L.A. Story

Get the PERFECT Hair Style for Holidays and Beyond with NEXXUS! Fashiontribes LA STORY BEAUTY HOW TO BLOG!

Nexxus is back-- not that it was ever gone! It's just back with a bigger presence and reformulated products and in a much larger distribution. This line is killer and will give you some great looks that hold up all day-- or night!

Roy Teeluck is a master stylist who's worked with a slew of red carpet celebrities and he has the best tips around!

Here's a few general tips that he gave LA Story before we get into the specific styles that he is featuring for Holiday 2006

• SET THE STAGE
  If your hair is too silky (overly conditioned) or slick (oily) it won't be able to hold a curl and/or stay in place once you style it. But if, on the other hand, it is "squeaky" clean, it won't have enough natural oils to help prevent frizz and to make it pliable enough for lasting curls and other styles. To help create hair that is clean yet conditioned, the night before our shoot I asked the models to shampoo with Aloe Rid gentle clarifying shampoo, which frees hair from the dirt, excess sebum, and styling product residue that can make it look and feel lifeless and limp—without stripping. They followed up with Headress® weightless leave-in conditioner, which adds the weightless body, moisture and bounce crucial to any special occasion style.

• DON'T BE AFRAID TO SHOW YOUR SOFTER SIDE
  A lot of people think that party hair needs to be "formal" and structured, or stick straight. These may have been the trends of seasons past, but this year we are going for hair that is more romantic and approachable. A look where people will come up to you and say hello, rather than just staring at your perfect coiffure from across the room and wondering how much hair spray and how many pins you used to create it. In addition to being a bit sexier and more sensual, these softer looks are also far easier to create than the constructed more monumental ones.

• PERFECTION IS OVER-RATED
  Another common misconception about special occasion hair is that it has to be absolutely perfect. But in keeping with the trend toward a softer, romantic look, each of these styles is a bit off center. The reason? This little touch lends a playful quality to each style making it look fresher, more modern, and original than if every lock was impeccably placed.

The ultimate in elegance is the  sophisticated chignon..

Roy gives you the step by step instructions:

Key products :

Mousse Plus

Comb Through

Nexxus video to tell you how to do this style!

Tousled Flip (perfect for a lot of different length hair)

Key Products include:

Versastyler

Designing Textur

Here's a video from Nexxus.com that shows you how to do this style

Downtown Up-Do How To's

Key Products include The Mousse Plus and MaxiShine

Here's a Video from NEXXUS.com that shows you how to do this style:

LA Story .

Wrapping 2006 Up In Style! The Best of the Blogosphere; WEB SNOB! Fashiontribes LA STORY 2006 Web Snob Blog

Get the BEST of 2006 from Web Snob's weekly gathering of posts! Check out these babies (and babes) for the best  of what you should be buying, wearing and doing!

Bag Snob
New Year's Party looks for snobs of every taste and budget!

Coquette
Coquette picks the best large bags to fit any kind of budget.

FASHIONTRIBES
A leopard wrap dress is great for parties, dates, or whenever you need to channel your inner wild beast. Beyonce shows how it's done, says Fashiontribes.

LA Story
Get Your New Years Eve Groove On With a FABULOUS Menu From Chef Vanessa! Party On With GREAT Food and Super Ideas on What to Serve.

Spring 2007 Christian Louboutin Peep Toe
This “Fox Trot” Christian Louboutin peep toe is courting KRiSTOPHER's love with its golden sole.

Stylehive
Hot Product: Ralph Lauren's Dog Sweaters, For Preppy Pooches

The Jewelry Weblog
The Jewelry Weblog looks back and forward a little at jewelry trends of 2006.

Second City Style
Second City Style shows you how to wear a dress with jeans and not look like a teenager. It can be done.
    

eBeautyDaily   
eBeautyDaily's Best of 2006 Beauty

eBelle5
You can't resist a handbag giveaway. Hurry and sign up for the eBelle5 Holiday Handbag Giveaway brought to you by Elliott Lucca.

See you next year!

Stevie Wilson

LA Story .

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Bloggers UNITE! Glam.com Blog-Fest- The Blogg-o-sphere Hits LA HARD! Fashiontribes LA STORY GLAM BLOG NETWORK EVENT BLOG and PODCAST!

