Tag Archives: fashion

Grand Opening Friday August 23rd 2013: emma jane Boutique & Bridal in La Jolla

It’s going to be quite a busy Friday for me! I’m excited to be celebrating the first year anniversary of The San Diego Style Blog. But before that, I’ll be attending the grand opening of emma jane Boutique & Bridal’s new La Jolla store! One of my favorite indie jewelry designers, Suki Bijoux, has some of her pieces at the Mission Hills location, so I’m excited to see what’s on display in the La Jolla one!

Check out all of the details in the flier below. Be sure to get there early to claim your gift bag of goodies and to see the fashion show. Hope to see you there!

Beautiful Bits & Bobbles at Bubbles Boutique

Shopping is always a favorite pastime of mine, and part of living in San Diego means shopping in beautiful places. Once of those places is a shop in Downtown’s Gaslamp District called Bubbles Boutique. I first was introduced to Bubbles Boutique when I attended my first San Diego Style Bloggers event last year (original post here), and it’s where I met and befriended one of my favorite independent jewelry designers, Suki of Suki Bijoux. Other than the fabulous fashions and accessories, I simply adore the eclectic décor. There are so many delicate details and it reminds me of a lovely French boudoir.

I visited Bubbles Boutique again last Saturday, and after some much-needed retail therapy, I chatted with owner Gayleen Nichols about her fabulously sophisticated, yet fun and unique boutique.

How long have you owned your own boutique, and how did you get started in the business?

I have been in business for over 10 years. The idea of opening a retail shop came when a friend opened a franchise shop called Splash Bath & Body. I fell in love with the concept and the products. I took a leap of faith and left my corporate property management job, sold everything and moved to San Diego from Long Beach.

How did you come to the decision to own your own boutique/business? How did you come up with the name of your boutique?

After 2 years it became apparent I would need to sell more to keep the doors open. This was against the franchise guidelines so we parted ways and I became Bubbles…a Unique Boutique.

What would you say is your “style” and how is that reflected in what you have to offer?

What has emerged after 10 years is a new tag line that speaks my style: “Eclectic fashion for every mood”.

I think fashion is an expression of our thoughts and feelings. Somedays I want to be funky , retro, biker chic and Audry Hepburn. I don’t believe one has to dress the same every single day. Mixing it up keeps it fresh and fun!

I buy with an eye for the unusual. You know…that keeper piece in the closet. I receive many compliments every day about what a fun shop and customers often thank us for having a really fun shopping experience.

How do you choose who to feature in your store as far as independent designers/jewelers are concerned?

A big part of my niche market is featuring over a dozen local artists who create amazing jewelry and accessories. My business is driven largely by tourism and it is exciting to offer keepsakes other than San Diego shirts and mugs.

Suki Bijoux

What do you like best about what you do?

I love what I do because it provides an outlet for the creative side in me. I put much energy into merchandising in a fun way that is enjoyed by my customers.

I am blessed each and every day with the opportunity to meet people from all parts of the world. The reward is in helping women feel awesome about themselves and encouraging them to step outside the fashion rut box.

I absolutely love, love, LOVE this display!

Thank you Gayleen for taking the time to chat with me! After you shop til you drop at Bubbles Boutique, please make sure to stay connected with them through their official site, Facebook page and on Instagram.

226 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101 619-236-9003

[email protected]

Waffles, Fall Fashion & Fun: A Blogger Brunch!

This past Sunday, I had the wonderful honor and privilege to be a part of a Fall Fashion Blogger Bruncheon presented by The US Grant Hotel, Neiman Marcus Fashion Valley and J Public Relations. It was held at the beautiful and historic US Grant Hotel in Downtown San Diego at their Grant Grill, and began with a delicious waffle brunch and much mingling with my fellow bloggers. I immediately sat with my pals Jennifer of Malcriada and Vanessa of Fashion Mixtape, as it has been a little while since I had seen these lovely ladies. Also at our table was Paulina, Alessandra, Tuyaymya, all who have their own blogs, but also contribute to the San Diego Style Bloggers official blog. Rounding out our table was Mark Higginbotham, director of Sales & Marketing at The US Grant Hotel, and the ladies of J Public Relations. I was also excited to meet Laura Martell, who wrote Gentleman Norman: How To Be A Man. I remember seeing her on KUSI and it was fun to meet her in person. I was also very happy to finally meet Gretchen and Britt of Nubry. They are as beautiful in person as they are on their blog. And of course, it was great to see familiar faces of bloggers I’ve met, and to meet new blogger friends!

