So Me!

When you find something you love be it jewelry, shoes, clothes, or even a house or a car, odds are you love it because you think it's very "you." How many times have you heard someone exclaim "That is so me!"? I know I'm guilty, and I use that phrasing when shopping for others too ("That is so insert friend's name here"). I consider myself something of a shopping psychologist (believe me, I've done the research) so I know that people love things they believe were especially made for them. However, a good retailer can make more than one of something but make it so well that it feels personal, and that's all that anyone wants: to feel special.

I am beyond blessed to say that my friends have made me feel most special. A lot of my best friendships came out of working at a place that made people feel like dirt. But the more we struggled with where we worked, the more we bonded with each other. True friends are people who will always lift you up; they will always support you and are happy to remind you that you deserve better. Friends are honest and committed to each other's cause. I learned all this and more from my first group of friends in the "real world," at my first "real job." These weren't the people I went to high school with; we were all different ages and came from different places, but they're the people I want to stay friends with for life. They're the people I already feel like I have known forever. 

After leaving that place of work, I have managed to stay close with this group of people. Now that they don't have the negativity of that workspace surrounding them, every single one of them has gone on to do amazing creative things. My friend Michelle, who has always been a fabulous photographer, recently took up sewing and came up with the idea of So:Me, an upscale plush line. If you love fabric, jewelry, and color like I do, then this line will definitely appeal to you. But more so than the eye-catching patterns and bling, these pieces make you feel something. Maybe it's nostalgia for that favorite childhood toy; maybe it's love for the person who gifts you with one; or maybe it's the inspiration to take a chance on making your dreams a reality. When I look at all that Michelle is doing I think about where we both came from and where we are now, and I'm so excited for the future. 

The pictures above are a few of my personal favorite designs. For now there are Frenchies, pigs, and elephants, with more animals to come. She even has an Audrey Hepburn-inspired line called Audrey's Pearls. I wrote this blog post because I really do believe in supporting my friends and their creative endeavors. They have always supported me. If you're interested in supporting Michelle and So:Me Plush, make sure you check out her site and sign up for her mailing list so that you are aware of her Kickstarter campaign and are entered to win a plush. She is giving out two every week for the next month! Also, she is giving away a gorgeous nail polish kit TOMORROW so make sure you are following on all of her social networks to win:

Instagram: @so_me_plush

Facebook: facebook.com/someplush

Twitter: @SoMe_Plush

Pinterest: pinterest.com/someplush

Good luck!

What Lies Ahead

I think it's funny that we as human beings are so fascinated with the future. We want to know everything that will happen as soon as possible. Fashion is one of the few outlets that is happy to tell you about the future well in advance and give you ample time to prepare. Imagine if all things in life were forecasted on a runway two seasons in advance.

Fall/Winter clothing and accessories are now out in full-force and since the holidays are a time to really sparkle, it's time to pick up those special pieces for gifting or for keeps. While it still feels summery here in So Cal., the Tweet Up at the Outlets of Orange recently reminded me to think ahead.  

My recommendations for Fall/Winter are as follows:

1. Shine. Whether it's beading, sequins, or chunky rhinestones, add some shimmer to your wardrobe to stand out. I picked up this sequined black tank with large discs from Neiman Marcus Last Call. The movement of the discs adds some shine to my wardrobe, especially when worn underneath a coat.

2. The Statement Shoe. It's no secret that I love shoes, and while they serve the practical purpose of getting me from point A to point B, they can also do double duty as your jewelry of choice. Choose a glitzy shoe (or a really tall one) and have that be your statement-making accessory. Your confidence will skyrocket. I picked up these beaded and silk Charlotte Olympias from Neiman Marcus Last Call for an incredible deal. They are the perfect shoe for me, with some glitter in every step. 

3. Consider a Clutch. If you're like me and you love a big bag, you know it can be challenging to squeeze everything into a tiny clutch. However, these pocket-sized purses are perfect for holiday parties. Take a load off and don't compromise the look of your formal wear by choosing a clutch that has detailing on it. I spotted this smart set at Saks Off 5th. 

4. Feathers. I love feathers! I hope this trend never goes away. As evidenced by the many feathered finds from dresses to shoes at Neiman Marcus Last Call, I don't think it will. Be advised, feather items tend to be a bit more expensive because it's such a delicate detail. I think it's extremely worth it though to buy pieces that have such exquisite movement.

5. Be a Square. If you are going to stick with a bigger bag in place of a clutch, opt for a structured, square shape, the most popular bag of the moment. You can get a bag similar to this anywhere (even Target), but Neiman Marcus Last Call had all of these designer-looking duds in stock.

I for one love the idea of an open-ended future, where tomorrow's a mystery. While you can't always shape the months ahead of you, you can prepare for (hopefully) colder temps and festive events. When shopping ahead of time and at outlet stores you can find a large selection of on-trend necessities for the season at the fraction of a cost. And budgeting for the future is always in style.

Happy Shopping!

One Sweet Tweet Up

Although my day job fully revolves around social media, I had never actually been to a Tweet up for my own personal enjoyment/social accounts. But last week I was in for a pre-Halloween treat when I was invited to a Tweet Up at the Outlets at Orange discussing all things fall fashion.

Having grown up hanging out at The Block (the name formerly given to this shopping mecca) on select weekends, I knew this outdoor space as a place to catch a movie and spend time with friends over food and drinks. I recently discovered its major shopping potential since adding in big name stores like Nordstrom Rack and Neiman Marcus Last Call. The polish they've added to this place has paid off nicely. Now Orange County bargain hunters can score a designer deal and take in delicious dining and drinks to boot.

We began Tweeting at Neiman Marcus Last Call about current fall trends. Major takeaways for me were fringe, embellishments, and feathers, which could be found on clothing or handbags. We then reunited in the center court by AMC for an outstanding fashion presentation. We got to see models up close styled in perfect fall form. Eyeing the looks up close was like watching a Pinterest board come to life. I was inspired by so many of the bargain pieces used to make very editorial ensembles. There was even a game to guess where certain outfits came from. I am proud to say I put my years of shopping to good use and was able to win a prize for guessing correctly!

Since social media can suck up your cell battery and energy, snacks were on hand to keep us going. I finally got my Ghostbusters Krispy Kreme doughnut that I had been craving since I heard they were coming out.

Another great part of the evening was seeing dresses fashioned from shopping bags. If you thought reusable bags were becoming stylish, you wouldn't believe these works of art submitted by fashion students. Attendees got to vote for their favorite dress on Twitter. It was no easy task to pick a favorite. I would have worn any of these pieces of altered couture.

The truth is, I can sometimes be old-fashioned. I like to unplug after work and on the weekends, and do as little social media feed watching as possible. However, this event made me see the benefits and fun of carving out some personal social media time. I thought I knew how social networking and shopping worked together, but I needed an update. This event helped me refashion my take on something familiar, much like a dress re-imagined.