Window Shopping Emporium

Anna Sui’s Target Collection Getting the Love

2009-09-14T22:00:00.002-04:00

The day every Gossip Girl Fashionista has been waiting for, Anna Sui’s Target collection is finally online. Many reviews are already up, averaging around 4 stars. Many buyers were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the clothes. However, this collection is definitely on the pricier side. The dresses sell for $45 to $70, and the priciest items is a $150 leather jacket. Several people also noted that they had to go up a size, so if you are buying online, think about doing the same.

I really think this collection is one of the most commercial/mainstream and best marketed. I could really see everyday girls wearing these clothes and easily incorporating them into their wardrobe. It also helps that the looks are based on a character. When you are looking at the slideshow of looks, I’m really seeing Serena, Blair, Jenny, and Vanessa. Du Juan (my favorite Asian model) cast as Blair made me smile. The only thing they have in common is the hair style, but somehow both exude elegance.

The items I selected under ‘My Picks’ not only look good in the pictures but scored excellent reviews. Many have interesting details but are not too bizarre that no one want to go out in public wearing it. Many collaborations sound good but they don’t always translate well commercially. I remember being so excited about Alexander McQueen’s Collection- he had an amazing Fall 2008 collection based on a story of a wood nymph- but his Target collaboration left me scratching my head. Tattoo print prom dresses, anyone?

My Picks

Satin Striped Seersucker Dress - $59.99

Metallic Grey Feather Dress - $69.99
Reminds me of Burberry Fall 2008 RTW

Metallic Jacquard Ruffle Top - $39.99

Blah and Busy

2009-09-09T19:37:00.004-04:00

Howdy folks, sorry about going skimpy on the blog but I’ve been feeling blah and busy. Sounds contradictory I know, but here’s why. So school started on August 25th and I decided to continue working part time for at least a little while because the pay is so great and the work is so not that bad. Of course that means I’ll be going to work before the crack of dawn and then working 7 hours before driving back and going to class. I’m out of the house for almost half the day. Of course when I’m not working/going to class, I melt into a puddle of blah. I have a friend who’s even worse. Every semester she takes 5 or 6 classes, works at least 20 hours a week and some of it’s unpaid, and is in at least 5 different organizations so she spends her evenings running around campus going to meetings or attending events. Yes the life of overachievers sucks. Yes, in fact it sucks the life out of us. Unlike her, I realize this kind of schedule is unsustainable so I’ve already told my boss that I’m leaving the company come mid-September. They’ve advertised the position and found a suitable replacement. I’m going to miss that place but quitting will definitely free up my schedule.

In the meantime, there's lots of fashion news I've been keeping an eye on. Spring 2010 NY Fashion Week is starting tomorrow!! I'm so excited even though I'm clearly no where near NYC, much less getting in to see the shows. However with my new iPhone, which is taking over my life, and Style.com's app, I can view the photos any place, any time. Which would be super for blogging if they get the pictures up promptly.

I'm also loving this Refinery21 article on fashion and food bloggers (I swear, my two favorite things). Great blogs like Luxirare, Maison des Reveries, and Cupcakes and Cashmere made the list. With a list this good, I'll definitely have to check out Blushing Ambition and Carb Lover Food Stylist.

Blushing Ambition

I always love high-low collaboration, if not the clothing, at least the idea. The latest one that caught my eye is the Christopher Kane for Topshop collection. The stuff looks amazing! ... And is also priced between $80-$300. Yikes, that's way out of my budget. To quote Kelly O'Reilly from the Thread: "With collaborations becoming almost generic, it would be a tragedy if their original appeal - designer designs at non-designer prices - fell by the wayside."

If you want to be in the know about all upcoming high-low collabs, definitely follow Nitrolicious. That update bunny has the best and earliest coverage.

As amazing as this collection is, I'm still holding out for Rodarte for Target coming this December! What designer collaborations are you excited about?

August Giveaways from around the Web

2009-08-18T08:25:00.003-04:00

Lucky Mag Giveaways (August and September)
Only 1 entry per giveaway. If you register on Luckymag.com, you can cut down on the data entry. It may be worth it because there are 25 giveaways for September alone!!

Teen Vogue Mag
They have a calendar of giveaways (a giveaway every day of the month). The one on August 18th is especially good.

Elle and Elle Girl Mag
Many prizes up for grabs but keep in mind the different deadlines. It's 1 entry per day. Franky that's a little annoying for a $20 prize.

Lifetime Project Runway Sweepstakes (8/14/09 - 8/23/09)
Win a limited-edition Project Runway sewing machine, a Michael Kors Astor chain satchel, a gift card to Mood Designer Fabrics, and more. One entry per person.

People Watch $1500 Shopping Spree from Ann Taylor Loft and People (7/17/08 - 8/31/09)
A trip for two to NYC, a shopping spree, and personal styling session. Can enter 1 time per day.

Lucky Shops Giveaway (8/11/09 - 9/8/09)
Two flight tickets to NYC, $1000 shopping spree, and $500 Ed Hardy Fragrances basket. One entry total per person.

Fashion's Night Out Shopping Spree (8/11/09 - 9/11/09)
You can enter 1 time per day and there 8 prizes, with gift cards from many different stores, each worth over $5000. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

Note- If you or anyone in your immediate family works in fashion retail (see complete list), you are not valid for entry.

Neiman Marcus $5000 Sergio Rossi Shopping Spree (7/15/09 - 9/15/09)
The usual sign up for their mailing list and you are entered to win. 1 entry total per person.

100 ml Bottle of PLAY fragrance autographed by Justin Timberlake (8/13/09 - 10/6/09)
You can enter once every 7 days. A winner will be selected every week, with 12 winners total.

Beauty Travel Kit Sweepstakes (ends 10/18/09)
Different sets of beauty products worth $125 - $250 are up for grabs. 20 are available but 1 entry per household.

Bergdorf Goodman $5000 Shopping Spree (7/31/09 - 10/30/09)
The usual sign up for their mailing list and you are entered to win. 1 entry total per person.

Lucky At Your Service Sweepstakes (7/1/09 - 1/31/10)
There's a $2,500, $1,500, and $1000 shopping spree up for grabs. Only one entry total per person.

If there are other great giveaways, leave me a link in the comment section and I'll add it to this list.

Chanel- Behind the Scenes Footage

2009-08-17T12:05:00.000-04:00

If you ask any young girl obsessed with fashion what's her favorite designer brand, you can bet 9 times out of 10, she answers Chanel. Chanel has always been synonymous with impeccable taste and class. It's no wonder when you look at some of the intricate detailing Chanel tailors put into one dress. It's a eye squinting, finger pricking, meticulous process to get from a piece of cloth to an outfit worth of the runway.

You Sure Know How to Push My Buttons Style.com

2009-08-16T09:57:00.000-04:00

And not in a good way this time. Usually Style.com is one of my favorite websites because it covers all of the major fashion shows. Also I sometimes go through the Style File Blog for quick fashion news. As I was skimming through the posts on Style File today, I spotted "Win A Style.com Internship". Huh, sounds like a pretty interesting sweepstakes. I read a few more lines and I go from excited to down right pissed. The whole thing is an auction where you bid to work for free and they have to audacity to value the 'opportunity' at $2500. Sure you get college credit and the money goes to charity but that's a complete rip off. Not to mention internships should be filled by people who work for them not people who can pay for them!! Style.com/Vogue is in the business of pawning off overpriced designer goods that nobody actually needs (as much as we feel we need), but to actually pawn off work is unbelievable. Also, this is a style.com internship not even a Vogue internship. To quote, you will be "assist[ing] the editors with the fashion closet, trafficking samples, requesting product, assisting photo shoots, helping out during fashion week in New York". The only people who would be willing to pay for this must be the rich parents of NY trust fund babies. Yeah, I can totally see Jessie from NYC Prep doing this.

On a complete utter tangent, Bravo put up full episodes of NYC Prep online so I can brain mush my weekend away.

Beauty Samples: Grab 'em before they're gone!

2009-08-13T11:07:00.007-04:00

A) Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions

B) Bodycology Lotion

C) John Freida Brilliante Brunette Liquid Shine Illuminating Shampoo (.28 oz) and Conditioner (.28 oz)

D) Escada Desire Me Perfume Sample

Trip to the County Fair

2009-08-12T11:52:00.002-04:00

Last weekend, a friend and I took a trip to the county fair. I had never been to a county fair so I was very excited to see the llamas and fancy chickens, buy local produce, and of course, ride the carnival rides. The fairground was about 15 minutes away in a beautiful country setting. I always like to joke that I lived ‘next to the middle of nowhere’, to which my friend replies, “No, we live on the edge of nowhere”. But it’s true- drive 10 miles in any direction and you will start seeing farms.

As we parked the car, I noticed the car beside us was an antique and clearly someone’s baby. “Do not touch” was scribbled on a piece of paper on the windshield.

We hurried on inside because the llama competition was starting. In the very last white tent, several llamas were being judged in a large pen. While the llamas were being led around the pen, I happily snapped up pictures.

I had never seen a spotted llama before so I thought it would win because of the novelty. I also loved a chestnut colored llama because of its beautiful face markings.

Isn’t he photogenic?
To my surprise, the spotted llama came in last. It turns out that 4-H competitions are more about handling than the breeding of the animal, and that spotted llama was not well behaved at all. The judge even made a comment that the animal “just didn’t want to be here”.

We took a look at some of the other tents. The largest animal at the fair had to be the draft horse. Its torso was as tall as my head. When I stuck my camera between the rails to take a picture, the horse nudged at me with its huge head, probably thinking I had food. It was very intimidating! Ironically, the miniature horses were in the next pen over.

I also really enjoyed the fancy chickens. Unlike your normal egg-laying or at-the-crack-of-dawn-crowing fowls, these hens and roosters are more colorful, have feathery feet, or have unique hairdos.

I called the rooster to the left Jefferson and behind him is Washington.
The trip was fun but exhausting. The sun beating down was making me dizzy, sweaty, and dehydrated. After purchasing some delicious blackberries, I was ready to go home. We said goodbye to the fairgrounds, but not before taking one last shot.

