Holy heat wave, Batman!

The weather channel says it is currently 112 degrees in our area of Los Angeles.  


1) WTF.


2) We cannot figure out what to wear to stay cool in this ridiculousness.  Where's a nudist colony when you need one?


3) We know it's Über trendy, and we are not getting anything for saying this, but stock up on VitaCoco, dear readers!  It's great for staying hydrated, it travels easily, and it tastes wonderful!

Other suggestions/ideas for staying cool?  Comment below!

Arresting Accessory

Handcuff's as jewelry... and you're not Lindsay Lohan?  Absurd, right?  

Nope.  The amazing RZ has done it again, introducing the world to her newest fashion accessory - these beyond fun Jack Vartanian 18k rose gold handcuff bracelets with diamonds (to be worn on the same wrist).  A mere $4,880.

They might be an unattainable obsession, but they teach us fashion lovers to take risks and seek out unique pieces to accent our looks.

Mad props, RZ, mad props.

Photos: jackvartanian.com

Pallying Around

On our way to a meeting in glorious downtown LA, we stumbled across the amazing Rachel Pally warehouse sale!

Quintessentially LA and oh-so-wearable, Rachel Pally's dresses are effortless, comfortable and flattering.

We scored two of Rachel Pally's Long Shirred Camisole Dress (above) in a soft gray/silvery color and in this fun tribal print (that she calls Putty Geo).

Originally $198, we got these perfect summer-into-fall pieces for only $94!  The staff was adorable and beyond helpful, digging through boxes to help us find sizes!  

The sale continues this Saturday AND Sunday, so hurry over to 2301 East 7th St!

Photos: rachelpally.com

Consider it a favor to me...

Alas, I'll be missing this shoe sale, but you don't have to!!  In fact, as a favor to me, PLEASE don't miss it!  


It's where I scored my favorite flats of all time (Lanvin on MAJOR sale) and my first Oscar de la Renta shoes ever!


Sigh.  I know it will be a fabulous event (get there early!), but feel free to comment and let me know how it goes!

Fashion Bash

Tonight's a great chance to save on designer brands at the Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash!

Head over to Petersen Automotive Museum between 5:30 - 10pm (a GREAT venue for this kind of thing, by the way!), and pick up designer duds for huge discounts.  


In the past, we've scored Hale Bob dresses, gorgeous necklaces, gifts for friends, and free massages.  It's an LA sale worth perusing.  But get there early, woman in line for a sample sale usually mean business!


Photos: sassycitychicks.com

Midweek Sample Sale!

Attention ladies and gents,

Diesel is having a GI-normous sample sale in WeHo.  Today through Friday, get:

Jackets for $30

Dresses for $20

Swimwear for $15

And according to the flier, a LOT more!

We're predicting some lines, so get there, and get there soon.  

Photos: diesel.com

Shop for a cause

Just in time for Earth Day (April 22nd!), L.A. boutique, Revolve Clothing has a great promotion starting today.  Bring in a pair of old jeans, and receive 20% off your in-store purchase!

Need ideas of what to get in place of you old jeans?  Pick up The Legging by Joe's Jeans - perfect for flowy floral spring and summer tops.

Photo: Revolveclothing.com

Sunday Sample Sale!

For ABNI readers *slightly* north of Los Angeles:


A good friend, who happens to be the designer behind the delicious luxury bathrobe line Daddy's Favorite, is having a sample sale on Sunday, 9am - 2pm!

Where: 532 N. Santa Cruz Blvd.
Los Gatos, California


A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital School.  


It's a great chance to pick up a treat for yourself, or a gift for a girlfriend!  Don't miss it!


Photos: daddysfavorite.com

Sample Sale!

A stylist friend of ours just sent us info on a big sample sale this weekend, and swears it's worth a visit!

Grai is having a 3-day blowout in downtown LA.  Visit Satine Boutique online to see some Grai pieces (while you're there check out some great Alexander Wang dresses and tanks on sale!).

Clogs...really?!

On the issue of clogs, we are torn.


