My life in pictures

Top Row L-R: Toms Jadon Wedge, Pamela Love Tribal Necklace, Big Star Denim
Middle Row L-R: Dresses @ Show & Tell, Awaken Cafe, Candid Art Hand Chain
Bottom Row L-R: Vintage Dodgers Tee, Baggu Leather Bags, Jeffrey Campbell Heels 

Heavy Metal Madras

10 questions with CanDid Art Accessories designer Candice Cox

CanDid Art Accessories

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Candice Cox, the beautiful, bubbly designer of CanDid Art Accessories. As a budding entrepreneur I am always excited to meet talented folks, like Candice, that share my interest and passion for style. Candice, currently resides in Brooklyn, but has been in the Bay Area long enough for us to spend some time together and bond over things like twitter tutorials, trunk shows, and a love of cookies! When we weren't talking about cookies Candice was kind enough to answer some questions about her personal style, dream vacation locale, and where she sees CanDid Art in 5 years. Peep the details below:

10 Questions with Accessories designer Candice Cox

SS- Describe your personal style?
CC- Funky. Conservative mixed with wild child. There are no rules to style!  

SS- What is you favorite Color?
CC- Orange because it is so bright and bubbly.

SS- Name some other designers who inspire you.
 CC- I love Armor Jewelry and Peace Images. I think their work is so beautiful. Armor inspired me to start making body chains.

SS- Best place to go Shopping.
CC- Necessary Clothing in New York

SS- Dream Vacation Locale
CC- I've always wanted to go to Africa, specifically Ghana.

SS- If you could take 3 things to a deserted island what would they be?
CC-Vaseline because it is so versatile, toothbrush, lighter. I mean you have to be practical if you are on a deserted island.

SS- What is a trend that will never die for you?
CC- Off the shoulder shirts!

SS- What is your guilty pleasure?
CC- Cookies

SS- So you design accessories, but do you have a favorite?
CC- Right now my Material Earlace  

SS- Where do you see CanDid Art in 5 years?
CC- International distribution.  A household name among the fashion crowd with an expanded men’s line of accessories.

CanDid Art Accessories now available at Show & Tell Concept Shop in Oakland, CA. All photos courtesy of CanDid Art

Preppy, Punk and COLOR

Varsity Jacket- Nike, Necklace- Candid Art, Puff Sleeve Tee- H&M, Skirt- Kajan Padraig, Boots- Madewell, Bookbag- Baggu

A week in the life...

Last week was super busy- jam packed with lots of great events in the Bay and LA. Highlights include scoring an Isabel Marant Dress and Proenza Schouler pants on super duper sale at Creatures of Comfort and Opening Ceremony, goofing off at Fred Segal, and hosting a trunk show at Show & Tell for super hot jewelry line Candid Art Accessories.

Clockwise from Top Left: Vintage Shoes at Show & Tell, Nic outside Fred Segal,
Vintage License Plate at Show & Tell, Trying out the POP handset inside Fred Segal

My Isabel Marant Score

Jewelry by Candid Art Accessories

30 Day Blogging Challenge- 2 for 1

Soooooooooooo...... yeah. I have totally fallen off the blogging wagon because I have been busy with this little thing called life. As the holiday season gears up I am inspired to start blogging again because there are so many amazing events coming up that I am sure I am going to want to share. 

Today I am picking up where I left off -with topics 7) My greatest accomplishment today and 8) My favorite band of the moment from the 30 Day Blogging Challenge.

Glad to say today was good a day. I spent the majority of it at Show & Tell , my new business venture with partner Nichole Payton. Getting Show & Tell off the ground is not only my biggest accomplishment today, but I would say of the year. It is probably up there with the biggest accomplishments in my life.

As far as my favorite band it is hands down Maroon 5. If you were to walk into Show & Tell between now and the end of the year you are likely to hear either the holiday station or the Maroon 5 station playing on our Pandora.

Look Good, Feel Better: My Fave Cause Based Brands

TOMS X The Row: The Row teamed up with TOMS to turn out a luxurious, limited edition collection of cashmere and Italian wool TOMS for fall. For every pair of TOMS purchased a pair of shoes is given to a child in need. Photo via TOMS.com

When my partner and I started toying with the idea of opening show & tell we knew that we didn't just want to open another boutique selling pretty things. If we were going to open a store of any kind it had to be meaningful in some way. Months of brainstorming yielded the ambitious mission of stocking our shelves solely with fashionable goods that are about more than being stylish. In our effort to shift the paradigm of retail in this country we sought out local lesser know brands that are produced in the U.S., goods that are made using fair trade, ethical and sustainable practices, and brands that directly benefit underserved members of the global community.

