Fashion Retake: Key Pendant Necklace

Wow I haven't done a Fashion Retake in a while! This time I was inspired by a page in Lucky Magazine November 2008. Actress Karina Deyko selected a golden key necklace as one of her current obsessions. I found the necklace charming and easy to wear.



A month or so later I found the following necklace at a holiday art bazaar for only $5. I love it so much but it didn't go over so well with my mom who said it made me look like a latch-key kid! Perhaps I'll find a golden chain to hang it from but right now I'm too lazy to change it.

Inauguration Special: Malia and Sasha

Although it's been their mother, Mrs. Obama, who's been receiving the most press about her outfits and keen fashion sense, Malia and Sasha Obama are getting their turn in the spotlight. New York Post did a feature called First Fashionistas- which takes a look at the fashion choices made by the Obama daughters. In formal occassions, they take cues from their mother and dress in the same color family. Other times, Malia indulges in tie-dye Tease T-shirts, and Sasha looks adorable in anything.

Gerson & Gerson named their black dress after Sasha, after she wore it on Election Night.

Sasha is taking part in the 'Presidential wave.'

In other news, we may be welcoming more than a new President this January. There is talk that Vogue's editor in chief, Anna Wintour, may be replaced.

Le Pommier Shoes

The Asian part of me is drawn to cute things, and nothing's cuter than cartoon rabbits and bears. When said rabbits and bears are on shoes, it's a match made in　heaven． When I stumbled upon Le Pommier by Ameber (also known as No Concept but Good Sense) shoes, I let out a girly squeal and cooed over the little cartoon animals stitched onto flats. The left and right shoe are a little different from each other but that's what makes these shoes so charming. I am determined to get a pair but they seem to only be available in parts of Asia. Supposedly, the brand is Japanese but I can't locate a website or even a department store that sells them. I know there's a store in Singapore and Shanghai. Maybe next time I’m visiting relatives in China, I might make a side trip to Shanghai　for a shopping spree.

Image Source:Flickr, Welcome to Your Destiny, http://eatshopbemerry.livejournal.com, Food. Fashion. Ferrets.

Deal of the Day: Greedy for Boots

A girl can't own enough boots. Even though I bought a pair of knee highs only a month ago and have 5 more pairs of boots in my collection, I want more! If I buy this gorgeous lace up pair of Michael Kors, that would make a lucky seven. They look amazing and I can totally channel Rumi from Fashion Toast with these boots. At 75% off, they are great pair of boots from a designer label, but I'm hesitant about parting with $100. However if you are a size 5.5, 6, 6.5, or 10 and have that kind of money to spend, visit Jildor. There are other sizes available on footnotesonline.com for $197.50, about 50% off the original $395.00 price tag. Still a good deal for a die-hard boot lover.

KORS Michael Kors Mogul in Black Patent
Sale: $99.00
Original: $395.00

DIY Hermes Kelly Bag

Have you been to the Hermes site? The website is incredibly well designed, graphic heavy, and fun to explore. The Travel the World of Hermes part of the site has plenty of interesting things to do and see. You can watch a video of a scarf blowing machine, play a game of tangram, gaze at gorgeous window displays from years gone by, or explore a forest of tie trees. However, if your browser tends to be a bit slow, the Hermes site may take a long time to upload.




The activity I enjoyed the most was creating your own miniature Hermes Kelly bag out of paper. There are a number of beautiful designs to choose from and the instructions are easy to understand. It’s best to use thicker, glossy paper because it holds the shape better and colors are more vibrant. I only forewarn that the model is quite small and require small skillful hands to crease and glue.




I think the one I made turned out quite well. For now it’s going to just artfully grace my desk. Later I might use it as a gift card holder for a fashionable friend or an ornament on my Christmas tree.

My WHBM Bargain :)

As you've probably noticed, most of the blog posts here are tagged with window shopping not shopping. I love to look at the selection of clothes offered online or browse through all dresses 70% off or more on shopstyle.com, but most of the time I never hit checkout. My uncertainty of whether or not the item will fit and the additional shipping costs turn me away from any online purchases. Only when the deal is too great to ignore do I pounce. On Monday, I found the too-good-to-resist deal- White House Black Market had a sale in which a $88 tunic was down to $17.99, and there was free shipping- it doesn't get much better than that! It came in yesterday (in rather shoddy packaging, but you get what you pay for) and I just had to model it.

Today's (Blog) Finds

Check out these blog posts!

