the hidden attic

Stamp of Fashion Sensitivity Approval!

2010-11-07T18:35:00.004-08:00

HA! I haven't felt this proud since I saw an ad for a sweater coat I designed in the September 2009 issue of Vogue. The current source of my pride? Getting confirmation from Style.com on an emerging trend that I identified in my S/S 2011 Runway Report!

In my runway report, I created a page highlighting shoulders as the new body part of focus--which I identified and completed about a month ago, just after the S/S 2011 fashion weeks wrapped. Today, I stumble upon Style.com to find that streetstyle snapper Tommy Ton had identified the very same thing in his analysis of the top runway trends, "Reality Stars: Tommy Ton Calls Out The Top Off-Catwalk Trends"!

First, a refresher of my own runway report:

Shoulders are the new LEGS!

And Tommy Ton's street style version--"Style makers chose the shoulder as the erogenous zone this season":

It may seem insignificant but to me, it feels really nice to have that small confirmation that the trends I am personally observing and picking up are at least on the same wavelength as some of the world's best fashion eyes!

Fashion Report: S/S 2011 Runway

2010-11-02T09:11:00.004-07:00

A few key trends that I picked up while browsing through the S/S2011 fashion shows:

Fashion Report: October 2010

2010-10-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

My compilation of trends from this past summer and early fall that are sure to continue into next summer--denim, maxi dresses and skirts, cropped tops, and lady-like bags:

The Girls of 109 (Part II)

2010-09-29T22:44:00.003-07:00

Today, my second last day in Tokyo, I trekked back to Shibuya 109 to capture a few more pictures of the super-cawaii shop girls.

Left: right outside the Hachiko exit of Shibuya station; Right: the Shibuya 109 building

At the main entrance—and here come the shoppers!

At Mitsumaru INGNI Premium Store, where I bought an adorable cross-body bag (will post later)

At MuseMuse by Royal Party
(Love the argyle socks with peep-toe wedges & the neatly knotted bun she wore under her wool felt hat!)

At ReDark
(Isn't this trio just adorable?! Tell me you don't want to put them in a little polka-dotted box and take them home to put on your windowsill)

At Gimlet--only managed to snap 2 of the girls because the shop was very busy!

At Baby Shoop which, like LB-03, rocks the ghetto-fabulous look but is less bad-ass than the latter

And this concludes my latest Tokyo affair. I had originally planned on taking it easy on my last day and going to Harajuku to take pictures of the lovely girls and guys there, but it was a miserable rainy day and so it was rather difficult what with all the umbrellas and people dashing for dry cover, etc. Instead, I met up with my friend Kei, who took me to Streamer Coffee (where I enjoyed a delicious cinnamon maple latte) as well as the famous Cat and Takeshita Streets. We then ended our day with a relatively quick yet just as potent trip to the 5-leveled Forever21. I know, I know--I'm in Harajuku, in Tokyo, Japan and I chose to go there?! I ought to be ashamed! However, I am really not that ashamed because fortunately, I am able to hide behind my extremely emaciated wallet.

Another lovely meeting come and gone with one of my favourite cities in the world to visit. Already I'm looking forward to my next trip to Tokyo, even though I have no idea when it might be. For now though, the glow of the trip hasn't quite evaporated because I am still slowly unpacking, and with every bit of my suitcase I dissemble I am rediscovering each of my wonderful purchases! I will be posting pictures once I have everything sorted out...stayed tuned!

The Girls of 109 (Part I)

2010-09-27T00:02:00.237-07:00

After going to the Chinese embassy in Roppongi today to renew my Chinese visa, I finally got to go to one of my favourite places to visit in Tokyo.... the famous Shibuya 109! Not only are the boutiques adorable and stocked with trendy, affordable clothes and accessories, the shop girls (as well as many of the customers who frequent the building) are reason enough to make a trip to 109 even if you don't plan on shopping. One has only to make a few laps around any of the eight floors to get a good idea of the latest trends and hot items du jour.

The girls are always decked out in the latest and/or craziest fashions, with such immaculate grooming from head to toe that it puts Posh Spice to shame--perfectly curled blond hair tumbling down a tanned shoulder, big watery eyes framed with thick, dark (albeit fake) eyelashes resting on a canvas of perfectly bronzed/blushed/highlighted smooth skin. And the nails--oh the nails!--long and flawless, multicoloured and bejeweled with everything under the sun, from the usual rhinestones and bows to dangling pearls, bees, and Hello Kitties. Of course, the whole getup is a product of hours of hard work (my sister and I have witnessed, while lunching at 109, a girl pulling a curling iron out of her purse, plugging it into the socket under her seat and re-curling her ringlets, while her friend lunched on, unfazed), but the end result is really fun to see and always a highlight of any of my Tokyo trips.

The 109 girls aren't just pretty faces though--they are probably the most hardworking and professional sales associates I have ever seen in all my travels. One will never catch them wearing items that aren't currently being sold in their store, and they take care to enthusiastically greet anyone and everyone--sometimes even no one--who enters the store with a loud "Irashaimassseeeeeeeee!!!!" which means "welcome to the store" in Japanese. Upon picking up (or something just touching) an item in the store, one of the staff will usually come over with a big smile and say a whole string of lovely sounding Japanese, which usually involves product details such as how many colour ways are available, what it looks cute with, or oftentimes "I'm wearing it right now!".

Once an item is tried on, however, is when their product knowledge really shines. As soon as you step out of the fitting room wearing one of the store items, you'll likely be greeted with "Cawaii!!!!" ("cute!!") before she hastily sets to work styling the item--a roll here, a tuck there--and showing you all the different ways you can wear the item by unbuttoning certain parts, or tying and belting others. All of a sudden a previously plain cupro trench coat with extended lapels comes to life and I wonder how I ever lived my life without it.

"I'll take it!" I cry triumphantly (but in actuality I usually just hand the item to the sales associate while giving her the "OK" sign with my hand, as most Japanese speak very little English, if any), to which I hear, "Hai! Arigato-gozaimasu!" ("yes, thank you!") and while I'm waiting at the cash counter, she'll fetch a new one from the stockroom and fold it neatly before carefully placing it in a shopping bag. After walking me to the entrance of the shop, she hands me the bag with a deep bow and bids me goodbye, thus ending our short but happy retail courtship.

Isn't their work ethic and professionalism noteworthy? And they do all of this while stomping around in 3 - 5 inch heels. Are you listening, lazy-snobby-pretentious American Apparel staff?

On that note, here is part one of my salute to the always super-cawaii, hardworking, and inspirational girls of Shibuya 109:

At Barak, one of my favourite stops at 109

At JSG, a label known for making loud and bright hoodies, often with triangular ears on the hood. Don't they look like living dolls?

At Rodeo Crowns--check out the insanely adorable website!

I plan on returning in a few days when the "work" part of my trip wraps, to take more pictures of The 109 Girls!

Renewed Hope

2010-09-23T07:39:00.004-07:00

Just found out that Brad Goreski, fellow Canadian and Rachel Zoe’s right hand man, is thirty-two years old! I don’t mean that in a negative way at all, just genuinely shocked because he looks much younger! He must have amazing genes and a rigorous beauty routine. But the most important thing I take away from this is the big break he got, as told to Flare Magazine, as his initial foray into the fashion industry—an internship at none other than the revelled Vogue Magazine—which he said he got in the summer of 2004. Waitaminute..........if he’s 32 now, and he got his big-break-internship in 2004, which was 6 years ago..............that would mean that he was 26 when he got his internship!

