It's probably safe to say that most women have given a lot of thought about the dress they would be wearing on their wedding day. For a long time, I thought that I'd be wearing something very minimalist and modern, more like a v-neck or spaghetti strap sheath dress that hugs the body but flows flatteringly loose down my hips.
That's what my BFF thought would be suitable for me, too. But after braving a 3-hour wait in line last week at the Monique Lhuillier sale, and trying on (among other things) the type of dress I had always envisioned myself wearing, I was disappointed to find out it doesn't work for me. I needed a dress with more structure.
After talking to friends and colleagues, I learned that many others had the same predicament--what looks good in our heads sometimes just doesn't look good in real life. Fortunately, when I first started off dress shopping, I tried to keep an open mind. Even though I really liked the minimalist and non-frou frou look, I kept looking for other things that would work, maybe even better than I would ever imagine. For instance, I knew that I don't like the mermaid-style hem, but I didn't want to ding it off the list until I've seen how bad it is for myself.
After seeing a lot of brides look stunning in lace dresses, I decided that I had to try one on. I instantly loved the look of lace an A-line dress I tried on at a boutique--so classic, fits me just right, stunning...but also can be very pricey. A staff member at the boutique where I first tried on a lace dress said lace dresses started at $3000. Aside from the sticker shock, the dress was also quite heavy. Hence, I set out to look for a lace dress that would not set me back several thousand dollars, but I was mentally prepared for the possibility that I was not going to find a lace dress within my price point. Indeed, a very pretty lace dress at the Monique Lhuillier sample sale was $3000, and something with more taffeta than lace was $2000. Yeah...so much for trying to score a lace dress at a sample sale price...
While I did not completely give up on the idea of getting a lace dress, I went back to the drawing board to explore other options. After looking at wedding blogs to see what independent designers are coming up with, I actually revisited something that I thought would have been too frou frou for my taste: tulle. Some Etsy sellers have come up with very pretty and fun yet sophisticated looks with the fabric most associated with poofy ballerina skirts. After seeing those designs, I actually wanted to try out tulle dresses.
I did a bit of research and talked to friends to scout out boutiques in the LA area that had sales and outlet sections, and those were places that I planned on hitting next with my friends in tow. However, a coworker called me up yesterday while shopping at Nordstrom Rack--she alerted me to a shipment of wedding dresses, of different styles and price points! I know that Nordstrom had a bridal suite (which someone else I knew got bridesmaid dresses), which is probably the source of such dresses at The Rack. I kept a healthy dose of skeptcism in mind, but had a good feeling about this.
I called up a friend who lived nearby, and we met at the store this morning. I got there before she did, so I started loading up the shopping cart with all kinds of dresses, including one on the mannequin that instantly got my attention.
Within an hour or so, I walked out of the store with The Dress.
The Dress isn't quite perfect yet, since it needs a bit of alteration, but it's just the right style for me and suitable for the venue (a historical site). It is pretty and classic, yet constructed of layers assembled in a modern manner; the A-line dress skims my body in a flattering way without adding extra bulk. I love the fact that it is much lighter than all of the dresses I tried on so far. Nope, The Dress is not a lace dress...it is comprised largely of tulle and silk. When I saw it on the mannequin, I just knew I had to try it on. My friend said that she wouldn't have picked The Dress off the rack for me, but once I tried it on, it looked pretty and my face just lit up.
What's even better is that I wound up getting a $2000 dress for far less than half. Even with alterations, I'm saving a ton of money. So yes, it is possible to get married in style without breaking the bank.
Here's a tip for dress shopping--first, come up with a budget for the dress; second, think about what cuts of your regular clothes look flattering on you (so that you can look for those attributes in a wedding dress); third, shop around at places high or low and try on all kinds of different things. That trying-on process will give you a better idea of what works and what doesn't work for you. If the dress is too expensive in one place but you really love it, remember which designer made it, what the style number/name is, and shop around.
You'll see pictures of the dress in due time. ;-)
6.15.2012
Venue
When friends and family first saw us after the news broke, the first thing they want to see is the shiny hardware, and the second thing they do is ask when the big date is.
Well...we don't know.
Although we have an idea of when we want to get hitched, it's not entirely up to us. Most of it has to do with the venue. There are a few limiting factors: availability, cost, and capacity.
Many places get booked up more than a year in advance, so it takes a lot of work to come up with alternatives. Fortunately, I'm not one to have some grand vision of some fairy-tale wedding (too expensive and frou-frou for my blood). As long as the place is affordable yet pretty, not old and stuff, and is flexible enough to handle catering and entertainment, that's fine by me.
Given how much the venue alone costs, I first looked to public parks and facilities. There are a few beautiful gardens and arboretums in the area. Some of them do have very good prices, though the hours for ceremonies are often limited (wanna get up early for a wedding taking place somewhere beetween 7 to 9 a.m.? How about literally chilling in the sunless garden after 6:00 p.m.?), liability insurance is required, and there may be limited electrical outlets (which puts a damper on the entertainment part of the party). Some community centers in affluent areas sound pretty decent as reception locations without breaking the bank.
I then looked at museums, since I've always been into the more modern, urban, and minimalist style. The ones I've looked into so far strike out on account of capacity (can't hold as many people as we'd like to invite), costs, or potential complications for the catering staff. We then looked at the online brochures for hotels and country clubs, which have varying price ranges, flexibility regarding outside caterers and alcohol, and fees here and there. Some of the private venues, while more expensive than public spaces, can actually be fairly reasonable.