Treadmill：Red Carpet vs. Runway - See Golden Globe Dresses side by side with their runway equivalent.

Popeater：Blake Lively Looks Lovely in Vogue - Looking like a Hollywood siren and Interview from Vogue

Fashionista: Like Steroids, for Lashes-Because god knows mascara does not actually make your lashes look longer and thicker.

Garance Doré: It's like the Parisian version of the Sartorialist except better because Parisians know how to dress and the site also includes fashionable illustrations. Too bad I can't read French though.

Style Bubble: Weaving In and Out- Susie Bubble's DIY project

Nitrolicious: Free Cosmetics at Major Department Stores- Just Say 'Free' and people will come flocking.

Lost But Not Forgotten… Jillian Lewis

Second runner up and one of my favorite designers from Season 4 Project Runway, Jillian Lewis proves that she has a place in fashion. After quitting her job with Ralph Lauren, she produced her own line for Fall 08 and Spring 09. The line centers around her signature ruffle trench, elegant knits, and figure-flattering dresses. The judges had constantly mentioned her ability to dress women and that holds true when you see her clothes. The only question is, where do you buy her clothes?

I would love to get my hands on one of these jackets. I remember the avant garde challenge and being wow by the over-the-top punk trench with a train of ruffles and plaid lining.

Jillian also worked on several design projects. She did the costume design for A Two Part Affair and created sketches for GenArt.

I love the mix of couture and clowns.

Golden Globe Dresses 2009

Oh award shows, I know you guys like to think that you're so important honoring the great actors, actresses, and animated characters of the year, but award shows don't really make interesting tv. On the other hand, award show dresses make great internet search material. For every red carpet event, there are dresses we ooo and ahh over, and there are those that we cringe over.

The Best Dressed

Kate Beckinsale was floating on the red carpet with this divinely structured gown. Absolutely loved it. Simple but elegant.


Evan Rachel Wood's dress was my favorite. Her gown was so intricate with ruffles, sequins, and tulle, but black kept it from looking too busy.


From first glance, I knew this dress was Versace and one of the most beautiful I've seen. January Jones pulls the Hollywood glamour look together with flowing blonde locks.

If Jones represents old Hollywood, then Kristin Scott Thomas represents old Paris. Her Lanvin dress is Parisian chic, and make her look absolutely charming.

Rumer Willis is Miss Golden Globes 2009. It's nice to see someone wearing rich vibrant colors especially paired with that flaming red hair. The pleats are an elegant touch. Not my favorite but I really liked it.

The Worst Dressed

The bad thing about sheer fabric covering the entire top half of your body is that your bra will most definitely be seen. On the other hand, without the sheer panel, she would be wearing a boring black dress. I'm just glad she didn't decide to go braless.

Kat Kramer and her iridescent purple monstrosity



More Commentary

Christina Applegate really looks like Belle of Beauty and the Beast. Give her a tiara and send her to Disneyland.

Gosh darn cute couple.

Oh Drew, I would have loved to put you in my best dressed list. The dress you are wearing is so lovely. Sheer steely-blue fabric that swirls around you evokes images of a tempest storm. Unfortunately, your hair also evokes images of a tempest storm.

Budget-Wise: Gypsy Chic for $100

Red Bow Tie Blouse: Norma Kamali for Walmart- $15.00
Velvet Bolero Vest: Forever 21- $17.80

Seven Bracelet Set: Forever 21- $6.80

Prazzo Carpet Bag in Dark Brown: Aldo- $15.98
Triple Medallion Belt: Forever 21- $8.80
Twill Skinny Pants: Charlotte Russe- $14.99
Airwalk Ralston Fringe Boot: Payless- $20.99



Total: $100.36
Yes, that's right, I'm 36 cents over.

Ruffle Bags

Boxy monocolored Birkins are all business but when you want to bring out your flirty romantic side, try a ruffle handbag. Designers YSL, Prada, and Valentino have combined quintessentially girly ruffles with a girl’s best accessory, the handbag. These beautiful bags are sure to be noticed and get you noticed. White House Black Market has a dainty version that would be lovely paired with a sleek dress and Urban Minx’s vibrant purple is hip with dark jeans.

White House Black Market Ruffle Evening Bag

Valentino Volants Ruffled Clutch: $1,395.00

Valentino Allure Framed Satchel: $2,495.00

Prada Nappa a Hobo

Steve Madden Bruffle: $78

Urban Minx Silk Ruffle Bag: $196

YSL Muse Clutch: $1,995

Aldo EuroStac: $40