I Dream In VOGUE

I made print!!!

2011-04-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

Currently, I am interning at Time Out New York in the Shopping & Style Department, and I am thrilled to finally have a small blurb of mine published in print! Check out my coverage of the new Burberry Brit store on Bleecker St!

Back to Blogging Business!

2010-08-17T19:59:00.000-07:00

NYC, SPI, and now an internship with StyleCaster - my, time has flown! I am officially a graduate of NYU's Summer Publishing Institute (and have the pretty little certificate to prove it!) and had an amazing time meeting new friends, pigging out on the delicious food (although I have yet to try the bagels here - I know, shame on me!), and exploring the city. I moved out of the dorms into the East Village temporarily and am loving this neighborhood - it's an absolute joy to stroll by Tompkins Park and zillions of cute cafes and boutiques on my way to Union Square. And at night, things can get a little crazy around here with tons of bars in the village and down in LES. I am going to miss this place when I move out to midtown next week!

I am also well into the second week of my internship with StyleCaster as a fashion intern! Feel free to visit the website here to find out what it's all about - it's a unique, online destination where content meets community meets commerce. The internship is stressful and I'm always busy, but I am surrounded by beautiful clothes - what more could I ask for? And to de-stress afterwards, I just walk home on 5th Ave and stop by my favorite stores - so I am literally surrounded by clothes from 9 in the morning to 9 at night, haha!

So that's my little update, and hopefully I can get back into the swing of things around here!

My Feature Article for Ruby Magazine

2010-07-18T23:10:00.000-07:00

This was the feature article for the SPI magazine launch project (which we finally named Ruby Magazine). From the feedback we got from Ariel Foxman (who was an absolute pleasure to meet!), we changed the focus of the mission statement away from weight loss and toward fashion for plus size women. I was assigned the position of executive editor, so I wrote this article (with the help of my team). Enjoy!

Runway Recap: Full Figured Fashion Week 2010
The second annual show proves curvy girls can catwalk
June 23, 2010

Long gone are the days of shapeless muumuus and poly stretch pants. Full Figured Fashion Week shows off what’s hot in plus size fashion.

From June 16 - 19 in New York City, hundreds of fashionistas turned out to celebrate the second-annual Full Figured Fashion Week (FFFWeek). The sold-out and star-studded event began last year as a way to showcase the new collections and trendy plus size designs that are serving a growing market of fashion-forward, full figured women.

The four-day event featured runway showcases, a modeling competition, discussion panels and seminars, and even a guided shopping excursion. Notable guests included plus size supermodel Emme Aronson, America’s Next Top Model winner Whitney Thompson, and Biggest Loser contestant Carla Sheridan. Thirty-five sponsors supported the event, including big names like Revlon and Lane Bryant.

Similar to other fashion shows, the air buzzed with infectious energy both behind the scenes and on the runway. But unlike these shows, the voluptuous models looked relaxed, healthy, and in high spirits as they confidently strutted down the runway in feathers and sequins.

Rather than strained silence, the packed crowd at FFFWeek’s opening runway loudly expressed their approval for their favorite look. The music, drinks, and cheering crowd created a celebratory atmosphere.

There must be something strong in those raspberry lemonade Sonsi-tinis - cocktails aptly named for sponsor Sonsi.com, an online destination for plus size shopping.

Gwen DeVoe, founder and executive producer of FFFWeek, hosted the event’s opening ceremony at the exclusive New York City club Boulevard. DeVoe, donning a fitted white number adorned with rosettes, worked the crowd in preparation for a runway showcase featuring plus-inclusive designers and design collaborations with large-scale retailers.

“Every curvy girl that has a dollar is willing to spend that dollar,” she told the energetic crowd. “And so we as curvy customers [are] loyal customers. I know that at a lovely size 18 and a size 12 shoe, when I see something I like, I buy four, five, and six of them, because I can’t stand the drama of looking for it again.” Judging by the crowd’s cheers, many attendees could also sympathize with the hassles of shopping for plus size clothing.

The plus size community has been underserved and largely ignored by the mainstream fashion industry, and FFFWeek is its long overdue response. On a business level, FFFWeek is a way for retailers and designers to meet with their plus-size customers. From a greater perspective, the event serves as backlash against the exclusive nature of the fashion industry and a push for size acceptance in the fashion community.

A market valued at $18 billion, plus size fashion is a booming business opportunity. However, the fashion industry at large has been slow, and sometimes even resistant, to capitalize on this market. Recent news surrounding American Apparel’s decision to stop producing certain items above a size 6 and fashion designer Julien Macdonald’s disparaging comments about plus size modeling continue to perpetuate size discrimination.

However, retail giants like Walmart and Target are recently stepping in to fill the plus size fashion void. Both retailers debuted their latest plus size clothing collections at FFFWeek’s opening runway showcase. Walmart’s Just My Size previewed their younger, trendier sister line Evolution by Just My Size, which included fun tops in animal prints and bold colors with price points under $20. Angelina Mortarotti, the designer behind the Pure Energy line for Target, created a collection with floral and plaid tops, denim staples, and on-trend jackets.

FFFWeek showcased 25 diverse designers who specifically cater to the full figured woman. Angel L. Myers of The Angel Alternative had only been sewing for the past 10 months, but her retro-inspired pieces looked as though she had years of experience. Jaspher Knowles of edgy, fashion-forward Drapery flew in all the way from the Bahamas to take part.

Fashion designer Susan Moses has styled an impressive clientele of celebrities, including Queen Latifah and Gabourey Sidibe. Her collection hit the right trends: sequin mini dresses, silky jumpsuits, and a metallic, peplum stunner that hugged all the right curves.

Deb Malkin, owner of boutique Re/Dress NYC, had her eye on the Susan Moses collection. “She’s branching out into a lot of party and evening wear, and it blew me away. Her collection is really extraordinary,” she said of the celebrity stylist.

Another designer that impressed Malkin was Project Runway alumnus Qristyl Frazier, whose collection included off-the-shoulder column dresses. Frazier’s dresses played with the draping and wrapping of fabric around the shoulder, across the bust, or tied around the waist.

But Malkin’s standby favorite was IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel, a plus size design brand with 10 years of experience. “Lots of incredible prints, really well proportioned clothes. They just know what women want,” she remarked. IGIGI’s graphic print wrap dresses were easily among the night’s best pieces.

Malkin, a plus-size woman herself, understands how frustrating shopping and fashion can be for the full figured woman. “I was right there in the struggle of finding it really hard to find clothes and really understanding the role of fashion as it relates to the social standing of bigger people,” she revealed.

“I don’t think we have a sense of the collective fun of shopping because so much shopping happens online for plus size women, and that’s not really the same experience that other women have where they get to go shopping together and have a good time,” she shared.

Fortunately, FFFWeek provides another much-needed outlet through which the curvy community can come together to celebrate their shape and have fun with fashion. Malkin nails it on the head with her parting advice: “dress yourself for today and really express yourself through the creativity of fashion.”

Manhattan, Ariel Foxman, and other exciting New York related news

2010-06-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

I landed in NYC on a sunny, humid Saturday, dirty, exhausted (not a wink of sleep the night before), hungry (whatever happened to free airline meals), excited at seeing the beautiful Manhattan cityscape from my plane window, and bewildered at how exactly I ended up in the city. Three months ago, I decided to seriously pursue a magazine career. Two months ago, I submitted my application just days before deadline. One month ago, I learned my fate. Now, here I am, blogging away in my NYU dorm right by Union Square Park in Manhattan!

My first week at NYU's Summer Publishing Institute has been a very long week. Full days with back-to-back lectures and panels, and plenty of late night hours mulling over a magazine brand launch project that will be presented in front of THE Ariel Foxman tomorrow! It was just a few months ago that I had been researching about him for an interview with InStyle's West Coast office (which I bombed, please don't ask how... *sigh*), and now I am actually going to meet him in person!

My group has come up with a magazine idea titled Full Fitness (if you can come up with a better name, PLEASE share!), and our magazine "supports overweight or obese women in every stage of their weight goals through the adoption of a healthier, active lifestyle." What do you think?

Is this a sneak peek of J. Crew Fall 2010?

2010-05-17T23:12:00.000-07:00

Cause it sure looks like it to me. It's gorgeous, and Siri looks unbelievably beautiful here! Check out more pics at Daymion Mardel's Online Portfolio.

BIG NEWS!

2010-05-04T22:53:00.001-07:00

home, originally uploaded by mudpig.

Like my blog header states, it's been a dream of mine to work at a fashion magazine. Well, this year I decided to do something about it and applied to several summer publishing programs. For the past three weeks, I was stuck on the waiting list for NYU's Summer Publishing Institute, everyday checking my email and dreading a rejection letter, but finally - last Thursday - I GOT IN! I am so excited to be making my move to NYC and starting my career in publishing - and extremely nervous about the economic climate's impact on the industry.

Those of you who may have been closely following my blog know that I'm no good at shopping bans or saving money. Now I totally regret buying those Dieppa Restrepo shoes! To prepare for the big move, I've listed tons of my clothes on eBay and am closely pinching my pennies, saving every last cent from my tutoring gig. I have a month to raise funds quick! Any ideas?

The Uniform Project

2010-04-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

I'm inspired and amazed by what Sheena Matheiken has done. Since May 1st, 2009, Sheena has been wearing the same seven black dresses and accessorizing them with vintage, handmade, or hand-me-down clothing items "as an exercise in sustainable fashion." Along the way, she's been raising money for the Akanksha Foundation to improve the educational system in Indian slums. Now, she only has eight days left until she's reached her goal of 365 days. Learn how to help out by visiting her website The Uniform Project.

Uniform Project Picture Book from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.

Best Dressed Celebs at Coachella

2010-04-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

Scores of celebs came out to play under the desert sun during 2010's Coachella music festival. Here are my picks for the best dressed attendees and performer.

Kate Hudson                                  Whitney Port                                  Camilla Belle

I'm loving Kate's casual look, Whitney's print-mixing, and Camilla's granny-chicness.

Anne Hathaway

Anne's statement accessories are perfect - a chic fedora to block out the sun in style and a lightweight scarf for when the day cools down.

Kate Bosworth

Kate looks effortlessly chic. Knit crochet, tie-dye, or lace, Kate always makes the latest trends work. Bonus points for dating True Blood hottie Alexander Skarsgard.