In the course of my search, I came across a blog that is fairly helpful: My Quest for an Affordable, Unique Wedding Venue. There is a lot of information on a number of venues gleaned from emails from venue operators in the Southern California to prospective renters. This handles a lot of the initial legwork for me.
Let the arduous task of driving around town to check out venues begin...
6.11.2012
At the crossroads
Wow. It's crazy to log in after not doing so for months...and find out just how many months have passed by. Life had gotten very busy, and my priorities have changed. While my enthusiasm for photography and style hasn't changed, I certainly haven't been following fashion quite as much (a product of having less time), while my love for cooking has grown. These changes have forced me to think about whether it is time to take the blog in a different direction, or give this blog a proper farewell. Since this outlet of expression has been fun, and I've put in a lot of thought and energy into this blog, I've been dragging my feet on whether to pull the trigger.
Suddenly, I have a reason for giving this blog at least a last hurrah. I now have the fun yet stressful and daunting task of planning the biggest party of my life...on a budget, of course. I'm shocked to find out how much a wedding costs, particularly in the LA area. While I have a lot of ideas on how to keep costs down (namely, a lot of DIY's), I already find myself having to make difficult decisions on limiting the guest list, which is extremely difficult given the number of good friends I have. Yet, I'm confident that my equally budget-conscious Mr. Right and myself will be able to pull this off--we absolutely refuse to incur debt like some people around us have done. Some of my friends have been able to put together a fabulous wedding without breaking the bank, so I'll be consulting with them for sure.
So, for the final season, I bring to you Hot Off the Sales Rack: The Wedding Special. :-P
9.01.2011
Scallop and Cucumber Salad
News flash--two posts in two days during crunchtime! But I can't help myself. Since I needed a simple but tasty dinner tonight, I finally got around to trying a cucumber and scallop salad from the New York Times. I think it's worth while to watch this video for the instructions. If you don't have the time, here is the recipe.
A mandolin slicer, which I don't currently have, would have really sped up the process of making the salad. Nonetheless, it was fairly quick, and I actually like to have my cucumber slices a bit thicker and crunchier. I didn't add as much vinegar or salt as the recipe called for, but I like it just the same.
The toasted sesame seeds are listed as a garnish, but in my opinion, they're actually a major ingredient. I really like the nutty taste that they bring.
Next time, I'll need to add a bit more salt to the dressing, and crack some black pepper over the scallops as they cook. Even so, tonight dinner was very satisfying. :)
A mandolin slicer, which I don't currently have, would have really sped up the process of making the salad. Nonetheless, it was fairly quick, and I actually like to have my cucumber slices a bit thicker and crunchier. I didn't add as much vinegar or salt as the recipe called for, but I like it just the same.
The toasted sesame seeds are listed as a garnish, but in my opinion, they're actually a major ingredient. I really like the nutty taste that they bring.
Next time, I'll need to add a bit more salt to the dressing, and crack some black pepper over the scallops as they cook. Even so, tonight dinner was very satisfying. :)
8.31.2011
Easy Caprese
This summer has been a busy one! I've been juggling multiple cases heading to trial at the same time on a shortened schedule. Sadly, this means far fewer opportunities to cook, and during meals out with the trial team, sometimes I end up bringing home leftovers that I'm not even home long enough to consume. I'm ashamed to say that I've had to throw out some leftovers. The good thing about living with other people is that they can at least benefit to some extent from the leftovers and eliminate waste.
While time for cooking was lacking, my body's demands for a homemade meal increased. When I eat out too often, my body just doesn't feel quite right. I needed something fresh and cleansing. That's where my basil plants, in conjunction with Trader Joe's and the local farmer's market, come to the rescue.
The basil plants have grown quite well in the planter boxes in the back yard and yield an abundance of nice big leaves for me, even in the face of bugs that love them too. After spending 5-6 bucks for the mozzerella cheese log and tomatoes (either heirlooms from the farmers' market or the awesome brown kumato tomatoes from TJ's), I can make enough caprese to feed me for a couple of meals, or feed myself and the roommies. Prep time takes 10 minutes, at most.
Instructions are simple--slice tomatoes and put them on a plate, then slice up the cheese and lay them on top. Roughly chop up the basil leaves and cover up the cheese and tomatoes. Crack some black pepper over that, drizzle some olive oil and balsalmic vinegar, and you're done.
Caprese was especially refreshing on the many hot nights we had this summer. I also played around with a different variant, since I had some cucumbers and cut-up bread left over from a Hollywood Bowl jaunt. I layered the pieces so that they resemble more of an appetizer. Instead of cutting up the basil leaves, I left them whole and stacked them between slices of cucumbers. It was good, though a bit difficult to eat because the bread was so thick. Next time, I'll slice the bread thinner and toast them.
OK, back to the grind...
While time for cooking was lacking, my body's demands for a homemade meal increased. When I eat out too often, my body just doesn't feel quite right. I needed something fresh and cleansing. That's where my basil plants, in conjunction with Trader Joe's and the local farmer's market, come to the rescue.
The basil plants have grown quite well in the planter boxes in the back yard and yield an abundance of nice big leaves for me, even in the face of bugs that love them too. After spending 5-6 bucks for the mozzerella cheese log and tomatoes (either heirlooms from the farmers' market or the awesome brown kumato tomatoes from TJ's), I can make enough caprese to feed me for a couple of meals, or feed myself and the roommies. Prep time takes 10 minutes, at most.