I find this very refreshing and reassuring because, in a time when the competition seems to have barely graduated middle school, I already feel like I’m “over the hill” in terms of dipping my experienced, but apparently old, feet into a new fashion pool. But today I am reminded that true talent, when paired with passion, drive and persistence, can have an explosive power behind it that the fountain of youth cannot always extinguish. Thank you, Brad Goreski and Flare Magazine, for that gentle and much needed reminder.

Above: The back of Brad Goreski’s head, taken by yours truly at Charlotte Ronson F/W2010 at Bryant Park

Inset: The adorable and forever-youthful stylist himself (photo courtesy of Tom & Lorenzo)

Reveur Holiday Collection: "50/80"

2010-09-22T06:09:00.068-07:00

As previously mentioned, I am currently working on building the mood story for Reveur's holiday collection. I know that the 50's wasp-waist/full-skirt/hourglass silhouette is making huge waves right now (as seen on the F/W09 runways of Louis Vuitton and Prada, as well as the S/S11 collections from Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, and Oscar de la Renta). But how to interpret the vintage charm of this trend for a younger, and perhaps less fashion-inclined market?

I have decided to balance the conservative, feminine hemlines of the new silhouette with the hard edge and powerful sexuality of the 80's--think power shoulders (yes, yet more of those), sequins, as well as modern updates byway of leather panels, cut-outs and peek-a-boo mesh. Of course there will need to be plenty of aggressive accessories, but those won't come into play until I tackle the window display and store merchandising.

Here are a few looks I put together using Looklet:

Look 1: pairing the 50's swing skirt--an important key item in achieving the New

Look (pun!) of the season--with a strong-shouldered top and rock n' roll styling

Look 2: a 50's "work blouse" typically worn over a full skirt skimming the calves is given a

twist when paired with a body-con miniskirt in a graphic print, topped with bold accessories

I also did a few inspiration boards via Polyvore:

Board 1: everything about this board is 50's driven...with the except of the VPL peek-a-boo bustier

and the Louis Vuitton bow pumps, which instantly updates the look and gives it a modern spin

Board 2: a vintage vixen getting ready for a night on the town! Again, a bustier (Aritzia) gives the

calf-skimming skirt new life when done in an unexpectedly casual fabric, such as cotton jersey.

Finish off with a classy yet versatile bag like the Mulberry Alexa and you're all ready to go!

Board 3: this "VS" concept takes one vintage dress and styles it two different ways--one rooted more

firmly within traditional 1950's styling and the other completed remixed with edgier, flashier accessories

Sept 21 (technically the 22nd now...) 2010

2010-09-21T13:22:00.010-07:00

It's 4am on September 22 (please note, however, that thoughts from this post reflect those of Sept 21) and I'm still awake. WIDE awake. Woe is me. But I am infinitely grateful that I am able to blog from my trusted Blackberry, bless its tiny, 3G soul.

Hmmm...exciting things today. Did 3 looks on Polyvore for my Christmas collection story (50's Glamourpuss + 80's Powerhouse-Sexpot--like a young Bardot meets Balmain). Also 2 looks on Looklet, and then did a few sketches and compiled some notes and a rough product plan. Shall continue my good work tomorrow!

In the meantime, as I'm working on completing the Christmas collection (story to be given to the design team in a few days; samples to hit the store 10/25), I need to start thinking about concepts for the NEXT story. I'd really like to do a Chloe/Celine-esque super neutral palette, lots of gorgeous camels, sands and beiges. But we'll see. Lots of fashion to digest from the fashion weeks which are still happening! REALLY excited to see what PFW unveils, even though there's been so many wonderful and beautiful designs thus far. My foggy brain can't remember any right now except for the cute, girly minis at David Koma.... Mary Katrantzou's amazing prints, Proenza Schouler (as always),Bensoni....all I remember is that these were all beautiful!

OK BEDTIME FOR REAL. Bonne nuit! (Or bonjour now...?)

The Fast & Furry-ous

2010-09-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

Har har har! My magazine pun is so clever. Anyway here is a page from my Nordic Nomad "Key Items Report" for Reveur's October 2010 collection. It took a long time but it was really fun and I'm quite proud of it! Looking forward to picking up more key items and looks and compiling them in magazine format.

Since I did it all on Microsoft Powerpoint (still figuring out whether it's easier to use than Adobe Illustrator, for this sort of thing) I am still trying to come up with the best way to import the whole report onto this blog as image files, without it being blurry. Stayed tuned! Until then.....I give you "The Fast + Furry-ous"!

*UPDATE: I've figured it out! So once again, I give you "The Fast & Furry-ous" (the visible version this time):

Sept 17 2010 (T.G.I.F............?)

2010-09-17T10:02:00.012-07:00

It's Friday night, and I'm staying in..........obviously.

Not too bad of a day though! My aunt has left for her vacation, thus leaving me all by my lonesome in the apartment, but also with some much needed peace and quiet.

Today was also a productive day—I finally wrapped up my Nordic Nomad story for the Reveur collection that is due in our store next month. When I say that the collection is due in stores next month, I don't mean bulk because that would just be insane. To go from collection concept to finished bulk product?! THAT'S JUST CRAZY TALK. No, I mean that the samples for the entire collection will be delivered to the store for potential buyers to look through; they would then place orders with the sales representatives at the store, and the bulk would be delivered at a later date. Although I'm unsure how long the turnaround is from order placement to received bulk shipments.....hmm. Must ask Aunt.

Anyway back to the mood story—the final segment I added to it was my "Key Items Report" which basically just consists of items I pick up on the wonderful interweb, oftentimes via Polyvore. At first I was just piling pictures into a blank document with no layout, no visually-pleasing design. However my wonderful brain informed me that it would be much more challenging, stimulating and FUN if I were to do up the report using magazine layouts. AND SO I DID.

At first it was really tough. Magazine layouts look simple BUT THEY'RE NOT. It's fascinating how the designers (is that what the correct term is??) lay photos overtop of each other, adding a bit of text here and a bit of colour there; a box hither and a line thither—and in the end it somehow looks coherent and pleasing to the eye! Anyway after consulting numerous fashion magazines (British ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, Grazia, and LOOK) I started to get the hang of it.....sort of. Anyhow the finished product looks quite nice and I'm proud to say that I tackled a new task today and conquered it sufficiently! I look forward to compiling many more reports with these layouts, as practice for my future career at a (cue Tyra's voice here)*noted* fashion magazine. Of course I probably wouldn't so much be doing the layout and page design at my future magazine as I would style shoots and attend/analyze fashion shows, but I'm sure it will be beneficial in some way.

Now I'm going to go and enjoy a few more episodes of 30 Rock! WHAT A TERRIFIC SHOW!!! It brings me so much glee. And also I find Jack Donaghy (played by Alec Baldwin) oddly sexy..........maybe it's the crisp business suits, his sense of self, or the way he communicates only in low, rumbly whispers (somehow perfectly audible) but he seems like the sort of sexual encounter that would handle you gently and knowingly, and read you like a good, leather-bound book from cover to cover. BLEEECCCCHHHH it's such a weird feeling, finding him 85% sexy and 15% gross old man!!!!!!

Good night! Happy Friday to everyone and anyone.

random EUREKA moments...

