Bonobos Guide Shop & AYR Denim

The fifth Californian, but first Orange County Bonobos Guideshop opened it's doors at the Fashion Island Shopping Center in Newport Beach a couple weeks ago. I was given a tour of the guideshop and the scoop on how men can receive a personalized shopping experience with a Bonobos Guide (fit expert). The once solely e-ccommerce store is now operating from 16 brick-and-mortar- locations and continually growing, giving customers the option to find that perfect fit or style in the guideshop before purchasing online or making the order in the store to be mailed later.

Men out there, say good bye to ill-fitting clothing from standard sizings and the frustrations of shopping and trying clothes on without direction. Bonobos offers a comprehensive shopping experience by providing countless styles, fits, and fabrics so you can find exactly what you like.

Here's how it works:
� Make an appointment for a one-on-one fitting with a Bonobos Guide at www.bonobos.com/guideshop; walk-in appointments are also welcome

� Once you�re fit, check out at Bonobos.com either during your Guideshop appointment, with the help of a Guide, or place your order at home later

� Shipping is free and items are delivered to your doorstep in 2-5 days

� Bonobos offers easy returns (free return shipping) and guarantees 100% customer satisfaction

Bonobos also has the sister brand, AYR, which specializes in denim and wardrobe staples for women, yet offers the same customized fit and customer service as Bonobos; which currently has select styles from their denim line (see photos below) carried at Nordstrom.com and at The Grove in Los Angeles; with plans to expand to more Nordstrom locations. I just received a pair of The Skinny in Oil Slick and absolutely love they fit and style; can't wait to style them in an outfit!

Kouture Tattoos Poolside in Vegas

I was so excited to receive these jewelry-inspired Kouture Tattoos sets because it was just in time for my spring break trip to Las Vegas. The metallic tattoos would be perfect with a bikini, glistening in the sun as I chilled poolside at the hotel pool. I chose a sheet of tattoos from Kouture Tattoos' Stolen Dance Set, and applied the tattoos to my arm, wrist, the sides of my body and ankle. For the two cuffs on the sheet I used, instead of applying to my arms/wrists, I decided to apply the gold tattoo to the side of my rib and the silver tattoo to my hip. They were easy to apply, but absent-minded me forgot to bring scissors and had to meticulously tear the tattoos from the sheet; so to save yourself all that hassle, be sure to have scissors on hand. I used a damp towel to dab water against the backing of the tattoo and it easily slid off revealing the tattoo against my skin under 30 seconds. The tattoos last 4-6 days depending on how you treat your skin. Check out the entire collection of tattoos here, they are perfect for music festival season; I know I'll be rockin' Kouture Tattoos for Coachella day parties during weekend 1! Outfit details:

Marbleized Half Frame Cat Eye Sunglasses in Black Marble, ZeroUV
Boho Tie Dye Maxi Cover Up, Ebay
Poppy Bikini in Summer Sorbet, Triangl Swimwear
Black Flip Flops, Havaianas
Metallic Temporary Tattoos, Kouture Tattoos
Photos taken by Scott Peter Hammond

Utility Vest & Denim Outfit at Red Rock Canyon

Scott and I ventured to Vegas for a mini spring break trip and during our stay, we stopped by Red Rock Canyon which is a mere 17 miles west, a 25-30 minute drive from where we were staying on the Las Vegas strip.  The majestic red rock formations and nature surrounding us was a pleasant and peaceful removal from the bright lights, entertainment overload, and casino hustle and bustle of the strip. My 'mountainess', nature-seeking inspired look featured a utility vest, denim blouse, and wide-fedora hat. See the details below, and also check out the time I visited Zion National Park in Utah; I'll be posting about Red Rock Canyon soon.

Simply Stated Felt Fedora Hat, Cotton On
Oversize Cat Eye Sunglasses in Havana, ZeroUV
Vest, H&M
Denim Blouse (similar), Mango
Urban Renewal Shorts, Urban Outfitters
Boots, Mango
Photos taken by Scott Peter Hammond

Keep Your Soul Sweet x FFF Bracelet Set

I got to interview bracelet designer Deanna of KYSS (Keep Your Soul Sweet) Bracelets awhile back and during that interview also got to co-design a bracelet set with her. That bracelet set is available for purchase on her recently launched ETSY site! I wanted a set that was neutral with a pop up color (my favorite color: aqua), and here's what she came up with. I styled a casual outfit around our bracelet set, here are the details:

Sweater, Ann Taylor Loft
Collared Shirt, Old Navy
Romper, Strike Le Pose
FFF Bracelet Set, KYSS Bracelets
Louie Boots, Sam Edelman

Like the braid? Check out my tutorial with Swell Beauty Here!
Book Hair/Make Up Services with Swell Beauty
1751 S Coast Hwy Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 579-2747
dee@swellbeauty.com

All Tutorial Photographs taken by Shawna of Bleudog Fotography, book her for your next event or to capture a special moment!

Together by Gravity Bracelets for Children's Education in India

I was so excited when Sarika reached out to me from her jewelry label Together by Gravity based out of Newport Beach, CA. She designs the most exquisite earrings, necklaces, rings, and men and women's beaded bracelets made from precious and semi-precious stones, wood, diamonds, 18k gold, and sterling sliver; all inspired by ocean and earth's natural beauty, Sarika's Indian heritage and travels, with the most important aspect of her brand being that she gives a portion of her sales to support children's education in rural India. Since the company started less than a year ago in April 2014, Sarika has already been able to support 260 children allowing them to attend school for an entire year. Why Together by Gravity? The method of how a star is formed -- when the force of GRAVITY pulling in on the cloud is greater than the strength of internal pressure pushing out, the cloud collapses into a star. Sarika designed my very own three-bracelet set including onyx and peridot (my birthstone) beads, and she even included the meanings which wrote in a sweet hand written note. Also see how I styled the bracelets below!

Onyx: a stone for inner strength; it is worn to defend against negativity that is directed at you
Peridot: a stone of balance; worn to show compassion and uplift energy of all kinds

Shop all jewelry here, and the bracelet collection here; let's spread the word about children's education in India, doing good one bracelet at a time.

Thank you to Shawna at Bleudog Fotography for capturing my bracelets along with outfit and super rad hair which was styled by Dee of Swell Beauty and a tutorial will be posted soon.

Jumpsuit, Ann Taylor Loft
Onyx x Peridot Custom Bracelet Set, Together by Gravity
Jewel Cake Necklace, Mint & Lolly
Heels, Zara
Hair, Dee of Swell Beauty 
Photos, Shawna of Bleudog Fotography