Best Dressed Performer:

Zooey Deschanel

Zooey somehow manages to look put-together (not a hair out of place!) despite the high temps in her prim, ombre blue dress.

All pictures from celebrity-gossip.net

I did not attend this year's festival, but I've been to past ones and it's always a blast to go. Some of my most amazing concert memories happened there - the best memory I had was dancing to my favorite New Order songs ("Bizarre Love Triangle" and "Blue Monday") with thousands of other concert-goers. I am sad to have missed some amazing performances this year (I really wanted to see Passion Pit, La Roux, MGMT, Little Boots, Phoenix, among tons of other bands, and the hyped-up, top secret set for deadmau5). Oh well, maybe next year.

Dieppa Restrepo

2010-03-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

Pictures from Dieppa Restrepo

One of the biggest trends in spring footwear is the oxford shoe. This classic style adds a bit of menswear-chic to your outfits, and the flat heel makes them comfortable for everyday. I love how they give that girl-next-door/tomboy look.

While browsing the Theory website, I fell in love with the white and tan oxfords that their stylists used and inquired who made them. The response - the brand is called Dieppa Restrepo, a brand of unisex shoes founded by Columbian designers Andrea Vargas Dieppa and Elisa Restrepo. The Dieppa Restrepo website calls their shoes the "quintessential grown-up sneakers," known for being "fashion-minded, yet comfortable and durable."

Theory will be stocking these shoes come April at their New York Gansevoort store, and I'll be waiting (impatiently) until then!

Theory's New Website

2010-03-23T16:39:00.000-07:00

From Theory

Theory just launched an online shopping website, and I love some of the outfits their stylists put together for the website. The "Insider Looks" are classic yet modern, with lots of pattern mixing and layering. It's also a great way to get to know some of the top stylists in the industry, such as Andrea Lieberman and Leslie Fremar. Check out the website for more insider looks and videos of each stylist at work. I'd love to own that small check trench coat, the striped t-shirt dress, an easy menswear shirt, and a pair of white oxfords.

Anyone else excited for Eat, Pray, Love?

2010-03-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

I first heard about this book when I was watching the Bonnie Hunt Show (which is AMAZING, I love Bonnie's sense of humor) and she had Elizabeth Gilbert as her guest, along with Jane Kaczmarkek (Malcolm in the Middle) and The Hills' Kristen Cavallari. The point was to have guests at different ages of their lives come together and discuss Gilbert's book, and I was touched at how much the book had connected with Bonnie and Jane (both are going through or have been through divorces). And they showered it with praise and said it was the kind of book to give to your daughter, a book they wished they had when they were younger. So I decided to give it a go.

Let me tell you, I loved reading this book. It was inspiring, thoughtful, and very well-written. Gilbert is incredibly brave for sharing her story. I was surprised at how spiritual the book came off (I guess the word "pray" should have warned me), but in no way does she come across as preachy or presumptuous. She's new to the whole thing herself and exploring all of it with the reader. I also loved reading about her experiences in exotic locales (I wish I could just pack up and go country-hopping for a year) and her sense of humor.

And now Hollywood is making a movie of the book with Julia Roberts! I can't wait!

Two of my favorite looks from J. Crew

2010-03-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

I purchased J. Crew's Chambray Blazer, and I love how it easily dresses up an outfit while keeping it all casual. The blazer is low maintenance (it is machine washable) and doesn't seem to wrinkle easily. The color and fabric are perfect for spring, and the best way to wear it is to roll up the sleeves, exposing the lovely pinstripe lining, and pair it with shorts and mini-skirts - perfect for a cool, summer day.

The Andre dress is another stunner from the J. Crew catalog. Purple is an unexpected, fresh color for work attire. The dress is conservative in cut but not in style - it showcases beautiful draping and pleating details, and therefore it can easily transition from the desk to a dinner date. Just throw on a sparkly necklace and some smart specs to make a witty fashion statement.

Summer Shoe Trends: Wedges & Platforms

2010-03-22T01:04:00.000-07:00

summer wedges by stylechild featuring Jil Sander shoes>

I'm searching high and low for the perfect pair of summer shoes. There are so many choices in styles and trends this season, from flat sandals to oxfords to wedges, so I'm showcasing some of the best from each trend to help make my decision.

Summer wedges have been on my mind for years. I love how casual and fun they look - they are the perfect bohemian-chic accessories and easy to pair with beach sundresses. Also, the thicker heel makes them easier to walk in and the best choice for instant height. This season, wedges are coming with platform heels to give them an extra boost in inches without the strain on your feet.

You can take your pick from a variety of wedges and platform heels that incorporate this season's biggest trends. Strappy versions in nude, tan, and beige, such as the skin-colored pair above from the original cork wedge brand Kork-Ease, are classic and elongate the legs. Some come in bright colors, perfect for punctuating outfits with pops of spring-worthy hues. Others are incorporating woven textures or tribal accents. Coach has floral and logo prints with fun details, such as Sprouse-style writing on the heel. Jil Sander's nude wedges are on-trend, with its modern, clean lines. Finally, Michael Kors offers a plethora of choices in wedges and platforms, such as the urban-glam example above with a chunky wooden heel and sporty influences.

Limited Edition F-Bomb Scent

2010-03-21T19:33:00.000-07:00

Image from Sephora

According to the Beauty Counter blog over at Style.com, designers Viktor & Rolf are releasing a limited edition version of Flowerbomb called La Vie En Rose. The scent will be lighter than the original and will include "tangerine, pink pepper, and lily of the valley" notes. It will be available only at Sephora starting April 1, but you can order it now at Sephora's website.

I would count Flowerbomb as one of my favorite scents, so I am very excited that a new version is coming out. I haven't committed to buying a bottle of the original, but owning a limited edition perfume sounds very tempting.

My Perfume Wishlist

2010-03-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

Perfumes by stylechild on Polyvore.com

I've been dying to get my hands on the following perfumes, some of them for their addictive scents and others just for the bottles! Stand-by fragrances include Chanel's classic Coco Mademoiselle, Dior's wildly popular Miss Dior Cherie, and Viktor & Rolf's bestselling Flowerbomb. YSL's Parisienne is slowly growing on me - the scent is definitely unique and stands out from the rest. I've yet to try Balenciaga's Paris, but how lovely would that bottle look on a vanity table!

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

Smells like: "Sexy, fresh Oriental fragrance" that "recalls the irrepressible spirit of the young 'Coco' Chanel"

Coco Chanel, 1907

Top Notes: Orange, bergamot, mandarin, and Tunisian curaçao
Heart Notes: Morning rose, Italian jasmine, ylang-ylang, and mimosa
Base Notes: Indonesian patchouli, Haitian vetiver, Bourbon vanilla, white musk, opoponax, and tonka bean

Faces: Anouck Lepere, Kate Moss, and Keira Knightley (current)

Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne

Smells like: "The essence of a woman who is incredibly free-she is not from Paris, but Paris adopts her. She knows how to love, how to live."
"A grand floral with a woody structure, luminous even in its mystery", "the perfume of ultra femininity, warmed by the touch of the man who embraced her."

Top Notes: "Vinyl accord (evoking metal gloss and varnish)", cranberry, and blackberry
Heart Notes: Peony, damask rose, and violet
Base Notes: Patchouli, vetiver, musk, and sandalwood

Faces: Kate Moss

Balenciaga Paris

Smells like: "mysterious and fragile, yet leaves a lasting trail"

Notes: Violet, pepper, and mossy wood notes

Faces: French songstress and "strange beauty" Charlotte Gainsbourg

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

Smells like: "floral explosion", "full-bodied and opulent"

Top Notes: Tea and bergamot
Heart Notes: Sambac jasmine, orchid, freesia, and rose
Base Notes: Patchouli

Faces: Isabeli Fontana

Dior Miss Dior Cherie

Smells like: "the elegant woman, a blend of classic chic with a touch of whimsy"

Top Notes: Green tangerine and strawberry leaves
Heart Notes: Violette, pink jasmine, carmelized popcorn, and strawberry sorbet
Base Notes: Fresh patchouli and crystalline musk

Faces: Maryna Linchuk

Images from mauVErt

More Fall Inspiration

2010-03-10T01:22:00.000-08:00

Chanel fall 2010
inspiration: global cooling
keywords: (fake) fur, ice jewelry

Valentino fall 2010
inspiration: modern ruffles
keywords: blush tones, high hemlines

Vanessa Bruno fall 2010
inspiration: dance
keywords: drape, layer, wrap

Isabel Marant fall 2010
inspiration: 50's
keywords: cropped pants, high ponytails & those amazing paillette leggings ♥!

All photos from style.com

More Chiffon Dresses but with a Libertine Twist

2010-03-09T00:16:00.000-08:00

John Galliano played with the contrast of heavy and light, pairing chiffon dresses with leather pieces, in his fall collection for Christian Dior. The equestrian theme is obvious, but Galliano also drew inspiration from libertines, specifically Johnny Depp's performance in The Libertine (which I have yet to watch). On first glance, the top hats are reminiscent of Depp's latest role in the movie Alice in Wonderland.

I'm especially keen on the make-up and hair. According to hairstylist Orlando Pita, the hair was inspired by "French romanticism and page boys" with the textured curls and fish braids. The make-up called for a "Libertine's raspberry mouth" and "ochre and burgundy eyes." The lips are heavily pigmented in the center and wash out at the sides, which really does give that look of a "raspberry mouth." The final result was a kind of painted beauty like in an 18th century portrait and as decadent as a libertine's lifestyle.

All photos from style.com

Yes, I love me a statement coat

2010-03-08T15:09:00.000-08:00

Photos from New York Magazine

I always look forward to what creative geniuses Viktor and Rolf have up their sleeves - which in the case of their fall 2010 presentation, were roomy enough to layer over layers, of capes over fur coats over robe-like dresses over bustiers - like a shoplifter's wildest dreams. I can just imagine a Vogue spread inspired by sticky fingers and featuring these clothes (taking place in a high-end department store, littered with bare mannequins, and maybe Winona will make an appearance?).

Another fall show with the beloved oversized coat trend, but this time blown up to avant-garde proportions.

Watch the runway video here.

Burberry never seems to disappoint

2010-03-04T22:39:00.000-08:00

Photos from style.com

Burberry Prorsum followed their smash-hit Spring 2010 RTW collection with another outstanding collection for fall. I am in love.

There's a spectacular variety of coats and jackets from oversized shearling-lined leather and fur to classic, fitted wool. Each piece from head to toe explodes with design details: cuffs, buttons, straps, buckles. There's too much goodness going around here - everyone's sure to find a winner in this collection.

