'The Art of Melrose' Celebrates the Character of 'Fashion' Tonight, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.!

For my 16^th birthday, I didn’t want a “Sweet Sixteen” or to hang out with a bunch of friends. Nope. All I wanted was to go with my mom to Melrose and buy “something vintage.” And that’s what we did. The next day, I returned to school in the Inland Empire (Pomona High School) as the prideful outcast that I was, wearing my new treasured item: an argyle-printed, turquoise cardigan. And the rest is history...LA eventually became my home.

Now, an LA blogger who is still a total Melrose enthusiast and shopper, I’m proud to help announce something extremely cool and accessible: The Art of Melrose. Basically, it’s a celebratory, 3-series event that will take place the third Thursday of every month throughout June, July, and August. The Art of Melrose starts tonight, June 18^th, from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

(Image courtesy of www.melroseavela.com)

“The goal of the event is to showcase tremendous opportunities and value where consumers, and all of LA, will realize the magic that is Melrose,” says Don Duckworth, Executive Director of the Melrose Business Improvement District (BID), during our recent phone chat.

According to Duckworth, the BID is brand new – just a year old: “It’s a district that was formed by a vote of the property owners. The BID is a legal entity that was adopted just to promote business on the street.”

So how did the concept of The Art of Melrose come about?

“One of things that we have a desire – and an obligation – to do is to promote the full length of Melrose and all of the characters that are different from area to area.  And so we tried to figure out something that really identified the uniqueness and the fascinating array of activities and opportunities that are available on Melrose," says Duckworth. "So we came up with the idea of celebrating the art of Melrose in three unique characters; one being fashion, another being design, and another being expression. Each of those characters that stretch over a different number of blocks on Melrose, really add up to a story of what this street really is and the opportunities it has for people…whether you’re a shopper or a window shopper, or someone who is just looking to have a good meal and experience something good and fun in Los Angeles.”

As a super excited local resident who is welcoming The Art of Melrose, and all that it represents, I appreciate learning from Duckworth that the business owners along Melrose are pumped and full of enthusiasm too! Tonight's 'Focus on Fashion' event will take place in the center section of the BID in the Gardner, Martel and Fuller blocks (the area that is home to a large concentration of high-end boutiques, trendy restaurants, and unique stores). 

“Some business owners are going to have in-store models and fashion shows…there will be live music and restaurant specials. So there’s a lot of enthusiasm we’ve been met with and that’s very gratifying,” says Duckworth. “Once we get that enthusiasm going, it’s infectious and it will build upon itself. And we’re hoping to bring back the buzz of Melrose.” 

To keep you in the know, here are some of the participating businesses and what they’re offering tonight, during this much-anticipated fashion event:

 • 310 Jeans: 50% off
 • B. Poy & Jo: Live music and complimentary cocktails
 • Blackjack Clothing: 20% off
 • Bliss: 20% off
 • Cosmo & Nathalia Glamsquad: Live models, live music, dancing, 15% discount
 • Couture, The Clothing Company: Gift with purchase
 • Essex Clothing: Complimentary beverage
 • For The Love of Motorcycles: View Motorcycle Street Collection and gift of Power Plant t-shirt with $100 purchase.
 • Groove Theory: 20% off
 • Italiano Couture: Celebrity jewelry designer Uccellino Couture will be in-store selling a selection of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, glasses and custom pieces.
 • Jigsaw Melrose: 20% off
 • Kawaba Rice Ball: Sampling of dessert offerings
 • La Creme Café: Complimentary 12 oz organic coffee drink with purchase of savory or sweet crepe
 • London Shoes: 50% off & refreshments
 • Monster-a-GoGo: Live models in window, 20% off
 • Psychic Alana: Complimentary palm reading
 • Vinoteque on Melrose: Extended happy hour

Already obsessed with the concept of this 3-series event?! Get in touch with The Art of Melrose by visiting its website and/or by connecting via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! 

Red Carpet Realness at 'The Voice Spring Break Concert" Event!

(Featuring The Voice's top 8 contestants of Season 8!)

Had a blast night hangin' out on the red carpet with my friend and blogger buddy, Leeann of Join the Gossip, for "The Voice Spring Break" concert! Amongst the competition that actually does exist among press and the blogging community, it was quite a joy to attend "The Voice Spring Break Concert" event with someone who also prides herself in being an ethical journalist first. (She and I are both CSUF alumnae with print journalism degrees!) But that's a whole other topic to write about...

(Me and Leeann red carpet-ing it up. We love black!)

So, in between Leeann and I gabbing about all that is entertainment and the randomness we obsess over, we got some face-to-face action with Season 8 contestants. They chatted about tons (with other reporters right next to us), including their love for music, the support they provide one another, their love for the judges, and how being on television has changed their lives.

Not only did I gain inspiration from the contestants, I truly enjoyed meeting Pharrell (he and Blake hit the red carpet with the contestants also!). Due to the slight chaos that typically develops behind the ropes, I didn't have a chance to ask my favorite fashionable male celeb a question. But kindly, he shook my hand and I was able to introduce myself. In fact, the did that with every reporter, which according to Leeann (who hits more red carpet events than I do), that's an extremely rare gesture from a celeb.