Instructions are simple--slice tomatoes and put them on a plate, then slice up the cheese and lay them on top. Roughly chop up the basil leaves and cover up the cheese and tomatoes. Crack some black pepper over that, drizzle some olive oil and balsalmic vinegar, and you're done.
Caprese was especially refreshing on the many hot nights we had this summer. I also played around with a different variant, since I had some cucumbers and cut-up bread left over from a Hollywood Bowl jaunt. I layered the pieces so that they resemble more of an appetizer. Instead of cutting up the basil leaves, I left them whole and stacked them between slices of cucumbers. It was good, though a bit difficult to eat because the bread was so thick. Next time, I'll slice the bread thinner and toast them.
OK, back to the grind...
6.26.2011
Ritzy
Yesterday was a very social day. During the early afternoon, I went to a bridal shower at a Ritz-Carlton. In the evening, I had a raucous time with a group of friends over Korean BBQ. I wanted to wear something that would be classy for the first event, but not risk getting ruined by oil and smoke that night.
So what did I do? I wore an H&M dress to the Ritz-Carlton. Oh yes, I did.
[H&M dress, DKNY heels.]
So what did I do? I wore an H&M dress to the Ritz-Carlton. Oh yes, I did.
[H&M dress, DKNY heels.]
6.22.2011
Home Entertainment System
I haven't had the time or space to entertain for quite some time. Finally, I found a window of opportunity to just do it. It was so much fun.
I invited the girls over for a clothing swap and brunch. At first I was a bit apprehensive about how I was going to cook all that food and make the place look nice for my esteemed guests, especially because I overslept, but things all turned out quite well. The day before, I went to the Farmers' Market to pick up a few bunches of flowers to make an arrangement. It turns out there was enough for two. Usually the flowers are the center of attention while the greenery serve as a backdrop, but I decided to turn the tables this time. This is the arrangement that graced the dining table (it was later moved to accomodate more hungry guests):
Quite a bit of French Lavender was left, so I stuffed them into a round vase and put that on the coffee table.
The cooking went off without a hitch, but it did take some conscious planning. I started with the chili first because it needed to slow-cook. After the chili-cooking was underway, I primped, snapped a few shots of the flowers, and washed some dishes associated with the chili cookoff. As it got closer to the scheduled start time, I started cooking sausages and applewood smoked bacon. While the meaty stuff cooked, I beat some eggs together and scrambled them. Everything came out piping hot by the time the guests were ready to eat.
My friends brought over corn muffins, croissants, strawberries, a dip for snacking a bit later on, and champagne for mimosas. After we ate, we played dressup. It was really fun! Having a successful event alleviated my anxieties about entertaining in general. I'm already looking forward to hosting another get-together, hopefully sooner rather than later.
I invited the girls over for a clothing swap and brunch. At first I was a bit apprehensive about how I was going to cook all that food and make the place look nice for my esteemed guests, especially because I overslept, but things all turned out quite well. The day before, I went to the Farmers' Market to pick up a few bunches of flowers to make an arrangement. It turns out there was enough for two. Usually the flowers are the center of attention while the greenery serve as a backdrop, but I decided to turn the tables this time. This is the arrangement that graced the dining table (it was later moved to accomodate more hungry guests):
Quite a bit of French Lavender was left, so I stuffed them into a round vase and put that on the coffee table.
The cooking went off without a hitch, but it did take some conscious planning. I started with the chili first because it needed to slow-cook. After the chili-cooking was underway, I primped, snapped a few shots of the flowers, and washed some dishes associated with the chili cookoff. As it got closer to the scheduled start time, I started cooking sausages and applewood smoked bacon. While the meaty stuff cooked, I beat some eggs together and scrambled them. Everything came out piping hot by the time the guests were ready to eat.
My friends brought over corn muffins, croissants, strawberries, a dip for snacking a bit later on, and champagne for mimosas. After we ate, we played dressup. It was really fun! Having a successful event alleviated my anxieties about entertaining in general. I'm already looking forward to hosting another get-together, hopefully sooner rather than later.
6.12.2011
Shining Through June Gloom
Helloooooo my pretties! Sorry I've been gone for far too long. Life in the past year has been crazy to say the least--lots of changes, lots of responsibilities, and not enough time for everything. Now that daylight lasts longer, I'm far less restricted in terms of when I can take pictures.
June Gloom is a very Californian phenomena. One would think that June is a summer month, but oftentimes it doesn't feel like it. The skies would be cold and gray for most of the day, followed by a brief appearance by the sun in the late afternoon. The mood gets depressing, and it's difficult to figure out how to dress for the cold mornings that could transform into hot days at any given moment.
Today was one of those days. It started off rather chilly and gloomy, but sometime after noon, it progressively got warmer. Time to wear the bright red shorts, crazy tights, and light layers up top:
[Forever 21 bow top, Blake ruffled cropped jacket, Gap shorts, House of Holland suspender tights, old Ray Bans, Ciao Bella booties.]
Although most people associate me with electric blue, I have come to discover that red is a pretty flattering color for me. When I saw these red shorts in a Gap ad, I knew that I had to get them. Thanks to a sale plus a couple of coupons, I got to bring them home sooner rather than later. These red shorts go well with a pretty camisole, a t-shirt, a tank top, a sweater...just about everything. The suspender tights simultaneously complement and contrast with the shorts--the colors contrast, but both are mischievously delightful.
