Beach Riot: Spring 2013 Collection

On the hunt for rad swimwear (because there's never enough), I stumbled upon Beach Riot and became instantly quite smitten.

Designer, Nicole Hanriot, grew up in Newport Beach in the world of action sports, studied at FIDM and was formerly the women's designer for TAVIK (whose swimwear I also love).

I love the attitude and the sass presented in the Beach Riot collection, which is captured really well in this video lookbook from their website:

Spring Collection 2013 from BEACH RIOT on Vimeo.

I had to pull out my Shazam app for this one - the song is Wringle in the Skin of a Multidimensional Worm by Sana Sol.

I love the direction that swimwear, in general, has taken over the last two or so years, blending boardwalk attitude with the edge of street style and a large dose of feline confidence. It's not even about just getting in the water, but you want to wear and style your swimwear like you would the rest of your wardrobe.

Me, I want nothing other than to live in my swimwear, but I find it's not usually acceptable outside of beach towns and Las Vegas.

Take a look at the Beach Riot Spring 2013 Lookbook and tell me you dont want to trade all of your clothes for swimwear.

Find Beach Riot at Lulu*s or Threadsence!

Justin Credible x Brandwills Lookbook

Justin Credible is many things -one of L.A.'s hottest DJ's, one half of Power 106's #LIFTOFF team with J.Cruz, one half of the Los Angeles Leakers with DJ Sour Milk, and also quite the fashion monger.

Recently, Creddy teamed up with Brandwills (aka Brandon Williams), stylist to some of the NBA's and NFL's top athletes, for the Brandwills 2013 Lookbook  and Justin's From the Booth to a Brand campaign.

The shoot features some impeccable suit and tie looks, none shy of spring-ready pops of color. I certainly appreciate the use of gentleman accessories from pocket squares to tie clips, watches and cuff links to the bold red optical frames.

Watch Brandwills describe how he pulled Creddy's looks together and his take on styling, here:

Follow Justin Credible on Twitter to keep up with all his L.A. gigs, and catch Brandwills on Instagram for all your designer eye-candy cravings.

Spring Essentials Shopping List

It's the first of April and with warmer weather on the horizon I find myself contemplating which stylish pieces I should be investing in right now. You too? Well have a look at whats currently taking up space on my mental shopping list.

Now's a great time to buy swimwear before all the good styles sell out. Last year, Kandy Wrappers sent me an amazing mint-colored fringe bikini that I only got to wear a few times, so I'm looking forward to rocking it again by the pool this summer. I also really dig the the edgy designs of TAVIK swimwear, like this painted canvas of a bikini currently on Nasty Gal. That said, don't forget to pick up a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration (I like SPF 30) for your beach bag.

Bandeaus and tunics are essential as well. As some one who hates bras, I find bandeaus to be the perfect alternative. From colorful cotton blends to sexy lace, I love that they can be casual or chic. This is also true of tunics which can be worn on the beach or to a beachfront dinner when paired with the right pair of heels and a great statement neacklace.

Speaking of heels, surely you've noticed the strappy sandals that have been on everyone's feet, as of late. I LOVE this look! It's so Carrie Bradshaw I can hardly stand it. I'm really coveting this chic gold chain look from Guess by Marciano (pictured). Steve Madden also offers a sexy style with a bit of patent shine at a great price. For a bit more, this emerald green lizard-embossed sandal from Alice + Olivia would make you the envy of all. What better way to show off you sexy summer pedicure?

A few other essentials on my list come from a really great style book I picked up a few years ago - The One Hundred by Nina Garcia. It's helped me pinpoint a few classic pieces to add to my wardrobe. Like, these thin gold hoops from Michael Kors. It's an effortless feminine boost that pairs perfect with stylish sunnies. The book also says that an authentic Pucci piece is essential resort wear. While I love the colorful designs of Emilio Pucci, I can't afford him just yet. Instead, I think Trina Turk is a wonderful substitute. I'm obsessed with these draw-string beach shorts from her latest collection.

That sums up my spring trend wishlist, but do tell me if I'm leaving anything off. Whats on your spring and summer shopping list?

Of Peace & Past

I was invited to the dOMAIN Los Angeles showroom for Champagne, manicures and of course to peruse some of their designer collections.

I was super impressed with the jewelry designs from Charmed Circle and the personal story behind the pieces.

Designer Gina Cartwright explained the inspiration behind many of her designs, which stem from a charm bracelet her mother wore when Gina was young. The bracelet and charms were real gold (which is rare today) with intricate details. Specifically, she noted a trolley charm with wheels that would really spin. Gina's designs incorporate those same ideas.

