Blackburn + Sweetzer

What’s Up Mondette – We’re Going On Hiatus For A Redesign!

lilliam — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:25:04 +0000

(An oval plaque by Soulful Sayings, available on Etsy, captures the moment)

We love bringing you the best in fashion, retail, food, and real estate, all with a hyper-local vibe. Now don’t freak out on us but we’re going in for a little tune-up. That’s right, Mondette will be undergoing a redesign. While we get all spruced up, we will be taking a hiatus and stop posting starting on Monday. When we return, we will continue being your local, fashionable source of all things awesome in our city, and beyond. The focus will always be on new city additions and old favorite haunts, but featured in a more curated platform. You’ll have to wait for the big reveal but it will be worth it! We’ll see you on the other side.

Shops – Make Up Forever And Monika Chiang Head To Robertson Boulevard

lilliam — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:24:00 +0000

(Clockwise from top: Signage up for Makeup Forever; their pure pigments; and the fall “Smokey Couleur” collection)

Two new stores are set to open this fall on Robertson Boulevard. First up, Make Up Forever will be beautifying the masses at 132 South Robertson Boulevard, right next door to True Religion. The beauty brand is a creation by makeup artist Dany Sanz. Her products are already sold in department stores and Sephora but now you’ll be able to get them straight from the source. I’m not a beauty junkie but I do love the tutorials on the website and their latest collection. (Check out another Robertson Boulevard shop after the jump.) (...)
Read the rest of Shops – Make Up Forever And Monika Chiang Head To Robertson Boulevard (64 words)

Sales – Warriors of Radness Summer Deals, Dawn Baker Celebrates, And An Insight Pool Party

lilliam — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:29:05 +0000

Summer deals are winding down but you can still find some cool sales. For the guys, Warrior of Radness is having their end of summer sales with tanks, board shorts and tees marked down. Manhattan Beach’s Dawn Baker is celebrating their anniversary with 10% off all store items and 10% off reduced items. (I am liking the lush wrap pictured above.) And if you want to take a dip in the pool with the VIPs, head to the Standard Downtown this weekend when Insight Clothing hosts an early day pool party. More deals can be found on the Sales Calendar.

Eats – Pane e Vino On Beverly Boulevard Closes

lilliam — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:34:43 +0000

This came as a huge surprise to us. Pane e Vino, located at 8265 Beverly Boulevard, have closed down their doors. After twenty long years, the Italian restaurant said ciao on August 27. It’s been a long while since I’ve eaten at the trattoria but I always enjoyed the pasta and the secluded garden out back. Sorry to see any Italian restaurant go. The space is in a prime location with good parking. Who will take over the lease? Can’t wait to find out.

Mondette Notes – Target Missoni Mania, Rodarte’s Dreamy Collection, Future Of Fast Food Spots, and more

lilliam — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:53:53 +0000

Target Missoni stock completely sold out in minutes / Racked LA
Pasadena’s own Rodarte channels Van Gogh and Sleeping Beauty for their collection / Style; pictured
Take a look inside the relocated Iko Iko boutique / Rosewood+Martel
Norma Kamali will be debuting her collection via a 3D interactive site / DASVF
Fascinating look at what a fast food establishment might look like with Umami / Eater LA

Portraits – Julia Gogosha of Gogosha Optique

christina — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:21:15 +0000

Occupation: Optic specialist and boutique owner

Address: 3208 1/2 Sunset Blvd in Silver Lake; 8238 West 3rd Street. gogosha.com

Why we like her: Lucky for us, Julia has had a passion for glasses since her teenage years. Decades of enveloping herself in the world of optics have given her the kind of knowledge into this niche industry that can’t be acquired via shortcut. “A lot of the designers I’m carrying I’ve known for a very long time. We basically grew up together,” she says. “I won’t allow any brands in my store that haven’t proven that they have staying power otherwise I can’t guarantee my customers the kind of long term service I want to give them.” Only the highest quality frames make the cut but impeccable production isn’t enough. “The design has to push the envelope, and bring something new to the table,” Julia explains. We love that! (Check out Julia’s guide to the Eastside and West 3rd Street after the jump.)(...)
Read the rest of Portraits – Julia Gogosha of Gogosha Optique (352 words)

Labels – A Preview Of Ted Baker’s Fall Collection

lilliam — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:33:40 +0000

(Snaps of Ted Baker’s fall collection for women, including a stunning celestial-like maxi dress, right)

I can’t believe I haven’t hit up Ted Baker at 131 North Robertson Boulevard since it’s grand opening at least five years ago. The London-based label is known for its contemporary men’s styles but this season, the women’s collection has been really amped up. I’m loving the lovely large floral print blouses, the tailored blazers, and tuck-detailed tunics. The prices are totally within range so you can look stylishly put together without breaking the bank. (Two little black dress options after the jump.) (...)
Read the rest of Labels – A Preview Of Ted Baker’s Fall Collection (52 words)

Decors – Community & Co. To Open On Melrose Avenue

lilliam — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:32:10 +0000

(Clockwise from top right: A look at the exterior with bright green doors; Chinese-inspired console; and a tack sofa in Navy Italian leather)

Interior designer Jennifer Ridel will be opening Community & Co., a showroom located at 8259 Melrose Avenue, just east of Sweetzer Avenue. Right now, the space has brightly green doors with signage but won’t be officially opened until September 22, with a grand opening to be held in October. The open showroom will house vintage and custom-made furniture, home accessories, and fabric lines. You can view some of her furniture picks on the Facebook page. (Check out these cool, retro lounge chairs after the jump.) (...)
Read the rest of Decors – Community & Co. To Open On Melrose Avenue (0 words)

Arts – Three New Exhibits To Check Out At LACMA

lilliam — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:11:40 +0000

(One of my favorite pieces by Pattsi Valdez)

This weekend, LACMA debut two new exhibits, “Asco: Elite of the Obscure, A Retrospective, 1972-1987″ and Edward Keinholtz’s “Five Car Stud.” My favorite time to hit the museum is on Friday, after 6pm. Parking is free at the museum and with proof of residency, entrance is free. The space is usually empty and quiet, which adds to the eery “Five Car Stud” display of racial hatred in the form of a life-size tableau of a black man being “punished” by white men. Cars are arranged to highlight the gruesome scene. It’s very spooky, disturbing, and very voyeuristic. Sorry, no images but on display until January 15. The “Asco” retrospective may not be as disturbing but still powerful in covering the local Chicano conceptual group. (Also, take a look at artist Ai Weiwei’s astrological works after the jump.)

(...)
Read the rest of Arts – Three New Exhibits To Check Out At LACMA (138 words)