Fashion. Music. Family. Life.
We provide the Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nails and Massage industries with graduates who are a credit to their college, their employer and their profession. When we built our Academy, the goal was to design a college that provides the necessary space and professional atmosphere today’s students are looking for.– From the Bellus Academy Poway Site
Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of getting a cut and style, courtesy of Bellus Academy in Poway. It was such a great experience because I truly got to see how a full fledged working beauty academy operates. After posting about Bellus Academy, meeting current students, graduates, instructors and attending their events, it was nice to finally actually enter one of their campuses, which looks just like a working high-end salon. My stylist for the evening was April, and the only difference between a salon and the Academy was the occasional guidance of her instructors throughout the evening. I felt so confident in April’s abilities and skills, because she explained how much training is given prior to any encounter with an actual live customer. Additionally, I could see the attention given to each student by their instructor, regardless of the style of cut they were performing (I went from growing out my longer locks to a more Great Gatsby/pageboy inspired cut). I am so pleased with the way my hair turned out, because I can straighten it to give it a more modern flow, but I can also style it for a very retro look. Thank you Christina of Alternative Strategies for setting up my appointment, and thank you to April and her instructors at Bellus Academy Poway for a lovely experience!
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.
I don’t know about you all, but I’m starting to get that itch for a new look by doing something new for my hair. If you’re in the same boat as me, here are some tips I was given from Lindsey Washbourne of Bellus Academy to get you started for Spring!
Have you become bored of your look, but are too afraid of coloring your hair? With spring just around the corner, maybe it’s the perfect time to take the plunge with hair color, whether it’s just a few natural highlights or bright blue streaks. Lindsey Washbourne, Inspiration Manager at Bellus Academy and Brand Educator and Master Colorist for Wella Professional hair care, gives salon:
· Relax, breathe and trust your Stylist. The best thing you can do when it comes to your hair color is to relax, breathe and trust your stylist. It’s great to come in with an idea or general direction of where you might want to go with your color, but it’s important to know that stylists aren’t just trained in putting the color on your head. A true “colorist” steps back and sees the whole picture – your skin tone, eye color, personal image, maintenance and commitment level.
· Ask questions and allow your colorist to educate you. Your stylist’s main priority is to make you look 10 years younger – so why would you want them to use the same techniques they did 10 years ago? Be open to change and get excited for the future!
Which leads to…
· Ask your Stylist about Latest Trends. Always ask your stylist if they’ve learned anything new lately, and what the hottest trends in color are. You might be surprised on how quickly things evolve and change.
· Technology is changing. Trends are evolving. Beautiful hair color is no longer about having enough foils in your hair to pick up radio signals. In fact, most colorists are starting to push the foils further and further away. Hair painting has been a slow revolution, but is now a way of salon life. Color.id by Wella Professionals (launching in May) allows colorists to place color next to color without bleeding and without foils. Resulting in a more creative, more pleasant coloring experience.
Ask your stylist if they will be using Color.id in May! For more information on Bellus Academy, please visit http://www.bellusacademy.edu/.
(FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.)
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.)
Such a great song by Boy George (although I heard it’s one of his least favorite collaborations). Oh, did I mention my husband are going to see him in a sold out concert in Los Angeles on April 29 at The Belasco Theater?
I’ve included the video to Boy George’s latest single from his new album This Is What I Do called “My God”, and also “Don’t Take My Mind on a Trip”, just because I love it, even if he doesn’t (sorry Mr. George).
That’s right kids, it’s here again! Record Store Day is on April 19, 2014 and they have got a wonderful selection of exclusives, including gems from R.E.M., The The, Death Cab For Cutie, and Husker Du. The one release that has me the most excited is “An Ideal for Living” by Joy Division on 12″ vinyl. For the full list of RSD releases, click the picture above. To find a participating store in your area, click here. Happy hunting!
This is my next t-shirt. My name is Cyrillynn, and I am addicted to buying records. Thank you.
