If you don't believe in fur, stop reading.






Now that we are alone, fellow fur lovers - we can discuss how fur vests and accessories have taken over the market. I love the trend just as much as the next person but sometimes I like to get ahead of it and that means taking a chance. My new coat is obnoxious for my age, my location, and my profession but sometimes you just need an outstanding piece in your wardrobe. I used to jump out of the bath, run to my mother's closet and pull her furs to the floor and adorn myself in them hiding my naked body. So it is no wonder, I wanted one myself.

These days you can find new fur in retailers everywhere, vintage at resale stores and on Ebay. The problem is the majority of the fur being sold isn't the best quality. While a hundred dollar fur vest doesn't need to be BLACKGLAMA (the exclusive mink breeders' association) a coat should be looked at differently. Furs run in families, they last a lifetime and get passed down from generations. I received this fur with the intention of keeping it in my wardrobe till the day I die.

Edwards-Lowell of Beverly Hills was founded by Merrill Lowell in 1940 and quickly earned a reputation for the rare and beautiful in original fur fashions. Inspired by art and music, Mr. Lowell developed design and manufacturing techniques in fur that set the standard for the industry. Joined by his wife, Grace, in 1961 they developed a client base that included some of the greatest Hollywood legends of all time. Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Mae West, Ella Fitzgerald, Lana Turner, Sammy Davis are just some of the icons that have worn Lowell’s original fur fashion designs.

Responsible for the white fox stole in Madonna's Material Girl, Edwards-Lowell has anything a fur lover would want and/or need. If you ask politely, they will show you their vintage pieces that are hiding in the back room. Some of these pieces are on consignment, like mine. So while we purchased the fur, we were also donating to a hospital in Oregon... Sales associate, Paul Matsumoto was a pleasure to work with. While others may scoff or laugh at my age and price range, he worked with my budget with grace and swiftness; finding me the best piece that my heart desired.

I don’t know where to start. Even I am overwhelmed so I will do my very best to relay this information to you in the most efficient way ever...

Fashion Night Out is fast approaching: Friday, September 10, 2010. Last year was Fashion’s Night Out’s first year and barely represented in Los Angeles but thrived in New York. This annual shopping extravaganza is led by Vogue Magazine and the Council of Fashion Designers of America and for the second year, LA is going all the way. The following areas and shopping centers will be hosting FNO:


Take a look here for all participating Retailers. Participatingretailers.com

I am only going to touch upon highlights in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and West Hollywood — but if you have a favorite designer - call the store because within these city limits over 300 parties, personal appearances, shopping discounts and the like are all occurring simultaneously.

Rodeo Drive is bringing Fashion’s Night Out in Style. A Ferris wheel will be strategically placed and free to ride with a receipt from a participating retailer. Chanel will be offering manicures with their limited edition shades, Fendi will be showing a special installation shot by Karl Lagerfeld, Hermes will be demonstrating scarf-tying, Valentino will be offering a Casino night and so much more. rodeodrive.com

The Beverly Center will serve as the headquarters with free parking and shuttles starting at 4pm to six retail districts centered on Melrose Avenue, Robertson Boulevard, West 3rd Street, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, downtown Los Angeles and Los Feliz. Charles David founder Charles Malka will be performing an in-store shoe signing (in the Beverly Center) from 6 to 9. Fred Segal on Melrose will have appearances by Quiksilver's surfing team, and Decadestwo is holding "400 dresses for $400 or under". LAcity.com

WeHo is also going big. There will be a Julia Clancey runway show at the Andaz, artwork will be displayed at the 3.1 Phillip Lim Boutique and if you spend $300 at John Varvatos on Robertson, photographer Robert Knight will shoot your portrait. weho.com

The list of events is huge. I am leaning towards Rodeo just because I want to ride the Ferris Wheel....

I saw the China Doll handbag in a Spanish magazine on an airplane. I cooed and oohed over the idea while my S.O. shook his head.

Celebrating the Universal Exhibition in Shanghai, Chanel launched the Chanel Shanghai accessories collection inspired by the delights of China. With matching necklaces and earrings, the china doll is a conversation starter. The rest of the collection is communistic red and green with a take out box thrown in the mix and even a conical hat. Already in stores, I want the China Doll necklace which I saw in Paris for about $500 euros and the sequined cotton Chinese hat which I saw in Beverly Hills for $3,000usd. But with that price tag I could get another handbag... so you guessed right that my want will not become a have.

