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. ;-)
Showing posts with label Decision Tree. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Decision Tree. Show all posts
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...
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.
1.01.2010
The Long Run
Happy 2010! May a new decade bring positive changes and strengthen lasting bonds. I still can't believe that it is now Year 2010; it seems like one of those years in science fictions from long ago that would never arrive. We still use roads, fossil fuels, and don't around Jetson-style in pods yet, but technology has been developing on an exponential curve, so the fictional visions of the future may become reality sooner than I think.
A lot of people make New Year's resolutions, which is good--it gives some goals to work toward. Not all of them may be fulfilled, but we all need some impetus to get started. Here are a few of my resolutions (in no particular order), which I hope will last beyond just this year:
1) Become more financially savvy--I'd like to think I do pretty well in saving. However, there's always room for improvement, and it's important to do more than just save. Given the uncertain economic times, and unexpected expenses, it's good to have a good financial cushion around. It's not just enough to save put money into a 401(k), which tanked for a lot of people. In addition to the retirement accounts, it's important to build up savings that is readily accessible.
Once a particular savings goal is reached (say, a year's worth of living expenses), the next step is to learn how to make some of that money work a little harder. That's something I really need to learn to work on. A savvy friend of mine recommended Motley Fool as a resource to start with. Now that the markets are starting to recover, it is as good of a time to think or rethink investment strategies.
2) Evaluate and/or revamp habits and customs--it's easy to fall into bad patterns without knowing it, especially when there are competing priorities. It's important to notice what's been going on, what's been going wrong, why it's been going wrong, figure out the root of the problem, and replace the bad patterns with good ones.
In the last couple of months, I've noticed that my eating schedules and habits have gone awry, I've practically stopped exercising, gotten a bit nonchalant about getting things done/getting to places on time (which is really not me), just stopped caring about many things in general (like watering my plants), etc. Most of these problems stem from being tired, and sometimes sick, which eventually lead to laziness and apathy. A very basic way of fixing the problem is simply getting regular and comfortable sleep, which often went by the wayside on my quest to do as much as possible with what little time I have. Sleep is not a waste of time--it's quite essential. Without energy, discipline and willpower will eventually wear away.
3) Exercise--my Wii Fit is completely underutilized. I need to pop in fresh batteries and start getting on that thing again.
4) Learn when to take a break--this has been the hardest lesson for me to learn. I've always known one speed in life, and that's fast and furious. However, life is a marathon, not a sprint to the finish; there will be no victory lap if the tank is out of gas. Since there are no summer or winter breaks in the life after school, it's up to me to learn when to schedule in vacations and use them wisely.
5) Edit my wardrobe--the growth of my closet has finally hit the hilt of rate-determining factors called time and space, which seemed infinite until now. There's no more room to store things, and there is an inversely-proportional amount of time to look through all the stuff I have. This means I need to reduce my inventory of casual things that I don't wear much anymore (I'm not a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl anymore), be more selective about things I acquire, and replace worn-out clothing with quality, professional pieces that will last for a long time. Given my professional development, it seems like my style has changed permanently from "all kinds of crazy" to "subtly grown-up with a few funky elements."
Editing is easier said than done. I've been clinging to the idea that one doesn't have to choose between quality and quantity--which was fine and all until a certain point. I think the space factor pretty much disproves my theory, much to my chagrin. If my days as a law review editor taught me anything, it would be to preserve as much of the author's intent and underlying character of the piece as much as humanly possible, while tossing out excessive words or florid language that distract the reader from the main point. Translated into sartorial applications, it means figuring out what my style really is (which I've done), and getting rid of things that really don't fit the bill.
I've been paying more attention to the frequency with which I wear certain things to determine what the true closet staples are. Those are the ones I'll stick with for years to come and worthy of investment. Here are my observations:
-One can never go wrong with leather (or pleather)--my leather hoodie gets worn the most because it goes with everything. It doens't hurt that the jacket has garnered the most compliments of anything I've worn.
-One must also have a pair of well-fitting black bottoms--they go with everything. My black slacks get worn the most during the week, while my black faux leather leggings are worn practically all the time on the weekends during these colder months (ironic given the fact that I've eschewed leggings for the longest time). My black wool tights allows me to wear practically any sort of dresses, skirts, and shorts these last few months.
-Long- and short-sleeved T-shirts in a couple of colors, patterns, and cuts will do wonders. My fitted gray Gap crewneck t-shirt is perfect with cardigans and blazers for work, and goes with literally everything I wear on the weekends. A slouchier v-neck t-shirt in a lighter color is great for a more casual weekend look. A few graphic t-shirt breaks up the color-block humdrum. That's pretty much all I need.
-Signature accessories--in a professional setting, accessories provide personality to otherwise standard fare. I wear fairly bland colors because it's easy, safe, and classy to do so, but I don't think I ever look boring. In the winter months, scarves are my friends. My black and white Gap scarf with bold stripes, which I got as a gift, is one of my best assets; it keeps me warm and looks great year after year. I have a few vintage scarves for the summer as well. Patterned and/or colored hosiery, ranging from subtle and loud, definitely add a pop to any outfit. Various combinations of jewelry can make varying degrees of impact, whether in the form of a single statement piece, a stack of mix-and-matches, or a few simple pieces together.
-Great shoes--the importance of great shoes can never be understated. People do notice these things, as shallow as it seems. They don't need to be expensive at all (plenty of my shoes come from Payless or Target), but they have to look solid and feel comfortable. It's hard to go wrong with patent leather (real or faux), even for the cheap ones (at least initially; they look great until they get scuffed up). While the stilettos are sexier and more artsy, the real workhorses are the ones with the thicker but not too chunky heels.
On my trip to Hong Kong, I had to pack for occasions ranging from formal to casual, and I narrowed down the essential footwear to 4 pairs: a pair of black Marc by Marc Jacobs mary janes with a shiny star and martini heel (for the formal occasion), an old pair of black knee-high boots with a blocky heel (to go with practically everything), a pair of classic flats in white with black captoes (for a dressier outfit on a day that requires a lot of walking), and a pair of blue and yellow Nikes (for a casual outing). Ankle-length boots are also great to go with slacks for work or something shorter for play. Not that I'll kick my shoe habit anytime soon, but I do recognize that if I really have to limit myself to as few pairs of shoes as possible, these are the true "needs."
-A good shift dress is a must. My blue DvF wool shift dress goes with everything--blazers and cardigans for work, leather jacket, boots, and a funky scarf for weekends.
-One or two good bags--a chic bag in a medium size, with some structure (either a tote or a satchel), and solid classic color (black, something neutral, blue, or dark red), without bells and whistles, will carry you everywhere. If it has an additional shoulder strap that could be readily put or or removed, then all the better.
-A good coat, a few cardigans, well-fitted blazers, light-weight silk blouses (in solid colors, a few bold prints, and a couple with asymmetric details), and undergarments (of course) round out the true "essentials."
What are your goals for life and style, for this year and beyond? Any particular essentials you can't live without? Discuss.
A lot of people make New Year's resolutions, which is good--it gives some goals to work toward. Not all of them may be fulfilled, but we all need some impetus to get started. Here are a few of my resolutions (in no particular order), which I hope will last beyond just this year:
1) Become more financially savvy--I'd like to think I do pretty well in saving. However, there's always room for improvement, and it's important to do more than just save. Given the uncertain economic times, and unexpected expenses, it's good to have a good financial cushion around. It's not just enough to save put money into a 401(k), which tanked for a lot of people. In addition to the retirement accounts, it's important to build up savings that is readily accessible.
Once a particular savings goal is reached (say, a year's worth of living expenses), the next step is to learn how to make some of that money work a little harder. That's something I really need to learn to work on. A savvy friend of mine recommended Motley Fool as a resource to start with. Now that the markets are starting to recover, it is as good of a time to think or rethink investment strategies.
2) Evaluate and/or revamp habits and customs--it's easy to fall into bad patterns without knowing it, especially when there are competing priorities. It's important to notice what's been going on, what's been going wrong, why it's been going wrong, figure out the root of the problem, and replace the bad patterns with good ones.
In the last couple of months, I've noticed that my eating schedules and habits have gone awry, I've practically stopped exercising, gotten a bit nonchalant about getting things done/getting to places on time (which is really not me), just stopped caring about many things in general (like watering my plants), etc. Most of these problems stem from being tired, and sometimes sick, which eventually lead to laziness and apathy. A very basic way of fixing the problem is simply getting regular and comfortable sleep, which often went by the wayside on my quest to do as much as possible with what little time I have. Sleep is not a waste of time--it's quite essential. Without energy, discipline and willpower will eventually wear away.
3) Exercise--my Wii Fit is completely underutilized. I need to pop in fresh batteries and start getting on that thing again.
4) Learn when to take a break--this has been the hardest lesson for me to learn. I've always known one speed in life, and that's fast and furious. However, life is a marathon, not a sprint to the finish; there will be no victory lap if the tank is out of gas. Since there are no summer or winter breaks in the life after school, it's up to me to learn when to schedule in vacations and use them wisely.
5) Edit my wardrobe--the growth of my closet has finally hit the hilt of rate-determining factors called time and space, which seemed infinite until now. There's no more room to store things, and there is an inversely-proportional amount of time to look through all the stuff I have. This means I need to reduce my inventory of casual things that I don't wear much anymore (I'm not a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl anymore), be more selective about things I acquire, and replace worn-out clothing with quality, professional pieces that will last for a long time. Given my professional development, it seems like my style has changed permanently from "all kinds of crazy" to "subtly grown-up with a few funky elements."
Editing is easier said than done. I've been clinging to the idea that one doesn't have to choose between quality and quantity--which was fine and all until a certain point. I think the space factor pretty much disproves my theory, much to my chagrin. If my days as a law review editor taught me anything, it would be to preserve as much of the author's intent and underlying character of the piece as much as humanly possible, while tossing out excessive words or florid language that distract the reader from the main point. Translated into sartorial applications, it means figuring out what my style really is (which I've done), and getting rid of things that really don't fit the bill.
I've been paying more attention to the frequency with which I wear certain things to determine what the true closet staples are. Those are the ones I'll stick with for years to come and worthy of investment. Here are my observations:
-One can never go wrong with leather (or pleather)--my leather hoodie gets worn the most because it goes with everything. It doens't hurt that the jacket has garnered the most compliments of anything I've worn.
