Junk Food Restore Japan Tee in Lead

one of my long time favorite online shops, revolve clothing just launched their japan charity boutique and 100% of the proceeds will go to the red cross japan to aid in relief efforts.  they’ve collaborated with some great designers too such as junk food, obey and gorjana to name a few, so of course everything is super cute!  shop the boutique here.

Gorjana Japan Relief Bracelet in Black/Gold

Lauren Moshi Japan Relief Tote

OBEY Dark Wave/Rising Sun for Japan Relief Tank

By now it’s probably pretty obvious that two of my favorite things in the entire world are food and fashion right?  So imagine how awesome it’d be to find a company that happens to take both and combine them into the most beautiful line of clothing and accessories for fashion minded, food obsessed chicks and dudes.   Well that’s exactly what Flavour Gallery is all about!

Lucky me!!!  I recently got the opportunity to have a little q&a session with Erin Malatesta, half of team Flavour Gallery – her husband Alfredo is the other half!

So what exactly is Flavour Gallery?

Flavour Gallery is a lifestyle brand created from our love of food, farmer’s markets and all things culinary!  Our inaugural collection was launched with men’s and women’s tees, tank, thermals, hoodies, scarves, & farmer’s market bags.  We know there are so many people out there that identify with our same passion for food.  We travel the world to find the best restaurants and beautiful markets, we experiment in our kitchen all the time, and our favorite Sunday activity is trolling through farmer’s markets.  We hope FG will be that connection that foodies want….much like your favorite concert tee!

What were you doing before you started this business?

I was working as a retail director and buyer for Lisa Kline and Alfredo worked in artist management and helped launch the music-inspired lifestyle brand Trunk Ltd.  We developed Flavour Gallery out of our own personal experiences and connection to food. We know we are not the only crazies who are obsessed with traveling the world to experience the freshest seafood, walking through endless miles of farmer’s markets or take photos of our very own home-cooked creations. We simply love food and embrace all of the ways it enhances our lives.

How did the idea for Flavour Gallery come about?

My husband Alfredo & I were on our weekly walking work meeting (we do this since we work together and because we get some of our best ideas while walking/meeting).  We knew it was time to launch one of our own brands.  We have created and consulted for many brands over the years and decided it was time!  Plus, with the incredible food explosion over the last few years we knew this would be something that would be incredibly fun and fulfilling while still staying true to our apparel industry roots.

Do you have a favorite piece from the collection?

My favorite pieces are the women’s tanks.  They fit amazing and are long, not skin tight, and great for layering.  They are comfortable and perfect for a lazy Sunday.  I also have heard from my friends that they LOVE the Kimchi off the shoulder.  It is so cute with a cami layered underneath.  My husband wears the knife tee in black all the time and I love it because it is a little edgy looking and fits so well.  We have custom designed each tee, tank and hoodie to fit and feel great.  Our sizes are roomie unlike so many t-shirt lines out there.  It isn’t about being skin tight so you don’t have to worry if you eat that extra slice of pizza!

What’s your favorite dish to prepare?

We cook a lot of Italian and Peruvian dishes at home.  I also love experimenting with Vegan and Vegetarian dishes.  We cook a lot so there really isn’t a favorite!

What’s on the horizon for you guys?

We think there is so much potential in the restaurant world for more premium shirts, aprons, etc. and we want to be the company that restaurants want to collaborate with.  We are already in the midst of collaborating with 3 very well known chefs/restaurants so stay tuned!  We see FG expanding into a larger clothing collection, kitchen wares like kitchen towels, place mats and wooden spoons.

The line ranges in price from $4 to $68 and is available for purchase at flavourgallery.com.  Go check it out people!!!

Founder Toni Ray took a risk and it paid off in a big way!  In 1991 she cashed in her life savings and took off for NYC with her daughter and now son in law in tow to sell the very first Hobo collection.

Far from it’s humble beginnings, it has since blossomed into a multi million dollar company that WWD (aka the bible of fashion) has even dubbed one of the country’s most “fun and funky” accessories brands.  Talk about a compliment!!   And a well deserved one at that…..  these are truly amazing bags.  Each one is handcrafted and it shows in the details.

Pick up a copy of Instyle, Lucky or People magazine and you’re likely to find one of Hobo’s designs featured as the new “IT” bag and for good reason – their designs are spot on!  Keeping up with trends while still remaining timeless. 

The perfect balance of style and practicality come together in the crossbody bag (my favorite!) sans strap makes for a cute clutch for going out or attach the strap and wear it across your person when you don’t feel like lugging a bag around.

Shop hobobags.com

The cold weather is upon us but that’s no reason to not look your best.  Stay warm and look cool with these fun toppers!