I also got to chat with Daniella Clarke, designer of the much loved Frankie B Jeans. As we discussed her latest collection, she told me that she grew up in Israel but ran away to Los Angeles at 16 to marry the man that captured her heart.

Yep, they're still together today!

Amazing how designers can take pieces of their past and weave them into their designs.  More pics from the dOMAIN showroom on The Dope Girl Instagram!

The Wanted

A few of my current most wanted.

B-Side Crewneck | Bing Bang Rose Gold Ring | Maya Brenner Initial Necklace | Publish Brand Kian Camper Hat | RVCA Kuta Bikini | Malta Linked High-tops

NCLA's 'Nails a la Carte' at Kitson

Something cooler than usual is happening at the Kitson flagship store on Robertson Blvd. Aside from copping Brian Lichtenberg's HOMIES snapback -currently making it's way around to all your fave trendsetters- you can also stop in for the NCLA hosted Nails a la Carte holiday pop-up.

Last week I stopped by to celebrate the launch of of the holiday shop, nibbling Georgetown Cupcakes and sipping cocktails made with Little Black Dress flavored vodka, while waiting my turn for a fab mani.

Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the month of December, you can select from a menu of services featuring NCLA's ever-stylish nail wraps and trendy fall and holiday laquers (I lurrve the Dirty Martini polish). The pop-up will also host special guest appearances and treatments from celebrity nail gurus. Prices range from $29-$69.

The Kitson flagship and NCLA Nails a la Carte pop-up is located at 115 Robertson Blvd. Don't forget, NCLA nail wraps and polish make great gifts and stocking stuffers!

MAGIC Discoveries

Very few people know about my childhood crush on Raphael, the red Ninja Turtle, but it was very real -I later moved on to Rufio, and surprise, I still have a thing for men in red to this day -so I'm sure you can possibly imagine my extreme delight when I stumbled across the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle collection of watches and t-shirts from FLUD Watches inside the SLATE tradeshow.

WWD MAGIC was pretty much this instance over and over again -a constant stumbling of discovering amazing new designers and their incredible collections and standout designs.

I've rounded up a few of my most memorable MAGIC discoveries.

Thorocraft woven suede shoes. Spotted @ PROJECT

FLUD Watches, Spotted @ SLATE

Jewelry from King Baby Studio, Spotted @ PROJECT

Seattle-based Grey City Shoes, Spotted @ POOL

Working on locating this brand name for you, but these accessories were Spotted @ POOL. I had to share because, that's dope.

Pour La Victoire suede lace-ups, Spotted @ FN Platform

Cazal frames, Spotted @ PROJECT

Would you not rock all of these cool discoveries I found? Yes, I know that you would.

Inside the MAGIC Marketplace

Not sure that WWD MAGIC can be described as anything other than an EXPERIENCE. I mean, a week in Las Vegas (which is an experience in itself), catching buses and cabs from the Las Vegas Convention Center (home to MAGIC and FN Platform) to the Mandalay Bay (where umbrella shows PROJECT, POOL, SLATE and others are held), exclusive events plus trying to squeeze in time for drinks and parties.... there was a lot going on but I definitely enjoyed every minute of it.

I loved exploring the MAGIC Marketplace. I met so many amazing people and discovered new brands of all sorts like Good Works, Kersh, In My Air to name a (very) few.

I also really enjoyed the opportunity I had, as a Digital Influencer, to connect with brands, designers, buyers and press via the interactive panels and social hours. I was honored to share my insight and experiences on working with various brands on the finding the Finding Your Style panel. There are still a lot of designers who arent sure what we bloggers do, how to approach us or how to work along side us and people really wanted to hear what we had to say.

Bloggers with the designers of Popmolly belts during Social Hour

I also scoured the booths looking for hot and trendy items to share during the MAGIC Discovery Sessions, where buyers came to see what items us bloggers would be interested in shopping for. I picked an amazing faux leather and chiffon dress from Kersh that really wowed a lot of the buyers, which was pretty awesome.

Rocking the Kersh dress, with my own Jenny Dayco jewelry!

There's still more to come!

L.A. Style Profiled: DJ B. Hen

Following a little advice from Grammy-award-winner, Herbie Hancock, DJ B. Hen left his corporate career to pursue his passion and study the art of the turntables. Since then, his career has taken off and the opportunities that have come his way are bigger than he ever dreamed. We sat down over iced coffee at West Hollywood hideaway, Palihouse hotel, to discuss his career, personal style and chasing your dreams.

Raised in Baltimore, Brian Henry -aka DJ B. Hen- found himself in Los Angeles after college not quite fulfilled by his 9-to-5. A chance meeting with Herbie Hancock changed all that when the musician gave him a tip. "Stop fooling around. If your really serious about your craft take the time to learn and take lessons."