  Glam.com sponsored a great little blog-fest for those in LA. While bloggers in NYC and the East Coast have their "bloggers who brunch" events and No. Calif based bloggers  get together frequently, not much goes on in LA-- so for some of us, it was great to meet other LA based bloggers particularly since we are spread out -- not just in location but topically.

LA based Bloggers Get Together for some LA style FUN!!

Derek from Glam and Raymond Attipa from True Gentleman.. stepping outside because it was a very very warm day.

HollyScoop Girls!

Cheryl on the left, then MK/Popbytes, Kristopher Dukes, Allison/ThisNext at the end, then Tara from TaraMet (a recent NYC transplant.), Jason/Bumpshack and Anita.

Derek and Kristopher Dukes

Glam Group (from the back, that's Bumpshack and Tara Met. You see Kristopher Dukes and MK/Popbytes facing the camera)

A long shot of the table.. you see Julieta Alvarado from Glam (she's fabulous!), me (Stevie) just beyond her, beyond that is Anita from Synovate-- a friend of mine from the former newsgroup alt.fashion  in from NYC on biz (Don't ask why it's former. If you go there, you will know why) and Cheryl across from her is another Alt.fashion-ista.. and  she is a "partner in crime). At the very end of the table in the dimness, you can see Allison from THISNEXT.com

Josh/Bumpshack & Mercedes-- a friend of Julieta's!

Meeting up at TART  Restaurant across from the Farmer's Market at Fairfax and Third, a good-sized group showed up.  Of course plying bloggers with food and drinks never hurt and we definitely had a good time. It was NOISY (gee.. you can never tell from the podcast can you? )

MK from PopBytes

Sandra/ Debutante Clothing (and Fashiontribes Downtown Doll Editor) and Julieta from Glam

Julieta on the right and me on the left

Sandra and Kristopher

Joshua from Bumpshack

Julieta and MK/PopBytes

If you have listened (well tried to listen) to the blog, you can tell we were having a terrific time.. the noise factor of the chatter and the music was making it hard to podcast. We did get most all the bloggers.. we didn't get Julieta and Derek on the podcast (my bad!!! Sorry my peeps... you are both so wonderful).. It ends abruptly because the noise made it impossible to hear.. and people wanted to talk to each other and not to the tape! However later on, Sandra finally hooked up with Anita, Cheryl and I for dinner (meeting at --where else-- Fred Segal Melrose!)

I left Cheryl and Anita there earlier to hit a store appointment for an AMAZING jewelry showing at this cool little store on Melrose and I was blown away at how great it was. Anyway, we  met up at Fred Segal, then hung out there while I kept calling Sandra to come join us for dinner.. and finally she did. We did spend time at Apothia, learning all about the different Apothia fragrances -- yes there is more than Child.. you should know about L and the others.. fabulous scents and also candles. We talked to Daniel the makeup artist and also the lovely store manager who would make a great podcast. I never got out of Apothia!!

We did end up hitting Sunset Trocadero (a small but fun boite) for a much needed drink-- (this was USC vs UCLA day.. and guess who won?) .. and dinner! We had a BLAST! It was so much fun-- plus we got 1/2 the  parking fee back because we managed to get out of there before 8 PM (trust me that was a real feat --worthy of an Olympic medal).. and got our drinks for 1/2 price because it was happy hour. Granted we would have had dinner later but  it was either shop or eat. Eating was actually less expensive than the shopping would have been.

So listen to Sandra talk about the day..  and the dinner and the events of the day. It was definitely FUN! Make sure you listen to the podcast

Stevie Wilson

LA Story .

Osmotics Brings You Closer to Perfection Courtesy of CREASELESS Surgical Alternative!! Fashiontribes LA Story Blog and PODCAST!!

Listen to Osmotics President, Francine Porter talk about Crease-Less Surgical Alternative. This is newest  and more powerful treatment available for relaxing and preventing expression lines, creases and wrinkles without needles. Crease-Less can be used in conjunction with Botox to extend the results longer if you are using Botox or prolong the need for such treatment.

Great new product that actually DOES what it says it does

This cutting edge formula features three, new, clinically proven, anti-wrinkle technologies putting Crease-Less in a class by itself:

• A new octapeptide that is 30% more active than the commonly used argilerine and it provides faster, longer lasting results.