I'm especially loving the silhouette of oversized coats with skinny boots. And both the tall and short buckle boots are amazing.

Watch the live stream show here.

The September Issue

2010-03-02T00:59:00.000-08:00

I just watched The September Issue for the second time, and I absolutely loved it! I can positively say that this is one of very few films that I've watched where my whole body is tense from beginning to end with excitement. I loved all the photo shoots and the wonderful personalities of some Vogue staffers, especially Grace Coddington. I think I may have to buy the DVD for the outtake footage!

Kate Spade Kick

2010-02-27T09:53:00.000-08:00

While I was browsing through the Kate Spade website, checking out Rebecca Ward's inspiring tape installation (it makes me want to bust out the tape on all my plain notebooks), I stumbled upon these beauties found in the party pics:

which happen to be available online and are called "Krush" slingback pumps. Aren't they gorgeous? I'm loving the play on texture.
And wouldn't they look lovely paired with the Windsor Palace Metallic Gwendolyn? It's Chanel-esque but in a more relaxed shape.

And while I'm on this Kate kick, why not throw in a few other beauties:

Bon Mot X-Ray Shopper - so clever!

and these incredibly luxurious Ostrich embossed accessories!

New Spring Make-Up from Lancome + Chris Benz

2010-02-17T15:13:00.000-08:00

Chris Benz Spring 2010 Collection - style.com

I had heard so much buzz about the newest lipstick from Lancome's Pout-a-Porter collection with Chris Benz that I had to get my hands on it! The limited edition lipstick, wittily named "Chris & Tell", is a soft, sheer color of coral-peach. It was released in small quantities on the Lancome website and at Lancome boutiques early this year (and promptly sold out) and just hit Saks make-up counters on the first week of February.

Lancome's L'Absolu Rouge Lipstick in "Chris & Tell"

I had to call five local Saks before a sales associate in Beverly Hills responded with good news: there were two left! I quickly snatched them up (One for the home, one for the car? It's always a good idea to stock up anyway!). She also sold me on the idea of getting the matching blusher, Lancome's Pop'n Cheeks in "Coral Flirt".

Lancome's Pop'n Cheeks Blush in "Coral Flirt"

My package arrived during the weekend, and I finally got to open it up on Monday evening. To my surprise, Saks also included a free gift - a black Lancome make-up bag with free samples!

I messed around with the blush before taking pictures because it was too pretty!

I know a lot of make-up forums and blogs like to show swatches, so here they are:

The top swatch is a single swipe of lipstick. The one below is several swipes. The color easily builds from sheer to opaque.

It's a little hard to see, but there are three swipes: flecks of gold (from the overlay) mixed with the pinkish taupe color below it, a rosy coral, and finally blush pink. I love these colors for their sheerness which looks very natural on the skin. Also, the product feels silky soft.

All in all, I am happy to say that I will be keeping all of my purchases! The colors are perfect for spring and summer, and anyone who is a little apprehensive about having a too made-up face will appreciate how sheer and natural these products look.

Elettra Wiedemann (also featured on the lipstick packaging) modeling the the lipstick.

Also, fans of J. Crew may have noticed that "Chris & Tell" was featured as one of Jenna's picks for spring.

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: Morocco

2010-02-03T23:09:00.000-08:00

To make a long story short, here are the last few pictures of my week in Morocco:

The process of making argan oil at a women's cooperative - they say that argan oil is a great beauty treatment for hair and skin, and argan butter is a tasty alternative to peanut butter.

The town of Essaouira, where Hendrix reportedly vacationed in the late 60's

Essaouira's harbor

A majestic beginning of a 3-Day "guided" tour - and I put guided in quotation marks because that's a joke. Our "guide" was more of a driver than a guide, and he didn't speak English so good luck figuring out where they heck you are and what you're looking at. Thankfully, the van was full of international tourists who were able to translate our guide's French into English, Italian, and Portuguese.

Where Gladiator was filmed?

I got to ride a camel into the Sahara Desert! Here is a picture of the group heading toward the tents with our Berber guides. The desert trek was a magical experience. Some of the highlights - sharing a jumbo plate of chicken tagine with complete strangers and no utensils after having ridden camels and hiding behind a bush to pee. Liberating.

Everyone woke up bright and early the next day for the sunrise.

Back in Marrakech, we visited the Bahia Palace. The architecture is beautiful but the palace is in an obvious state of disrepair, with lots of taped off areas and overgrown gardens.

A view from a rooftop restaurant of Djemaa el Fna

Goodbye Marrakech!

Morocco was definitely an experience I'll never forget. Of all the countries and cities I visited, the people here are the most inviting and vibrant. I witnessed both good and bad, but in the end I found myself feeling settled in just when it was time to go.

Some words of advice for future travelers on clothing (this is a fashion blog after all):

It is a Muslim culture and women there usually dress conservatively, but many of the younger generation do not. I was told that women have the freedom to wear what they want, but many of them choose to wear the traditional jellaba. Most of the female tourists I saw dressed modestly. I did see one female tourist wear the most outrageous outfit - a see-through top, extremely short miniskirt, and sky-high heels - and heads were turning. I highly recommend dressing more modestly because you will get a lot of unwanted attention if you wear something low-cut, short, or skin-tight.

Anyway, I hope my photographic diary has inspired some of you to travel to far-flung destinations and live the nomadic life. Thanks for reading!

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: A peek inside a typical shop

2010-02-02T17:07:00.000-08:00

Here is a peek inside a typical shop in Marrakech:

My friend and I wandered into this shop to get away from a man who was trying to "guide" us to another place (see the previous post for my take on these "guides"). My friend was interested in buying a tea pot and tea glasses, so she haggled the price down and then realized that she didn't have enough cash on her. The shop owner offered to take her to the ATM on his moped, leaving me to watch his shop. I saw this as my chance to take as many pictures as I could!

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: Marrakech

2010-01-29T20:02:00.000-08:00

I'm notoriously bad at not finishing things, but I'm committed to getting this photographic diary done - Morocco is the last one, so I'm close to the end.

Here are a few photos around the city of Marrakech:

The main square, Djemaa el Fna

The day and night transformation is amazing. During the day, the square is empty. At night, there are so many people milling about. There are street performers, snake charmers, dancers, and storytellers. The energy is inspiring - I've never seen anything like it anywhere else.

I wish I had pictures to show you of the square at night, but I refrained from taking pictures at night because it seemed like you had to pay for any pictures you took of anyone.

A typical street in Marrakech

Walking around the city can be very confusing. It doesn't help that all the streets look the same and the street signs are nonexistent. I learned to rely on landmarks to get back home.

The famous Koutoubia Mosque

As non-Muslims, my friend and I were only able to appreciate this tall beauty from the outside. It is so tall that you are able to see it from far away - which very helpful for finding your way to the square. ;)

A park by the mosque

Marrakech houses some of the most lovely gardens and parks. They are always immaculately manicured.

A typical shop

These shops are everywhere, and many of them sell similar trinkets and souvenirs. This is one of my favorite pictures.

A government-run carpet shop

Yes, my friend and I got sucked into one of these shops. Neither of us were planning to buy a Moroccan rug - both of us ended with one.

How we got to the shop is an amusing story. We were wandering around the city lost. While I was talking to a street vendor about getting minutes on my cell phone, an older man walking his bike came up to my friend and asked if she remembered him. From the riad? Apparently he works there?

Um... yes?

So he offers to take us to a nice shop that's close by. It's government-run so you won't have to haggle so much. Don't worry - he'll take us there for free. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking this could have ended badly...

Yes, we followed him. I mean, he wasn't taking any shady streets or anything. AND it was in the daytime - nothing bad ever happens in the daytime! Don't shake your head, it could have happened to anyone! As we're walking, I asked my friend, "Do you know him?" "No." Neither did I. Insert nervous laughter.

Thankfully, he took us to some kind of carpet and furniture mega-emporium.

Let me start by saying that Moroccan salesmen are good at their job. And I am a sucker for deals. And I am a sucker in general, because I know I'm not getting a good deal but I just can't say no. We've spent all this time getting to know each other, now I can't just leave you hanging! I walked away from the emporium with a rug, a colorfully painted tagine and matching plate, and several pairs of leather slippers - and right into the spice shop next door.

The lady shows us traditional Moroccan beauty treatments and products - like the famous Argan oil-based soaps and black scrub treatments. On the shelves, there are stacks of neatly packaged loose tea, herbs and spices - one for curries, one for barbecue rubs, here's a 5-spice rub, or would I like her favorite, the 9-spice rub? And you can't say you've been to Morocco and didn't get a pack of mint tea! If you buy two, you get one free!

Yes, siree! I'd like all of them, please!

Then, she starts loading us up with free goodies and then lowers her voice to tell us not to tell our neighbors over at the emporium that we bought all this stuff. Just a few packs, so it doesn't look suspicious - because here's the thing. Since the salesmen at the emporium led us to her spice shop, they get a cut of the profits. A big cut, like 50%, and that doesn't leave very much left over. That's just the ways things are done.

Then, a light bulb goes off in my head. What about that mysterious guy that led us to the emporium in the first place? Does he get a cut? How often does this happen? Doesn't it all feel a little... shady?

For a while, my impressions of Morocco were tainted by these under-the-table deals. I couldn't help but feel a little used. Under the guise of friendship, I saw money signs. How could I trust whether this restaurant was a local favorite or one that paid out well? I saw these deals happening everywhere - even at the tourism office!

But near the end of my trip, I was in better spirits because I came to terms that that's just the way things are done. I had my shining moment of paranoia. But the truth is not that this is a real injustice, because I'm sure this kind of stuff happens all the time everywhere. It just never happens in my neck of the woods. And therefore, I am just naive. But we already knew that when I agreed to follow the stranger and his shiny bike.

My Spring Wishlist

2010-01-21T15:47:00.001-08:00

effeminate versions of menswear-inspired footwear...
like J. Crew's Camden Leather Brogues in Blush Pink, coming Feb 2010

summery 70's platform wedges in nude tones...
like J. Crew's Cleo Platform Sandals in soft graphite

mix and match effortless separates...
like Madewell's chambray workshirt paired with graphic tulip mini

and the "it girl" accessory...
like Mulberry's "Alexa" in nude lambskin

P.S. For anyone interested in the Camden Leather Brogues in Blush Pink, I am told they are available for preorder and will debut sometime in February. I'm dying to get my hands on these, but every time I talk to a sales representative I get different information (ex. one told me it would be store only, another said that the brogues will never come out in Blush Pink), but the majority opinion is that it will be available and you can preorder it. Also, check out this cute skirt:

J. Crew Whisper Chambray Tiered Skirt

Another item that will be out in February, and you can also preorder it. It is item 23368 and costs $138. It is adorable!