The Dazzling (Nineteen) Twenties

2009-08-11T11:13:00.001-04:00

Chicago (film)

If I could be alive in any era just for the fashion, it would during the 1920s in America. I love the flapper "uniform"- short hems, beads, and feathers. Girls with short bobs and no inhibition. People letting loose and dancing. The 20s exude fun and glamour- at least on the surface. Since time travel is out of the question, it's a bit of a moot point trying to imagine living in that era. However an afternoon of online window shopping yielded some surprising 1920s-inspired treasures so I'll indulge in fantasy a bit more. Because of the recycling of trends and influences in fashion, some of today's designers are interpreting the flapper with modern twist.

Santi Beaded Clutch- $84.00

Gryphon Feather Dress-$644.00

Vera Wang Beaded Necklace- $850.00

Every girl needs some razzle-dazzle. Just one of the items above would make any outfit pop, but together...

... I think I just about died (from sparkle overdose) and went to heaven.

Shoe and Bag Eye Candy

2009-08-05T19:28:00.001-04:00

Suffering from Food Shows Withdrawal, Saved by Hulu

2009-08-05T17:55:00.001-04:00

My new apartment has everything I need- my own room, proximity to classes, a large walk-in closet, and a parking space. However, one thing I am giving up is cable TV. I was TV-less for over a month before my mom bought me a nice flat screen for my birthday. Being rather thrifty, I really didn’t want to pay $30+ for cable or dish when I only watch three channels, Food Network, Travel Channel, and Bravo. Instead I made a one time purchase of a digital antenna. Once installed, I could watch the basic network channels (ABC, NBC, CBS) and tons of PBS. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough to satisfy my craving for food shows. I really missed competition food shows like Top Chef, educational shows like Good Eats, and shows that feature food from around the world (Anthony Bourdain and Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern). Sure PBS has numerous cooking shows that teach you how to create simple meals, but I just like to look at good food not make them!

Then I turned to Hulu for some more variety. Unfortunately my favorite networks had many snippets but few episodes, which makes sense because who would pay if they could watch everything online. With some browsing, I found several shows that are giving me my food show fix. One of them is called Great Cocktails.

The premise of the show is to teach viewers how to make great cocktail intertwined with a bit of history and tips from professional bartenders. It has Alton Brown’s fun facts (of Good Eats) and Iron Chef’s flair. I mean they lit alcohol on fire within the first 2 minutes of the first episode! I’m really excited about this show because I’ve always wanted to learn how to make cocktails. Now that I’m 21, I can finally make and enjoy some tasty alcoholic beverages.

PBS has a show called Gourmet’s Diary of a Foodie. Like Anthony Bourdain and Bizarre foods, Diary of a Foodie takes a look at the foods found around the globe. People eat some marvelously strange things and I drool while watching them. I mentally tally all the things I have to try when I travel.

Another show on my 'To-Watch' list is Three Sheets. To my surprise, Hulu offers full episodes of several Mojo shows. I’ve actually watched Three Sheets before, but not regularly. My Dad remarked it was a good show but I usually stuck with my Food Network. Three Sheets follows Zane Lamprey, the human alcohol processor, around the world as he samples the local beers, wines, gins, whiskey- you name it, he’s tried it. It’s really funny to watch more than anything, and it helps that Zane is a comedian. A great show for the 20s crowd.

It's really sad that I finally have a nice big TV but nothing good to watch. I'm waiting for the fall prime time to start up so I can at least watch Grey's Anatomy. In the meantime, food shows on Hulu will be how I spend my evenings. The hard part is limiting how much I watch. Must not watch 20 episodes in one night!

Tim Gunn (my Hero)

2009-08-01T14:51:00.000-04:00

It's a crazy world when my favorite reality show host is turned into a 2-D action super hero. Actually, it feels like an extension of Modelinia's Spiked Heel episodes (supermodels as superheros- starring the one and only Heidi Klum). I love you Tim Gunn, but this is getting too weird. If you're interested in what the comic is going to be about, check out the New York Times article.

Geeks Unite

2009-07-29T12:05:00.003-04:00

Satisfy your inner geek with these quirky, but functional items. They can be worn, make your sofa more comfortable, or even clean, not to mention add character. Your guests will surely take a second look at your Ctrl+Alt+Delete pillows. Of course if you don't want to flaunt your geekiness, you can always give them away as gifts. Who doesn't want Playstation controller soap?

Fred and Friends Ice Invaders: $7.50

Ctrl - Alt - Del Three Pillow Set: $58.00

Nerdy Giraffe Tee: $24.50

Brave Space Design Tetris Bookcase- Pricing upon request

Realistic Xbox Controller Replica Soap : $12.00

Free Lacoste Perfume Samples

2009-07-29T11:58:00.002-04:00

I’m not really a perfume girl. Most of them come off too strong for me and it’s not something I would routinely use so most of the bottle would be wasted. Instead I actually prefer the scent of my shampoo (Herbal Essence has some of the best smelling shampoo and conditioner out there). However, I do like to collect little perfume samples which I can spray on when I’m in the mood or spray on cards I give to friends. If you like perfume samples too, Lacoste is giving out samples of Lacoste Challenge, Lacoste Touch of Pink, and Lacoste Love of Pink. All you would need to provide is your name, email, and address.

Lacoste Scent Samples: http://www.lacoste-parfums.com/free-sample/

What I'm into Now

2009-07-22T19:10:00.001-04:00

My Facebook friend is enjoying her summer in China. She post some pictures of bunny shaped mochi dim sum. I can't decide if I want to eat it or pet it- but I know I want it.

Taghrid's desktop background worthy photo shoot for PIKNIK Magazine.

Recently I've been obsessed with Tiffany blue. In my fantasy future house/apartment, I want to have Tiffany blue walls with white columns and crown molding. Hanging in the dining room, will be this romantic blue chandelier (too bad someone bought it already).

A castle made of paper = hundreds of hours of meticulous work. Definitely check out Tokyobling's blog for more breathtaking images.

Neiman Marcus' digital catalogue usually has some cute spreads. I'm loving the one for Chanel's Pre-Fall 09 collection (pg 48). The Russian themed spread includes adorable Russian nesting dolls with Chanel logos for buttons. The video will bring a smile to your face, as it did to mine.

How The Average U.S. Consumer Spends Their Paycheck
I'm very interested in personal spending and being thrifty so I regularly check out Wisebread and Get Rich Slowly. This was on GRS and it was amazing to see where average American families spend their money. Can you believe that we spend almost the same amount for groceries as we do for restaurant food?

DIY Chain and Ribbon Woven Necklaces

2009-07-16T17:25:00.000-04:00

A couple of Christmases ago, I received a chain link necklace with crown charm. The necklace really wasn’t to my tastes. It had a Juicy Couture-ish appeal and I got a thing against brands that stick their label on the hinny area of gym pants. I decided to throw away the charm but keep the perfectly good chain. It was a bit boring on its own so I wanted to find a different pendant but it needed to be hefty pendant with a large hole in order to hang in on the chain. Of course I didn’t own such a pendant. Instead, I soon forgot about it and the necklace stayed in my jewelry case gathering dust.

Inspiration

A few weeks ago, Gilt was selling woven ribbon necklaces by Lulu Frost. The chain was interwoven with brightly colored satin ribbon and tied with bows. They were adorable and inspired me to finally do something funky and chic with my chain necklace.

The Supplies

A chain necklace
Colorful ribbon that is at least twice as long as the chain
A bit of tape

Instructions

1) Taper one end of the ribbon with the tape. This will make the ribbon easier to weave in between the links.

2) Take the chain necklace and pull the ribbon through the first link. Make sure to pull enough of the ribbon through. I recommend at least the necklace and a half length of ribbon.

3) Begin weaving the ribbon into a pattern. To do this I straightened out the chain so the first link lies flat, the second link is on its side, and the rest of the links alternate in that pattern. I threaded the ribbon from bottom to up for the 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc links and the right to left for the 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc links. Of course you can also choose to weave randomly but I liked the braid-like weave my pattern created.

4) Threading the ribbon is a bit tedious so I actually stopped about 1/3 the way through. I tied the ends of the ribbon into a bow and closed the necklace clasp so it created a double chained necklace. If you do this too, make sure to leave the ribbon long enough so the necklace can go over your head. You wouldn’t want to tie and untie the necklace every time you wear it!

5) Or you can also weave the ribbon through the entire length of the necklace to get something more like Lula Frost.

6) I kept mine simple, but you can add brooches, charms, feathers, and gems to it as well.

Happy 21st

2009-07-09T21:38:00.002-04:00

Yes, today is my 21st birthday. Therefore I'm posting appropriately celebratory fashion photos.

Not doing much today (ie. no drinking because I have work tomorrow), but I will be treated to both lunch and dinner tomorrow. In fact I will most likely be eating way too much, way too good, food all this weekend. Okay, jogging... next week.

Oh, and I went on a mini shopping spree today at noon. Three words- Gilt Final Sale!!

Finally!! Leanne's Collection on Bluefly

2009-07-09T20:16:00.004-04:00

Since season 4 of Project Runway, all winning designers get to create a collection to sell on Bluefly. I'm actually really enthusiastic this time because I adore Leanne and her 'pleating' skills. The long awaited collection was finally revealed yesterday. I must say, I think it will actually sell!! I remember some of Christian Siriano's stuff heavily discounted during final sales, like 70%+, which is highly unusual for Bluefly so I suspect it didn't sell very well. Leanne's collection is more wearable and generally well priced. The price point is actually lower than the apparel on her website. The only thing that bothers me is that Bluefly states the retail price at $210.00 and then discounts it 20% to $168.00, when really the retail price is $168.00 and there was no discount. I hate when businesses initially mark up an item only to pretend discount it immediately. Anyway, annoyance at Bluefly aside, I think this is a great start for Leanne. Go Leanimal!

A First Look at Fall 09 Couture

2009-07-09T19:54:00.000-04:00

The fashion shows I like to cover the most are the couture shows. They are only a few of them each season (so I can look at them all) and are known for their amazing quality and vision. The first two up on Style.com are the Dior and Alexis Mabille collections. Surprisingly, both showcased some innerwear as outerwear. Does that mean the rich and famous will be wearing scandalous lingerie under sheer full skirts for fall?

