Paper Dolls Opening Reception: Kime Buzzelli "Electric Avenue 1" $200

If you missed it the first time, you have a chance to check out the Paper Dolls show at FIFTY24LA during tomorrow night’s Downtown LA Art Walk. All of the pieces are for sale and we have a great lineup of artists – all who contributed pieces that are priced to sell! You can view all of the pieces in our Paper Dolls Opening Reception Recap and all of the pieces will be available for sale online shortly. We hope to see you there!

Let’s hear it for the boys! This Valentine’s Day, M.I.S.S. has teamed up with Amongst Friends and Mighty Healthy to offer our readers a discount so you can get your honeys something special in time for the 14th!

Established in 2004, Mighty Healthy is a creative collaborative effort between Disc Jockey, Denis Iderman and Skateboarder, Ray Mate. Together, their ideas reflect the lifestyle of the urban playground. Through the vehicle of Progressive Street, Mighty Healthy explores both the tragedy and comedy of daily life in the metropolis. With a diverse audience and witty eye, Mighty Healthy engages the customer through hidden meaning, coded language and raw New York Sarcasm. This is all filtered whimsically through the prism of Classic All-American ideals. Taking a modern, optimistic approach to basic fabrics and silhouettes, Mighty Healthy t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts and jackets are meant for everyday attire for the modern young man. For 25% of your order, please enter MIGHTYVDAY at check out now through Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

Amongst Friends is a lifestyle apparel company born out of New York in 2007. Amongst Friends exudes and promotes confidence, style and utility. They pride themselves in conducting their business with respect and professionalism. By making quality, on all levels, their number one objective, they are quickly becoming a trusted label in men’s wear. Whether on the golf course, in the boardroom, or enjoying a cocktail, Amongst Friends makes their customers feel comfortable as if they are always “Amongst Friends.”  For 25% of your order, please enter ILOVEAF at check out now through Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

Enjoy! We hope you find something special for your someone special!

Paper Dolls Opening Reception: Mitsy Avila Ovalles, "Untitled" SOLD

Last Thursday, the M.I.S.S ladies got on planes and hopped into cars to make our way down to Los Angeles for our first ever art show, “Paper Dolls” at FIFTY24LA Gallery. It was a great excuse to see the ladies since we mostly work over the phone and via email – when we’re all together watch out – we form like Voltron and tear shit up!

Paper Dolls Opening Reception: Post Reception M.I.S.S. Dinner at Roscoes!

The show was a success with tons of people out and about for Downtown LA Art Walk, we had a steady stream of visitors and a few no-shows (damn LA parking!).  It was great to connect with people we haven’t seen in a while like Laura Knapp, Lanie from Hellz and the DMPC ladies; It was also nice to finally meet ladies that we’ve worked with but hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting in person like Jaq from Nola Darling, Sarah Morrison of internet fame and Melinda of Her Nails.  One of the highlights for me was finally meeting Estevan Oriol, whose store The Last Laugh is next door, who came by to check out the show.

Paper Dolls Opening Reception: Lanie Alabanza-Barcena & the Hellz Crew

The show would never have come together without the participation of so many talented artists whose work is so diverse.   I am proud to have such an eclectic showing of pieces all with varying interpretations of the paper doll (and many of them sans clothing!) – with many pieces coming in from around the country (and some other countries too!).  Many many thanks go out to all the participating artists: Adriana Yugovitch, Alice Mizrachi, Amanda Lopez, Branden Collins, Claw Money, Esther Kim, Farah Siozon, Fawn Gehweiler, Ilisha Helfman, Indie184, Insa, J. David Mckenney, Kelly Tunstall, Kerin.Rose,  Kime Buzzelli, Leola Bermanzohn, Lisa Perrin, Liz Sullivan, Magda Sayeg (Knitta Please), Martina Fugazzotto, Melly Elliott, Miss Kika, Mitsy Avila Ovalles, Molly Crabapple, Narcissister, Nicole Markoff, Nubby Twiglet, Paulina Quintana, Queen Andrea, Sahara Marina Borja, Shin Tanaka, Sofia Maldonado, Solarspace (Austin Pinon), Tone Tank, and Toofly.