Color can cure June Gloom, and so can plants--seeing them grow makes me quite happy. I bought this huge basil plant from Trader Joe's for $3 about a couple of months ago. I feel very fortunate that I live in a place where there is room to help them grow. I also inherited some green onion plants from a relocating friend. Today, I made an effort to rescue a dinky basil plant that had been growing by my bedroom window. Hopefully it'll make it!
June Gloom is a very Californian phenomena. One would think that June is a summer month, but oftentimes it doesn't feel like it. The skies would be cold and gray for most of the day, followed by a brief appearance by the sun in the late afternoon. The mood gets depressing, and it's difficult to figure out how to dress for the cold mornings that could transform into hot days at any given moment.
Today was one of those days. It started off rather chilly and gloomy, but sometime after noon, it progressively got warmer. Time to wear the bright red shorts, crazy tights, and light layers up top:
[Forever 21 bow top, Blake ruffled cropped jacket, Gap shorts, House of Holland suspender tights, old Ray Bans, Ciao Bella booties.]
Although most people associate me with electric blue, I have come to discover that red is a pretty flattering color for me. When I saw these red shorts in a Gap ad, I knew that I had to get them. Thanks to a sale plus a couple of coupons, I got to bring them home sooner rather than later. These red shorts go well with a pretty camisole, a t-shirt, a tank top, a sweater...just about everything. The suspender tights simultaneously complement and contrast with the shorts--the colors contrast, but both are mischievously delightful.
Color can cure June Gloom, and so can plants--seeing them grow makes me quite happy. I bought this huge basil plant from Trader Joe's for $3 about a couple of months ago. I feel very fortunate that I live in a place where there is room to help them grow. I also inherited some green onion plants from a relocating friend. Today, I made an effort to rescue a dinky basil plant that had been growing by my bedroom window. Hopefully it'll make it!
12.12.2010
Holes in the Night
As life got crazy and daylight became scarce, photo projects do not fit into my schedule very well. This weekend opened just enough of a window for something fun.
Since it is Winter after all, the temperatures have been understandably low. This week and weekend was unseasonably warm such that we had 70-80 degree weather. Although I have much work to do, a chance to take in a little sun was too good to pass up, so off I went with friends for a bit of food and fun.
The cutout is a design feature I've been digging lately. I didn't think I'd be able to wear my very summer-worthy tank top for a while, since I snatched it up at a heavy discount during the off-season, but today was as good a day to wear it as any. To polish off the hole-y theme, I paired the "business in the front, party in the back" top with cutout platform pumps that need to be broken in a little. They actually don't need that much breaking in--they are fairly comfortable.
Alas, daylight is fading, and it's time to get industrious. With today's great weather, it's a wonder that anything gets done at all.
[Under.ligne by Doo.ri Harness tank (from Tobi.com clearance), F21 knotted chain necklace, ABS glass cocktail ring, old Ray Bans, H&M shorts, Calvin Klein Christine cutaway pumps]
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Since it is Winter after all, the temperatures have been understandably low. This week and weekend was unseasonably warm such that we had 70-80 degree weather. Although I have much work to do, a chance to take in a little sun was too good to pass up, so off I went with friends for a bit of food and fun.
The cutout is a design feature I've been digging lately. I didn't think I'd be able to wear my very summer-worthy tank top for a while, since I snatched it up at a heavy discount during the off-season, but today was as good a day to wear it as any. To polish off the hole-y theme, I paired the "business in the front, party in the back" top with cutout platform pumps that need to be broken in a little. They actually don't need that much breaking in--they are fairly comfortable.
Alas, daylight is fading, and it's time to get industrious. With today's great weather, it's a wonder that anything gets done at all.
[Under.ligne by Doo.ri Harness tank (from Tobi.com clearance), F21 knotted chain necklace, ABS glass cocktail ring, old Ray Bans, H&M shorts, Calvin Klein Christine cutaway pumps]
Happy Holidays, everyone!
10.31.2010
Practical Magic
Happy Halloween! Since All Hallow's Eve lands on a Sunday this year, much of the festivities took place last night. As usual, my costume consisted of regular clothing plus some props that I either buy or make.
I picked a tough assignment for myself this year. A couple of the props were easy to get, but the clothing part was a bit more challenging. I tried to find a cheap tuxedo jacket with long coat tails, but I had no luck even after hitting multiple thrift stores. As for the hat, I needed something that fits my small head just right; in the time it would have taken to drive around and find one, I may as well make one for myself.
Some people at the party last night thought I was a ringmaster...I guess they didn't see the magic wand, which lit up and doubled as a beacon for navigating with friends through a crowded venue.
[Old Navy shirt with ties, Development blazer, F21 sequined shorts, Falke fishnet tights, Marc by Marc Jacobs heels, top hat made by me, magic wand and gloves from Halloween costume store]
The hat tutorial will be posted next time. :-)
I picked a tough assignment for myself this year. A couple of the props were easy to get, but the clothing part was a bit more challenging. I tried to find a cheap tuxedo jacket with long coat tails, but I had no luck even after hitting multiple thrift stores. As for the hat, I needed something that fits my small head just right; in the time it would have taken to drive around and find one, I may as well make one for myself.
Some people at the party last night thought I was a ringmaster...I guess they didn't see the magic wand, which lit up and doubled as a beacon for navigating with friends through a crowded venue.
[Old Navy shirt with ties, Development blazer, F21 sequined shorts, Falke fishnet tights, Marc by Marc Jacobs heels, top hat made by me, magic wand and gloves from Halloween costume store]
The hat tutorial will be posted next time. :-)
10.24.2010
Holed Up
Just when I thought the rain stopped for good, it starts up again. Fortunately, before the rains resumed, I spent much of yesterday out and about and soaked in some sun along the Pacific Coast Highway.