At first I thought our lofty mission would be a challenge to uphold, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a bevy of brands out there that are doing amazing things. I am particularly partial to cause based brands that do something tangible for every one of their products that is purchased.  Being an avid shopper there is always something for me to covet, but knowing that I can choose to spend my money on products that help to make a difference is even more rewarding than how great said product will look with my latest outfit.

While TOMS is a superstar in the cause based game, with a 1 for 1 promise, comfy shoes, and a new line of sunglasses, there are several other brands out their doing amazing things.

Here are the deats on some of my other faves:

Who: Good Society

Good Society Women's Skinny Fit Denim- Photo via GoodSociety.org

What: This brand packs a lot of punch producing Sustainable, Fair Trade, Organic Denim. As if that wasn't enough they also donate 1/4 of their profits to local and international project like the SA Foundation, that provides support for women who have been victims of or are in danger of sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Where: To purchase and learn more visit www.goodsociety.org

Who: Warby Parker

Warby Parker X Suno- Photo via Refinery 29

What: In addition to offering fashionable and affordable sunnies and specs Warby Parker has teamed up with non-profits like VisionSpring.org to offer a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair they sell. Soon to come a collaboration with the pattern masters of Suno.

Where: Get your glasses and find out more at www.warbyparker.com


Who: Falling Whistles

Hamptons Rose Necklace- Photo via FallingWhistles.com

What: Falling Whistles has turned the weapon of children on the front lines of the war in the Congo into a tool to help rehabilitate these children and turn them into activist for human rights. Through a partnership with community leaders in the Congo and with funds raised through the sale of the FW necklaces and other products children of the war are taken through a 4 stage program that includes education, arts, and other skill building programs.

Where:You can purchase a necklace and learn more about how you can help the situation in the Congo at www.fallingwhistles.com



Who: Freewaters Sandals

Women's Tropicali Sandal- Photo via Freewaters.com

What: California based Freewaters makes your new favorite pair of flip flops that feature an ergonomic design and eco-friendly materials and production. When you purchase a pair of Freewaters sandals you provide access to clean drinking water for 1 individual for 1 year.

Where: See the full line of sandals and learn more about the clean water projects at www.freewaters.com

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

I am not naturally the most extroverted person. I love people, but feel much more comfortable one on one than I do in a huge crowd. I prefer the company of a small group of close friends over tons of acquaintances and if I had a choice between being cozy on the couch at home versus raging at a club the couch would usually win.

That being said the past couple weeks have been an exercise in stepping out of my comfort zone.
Case in point...

Flying Solo at Madewell

Photo via Refinery 29

After work today I stopped by the Madewell SF grand opening party. I couldn't round up any peeps to brave the SF fashion crowd with me so I decided to go to solo. Although the scene was a bit overwhelming I am glad that I did not drag anyone else along with me. I was able to quickly dip in, say some hellos, then dip out. The store set up is nice so i will definitely be heading back soon when it is a little less crowded and I can actually enjoy shopping.

Personal Style Post

I met Elizabeth of Mission Closet a couple months ago at a blogger meet and greet and she was at the Madewell event tonight. During our first meeting we talked about how personal style post help readers to connect with a blog and how her readership increased once she started sharing more of her own personal style. For some reason her comments really stuck with me and have motivated me to try to share more of my personal style choices even though I kind of loathe taking pictures. The only camera I had handy tonight was on my phone, but I rolled with it and snapped a shot in the mirror to share. I am super in love with my new Proenza Schouler shorts.

BCBG Leather Jacket, Vintage Necklace, Gap Shirt, Proenza Schouler Shorts, Madewell Boots

Pursuing My Dreams

I have chosen to follow my passion and pursue careers in two fields that sort of require that you put yourself out there- Dance and Fashion. I've been dancing for years so I am sort of over the whole stage fright thing. After years of performing the theater is my safe space where I am free to express myself completely. If only I felt that comfortable off the stage....

Outside of dance I have the most fun expressing myself through fashion. My love of fashion and the opportunity it presents for self expression and self definition is part of the reason I decided to open a clothing store. My hope is that Show and Tell, as the name suggest, will allow customers to find the pieces that represent who they are and what they stand for so they can proudly present themselves to the world.

Over the next few weeks I plan to share more about my journey as Show and Tell gets off the ground and of course more about my style along the way.