Casual Friday with Fourth & One

Happy Friday Everyone!

Kicking off “Super Bowl Weekend” with some much deserved R&R. I am planning to unwind, be care-free, and counting down to the big game.

While basking in the California sun, I proudly sport one of my favorite tops from “4^th & 1”. My Friend Clarisse launched this apparel lifestyle brand which is dedicated to offering high quality fashionable apparel to sports fans and university students. The entire collection is made of Jersey Modal. 

The feel is luxurious, the cut is contemporary, and concept of this line is original. 

Her KickstarterCampaign launched today at noon. Please check out her page, learn more about the collection, and pledge so that “4^th & 1” can move forward to the next level.

LINKS:

4th-1 website

4th-1 Facebook

4th-1 Twitter

4th-1 Instagram

2013 is Here!!

Well Hello 2013…

 image from:  acompletewasteofmakeup.com

And hello to you. 

Suffice to say, keeping my resolutions for 2012 was not a success. Like many others, I have made my former resolutions with the best of intentions, only to forget them altogether.  

So how can this year be any different? Well, the only resolution I made this year is to not over-analyze everything and to just simply put my lead foot on the gas pedal and go!

I wish the same for you this year. Don’t over-think, don’t second guess, just trust your instincts and go…

Well, here we go. 

I know you want LANVIN...

There is no need for explanation…the video speaks for itself. ENJOY

S.A.G Award Favorites:

So far, it is pretty evident that the fashion this awards season is significantly understated.

Here are my top two:

Lea Michele: Oscar De La Renta

Mila Kunis: Alexander McQueen

Spring 2011 Couture Spotlight: Elie Saab

Always gets it right…

Spring 2011 Couture Spotlight: Christian Dior

There were so many to choose from, but these are my two favorites…

Spring 2011 Couture Spotlight: Chanel

Some of my favorites…

Had a Red Velvet Blast:

So Today, I visited my friend Vanessa in Fullerton to hang out. We used our time wisely by going to Sonic to gorge ourselves with ridiculously high-calorie food. As we pulled up, and tried to determine our order, this little sign on the side of the menu caught my attention:

Yes, it’s a red-velvet cheesecake Sonic Blast! (their blast is the equivalent of a Mconald’s Mcflurry)

Sonic is an American staple across a majority of the country, but in California, unless you live around Anaheim, Palmdale, Duarte, or Rancho Cucamonga, a Sonic may be hard to come by.

The Verdict: Another Red-Velvet Winner.

The flavor is not over-bearingly sweet, but just right. The cheesecake bites are what did it for me.  However, some may argue the taste reminds them more of strawberry shortcake than red-velvet cheesecake, but whatever, I loved it!

If you find yourself near a Sonic, I suggest you give it a try; but do it quickly, as it’s only available for a limited time.

Melrose Night/Red-Velvet Pancake Heaven

(photo provided by: http://www.melrosenight.com/) 

On January 6^th launched the first ever Melrose Night; on the first Thursday of every month, participating stores on Melrose Ave stay open late for a recession-friendly event offering discounts on purchases, and tons of scrumptious food from a variety of yummy food trucks. Retailers such as Joyrich, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, and Barracuda were part of the night’s festivities as was the Dim Sum truck, Cool Haus, Fry Smith, and The Buttermilk Truck.

To be honest I briefly looked around a few stores. I went to Melrose Night for one reason and one reason only…The Buttermilk Truck. I have been chasing this truck for over a year, just so I can try this…

Yes…Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Pancakes. I have frequented their website, followed their twitter religiously, and attempted to alter my weeknight/weekend schedule just so I can be near one of their planned stops. Evidently, that did not work…until now.

The verdict: IT’S DEFINITELY WORTH THE WAIT!!!

I loved it. The pancakes were amazingly warm and fluffy. The gooey chocolate chips complimented the red velvet flavor completely; for four silver-dollar sized pancakes, they were very filling. The ONLY set-back was the cream cheese topping. It was ok, but I felt it just wasn't sweet enough. The taste of the cream cheese overpowered the pancakes, especially since it melted over them at a steady rate…

But over-all very yummy… It’s a truck worth trying…if you can find it.

Golden Globe Fashion Standouts:

Everyone will have their own opinion on who stood out tonight at the Golden Globes. Thus far, here are three that stood out to me immediately :

Angelina Jolie: Versace

Anne Hathaway: Armani Prive

Emma Stone: Calvin Klein Collection





A little source of inspiration:

I have been waiting…and I mean WAITING for this footage to come out. And now it’s finally here:

It’s the video of Tom Ford’s Spring/Summer 2011 Collection which was recently put on youtube, and it is absolutely gorgeous.

Tom Ford previewed his upcoming Spring 2011 collection a few months ago to select editors only (think Anna Wintour, Joe Zee, Nina Garcia, etc). And Terry Richardson was the only photographer on hand to photograph the upcoming collection.

For any aspiring designer who is currently in a dryspell and in need of a boost of inspiration, this video is a must-see.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy 2011!!!

            At the start of every year, we reflect upon and analyze the past, acknowledge what we want to be different, and then make the proper resolutions with the optimistic notion that we will accomplish those goals. We dream up our resolutions with the hopes of improving ourselves, and our lives so that we may face the forthcoming year with renewed strength and perspective.

Fast forward 2 weeks and we give up. (Hey, no judgment, I do the same thing every year).

So what makes this year different…well…I’m 26, and I have realized that living life on auto-pilot is no fun (duh). Time is going by so quickly that before I know it, I will be facing another New Year, another year older, yet having made no real progress. I figure that I should take the opportunity to enjoy my twenties while I have the chance…no matter how busy my life can get!

Wish me luck!!!

Do you have any goals?

RED VELVET…IN LIQUID FORM!!!!

I honestly thought I’d never see the day… but last week Coffee Bean was having a promotion to introduce their new holiday beverages, and behold, one of their new drinks is Red velvet Hot Chocolate.

I was beyond excited and intrigued…how has anyone not thought of this before?!!! I rushed over to my local Coffee Bean so I could have a taste.

                                                      (image provided by coffeebean.com)

THE VERDICT:

It’s good…but EXTREMELY SWEET! You can barely taste the hot cocoa with all that red velvet sugariness. If you are the type of person who enjoys anything and everything sweet, then you will be a fan; if you’re not, then this will not agree with your tummy.

I enjoyed it, but I think it’s more of an occasional holiday treat than an everyday order at The Bean.

I.N.G’s 1st Blog w/ a BHFF Kickoff

For a first post, this is very late…but hey, better late than never, right?

I recently went to the Beverly Hills Fashion Festival, a day-long event that included fashion shows, pop-up shops, and delicious food trucks which provided food that you could taunt the models with (just kidding). It was a solid effort in reviving fashion week in Los Angeles; especially after L.A fashion week was abruptly cancelled last month.

Elie Tahari, William Rast, H. Lorenzo, and Teresa Rosati all participated with their own shows throughout the day. I only went to the William Rast show and I have to say I fell in love with their Fall/Winter 2010-2011 collection. Originally expecting nothing but denim, I was pleasantly surprised by the dance intro which was then followed by the fashion show where I saw Native American inspired coats and vests, cargos, army jackets, and leather - lots of leather.

As for the pop-up shops, the only thing that caught my attention was this display…

The jewelry designer’s name is Leslie Fastlicht Russo and she mentioned that the necklaces include leaves that were dipped in gold. Unfortunately, that is all I know about Russo. I tried to do extensive research on her designs, yet found very little. Shame…I loved her jewelry.