BrandHabit

Jewelry by Sa Sa

by Carlina Harris

If you've never heard of Jewelry by Sa Sa, you are in for a treat!  Designer of this classic meets whimsical line, Sarah Johnson, received her bachelors in Metal and Jewelry, so she knows what she's doing when she creates her traditional charm bracelets, sterling earrings, custom orders, or her wildly popular-heartstrings. Don't believe me? Sa Sa has made a name on its own in only two short years, and has developed quite the cult following in the Baltimore- DC locale. An outpouring of demands for orders forced Johnson to set up a brick and mortar storefront in Maryland to appease the crowds lusting for effortless, chic jewelry!

I was lucky enough to get my hands on some magnificent samples, and must say I was blown away by the attention to detail, the on-trend factor, and wear-ability of the line. Usually an artist is only as good as it's most recreated piece, but for some reason it shows that Johnson puts her heart into every single piece she makes, whether its a custom piece for a wedding (cute idea), or one of the hundreds of heartstrings made daily, each piece is beautiful, in a contemporary handmade way. 

I personally have been wearing my heart on my wrist daily, since receiving a pair of the heartstrings not to long ago. They are so chic, go with any outfit, and can be piled up with other bangles to create that "Hollywood starlet" look. Another brand favorite is the hammered hoop earrings, which by the way, remind me why I loved wearing hoops with everything growing up. They are stunning, the detail is impeccable for what they actually cost, and there is a cute little reminder of the brand on the outer edge of the earring! 

Sa Sa's website is chock full of inspired designs, there are a ton of different charming, charm bracelet and necklace designs, like the very in vogue nautical sailor theme pictured below. Imagine wearing that stunner with a striped boat-neck dress lounging at an outdoor cafe, or off on a jaunt in your imaginary yacht...très chic indeed!

You'd be crazy not to want a little- or a lot- of Sa Sa in your life, besides designing great pieces for women of all ages, the packaging is to die for, amazing little organic-esque pouch-ettes accompany each design, and best of all the heartstrings show up with a little card from the designer herself!

Super cool: Super Sunglasses

by Carlina Harris

I'm the first to admit I love to try ostentatious trends whether it's turban inspired headpieces a la Carrie in SATC 2, or obscenely flamboyant harem pants, which Parisians pull off so well. But one thing which I usually like to keep neutral is my eye-wear. I tend to be attracted to classic shapes, colors and name brands glasses which have been around for ages, they are protecting my eyes after all! But last week when I ran across underground Italian label Super, most of my sun-glass notions went out the window. And I wanted to get Super, bad! With Summer here already, I just might have to don a pair of these fashion forward glasses asap.

Super makes extraordinary shades in candy colored hues, and interesting shapes, yet also caters to the more classic- ladies who lunch crowd. Not only are the shades so totally bad-ass, but they are hand-made in Italy with the best materials possible, including Zeiss lenses, which guarantee an extremely high level of eye protection.

Celebs, fashion socialites, bloggers, and those in the "know" have been wearing Super since its inception in 2007. If you wanna jump on the bandwagon and get some Super, check out their website here, or peruse their extremely large list of US distributors. Check out my picks for the season below.

Apollo Classic

Chicano Flat Top

 
Miamii

Lucia Puma

 
W

Ciccio Cheetah {my favorite!!}

Gucci Techno Horsebit Hobo

It’s that time of year when summer collections start to hit the discount racks and the fresh looks of the fall season start to appear. They come in small trickles at first, and then, by the time mid-July arrives, you look around and it’s an entirely new season again! One of the best ways to get a hold of the momentum is to take a good inventory and plan on how to spend your money on new pieces.

An essential piece for fall and a very secure investment in any economy is a gorgeous basic handbag. A clear front-runner is Gucci’s re-vamped Techno Horsebit Hobo in luscious black leather. The Horsebit Hobo style has been a popular choice among Gucci fans for years, no doubt due to its easy shape and no-nonsense attitude. This bag is streamlined chic to the max.

When purchasing a handbag for the season, always go for a basic leather in black or brown. Because the Horsebit Hobo is a classic design and quintessentially Gucci, there’s no need for the logo! This option in smooth black leather will have stylish staying power for years. And, given everything, can you say the same thing about your stock portfolio?

Save on designer handbags at Bluefly from TheFind.com’s coupon site

From our friends at thefind.

Sheckys: San Francisco Issue

by Carlina Harris

Every time I attend Shecky's Girls Night Out, a few things are always guaranteed to happen.
1. I overspend
2. I wake up with a headache
3. I can't wait for the next Shecky's event!

