TREND WATCH FOR WEEK OF NOV. 29, 2010

It is Monday morning and I am about to head off to work but first wanted to post my weekly trend report based on Los Angeles fashion for the week of November 29, 2010.

ETSY FAVORITES FOR NOVEMBER 28, 2010

I am a huge fan of homemade clothing/crafts and love etsy.com for giving authentic designers/creators a forum for their work. Please visit the links below to see some of my favorite Etsy stores this week.

Store One: Nikacollection

I'm assuming these are sublimated tops although the designer does not say. Regardless, I think they are very pretty and want to share.

Click the link to see more screened and sublimated tops:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/nikacollection?ref=pr_profile

Store Two: RiverOfRomansk

I love the whimsical, girlie dresses and blouses this store has and the price is very reasonable. Her style is simple and fresh.

Click the below link to see more of this flowy, romantic style:
http://www.etsy.com/people/RiverOfRomansk?ref=ls_profile

Store Three: Ellemoss

I like the texture used by Ellemoss in her photography. I think she also uses her lighting well. She has several photos with her subjects wearing masks which I enjoy as I love masks and escapism.

To see more photography by Ellemoss click the below link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ellemoss?ref=seller_info

DRAKE - "Fancy" lyrics - Why does he mention Bebe in his song?

bebe, I have always loved you and will never stop showing appreciation toward you but you must step up your fashion game. You took on a cheaper fashion direction a few years ago and seem to be sticking to it. Please upgrade yourself to the fashionable company you used to be. If you've had to lay off designers and opt for purchasing private label from Chinese manufacturers, I'm not mad. I understand the economy is still poor for fashion companies. My only request is that you purchase from a manufacturer that produces higher end garments. I miss the old bebe. I was listening to the lyrics of Drake's song "Fancy" and it makes mention of you:

Champagne range
triple white Caddy
closet full of brand new clothes and hand bags
Alexander McQueen, Prada, Gucci, Chanel
D&G, BCBG, Versace, Louie and Bebe

There was a time when these lyrics would have been accurate but as it stands today I realize that Drake simply needed to find a word that fit into his melody and you were easy game considering your prior fashion excellence and past mention in other rap songs. The reputation you established in the past has been strong enough to uphold you today but it won't last much longer. I have fond memories of saving my allowance in high school and going to the Beverly Center to buy a bebe shirt made in burnout fabric long before burnout was mainstream. I can still hear the compliments I receieved when I wore it. You were my first internship when you were located in the Cooper Building downtown. I want you to pull yourself together bebe. Please.

TASTE RESTAURANT on MELROSE

I have eaten brunch at Taste in West Hollywood twice now and must write about it. It's so damn good. First and foremost the restaurant is a quaint, dark wood structure accented with bright pillows and windows facing Melrose. It's perfectly designed for comfort in rain or shine and I've been there for both. The first time I ate there I had the Southwest Scramble and bottomless mimosa. It was tastey but I was more impressed by the trendy yet lazy atmosphere of the place and the elevated seating which allowed me a great view for people watching. The second time I dined at Taste it was simply delicious. I ordered the Braised Short Rib Hash with scrambled egg (instead of poached), red pepppers, potatoes and bearnaise sauce. My boyfriend decided on the crab Cake Benedict with rosemary garlic potatoes. Both were absolutely yum. That's the best description I can give. Yum. Yum. The hash is $14.75 and the crab cake benedict is $15.25. Enjoy a Sunday brunch at Taste. It's worth it.

I read reviews on Trip Advisor about Taste simply to see other's opinions of the place and think those who gave the restaurant a low rating are nuts and probably complain about stars, toenails, popcorn, itunes, pens, carpet, etc. I'm sure nothing makes them happy.

Taste
8454 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 852-6888

BCBG Sample Sale in the Rain - 11/20/10

I will first and foremost pay homage to all the sexy and determined bitches who made it inside the BCBG sample sale and exited the premises with wearables. I admire you. I woke up the morning of the sale at 8am. One hour later than intended. I lay in bed and listened to the rain. It was coming down hard. "Do I even want to go to the sale this rainy morning?" I asked myself. "Of course I do," I said as I pulled on the leggings and boots I set out the previous night for easy dressing. I personally think BCBG had a strong and fashionable year and I've enjoyed my window shopping experiences. (I cannot afford BCBG and after working for their corporate office and enjoying the perks of the employee boutique run by Lubov Azria's mother - leather pants for $15. Purses for $40. Shirts for $5 - I will never be able to pay full price until I'm rich with disposable cash)

I fixed a cup of tea and headed out in the rain with my boyfriend and a book, ready for the line outside BCBG that I was sure would be cut in half by the increment weather. I was absolutely wrong. In front of the Vernon factory was a huge canopy, shielding the raindrops from women holding huge plastic bags and waiting patiently in a winding line reminiscent of Riddler's Revenge at Magic Mountain. Not bad, I thought. But then my boyfriend and I continued down Fruitland and saw the staggering line of girls dressed in black tights and beanies, holding Starbucks containers and leaning against the stark white BCBG wall that goes on for like a mile. They were all unfazed by the rain and seemed to enjoy it.
My boyfriend asked where he should park. "I can't do it," I told him. "Please don't make me stand out there in the rain and wait for hours. There's at least 700 girls here" I whined. My boyfriend is the type of man who does everything he sets his mind to no matter what the circumstance and expects me to follow suit. I, on the other hand, tend to go with the flow and allow life's alterations. I did not want to trade a nice sweater for the demon flu going around. I was prepared to stand in mist for one hour tops but not actual rain for 3 hours. My boyfriend chuckled at the BCBG enthusiasts undeterred by wetness and allowed us to continue on a new morning path consisting of breakfast at Taste. I appreciate you BCBG and will do my best to meet an employee and enjoy the sample sale on "Friends and Family" night.

****I will eventually write a blog about Taste but if you've never gone to this West Hollywood eatery you MUST! Crab benedict and the short rib with eggs. Yum. (There's an actual name for the short rib plate but I forgot it. Delicious though.)