I managed to hit two birds with one stone yesterday. Before heading up the coast to a friend's party, I decided to pay a visit to the LF Warehouse Sale, which I've heard about many times but never did go because it required a bit of a drive. It wasn't until yesterday that I had a good reason to be out that far west, and the trek was worth it. As it is often the case with warehouse sales, entropy rules the day, as clothing and accessories that were previously in nice neat categories become scattered all over the place by the end of the day. After an initial look at the jumbled mess and seeing many styles that just weren't mine, I didn't expect to bring home anything. However, the dressing area scored brownie points with me, and I did find a few gems after a little digging and making several rounds about the tables. $7 for a pair of Falke tights--not bad. Sweaters and jeans were also very reasonably priced, as were leather goods. I snapped up some tights, a shiny sequined scarf, knit gloves, a sweater, and a pair of high-waisted shorts.
This morning I awoke to a bit of sunshine and lots of clouds--the perfect shorts-and-tights-with-long-sleeves kind of weather. It so happens that 2 things I bought yesterday would work for that kind of a look. I left the house for a bit for errands, came back, and was holed up again when it started raining. When will it stop raining?
[Rebecca Beeson long-sleeve tee, Millau sweater (from LF Warehouse Sale), Car-Mar cuffed shorts (from LF Warehouse Sale), Target tights, Loeffler Randall studded slingbacks.]
It's funny how I love this sweater now, when I completely eschewed something very similar to this as a teenager. Oh, how times have changed...
I managed to hit two birds with one stone yesterday. Before heading up the coast to a friend's party, I decided to pay a visit to the LF Warehouse Sale, which I've heard about many times but never did go because it required a bit of a drive. It wasn't until yesterday that I had a good reason to be out that far west, and the trek was worth it. As it is often the case with warehouse sales, entropy rules the day, as clothing and accessories that were previously in nice neat categories become scattered all over the place by the end of the day. After an initial look at the jumbled mess and seeing many styles that just weren't mine, I didn't expect to bring home anything. However, the dressing area scored brownie points with me, and I did find a few gems after a little digging and making several rounds about the tables. $7 for a pair of Falke tights--not bad. Sweaters and jeans were also very reasonably priced, as were leather goods. I snapped up some tights, a shiny sequined scarf, knit gloves, a sweater, and a pair of high-waisted shorts.
This morning I awoke to a bit of sunshine and lots of clouds--the perfect shorts-and-tights-with-long-sleeves kind of weather. It so happens that 2 things I bought yesterday would work for that kind of a look. I left the house for a bit for errands, came back, and was holed up again when it started raining. When will it stop raining?
[Rebecca Beeson long-sleeve tee, Millau sweater (from LF Warehouse Sale), Car-Mar cuffed shorts (from LF Warehouse Sale), Target tights, Loeffler Randall studded slingbacks.]
It's funny how I love this sweater now, when I completely eschewed something very similar to this as a teenager. Oh, how times have changed...
10.10.2010
Weekday/Weekend: Mack the Knife
"Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it … ah … out of sight."
Roughly-cut edges of drapey pieces are fun to play with--they add great dimension to everyday pieces. Overlaping drapery is even more fun.
The Marciano drapey sweater that I found at the Marciano outlet during the summer has been in the rotation quite frequently, since "Summer" this year in Southern California didn't get a whole lot of sun. More recently, I added a very soft Wyatt "Sharkbite" tank top to my collection. Although I intended to wear the tank top as a casual piece, it worked surprisingly well with the drapey sweater for work--the ensemble looked put together, creative yet sufficiently conservative, kept me warm, and was very comfortable.
[Weekday: Marciano cashmere-blend sweater, Wyatt "Sharkbite" tank (from Bluefly), Balenciaga skinny pants (from Barney's warehouse sale), Christian Lacroix gold flats (from DSW), Marc by Marc Jacobs pave pear watch (from Fossil outlet)].
Now that it is supposed to be Fall, scorching weather has arrived. The weather has been bizarre to the point that some people ominously refer to it as "earthquake weather"--as in the weather is so strange that the next "big one" is sure to hit soon. Fall started with hot weather, followed by a few weeks of light rain, pouring rain, thunder and lightning, flash showers, and cool weather, and is now back to hot weather again. Given that we are back to having hot weather, it was time to wear the Sharkbite tank as intended.
[Weekend: Wyatt "Sharkbite" tank (from Bluefly), F21 skeleton key necklace, Gap striped denim shorts, EQ IQ platform ankle boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses]
Although it can be fairly hot, it is the right time to bust out the ankle boots. I swooped these off the clearance rack in Hong Kong last year from a Causeway Bay store aptly named "Sole Town," and am happy to take them out of the dust bag again. They are simple but a bit sassy, thanks to the high heel and the zipper/button detail in the back.
Hong Kong is definitely a great place to pick up interesting pieces. I got some pretty cool stuff last time, and I'm looking forward to shopping there again.
And it shows them pearly white
Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe
And he keeps it … ah … out of sight."
Roughly-cut edges of drapey pieces are fun to play with--they add great dimension to everyday pieces. Overlaping drapery is even more fun.
The Marciano drapey sweater that I found at the Marciano outlet during the summer has been in the rotation quite frequently, since "Summer" this year in Southern California didn't get a whole lot of sun. More recently, I added a very soft Wyatt "Sharkbite" tank top to my collection. Although I intended to wear the tank top as a casual piece, it worked surprisingly well with the drapey sweater for work--the ensemble looked put together, creative yet sufficiently conservative, kept me warm, and was very comfortable.
