Loehmann's To Announce Winners of NY Design Challenge A Contest With FIT Fashion Design Students

Fashions at Loehmann's

Three students at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) who were named finalists in off-price specialty retailer Loehmann's NY Design Challenge competition, held exclusively with FIT. Ou Ma of Beijing, China; Maor Tapiro from Brooklyn, NY; and Ying Wang of Xi'an,China, received the highest number of votes out of seven semi-finalists during a weeklong contest held on Loehmann's Facebook page.

A grand prize winner will be announced at a celebratory event on April 3 ^rd, 2013 at Loehmann's Chelsea Store, 101 7^th Ave at 16^th street. The winning garment will be showcased in the Loehmann's Chelsea storefront window.

The competition, first announced by Loehmann's during its Fashion's Night Out runway show inSeptember 2012, attracted 15 students from FIT's Fashion Design program, who each submitted up to three avant-garde evening wear designs using famous New York City landmarks as their inspiration.  Ma's design was inspired by the Guggenheim Museum; Tapiro's design was inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge; and Wang's design was inspired by The Highline.

Lucky Magazine Announces First-Ever Two-Day West Coast FABB: Fashion and Beauty Blog Conference

Lucky, the magazine about shopping and style, announced today the 2^nd annual FABB West. The two-day event, taking place April 4 ^th and 5^th, 2013 at the Beverly Hills SLS Hotel, will once again bring the top influencers in fashion, beauty, technology and entertainment together. Day one of the conference is comprised of a series of panels and keynotes featuring industry leaders who will educate the audience on how to "Take It to the Next Level." Thursday's festivities will wrap with a VIP cocktail party where bloggers will have the opportunity to mix and mingle.  Day two will feature breakout sessions to provide bloggers with the tools they need to build their business.

"I am very excited to head to the west coast for our fifth installment of the Lucky FABB Conference.  The group of influencers Lucky brings together at the conference are setting the trends in blogging, e-commerce and social media and are truly redefining how fashion, beauty and technology work together," said Lucky General Manager and Senior Vice President, Gillian Gorman Round. "Additionally, it's the perfect opportunity for our advertising partners to reach such a highly sought-after audience. This event enables them to get their products in the hands of an inspiring group who have the same aesthetic as Lucky. We are thrilled to have P& G Grooming as the presenting sponsor once again along with LeSportsac, AG Jeans, L'Occitane, Miss Me, Style Network and Tacori."

Drew Barrymore, Lucky's May cover star, will deliver a keynote address in which she will discuss how she balances her busy life as a mother, actress and entrepreneur. The conference will conclude with a Q and A session with Betsey Johnson and an exclusive screening of her Style Network show, "XOX Betsey Johnson."

I'm looking forward to attending this conference and learning more about Social Media and Blogging.  I attended last year's conference and it was very worthwhile. From my perspective, Lucky Fabb offers a taste of all that is fabuless, social skills within a luxury destination spot. Follow my updates during the conference via Twitter @Recessionista.

Monterey County Named one of the Top Ten Wine Travel Destinations in the World

Wine Enthusiast has just selected Monterey,CA as one of the 2013 Top Ten Wine Travel Destination in the World.  Monterey County is the only California wine region to make the 2013 list.

 "Monterey County offers so many unique and top-class experiences in not only wine and food but in everything from outdoor adventures to art to sightseeing. It has an undiscovered, offbeat, creative flair while at the same time offering very elegant experiences. We feel Monterey represents our reader - extremely modern, approachable, sincerely quality driven.  Glamour without pretense," says Wine Enthusiast Executive Editor Susan Kostrzewa.  To get details on wine tasting in Monterey, visit www.SeeMonterey.com

"The wine country in Monterey County is less commercialized and provides a more authentic experience for the devoted wine enthusiast," said Tammy Blount, CEO of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau, adding, "A wine country itinerary in Monterey County is perfectly complemented with our incredible array of intimate dining options, world class shopping and spa experiences, and the most beautiful coastline in the world."