Bleudame Multi-Colored Chunky Newsboy

Volcom Faux Sure Hat

Purple Furry Trooper Hat

Luxe Oversized Crystal Bow Hat

Spirithoods Full Hood in Snow Leopard

Fredflare Cupcake Beanie

Brixton Stella in Taupe

Desire: Brian Atwood Hidden Platform Pump

Lucky for me, and all the other not so rich fashionistas, there are a ton of great knock offs out there these days that pay homage to their far more expensive counterparts.  After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery… 

Acquire: Asos Primavera Leather Platform Court Shoe

Desire: Black Halo Jackie O Mini Dress

Acquire: Forever 21 Business Portrait Dress

Desire: Celine chunky wooden platform wedge sandals

Acquire: Go Jane Peep-Toe Cork Wedge

Desire: Grey Ant Status Sunglasses in Black

Acquire: Forever 21 Sunglasses in Black

May 20 will launch the third annual H&M Fashion Against AIDS collection in stores nationwide supporting youth HIV/AIDS awareness and education.

With festival season well under way (hello, Coachella!),  the whole line really captures the festival experience.  With tents, sleeping bags and even ponchos, you’ll be prepared for whatever mother nature throws at you and all while looking great to boot!

In addition to supporting a very worthy cause, the entire collection is bursting with beautiful pieces at very humble prices.  The line will include men’s and women’s wear, shoes, and accessories as well as tents, chairs and other camping gear.  The women’s wear is very rocker meets bohoglam with some ethnic touches peppered in.  The guys gear also captures that rock vibe and includes blazers, leather and distressed denim.

25% of the proceeds from this collection will be donated to youth HIV / AIDS awareness projects, including YouthAids, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, as well as supporting Designers Against AIDS, the NGO who brought the concept of Fashion against AIDS to H&M.

The line will range from $2.95 – $79.95.

May 20th people!!  Head over to H&M and get your fashion on and promote safe sex!

To find out more about the  non-profit organization DAA, check out their site:  www.designersagainstaids.com

Love, love, love her!

Purchase Claire’s jewelry at lulus.com.

Images courtesy of Nitrolicious.com

Since it’s launch a few years ago Nicole Richie’s jewelry line, House of Harlow, has become one of the most popular amongst celebs and the general public – it doesn’t hurt that the price points are so forgiving!       

Well the  fashion bees have been buzzing for a while now but the wait is finally over because Nicole’s clothing line, Winter Kate,  has arrived! 

As with her jewelry line, Nicole is looking out for the consumer and the prices will be very reasonable.  “Everything is extremely affordable, and that was important to me, to have these pieces be accessible to everyone,” she says.       

The line will range from $68 for a tank top to $1,375 for a suede vest.  Okay so $1,375 is a bit steep but it’s real suede people!     

Winter Kate very much emulates Nicole’s own boho chic style.  I’d call it casual elegance.       

“I’ve always been one to dress for comfort. I’m not one to wear something that I don’t feel good in,” she says. “Comfort was really important for me, especially doing a spring line. For me, I really don’t like to feel like I’m wearing anything during the spring and summer months.”    Amen to that! 

Get your Winter Kate on at Singer22.com!

Owner, Rosemary Crites, has over 20 years of retail experience, specifically dealing in high-end women’s fashions.  Many of her clients, who spend good money on designer duds, had very few storage options to keep their luxury items looking new.  Sure, you can cedar, but it doesn’t hold it’s fragrance very long and who wants to smell like moth balls?  That’s when Rosemary came up with covertures!

Finally, an elegant way to keep your seasonal clothing looking it’s best without having to resort to the ugliness that is space bags.  They’re called covertures and they’re beautifully satin lined garment bags that are machine washable, dust repellent, insect repellent and prevent discolorations.

There’s nothing worse that going to unpack your favorite cashmere sweater, only to find that some pesky moth has been snacking on it all Summer long.

That’s why each coverture contains a small hidden herb sachet filled with a combination of 6 organic herbs specifically designed to repel any critters from nesting in your clothing.  This unique combination of herbs neutralizes the smell too so that your clothes won’t smell like an herb garden.

The covertures are available in two sizes.

The smaller size measures 12.5″ W x 13.5″ L x 2″ D and is the perfect size for holding knit sweaters, lingerie or scarves and sells for $39.00.

The larger coverture measures 17″ W x 16.5″ L x 2.5″ D.  This size would be great for dresses, blankets or jackets and sells for $49.00.

Feel free to stock up and stack up because they each have a convenient see-through plastic ribbon that allows you to easily view the contents.

A small investment to assure that your most cherished items of clothing will retain that luxurious look and feel that drew you to them in the first place.

Order online or call 888-650-4888.