2010-09-14T01:48:00.011-07:00

Was just thinking how awesome it would be to have some kind of super-material which has the flexibility to collapse and expand into certain shapes (i.e. mugs, bowls, dishes, various Tupperware container shapes etc), and retains heat and/or coldness (for lack of a better word...) and is microwave safe. This way everyone would just buy a few of these and that would completely eliminate one-time-use coffee cups/lids, takeout containers, Styrofoam, Ziploc bags etc etc! Bring your cup-shaped one to Starbucks and put your coffee drink in it. When you're done drinking it, flatten it and store in your purse or pocket and use it the next day. Bring your lunch in a rectangular one, heat it up in the microwave and when you're finished, flatten it and store in purse or pocket to be reused the next day!!! HOW AWESOME WOULD THAT BE?!

Sad thing is, I have neither the neurological nor financial means to create such a thing....................WON'T A KIND-HEARTED AND ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS BILLIONAIRE PLEASE HELP?!?

lost in the woods and it's getting dark.

2010-08-02T00:38:00.000-07:00

It's getting late now.

I'm listening to sad, twinkling music and pouring out my feelings to absolutely no one but the words that are materializing under my fingers. This feels like me, circa 1999 - 2004, except for my journal has been replaced by my laptop; the boy whose heart I cannot capture has been replaced by you.

You. You, whose love should have been thicker than water, but is not. It was, once upon a happier time--a time of laughter, sillyness, and closeness--and now it's not, for reasons beyond me.

I've finally realized that I need to do something, because this has gone on for far too long. But does doing nothing count as doing something? I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do because as much as my heart is broken, I can't bring myself to reciprocate to you what your behaviour is towards me. In all honesty, sometimes I feel like if I didn't have things to give or lend to you, then the little relevance I have to your life would be erased completely; I would just be another coworker that you disliked, who happened to share your last name.

There goes one tear. Then two, then three. One after another until I've lost count completely.

Fuck. Three and a half hours until I have to be up for work. Yet how can I sleep when my heart is churning so? Maybe I'll just call in sick...but can't. It's time-and-a-half tomorrow and I really need the money to pay off my credit card bill.

Maybe I'll just pretend that you are to me whatever it is I am to you. Then we won't have to acknowledge each other at all.

Sleep well though. I hope whatever was bothering you is sorted out. Sorry I wasn't there for you.

Good night.

neon afternoon

2010-04-29T22:59:00.001-07:00

On this beautiful golden afternoon, I finished altering the cups of my cropped bustier from H&M:

bustier h&m

shirt dsquared2

high-waisted pants talula

belt vintage

shoes aldo

sunnies mercurysun

a whimsical touch

2010-04-28T23:07:00.003-07:00

Jersey bow tie headwrap--a collaboration between my sister (aka Susu of Chic-du-Chic) and a $0.60 strip of fabric leftover from my days as a fashion design student. Will need to take it out for a real spin one of these days, and not just sport it whilst at home in pajamas, watching Dragon's Den...

marc by marc jacobs: petal to the metal

2010-04-28T22:58:00.003-07:00

How adorable are these MbMJ bags?! I saw these sitting pretty at Holt Renfrew a few weeks ago and couldn't resist snapping a secret photo on my awesome phone. Perfect all purpose cross-body bag for lunch with the girls, a day or shopping/running errands, or just looking cute for no reason. At $365ish (I think..? Can't remember!) the price is surprisingly quite affordable, and if you use it everyday (which you will), the cost per use is practically free! Which colour would you get? I would go for a delicious rich brown...

Gaga for Balenciaga!

2010-04-19T00:27:00.004-07:00

My first Balenciaga, thanks to my lovely boyfriend with impeccable taste! It's a beautiful Giant Town (referring to the size of the studs and not the bag) in Anthracite, a rich deep charcoal grey that boasts all the practicalities of black but the freshness of NOT actually being black...if that makes any sense. In addition to the short rolled-leather handles with whip-stitching, the bag has a long detachable clip-on strap which, at full length, is great for a cross-body messenger style. The long strap can also be doubled-up and shortened in such a way that it becomes the perfect length for a shoulder bag. To top it all off, the bag smells absolutely delicious! Edgy, functional, lightweight, and most of all, beautiful, I really could not have picked a better bag myself.

The most hilarious thing about this was hearing my boyfriend's review of different luxury handbags after he had perused a billion of them in search of the perfect one for me:

"...Chanel 2.55 is overrated--I mean I know it's a classic and the leather is meant to be sturdy and all, but it just feels sticky and fake and--ew! Chloe bags are shit--I looked at the Paraty and I don't like it. And that Proenza Schouler PS1 you really like is really crap, it looks like a men's briefcase! But I really like YSL, and I think Marc Jacobs has really unique design. I was actually thinking of getting you the Balenciaga City which is a little bigger but it only has the short handles..."

And we think boys don't listen when we talk. Psshhh.

love: erickson beamon

2010-04-02T23:45:00.002-07:00

How incredible is this agate bracelet by Erickson Beamon? Such an incredible piece that seamlessly incorporates colour and texture with a healthy dose of signature bad-assedness. Love!

clogs are for frogs

2010-04-02T23:40:00.003-07:00

No matter how hard I try, there is no escaping this ridiculous clog trend. I have to say--I don't understand it, nor do I really want to, but walking around Holt Renfrew today we were ambushed by clogs at every turn, so my friend Sua and I decided to give the clunkers a comedic go:

Here is the unflattering result (on me; meanwhile Sua is rocking the Miu Miu mary janes) which did little to change my mind towards the chunky new "It" shoe. Who knows--maybe in 6 months, I won't be able to get enough of (yeesh) clogs but for now, I can safely say that clogs...are for frogs.

McQueen tribute (part II)

2010-04-02T23:17:00.002-07:00

Today, while watching the Canucks battle hard to against the Ducks to secure a playoff spot, I finished sewing my antlers together. Before I can actually wear them, I still need to attach them to an actual headband, or figure out a way to make them an independent attachment that I can add to any headband I so choose, but I was just so excited to try them on that I did just that--in my pajamas. If that isn't glamour, I don't really know what is.

I'm looking forward to wearing them tomorrow with my new dress from H+M's Garden Collection--a fitted one in black stretch cotton, with black chiffon roses all over the shoulders--to a small potluck dinner party in honour of my birthday. Actually, since I'm wearing a black dress, black antlers and probably black lace draped over the antlers, it's probably more appropriate to say that I am mourning the loss of my youth rather than celebrating it. Sigh!

neon lover

2010-04-02T18:24:00.004-07:00

New bustier from H+M! It was a bit too big in the cups but nothing a little expert hand-sewing couldn't fix.

summer flings

2010-03-29T22:47:00.002-07:00

Went shopping at H&M a few days ago and am loving their Garden Collection! Have been meaning to get some high-waisted shorts since last August but kept forgetting; luckily H&M has reminded me that it is a MUST-HAVE for this summer. It's unfortunate that the light beige pair in tencel (not pictured) were too sheer (anyone order a side of ass-cheeks?) because they were wonderfully cute, and the olive ones pictured here had the ever so flattering "pouch crotch" effect so my search for the perfect high-waisted summer short continues. I did, however, purchase the top (organic cotton with DTM chiffon roses!) which will be a summer staple of mine, I'm sure. I'm already planning my next shopping trip--this Friday!--which is a day before my birthday, which means I can treat myself to something utterly fabulous that I can't afford...maybe the perfect summer short?? New bag? Shoes? That rose gold crystal-studded ring by Alexis Bittar? All of the above? Stay tuned!

McQueen tribute (part I)

2010-03-28T22:06:00.005-07:00

In loving and respectful memory of the brilliant light to fashion and absolute magic that was Lee McQueen.

