Shopping L.A.: Sole Society offers shoes for Art of Elysium

Sole Society is having a sample sale Saturday to benefit Art of Elysium's fashion design program. Art of Elysium is an organization that encourages working actors, artists and musicians to volunteer their time to children battling serious medical conditions. Shoes that are normally $49.95-$69.95 will be on sale for $20 a pair. The sale is scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and general admission is free. Tickets for a VIP preliminary event featuring actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler (who starred in "The Sopranos") are $45, which includes lunch, a pair of free shoes and early shopping admission beginning at 11 a.m.  The sample sale will be at Sole Society, 8511 Stellar Drive, Culver City. For free or VIP tickets, click here.

The Pasadena Bead and Design Show, featuring 300 artisan booths, galleries and displays of jewelry, beads, clothing, art and accessories is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at the Hilton Pasadena, 168 S. Robles Ave., Pasadena. Admission is $10 and is good for all four days.

Ted Baker London sample sale is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the Ted Baker showroom in the Cooper Design Space, 860 S. Los Angeles St., Suite 220, Los Angeles. Women's dresses will be on sale for $55, men's knitwear for $45, men's leather bags for $60 and women's wallets for $30. Cash and credit cards accepted.

Baubles and Bubbly, Shop Design Spark's summer jewelry trunk show, is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Rachel Z Boutique, 217 Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills. All jewelry will be 15% off. Blow Angels will provide hair braiding and blowouts, and there will be mimosas and sweets treats. RSVP on their Facebook page.

Clothes, bags and jewelry from Tucker, Clare Vivier and Ariel Gordon will be on sale at 25% to 50% off at a pop-up shop and sale from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at the All for the Mountain space, 2118 Lincoln Blvd., Venice.

MediaNoche, Letters from LA and Lady -- boutiques that are walking distance from each other on the same street in Eagle Rock -- are all having sales this weekend offering discounts of around 50% to 80% on apparel and accessories. Utter the "secret" password "Eagle" for an additional 10% off. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Friday through Sunday. MediaNoche is at 5048 Eagle Rock Blvd., Letters is at 5022 and Lady at 4974.

Unique Vintage is offering designer wedding gowns at up to 40% off this weekend. The sample sale is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the boutique, 2013 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.

Jewelry designer Lynn Ban is scheduled to present her collection from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, at Maxfield, 8825 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Maxfield Malibu, 3939 Cross Creek Road.

Other Sample and Warehouse Sales

AG, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Cooper Building Lobby, 860 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles. Cash and credit cards accepted.

Kelly Wearstler, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7961 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. 

Rachel Pally,  55% to 86% off, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Aug. 3 and 4; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 5, 2301 E. 7th St., Suite C100, Los Angeles. Cash, Visa or MasterCard only.

Cynthia Vincent, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, at the Cooper Building, 860 S. Los Angeles St., Suite 422, Los Angeles. Credit cards accepted but additional discount given on cash sales.   

Trina Turk kicks off a sample sale offering up to 75% off during the West Third Street Summer Stroll, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Merchants in the West Third district will be offering promotions and discounts that evening. The Trina Turk sale will continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the boutique at 8008 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Openings

Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy opens a Natural Beauty Bar with special promotions and services from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at 15150 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades.

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--Susan Denley

Photo courtesy of Sole Society

 

 

Grown-up friendship bracelets inspired by a 'Semi-Charmed Life'

Writer Nora Zelevanksy, whose work sometimes appears in the Los Angeles Times, has just published a novel: "Semi-Charmed Life," the comedic coming-of-age story of a young woman who ends up as the ghost blogger for a famous socialite in Manhattan.

Just out in July, the book has already spawned a collection of friendship bracelets made of semiprecious stones (get it?) such as smokey quartz, Peruvian opal and citrine dangling from a 14-karat gold chain. There are three versions -- the one shown here is called Night. And the bracelets have already caught the attention of fashion industry bible Women's Wear Daily.