(Top image courtesy of BoyGeorgeUK.com. Images 3 & 4 courtesy of RecordStoreDay.com)
When I’m off work and on casual Fridays, a concert t-shirt, jeans and a comfy pair of shoes are my uniform, especially when they’re as striking as these fantastic pair of red moccasins (to match my nail polish, of course). I wore this outfit on the last day in our old office as we packed up to move to our new building (just this past Monday). The weather right now in San Diego has been quite warm, but the mornings and evenings still remind us all that it’s not quite spring yet. In those times, a light jacket and snuggly beanie will do. I love this Def Leppard long-sleeved t-shirt because it’s great for days like this, but then I could also throw it over a tank top and shorts when it’s nice and sunny all day long. I actually saw Def Leppard back in 2002 at a Jingle Ball, not back in the 80’s. Back then as a die-hard Depeche Mode fan, I dare not say that I even remotely liked “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, let alone admit that I actually bought the single (yup, that’s my 7 inch below). I’m quite at ease with my musical self that I can readily admit now I really have always been a fan. So much so that I’ve included the video below for your enjoyment.
Outfit – Ed Hardy jacket (old); H&M jeans; Target Def Leppard long-sleeved t-shirt; Burton beanie; Savannah Animal Print glasses c/o SelectSpecs; Dark Red Honiton moccasins c/o Hotter Shoes; rings by Suki Bijoux, Elisha Marie (purchased from Emerging Thoughts), and Wendy B by Wendy Brandes Jewelry; Tiffany & Co necklace; Wine Not nail polish by Sally Hansen; my dad’s US Navy ring next to my wedding & engagement rings
Outfit photos taken by Rholnna Jiao
Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
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.
(Edited to add the back of my Ed Hardy jacket, the main reason I bought it!)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s some exciting news to start the week: The wonderful folks at SelectSpecs.com have provided me a voucher to give away to a lucky Any Second Now reader! The contest ends March 31, 2014 at midnight. Below are the requirements.
(Edited to add this is a worldwide contest, open to US residents and those international! )
Good luck to all!
1. Click the following Rafflecopter link to enter the contest for a chance to win a $45 voucher for the Value and Economy lines: a Rafflecopter giveaway
2. To win extra entries, leave a comment below and like Any Second Now on Facebook (details in the Rafflecopter link above)
(I’m wearing the Savannah Animal Print frames c/o SelectSpecs.com in the picture above.)
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)
I’m always up for a good challenge, especially when it tests my fashion chops. Imagine my excitement when I was asked by travel expert Kendra Thornton to participate in a style challenge to provide a look for her upcoming trip to Las Vegas! She has asked that we assemble our looks for her, with our own personal style and creativity. I’ve included her plans for the evening below to show where my inspiration came from for her night on the town in Las Vegas.
Kendra wanted a look that could go from a lovely dinner and show, to a night dancing at the Moon Nightclub at the Palms. I picked the Aster dress by Erin Fetherston because it’s short, sassy and has swing for dancing, but still looks quite sophisticated and dressy. The navy color of the dress pairs well with the black accessories for an overall chic look. I love purses and shoes that stand out, so I adore the details of the story book clutch and bow accented shoes. I titled my style board “Queen of Spades” partly due to the obvious Vegas theme, but also because all of my accessory choices are from Kate Spade. That scalloped pave ring looks like a little crown, no?
I hope Kendra likes my style board, and I hope she has a fabulous time in Las Vegas!
Follow Kendra on Twitter at @KendraThornton and on Facebook.
Kendra’s Vegas-themed Fashion Challenge
In a few weeks, I’ll be heading to the Palms Casino and Resort in Vegas for a weekend getaway with a group of friends. But as a mother of three, I’m in need of some fashion advice! Too much of my current clothing screams “busy mom.” That’s where you come in! I’m looking for help putting together outfit ideas that will complement my weekend full of activities. I want to look stylish, a little flirty, but still age-appropriate. Your challenge is to help me come of with a wardrobe I can wear for my getaway in Vegas.
While I’m at the Palms Casino & Resort, I’ll definitely be hitting up Moon Nightclub — one of Vegas’ hottest dance parties. The club is a giant spectacle of lights and music, where some of the best-known Vegas celebrities come to see and be seen. I’ll be certain to spend some time of the dance floor, but I might also relax at a private booth with a group of my friends. It will be a chance to debut my best dance moves, but I’ll also have the opportunity to relax and kick back with my friends if we decide that watching the party is more our scene.
The perfect outfit for my trip to Vegas will be able to reflect my plans at the Palms, and will ensure that I look my best hanging out at such a luxurious and well-known resort. It needs to be suitable for a night on the dance floor, but also be appropriate for heading out to a nice dinner or a show at one of the Strip’s luxurious hotels. Help me to look and feel my best by putting together the perfect outfit for my night of fun. Being a mom of three doesn’t mean I can’t look great and enjoy a unforgettable trip to Vegas with my friends.