I plan on wearing these (antlers, not gnarled claws) attached to a black headband, occasionally with a sheet of lace thrown overtop. For now they are drying (the paint, that is) and waiting for a rainy day when I can sit on the couch with a cup of tea, watch Flight of the Conchords and lovingly hand-sew them onto a strip of black jersey.

Rest in peace.

Featured Blogger: Chic-du-Chic

2010-03-28T20:57:00.013-07:00

Today I was very taken with the outfit of my sister/fellow blogger Alice a.k.a "Susu" of Chic-du-Chic. Girly, casual and very cute!

Susu wears:

bustier by aritzia

tank by aritzia

high-waisted pants by aritzia

cardigan by zara

flats by zara

pearl pendant necklace custom-made by her blog partner, Serina a.k.a "S".

Variety is the spice of life (for now)

2010-03-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

A mere year ago, if you would have told a monochromatically-clad Me that I would one day wear blue stripes, blue tie-dye, a pink/green/black floral, together with yet more stripes, I'm fairly certain that I would have told you--very politely--to fuck off.

top banana republic
cardigan abercrombie & fitch men
skirt minkpink
scarf zara
boots jeffrey campbell x lf
belt h&m
bag sissi rossi

What a difference a couple of seasons make! These days, I can't even bring myself to look at my black-on-black-on-studs-on-black collection of past wardrobe staples without having to swat away the ever-so-subtle scent of staleness. Ok so that's not entirely true--just a few hours ago I was tempted to buy a pair of stud earrings in the shape of silver cone-spikes--but while black will always be the New Black and I feel fairly safe in saying that a studs and spikes on a monochromatic palette will always be a substantial part of me, this season I am a huge fan of mixing prints and--dare I say it?--colours. And my new rule (for this season at least) is this: more is definitely more.

sail away on my love

2010-03-24T22:21:00.003-07:00

My lovely and talented friend/former colleague Jill started her own fashion blog just last week, entitled "For Fashions Sake" (which, coincidentally, debuted with a personal-style post featuring Yours Truly!), and already she is en route to beating me in posting frequency. So I figured in order to keep myself in this self-imagined race, I'd steal one of her blog entries and post as my own. Genius.

In keeping with my new favourite theme which I shall henceforth dub as "Romance Nouveau", the picture I have borrowed from Jill's blog is just that--a delicate, blossoming affair of young love:

photo courtesy of Tim Walker via For Fashions Sake

a girl with flowers...

2010-03-12T00:49:00.011-08:00

It's 12:23am on a Thursday night and though I have tomorrow off--meaning I can sleep the day away if I really wanted to--I have promised myself to get a good night's sleep to prepare me for all the personal work in need of doing tomorrow: updating my blog, following up on career/internship prospects, uploading photos of my adventures from the past year or so, organization of my closet...the list goes on. All of that shot straight to hell when, whilst taking what I thought was going to be a harmless pre-bed wander around Style.com ("I'll just stroll through these fashion week pictures from Tommy Ton...no saving, just looking tonight..."), this picture flashed across my screen, instantly mesmerizing me and actually drawing a small gasp from my lips.

photo courtesy of Style.com

When I saw it, I knew that there was no getting around this one--I had to save it and verbalize my feelings towards it straight away. Now, maybe it's because spring is near(er), or the new romantic movement in fashion has really captured my heart--I'm suddenly feeling extra drawn to all things nude, ruffley, flowery, chiffony, bow-y, or all of the above--but this picture is just so lovely, and evoked such a pleasant feeling from me that I had to PrtSc (damn Adobe Flash!) immediately and post to my blog. It's so simple, so quaint, yet exudes such irresistable girlish charm. I'm officially smitten.

I Heart NY: Me, Vanity Fair, & Fashion Week (part I)

2010-03-03T02:02:00.001-08:00

One of the many, many highlights from my recent trip to New York City which (happily) coincided with the last edition of New York Fashion Week occurring at the Bryant Park Tents:

(photo courtesty of VanityFair.com)

Lingering out front at the Bryant Park Tents--trying to catch a glimpse or quick photo of editors, models, and celebrities--I was approached by two girls, one a tall brunette and the other a petite icy-blonde, who politely asked if they may take a picture of my boots (purchased this past Christmas on a family vacation in Rome, Italy).

"It's for a piece we're doing for VanityFair.com." One of them says. Of course, I give them my consent with much enthusiasm, and explain to them where I got my shoes, why I like them, where I'm from and what I'm doing in New York before sneakily passing them my business card "in case anything ever comes up".

After the two lovely girls left (I regret not getting their names), I was all smiles and very flattered, riding a fashion high like I'd never known. Little did I know, it was only the beginning to an absolutely amazing trip which would blow my mind with wave after wave of incredible fashion highs. Stay tuned...

(See the full piece here!)

to fall in love

2010-02-24T00:58:00.000-08:00

There are certain times in a woman's life where she just feels a certain connection with her feminine side. Softer, more romantic, even a little bit--dare I say it in the age of the Power Woman?--fragile. I admit, the surfacing of this feeling has been far and few for me for as long as I can remember, what with the perpetual fight to excel in every area of my life--whether it be career, education, family, or social life--and the constant juggling thereof; in other words, the life of the modern-day woman.

That being said, these pictures from Aritzia's spring 2010 lookbook made me remember what it's like to fall in love, to feel feminine and romantic--and being at peace with it.

photos courtesy of aritzia

Looking at these photos, it's as though I can actually feel the warm, soft glow of sunlight through the delicate mist as I saunter slowly through my greenhouse, fingertips grazing ever so gently against fine, supple leaves and old oak tabletops. My movement is slow and lingering, as though sedated--but I suppose, in a way, I am. The world is at a stand-still; I am at the heart of it all. And he is at the centre of me; together we are suspended in this moment.

1 + 1 + 5...

2010-02-02T02:53:00.005-08:00

Fashion is commonly mistaken for a strictly-creative environment, one in which numbers and equations do not have a place; in actuality, there are many numbers and equations active in fashion--for instance:

1 neutral + 1 neutral + 5 punches of colour = perfect 10.

winter's mistress

2010-02-01T14:58:00.001-08:00

...she glides effortlessly, seamlessly onto the frozen pond, the clouds in her head dissipating as she breathes in the cold, brisk winter air. Dancing across the ice in quick strides, she carves her heart's song into its smooth surface, note by note...

the great pacific northwest: the mood

2010-01-27T02:19:00.030-08:00

My dad has recently picked up a deep interest in photography; he goes on these little 'photography' excursions--with whoever would go with him, otherwise by himself--and takes pictures of things he really likes: mountains, water, his car etc...you know, the sort of thing dads might be into.

Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon his latest set of photos, which coincidentally (...or not? Maybe Dad knows a little more about fashion than he lets on...) lie in perfect concurrence with one of my favourite moods for fall/winter (yes I know that technically I should be deep into spring/summer now, but it's January so it's still winter where I live and the fall/winter 2010 editions of fashion weeks are showing right now and ohmygoodnessiamsoconfused). It's a little something I like to call, "Northern Exposure":

The mood is crisp, clean, yet cozy and warm. Personally, I imagine myself wrapped up in layers of waffled thermal tees under chunky hand-spun cowichan fairisle cardigans, thick woolly hiking socks and rugged leather work boots, topped off with cozy mittens, toque (yes, a toque. The Canadian equivalent to what Americans like to call "a beanie"), and a steaming mug of hot tea, smoking merrily in the cold, brisk mountain air. Ah.....home.

pink & blue...