It's easy to understand the connection of semiprecious stone charms to a book with the word "Semi-Charmed" in the title. But where does the friendship come in?

The bracelets were designed by Cayli Cavaco Reck, founder of the Style Sovereign blog and a lifelong friend of the author's, along with another mutual friend, Jeet Sohal, founder of the Bare Collection of jewelry and handbags. On her blog, Reck says, "The trinity of bracelets, this was not an accident, represent the many facets of friendship."

They are for sale on the Bare Collection website for $150 each. A portion of the proceeds is to go to Friends In Deed, an organization that offers support to people with life-threatening illnesses and their caregivers.

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Beads come of age

Cleobella, handbag maker to the stars, opens shop

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-- Susan Denley

Photo courtesy of the Bare Collection

 

Cleobella, handbag maker to the stars, opens shop

Cleobella, Angela O'Brien's line of globally inspired handbags and accessories, has found plenty of favor among A-listers, including Halle Berry, Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, Fergie, Emmy Rossum and Jessica Alba.

Now the Huntington Beach native is looking to parlay that success into her first boutique, in cozy Sunset Beach. Local custom urban steel furniture maker Moya Living transformed a 1920s house into a shop that reflects Cleobella's earthy vibe. The boutique also acts as a showroom for Living, with its display furniture for sale.

O'Brien, an extensive traveler who spent 2006 jet-setting across the world to exotic destinations with her surfer husband, Jim, first found inspiration in Bali. It was shortly after the 2005 terrorist bombing, and O'Brien was moved by the Indonesian people's kindness and welcoming nature. She was also struck by the simple natural elements there.

O'Brien dreamed of creating her own fashion line, and Bali seemed like the perfect place to begin. She took to the streets for inspiration and sought out unique fabrics and beads at local markets. She was drawn to the rich patterns, colors and texture of Bali's traditional ikat fabric.

While in Bali, O'Brien designed her line's first piece, the Mexicana clutch, to fill a personal need. A large wallet with several pockets and zippers, the Mexicana was perfect to secure her passport, itinerary, even lip gloss, during the day and then to use as a clutch at night. It's now Cleobella's signature piece.

She's since added hundreds of bags and clutches to her line, with some made exclusively for Anthropologie and other stores. They sport names like the Kaya Bucket, which looks like a bucket, the Wenona clutch and the Mahala evening clutch. They sell for about $80 to $600 online and at boutiques throughout Los Angeles and New York.

Now the O'Briens spend four months of the year in Bali, two months at a time, so O'Brien can design a full season's collection there. Much of the work is done by hand and she passes along much of the praise to the women who craft her collections.

The O'Briens continue to travel,  her husband in search of big waves and O'Brien in search of inspiration.

South Africa was behind the vision and designs for the spring 2012 collection, dubbed Africana. For the fall 2012 line, out in August, she channeled Cleopatra and envisioned the kind of handbags and accessories the Egyptian queen would look for while on a visit to Indonesia.

Buyers want items that make a difference in society, she says. Each Cleobella bag and clutch is hand-beaded and hand-woven in Bali. They're also made using washed leathers, with some in the collection featuring recycled brass and antique hardware.

"Consumers are getting smarter and want to step away from the big labels," O'Brien says. "It's more about the understated fashion, the craftsmanship in the product and the story behind."

Cleobella, 16792 14th St., Sunset Beach, open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

--Mona Shadia

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Photo: Angela O'Brien, with husband Jim in the Sunset Beach shop, travels the world for inspiration for her Cleobella line.  Credit: Kevin Chang HB Independent

Shopping L.A.: Planet Blue remodeling sale. Lanvin pop-up opens.

Planet Blue is starting a remodel of its Malibu Essentials location next week, and before work begins everything in the store has got to go. From now through Sunday, shoppers will find women's clothing, accessories and a selection of beauty products, lingerie, baskets and home decor items on sale at steeply reduced prices. Blue Life label items are on sale for $35, and Blu Moon for $45. Everything else is half-price. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3835 Cross Creek Road, Malibu.

