TPOLA 4th Annual Picnic!

Hello Darlins!

Yes, it's actually a new post!  Moving back to L.A. has been much harder and more time consuming then I had excepted but I am happy to announce that I am ready to get back on the saddle again.  In other words, back to work and back to my crazy fashion social life and what better way to start that all of with TPOLA's 4th Annual Picnic!

Must get one of those giant swan floaties!

This years event was held at the new Icis Apartments in Glendale, CA. which felt like a chic Las Vegas hotel meets urban living.  It really had a fun surprise at every turn.  Would honestly love to shoot my next collection here.

Gifting Suite

Thursday Friday Handbags Gifting Table

I just love to attended this event for so many reasons, from the amazing gifts to visiting with some of LA's top trend setters and trend followers. It's really LA's fashion at it's best, from mod to trendy.  Everyone's style is really represented at these events.  Which is really inspiring sometimes for me as a designer.

 Gifting Suite

 

Sole Society Gifting Table

Lulus.com Gifting Table

All the lovely gifts I chose

I was given the pleasure of choosing so many wonderful new items from all the great gifting areas.  One of the most original pieces I chose was this tote bag with a red handbag printed on it (shown above) from Thursday Friday.  These bags are not only very creative but very well made too. Loved it.  I will be doing another post in a couple of weeks with the dress, the clutch and the beauty products I received at this event too.  Make-up tips and all.

Just me, wearing a Capwell and Co necklace I chose from the gifting suite

I would have taken a  full outfit post but in all honesty, I hated what I was wearing.  This is also the reason I didn't take any fun pictures with my girls at the event. Bummed. I decided at the last minute to make myself a long floral maxi skirt to put over my black swimsuit but it just didn't come out the way I wanted it too.  Guess I'm just going to have to make something else out of it later.  I am truly my biggest critic.

Did I mention the food, treats and drinks were delish?  This was really a great event and a fabulous day.  I am so happy that I made the effort to finally get out and soak myself in fashion.  Big thank you to Kelsi of StyleSmith for putting on a great event and to my sister (future blogger) for coming out with me.  Already looking forward to next year's picnic!

 

Denise, my sister

Lastly, I just had to share one of my favorite pieces I spotted at the picnic.  It was this fun watermelon printed wrap skirt worn by Tess from Treehouse Trunkshow. Loved it!

 

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get everyone's names in the pictures. So if you or someone you know are in the pictures, please comment below so I can add them.  Thank you!

Xo, Melissa

Snow Ball 2012

 

Couture, Hollywood CA

Take a little trip with me back to the late 1970's.  Although this wasn't a themed event, I felt like I was taken back into a disco a bit with all the sequins and silky fashion all around me.

 

As much as I wanted to make myself something lovely to wear for the party, I simply didn't have time.  So what did Cinderella do?  Why, visit her local "Fairy Thrift Store".  Yes, scored this vintage sequins mini dress for $5!  I just couldn't wait to wear it.  I matched this lovely dress up with some velvet ruffle stilettos, our black velvet Slender Bow Belt and our limited edition Platinum At The Opera Earrings.  

 

The lovely Jasmine from Glitter On The Ceiling.  Loved how she styled her dress.

 

The lovely Melissa from The Key To Chic.  How cute is her hair?! Loved it.  And yes, that's a Slender Velvet Bow Belt you see. Twins!

The evening was great.  Loved hanging out with friends and my date. The appetizers and desserts were delicious.  I didn't care for the sponsored beer to much but my martini was pretty fancy.  The gifting suite had a lot of fun stuff that I will be sharing with you on my next post, including the cute dress I got from LuLus.com earlier that day at the Styling Suite.  Which I wish I had taken more pictures at that event but I was kinda all over the place at the time.  Truly looking forward to next years festivities with Two Point Oh LA.  Thank you, Kelsi!

My date for the night...my husband.  Can you tell my lashes were a bit to heavy for me?! HA!

Coco Chanel at Fashion Fright Out

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel - Clothing Designer

Friday I attended LA Fashion Council's Fashions Fright Out at the W Hotel in Westwood.  I honeslty don't celebrate Halloween but when fashion meets costumes, I had to be apart of this.  It was quite easy for me to decided what I wanted to be for this event.  It just popped into my head and I went to town making my dress.  I honestly look and look for the best detailed pictures of Coco Chanel but they were hard to come by.  So I did my best in putting together her iconic picture outfits.  I hope I made my costume designer friend, Glinda proud ;)

This woman was a huge smoker, making it almost impossible not to incorporate a fake cigarette into the costume.  With that said, I do NOT APPROVE of smoking, considering both my grandfather's died of lung cancer way before their time I think.  Anyways, the evening was so much fun. Loved hanging out with the lovely gals of TPOLA.  Here are the rest of the pictures from that night. (had to do these in black and white)

Audrey Hepburn (aka Carly from Lipgloss and Crayons ) and I

Rosie the Riveter (aka Jasmine from Glitter On The Ceiling) and I

Marie Antoinette (aka Kelsi from Dedicated Follower of Fashion ) and I

LA Fashion (Pic via Kelsi)



Xo, Kelsi Smith, Wendy Bendoni, Kiara Schwartz, Jasmine Duarte, Marla Verdugo, Carly Brydon, Mary Cathryn Hall and Lisa Tran

Good Times.  Coming up this week, my latest project a mini look book and I MEAN mini!