2010-01-27T00:48:00.013-08:00

A year later, still very much feelin' the whole pastel vibe...pink and blue in particular. oh and i really like my outfit as well:

long sleeve tee zine

sweater stefanel

waffle leggings aritzia

platform booties cinta

necklace peeptoeshoes

2010-01-19T19:07:00.004-08:00

So...in an interesting twist of events, I randomly discovered (through my Facebook news feed, if you must know) that the "18 year old from Stockholm, Sweden" whose Lookbook photograph I dissected in my previous post, is Shelley Mulshine...who also happens to be quite recognized in the Lookbook community (shame on me).

Read all about her favourite places to shop, her next fashion must-have, and why she loves summer nights in Sweden. (http://lookbook.nu/interview/21)

LOOKBOOK: Techno Ballerina

2010-01-19T17:09:00.013-08:00

On an ordinary, cloudy winter's day, I was poking around on Lookbook and came across this picture by an 18 year old girl from Stockholm, Sweden:

image courtesy of Lookbook

Now, it's important to note that nowadays, I often find that I can scroll through 'personal style'/blog photos with hardly more than a 2-second pause because--well, everyone kind of sports the same look. This is not to mean that everyone looks bad--in fact most of the looks I see are very stylish and full of sartorial-cool--I merely mean that it's the same general silhouette or combinations of items, and I'm finding it more difficult these days to find something that is truly eye-catching. You know that feeling when you stumble upon a picture of an outfit/person with such radiant and distinguished style that it is truly a visual feast, and your eyes can't help but linger on that photo for minutes at a time, and then you keep going back to the same photo and sighing over how great it looks? Well let's just say that that Feeling ran away. I went out for a walk one day and when I came back, it was gone. I looked all over for it to no avail, and now The Feeling has been reduced to nothing but a lonely memory ever since.

You probably think that I'm about to follow up my last comment with something like "...until now" and proceed to rave glowingly about the aforementioned Lookbook photo by the 18 year old. You are wrong--that whole statement about that 'feeling' was a digression, sorry to say. However I did find myself captured by this photograph, not by her outfit or styling choices but by the nature of this picture. There is something very crass, almost pornographic, in the way she simultaneously portrays both sensuality and a childlike innocence with her pink tutu and bare thighs, her provocative pose and cigarette to her lips. Her body language in the first photo--shirt falling off one shoulder, hand to her mouth--looks as if she's been caught in the act--yet the body she has so seductively curled on her bed looks like the body of a child.

It may seem like I'm attacking her photograph but I'm really saying quite the opposite: though I can't decide yet if I like or am offended by it, I do know that I'm strangely fascinated by this photo and how she has--intentionally or not--incorporated contrasting elements that make an otherwise normal photograph of a girl in a tutu slightly askew, and managed to shoot the whole thing beautifully.

Not quite the same as 'The Feeling', but a delighful surprise nonetheless...on this ordinary, cloudy winter's day.

W: the art project

2010-01-19T00:16:00.024-08:00

There is currently a contest over at W magazine (or, more specifically, wdesires) called 'The Art Project' in which photographers from all over the country can submit their best photographical interpretation of the word 'obsession'. The results have poured in and the panel of judges have narrowed it down to 20 semi-finalists, but there can only be 5 finalists out of which there may only be but 1 (one) reigning champ! I clicked my way through the top 20 and though there were many impressive ones (I am thinking specifically of Ann Joyce's haunting yet authentic photograph of her grandmother), in the end there were only two that touched my heart:

First is the work of photographer Claire Rosen, who described this piece as the story of "an exhausted girl, overwhelmed with her need to absorb, to understand, to connect, lies on a couch enveloped by her reading...she has vowed to read all the books in the world and know all the stories of mankind. Days turn into nights, nights into weeks until she cannot distinguish between her world and those of the pages." (quote taken from wdesires)

photo courtesy of wdesires

I love that there is such a whimsical story behind the photograph, one which tells of the all-consuming fire that is obsession once it takes hold of our being. There is a feeling of magic for me when I look at this photograph, one which feels almost like I've stepped right through the looking glass and into a page in a fantastic storybook.

My other favourite is by GL Wood, whose piece is comprised of 10 different photos, painstakingly cut and pasted together to form the slice of editorial scrumptiousness you see below:

photo photo courtesy of wdesires

I can't name enough reasons as to why I love this photo. I love the language of the different lines--from the ones on the model's (very on-trend) striped-sequined-big-shouldered dress to the subtle colour-blocking and negative space created by the cut-and-paste process--I love that the bright orange hair clashes beautifully with the powder-pink lips and cheeks, and I love that it's so clean yet powerful with playful punches of colour. I just plain old love looking at it!

So there you go--my proverbial two cents on the matter. Not that I'm arrogant enough to think that my opinion will sway any of yours...anyway, just go vote for your favourite (http://theartcontest.wdesires.com/).

UK Vogue February 2010: Natalia V by Nick Knight

2010-01-13T15:22:00.009-08:00

Last week I saw the new Natalia Vodianova editorial shot by Nick Knight for UK Vogue Feb 2010...and was instantly mesmerized! Give me barren trees and an air of fatal fairytale any day and I'm on board. Here are a few of my favourite shots:

workboot dilemma

2009-12-08T21:55:00.013-08:00

"workboots" or "workman's boots" are the hottest footwear for fall, and of course i couldn't help but fall head-over-feet victim to this wonderful trend. it's hard when these supposed "workboots" don't look like you could do much work in them at all--heavily heeled/platformed with lots of aggressive buckle or hardware detailing--which is a definite plus in my books. so the name is a little misleading. unless the title implies, instead, that one who wears such boots would be "workin' it" rather than "working in it"?

but i digress. the problem i have is that i can't decide, as i'm frantically trying to tread my way out of this sea of boots, which boot i should buy because unfortunately, i can only afford to buy ONE pair this season. i've managed to narrow it down to 3 styles: the 'Poland' bootie by Jeffrey Campbell ($210 US), the 'Atacoma' by Acne ($599 US--newly re-released!), or the buckle booties by Surface To Air ($550 CDN):

jeffrey campbell 'poland' booties, $210 US

surface to air buckle booties, $550 CDN

acne 'atacoma' wedge booties, $599 US

happy 120th to lanvin!

2009-12-08T20:47:00.011-08:00

Imagine receiving one of these come Christmas morning:

These were created in honour of Lanvin's 120th birthday by monsieur Alber Elbaz. The theme of the collection is--what else?--"mothers and daughters", hence the mother-daughter figurines and paperweights. Adorable! Prices range between £105 - £325, available at Browns. Happy birthday Lanvin!

treasures from Down-Undah

2009-12-08T14:47:00.016-08:00

so after 3 mindblowingly amazing and blissful weeks in Australia (which came after Toronto/Montreal/Quebec City/New York City, which came after Taipei/Okinawa/Tokyo), here's a bit of what i've got to show for it:

sequined jersey dress by i.d.s, $30

vintage croc-embossed clutch, $30

two-tone black tights, $22

tie-dye long tank by red berry, $25 (purchased at the annual Newtown Festival in Sydney!)

statement necklace by peeptoeshoes, $79 (my new love)

BF tee with removable shoulder pads by magdalena duma, $80

superlong tank by minkpink, $25

printed sequins cropped tank by i.d.s, $21

floral mini by i.d.s, $21

jersey headband with fabric rose, $12

floral dress by lushous, $45

off-the-shoulder short floral tee by minkpink, $35

feather-print burnout tank by minkpink, $30

denim mini purchased at stellino, $40

sequined shoulder top by topshop, $60

chiffon flower necklace by alannah hill, $49

asymmetrical fine-rib burnout tank by staple, $45

the top 5 finds of the trip:

1) PeepToeShoes: sky-high shoes with aggressive/flashy colours and details for shoe fiends like myself, as well as lots of statement jewelry

2) MinkPink: my new favourite Aussie brand--great staples for your wardrobe with a edgy but feminine twist, in interesting fabrics of good quality--think long tanks, 80's inspired floral party dresses, cropped tees and mini skirts.

