color me mine

Prints galore! NYFW presents the biggest trend of the season - prints on prints. Come AW11 you shall be prepared to bid farewell to the blacks and the blues, and welcome a closet full of vivid prints - plaids, florals, stripes, polka dots, abstract patterns... and mix and match them like little girls playing dress up. No more rules to follow, just throw on the gorgeous prints and get ready for a bold winter.

From top: Thakoon, Diane von Furstenburg, Marc Jacobs, Mary Katrantzou, Proenza Schouler, Suno, Erdem


 images via style.com

print my world

If I were Alice, my wonderland would be like this - surrounded by liberty prints. Just in time to celebrate the launch of Liberty of London for Target.

images via So-En Feb 2010 issue

o Rapunzel

miu miu SS10

Alexander Wang SS10

One of the hardest things for me to get used to since being back home is the weather over here, especially the humidity. It's only the beginning of March and the relative humidity on an average day can get as high as 95%. It's so humid and damp that AC is dripping and walls are perspiring (yea, I'm not kidding) and my back is sweating from a mere 10 min walk even under the shades. The worst part though, is my hair. No matter how much anti-frizz serum I use or straightening/ conditioning balm I slather onto my hair, it still manages to frizz out the split ends like Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter's wig by the end of the day. So it's almost impossible for me to let my hair down just as it is anymore. To avoid looking like some wacky version of Grace Coddington, I tend to tie my hair up more often these days, usually in a bun or straight up pony tail and sometimes with a headscarf or hairband when I feel like it. But lately I've been testing out the side braid - a popular hair trend this spring as seen on the runways of Miu Miu and Alexander Wang, and I'm kinda digging it. Braids usually seem pretty girly and Rapunzel like, but the side braids seen this season are little bit messier, a little bit more casual, and cool enough to go with most outfits. I'm still perfecting my braiding skills while letting my hair grow out, but looks like it's a hair trend I'll be sporting quite often this spring.

*wearing vintage blazer from Amarcord Vintage, vintage blouse from Horizons Vintage, belt and shorts by Staerk, vintage pumps from Cobblestones, vintage purse from my mother, and cuff by Giles and Brother

images via style.com

real women have curves

The skinny model issue has been a huge debacle in the fashion industry over the years. With the arise of anorexia and the possible adverse image influence brought about by sheet-thin models, countries like Spain are banning the use of models whose BMI (body mass index) is lower than 18; organizations like CFDA are educating about eating disorders and healthy dietary; and designers like Mark Fast are embracing the curves of plus-sized models on his runway. There's no real definition for beauty anymore (since either way people will judge anyway), but a dose of healthy and natural became desirable. And with the Mad Men frenzy still hovering in the air, women aren't afraid to show off their assets anymore (in an appropriate manner that is), just like how corsets and crinolines and pointy bras used to do for women in the 50's and 60's.
Prada, of all people, decided to celebrate the natural curve of women, this season. There were ruffled tops and nipped-in waists to emphasize the upper body, and what's more, instead of the skinny underage models often seen in her shows, curvaceous models favored by Victoria's Secret (see Ms. Miranda Kerr) were trotting down the runway in some of the most feminine, yet classic pieces by Prada. It is a quiet revolution led by Ms. Miccuia Prada, not so much about the body weight of the models, but about showcasing her signature cuts and familiar prints in a new perspective.
In any case, seems like the Joan Holloway effect is unstoppable still.


images via style.com, amc tv, yahoo.com

The zipper trend is never ending! As best illustrated by these glasses by Alexander Wang for Linda Farrow. A fun twist on a classic frame shape. Predictably I can't wait to include more zipper details in my outfits already, thus showing off my paperbag shorts with zipper piping during my resort trip last week (my last long vacation before I get summoned back to the real working world...). Nothing better to welcome spring than this!

