Shopping Event at Clutch

I am so excited about an upcoming trunk show at Clutch on Dec 17th for several reasons:

1. I love Clutch
2. I love to shop
3. I will be selling my jewelry there!! ;)

Hope you can make it!!

Please join us on Thursday, December 17th for a holiday shopping event at the shop (212 fourth ave at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel).

From 3pm to 7pm, they'll be featuring some of the best of local designers including, but not limited to: Jewelry from Tarah Prater Perini & Kelsey Colliander, Luxurious Knit Wraps from Lynn Pinkoske and other great items that you don't usually find in our shop.

Refreshments to be served!

Fashionista University

I got an email yesterday about this new program called Fashionista University in NYC and I am so envious of all the lucky guys and gals that will be able to participate. Not only am I to old to participate (it's for tweens and college age kids) but I also do not live in the big apple... Flying out every Saturday for a class for 3 months just wouldn't work. Believe me, if I could figure a way to get past both obstacles I would so be there!

Here is the info from NY PR Firm, Wunderlich, Inc.:

Fashionista University (www.fashionistauniversity.com), a whole new kind of education for the up-and-coming trendsetters of the fashion world. We would love for you to spread the word and let all the teens, tweens and of course parents know about this amazing program by covering on your site and would gladly send you additional information or photos should you need.

Starting this January, middle-school through college-aged students will have the opportunity to take a variety of “Saturday’s only”-seven week, hands on courses where they will learn the ins and outs of the fashion business including design, publicity, wardrobe styling/costume design, event planning, jewelry/accessory design and more. Run by fashion designers Kathlin Argiro and Courtney Zellmer and Publicity guru Gwen Wunderlich-Smith, Fashionista University gives students a Project Runway meets Gossip Girl real world approach, with celebrity, editor and guest designer appearances as well as access to fashion shows, showroom events, publishing houses, TV stations and more! Fashionista University provides tools teens need to turn their dreams into a reality and break in to the world of fashion with opportunities and experiences beyond anything they ever imagined.

SAMPLE COURSES:

Fashion Design 101
Over the 7-week course students will get a firsthand account of running a small business in the fashion industry from designers Kathlin Argiro and Courtney Zellmer. Students will learn how to create a collection from start to finish- from inspiration to presentation and everything in between using examples from Kathlin’s own collection, high-profile guest speakers, and actually take steps toward creating their own line. Students will learn about fabrics and how to use them, color stories, sketching basic fashion figures, story boards and presenting a collection to learn more about themselves as first time designers.

P.R. Prep 101
Fashionistas who are on top of the latest trends and are interested in being a part of the buzz, glitz and glamour are perfect for this crash course in the exciting field of public relations. Gwen Wunderlich of Wunderlich Inc. will help students begin their journey to becoming the next “it” publicist by sharing her expertise in the field, including her background of starting her own company from the ground up. Throughout the seven weeks, Gwen will introduce different aspects of the business that will help each student develop their PR skills and teach them the necessity of being connected. Students can expect field trips to the city’s hottest spots including a trip to the fashionista holy land – New York Fashion Week.

For the first Winter semester starting Saturday January 16th 2010, Fashionista University is offering these two separate classes above allowing students to focus on where their true passion lies, or participate in both courses giving them the ability to gain a better understanding of different aspects of each industry. The Spring Semester featuring additional courses starts March 20th 2010. Please Support the future of fashion by letting young fashionistas everywhere know about this amazing program so they can have a chance to dabble in the fast-paced, glamorous, exciting, down and dirty ins and outs of the industry and take their passion for fashion to the next level!

For more information and registration please visit www.fashionistauniversity.com.

We need something like this in Seattle... Hmmmm, could be something worth thinking about for me. :)

Holiday Designer Trunk Show

UPDATE: Jamie Thorn Jewelry has been added to the mix - we will now have 9 amazing designers for your shopping pleasure!

Introducing the UFN Featured Designer for December!

Suburban Booty is a local jewelry line by Melisa Cary and she has made me just crazy for jewelry! You can find her pieces at Luly Yang Couture, Seattle Bride Mag (Fall/winter issue), trunk shows and her online shop.