3) Stellino: chain boutique stocked with an abundance of adorable, wearable fashion at VERY affordable prices--brands include minkpink and staple

4) i.d.s: similar to Stellino in that this chain boutique stocks trendy/wearable/affordable fashion of its own brandname.

5) Magdalena Duma: wonderful local Australian brand--designed and made in Australia. we met the business half of the owner duo, who was very bubbly and nice--she told us all about the brand and explained that they're very picky with their fabrics--they don't use synthetic materials, it must have a nice handfeel, and be very comfortable and wearable. LOVE!

lust-list for FW09...part une

2009-08-07T04:58:00.008-07:00

i've been wanting a good pair of black leather OTK boots for a good year-and-a-half or 2 years now. somehow, i never got around to it or maybe it just wasn't high enough on the priority list for some reason. anyhow i'm glad i didn't throw my money at some random black boots because it seems that YSL's platform version for FW09 is really calling out to me. for reals.

YSL OTK boots, $1745 at saks & $1855 at bergdorf's

my life's blood would not be too high a price...

2009-08-07T04:45:00.007-07:00

...for YSL's FW09 'Imperiale' textured suede pumps by Mr.Stefano Pilati. God knows i have a handicapping weakness for skyscraper-height platforms. throw the richness of suede and the colour gray in there and I AM IN HEAVEN!

YSL 'imperiale' pumps, $795 at saks

"has fashion become too fashionable?"

2009-07-09T14:53:00.018-07:00

Saw that in a tweet today by London Fashion--it caught my eye since lately I've been mentally wandering along those same lines myself--has fashion really become too fashionable? The tweet provided a link to this NY Times article/interview with Louise Wilson, course director of the M.A. program at the prestigious Central Saint Martins.

First, it was celebrity-designers--the J.Lo's and J.Simp's, then pseudo-reality tv series lauding rich, tanned young girls as 'style icons' who 'work in fashion', then the new dimension of e-fashion pioneered by 'celebrity bloggers' who fueled the infiltration of armies of hipster-clones seemingly no older than 14 years of age (ahem LookBook?). It seems like everyone "loves fashion" or "works in fashion", to the point where it reeks the stagnant stench of cliché.

But is it such a bad thing that fashion is so accessible nowadays? Is it only special so long as there is an air of exclusivity to it?

I actually think that this apparent "fashion plateau" is a guise for the metamorphosis of not only the fashion industry but the world of fashion--in a place where everyone is the same, what do you instinctively want to do?--try as hard as you can to be different. In an age where everyone looks fashionable yet no one looks stylish, individuals and fashion houses/professionals alike will stretch their own boundaries and really strive to achieve something great, to say something different.

Having just experienced my own little fashion eureka, I'm now anxiously lying in wait for the unveiling of a bigger, badder, more extraordinary eureka from the great fashion houses, and for our millennium age to claim its own identity and stop reiterating notions from decades past!

the curves of a woman...

2009-07-09T14:23:00.007-07:00

...are what my new shoes, also purchased at the recent Zara sale, remind me of.

gray suede peep-toe pumps, $49.99

tell Zara i love her...tell Zara i need her...

2009-07-09T12:57:00.017-07:00

picked up a few goodies from the Zara sale before my L.A trip (which was absolutely lovely, btw--photos to come) that i didn't have time to post:

pleated jersey long top/minidress in chartreuse--LOVE this colour--so deliciously rich but not overwhelming:

pleated top/minidress, $20

the now-famous Balmain-inspired studded-lapel blazer, as spotted on Kim Kardashian. not on sale but it's one of those items that best be bought straight-away, at regular price, because it won't be there long enough to get marked down:

tuxedo blazer with studded lapels, $95.90

beautiful and airy periwinkle/hyacinth tie-dye scarf from Zara Man--also not on sale but again, better to have loved and paid full price than to have never loved at all:

viscose tie-dye scarf, $34.50

silk floral-print dress--my mom bought this for herself but little does she know, she'll never see it again:

silk dress, $59.99

funemployment is FUN!

2009-06-30T02:33:00.007-07:00

so apparently i'm now a part of a new demographic called "The Funemployed".

according to an article by the Globe and Mail, there is an increasing number of twenty/thirtysomethings who have found themselves without a job, yet are embracing and making the most of it--sometimes even prolonging it--by pursuing the things that they otherwise wouldn't have been able to do as a result of a steady job. instead of focusing on finding a new job, people are now asking themselves, "what sort of doors does this open up? what can i use this time to pursue?" it's definitely a new...movement (for lack of a better word) and i'm very intrigued and curious to see what sort of opportunities or trends this could open up. human beings are innovative survivors and i think that it's only a matter of time before someone turns their funemployment into a revenue stream.

some people plant a garden...volunteer... me, i'm planning on seeing the places i've always dreamt of but never seen before, and developing deeper relationships with the places i've already acquainted myself with in the past...

....starting with L.A :)

Kale bag is here! yahoo!

2009-06-30T02:06:00.007-07:00

it seems as though the light of God is smiling ever so gently on me, like the delicate flutter of a butterfly's wings dancing on the sweet fragrance of lillies on a pond (although...why would butterflies be hovering over lily ponds? pretty sure that's dragonfly turf), because the day before my awesome new shoe from Mango arrived, my Kale "Terra Grande" bag came! and i didn't have to pay any duty on it--bonus.

as it was with my Mango shoes, i had never seen this bag in real life prior to purchasing it on ebay. actually, i had never even heard of Kale, let alone seen it. once again, i'm very excited to report that i am not disappointed! i LOVE the colour--it's a dark, warm grey and i've been looking to add a grey handbag to my collection for a while now--and the thick goatskin feels very substantial and sturdy which alleviates my fear of destroying my handbag with my klutziness/carelessness. it is very roomy, bad-ass looking and the bright fuschia suede lining adds a great pop of colour. the only thing is, it's quite a heavy bag even without anything in it...regardless, this is definitely a bag/brand i would recommend. the best thing is... while it retailed for around $600 US... i got it with a best offer of $125!

this baby is coming with me to LA!

shoes are here!

2009-06-30T01:33:00.010-07:00

hurrah! the shoes i ordered from Mango in my previous post have arrived! i was a little bit apprehensive when i ordered them--i have never seen these in real life, and the MangoShop website is a bit consumer-unfriendly in that they only provide ONE view of the product as opposed to several different angles as to provide reassurance for the buyer, especially in economic times such as these...but i digress--anyway i'm very happy to report that these shoes are exactly what i thought they would be! the colour is a peachy-pinky nude, the size fits perfectly and they look more expensive than they are.

just in time for my trip to LA, which is tomorrow! gah so excited!

cut-out sandals mango
tee dress mango
blazer zara
bag kale

new shoes! no job!