Monterey County has seen a stunning forty percent increase of tasting rooms in the last year and is home to over 40,000 acres of premium vineyards.  Wine enthusiasts are able to take public transit to tasting rooms in rustic Carmel Valley which is home to the new East End Wine Row.  Shoppers can mix finding their latest treasure with wine tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Fifteen  tasting rooms are now located in the walkable one square mile known for unique shops.  Vineyard experiences along River Road are also gaining momentum with A-T-V rides through the vines.

 If you're thinking of visiting Monterey county, and looking for affordable lodging, check out the Hyatt Monterey.  The hotel regularly offers specials.  Benefits of the Hyatt Monterey include the fantastic Accista spa, the fire grilled pizzas at the TusCA Ristorante and the golf course.  Of the amenities at the Hyatt Monterey, the spa is the most worthwhile in my opinion.  I visited last fall and was blown away by the quality of services offered.  The staff is top notch and both the facials and massages are relaxing and nuturing.  Even if you don't stay at the hotel, the spa is worth visiting.  Check out their Facebook specials to save. The only drawback of the Monterey Hyatt is the rooms are not all connected via an indoor walkway.  That means you have to walk outside to get to your room.  But, for the price, that may be an inconvenience  you can live with.

If you're looking for a more luxurious accomodation, perhaps to celebrate Valentine's day or another special event, check out the Hyatt Highlands Hotel.  The location is conveniently located between the charming village of Carmel and Big Sur.  It really is the "gateway" to Big Sur.  The rooms are luxurious condos with fireplaces, kitchens and jacuzzi tubs.  For R&R there is a full gym, swimming pool and trails you can run or hike through the property.  The hotel restaurant, Pacific's Edge, is an excursion itself with fantastic food and wine on the menu.

The Recessionista Relaunches

Since 2008 when our sister site, The Recessionista,  was discovered by The New York Times as “A Label for a Pleather Economy ",  the site and its traffic have steadily grown.  That's no mean feat in a tough economy, where it's harder than ever for small businesses to survive and thrive. With a small budget, and  love for living chic on the cheap The Recessionista has grown from a blogspot to a dot com, and now to a complete new design with a new logo.  Don't be confused by sites that scream out "Fake it til you make it." The Recessionista is not about faking it in any shape, manner or form. There's nothing chic about a fake.  The site is about being chic on the cheap.  You'll recognize the new site by its distinctive new logo that pays homage to Chanel’s simple “little black dress.”  We think the little black dress is the essential garment for recessionistas. A great little black dress can take you anywhere.  Take a look at the newly designed The Recessionista today with streamlined navigation and new sections (Travel, Wine/Food and Beauty.) The new site offers more pages and enhanced images.  Click here to subscribe.

Los Angeles: Divine Design 2012 Offers Great Shopping for a Great Cause

 

 Save the Date Savvy Shoppers in Los Angeles! The 2012 edition for Project Angel Food's super  Divine Design sale has officially been announced.  The sale will kick-off to the general public after Thanksgiving  in Los Angeles with General Shopping Days from  Dec. 1 to 3.    This unique shopping extravaganza offers fabuless fashion, home, beauty and gift items at 50-90% off. Check their website for details and tickets at Divine by Design.  Be sure to get the $10.00 off discount coupon  offered on the website page. Click here for details for details about the Gala Opening Event and VIP shopping party. Divine Design will kick off on Thursday, November 29th with an Opening Night Rock ‘n’ Roll Party which will be held inside the Divine Design Marketplace at 9900 Wilshire Boulevard (the former Robinson’s May building).  Designers David Meister and Project Runway's Mila Hermanovski will be featured in the opening festivities. Mila will co-hosts Divine Design’s VIP Cocktail Shopping Party on Nov. 29th at 6:00 pm in the marketplace. The sale benefits a cause that is near and dear to my heart: Project Angel Food. Project Angel Food is a free meal-delivery program that serves men, women and children debilitated by HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The program literally brings nourishment to the needy.  Next week the sale will bring retail nourishment to holiday shoppers looking for a bargain.  Over 200 designers will contribute to this year's sale including:  David Meister, BCBG, LAMB, Ports 1961, Trina Turk and many more.

