So far, I’ve written two posts about my first time experiences at certain events, but one thing’s for sure with the Black Friday event: it may also just be my last due to the uncontrollable shopping mania brought out in bargain hunters.

I returned home from the Los Cerritos Mall’s first-ever special sales event called Midnight Madness at approximately 12:05 a.m. Yes. I came, I saw, I immediately left.

The Los Cerritos Mall hosted Midnight Madness where 80 stores and eateries opened at 12 a.m.

Upon entering, I saw a serpentine line looping around the stores, like a Disneyland ride meets Cabbage Patch Kids frenzy. Many super savers waited near the display windows in anticipation of the doors opening at stores like Forever 21 and Metropark — a sight I usually associate with loiterers near Westwood or The Santa Monica Promenade.

Forever 21's flagship store in Cerritos was the most popular of the night.

The day after the turkey holiday is a garish display of the consumptionist ways of Americans, and now it is slowly spreading to countries like the United Kingdom and Australia. If American’s aren’t stuffing our stomachs, then we are stuffing our stockings (while emptying our wallets).

In fact, such a zoo crazy day can lead to bad judgment and arguments. Just last night, the Los Cerritos Mall was put on lockdown after gunshots were fired around 2:30 a.m.

So no more shopping malls — or rather, shopping mauls, for me any time soon. I’m thankful for being safe from all the ruckus and for saving cash because I usually shop at my favorite thrift shop anyways, where pieces go for $1.91 and up. One man’s trash is Katrina’s pride and joy! Here are my thrift store finds from Black Friday (from the mesh crop top to the ombre wool hair sweater to the lace bodysuit):

I found all five of these pieces for less than $12 total!

It’s that time of the year to do some shopping again because the holidays are approaching! We encourage you to do yours at the Shopping Bazaar, co-sponsored by Audrey. Not only will you get the chance to shop Italian designer Kao Pao Shu‘s fantasy-filled and super edgy clothing, but a percentage of the proceeds go to the Good Shepherd Shelter, which helps women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Your purchases will help a foundation that is really effective: 96 percent of families who complete the program offered by Good Shepherd Shelter now live an independent and violence-free life.

Come shop Kao Pao Shu's fall collection with us!

This event starts with a Holiday Shopping Bazaar which includes Hand Crafting Justice, a fair trade partnership with the Good Shepherd Shelter. They will present products made from women who are fighting for economic justice and independence in developing countries. At 6 pm, there will be a live model presentation, where guests can see the full transformation of a model from make-up and hair styling to a live photo shoot. Prizes donated from businesses throughout California will also be awarded.

Good Shepherd Shelter and Studio DNA team up to provide makeovers for women who are victims of domestic violence. Women who suffer from domestic violence are conditioned to feel helpless and worthless of any rights. What they need is the strength to move on from their pain and this requires increased confidence. With a new look, women feel better about themselves and become prepared to take on the challenge of starting a new life because fashion and beauty can inspire one’s inner beauty. As a part of an international organization that has been helping mothers and children in abusive environments for the last 350 years, Good Shepherd Shelter provides the support and resources these women need to rebuild their self-esteem.

Come join us as we kick off the holiday season with some fashion and fund raising. RSVP to rsvp@kaopaoshu.com.

For more details and Kao Pao Shu looks, keep reading.

More looks from Kao Pao Shu.

DETAILS

When: Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 4 pm

Venue: Kao Pao Shu Showroom

1906 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Hosts: Kao Pao Shu & Studio DNA Salon

As you may know from our previous post, the L.A. Flea Market opened up at the Dodger Stadium this summer and Audrey Assistant Editor Janice Jann and guest Helen Wong decided to help scrounge for the best vintage finds, sniff out the food trucks and give you tips and bits on…How To Navigate A Flea Market!

Flea market fashion to couture fashion, check out Audrey’s Night Out 2010 TOMORROW!

Cleansing milks always make me wonder if they really do the job of getting rid of dirt and makeup. Anokha’s Oatmeal Cleansing Milk for normal to oily skin goes on creamy and smells like sweet oatmeal, which is just fine since the company’s products feature all-natural ingredients native to South Asia.

This cleanser looks deceptively like any other milky cleanser. But, once you slather it on and massage it over your face, you really start to feel something, like the ingredients are soaking up all the oil on your forehead (goodbye T zone!). Immediately after rinsing, my skin not only felt clean, it felt soft and totally clear of any trace of oil, and actually felt that way for a few hours. If you’re heading off to bed, finish off with Anokha’s Jasmine Serum for a really nice, clean scent as you fall asleep.

Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is reported to have the highest amount of vitamin C in natural form. And of course, everybody knows that vitamin C is a potent ingredient in fighting free radicals and contributing to younger-, healthier-looking skin.

Anokha Amla Skin Brightening Lotion is on sale today only at AudreyShops.