Whether you are pro or anti clogs, remember not to buy them simply for "trend-followings" sake.  Cause, honey, they're a choice.


Although we love almost anything Chanel touches (watch for a review on their Les Trompe L'œil de Chanel skin art soon!), the jury is out on these bad boys.

If you're still on the fence, don't be afraid to do a variation on a clog that works better for you.  Perhaps these Prada platforms provide some hope at the end of the tunnel...

Photos: bluefly.com, obsessedwithshoes.com

Posh indeed

When Women's Wear Daily reported on Victoria Beckham's Fall 2010 Ready to Wear line from New York fashion week, we literally gasped.  

Her dresses were feminine, timeless, elegant, flattering, and just all around stunning.  

We rarely fall in love with entire collections.  We might love a piece here or a piece there, or 4 or 5 pieces here, or 4 or 5 there...but an entire collection?!  

There were several perfect LBDs, gorgeous royal blues, and our darling metallics in asymmetrical cuts, swinging skirts and nipped waists.

Fast forward to Oscar night parties, and RZ stylista Cameron Diaz was sporting one of VB's straight of the runway sheaths.  Sigh.

We are currently saving up to invest in VB dresses.  Here's to hoping she's not a one-season celebrity designer like so many before her, because we're holding our breath until her next collection...

Photos: wwd.com, whowhatwear.com

Welcome to 2010

Admittedly a tad late to the party... A Bag Named Isabella is now on facebook and twitter!


Friend search us on facebook and follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/ABNILosAngeles.

Tell your friends, spread the word, share the love - because the future looks bright for ABNI readers (did someone say giveaways...?!).

Handy Daily Candy

Love it for it's celeb following, or in spite of it... just don't miss this sale!

Thursday thru Sunday (10am-7pm) hit up Harmony Lane for their annual clearance sale. 

Some of ABNI's favorites (LaRok, CC Skye accessories) will be 70% off.  


Ahhh, winter clearances!

Where: 189 South Beverly Dr.,  Beverly Hills 90212

Photos: shopharmonylane.com

Come on, Vogue!

Not since the creation of Lucky Magazine has there been such a brilliant, shopper-friendly idea!  

Who really wants to sift through the teeny tiny print in the back of a magazine in a desperate attempt to find out where to buy that gorgeous cashmere sweater on page 54, or that must-have pair of boots in the winter shoe guide, only to find that is says call 1-800-YouCan'tAffordThis for pricing and availability?! 

Well readers, sift no more.  The genius of Vogue and Gilt Groupe have joined forces to bring us Vogue Shop The Issue, where you can buy items straight from the pages of the March issue.

This month - find those military inspired pieces we're so intrigued by - by designers we love (Alexander Wang....hello?)!

Visit vogue.gilt.com to start shopping.

Photos: vogue.gilt.com

Fashion Field Trip

Hi Readers,


We're back from a fashion field trip to Las Vegas for the annual Project and ENK fashion trade shows, where we got sneak peaks at fall 2010 lines, and we're excited about what we saw!!


Los Angeles based line Kova & T has some great pieces coming out next season, as does one of our favorite (but affordably out of reach) lines - Foley + Corinna.  


One trend with some potential staying power is military inspired jackets, like this one from A Common Thread (which also includes a great faux fur stole - combining two trends in one in a very chic way).

Photos: shopbop.com

ABNI Obsession

ABNI's newest obsession is Jeffrey Campbell shoes. They're like jewelry for your feet!

Jeffrey Campbell by ABNI_Rachna featuring Jeffrey Campbell shoes

Items in this set:
Jeffrey Campbell - NASTY GAL - Vintage Clothing, 80s Vintage Clothes,..., $150
Jeffrey Campbell Tick in White Calf at Solestruck.com, $170
Jeffrey Campbell Is Making Me Tick | Vancouver Fashion + Style Blog |..., $165
Jeffrey Campbell 'Rally' Sandal - - Nordstrom, $165
black pixie wedge, $160

Learn more at jeffreycampbellshoes.com.

