Santee Alley Success!

Santee Alley on a Sunday morning. The sounds of street vendors shouting out great deals, 2 for $5!!! or come look, good deals! The sounds of sweet sweet love in my world. I went down town to my beloved, Fashion District, the only place i shop and headed toward the best- Santee Alley. 

For those who don't know how the fashion industry works, here's an insider tip. A gift from me to you. STOP shopping at MALLS! The Fashion District is jam packed full of hundreds and thousands of vendors, these vendors prices are so dirt cheap, designers and store boutique owners come to them directly, purchase in bulks a

nd jack up the prices- you know those great patent leather peep toe shoes you bought at Steve Madden last week for $80? Go to

 the fashion district and spend a light $20 and they're yours. 

Here's a look at my purchases today- all under a cool $98. And to those who don't know me, this is much more money than id ever spend....any where!

First is the peep toe patent leather black mens wear shoe. This is a slightly different one, but clos

e enough. These beautiful, heart warming shoes were a cool $20. That's a cheaper price than Target, Payless or DSW. They are gorgeous and i can hardly resist walking around my apartment in them all day long, i might even wear them to bed. 

Secondly are these beautiful bangels, I got over 20 bangels, two pair of earrings and an amazing plastic ring... grand total: $9. Go ahead, be jealous. You may think that

 Forever21 was cheap- try the Fashion District. You could buy 

a full years supply of jewelery if you were to enter the $.99 cent store! Gah, Jill had to pull me away, i was about to make a big dent in my frugal wallet.

 Burberry Brit- originally $60, i spent only $29. Love a great deal especially on perfume. Im not one to spend hardly $2 on perfume, but i was in need of a new scent. This one is a fav from back in the days of hanging with my twin L Millz. Plus, im a suck

er for a good deal!               

Lastly i purchased a few pair of jeans... a pair of wide leg jeans retailing at $70-$100 at stores such as Gap, Express, Abercrombie & Fitch and so on. My jeans? $18. Glorious! Two pair for $40. I dont usually spend this much i swear, im frugal McFrugalson. But today was a day when i had all things paid off, a lovely Sunday afternoo

n and i realized all my saving had come in handy. Any one who knows me knows that this was a well deserved shopping day, plus i worked for it. Once you enter the Santee Alley you wont find things neatly placed for your connivence. 

You had to dig, search, rummage through endless shops and dirty stores. But trust when i say its WELL worth it. I converted another non-believer today, you could be next. Check it out, i promise you'll find you new fav place. And this year around Christmas your wallet wont be hurting so much. 

Enjoy my lovelys! 

Double KiSSES

<3>

Winter Must Haves

Fall is the most amazing season ever. It's so beautiful to see the changing of seasons, and to be a person who lives in a Meditteran climate like L.A. you really can appreciate the falling of leaves and cooler weather. With this beautiful season comes beautiful clothes to compliment them. Designers get inspired by the craziest things that no one really ever understands, but when it comes to Fall/Winter '09 everyone can see what struck a match in their heads.

Look out for a lot of rocks and minerals this fall, the colors they represent and the shapes will all be incorporated in most high end designer shows. Even designers like Max Azria finally emerged from his addiction to grey and black in his Fall/Winter '09 show.

Rock rings like the one above is very popular, the raw rock look, un touched, un refinded, you can also find rock bracelets from designers like Tory Burch, but get ready to plunk down around $300.

This Louis Vuitton bag has been a favorite of mine before it appeared in the Sex and the City movie. Its floppy style is so creative, because you can fit so much into it folded or unfolded. it's causalness is upgraded a few notches by the extronidary pearlesent tone. The LV print doesnt knock you in the face like classic logo bags, its tasteful. These slouchy clutches will be introduced slowly but will be a big trend in the winter. you can seek out look-a-likes at stores such as Aldo, Forever21,H&M and small boutiques nationwide.