-One must also have a pair of well-fitting black bottoms--they go with everything. My black slacks get worn the most during the week, while my black faux leather leggings are worn practically all the time on the weekends during these colder months (ironic given the fact that I've eschewed leggings for the longest time). My black wool tights allows me to wear practically any sort of dresses, skirts, and shorts these last few months.
-Long- and short-sleeved T-shirts in a couple of colors, patterns, and cuts will do wonders. My fitted gray Gap crewneck t-shirt is perfect with cardigans and blazers for work, and goes with literally everything I wear on the weekends. A slouchier v-neck t-shirt in a lighter color is great for a more casual weekend look. A few graphic t-shirt breaks up the color-block humdrum. That's pretty much all I need.
-Signature accessories--in a professional setting, accessories provide personality to otherwise standard fare. I wear fairly bland colors because it's easy, safe, and classy to do so, but I don't think I ever look boring. In the winter months, scarves are my friends. My black and white Gap scarf with bold stripes, which I got as a gift, is one of my best assets; it keeps me warm and looks great year after year. I have a few vintage scarves for the summer as well. Patterned and/or colored hosiery, ranging from subtle and loud, definitely add a pop to any outfit. Various combinations of jewelry can make varying degrees of impact, whether in the form of a single statement piece, a stack of mix-and-matches, or a few simple pieces together.
-Great shoes--the importance of great shoes can never be understated. People do notice these things, as shallow as it seems. They don't need to be expensive at all (plenty of my shoes come from Payless or Target), but they have to look solid and feel comfortable. It's hard to go wrong with patent leather (real or faux), even for the cheap ones (at least initially; they look great until they get scuffed up). While the stilettos are sexier and more artsy, the real workhorses are the ones with the thicker but not too chunky heels.
On my trip to Hong Kong, I had to pack for occasions ranging from formal to casual, and I narrowed down the essential footwear to 4 pairs: a pair of black Marc by Marc Jacobs mary janes with a shiny star and martini heel (for the formal occasion), an old pair of black knee-high boots with a blocky heel (to go with practically everything), a pair of classic flats in white with black captoes (for a dressier outfit on a day that requires a lot of walking), and a pair of blue and yellow Nikes (for a casual outing). Ankle-length boots are also great to go with slacks for work or something shorter for play. Not that I'll kick my shoe habit anytime soon, but I do recognize that if I really have to limit myself to as few pairs of shoes as possible, these are the true "needs."
-A good shift dress is a must. My blue DvF wool shift dress goes with everything--blazers and cardigans for work, leather jacket, boots, and a funky scarf for weekends.
-One or two good bags--a chic bag in a medium size, with some structure (either a tote or a satchel), and solid classic color (black, something neutral, blue, or dark red), without bells and whistles, will carry you everywhere. If it has an additional shoulder strap that could be readily put or or removed, then all the better.
-A good coat, a few cardigans, well-fitted blazers, light-weight silk blouses (in solid colors, a few bold prints, and a couple with asymmetric details), and undergarments (of course) round out the true "essentials."
What are your goals for life and style, for this year and beyond? Any particular essentials you can't live without? Discuss.
10.18.2009
Double Trouble
"A wide double-buckled stretchy belt that fits" is a fairly specific accessory, perhaps too much so--it has been oh-so elusive. Because my waist is fairly small, it has been all but impossible to find a stretchy belt that doesn't slide down to my hips.
Fortunately, I finally found one at Forever 21. The stretchy portion is constructed of a raffia-like material instead of the obvious elastic. Cheap without looking cheap...now that's what I'm talking about!
I've also wanted a skeleton key necklace for a very long time. I was looking for a single key on a single chain, but the necklace at Forever 21 that I ended up buying had two sitting on attached chains. I may take them apart at some point, but the status quo works for me right now.
[Forever 21 grayish-purple fleece bomber, necklace, sunglasses, and belt; Gap t-shirt dress; Giuseppe Zanotti grommeted sandals.]
Wow...I didn't realize that so many components of my outfit came from Forever 21. I really don't shop there all that much, but when I do, I tend to be pretty picky about the pieces I buy because I want them all to last. The fleece bomber, which I found for $5 a few years ago, has been one of the most versatile pieces in my closet. California weather veers from cool to hot and back again all on the same day; warm layers with short sleeves are the most appropriate pieces for bridging the gap. When I'm sick and the outdoor temperature has a 10-15 degree differential on the indoor conditions (80-something degrees vs. the low 70s), I count on jackets like these to keep me from getting even more sick.
Fortunately, I finally found one at Forever 21. The stretchy portion is constructed of a raffia-like material instead of the obvious elastic. Cheap without looking cheap...now that's what I'm talking about!
I've also wanted a skeleton key necklace for a very long time. I was looking for a single key on a single chain, but the necklace at Forever 21 that I ended up buying had two sitting on attached chains. I may take them apart at some point, but the status quo works for me right now.
[Forever 21 grayish-purple fleece bomber, necklace, sunglasses, and belt; Gap t-shirt dress; Giuseppe Zanotti grommeted sandals.]
Wow...I didn't realize that so many components of my outfit came from Forever 21. I really don't shop there all that much, but when I do, I tend to be pretty picky about the pieces I buy because I want them all to last. The fleece bomber, which I found for $5 a few years ago, has been one of the most versatile pieces in my closet. California weather veers from cool to hot and back again all on the same day; warm layers with short sleeves are the most appropriate pieces for bridging the gap. When I'm sick and the outdoor temperature has a 10-15 degree differential on the indoor conditions (80-something degrees vs. the low 70s), I count on jackets like these to keep me from getting even more sick.
9.13.2009
Car Wash in the City
Getting my car washed is like pulling teeth. I used to be able to hose down the car and give it a good rub-a-dub, but no more. My car now gets its rest in an underground garage, where a garden hose is not readily available. Even if a garden hose is available, I could not use it liberally--with an ongoing drought in California comes water use restrictions and/or higher rates for high water use.
For weeks, my car had been coated with dust and dirt from ordinary use. With the recent fires going on in the surrounding mountains, the buildup got even worse. I was finally forced to confront the problem last weekend, since I was expecting family visiting from out of town in the coming days.
Shame spurred surprisingly good solutions. I went to Target to pick up some car washing supplies. I already had a 16 quart (15L) bucket at home, so that was one less thing on my shopping list. I figured that I'd get a sponge, some detergent, and that would be it. A bottle of Armor All was on sale for $3, so that was a no brainer. As for the sponges, I did not walk out with what I had expected to buy. I thought that a nice big sponge would work, but there was an entire wall of microfiber and chenile towels, mitts, and mops of different shapes and sizes. I ended up spending a little bit more on the sponge--$12 for a Vroom chenile wash mop with a detachable extension pole. The mop had soft, fuzzy tubes of gray fibers sticking out of it.
Just my luck, the elevator in my apartment building decided to take an unscheduled break on the only day I had to wash my car; I had to try to complete the job with as little water as possible. The first trip down 4 flights of stairs did not go smoothly--about a quarter of the bucket sloshed on my clothes on my way down. Good thing enough of the water made it down stairs for the initial rinse. In that regard, the wash mop turned out to be well worth it. Since the sponge absorbed a lot of water, I did not have to constantly dip it back into the bucket or worry that I would not have a big enough stream of water to wash off the dirt. Also, one of my biggest concerns was being able to reach the roof of the car, especially now that I do not have the benefit of a spraying garden hose. The extension pole made that fear a non-issue, and I was thrilled with the way the mop swiveled to the contours of the car. I was starting to get a little too excited about the prospect of being able to wash my car to a sleek shine. Fortunately, there was a drain in the garage, so my enthusiasm wasn't dampened by a trek back upstairs with the initial dirty rinse.
The second bucket of water was the soap rinse. This time, I was a little wiser and filled the bucket with less water, leaving enough room for potential sloshage. It worked. The mop again performed wonders in terms of slathering the car with enough of the soapy solution such that it could actually be deemed "washed." The little fibers also did quite well in reaching the nooks and crannies, including the holes in the hubcap.
The third bucket of water was enough to rinse off all the soap. I used a standard squeegee to dry off the windows, and a soft old t-shirt to dab off whatever water still stuck to the car. The whole process took an hour (probably would have been quicker if the elevator was working), and I was quite proud of the wash job. Having done this once, the next time won't be so intimidating. I think I should go back to Target to pick up some microfiber towels for drying, since I only have so many old soft t-shirts that no longer want to wear, and I should get another mop for my parents so that they'll have an easier time washing their cars.
For weeks, my car had been coated with dust and dirt from ordinary use. With the recent fires going on in the surrounding mountains, the buildup got even worse. I was finally forced to confront the problem last weekend, since I was expecting family visiting from out of town in the coming days.
Shame spurred surprisingly good solutions. I went to Target to pick up some car washing supplies. I already had a 16 quart (15L) bucket at home, so that was one less thing on my shopping list. I figured that I'd get a sponge, some detergent, and that would be it. A bottle of Armor All was on sale for $3, so that was a no brainer. As for the sponges, I did not walk out with what I had expected to buy. I thought that a nice big sponge would work, but there was an entire wall of microfiber and chenile towels, mitts, and mops of different shapes and sizes. I ended up spending a little bit more on the sponge--$12 for a Vroom chenile wash mop with a detachable extension pole. The mop had soft, fuzzy tubes of gray fibers sticking out of it.
Just my luck, the elevator in my apartment building decided to take an unscheduled break on the only day I had to wash my car; I had to try to complete the job with as little water as possible. The first trip down 4 flights of stairs did not go smoothly--about a quarter of the bucket sloshed on my clothes on my way down. Good thing enough of the water made it down stairs for the initial rinse. In that regard, the wash mop turned out to be well worth it. Since the sponge absorbed a lot of water, I did not have to constantly dip it back into the bucket or worry that I would not have a big enough stream of water to wash off the dirt. Also, one of my biggest concerns was being able to reach the roof of the car, especially now that I do not have the benefit of a spraying garden hose. The extension pole made that fear a non-issue, and I was thrilled with the way the mop swiveled to the contours of the car. I was starting to get a little too excited about the prospect of being able to wash my car to a sleek shine. Fortunately, there was a drain in the garage, so my enthusiasm wasn't dampened by a trek back upstairs with the initial dirty rinse.
The second bucket of water was the soap rinse. This time, I was a little wiser and filled the bucket with less water, leaving enough room for potential sloshage. It worked. The mop again performed wonders in terms of slathering the car with enough of the soapy solution such that it could actually be deemed "washed." The little fibers also did quite well in reaching the nooks and crannies, including the holes in the hubcap.