Brunch at The Grant Grill was one of the best I’ve had in San Diego. Other than the signature cocktail, the waffle bar was by far the best part of the meal, especially after Mark described all of the wonderful toppings. He convinced me to try the Muscovado sugar, explaining its the way sugar should be made and I have to agree! The sugar was raw and subtle, and gave just enough sweetness to my waffle without overpowering it. Thank you Mark!

The fall fashion preview, presented by Neiman Marcus of Fashion Valley, immediately followed and made me all the more anxious for cooler weather. Each collection was meticulously styled by Alex Yanez of Neiman Marcus, and featured selections from “The List for Her” of their Fall 2013 Trends. Although my heart adored the “Rocker Chic” collection, I really fell in love with everything from “Red, The New Neutral”. I’m definitely breaking out my biker jacket and pairing it with something fabulous in red, just to bring the two together in the way Alex did. Two of the most beautiful pieces of the collections (in my humble opinion) was the Alexander McQueen printed clutch from the “Red” collection, and the black dress from the “Lace Noir” collection. But I’ll let the fashions speak for themselves in the pictures below. There are quite a few photos to get through, but I’m sure you will agree that it’s all well worth it.

After the fashion preview, we all did as bloggers do: take pictures galore! It was so much fun, and I want to thank The US Grant Hotel, Neiman Marcus Fashion Valley and J Public Relations for a lovely event. Hope you had a great weekend!

The Grant Grill and the lobby of The US Grant Hotel, so elegant!

Have camera, will blog!

Paulina already doing her blogger duties!

Tuyaymya, Alessandra and Jess

Mark of The US Grant, Vanessa and Jennifer

The waffle bar. I couldn’t believe all of the toppings that were available!

This morning cocktail was quite delicious and refreshing!

Although I had some basics, I must bring special attention to my waffle creations. Waffle 1: Hershey & Kit Kat waffle with whipped Nutella. Waffle 2: Cinnamon, Pineapple & coconut waffle with citrus marscapone cream, topped with Muscovado sugar. Oh myyyyyy!

I would like everything on this table please!

Alex and the beautiful models.

Jade, Paulina, Jess, Alessandra and Tuyaymya

Lindsay & Kristen of J Public Relations, Tanya, Sara, and Bianca

With Jess and Alessandra

With Tuyaymya and Jennifer

My outfit for the brunch: Bar III dress; Mango jacket; White House/Black Market shoes; The Classic Cambridge Satchel in patented navy leather; Charming Charlie rhinestone bow necklace; Suki Bijoux rings; iSee glasses from GlassesUSA (photo taken by Jennifer)

We received lovely gifts at the end of the day. Gift 1: The Centennial Manhattan Cupcake, made exclusively for The US Grant by Yummy Cupcakes San Diego. SO. GOOD!

Gift 2: A gift certificate for The Grant Grill. I’m taking my hubby!

Gift 3: A tote filled with goodies from Neiman Marcus.

Hooray for #SDStyleBloggers: Alessandra of Alessandra Gonzalez; Laura Martella, author of Gentlemen Norman: How To Be A Man; Jess of A Glam Diary; Tanya of La Bella Tanchi; Jade of These Days; Jea of Dainty Jea; Sara of Sara’s Sweet Style; Paulina of Lil Bits of Chic; Amber of Face It Catalog; Your’s Truly; Vanessa of Fashion Mixtape; Bianca of The In-Between Girls; Gretchen and Britt of Nubry; Tuyaymya of White Tee Black Dress; Jennifer of Malcriada

Bows & Dots/Studs & Chains

I know that doesn’t quite sound like a wedding outfit, but it describes all of the elements in the outfit I wore to my cousin Paul’s wedding a couple of weekends ago (in the previous post). The top and skirt are separate pieces, which I’ve already worn with other outfits since the wedding. The cardigan served well as the night got colder, but gave the outfit a retro feel when I draped it on my shoulders. I love pieces that can easily be incorporated into the rest of my wardrobe, that way I can get more mileage out of them. It is well documented how much I adore my hardware, but I love softening them by wearing the pieces with a very feminine outfit.

