Anna Sui for O'Neill at Boathouse Collective, Costa Mesa

On Thursday April 2, 2015, Costa Mesa restaurant The Boathouse Collective hosted a celebration of the Anna Sui for O'Neill Collection Launch. Dress forms were dispersed amongst the space wearing pieces from the collection, and guests enjoyed live music, beverages, henna tattoo application, and goody bags. This collection was the perfect inspiration to get everyone in the mood for the Coachella music festival the following weekend and this weekend. There were lots of flowy and knit bohemian pieces, which you can see here along with the lookbook!

OC Fashion Week Avant Garde FW 2015

My co-editor (Alpha/Omega Magazine) Andrew and I attended the 6th day of OC Fashion Week's show schedule at Anqi Bistro, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA. The runway line up included mens and womens designers ranging in a wide spectrum of designs and creations. The first, Hidden Warriors showcased cancer survivors with a 'warrior makeover'; second was rave wear Conspire by Jessica Johnson, which I felt some well crafted, others looked a bit more 'home crafted' with the scraps of fabric or embellishments; third was Porter South, a menswear label that translated as ready-to-wear but still had stand out unique designs (dying over the leather studded jacket and drop crotch pants); the forth, Elizabeth Celaya which I thought was the most avant-garde and some pieces could also be assimilated into mainstream fashion but still maintaining its intriguing elements; and lastly Stevie Boi's eyewear collection which was bold and fun. The show was very high energy, once it got started (was delayed by 45 minutes); and leading up to the show was chaotic as guests had to wait in a long line outside for entry and once inside, trying to find their seats or tables was a messy situation with some expressing that their seats were taken; therefore signage on seating and a more thought out seating process would help facilitate a smoother check in. I feel like I have a love/hate relationship with this venue, as it peeves me that I can see models and staff walking back and forth behind the runway; but hey, the garlic noodles were delicious as usual.Thank you to runway coordinator Hien for making sure Andrew and I were taken care of! See the OC Fashion Week's video of the event at the bottom of the post!

Hidden Warriors - Therapeutic & Transformative Avant-Garde Designer featuring Cancer-Survivor Models Conspire - Rave Designer Jessica Johnson Porter South - Designer Miranda Amelia and featuring America's Next Top Model Will Jardell Elizabeth CelayaStevie Boi Eyewear - CR3AM Collection featuring America's Next Top Models Lisa d'Amato and Will Jardell

Holiday Shopping at South Coast Plaza

Get your holiday shopping done at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa

I had the wonderful opportunity of getting to toast the holiday season on one of the craziest holiday shopping days of the year, Black Friday, at South Coast Plaza's The Penthouse. I had been to the Penthouse Suite before for a shopping event with La Perla, and was fascinated to see how the space was turned into a festive, winter wonderland. Guests and the media were able to enjoy breakfast and lunch offerings, blood orange mimosas, coffee, and pampering amenities such as manicures by Lollipop Nail Studio, hand massages by Aveda, a hair refresh by Vidal Sassoon, mini makeovers by MAC, and flash tattoo applications. I grabbed sweet treats on the way out from the candy bar and also received an amazing SCP tote bag filled with goodies to survive Black Friday.

As expected, the shopping center was PACKED, and I window shopped, but didn't bother going inside stores. It looked like shoppers really took full advantage of Black Friday deals; if you're still looking to get gift shopping done, South Coast Plaza probably won't be as much of a frenzy as Black Friday and you have such a great selection of shops. Check out the beautiful ornament displays and Christmas tree in the shopping center as well!

Costa Mesa Nekter Juice Bar now Re-Opened!

Nekter Juice Bar's much anticipated Costa Mesa location's grand re-opening was a hit during it's Black & White themed party. Guests enjoyed the launch of Nekter Food, an exciting addition to their menu, a silhouette artist and photo booth, Blue Ice Vodka cocktails and One Hope Wine Champagne infused with Nekter juice, and live entertainment. This location is the first store out of 44 locations; and has been completely re-imagined and doubled in size, with new artwork and refreshing face lift. Can't wait to go back for more juice, smoothies, bowls, and bites!

Nekter Juice Bar - Costa Mesa
474 E. 17th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(800) 385-1650


Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat-Sun: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Black Embroidery and Layers Outfit

Black Layers for Fall

Andrew and I had a meeting at The Camp in Costa Mesa with a photographer for our magazine, Alpha/Omega. After our meeting, it was just so lovely outside with the beautiful sunlight. We found a nice little nook near the parking lot to shoot some photos. I was in quite a mood and wanted to go a little 'vampy', so alongside a dark lip, I styled an all black look, with many layers; an embroidered slip dress unbuttoned underneath a soft top, quilted-looking bottoms, and boots (excuse the white socks!) Here are more details on the look:

Bar Whisper Necklace & The Ox Box Earrings, The Oxford Trunk
Rings, Amarilo & Elison Rd
Shelby Top, Talia Hancock
Ecote Embroidered Mesh Slip, Urban Outfitters
Pants, Zara
Boots, Aldo
Photos taken by Andrew Nguyen