[Weekday: Marciano cashmere-blend sweater, Wyatt "Sharkbite" tank (from Bluefly), Balenciaga skinny pants (from Barney's warehouse sale), Christian Lacroix gold flats (from DSW), Marc by Marc Jacobs pave pear watch (from Fossil outlet)].
Now that it is supposed to be Fall, scorching weather has arrived. The weather has been bizarre to the point that some people ominously refer to it as "earthquake weather"--as in the weather is so strange that the next "big one" is sure to hit soon. Fall started with hot weather, followed by a few weeks of light rain, pouring rain, thunder and lightning, flash showers, and cool weather, and is now back to hot weather again. Given that we are back to having hot weather, it was time to wear the Sharkbite tank as intended.
[Weekend: Wyatt "Sharkbite" tank (from Bluefly), F21 skeleton key necklace, Gap striped denim shorts, EQ IQ platform ankle boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses]
Although it can be fairly hot, it is the right time to bust out the ankle boots. I swooped these off the clearance rack in Hong Kong last year from a Causeway Bay store aptly named "Sole Town," and am happy to take them out of the dust bag again. They are simple but a bit sassy, thanks to the high heel and the zipper/button detail in the back.
Hong Kong is definitely a great place to pick up interesting pieces. I got some pretty cool stuff last time, and I'm looking forward to shopping there again.
9.13.2010
Splitting Hairs
It was time for me to get a haircut again. When it gets colder, maybe I'll let it grow out, but while it can still get hot during the day, I'd rather keep my hair as light in terms of weight as possible (black hair absorbs so much heat sometimes).
Right now is the best time for me to play around with Fall outfits involving shorts and boots. The temperature cools down quite a bit in the evening, but not enough to make me cold as long as I wear something warm up top. For a Sunday evening of standing in line with friends for eons before our patience would be rewarded with the most delicious ramen from Daikokuya, I decided to wear this:
[Miu Miu sunglasses, Minden Chan cropped jacket, Tart long-sleeved tee, Argento Vivo necklace, H&M cuffed shorts, Calvin Klein stockings, Capezio boots.]
This is actually a variation of what I wore earlier that day, before I swapped a black tank top for long sleeves and slipped on the tights. The wool-blend cropped jacket is a bargain that I picked up a while ago from the FIDM store. When I bought it, I fell for the amazing details and saw a lot of potential, but for one reason or another, I just didn't get to wear it quite so much. That is about to change.
The collar is amazingly cute, but not too much so, since the Peter Pan collar folds into a grown-up form in the front. I just love how the zipper in the back extends and dovetails at the very end. Since the jacket zips up in the back, starting from the very top, it also somewhat resembles a straitjacket (which doesn't sound appealing at all, but I appreciate how easy it is to take off the jacket during a red light stop when it started to get hot in my car).
Fall weather also means it's time to bust out the interesting stockings. This particular pair will get quite a bit of use during the weekdays as well. I should try it out tomorrow.
Right now is the best time for me to play around with Fall outfits involving shorts and boots. The temperature cools down quite a bit in the evening, but not enough to make me cold as long as I wear something warm up top. For a Sunday evening of standing in line with friends for eons before our patience would be rewarded with the most delicious ramen from Daikokuya, I decided to wear this:
[Miu Miu sunglasses, Minden Chan cropped jacket, Tart long-sleeved tee, Argento Vivo necklace, H&M cuffed shorts, Calvin Klein stockings, Capezio boots.]
This is actually a variation of what I wore earlier that day, before I swapped a black tank top for long sleeves and slipped on the tights. The wool-blend cropped jacket is a bargain that I picked up a while ago from the FIDM store. When I bought it, I fell for the amazing details and saw a lot of potential, but for one reason or another, I just didn't get to wear it quite so much. That is about to change.
The collar is amazingly cute, but not too much so, since the Peter Pan collar folds into a grown-up form in the front. I just love how the zipper in the back extends and dovetails at the very end. Since the jacket zips up in the back, starting from the very top, it also somewhat resembles a straitjacket (which doesn't sound appealing at all, but I appreciate how easy it is to take off the jacket during a red light stop when it started to get hot in my car).
Fall weather also means it's time to bust out the interesting stockings. This particular pair will get quite a bit of use during the weekdays as well. I should try it out tomorrow.
9.09.2010
Rising in Fall
Life, with its ups and downs, is a continuing struggle. We won't ever learn how to get up if we don't fall down first. We won't toughen up if we don't take a few hits first. Sometimes we won't know what's really harmful to us, or know how to heal from the resulting wounds, without getting hurt first. It's all a learning experience. One thing is for sure--we do not remain fallen for long. After a trip downwards, we realize that we CAN get back up, that we are stronger than we give ourselves credit for. We learn, we heal, we survive, and become stronger than before.
In Southern California, the mercury usually rises in September. This year, it has been uncharacteristically cool--a welcoming change for me. Now that some semblance of my favorite season is here, and now that my life is somewhat back to order, it's time for me to dust myself and my layering pieces off, and rediscover what it means to be creative. Being creative was difficult when I had no time or mood for it, when the heat leaves me little options than shorts/skirts and tank tops, and when much of my clothes and possessions sat in boxes for weeks. Now that most things have been unpacked, I can explore my new surroundings as well as new ways to mix up my wardrobe. It also feels good to be exploring photography and photo editing again.