The third bucket of water was enough to rinse off all the soap. I used a standard squeegee to dry off the windows, and a soft old t-shirt to dab off whatever water still stuck to the car. The whole process took an hour (probably would have been quicker if the elevator was working), and I was quite proud of the wash job. Having done this once, the next time won't be so intimidating. I think I should go back to Target to pick up some microfiber towels for drying, since I only have so many old soft t-shirts that no longer want to wear, and I should get another mop for my parents so that they'll have an easier time washing their cars.
8.30.2009
Dressed to the Nines (from Nine to Nine)
It is hard to work to really, really long hours. It is even harder to motivate oneself to dress up for it. However, I do believe that making a little bit of effort to look good does somewhat translate to feeling a little better and adopting a more serious demeanor to face the challenges of the day.
My workwear this past week consisted of a mix of loose, flowing dresses to fitted but stretchy pants, things that are sharp but decidedly comfortable. Most of the outfits could have swung to weekend mode, but a pair of pumps instantly makes them look office-ready. It's amazing what a difference a pair of shoes make.
Monday: I tried to start off the week by setting the right tone--a comfortable silk racerback tank dress with a fitted blazer. After much hemming and hawing as I was about to leave the Barney's Warehouse Sale last week, I'm really glad I stuck with the decision to buy this dress. The pretty bird and sailboat print and the silk fabric make the dress elegant, but racerback style and loose fit leave a decidedly casual mark. It certainly deserves its own Weeday/Weekend feature.
[Development blazer, necklace I received as a gift, Stella McCartney tank dress, Modern Vintage gray suede pumps.]
Tuesday: After wearing dresses for almost a whole week before, I decided to go back to wearing pants. The weather was sweltering, and the wildfires blazing in the surrounding mountains only add to the suffocating nature of the heat. Non-clingy cropped sleeves and cropped pants were in order.
[BCBG seersucker top, Calvin Klein silk anorak, Fashion Q cropped pants (really old, really cheap, and still alive and loved), Abaete for Payless pumps.]
Wednesday: Since I got home too late the night before to pick up my newly shortened pair of pants from the tailor shop, I decided to go get it first thing in the morning and promptly put it on. I took advantage of the Barney's Warehouse Sale to stock up on some high-quality dress pants, and I am happy I was able to find something. These Balenciaga cigarette leg dress pants are seriously the most comfortable pair of dress pants I own, beating out even wide-legged pants (which present tripping hazards). It was previously impossible to find something high-waisted and slim-legged without accentuating the hips too much or making my legs look like stuffed sausages, but these pants did the impossible. Best of all, I look really tall in them! It is definitely an article of clothing that I will reach for repeatedly to counterbalance loose blouses. The trims and other details are pretty awesome. Because these pants are so versatile, a future spotlight feature is warranted later on when I have the time for it.
[Calvin Klein printed blouse (with exposed zipper in the back), Thakoon for Target cardigan (one of my favorites at the moment), Balenciaga pants, Dolce & Gabbana mary janes, ring from Etsy.]
Thursday: In order to start my day efficiently, I headed to the office even before the crack of dawn. Dressing for the day in California has always been difficult, since it can be cold in the early morning, hot by mid-morning/afternoon, and chilly after the sun sets. Too lazy to think, I wound up doing a mashup of 2 outfits that I wore recently involving the same dressy t-shirt. Light and breathable layers of cashmere and wool kept me comfortable all day long.
[Ann Taylor Loft t-shirt with chiffon flowers, F21 cashmere-blend cardigan, Rick Owens wool pants (fooled people into thinking it was made of linen), Givenchy wooden sandals.]
Friday: I love living on the West Coast, but the downside is that I'm 3 hours behind East Coast time, hence another early start to my morning. Too lazy to come up with new outfit ideas, I went with the same chain necklace and faux pearls combo from the past weekend, albeit with a darker shirt this time. I could have just given up and wore jeans, but I decided to make an effort with the clothes and go a little crazy with the shoes instead. My strategy seemed to work--I had an efficient and productive day. The pic is a little different, since I was too lazy to stand in front of the camera when I got home, but I thought it would be a good opportunity to experiment with a photoshoot concept.
[Friday: Target dress shirt, Ben Amun chain necklace, faux pearl necklace made from beads on F21 tank top, Mike & Chris blazer, Vince pants, Pierre Hardy sandals.]
My workwear this past week consisted of a mix of loose, flowing dresses to fitted but stretchy pants, things that are sharp but decidedly comfortable. Most of the outfits could have swung to weekend mode, but a pair of pumps instantly makes them look office-ready. It's amazing what a difference a pair of shoes make.
Monday: I tried to start off the week by setting the right tone--a comfortable silk racerback tank dress with a fitted blazer. After much hemming and hawing as I was about to leave the Barney's Warehouse Sale last week, I'm really glad I stuck with the decision to buy this dress. The pretty bird and sailboat print and the silk fabric make the dress elegant, but racerback style and loose fit leave a decidedly casual mark. It certainly deserves its own Weeday/Weekend feature.
[Development blazer, necklace I received as a gift, Stella McCartney tank dress, Modern Vintage gray suede pumps.]
Tuesday: After wearing dresses for almost a whole week before, I decided to go back to wearing pants. The weather was sweltering, and the wildfires blazing in the surrounding mountains only add to the suffocating nature of the heat. Non-clingy cropped sleeves and cropped pants were in order.
[BCBG seersucker top, Calvin Klein silk anorak, Fashion Q cropped pants (really old, really cheap, and still alive and loved), Abaete for Payless pumps.]
Wednesday: Since I got home too late the night before to pick up my newly shortened pair of pants from the tailor shop, I decided to go get it first thing in the morning and promptly put it on. I took advantage of the Barney's Warehouse Sale to stock up on some high-quality dress pants, and I am happy I was able to find something. These Balenciaga cigarette leg dress pants are seriously the most comfortable pair of dress pants I own, beating out even wide-legged pants (which present tripping hazards). It was previously impossible to find something high-waisted and slim-legged without accentuating the hips too much or making my legs look like stuffed sausages, but these pants did the impossible. Best of all, I look really tall in them! It is definitely an article of clothing that I will reach for repeatedly to counterbalance loose blouses. The trims and other details are pretty awesome. Because these pants are so versatile, a future spotlight feature is warranted later on when I have the time for it.
[Calvin Klein printed blouse (with exposed zipper in the back), Thakoon for Target cardigan (one of my favorites at the moment), Balenciaga pants, Dolce & Gabbana mary janes, ring from Etsy.]
Thursday: In order to start my day efficiently, I headed to the office even before the crack of dawn. Dressing for the day in California has always been difficult, since it can be cold in the early morning, hot by mid-morning/afternoon, and chilly after the sun sets. Too lazy to think, I wound up doing a mashup of 2 outfits that I wore recently involving the same dressy t-shirt. Light and breathable layers of cashmere and wool kept me comfortable all day long.
[Ann Taylor Loft t-shirt with chiffon flowers, F21 cashmere-blend cardigan, Rick Owens wool pants (fooled people into thinking it was made of linen), Givenchy wooden sandals.]
Friday: I love living on the West Coast, but the downside is that I'm 3 hours behind East Coast time, hence another early start to my morning. Too lazy to come up with new outfit ideas, I went with the same chain necklace and faux pearls combo from the past weekend, albeit with a darker shirt this time. I could have just given up and wore jeans, but I decided to make an effort with the clothes and go a little crazy with the shoes instead. My strategy seemed to work--I had an efficient and productive day. The pic is a little different, since I was too lazy to stand in front of the camera when I got home, but I thought it would be a good opportunity to experiment with a photoshoot concept.
[Friday: Target dress shirt, Ben Amun chain necklace, faux pearl necklace made from beads on F21 tank top, Mike & Chris blazer, Vince pants, Pierre Hardy sandals.]
8.23.2009
Rocking After Midnight
Last night/this early morning was boisterously fun, a kind of fun that I haven't had in a long time. My friends and I hopped from one party to another, but it's not the kind of party-hopping that would have happened in the earlier years. We're all grown up now, have complex and demanding jobs, and some starting families, so it's a lot different these days. Still, we put away our Blackberries (well, or at least I tried) for a few hours to enjoy good food, good company, and being loud and rowdy without repercussions (in the karaoke booth, that is).
It was hard to dress for two different events--one was a dinner/baby shower for a couple of friends at a family-friendly restaurant, the other was a birthday party at a karaoke club. Something more casual would have worked for the first event, but as one of my friends said, it was better to be overdressed than underdressed, particularly for the second event.
A blue knee-length skirt is unquestionably suitable for the family-friendly fest; a blue knee-length skirt made of leather is completely appropriate for late-night partying. Sandals covering the front of the foot with lots of leather and grommets are just perfect for any occasion. It took a while to find "the" jacket to complete the outfit, but black denim is just right--a little casual, a little tough. Bright silver jewelry polishes up the look.
My throat is still sore from belting out a little Patsy Cline here, a little Nirvana there. I don't have as much energy to stay out late these days, but last night was the first time in a while when midnight felt like 8 p.m.
[Max Edition mesh camisole (gift), Argento Vivo silver twist necklace, Joie denim moto jacket (from the Joie warehouse sale a good few years ago for a few bucks), thrifted leather skirt, Forever 21 dome ring (which I've been wearing rather frequently), Giuseppe Zanotti sandals (from the Barney's Warehouse Sale yesterday).]
It was hard to dress for two different events--one was a dinner/baby shower for a couple of friends at a family-friendly restaurant, the other was a birthday party at a karaoke club. Something more casual would have worked for the first event, but as one of my friends said, it was better to be overdressed than underdressed, particularly for the second event.
A blue knee-length skirt is unquestionably suitable for the family-friendly fest; a blue knee-length skirt made of leather is completely appropriate for late-night partying. Sandals covering the front of the foot with lots of leather and grommets are just perfect for any occasion. It took a while to find "the" jacket to complete the outfit, but black denim is just right--a little casual, a little tough. Bright silver jewelry polishes up the look.
My throat is still sore from belting out a little Patsy Cline here, a little Nirvana there. I don't have as much energy to stay out late these days, but last night was the first time in a while when midnight felt like 8 p.m.