Alexa Chung + Madewell?!?

2010-01-20T16:25:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited for this! I just read on the Vogue website that Alexa Chung will be designing a collection for Madewell, coming out this September! The pieces are expected to be items that Alexa herself would wear, like "high-waisted pants and jeans, velvet dresses with Peter Pan collars, and a coat based on a vintage children’s one [Alexa] found that originally came from Harrods". Expect retro influences like "forties tea dresses, sixties mod dresses" and anything cute.

Sonia Rykiel Knitwear hits H&M Feb 20

2010-01-16T14:27:00.000-08:00

All images from nitro:licious

Coming soon to an arm crook near you...

2010-01-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

I hear that the Alexa bag is coming to stores in a few days. This is my dream bag right now - it has that perfect balance of polished and casual. Saving up my pennies for this one... which starts at $1150.

Sonia Rykiel for H&M

2009-12-07T15:47:00.001-08:00

If you've been following my blog, then you probably know how much I love Sonia Rykiel and how excited I was about the H&M + Sonia Rykiel collaboration. Well, early Saturday morning my friend and I drove out to the nearest H&M that hosted the lingerie collection, which for me was at South Coast Plaza, to stake out these long-awaited arrivals.

I wasn't sure how much buzz Sonia Rykiel would receive here in the States, certainly not on the level of Jimmy Choo, but the reaction in the blogosphere had generally been positive to the sneak peeks. So we came at opening hour and found the collection fully stocked in most sizes with no lines. I guess this is because unlike the Jimmy Choo collection, which was stocked in very few select stores, the Sonia Rykiel collection is stocked at every H&M that sells underwear and I believe it will continue to be restocked periodically, and therefore it is not technically "limited" in the sense that Jimmy Choo was.

For my frame, I didn't dare try on any of the corsets, teddies, or bras with underwire, though these are the pieces I'm sure will be more popular. Instead, I bought the striped night slip with three matching panties and a black silk robe.

And I'm especially excited about the spring knitwear collection, esp this red and black striped set. The bow is really cute!

Image found at TFS

Christian Dior Backstage

2009-11-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

Photos from Jak & Jil Blog of Backstage Christian Dior SS 2010

I love these photos, especially the Veronica Lake/Lauren Bacall-esque hairstyle! Just a little inspiration for the ponytail rut I've fallen into.

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: Moroccan Cuisine

2009-11-19T22:26:00.000-08:00

One big thing I miss about Morocco? The mouthwatering breakfast at the riad. I DREAM of this breakfast. Imagine waking up to this:

Coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice (this seems to be a big thing in Morocco - they have tons of carts at the main square selling this stuff), Moroccan crepes like baghrir or msemmen (both are really delicious!), and a tray of two types of jams and chunks of butter. I'm planning to recreate this breakfast at home, so look out for a possible future post!

The night we arrived, we decided to explore Jmaa el Fna, the main square in Marrakech. There was so much going on, it was crazy busy and everyone was out. I think it was even more crazier than usual because of Ramadan. At the middle of the square, there are these open tents that serve dirt cheap food - you can get all of the below for about 100 dirhams, equivalent of about $13.

I ordered the mystery meat kabobs and my friend had vegetable couscous. She escaped unscathed, but I didn't feel great the next day. And the day after. And pretty much the entire week and a few days back at home.

I didn't learn. We came back the next day. They make a damn good pastilla (traditionally pigeon pie, but more popularly chicken)

So that's one dining option - the dirt cheap tents where you can grab a meal for two for less than $15. And risk getting sick. But mind you these tents were packed (although almost always with tourists).

Later that week, our tour guide recommended another restaurant, where we found ourselves on a rooftop surrounded by plush seating and a tent with fans (thank god, because Moroccan summers are oppressively HOT!). Check out the dishes below:

Another vegetable couscous.

Tagine with prunes. This was AMAZINGLY good.

Cookies and sweets for dessert

I think all of this, one dish, dessert, drinks and a plate of fruit, totaled 150 dirhams per person, or $20 per person.

After a few days had passed, we realized that the only Moroccan dishes we could find were kebobs, tagines, and couscous. And eating day after day of kebobs, tagines, and couscous can get pretty... tiring. So when we went to Essaouria (a beach town, day trip away from Marrakech where apparently Jimmy Hendrix and hippies would hang out during the 70's), we spotted a hole-in-the-wall Mexican cafe owned by a British couple (random!), called La Cantina, where I gluttoned on fresh OJ, a chicken dish, and homemade cheesecake! Anyway, the point is that I was really surprised at the lack of variety.

Throughout the week, we befriended a lampseller at the souks and asked him what was up with the food. He said it was because kebobs, tagines, and couscous cost the least to make and therefore make the most money. Moroccans have much more to offer foodwise, but you can't really try it without being invited to someone's home for dinner. We were told most Moroccans almost always eat at home, by food that their wife or (in his case) mother prepared. And then he said he would have invited us, but we had told him we were leaving the next day.

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: My Moroccan Riad

2009-11-17T23:05:00.000-08:00

Originally, I never really had plans to go to Morocco. Morocco was so out of my comfort zone, it never really popped into my head when I thought about where I wanted to travel. I wanted to travel to Greece or Spain, but then my friend suggested Morocco and it seemed so random and so exotic that I agreed enthusiastically. So we bought tickets to Marrakesh and booked a riad, with plans to stay in Morocco for one week.

Flying from Lyon to Marrakesh was so stressful, figuring out how to pack and carry all those heavy bags was a nightmare! My friend and I were constantly over the weight limit and quickly learned how expensive it is to pay for overweight fees. After all that heavy lifting, you can imagine my delight when I saw....

this bed! Looks like it's made for a Moroccan princess!

The design seems modern, but in actuality modern design derives its inspiration (in part) from the traditional Moroccan style.

Yes, that's a crap load of bags. I wasn't kidding when I said "heavy lifting".

I have way too many pics and stories to tell about Morocco, so rather than tackle everything at once, I'm gonna try to break it down into small posts - so stay tuned for the next installment!

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: More Provence Countryside and Avignon

2009-11-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

More pictures of the French countryside!

The village of Gordes, taken from a panoramic point

The surrounding countryside

The village is protected by these stone walls, a unique architectural signature of the region.

Driving on the way to Les Baux (which unfortunately I did not take many great pictures - maybe it was a long day and I got tired?) our tour guide stopped by this sunflower field.

There was a wedding at Les Baux (it would be an amazing place to have a wedding - the village is so quaint, and they have wonderful shops there that look old-fashioned but sell gourmet luxuries like regional olive and truffle oil, fine wines, and traditional candies). I bought a pack of nougat candies and "olives" - chocolates that look like olives.

Sad story about the olives though - they survived the entire trip, I was amazed that they didn't melt in the sweltering heat of Morocco - and when I got back home, I decided to give them as a gift to my aunt. So my parents drive up to LA to meet up with my aunt, and at the end of a long day of shopping and eating I pull out the candies from my bag and they were horribly melted to an unrecognizable state. I kept them in my bag and tried to stay indoors as much as possible, but I guess it was just too hot (it turned out to be one of the hottest days of the summer).

The tour ended with the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct

Back in Avignon, here is the main square where all the restaurants are

I had a totally surreal, Amelie-esque moment when my friends and I dined at the outdoor patio of one of these restaurants and the wind was blowing really hard. It reminded me of the scene with the dancing tableware. You could hear the whistling of the wind and the clinking of glassware, and I also remember there was a man strumming Gypsy Kings tunes for tips.

The next day, our last day, we ran around Avignon trying to see all the sights. We packed away lunch at the food market in the morning, had a picnic on the hillside watching the river, took in the vistas at Rocher des Doms, and toured the Papal Palace.

Here is the courtyard in front of the Palais des Papes, where the popes used to live

The architecture is stunning, these pictures really capture the dramatics

The views from one of the towers

And then it was time to say goodbye to Avignon. But it wasn't so easy, we accidently missed our train to Lyon, where we were supposed to catch a flight to Morocco. Thankfully, everything got sorted out in the end.

If only it got cold around here

2009-11-06T23:40:00.000-08:00

Why do I find myself lusting year after year over winter coats, when there's obviously no time or place to where them here in sunny SoCal? This mint tweed coat from J. Crew is absolutely perfect, except for the fact that it's made of sweat-inducing wool. Although, it is "lightweight wool"...

I tried googling when it's socially acceptable to wear wool coats in SoCal, and of course the snarkiest answer I found was "when you're cold", the more precise answer answer was "when it's below 50 degrees", and the answer I was really looking for was "when you feel like it". Why can't more women in the LA/SD area wear their winter coats out so that I don't feel so self-conscious about it (although, of course, not right now since it's god awful hot) - can't we apply that same mentality we have toward Uggs to winter coats? ;o)

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: Roussillon

2009-11-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

After the wine tasting, I toured several picturesque villages. The first stop, Roussillon, was my absolute favorite! There used to be a thriving industry there for natural pigment paints (before synthetics became popular) because the soil has this striking ochre color, and the entire town is awash in lovely hues of ochre.

A sweeping vista of the Provence countryside - and my pants from Parisian brand Naf Naf! They were fun to wear around France and Morocco, but a little too unusual for casual Socal.

I love the little details...

And you can find yummy and unusual flavors of gelato here, like lavender (which was okay in my opinion, great to try but I wouldn't order it twice - now orange, on the other hand... *drool*)

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: Châteauneuf du Pape

2009-11-04T06:38:00.000-08:00

Following the Antic Theater was a wine tasting at Châteauneuf du Pape. On the way to the winery, my tour guide drove around the scenic points and vineyards of the area.

Apparently, this vineyard grows Grenache grapes, one of the select varieties of grapes that can be grown in the region and used to make the wine.

And at the winery I got to learn a little bit about wine tasting. I don't remember all of it, but I do remember to really swish the wine to get the smells going. And inspect the color of the wine against a white background. Oh, and also take two sips, a quick sip for your first impression and let it linger for the second, because the first taste is very different from the second.