I have a hate and love relationship with hair.

I love my long hair or else I would look like a twelve-year old Asian boy.

But I hate hair in places it shouldn’t be.

 

I have always struggled with stubble on my legs, my armpits and below - ingrown hairs, fast growing hairs and an ultimate disdain for shaving and waxing led me to the wonderful world of laser hair removal.

 

I was referred to Medspa through a nurse girlfriend and even though I had heard different opinions on laser hair removal, the idea of eliminating razors from my life pushed me to experiment. I started at MedSpa 90210 in Beverly Hills and had great results. After 4-5 sessions, all areas were almost hairless. I have started on my legs now, which is a slower process since it is not recommended to get done while tan and I love to tan.

 

The great thing about Medspa compared to other laser hair removal places is that instead of requiring you to buy a package or charge you for each area, they charge you for the amount of time. They offer the following rates:

 

10 minutes = $100

15 minutes = $150

30 minutes = $175

45 minutes = $250

 

I was able to get my armpits and Brazilian done under twenty minutes. For touchups, I schedule ten minutes and now for my legs and touchups it takes about thirty to forty-five minutes. They offer student discounts, a referral program, and sometimes offer great specials.

 

I have referred several friends and no one has been disappointed and as the colder seasons approaches, now is there perfect time to start getting ready for the summer.

 

Medspa 90210

433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 780

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

(310) 724-8033

As quoted from mother and parents all around the United States: “Why would you pay full price for something with holes, rips and tears in it?”

 

And I would reply as I have before: “Because it is fucking fabulous.”

 

Raquel Allegra creates outstanding pieces from Los Angeles County jail tattered t-shirts. Using her secret techniques she turns these rags into soft, distressed pieces, such as t-shirts, tunics, tank tops, dresses and scarves. Reminiscent of spider webs, the distressed fabric clings to a body with the comfort of an old tee but with the style of an innovative design. 

 

She is based in Los Angeles and although she does not have her own store, her pieces can be found at the following stores as noted on her website:

 

Maxfield

8825 Melrose Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90069

310.274.8800

 

Curve

154 N Robertson Blvd.

West Hollywood, CC 90048

310.360.8008

 

Fred Segal Trend

500 Broadway

Santa Monica, CA 90401

310.458.6365

 

Switch

238 S Beverly Dr.

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

310.860.1650

 

Although, not on her website, I recently found a couple pieces at Barney’s in Beverly Hills and purchased a dark grey tee. I’ve worn it thrice and am in love. She is definitely an Angelino designer to watch out for and I’m intrigued to see what she does next. 

 

CHANEL. The word rings in my ears. What a love/love relationship I have with the quilted caviar of my dreams. I have been coveting a Chanel bag for what it seems an eternity, which I just recently made a reality. Unfortunately due to financial restraints Rodeo Drive, is a street I am least traveled on. But last Wednesday as I decided my bank account's fate would be decreased by at least two thousand dollars I knew Rodeo was the place I needed to be. Upon my entrance into Chanel, I was greeted with the smell of No. 5 and a tight smile from a tall thin blonde woman. I browsed the glorious handbags even though ultimately I knew I had to choose only one. I tried on the large shopping handbag and the large classic flap handbag. I decided on the large shopping bag for my everyday needs but the classic flap handbag is on my want list; at the very top. (Take note admirers - there is an easy way to bed me.)

 

 

Woe was me! The elusive Chanel located at 400 N Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 did not have my black large shopping handbag in stock but the Chanel Concept Store saved the day. They were contacted, the handbag was placed on hold and I rushed over to 125 N. Robertson Boulevard but not before I treated myself to some lovely earrings. After 3 roundabouts, I finally found a meter… where is the valet?? I purchased the handbag straight away. Walking out of the store holding a bag with outstanding bright white letters C-H-A-N-E-L so boldly placed behind a shiny black background might have been the highlight of my month. The giddiness I felt could only be compared to that of a mother and her first born. As I sit here and glance behind me at the handbag I've wanted for so long, a huge smile spreads across my face.

Let me say, that if possible, treat yourself to the ultimate luxury you can give your shoulder: a Chanel.