Friday, January 27, 2012

Spring me the glitter...

glitz_text

If it looks like Spring, and feels like Spring...

I know we're still technically in the throes of Winter- I'm reminded of this every morning when I look out the window and see that my poor little flowers have struggled through another cold night. But the days are bright, warm, and glowing. What does this have to do with the outfit post? Well, we've had the most unbelievably beautiful weather this week, that I find myself in a very Spring-y mindset! Kinda sorta. It's a hybrid... let me explain. Remember all the glitter, sequins and bedazzle we saw through the Holidays? Well, I'm secretly really excited about it still! There's that quote about glitter being the herpes of the art world- and yeah, I guess that extends to fashion, but... I can't help it.
I'm infected with sparkles!
glitz_collage_1

The color Gods at Pantone tells us that Tangerine Tango is the it color for 2012, but I'm not on board with that just yet. Outside of my Rhodia notebooks, anyway... However, I do find myself really attracted to the saturated jewel tones we normally reserve for Holiday... pops of garnet, sapphire, amethyst, emerald, chalcedony, and a little turquoise. We typically see these hues with darker pairings of satin, wool, or (that ubiquitous Holiday fabric...) velvet. For Spring I like these colors lightened up and paired with creams, cotton lace, and eyelet.

glitz_collage_2

For the time being, I'm still in jeans almost every day, but I'm pairing them with sparkly shoes, lots of baubles, and overly-embellished hair accessories (like the headband and sequined barrettes seen here). As the weather warms up, I'll be moving into full skirts with quirky little sweaters (like the one in this one by Charlotte Tarantola), but I'll stick with my sparkly shoes and girly accessories at least until Summer time.

glitz_collage_4
glitz_collage_3

Ok, let's talk about this skirt... Dost thou eyes deceive thee? No. That, my friends, is gold lamé. Poor lamé got a really bad rap back in the 80's when it became de rigueur for horrendous ruffled, one-shouldered, Prom dresses. I know you know what I'm talking about, ladies... But I'm liberating it! I got this vintage Esprit skirt specifically for the Ambiance Holiday party- but it's way too fabulous to be a one trick pony! Toned down for daytime with flats, a fitted sweater, and a cotton tote, the gold borders on neutral. In fact, I'm coining a new phrase right now... are you listening, Pantone? The neutral statement piece. YES! Fluorescent neutral! I actually championed for Fluorescent Neutral a couple of years ago when I solicited (unsuccessfully) for Montana Paint to rename one of their spraypaints that color. They totally missed out.
What about you... still knee-deep in Winter wear, or are you fast fowarding to Spring? The only thing I'm knee deep in right now is glitter. *surrenders cool card* : /

*Guest post by:

In this post...
Sweater: Charlotte Tarantola at Ambiance
Skirt: vintage, Esprit
Sequin Barrettes: Ban.do
Beaded headband: Ban.do
Cotton laundry tote: vintage, France
Eyeglasses: Betsey Johnson
Jeweled Mouse flats: Marc Jacobs
Leopard/glitter Brogues: Zara
Acrylic heels: vintage, from Jeff's grandma
Nail Polish: Butter London (in: Tart With A Heart, Knackered, & Rosie Lee) at Ambiance
Books: "Girls Fashion Style Paris" & "Paris Brocante", edition Paumes, Japan
Perfume: Tocca (Brigitte)
Glitter: Martha Stewart (Aquamarine & Rose Quartz)
Sequin/Rhinestone cuff: vintage, LACMA

Listening to: "The Only Living Boy in New York", Simon & Garfunkel

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Kalsee's Faves...

I asked Kalsee to show-off some of the new Ambiance items that she's coveting, and now she's got me coveting them too! That little stinker...

kal_1_blg

kal_2_blg

kal_4_blg

kal_3_blg

kal_5_blg

kal_6_blg

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Kristin's Back!

Back by popular demand for THREE DAYS ONLY...
We were all so sad to see her go, but we've persuaded her to visit.
Kristin will be in the store this Sunday, next week Monday and Tuesday!
Call now to book your styling appointment with the quintessential Ambiance girl!
805.540.3380

Girl about (down) town...

girl_about

Of course we all know that now more than ever, it's so important to support our mom & pop local shops. But the constant bombardment of DEALS, SPECIAL OFFERS, and CAN'T-MISS CLEARANCE PRICES in my email inbox makes it really hard sometimes. It's tough to resist the convenience of shopping in my jammies after the kids are in bed, and merchandise delivered right to my door. No crowds, no craziness, no fuss.

But guess what... eventually this convenience costs us something.
No more mom & pop.

It makes me sad to imagine that our sweet, quaint town is under threat of corporate siege- but it's very true. Unless we make an effort to *ahem* get out of our jammies, off our couches, and out the door, those adorable shops, boutiques, and specialty stores that make SLO so darn cool will be edged out by the giants. I'm doing my part by focusing on locally-owned businesses for my Holiday shopping, and for the outfits that inspire me to get dressed! 'Cos you know what... Papyrus won't be inviting you in for a Holiday Party, Victoria's Secret won't be throwing a free pair of panties in your bag- just because they love you, the people at the GAP won't give you a hug and ask about your mom, and don't expect the Starbucks Barristas to make super awesome foam art in your latte- just 'cos.

Hey, I'll tell you something else... as someone who lives and works downtown, you should know that there really aren't any crowds to contend with, and there are some truly amazing pre-Christmas deals going on right now. Even the parking spaces have been pretty plentiful lately!
Excuses, excuses... Yeah, what else ya got? ;)

info_graphic_dec

My go-to Holiday gear...

Up-cycled fur vest: FINDER'S KEEPERS (Garden St.)
Raglan, Fair-Isle Leggings, J.Brand Floral Boots: AMBIANCE (737 Higuera St.)
French Market Tote: HABITAT (777 Marsh St.)
D.I.Y. Holiday Cards, Wax Seals & Stamp: PAPER SKY (Higuera St.)
Cloth Napkins: PICKING DAISIES (Creamery)
Jeff Claassen Greeting Card: CLAASSEN GALLERY (774 Marsh St.)
Teensy Antique Lamp, Vintage Charm Bracelet: RUBY ROSE (1335 Walker St.)
Fresh, locally-grown mistletoe: FARMERS MARKET (Higuera St.)


*guest post brought to you by www.SLOMYGOSH.com

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Ambiance it-girl... Carla!

Our November it-girl and lovely friend, Carla, was sweet enough to let me trail around as she put the finishing touches on SLO's newest retail/design addition.

ATMODSPHERE is surely the most beautiful example of mid-century modern home furnishings in town. Recognize this space? Mid-Cent Mod fans have been eyeing it for months, first in admiration of its structural and cosmetic face-lift, and more recently for the amazing inventory that's trickled in behind locked doors. Including furnishings by super, incredible, ohmygosh, Jory Brigham!

Local architect extraordinaire, George Garcia did such an exquisite job retrofitting and redesigning this darling Chorro St. building while maintaing its character and keeping the past 100 years or so of worn-in loveliness entirely intact. Like a pair of vintage Levi's carefully mounted and framed on a wall- it's all about showcasing the great bones, and appreciating the wear and tear, while admiring the careful addition of fresh, clean lines, and subtly artistic details. It's an absolute gem, and the perfect example of building-marries-business bliss.

Major
design-crush on this one, people. Major.









LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails