Tag Archives: San Diego Style Bloggers

This Is Kit And Ace

A couple of months ago, I was invited by fellow blogger Vanessa Balli to her private Kit and Ace blogger party at Kettner Exchange. If you haven’t heard of Kit and Ace, it’s a brand created by Shannon and JJ Wilson, wife and son of Chip Wilson, founder of lululemon. Their stores (both online and brick & mortar) feature clothing that is sophisticated yet relaxed, which is at the very heart of athleisure. At Vanessa’s private event, Erica Hecht from Kit and Ace showed tops made of Technical Cashmere™, “a machine washable fabric engineered from cashmere and technical fibres, with added stretch”. We were each given a garment to take home, and I absolutely love the luxurious feel of the heather grey Prevost Sleeveless Turtleneck I selected (pictured in the outfit at the end of this post).

The night was simply lovely, hanging out with beautiful blogger friends having great food, relaxed (and often hilarious) conversation, lots of Periscoping and of course learning about Kit and Ace. Thank you Vanessa for inviting me! If you want to check out Technical Cashmere™ for yourself, Erica has opened up pop-up shop at The Forum Carlsbad, fully stocked with fantastic Kit and Ace clothing (I’m definitely stopping by). In the meantime, here are some pictures from our fun-filled night at Kettner Exchange, cheers!

Delicious food and drinks at Kettner Exchange, along with a fun card game!

Technical Cashmere™

Bloggers having fun!

From left to right: Erica (Kit and Ace representative); Camilla (Navy Grace); Nichole (Topknots and Pearls); Lucy (Lucy’s Whims); Nikki (stylist, The Vault by Nikki); Vanessa Balli; Moi; Maria (stylist, Savvynista); Jenna (Lucky Little Mustardseed); Paulina (Lil Bits of Chic); Ayana (Thrifting Diva)

Outfit: Prevost Sleeveless top c/o Kit and Ace; UGG “Camya” sequence boots; Lovestitch cardigan (purchased at Miss Match Boutique); Paige jeans

Mid-Century Modern Outfit

I know the term “Mid-Century Modern” applies to furniture right around the period between 1945-1970. However, I feel that maybe outfits can be put into the same category. I love “retro” looks, which I consider anything from 1950’s to the 1980’s, and this shift dress from YOINS – Your Inspiration definitely fits the bill. Of course, accessorizing with anything Kate Spade puts the “modern” in “Mid-Century Modern”. I wore this outfit to my great aunt’s 100th birthday celebration recently, and she is such an inspiration. I think she would have worn something like this!

My great-aunt, Dionisa Bermudez Ancheta: Photo 1 with me and my husband and son; Photo 2 with my mom and aunts from Canada.

Outfit: Dress c/o YOINS – Your Inspiration (yoins.com); earrings, necklace, all bracelets, small ring and purse by Kate Spade (purchased at the main store and outlet); large ring by PASHN by Survi; Enzo Angiolini Coadi Houndstooth Pumps; “Tippi” glasses by Lookmatic (no longer available in black); in top picture, prescription “Keiko” sunnies in Roxy Noir by Bonlook

All outfit photos by Deon Chen

FTC Disclosure: I received product and was asked to review the product in return. Although I did receive product, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.

Testing Out Warby Parker’s “Home Try-On” Program

At the beginning of September, I shared Warby Parker’s new fall 2015 collection (post here). Recently, I used their “Home Try-On” program to see which of my favorite fall collection picks would look the best on me. I posted my looks on Instagram (which links to my personal Facebook page), just to see what my friends, family and followers thought. It’s great because you have five days to try on the glasses, make your selection (I chose to take it to social media), then return them right in the same package they came in (a return label is enclosed). So simple and easy!

My choices: 1) “Caspar” in Jet Black; 2) “Percey” in Scarlet Tortoise; 3) “Simone” in Blue Coral; 4) “Holcomb” in Pearled Tortoise; 5) “Simone” in Tea Rose Fade

The votes were pretty clear: “Simone” in both the Blue Coral and Tea Rose Fade were the winners (even Warby Parker themselves commented on Instagram). My sister took pictures of me and my niece having fun with the “Home Try-On” samples. I think it’s a great way to ensure you choose the right Warby Parker frames, just for you!