Fashion in the Park - PLUS a giveway!

 

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending for the second time, Two Point Oh LA's 3rd annual picnic at Griffith Park in Los Angeles.  An event where some of L.A. most fashionable bloggers come to be.....fashionable!  Not only was the weather simply perfect but the entire event was just fabulous.  As soon as I walked into the picnic area, I could totally feel the "royal" theme of the event.  Tents and tables where set up creatively, so much so that I felt like I was in Wonderland.

The event was sponsored by Ditto.com, Guess Watches, Sole Society, Hairroin and other fashionable companies.  Hello, gifting!

 

The Michael Stars tank I received was so soft and light weight, it was perfect to add to my work-out gear.

 

  DITTO an online glasses shop was also gifting amazing glasses. They were also sharing a new way to shop for eye glasses online.  I will soon be sharing with you which pair I chose in my upcoming mini blog series "The NEW Accessory?"

 

 

GUESS watches have come a long way from when I worked in their retail store about 10 years ago.  So many trendy watches to choose from and I received.....well you'll just have to check my upcoming post!

 

I have always loved GUESS ads.  Always so vintage inspired.

 

Once again Sole Society joined us for a little show and tell.  It was so hard to choose which of these pairs had my name on them. It just so happened that two of these pairs did. I chose the blue suede pumps you see above and am going to order the tan suede wedges you see below.  I can't wait to match them up with some of my current and upcoming pieces from my line.

 

 Erica from Sweets and Hearts was getting her hair braided by Hairroin Salon.  I also caught the lovely, Anne from Spy Girl taking a picture.

My favorite part of the whole event was seeing all the darling ladies and guys in their stylish clothes.  Also, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

 

Erica and I (my dress by yours truly)

 

Pic via Hallie Daily

Big thank you to Kelsi Smith

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NOW here's your chance to win your own gift from GUESS!  Simply leave a comment below regarding this post.  Your name will then be put into a drawing.  Then check back on my following post to find out if you won!  It's so easy!

 

*win a black faux leather wallet/ wristlet from GUESS.  Only one winner.  Gift sponsored by GUESS.  Gift will be shipped to the winner via USPS.  You must send a picture of you and your gift when you receive it, so I may post it here.  Thank you for entering.  Drawing ends 7/18/12 12:00pm

Bell of the Ball, Snow Ball that is!

This past Sunday was Two Point Oh LA's annual Snow Ball in West Hollywood at the chic Palihouse.  I was totally excited about going and making myself something extra sparkly to wear for that evening.  Sadly as the day approached, business came first and I ran out of time to make my dress.  Just like Cinderella, only I had no mice to finish my dress for me.  And the fairy godmother?  Her name was Hot Topic.  Crazy right?  I know, who would have thought I'd find something to wear to a fashion bloggers ball at a store that carries.....well, you'll just have to check them out.

The day finally came and started out with a morning of gifts and pampering.  Once again, lucky me got to choose one of these lovely shoes to keep for FREE from Sole Society!  AND guess what, I'll be giving one of these amazing heels away next month! Whoohoo!

I choose these lovely grey heels.

Got my nails done.

Hair was also getting done, courtesy of EDIA.

The styling suite as had make-up artist and spray tans by Chocolate Sun.

And then the night started, it was time for the ball and I...wasn't feeling like the bell of the ball at all.  You know that feeling when you truly don't like what your wearing and it makes the rest of the night so blah.  Well it "blah-ed" so much, that I called it a night early. Lamo.  Here are the highlights of the night.

Aren't we fancy?

More gifts? Why, yes.

Look out for my upcoming post on all the fun beauty products I received.

Can't wait to receive my gifted make-up box courtesy of SOHO.

These mini cheese cakes from Pacific Cheesecake Company, were sooo yummy.  Especially the lemon basil flavor.

With Kelsi from founder of TPOLA and Dedicated Follower of Fashion

With Melissa from The Key to Chic

With Sheryl from Walking in Wonderland (pic via Walking in Wonderland)

Love this out of focus photo.

The evening was totally fabulous with amazing fashion all around, it's just to bad I was a complete party pooper.

Up this week for me is part one of my Spring/ Summer 2012 photo shoot.  I'll be posting on that next week plus the Look Book Shop details and my first GIVE AWAY, shoes!