Dior

I can trust John Galliano to put on an elaborately overdone show with elaborately overdone clothes. His looks always border on the absurd but that’s what makes his show the most fun to watch. This year was no exception.

50’s Satin Jackets with sheer skirts over girdles. What can I say- at least he didn’t give us bulbous alien dresses. The jackets actually stay true to vintage Dior suits and will probably sell well. The sheer petticoats, girdles, and such, seem to be incongruent with the polished suit jackets, but Galliano explains that he was inspired by half dressed mannequins. Oookaay… as long as he doesn’t expect people to go around half dressed. All in all, the collection was very lady like, from the jackets, to the handbag, to the leather gloves. More evidence of the Michelle Obama effect!

I'm crazy in love with these mulberry leather gloves. For me, the items that shone the most were the gorgeous, gorgeous, corset dresses.

WTF-ness: 6 (mostly from the girdles)

Alexis Mabille

Mabille said he was inspired by a young woman just getting out off bed. When I see his collection, I can believe it, but isn’t it just an excuse to drape window treatment on models?

Okay that was a little mean, but this collection felt too casual and summery to be appropriate for Fall/Winter couture. I understand designers want to break the boundaries that define couture, but it really didn’t showcase his skill- so why would anyone buy it? Not to say I disliked the collection, but there are very few value pieces that I feel people would be willing to fork over their money for (those few pieces being the snazzy white suit and sheer dress).

Collection favorites

Still it’s not a bad concept, especially if done for a spring couture show. It’s light and romantic and reminds me of a music video I really enjoyed called 'Her Morning Elegance' by Oren Lavie. I highly recommend you watch it below. The song is charming but the film's concept and direction are what made the video memorable.

The film sums up what I thought Mabille was missing in his showing on Monday. Like the song, the look he created was sweet and charming, but forgettable. However, the video applied a cool stop action technique that really wowed me. Mabille should have done the same for his clothes, use technique and details to blow fashion critics away.

Reaction: meh!

Source: Style.com, NyMag.com
Definitely skim those sites for better images- the blogger window is way too tiny!

The 'Anna' Documentary

2009-07-07T19:23:00.005-04:00

First Valentino and now Anna Wintour! Looks like all the big names in fashion are getting a feature film documentary these days. I guess people can't get enough of Vogue. To be honest, I think U.S. Vogue has been getting worse and worse- haphazard or boring fashion spreads and articles that read like lists of socialite and designer names. Hardly anything catches my interest. I usually flip to the back first and browse the three pages of guest editor selected 'must haves' (you know, the ones that look like scrapbook pages). Then I check out the photo shoots and luxury brand ads. I get a 1/2 inch thick mag every month and there's nothing in there worth reading, skimming maybe but not reading- boo-hiss! I am definitely not renewing this year.

Despite my complaints with Us Vogue, it's a given I'm going to watch 'The September Issue'. I may not like Wintour's selection on recent issues, but I (and probably every fashion blogger out there) dream of being the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue. Attending fashion shows and everyone asking your opinion on what's fashionable and what not, having the power to promote young designers, putting together fashion spreads and reviewing fashion articles, what's not to like about that job? I definitely want to check out the amazing things you get to see and do as the Editor-in-Chief of one the best known fashion magazines in the world.

Getting Back Into the Flow of Things

2009-06-16T21:16:00.006-04:00

It’s been a month since I gave a little insight on how turbulent my life was at the moment. Since then I’ve found a job near my university which is a 2 hours drive from my parents’ house. I drove to my university campus four times the week I got the job; once for the interview, then for the paperwork and drug screening, again to look at housing, and finally when I started my first day at work. It was unbelievably hectic and draining.

I originally planned on finding a summer sublet but found a year lease that was just perfect- very close to my classes and well maintained. The advantage of a year lease is that I can move in during the summer and not have to move again when Fall Semester starts. The only problem was I needed housing asap, but the previous renters weren’t moving out for another two weeks. So I spent two week like a homeless person, moving around from place to place with everything I needed in a suitcase. Thankfully my friends were very nice about letting me stay with them for a few days.

I finally moved into my very first apartment a week ago (it feels longer). It’s still a little sparse with no furniture in the living room, but I managed to clutter it up with my junk and cardboard boxes. Still, it’s a step toward normalcy. Between working 8 hours a day, studying for the CFA exam on the weekends, and meeting up with friends occasionally, the days seem to go by so quickly yet feel so long. So quickly because I have so little spare time and the day is over before I know it; so long because what was only a week ago feels like it happened a month ago.

The past month was full of firsts. First time working in an office, first time being paid a decent wage, first time signing a lease (school dorm leases don’t count) and paying rent. I feel very accomplished right now. I just hope I don’t screw things up.

Image source: the movie Working Girl

New Banner Picture Credits

2009-05-28T02:24:00.005-04:00

From Left to Right:
Balenciaga Bag
Subversive Necklace
Tania Spinelli Spring 09 Sketch

CFDA Fashion Fund Popular Vote

2009-05-28T00:54:00.003-04:00

Don't forget to vote for your favorite designer for 2009 so they can get some moo-lah without you actually purchasing their clothes (not that I wouldn't want to own a piece and support designers that way, but a dress is probably more than my rent). The only problem now is who to choose- I have too many favorites!!

Vote CFDA Fund

You can vote once a day and you are entered for a giveaway of 2 tickets to a Spring Summer 2010 Fashion show. Doesn't say which one or cover transportation costs, but you do get a nice swag bag including a Linea Pelle handbag.

The Safety Pin Takes Center Stage

2009-05-20T11:45:00.006-04:00

Safety pins have been relegated to the backstage in fashion. When there's a gaping hole between two buttons because your button-up shirt is just a little too tight around the chest area, you use a safety pin. When your bra strap keeps showing, you safety pin it to the shirt. The safety pin is meant to temporarily fix but not meant to be seen. Lately, I have found safety pins to be more than utilitarian, but actually stylish. The unsung hero of fashion is finally getting it's turn in the lime light.

Top to bottom:
1) Stolen Girlfriends Club white minidress- image source Fashion Toast
2) Ongwat Jewelry Pin Me Necklace
3) Image source- Sartorialist
4) Sou Brette Jewelry Hexagon Pendant
5) Bodhi Safety Clutch- image source Gilt
6) The Docent Safety Bracelet

It's interesting how different people have used the same objects. Some looks were rock and roll, others were gothic, and others exuded glamour and elegance. One thing is consistent; they all made a statement- 'don't overlook the the safety pin.'

Life Intervenes

2009-05-19T23:48:00.005-04:00

Hey Readers,

So the last post was about a month ago. Since then, I have been finishing up my classes, preparing for finals, moving out of the dorms, and trying to figure out what to do with my life. I haven't been able to really focus on posting anything of late- more like my energy has been sapped from trying to do and worrying about everything else. I still take the time to read my favorite blogs but the time that goes into writing and photoshopping my own posts is more than I'm willing to give it at this point. I am planning to continue the blog on a 'when I can' basis because it's something I truly enjoy. Once my life starts to stabilized, I will post on regular basis. In the mean time I have stumbled upon some great fashion blogs that really motivates me to make my blog more visually appealling.

Park and Cube- Great photography and style. I wish I could take pics of my daily outfits as well as Shini, P&Q's blog writer. Also her DIY projects are creative and look amazing.

NotCouture- The site is like a polaroid portal into fashion blogs. Great images and a little text to tease you into clicking away. I also love NotCot, an aethetically pleasing blog on graphics, design, and all things aethetically pleasing.

Street Peeper- Another street fashion photography website like Sartorialist, Jak and Jil, and Garence, except international with photos from NY to Tokyo to Melbourne to Jakarta (?).

My yummy chocolate cupcake with raspberrry frosting
that I bought to celebrate the end of classes.

W.I.N. (Want it Now!) - Embroidered Heels

2009-04-20T20:41:00.003-04:00

Lately I've been falling in love with embroidered heels. They are ornate and decadent. They go perfectly with a simple cocktail dress or they can be the hidden gem under long dark-denim jeans and a casual top. I love how detailed embroidered shoes are but because of the details, they tend to be very pricey. If I were to ever own one, the pair would be the star of my shoe collection.

Mary Norton Desire : $148.50
Gold on black is so classic. This pair is GORGEOUS!

Dior Paraiso Embroidered Slingback $750.00
Raffia is an unusual embroidery choice, but this sandal is anything but ordinary.

Plenty by Tracy Reese for Keds : $80.00
Tracy Reese brings sophistication to the sneaker brand Keds with a stunning embroidered wedge. If only they got rid of the Keds label on the side.

Alexander McQueen Embroidered Ankle Strap Shoes : $420.00
I bet these would go amazing with a Balmain blazer.

Sergio Rossi : $385.25
If shoes could kill, I would be knocked dead with one of these. Champagne colored leather, elaborate floral embroidery, and a sprinkling of crystal equal one luxurious shoe.

Sergio Rossi : $280.00
I saw these on Gilt Final Sale for $78.00 and wanted one badly, but they were in someone's cart for the longest time until it finally sold out. The design reminds me of organic art nouveau prints, but these much better because I can wear them on my feet.

Jessica Bennett Havana Embroidered Pump : $49.94
A.k.a. - Sergio Rossi Knockoffs

Christian Louboutin Pink 'Let's Go' D'orsay Pumps : $1,223.99
These are one pair of Louboutins that won't go unnoticed. Girly and decadent, these are definitely in my top 10 Louboutin list.

Fashion Sweepstakes Around the Web

2009-04-18T11:28:00.001-04:00

Old Navy Cash In Sweepstakes: 1 person selected in Feb 2010 wins $5000. You can enter once a day from now until January 30, 2010. Pretty slim odds if you ask me.

Lucky Breaks May 2009: Lucky mag has multiple contests going on every month, but you can only enter once each. You can always win the cover outfit but there are other prizes this month like a $500 shoe shopping spree or a beautiful Lodis handbag set. Lucky is probably my favorite place for monthly giveaways because you only enter once (so you don't have to visit everyday) and the stuff they give is usually amazing.

