INTERMIX Is In The Mix In Brentwood

INTERMIX @ Malibu Country Mart

Style Shout Out to INTERMIX on the grand opening of their new store at the Brentwood Country Mart.

Whenever we visit Los Angeles besides spending time with family and at the beach we always visit The Grove and Farmer's Market, the Malibu Country Mart and the Brentwood Country Mart.  All of these places are great spots to do a little shopping, grab a cup of coffee or enjoy some great food.  Personally I am partial to the Farmshop at the Brentwood Country Mart for breakfast but that's a story for another time.

Today it's about INTERMIX.  For me the appeal of this store is that it features so many of the designers I love and they are all in one place.  So it truly is shopping made easy and I can check out the latest from J Brand, Vince, Splendid, Joie and Chan Luu as well as so many other amazing brands!  INTERMIX just opened their new store at the Brentwood Country Mart in LA and even though I am lucky to have a store in my area I can't wait for summer to visit their new store.  Yes, I will use any excuse to get to the west coast for a few days.

So if you are in Brentwood head over to the Country Mart and have breakfast at Farmshop, grab some cappuccino at Caffe Luxxe or a burger at Barney's but definitely stop by INTERMIX and check out all of the fabulous fashion.

Happy Friday and Happy Shopping!

Nordstrom Brings The UK To The US

Style Shout Out to Nordstrom for bringing a bit of the UK to the US...

A few months ago I wrote about a fabulous pair of pumps that I bought from L.K.Bennett. Yes, these are the same pumps made famous by a certain Duchess and I have to admit that while I usually am not influenced by what others are wearing I was intrigued by this particular pair of shoes because they looked like the perfect heel height and the color seemed so versatile.

At the time the only place to find these potentially perfect pumps was at an L.K.Bennett store as they were sold out of the color I was looking for on-line.  Finding a store might not be so difficult if you live across the pond, but in America at the time there were only two stores.  I was fortunate enough to find a pair at the company's Atlanta location and after placing my order, eagerly awaited their arrival.  This was the first time I had taken such a leap of faith with regard to a pair of shoes.  My rule of thumb normally is that I won't order shoes unless I've tried them on in a store.

But I was lucky because when my shoes arrived they fit perfectly and were the perfect shade of taupe!  And now finding L.K.Bennett shoes is even easier because Nordstrom is carrying several styles of their shoes on-line and in stores.  When we were in California two weeks ago I tried on the most adorable patent leather pump meets Spring-time espadrille called Maddox.  I didn't buy them that day but am thinking I may just have to order a pair today.  It won't be a leap of faith since I've already tried them on and I know they fit well.  So if you haven't met L.K.Bennett check them out the next time you are at Nordstrom and you won't be disappointed.

Feeling Like LA, Wearing LNA

LNA @ Saks.com

Style Shout Out to LNA and Saks...

First of all I have to say that I have had a hard time getting back into the swing of things after our trip to Los Angeles last week.  I also have to say that I miss the beach and just the general vibe of that city. We also have family there and so, of course, I miss them most of all.

But I didn't grow up in LA.  I grew up in New York and New Jersey which meant that shopping trips often took us to Bloomingdales and Saks, two stores that are to New York what the beach is to Southern California.  These stores are iconic and if I don't stop by when I'm in the city my trip just isn't complete, which is the same way I feel about my trips to LA, only in that city for me no trip is complete without at least one day on the beach in Malibu.

If you have the opportunity to visit  LA check out Malibu, and in New York you should definitely stop by and check out Bloomingdales and Saks.  Saks is especially unique because the shoe department in their 5th Avenue store actually has their own zip code.  It really is just that big.

But today I'm not talking about shoes, I'm talking about a brand that is California through and through and is available at one of my favorite New York stores....LNA at Saks!   LNA was founded in California in the Summer of 2007 by California natives Lauren Alexander and April Leight. The line may have started with tees and leggings but has expanded to include some adorable and easy to wear dresses, sweaters that remind me of sitting on the beach in Malibu on a cool March day, and some fabulous skirts.

LNA @ Saks.com

LNA has an easy yo navigate web site and in addition to Saks, can also be found at stores like Revolve Clothing and ShopBop.  I find their tees to be fabulous layering pieces and my daughter was teasing me when I was packing for our recent trip to Los Angeles that even though I pack light, my suitcase looked like an LNA trunk show. I must admit though I did have a Vince sweater and Michael Stars scarf tucked in there too.

I just ordered a few LNA tops from Saks and am counting the days until they arrive! If you haven't checked out LNA, today is a good day to get to know this company.  I may not be fortunate enough to be in LA today but when I put on my favorite white LNA crew neck tee and J Brand 910 jeans I will feel a little bit LA wearing my LNA.

My Style Shout Out Tip:  LNA has found a way to create clothes that have a relaxed feeling but still make you feel pulled together. I am going to pair the coral top with my Current/Elliott white Roller jeans and my TKEES flip flops for a relaxed look.

For a dressier look I'll kick off the TKEES and throw on my L.K.Bennett taupe patent leather pumps (now available at Nordstrom).  I love LNA not only because they create stylish and comfortable clothes but because of the versatility of their pieces.  Happy Shopping!

From Malibu To Manhattan Beach

Style Shout Out to Los Angeles...

Last week was my daughter's spring break so we packed up and headed west.  We try to get to Los Angeles as often as we can to see family and after years of living in and visiting Southern California we have a list of our favorite things to do.