Founded a few years back by designer Joan Goodman, Pono is a unique collection of jewelry that gets it’s name from a dear friend of Joan’s whom she met while living in Hawaii.   Pono is equal parts vintage, modernism and nature.  The entire line is very earth conscious incorporating natural elements such as wood, shells and natural horn.

Pono has been featured on Gossip Girl, in countless magazines and seen adorning the wrists of many celebs such as Paris Hilton, Beyonce and Julianne Moore.

I recently got the opportunity to have a little Q&A with Joan herself.  Check it out!

I love how the concept of the name came about from your childhood friend.  Do you still keep in touch with Pono?

Yes…PONO & I are still best friends…We do not see each other a
lot…but we speak & have a very special relationship!

I think it’s great that your brand is so environmentally conscious.   Do you feel that this sets you apart from the sea of jewelry designers out there?

I think a lot of people are trying to be environmentally aware now…but
a lot of it is hype…smoke & mirrors…..and a manipulation of
language!
We are very committed to taking care of our planet…
If everyone just took care of their circle…the world would be much
better!

I love the boldness of your designs.  Where do you draw inspiration from?

My inspiration comes mostly from nature and sometimes from dreams….
Also… I work with amazing factories…their concepts and materials are
always inspiring and lend themselves to bold pieces.

Do you tend to stick to one aesthetic or do you like to change it up?

I think PONO has a classic aesthetic that runs through the whole
line…..
At the same time…i love to make pieces that are a little wild and
unexpected!

What’s up next for Pono?

Next…Fashion Coterie….and working on the color stories for winter
10/11…
Working with the color is my favorite part……

You can purchase Pono online at http://www.ponoannex.com/

As much as I love to shop though, you won’t find me anywhere near a mall come December.  I prefer to skip the lines, the fighting over parking spaces and the freezing weather, grab my laptop and my cozy slippers, kick back on the couch and get down to business!  Trust me, it makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable when there is no strange woman elbowing you passive agressively to get to the front of the line…

So for all the fashionistas on your list, I give you my holiday fashion gift guide for 2009 courtesy of Singer22.com!

I’m a Kain label addict and your lucky recipient will surely become one too once she feels how silky soft these tops are (probably helps that they’re made with 10% silk!)  The newest addition to the line has some beautifully rich colors such as this one that would look great paired with a cropped blazer and jeans. 

KAiN Label Pocket Tank in 8 Colors – $78

Mark and Estel (one of my favorite design teams) is now available at Singer22!   I have this top in a gorgeous burnt pear color and just like everything else they crank out, it’s super comfy and oh so unique! 

Mark and Estel Skinny Kimono Short Tee in Black and Grey – $132

These adorable saddle shoes by Jeffrey Campbell would be a welcome addition to any wardrobe and would pair well with cropped trousers. 

Jeffrey Campbell Capone Stud Saddle Shoe in Black/Tan – $129

Pick up a pair of these hot jeans by Rockstar Denim for someone on your list – no helmet required! 

Rockstar Denim “Singer22 Exclusive” Ripped Biker Zip Bottom Jean – $229

Give the gift of warmth and style this holiday season with this yummy cashmere scarf by B Chyll. 

B Chyll Jenna Cashmere Scarf – On Sale @ $79

This crew neck tee by LnA is a great basic, but the addition of the zipper pocket adds a bit of an edge. 

LnA Short Sleeve Deep Crew Neck Tee with Pocket colors as seen on Megan Fox – $74

This House of Harlow ring would make a great stocking stuffer!  (Click here to look back at the short piece we wrote about Harlow in March.)

House of Harlow 1960 Leather and Stone Cocktail Ring in Black and White – $70

This piece by Donna Mizani would be the perfect little LBD for all those holiday cocktail parties!

Donna Mizani One Shoulder Dress in Black – $109

Be sure to take advantage of Singer22′s special holiday sale going on ’til December 6th!  Save 10% off orders of $250 or more by using code HOLIDAY10. 

If you miss it, don’t fret, you can still take advantage of free domestic ground shipping ’til X-mas!

Happy shopping!

Amrita plays with different metals and textures, incorporating gold, silver, wood, plastic and stones into her designs.   Her work includes a variety of beautiful rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets but bangles are what she’s really known for.

There is something so satisfying about layering on tons and tons of bangles.  It sort of reminds me of being a kid and playing dress up.  The addition of 30 – 40 clinking bangles adorning your wrists is glamorous, over the top, fun!

Being a person who has freakishly small wrists, I often have a difficult time finding bracelets that aren’t too big for me.  Amrita, realizing not all wrists are created equal, offers 3 size options.

Celeb fans include Mischa Barton, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson.

amritasingh.com