2009-06-25T12:28:00.013-07:00

as mentioned in the previous post, i am gearing up for my impending trip to LA with my boyfriend. as soon as the the flights/hotel were booked, the skies parted and cast forth glorious rainbows; angels belted Hallelujahs and fairies danced upon my eyelids. then my boyf suggested that i stop all shopping in order to save up money for our trip. boo.

later that day he called me to tell me that Mangoshop was having a HUMONGOUS online sale. clearly, the man either loves me too much to see me suffer or is just plain crazy. in any case, i have him to thank for the pretty new summer shoes i acquired from said sale!

cut-out booties in "Petal"by Mango, $72

except when i excitedly went to go show him my new purchase, he told me that they are the ugliest shoes that he's ever seen.

(photo from Mangoshop)

hollywood-bound!

2009-06-24T16:09:00.012-07:00

HURRAH! my boyf and i are going to LA for 5 days and staying in WEST HOLLYWOOD. am so excited! will there be celebs? i KNOW there will be shopping. and Disneyland because i lived a deprived pseudo-childhood and have never experienced the happiest place on earth. and maybe Seaworld so i can realize my dream of walking through the underwater tunnel with my mouth gaping open and my arms outstretched, grazing the walls with my fingertips as a giant manta ray swims by and picks a fight with the whale shark. there's a whale shark right??

silk tank splendid

peg-leg trouser topshop

cut-out cone heels balenciaga

bag proenza schouler PS1

necklace miss selfridge

belt oasis

"i feel so...weird....so...strangely powerful..."

2009-06-24T01:17:00.004-07:00

tee american apparel

blazer vintage

peg-legged trousers zara

shoes zara

watch fossil

glasses ideogarage

The Dust Files: Hidden Animals Comic by moi

2009-06-24T00:59:00.008-07:00

old comic strip i drew up while goofing around with my sister, featuring a fish who likes to reside on (unsuspecting) people's faces and does not like to have his cover blown.

i'm his Muse...who are you?

2009-06-24T00:22:00.011-07:00

sheer pocket tank Kain
"potato girl" chino cheap monday
PS1 handbag proenza schouler
braided belt amelia
gladiator sandals sigerson morrison
classic wayfarer ray-ban
wooden necklace brownsfashion
moonstone cocktail ring monica vinader

(photo from Polyvore)

Winner's. Where else?

2009-06-23T17:58:00.010-07:00

i was caught in a dilemma a few weeks ago, before my EI came through. i had no money yet needed to update my heavily monochromatic wardrobe by flirting with some of the beautiful pastel and cosmetic shades as well as feminine stylings of SS09. so where did i go? Winner's ("where else?"), where i picked up this cute little thing by Eyeshadow. the colour is a light, soft beige on a slubbed rayon blend, and i love the feminine ruffles. perfect with that black bandage skirt i picked up on the same trip, or over leggings or acid-washed jeans. or peg-legged trousers. or pretty much everything.

not too shabby for $16.99.

ruffle tank by Eyeshadow, $16.99

lusting for...PS1

2009-06-23T03:26:00.004-07:00

i'm feeling the same way about the PS1 bag (by Proenza Schouler) the same way i felt about the MJ stam 3 years ago......... that it will cost me an arm and both legs but I MUST HAVE IT.

i'm eating up the Coral and Nude, also it comes in a delicious grapey-midnight-blue called Blackberry but if i were to spend $1995 on one bag (and yes, with such a price tag, i can only afford to buy ONE) i would go for the gray (Smoke). i'm in love.

(images from TheFashionSpot)

new bag en route to my loving arms...

2009-06-23T02:31:00.006-07:00

just won this beautiful Kale bag on ebay last week! i've been looking to throw some gray leather into my handbag collection for a while and this was the perfect find--price was great, the colour seems to be what i'm looking for, size is ample and though i haven't seen any Kale bags in person, the girls at TPF have given it good reviews on quality and workmanship.

here are the photos from the ebay auction:

can't wait to get my hands on this one! will post photos once i've received it :)

Zara owes me (part deux)

2009-06-18T14:53:00.037-07:00

so as promised (noted that i did not deliver when i said i would. but better late than never?), here are photos of yet more recent purchases from Zara (what can i say? they did a really good job with the ss09 collections!), followed by some older purchases (April-ish) that i never got around to posting:

1) these bleached, destroyed cropped (though on me, regular-length) jeans that remind me of Balmain SS'09, similar to another pair i bought further down:

2) long, flowy oversized pocket tank, in coral tie-dye (wore this one for days straight--beautiful colour, cool and breezy, and hides my disgusting gut):

3) aforementioned bleached, Balmain-esque jeans--"regular length" (read: 9" of excess fabric on me):

4) charcoal dress with chiffon overlay and beading/pintucking details (wore on my birthday with the blue bandage shoes):

5) silk gauze "cape" top--the back has pleats that create a cape-like appearance. beautiful, flowy and ethereal:

6) my Little Black Posh Dress. because it makes me feel like posh spice:

dress, zara; belt, vintage; boots, stella mccartney

Zara owes me (part une)

2009-06-17T17:01:00.043-07:00

in the last few months, i have bought so many things at Zara that it's starting to feel like i'm their unofficial lunatic mascot. it's like i'm a self-volunteered advertisement for them. practically every week, i have a conversation with someone (usually a friend) that goes something like the following scenarios:

"oooh! cute shoes!"
"thanks! i got them at zara yesterday!"

"nice top!"
"thanks! it's from zara."
"is it silk?"
"hells yeah!"

"is this new?"
"yeah! got it at zara a few days ago!"
"why the fuck are you shopping when you have no JOB?"
"........"

"where'd you go?"
"..........................zara."
"..did you buy anything?"
"oh, just this blazer that i really think epitomizes the key shape of this season, while really being spot-on with this chalky-bone colour which is--"
"YOU HAVE NO JOB. THUS, NO MONEY."
"................................"

so it's perfectly clear that for some reason this season, i cannot find the will in my withered soul to resist the saccharine beckon that is Zara. even though i have no job and therefore, as my boyf so eloquently put it, no effing steady income. yet i find myself perpetually stuck in the same inexplicable situation, bi-week after bi-week:

go into Zara "just to look. you know, just to observe what the high street is doing, how they're translating/knocking off runway trends, see new colours/fabrics...it's my job you know!"

within the first 7 minutes of being in the store, end up with heaps of hangers leaving marks on my left index finger (the shaft???) while my right hand is left free to violently push other hangers (and occasionally, people) left and right, in the rare but perfectly feasible event that the perfect item in the perfect size/colour patiently awaits my (right) hand to rescue it from the incorrect rack of clothing behind which it was hastily stuffed by annoyed-looking, swept-off-her-feet sales associates clad in ill-fitting black suits

try the fitting-room-maximum of 6 items on, with 5 more waiting for me in the little 'keep' closet, all the while thinking "why am i even HERE, when i can't afford to buy anything because i have no effing JOB", then inevitably and ultimately deciding that i look fabulous in almost everything but that i will exercise a morsel of self control and buy only my absolute favourite items + 2 more and let VISA sort the rest out
as soon as i walk out the glass double doors, i know that the '2 more' and the random $9.99 tank tops/whatnot i blindly grabbed while waiting in line to pay, are all destined to be returned, with all original tags attached, to the store within 30 days. but i keep walking because 'maybe if i try them on again at home, i'll decide i like them enough to keep'. (*note: items that have suffered this pointless humming-and-hawing routine include lunatic harem pants that made me grow respectably-sized man-parts, black jersey dress with ruching detail that looked AWESOME on me but absolutely did not need, blush tank top, green silk shift dress, oversized tee...the list goes on)

a week later, i'll venture down to Zara again to return those blasted impulse buys ("i'm only going there to return this stuff. then i'll leave.") but then as soon as i step through those magical glass doors i think to myself, "i wonder what sort of new stuff they've gotten in this week? maybe will just have a quick look, you know, just to stay current."