(Pharrell: Judge, Trendsetter, Music Mogul)

Speaking to a reporter from Hollywire, Pharrell provided genuine insight to the world of the contestants and what he believes their goals are as performers: "The love what they do...So, yeah, they wanna win, but I think they want to learn and advance more than anything else. And that's what's super-exciting for me...And I think that's what America's responding to..."

If you religiously watch The Voice, you definitely do NOT want to miss out this Monday, 8/7c! Word on the street is (and well, everywhere...that just sounded cool), is that former judges CeeLo, Usher, and Gwen are returning to the show to provide coaching support.

My only question about that is: What will Gwen be wearing??? (Can't wait.)

Photo Credit: Courtesy of my new iPhone 6 Plus!

Lumberjack Chic -- Flannel Button-Ups All the Rage in Shops On Melrose!

Yesterday, I decided to head west to West Hollywood to see what I can do with a few odd items of mine that I haven't worn for years. Four years ago, I had decent luck at Wasteland on Melrose; I sold several items for cash, such as Juicy Couture sweatsuit jackets, Custo Barcelona blouses that shrunk, and Blue Cult jeans. While I walked away from a bunch of costly items with a mere $135 bucks at the time, I remember being ecstatic. Because those clothes were just sitting in my closet, making a profit was better than ignoring those items and seeing hundreds go down the drain.

So, as it almost hits 2009, I figured I would have amazing luck with 5 designer pieces. This is what I brought with me:

- Marc Jacobs gaucho pants

- Gucci black shades

- Limited-edition canvas Louis Vuitton handbag

- Yanuk jeans

- Citizens of Humanity jeans

And guess what? The gal who checked out my stuff passed on EVERYTHING. She said that faded and distressed jeans aren't selling very well at their store and that they looked used. I almost laughed because it's like, "Well, duh. This is a vintage shop, and you are buying someone's stuff." My friend Leeann, of Join the Gossip, came with me, bringing a pair of dark Sevens, and two cute tees, and also had no luck. While it was truly my mistake in not calling Wasteland first to ask what trends, designers, styles, and sizes they are buying now, I stll felt ripped off. (So, ebay, here I come?)

So take make a long, disappointing story short, Leeann and I decided to check out the other shops on Melrose, as neither one of us had walked the avenue for awhile. And as we did, the theme of the afternoon was: flannel button-ups for women. I absolutely love plaid tops, so in witnessing such a selection flannels; I was very impressed with the various options stylistas have to choose from.

There was the: guy's oversized style, the empire-waist new women's style, the sleeve-less, long button-up, and the A-cut flannel dress in long or short sleeves. Yes, I know, the flannel isn't new to the scene, but the 90s grunge dejavu feeling definitely got me excited to go home and ransack Steve's closet and wear one of his. I personally like the androgynous ovesized look. Figure I could just throw a belt on top of it for instant girly appeal. Leggings, heels. Muah! It's the Mary-Kate anti-celebrity, boho flair.

I talk all the time about finding fashions to express your personality. So I love that the flannel trend offer various renditions for various types of gals. I even think the businesswoman can take a black and white flannel and pair it with black slacks, some long necklaces, and a blazer -- and she is still office chic.

The average cost across the Melrose shops seemed to be about $35, which is, eh, not too bad for the fashion flannel. If you are like me and like the men's cut the best, head to your local thrift store, and I guarantee that you will have some luck finding one for just 5 bucks. (OR, see what your boyfriend, husband, father, brother, or even son has in their closet!)

And as the lumberjack chic look is quite the rage throughout Hollywood and big cities, I can't wait to see this trend reach Inland Empire shopaholics.

So ultimately, the profit-less trip to LA was a success because it was nice to get out of town, and immerse ourselves in the city that shares our passions.

(Oh, and seeing JC Chasez walk out of the Slow boutique was kinda cool.)

Photo Credit: Mary-Kate Olsen - http://www.ashburyvintage.com/, Lindsay Lohan - http://www.coolwebgossip.com/, Rihanna - http://www.blogs.nypost.com/, Kirsten Dunst - http://www.denimblog.com/, Jessica Simpson - http://www.elle.com/, Miley Cyrus - http://www.urbanbloc.com/, Diane Keaton - http://www.offtherack.peoplestylewatch.com/

Cute Shoes Make the World Go 'Round

Thanks to those who took my poll on what they consider affordable for shoes!

Turns out the majority of people who voted consider anywhere between $15 and $60 affordable for shoes. I have to say that I am in aggreeance (is that a word?) with you. For me, buying a hot pair of heels or boots for $100 + means that I'm splurging. And once in awhile, I LOVE splurging even though it can be extremely dangerous. So, for me, when I can score something great for my feet within my budget, I just want to run down the shoe aisle...jump up and click my heels twice. (Not only could I not even do that if I tried, but I would knock over the lady next to me who has too many shoes in her hand to try on and didn't see a big mama coming her way. WOW -- my imagination really took a hold of me for a minute....)

So, ANYWAY, now that I kinda have an idea about my readers' idea of affordability, I'm curious about something else: where do you typically wind up purchasing your shoes?

From the ooh-la-la eluxury.com to -- my buy-back vintage favorite -- Wasteland on Melrose, the options these days are so vast. So tell me, I'm dying to know!

...and tell me that is not the most AWESOME picture of shoes. I found it on a past section of www.newyorkmetro.com. It's like a mirror of my brain.