Lanvin has opened a pop-up shop in Malibu Village to highlight its Hiver & Ete 2012 men's ready-to-wear and accessories collection, created by designer Lucas Ossendrijver and artistic director Alber Elbaz. The pop-up is slated to be open through Oct. 31. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday,  at 3832 Cross Creek Road, Malibu.

Henri Bendel is opening its newest store at Westfield Topanga with a champagne party from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. All weekend the shop will have special promotions, including a chance to win a two-night stay in NYC and a $1,500 shopping spree.  The store is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the mall, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park. 

Toms is hosting a "Style Your Sole" party from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Buy a pair of shoes on the day of the event and you can have them customized by a local artist. For every pair of shoes purchased, Toms donates a pair of shoes to a child in need. The event will be at the Avalon Hotel, 9400 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale -- the chain's largest sale of the year -- starts this Friday at Nordstrom locations throughout the nation as well as on nordstrom.com. Fall merchandise from top brands will be discounted through Aug. 5. Select stores, listed here,  are throwing an early beauty bash to kick off the sale, giving away free beauty goodies and coffee and doughnuts to the first 300 customers from 7 to 9 a.m. Friday.

The second concert of The Grove's free summer series sponsored by Citi starts at 7:30 p.m. July 18 featuring Kellie Pickler and the Gloriana. Also planned this summer are performances by Dia Frampton, Tony Lucca, Juliet Simms and Chris Mann of "The Voice" at 7:30 p.m. July 25 and Jordin Sparks with Karmin at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1. The shopping and entertainment complex is at 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles.

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--Susan Denley

Photo: Planet Blue's Malibu Essentials. Courtesy of Planet Blue.  

Summer beauty trends celebrate creativity, individuality

What's your weekend routine? For many women it involves a little beauty maintenance: a trip to the nail or hair salon, browsing at the makeup counter, trying out a new look for a night out.

This summer there are more possibilities for jazzing up your looks than ever before, and we've devoted this weekend's Image section to what Fashion Critic Booth Moore calls Kustom Beauty --  kind of like California's Kustom Kulture movement (sprucing up hot rods) in the mid-20th century.

Start at your fingertips. Moore explores nail art, in which the nails become tiny canvasses with seemingly limitless potential for self-expression. Once the purview of larger-than-life divas like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, nail art has moved into the mainstream thanks in part to improvements in nail technology and also due to the power of social media, which can help trends spread faster than a speeding bullet train.

Social media, better products and, of course, celebrities have also spurred today's hottest hair coloring trend: fanciful hues not seen in nature, either all over the head, ombred or dip-dyed on the ends. Pinks, blues, purples -- anything goes whether your style is Goth or girl next door, as Alene Dawson writes. And for those who want to experiment without a long-term commitment, she finds a surprising way to do it -- with chalk.

For skin care, BB creams, a huge phenomenon in Asia, have swept into the U.S. big time this year. These multipurpose products serve a variety of functions and may include sunscreen, moisturizer, antiaging ingredients, radiance boosters, lighteners and a tint. Kavita Daswani explains what they're all about and looks at some of the products on the market.

Finally, looking fresh and polished can be a challenge in summer heat. Susan Carpenter rounds up some tips for keeping your makeup from wilting.

Here's to a beautiful summer!

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-- Susan Denley

Photo:  Hiroko Fujikawa, owner of Mars Salon in West Hollywood, shows off her nail design inspired by  Prada's  fall-winter 2012 collection. Credit: Christina House/ For The Times 

Shopping: Unique L.A., Venice Meet offer local wares and fare

Unique L.A., with its "buy local" mantra, returns to the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica this weekend for its second annual summer show featuring 150 local designers and artists selling directly to the public. Admission is $10 at the door (kids 12 and under free) and includes a free tote bag and drinks,  and reentry for both days. Cocktails and food will also be available. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica.