I believe the name of the winery is Maison Bouachon. And I brought home a bottle of very expensive red wine for my parents! It was a pain to get home, but hopefully well worth it (they're saving it for a special occasion).

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: Antic Theater

2009-11-03T00:12:00.000-08:00

Jury duty is sucking up all my time, but I still want to finish my photo diary of my trip so I'm going to do small spurts of photos from time to time.

After Nice, I took the train to Avignon and went on a day tour of the sights of Provence. Below are photos of the Antic theater in Orange, one of the best preserved amphitheaters in the world with a stage wall that still stands today.

There's a statue of the emperor in the wall, but a fun fact is that the head can be switched. ;o)

How to get the look for less: J. Crew window display outfit

2009-10-24T19:24:00.000-07:00

I've been obsessed with getting this outfit, seen on a mannequin at my local J. Crew store:

Here's the Polyvore dissection of the outfit:

jcrew window display by stylechild featuring J Crew

except the cardigan is the Mohair Argyle Cardigan which seems to be store only, and the necklace is different (it has oversized pearls and glass pieces)

At first, I thought I HAD to buy every single piece, from head to toe, to get this look. I ended up spending way too much (if you do the math, it's about $300). But then, I poked around Forever21 today and found some great pieces that I could substitute in for less. I also scrounged around my closet and found a skinny black belt from ages ago. So here's my look for less:

F21 Double Breasted Cardigan
Heritage 1981 tweed skirt
J. Crew jewel tee
J. Crew necklace
Armani Exchange belt

I bought this F21 Double Breasted Cardigan which I LOVE - it kind of reminds me of J. Crew's Marled Wool Cardigan. And I also got a Heritage tweed miniskirt for less than $20!

So the total cost of this outfit is... $133!

So I ordered one of those Nubra thingies on a whim...

2009-10-24T01:28:00.000-07:00

and they work! Brilliantly! Even for a flatty like me! For anyone who's been toying with the idea of ordering one - do it! Although, I have yet to test mine out for a night of dancing, I'm just thrilled right now that they actually do stay in place and it seems like they have quite a grip.

I got my giveaway prizes in the mail today!

2009-10-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

So, BIG NEWS! I won Chloe's Blog Anniversary Giveaway about two weeks ago (if you guys aren't already reading Chloe's hilarious commentary on her blog The Chloe Conspiracy, you're definitely missing out) and both packages arrived in the mail today!

This Simply Vera by Vera Wang necklace came wrapped up in cute pink and yellow paper!

CUPCAKES! IN JARS! (I have no idea which one is more exciting - never seen a cupcake in a jar before in my life)
I devoured one right on the spot - it was SO good.

In the spirit of Chloe (and Kitty and Petunia), I decided to include a picture of my furbaby Winnie!

In this rather awkward photo, I was trying to take a photo of my cupcake and my dog scrambled over to beg for a taste (or more like photo op, haha).

Thanks Chloe!

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: French Riviera

2009-10-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

After Paris, my friends and I took a wonderful break in the coastal town Nice - it felt so good to be back near a beach (I'm from sunny San Diego - salty water runs in my veins).

Using my camera's nifty Photostitch feature to make this panoramic view of the beach - click for a closer look

The beaches here are rocky, which surprised me.
And topless is an option.
And there were a lot of older couples when I went...
maybe this is where wealthy French people vacation?

The water was lovely, although when you get out you have to step onto rocks and pebbles with your bare feet - ouch. And there seems to be glass everywhere (since it seems you can drink on the beach) but I didn't get hurt.

The market - where they sell flowers, produce, and local crafts

The town square has this beautiful fountain

and this oddly mesmerizing tile pattern.

I wish I had taken a picture of this amazing ice cream shop located in one of the main squares - not only did it have ice cream, it also had miniature frozen desserts, shaved ice, and popsicles!!! These seem to be rarities in Nice. I totally had a craving for a popsicle and this store saved the day.

We also hiked up to Cimiez, a wealthy neighborhood on the hillside of Nice, and visited the Matisse museum and saw some Roman ruins. On the map it looks like a small distance, but the elevation combined with the hot weather wiped me out.

Funny story at the Matisse museum, I took off my hat (a boater hat I had bought at a stall by the beach) and walked around, but my hat was too big for my bag so I had to hold it. And I put my sunglasses in them. And then the security guard, this funny old man, would pretend to tip money into my hat. Every time I met him. I must have bumped into him like three times. And finally, I decided to thank him in french "merci" and he found that wildly amusing. I thought that was a cute story.

Anyway, we also saw this beautiful Russian Orthodox church but didn't go in because the entrance admission was a bit steep.

Here is a picture of the beach just before we left.

But before we left, we took a night train to Monaco.

And had dinner by the waterside at this lovely seafood restaurant, where I tried some snails (and it actually wasn't that bad, although it's not worth the effort it took to get those teeny snails out of those shells). Had a bit too much wine...

and then went inside the famous Monte Carlo! It was pretty intimidating, seeing these people play thousand dollar stakes on roulette. If we had paid a bit more, we could have seen the high rollers. I couldn't take any pictures inside, so you'll have to trust my description that the interior exudes luxury and sophistication but was surprisingly smaller than I imagined.

Since I'm a poor college student, I just played a little slots.

The New Kings Of Convenience CD is out!!!

2009-10-22T11:05:00.001-07:00

I love the part with the girl carrying her surfboard... from a lake! haha! And I love how they decide to load the surfboard in the car.

My French Kitchen: Ratatouille

2009-10-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

My Amazon order arrived a few days ago, so I decided to try out a recipe from the cookbook My French Kitchen, starting with ratatouille!

The ingredients - I love how cooking shows have all the ingredients already prepared and waiting, it makes cooking seem effortless.

Before

After - it actually looks more appetizing than it does in the picture...

Voila! SO YUMMY! I ate tons of it with garlic bread, it was the best!

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: More Paris

2009-10-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

I tried to include all of this in my Paris and Versailles post, but Blogger was being fussy and wouldn't upload my pictures. SO here are the rest of the photos, trying to keep it short and sweet, cause I still have Nice, Avignon, and Morocco to go.

Inside Notre Dame

The Shakespeare and Company bookstore in the Latin Quarter - where young writers work in exchange for a place to stay

My favorite movie of all time was filmed here!!!

Do you see in the gnome? Oh, and they have a fantastic Sunday brunch here.

The Sacré-Cœur - I overheard a tour guide explain that the building was meant to be seen from far away, it's more beautiful that way, and I agree.

Again, my favorite movie in the whole world was filmed there!

And finally, the romantic Pont Neuf

Oh, and I thought I'd include my two cents about Paris fashion - I tried really really hard to figure out what was fashionable in Paris, but this was extremely difficult because I pretty much went to all the touristy places and saw touristy fashion. Not pretty. And maybe I wasn't paying enough attention to people's clothes. The only thing I can say is that Longchamp is VERY BIG here. My friend and I spotted Longchamp bags so often that we made a game out of it. The Longchamp store at the Galeries Lafayette was CRAZY busy.

I even bought two bags - and they have served me well. They are fantastic for day - roomy enough to store everything, and still look dressy enough (maybe) for night.

This bag survived Morocco - that's saying a lot. The other one (it's bigger and purple) survived a freakin' camel trek into the desert.

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: Paris and Versailles

2009-10-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

I took the train from London to Paris the day after my program ended and met up with friends in Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe

The Eiffel sparkles at night

The Louvre

Winged Victory of Samothrace - you MUST see this in person!

I wish I had taken pictures of the underground level - you could see the remains of the foundation of the Louvre, which was originally a fortress! I loved being down there, it was cool and dark and it felt like some kind of secret passageway.

I took a day trip to the Palace of Versailles. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a great picture of the front of the Palace of Versailles - it is very wide, and my pictures really don't do justice to how spectacular the exterior of the entrance looks in person. And the golden front gate pretty much blocked the view, too.

Gardens just outside the palace

From the rear of the palace, you can see the fountains and the lake

The gardens of Versailles are beautiful and my favorite part of the day trip - you just want to get lost in them. The grounds of Versailles are expansive, and its quite a walk from the Palace to the Trianons. On the way, my friends and I stopped by a sunflower garden and several quaint hamlets. There are also these sculptural hedge gardens by the lake, where you can find hidden eateries.

And finally we visited the Grand and the Petit Trianon. The Petit Trianon was kind of disappointing - sparsely decorated and very tiny - but the Grand Trianon went beyond my expectations. I actually thought it was more beautiful than the Palace.

The furniture at the Grand Trianon was AMAZING! There were so many beautiful fabrics and wallpaper, and the furniture looked incredibly luxurious and ornate.

My favorite room, the perfect shade of lemony yellow

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: Back in London

2009-10-13T18:25:00.000-07:00

I split the rest of my time in London between stalking Jude Law and getting more sightseeing in. For the rest of the program, I had time to see Kensington Palace, the Tower of London, and the British Museum, as well as go shopping on Oxford Street and Camden.

Garden - Kensington Palace

Afternoon tea with friends at the Orangerie, Kensington Palace
This delectable assortment of goodies was called the Debutante's Tea, I think - yummy

Entrance to the Tower of London

My Beefeater guide at the Tower - 20+ years in the service and available, he jokes

The Tower Bridge

The Globe Theater - where I watched performances of As You Like It and Romeo and Juliet.
Watching As You Like It during a heavy rain, as a groundling, was not fun. Not fun AT ALL. I wore a jacket that I thought was rainproof, but quickly discovered was not, and got completely soaked. I bought a plastic poncho at the Globe, but then discovered how steamy it can get on the inside - icky.

I spent my last day at the British Museum.

The Elgin Marbles at the British Museum - I wish I had more time to explore, but I did get to see the Rosetta stone

OH - and I totally forgot - I got to see Ethan Hawke playing a flamboyant Autolycus in a performance of The Winter's Tale at the Old Vic. If I had stuck around, like my roommate did, I would have been able to take a picture with him - bummer.

What I wore for the end-of-program banquet

I am SO glad I picked up this dress from J. Crew - the ruffled cotton sateen dress - it was completely worth the price since I wore it for both my graduation and this trip. I got a lot of mileage out of it, wearing it for a few of the nicer play performances and for the end-of-program banquet, as well as for an evening out to the Monte Carlo casino in Monaco.

