Holiday Sale!

It's no secret, I'm a fan of Vince.

Last winter when I had to brave the cold of Park City, Utah, my first shopping stop was Vince.

Frankly, there aren't many places to go that are a) in LA, b) have actual sweaters - you know, ones with sleeves...that (gasp!) keep you warm, and c) carry attractive winter wear.

Thankfully, there is Vince, and it's that time again! Starting today, Vince is having a sale with up to 40% off select merchandise.

A Gift That Gives Back

Thanks to a great segment on Live with Regis and Kelly, I was introduced to these funky, fashion forward bracelets that give gift giving a new meaning.

The Feed 5 Bracelet ($15) is an affordable, on-trend bracelet made out of corn-based plastic. The really amazing part? The purchase of one bracelet provides FIVE meals for children in developing countries.

Photos: feedprojects.com

Thy leaves are so unchanging...?

So this blog is not fashion related (aaahhh!), but it's such a great concept, I just had to share.

This holiday season, instead of buying a tree that will dry up and shed to death in your living room, why not RENT a tree!?

That's right, you can rent a living tree from The Living Christmas Co., in a pot with it's roots still growing, that will go back to the nursery after the holidays and have a chance to continue growing.

Year after year you can request the same tree, building it right in to your annual family traditions, until it's too big for your living room. Once it outgrows it's ornaments, it will be permanently planted somewhere to make our world a more beautiful place.

Ranging from $50 to $135, this is a great option this holiday season. It's like giving the earth a Christmas present!

Check out this local news coverage on the company:

Video: abclocal.go.com/kabc

LBD alert!

Looking for the perfect LBD? Look no further! Los Angeles based Blaque Label has answered your prayers.

Not only is this basic LBD fitted and flirty, the vertical seams keep it classy, and it's under $100! For only $92 (at chickdowntown.com), can you afford to miss out on this staple?

Looking for something with a little more oomph? Try this fun lace LBD by the same designer.

Yes, it reminds me a bit of Britney's D&G mini, but this is a much less "exposing" version, at an affordable $135 (also at chickdowntown.com).

Photos: chickdowntown.com

Loving the look ... your thoughts?

Model and intern Milan Bertone looked fierce at the Jerell Scott Fashion Rocks event during LA Fashion Week.

Ready for the amazing part? She scored this fun, printed mini dress for 50¢ at a vintage store! Then, she styled herself by wearing the dress backward, adding a wide black leather belt, and on-trend buckled boots.

Your thoughts?

Photos: abni

Sample Sale!

Find funky, edgy-yet-feminine pieces at the Michelle Mason warehouse sale this Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm.

Click the image for details.

Eco event!

The fabulous sustainable fashion experts at EcoStiletto.com invite you to a cocktail party to celebrate "green beauty and health" at Organic Pharmacy in Beverly Hills!

On Tuesday, October 27th from 6-9pm, enjoy mini makeovers and mini massages while drinking organic beverages.

Remember to RSVP (info below)!

Photos: ecostiletto.com

Fashion Rocks

My Friday night red carpet arrival at the Chic Little Devil Fashion Rocks party at the Cooper Building.

Check back soon for more photos and video of the Jerell Scott and Korto Momolu fashion shows!

Photo: abni

Flip Fashion

"Love is real, spread it." With a motto like that, it's no surprise that the designer behind Puja, an L.A. based line of jewelry, is a darling guy named Joshua.

Joshua with his jewelry line, Puja

I met the young designer on Friday at one of dozens of Fashion Week festivities, at the "Flip Fashion Not Humanity" Charity Sales Event (10% of all sales donated to Keep A Child Alive) at Bar Marmont.

Inspired by his half-Indian heritage, Joshua brings his designs to life in Delhi, India. Some of his designs incorporate traditional Indian enamel, but with a new twist -- instead of intricate work with many colors, in Puja we see solid, bright, bold colors -- perfect for the return of 80's fashion.

All the jewelry is unisex, and I adored the harness I tried on (which I didn't get a photo of - aah!).

Photos: abni

Chic Chicks

Obsessive cannot begin to describe my actions toward one Chickdowntown.com.

I visit the site daily to check out their deals (offering 20-35% off full priced items on a regular basis!), vintage selections and insanely styled lookbooks.

I am in love with these two lookbook selections -- super-feminine modern boho, and military-esque sexy secretary:

Rachel Leigh Millie Vintage Denim Pendant ($167)

Rachel Leigh Millie Espresso Cluster Drops ($128)

Giuseppe Zanotti Riding Boot (originally $1,195, on sale for $717)

Plastic Island Green Boho Tunic Dress ($163)

(and what I think is the BB Dakota Potter Vest I mentioned before!)

Giuseppe Zanotti Snake-Embossed Bootie (Originally $925, on sale for $555)

BB Dakota Ivory Dolly Leopard Top ($53)

BB Dakota Tangerine Laurie Skirt ($48)

BB Dakota Indigo Blue Marsh Jacket ($70)

Here's a little holiday party ensemble I put together using pieces from Chickdowntown on polyvore (paper dolls for grown ups!).

Pair a gorgeous red dress (with just enough ruffles not to piss off Nicholas from this season's Project Runway - be in the know by watching @ 19:19) with intricate earrings featuring jewel tone details, and a pair of sexy-yet-classy zebra pumps, and you're ready for cocktails or carols.

For those of you expecting snow this winter (my non-LA readers!), top it off with a flattering feminine coat and patterned (or warmer!) tights.