Get a hold of this! Feathered clutches! I can't seem to get enough of this bizzare trend! It's chic and almost has a 90's flare to it. something so unusual. But as you can see, when you wear this style clutch with a sleek chic tight fitting dress it works so well. It shouldnt command all the attention but it should be a show stopper.

Your Style Checklist...

Every woman should have these classic time pieces in her closet. Now, they don't have to be to the same caliber, because as we all know, i dont buy anything for more than $20, but in some way, shape or form these essentials should be hanging next to your newest trendy clothes (or in my case laying on the floor next to the rest of my clothes).

First and foremost The Trenchcoat. The most powerful item of clothing i own, and i have two, just in case. For those of you who are thinking "I cant pull off something cynched around my waist" (mom, i know your agreeing to that statement) there is a very simple fix to that problem. I have the same problem, what i do to de-emphasize the "squeezed sausage" look is taking the belt and tieing it in the back. this allows your body to have fluidity and makes your waist look smaller rather than larger, gives you a great A-line stream line down the body. Wear this classic over anything with some heels and big chanel glasses, guarantee you'll snap some necks.

Speaking of heels, i can't seem to get enough! Though, i don't go to the extreme of Posh Spice in which i wear them to the gym, in marshy soccer fields and with my bathing suits, i enjoy splurging on a great pair that will last you forever, especially shoes like these that will be forever in style. Patent leather- in any color is in style every single winter. Wether you live in Los Angeles, or in Alaska, patent leather is a huge staple. Peep toe is my favorite style of shoe due to the fact that its young, a lil edgy and doesnt make you look like your a secretary. Plus- who said a lil toe clevage wont get you far??

These again, are very expensive Louboutin heels with the trade mark red sole. (what can i say? they're eye candy! i had too!)You can find exact replicas at any old place ranging from DSW to Payless.

What ever shall a girl wear with such amazing shoes costing more than her rent? Jeans ofcourse! Yes, jeans are my favorite item of clothing to match with some delicious $800 shoes. In this category, I never, ever, ever, follow the trend. I dont do the Katie Holmes roll up cuff, or the Micha Barton high waisted FuPa look, i always stick with a classic pant. always. These jeans are Gap's Long and Lean. I cannot get enough. I dont own a pair...yet, but whenever I'm in town visiting with family, i steal my sister's for the entire weekend. It's like parting with your child for the first time when i have to give them back, tramatic. Pants should fit you perfectly, if they are to long- get them altered! no pins and tape or cutting!. If they are to short- put them down and walk away!!! But honestly, if you're ever out shopping - step into what most think is the outdated Gap and check them out, you'll be literally doing your ass a favor.

Onto Accessories. I love a red lip. Many women think they cannot pull off such a lip, false. It's all about your skin tone and the surrounding make up. Red lips are fierce and need to be worn more. No its not Dolly Parton of you to slip your lips into something luxiorious like this Chanel Redlipstick. Its a must have. But ladies, this is a category where i don't seek out the cheapest, I go in for the gold, the good stuff, I never ever buy makeup at the grocery store or Walgreens. I shop M.A.C., NARS, etc... dont cheapen yourself buy applying cheap makeup.

Mmmm, just the sound sight and sense of pearls makes me feel calm. Pearls, Red lipstick, a fierce pair of jeans, sky high heels a killer trench coat, what could be better? Pearls are classic because they are simply classy. Anyone can wear a diamond, that just a rock, a mineral from the ground. Only certain women can wear a strand of pearls and drop some jaws. I dont need to say much about pearls because they speak for themselves. But I wear pearls with everything! Fitted jackets, motercycle jacket, cardigan, jeans, skirts, shorts, dresses etc. Go to Marc by Marc Jacobs and get a huge strand for $15 or drive down to your local craft store and buy them in strands and just wear them straigh up. FYI craft stores are like mini gold mines when it comes to great jewelery, they string all kinds of stones and beads together ultimatly for the consumer to cut and restring as a neckalce later, but just wearing them in layers is super chic and cheap too!