Marie Claire Monthly Giveaways: Like Lucky mag, you can enter a contest to win the cover look as well as different beauty products. Also this month they have a special undies giveaway. Everyday there's a different set of undies up for grabs. Marie Claire is definitely worth a look if you go 'geek' over beauty products. Just make sure you always opt out of subscriptions!

Alexander Wang Donna Bag: 04/15-04/29. One (1) entry per person and only one winner selected. Get automatically sent pronto.com updates so use your junk email.

Oscar de la Rental Resort 2010 Tickets for Two: 4/16 to 5/30. One (1) entry per person and only one winner selected. No transportation or lodging provided. Good for people who live in NYC or don't mind taking a trip there during resort show season. These tickets better be front row!

Harper's Bazaar Jumble of Monthly Sweepstakes: This month it's a trip to Puerto Rico, Pantene products, and a $1,000 calvinklein.com shopping spree.

Teen Vogue: Not only does Vogue almost never have giveaways but it's little sister mag Teen Vogue has very passable giveaways. A few products, some jewelry- usually nothing worth over $100. Thankfully this month they have two rather covetable prizes: a $4,000 pbteen.com gift card and a Flip MinoHD camera which retails for $229. Oh and you can submit as many times as you want except there's usually only one winner:

To enter, complete and submit electronically the online entry form at www.teenvogue.com. Enter as often as you wish, but for each entry the entry form must be individually completed. Entries submitted using any kind of bot or automated technology will be deleted.

What a difference from mature women mags (like Lucky) that only let you submit once during the span of the contest. Clearly these people believe in the endurance of 13 year olds who have nothing better to do but cut and paste.

Elle and Elle Girl: Elle usually has some nice things and Elle Girl has some decent, not very expensive, stuff that's still better than Teen Vogue. You can apply for every contest once per day during a certain period, which requires you to regularly visit the site to improve your chances.

That's all I can think of for now. Ideeli.com tells me there should be Vera Wang, Roger Vivier, and YSL giveaways soon.

Vera Wang Bridal

2009-04-16T11:39:00.001-04:00

Although Vera Wang is a fixture in the NY Fashion scene, she is best known for her wedding dresses. Many celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman, Mariah Carey, and Kate Beckinsale chose to wear Vera Wang for their special day. It's no wonder that her 2010 Bridal collection is something to be in awe of. The collection is what I call 'beautifully disordered' because even though the ruffles have raw hems and are arranged randomly, the effect is still elegant. The amazing part is that Vera has lowered her median price point 30 to 40 %, from $5,500 to $3,800.

'The Dress' I would happily get married in.

Images: FWD

Bizarre Hats for Fall 2009

2009-04-15T22:45:00.000-04:00

The Fall 2009 collection featured a lot of kooky hats. I hope designers don't actually want their head gear translated into everyday wear- it would be too weird. I think these designers just want to have a little fun during a time when their budgets are slashed. Take a look yourself.

Handbag Hats from Isaac Mizrahi
GI Helmets from Narciso Rodriguez Recycled Props as Hats from Alexander McQueen Looks like McQueen was rummaging through the home decor section of Marshall's. Borrowed from Junye Watanabe- cans bundled in seranwrap to form a bizarrely shaped turban In case it rains, you can wear one of these :) Baguette Hat from Agatha Ruiz De La Prada Bird Nest from Agatha Ruiz De La Prada Neon Fur Trappers from Michael Kors Oversized Ethnic Bows and Wraps from Tao Stuffed Animal Headgear from Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Nun Headwrap from Marc Jacobs

W.I.N. (Want it Now!) - Contrast Piping

2009-04-15T02:19:00.011-04:00

Contrast piping looks smart and posh especially on jackets.

JCrew Cotton Cricket Cardigan

Gianni Bini "Blythe" Dress

St. John Contrast Trim Jacket

Chombert Long Mink Coat

Talbots Cavalry Twill Blazer

Yoana Baraschi Bustier Dress

Forever 21 Contrast Ruffle Trim Top

Moschino Dress

Vera Wang White and Black Cropped Jacket

Black House White Market Birdseye Peplum Jacket

Laundry by Shelli Segal Pipe Trim Trench Coat

Gorgeous Crystal Jewelry (Guess the Price!)

2009-04-15T01:08:00.004-04:00

Think you're a good jewelry appraiser? The price of one of these dazzling pieces is under $100, another under $1,000, and the third is under $10,000. Can you guess which is which?

Click to find out!
A) Earrings
B) Necklace
C) Necklace

Price Check Please! - Kenneth Cole Weekend Sale

2009-04-10T01:16:00.004-04:00

It's very hard to restrain myself from spending money when my hobby is finding deals. I would love to do some serious shopping on the Kenneth Cole Online shop because there's an additional 30% off select sale items this weekend. So 65% off plus another 30% on some clearance items equal a great deal.

Grey Penny Loafer Pump: ~~$215.00~~ $34.97

Gold Textured Ring: ~~$35.00~~ $13.99

"Blind Date": ~~$160.00~~ $48.98

100% Wool Sweater Dress: ~~$158.00~~ $27.98

Flap Down Handbag: ~~$288.00~~ $69.99

How cute is this?

Key Chain Boot: ~~$25.00~~ $6.98

Since the sale's from Friday 12:00 AM- just an hour ago, head over there ASAP before everything good is gone!

A Little Indulgent

2009-04-08T12:42:00.000-04:00

Sometimes its good to treat yourself, especially when it doesn't cost too much. Nothing too expensive to make you feel guilty but a little something to perk you up. I scoured the web for things that are unnecessary but totally worth it. In the mist of all that studying, staying up all night, and barely feeding myself because I feel so nauseous, I think I deserve something special.

Smith's Rosebud Salve: $5.59
I'm a firm believer in lip balm over lipstick or lipgloss. The Rosebud Salve is highly hydrating and a little glossy, just what my lips need in the winter. It also smells wonderful. Since keeping my lips hydrated is something I tend forget about (because my lips don't get cracked often), I suppose lip-anything is indulgent.

Vanilla Bake Cupcakes: $3.25
These cupcakes from the Vanilla Bake Shop are beautiful and delicious too. They are the perfect 'carrot' to get me motivated about studying. A cupcake for each hour spent bent over textbooks? With flavors like Chocolate Raspberry, Toasted Dark Chocolate Coconut, and the new Blackberry Passion Fruit, it's hard to have just one.

Report Dharma Scuff: $ 5.01
I have dreams of wearing these as indoor slippers. I can be the shah of the apartment and play out a Persian fantasy. Comfortable and sparkly, I'll have no problems keeping these on my feet as I lounge around the apartment. I might even debut them outdoors and hope they don't get too scuffed.

Pomegranate Soap: $5.75
I love the taste and smell of pomegranate. It's a bit difficult to eat; you have to open up its hard shell and carefully pluck the juicy seeds. However once you extract the edibles and bite into the seeds, the juice just bursts out. The flavor is sweet but tart, which I love. And I've never had a bad pomegranate so there isn't the disappointment of biting into something too sour (as sometimes happens with berries). I'm curious how pomegranates translate to soap. I normally don't use bar soap anymore, instead opting for the easier to dispense liquid soap. However, the soap looks so lush and delicious that I might indulge in bar soap once in a while. And maybe indulge in a bubble bath too. Me, a hot tub of water, a loofah, and pomegranate suds sound like heaven.

$19.99 Nine West Apparel Sale

2009-04-06T19:26:00.009-04:00

Although Nine West is mainly known for their shoes, in recent years they have expanded their apparel section. They focus mostly on career oriented clothing, much like Ann Taylor.

Right now they have 80+ sale items for just $19.99 and several other pieces for 75% off. It's a great time to stock up on inexpensive but nice quality blouses and work jackets.

Top With Contrast Band: $19.99, Front Page Flyaway 2-fer Jacket: $19.99, Modernism Snap Front Swacket: $19.99, Agent Button Front Sweater: $29.99, Satin Bell Sleeve Dress: $19.99, and Cotton Voile Tunic: $19.99

During their apparel sale last year, I purchased a silk button down top, a cute bowtie blouse, and a wraparound sweater for under $50. This year, I might get the Flyaway 2-fer Jacket and a few dresses. And they have free shipping!!

H+M Special Offer: $10 Gift Card with $50 Purchase

2009-04-06T18:48:00.005-04:00

Just got this in the mail. From today to Friday, get a $10 gift card for every $50 you spend at H&M. Since the closest H&M is about 2 hours away, I haven't been restocking on cute H&M tees and spring dresses. If I have the chance I would like to check out the Matthew Williamson for H&M collection dropping on the 16th. It's too bad the special offer doesn't extend til then because the Williamson collection is quite pricy. The colorful sequin dress on the far left cost $200- that's $40 in gift cards right there!

For A Rainy Day

2009-04-06T05:00:00.002-04:00

On rainy days, I just can't wake myself up. I don't know if it's because those mornings are too cold and damp that I don't want to leave my warm and comfy bed. Or perhaps the dark overcast makes me think that the morning hasn't begun yet. The unfortunate fact is rain is highly correlated with sleeping through my inner alarm clock and being late for class! Not only am I running late when it rains, but I also hate going out in the rain. The bottoms of my jeans get wet. Also when it rains heavily, earthworms (with their peculiar earthy smell) litter the sidewalk. Unpleasant sums up my opinion of a rainy day.

But rain wouldn't be so bad if A) I was in Venice B) and using such a cute umbrella like the prima donna in this picture.

She makes rainy days seem glamorous! Since I can't exactly take a trip to Italy- instead I'll settle for an amazing umbrella I'll be happy to stand under.

Sky Umbrella MoMA shop: $48

When it's gloomy and rainy outside, I can still look up at a perfect blue sky with this umbrella.

Venice Canals Umbrella Ebags.com: $24

Venice happens to be one of my favorite places in the world. No other place is as romantic and charming as the City of Water. I love how this umbrella embodies the Old World charm of exploring the alleyways by gondolas.

Jean Paul Gaultier Cupidons Umbrella Raindrops: $175.00 (cad)

Gazing at this umbrella is like staring in awe at a Botticelli-painted dome inside an Italian cathedral.

Raindrops, a Canadian rain gear shop, has an amazing collection of unique but highly desireable umbrellas.

