Saturday, December 1st was one for the books. Our annual holiday party is one of our favorite times of the year here at Ambiance. It's a time to gather together as a business and community in order to give back in our small way. This year alone we raised over $10,000 for Dream Makers, an organization, similar to Make a Wish, that grants dreams to terminally ill adults in SLO County. To learn more about Dream Makers visit their website at dreammakerslo.com.
Over 160 prizes were in our drawing this year and all tickets purchased went to Dream Makers. From a vintage Louis Vuitton bag & hundreds of gifts for our vendors to dinner for two to local restaurant & gift certificates to salons, this year certainly did not disappoint!
But the party didn't stop there! As guest made their way upstairs they were greeted by Bluebird owner, Ariel Shannon & her team of beauty extraordinaires. Women of all ages were encouraged to have their hair braided, free of charge & all in support of Dream Makers.
The night was filled with delicious bites generously donated by SLO Brew & yummy cupcakes made by SLOBaked Bakery. Of course the night would not be complete with out margaritas! Patron was kind enough to donate all tequilla for the event, to make it extra fun;)
As a small business we feel so fortunate to be able to host this amazing event & able to have a such supportive community that comes back year after year to donate to this amazing non-profit. We couldn't do it with you & can't wait until next year!
Above photos by Alexandra Wallace (@thelittlealli)
Above photos by Amy Swanson (@amyswansonphoto)
]]>First up our these super cute Pumpkin Rice Crispy Treats. Just follow a few quick & easy steps including adding a touch of food coloring to the marshmallow mixture & you've got yourself an super cute & delicious treat!
Recipe is available at: https://onelittleproject.com/rice-krispie-treat-pumpkins/
Second is this Chocolate Boo Bark! Don't let the intricate ghoasts fool you, this homemade bark is super easy to make. Just make sure to have all prep ingredients including some fun Halloween sprinkles & you'll be good.
Recipe available at: https://people.com/food/bakerella-halloween-chocolate-bark/
Lastly our these adorable Peanut Butter Spider Cookies. I am how cute are these?! The best part about these is that you can even buy peanut butter or sugar cookie dough at the store to cut recipe times in half.
Recipe available at: https://www.mommymusings.com/halloween-peanut-butter-spider-cookies-recipe/
Be sure to tag us (@ambianceslo) in your homemade masterpieces on Instagram! We'd love to see all of your homemade creations.
]]>We’re going to be bringing you lots of mustard/yellow tones, which we think is perfect for fall! Fall is really sneaking up on us fast so lets get prepared!
The first outfit I have for you is a nice and easy, every day fall outfit. These mustard yellow corduroy pants are a perfect staple for the season. Pair it with a simple white tee and a Michael Stars military jacket and you've got yourself an your go-to outfit.
Next I have some super comfy options. These Wildfox tees are must, I guarantee it. So soft you will never take it off! Just pair it with these cute 7 for All Mankind patch pocket jeans for a cute look to take to the streets.
Speaking of comfy… lets get even a little more comfy with these new cozy wrap scarves by Michael Stars. SO MUCH YES. This will keep you styling in fall inspired attire even on your laziest days (we all have them).
I don’t know where you frequent, but this next outfit is what we're going to be wearing to work, school, coffee, grocery store, and anywhere else. This Free People kimono can be worn with so many different looks, plus it is the perfect layer, making it the perfect fall piece! The Mother denim just has fall perfection written all over it as well. Need I say more? I’ll let the outfit do the talking.
And when you're ready to get dressed up we have this nice little outfit. Perfect for your date nights coming up or a girls night out on the town. This Xirena duster paired with our favorite wide leg denim by 7 for all Mankind creates an elevated look without too much effort! Dress it up further with a Cynthia Dugan necklace and you'll be the star of the show!
Last, but certainly not least: shoes! If you don't have a great pair of booties in your wardrobe, you definitely need to get behind this trend because they're not going away anytime soon. Our newest boot by Dolce Vita includes the cutest slit on the either side, adding the perfect amount of edge to them. Pair them with a warmer dress or your favorite pair of denim for a cute and easy fall look.
We have plenty fall items and colors in store we aren’t going to show you on here. You may want to come in and take a look sooner rather than later to make sure you get your favorite items and are prepared for this falls season to sneak right up on us.
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The after.....
