Tag Archives: Shimmer

I Said Don’t Stop, to Punk Rock

Happy New Year to you, and I’m starting off the new year with an outfit post! I can’t recall exactly where, but I know I’ve mention that my style seems to lie somewhere between classic, chic and punk rock. It’s kind of like those Reese’s commercials from the eighties when they would argue “Hey, you got your peanut butter in my chocolate/No, you got your chocolate in my peanut butter”; I always have to add a little punk to my classic outfit, or add a little chic to my rocker one. I love this article from Complex called “Know Your Rights: A Complex Guide to Punk Rock Style“. I think I own every piece in that guide and wear them anywhere and everywhere, from the office to the concert hall. Truth be told, I did not read the article prior to putting together my outfit for this post, and wore two of the mentioned pieces together: a bomber jacket and leopard print. Now that I think about it, I want to take each of the pieces mentioned in the Complex article and create outfits around them, since I have them all!

I believe I own ten bomber jackets (and counting), and this one from Shimmer is one that I intend to do a DIY patch job on very soon, where I’ll be adding patches from my favorite bands to every inch the fabric real estate of the jacket will allow. As an FYI, I bought that jacket because of the fact that two of the patches are indirectly tied to Depeche Mode: the Union Jack patch because they are British and the Route 66 one because they did a cover version of that song. Before the additional adornments, I wore my jacket to a few concerts and this photo shoot with my sister at The Observatory North Park.

Although I know many bands have performed there, I’ve only seen Blondie at The Observatory (so far). I’ll have to check out their concert calendar to see who else is playing. Another FYI: I saw George Clinton and Parliament in Los Angeles a few years ago, but I did not see them when the pictures were taken. But I did include a couple of pictures when I ate at the West Coast Tavern (which is connected to The Observatory), prior to seeing Blondie live with my friend Angi. Debbie Harry is definitely a style icon, and I featured an image of her in a post about my love for vintage rock t-shirts (here). I mean, check her out in the picture I captured below, rocking fishnet stockings at age 71. I only hope to be that cool in 30 years!

Outfit: Distressed t-shirt by G Mini, Eunina Jeans and choker c/o Shimmer; C’Est Toi jacket purchased from Shimmer; CHARLES by Charles David over the knee boots (old); Kate Spade purse (old); “Keiko” Rx sunglasses in Roxy Noir by BonLook

(All outfit photos by Rholnna Jiao. West Coast Tavern and concert photos by moi. Post title from the song “Rapture” by Blondie.)

All That Shimmers In This World

As blogger, I’ve become an advocate for local businesses and have had wonderful the opportunity to work with some amazing clothing stores in the San Diego area. A long time favorite is a store called Shimmer because they have a large selection of affordable, on-trend clothing. They have three locations (Chula Vista Center, Plaza Bonita and North County Fair), but I frequent the Plaza Bonita one the most. I’m happy to say I’ve recently become a Shimmer Ambassador, which means I’ll be showcasing clothes from their store, starting with this outfit I posted on Instagram a couple of weeks ago. Since it’s finally sweater weather, I picked this cozy long cardigan along with these amazing jeans by Eunina. I know the distressed denim look is really hot right now, but I was drawn to this solid darker pair. I felt really pulled together in this outfit, and it’s definitely something I would wear to work.

Also, this is the first time I’ve worn a “bib” or dickey collar, which simply means a fake collar (think Howard Wolowitz from the Big Bang Theory). I actually really like them because I can do a layered look without the bulk. The one I’m wearing is from ASOS, but since they’re out of the black one I’m wearing in these pictures, you can find similar ones for a great price at a site called I Got Collared (I’m going to buy a few more myself).

Outfit: Cardigan by Timing and Eunina Jeans c/o Shimmer; Striped sweater by Express (old); Plain bib in black by ASOS (no longer available, but they have it in white); Necklace by The Limited (old); Houndstooth pumps by Nine West (old); Vintage Chanel tote from Portero; “Tippy” glasses by Lookmatic; Rings by Wendy Brandes

(All photos taken by Rholnna Jiao. Post title from the song “Shimmer” by Fuel.)

