denims & cowgirls

Despite the heat, somehow I am still craving for this...

As usual, this is another case of me falling prone to trends. Trust me, the denim revitalization has not fallen on (my) deaf ears. But it makes sense, as I've been lately more into the sort of stiffer silhouettes, and denim, being a stiffer fabric, is only a logical next step.

It's been a slow process. I think I've always been somewhat prejudiced towards denims. It's reminded me of my not so glorious days, so I associate denims with something inherently careless and unfashionable. Honestly, currently, I have zero pairs of denim jeans in my wardrobe. I have been looking for a nice pair of skinny jeans, but I guess my proportions are just messed up and I haven't found any that are satisfactory. Or I probably need to lose weight. Or both. Anyway, it was ingrained into my head that somehow denim was associated with all that was unfashionable. But slowly, it has changed for me.

Adding a touch of boyishness to the menswear inspiration these days

I know I'm behind, but I still want that denim button-up and denim vest/jacket. And the wish list grows ever longer... But denim can add so many different "flavors" to your outfit. On one hand, it can add a touch of boyishness, going along with the menswear inspiration these days. On the other hand, with a dash of heavy eye make-up, it gives off a stronger, punk feel to your outfit. Or, take tips from Christine Centenera, and use denim for layering effects. After all, denim just adds another layer of versatility to your wardrobe, no?

Christine Centenera & her amazing style, as usual

Credits: Tumblr, Garance Dore x2

07.19.2011 wish/want/need

clockwise from top:  Miu Miu shirt, Equipment Sophie striped silk-chiffon shirt, Reiss oversize t-shirt, By Malene Birger Zellu high-waisted carrot leg trousers, Costume National shorts, theoutnet.com twill shorts; center: Prada pumps

So whenever summer hits, and I'm talking about the heat, it's really easy to be lazy. I mean, who wants to go outside where it's 100 degrees when you can enjoy the cool breeze of AC blowing in your apartment? 100 degrees also makes it really hard to dress properly - not on the weekends, but I'm talking about weekdays, when I have to go to work, where the AC is notched up to a 50 degrees. I mean, how are you supposed to dress for a 50 degree difference? I have a pair of leggings I bring to work every day, to minimize the amount of changing possible, but it's still a total hassle.

And to account for all of that, I mean, I've got to look somewhat work appropriate, so all those sheer shirts I have say bye-bye during the weekday... And the more I look at my wardrobe the more I think, "god, I really have nothing to wear [in this goddamn blasting heat outside and still look work presentable]." Which is a dreadful feeling known to many and is known to cause shopping impulses, empty wallets, closets full of clothes that may or may not be wearable next season...

So of course the logical step is to make a wish/want/need-list. Stuff I really want, possibly need... but for a poor college student working this summer, I'll probably just make do with my closet, feeling lazy and uninspirational, and save some money at it...

summer spring!

First of all, apologies for this unannounced loooong hiatus of mine yet again. Finals came up, the end of the school semester was hectic, then I went home and basically went into lazy vacation mode, which apparently I still haven't gotten out of even though I've come back for work. But, considering the insane amount of things that need to get done during the summer, I'm hoping to get back to business, do some studying for the GREs, get myself into the gym, and do some blogging!

So even though it's almost July, the weather here has been spectacular! And by spectacular, no, I do not mean real summer weather. I'm talking about spring weather, which is my idea of spectacular - mid 70s, high 60s, sunshine here and there, I'm willing to put up with rain as long as it's cool like this. Which means, not so fast with the short shorts and the tank tops, I can still wear clothes meant for this great weather range... Which also means yay for the bright, eye-popping colors and the floral prints. Time to celebrate when it's still not too hot outside...

eye see!!

A sketch I made last night in the wee hours of the night..

A short post, but I got these sunglasses a while ago from Aldo and have been loving them! I was actually looking for more Ray Ban Wayfarers, but instead I saw these. I love the detailing... and it's finally light outside for long enough so I can wear my sunglasses for longer periods of times...

like fine wine

Weather, when can I pull out the maxis??

While the weather is still in limbo, I can't wait until it's actual spring weather so I can pull out the spring/summer stuff I've been wanting to wear all winter. I just want to go around wearing a maxi skirt, run around in a field, not have to wear winter coats and just have some sunshine...

Who am I kidding, I still want to run around in short shorts!!

It's really interesting how we acquire our tastes and how these tastes and preferences eventually evolve and mature into our personal style. Last spring/summer, I wanted to wear short shorts all day every day, and now I've made a fast break for the long dresses, hah! Also shows how easily I succumb to trends...

The Sartorial man who is painfully missing in my life... love the collar!

