TOMS One For One New Product Line Reveal...

This morning, I slipped on my TOMS red striped wedges and stopped by the California Heritage Museum on Main Street in Santa Monica to check out TOMS' big unveiling for its next product line. I think TOMS' "one for one" mission is quite admirable, plus their shoes are cute and comfortable (after a little breaking in): I have a pair of their black glitter shoes and striped wedges from last summer which are both nice around town shoes.

Blake Mycoskie, who founded TOMS Shoes in 2006 right here in Santa Monica (where it is still currently headquartered), gave a brief speech and presented a video from a trip to Nepal.

Blake Mycoskie, Founder of TOMS

The mystery box:

Sunglasses...TOMS Eyewear! For each pair of sunglasses sold, TOMS will give a portion of the proceeds to help someone in need regain sight. There's a stripe on the sunglass arms that represent "you," the person you gave sight to, and TOMS.

The mystery box revealed: TOMS Eyewear

Black Mycoskie wearing TOMS Eyewear style 101, the wayfarer inspired style

TOMS Eyewear is priced from $135 - $145 with three basic models in a a variety of finishes and lenses; style 101: a wayfarer style, style 201: a oversized round / oval style, and style 301: an aviator style. I personally liked the aviator style best followed by the wayfarer style, although as I just bought a pair of Prada Minimal Baroque sunglasses, I have to sadly hold off on new sunglasses for awhile. They were selling the sunglasses out of a repurposed food truck in the parking area, and will be selling them online and at Nordstroms and other retailers.

Wayfarer style plastic frames

Oversized and Aviator style

They were selling sunglasses out of this food truck

The Perfect Summer Shoe

I got my pair first pair of Toms shoes yesterday! I've always been intrigued by Toms shoes, thanks mostly to their mission of giving a pair of shoes away to a child for every pair purchased, but never really liked their styles until I came across Toms wedges.  They came in a variety of colors including black, yellow, mint, red and white striped, and navy and white striped with most sizes selling out very quickly.  After much searching and calling around, I snagged the last pair of red and white striped Toms wedges in my normal size 7 online at Nordstroms.  I've been looking for a fun pair of casual summer shoes that aren't flip flops, which I pretty much wear everywhere, so these fit the bill perfectly.  I love them, they are nice and tall at 3.25 inches but very comfortable with just enough cushioning in the insole and the little elastic panel in the front ensures of comfortable fit in the front.  I don't wear heels very much anymore, but I've found the shoes to be very comfortable even after a day of running around.  At $69, I think that they are fairly reasonably priced; I'm tempted by their ash gray ones for fall.  They are just a tad big; I did read reviews suggesting to size down half a size for Toms shoes in general, but this was the only size available.  I think they'll be fine though; I can always put in some heel inserts if they really bother me.  I'm looking forward to pairing these shoes with cute summer outfits, from shorts to sundresses!

Toms Shoes: Black Glitter

I think they look cuter in real life than in pictures, photo from Toms website

I've been a shopping kick recently for some reason, and I haven't even shared all my Asia trip purchases. Gotta stop soon!  My Toms Shoes in Black Glitter arrived today and I adore them already.  I've been wanting a pair ever I saw D's silver pair with her halloween costume.  I love my Toms red striped wedges; they are incredibly comfortable and I've gotten more compliments on them than any other shoes that I've owned.  The black ones, in the classic style, are just as comfortable.  I love shoes that you can just slip on and off easily and that are good for walking long distances.  They are actually more supportive and cushioned in the sole than they appear.  Now I'm debating whether or not to hit the Toms one day sample sale in Valencia tomorrow...
Update on the TOMS Shoes: they definitely need breaking in. The first few times I wore them I got blisters, they were a little stiff and not very breathable (I think due to the stiffer glitter material), but since then they've broken in and I can walk around forever in them.


Separately, I also picked up another Lululemon Cool Racerback in Static Very Violet at the Santa Monica store just because I love the color.  The static fabric is also super soft and silky, even more comfortable than my other Cool Racerbacks that I wear all the time.  Also, since I've been working out twice a day thanks to the Equinox challenge (except for today, I took a break), I'm running out of tops!  I'm trying to cut back on my Lululemon purchases, but I couldn't resist the color which is sure to sell out quickly.

It's a little more pink in person

Red, White and Bleu Isabel Marant

Etoile Isabel Marant Hana Romper, Prada sunglasses, Toms red striped wedges

A patriotic red white and blue outfit in honor of the 4th today. I picked up the Etoile Isabel Marant Hana romper / playsuit (what an awkward term, sounds like something small fry wears) from Barneys' second markdown a few weeks ago. The Beverly Hills salesperson was kind enough to track it down for me at the San Francisco store and have it shipped to me. I really love this piece; I tried it on when it was still full price at Heist in Venice and really liked it back then, but I like it even more now at such a good price. I think this print is one of the most identifiable patterns from Isabel Marant's S/S 2012 Etoile collection and the whole style and look is signature Isabel Marant. I really loved both her mainline and Etoile collection this season, and this is my first piece of the season from either her mainline or Etoile collection, and it also happens to be one of my favorites. The fit is billowy and loose and I love the airy cotton voile and bright and happy blue and white print. I love rompers, but they can sometimes be too juvenile looking, but I think this one is carefree and easygoing, but not too childish. A perfect addition to any summer wardrobe, fitting for fourth of July BBQs in Venice (thanks for a lovely afternoon S&J!).