The Venice Meet -- described as "a farmer's market for artists" -- takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Local craftspeople, independent musicians and specialty food artisans will be featured.

OPENINGS

Hudson has opened a shop-in-shop on the second-floor mezzanine of Satine. After a private party on Thursday night to celebrate "10 Years of L.A. Nighttime Escapades" -- a photo installation in the shop -- it will open to the public on Friday.  Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at 8134 W. Third St., Los Angeles. The pop-up is expected to be open until May 2013.

Sofia, an independent boutique from the heart of Chicago, has opened a Malibu pop-up in conjunction with singer-songwriter-producer Cisco Adler's Bananabeat.  Sofia Bananabeat Boutique is to be open through August and will offer exclusive items from labels including M2F Brand Denim, Minkpink, Nov Vintage, Oakley, Barbara Adler Jewelry and more. The shop is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily in the Malibu Country Mart, 3868 Cross Creek Road, Malibu.

SALES

Monique Lhuillier's one-day sample sale offering women's bridal and ready-to-wear at 45% to 90% off is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at 1201 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Merchandise as-is; all sales final.

Jimmy Au's for Men 5' 8'' and Under has been providing designer clothes for shorter men for more than 50 years, but right now they are celebrating the 30 years of accomplishments by manager Fred Guiterrez by offering an ongoing anniversary sale through the end of August. The store, at 9408 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, is open 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

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-- Susan Denley

Photos: The crowd at a past Unique event. Credit: Unique L.A.

It's Palos Verdes, to a tee

The quest for a stylish Southern California beach town T-shirt is what brought about the creation of Trident General Store.

The fledgling clothing and accessories line brings East Coast prep to the South Bay, with surfer chic T-shirts and hats for men, women and kids emblazoned with such insider locales as surf breaks El Porto and Lunada Bay and nature reserve Portuguese Bend, which are all on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Former celebrity style expert Jill Burnham moved from L.A. to Palos Verdes four years ago and started the company with two partners, Elvia Henderson and Aimee deLongchamp. She was inspired by souvenirs of childhood summer vacations on East Coast beaches, where rainy days were spent shopping for T-shirts with the tiny Cape Cod town of “Chatham” written across the front and for British-style “ACK” Nantucket car decals.

“A lot of the beach T-shirts I was seeing in Southern California had cheesy, neon squiggly writing,” Burnham says. “We wanted something more insider-y.... And it’s taken on a life of its own. We got blogged about on Urban Prepster, and now we get orders from Arizona to Maine. Most people are looking for the hat with the trident symbol on it.”

The trident is the graphic of choice, inspired by the King Neptune statue at Palos Verdes’ Malaga Cove Plaza and the Shoreline Preserve signs with white tridents standing guard over the area’s steep ocean bluffs.

“It’s cool and local but is also such a recognizable maritime symbol,” she says of the three-pronged fishing spear. “It can go anywhere an anchor or a fleur de lis can, which is why we named [the company] Trident General Store. We hope to make sweat shirts, cocktail glasses and plates, and we’ve already started making jewelry.”

The line features short- and long-sleeved tees for men, women and kids; hats and baby onesies. Burnham and her partners plan to introduce styles with the names of other coves across California soon. Next up: San Diego and Santa Barbara.

Trident General Store, $3 to $30, at the Pointe Discovery Shop at the Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes and at www.tridentgeneralstore.com.
 
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--Booth Moore

Photo: A shirt from the Trident General Store. Credit: Catherine Manzella

Our guide to chic shopping at Southern California beaches

With summer in full swing, it's time to hit the beach — for sunning, yes, but also for shopping.

There's a new level of sophistication in shopping along the coast. Locally owned boutiques with a curated point of view are changing the flavor of beach towns from beer-soaked spring break haunts to chic retail and dining destinations.

The style renaissance is fueled in part by the success of Venice's Abbot Kinney Boulevard, which this spring was dubbed by GQ magazine the chic-est street in America. With stores in Craftsman-style houses and beach bungalows, along with ping-pong tables and comfy outdoor seating that encourage visitors to linger, even the retail scene has a friendly sense of community.