On March 12th 2018, Ambiance SLO packed it's inventory and headed down the street to 691 Higuera. Employees & customers waited patiently as the store routine went on at their temporary location. Over the course of 2 months, the store was completely gutted. Everything from flooring to the ceilings was getting a major renovation. It was a huge task, but with the help of employees, contractors, friends & family, the store was given the transformation it needed.
Now that the dust has settled, we want thank our loyal customers for supporting us & making this store remodel possible! Come celebrate our newly remodeled location with us Saturday, August 25th from 4- 8 pm! The evening will include music by DJ Carlos, braid bar by Bluebird Salon, appetizers by The Mark, Mother Denim & Frye trunk shows, raffles & more!
Ambiance SLO is located at 737 Higuera St. in downtown San Luis Obispo.
]]>We all know the Mid State Fair is not about fashion or what you’re going to be wearing, but then again we know that’s exactly what it’s actually all about. No, you’re not being formally judged like the livestock, but rather informally judged… by everyone else.
Oops… I hope I didn’t put any pressure on you. I’m sure part of you already knew this anyway... Don’t worry though, we have 5 fair outfit tips that will earn you the grand prize 😉
1. First thing’s first, BOOTS. Yes, you need some boots, preferably leather. They don’t have to be cowboy boots, but if you have some, you better be wearing them! This will show that you know what you’re doing at the Mid State Fair. You belong here. You will impress and find your hot cowboy soul mate here (okay maybe not, but a girl can dream). Back to real life, make sure you can wear some great boots with your outfit.
2. Next thing to have in your outfit is denim. Throw a denim jacket over your country girl dress and WOW… You will be in the next country love song about the girl at the Mid State Fair that got away 😉 If you’re not feeling a dress, go for denim cut off shorts! We all know it’s going to be very hot, but denim pants are another good call in terms of style if you don’t want to show your legs. I’m sure you will see some bedazzled denim at the fair as well. If that’s your style, go for it! You can even make it a fun craft and put jewels on jeans you already own if you don’t want to buy some. Just be you with your favorite worn in denim.
3. Third tip, add leather. You already know your boots better be leather, why not add a little more? Wear a leather belt around your dress to show off your waistline. Add a nice leather belt to your denim shorts or pants. Most of all, you need a great leather bag! You’ll want a nice bag to hold all your fair necessities like your water, wallet, concert tickets, fair prizes, you name it! Make it a bag that looks great with your outfit, make it your perfect leather addition to your outfit.
4. ACCESSORIZE! Do not leave the house without accessories. Just don’t. Depending on your outfit and your own personal style you should choose between a couple statement pieces, or some dainty layered pieces. That part is up to you and your outfit. Just don’t leave without it. Add rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc..!
5. Last, but actually most important, you better be wearing a good attitude. That’s what makes the fair so much fun! Happy people out in the community appreciating the fair and all it has to offer. This is the last tip that ties your outfit together. You must be wearing a good attitude. Believe it or not, it makes you look that much better. It’s like the cherry on top, or the sprinkles on top, or whatever is your favorite. Now when you hear Eric Church or Luke Bryan come out with a song about the best looking lady at the Paso Mid State Fair, you’ll know it’s about you, and your smile is what topped it all off.
We’ll have to find a way to tap into those profits from the songs that are coming from you looking so good at the fair. But for now, just tag us in your photos so we can see how great you did with your Mid State Fair outfit. If this blog left you realizing you’re unprepared for the Mid State Fair outfit planning, just come on in to Ambiance. We will take care of you.
First off, we want to introduce this amazingly effective DIY Detox Mask from Honey Belle. This baby digs deep to remove toxins within your skin (yes, please, and thank you). It contains bentonite clay which unclogs AND shrinks pores! You will be wowed by your complexion post mask, relieving acne and problem areas, it works wonders. Simply add yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, aloe juice, rose water, lavender water, tea tree water, whatever your heart desires. Be aware, bentonite clay can leave you with redness before showing your amazing improved complexion, so we recommend leaving yourself some indoor time post-mask and maybe paint your nails while you wait! Use this once a week so your skin is ALWAYS prepared (maybe a hot date comes up, you never know).
Painting your nails leads me to my next secret! Zoya nail polish… it’s amazing, it’s non-toxic, no toluene, no formaldehyde, no formaldehyde resin, no DBP (dibutyl phthalate), which are all toxins found in nail polish… EW! Not in Zoya! You’ll find this great brand in professional salons and spas because it’s wonderful for obvious reasons. We recommend trying it out instead of other brands with those awful, harmful toxins, cause again we care about you and we want you to be ready to impress.