[Max Edition mesh camisole (gift), Argento Vivo silver twist necklace, Joie denim moto jacket (from the Joie warehouse sale a good few years ago for a few bucks), thrifted leather skirt, Forever 21 dome ring (which I've been wearing rather frequently), Giuseppe Zanotti sandals (from the Barney's Warehouse Sale yesterday).]
8.22.2009
The Barney's Warehouse Sale (the second time around)
The Barney's Warehouse Sale has moved from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica out to the LA Convention Center. A lot of people don't like the move, with the parking situation being the main complaint. To be sure, the parking is no longer free, since parking rates anywhere in Downtown LA do not come cheap...unless you know the area well and can find a spot gratis on a safe side street. However, it is closer to me now, and it is also more accessible by public transportation if one is going to browse and do not expect to walk off with a lot of merchandise. Another thing I like is the big changing area with mirrors, which definitely helps.
Shopping is fun, and great deals certainly can be had at the warehouse sale. But if one is not careful, buyer's remorse may ensue and a lot of money would go down the drain needlessly. To be a savvy shopper at these sales, one needs to go in with a plan and lots of discipline. The basic question is, "what do I want out of the sale?" If one goes in with the mindset of a casual shopper, picking up whatever piques the interest, that's perfectly OK as long as there's a sound budgetary limit. It still helps to get an idea of what is needed and what is wanted. Some people are glad to have the opportunity to get designer fashion at a more accessible price. There are plenty of labels out there at much lower prices than they would otherwise be, but much of it are not things that would wind up with a low cost-per-wear ratio. That leads to the second consideration, which is the value one is likely to get out of the purchase. That definitely helps with the narrowing process in terms of deciding ultimately what to take home. Since the warehouse sale is a final sale, there is no going back to the store to return or exchange.
Personally, I view a sale like this as an opportunity to invest in some high-quality, wearable statement pieces. I went to this year's sale with some idea of what I wanted to get (more work pants, and some cool shoes), though not a completely concrete idea because I didn't know what would actually be there. Even though it was a sale, it was still a Barney's sale, and thus the price was still going to be a bit on the steep side. If I was going to spend more money, I obviously want something that would be of good quality, comfortable, would not go out of style, but would also have some uniqueness to it. The last 2 criteria seemingly clash, but they do not have to. It is fairly common for me to wear some unusual pieces, but they are not so "out there" such that I would not be able to wear them regularly. If I want to buy something crazy, I'd opt for a regular cut but a crazy print/color, or an ordinary color but unusual drapery/details. Luckily, I had some experiences from the last sale to serve as a guide.
The only other time I've gone to this sale was last year (along with a follow-up visit), when I snagged a couple of pairs of Stella McCartney work pants and a couple of pairs of jeans. The work pants were a really big deal for me back then since they were especially splurgy for my fresh-out-of-school income level, but after wearing them so many times and getting compliments on them, I know that they look good and are of a good quality. Thus, I can safely conclude that I got a very good deal on them.
Having gone to one of these sales before, I returned with a better strategy. Some people go when the sale first started, since they want the best selection. I went the first week not so much to buy, but to browse and see if the sale had the pieces I want. If the answer is no, the buck stops there. If the answer is yes, but the prices are still too high (which turned out to be the case), I would return for a second visit during the final days of the sale, when I know that bigger markdowns would be applied.
I ended up going back there yesterday, since I had already scoped out a few pieces that I wanted. The shoes were what I was primarily after, and they were now 50% off the warehouse sale price. A few pairs of Pierre Hardy shoes, a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti grommet sandals, and a pair of Lanvin ankle boots with a mirrored heel particularly appealed to my inner rocker-chick--my job precludes me from having colorful streaks in my hair, but by gosh, I am going to wear shoes with attitude. I went through the rows, grabbed what I was after (and then a few more that caught my eye along the way), sat down, and tried them on. The process of trying on the single shoe for comfort and fit eliminated a lot of the candidates. It seems like Lanvin shoes in general are just not made for my feet; the boots hurt my pinkie toe as I walked a bit on the concrete floor. When I got the mates for the remaining shoes, the list got whittled down even further. One pair of sky-high Pierre Hardy sandals and the Zanotti grommet sandals were the last ones standing.
After getting the shoes, I walked off to go peruse the clothes. I did not get a chance to really go through the ready-to-wear section on the first go-around, so I spent more time there yesterday. I must say that I was rather disappointed--the discount was only 25% off, and much of the merchandise looked like they really belonged in the as-is section because the seams were ripped and buttons and other attachments were torn off. Ironically, the "designer" section had a 60% discount and much better deals. A Stella McCartney silk tank dress in my size was still there for under $100 (which was surprising, since the small sizes for something cute like that would usually be gone by now). It looked really sharp with the blazer I had worn earlier in the day for work, and I an definitely going to wear that ensemble to the office one of these days.
The items I initially wanted in the Balenciaga section ended up not looking quite as good on me as they did on the hanger, and as for the ones that did, they are still not good enough of a value upon further consideration. However, I did find the most comfortable pair of skinny-leg dress pants--the fit was just impeccable, and it really feels like a soft second skin without The Sausage Effect. The pant legs are a little long, but even after factoring in the price of tailoring, the price was well worth it. Admittedly, I did spend quite a bit of money at one sitting, but when all was said and done, I was within budget, everything I got was at least 80% off, and I am confident that they will be all worn for years to come (especially the pants).
Pics of the goods will come in due time, but I thought I'd post my experiences on the sale first in case anyone is thinking about going and wanted to know what to expect. The sale ends tomorrow.
Shopping is fun, and great deals certainly can be had at the warehouse sale. But if one is not careful, buyer's remorse may ensue and a lot of money would go down the drain needlessly. To be a savvy shopper at these sales, one needs to go in with a plan and lots of discipline. The basic question is, "what do I want out of the sale?" If one goes in with the mindset of a casual shopper, picking up whatever piques the interest, that's perfectly OK as long as there's a sound budgetary limit. It still helps to get an idea of what is needed and what is wanted. Some people are glad to have the opportunity to get designer fashion at a more accessible price. There are plenty of labels out there at much lower prices than they would otherwise be, but much of it are not things that would wind up with a low cost-per-wear ratio. That leads to the second consideration, which is the value one is likely to get out of the purchase. That definitely helps with the narrowing process in terms of deciding ultimately what to take home. Since the warehouse sale is a final sale, there is no going back to the store to return or exchange.
Personally, I view a sale like this as an opportunity to invest in some high-quality, wearable statement pieces. I went to this year's sale with some idea of what I wanted to get (more work pants, and some cool shoes), though not a completely concrete idea because I didn't know what would actually be there. Even though it was a sale, it was still a Barney's sale, and thus the price was still going to be a bit on the steep side. If I was going to spend more money, I obviously want something that would be of good quality, comfortable, would not go out of style, but would also have some uniqueness to it. The last 2 criteria seemingly clash, but they do not have to. It is fairly common for me to wear some unusual pieces, but they are not so "out there" such that I would not be able to wear them regularly. If I want to buy something crazy, I'd opt for a regular cut but a crazy print/color, or an ordinary color but unusual drapery/details. Luckily, I had some experiences from the last sale to serve as a guide.
The only other time I've gone to this sale was last year (along with a follow-up visit), when I snagged a couple of pairs of Stella McCartney work pants and a couple of pairs of jeans. The work pants were a really big deal for me back then since they were especially splurgy for my fresh-out-of-school income level, but after wearing them so many times and getting compliments on them, I know that they look good and are of a good quality. Thus, I can safely conclude that I got a very good deal on them.
Having gone to one of these sales before, I returned with a better strategy. Some people go when the sale first started, since they want the best selection. I went the first week not so much to buy, but to browse and see if the sale had the pieces I want. If the answer is no, the buck stops there. If the answer is yes, but the prices are still too high (which turned out to be the case), I would return for a second visit during the final days of the sale, when I know that bigger markdowns would be applied.
I ended up going back there yesterday, since I had already scoped out a few pieces that I wanted. The shoes were what I was primarily after, and they were now 50% off the warehouse sale price. A few pairs of Pierre Hardy shoes, a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti grommet sandals, and a pair of Lanvin ankle boots with a mirrored heel particularly appealed to my inner rocker-chick--my job precludes me from having colorful streaks in my hair, but by gosh, I am going to wear shoes with attitude. I went through the rows, grabbed what I was after (and then a few more that caught my eye along the way), sat down, and tried them on. The process of trying on the single shoe for comfort and fit eliminated a lot of the candidates. It seems like Lanvin shoes in general are just not made for my feet; the boots hurt my pinkie toe as I walked a bit on the concrete floor. When I got the mates for the remaining shoes, the list got whittled down even further. One pair of sky-high Pierre Hardy sandals and the Zanotti grommet sandals were the last ones standing.
After getting the shoes, I walked off to go peruse the clothes. I did not get a chance to really go through the ready-to-wear section on the first go-around, so I spent more time there yesterday. I must say that I was rather disappointed--the discount was only 25% off, and much of the merchandise looked like they really belonged in the as-is section because the seams were ripped and buttons and other attachments were torn off. Ironically, the "designer" section had a 60% discount and much better deals. A Stella McCartney silk tank dress in my size was still there for under $100 (which was surprising, since the small sizes for something cute like that would usually be gone by now). It looked really sharp with the blazer I had worn earlier in the day for work, and I an definitely going to wear that ensemble to the office one of these days.
The items I initially wanted in the Balenciaga section ended up not looking quite as good on me as they did on the hanger, and as for the ones that did, they are still not good enough of a value upon further consideration. However, I did find the most comfortable pair of skinny-leg dress pants--the fit was just impeccable, and it really feels like a soft second skin without The Sausage Effect. The pant legs are a little long, but even after factoring in the price of tailoring, the price was well worth it. Admittedly, I did spend quite a bit of money at one sitting, but when all was said and done, I was within budget, everything I got was at least 80% off, and I am confident that they will be all worn for years to come (especially the pants).
Pics of the goods will come in due time, but I thought I'd post my experiences on the sale first in case anyone is thinking about going and wanted to know what to expect. The sale ends tomorrow.
8.16.2009
Form, Function, and Fabric
It's hard to believe that we're already halfway through August; it seems like Summer had just begun. The daytime is still very hot, but the air rapidly cools down once the sun starts to set, enough for me to want to put on another layer. The question, of course, is which layer to choose. Knits and hoodies are too warm, and the very sheer pieces are a bit too light. What is just right?