The sale features men's clothing (Ted Baker), children's clothes, toys, plus designer brands favored by savvy shoppers everywhere.  Another key attraction of the sale is top of the line skincare products offered by Kiehl's.  Last year the Kiehl's products seemed to sell out in a hot minute.  Kate Sommerville beauty products will also be featured.  A new addition to this year's sale is a technology area sponsored by Time Warner cable.  Time Warner Cable (TWC) is sponsoring a rock ‘n’ roll-inspired Signature Home Lounge outfitted with guitar wall fixtures, cobalt carpet, gunmetal walls and modern technology twists.  Attendees will be able to participate in Social Media activities from the lounge by blogging, post or tweet, their messages which will them be displayed in the big lounge for all to see. If you haven' t shopped this sale before, remember the prices are reduced more each day of the sale, with the last day having the lowest, or final clearance prices.  The only issue with going the last day is there may not be the best selection or everything, but on the other hand, you won't have the all the temptations either. For more information, visit the Divine Design Website.

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eBay Launches their Holiday Collective with Top Designers and Worldwide Shipping

The new eBay Holiday collective featuring top designers : Billy Reid, Chris Benz, Fallon, Jonathan Adler, Ruffian, Steven Alan and Tibi, has announced the eBay Holiday Collective - an original, limited-edition gift collection of men's and women's apparel, jewelry, travel and electronics accessories and home décor.  My favorites in the collection are the Chris Benz lounge wear and the Tibi fashions.   For men, the Billy Reid travel items and the Steve Alan tech items maybe of interest. Everything is under $100.00 US and the sale is on until Dec. 10th until 8 am PT or while quantities last. If you check it out, let me know what you think. My personal pick is the Chris Benz cashmere scarf for $55.00 US.  The holiday collection is available to all eBay customers worldwide, so check shipping based on your area/country.

Los Angeles: Get Free Tickets to the Sassy City Chicks Shopping Party on Nov. 1

The Sassy City Chicks LA Fashion Bash is back in Los Angeles on Nov.1 with the perfect opportunity to score all-new Fall/Winter designer trends, pampering spa treatments, feminine-chic cocktails, and fabulous, NEW, girly swag bags! The Petersen Automotive Museum will once again play host to the one of the best Sample-Sale events of the season, The Sassy City Chicks LA Fashion Bash Event!  Last year I scored some amazing deals from Jessica Elliot jewelry, Excess Baggage and Brit Boy.

Pictured: Shopping one of my favorites from last year's event, Brit Boy

 Guests can expect to find deep discounts, up to 80% off, on designer clothes, handbags, and accessories all across the show floor. Top runway brands such as BCBG, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and many more can find their way into your closet at only a fraction of the retail price!   I enjoyed shopping Renee Vintage, BritBoy, Shop Excess Baggage & Jessica Elliot at last year's event. Event sponsors Pixi, POP Beauty will also be showcasing their newest products for sale – there will be no shortage of goodies to be found at great prices!  Need a ticket? Be one of the FIRST 25 fashionistas to enter code RECESSIONISTA at checkout and you’ll get a FREE Sassy Tote Ticket! Includes admission, swag bag, open bar, & more. CLICK TO ENTER


WHO:        Sassy City Chicks Los Angeles Fashion Bash

WHAT:    Designer clothing at discounted prices, complimentary cocktails, free spa services, and fabulous girly swag!

WHEN:        Thursday, Nov. 1, 5:00-10:00 PM

WHERE:       The Petersen Automotive Museum,
                      6060 Wilshire Blvd (at Fairfax),  Los Angeles CA 90036