Next, I want to tell you about Kopari and their Coconut Crush Scrub. It contains Tahitian coconut shells (the closest I’ll get to tropical Tahiti this summer), and brown sugar for a gentle buffing scrub. Their products are silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, and GMO free. Sounds like they love your skin for you. This scrub buffs away dry skin, shrinks the appearance of pores and dark spots, and leaves your skin so hydrated with that touch of Tahitian coconut (YUM). I recommend this at least once a week! It’ll keep you oh so hydrated at all times… not a dull dry moment, literally.
Now, for some ‘on the daily’ tips to keep you ready for it all! Try out Honey Belle Natural Loofah Soap. It’ll be perfect for the days you’re not using the Coconut Crush Scrub because it helps you to retain moisture. It’s cleansing, nourishing, and oh so great! Just like many other products we are recommending, its free of chemical detergents! Honey Belle soaked a loofah in their soap recipe, so it’s basically a soapy loofah all ready for use! Oh and their loofah is derived from the gourd plant aka a squash (isn’t it just so natural to be environmentally friendly).
Another daily secret we’re letting you in on is another Honey Belle product! Their Sea Salt Oatmeal Facial Bar is NEXT LEVEL. So, one side of the bar is oatmeal and sea salt, which is great for problem areas like blackheads, scars, and blemishes. The other side is goat milk and that leaves your skin rich and creamy. You’ll instantly notice your skin being nice and bright! It’s a great, effective, daily facial bar that will put you in the perfect routine for flawless skin 24/7.
Okay, now we are adding to this daily routine with ANOTHER Honey Belle product because they got the goods. So after that amazing facial bar, apply their Flora Rosewood Toner. Just thank us later. You’ll notice it cleansing, tightening, toning, reducing acne scarring and blackheads (oh thank goodness!) It contains Vitamin C to help erase fine lines (much needed after a day in the sun, am I right or am I right) AND boosts collagen levels (double whammy!) The rose water supplies moisture to help keep your skin from drying out in the sunshine… sounds like someone’s looking out for us!
This next product I would 10/10 recommend for acne prone skin. Honey Belles Acne Serum is a must if this is you. Apply this roller directly to the troubled areas and over time you’ll have no where to apply! It calms acne irritations, relieves redness, reduces scars, keeps you beautiful with all of its natural healing properties in the lavender and frankincense. The eucalyptus and tea tree oils supply natural anti bacterial and anti microbial benefits (bye-bye blemishes). The lemon adds brightening benefits (great for that summer glow we are all striving to achieve). You will be WOW’ED and be WOWING others… the excitement is real here!
The absolute number one tip for summer skin care is applying sunscreen each time you are out in the sun. VERY IMPORTANT! We recommend this Coola sunscreen. Not only does it smell like pina colada, but is has full spectrum coverage, is rich in antioxidants, uses an eco conscious formula, contains no parabens, no GMOs, and no oxybenzone (making it reef safe sunscreen!). Nothing looks worse than an awful red sunburn when you’d otherwise be glowing with healthy skin. So keep protected, and keep your skin beautiful.
Now I want to prepare you the best I can for a date or girls nite out (even if it’s last minute)! I recommend you try out Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam for an insane glowing tan. It comes with an applicator glove (thank goodness) so you get a nice even, streak-less application, plus your palms don’t turn awkwardly tan as well. Another great thing about this product is that if you’re in a hurry, (maybe a last minute plan to meet up with that cute boy or the girls want to go out for drinks) this self tanner only needs an hour to develop (thank goodness)! If you have the time, you can leave it on for six hours for a super deep, long lasting tan. With coconut scent and aloe leaf juice giving hydration, it gives longer lasting color. I recommend using this after the Honey Belle Natural Loofah Soap.
Now for the final touch! Add some texture spray to give a tossed natural hairstyle look. We think IGK Beach Club Texture Spray is a must! It is salt-free so it will not dry your hair out. It is not heavy or sticky and is safe for color treated hair… OMG where has this been all my life?! That’s what I was thinking too. More benefits are that it has UV protection, is vegan and cruelty free, no parabens, and no sulfates. I know it could not possibly get any better. It’s the perfect addition to take you hair to the next level at any given moment.
Now you have EVERY SINGLE ONE of our secrets… we don’t know what else to say… other than the fact that WE ARE GIVING AWAY ALL OF THESE ITEMS!