• A microalgae active that stimulates the skin’s cellular energy (mitochondria), increases cell turnover and improves overall skin health.

• New wrinkle filling spheres plump and smooth ( yes it really does) and it's a  perfect companion to Botox treatments to help extend and enhance results.

Crease-Less Surgical Alternative is formulated for use on brow furrows, crow’s feet, forehead lines and smile lines.  After cleansing skin, apply serum to targeted areas.  After several applications, creases and lines will begin to soften and will continue to improve with consistent use.

Find Osmotics Cosmeceuticals at select Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor stores, select independent boutiques and spas, www. Osmotics.com and direct toll free 1-800-440-1411.

This one is the real deal, my peeps. You definitely are going to love this product!!

Stevie Wilson

LA Story .

Piaffe Silk Shimmer Shadows Will Have You Batting Those Lashes to Show Off Gorge Silky Shadows!Fashiontribes LA Story Gorgeous Peepers Blog!

Looking for something different in cosmetics  for New Years Eve but not so diferent that you can't wear it a lot? That's a big undertaking-- because glitters  don't work in the business world and sometimes they drop glitter pieces all over your face. Sigh.. what's a girl to do?

Shimmer, NOT glitter! Shimmer shadows -- particularly those with irridescence give you the vibe of a glitter without being over the top and can be worn daytime or nighttime. When worn with a matte shadow, they up the wattage of the matte look without being outrageous yet when worn by themselves or layered or applied wet, they become powerful in their ability to show depth and definition-- while making your eyes look amazing-- smokey yet not overpowered by the make-up.

Where to find such a shimmer shadow?

PIAFFE

Doll, that's why you are here talking to me. Check out Piaffe  Silk Shimmer Eye Shadows for amazingly silky texture that makes it smooth going on, won't crease, lasts all day and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It's phenomenal. The color range is perfect for day or night and you can blend and layer colors to create your own unique look with 12 colors .

Top Row: Pink Bloom, Amethyst, Dove, Gilt, Mahogany Apricot

Bottom Row:

Claret, Granite, Buff, Patina, Sienna, Citrus

These colors go on sheer but will build if you keep layering on color. Intensify colors even more by using them wet. They will last all day. Each bottle has its' own built in applicator which makes it easy to touch up during the day and add a dab of water for more flash!

Check out the Piaffe website for more color cosmetics and amazing skincare. It's an interesting line that hasn't gotten the attention it deserves-- but will because the products deliver!

Stevie Wilson

LA Story .

Get Your New Years Eve Groove On With a FABULOUS Menu From Chef Vanessa! Party On With GREAT Food and Super Ideas on What to Serve. Fashiontribes LA Story Entertaining Blog and Podcast.

Do you love to entertain - or want to entertain but wonder what to serve other than the usual veggie or cheese platter? No worries! Turn to Chef Vanessa Bathfield who has the most amazing ideas of what to serve. Whether it's in your home or whether she makes it up and brings it to you or you just need amazing idea, Chef Vanessa Bathfield has really creative suggestions! Check out the podcast interview with her!

Chef Vanessa has GREAT menus for your holiday entertaining!

The LA Story turned to Chef Vanessa for Thanksgiving and we are turning to her again for some great suggestions for unique  menus for New Years Eve parties. Chef Vanessa is fabulous! I would not just put anyone's suggestions straight into this blog but Chef Vanessa has super ideas and I am posting exactly what she has suggested-- along with some terrific, MOUTH-WATERING photos!

When you have a crowd coming over for a celebration you can wow them with a fabulous display of hors d’oeuvres and nibbles that can either be a light bite or create a delicious meal.  If you’ve ever gone to a restaurant and wanted to order two or three appetizers instead of the main course then this is a menu idea for you.

There are several ways you can put together a hors d’oeuvres package.  You can go with a themed menu, eclectic, traditional or just your favorites.  Here are a couple of winning ideas:

Tapas theme – a wonderful collection of tasty Spanish treats

The Spaniards invented the appetizer collection.  A wonderful way to relax with friends and enjoy some delicious treats.  Many items are readily available at specialty stores or on line at one of my favorites www.latienda.com.   

Shrimp with garlic sauce
Spanish tortilla with paprika
Serrano Ham

Gazpacho
Sizzled chorizo
Marcona almonds with rosemary

Assorted olives

New Years Eve – LA style
When I visited friends in Kansas I once asked for avocado on my sandwich, to be told, “oh you must be from California…we don’t do that around here.” 