Outfit – Cotton On cardigan; Bisou Bisou peplum top from JC Penney; The Limited skirt; Michael Kors pumps and watch (both old); Charming Charlie rhinestone bow necklace; Mimi Boutique cuff; Suki Bijoux and Wendy Brandes rings; iSee glasses from GlassesUSA; unknown brand studded clutch from M’s Clothing

Beat Surrender

I like to be comfortable when I go to a concert, but I don’t want to surrender my fashionista ways. I once wore 4 inch heels to see Dave Gahan in concert, and although I loved my look, I ultimately paid the price in pain and inconvenience. I was in pain because I’m one to stand for the majority of a show and by the fifth song, my feet were done. Then it was inconvenient because there was a point where everyone rushed the stage during an encore, and trying to run down an incline of stairs in 4 in heels was almost not worth it, except that it was Dave Gahan and that would be the closest I would ever get to him, with or without Depeche Mode! This is an outfit which would be perfect for me for any concert, from an outdoor festival to a seated event because it’s comfortable, it’s easy, and not fussy. Although the shoes I’m wearing are heeled, they are wedged and low enough to be comfortable. And what could be more convenient than a backpack? I usually hesitate when it comes to backpacks, but this one is cute and functional. This is definitely my concert bag of choice this summer. Finally to complete the outfit, I can just play up the accessories, like wearing cool pieces of jewelry or don a hat. Concert ready? Why yes I am!

Outfit – H&M jacket; Mossimo cut-off shorts (from Target, old); Trimitive backpack (from the Carlsbad Village Faire, post here); Retro 7 hat from Junc Life & Style; Mango sunnies; DesignHype “Big Ben” necklace; Michael Kors watch; Rock Rose Classic t-shirt, unknown brand cuff and ring c/o The Beat Clothing (from their blogger party, post here); Michael Antonio “Adan” wedges, purchased at The Beat Clothing; Hot Topic studded belt; Union Jack belt buckle was a gift from a friend

(The title of this post is a song by The Jam)

Caped Crusader

Have you seen the latest issue of Net-A-Porter’s magazine called The Edit? It’s all about 60’s Chic, and number 10 on their list of 12 modern throwback’s is also one of my favorites: The Cape. I own around seven capes, and I just can’t seem to get enough! I love how versatile they are, and they bring an unexpected chicness to any outfit. My most recent sweater cape was purchased from the Etsy shop of the lovely Bella of The Citizen Rosebud. I’m currently putting together an outfit to feature the cute little number. In the meantime, in honor of Comic Con and the many superheroes that will be flocking here to San Diego this week, below are some past outfits where I’ve donned the timeless classic.

March 27, 2013

January 23, 2013

November 16, 2011

May 27, 2011

(Top image courtesy of the Net-A-Porter website.)

We Got The Beat…Blogger Party!

Last Friday, I was invited to attend a wonderful little blogger soiree at The Beat Clothing in Carlsbad. I saw the store when I attended the Carlsbad Village Faire back in May (original post here), but we didn’t get to venture inside. I remember telling my husband that we should go back up to Carlsbad to go shopping and dine, so I was very excited to receive the invite. Since I was coming from work, I was the first one to arrive, which gave me the chance to snap a few pictures around the store and to get the know Diana, the owner, and a couple of the staff who stayed through the party, Kelly and Ali. Blues & Shoes, Ragz Dressware and The Beat Clothing are all sister stores, and all located in Carlsbad.

If there could be a store that would define who I was, it would be The Beat Clothing. The store is infused with rocker chic, along with all things musical. Diana’s husband was in the music industry, and really had a hand in the design of this store. Everywhere you look, there is some kind of musical instrument embedded among the cool, stylish, and trendy clothing. From the rock t-shirts on the walls to the album covers in the dressing rooms, everything just calls to me. I would wear everything in this store to the office, to the mall and definitely to a concert.

These album covers adorned the dressing rooms. I actually own a few of those!

Photo 1: Ali showing us how to wear leg jewelry. She looks fantastic! Photo 2: Love how each table has some kind of musical instrument.

Too many cool things to choose from. Check out that Union Jack leather cuff…want!

Kelly, who set up the blogger party, painted the Rolling Stones picture on the left and the microphone on the right. They look even more amazing in person!

Once I finished marveling at everything, my fellow bloggers started to trickle in. First to arrive was the gorgeous Pat of PATFLOR, followed by lovely Laura of Laura Neuzeth. Then the beautiful Alessandra of Alessandra Gonzalez arrived with her friend Melody, and a new blogger friend, Amber of Face It Catalog was the last to arrive (Bianca of The In-Between Girls couldn’t make it). As bloggers, you know we love to take pictures, and not only did we take pictures of the store and The Beat girls, but of each other doing our blogger things. Silliness ensued, which was expected when you get a fun bunch of gals together! I want to thank The Beat Clothing for inviting me to such an awesome event. Rest assured that I will be back to do some shopping!