Paper Dolls Opening Reception: Fawn Gehweiler "Forest Girl" $150

A very big special thank you to the ladies who made this happen – Kimberly Jefferson and Lexx Valdez – as well as the L.A.-based M.I.S.S. interns Leilanie, Felicia and Ashley!  Big hugs! And last but not least, many thanks to the Upper Playground family, FIFTY24LA, Krista & Melinda.

Please check out the gallery below to see photos of some of our visitors and all of the art pieces (a few pieces are missing – we’re getting those photos and will update the post shortly!).  All of the items are for sale unless they are marked as SOLD.  If you are interested in purchasing a piece, please email us at miss@missomnimedia.com with the name of the piece and the artist who created it.

The show runs until March 3, 2010 so if you missed the opening you have some time to check it out and there’s also the February Downtown LA Art Walk on February 11, 2010.

Thanks for all of your support and we look forward to putting together more events that push the culture forward and bring ladies together.

xoxo
GDK

F-Troupe

London based footwear brand, F-Troupe, have become internationally known in the little time they have been established. Producing footwear as cool and as hot as the ones F-Troupe are spilling out across the twenty four countries they are available in, it is no wonder that they have had so much success since 2003! There is nothing we love more over here at M.I.S.S. than seeing brands grow and develop, whilst sticking to their roots and bringing along their history. And this is exactly what F-Troupe has done. With all this international success, they have never forgotten their sense of Britishness. The quintessential Britishness essence is exuded through the design process of their collections, with Spring 2010 being no different.

Mesh panel Brogues

Jelly cut-out lace ups

For spring 2010, we are seeing more lace up jazz shoes/brogues. F-Troupe has added a twist to this classic shoe by having see-through mesh panels in contrast to the patent leathers and checked patterns. The use of mesh is currently very popular thanks to the likes of Alexander Wang and American Apparel who have all incorporated the material into recent collections. This is one pair of brogues I personally need in my life!  The popularity of jelly shoes and plimsolls last summer has provided F-Trope the basis of creating a merge between the two. This is an innovative and original design that has yet to be created by any other brand. The jelly plimsolls also feature in-trend cut out panels, perfect for those days when our feet just need to breathe and chill!

Cute overload with Plaid peeptoes!

Plaid and picnic-cloth checks are inevitable every summer. There is no way you can get away from this print once the sun shines through those clouds, signaling the start of the hotter, more enjoyable spring time days. F-Troupe has an array of girly silhouettes ranging from flats, to wedges and sandals, which all have splashes of summertime plaids. The wide checked bows on the front of the peeps toes are cute enough to make any girl scream for a pair!

After just winning the UK Exporters of the year Award for 2009, we are sure there is a lot more to see from this rather small directional, yet well known, footwear brand. F-Troupe, we love what we see! If you want a piece of British F-Troupe pie, peeps some goods at Opening Ceremony!

80%20 Spring 2010

Fellow M.I.S.S. crew member CeCe Chin is the brains and guts behind footwear brand 80%20, after going out there alone way back in ’04. The name derived from her theory that we wear our favourite 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time, thus the smallest percentage having the greatest impact. Leading to the 80%20 motto being “80% life, 20% shoes = 100% love”…wise words, no?

Floral Lace up Wedges

Floral cut out leather boot with hidden wedges!!

Dantity floral wedges

At the recent Project tradeshow, M.I.S.S. peeped the goods New York based label 80%20 had to offer for spring 2010. Made and designed for our shoe-pleasures, with love from CeCe of course! We are glad to see 80%20 has stuck with the labels niche roots, a fearless act that we all admire. 80%20 has stayed within the lines of being a label that is quirky, cool and wearable; one which has not turned to the flip side of becoming commercialised, and ultimately, something that we see everyday.