Yes, we are different here… gourmet all the way!  For a truly fabulous event you can pull out all the stops.  This selection covers everybody’s tastes but don’t hold back, add some lobster, cavier and fois gras if you wish!

"Gotta have Guacamole"

Smoked salmon on a potato cake with crème fraiche

Petite lamb chops with a mint pistachio pesto
Mini-Kobe beef burgers

Melon, mint and feta cheese bites

Caramelized onion and gorgonzola tartlets
Artisan cheese platter with champagne grapes

Recipes can be found at www.chefvanessabathfield.com. Check out the page mentioning New Years Eve

Suggestions above courtesy of Chef Vanessa Bathfield

This is TOTALLY Yummy and if you aren't hungry after looking at these photos--either you just ate OR there is something wrong with you!. The recipes are pretty straightforward in terms of cooking and you can do this

So plan your guest list QUICKLY and start calling your friends. Hit Trader Joes, Beverages and More, Bristol Farms, Gelsons or any gourmet, organic food store and/or larger supermarket to find the components for these fabulous menus.

Want to find great decorations? Hit a children's party store or Oriental Traders.com

Happy New Years Eve!!

Stevie Wilson

LA Story .

From Flab to FAB!! Getting Back Into the Fitness Groove! Fashiontribes LA Story FITNESS Blog

It’s easy to get derailed from your regular fitness routine during the stressful, time-crunched, commitment-overload holiday season. Who has time to hit the gym for an hour four or five days a week when you have gifts to buy, gifts to wrap, places to go, people to see, trees to decorate, etc. You must prioritize if you want to make it through the holiday season without having a nervous breakdown; for many women, prioritizing means putting their fitness routine on the back burner in an effort to save sanity. The problem is, these reasonable and sane women risk entering the New Year in their fat-day pants. No, it’s not a thrilling thought to start the New Year with a new layer of body fat.

The solution is not to ditch your workout all together but rather find a more time-efficient, effective workout that you can realistically squeeze into the holiday madness. Even the busiest of busy can fit a 30-minute “stay at home” workout into their schedule three days a week. The trick to making the workout effective (and not just time-efficient) is to incorporate a mix of exercise training techniques that can increase EPOC (excess post exercise oxygen consumption) which amplifies the “after-burn”, stimulates the mitochondria within muscle cells to burn more fat, burns lots of calories and increases lean muscle mass to elevate the resting metabolic rate.

In the workout routine outlined in The Fitter, Firmer, Faster Program: Get a Killer Body without Killing Yourself (HCI Books, December 2006) the following nine exercise techniques are used to burn three times more fat than aerobic exercise and to help you get your best body in the least amount of time----without ever leaving your house! Incorporate these training tips into your exercise routine and you’ll be entering the New Year in your skinny jeans.