A few days ago one of my friends told me he bought the Esquire handbook for dressing or something like that. I told him to read The Sartorialist more often. I think it's hard to define a style for oneself. And while I appreciate that he is caring more about his appearances via some Esquire handbook, in the end, true style points come from how you define what you wear: you wear the clothes, the clothes don't wear you.

I can always recognize Emmanuelle Alt, too

I think it's skill to be recognizable by first glance on the street - Anna Dello Russo, anyone? It says a lot about how you've incorporated style into yourself.

To some (a lot) people, all this that I'm talking about sounds like rubbish. Clothes will be clothes, pieces of cloth at most. But clothes are a huge contributor to your outward appearance. What you wear, how you wear what it is, whether you like it or not, makes you. And these outward appearances make the biggest difference in terms of first impressions. This is why you will wear the suit to the interview and not the pajamas - you want to appear proper and reliable for your job.

I find myself inexplicably attracted to the current more western/Cali trend going on...

But who am I to speak? I have barely found my true style niche. At this stage I'm still flitting between trends... Style, personal taste, these are all things that take time to mature... like fine wine.

to bob or not to bob?

Arizona Muse: owner of THE most amazing bob...

As a Danish prince knows, that is the question. But before I get ahead of myself, are you guys noticing the revamp? I like that the design is cleaner than before. I had to get rid of the cool background image because I couldn't get it to be static... what? Okay fine I'm incompetent aka lazy so now you guys get a simpler design. And for those of you who use bloglovin, the link is on the side!

Appealing to my nerd sensitivities.....

And speaking of revamping, now that it is spring (even if the weather would like to protest otherwise), I'm feeling for a haircut, a la welcoming the new spring with the end of winter. I need a haircut anyway - before the split ends start creeping in. The question is whether or not I'm willing to try something new this time... One of my new favorite models, Arizona Muse, has probably one of the coolest bobs ever. So much so it's tempted me to possibly consider getting a similar haircut. But my hair is stick straight (typical Asian hair), which would require me to perm my hair... I've had stick straight, long-ish hair all of my life it's so hard for me to picture myself in any other hair. I love how Muse's hair is so naturally wavy in all the right spots to give the bob a more refreshing, young feel (and NOT Anna Wintour bob-y)...

Maybe the question should be, "Do you want to look cool or not?"

So should I? To bob or not to bob (Arizona Muse style, of course), that is the question... ugh she looks so cool with that haircut!!!!


Photo Credits: Arizona Muse for Dazed & Confused; Arizona Muse for Madewell (x2)

forever "it"

The Bag To Rule Them All.....

First of all, apologies for being MIA for so so long... once the new semester starts, everything starts catching up and I had little time to update. Although it was probably for the better that I did not update as I've been lacking inspiration these days - as it is spring break and I'm being unsocial, I'm lounging around at home in my slouchy sweaters. But I will try my best with updating from now on! This blog will not be a fad... (and I need to be better about photographing)... Anyway....

Chanel, a classic beauty I will never admit to owning a knock-off of

One of the dilemmas of being a poor college student is not knowing when to invest in a great bag. I have a love-hate relationship with the so-called "it-bags." On one hand, I'm totally smitten, but on the other hand, I know it will inevitably cause a dent in my wallet. Dilemma. That's why I turn to "perennial-bags." These are bags that stay "it" all the time and you won't have to worry about buying yet another bag for next season.

The PS 1 - Forever "It" aka the perfect satchel bag, ever.

Signs of a "perennial-bag":
1. Minimalistic - a simple design with nothing that really stands out in particular. The real beauty of these bags come from their simplicity as a whole
2. They literally go with everything. (Note: everything does not really mean everything. If someone catches you in ugly slouchy sweatpants, ugly sneakers, and a high school team t-shirt, not even that Chanel bag will save you. Am I speaking from personal experience?....... Maybe.)
3. Versatile - you can wear them for different occasions, when you want to look professional, or when you want to be simple and casual
4. Great quality - it's gotta last a long time if you plan on wearing it for years on, right?

The Michael Kors Hamilton tote... another favorite I wish I had...

Speaking of great quality and long-lasting finds, I always hear stories about people discovering great vintage finds in their mom's closet. I think I'll always be thinking about what I'd want my daughter to find in my closet (I know, it's early, but it's still fun to think about), stuff I'd like her to steal from my closet then proclaim to her friends she found it in her (tres tres fashionable) mother's closet.... which means I need to get rid of that knock-off asap but there is no way I'm gonna be able to afford that bag in the near future....

Photo Credits: Jak&Jil Blog, the rest all courtesy Google Images