Someone recently told me that SWAG stands for Shit-We-All-Get. I guess the PG version would be “Stuff” instead of “Shit.” Oh well! Apparently, it can also stand for Shopping, Walking and Giving. At least for this event it does.

If you’re a fan of getting free “stuff” than you need to head over to Beverly Blvd between 6-9pm because tomorrow, September 4th, they are having the Beverly Hills Block Party in honor of the Saban Clinic.

Participants include Beverly Hills Juice, Boutique M, Bungalow Salon, DAVINCI Custom Furniture, Decor de Paris, IN SEOUL, JIAN BBQ, Joseph Walker Boutique, Kevan Hall Designs, Kim Salmela Atelier, LA Skin, Scent Bar, Mandarette Chinese Cafe, MASSE Boutique, Muscle Mechanics LA, The Natural Face Place, Pane e Vino, persimmon, Orientalism Furniture, Recess, Richard Bowman & Xavier Othon, Beverly Spine and Wellness Center, The Valley of the Dolls and MORE.

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Although there are many places to buy creative T-shirts, it’s almost impossible to get one of a kind t-shirts unless you want them yourself. Now until September 20th at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, they will be combining the powers or artists and apparel companies to create one of a kind apparel for shoppers, with their new “15 Minutes with Alternative.” Abstract watercolorist Matt Sohl will be children’s fabric paints to design one of a kind clothing for buyers.

“The setup’s art-exhibit-esque: 9 of the models mirror an on-display series of interconnected word paintings (”stuff/things”, “steal/spend”, etc), while undisplayed pieces inform the other six — colorful surrealist splotches the artist claims parallel the originals, and are totally not an errant marker-in-the-dryer. 15 more similarly unique pieces are coming via Alternative’s website, and’ll arrive just after labor day…”

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Hey Jet-setters! Instead of tying a bright ribbon around your boring black luggage to make it stand out on the baggage claim carousal, why not invest in a good-looking travel item? This trolley by Bree has an exquisite wool exterior with interior nylon lining and its overall design is reminiscent of vintage chic. Perfectly rectangular shape and clean lines make this an elegant and unique item for travelers that want to travel with functional and smart-looking luggage. It comes in gray with yellow lining and mocha with green lining; so don’t be fooled by it’s calm, sophisticated exterior, fun and bright colors line the inside to hold all of your fashion-forward and daring threads!

Available at: Revolve Clothing

This sale deserves its own post.

So, in less than 30 minutes I spent more than $200 Thursday at one store, LF. Because every item of clothing in LF’s inventory is frickin’ adorable. And currently discounted 60%.

While it is a very trendy and youthful store in some sense, you can definitely still find basics (tanks in glorious colors, jeans in equally cool colors, flip-flops, v-neck t-shirts, underwear) if you’re not interested in the peacock-feather earrings or the hot pink plastic jelly thongs studded with gems. But I don’t think anyone could go in this store and not find something - just the colors alone of the clothing are enough to put anyone in a good mood, if nothing else! And the chance to get a $40 brighter-than-neon lime tank for 15 and an almost $200 pair of faded, 80’s-ish jeans for $70, are other reasons to smile. And plus, some of the designers sold there like Emma and Sam are not commonly available.

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FASHION

• Hollywood Shop Til’ You Drop | Saturday, August 9, 2008 | 11 a.m. | Free | Republic - Map | L.A’s top photographers, models, designers, stylists and editors will be at Hollywood Shop Til’ You Drop, which features clothing, jewelry, product giveaways, complimentary eye brow treatments, massages and more. Music provided by Celebrity DJ Q (Pharrell Williams and LA Clippers) RSVP To: shopmelroseave@yahoo.com to reserve free tickets or reply to this email.

FESTIVAL

• Sunland-Tujunga Watermelon Festival | Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10, 2008 | 5 p.m. (Friday), 12 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday) | $1 donation | Sunland Park Recreation Center - Map | The 47th annual Sunland-Tujunga Watermelon Festival takes place all weekend, sponsored by the Lions Club of Sunland-Tujunga. The event features free watermelon for all, watermelon carving display, eating contest with prizes and a watermelon seed spitting contest and much much more

FILM

• Samurai Rebellion | Saturday, August 9, 2008 | 7 p.m. | $10 | Silent Movie Theatre - Map | From Masaki Kobayashi and directed by Toshiro Mifune, Samurai Rebellion is a story of feudal-era political intrigue, vengeance and loyalty. The story revolves around a warlord’s retainer (Mifune) who has happily promised his beautiful daughter to her true love, but his decadent master has claimed the girl as his own. After his attempts to negotiate backfire, Mifune has no choice but to turn to his sword in a beautiful and brutal climactic showdown. 1967, 35mm, 128 min.