• Go super-slow periodically.  Super-slow resistance training is one of the safest, fastest ways to build strength and boost metabolism at the same time.  Emphasizing the slow, downward (eccentric) phase of each exercise builds strength fast because this training technique recruits more muscle fibers per movement as compared with lifting and lowering your weights at a more rapid tempo.
• Go for Intensity.  Exercising six days a week for an hour at a time is not necessarily the best way to get in shape.  It’s much better to focus on quality verse quantity.  You’ll achieve far better results training intensely for 30 minutes, 3 days a week compared to going slow and steady for an hour six days a week.  A short but intense workout helps you gain more muscle and burn more calories not only during your workout, but also after your workout via EPOC (excess post exercise oxygen consumption).  The more oxygen you train your body to consume, the more calories you will burn at rest; working out hard by incorporating high intensity aerobic-type intervals into your resistance training circuit is the most time-efficient way to boost your body’s ability to consume more oxygen and therefore burn more calories.  Studies show you can reap significantly greater fat loss and significantly more metabolism-boosting muscle gain by performing short high-intensity workouts as opposed to longer-duration, lower intensity workouts.
• Jump rope. Rope jumping is intense exercise. It’s also a safe and low-impact exercise if done with proper form. Plus, it’s one of the few aerobic activities that can be done in the house with a very inexpensive apparatus. You can burn two and a half times the amount of calories jumping rope as you would burn doing brisk walking or stationary biking. Jumping rope increases your cardiovascular strength, improves your endurance, and tones both your upper and lower body simultaneously. Incorporate five 2-minute jump rope intervals into a 30-minute full-body workout and you’ll blast fat and burn mega calories.
• Focus on major muscles.  On a percentage basis, your chest, back, and legs are the biggest muscle groups in your body.  Focusing the majority of the time you spend exercising on these muscle groups will give you the most bang for your efforts and allow you to reshape your body in the least possible amount of time.  Exercises involving your chest, back, and legs burn a lot of calories but more importantly, exercising these major muscles results in the greatest possible increase in your basal metabolism.  Try to think in percentage terms.  If you increase your strength in your back by 25 percent, that’s going to have a much greater effect on your basal metabolism than increasing the strength in your right bicep muscle by 25 percent. 
• Incorporate compound movements.  Compound exercise movements work multiple muscle groups simultaneously to maximize efficiency.  By doing compound movements you can work smaller muscle groups such as your biceps while working larger muscles such as your thigh muscles at the same time.  An example of a compound exercise is a leg lunge with a bicep curl.  If you really want to get fit in the least amount of time, it’s best to avoid smaller muscle isolation exercises such as tricep extensions unless you’re doing them in conjunction with an exercise that works big muscles such as a squat.  Certain exercises work multiple muscle groups by their very nature.  For example, pushups work your chest muscles, your shoulder muscles, and your triceps concurrently and are therefore highly effective and highly efficient.  Compound movements elevate your heart rate, burn lots of calories, strengthen your cardiovascular system, and rapidly build metabolically active lean muscle.
• Incorporate high repetition training.  Most exercise trainers advise moderate repetition training for general fitness.  “Moderate” means perhaps ten to fifteen repetitions of each exercise motion.  While this is indeed a good rule of thumb we also support high repetition training, perhaps 20, or even 30 repetitions for some exercises to improve fitness and optimize fat loss.  High repetition training stimulates the mitochondria within your muscle cells, helping increase their ability to process oxygen, and helping increase your body’s fat-burning capacity.
• Perform peripheral action heart training.  Peripheral action heart training is a resistance training technique that conditions your cardiovascular system while simultaneously strengthening major muscles.  By alternating between upper and lower body exercises your heart is forced to work extra hard to pump blood continuously to opposite ends of your body.  For example, you might perform an exercise for your chest then move immediately to an exercise focusing on your lower body before going back to your upper body for your next exercise.
• Work your core.  Core training exercises tone the “core” muscles of your hips, back, and abdomen.  Exercising these muscles helps stabilize your spine and improves your posture.  When you train your core muscles, you bring better alignment to the joints in your spine, warding off back pain and preventing low back injury.  Core training also allows you to achieve the flattest abdomen possible because when you strengthen the muscles in your lower back, your entire midsection is pulled inward.  Finally, training the deep muscles in your abdomen helps your entire body feel noticeably firmer and look significantly trimmer.  The Fitter, Firmer, Faster workout includes a number of different exercises for the core muscles of your hips, back, and abdomen, including balancing poses that force your core muscles to work hard at keeping you upright.
• Do just one set.  “Sets” refer to the number of times you perform a specified number of repetitions of one exercise before moving on to do a completely different exercise.  For example, if you do 15 push-ups, then rest for 30 seconds, then do 15 more push-ups, then rest for 30 seconds, then do 15 more push-ups, you have completed three "sets" of push-ups.  Performing three sets of each exercise is fairly common in the world of weight training.  However, one set is sufficient to gain strength or maintain strength so long as you are exercising your muscles to fatigue.  One set routines allow you to reach up to 80 percent or so of your genetic strength potential, which is perfectly fine if your goal is general fitness.  It is true competitive athletes in training for sports requiring optimal physical strength can benefit from performing multiple sets.  The downside, of course, is performing multiple sets of each exercise substantially increases the length of time you spend exercising.  Unless you are an athlete in training, stick with one set to get Fitter, Firmer, Faster!

Ivy Larson is an American College of Sports Medicine certified health fitness instructor and the co-author of The Gold Coast Cure (HCI Books, May 2005) and The Fitter, Firmer, Faster Program (HCI Books, December 2006), which she wrote with her husband, Andrew Larson, M.D. You can visit Ivy and Dr. Larson at their website at www.goldcoastcure.com 

LA Story .

