The Dose

Bits for Needed Pieces

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By Greer Wylder
April 28, 2010

We love 31 Bits! We just discovered this socially-minded Costa Mesa based business that provides an income for women living in Northern Uganda. Five college friends from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa found out about women in Uganda who make beautiful jewelry out of recycled paper. The friends set out on a mission to help get them out of poverty, provide schooling for their children, and proper nutrition and healthcare for the entire family. So they started 31 Bits—named after a proverbs verse about women, and bits, (as in paper)—as an after school project two years ago. Today 31 Bits…

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Suited to Strut

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By Greer Wylder
April 27, 2010

For the past 20 years, OC based fashion designer, Marisa Kenson has designed contemporary line of tops and dresses sold all over the world. She decided that what’s missing in fashion today are updated suits. So, she’s designed a collection of suits to debut at a fashion show Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at AnQi at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza sponsored by Fletcher Jones Motorcars. Marisa Kenson’s suits come in luxurious knits (wool and rayon)—guaranteed to travel well. The shapes are modern—not matronly, and she says tailoring is not required. Each suit is available in three different lengths of…

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Meet Me at the After Party

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By Greer Wylder
April 26, 2010

Sorry Sundance, you are just a distant memory in the rear-view mirror. Now we have the NB Film Fest underway with four full days left of major studio and indie films, post-screening question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers, and after parties—and it’s all right here in Orange County. We don’t want you to miss out on a second of this, so we’ll give you some highlights of what’s in store for you. Each night this week you can see a new foreign film and also attend an optional after-party with hors d’oeuvres and drinks from local restaurants. Parties begin at around 9:30…

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Recycled with Style

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By Greer Wylder
April 23, 2010

It was love at first sight when we saw REUSE denim—online. The fashion-forward, eco-friendly collection of denim practically fell into our laps on the eve of Earth week, so we tried them on soon after. And get this, they’re super comfortable, great styles ranging from classic 5-pocket to ultra-skinny, all made from 80% recycled fabrics. Whereas the fashion industry is inherently disposable, REUSE are committed to contributing to a cleaner, greener Earth: eliminated excess packaging, using eco-friendly dyes, and the least amount of new materials possible. REUSE eco-friendly jeans priced from 85 to $95, shorts and skirts sell for $75.…

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It’s SOCO Cool

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By Greer Wylder
April 21, 2010

When you’re driving north on the 405 Freeway just past Harbor Boulevard, look to the right and you’ll get an up-close preview of Orange County’s hippest retail makeover. The SOCO (South Coast Collection), formerly an unremarkable collection of stores, is being turned into a stylish and sustainable shopping village with creative showrooms like Wildflower Linens, Let Them Eat Cake, a soon-to-open fabulous Stark carpet store, trendy restaurants, and, in November, Paul Mitchell’s flagship Store-Salon-School. SOCO, by Burnham-Ward Properties a subsidiary of Burnham USA of Newport Beach, reminds us of an upscale version of The LAB. When the transformation is complete,…

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