Rojas Vikki Jacket ($174)

Black Halo Keyhole Ruffle Sleeve Sheath ($345)

Giuseppe Zanotti Zebra Peep Toe Pump (originally $521, on sale for $364.70)

Lee Angel Egyptian Enamel Earrings ($212)

Photos: chickdowntown.com, polyvore.com

Tourist in my own city

Yesterday I ventured out to every corner of Los Angeles to check out some of our cities amazing boutiques and costume houses with stylist guru Luke Storey on his Day 2 class. It's a must for aspiring stylists and fashion lovers alike!

Hanging out at Confederacy, an amazing store in the Silver Lake/Echo Park side of town,

with Luke and friends!

Photos: abni

Trends in Trying Times

Tough economy + Lower shopping budgets = Time to make smart purchases.

Forever21 and H&M are always great options, but sometimes you need to branch out for more...let's say "lasting" items.

I recently stumbled across three great new pieces to keep me on-trend and on-budget for the upcoming season.

Leopard print is everywhere right now, and at only $44, the Michael Stars Mouse Leopard Tank won't break the bank (and I love the animal print in gray!).

Over-the-knee boots are edgy without taking you into that questionable "Pretty Woman" arena. The Kingdom boot by Chinese Laundry is comfortable, sexy, and only $98.95. To pull off this trend, avoid platforms on these taller boots to prevent them from looking costumey.

Sometimes a fashion trend jumps out at you as questionable yet fabulous at the same time. This next item is my questionabulous piece for this year. BB Dakota's Potter Vest is an easy, fun, amazing faux fur choice for only $60.

Photos: angelasrunway.com, zappos.com, chickdowntown.com

Who What Wear...When? Tonight!

Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, founders of my web site obsession Who What Wear, are having a book signing in L.A. tonight! Now's your chance to meet the talented twosome yourself.

I have their book, and love their style insights and guidance.

**Update: As much as I would have liked to attend this event, a major traffic "experience" (which required serious meditation from yours truly) on the 101 completely destroyed my evening. Here's to hoping for another event with the fabulous fashionistas soon!

Photos: amazon.com, whowhatwear.com

Saturday Sale

Don't miss out on this dream sale at one of my favorite (and often unattainably expensive) L.A. boutiques!

Save $$, Save Lives

Starting tomorrow (July 30 - Aug. 2nd) get 30% off at any Gap, Inc. store, including Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Stores and Old Navy, and 5% of your purchase goes to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)! Go to www.lls.org/gap to print out your Gap Give & Get coupon!

Discount for you, donation for them...everybody wins!

Click the photo below for more info on how you can help fight blood cancers.

Photos: lls.org

Handy Daily Candy

Today through August 4th, get 25% off regular priced clothing, accessories and shoes at Diavolina (online by entering code DAILYCANDY, and in the store by mentioning Daily Candy).

ABNI suggests saving on "J Brand 'The Pencil Leg' Torn Jean - Jett" (Regularly $196, with Daily Candy's discount $147).

Also, make sure you check out their sale items, like Velvet Angel's Peeptoe Booties in black for 50% off ($148 marked down from $295)!

Photos: shopdiavolina.com

Red, White and Blue...oversized plaid roll sleeve shirt

This weekend, cashmere lovers will have a happy 4th of July indeed. That is, if they stop by Vince's 40% off summer sale!

I mean, just check out their current women's collection! If they have it, can someone please pick up the chained necklace tank for me??

Shoes Named Oscar

It's been brought to my attention that I am not terribly creative when it comes to naming my significant purchases (see how I named this vlog). But when a designer item is so amazing that the mere thought of it brings a smile to your face, outlandish just names don't seem necessary.

This Saturday, I woke up at 7am to hit up the DecadesTwo HUGE shoe sale (as advertised on Daily Candy). I drove to West Hollywood, tired and groggy, to get in line by 8am. By the time I arrived, the line of shoe lovers was already almost to Harper Ave.

The sale was scheduled to start at 9am, and true to their word, the friendly DecadesTwo staff started letting people in at 9 on the dot.

Each time the line surged forward, I felt a jolt of excitement. My goal was to score a pair of seriously marked down Christian Louboutin heels (an item on my "dream list").

About 20 minutes later, a petite woman, apparently the first customer of the morning, pranced out of the store with two little brown bags and put on a show-and-tell for the poor souls still waiting in line (including my tired and hungry self - I forgot to eat breakfast). She had scored a pair of red patent-leather peep-toe Louboutins for $120 (which probably cost $795-$860 originally)! But I wasn't upset that she got to them before me...they couldn't have been bigger than a size 6. Even on my best days, my size 9 feet couldn't squeeze into those bad boys.

I finally stepped foot inside the store around 9:30am. I headed straight for the size 9 shoes only to find that, as usual with European sizes, I had to jump up to the 10's. I tried on orange strappy Manolo Blahniks, printed Stella McCartney flats, and jeweled Christian Dior heels before a pair of black satin Lanvin ballet flats caught my attention. They were a wonderfully comfortable and stylish staple for only $97 (similar Lanvin flats currently go for $530.). I grabbed them and kept on browsing.

Then, it happened. Someone had placed a pair of heels back on the shelf. Not just A pair, THE pair. My pair. Two-tone red, snakeskin, peep-toe mary janes...by Oscar de la Renta.

A lovely sales associate said she thought they were originally in the $7-800's, but the buyer said they were originally more like $1200! My price for my first perfect pair of Oscar de la Renta heels? $240.

My early Saturday excursion was well worth the waiting, the hunger pangs and the waiting. I may not have crossed Christian Louboutin off my list, but when I got home I welcomed in the newest addition to the family, shoes named Oscar.

Photos: ABNI

Welcome back!

Welcome back readers!

A Bag Named Isabella is proud to unveil our new look! As a vlog (video blog) focused on Los Angeles fashion, you can depend on ABNI to bring you an inside look at west coast style.

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