You Saw It On RockStar SuperNova -- You Can Get Rocker Chick Chic & Sexy with Shirley of Hollywood Intimates! Fashiontribes LA Story ROCK CHICK CHIC Blog!

LA seems to be home to the "rock & roll" vibe-- given the number of awards shows here and that the RockStar SuperNova (Mark Burnett Productions) Holiday time brings out all the different fashion vibes. While at Christmas or Hannukah is more family oriented -- and thus more conservative in a fashion sense because of family and business events, New Years Eve is all about pulling out ALL the stops --SEXY being the word of the day.

If that's the fashion vibe you are wanting to  vamp with for New Years-- or something that you might want to GIVE as a gift for the holiday (and yes I know it's last minute but you can do an online order and have it arrive next week), then check out the hottest line  around -- as seen on ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA as well as on the PussyCat Dolls.   The RSSN  show featured two different singers sporting styles from Shirley of Hollywood.

Here's a lace-up corset on Storm Large, RockStar SuperNova finalist

Danny Moloshok Blue Pixel for mbp 2006.jpg

Dilana on RockStar SuperNova featuring the strapless lace corset which comes in a variety of colors and fabrics

All photos credited to MBP, Inc from Shirley of Hollywood.

The Pussy Cat Dolls are huge fans of the lace-up bustier done in satin and available in a slew of colors. You can tighten up the lacings, skip the stockings and garters and plug this into an outfit with tight jeans or leather pants and be sexy-hot!

Other items that work well for New Years and also for gifting at any time (you don't have to wait for Christmas -- think bridal, Valentine's Day etc)

Shirley of Hollywood bustier in black velvet with lace and re-embroidered with sequins and pearls. It's gorgeous and has removable straps.

Wear this under a jacket and pants and you will be red carpet -- or New Years Eve ready. This embroidered bustier is  definitely something that transcends the lingerie label.

Waist cinchers are huge in Europe-- particularly Paris. So watch this trend make an impact on the US soon. You can get your fashion trend ahead of the game in a variety of colors, styles and fabrics from Shirley of Hollywood.  Shown here and below worn over regular clothing, this emphasizes the tiny waist while making your body more hourglass shape.

Black and Lilac Back Lace up Waist Cincher.

Here's the "lingerie" application:

This is the front. Below is the back view.

What's even better about Shirley of Hollywood is that they are online, in stores and have a catalog. Also their price points are extremely reasonable considering the fabrication and details!

Find styles for you at www.shirleyofhollywood.com

Stevie Wilson

LA Story .

Holiday Hints, Tips and Ideas from the BEST of the BLOG-O-SPHERE! Fashiontribes LA STORY WEBSNOB Round Up!

It's that time of year. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and anything else you choose to celebrate. This week are fab tips on  getting the most out of this most hectic time of the year so that you can actually enjoy it-- and celebrate getting through it with panache and style.

Aesthetics + Economics
Luxurious, last minute gift ideas from Aesthetics + Economics
 


Bag Snob
Vogue Loves Bag Snob and Bag Snob Loves Vogue- Bag Snob featured in UK Vogue and French Vogue this month


Bon Bons in the Bath
Bon Bons in the Bath invites you to join the heated discussion on how to wash your hair less frequently.


Coquette
Coquette's Natalie Zee shows you how to wrap gifts with style this holiday season as she visits the local San Francisco afternoon TV show "The View from the Bay".


Fashiontribes
'Tis the season for a lot of things, including taking a little time to pamper your very deserving self. Fashiontribes has the Top 10 ways to relax & refresh.


Girlawhirl
Girlawhirl can get home from the nail salon with her feet warm and toasty thanks to bootie pies


LA Story
West Coast Leather Gets Haute with New Leather Fashions



My Fashion Life
My Fashion Life falls head over heels once again for Dior's limited edition saddle bag


Ooh La Love for K, from French Vogue
KRiSTOPHER DUKES is featured in French Vogue's dot-com. Thanks to lovely readers like you. Merci beaucoup, dolls.


Stylehive
Find out what the Top 5 Indie and handmade gifts and stores are at Stylehive.