ArtistGifts is another great place to purchase an umbrella. They take famous artworks and print them on everyday objects like umbrellas.

I'm sad the "Rainy Day In Paris" umbrella is sold out. The painting is perfect for an umbrella!

Monet Water Lilies Umbrella MyDanilo: $20

A Monet watercolor captures the mood of a rainy day quite well, don't you think? Hazy and blue.

Spring Sheer

2009-03-26T23:32:00.001-04:00

Koi Suwannagate

Christopher Kane

Charles Anastase

Sheer isn't the most translatable fashion trend but there's something entice about these looks. Koi Suwannagate does it a little bohemian- 'so what if my skirt shows my body suit'. Whereas Charles Anastase mixes innocent schoolgirl with the sultry promise of something more. Christopher Kane, as always, blows me away with his creativity. Tranparency is merely the prefect canvas to his delicately formed half loops.

The Real vs. Fake Dilemma

2009-03-25T15:10:00.000-04:00

Every so often when I go out with friends, I'd lean over to my best friend, point to a woman carrying a Louis Vuitton Speedy, and say "God, that is sooo fake- it's definitely not made in one piece." My friend swivels her head to look and then we share a knowing glance. I know, we're brutal, but I honestly don't understand why women buy bags that are obvious knockoffs.

That is until I saw this Balenciaga knockoff from Bauhaus. If you've read my previous posts, you would have noticed my ongoing obsession with the Balenciaga bag. Unfortunately, I just can't justify buying a thousand dollars purse no matter how gorgeous. It just makes my heart stop to see this replica cost only $25. I really want it when it's so reasonably priced. Sure, any fashionista or Balenciaga follower can tell it isn't real, but it's still slouchy, studded perfection. Sure it may not be real leather, but I've been to Neiman Marcus and felt up the bag and the real thing isn't buttery soft either.

In the battle between real vs. fake, my lust for Balenciaga-esque bag is winning. But women carrying faux status symbols still rubs me the wrong way- because it makes no sense to buy something that screams 'I have money,' but when people look closely, it really screams 'I don't have money.' I think I might buy the knockoff anyway but only carry it around friends who don't know what's Balenciaga and therefore not know it's a knockoff.

Colorful Cloth Pads (for That Time of the Month)

2009-03-23T02:19:00.005-04:00

Warning: This is a feminine hygiene post so if you're a guy, best look away.

Does anyone use 'cloth pads' during their time of the month? I suppose those from an older generation, before disposable pads and tampons invaded our under-the-sink cabinet, may have used them. But I was really surprised to discover them on Etsy. At first, I thought the colorful cloth pads were plushie pads but then I was like, "who would want plushie pads?"

I clicked around the shop Pleat and discovered these 'plushie pads' were Muffies™. Here's what Pleat says about its cloth pads:

They are super soft and comfortable - no more chafing from disposables. Secure, highly leak resistant, chlorine free, environmentally friendly and frugal, what's not to love about them? Oh, and I bet you would be surprised how easy it is to keep them stain free and fresh: just rinse in cold water after use, fold and snap, and then run through the washing machine at your leisure (before they dry out is best). A bit of white vinegar added to your wash load is an amazingly effective, inexpensive, all natural deodorizer that eradicates odors and mildew and leaves them fresh as new.

From the 400+ positive reviews, it seems Muffies really work. One customers says:

I hate that "time" but these are so pretty and comfortable! Might as well spoil yourself for having to deal with "being a woman" Thinking about buying some?? Go for it, you won't be disappointed! ;)

With such raving endorsement, I can't help but be curious. The Muffies are darn cute but in the end, they will be stained and smelly. Personally, I like being able to throw the entire mess away instead of having to wash them. Plastic disposables are nice because they go straight to the trash, but on the negative side, they occasionally give me a rash. I'm also unsure how well the Muffies stay in place. They seem to be held in place by the buttoning the two wings, but will it shift as I walk? I might have to do the waddle and squeeze my thighs together to hold off a leak. Why is 'mother nature's gift' such a burden?

Fug Madness 2009

2009-03-22T00:55:00.006-04:00

Go Fug Yourself is always good for a few laughs. There are plenty of unforgivable photos that attest that money doesn't buy you style (or sanity for that matter). Granted, some outfits deemed fug by the Fug Girls is not truly fug in my book but merely avant garde that should be applauded (i.e. Tilda, Rihanna, & Mary Kate).

As a special treat, the GFY team put together Fug Madness, the one time readers can choose who is fugger, Brittney or Jessica, Paula Abdul or Janet Jackson. A little bit of democracy is nice on a site that doesn't allow comments and occasionally has polls. Fug Madness is done in March Madness fashion, where 64 stars battle it out to see who is the fuggest. I say, way more fun than basketball!

This year's list is impressive. You can follow along and vote for who wore it the worst in '08. My bet is Lindsey, but she faces some tough competitors.

Chanel Assessories F/W 09

2009-03-21T19:29:00.008-04:00

Practical yet not practical at the same time... pseudopractical? Regardless, I kind of love it. I like the idea of having a Chanel 2.55 inside a clear briefcase-like Chanel bag. You can carry it to the office and have fellow pedestrians gawk (but enviously) at all that Chanel. Once you get to the office, you can open it up like a briefcase, touch up your makeup, plug your ipod into the computer, and start your workday completely fabulous. And everything's completely organized so you don't have to rumage. On the other hand, it may just be some fancy packaging contrived by Lagerfeld. Whatever it is, it's working because I want it.

Images: NyMag.com, Style.com

Fashion Fuckit List

2009-03-11T20:30:00.008-04:00

The article on Fuckit List in the NY Mag had me ROFL. The Fuckit list is basically...

the opposite of a Bucket List: a list of things you don't care about doing before you die instead of things you do want to do.

Readers posted things like:
-learning another language
-running daily
-being less snarky
-cut back on coffee
-not turning into my mother
-reading directions
-being a vegetarian
I can ditto all of those things to be honest.

Since others have covered most things I would put on my fuckit list, I decided to type down my fashion fuckit list. Things that I just don't give a....
-Owning crocs or birkenstocks to be 'comfortable' (those ugly shoes are not touching my feet)
-Not wearing white after Labor Day (who cares anyway?)
-Buying a pair of Louboutins (I know I lust after them daily on this blog, but $700+ red soles are too pricey for me)
-Tailoring my clothes (because it's expensive and I'm lazy)
-Budgeting: Not buying things that I want but don't need (especially when they are deeply discounted)

What would be on your fashion fuckit list?

Busy, busy

2009-03-10T02:29:00.005-04:00

Lemonstorynyc Grey-Lemon Tie Blouse: $75.00

Urban Outfitters Cameo Charm Bracelet: $12.99

Opening Ceremony Woven Skorts: $290.00

Lewis Cho Ruffled Flange Dress: $352

Swarovski Helios Desert Glow Ring: $140.00

Melie Bianco Turn Lock Buckle Tote: $79.99

Nine West Gabble: $139.00

So, Spring Break's over and daily posting is going down the drain. I'll be lucky if I have time to post this weekend. All my tests and papers are going to be due in the next week or two. I'm feeling impending doom, especially when I don't understand anything of econometrics. I was lost from the third day of class. So just a quickie online window shopping post and then back to studying for my tests.

Mini Me Bags

2009-03-05T23:13:00.007-05:00

Every so often you see a women carrying a gorgeous bag. She's right in front of you, paying for her coffee when she pull out her wallet. The wallet is a miniature version of her gorgeous bag. I could just die and go to fashion heaven. I love when signature bags have it's perfect pair with the same details and in the same color.

Chloe Paddington: Handbag, Wallet
The Chloe Paddington is such a unique bag and now it comes with a unique wallet. The mini lock is just too cute.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Posh Turnlock: Wallet, Handbag Sometimes a happy yellow handbag needs a happy yellow companion.

Balenciaga Arena: Handbag, Wallet
Of course the bag I constantly lust for has a complementary wallet in several styles actually. I kinda wish there are more tassles on the wallet, just to make it totally Balenciaga. And maybe not in burnt orange.

Prada Tessuto Pietre: Wallet, Tote The handbag/wallet combo of choice for classy women with lots money to blow.

Miu Miu Matellasse: Tote, Clutch
I can totally see someone using the tote for work and then taking out the clutch for cocktails. Whether at work or at a bar, the Matellasse will certainly garner some jealous stares.

Actually almost all of these bags are in the $1,000 range, so for us poor people the wallet may be a cheaper way of owning a iconic bag.

Tao Okamoto - Model Crush

2009-03-04T23:58:00.001-05:00

I love Tao for being so quintessentially Japanese. I'm so glad she cut her hair last year. Her 'rice bowl' hair cut will be her signature. Phillip Lim thought so too when he made her his muse this season. Every single girl in the 3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2009 show wore a wig cut in her hairstyle. She was so surprised going backstage that all the models looked like her! I remember in my childhood, my mom would give me the exact same haircut. Around 8, I finally got sick of my bangs and haven't gone back to the 'bowl' cut since. The cut still reminds me of little Asian girls.

3.1 Phillip Lim
It's difficult being a muse. (lol)

Yigal Azrouël

I think asian skin tones actually look good against stark white.

ADAM
I just love this dress.

Ralph Lauren FW 2009
I also love the furry vest over sheer turtleneck
The makeup is fantasic- understated but glowing!

Isaac Mizrahi

Tao is certainly making the rounds this season, walking for 18 shows in NY alone. It's refreshing to see Asian girls rock the runway. Fresh faces like Tao, Arlenis Sosa, and Lakshmi Menon prove that girls of color can make in the competitive modeling industry.

Credits: Style.com

Goodwill Find

2009-03-03T17:38:00.007-05:00

A lot of blogger style icons like Rumi and Susie Bubble, who like incorporating vintage, find some of their most memorable pieces at Goodwill stores. Because of them, I've always wanted to try my hand at scouring mounds of toss-aways for that one great vintage find. On a Sunday afternoon, I was having lunch with some friends at a Chinese buffet. It was my first time at the restaurant and in that part of town. While driving there, I noticed a Goodwill store. So after lunch, I was happy and satiated and decided to check out the Goodwill store.