I visited some oceanside communities where stylish, new independent boutiques have been cropping up and came up with coastal shopping itineraries that sample stores on Abbot Kinney and in Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, the South Bay and Long Beach. You'll find my full report here.

Happy browsing.

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--Booth Moore

Photo: One of the cool shopping venues in Southern California beach towns is A'maree's, a high-end, artsy boutique located in a historic building on the water in Newport Beach.  Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times 

Sunglasses inspired by 'Amazing Spider-Man' guard against glare

Premium sunglasses maker Maui Jim has issued a limited edition of polarized shades that would make the wall-crawler himself proud. Called the Kekoa, the sunglasses have a lightweight Red Web Grilamid frame and lenses with webbed mirroring. The glasses come with a custom-branded case and storage pouch, also decorated in keeping with the hero of the new film "The Amazing Spider-Man," which opened in theaters on Tuesday.

Only 7,200 of the frames were issued worldwide and each is individually numbered. They are available in the U.S. exclusively at Sunglass Hut, with a suggested retail price of $219.

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--Susan Denley

Photos: From top, the Kekoa sunglasses have a red frame and webbed mirroring.

The complete set includes the sunglasses, case and storage pouch. Photos courtesy of Maui Jim. 

Shopping L.A.: Oliver Peoples kicks off summer music and sales events [Updated]

Oliver Peoples, know for its hip and sophisticated eyewear, kicks off its 10th annual Summer Sesssions concert series Thursday (July 5). Each event will include a DJ spinning music, an open bar and 60% off a selection of Oliver Peoples glasses. The concerts are scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. July 5 and July 12 at the boutique at 8642 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, and 5 to 8 p.m. July 7 and July 14 in the Malibu location, 3900 Cross Creek Road in the Cross Creek Plaza.

The first West Coast Patek Philippe boutique has opened at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The luxury watchmaker is located inside the new Tourneau concept store and has its own entrance on Level 2 in the Saks Fifth Avenue wing of the mall, at 3333 Bristol St.

Celebrity makeup artist Lusine Galadjian -- clients have included Heidi Montag, Victoria Justice and Melanie Griffith -- has opened  a studio, Makeup Spot, at 12135 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood. Services include makeup application, threading, hair and lash extensions and airbrushing. For an appointment, call (818) 980-7768 or e-mail makeupspotstudio.gmail.com. 

Hester Street Fair is sponsoring the Hollywood Indie Night Market, featuring goods curated from more than 100 merchants, from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue, Los Angeles. The event includes food, disc jockeys and craft cocktails. {Updated at 10:36 a.m. July 6 to correct the starting time, which is 2 p.m., not 7 p.m. as previously listed.]

Singer Jasmine Villegas, who is the celebrity face of Tokidoki, will be on hand to meet customers at the  Sephora at Hollywood and Highland at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Starting at 9 a.m. Monday, the first 100 customers to buy $25 worth of Tokidoki beauty products will receive wristbands that will allow them to meet Villeagas. Those who purchase $50 or more will also receive a top that matches one Villegas wore in a photo shoot. Everyone with a wristband will be able to attend a mini concert after the meet-and-greet on Tuesday. The shopping complex is at 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood.

Be, a new brand of wine created with stylish young (and by that we mean Millenials) women in mind, is hosting a special event on Wednesday with Jeannie Mai, makeover guru on "The Biggest Loser" and host of Style Network's "How Do I Look?" Mai will show attendees how to pair wine not with food but with their individual moods and senses of style. The evening will include complimentary hair blow-outs, wine samples and appetizers. The event is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. July 11 at Blo W Hollywood, 6250 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 500 (entrance on Argyle), West Hollywood. Space is limited, so RSVP to blohollywood@blomedry.com.

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-- Susan Denley

Photo credit: Oliver Peoples