Of course no trip to LA is complete without spending time at the beach.  If you're looking for a beach that is expansive look no further than Manhattan Beach.  You can walk the beach or the strand or just stretch out in your favorite beach chair with a good book and it is a relaxing way to spend a day.  My other favorite beach is in Malibu.  The coastline is breathtaking and the views are simply amazing.  The beach isn't as wide as Manhattan Beach but it's a great place to build sand castles and write.  Something about Malibu is just so inspiring.

Another of my favorite things in LA also happens to be in Malibu.  It's the Malibu Country Mart and the Malibu Lumber Yard.  If you're looking for a great place to shop, dine and relax then this is the spot for you.  Last week we stopped by twice and visited a few of our favorites like Oliver Peoples, Kitson, and 7 For All Mankind.  And I had to stop by Coffee Bean for a cappuccino.  My daughter's favorite part of the Lumber Yard is Kitson Kids, the gelato at Chocolate Box Cafe and the ping pong table where she spent time laughing with her cousins and Dad.  For me that was a highlight of the trip...any time I hear my nine year old's laugh and see her smile it is a highlight of the day.

So the next time you're in LA take a scenic drive down to Manhattan Beach or out to Malibu and enjoy some of the best that the LA area has to offer.


My Style Shout Out Tip: I always pack light when I go to LA because I know I am coming home with a few treasures.  And LA is such a casual city that for me it's all about great jeans, great tops, and great shoes.  I spent the week in Current/Elliott, AG Jeans,  J Brand Jeans and Sevens.  Of course when in LA it's all about LA brands like LNA and Michael Stars for tees.  And comfy shoes are a must for me because we always do so much walking so I packed my favorite Jimmy Choo ballet flats...not a California brand but super stylish and super comfy!

A Point Of View At Saks

Style Shout Out to Saks, their fabulous shoe department and seeing things from a different point of view ...

My nine year old and I recently met my sister at Saks to do a little Spring shopping.  After lunch and a quick look at the sunglasses, where my sister picked up some stylish Tory Burch sunnies, we headed to the shoe department. I love how even though we don't live in New York any more, Saks has that awesome reminder...you know, the sign that reminds you that this fashion icon's shoe department has something that is unique, their own zip code in New York City.

While I was trying on some adorable Jimmy Choo ballet flats, that I ultimately bought because they were just too comfortable and yes they were cute too, my daughter asked if she could use my phone.

So I handed my iPhone over to her thinking that she wanted to play some games while we shoe shopped but she had another idea in mind.  I watched as she happily walked around the department taking pictures of the shoes she loved and commenting on why she loved them.

I had so much fun that day, not only because I walked away with some extremely fabulous shoes, but because I really enjoyed the time with my daughter and sister.

Rather than keep her choices all to myself I decided to share a few of them with you.  So if you let a nine year loose in Saks with a camera this is what you get...

Stuart Weitzman

I have to say that I would wear these sandals and may have to get back to Saks this week to pick up a pair before they sell out.  Lets face it, they are Stuart Weitzman and I adore that purple box because you know that the shoes inside are going to be stylish and very good quality.  My daughter says they would look great with shorts, cropped jeans, and summer dresses so they are versatile.  Isn't it great when you talk and your children listen...I am all about pieces that are versatile.

Jimmy Choo

This sandal is a Jimmy Choo and I can see why my daughter zeroed in on this shoe.  The color is an amazing shade of pink.  I've seen this shoe on Kate Middleton in a different color, and I've tried this shoe on in a neutral shade.  For a high heel it is amazingly comfortable.  My daughter's reasons for choosing this sandal...it's pink and it looks like Summer. She is lobbying for me to buy this shoe and I have a feeling that she is hoping that someday she too will wear a size 38.

Vera Wang

This Vera Wang ballet flat is adorable and again, a great color for Spring and Summer.  My nine year old said there are two things she likes about this shoe...it's an awesome color and it's a classic style.  I agree with her.  I love pieces that are classic with a bit of a twist.

My Style Shout Out Tip:  The next time you are shopping with your children give them a camera and see what catches their eye.  For me I really enjoy getting the opportunity to see things from my daughter's point of view.

All Set For Spring With Ippolita

Wavy Disc Earrings @ Ippolita.com

Style Shout Out to Ippolita...

As I was going through my emails this morning I came across one from Ippolita.  I've written about her in the past because I have always admired her jewelry and her creative approach to design.

After having had the opportunity to meet her last year and seeing how warm and gracious she was I now also admire her as a person.

She made a lasting impression on my daughter because we always talk to her about following your dreams and that anything is possible with a positive attitude and hard work.  I think Ippolita is a shining example of those words in action.

With Spring right around the corner I've picked out a few sets of my favorite Ippolita earrings. I love how her earrings look as good with a classic DVF dress and Stuart Weitzman pumps, as they do with an LNA tee shirt, Current/Elliott jeans and Jimmy Choo ballet flats.

Teeny Lollipop Earrings
@ Ippolita.com

So whether you choose the wavy disc earrings, the teeny lollipop London Blue topaz or any of her hoops or other styles you seriously can't go wrong.  The quality of her pieces are outstanding and Ippolita jewelry is simply as comfortable to wear as your favorite boyfriend jeans.

With so many styles of earrings to choose from in metals from 18K gold to rose gold to sterling silver, there is something for almost everyone and to suit every outfit and occasion.  Check out Ippolita today and you'll be all set for Spring.