The space was not very large but crammed with donated items. The first thing I check out was the dresses. I was looking for cute, fun, and obviously vintage. Instead I found oversized, polyester muumuus that look like they were bought in the bargain bin of some department store. Feeling disappointed with the dress selection even though there was so much stuff, I kind of just wandered around looking at the shoes and home section. Not feeling too enthused, I took a look at the skirts. Amazingly I found a cute JCrew skirt in my size, for $3.50. Not bad, I nodded my head. Off my bargain-finding high, I browsed around some more but didn't really find anything else I wanted to try. Just as I was about to checkout, I found some purses placed at the end of clothing racks that were separate from the purse section. Among them was a Chanel-like Bloomingdale's purse that was just divine. It had lovely gold hardware and quilted detailing, and was in good condition. Cost: Two Dollars. I can honestly say that was the best bargain I've ever found. I don't even care if it turns out to be a knockoff, I take pride that it was a $2 purse.

Photographed with my roommate's Talbot shoes because they matched.

Close up

Ebay's Boot Podium

2009-03-03T04:48:00.008-05:00

Ebay is so much fun to browse because people sell some weird stuff. I was just innocently skimming the women's boots section and stumbled upon some very metallic shoes, in podium metal colors.

Gold

Giuseppe Zanotti Gold Boots
They're gold digger shoes!! I admit I do kind of like these but
only paired with something simple and monotone.

Silver
Vintage Pixie Granny Boots
These look like they came from the Super Trooper getup in Mama Mia. A sad remnant of the by gone days of disco.

Bronze
Paprika Bronze with Fur Boots
I really don't know what's worse, the bronze or the fur, but together they top my 'awful' chart.

Lesson: If you need a little WTF?! in your shoe collection, just look on Ebay.

The Sartorialist Book

2009-03-03T04:21:00.003-05:00

Scott Schuman aka The Sartorialist is finally publishing a book of his photography. I can't believe I didn't read this earlier considering I'm an avid follower of his blog. Even though he has received lots of acclaim and book offers, he always turned them down because he didn't want his book to be just another coffee table adornment that's too heavy to actually read. He finally agreed this time because they are doing a paperback release at the same time. I think paperback is so much smarter because I'm more willing to flip through and buy a paperback. Just a few days ago, I was at Barnes and Noble skimming "The Women in the Mirror" which is an amazing book. It was filled with photographs of women from cover to cover, including a number of fashion editorials. The book was huge (maybe 15 in. x 18 in.) and felt like 20 pounds- not a invitation to read. So I'm very excited for Sartorialist- the Book. Congrats Scott! I look forward to seeing your book at my local Borders.

A Look At Prada Bags and Shoes

2009-03-02T22:26:00.004-05:00

When it comes to bags and shoes, no one sets the trend quite like Miuccia Prada. As soon as the runway is over, underground manufacturers are trying to knock off the bags. Lets be honest, women love their Pradas. Next to the LV monogram, the triangle Prada plaque is the ultimate status symbol a woman can carry around her arm.

This year's collection was ... different. Much more severe- deep v cuts, lux materials, but fewer bells and whistles and strangely utilitarian.

Bags

The bag collection was more conservative. I can see a lot of working ladies carrying around the tote next fall. It didn't really show a new 'it' bag. Instead it focused on more classic shapes but in luxury materials- in this case, croc, velvet and fur. Not bad but not terribly interesting. I wasn't struck with intense window-shopping lust like I was for the SS08 Faerie collection.

Shoes

I can't say I'm a big fan of the shoes. In fact, I think they are rather hideous. The 1st pump is okay but only redeemed by the animal skin print. It looks a cross between 'school marm' and mountain climbing shoes. The ones that were all black looked even more so. At least no models fell or had to take off their heels. On the opposite end of austerity, there were pumps that looked like armored birds of paradise.

What do you think? Any resemblance?

And then there were these... which I dub 'leather wellies.' They are not fitted around the calves and worn with thick wool sock and a strap tied around the leg?? I'm confused Miuccia.

She also had uber tall versions of the 'leather wellie' which was strapped to the belt. Again, more question marks. Maybe Miuccia expects next fall to be very rainy because these boots certainly won't let water in. I'm going to restate my opening opinion that the collection was 'bizarrely utilitarian.'

Fringe Fashion

2009-03-02T20:14:00.003-05:00

I'm usually not a fan of fringe (especially the fringe boot trend last fall) because, let's be honest, sometimes it looks ridiculous. To wear it well, I think you just need some attitude. Lily and Irina know how to pull it off. Hair let down and rocking it in boots, they exude 'cool' girl or in Irina's case 'rocker's girlfriend.'

When I thought of fringe, I was reminded of the Fringe Fashion competition from last fall. The winner Eun Jeong Hong had a fantastic collection of Grecian white dresses decked with fringe. She did something elegant and romantic with fringe that I really appreciate.

Fringe can also be found on accessories. Etsy shop BabooshkaBoutique sells a variety of fringe necklaces that look amazing against a white cotton tank. A fringe necklace is a fun and unexpected addition to any wardrobe, and it only costs $30-$40. On the other hand, the completely fringed out Louboutins that border that edge between cool and ridiculous are $1,695. They take fringed shoes to a whole new level.

Lily Donaldson's picture is from a UK Vogue editorial called “Fringe Festival” that's worth checking out. Lily, being the model maverick she is, creates movement with her hair and the fringe resulting in some beautiful pictures.

Pics: Louboutins, Lily, Fashion Fringe, Irina, Fringe necklace

20 Fabulous Flats for under $20

2009-03-01T01:02:00.010-05:00

For everyday wear, I love buying cheap flats. They are comfortable, cute, and disposable. Once you've worn them down, you can throw them away without guilt because they only cost you 20 bucks. I'm currently running around campus in a pair of silver bow tie flats from Ann Taylor Loft, that I got before Christmas for less than $10. The sides are getting scratched up and the upper is getting dangerously thin. Fortunately, I'm not too sad to see them go because then I can buy a new pair of cheap shoes. Charlotte Russe, Endless.com, and Target have great wallet-friendly options.

Dolce Vita Triple Buckle, Painterly Floral,
Knotted, Sequins and Bow Tie,
Circle Buckles, Fun Floral, Plaid Buckle,
Jeweled Sandals, Paint Splattered,
Woven Patent Leather

Leather Ballerina，Lace Skimmer,
Geometric Print, Croco Print,
Ruched, Fuchsia Moccasins,
Canvas Loafers, Gold Trim Back Bow,
Sparkly Knot, Jewel and Ribbon Bow

Glamour's NY Fashion Week Recap

2009-02-28T19:29:00.005-05:00

Glamour.com has a surprisingly resourceful fashion section, especially considering that Glamour is a much more mainstream magazine. They've done a wonderful review of New York fashion week that's worth watching, if only for Robert Verdi's quote.

Quotes
Michael Kors- "Wear Day-Glo head to toe and you look like Barbie on acid."
Robert Verdi- "I think men have made a big mess of the world and women have to clean it. And so the female warrior is back."

His and Her Twin Looks for Fall 2009

2009-02-28T18:15:00.007-05:00

If you and your hubby like to dress like twins, you're in luck. Hermes presented this clean cut suit for men paired with an unexpected bright yellow turtleneck, and Jil Sanders created a structured black outfit with a pop of color around the collar. Wearing these outfits will let everyone know you're together and look fabulous doing so.

Photo: Alessandro Lucioni, Giovanni Giannoni

Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte Shoes

2009-02-27T18:29:00.008-05:00

As amazing as the Rodarte Fall 2009 clothes were, my true love goes to Nicholas Kirkwood's thigh-tall, slouchy, bondaged boots that graced the catwalk. Just look at its magnificence- the buttery leather, the straps bound up like ballerina point shoes, the studs, and the killer heel.

Of course this is a shoe lover's fantasy shoe, but how much does it cost in reality? Probably more than my first month's paycheck of my first (future) real job out of college. The backup plan?

Zucca Slouch Heeled Boots + Yards of black ribbon

Just wrap yards and yards of black ribbon around these slouchy knee high books and you can get the same effect. And you would have the option of wearing them normally. At $648.00, the Zucca boots are looking more and more like a bargain!

Hot Item: Grey Satchels

2009-02-27T17:39:00.002-05:00

As the weather's starting to get nice and warm, the birds are starting to chirping at 4 in the god damn morning and my nose is itchy and runny because of allergies.　Oh and lest I forget, I'll be having many, many midterms and papers in the next few weeks, because the beginning of Spring is concurrent with the middle of the semester. The only thing I look forward to this time of year is wearing bright girly frocks and ruffled skirts. Lately my friends say I've been wearing too much black- but that's because most of my outerwear, my boots, and Ninewest tote are black! Once it's spring I can ditch my wool coat and dress in vibrant hues. To go with my bright Spring wardrobe, I'm looking into a grey satchel that would match anything and everything, as well as lend chicness and sophistication to any outfit.

Kale Palmer in Cement- $795.00
I really love the rotund shape and studs on the handles, that give a devil-may-care nonchalance.

Spiegel Patent Tote Bag- $69.00
More like a structured bowling bag, the Spiegel bag would work well contrasted with a flowy dress.

Zagliani Crocodile Puffy Satchel - $11,800.00
I died looking at the price tag，but grey and cocodile make a nice combination.

West/Feren Hudson Bag in Stone- $565.00
The hardware and utilitarian boxy shape reminds me of the Proenza Schouler PS1 collection, but a little more elegant.

Treesje Avalon II Mini Grey Patent - $595.00
From the first time I spotted this bag on Lucky Mag, I was struck by the use of pleats on this handbag.

Matt & Nat Portishead in Grey- $179.99
Not only does this bag has rock and roll style, but it's also made from 100% vegan leather. Feel good that there was no pain and suffering involved in the making Matt & Nat bags.

Miu Miu Matelasse Satchel in Smoke- $1,550.00
Absolute perfection. The unusual texture seems so organic, like tree bark. It would look beautiful paired with Rodarte's equally scrunched fabric, organic-inspired dresses for Fall 2009.