Head over the the Ambiance website to enter!
We can’t wait for your flawless natural summer looks. Just remember, take care of your skin, turn heads, strut with confidence, and just be your natural, beautiful self.
Tag us in your photos, make us proud, spread the love, and share this inside scoop with your girls!
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Colors to think about
There are a few things you will definitely be wearing for graduation such as, your cap and gown, school sash, and tassel. You may even have more sash's piled up for achievements or extracurricular activities that will add colors you'll want your dress to coincide with.
The tassel you wear is going to depend on your major and will be just a small amount of added color to your look so it's not a big one to worry about. Your school sash for Cal Poly will be green and gold, and the others will depend on the club or organization. Solid, neutral colors will be the easiest and most timeless to wear, but don't be afraid to experiment in finding a nice floral that blends with your colors well.
Length of dress
Next, you want to think about the length of your dress. It may clash with your graduation look if you have a dress peeking out below your gown length. Don't let that scare you from rockin' that beautiful maxi dress though! You can size up the height of your gown, or size down your dress for a cropped look. Mini, short or midi dresses will be easiest to have coincide with length, but the maxi may be the most elegant for this day. If you have a maxi dress in mind, try on your gown before going to try on dresses and remember its length on you so you know which maxi may work for you or not.
Shoes
Remember when choosing your shoes that this is going to be only thing showing when you are fully in your graduation attire. With that being said, you need to think about all of the colors you're going to be wearing. You don't want shoes that will clash with your sash or gown. You also want to make sure they'll look great with your dress of course.
Comfort
Lastly (but most importantly) you want to be as comfortable as possible in what you're wearing. It is a sure thing that you will be nervous, excited, filled with many feelings and emotions and the last thing you should be thinking about is if your dress is uncomfortable, not fitting, too hot, etc... The most important part to remember in mastering this day is to feel confident in yourself, all other pieces will fall in to place.
]]>This past November we partnered with CASA of San Luis Obispo County in order to give 10% of our weekend sales on Friday in our San Luis Obispo store and Saturday in our Paso Robles store. We are extremely passionate about giving back to our community which gives back to us in so many ways! During the weekend we were fortunate enough to have met a few of the wonderful staff members that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the court system in and around the San Luis Obispo area. The organization does so much in order to help fight for children within our community and we are so happy we were able to give back to them.
We hope to partner with CASA in the future for more fundraisers and in store events! To learn more about CASA of San Luis Obispo County or if you are interested in volunteering please visit their website at www.slocasa.org.
]]>Our annual holiday party was one for the books! With the help of our community we were able to raise money for Dream Makers, a local organization which grants terminally ill adults with a chance to fulfill dreams.
It was a night full of holiday fun with tons raffle prizes to be won and 10% of all sales going back to Dream Makers of San Luis Obispo. Plus, some of our favorite designers were in attendance including Tysa Designs, Heather Gardner and A. Marie!
We want to thank everyone who participated and made it such a huge success yet again! If you would like to learn more about Dream Makers please visit there website at www.dreammakersslo.com.
]]>So it’s no secret that us ladies carry around the world in our purses, from car keys to tampons to who knows what else is in there, but we need it okay! Satchels and purses are the ultimate for carrying the necessities and this season allows you to do so.
Yes we have seen the cross body bags and the sling it over your shoulder “mom” style, but this seasons ladies, is all about grabbing it by the handle and letting it hang. Totes are perfect because they give you both options. Whether you’re feeling lazy and swamped, long straps are essential, but when you need that dose of trendy steeze, one word..”handles”.
Here are some examples straight from the runway:
Shop our bags:
Nano Ninja Bag, Double Percy Bag, Lima Hobo, Aloe B Purse, Amalie Bag
Sometimes, we don’t need all that baggage, and sometimes, we just want that minimal approach. BUT, heaven forbid we don’t have our phones on us at all times, and sorry no, pockets are not in equipped in this little black dress we are rockin’ on a Friday night.
Guess what, runway this season has declared the tech savvy wallet/clutch, the new trend for essential transport. We can look glitz and glam out on the town with our keys, phone and cash safely stored in our hands.