The signature 80%20 look of a hidden wedge has again resurfaced for this collection, but with a fresh spring update! Take for example, the cute floral heels. The new garden floral theme, along with the revamp of the classic 80%20 hidden wedge, is also used in the cut-out leather boots. The contrasting leather brown straps against the dainty floral exterior patterns,  on this distinctive cut out boot, makes for one hell of a trendsetting piece. It is a very attention grabbing boot; in the best way possible! For those who have a soft spot for 80%20’s floral print, but daren’t wear the cut-out-leather-boot-wedges, opt for the floral lace ups with the added cork wedges! If the extra few inches are not needed, check out the flat floral pumps instead. Minor details for that unique touch are never forgotten at 80%20, even for the flat floral pumps which sport delicate leather laces.

80%20's Candy Striped Slip-ons

Spring 2010 Lace Ups

Candy Striped cork wedges!

For spring 2010, 80%20 has also introduced a new line of sneaker style shoes made from leather and seersucker fabrics, all with consistent folded-fabric detailing. There is more lace up court wedges, but this time in muted tones of gray, black and khaki, as well as candy coloured pinstripes. These do not scream “look at me” like the floral versions do, but are rather understated stylish pairs of footwear – perfect for those warm spring day strolls. The candy pinstriped materials – in green, pink and gray – are further used in the preppy lace up pumps, along with easy to wear slip ons.

Spring 2010 Hi Tops

Leather lace pumps!

lace up, cut out heel boots

The leather counterparts of the new sneaker style shoe collection consists of more choices in the lace up pumps, neat hi top leather sneakers, plus a peculiar shaped lace up boot. This boot features the cut out leather style, but this time on the heel bottom. Although based in the sneaker style shoe collection, it is one which has more feminine accents compared to the other selection of lace ups. The in-trend tassel featured on the ends of the shoe laces is a 80%20 touch we cannot get enough of! This, along with the use of a slimmer fitting shaped shoe all contribute to the softer, feminine touch that many seek in a piece of footwear perfect for everyday use.

Its great to know that one of M.I.S.S. Crew’s very own is doing their thang and making a success of it. What more, we love that Chin has catered for all our needs in one spring 2010 collection. Go girl go!

Obey

The ladies at M.I.S.S. first met Erin Wignall, the women’s designer of Obey, back in February 2009 at the last M.A.G.I.C. trade show. Having had a taster of what Obey had to offer for Fall/Holiday 2009-2010, M.I.S.S. now brings to light detailed looks at pieces from Obey’s amazing Cosmic and Military Nautical themed collection, which were seen at this months M.A.G.I.C. trade show.

Obey Leather Jackets

Obey Leather Jackets detail

The Cosmic themed part of Obey’s Fall/Holiday 09-10 collection are based around dark, androgynous, and punk rock looks. This is a look that is oh-so-popular at this moment, a look which has been incorporated into the styles of many of the world’s favourite bloggers! Obey’s motorcycle inspired leather jackets will make you that stylin’ bad ass bitch; a perfect look for those cold winter days! With details like the quilted leather, big, leather bounded buttons and the pre-sewn in hoody, Obey’s selection of leather jackets really do stand out against the masses that are already flooding the high street.

Obey Military Nautical

The Military Nautical themed collection on the other hand, has a much neater and clean-cut finish to the pieces. The silhouettes and cuts of the pieces are softer, giving it a more feminine feel, even though pieces are inspired by the rather masculine military look and touches of French nautical. The use of the big buttons on the leather jackets has followed through to the detailing on to a beige, military style jacket bringing the two different themes together for fall/holiday 09-10. The obvious Navy-inspired, striped white and blue, deep v-neck sweater is a wardrobe necessity for the cold winter days, a simple item perfect for layering! Other winter-wardrobe staples include the loose fitting, lightweight, cotton t-shirts. Feminine accents on traditional military style and shaped jackets, such as the twisted collar on the gray, double breasted jersey cardigan, gives classic styles a fresh, new, trendy lease of life.