Helena de Natalio Leti Bag - $356.00
Nothing looks more body-hugging, slouchy perfection than this beautiful-in-its-simplicity Helena hobo.

Guess Demi Hobo in Grey- $118.00
Guess Large Demi Hobo in Grey- $135.00
Guess does Art-Deco, which I love.

Banana Republic Bridgeport tote in Dust- $260.00
BR always carries a line of eye-catching work totes. I especially love how the handles are attached at the side on this bag.

Project Runwayless Runway Show

2009-02-26T16:15:00.003-05:00

Even though Project Runway has yet to appear on Lifetime, they have started shooting and even did a runway show with the top 3 designers showing for Fall 2009 NY Fashion Week. Unfortunately because of the delayed airing, the designers were anonymous and did not appear on stage. How horrible to not be allowed to put your name on your work and get the recognition you deserve! They probably weren't allowed to invite their families to see their work on the international fashion stage that is Bryant Park. Thankfully NY Mag has kindly covered the show. While the clothes great, the result of the PR fiasco is disappointing. Bravo, Weinstein Co., and Lifetime, stop acting like schoolyard children and settle things already!

Contestant 1 is going for the Alexander Wang 'cool girl' look with lots of chunky knits and leather, but occasionally shows off a polished side. There were definitely stumbles along the way and I don't mean models tripping here and there. The eveningwear felt weaker than the sportswear in that dresses were awkwardly draped.

Contestant 2 had the kind of girly-glamorous style that I personally aspire to dress. I found the silky dresses in rich jewel tone to be effortlessly chic. Most of the collection is really lovely and flattering on the female body. The style similar to brands like Rebecca Taylor, Milly, and Cynthia Steffe. However, the critic in me wants to rip apart looks 2 and 4 because they look cheap and groan at the awkward 'is that a shirt or a dress?' length of some the outfits.

Contestant 3 has a similar style to contestant 1 but does it better. He/she mixed things up with different fabrics and textures, but carries the criss cross pattern throughout the collection. The workmenship is impeccible, especially the work done to the leather pants in picture 3 below.

My prediction for the winner is contestant 3 because the collection really displays the person's ability to manipulate fabric. My personal favorite is still contestant 2's collection.

Peacock Hair Assessories

2009-02-25T01:23:00.006-05:00

The first time I spotted these feathered hair accessories was on Lauren of Fops and Dandies. As much as I loved LC's style, I found them a little too eccentric but having seen more stylish ladies sporting the Flapperish accessory, I'm starting to like them. A quick browse on Etsy showcased some fabulous peacock headwear. Seems like the trend is really catching on!

Sweetgrassmill's Teeny Tiny Feather Clips
LovMely's Peacock Feathers on a Blue Headband
Topsyturvydesign's Peacock Feather Butterfly Hair Clip

Preenyourself's Peacock Feather Hair Clip
Mandiesuee's Birds Eye View Hair Fascinator
NevaPlume's Henley Peacock Feather Hair Piece Clip

YJdesign's Pica Peacock Applique Feather Cocktail Hairclip
Portobello's Chloe Peacock Fascinator Mini Top Hat
Alicehartcouture's Peacock Feather Pin

Speechless at Giles

2009-02-24T23:34:00.005-05:00

I don't know what to say, except perhaps- "It's not just me, right?" Huh, fashion as a phallic symbol. Maybe Giles is implying that women are being masculinized. Women are protecting themselves in male-dominated industries by imitating men. Only Giles would create fashion that requires a dissertation which is why he's the enfant terrible of British fashion. Here are some less controversial looks.

Browsing the Giles collection is always fun because it blurs the line between fashion and art, ugly and pretty. I can only say that the clothes aren't very wearable but I can see the odd accessory being worn by a fashion editor. I loved the wide brimmed hat that resembles Japanese straw hats, the touches of fur, and the amazing, open-zipper, tall boots.

Jewelry Lust

2009-02-24T21:14:00.010-05:00

Spotted: Giovanna Battaglia's ginormous gold earrings on Jak and Jil

I am in lust. Those earrings are perfection. Giovanna Battaglia wears no dainty studded pearls but hefty, angular works of art. Through the help of ShopStyle, which is a fashion blogger's best friend, I stumbled on Kara Ross, who I think is the designer of Giovanna's earrings. I also found some similar quirky earrings on giltgroup.com.

Kara Ross Flower Ring, Kara Ross Small Multi-Flower Earrings, Giles & Brother Pear Cutout Earrings, and Mimi So Gold Diamond Drop Earrings

Runway Walk Boot Camp

2009-02-24T20:22:00.005-05:00

For your amusement, Modelinia has created the High Heel Boot Camp, where two models are getting a crash course in runway walk with a series of crazy challenges. Imagine walking in 5 inch skinny heels on a balance beam 4 feet off the floor. I can't even walk across a balance beam barefoot so I know this challenge is intense.

Episode 1

Episode 2

Also check out Heidi as the superhero Kluminador kick major fashion butt on Spiked Heel.

Deal of the Day: Target Travel Totes

2009-02-24T02:22:00.007-05:00

Have you guys seen these? I haven't been on the Target website since getting my Thakoon cardigan so I haven't noticed these adorable totes until now. The best part is that they are 50% off so you can get a travel worthy tote for only $6.49. I can already see them stuffed with beach supplies.

Oscars Dresses 2009: The Rerun

2009-02-24T00:53:00.008-05:00

I wasn't able to watch the Oscars on Sunday and make mental notes on the dresses that graced the red carpet. Thankfully, the internet has provided great photos of the Oscar dresses for my viewing pleasure a day later. I must say, the dresses are fantastic this year.

Natalie Portman glows in Rodarte. I'm glad not too many dresses were in black.

This Armani Prive dress is absolutely stunning. It shows Anne Hathaway's curves in all the right ways. My pick for best dressed.

I love when stars go for something unconventional, and Marion Cotillard does the best in this Dior Couture dress. I still love her fish scale Gaultier dress from last year better. That dress really took guts to wear but it fit her splendidly.

Instead it's Miley Cyrus that wore a dress reminiscent of fish scales this year. It looks so expensive, like there are thousands of diamonds encrusted on the dress!

Evan Rachel Wood looks amazing again! Not as awe-inspiring as her Elie Saab dress from the Acadamy Awards, but it's very close. She evokes such a timeless sophistication that makes her a joy to see on the red carpet.

Marisa Tomei wears a jaw-droppingly intricate Versace gown. Words can't express how much I love it.

Sex and the City has certainly endowed SJP major style. The bodice is intricately beaded and perfectly cinched on this princess gown.

My Ideal Oscar Dress

Most stars wear carpet-grazing gowns, but this intricate cocktail dress by Carmen Valvo is much more youthful. I paired it with the same hue Louboutin heels and dazzling Erickson Beamon earrings.

Zip Me Up, Lover

2009-02-24T00:08:00.007-05:00

3.1 Phillip Lim Zipper Dress, Bebe Asymmetrical Zipper Dress, Christian Louboutin Zip-Detail Clutch, and Sergio Rossi Black Patent Leather Zipper Pump

Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 Look 3, Forzieri Women's Cream Leather Bomber Jacket, Alexander Wang Donna Denim Washed Hobo, and Secco Rissarossi Brooch

Breakout Designers Shine for NY Fall 09 Fashion Week

2009-02-23T21:32:00.010-05:00

There's definitely a different atmosphere this year at New York Fashion Week. Everyone's grumbling over the recession and how designers are scaling back their shows and parties. While the big designers are trying to combat shrinking wallets by going for classics and cutting costs, the unknown designers are pulling all the stops to make their collection stand out in a difficult time for the fashion industry. Not to say the major designers didn't have a great showing, but for me, the smaller designers were the ones that really shined.

For example, Frank Tell's collection blew me away. I'm going to let the collection speak for itself.

With its fairly muted palette of black and white, the collection really focused on details and structure. The clothes manage to be both sweet/flirty and hard/edgy. As a personal preference, I love that juxtaposition. The knitwear is fantastic as well.

Another collection I really enjoyed was that of ChoCheng's. Named one of the top five Chinese designers to watch, the Hong Kong based designer has produced a collection of tailored blazers and coats. Although the collection is not on the cutting edge of fashion, it does have jackets that any girl would be happy to own. I am particularly eyeing the sky-blue winter coat which would make any winter outfit look fantastic. I did feel that the evening gowns were a much weaker showing. The last gown billowed out like it was made for maternity wear.

I am a recent fan of Bensoni so I was ecstatic that NY Mag covered their Fall 2009 show. Their clothes have a quirky lady-like sophistication, similar to that of soon-to-be-closing Mayle, that I adore. I admit there are both hits and misses but the odd pairing of different patterns and texture is what makes this clothing line fun and lovable. Nothing is super matchy-matchy.

Finally, I have to show love to the winner of Project Runway 5, Leanne Marshall. She staged a 9-looks presentation, with only 3 weeks preparation! She showcased more structural draping rather than just ruffles and pleats this time. The long column gowns are drop dead gorgeous. I also loved the grey coat and actually wish she made more winter coats in the collection. Leanne really set a high standard at the Project Runway finale that she doesn't quite meet this time around but that's reasonable considering she did the entire thing in three weeks.

Belt It Out- I LOVE LP SALES!

2009-02-23T21:12:00.004-05:00

Belts are a must in any wardrobe. They are great for defining the waist on a shapeless dress or tunic. So far my belt collection has been strictly utilitarian, consisting of a number of black leather belts including some passed down from my mother (so they are at least 10 years old and falling apart). Fortunately Linea Pelle has provided me with a reason to add whimsy and sass to waist-cinching with a major sale and free shipping. This Women's Two-Woven Wide Waist Belt in gold and chocolate is brilliant for a fraction of the price. It even came with a fabric bag- talk about lux!

When I have a chance, I'll model the belt.

Halston Fall 2009

2009-02-21T19:04:00.003-05:00

Halston decided to present its Fall 2009 collection through film as an alternative to a runway show or presentation. I commend its artistic posing and impeccible styling- it's truly beautiful. I loved how the yellow dress moved as the model ran through the streets (I'm glad they didn't make her run the whole way in heels), like a modern day Winged Nike of Samothrace. As much as I loved the concept and assessable medium through which even the non-fashion industry can appreciate Halston's collection, there's still something to be said about showing at Fashion Week. Fashion editors and buyers need to be three feet away from the clothes to truly appreciate the details. Nonetheless, its a beautiful video that's like a moving editorial.