What does this say about me? Well we won't get into that, but I will divulge that this years event was fantastic, even better than my last! "Discounted shopping"- or so say the LA vendors, unlimited cocktails, super gi-normous goodie bags, and female bonding at its finest, not a bad way to spend a Thursday night if you ask me.The shopping was over the top as usual, there were more vendors than I could count, bars in every corner pouring drinks, samples at all the tables, and a even a dj spinning tunes by request!

This year Shecky's President and NYC based social butterfly Claudia Chan was in attendance, posing for pics, and chatting with the attendees. Chan couldn't have been nicer, and what great style! She complemented my Cynthia Vincent for Target shoes, and even took a picture of them!

Check out full coverage and pics on my blog, AllergictoVanilla.com!

 

Add Some Glitz To Your Summer Style With A Set Of Stacked Bangles!

’ll admit, I’ve never been much of a jewelry girl. Don’t get me wrong — I like jewelry, and I certainly wouldn’t turn my nose up at a nice gift from Tiffany (hint, hint), but when it comes to the trendy piled-on look, I tend to give up before I even attempt. It just seems like so much effort! I mean, I don’t even think I have enough jewelry that even somewhat coordinates (or fashionably “clashes” in that edgy just-threw-this-on sort of way), let alone the patience to think up a stylishly stacked-up jewelry look without looking like a 5-year-old who just raided her grandmother’s old jewelry box.

It’s these sort of fashion and accessory woes that makes me love purchases that do a stylist’s work for you. You don’t, in fact, need to run around finding a bunch of separate bangles that mix and match to your liking — bangle sets are where it’s at when you’re going for the blingy wrist look in one step that only looks like you spent hours trying to coordinate! Add a pop of color with multicolored bangles like this enamel set by French Connection, or go with the full-on glitz with these sparkly stacked bangles from Shopbop! No matter what your bracelet style, bangle sets are a quick and easy way to take your look from casual to glitzy!

Save on Stacked Bangles at Bluefly.com from TheFind.com’s coupon site

From our friends at thefind.

Fashion at Music Festivals

With all of the tie-dye, ikat and tribal prints hitting the runways over the last several seasons, I’ve been itching to do a report on hippy fashion from the source and breeding ground for this style:  hippy music festivals.

 

You might think that hippies don’t care about fashion but think again.  Some of the most creative forms of self-expression can be found at these events.

 

The last several years have shown a huge shift in style.  Gone are the days of tie-dye t-shirts and twirl skirts, the hippies of today have a much more urban and edgy style.  Granted: one will still catch a waft of burning sage and everything else you might expect at a music festival but don’t think you will be walking though a shuffling crowd of smelly, unshowered, strung out, long haired kids.

 

Quite the opposite, in fact.  This weekend, I went to one of the more traditionally “crunchy” of the Northern California Music Festivals:  The Harmony Festival where I saw classic reggae band, Steel Pulse and a more contemporary Reggae band called Slightly Stoopid. 

 

There were very few longhaired hippies and tie-dye was far and few between.  You are more likely to see clean shaved skaters on a skate board ramp than a writhing mass of sweaty bodies in a drum circle.

 

Clearly there is a trend towards Burning Man style (An event I have yet to go to but have on my bucket list) and I can only describe as “Mad Max” meets “Dangerous Liaisons”. 

 

Several vendors peddled their wears of neutral colored canvas clothing, tailored in boudoir renaissance details.  So, If you can imagine:  A bustier made of olive drab cloth, worn with combat boots and yet polished off with a decidedly goddess-like feminine vibe.

 

I’d also describe the style as playful-fantastical-fantasy, where Technicolor dreams one only sees in movies are played out in reality.

 

While we may think that Paris and Milan inspire US fashion, I wonder if some of these free thinking hippies are more on the leading edge of fashion than we might guess?

 

 

The Python Trend Gets Wild

The trend for python handbags and accessories is going strong and now the reptile pattern is taking on clothing and other accessories as well. This trend for the snake like texture adds a fresh take on fabrics as well. Look for python printed fabrics on delicate silk blouses, form fitting dresses, and even leggings. We saw this trend in the ’90s with and it is back again! This time around the trend is seen in neutral shades of grays, taupes, and ochres. We do see a bright pop of color now and then as in the Juicy Couture python print floral headband shown above. Pair a python print blouse with leather pants or skinny jeans worn with ankle booties for a luxe rocker look. Ted Rossi who is known for his statement jewelry and accessories has a plethora of python cuffs in his current collection. Look for Ted’s launch of his new urban military collection this month at Henri Bendel!