The Ideal Blogging Community: San Diego Style Bloggers

I can’t say enough about what a wonderful community we have in the San Diego Style Bloggers. Not only do we see each other at events, but we stay connected with each other through social media and even in our personal lives. Because of these new friendships, we’ve now started to attend events to support our fellow local fashion and style bloggers, as I did right after my day at Flower Hill Promenade. I took my sister to Shimmer at Plaza Bonita Mall to get her Christmas present, specifically in support of the Mingle & Jingle Holiday Shopping Event hosted by Alessandra of Alessandra Gonzalez and Tuyaymya of White Tee Black Dress. Also in show of support was Laura of Laura Neuzeth. If you are a San Diego style/fashion/lifestyle blogger, or know someone who is, please be sure to join the San Diego Style Bloggers network/community!

Alessandra and Tuyaymya showing their holiday looks. Black and sparkly? Yes!

Tuyaymya, Laura and Alessandra

With Laura and Tuyaymya (photo taken by Alessandra)

Red Flag

Ever since I saw the beautiful outfits by Alex Yanez at the Fall Fashion Preview a couple of weekends ago, presented by Neiman Marcus at the Blogger Bruncheon (original post here), I have been obsessed with incorporating red into my wardrobe. I’m so happy that fall is approaching, because I intend on finding a red suit to pair with my leopard print shoes, just like the outfit in the “Red, The New Neutral” portion of the fashion show. In the meantime, I wore my red plaid pants to bring out the red of my new favorite purse: The Union Jack fringe tote from Bubbles Boutique. I love that I can either carry it, or use it as a cross-body. I wore many British items to accompany my new bag, including my London map ring and London Underground cuff. Can you tell I miss London?

I’m not sure how many of you out there remember the group Red Flag, but they began as a new wave synth-pop band back in the 80’s, originally from Liverpool, who eventually settled in San Diego. I saw them play at UCSD for free when the “Broken Heart” single was released back in 1988, but I lost track of them after that. They have since updated their sound to be darker and more electronic. I hope they tour again, because I would love to see them in concert!

Outfit – B_envied shirt (purchased at Shimmer); Tinsel Town jeans; Miista “May” ankle boots; H&M hat; Suki Bijoux necklace & rings; Michael Kors watch; Nu_G British Flag Fringe tote c/o Bubbles Boutique (my post about Bubbles Boutique here); iSee glasses c/o GlassesUSA; London Underground cuff c/o designHype

“Broken Heart” by Red Flag 12″ single is from my personal collection

Love In Itself

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and those of us in the San Diego Style Bloggers community are showing how we do up the day. I saw a segment on Refinery 29 on how Aimee Song (of the blog Song of Style) styled boyfriend jeans (article here). She paired them with an oxblood colored tuxedo jacket, a simple t-shirt and fantastic heels. I took note and borrowed her style for something that I would wear for a quiet dinner out with my husband. I decided to add a bit more shine by layering rhinestone necklaces, but kept my edge with the studded clutch. Also, I must bring special attention to the beautiful lace-up pumps that I got over the weekend during the first day of the Prabal Gurung for Target collaboration. I don’t know what it is about shoes, but I fall in love with a new pair a few times a month, and I am completely enmoured with these lovelies. Hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow with their special someone!

Outfit – Ark & Co jacket from Shimmer (seen here at their recent event); Bitten t-shirt; Old Navy boyfriend jeans; Charming Charlie necklaces and earrings; M’s Clothing studded clutch (only $10!); Prabal Gurung for Target lace-up pumps; La Marquise glasses by BonLook

I Confess

I first heard about Miista shoes when they followed me on Twitter. I love discovering new brands, and lately I find out them due to follows on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. I must confess that it was love at first sight when I went to the website, and I have been fascinated ever since (I used a couple of their shoes in some recent Polyvore collages, here and here). These are my first pair from Miista called the Gabi, and these shoes – along with everything that I see on their site – are show stoppers. I’m not one to shy away from a fantastic pair of shoes, and these shoes start conversations. Each time I wear them, I get stopped because people either want to know where I got them, or just to tell me they are an awesome pair of shoes. I wore them recently to the Shimmer event that I went to a few weeks ago, and because they are flatforms, they gave me the height I needed while remaining comfortable. I’ve already have a second pair from Miista’s AW2012 sale, and I’m deciding what to get next from their Electromancer SS2013 collection, which is simply ah-mazing.