I saved my favoritist for last of course. THE Chanel Half-tinted sunglasses. O. M. G. These have been my favoritist sunglasses since their release a few years ago. Soooo Jackie-O it hurts. These make me want to grab Karl Lagerfeld in a kung-foo grip hug forever. So Simple, yet not over powering in any way, and if your like me and fighting off paparazzi..... lol, then they are great for cooling down your corneas with the tint on top. (and who doesn't like a lil on top action eh??!). Unfortunatly, i have no suggestions on where to find a knock off of these knock out glasses. No wal-mart or CVS carries such beauties. So i suggest saving in that piggy bank and resorting to an online E-Bay cat-fight bidding brawl.

You can wear any of these classics alone, together, with something mis-matched, naked, tanning, lounging, doing errans, what have you. Just please, i beg you, dont ever get rid of them, they are what makes women sexy.

Ciao for Now

Double KiSSeS

SuzyQ

The Green Scene

The Green Scene in Los Angeles is among the largest. I will admit i wasnt very educated when it came to anything "green", but during a stroll through my favoritist neighborhood of West Hollywood i discovered, Visionary. Its a completely eco-friendly green store. everything they sell and all of the visual displays are made of recylced goods.

I had the lovely honors of being a visual merchandiser for Magda, the stores owner for a short bit back in the spring. Ever since then I have been obbesssed with the mini glass ball eco systems they sell, the books, soy candles, lamps, knick knaks and more! Magda (the woman to the right of the photo below) also owns and manufactors her own clothing line worn by many celeb-u-tot's like Lourdes, Madonna's daughter called Wildchild Wear. Absolutely adorable kiddie clothes, also all recycled and organic, and so L.A. Think Maddox's style, Anjelina's first son, and that is what Wildchild Wear is.

I suggest strolling through The Courtyard, the mini nook of a plaza where Visionary is located, on Melrose Ave across from Urth Cafe. Its quiet, cute, chic, and organic. Walking across the street for a chai latte and strolling down the rest of the street jam pack with the most adorable boutiques you'll ever see i.e. the PeaceFactory and Threads.

There is so much to explore on Melrose and so much more to discover at my favorite organic boutique- Visionary. From one fashionista to another- trust me, go, you wont regret it.

Ciao for Now

Double KiSSeS

SuzyQ

Icons, Inspirations and Admiration

My Style has two faces, the sophisticated side, and the Boho side. I have never been able to morph these two styles together and im starting to realize that i dont think i want to. My inspirations for both of these styles come from very different kinds of people

My first and foremost favoritist person in the entire world of fashion will always be Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. I adore every single piece of clothing she ever made and everything she ever wore. Audrey Hepburn a close second. These two amazing women of fashion inspire my everyday lifestyle, not just fashion style. A huge difference for the record.

My clothing style is more geared towards Mary-Kate Olsen, no not Ashley. Just MK. So many people are quick to judge and toss her to the side lines of fashionistas. But she does something with clothes that dont always flatter her figure, but flatter her personality. They ARE her personality. She mixes and matches anything and everything. Something i found a hard feat before i moved to Los Angeles. She is Boho- she is Hobo she is chic and messy. I love that. Chic and messy. delicious actually. SoOoo these are some pictures of my favoritist (yes i used this word not once but twice, and yes i know its probably not a word) people in the entire world. With out them fashion would be so boring, blan and un-eventful. I like drama, or so the people in my world tell me!

Enjoy, more to come my loves

Ciao for now,

Double KiSSeS Muah Muah

SuzyQ

Rebel Rouser

As a FiDM student, I need an outlet to show the latest and greatest from the up and coming desingers. My favorite spots in the Fashion District, great deals and much more you can only access from an insider. Enjoy this guilty pleasure that is nothing but good for you!

Ciao for now