Pat, working her blogger magic with Laura.

Photo 1: Pink champagne is always welcome! Photo 2: Bloggers in the round.

Photo 1: Melody, Alessandra and Laura checking out the cute shoes. Photo 2: Kelly, Diana and Ali from The Beat Clothing. So stylish!

The Rolling Stones or mustaches. Which would you choose?

Photo 1: My addition to the wall. Photo 2: Laura getting her tag in!

Michael Antonio has such awesome shoes. I bought the Adan wedges in grey on the very right. Outfit post to come!

SD Style Bloggers at The Beat Clothing. I’m wearing one of my favorite t-shirts: my Punk Masters John Taylor “Digital Truth” shirt. BTW: The mural behind us surrounding the door was also painted by Kelly. She’s just so talented!

Wedding Outfit Remixed

I wore this outfit to a wedding last October (post here), but remixed it and wore it to work before I wore it to CJ’s wedding (original post here). I really played up the burgundy of my dress by doing the “matchy-matchy” thing with my shoes, purse and glasses. But it really worked well together because they were slightly different shades of burgundy, and I was sure to break everything up with black.

Outfit – Kirna Zabete for Target dress; Nordstrom cardigan (old); Express belt; Talbots shoes; Michael Kors watch; Wendy Brandes genie necklace; Vintage purse from Bad Madge & Company; iSee glasses from GlassesUSA; Rings by Suki Bijoux; Earrings by Momotique and bracelet made by Amy Butzen, both gifts from my best friend Janice; Maybelline Color Show Fashion Prints Nail Stickers in Sapphire Jewels; Haircut by Jazzie at Deb-N-Hair

Isn’t my boy handsome? *proud Mama*

And The Tape Is Your Voice

I think it was love at first sight when I saw this skirt on ModCloth. It’s called the “Music In Me in Mix Tape” skirt, and I literally said, “I must have that!” I fell in love with the pattern, and the fact that is has pockets (skirts and dresses with pockets are the best things ever). I’m glad I bought it when I did because not only was it on sale, it’s now sold out. Hopefully ModCloth will bring it back somehow because it has quickly become my favorite skirt in my wardrobe, and I know so many would love this skirt. When I wore it to work, one of my co-workers said, “You definitely should have been born in a different era!” I admit I styled the skirt for this outfit to be retro, but I can also see this skirt in a more edgier outfit. But maybe he was talking about the fact that the pattern is cassette tapes, and everyone knows how much I love the 80’s.

Outfit – Burberry sweater (old); Bitten t-shirt (old); Retrolicious skirt from ModCloth (sold out); Rebecca Minkoff purse; Nine West shoes (old); Zekes Zipper Bangle from MimiBoutique (sold out); Michael Kors watch; Suki Bijoux and Wendy Brandes rings; iSee glasses from GlassesUSA; Unknown brand pan collar necklace and belt; Tambourine earrings made by my sister, Rholnna

(The title of this post is a line from the Depeche Mode song Photographic.)

(Photos by Rholnna Jiao)

The Wind in My Hair, Makes Me So Aware

I’m always reluctant to wear shorts because I don’t know where the cut off is between too short, and not short enough. In my forties, I’ve become more self-conscious and aware of this fact, despite how much I know I believe it shouldn’t matter. I know I wore cut-offs at the Rewind Festival last year (post here), but can I wear those anywhere else other than maybe the beach? I think I have finally found the a line of shorts that are just perfect for me. These shorts are by Joe Fresh at JCPenney, and they hit me at just the right place on my thigh where I feel comfortable (not to mention they are adorable). They have a whole line of shorts, which will be perfect for those hot summer days that I know are coming so very soon here in San Diego.

Outfit – MNG by Mango fitted one-button jacket and Joe Fresh Piped Jacquard shorts, both from JCPenney; Topshop peplum top (from London); Rebecca Minkoff shoes and purse; London Underground cuff c/o Designhype; Necklace and rings by Suki Bijoux; Michael Kors watch; Coach sunnies; Earrings made by CC of the blog Pink Candles at Ridgemont High

(The title of this post is a line from the Depeche Mode song But Not Tonight; I thought it was appropriate since the wind made my hair go a bit wild while taking these pictures at Mission Bay.)

(Photos by Deon Chen)

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