Nautical

Obey Tees

As these two themes are so far apart on the spectrum they are sure to attract the tastes of all the females out there, making sure no one would be without a need and want for a piece of Obey action! Which pieces do you love, how hard will you be rockin’ it this winter?

M.I.S.S. Healthy Bites: Get Your Trail Mix Fix!

Trail mix isn’t just for the trails. This snack food is as essential for a hike as a hiking stick, but don’t let the name let you think that you have to hit the forest to really enjoy it. If you fail to hit the trail, no worries, because trail mix can be for any venture you embark, from urban landscapes to country roads. In fact, trail mix is the perfect to-go go-to snack, as it’s convenient, energizing, non-perishable, nutritious, and delicious!

One of the biggest problems that most people have about healthy eating is the lack of time to prepare something, thus leading to a trip to the drive-thru or corner store. Sometimes I find myself running late in the morning and skipping the most important meal of the day: breakfast. If I’m lucky, I’ll have a secret stash of trail mix in my glove compartment in my car. I can munch on those for breakfast and snack, and feel completely satisfied.  Sure, you can buy a packaged trail mix at any gas station or convenience store, but truthfully, while the mix might be the best choice of snack from there, often it will contain candy or high fructose corn syrup. Why buy something premixed when you can mix it yourself? That way, you won’t be stuck with an ingredient that doesn’t quite strike your fancy. Plus, you’ll be empowered by taking your health under your control.

There are no excuses for making a trail mix (unless you’re allergic to nuts, and not all trail mixes require nuts). All it takes is a little bit of investment money to start off with, and from there, you’ll be able to make and take your trail mix anywhere you go. Yes, nuts and dried fruits are more expensive compared to other foods (ahem, junk food!), but as mentioned earlier, this is an investment for your health, which could even end up saving you in money in the long run. First off, you’ll be providing your body with healthier foods which could prevent health problems in the future. Second, if you pack your snack, you won’t need to pop open a bag of chips or stop at the burger joint for a patty just because you’re hungry. Those few dollars here and there can really add up after awhile, and so can those pounds!

A good trail mix usually consists of any combination of any of the following:

• Nuts and/or legumes: Peanuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, macadamia, and more….oh my! Nuts will add the crunch to your mix and give you that full feeling. It’s healthier to buy nuts that are unsalted or at the least, lightly salted. You’ll really be able to taste and enjoy the flavor of the nuts instead of just a salty taste. Nuts contain loads of protein, which you’ll need for luscious locks, strong nails, and even stronger muscles.
• Seeds: Try sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for even more protein and crunch.
• Grains: Granola, pretzels, and/or your favorite cereal will be a nice addition to your mix. Make sure that you’re adding whole grains to provide your body with more fiber to clean your digestive system.
• Dried fruits: raisins, cranberries, banana chips, shredded coconut, pineapple, apples, and apricots are a few examples of sweetness that you can mix in. Dried fruits can provide a good boost of energy as they’re a great source for carbohydrates, something much needed for a trek through the woods or a busy day at work. It’s best to get dried fruits that have no added sugar, as dried fruits often contain more sugar than fresh fruits because the sugars are more concentrated. Also, try to buy dried fruits that are unsulphured. Some companies add sulphites to their fruits in order to retain the color and preserve the fruit, and some studies have shown that sulphites could be an allergen to some consumers. Some unsulphured fruits are not as pretty as those treated with sulphur oxide, but with all of the other colors mixed in from the other ingredients, it’ll be a pretty mix regardless.

Sometimes, a girl just needs chocolate, so feel free to add some dark chocolate chips to trail mix to get your fix. I wouldn’t recommend doing this to a batch of mix that you’ll be leaving in your car or purse on a hot day, unless you like sticky chocolate-covered peanuts!

Trail mix can be quite addictive, and even overeating healthy foods can be harmful to your waistline. My general gauge of a serving is whatever fits in a cupped palm. Remember, trail mix is filling, so you may not even have much of an appetite after.  Since trail mix is non-perishable, you can leave a stash in your car or your purse. Just make a huge batch of the mix and divide it up into smaller servings in resealable plastic bags. For a more eco-friendly way, use a reusable small container and designate it as your snack jar. Leave some in a basket by your front door so you can grab and go. You’ll be as thankful as I am for your secret stash when you’re running late in the morning.