Note: Miista is a UK based company, and I just realized how many English items I’m wearing other than my shoes: London Underground cuff, English Beat shirt (the title of this post is one of their songs), Union Jack purse, London map ring, and hidden under my shirt is my belt with a Union Jack buckle. I must really miss London!

Edited to add on 2/5/2013: Check me out on Miista’s site (here)! When you purchase shoes from Miista (directly from their site or the many retailers that sell their brand), take an outfit photo featuring their shoes and submit it to you at miista dot com, and you could win a free pair in a monthly drawing. I didn’t win this month, but I’m going to keep trying!

Outfit – Living Doll Los Angeles jacket; H&M jeans; English Beat concert t-shirt; The G Collection Union Jack studded purse; Gabi shoes by Miista (from Envi Shoes); London Underground cuff c/o designhype; rings by Wendy Brandes and Suki Bijoux; Michael Kors watch; La Marquise glasses by BonLook; Park Avenue lipstick by Radiant

(Photo 3 by Eddie Flores of Love Life Photography)

Weekend in Pictures: I Heart Shimmer!

On Saturday, I attended a the VIP Fashion Event at Shimmer, a local retail clothing store in Westfield’s Plaza Bonita Mall (they also have a location at the Chula Vista Center). I found out about the event through the San Diego Style Bloggers blog and quickly put in my RSVP to attend the event. I think it’s important to attend these types of events as bloggers to get to know the local fashion community and also to connect with other bloggers. Not only did I get to reconnect with bloggers Tuyaymya of White Tee Black Dress and Erika of Within The Sun, but I also got to meet the beautiful Alessandra of Fatshion Diary. We are all pictured below with Judy Figueroa from Shimmer (except for Erika, who I didn’t see until later that evening).

Silliness in the VIP blogger area with Alessandra and Tuyaymya! (Photo courtesy of Fatshion Diary; check out her awesome post about this event here!)

It was a lovely fashion soiree with a free mini-salon area equipped to handle hair, make-up and nails. We were also treated to tasty snacks (that I unfortunately couldn’t partake in due to being in the midst of Whole30), and a blogger VIP area with awesome little gifts from Shimmer along with cute SWAG bags we received upon entering the event area. The evening began with a hair and make-up demo by Bellus Academy, which was followed by a fantastic fashion show.

The outfits were broken up into three categories: Lady Gaga meets military, Chanel inspired and Valentine’s Day outfit ideas. I did shop a bit prior to watching the event, and I saw two jackets that I tried on make it to the runway (one I purchased). But what I enjoyed most about the fashion show was that it showcased models of all shapes, sizes and ages. When I spoke to Judy from Shimmer, she said that they wanted to make sure that they appeal to everyone, and I truly felt it during the fashion show. Being a 40+ style blogger, it was very important to me to see a model up there who was in my age range, and she ROCKED it. I swear I gushed each time she hit the catwalk!

I bought this oxblood blazer by Ark & Co

I tried this on, but it was quite long on me. I’m not as tall as this gorgeous model (jacket also by Ark & Co).

I cheered every time she hit the runway!

A bevy of beauties.

I would like to thank San Diego Fashion Bloggers for providing details to this event on their blog, and I would also like to thank Judy and all at Shimmer, Bad Madge Productions and Vanity Girl Hollywood (who provided the awesome mirrors in the hair & make-up section) for making this event so much fun and memorable. I would also like to thank my hubby, for taking me to the event and even posing in a photo with me, even though he said that he wasn’t “photo ready” due his casual outfit. I love you honey!

(Get 20% off + free shipping on Shimmer’s online shop, iheartshimmer.com by using the code FASHION20!)

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this:

Remix this: