SHOP. SAVE. SUPPORT.

September 18, 2015 by blackband Filed Under: Behind The Scenes Leave a Comment

Get your holiday shopping done early with 20% off at more than 100 participating stores at South Coast Plaza! By donating $60 to Angelitos de Oro, you will receive an Angelitos Shopping Card giving the card holder a 20% discount at all participating stores and restaurants for the entire week of October 7^th through October 13^th. All proceeds go directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, a one-to-one mentoring program for at-risk children. (Fun fact: Angelitos de Oro has raised OVER $5,000,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County!!)

You can purchase these cards by calling us at 949.872.2234, emailing us at hello@blackbanddesign.com or stopping in our showroom (17971 Skypark Circle, Irvine CA 92618)! You can pay with cash, credit, or mail in a check. If you can’t make it into our showroom we would be more than happy to mail your Angelitos Card to you in time for the sale.

With the purchase of the Angelitos Card, you are also invited to the Launch Day Celebration on October 6^th which includes a trend presentation, light lunch, a gift bag with samples, and early 20% shopping at exclusive launch stores. In addition, on this day only, 10% of the proceeds from the launch stores will be donated to Angelitos de Oro in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County.

Designer Tips to Score Big at the Flea Market

August 17, 2015 by blackband Filed Under: Behind The Scenes Leave a Comment

In honor of National Thrift Shop Day (shoutout to our ShopBando planners for pointing that out!) we’re sharing 5 tips to help you score big at the next flea market. Thrifting for vintage pieces and one of a kind items is one of our favorite things to do on the weekends.

1. Get there EARLY! We can’t stress this one enough, the earlier you get there the better the chances are of finding something you really want! The best stuff goes right away so beat the crowds by getting there when they open. Research the market before you go as some of them offer early admittance for a small fee.

2. Be prepared to barter. Start by asking for half the price you are willing to pay, and let the seller come back with a negotiated price. Be careful not to haggle too low that you insult the seller, you could end up ruining your chances for a better deal! If you are still unhappy with the price, let the vendor know you will think about it, they may end up offering a price you are happy with before they let you walk away.

3. Bring cash in small denominations, and bring more than you think you will need (incase you find that can’t-live-without item). This is important when it comes to bartering with the seller, you shouldn’t say you only have $20 dollars and then hand them a $50 bill and ask for change. Some sellers allow you to use credit cards or checks, but to be safe we suggest carrying cash.

4. Figure out what you are looking for before you visit! Write down a list of things you want to find so you aren’t overwhelmed in the moment. If you are looking for specific pieces, write down the dimensions and bring them with you, don’t forget a measuring tape so you can double check the size before buying! There is nothing worse than buying something only to find out it doesn’t fit when you get home.

5. Ask the vendor for more information on additional products or offsite facilities, they usually have an inventory of hidden treasures in storage! Some of the vendors run small shops or online stores as well, so always ask for business cards and more information! We’ve found some of our favorite vendors that we work with regularly through connections at flea markets.

We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing a few shopping bags or a small cart if you have one. Check the weather ahead of time so you can dress accordingly. Most importantly be creative and keep an open mind to pieces that could use a little elbow grease, think about what you could repurpose for your next DIY project!

Weekend Road Trip

August 14, 2015 by blackband Filed Under: Behind The Scenes 5 Comments

Desert Fever: Salvation Mountain

This free standing art installment has been on our bucket list for as long as we can remember. Last weekend we decided to hit the road and check this one off! Salvation Mountain resides in the lower desert of Southern California, east of the Salton Sea and an hour and a half from Palm Springs (perfect excuse for a weekend at The Parker).

It’s fascinating to think this was made by one man with the intention of spreading the message of love, Lenoard Knight spent nearly 30 years building this one of a kind art piece. Over 50 feet tall and 150 feet wide, this mountain is made from local adobe clay and thousands of gallons of paint. In 2002 the United States Congress even declared Salvation Mountain as a national treasure! Unfortunately Leonard passed away in 2014, but many people volunteer to maintain the installment to this day.

If you’re ever in the area or looking for a weekend road trip, we definitely recommend making your way out to Salvation Mountain. It’s something everyone should see in person at least once, we felt like we were in a scene straight out of Dr. Seuss!

4 Last Minute Ideas for Mothers Day

May 4, 2015 by blackband Filed Under: Behind The Scenes

(Photo via Silver and Lemon)

1. Go Treasure Hunting!

1. OC Gem Faire: One of the largest gem, jewelry and bead shows in the United States. May 8-10th at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.

2. Echo Park Craft Fair: A Pinterest lovers paradise. This event joins together some of LA’s best designers and creators to bring you handmade, one-of-a-kind goods. May 9th and 10th in Silver Lake.

3. Rosebowl Flea Market: Widely known as one of the best flea markets in Southern California, this is the one market you can’t miss. May 10th at the Rosebowl Stadium in Pasadena.

(Photo via Pinterest)

2. Brunch (hello bottomless mimosas)

LA// Perch: Rooftop brunch downtown Los Angeles. If you can get reservations- this is a unique dining experience that will take mothers day to the next level.

OC// Plum’s Cafe: A quaint little cafe in Costa Mesa, the coconut french toast is the best.

SD// Snooze Eatery: A bright and cheery restaurant in Hillcrest, San Diego. Don’t let the wait scare you away, this place is popular for a reason!

(Photo taken from our last hike at Crystal Cove)

3. Take a hike

1. Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach: With four different trails to take, this hike has options for everyone. Moro Canyon Trail is the easiest of them all. Bonus- walk the oceanfront trails across the street before you begin your hike! // Level: Easy // Distance: 3.0 miles //

2. Murphys Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains: A hike that takes you through the remains of an old Nazi structure in the heart of Santa Monica. // Level: Moderate // Distance: 3.8 Miles //

3. Sandstone Peak in Malibu: You can hike Mishe Mokwa trail to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. The views are breathtaking, making it one of my absolute favorite hikes in California. //Level: Hard // Distance: 7.1 miles //

(Photo Via Malibu Wine Safaris)

4. Wine Safaris

1. Malibu Wine Safari: Tour the 1,000 acre vineyard and ranch in Malibu aboard this open top safari jeep. The tour stops at various locations throughout the vineyard to sample wine. The safari jeep also takes you up close and personal with exotic animals, including an adorable giraffe named Stanley.

2. Temecula Sunrider Tours: 4.5 hours of fun on this unforgettable wine safari in Temecula. Cruise around in a jeep that takes you to visit 3 wineries as well as a Barrel Room and Production Tour, Grape Tasting Vineyard Tour, and the Scienic Oak Mountain Lookout and Photo Tour.