Metallic Madness

DVF Fall 2010 consists of her standard gorgeous prints, beautiful basics, metallics and dresses galore. It's basically our dream collection!

See the collection here.

Photos: wwd.com (Giovanni Giannoni)

AH-mazing Fashion Guide

We can't go another day as The Los Angeles Based Fashion Vlog without talking about the reigning queen of LA fashion, Ms. Rachel Zoe.

As unoriginal as it may seem, we love her styling intuition. And don't get us started on The Rachel Zoe Project - it's bananas (shout-outs to Tay-tay and Brad!).

The bottom line is, she influences way more than celebrity style.

Now, the platform-wearing wonder brings us The Not So Basic Guide - 20 Wardrobe Essentials. It's a great list of must-have pieces to keep your wardrobe classic, fun and modern at the same time. A menswear inspired timepiece, leather biker jacket, and a standout clutch are among the suggestions.

Try this affordable faux leather jacket by TRF for Zara.

Nude pumps are another must-have, according to Zoe's list.  To the less pale amongst us, be conscious of the fact that "nude" isn't "nude" on everyone!  Consider a darker, bronzier shoe if you're going for a seamless leg-to-shoe transition.  Check out Piperlime's spring sandals for ideas.  

Photos: rachelzoe.com, ABNI

Help Haiti

The devastating January 12 earthquake in Haiti will require lasting attention emotionally, logistically, and financially. If you haven't yet donated, or are looking for another way to help, the fashion industry has something to offer.

Jeweler Judith Kupperman, a Wayuú Tayá Foundation board member, has designed the "Help Haiti Hope" necklace/bracelet. Meant to serve as a "symbol of hope," the piece is a letter H pendant in a gold finish on a green silk strand, or a silver finish on a brown silk strand, that can be worn 2 ways.

The Help Haiti Hope symbol is available for $10 at helphaitihope.org (75% will go toward helping children in Haiti, the other 25% goes toward production, shipping and handling costs only).

Here are some staggering numbers about the Haitian survivors, reported on CNN.com (see more here):

300,000: Children younger than 2 who need nutritional support

90: Percentage of schools in Port-au-Prince that have been destroyed

497: Haitian orphans who have been evacuated

For other fashion-related ways to help, see the Associated Content's article here.

Photos: credited to J. Gold & Co. Photography on helphaitihope.org

My Top-ish Model Moment

After a somewhat random (but most definitely fun!) chain of events, I recently found myself doing an editorial fashion shoot for a fabulous line of clothing called Funktional.

Now, I've watched as many episodes of America's Next Top Model as the next girl, but I've never attempted this kind of modeling myself (smizing seems really hard!).

Thanks to a great photographer (Sara!) and some ah-mazing clothes, it all seemed to work out alright.

The best/most exciting/most surprising part? Yesterday when I opened my daily email from Revolveclothing.com and saw myself modeling a Funktional jacket on their website! Check it out here!

That's me in a velvet blazer from Funktional's holiday collection.

To find out more about Funktional, visit their website at: funktionalcollection.com

Photos: Revolveclothing.com

There is a god

I hope you are prepared to get up out of your chair and RUN to Westwood the moment you finish reading this.

DSW Shoe Warehouse is having the single greatest shoe sale EVER.

The Westwood DSW is closing its doors.

ALL shoes are now on clearance, and clearance shoes are an ADDITIONAL 50% off.

Let me break it down for you. This means that all shoes are marked down 40-80%, and then you take 50% off of THAT price, and that's what you pay. It is gloriously insane.

Now is your chance to stock up on hot spring wedges (they will be everywhere this season!).

I scored 3 pairs (2 wedges and a flat sandal) for $30.72. Literally. I didn't believe it until I lived it, so for you skeptics out there, see the savings on my receipt below:

A source in the building told me that a rent increase is the reason DSW is leaving the location. I'm sad to see it go, but thrilled for the unexpected addition to my shoe family!

Photos: dsw.com, ABNI