Dr. Nina S. Naidu harnesses the power of this potent sour fruit in a brightening formula. Amla Skin Brightening Lotion, doesn’t lighten as so many Asian skin brightening creams claim to do, but it “brightens.” Though the product tells you that it will take some time – four to six weeks – for the magic to happen, this editor saw some pretty impressive results after just three applications. Then again, I went a little crazy and slathered several pumps’ worth all over. The lesson? A little of this potent cream goes a long way.

Claudia Chan is obsessed with shopping. But she’s even more obsessed with fun, deals and especially sharing.

You’re in luck. Because Chan will be sharing some of her shopping finds with you when she brings Shecky’s Girls Night Out to Los Angeles next week.

Some L.A. shoppers with their Shecky's gift bag.

From May 19-20, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium will transform into a shopping wonderland. Grab your girlfriends (or your mom for a belated Mother’s Day!) and get your summer glow on at The Body Shop, and then snag some entertaining tips (and the latest beach-chair beverage) at Shecky’s Haute Hostess Lounge. Try some of Polka Dot Wine’s refreshing Rieslings before meeting author Andrea Syrtash to score an autographed copy of He’s Just Not Your Type.

Shecky's Girls Night Out Los Angeles 2009.

And of course, all the while, the deejay is spinning tunes as you discover that perfect, must-have necklace of the season, a cool cocktail or beer in hand. Shopping, girlfriends and cocktails? It doesn’t get any better.

Some of the goods at Shecky's Girls Night Out.

So much jewelry to choose from ...

Ethnic details at Shecky's Boston 2010.

Don’t be left out. Buy tickets in advance ($25) and get Shecky’s Famous Goodie Bag packed with fresh products from Suave Naturals, Venus Embrace, Kiss, The Body Shop, Listerine and Colgate.

Shoppers at Shecky's Girls Night Out New York City in March.

The Deets:

WHERE: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St. (Pico Blvd. & Colorado Ave.), Santa Monica, CA

WHEN: Wednesday – Thursday, May 19th – 20th, 5pm — 10pm

Shecky's president Claudia Chan.

One of many stylish vendors at Shecky's Girls Night Out.

Photos courtesy of Shecky’s.

I’ll admit it. I’ve never taken very good care of my eyes. I’ve yanked, pulled and rubbed my eyes with abandon all throughout my 20s and well into my 30s. I’ve stayed up late (I’m a night owl) and never worried about the state of my eyes the next morning. My excuse? I’m Asian! I’ll never have saggy, wrinkly eyes. Sadly, the day I’ve been in denial about has finally arrived. The skin around my eyes is noticeably thinner. Where I once rubbed or pulled with confidence knowing my eyelids would snap right back into place, and never turned down another glass of wine even though the hour was well past midnight, I have to be a little more careful now.

Lavere’s Anti-Aging Hydro Cool Eye Gel Roll-On on sale today only at AudreyShops.com

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It seems like there is a plethora of serums everywhere you look, all purporting to do one amazing thing or another, but only succeeding in going on as a goopy, sticky mess. Not so with Anokha’s Jasmine Serum. At first glance, the serum looks pretty modest and unassuming. But a closer look reveals that the serum is actually a moisturizer.

Anokha’s Jasmine Serum is made with almond, sandalwood and jasmine oils — all in keeping with the company’s philosophy of using all-natural ingredients, many of which are found natively in South Asia. After cleansing, I rubbed a few drops into my hands and massaged the serum over my face. Surprisingly, the clear jasmine-smelling serum absorbed almost instantly into my skin — no stickiness! Instead, my skin felt like it had just enough moisture, without being overly so, like I was born with naturally soft skin. That old saying “as soft as a baby’s bottom” comes to mind. The clean, jasmine scent doesn’t hurt either. Since then, any time I feel a spot of dryness, I rub a couple of drops of this on, even over makeup. Dryness, totally gone.

Take one look at Sophie Snow and you wouldn’t be surprised to learn that she is the woman behind Happy Six, the chain boutique (there are now two in Southern California) exploding in Hello Kitty and other kawai goodness.

Happy Six founder Sophie Snow.

What you would be surprised to learn is that the ethnically Tieuchiu Chinese and her family fled the Khmer Rouge and their native Cambodia when she was just a little girl. “We came to America with literally nothing but the clothes on our backs,” says Snow. “We lost everything we had — family members, homes, everything.”

To support the family — who even lived in the projects at one point — Snow’s mother worked in sewing factories. “That’s how I learned to sew,” says Snow. “Out of neccessity, I learned to make my own clothes.”

Fast forward a couple decades. Snow had been working as a (self-taught) designer for various fashion companies. She happened to see a “For Lease” sign in the Sawtelle area of West Los Angeles one day. That space became Happy Six. Today, in addition to carrying Hello Kitty, tokidoki, Harajuku Lovers, Tarina Tarantino, Angry Little Girls, and Disney Couture, Happy Six also features Snow’s own line Sophie Snowflake as well as the in-house Happy Six line. Snow opened her second Happy Six boutique in Plaza El Segundo in nearby El Segundo, Calif.

Inside Happy Six boutique, Plaza El Segundo.

So what makes the 37-year-old tick and so obsessed with all things kawai after all these years? We asked her.

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