Photo by pinkspleen

I remember back in olden times when a trip to the mall was just that: a shopping trip to the mall. Cruise through the department stores, stop by the specialty shops and threaten violence against the guy on the hand lotion cart. But with the advent of lifestyle centers offering everything from movie theaters and sit-down restaurants to the more traditional specialty shops and boutiques, a trip to the mall is not a simple outing. It is work and work requires sustenance, which is why we’ve created this multi-part series devoted to the best mall eats in town.

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1. The Shopaholic Sample Sale will feature samples and overstock inventory from “T Luxury, Leonard Street, Mynx, For Joseph, Jenny Hann, T Bags, Subtle Tones, Karen Zambos, Hale Bob, and more” (bargainsla). All is discounted 50 % off or more. I am a huge fan of Subtle Tones. There’s a boutique on Montana Avenue filled with lovely linens and silks, as well as beautiful home decor - for instance, sparkly chandeliers I’d buy for my house if I won the lottery. No, but seriously, there’s some nice and affordable stuff too: for instance, the black silk poof-y dress I got for $40 at the Montana Avenue Sidewalk Sale. Yes, $40. Proof that not all on Montana is outrageous, and proof that this sale won’t be either.

When: Saturday 8/3 and Sunday 8/4. 9am - 7pm.

Where: Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Suite 104, Pasadena.

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1. The Shopaholic Sample Sale will feature samples and overstock inventory from “T Luxury, Leonard Street, Mynx, For Joseph, Jenny Hann, T Bags, Subtle Tones, Karen Zambos, Hale Bob, and more” (bargainsla). All is discounted 50 % off or more. I am a huge fan of Subtle Tones. There’s a boutique on Montana Avenue filled with lovely linens and silks, as well as beautiful home decor - for instance, sparkly chandeliers I’d buy for my house if I won the lottery. No, but seriously, there’s some nice and affordable stuff too: for instance, the black silk poof-y dress I got for $40 at the Montana Avenue Sidewalk Sale. Yes, $40. Proof that not all on Montana is outrageous, and proof that this sale won’t be either.

When: Saturday 8/3 and Sunday 8/4. 9am - 7pm.

Where: Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Suite 104, Pasadena.

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From Bombay to the City of Angels, the orchestra musician, runway model, modern Audrey Hepburn incarnate Teji Kapadia breaks down L.A. Street Fashion like a pro.

What is L.A. street fashion to you?
Throwing together bright colors with the typical black. Dealing with the heat in fashion. A classy sexy. Layered clothing, creatively toped with equally creative accessories. Dressing with a mixture of thrift store and the biggest brands your money can buy. That’s the beauty of L.A., no one reps that they don’t wear their brands to make them look street. It’s accepted. L.A. fashion is very accepting


What pops out to you as a global trend that started in L.A.?
I’d have to say the amazing accessories. The bright Nike SB’s mixed with the preppy polos, or the beaters topped with a scarf and a chain that seems perfect for the outfit. The way L.A. cats accessorize has to be my favorite. They don’t seem scared to try new things or branch out. The low V-necks that fall off the girl’s shoulders seems to be the latest big L.A. trend, clothing wise from what I’m seeing though.

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Shoe fiends, start your engines for the TRANSIT: LA Shoe Show! BCBGirls, L.A.M.B., Crocs, Chinese Laundry, Zoo York, and much much more!

When: August 10th-11th (Sunday-Monday). From 9am to 5pm.
Where: 110 East Ninth St. in downtown Los Angeles on Floor 13 of the California Market Center

*More information here!

I’m telling you, take advantage of these sales, because a lot of them are happening at stores that might not normally have such big sales, but that are simply because it’s summer. So buy up for next summer, unless don’t like wearing something from last season, that is… As for me, if I like it, I like it! Anyway, to the important stuff

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1. The Foley and Corinna Sample Sale will feature discounts from 30 - 80% on purses, retro dresses, tops, and much more.

When: Saturday, July 19 - Sunday July 20. Open 11am - 7pm both days.

Where: 8117 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 944-0169.

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These sales are ending soon, so make sure to catch them in L.A. soon! Hurry Up!

Temperley London Sale

• When: Monday - Saturday from 10am - 6pm (Ends July 31st)
• Where: 452 Melrose Pl.
• Los Angeles, CA 90069
• More information: 323.782.8000 or online at www.temperleylondon.com

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