I wish I had taken a full-length photo so I could show you what I usually paired it with - my navy blue Alessia patent-leather peep-toes, black polka-dot tights from Topshop, my J. Crew beaded flamenco polka-dot cardigan, and the Temperly beetle bag I got on Gilt.

Next up: Paris!

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: Sexiest Man Alive

2009-10-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

JUDE LAW!

Yes, I saw JUDE LAW in London! After coming back from Stratford, I got to catch Jude's performance in Hamlet at the Wyndham, and then I came back with an army of friends at night to mob him. Yes, I paparrazied the shit out of him - I'm sure he didn't mind the blinding flash of my camera. I got so close I could have reached out and touched his receding hairline. *sigh* He stayed out for a while to sign autographs.

Also, Rachel McAdam slipped out the back entrance door.

More on London in the next diary post -
I felt Jude deserved his own little post.

EDIT: I have this really cute group photo of my friends and I in front of the rear entrance of the Wyndham that I wanted to share, but I felt torn over whether or not to include it because it shows their faces and I know how iffy people get about having their faces on the internet. Rather than blur their faces (which I think is really creepy), I decided to use Picnik to mask their identities (which I think is more appropriate because it is in the spirit of Halloween, and therefore slightly less creepy)

but I really really wanted to include it, because it shows the Temperley beetle bag I got on Gilt!

and now that I think more about it - covering one eye with with eye patch probably isn't gonna cut it for identity protection, haha - but it was either that or a full-on Jason face mask, which is totally not cute

clicky fingers

2009-10-10T03:28:00.000-07:00

couldn't help myself yesterday morning - seemed like a steal
and look at the bow!

Leifsdottir Needlepoint Skirt on Gilt Fuse
(otherwise known as the Sprightly Skirt on Anthropologie)

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: Stratford

2009-10-09T00:41:00.000-07:00

After spending more than a week in London, the program switched scenery to Stratford, birthplace of Shakespeare. I could only expect from Stratford what little I knew about small towns in the English countryside - think the village green from Hot Fuzz, without the excessive gore and awesome soundtrack, meets Pride and Prejudice's picturesque open country. What I found was a small town that's been Shakespeared out - his name is everywhere, the puns are endless.

The birthplace of Shakespeare

A day trip to Warwick Castle - the castle is beautiful, but it's been commercialized into some kind of cheesy theme park for kids

gardens behind New Place/Nash's house - where Shakespeare retired and where his granddaughter lived

A bust of Shakespeare that's been mounted over his grave in the Church of the Holy Trinity

Where RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) performances are held - part of my program involved watching RSC productions of A Winter's Tale, As You Like It, and Julius Caesar.

Happy memories at the Dirty Duck, popular pub for RSC actors and thirsty UCLA students - far too many nights spent here!

One of five Shakespeare-inspired statues in a garden in the main square, just by the Thames River

EDIT: I almost totally forgot about mentioning a very unusual incident, where my friends and I got recruited to be extras in a new, low-budget film called Will's Diaries. It was the funniest thing because we were told to pretend like we were talking, and the filming took so long that by the end of it, my friends and I were wildly gesticulating for fun. I'm sure they'll cut us out of it, haha. And it was also funny because the guy who recruited us was talking about the film and where they were filming, and he asked us if we knew about the Dirty Duck, and let me tell you - we know all too much about the Duck. And we even had plans to go there that night, so it was a bit awkward and funny to have filmed there, go back to the hotel for dinner, and then show up again that very night. I don't think the bartenders liked us very much :o)

I know it's WAY too early to be thinking about Christmas but...

2009-10-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

these Kate Spade 'Bourgeois Bow' stud earrings would be the perfect gift for the holiday season!

And heck, why not throw in this dress,

these LOVELY flats,

and this bag!

All images from Nordstrom

A Photographic Diary of My Trip: London

2009-10-06T23:44:00.000-07:00

Midda's book reminds me that I still have yet to create a proper post about my trip! I've been feeling extremely lazy (and still am) so to tide the appetite until I create a proper post (or maybe this will be my proper post if I never get around to it), I'll post a few select pictures of my trip to London, Paris, Nice, Avignon, and Morocco.

Week 1: London

National Gallery, in Trafalgar Square (I now know why there are no pigeons - bird seed contraceptives!)

parade ground of Horse Guards

Big Ben

Hyde Park (I went rowing here, the park is beautiful)

Buckingham Palace - rear, near gardens

Buckingham Palace - front

Craving for Books

2009-10-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been wanting to spend my money on books, the kind that inspire with their creativity or their breathtaking pictures, the ones you'd see lined up at a bookshelf in Anthropologie. Literally.

While browsing the Anthropologie website, wistfully adding the Flight-Of-Swans dress in my shopping cart, I got to remembering that I had intended to purchase a few of their new baking cookbooks at the store but decided to wait and buy them for cheaper on Amazon. While on the site, I discovered several other beautiful books, like Sara Midda's pictorial diary of the south of France (which reminds me of my recent trip to Provence) or the French Market cookbook (again, France, maybe this is my way to cope being back home?). So here's my wishlist of books, combining the culinary and visual, a feast for the eyes:

which got me thinking that maybe I should buy the first book first? afterall it was a bestseller

and because I loved the movie so much (one of the authors of the above French cookbooks, Joanne Harris, wrote Chocolat)

I'm more of a baker than a cooker, though (plus who can resist cookies and brownies, esp ORGANIC ones!)

what better way to protect yourself from the sun

2009-10-04T23:30:00.000-07:00

than a whimsical daisy hat!

from Moschino Cheap & Chic SS 2010
picture from fashionising

An entourage of vest-clad dancers

2009-09-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

How great is this video?

I'm loving this rendition of Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You, feels so camp 70's (even though it was produced in 1982). I found it while looking for music from Sonia Rykiel's SS 2009 runway show, which I absolutely adore!

I've been obsessed with Sonia for a while and was elated to finally be able to step into her boutiques in Paris. I visited her store at St. Germain des Pres desperately hoping I could afford something and walked out with a cute knit beret! There were so many cute berets in the look book (one sparkly one and another with a giant bow tied in the back) but they were sold out! Also, something fun to mention is that there's a naughty section at the back of the store!

And now I hear that Sonia is H&M's next designer collaboration - how exciting! Even better - it's a two-part collection! First lingerie, coming out Dec. 5, and knitwear in the spring. Can't wait!

P.S. An extra video I found at www.rykielles.com - with Sonia's own commentary on her surprise gift at the SS 2009 show.

Holt Renfrew presents Coco Rocha and Behati Prinsloo

2009-09-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

As I was catching up on reading some of my favorite blogs, I couldn't resist posting up this fun video starring my favorite models Coco Rocha and Behati Prinsloo that I discovered on the blog True North Style. And the song is pretty catchy, too!

London Playlist

2009-09-19T22:41:00.000-07:00

The summer anthems of my travel study program in London:

Shakira - She Wolf

Shakira - She Wolf official video music
by andrexfriends

Calvin Harris - Ready for the Weekend

Pixie Lott - Boys and Girls

Pixie Lott - Boys and Girls (Official Music Video) HQ
by Videozz

I'M IN LONDON!!!

2009-07-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

I flew from San Diego to San Francisco to my final destination - London - yesterday!

I've never travelled by myself before so navigating the airport was a stressful experience. The line going through the border agency gates was extremely long, so long that when I realized I left behind Winter's Tale in the backseat of my plane seat (a book which I'll need for the first day of class), half way through the line, I decided it wasn't worth retrieving. Then, when I tried to get cash from an ATM, my account was frozen! My credit card still worked, so I wasn't completely in dire need of cash but I felt a little terrible for not tipping my insanely eccentric cab driver or using my credit card for 2 pounds worth of internet.

My cab driver definitely had a lot to say throughout the drive, being an impromptu tour guide, freely spitting out his own disparaging opinions of the queen (which he offed with his hands), the country ('London is a stupid city - why are you here?'), and the pedestrians (which he joked about running over). He was definitely a personality (all was said and done in good fun... I think). And he gushed about his life story, how he's stuck in London working at this job because of gambling away 1 million pounds from his family business, from which he has been expelled. I laughed the first time he said all this because I totally thought he was joking. But then he repeated it a second time, and I felt bad for laughing it off the first time.

The hostel I'm staying at is way better than I expected, the reception/lounge area is fantastic (with a working bar!) and everything is clean and the staff is super welcoming. The dorm room reminds me of my first year at college, living in a triple-room at Dykstra Hall, but add in a fourth bed and no rancid carpet. I met two Australian besties who are backpacking for a month together and who have a shopping addiction possibly worse than mine, and conked out at around 7PM (I have no sense of time being without my cell phone, plus the time on the computer is unreliable).

Alexa Chung

2009-07-26T09:05:00.001-07:00

+ Blazer: Aryn K.
+ Blouse: Isabel Marant
+ Skirt: Wren
+ Shoes: Chanel

Alexa gives such great style inspiration - boyfriend blazer with a sequin skirt. And she's almost always wearing lovely Chanel shoes in her new MTV show.

I've always wanted to own a piece from wren - this outfit is so cute and I love the polka dot tights!

I've been eyeing this outfit from their spring summer collection for a while and debating whether or not to buy. The skirt, the cardigan - it's all perfect for summer!

Sources: MTV Buzzworthy and wren

I can't wait to step into TOPSHOP!!!

2009-07-19T04:13:00.001-07:00

And see all of these amazing goodies from their a/w collection! So excited!

How AMAZING are these faux fur jackets? Esp paired with sequins/paillettes or metallic pieces! They're from the "Marianne" collection, inspired by "vintage glamour meets grunge".

And this entire emsemble is beautifully styled - the shoes!

And these pieces below from the "Horror Girls" collection - key words "Gothic" and "Victorian" - clothes in a state of disrepair

This structured mini is already for sale at the website - but not in this color

Thigh high platform boots for the brave at heart - love how the bottom of the dress is structured

I MUST get my hands on this deconstructed sweater!!!! Great oversize sleeves

This look reminds of Where The Wild Things Are - again another amazing sweater!

Pictures from nitrolicious

I see London, I see France...

2009-07-18T00:59:00.000-07:00

Addicted to Pop!

2009-07-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

This music video of Pop! from the movie Music and Lyrics is so addictive! Love Hugh Grant!

New Poppy Collection at Coach

2009-06-30T02:44:00.001-07:00

Images from FabSugar
See the full collection at the Coach website.