My work outfits have been largely uninspiring, as layering was impossible during the hotter months, and I wore only what I could easily find. Today's outfit is finally something along the lines of what I really want to achieve--an integration of colors, shapes, patterns, textures, and sophistication. It is quite ironic that my favorite cool-weather items--the stockings and the cashmere-blend drapey sweaters--were found during the hottest months. It makes perfect sense that they were found at outlets, since no one would have been thinking of buying something so out-of-season. While the drapey sweater has been my go-to piece for the office and for air travel, I couldn't wear the awesome patterened stockings until today.
Being told today that I look like a fashion model was kinda neat. :)
[Marciano by Guess drapey sweater, F21 faux-wrap dress, BCBG necklace, American Eagle Outfitters ring, Calvin Klein patterned stockings, D&G mary janes]
In Southern California, the mercury usually rises in September. This year, it has been uncharacteristically cool--a welcoming change for me. Now that some semblance of my favorite season is here, and now that my life is somewhat back to order, it's time for me to dust myself and my layering pieces off, and rediscover what it means to be creative. Being creative was difficult when I had no time or mood for it, when the heat leaves me little options than shorts/skirts and tank tops, and when much of my clothes and possessions sat in boxes for weeks. Now that most things have been unpacked, I can explore my new surroundings as well as new ways to mix up my wardrobe. It also feels good to be exploring photography and photo editing again.
My work outfits have been largely uninspiring, as layering was impossible during the hotter months, and I wore only what I could easily find. Today's outfit is finally something along the lines of what I really want to achieve--an integration of colors, shapes, patterns, textures, and sophistication. It is quite ironic that my favorite cool-weather items--the stockings and the cashmere-blend drapey sweaters--were found during the hottest months. It makes perfect sense that they were found at outlets, since no one would have been thinking of buying something so out-of-season. While the drapey sweater has been my go-to piece for the office and for air travel, I couldn't wear the awesome patterened stockings until today.
Being told today that I look like a fashion model was kinda neat. :)
[Marciano by Guess drapey sweater, F21 faux-wrap dress, BCBG necklace, American Eagle Outfitters ring, Calvin Klein patterned stockings, D&G mary janes]
8.07.2010
Trials and Tribulations
My dear readers,
I've travelled both near and far to 2 different countries within 30 days. Who would have thunk that? I would have posted more pictures of my travels, but unfortunately I'm in a rather busy and rough patch of life right now. I just need to take some time away get my groove back, and then I'll be able to get back to doing what I do best--take pictures and tell stories.
Be well!
I've travelled both near and far to 2 different countries within 30 days. Who would have thunk that? I would have posted more pictures of my travels, but unfortunately I'm in a rather busy and rough patch of life right now. I just need to take some time away get my groove back, and then I'll be able to get back to doing what I do best--take pictures and tell stories.
Be well!
7.10.2010
Bliss.
What better way to unwind than to watch the sunset with a bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos (con limon) and a drink carried in a traditional men's basket? (Yes, you heard right--a man's basket. Kinda like a man bag, but way cooler and culturally-significant.)
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Stay tuned for more scenes and stories of the island of Yap in Micronesia. Although brief, it was by far the most relaxing vacation I've ever taken.I can't wait to go again. I probably won't be able to go again, but it'll always be a memorable experience.
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Stay tuned for more scenes and stories of the island of Yap in Micronesia. Although brief, it was by far the most relaxing vacation I've ever taken.
6.04.2010
Programming Note
In the month of June, I'll be pulling a disappearing act again. With 3 trial dates in as many months, and 2 brief trips out of the country in that same span of time, I'm gonna be pretty busy. I have no idea if I'll do any June posts, and if I do, whether it'll be at all relevant to the general subject matter of this blog, but one thing's for sure--you'll be seeing pictures of an exotic location in the near future.
5.27.2010
Ring Ring...
Although the Internet offers wonderful possibilities for staying in touch, there is no substitute for the human voice. Emoticons just don't always do the trick, and it's hard to get irony/sarcasm across through words on a page. There's just something warm and fuzzy about hearing laughter, varying tones, softness, and depth.
When the person you are trying to connect with is half a world away, staying close is hard to do. Fortunately, Skype and popular chat programs like Google Chat allow people to hear as well as see each other, which makes a world of difference--no more accidentally talking over each other on the phone, because we can rely on non-verbal cues to know whose turn it is to speak. But what happens when a) one person doesn't use a computer, or b) an Internet connection isn't available?
Yes, the latter is an actual possibility even today. There ARE places in this world where an Internet connection is hard to come by, or doesn't come cheap, or doesn't come fast enough for video. So what happens then?
Dialing international long-distance through the landline can be prohibitively expensive. Phone cards can cut down on the costs, and certain other third-party phone companies charge reduced rates when you dial their prefix before dialing the international phonen number. With the use of these services, the cost of calling countries with generally good telecommunications networks is in the range of pennies a minute. However, there are situations where some less-popular calling destinations are still quite expensive to reach through these methods.
This is precisely what happened to me a few months ago. I had to turn to the Internet for Voice over IP (VoIP) options, whereby the calls are routed through the Internet. Skype did allow me to reach a landline phone via the web, but the rate was still quite high. I dug around to find a few more VoIP phone services for the lowest rate of my calling destination. Although there are quite a number of them out there (i.e. Jajah), I ultimately chose Jaxtr because, well, it was the cheapest for where I wanted to call. The added bonus is that I don't need a computer to make my VoIP calls--I can get through by calling a local number (even on my cell phone), dialing in the international number, and then chat away. In order to get the lowest rate, I had to subscribe to their monthly plan (which was 35% cheaper than their non-subscription rate). It didn't matter much to me because the savings was quite substantial, and because I use up all of the minutes I bought anyway.