Check out these looks to get the picture:
Shop our clutches/wallets:
Sula Clutch, Milanza Wallet, Rosio Wallet, Wingman Wallet
There you have it, your one stop guide to Spring 2016 bags. We won’t leave you hangin’ fashion friends, come on into Ambiance to pick out your next spring bag or shop right online at shopambiance.com. Thanks for checking in,
xoxox
Ingredients:
8 cups popped popcorn
1 bag white chocolate chips
Sprinkles
Salt
Conversation hearts (optional)
Here at Ambiance, we are all about staying healthy and of course, staying local. Let us introduce you to SEEDS, a brand new juice company that just opened around the corner. We had the pleasure of hosting the delicious company at our recent Bed-Stu trunk show last Saturday and oh boy, were we hooked.
Seeds not only offers their very own pressed juices (which includes a 3 day cleanse) but also; bowls, parfaits, smoothies and kombucha.. hello addictions. Their motto is “nurture the human” and nurture they do indeed. Everything is organic and gluten free options are an obvious. They pride themselves on being the only company in the area that provides the ultimate personalized customer based experience. That means; you the consumer, get to build your treat from the bottom right to the top.
The final and most important step, choose your seed! They have a wide range of options from sunflower, to chia, to sesame.. I mean, after all, that is their name.
If that doesn’t convince you to ditch your unworthy home packed lunch and run over there, they also offer the choice of a personalized supplement boost to get your day going. Choose from antioxidants, to immunity support or matcha powder and more.
SEEDS won’t let you down guys, especially because they are open daily from 8 am to 7 pm. Did we convince you? And alright alright, we’re done, so get down there and SEED your body asap.
The city chic girl is confident and powerful, and her outfit better represent. Turtle necks are the ultimate piece to own this winter. They look great on their own or layered underneath a thick jacket. A pair of booties and a statement hat give this outfit the perfect amount of style our city chic girl needs to run the town.
Shop this look:-Michael Stars Sweater, Onset Bootie, Opal Hat, Skinny Jeans
Our urban edge girl needs some spice in her life. This striped tank has high slits on the side to show just a bit of skin which pairs nicely with some clunky heels. She wouldn't feel right without some leather staples; switch up your usual black leather jacket and swap for this purple Free People zip up with a black leather bucket bag for spunk.
Shop this look:-Side Knot Tank, Vegan Jacket, Tildah Heel, Lookin' Up Bucket Bag, Skinny Jeans
Finally, our beach boho babe.. after all we are from California over here. Nothing fits the beachy queen better then some flowy layers and spring colors. Slip dresses are perfect for layering over skinny jeans in the winter time, especially paired with a fun oversize knit sweater. Cuff the bottoms of your denim skinnies to pair perfectly with an ankle boot and you're set, surfs up.
Shop this look:
-Voile Slip Dress, Leona Sweater, Belleville Bootie, Skinny Jeans
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Lets begin with our ingredients, and guess what, this might be your shortest shopping list yet.
We will need:
1 bag White Chocolate Chips
1 14oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
Peppermint Candies (Any kind will work!)
1 Sheet Wax or Parchment Paper
Let's do this...
Steps:
-To start we are going to need a double boiler. Don't worry if you aren't a kitchen connoisseur.. double boilers are easy to create. Simply take a pot, fill it with water just enough so it doesn't touch our bowl. Now grab a medium sized glass bowl (glass tends to work best) and plop that on top.
-Open your white chocolate chips and pour into our bowl. Now, important step.. white chocolate is very high maintenance so we need to keep that temperature on low and be sure to keep stirring often. If the temperature is too high there is a risk of the chocolate getting stiff or burning.
-Once it is melted and smooth, open your can of sweetened condensed milk and pour gradually into the chocolate and stir until mixed completely.
-Now for the fun part, take your peppermint candies and a hammer, rolling pin, wine bottle (Not kiding, I have had desperate times) and crush those mints till they become the perfect garnish. A plastic bag usually helps to save a mess.
-Taking a few of the smallest shavings, throw into the chocolate and mix to give it a nice peppermint flavor. This step is optional if you're not into a strong mouth full of minty freshness.
-Once mixed, take a baking sheet and cover with wax or parchment paper. Pour batter across sheet till it is spread across entire surface.
-Time to decorate! Grab your remaining peppermint candy garnish and sprinkle on top until desired amount is reached.
-Almost done! Take your sheet of fudge and stick it in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Keep it in there overnight if you can to ensure it is firm and fudge-like.
-Once it is set and good to go, cut into bite size squares and eat up, serve to family and friends and have the happiest holiday ever.