The new Poppy Collection is full of yummy eye candy - I'm especially digging the new ballet flats, likes these patent ones adorned with bows and also the sleek sequined ones (not pictured). And all the cute wallets, wristlets, and coin purses are adorable - I'd like one of everything, please!

Desert Hills Premium Outlet

2009-06-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

This outlet is definitely worth the two hour drive! My roommate and I trekked to Desert Hills last weekend, braving 100+ degree weather, and found designer goods galore at nearly rock-bottom prices. I say "nearly", because you'll still be shelling out mucho dinero for those Prada flats (I admit that I dropped a lot of cash - but I don't regret it!), but there are also tons of great deals at non-high fashion brands like J. Crew and Kate Spade to be found.

The Damage:

A pair of Prada Mary Jane Flats in an iris color

(same style but think purple)

Theory Short Trench Coat in navy blue
Theory Ponte Skinny Black Pants / Leggings(half off!)

(perfect for London and Paris!)

J. Crew Flamenco Beaded Dot Cardigan

J. Crew Gray Tank Top (all tanks were half off in the outlets! I wish I bought more.)
Kate Spade Wellesley Posey Wallet

(great boarskin texture - but in eye-popping yellow)

Coach was the having the best sale that weekend - almost everything in the store was 50% off already sale prices PLUS they were handing out coupons for an additional 20% off your entire purchase! These included items from the latest Bonnie Cashin collection! Ladies were scooping up one, two, even three bags of the same style!

This video cracked me up!

2009-06-25T13:56:00.001-07:00

Funny Kid Isnt Sorry About Huge Party - Watch more Funny Videos

I love this video...

2009-06-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye dir. Suzie Vlcek

True Blood

2009-06-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Anyone excited for True Blood Season 2? I recently got into watching this show, and now I'm hooked. For all you "fangbangers" and vamp groupies, here are some promos and fun videos to watch.

If you haven't heard of True Blood, here's a little sampler to get you started.

(There's a version of this without Alan Ball's commentary that I like much more, but it doesn't embed properly and I can't find any other sources. If you'd like to see it, visit this link and play the video "A Taste of True Blood: Season 1".

I absolutely love the opening credits for the show - the song is addictive.

Check out BloodCopy for a recently turned vampire's account of how humans and vampires can "learn to coexist". It's chock full of fun goodies for True Blood fans, with written posts about recent events in Bon Temps plus videos of everything vampire-related. I enjoyed watching episodes of "The Perspective", a vampire news show.

And there's the American Vampire League headed by Nan Flanagan, that blonde lady that's always in the news fighting for vampire rights.

On the flip side, check out the Fellowship of the Sun's Reflections of Light show for their anti-vampire propaganda.

Learn about the city of Bon Temps at their website here.

And finally, a sneak peek at what's to come for Season 2.

P.S. Has anyone tried LoveBitten? HBO has taken some really unique approaches toward promoting the show...

I adore: Pin-up Swimwear

2009-06-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

Like this Vargas halter swimsuit from Rachel Pally, sold at Anthropologie.com

Uh oh...

2009-05-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

I finally made an impulse purchase on Gilt. An Alice Temperley Beetle Bag, on sale for $300 (down from almost $1000). YIKES! But I couldn't resist - it's such a cute bag, I LOVE Alice Temperley, and the price was fantastic!!! For Temperley, I mean, not for my broke ass self.

Addicted to Looklet

2009-05-13T03:16:00.000-07:00

If you love to play dress-up, Looklet is a new website that allows you to create your own outfits using pieces from their online fashion closet. The entire outfitting process is very user-friendly, allowing you to easily mix and match, layer, tuck in or out, and button or unbutton pieces. You can save your outfits to share with friends or enter them into their styling contests to win prizes. Think of it as paper dolls for grown-ups, it's quite addictive.

Current Obsession: DVF Samaya Dress

2009-05-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

I went to Neiman Marcus with my mom to help her pick out a bag for Mother's Day, and this dress was sitting pretty by the entrance of the store:

In my dreams, I'd be wearing this to my graduation ceremony, and not only at that but also I'd have endless opportunities to wear it at work (when I get my first job) and for cocktails and whatever post-college, semi-formal events the "real world" has to throw my way. It would be the ultimate all-occasion dress; the price-per-wear theory abiding shopper would balk at passing up this purchase. But at $345, this dress will have to stay in my dreams. *sigh*

Growing Jewelry

2009-05-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

Live Icelandic moss at your fingertips.
Flex your green thumb here.

Madewell Denim After Dark @ Century City

2009-05-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

On my last visit to Madewell at Century City, I received a postcard about their upcoming Denim After Dark event on May 7th. It will be held from 7-9PM and is described as "the ultimate denim party" where you can "enjoy 20% off any pair of jeans along with free denim hemming". There will be music and experts there to give you styling tips. If I remember correctly what the sales associate told me, there will also be snacks. Sadly, there was no mention of drinks.

Tory Burch Snakeskin Flats

2009-05-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

My roomie and I saw these at Nordstrom and they are STUNNING! We saw the black and silver version and wanted them IMMEDIATELY. They felt incredibly soft and looked lux without being flashy.

blogger's block

2009-05-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been suffering from a case of blogger's block - not so much feeling uninspired, but more so feeling like the little details that have been inspiring me lately aren't substantial enough to be written in blog post form. And fleeting, too. Add in a little bit of laziness (ha), and that explains why I haven't been posting lately.

I have been surfing the blogosphere, though, more frequently than I ought, and must urge all of you to check out the newest Chanel No.5 Ad with Audrey Tautou at Haute Design, which is otherwordly romantic and features my favorite French actrice! And then hop on over to Lorick and the brand's beautifully designed website and feel inspired by everything français!

UPDATE: For the full-version of the Chanel No.5 Ad, click here. And for interviews with Audrey and the ad's director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, videos on the story of Chanel No.5 and the making of the set, visit the Chanel website.

Run, don't walk, to your nearest H&M...

2009-04-28T22:27:00.000-07:00

And grab this fantastic military jacket for only $50! I love the brass-colored hardware and the asymmetrical style, plus it has a fitted waist and a cute inverted back pleat! Military jackets are the anti-spring spring jacket, and can add a bit of toughness to a girly spring outfit.

explosive puppet show!

2009-04-24T12:12:00.001-07:00

Madewell's New Collection

2009-04-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

Must. Have. This. Outfit!!!

Madewell's new collection is out now, and it has become imperative that I must stop by and buy this blazer and studded scarf.

Check out the website for their updated lookbook, and for you Los Angelenos I checked with Century City and they received the new collection today!

AND if you guys are on the mailing list, you should have received an email with a coupon for 20% off your in-store purchase! Click on the image below for the full-size version and print it out (it expires on the 26th).

For any of you Gilt members...

2009-04-21T02:56:00.000-07:00

I am currently crushing on the Laura Merkin Diana clutch in raspberry and imagining the limitless ways I can rock it - out for drinks with girlfriends, to snazz up an everyday outfit, to hold the essentials for a night of clubbing. *sigh* Must. Resist. So I can save up for my London trip.

For any non-Gilt members... what are you waiting for? You're missing out on some great deals! Join here so you can 'monitor shop' with me. And if you buy something, I can get a little monetary credit to work toward a future likeness of this clutch in a distant sale.

Spring Sweaters and Jackets

2009-04-16T02:02:00.000-07:00

I'm currently hunting for the perfect jacket or sweater for spring, something to throw over any outfit when it gets chilly and still look put together. My J. Crew hoodie just isn't cutting it, but these finds from Anthropologie just might be perfect:

Polly in Niagara

2009-04-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

Jean Peters was stunningly beautiful as Polly Cutler in the 1953 film noir Niagara. While Marilyn Monroe snagged top billing as the buxom blonde and femme fatale (and deservedly so), she was the perfect foil to Peters' naivety and girlish looks. In the film, Polly Cutler sported some very cute hairstyles that I thought would be adorable to wear this spring and summer. Her look is very 1950's casual, with her hair pulled back and styled into some kind of loose bun, adorned with a ribbon or scarf.

There's a bit of tricky styling in the back, which unfortunately is hard to discern due to the blurriness of the screen captures. At first, I thought they were french braided pigtails, but the close-up looks more like a section of hair twisted and pinned.

To get the complete Polly Cutler look, pair this hairstyle with an outfit that's casual and all-American girl-next-door, one that's perfect for a day of suntanning/boatriding/surviving the treacherous Niagara Falls. My favorite outfit of her's was the nautical-themed outfit she wore for boating - a navy blue collared, sleeveless crop top, high-waisted white shorts, black low-top sneakers, and a blue scarf in her hair.

polly cutler niagara inspired by stylechild featuring Converse sneakers

My dresses haven't arrived...

2009-04-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

and I'm freaking out! It's been two weeks since the shipping date. I've called ASOS and they've told me to wait a few more days, and then call back. Ugh.

On a different note, spring break has come and gone and now I'm back at school for my first week of classes. I'm actually excited about this quarter because I've flexed my awesome scheduling skills and only have classes two days a week! This'll be my final quarter at the university!!!

And... I'M GOING TO LONDON DURING THE SUMMER! YAY! I bought my tickets during spring break. I'll be studying Shakespeare. It's the perfect way to end college.

And finally, the song that's been stuck in my head - hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The Ting Tings - Be The One

2009-03-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

feels good to finally have time to relax...

What I want for spring...

2009-03-14T19:59:00.000-07:00

American Eagle poppy cotton scarf
Image from mamathreads.typepad.com

Juicy Couture bloom stacking rings
Image from Neiman Marcus

Kate Spade daisy bib necklace
Image from Nordstrom

Kate Spade 'Preston' leather tote
Image from Nordstrom

Marc Jacobs stitched boater hat

2009-03-13T17:13:00.000-07:00

I really like this hat... a lot! But I wouldn't pay $375 for it.

style.com

eluxury.com

http://frockwriter.blogspot.com/

teenvogue.com

Hmm...

2009-03-13T17:10:00.001-07:00

karen walker pilgrim hat

DIY Tulle Skirts: Planning

2009-03-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

I decided to take the plunge and buy the aforementioned dress, and good thing I did yesterday because it's now sold out in my size today! Luckily enough, the same dress in a solid color blue also appeared, also the last one, so now I have two dresses coming! It's a bit overkill to have the same dress in different colors, but I'll think of it as my back-up in case the abstract print looks unappealing irl.

The blue version!