“Simone” in Blue Coral

“Simone” in Tea Rose Fade

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive product or payment for this post, and I purchased both of the glasses in my final selection from Warby Parker.

Girls Night Out With Aall In Limo & Duran Duran!

Don’t we all have that group of friends we can do anything with? For me, it’s my sister, my cousin Regi and best friend Janice. They were all in my wedding, and we have gone to many nights out together, and most of them have been concerts. Imagine my delight to be able to surprise my girls with a limousine ride to see Duran Duran in concert, courtesy of Aall In Limo & Party Bus! Originally, there was to be six of us going, but sadly my friends Kim & Ian were not able to come, due to a mix up with their tickets. So they left the bottles of champagne for us enjoy, which we did. The limo was fully stocked with glasses and cold water for the ride there and back. Our driver, Mike, was so awesome, ensuring he had a designated place for us to meet up at the end of the show. Already excited for the concert, my girls and I agree that going to a show like this is definitely our favorite way to travel. Thank you again Aall In Limo & Party Bus for a memorable night!

Ready for our girls night out!

Janice and Regi had no idea we would travel to see our favorite band in such style!

A little pre-concert music in the limo because we were able to plug in our cell phones directly to their stereo system!

Clean Bandit opened for Duran Duran, and they were great!

A shot during “Pressure Off”

“Rio” anyone?! It goes without saying, Duran Duran sounded absolutely amazing in concert!

The obligatory “concert selfie”! I’m wearing the “DELETE” shirt by Patty Palazzo and her brand, Punk Masters (check out the many shots of Duran Duran in her shirts here).

With my sister, Rholnna, in post concert bliss. We finished off the champagne (and chased it with water). I recorded “Hungry Like The Wolf” live and included the set list below.

Edit this setlist | More Duran Duran setlists

FTC Disclosure: I received a service and was asked to review the service in return. Although I did receive the service as a courtesy, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.

Sip + Style with Bzees x Athleta

Towards the end of September, I attended a fantastic event where Bzees teamed up with Athleta to present a “Sip + Style” at their UTC location. In addition to delicious sushi by Blue Ocean, dessert by Frost Me Gourmet and wine by California Fruit Wine, bloggers and influencers enjoyed a fun photo boot and then were treated to a lesson on how Bzees are made and “athleisure”. If you are unfamiliar with the term, think of it as the clothes and shoes you go home and relax in after your rigorous work out. It really was a great night because not only did I get to hang out with some of my fellow bloggers, proceeds from the evening’s purchases were donated towards the San Diego Autism Speaks Walk, in support of Autism Tree Foundation. To continue the good work, Bzees will be donating $5 from every pair of shoes sold using code OLIVER to the Autism Tree Project. Thank you Bzees, Athleta and Be Social PR for a wonderful night and for my first pair of Bzees!

Beautiful and delicious creations by Blue Ocean!

Brian from California Fruit Wine had a lot of fun that night!

With Camilla of Navy Grace & Nichole of Top Knots And Pearls

With Nancy of Oh Daisy Love & Amy of The Blushing Pink

A collage from my Instagram (@any2ndnow)

Bzees are quite possibly the most comfortable shoes I own. They are extremely light, and the foam on the inside make my feet feel like they are surrounded by a pillow!

(Photos 1 & 2 courtesy of Be Social PR)

FTC Disclosure: I received product as a thank you for attending the event. Although I did receive product, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.

GQ + Glamour Lookbook Live Fall Events Recap

Back on September 17, Janice and I attended the GQ + Glamour Lookbook Live VIP runway show event at Fashion Valley, which was a prelude to their Lookbook Live event that Saturday. The evening started off with appetizers and cocktails over by Neiman Marcus, followed by a fantastic runway show in Center Court. The evening then ended perfectly with dessert and champagne at Tiffany & Co. I’ve always enjoyed these events at Fashion Valley because they treat bloggers as wonderfully as they treat any member of the press, allowing us to have front row seats to ensure we capture the event in the best way possible to share on social media and our blogs. I’ve included highlights of both events, as I attended the Lookbook Live event with Dominic. Cheers!

