; Eva glasses in Sepia Kiss c/o BonLook
Post title is a lyric from the song “The Darkest Star” by Depeche Mode.
Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. (Majestical Jewelry)
(I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.)
I have always wanted a really good pair of ballet flats. The basic black ones I currently own (I have two pairs) are comfy to a point, but ultimately start to pinch in the back and eventually tighten up front. I remember first seeing Tieks by Gavrieli ballet flats on Keiko Lynn and thought they were not only adorable, but looked incredibly comfy. So recently I ordered my first pair, and I’m so very glad I did! Firstly, the customer service I received from their company was outstanding (I love the handwritten note accompanying my package). Secondly, the highly anticipated shoes arrived quickly and quite beautifully in the signature “Tiek Blue” box, topped with an adorable flower. Thirdly, they fold into their own carrying case for the ultimate in convenience, and they come with an additional tote to carry your heels when your feet are in dire need of rest.
My California Navy Tieks are far and away THE most comfortable ballet flats I own, and I wish I had them on my London trip back in 2012. The backs of the shoes are cushioned rather than elasticized, which make them so easy on my heel. The leather is soft and supple, and because of the split-sole design, I carry them everywhere I go (if I’m not already wearing them). I chose the California Navy because I wanted to stay away from another pair of black shoes, but I wanted a versatile pair that I could still wear them with most everything I own. As you can see in the pictures below (and upcoming outfit post later this week), I’m wearing them all the time. I’m now plotting for my next pair (it’s a toss-up between the Metallic Pewter or the Metallic Gold). What’s the most comfortable pair of shoes you own?
The first time I wore my Tieks. Love how they stand out against black textured tights!
Wore them to work with the Supernova Twirl Skirt from ModCloth.
Worn in an outfit with my niece, when we accidentally wore the same thing one day!
Worn with my son, while waiting for my hubby (who was buying popcorn) at “The Lego Movie”.
FTC Disclosure: I received a generous discount from Tieks as a courtesy, but not as compensation for this post. Although I did receive a discount, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.
In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, I was approached by fine jewelers, BrilliantEarth.com, to participate in their Personality Style Challenge. I chose to style the rose gold and diamond pieces as they have always been a favorite of mine (see a previous post here). I found an adorable dress on ModCloth with “fluttering hearts” in an organza overlay, but kept the shoes and purse fairly simple so that the jewelry could shine (although, that Aldo purse is pretty fantastic).
Brilliant Earth is a wonderful socially conscious company, who also supports sustainability. Founded in 2005 by Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossberg, Brilliant Earth is “devoted to cultivating a more ethical, transparent, and sustainable jewelry industry.” What this means is that they are dedicated to go above and beyond the current industry standards to ensure their diamonds originate from pure and ethical sources. They apply the same high standards to their colored gemstones, carefully tracking them to ensure they meet their standards of social and environmental responsibility.
Additionally, Brilliant Earth handcrafts all of their fine jewelry from recycled precious metals. On their site, they explain “dirty gold mining” which has a grim history. Their objective is to “diminish the negative impacts of dirty gold” by affecting the demand of newly mined precious metals.
Lastly, Brilliant Earth gives back by donating 5% of their profits to help communities who are affected by the jewelry industry. They promote growth and support initiatives designed to improve livelihoods and protect the environment.
Thank you Brilliant Earth for this lovely opportunity!
Last Saturday, I was invited to attend an exciting and inspirational charity event presented by Bellus Academy (where I met up with quite a few San Diego Style Bloggers). Come2gether was held at the Moniker Warehouse in Downtown San Diego and benefitted Beauty Changes Lives, “a non-profit initiative designed to raise awareness of how careers in the hair, beauty and wellness industry transform lives both personally and professionally.” It started off with the media portion, where bloggers, photographers and journalists could interview, photograph and visit with the artists who would be presenting that evening. Bellus Academy president, Lynelle Lynch, and Cosmetology Educator, Manny SanMartin, chatted with us briefly about their career paths and the importance of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. The keynote speaker was Stacey Broughton, a former Senior Art Director for the Vidal Sassoon Academy. Special guests that night included Mike Varela, Nina Kovner, D.J. Muldoon, Douglas McCoy, Nicole Brown, Omar Antonio, Carrera Bailey and Diego Raviglione. The main portion of this fun event included dynamic visual styling presentations set to music. Thank you Christina of Alternative Strategies for inviting me to this fantastic event!
Early in the evening for the media portion, just before the main event.
Lynelle Lynch and Manny SanMartin took time to chat with us about the importance of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation.
The Moniker Warehouse beginning to fill up for the main event.
Lynelle Lynch sharing the message of Beauty Changes Lives to a captive audience.
Artistry in action!
Artistic Director and Wella Top Stylist, Diego Raviglione, working his magic (in a Joy Division shirt!)
SD Style Bloggers: Bianca V. of The In-Between Girls; Ashley of Array of Style; Heidi of A Fashion Statement; Lindsay of Elle Web Style
Lindsay, Ashley, Heidi and I, with Bellus Academy’s Terrell Mitchell, who won Project Runway’s Photo Challenge (he gave tips for winter hair care here). And YES, I finally got my Bodhi Safety Pin clutch in Electric Purple (original “Wanted” post here).
With Heidi, Bianca of Just Ask B, Amber of King & Kind, Ashley and Bianca V. (photo courtesy of Bianca V.).