and blahblahblah the cycle recycles itself time and time over and i'm stuck with all these crazy awesome things that i can kind of afford but probably shouldn't because i have no job etc etc etc anyway here is some of my loot--sadly (for my wallet) there's more photos to come of other purchases...but will post later because it's midnight and i want to drink some water and read a few chapters of "Second Assistant" (it's like the film industry version of The Devil Wears Prada). ENJOY:

"Zara Special Price" elongated beater-tank, $15

blazer with elongated collar, $130

bejeweled thong sandals (also comes in grey!), $70

gladiator platform sandals (oldie but goodie), $100

spike-studded grey suede flats, $70

electric-blue bandage heels, $100

leather foldover clutch with multi-chain strap, $90; studded suede booties, $130

happy hump day!

2009-06-03T15:27:00.004-07:00

am off to a workout session with mom followed by 6 minute Proellixe program. it's a vibration machine (not that kind unfortunately) that causes your muscles to contract, thus simulating physical activity yet reaping its results! works in theory but have yet to find out whether it is true in real life. we shall see...

happy hump day everyone!

2009 MMAs

2009-06-03T13:34:00.041-07:00

so as we all know, the 2009 MTV Movie Awards has come and gone, leaving us with memories of the hot (Leighton Meester's peek-a-boo-ass dress), the 'WTF?!'(um Rumer Willis?!?!) and what it felt like to be an awkward adolescent trying so hard to be cool and like, whatever (ahem Kristen Stewart. who is so pretty btw.). here are my favourite fashion moments from the red carpet, as well as the ones that made me want to throw up my lunch and then rub it in my eyes as to blind myself from the horrendous wreck that is...you'll see:

(photos courtesy of JustJared.com)

so...i don't even know where to begin. i'm a fan of point-form (easy to read + organized) so i will begin there:

the dress is pretty. who's it by? i feel bad for the designer because rumer willis has just ruined it for them.
the dress would have looked hot on someone naturally (emphasis on this word since nothing this girl does seems to come naturally. it's like: look at me! i'm the spawn of 2 really famous/talented people and i want to be famous too! not unlike the solange syndrome) elegant ie. natalie portman, leighton meester...or anyone who had half a brain not to show up on the red carpet with gross red sweaty mussed up bangs in a white trash ponytail or whatever.
her jaws are too big for her face?? anyone concur?
hope bruce willis and demi moore AND ashton kutcher don't all come kick my ass.

oh i guess i'm done after 4 points. that was easy.

next is leighton meester with her kinky-bondage-see-through-ass-dress by emilio de la morena:

(photos courtesy of JustJared.com)

i don't care if everyone gave her slack for it, i love this dress! probably would have been less awkward if there was an opaque ass panel or some sort of cover-flap but overall i think it's really hot. and i love her shoes! they are brian atwood fw09 "brie".

another pair of shoes i loved was worn by (blech) ashley tisdale below. i'm ashamed to say this but i absolutely love these shoes but can't find them anywhere! they are paul & joe sister, called "gypsy". if anyone knows where i can buy a pair let me know!

(photos courtesy of JustJared.com)

last is megan fox. last indeed. it's like she's out to get herself:

(photo courtesy of JustJared.com)

it's like she started to slick her hair back in a ponytail and midway through decided, 'no. gonna leave it at greasy hat hair.' she's so hot otherwise. maybe it's a case of the whole "jessica biel: my beauty is a handicap!" syndrome so she decided to sabotage herself?

random occurrences: rude baby

2009-05-25T14:41:00.040-07:00

On Friday I was visiting the mall (I know) on a sudden whim to buy a pale, nude-ish pink lipstick from M.A.C called "creme cup" (so pretty!) and also bright bright BRIGHT hot blue-toned fuschia lipstick. What was I thinking, buying things as frivolous as lipsticks when I have no job and therefore no money, is beyond me but anyway, M.A.C was sold out of creme cup as it was a limited edition lipstick so I bought a nude one called "creme d'nude" instead (would be quite nice if it weren't for my horrendously chapped lips). And also bought eyeliner. WHY??? Don't know.

Anyway I was walking slowly through the mall after my new cosmetic purchases, texting on my Blackberry when this baby saunters right into my path and stops dead DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. In trying to swerve around baby in such a way as to prevent my Gryson Olivia handbag (containing a thick UK edition of Elle, makeup bags, keys, wallet filled with heavy coins etc) from concussing said baby in a forth-swinging/pendulous motion, while still texting and contorting my torso in awkward, twisted horseshoe shape, I dropped my beloved phone. Which then proceeded to hit the ground before my eyes in slow motion, and shattering into a mess of battery/battery door. Now one of the shift keys doesn't work. Ugh...

But I do have new lipstick, lipliner and coral nail polish--yay! BEHOLD:

m.a.c. lipstick in "creme d'nude"; annabelle lipliner in "fuschia"

N.Y.C nail polish in "Times Square"

regrets.

2009-05-25T14:18:00.005-07:00

I never knew you.
Yet hearing my mother speak of you
makes me miss you.

Mom comes home today from 2 weeks in Taiwan for her father's funeral. He's been sick for a while, his memory faltering and so it should have been no surprise, yet it seemed to have caught everyone off guard a bit when he passed away in his sleep. Peacefully, like a sleeping child, and then he was gone. I've never heard mom speak about her parents very much, and when she did it was often griping about Grandma's gambling habits. She hardly spoke of her father until now.
"He's like a big kid." She said to me a few days before leaving for Taiwan. "His circulation became quite bad since he's confined to a wheelchair and doesn't move much. So one day, while we were sitting in the park across our house, I said to him, 'Let's play a game. I will hold your hand and squeeze at random. Then you have to squeeze back'. He said ok and took the game very seriously, and would laugh like a child when squeezing my hand."

"My dad may not have had an education, but he was a good man. He was kind, hard-working, and honest--he would never cheat anyone. He worked so hard to support our family. He worked two jobs--he made and sold sausages during the day and in the evening would catch fish to sell. every night he would only sleep for about 2 hours, then get up and do it all over again."

"He never complained about anything. Even if he wasn't completely happy with the situation, he would never get angry--just took things as they were and made the best of it. I remember recently, he was wearing a stiff, zip-up nylon jacket that was had been outgrown by one of your cousins, and it was purple, and dirty. I said 'Dad, why are you wearing this? That's not for wearing around the house, it's not comfortable' and fetched him a cotton sweater. He put it on and quietly said, 'This is what I like to wear. It's so soft.'

"This is why I really hate your grandma sometimes." Mom said to me, her voice rising. "She never takes care of him. Even something as simple as giving him something comfortable to wear. Never."

Hearing all of this from Mom has made me regret not getting to know my grandpa better when he was alive. I've spent my whole life 'getting to know' my dad's parents, who are so demanding and hard to get along with--every Christmas, every New Year's, every visit to Taiwan had mostly been spent with them. Yet in all of this I failed to remember that there was another set of grandparents--a simpler, quieter set, who deserved much more time and effort that I ever gave them.

I'm sorry i never took the time to get to know you. I hope to meet you again someday.

Rest in peace Grandpa.