Save on Python Clothing and Accessories at Bloomingdales from TheFind.com’s coupon site

From our friends at thefind.

TAPAS Grand Wine Tasting 2010

by Carlina Harris

The truth about wine is that it is good for you. Wine is an antioxidant, and a de-stresser all at the same time. It's there for you after a long day at the office, and keeps you looking youthful--I think! So I went out on Saturday and had my fill of it, at the TAPAS Grand Wine Tasting event at Fort Mason.  The most extensive annual tasting of domestically produced Spanish and Portuguese wines in North America.

The venue was huge, over 50 boutique wineries were pouring, many of which I had never even heard of. A few of the tastings were mediocre, but one or two tables were really something! I enjoyed two in particular. Boony Doon Vineyard, was my first runner up, perhaps because of its close proximity to my current residence, or because it was one of the first tastings I tried, their stuff is good. But, my winner for best wine overall is Forlorn Hope wines created by a charming fellow by the name of Matthew Rorick. I was privileged enough to try several of his wines, unfortunately I missed one--which I am now kicking myself for, it was that amazing! It could have been the wine buzz talking, but the bf and I so nonchalantly swore this stuff would have to be poured at our wedding, a white and a red, you know to give the guests more options. Mind you, nobody is engaged-yet. So there I am sniffing, swirling, and sipping the most beautifully made Spanish inspired wine not made in Spain, and am in heaven, amongst the swarm of tipsy folks, pushing me aside to get their next pour. But I didn't mind, after trying Forlorn wines, I'd be pushing my way to the front of the line as well.

My first taste at this magical table was La Gitana- or gypsy in English- a beautifully crisp, and sweet white Summer wine (option A for the upcoming nuptials). Suspiro del Moro, a red, was next up (option B), and I believe I tried the romantically inclined Mil Amores, another red. They were all superb!

The day was made even sweeter, by a giant paella freshly cooked, with it's distinct aroma wafting through the hall. Even though the line to get our paella was longer than the width of the hall, we withstood the growl in our bellies, and the thirst in our throat to get a piece of the paella pie. The food was amazing, the wine was delicious, I am very happy I had the opportunity to attend this event. And cannot wait to be in Spain this summer and do it all over again!

  {paella by Marco Paella}

{seaside lunch}

Giveaway & Great Summer Read: pia...mia!

                                     

                                         

by Carlina Harris

I, as many of you, am an avid reader.  I enjoy books, magazines, and anything with pictures!  I also LOVE fashion, as if you didn't already know!  So when I came across newly debuted pia...mia, a book that has it all: fashion, making decisions for life's dilemmas, and social networking all rolled into one, I knew I had discovered the guide for the chic set of the 21st century!

Author, and full time stylist, Pia Jacobson pens this must have guide just in time for the lazy days of Summer, when a book like this is necessary.  Whether it be to inspire a lackluster wardrobe, or to discover the art of packing for vacation, Jacobson gets it so right.  Not only is this read a manual for all things fashion and life related, but it includes illustrations from brilliant New York fashion designer Zang Toi as well!

With that said, I am so excited to offer my fabulous readers the opportunity to read- and memorize- this amazing book for themselves.  The Berit Group was kind enough to offer one lucky reader the chance to  win a copy of this book through BrandHabit.  All you have to do is email Lauren at [email protected] and tell her you want this book!

As Carmen Marc Valvo stated in the forward he wrote for Jacobson in pia...mia, "Her high standards and unerring eye coupled with a passion for great design make her an ideal sage of fashion wisdom."  And who am I, to disagree with Carmen Marc Valvo?

Get Into The Military Trend With Cargo Shorts

When I was in college, my favorite pants were a pair of super comfortable cargo pants that I wore with practically everything. So when I had to throw them out, they were falling to pieces. Cargo pants have always been a favorite of mine even when the fashion authorities have ruled them to be out of style. So when I was looking for a new pair of shorts to wear this summer, I was elated to see that cargo shorts are back in style!

Right off the coattails of the military style trend, utility cargo shorts is all about the feminine yet tough look that reminds me of Rosie the Riveter. I think the best way to wear cargo shorts is with a sense of balance. Add a basic slim fitting tank top or t-shirt for a super easy casual look. To dress it up, find a printed tunic and add a bold belt to top it all off. My favorite pick is the Vince Utility Short Shorts which you can find in khaki or army green!

Save on Cargo Shorts at American Eagle Outfitters from TheFind.com’s coupon site

From our friends at thefind.