Lululemon Gratitude Wrap Review: Believe the Hype

Lululemon Gratitude Wrap in Black Swan / Black Swan Heathered Black Skeletonbone (second part refers to the herringbone inner lining that no one can see except for me). Worn with MiH Marrakesh Kick Flare jeans and Toms red striped wedges

For some reason, the Lululemon Gratitude Wrap is one of the most popular item that Lululemon has ever made, with quite the cult following. It is particularly coveted as it hasn't been released in the last few years, so Gratitude Wraps on EBay often sell for many multiples of the retail price. I never quite understood it as I had never seen one in real life before, even though I've been buying Lululemon for several years now. Lululemon re-released the Gratitude wrap to the Canadian stores over the last few weeks, but only to US customers through the online store last Thursday. I wasn't planning on being up for the release; usually they upload new items around 7am pacific, but I happened to naturally be awake at 6:50am on Thursday, so I hopped online. I managed to snag a Black Swan (dark purplish blue) in my regular size 4 as soon as it was uploaded at 6:59am; I was amazed to see the size 4 quickly sell out not a minute later. Unfortunately many people were not as lucky with website failures and canceled orders, shades of the Missoni for Target debacle.

The Gratitude Wrap arrived via fedex today and I have to say, I am in love. I was originally planning to think about it for a few days, and possibly wait for different colors to be released, but I couldn't help myself and tore off the tags so I could wear it immediately, which is quite unusual for me as I often vacillate on these kinds of things. I know the pictures aren't really that great and it does look a little like a potato sack, but I just love the Gratitude Wrap, even more than my beloved Savasana Wrap which I bought on sale for half off and wear as much as I can. The photos probably make it look bulkier since I'm wearing jeans as opposed to workout pants, but I plan on wearing the wrap with both workout gear as well as casual wear. I love the warm ribbed sleeve details with the thumbholes of the Gratitude Wrap; it's like wearing gloves and keeps me a lot toastier than the Savasana Wrap. The double breasted rows of buttons keeps the wrap buttoned up more securely, pockets at are a more accessible angle and I like how the wrap is nice and long in the back; looks proportionally better on me than the Savasana Wrap. I love the little contrast details like the elbow patches, back triangle patch and drawstrings. It's a lot more structured with interesting details than the Savasana Wrap, even though it's the same retail price. It's perfect for LA weather; I'm comfortably wearing a long sleeve shirt underneath and it will keep me warm and toasty for the LA fall / winter. I'm sure my usual top size 4 is the right size for me as I can still layer a long sleeve or thin sweater, the shoulders and sleeves are comfortable without any noticeable tightness but keep me warm, and the vertical edge of the wrap falls straight up and down, even if I have some bulk in the pockets like my hands. I'm really grateful that I was able to snag one and I know that I will have to restrain myself from wearing it everyday, neglecting all my other clothes, for the next few months. I've been pretty good at keeping my Lululemon purchases under control except for last week where I also bought a bulerias tank and my first pair of still pants, both on markdown. This should keep me covered for awhile... Oops, realized most people wear the Gratitude Wrap buttoned all the way up. Too lazy to take another picture at the moment.

Lululemon Gratitude Wrap: I love the thumbholes; makes the wrap so snug and cozy

You can faintly see the ribbed elbow patch

Nice and long in the back

Lululemon Savasana Wrap in  Coal / Coal Strata Stripe (also a size 4)

Calypso St. Barth for Target Launch Review

The maxi dress is my favorite piece; I love the colors, pattern, and flared tier at the bottom, the cotton is soft and the dress is lined, very comfortable and the perfect length

N. and I woke up bright and early today and headed to the Target on La Cienega to check out the release of the Calypso St. Barth and Target designer collaboration. We met at the Lanvin x H&M launch, so I knew she was one of the few people who wouldn't think it was crazy to wake up at 7am on a Sunday. The weather this weekend has been warm and gorgeous; definitely the perfect weather for the Calypso lifestyle. We arrived a little bit after the store opened at 8am and there was a ton of stock in all sizes. The collection is huge; lots of apparel including several pieces that weren't in the lookbook, accessories, bags, home goods, childrens apparel. I was slightly disappointed by the collection in person as many of the pieces weren't quite as nice as it appeared in the lookbook, particularly with some of the finishing details. While the colors and patterns are really pretty in person, some of the fabric just didn't feel that nice, the cotton was rough on some of the pieces, like the maxi skirt, and the 100% silk pieces were too flimsy, wrinkly and see through. I did pick up a couple of comfortable pieces in 100% cotton, including the pink and white tie-dye striped maxi dress ($39.99, size 2), which is lined and probably my favorite piece, the off the shoulder blue ruffle embroidered dress which is also lined ($39.99, XS), the 3/4 length sleeve turquoise fan print dress ($36.99, XS), and the turquoise fan print in a romper ($14.99), which is actually a girls size 14-16. Even though its the most mainline Calypso-like silhouette and pattern, I'll probably be returning the blue fan print dress as it is too sheer to wear as a dress around town; it's more appropriate as swimsuit coverup and I don't need such a fancy swimsuit coverup, plus I don't want two pieces in the same pattern. I'll probably just use the romper as my coverup. I also purchased some of the melanine servingware for our summer bbqs. After shopping, N. and I had a really tasty breakfast at Green Peas on Sepulveda in Culver City. I had a delicious and inexpensive vegan breakfast burrito, I'll definitely be going back.

I'll be returning this one; it's more appropriate as swimwear coverup. Dress is a little too A-line as well; would have preferred it more slim fitting. Worn with Toms red striped wedges.

Worn with my own belt. I don't have anything in this style so I'll probably keep it. Unfortunately wrinkles easily as you can see.

Yes this is from the girls collection, but it fits and I've been wanting a romper for several seasons now

I have some Orla Kiely x Target melamine dinnerware that I use all summer long; these pieces will be a nice addition

I really liked this caftan in the lookbook but not in person. Silk is super thin and wrinkly, the rope is attached strangely and I feel like Princess Leia on vacation or a monk

Check out Otis' teeth!

Otis has no interest in my clothes