Santa Monica Place

The long awaited Santa Monica Place finally opened to huge crowds this past weekend. Stores rolled out the red carpets, champagne and a local LA DJ to spin for the special evening festivities. Bloomingdale's held their celebration the previous evening and had a large celebrity showing, including Donna Karen, Barbra Streisand, James Brolin and Diane Keaton. With three packed levels of indoor and outdoor shops and restaurants, this new addition to the southern California shopping experience is truly dynamic. Stores include Barney's CO-OP, BCBG, Fluxus, Joe's Jeans, Kitson, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Tiffany & Co. and many more, with Nordstrom opening August 27th. Along with an open air rooftop patio deck that boasts a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean, some restaurant highlights are La Sandia, Ozumo, Pizza Antica, Sonoma Wine Garden and Xino. Weekly entertainment and events are planned through the fall.

For a complete list of stores and events visit:
santamonicaplace.com

395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Blues Clues

As a nod to the warmer weather, the ladies of LA are sporting lighter shades of denim and softer versions of this classic fabric. Pale blues and chambray have been spotted in skirts and casual jackets, along with oversized shirts for cool layering. As an alternative bottom, lightweight denim works with delicate pleats and a more loosened silhouette for the ultimate in California chic.

Eco Stiletto

Proving that you can be as gorgeous and stylish and hip and frugal as any other shopper on the planet, while still remaining conscious of your impact on the world, Eco Stiletto celebrated its second anniversary this week with a party in West Hollywood.

At the newly opened nursery/boutique, Rolling Greens, EcoStilleto featured a handful of earth-friendly companies and products for its 400 guests to enjoy. Vegan appetizers by chef Makini Howell of Seattle's famed Plum restaurants, who created a pop-up menu for the night at the WorldFare Bustaurant which pulled into the lot for the private soiree. Other activities offered were eco-makeovers by jane iredale cosmetics and eyebrow threading by Eco Brow, while guests received a goodie bag to collect green swag from Gypsy Tea, Water Pik, Green Works Natural Cleaning Products, Tom's of Maine and Nicobella Vegan Dark Chocolate Truffles.

The event also benefitted Dress for Success, the non-profit organization that provides interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women in over 75 cities worldwide, with guests donating a work-ready purse to support their new Los Angeles headquarters.

www.ecostiletto.com

Romper Room

As summer starts to sizzle in Los Angeles, trendsetters are cooling down in rompers. This easy, breezy one piece is California casual and comfy for the lazy days of the season. Predominantly seen in prints - bold floral and tropical prints are the newest- while stripes on seersucker add a textural update. Miniature prints and solid colors are a simple approach, but welcome the tribal inspired accessories of the moment for extra flair.

Laguna Art Museum: Art Shack

Artists combine art and architecture in Laguna Art Museum's group exhibition Art Shack guest curated by Greg Escalante. Immerse yourself in 30 different worlds created by such artists as Don Ed Hardy, Shag, George Herms, Paul Frank, Marion Peck, and Mark Ryden, among others. Explore surf shacks, tattoo huts, retro shanties and more this summer. Abandoning the rules of the art market and pressure to create saleable work, art shacks allow the artists to create an experiential environment, narrowing the distinction between art and function, object and environment. Ultimately, the artists in this exhibition aim to defy the norms of rules set against them, questioning the modes of mass production, social restrictions, and perhaps global capitalism. Art Shack is presented by Hurley. On display now through October 3, 2010.

Laguna Art Museum
307 Cliff Drive
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.494.8971

The Red Bag Boutique

Model and native Angeleno Chanel Iman recently opened her own contemporary and vintage shop in Culver City. Partnering with her mother China Robinson, The Red Bag Boutique is off the beaten path of the leading shopping destinations in LA, but still offers unique finds. Guests will find "new" stock in the front and extra-special vintage finds in the back, including some of the best of what was either given to her by designers or that she personally picked out herself. The relaxing vibe of the shop boasts the same down-time elements that Iman loves about her home city. Living a life of high-fashion doesn't stop this SoCal born and bred gal from kicking back with her friends and family when she has time to come home.

10754 Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90094
310.559.7332

Orange Alert

Trendsetters in Los Angeles are punching up their wardrobe this season with shades of orange. Juicy tangerine, persimmon and coral have been spotted in breezy tops, summer dresses, mini skirts and even the classic cotton t-shirt. Pairing these popsicle colors with less intense hues like brown or navy tones down the tartness, while wearing an easy one-piece solo lets the color really shine.