I've never been a fan of windbreakers or anoraks--I do certainly appreciate the functional aspect (the light fabrics are just right for this kind of weather), but windbreakers or anoraks are often ill-fitting on my wispy frame, and as much as I like the sporty look, they are just too obviously athletic for my tastes. Luckily, I recently found something on the 70% off rack at the local Calvin Klein store that is as functional as it is pretty. The sporty form done up in a luxe silk fabric and tailored fit captured my attenion quickly. The color is pleasing to the eye, and the bright exposed zipper is a detail that I am a fan of.
The contrast of the form and fabric creates a middle ground between the casual and formal, just the way I like it. I've worn the jacket with shorts, I've worn it with jeans, I've worn it with slacks for work, and I've also worn it with leggings and high heels on the weekend. There are more ways to wear it, I'm sure...
[Casual Friday: Calvin Klein silk anorak, F21 t-shirt underneath, Paper Denim & Cloth jeans, Nike sneakers. Saturday Night dinner with friends: Calvin Klein silk anorak, Gap knit tank top, F21 leggings, Marc by Marc Jacobs bag and shoes, Tarina Tarantino bracelet.]
I've never been a fan of windbreakers or anoraks--I do certainly appreciate the functional aspect (the light fabrics are just right for this kind of weather), but windbreakers or anoraks are often ill-fitting on my wispy frame, and as much as I like the sporty look, they are just too obviously athletic for my tastes. Luckily, I recently found something on the 70% off rack at the local Calvin Klein store that is as functional as it is pretty. The sporty form done up in a luxe silk fabric and tailored fit captured my attenion quickly. The color is pleasing to the eye, and the bright exposed zipper is a detail that I am a fan of.
The contrast of the form and fabric creates a middle ground between the casual and formal, just the way I like it. I've worn the jacket with shorts, I've worn it with jeans, I've worn it with slacks for work, and I've also worn it with leggings and high heels on the weekend. There are more ways to wear it, I'm sure...
[Casual Friday: Calvin Klein silk anorak, F21 t-shirt underneath, Paper Denim & Cloth jeans, Nike sneakers. Saturday Night dinner with friends: Calvin Klein silk anorak, Gap knit tank top, F21 leggings, Marc by Marc Jacobs bag and shoes, Tarina Tarantino bracelet.]
8.02.2009
Wool Over My Eyes
I spent much of the last week in hot weather, both at home and on the road. I had an unexpectedly long stay in Arizona, where it was 115 degrees every day. Looking professional and staying cool was something of a wardrobe challenge, especially when I expected only to be there one day and ended up staying for three.
By now, I've gotten pretty good at packing very few clothing items that could be mixed and matched should an extended stay become necessary. Too bad I didn't have any time to take any pictures of my actual outfits, but I think I can cobble together a description.
My go-to pieces are things that will not wrinkle despite much jostling around. The pretty and light blouse that I actually paid full price for from Target (about $20) is definitely worth the money spent--I wear it all the time, and it never wrinkles no matter the abuse (and I mean never). I wore this blouse on Day 1. You can see enough of the blouse from this older outfit of mine:
[Target blouse, Mike & Chris blazer, black pants from Ross, Bloch London ballet flats]
I also packed a pair black pants, which was worn on the first and last days. Yes, the weather is really hot, but you really can't go wrong with a pair of black pants because no one can tell you've worn the same pair of pants for a few days in a row. If you know that you will be in air-conditioned spaces for most of the time, it really won't be too bad.
My PJs double as an emergency change of daytime clothes. The top I brought to sleep in is comfortable, and definitely not a pajama top--it is an H&M cotton top with a ruffly collar and floral print. I wounded up wearing that top on the last day I was there.
The clothes that I wore to the airport the night before work started also serves as a backup outfit. I wore an Old Navy sleeveless tie-neck, tuxedo-front shirt, Marc Jacobs low-heeled "mouse" slingbacks (which I wore everyday), and my new Rick Owens cropped wool pants (which I got from The Outnet for 80% off). I ended up not wearing the Old Navy shirt again because it got too wrinkled (and I had no time to iron), but I did end up wearing the wool pants again on Day 2. Yes, you've heard right--wool pants in 115-degree heat.
It is actually not as loony as it sounds. I have a couple of pairs of lightweight wool dress pants that are very light and do not feel like wool at all; in fact, I get to wear them year-round because they stay cool in the summer but keep me warm in the colder weather. This new pair of pants was something I got as an alternative to linen pants--I wanted the lightness and the rough texture of linen without the propensity to wrinkle the minute it is worn. I also wanted something that was clearly office-appropriate but relaxed enough for the weekends. I test-drove the pants in a casual weekend outfit before the work trip. I felt like wearing earth tones that day and blended into the urban landscape:
[Forever 21 tank, my own Rock Paper Scissors necklace, Liz Claiborne bag, Rick Owens pants, Maison Martin Margiela shoes]
The "summer-weight" wool is just perfect. It was a hot day, but the fabric felt very breathable. The wide pant legs also make the pants very comfortable. When I wore the pants in 115 degree heat, I didn't feel remotely like I was going to fry. Who would have thunk that wool would be good for summer?
Since my Old Navy shirt was too wrinkled and my H&M shirt did not look right with the wool pants, I had to buy something for my Day 2 outfit, something that I can get a lot of mileage out of. Although I could have just gotten something really cheap from places like Charlotte Russe, I opted for an embellished tee in "Montana Grape", which I bought from Ann Taylor Loft. I love that a) it's essentially a t-shirt, so it was comfortable, b) it is machine-washable/easy to take care of, and c) the petals are just downright pretty and looks professional. It also does not wrinkle easily, which makes it an ideal candidate for travel.
By now, I've gotten pretty good at packing very few clothing items that could be mixed and matched should an extended stay become necessary. Too bad I didn't have any time to take any pictures of my actual outfits, but I think I can cobble together a description.
My go-to pieces are things that will not wrinkle despite much jostling around. The pretty and light blouse that I actually paid full price for from Target (about $20) is definitely worth the money spent--I wear it all the time, and it never wrinkles no matter the abuse (and I mean never). I wore this blouse on Day 1. You can see enough of the blouse from this older outfit of mine:
[Target blouse, Mike & Chris blazer, black pants from Ross, Bloch London ballet flats]
I also packed a pair black pants, which was worn on the first and last days. Yes, the weather is really hot, but you really can't go wrong with a pair of black pants because no one can tell you've worn the same pair of pants for a few days in a row. If you know that you will be in air-conditioned spaces for most of the time, it really won't be too bad.
My PJs double as an emergency change of daytime clothes. The top I brought to sleep in is comfortable, and definitely not a pajama top--it is an H&M cotton top with a ruffly collar and floral print. I wounded up wearing that top on the last day I was there.
The clothes that I wore to the airport the night before work started also serves as a backup outfit. I wore an Old Navy sleeveless tie-neck, tuxedo-front shirt, Marc Jacobs low-heeled "mouse" slingbacks (which I wore everyday), and my new Rick Owens cropped wool pants (which I got from The Outnet for 80% off). I ended up not wearing the Old Navy shirt again because it got too wrinkled (and I had no time to iron), but I did end up wearing the wool pants again on Day 2. Yes, you've heard right--wool pants in 115-degree heat.
It is actually not as loony as it sounds. I have a couple of pairs of lightweight wool dress pants that are very light and do not feel like wool at all; in fact, I get to wear them year-round because they stay cool in the summer but keep me warm in the colder weather. This new pair of pants was something I got as an alternative to linen pants--I wanted the lightness and the rough texture of linen without the propensity to wrinkle the minute it is worn. I also wanted something that was clearly office-appropriate but relaxed enough for the weekends. I test-drove the pants in a casual weekend outfit before the work trip. I felt like wearing earth tones that day and blended into the urban landscape:
[Forever 21 tank, my own Rock Paper Scissors necklace, Liz Claiborne bag, Rick Owens pants, Maison Martin Margiela shoes]
The "summer-weight" wool is just perfect. It was a hot day, but the fabric felt very breathable. The wide pant legs also make the pants very comfortable. When I wore the pants in 115 degree heat, I didn't feel remotely like I was going to fry. Who would have thunk that wool would be good for summer?
Since my Old Navy shirt was too wrinkled and my H&M shirt did not look right with the wool pants, I had to buy something for my Day 2 outfit, something that I can get a lot of mileage out of. Although I could have just gotten something really cheap from places like Charlotte Russe, I opted for an embellished tee in "Montana Grape", which I bought from Ann Taylor Loft. I love that a) it's essentially a t-shirt, so it was comfortable, b) it is machine-washable/easy to take care of, and c) the petals are just downright pretty and looks professional. It also does not wrinkle easily, which makes it an ideal candidate for travel.
7.19.2009
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
If I look at things logically, I ought to have outgrown glitter and stars. However, sometimes I just can't help it.
I've been ooohing and awwwing over a pair of shoes with a martini heel and a pave-laden star on it, but the price was just prohibitive for a pair of shoes that better suits someone younger than I. After months of waiting, the price at DSW finally dropped to about 80% off retail, and surprisingly, there were many pairs left, including a pair in my size. Part of me thought that it is rather foolish to buy something that is arguably too cute for a grown woman. The other part of me thinks that I am still young enough to make them work, so why not have fun with them while I still can? The latter school of thought won out--carpe diem, right?
There's no doubt that they look cute, but to my surprise, these shoes can actually look quite glamorous, whether I'm wearing a vintage dress or a Casual-Friday-then-straight-for-the-weekend outfit. I think that they would be fairly discrete when partially concealed with a pair of long slacks as well. It's hard to go wrong with a black patent leather base, no matter what the embellishments are.
[Vintage look: hair flower from Arden B from ages ago, vintage dress thrifted from Goodwill, Liz Claiborne reversible belt, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes.]
[Casual Friday: tweed jacket from Express (clearance + gift card = a clear winner), t-shirt from a dance club, Goldsign "Envy" jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes. Rings--rock crystal ring made by me, the other two are from Etsy.]
I've been ooohing and awwwing over a pair of shoes with a martini heel and a pave-laden star on it, but the price was just prohibitive for a pair of shoes that better suits someone younger than I. After months of waiting, the price at DSW finally dropped to about 80% off retail, and surprisingly, there were many pairs left, including a pair in my size. Part of me thought that it is rather foolish to buy something that is arguably too cute for a grown woman. The other part of me thinks that I am still young enough to make them work, so why not have fun with them while I still can? The latter school of thought won out--carpe diem, right?