I fell in love with this cape during Nordstrom’s presentation. The collage above is from my view, and the larger picture is from Fashion Valley’s Facebook page, where you can see me on the left, looking a bit stunned at how beautiful that cape was!

The UK punk rocker in me ended up matching the runway with the strong presence of red plaid. Nordstrom, Hugo Boss and Bloomingdale’s all showing some version of this fall staple (and that’s my Forever 21 skirt and Altuzarra for Target booties in the top left corner of the collage).

Wine and bordeaux are perfect fall colors. Also, that faux fur vest, cropped pants and patent leather heels with the long necklace by MaxMara add interest and texture to an all black outfit.

I simply died and went to footwear heaven at all of the shoes in the Salvatore Ferragamo collection. Oh yes…

My two favorite menswear looks: The top look from John Varvatos and the second look styled by Alex Yanez for Neiman Marcus. Both are an edgy spin to classic looks, incorporating a boot, similar to Doc Martens.

Desserts, champagne and little blue boxes at Tiffany & Co.

It really was such a fun evening spent with fashionable San Diego Style Blogger friends, both old & new! Click here to go to my Instagram account, where all the lovely people in the picture are tagged.

The actual Lookbook Live event was fun and interactive, with style experts from GQ and Glamour magazines.

More San Diego Style Bloggers (and Dominic)! Click here to go to my Instagram account, where all the lovely people in the picture are tagged.

I love this picture of me and Tiffany of Glitz and Glam by Tiff!

My outfit: Cassette Tape print romper by Neon Rose (from ASOS); “Mona” glasses c/o Spy Optic; London Underground cuff c/o Design Hype; shoes by Matiko; unknown name brand fedora

Me and my brooding boy…I think I got him to crack a bit of a smile eventually!

Thank you to Curator PR and Fashion Valley for inviting me to such a wonderful series of events!

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

“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!

Join Me at “Sip Shop Swap” on September 26th!

A panel of some of my favorite San Diego Style Bloggers friends and I will be styling and swapping at a wonderful event hosted by Ayana of Thrifting Diva on September 26, 2015 at Miss Match Boutique in Coronado! Enjoy appetizers, champagne and other sips, swag bags, and discounts for Miss Match Boutique in addition to a styling session with myself, Tiffany of Glitz & Glam, Ashley of Array of Style, Bianca of The In-Between Girls and our hostess Ayana!

Early bird tickets are available for $7 at http://www.thriftingdiva.eventbrite.com/ until September 2, 2015, and remember to bring five items to swap. After September 2, regular tickets will be $10 if you bring the five items to swap, but $15 if you want to attend the event without swapping. Any leftover clothing that is not swapped will be donated.

It will be a fun night of fashion, so come join me and other San Diego bloggers on Saturday September 26th to Sip Shop & Swap, cheers!

When:

Saturday

September 26, 2015

7pm

Where:

Miss Match Boutique

1201 First Street, Suite 217

San Diego, CA 92118

Sunny Essentials: Strolling at Seaport Village

Strolling at Seaport Village by any2ndnow featuring a turkish beach towel

Salt City Optics challenged select bloggers to create a board expressing what we think would be our “Sunny Essentials” for the summer, and where we would use them. I’m a big fan of all of our local sites in San Diego, one of my favorites being taking a leisurely walk around Seaport Village. I like to take walks in the late afternoon to early evening during the summer, right when it’s still light enough to throw a blanket down on the grass and bathe in the glow of the sun, but cool enough to enjoy the breeze while watching the sun dip into the horizon. I’m lucky to live in a city where shorts and sunglasses are the standard, nearly all year round!

If you would like to purchase a pair of prescription sunglasses from Salt City Optics (like those awesome “Mulholland” ones by Spy, pictured above), use the code SUNNY20 to get 20% off at check out. Cheers!