Markus Lupfer Shines for Topshop

With shimmer, shine, and sequins on the rise in recent months, it’s only right that we here at M.I.S.S. acknowledge the collaboration between designer Markus Lupfer and retail powerhouse Topshop. On the heels of his recent success with the London based company, German knitwear designer Markus Lupfer has created yet another collection of sequined donned jumpers sure the please the eye, jump start your imagination, and comfortable enough to rock in house or during a night on the town with your girls.

Markus Lupfer Shines for Topshop debuts August 25th in NYC.

Debuting at Topshops Soho New York location August 25th, and online next week, these creations are adorned with sequins creating oversized pop art images such as pineapples, parrots, and my favorite a leopard print heart! Retailing at about $140 USD or £85, Topshop and Lupfer have created the tops with a light cashmere blend not only perfect for a cool summer night, but sure to carry you and your fashionable wardrobe into the Fall months. Grab this up quick ladies, I’m sure they’ll be flying off racks from here to London.  I can’t wait to get my hands on at least one…or maybe 3!

China Glaze Presents "Retro Diva"

The 70’s were a good time. A time of bell bottoms, Studio 54, and according to China Glaze the ‘Retro Diva’. This Fall the popular nail polish brand is set to release their Retro Diva collection, a shimmering, high shine compilation of twelve shades paying tribute to the decade of free spirit. With a price tag of $6.50 a piece, this collection is sure to please, and take you to a place where love was all you needed. The collection will be released in early July at beauty supply stores nationwide.

Stay tuned for a M.I.S.S. photoshoot featuring the China Glaze ‘Retro Diva’ collection, it’s sure to be a stunner!

OPI x Paige Denim: Bright Pairs

O.P.I are much loved by ladies the world over, especially over here at M.I.S.S. With over 200 colours to select from, their huge array of professional, long lasting and chip resisting nail polishes keep luring us in. And, they have done it yet again with their latest range, ‘Bright Pair’.

O.P.I. have just launched their brand new nail lacquer collection in collaboration with Paige Premium Denim – 6 pairs of coloured denim with 6 nail polish hues to match!

You all know fashion and nails-did practically goes hand in hand over here at M.I.S.S. Don’t act like you haven’t taken notice of the monthly M.I.S.S Playmate Calendar: Nails-did to perfectly match the kicks each and every month, courtesy of the oh-so-talented Miss Liz Baca? Yeah, you’ve noticed all right! The M.I.S.S. ladies have had their nails game on lock since the very beginning, going on to inspire many, myself included (Hand painted Leopard Print nails killed it for me!). It is no wonder that we are super excited for the Bright Pair Nail Lacquer range, how often do you see a denim x nails collaboration like this? Never!

This is what all you mean nails chicks have been waiting for. It is difficult to find perfectly matching goods, be it nail polish to match your kicks, tee or now, even your denim. O.P.I Bright Pairs gives you the easy route: pick a pair of coloured Paige Premium Denim, be it the 5-pocket Mariposa shorts, or, the Skyline Ankle Peg, and then select the exact hue from O.P.I Brights range and you are good to go! You will not be disappointed with the standout bright shades of orange, red, pink, purple, blue, or brown within this range. Head over to the O.P.I. website now, and you can even virtually paint you nails to see which colour suits your skin tone!

The icing on the cake of this limited edition O.P.I. collaboration has to be the names of the nail lacquers. O.P.I. are known for the clever and creative naming of each shade of polish, and they have not failed with this range. With fitting names such as, ‘In My Back Pocket’, ‘On the Same Paige’, ‘Shorts Story’, and ‘A Grape Fit’, painting one’s nails is all the more fun. This is most definitely a M.I.S.S. certified nail lacquer collaboration!

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