There's no doubt that they look cute, but to my surprise, these shoes can actually look quite glamorous, whether I'm wearing a vintage dress or a Casual-Friday-then-straight-for-the-weekend outfit. I think that they would be fairly discrete when partially concealed with a pair of long slacks as well. It's hard to go wrong with a black patent leather base, no matter what the embellishments are.
[Vintage look: hair flower from Arden B from ages ago, vintage dress thrifted from Goodwill, Liz Claiborne reversible belt, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes.]
[Casual Friday: tweed jacket from Express (clearance + gift card = a clear winner), t-shirt from a dance club, Goldsign "Envy" jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes. Rings--rock crystal ring made by me, the other two are from Etsy.]
7.04.2009
Black Moth Super Rainbow
The beauty of a good public radio station is that the programming is intellectual, eclectic, and fun at the same time. I get my morning news on my drive to work. What comes on my car radio on the second half of the day depends on when I drive home. If I leave the office during Rush Hour, I get another dose of news along with the intriguing type of human interest stories that you can only get through print media. If I head out later at night, the music is perfect for cruising.
One night, a song grabbed my attention such that I had to go home, go online, and check the set list to see what it was. It was "Counting Backwards to Black" by Black Moth Super Rainbow. The song has been getting quite a bit of airplay on my iPod these days. It is hard to picture what a "Black Moth Super Rainbow" is, but I think the phrase best describes what I wore today.
[Converse One Star for Target jacket, black dress that I picked up for $15 from a parking lot sale, Argento Vivo necklace (clearance item from Loehmann's. I love it--simple but eye-catching), Givenchy Gillie jelly sandals.]
After waiting a couple of months for the price to come down, I finally picked up the Givenchy lace-up sandals from the local DSW. As cute as they are, I refused to pay a 3-digit sum for a pair of jelly sandals. I'll admit that even on sale, I probably paid more than I should for a pair of plastic shoes, but I love the form and the surprisingly pleasant level of comfort. I have never been a big fan of jelly shoes, but these do not look like jelly shoes at all. The matte surface is beautiful, the molded plastic does not have any seams on the sides, and the cut-outs look like gorgeous wings. For some reason, the lace-up front really got me--it adds a certain level of sophistication to an otherwise casual genre of footwear. I believe that they will be very versatile for travelling, since they can take the abuse of being stuffed in luggage and will work well with all different types of outfits. It also helps that they can be washed and cleaned easily. Given all the positives, I'm sure that I'll wear these sandals quite a bit.
One night, a song grabbed my attention such that I had to go home, go online, and check the set list to see what it was. It was "Counting Backwards to Black" by Black Moth Super Rainbow. The song has been getting quite a bit of airplay on my iPod these days. It is hard to picture what a "Black Moth Super Rainbow" is, but I think the phrase best describes what I wore today.
[Converse One Star for Target jacket, black dress that I picked up for $15 from a parking lot sale, Argento Vivo necklace (clearance item from Loehmann's. I love it--simple but eye-catching), Givenchy Gillie jelly sandals.]
After waiting a couple of months for the price to come down, I finally picked up the Givenchy lace-up sandals from the local DSW. As cute as they are, I refused to pay a 3-digit sum for a pair of jelly sandals. I'll admit that even on sale, I probably paid more than I should for a pair of plastic shoes, but I love the form and the surprisingly pleasant level of comfort. I have never been a big fan of jelly shoes, but these do not look like jelly shoes at all. The matte surface is beautiful, the molded plastic does not have any seams on the sides, and the cut-outs look like gorgeous wings. For some reason, the lace-up front really got me--it adds a certain level of sophistication to an otherwise casual genre of footwear. I believe that they will be very versatile for travelling, since they can take the abuse of being stuffed in luggage and will work well with all different types of outfits. It also helps that they can be washed and cleaned easily. Given all the positives, I'm sure that I'll wear these sandals quite a bit.
7.03.2009
Help Wanted
I hope everyone will have an enjoyable and safe 4th of July weekend! My office is closed today, so I'm trying to take some time off relaxing before fitting in some work in between the festivities throughout the weekend. I haven't fleshed out my weekend plans yet, but just getting caught up with sleep would be fine by me.
I'll be travelling overseas for a wedding in November. It'll be my first real (i.e. lasting longer than a couple of days) vacation in about 5-6 years, and it'll be the first time I'll see some family members in roughly 20 years. I'm definitely excited about that, but the planning has to start now. Since I expect to be very busy for work in the next couple of months, I'm going to have to do a lot of planning, etc. and spread out the vacation-prep labor over time.
One of my biggest concerns is getting souvenirs, gifts, etc. to my many family members. Obviously, I'll need to get a wedding gift for the bride and groom, and then gifts for aunts, uncles, and cousins. What kind of quintessentially All-American, practical, and compact gifts do you recommend for $20 or under?
I'll be travelling overseas for a wedding in November. It'll be my first real (i.e. lasting longer than a couple of days) vacation in about 5-6 years, and it'll be the first time I'll see some family members in roughly 20 years. I'm definitely excited about that, but the planning has to start now. Since I expect to be very busy for work in the next couple of months, I'm going to have to do a lot of planning, etc. and spread out the vacation-prep labor over time.
One of my biggest concerns is getting souvenirs, gifts, etc. to my many family members. Obviously, I'll need to get a wedding gift for the bride and groom, and then gifts for aunts, uncles, and cousins. What kind of quintessentially All-American, practical, and compact gifts do you recommend for $20 or under?
6.21.2009
Camera Obscura
Yesterday was a day of fairly big decisions. I came to accept that my planned trip in the Fall to the East Coast is probably not going to happen--I wanted to go there when it's not too hot, and not too cold. Since my schedule is too hectic to fit it in, I think it is better to wait until the Spring, when I can actually enjoy my time there.
Then came another decision to ponder about. My brother called me yesterday and asked what I planned on getting myself for my birthday. I hadn't really planned to splurging on anything--after all, I am fortunate enough these days to get what I want (within reason) when I want it, so there isn't something particular that I have been holding out on. I don't really need fashion items, even though there are certain cool things that have caught my my eye. If I were to get something, it will probably be a camera upgrade. I love the camera I have now, but to do the things I want to do in terms of photography, I will need something better eventually. The price of an entry-level SLR these days is actually not too bad.
The camera is not really a birthday present per se; I'll have a couple of months to think about it. I'm saying that I have a couple of months because I may end up taking a trip overseas with my Mom in November for a wedding. I still have much planning to do and many things to clear (with work, for one) before the trip can be a reality, but it gives me something to look forward to. It would certainly be a great opportunity to play with my new toy.
Any camera recommendations? (To those I know personally off-line (you know who you are), I'll be bugging you about this, that's for sure.)
Then came another decision to ponder about. My brother called me yesterday and asked what I planned on getting myself for my birthday. I hadn't really planned to splurging on anything--after all, I am fortunate enough these days to get what I want (within reason) when I want it, so there isn't something particular that I have been holding out on. I don't really need fashion items, even though there are certain cool things that have caught my my eye. If I were to get something, it will probably be a camera upgrade. I love the camera I have now, but to do the things I want to do in terms of photography, I will need something better eventually. The price of an entry-level SLR these days is actually not too bad.
The camera is not really a birthday present per se; I'll have a couple of months to think about it. I'm saying that I have a couple of months because I may end up taking a trip overseas with my Mom in November for a wedding. I still have much planning to do and many things to clear (with work, for one) before the trip can be a reality, but it gives me something to look forward to. It would certainly be a great opportunity to play with my new toy.
Any camera recommendations? (To those I know personally off-line (you know who you are), I'll be bugging you about this, that's for sure.)
6.20.2009
Weekday Warrior
My work trip to the middle of nowhere ended up getting scrubbed at the last minute. While I miss the chance to visit places like that, where I would have never gone on my own initiative, I definitely do not miss the 100-degree heat, because it would have kept me from wearing a new dress that I have come to love.
For months, I've heard about a collaboration between GAP and various designers to produce a line of sartorial goodness made aptly of khaki. Ever since I saw pictures of a short-sleeved Vena Cava dress, I was hooked. Lately, I have been wearing a lot of dresses for work because it is easy--I did not have to spend time thinking about what top to match with which bottom. A khaki dress with a lovely tribal-inspired print would be a great addition to my work wardrobe. It is not too short (hits just above the knee); I couldn't go wrong with a conservative khaki color and sleeves; it is easy to throw it into the washer, and the print is just really cool. A dress like this would not need much, if any, accessorizing.
Never (and I mean NEVER) have I ever ran to the store on the first day a collection drops until now. The store near my work had already sold out of my size, and not much else was left. I ended up buying one 2 sizes bigger, which fitted well enough (it was comfortably loose), but if I could find a smaller size with a better fit, I would exchange it. I still can't believe I actually went through the trouble of going to a second Gap that was close to home, but I didn't think that the dresses would remain available for long. There were still dresses in my size. However, my excitement soon dampened as I tried them on. The dresses definitely ran small--while my regular sizing fit to a tee as I was standing, the dress did not pass the sit test. The skirt portion was simply too tight. The fit was great when I went a size up, but there was small stain on it. As I looked for another dress of the same size and in pristine condition, I noticed that there was a bigger problem. Several of the dresses I saw had holes at a particular seam at the armpit. I was beginning to wonder if it was a design defect. While the dress passed my "hug test" (wrapping my arms across my body), the holes were disconcerting, especially because the fabric is stiff and would not have any give in the event of a strong tug. Also, because the fabric was stiff, I was afraid that it would be prone to wrinkling.
I broke another of my own rules: I bought it anyway (a dress without holes, that is). Normally I would not buy anything that I was unsure about, but I really, really liked this dress. Also, sometimes it is hard to gauge how well something fits and feels in the long run during the few minutes in the dressing room; there have been a few occasions where I returned things that did not work quite as well when I put it on again at home, such as shoes. I figured that I would give it a few hours of more extensive testing when I get home, and I am glad I did. After wearing it to do everything I would do in a normal day (walk, sit, reaching over to grab stuff, etc.), all my misgivings melted away. The dress did not get as wrinkled as I feared. My normal range of motion would not have subjected the armpit seams to undue stress. The fabric was comfortable. The dress still looked great after prolonged wear. I don't have the results of the laundry test yet, but everything else gets a "pass" from me.
