Say hello..

to Ashley Kennedy. We are absolutely thrilled to have her as our Guest Hunter for the week and we can guarantee you will enjoy her fabulous picks (as we certainly did). You’ll want to keep reading to learn more about the life of this cool girl and spy some of her favorite things. But really no one can say it better than Ashley herself…

I’m a San Francisco native who has been circumstantially transplanted into Los Angeles for the last 14 years, but I dream of living in SF again someday. I was born into the fashion world with a clothing designer mom and a maternity clothing manufacturer dad, and all they ever told me was “Don’t go into this business!”  But it was in my blood, and I ended up where I was meant to be…in the kids fashion industry!  I was a trend forecaster for years and then when I got pregnant with my first son, I launched a boys clothing website called LittleDudesonly.com, which I have since sold (it is still operating today under new owners). I was frustrated with the lack of creativity and innovation in boy’s apparel, and now that I’m a mother of two boys (and a third son due in November), it continues to annoy me that there are only a handful of boys clothing lines that are doing something different! I admit it’s getting better, but it’s still not where it should be.

I decided to sell my website, and I was hired as a buyer for TheMiniSocial.com, which is THE COOLEST of all the kids flash sale websites out there. They were the first on the kids flash sale scene and they continue to offer the best in kids boutique brands (totally impartial here).

I’ve been a kids buyer for over two years and I absolutely love what I do. I live in Silver Lake with my husband and two sons. We love to go to concerts, movies and our favorite restaurants (Din Tai Fung, Casa Bianca and Speranza to name a few).  I’m one of those people who constantly barrages everyone I know with all the coolest new places and things I’ve found, so I’m excited to have an excuse to impart my opinions this time!

FAVORITE DATE WITH MY BOYS:

My husband and I like to take the boys to Little Tokyo in downtown L.A. It’s always an adventure. Here’s our routine:

Daikokuya – This ramen place is constantly packed with people waiting outside to get in. But I swear it’s worth the wait and once you try it, you’ll come back again and again. They make incredible ramen noodles (“daikokuya ramen” is the favorite choice) and while the atmosphere is lacking ambiance, it’s a treat for us to go there to slurp noodles.

Mikawaya – After ramen, we head into Little Tokyo square to hear some “so bad it’s good” karaoke being sung in the middle of the courtyard and then head into Mikawaya for Japanese Mochi ice cream.  Not only is it cheap and delicious ($1 per mochi), but it’s fun to eat too. The colors and flavors are fun to choose from and we all leave with powdered sugar mustaches.

Standard Issue Vintage – After pigging out on mochi ice cream, we head down the street to one of my favorite men’s vintage stores in L.A. It has an amazing collection of vintage concert and band t-shirts and they’re not over priced like a lot of places.
Standard Issue, 301 E. 1st St., Los Angeles; (213) 626-1555

KIDS

TheMiniSocial.com – The best of all the kids flash sale websites which is apparent the minute you visit the website.  They feature the most amazing kids brands from the well-known to the obscure such as Anthem of the Ants, Munster, Polarn O. Pyret, Little Esop, Ferd, Neige, Junk Food and Tea Collection.

I travel to the kids trade shows a few times a year and I just got back from the New York shows. Every year there are a few new brands that excite and inspire me.  Usually the Japanese and Australian brands are the most innovative when it comes to kids fashion, however this year I was most impressed by these:

AO
This Belgian company is very Japanese inspired; think Abercrombie on crack.  It resembles Trico Field, one of my favorite Japanese brands, but way more affordable.

That’s Not Fair
This new brand from London killed me.  It’s just incredible.

Bit’z Kids
Super cool Japanese line that has stores in NY

ESP No.1
While not a new brand, I always love their clothes. My eight-year-old son is obsessed with their colored skinny jeans.

COOL THINGS:

Pong iPhone covers – My boys are constantly asking to borrow my iPhone and I get a little paranoid about the radiation exposure. These iPhone covers reduce the radiation exposure up to 95% below the Federal Communication Commission’s limit, so there’s one less thing to keep me up at 3am.

SunnyLife – I’m a music freak, so I need to be listening to music pretty much all the time.  This cool iPhone player plays your iPod or iPhone at the beach!

Striped Rugs – I can’t get enough of these colorful Bolivian striped rugs from Lake Boutique in Silver Lake.  They add the right amount of color to my neutral house and they’re really affordable ($312-$336).

Bully – This documentary was incredible.  I think every parent, teacher and child over age ten should see it.  It was profound and has a universal lesson to teach.

HERS:

Freebird – I’m longing for these Freebird for Steve Madden boots. I think they’re pretty timeless.

Vintage 70’s straw bags – I carried them in middle school and now I’m thrilled they’re getting some renewed attention.  I want one with the leather top closure.

Isabel Marant football jersey – I just had to have one so I pre-ordered it! I love the way it fits (It’s linen so it hangs perfectly) and it will last throughout my pregnancy.

Jas MB Clutch – I’m in love with these oversized leather clutches by Jas MB, especially the neon orange one!

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