Fortunately, the person on the other end of the line now has a reliaible Internet connection at home--still not as fast as the standard U.S. DSL connection, but it's good enough for Skype, so I get to cancel my subscription and save a ton of money. Nonetheless, the experience was a valuable one. It opened my eyes to the various options, and it also makes me appreciate the technology that I do have access to every day.
When the person you are trying to connect with is half a world away, staying close is hard to do. Fortunately, Skype and popular chat programs like Google Chat allow people to hear as well as see each other, which makes a world of difference--no more accidentally talking over each other on the phone, because we can rely on non-verbal cues to know whose turn it is to speak. But what happens when a) one person doesn't use a computer, or b) an Internet connection isn't available?
Yes, the latter is an actual possibility even today. There ARE places in this world where an Internet connection is hard to come by, or doesn't come cheap, or doesn't come fast enough for video. So what happens then?
Dialing international long-distance through the landline can be prohibitively expensive. Phone cards can cut down on the costs, and certain other third-party phone companies charge reduced rates when you dial their prefix before dialing the international phonen number. With the use of these services, the cost of calling countries with generally good telecommunications networks is in the range of pennies a minute. However, there are situations where some less-popular calling destinations are still quite expensive to reach through these methods.
This is precisely what happened to me a few months ago. I had to turn to the Internet for Voice over IP (VoIP) options, whereby the calls are routed through the Internet. Skype did allow me to reach a landline phone via the web, but the rate was still quite high. I dug around to find a few more VoIP phone services for the lowest rate of my calling destination. Although there are quite a number of them out there (i.e. Jajah), I ultimately chose Jaxtr because, well, it was the cheapest for where I wanted to call. The added bonus is that I don't need a computer to make my VoIP calls--I can get through by calling a local number (even on my cell phone), dialing in the international number, and then chat away. In order to get the lowest rate, I had to subscribe to their monthly plan (which was 35% cheaper than their non-subscription rate). It didn't matter much to me because the savings was quite substantial, and because I use up all of the minutes I bought anyway.
Fortunately, the person on the other end of the line now has a reliaible Internet connection at home--still not as fast as the standard U.S. DSL connection, but it's good enough for Skype, so I get to cancel my subscription and save a ton of money. Nonetheless, the experience was a valuable one. It opened my eyes to the various options, and it also makes me appreciate the technology that I do have access to every day.
5.05.2010
On a Slant
The weather in LA was on a mood swing in the past month. One day it's cold and rainy, the next day it's 80 degrees. Now that May is here, the warmer weather appears to be here to stay. Time to bust out the lighter layers and go with the shorter haircuts.
It has been in my habit to test the boundaries of work outfits, but I really pushed the envelop this time with an element that is very apparent and way outside the realm of businesswear. Over the weekend, I stopped by the Calvin Klein outlet at the Citadel because a) it was on my way home from Orange County, and b) I've had much luck with finding affordable and stylish work separates there. An outfit on a window mannequin caught my eye--once I spotted the tissue-thin aqua blue tee bifurcated by a diagonal seam, I was sold. It helped that the shirt was further on sale, but I would have bought it even if it wasn't.
I've worn t-shirts under blazers before, but this one is far afield from the others. The t-shirt-based cut is at once casual and the opposite of run-of-the-mill, thanks to a mix of color, texture, and structuring. The lightness is perfect for the summer. Although the shirt itself is very sheer, the burnout pattern makes the sheerness far less apparent (at least on my skin tone), thereby eliminating the burden of having to wear an additional camisole. I love how the fabric gathers and drapes on both sides of the asymmetric seam, which stands out boldly with its raw, rolled-up edges. It also helps that the slanted detailing matches my new-ish haircut, so everything looks somewhat integrated.
[Issac Mizrahi for Target cardigan, Calvin Klein top, Stella McCartney cropped pants, Abaete for Payless pumps, Kenneth Cole cuff]
It has been in my habit to test the boundaries of work outfits, but I really pushed the envelop this time with an element that is very apparent and way outside the realm of businesswear. Over the weekend, I stopped by the Calvin Klein outlet at the Citadel because a) it was on my way home from Orange County, and b) I've had much luck with finding affordable and stylish work separates there. An outfit on a window mannequin caught my eye--once I spotted the tissue-thin aqua blue tee bifurcated by a diagonal seam, I was sold. It helped that the shirt was further on sale, but I would have bought it even if it wasn't.
I've worn t-shirts under blazers before, but this one is far afield from the others. The t-shirt-based cut is at once casual and the opposite of run-of-the-mill, thanks to a mix of color, texture, and structuring. The lightness is perfect for the summer. Although the shirt itself is very sheer, the burnout pattern makes the sheerness far less apparent (at least on my skin tone), thereby eliminating the burden of having to wear an additional camisole. I love how the fabric gathers and drapes on both sides of the asymmetric seam, which stands out boldly with its raw, rolled-up edges. It also helps that the slanted detailing matches my new-ish haircut, so everything looks somewhat integrated.
[Issac Mizrahi for Target cardigan, Calvin Klein top, Stella McCartney cropped pants, Abaete for Payless pumps, Kenneth Cole cuff]
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