Also, in the previous post, I got a fabulous recommendation to pair a black tulle skirt underneath because the skirt is so short. That's definitely a concern of mine, and because it's a full-looking skirt, a bit of breeze could be embarrassing. This got me thinking about ways to cover up our "bobbly bits" when wearing short, and especially full, skirts. Models can wear short, swingy skirts and leap about the pages of a magazine editorial, carefree, completely oblivious to the dangers of public exposure that we normal people must constantly worry about.

I tried to come up with a few ideas on how to solve this problem:

1) Wear tights or leggings, although now that summer is approaching, I think this will become less practical.
2) Wear cute hot pants or some other kind of tight, non-bulky short shorts. I have a pair of polka dot American Apparel hot pants which are really cute, and I've paired them with the same brand's shorter, full skirts. However, sometimes I don't understand how these would be any different from underwear, except for a bit more coverage. I believe that when the wind picks up, all anyone will get a peek and assume they've seen polka dotted underwear!
3) A tulle skirt is a really cute way to get a bit more fullness under the skirt and cover up underneath! It can veer towards a punk rock-inspired look if the skirt was pink or any other bright pop of color or towards a gothic, lolita look if the skirt were black. Too much tulle could end up looking a bit prom, but I think a very toned down, cream colored tulle skirt could end up looking fantastic!
4) And if worse comes to worse, just wear cute underwear, haha!

After an exhaustive search for tulle skirts and crinolines online (and serious consideration in buying a girl's size skirt and praying to the 'skinny gods' that it would fit), I started feeling a bit crafty and decided it shouldn't really be that difficult to make one. Tulle isn't expensive, and plus I could customize it for length and "poofiness". Everything's gonna be hidden under the skirt of the dress, so it wouldn't have to be perfect. My only setback is - I don't know how to sew, ha. My only sewing experience has been a single summer home ec class waaay back in the day. My mother's old sewing machine is practically a relic, and I've always been afraid of it ruining my nice fabrics.

So, in my spontaneous diy mood, I found a few pictures for inspiration:

Probably the easiest to make, Taylor Momsen on set as Jenny Humphrey has a bit of hot pink tulle peeking out from under the hem of her skirt. In truth, I'm not sure if there's crinoline underneath or if they've just sewn some tulle on the hem.

The ultimate in tulle skirts, frothing at the mouth goodness. Of course, this one's meant to be proudly showcased for all to see, rather than hidden under a skirt. Balmain Tulle Skirt featured at Elle

While the poofy, striped dress in this ad for the Hello Kitty/MAC collection is over-the-top, I do like the piping of the tulle edges underneath.

If anyone out in the blogosphere has any recommendations, suggestions, advice, I would love to hear them!

EDIT: For those of you curious to know what happened to my dresses, well, THEY NEVER ARRIVED! After waiting for more than two weeks, I emailed CS and they refunded the cost. So I never got to do this little DIY project. :o(

Need a second opinion

2009-03-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

What do you guys think about this dress from asos? The cut is really cute especially around the shoulders, and the length is perfect for warm weather. I'm not really sure about the print - it's really funky, which could be a good thing. Is it more reminiscent of a hippy-esque, counter-culture drug trip or abstract splatterpaint art? And it costs $97, but I can't wait for the price to drop because I'm sure it will sell out in my size.

Who're Your Favorite Funny Men?

2009-03-07T23:13:00.000-08:00

Too Many Dicks on the Dance Floor - Flight of the Conchords

Jizz In My Pants - The Lonely Island

Out of all The Lonely Island guys, I like Jorma the best! He's so cute, especially in episodes of The 'Bu. And in that skit in Awesometown where he and an alien are stranded on a planet. He definitely needs to grow out his beard - which reminds me, there are two skits with beards in that show, so definitely NOT the beard for Castaway!

But I've been a longer fan of Flight of the Conchords, Bret and Jermaine are adorably funny and they're so musically talented. Their songs have great beats!

Tracy Feith for Target

2009-03-06T19:45:00.000-08:00

Inside Tracy Feith's boutique
From www.nymag.com

I've only recently heard about Tracy Feith, but I'm absolutely enthralled by the fact that he is a surfer turned designer. Even more exciting is that he's doing a collection for Target, which will be out May 17th! FabSugar released a sneak peek of the collection, which showcases plenty of bohemian frocks and beach-ready attire. There's lots of vintage design details and fun prints to be found! A few of my favorites...

Images edited from nitrolicious

All of it is so cute! I can't wait!

These flowers would last forever...

2009-03-06T16:58:00.000-08:00

If money were no object, I'd be all over this! Garden-inspired jewelry from Dior's Milly-la-Forêt collection by Victoire de Castellane, Dior's Fine Jewelry creative director, isn't exactly new news, but they're such a creative idea, and so exquisitely crafted and beautiful, that I can't seem to think of anything else! Victoire was inspired by Monsieur Dior's garden at his house in Milly-la-Forêt.

And these "Oui" rings are perfect for a francophile like myself!

(notice the "oui" prong settings!)

And finally, the Milly Carnivora collection - garden party on acid! SO FUN!

Check out Dior's Fine Jewelry website for fun animations showcasing all of the collections plus a special video on how a Dior Joaillerie ring is crafted!

city lights

2009-03-05T20:13:00.001-08:00

from stylesightings

yummy shoes!

2009-03-05T00:56:00.001-08:00

J. Crew Augusta peep toes in soft apricot
perfect for a garden party/afternoon tea/my inner-Charlotte!

Wrong - Depeche Mode

2009-03-01T22:51:00.001-08:00

This is an amazing video - will send shivers up your spine!

Depeche Mode - "Wrong" (official music video)

Lights Out

2009-02-27T01:37:00.001-08:00

NY Fashion Week Beauty Looks - No need to wait!

2009-02-19T13:01:00.000-08:00

These beauty looks from Nanette Lepore and Tibi are so pretty and perfect for spring and summer. Nanette Lepore's look plays on an already hot trend this past fall of blending gold on eyes, cheeks, and lips for a sexy glow. As for Tibi's look, I love the idea of using pin-curls to attain glamourously wavy hair. The eye make-up is a combination of three colors and is applied in a square shape, which looks fun and modern. Click on the picture for their accompanying beauty tips from WWD!

Nanette Lepore Fall 2009 RTW - "Bohemian Opulence"

Tibi Fall 2009 RTW - "Impossibly Pretty"

One Look with a few key pieces - Rodarte

2009-02-18T21:37:00.000-08:00

Rodarte's Fall 2009 RTW collection was dominated by these gray bondage boots.

According to style file, Rodarte's signature gowns were a no-show because the designers wanted to make the show "about one silhouette". The blog then brings up the interesting recession-inspired idea that this season could be all about having one look, defined by a few key pieces. I think this idea is really interesting - those few "key pieces" could be something splurge-worthy or maybe in a neutral palette or in a classic shape. Or, maybe these pieces would be current and bring an outfit some fashion-forward direction, like those thigh high bondage boots? Something to mull about...

Pictures from style.com

Eating in the dark? and bouquets arranged by smell?

2009-02-18T09:49:00.001-08:00

I was browsing the Zara website when I came across Dans lee Noir?, a restaurant with a truly novel concept - you eat in the dark! Blind waiters lead you to your table, where you can order the Chef's Surprise and identify the dishes solely on your sense of taste and smell. Described as a "truly sensory culinary experience," there are only two locations - the original in Paris and a newer one in London.
Also on the website is a small review of Odorantes, a small flower boutique in Paris that arranges bouquets based on smell unlike the American way of arranging by color. They are best known for their locally grown roses, especially their signature Black Baccara roses, and their bouquets are wrapped in simple black paper for the ultimate chic and romantic gift. Apparently it is a favorite of Sophia Coppola among other American and Parisian stars.

NY Fashion Week Favorites

2009-02-18T01:33:00.000-08:00

Some of my favorites so far...

Barbie Runway Show

Koi Suwannagate
This one's my favorite - I love the big hair, the fun pink sunglasses, and the floaty butterflies!

Juicy Couture

Rebecca Taylor

Tracy Reese

Rag & Bone (I think... can someone confirm this?)

Rachel Roy

Pictures from Jezebel, WWD, and newsday

Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2009

Style.com best describes it as "Dickinsonian". I love the sharp silhouette of the middle one.

Temperley London Fall 2009 RTW

By far, my favorite! The clothes are edgy but still feminine. The first coat is stunning, and the studs are a great detail. And the hair is my beauty inspiration for fall.

Jill Stuart Fall 2009 RTW

The strapless black tiered ruffle dress as well as the white puff-sleeve frock are stunning pieces in themselves. I love this gradual color transition from black to white. Jill Stuart provides great inspiration for girly looks that don't look overdone.

Alexander McQueen, Temperley London, and Jill Stuart runway photos are from Style.com.

Boys Over Flowers

2009-02-15T22:16:00.000-08:00

This my not be your cup of tea, but I've recently been sucked into the blackhole that is called "Hallyu" for the second or third or bazillionth time. For those of you who are unfamiliar with "Hallyu", it's best you not know until you're well prepared for the consequences. You'll be cooped up in your room, rotting away for days at your computer chair. You may question your taste in television entertainment but not be able to look away. You may witness unspeakable acts of cuteness. You may feel an irrestible impulse to buy a plane ticket to Korea so that you can find yourself a hot man.

For days on end, I have watched episode after episode of "Boys Over Flowers," a Korean drama series based on the popular Japanese manga, obsessing over the love triangle that is Goo Joon Pyo loves Geum Jan Di loves Yoon Ji Hoo. It's kind of like Gossip Girl because it's set in an academy where all the rich kids go, but there's a lot more physical violence (in addition to the expected social cruelty) plus tons of cliche moments/tv tropes/guilty pleasures like makeover transformations (which I personally thought were for the worse), social class differences, Austenian pride vs. prejudice, costume at a non-costume party, that scene from Sandlot where the kid fakes drowning so he can kiss the hot lifeguard. All the good stuff.

And best of all, hot men. Better than that, hot, WELL-DRESSED men. The fashion for men in this show can be kind of out there, but I wish more men would dress like these guys in real life.

So if you have ~~your life~~ a weekend to spare, here's a high-quality, English-subbed video for the first ten minutes of episode 1 (it gets better later in the episode):

Don't say I didn't warn you when you find yourself days later sucked into this series which resembles The Hills with a nine-member girl group, while simultaneously catching up with old episodes of Full House and My Girl.