Not long after, DJ B. Hen enrolled at Scratch DJ Academy and left the corporate world. And it paid off. With residencies throughout the city, you can catch him spinning at hotspots like Drai's, My Studio, Cafe Entourage and Lexington Social House. Most recently, B. Hen acted as a music consultant for the fourth installment in the Step Up dance movie franchise,  Step Up Revolution,  selecting songs for the final dance scene, working with the films choreographers and providing artist and publishing information. Impressive.

DJ B.Hen wore Nike Jordan Retro XI's, FORMANDSPACE t-shirt, Orphan Age pants and a hand-tailored blased by Asha of Hong Kong.

Sporting some pretty impressive duds, I really wanted to discuss B. Hen's personal style. He quite honestly told me "I hate shopping." This took some time for me to digest. How can that be?

"My mom worked as a retail manager and she would bring items for me, I never had to shop. As an adult I'm having to do it all myself."

With that, he confessed that his style is in it's infancy. "As I grow, it grows. If find that less is more. More is clutter and that prevents people from connecting with you." These days when B. Hen is inclined to shop, its usually online, with Jackthreads, Cranium Fitteds, and Goodwood NYC  being a few of his favorites.

This personalized Coach bag was a gift to DJ B Hen.

Where else can you catch DJ B. Hen when he's not behind the 1's and 2's? Still digging the music scene, of course, like SBE's exclusive Sayers Club Skinny's in North Hollywood. "I'm a huge live music fan," he says.

Be sure to stop by DJ B. Hen's website to keep up with upcoming events and download exclusive mixtapes, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram under the handle @DJBHen.

#InstaDope: Stussy x LoveMade Launch

Stussy Women celebrated the launch of their fall women's collaboration with Love+Made with Heartbeat City, an intimate gathering of brand fans and admirers at the Stussy flagship on La Brea Ave.

The limited-edition 16-piece collection is a base of Stussy's structured style with a touch of feminine swag, a minimal color palette and cityscape graphics on cropped tops, muscle shirts, classic cotton t's and accessories.

This was the first I'd heard of Love+Made, but according to the Stussy website, it's an LA-based all female creative collective. Sounds pretty cool.

The Stussy x Love+Made collection is available at Stussy chapter stores and Stussy.com.

City Guide: The Guise Archives

I headed to Melrose Ave to check out LA's newest eyewear boutique, The Guise Archives, last week. It's A petite shop but not lacking a wide selection of styles from lines like Wild fox, Elizabeth and James, RayBan, Benjamin Eyewear, a collection of their own namesake and some pretty stunning vintage frames.

Your surrounded by style as soon as you enter. The shop gives a subtle masculine energy -simple and airy, with cork board-lined walls, wood floors and succulent plants. The neutral color palette paired with metal decor compliment the generous display of eyewear throughout the shop.

The retro styles from Tart Optical (seen above) definitely caught my attention. The legendary collection was founded in the 1940's and James Dean was known to be a big fan of the Arnel frames. The plastic frames and the 7-barrel hinge make the quality on these babies superb.

The Guise Archives also offer a selection of Clare Vivier bags and accessories, including a wallet that fits your iPhone.

TAVAT is another impressive line of frames, found exclusively at The Guise Archives. The lenses are fused with melanin (a naturally occurring pigment found in hair, eyes and tanned skin) which creates a stunning HD-type effect when you put them on. Like, seriously, instantly enhanced.

Anyone who covets the most amazing and rare eyewear, or someone just looking to invest in a pair of high quality frames would find themselves overwhelmed with the selection at The Guise Archives. Plus, the staff here really know their stuff and can chat hours about classic styles and quality crafting. Stop by to check them out (and try on those TAVAT frames)  at 7928 Melrose Ave, one block west of Fairfax.

Sole' Fix

So, the question of where you can find an uber stylish, locally made and affordable bicycle has been answered. Yeah, I'm going to tell you.

the MANHAPPENIN

Sole' Bicycle Co is a Venice-based bike shop founded by two former USC students, offering sleek, lightweight fixies for less than $400 -if you're not in the L.A. area they offer really reasonable shipping rates- and they've just released a few new summer styles.

I'm actually quite smitten with these designs and thoroughly impressed with the overall aesthetic of the company.

The color mash-up's, the lines, the details... I'm just swooning.

the FIANCE

the OCEAN FRONT WALK

the OVERTHROW

the EL TIGRE

the VICE

Sole' has also recently taken to providing you with tunes to accompany your bike rides, with a monthly fixtape (eek!). Download the Sole Fixtape Vol. 1 by Tropicool.

All images courtesy of Sole' Bicycle Co.