*wearing top from Topshop, paperbag shorts from a market in Bangkok, DIY Marni necklace, wedges by 80%20

images via nymag.com and Opening Ceremony

it's Chinatown

Ok, this is my first attempt to mobile blogging. I know the photo is grainy and sh*tty but the blame is on my Blackberry and its dinosaur-era camera phone. Anyhow, at least you could (or I hope you could) see that pink box-shaped decoration with Chinese characters in the marc by Marc Jacobs window. What the heck is it, you may wonder. For those of you who aren't familiar with culture "de oriental", we Chinese are the lucky ones who get to celebrate two New Year's each year; one is the universal January 1st, and the other falls on a different date every year according to the Chinese calendar. This year it happens to be on the same day as Valentine's Day, which I guess could count as double happiness. Chinese New Year is huge in Hong Kong, and it's the only time when shops are actually closed while families visit each other's homes eating fattening traditional sweets and children receive red pockets (with money inside) from the elders. As it gets closer to the holidays, festive decorations are everywhere, but mostly inside malls or local stores, rarely in international boutiques. And to have customized decorations like the one here with the Miss Marc cartoons printed on? It's even less common. I guess that's another sign that the China market is the one to watch nowadays, following Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel show in Shanghai and Prada's "First Spring" video presentation directed by Yang Fudong (which, btw, is mesmerizing. Watch it here NOW!).

let them eat cake

There's no such thing as over-indulgence.

images (clockwise from top left); Vogue Nippon, Feb '10 issue; "Marie Antoinette" cake from SEVVA; Vogue Nippon, Feb '10 issue; Mascarpone Banana cake from Jin Patisserie

stu, stu, stu, stud away

By this time into the season, you're probably starting to get tired of the ubiquitous studs; studded bags, studded platforms, studded belts, studded cuffs... no matter what shapes the "studs" come in - round, spikey, star, rivet, diamond.... this 80's punk rock trend has trickled up the fashion ladder this year and down again to every high street/ mainstream chains. This may have deterred me from buying anymore studded goods, but like with sequins, my love for studs never fails. So here are some of my wish list items that would surely help bring out my inner rock chick:
(clockwise from top left): Alaia silver studded platforms from Browns (always classy); Rika keyring from Opening Ceremony (oh and don't forget the studded purses from the same collection); Isetan limited edition G-shock (to die for); miu miu studded leather messenger bag (a more girly take on the trend)





In the meanwhile, I have been wearing my gold studded nautical belt for a splash of punk rock. My friend (aka Lair of the Lion) makes these awesome studded belts using vintage preppy sailor belts, so every one of them is unique and one of a kind! I love this combination of preppy and punk - a bit unexpected, no? The belts come in different colors and stud shapes, and the added bonus is the reasonable price tags that they come with, so check out her etsy store here!

Here's a season's greetings version of me wearing the belt... I know, it's a bit cheesy, but picnik has these holiday special effects, and I just couldn't resist......

An early Happy Holidays to y'all!

*Wearing a vintage blouse, vintage necklace from Amarcord, shorts bought in Japan, studded sailor belt by Lair of the Lion

shoe chain gang

I'm finally back in full swing in the blogosphere (well, somewhat full swing) after a week of recovering from jetlag, unpacking, reverse cultural shock, and a camera-less life. I still haven't completely settled in at home yet, but I needed to allocate some online procrastination time for myself before I completely lose touch with the ever-changing internet world - catching up with my google reader, leaving comments on my favorite blogs, and of course updating my own. Since I am still in search for the perfect new camera, I managed to borrow cameras from various members in my family in the meanwhile for my posts.

I'm dedicating my first post at home to these DIY shoe chains that I made a few weeks back in New York. Shoe jewelry isn't a new thing anymore - thanks to brands like Litter SF, Bliss Lau and even Free People - we are now able expand the wearability of an old pair of pumps that we may otherwise be sick of already. While it's not an innovative move to put chains around your ankles/ shoes, and other DIY bloggers have probably also made their attempts, I still wanted to test my own DIY ability. So with a limited budget ($25 was the max. I was willing to spend on the materials) and two pairs of pliers - I made these chain anklets. I tested them out the other day with a pair of vintage red pumps (not shown here) and the chains managed to stay in place for the most part (I like to keep the clasp at the back)! I was pretty happy with the outcome, and seeing how they go with practically every pair of high heels I own (as long as it's not the strappy kind), I foresee a lot of chain action on my feet this winter.

Chain anklets
Materials: two sets of chains, two fasteners, two pliers
Cost: $24
Time: approx. 30 mins