Fashion Retake: Key Pendant Necklace

2009-01-21T13:00:00.001-05:00

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

2009-01-20T04:25:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-19T11:48:00.002-05:00

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

2009-01-18T00:53:00.005-05:00

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

2009-01-17T01:09:00.005-05:00

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 :)

2009-01-16T17:41:00.007-05:00

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

2009-01-14T18:51:00.008-05:00

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

2009-01-13T17:00:00.009-05:00

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

2009-01-11T21:52:00.005-05:00

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

2009-01-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-08T11:57:00.004-05:00

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

Wasting time... Quiz Results

2009-01-07T17:29:00.005-05:00

The Priss
Deliberate Brutal Love Dreamer (DBLD)

Mature. Responsible. Aristocratic. Excuse me. The Priss.

Prisses are the smartest of all female types. You're highly perceptive, and confident in your judgements. You'd take brutal honesty over superficiality any time--your friends always know where they stand with you. You're completely unfake. Don't tell me that's not a word. You're also excellent at redirecting internal negative energy.

These facts indicate people are often intimidated by you. They also fall for you, hard. You have a distant, composed allure that many find irresistible. If only more of them lived up to your standards.

You were probably the last among your friends to have sex. And the first to pretend that you're pregnant. LOL. Though you're inclined to use sex as weapon, at least it's not as one of mass destruction. You're choosier than most about your partners. A supportive relationship is what you're really after. Whether you know it or not, you need something steady & long-term. And soothing.

Your exact female opposite:The Playstation
Random Gentle Sex MasterAlways avoid: The Playboy (RGSM), The Loverboy (RGLM)
Consider: The Manchild (RBLD)

Link: The Online Dating Persona Test OkCupid - singles Dating

My Christmas Tree

2009-01-07T14:05:00.010-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, one full of warmth and good food. I know I definitely gained a few pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas with all the delicious food sitting in front of me. With the holiday season coming to a close, I took down my Christmas tree last weekend. Before I packed everything away, I wanted to savor the tree with all its decorations. I know this isn't really fashion related but I want to share my decorations and holiday history.

The Gifts

My friends have long since figured out my affinity for glass and glass blowing. This was a beautiful gift that I will hang on my tree for years to come.

A gift from my roommate- not only pretty but delicious. I popped the lid open and found delicious Lindt truffles.

College pride!

This is actually less of a gift and more of a prize. My friend hosts her Christmas party every year and it's tradition to do an ornament exchange. This year she imposed a $3 max budget. To up the incentives for finding a great ornament for a low price, the person whose ornament was voted the favorite would win this prize.

The Most Elegant

I like to shop for ornaments at Macy's after New Years when the holiday stuff are 75 to 80% off.

The Blues

Sparkly. It's very simple but has a big effect when the tree is all lit up.

This one is my favorite. I hang it in a prominant spot year after year.

The Most Adorable

Bad doggie! He got tangled in the lights again this year.

The Snowflakes

A gift from a previous year's ornament exchange.

The Homemade

Years ago, when we didn't have a collection of ornaments, I made origami cranes and globes to hang on the tree. It took a lot of time but the tree looked great in the end. I still keep a few as a memory of that time. If you want a low budget but big effect Christmas tree, definitely try it. It just takes a lot of time and wrapping paper.

In high school I was part of the recycling club. To raise money, one year we made these for Valentine's Day. Not only were they works of art, but it was eco-friendly.

I didn't actually make this but it is handmade. It's from Ten Thousand Villages, a store that buys fair trade handcrafted goods from fairly poor regions of the world. They help provide income to people living in poverty and keep traditional arts alive in those areas.

Budget-Wise: The $100 Head to Toe Party Outfit

2009-01-06T13:00:00.027-05:00

For this party look, I wanted to create something both sweet but edgy. The bow necklace, clutch, and tiered dress are the feminine details. The buckle and stud booties and mineral wash vest suggest something more rock star. They keep the whole look from being to saccharine. Leave the vest open so it frames the ruffle details of the dress.

Clockwise from top left: Aldo Deroruce, Ann Taylor Loft Strappy Tiered Dress, Target Mini Bow Clutch, ASOS Side Buckle Cowboy Ankle Boot, Hue Opaque Tights, and Forever 21 Mineral Wash Sleeveless Cardigan

Calculating total cost: $9.98 + $19.99 + $16.99 + $27.00 + $6.25 + 18.24 = $98.45

Leaving us with $1.55 to spare.

Project Runway Legal Mess

2008-12-29T11:55:00.007-05:00

While skimming NY Mag, I saw this brief article:

The legal battle among the studios and networks fighting for control over “Project Runway” .... stem from a decision by the Weinstein Company, which produces “Project Runway,” to move the show from Bravo to Lifetime. NBC Universal, the parent company of Bravo, has sued the Weinstein Company, which has sued Bravo, and Lifetime sued them all, saying that the channel had exclusive rights to the show.... A sixth season of the show remains up in the air, pending resolution of the suits.

So Project Runway's move to Lifetime didn't work out so well. NBC sued the Weinstein brothers because they want to keep PR on Bravo. I considered a lawsuit to be a logical action taken by NBC since PR is the most popular show on that network, to lose it would be a big blow. Bravo thought they had a lasting agreement with the Project Runway producers but Lifetime swiped the show for $150 mil for the next five seasons. No doubt NBC/Bravo was pissed by the deal.

Then Weinstein Co. counter sues by claiming that Bravo intentionally refused to promote Season 5 by having few and not well done ads, showing spoilers, and limiting press about the season premier date. Huh? I watched season 5 and didn't notice any of those things.

Now Lifetime is suing both NBC and Weinstein Co. claiming they have exclusive rights and NBC is wrongfully blocking the cable channel from airing future Project Runway episodes. They sued the producers for selling rights to "Project Runway" without fully disclosing the potential conflict with NBC. Sounds like people are just pointing fingers at this point.

Lifetime can't show any PR stuff until these lawsuits are settled and have pushed back the premier date to Summer '09. In the meantime, Bravo is creating an eerily similar fashion design show, but America gets to vote who's in and who's out. I hope it doesn't end up as ridiculous as 'Make Me a Supermodel.'

Thakoon- Finally!

2008-12-29T10:01:00.005-05:00

I haven't been this excited over a Target Go International collection since... probably Erin Fetherston. Okay, Richard Chai got me pretty excited too, but the other collections of late have been unimpressive. Now Thakoon on the other hand is a pattern mixer master. The green plaid-ish dress from F/W 08 is divine and I've been spotting it everywhere. And Michelle Obama wore his dress during Barack's acceptance of Democratic nomination speech.

So I'm a day late heading over to Target but this is what I find in Thakoon's collection. I love the Shibori print in white and navy. The cardigan is a winner, I just know it. Whether it'll still be available in my size months later at 50% off is questionable.

$32.99

There's also this purple trench coat that looks almost like a Pollick painting from far away. It would look great with a grey scarf, black tights, and patent leather boots.

$44.99

Thakoon's Shibori dress is also worth taking a look at. The image provided on the target site (right) was not that flattering, but when it's umbuttoned and tied around the waist, it's très chic.

$39.99

While over at Target, I couldn't resist taking a look at Hayden-Harnett's collection as well. I was initially put off by the ad on Vogue because I hated the square-formed-from-four-triangles hardware on some of the bags. However, once taking a look at the entire collection, I'm actually impressed. I love the stud work on these clutches and bags.

Clutch: $19.99 Handbag: $44.99

I also think this patterned bag is a great piece for fall (although it's already winter!). Pair it with the same color brown riding boots and you've got your fall look.

$49.99

Black, White, Grey, and Blue

2008-12-23T16:29:00.006-05:00

I love the combination of black, white, grey, and blue this season. It's all the rage on the runways and high-end department stores for Fall/Winter 08. Soon we'll see these colors in the bargain bins at Walmart if Miranda Priestly is correct.

Theory's geometric print

Nina Ricci silk dress

Fendi paneled dress

Dana Buchman's colorblock

Cynthia Steffe Fall 08 chic runway look

Ann Taylor upside down V panel dress

Deliciously Cute

2008-12-19T23:49:00.005-05:00

Yum Yum, an online French boutique, has fun, whimsical creations that delight the child in me. I love the homemade, arts and craft- feel. You just know a lot of time was dedicated to each piece. From pin cushion- like flowers to cheerful bird mobiles, these creations are sure to delight.

This mobile is so dainty. I love the touch of Japanese influence in the Sakura fabric.

A bold, statement necklace that is in vogue (from Burberry, Lanvin, Dries van Noten, and so many FW08 and SS09 runway shows). I love the different play of textile texture and pattern. The flower pattern really reminds me of Marimekko.

Pin-cushion Flowers!!

I have a certain weakness for Japanese dolls. Every time I land in Narita Airport I always buy some wooden Japanese dolls in the duty free shops. These are just adorable- I want, I want!

Muliplicity of Use

2008-12-18T16:00:00.009-05:00

Since everyone's wallet is stretched a little tight this year, maybe we should try to be a little more creative with our existing wardrobe. There are some things that can be worn in different ways. It's fun and economical to put an unconventional spin on something you already own. Maybe try wearing a skirt as a top or a shawl as a kimono. While surfing the web, I found some great ideas from American Apparel and Issey Miyake on how one item can be worn in many different ways.

AA's Bandeau Dress can easily transform from a dress to skirt. It can be worn tied around the neck or strapless. There are over 15 possibilites.

Click here for more suggestions and a video how-to guide.

American Apparel's innovative spirit doesn't stop there. This season they came out with the circle scarf- a long piece of fabric with ends sown together. It can be wrapped around the neck like a traditional scarf but it can also double as a cardigan or minidress.

And then there's Issey Miyake's Madame T:8 shawl. It's basically a large stiff fabric with a hole cut in the center for the head.

Click here for videos on how to create the outfits seen below.

Watching the model create the kimono (first picture) is really cool!