She tells me "Part of what I do is very refined... Swarovski crystals and pearl pieces and on the flip side some great funky chunky rough stones. I love to mix the rough with the refined and blur the two lines. Rocks from the earth, and high end stones crystals and metals."

Check out Melisa's Q&A, she is just fabulous and inspirational!

Black Friday

I can't think of a time I ever went shopping on Black Friday... I don't mind lines so much but the getting up and shopping at 3am isn't something I would be excited for.

My black Friday, sofar, has consisted of sleeping in till about 9am and then heading out for a coffee and doughnut run. I layed around for about an hour after getting up but after seeing all my Facebook friends talking about their Black Friday deals I decided to start shopping online to see if I could score any. Amazon.com was my first stop and I am proud to say I scored a Real Simple 1yr subscription magazine for $5 (for me), The newest James Bond DVD for $5.49 (for the hubby, shhhh!) and Back to the Future the Trilogy for under $11 (for both of us). (I also bought my dad something but he reads this blog so I won't be sharing that info!) I will continue to search the internet to see what other deals I can find...

I am really curious to know why people do go wait in the long lines at ungodly hours... Are the discounts really that great? Are they selling iPhones for $20? What amazing deals am I missing by staying in bed? Please share your bargains, I really want to know!

Looking for a New Cell Phone?

I was recently looking for a new cooler phone, especially one that would allow me to blog on the go (yes, I'm a nerd)... If you have been thinking about getting a new phone, here are 2 that run Windows that you may be interested in!

With Windows phones, you have the power to pick the device that fits your needs, customize it to your lifestyle and connect with your friends and family over the holidays. Windows phones offer feature-rich voice and Web experiences in a variety of sleek yet functional designs and have features that can help even the busiest of your readers stay organized and connected without sacrificing style. If fact, major designers like Rock & Republic, Diane Von Furstenberg and Ron Arad have all designed custom themes for Windows phones that allow you to tailor your phone’s look to your unique style. Some of the new Windows phones available for purchase this holiday season include:

The HTC Tilt 2 (AT&T - $299 with 2-yr contract), as shown with a Diane Von Furstenberg theme, has distinct style and strength, while delivering the most powerful productivity experience available. The device offers 3.6 inch touch screen, includes HTC’s TouchFLO 3D technology and a sliding full QWERTY keyboard.

The HTC Imagio (Verizon - $199 with 2-yr contract and $100 online discount), as shown with a Rock & Republic theme, combines performance and functionality in one sleek package. This Windows phone features a 3.6 inch touch screen and 5 mega-pixel camera with auto-focus.

I have not used either of these phones just yet love my HTC phone and sadly mine didn't come with a fancy designer theme.

Sam Trout's Back to School Fundraiser

Local clothing designer, Sam Trout, has decided to go back to school and is having a FUNdraiser on December 1st to try and make this happen - there will be a fashion show!

Here is the info straight from Sam:
Have you ever been in that place where you thought, "If I just had a little more training or a little more schooling I'd be able to move up financially in the world and do work that really excites me."? Me too. Work has been a little slow, retail is a little slow and I'm taking this opportunity to do something about it.

You've seen my work, you've worked with me, you've bought my shirts or my art and you know that I'm capable of doing whatever it takes to succeed.

I would like to invite you to this exclusive event that I have created. There will be a fashion show, food, music and drinks, the opportunity to purchase some art for your wall, the debut of my new children's line of clothing, a new dress for the ladies AND the debut of El Capitan Creamery my personal line of Gourmet Ice Cream available by the pint.

I really hope that you will have the chance to come share this exciting evening with me. Be sure to register now because space is limited. If you're not able to make it but still want to show your support, please make a donation via paypal to lulaline@yahoo.com or even take some time to go through my webstore and order yourself a shirt or two.

Thank you so much for your time and support and I look forward to seeing you at the party. If you'd like to get into the event for FREE, buy two shirts online now and I'll put your name on the list.

-Sam Trout

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here.