The Jewelry Weblog
Who doesn't love the artistry of Japanese paper? Anna Sofia Designs has turned beautiful paper into fantastic light-weight jewelry.


eBeautyDaily
WWD auctions off couture stockings for charity


eBelle5
Exclusive Luxury: Louis Vuitton Miroir Palladium Gold Purse. eBelle5 shows you what you can get with a six figure price tag, an LV white gold embossed clutch!

Stevie Wilson   

LA Story .

What Three Dots Can Do For You for Holiday

Want something sexy, fun and yet so easy to wear and care for that doesn't cost a fortune? Check out Three Dots!

Meet Yuchin Mao, designer extraordinare.   Formerly of senior designer at Helmut Lang and TSE. Mao has taken over the design reins at Three Dots and in collaboration with Sharon Lebon, president and co-founder of Three Dots-- started an amazing evolution from "California Casual" tees and hoodies to a much more sophisticated,  clean, line of dresses, pants, shirts, sweaters, in such a variety of fabrics including cotton in all sorts of presentations, cotton blends (modal) and even cashmere. The design aesthete that Yuchin presents is both unique and contemporary.  Three Dots has been transformed from an almost "me too" brand into something clean, with great lines and sporting a sense of elegance and even a bit of twisted irony.  The phrase " outside the box" --while cliche-- is truly an apt description of Three Dots. The ability to take a single piece-- dress or top-- and wear it casually with flip flops or dressed up with heels or funky with fur boots (gotcha Yuchin!) in  any  season,  means that the styles from Three Dots in your closet will be extremely functional AND fashionable in 3 years as they are right now.

 

As the structure of the garment becomes more architectural-- Mao is more concerned about the garment in 3 dimensions-- not just two. This is an important trend & thread for Yuchin courtesy of her art background as well as her time with Lang and TSE.   She is designing for a modern woman who wants more than just trend, she wants STYLE and has her own way of seeing things on her body yet doesn't mind exploring new styles. Think of fashion as less about trends and more about wearing things that suit your body, emphasizing the good, minimizing the  negatives and  just making you look fabulous.   

Color palettes and fabric treatments may change, and how you put together the outfit will evolve as styles and trends change, but the Three Dots pieces won't go out of style because they transcend trend to create a style perspective all their own. How????

Listen to Yuchin talk about the brand on the podcast. Holiday is what we are talking about and the different styles.  The fashions are featured below and hopefully in order. You can find Three Dots online at their website. Check out the collections, the stores online that carry the brand and  also the Three Dots store on Melrose in West Hollywood (my fave place to shop!)

The perfect holiday dress (available in other colors too) with a satin sash. (think of this as worn over leggings or even narrow jeans!).

Sexy doesn't begin to describe this satin detailed , ruched halter dress. It's amazing!

This assymetrical top can be worn with trousers, jeans, a short skirt -- casually or dressed up or even layered over other pieces. It's extremely versatile and soft!

Sexy baby doll does double and triple time! Wear it over leggings, over narrow jeans or (if it's long enough) with tights. Also think about using it as a layering piece over a blouse or tee... it's exceptionally versatile and it's so cuddly soft, it's amazing to wear and this color burgundy is smokin'!

This amazing outfit is a brown tweed sweater dress layered over a 3/4 sleeve tee in deep chocolate. What's unique about this dress is that it is totally one piece. The center band in chocolate isn't sewn into the dress, it's part of the dress as it was knitted into ONE PIECE so that you have ultimate flexibility with it and it won't fall apart at those seams. This dress is terrific on it's own, layered as you see it here -- or other colors-- and also worn over pants (winter white would be lovely).

Are you a pants and top girl? Then look no further. Wide leg pants are coming back in style-- and here they are in a luscious soft fabric that holds its own. It looks structured due to the cut but it's not stiff. The off the shoulder top is worn over a cami and can be worn with different pieces-- as can the pants (imagine a cropped jacket and a  blouse/shirt with pintucking for a  "Hepburn"esque sort of look.

There is a lot more to Three Dots than holiday. Yuchin Mao and I talked spring too and I  have part 2 of Three Dots coming soon -- in January for you so that you can run right out and BUY the dresses-- and lots of them-- for spring and summer. Fun, sexy and unique. This is a line to be watching to see what's going on  and how it treats style versus trend.

Stevie Wilson

LA Story .