After wearing it for dinner one night and for work the next day, I know that this dress will be a fine weekday staple. It works with boots, it works with heels, it works with flats, sandals, tights, and bare legs. It's just easy to work with, and given the hassles of dealing with complexities in life, easy is much appreciated.
[Dinner: thrifted coat, Vena Cava for Gap dress, Gap purse, Marc by Marc Jacobs Latin phrase bracelet, Capezio boots. Work: Forever 21 sweater, Vena Cava for Gap dress, Christian Lacroix flats.]
For months, I've heard about a collaboration between GAP and various designers to produce a line of sartorial goodness made aptly of khaki. Ever since I saw pictures of a short-sleeved Vena Cava dress, I was hooked. Lately, I have been wearing a lot of dresses for work because it is easy--I did not have to spend time thinking about what top to match with which bottom. A khaki dress with a lovely tribal-inspired print would be a great addition to my work wardrobe. It is not too short (hits just above the knee); I couldn't go wrong with a conservative khaki color and sleeves; it is easy to throw it into the washer, and the print is just really cool. A dress like this would not need much, if any, accessorizing.
Never (and I mean NEVER) have I ever ran to the store on the first day a collection drops until now. The store near my work had already sold out of my size, and not much else was left. I ended up buying one 2 sizes bigger, which fitted well enough (it was comfortably loose), but if I could find a smaller size with a better fit, I would exchange it. I still can't believe I actually went through the trouble of going to a second Gap that was close to home, but I didn't think that the dresses would remain available for long. There were still dresses in my size. However, my excitement soon dampened as I tried them on. The dresses definitely ran small--while my regular sizing fit to a tee as I was standing, the dress did not pass the sit test. The skirt portion was simply too tight. The fit was great when I went a size up, but there was small stain on it. As I looked for another dress of the same size and in pristine condition, I noticed that there was a bigger problem. Several of the dresses I saw had holes at a particular seam at the armpit. I was beginning to wonder if it was a design defect. While the dress passed my "hug test" (wrapping my arms across my body), the holes were disconcerting, especially because the fabric is stiff and would not have any give in the event of a strong tug. Also, because the fabric was stiff, I was afraid that it would be prone to wrinkling.
I broke another of my own rules: I bought it anyway (a dress without holes, that is). Normally I would not buy anything that I was unsure about, but I really, really liked this dress. Also, sometimes it is hard to gauge how well something fits and feels in the long run during the few minutes in the dressing room; there have been a few occasions where I returned things that did not work quite as well when I put it on again at home, such as shoes. I figured that I would give it a few hours of more extensive testing when I get home, and I am glad I did. After wearing it to do everything I would do in a normal day (walk, sit, reaching over to grab stuff, etc.), all my misgivings melted away. The dress did not get as wrinkled as I feared. My normal range of motion would not have subjected the armpit seams to undue stress. The fabric was comfortable. The dress still looked great after prolonged wear. I don't have the results of the laundry test yet, but everything else gets a "pass" from me.
After wearing it for dinner one night and for work the next day, I know that this dress will be a fine weekday staple. It works with boots, it works with heels, it works with flats, sandals, tights, and bare legs. It's just easy to work with, and given the hassles of dealing with complexities in life, easy is much appreciated.
[Dinner: thrifted coat, Vena Cava for Gap dress, Gap purse, Marc by Marc Jacobs Latin phrase bracelet, Capezio boots. Work: Forever 21 sweater, Vena Cava for Gap dress, Christian Lacroix flats.]
6.17.2009
Straighten Up and Fly Right
Straighten up and fly right,
Straighten up and stay right,
Straight up and fly right,
Cool down, Pappa, don't you blow your top.
-Nat King Cole, "Straighten Up and Fly Right"
By this time tomorrow, I would probably be driving off to another remote location for work, a place where the address is a highway mile marker (that's a first). Even though business travel can be awfully tiring, I do like to take a look at how life is in different parts of the country, even if only for a short time. Another bonus is that I get to collect those frequent flier miles.
As of last week, I finally travelled enough to get my free flight from Southwest. Instead of wasting my free ticket for somewhere fairly local, I decided that I want to head over to Philly to visit a friend who is there for school. I've never been there before, so I figured it would be a good destination. I've been trying to plan this thing for a while, and was quite excited about going until a few days ago, when I found out a case I'm working on has been assigned a trial date at the same time I wanted to go on this trip.
I felt like I was about blow a gasket at that point.
Oh well...it is possible that I may end up going at a different time, or if that doesn't work out, I might switch to a different location. New York is another place I'm considering, as I did not get enough time to really see the place the last time I was there, and I really miss the friends who are now living there.
I'll open this up to you guys--what's there to do/see in Philly? What are some other places you'd like to use your free ticket on? Other suggestions/comments? Fire away.
Straighten up and stay right,
Straight up and fly right,
Cool down, Pappa, don't you blow your top.
-Nat King Cole, "Straighten Up and Fly Right"
By this time tomorrow, I would probably be driving off to another remote location for work, a place where the address is a highway mile marker (that's a first). Even though business travel can be awfully tiring, I do like to take a look at how life is in different parts of the country, even if only for a short time. Another bonus is that I get to collect those frequent flier miles.
As of last week, I finally travelled enough to get my free flight from Southwest. Instead of wasting my free ticket for somewhere fairly local, I decided that I want to head over to Philly to visit a friend who is there for school. I've never been there before, so I figured it would be a good destination. I've been trying to plan this thing for a while, and was quite excited about going until a few days ago, when I found out a case I'm working on has been assigned a trial date at the same time I wanted to go on this trip.
I felt like I was about blow a gasket at that point.
Oh well...it is possible that I may end up going at a different time, or if that doesn't work out, I might switch to a different location. New York is another place I'm considering, as I did not get enough time to really see the place the last time I was there, and I really miss the friends who are now living there.
I'll open this up to you guys--what's there to do/see in Philly? What are some other places you'd like to use your free ticket on? Other suggestions/comments? Fire away.
5.28.2009
A Cut(out) Above
Is it a boot? Is it a sandal? How about both?
[Top: Piko top with fluttery sleeves, Paper Denim & Cloth jeans, Maison Martin Margiela shoes. Bottom: Tally-Ho sweatercoat (bought it years ago from Ross for $13, and it's still alive and kicking. Lucky Number 13, indeed), Forever 21 tunic, Target tights, Maison Martin Margiela shoes.]
These shoes have proven to be icebreakers: on the first day I wore them out, 4 complete strangers asked me about them. I guess I should wear them next time when I have to go to a party where I don't know very many people.
[This was what I wore for a Memorial Day barbecue. When it came time to play Rock Band, I was dressed for the part. Blake t-shirt with side ties (from Loehmann's), White by Development corduroy mini ($5 from a blowout sale), Maison Martin Margiela cutout sandal/bootie.]
Some people are drawn by Jimmy Choos, others love Louboutins, but I'm mesmerized by Martin Margiela. However, in order to own anything Margiela, I have to get very lucky; it is amusingly ironic that the brilliant designs are synonymous with the figures on the price tags--some shirts are missing a sleeve, while some pants are missing a leg. I lucked out last time at Loehmann's. I got lucky again this time at a sample sale, which I didn't plan to go to, but things worked out. This is the first sample sale I've been to at which current season merchandise were offered at sample sale pricing.
The minute I walked through the door, my eyes were trained on these shoes. Although it is now the most expensive pair of shoes I own (by a small margin, "thanks" to the recent sales tax hike), it is considerably less than the heart attack-inducing in-store price (which made be gasp when I found out afterwards), and probably has the best cost-per-wear value I could get. Before dropping serious cash on them, I thought about why I wanted these shoes so much, and whether those reasons were worthy of a splurge. Although boots look great with shorts, the summer heat makes boot-wearing a rather unpleasant experience. Conversely, open-toed shoes would break up the monotony of wearing boots all the time, but sandals do not translate that well for the winter. This is one pair of shoes that truly can be worn year round. The lovely fuschia color is perfect for the summer, but it also looks great with tights and the darker Fall/Winter pallette. It glams up a simple t-shirt and jeans outfit. I knew I made the right choice when I was able to wear the shoes in all these different ways, and when I wanted to wear them all the time. It is interesting to see how other people work with this style--Jane from Sea of Shoes has a pair in seafoam green, and they look amazing with the light, flowing fabrics.
[Top: Piko top with fluttery sleeves, Paper Denim & Cloth jeans, Maison Martin Margiela shoes. Bottom: Tally-Ho sweatercoat (bought it years ago from Ross for $13, and it's still alive and kicking. Lucky Number 13, indeed), Forever 21 tunic, Target tights, Maison Martin Margiela shoes.]
These shoes have proven to be icebreakers: on the first day I wore them out, 4 complete strangers asked me about them. I guess I should wear them next time when I have to go to a party where I don't know very many people.
2.18.2009
Pretty Little Things
Over the years, I've become quite a makeup junkie. Although makeup is not a part of my daily routine, I do have fun experimenting with colors and techniques, in the same way I do with clothing.
Getting my "art supplies" together is a rather interesting exercise. As much as I love my visits to Sephora, I certainly can't afford to shop there often. Besides, pricier makeup isn't necessarily "better"--it may contain better quality materials than drugstore brands, but a) the "better" ingredients may not be making that much of a difference, and b) they might not necessarily work well for you. It's all about being selective--deciding what requires top quality, and what will make do with less. Here are some of the variables and equations I take into consideration:
-Frequency of use--sometimes, the price is correlated to the volume of the product. Hence, one thing to think about is the cost-per-use ratio. If the particular product will be used regularly, it doesn't hurt to have a lot of it on hand. However, if it is rarely used, it does not make sense to buy in bulk.
-Mix high and low, just as we would in terms of clothing--determine which article of makeup requires the quality, and which does not; what's more important, and what you can care less about. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to invest more in finding the right foundation/tinted moisturizer and skimp on the rest. By contrast, black eyeshadow is going to look pretty much the same across the board; a $1 pan of black eyeshadow is not going to look that much different from a $16 pan, unless you want extra shimmer or some kind of overtone or irridescence.
Alternately, think about which cheap items have failed you in the past--there is no use in throwing good money after bad, even if it is not a whole lot. In my case, cheap powder blush never stays on very long, so I decided to upgrade it; my Nars Taos blush, although on the pricey side, looks great and stays on for hours.
-Round and round we go--for drugstore makeup, pay attention to the circulars and shop the sales. If there is a particular drugstore product that you really want to try, chances are it will go on sale at some point. Sometimes it's buy one get one free, while other times it would be a certain percentage off. If it is an item that will last a while, I would wait for the percentage off sale instead of jumping on the buy one get one free sale--what would I do with 2 tubes of mascara? However, buy one get one free sales are wonderful for the types of makeup that could use some diversity, such as lipstick, lipgloss, blush, and eyeshadow. It's nice to get two colors at once.
-Save on the ordinary, splurge on the exotic--I'm not advocating splurging on some newfangled yet unproven technology that promises to make you look 10 years younger. What I mean is to invest on something that is practical but a bit out of the ordinary. For example, MAC has all sorts of crazy colors that are simply not available in the drugstores, so I am willing to pay more for a special color that has not been knocked off (yet). However, if I want a typical brown or beige eyeshadow, a drugstore brand will do.
-Subtle vs. dramatic--if I want an eyeshadow that is light but still noticeable, I would spend a little more on the subtle color because the more expensive eyeshadow has better staying power. With more intense colors, even the cheaper brands should have just enough pigment to last a while.
-Beauty Primer--a primer can keep cheap makeup attached to the skin a lot longer. One big problem I have with cheap eyeshadow is the lack of staying power. It creases like crazy, no matter how much of it I've put on. However, this problem is much ameliorated through the use of a primer. I got a tube of Urban Decay's primer potion for about $16, and it has worked like a charm--the cheap eyeshadow stays put, and the tube lasts a very long time.
-Tools and technique--here is an illustration of why they are important. Some time ago, I got together with a couple of friends for a Girls' Night In. One activity I suggested was something of an "Iron Chef" for makeup--we limited ourselves to a small pool of makeup that each of us brought along. A lot of the makeup I brought along was drugstore makeup, and I saw my makeup artist friend work magic with them using her set of professional-grade brushes as well as the other dinky brushes that the rest of us brought along. Having good brushes is certainly important, but the technique was what really made a difference.
The Sonia Kashuk for Target line has been touted by fashion magazines, and to some extent, I agree. I've bought a few of the brushes, and I am pretty happy with them. The concealer brush bristles are stiff enough to provide structure, yet soft enough to apply thoroughly. The eyeshadow blending brush is super-soft. I have had varying degrees of satisfaction with the other eyeshadow brushes, but I have an overall good impression of them. The brushes do go on clearance, so if you want to get something beyond the basic eyeshadow and blush brushes, I would wait for the right opportunity.
Getting my "art supplies" together is a rather interesting exercise. As much as I love my visits to Sephora, I certainly can't afford to shop there often. Besides, pricier makeup isn't necessarily "better"--it may contain better quality materials than drugstore brands, but a) the "better" ingredients may not be making that much of a difference, and b) they might not necessarily work well for you. It's all about being selective--deciding what requires top quality, and what will make do with less. Here are some of the variables and equations I take into consideration:
-Frequency of use--sometimes, the price is correlated to the volume of the product. Hence, one thing to think about is the cost-per-use ratio. If the particular product will be used regularly, it doesn't hurt to have a lot of it on hand. However, if it is rarely used, it does not make sense to buy in bulk.
-Mix high and low, just as we would in terms of clothing--determine which article of makeup requires the quality, and which does not; what's more important, and what you can care less about. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to invest more in finding the right foundation/tinted moisturizer and skimp on the rest. By contrast, black eyeshadow is going to look pretty much the same across the board; a $1 pan of black eyeshadow is not going to look that much different from a $16 pan, unless you want extra shimmer or some kind of overtone or irridescence.
Alternately, think about which cheap items have failed you in the past--there is no use in throwing good money after bad, even if it is not a whole lot. In my case, cheap powder blush never stays on very long, so I decided to upgrade it; my Nars Taos blush, although on the pricey side, looks great and stays on for hours.
-Round and round we go--for drugstore makeup, pay attention to the circulars and shop the sales. If there is a particular drugstore product that you really want to try, chances are it will go on sale at some point. Sometimes it's buy one get one free, while other times it would be a certain percentage off. If it is an item that will last a while, I would wait for the percentage off sale instead of jumping on the buy one get one free sale--what would I do with 2 tubes of mascara? However, buy one get one free sales are wonderful for the types of makeup that could use some diversity, such as lipstick, lipgloss, blush, and eyeshadow. It's nice to get two colors at once.
-Save on the ordinary, splurge on the exotic--I'm not advocating splurging on some newfangled yet unproven technology that promises to make you look 10 years younger. What I mean is to invest on something that is practical but a bit out of the ordinary. For example, MAC has all sorts of crazy colors that are simply not available in the drugstores, so I am willing to pay more for a special color that has not been knocked off (yet). However, if I want a typical brown or beige eyeshadow, a drugstore brand will do.
-Subtle vs. dramatic--if I want an eyeshadow that is light but still noticeable, I would spend a little more on the subtle color because the more expensive eyeshadow has better staying power. With more intense colors, even the cheaper brands should have just enough pigment to last a while.
-Beauty Primer--a primer can keep cheap makeup attached to the skin a lot longer. One big problem I have with cheap eyeshadow is the lack of staying power. It creases like crazy, no matter how much of it I've put on. However, this problem is much ameliorated through the use of a primer. I got a tube of Urban Decay's primer potion for about $16, and it has worked like a charm--the cheap eyeshadow stays put, and the tube lasts a very long time.
-Tools and technique--here is an illustration of why they are important. Some time ago, I got together with a couple of friends for a Girls' Night In. One activity I suggested was something of an "Iron Chef" for makeup--we limited ourselves to a small pool of makeup that each of us brought along. A lot of the makeup I brought along was drugstore makeup, and I saw my makeup artist friend work magic with them using her set of professional-grade brushes as well as the other dinky brushes that the rest of us brought along. Having good brushes is certainly important, but the technique was what really made a difference.
The Sonia Kashuk for Target line has been touted by fashion magazines, and to some extent, I agree. I've bought a few of the brushes, and I am pretty happy with them. The concealer brush bristles are stiff enough to provide structure, yet soft enough to apply thoroughly. The eyeshadow blending brush is super-soft. I have had varying degrees of satisfaction with the other eyeshadow brushes, but I have an overall good impression of them. The brushes do go on clearance, so if you want to get something beyond the basic eyeshadow and blush brushes, I would wait for the right opportunity.
2.16.2009
Chain Gangsters
Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day/Presidents' Day weekend! I had a blast of a weekend in Mammoth Lakes, CA on the slopes. The very cold atmospheric conditions and a few minor injuries/illnesses had put a small damper on things, but the snow was absolutely wonderful. Here are a few scenes heading to, skiing at, and returning from Winter Wonderland:
[What I wore for the trip home: Gap stripey top, Splendid cashmere henley, cloud print hoodie from Fred Flare, COH jeans (plucked from the Loehmann's clearance racks for a very successful hemming job on my trusty ol' sewing machine), Nike airwalks.]
After each ski trip, I bring home a different set of memories and musings on things:
-My skis and bindings match my outfit. It is completely unintentional, of course, but it worked out pretty well. Being the poor student (and now young professional), I could only afford to buy my ski gear piecemeal. Making the decision to buy gear can be a bit scary, especially when it's expensive. Thus, it's important to assess at least several things: 1) your budget, 2) your commitment to the sport, and 3) which piece is the most crucial for your sport of choice given your budget range. If it is not a sport that you intend to carry on for the long run, it could be a waste to spend all that money on gear that you would likely be using for only a few times. If you are only going to engage in the sport at a leisurely pace and frequency, it might not make sense to invest in top performance gear. Just like you would calculate your cost-per-wear ratio, the cost-per-use ratio applies.
I started off with the boots a few years ago because it was a) the most important component, in terms of control and comfort, and b) it was the least expensive of the components I needed. Now that I have enough experience and know that I want to do this for a while (and finally can pony up the necessary capital), I decided to commit to buying my skis. Given the rising costs of ski rentals, and the inconvenience of having to driving around to hunt down rental gear locally (in lieu of renting at the resort, which costs even more), and the number of times I anticipate I'll be using skis, it made sense to buy my own pair. I went to a local ski and snowboard liquidator store to get a ski and binding package at about half off of retail, had the bindings installed to suit my needs, and they were ready to go. The downside to shopping at a liquidator store is that I was essentially sifting through the "leftovers" from past seasons, so sizes and styles were limited. But as long as the equipment did what it was supposed to do, who cares? These babies are far superior to the rental gear I had to contend with in the past, and that is good enough for me.
-One day passes, or multi-day passes? If this is one of your first times trying out a sport, I would advise a wait-and-see approach: take it one day at a time. Most likely, you'll find that you're a natural and want to go back for more, but it is also possible that you may regret ever giving it a go. If it is the latter, you will walk away even more unhappy if you feel like you're forced to make a difficult decision: go back and do more of what you don't want to do, or sit out and swallow the losses on the second day of the pass.
For non-beginners, the decision comes down to the sum of past experiences. If you have had a good track record for going multiple days, and the multi-day pass cuts down on the cost per day, it might be worth it to go for the multi-day pass. However, if you tend to get tired and not do much the second day (if anything at all), or if you have been prone to injury, I would advise going one day at a time.
-Whole-day pass, or half-day pass? That depends on when the prime conditions for sporting is. If the best times are in the morning, but the half-day pass does not start until noon, you may ultimately gain very little enjoyment for your hard-earned buck, especially if the conditions deteriorate in the afternoon. This would not be good if you have already spent a lot of dough (i.e., tranportation and lodgings) just getting there; in an attempt to save a few bucks, you may end up losing a lot more. However, if you only intend to work up a sweat for just one or two hours, a half-day pass would be quite sensible.
-My biggest peeve of ski trips is chains for the tires. Putting them on is not the most fun, but that is not what bothers me--what really troubles me is the 21st-century version highway robbery in the form of "chain installation services." The official-looking "chain installers" would offer to "help," but at a price, of course. The price is surprisingly steep: I have heard a quote of $40 just to put chains on, and I saw a sign for another $15 to take them off. Chain installation may seem intimidating, and can be time consuming, but it is certainly not worth $40 of labor. The only times I would be willing to pay that price is a) if I was really in a hurry and can't take 15 minutes to put them on, or b) if I have a car full of young children who could not withstand the wait without driving me crazy. Therefore, I would strongly encourage skiers and snowboarders to learn how to buy and install chains from friends and family who have done it before, or simply learn it from a self-help source.
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