Summer blooms

Talk about a simple--but great and inspirational--editorial! I just want to combine the new Twenty-Seven Names collection with the clothes here for the perfect summer wardrobe. White dresses, laces, subtle florals, and oh yes, bloomers. The garden scenery doesn't hurt, either.

Model: Iza Olak | Photographed by Henry Moshizi | Styled by Maiken Winther
Costume June 2010, digital scans courtesy of Fashion Bits and Bobs

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

An ode to sparrows, naked ladies, and cats

Seriously guys, OBSESSED (1 | 2 | 3). If only I could afford the button up (with cats and not naked ladies, duh) or the skirt that Kirsten Dunst is wearing. In my heart of hearts, I'd want the platform Mary Janes, but I can't walk around in those, let alone keep them clean (oh satin shoes! you are fantastic but useless!). So for now, I will be savvy like Elizabeth of White Lightning and make my own cat collar!

Photos courtesy of Jack & Jil, Vogue Nippon, Elle, The Cherry Blossom Girl, Wire Image; Illustration courtesy of Janelle Burger

*Edit* Thanks to Katie T., a d.i.y for swallow-print shoes!
Thanks to Alicyn, Miu Miu-inspired nail art!

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Having a case of the Mondays?

Hope this photo cheers you up!

Homemade egg tarts that I made Sunday night. Breakfast/snack/food of champions.
More photos here.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Pro Nails


When I was a kid, I used to love love love nail polish: the funkier and sparklier, the better. Then I entered puberty and was like every awkward girl in middle school. The less I drew attention to myself, the better. Don't worry, this isn't a sob story or anything! It wasn't until a year or two ago that I realized that nail polish doesn't put a sign on my back for ridicule. Plus, there are other options besides the juvenile highlight hues I grew up with. I realized nail polish can enhance or complement an outfit, lighten or create a mood.
Above is a photo of all the "grown up" ones I own. I realize I have a lot of dark colors: dark purple and THREE different dark blues (one inspired by this Spring 2008 Chanel one, of course). With Spring, I needed to lighten up the colors. O.P.I.'S "Peas and Qs" stands in for this Chanel one, different types of coral pinks are always on trend for spring, and some pastel purples from American Apparel. I haven't tried the AA ones yet, but the bottles are pretty enough for now.
It seems like I may have started another addiction...

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Alek Wek Werkin' it (I'M SORRY)


But seriously, how amazing is this editorial for How to Spend it, the monthly Financial Times' magazine? If you read my super short blurb over at The Style|Setter on digital prints, you know that it's one of the big trends this spring/summer. Wek just looks flawless and amazing, which is a given. The graphic tights, block colors, and bold patterns. SO GOOD. She even makes those hairy Louis Vuitton S/S 2010 mules look OK!
Click to enlarge




Editorial: Global Gathering | Photographed by Andrew Yee | Styled by Damian Foxe
Photos thanks to howtospendit.com

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Lady Grey


My friend Jonathan posted a few photos from Vogue Italia's March 2010 editorial shot by Tim Walker on his Tumblr, and I can't help but share the entire spread with you. It's just breathtaking! Like a fairytale, but not in a princess-y way...and of course, with couture! As I write this, I'm a bit sick and the weather outside is gloomy. This editorial is just the perfect complement as it's also a bit somber and gloomy.Beautiful, especially the chandelier shot.
Click to expand.


Scans courtesy of TFS.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Picnic party!

Like I said in this post, my friends over at Acrobatics Everyday hosted a free picnic/concert/rummage sale in Mason Park in Irvine this past Saturday. I got to catch up with lots of friends, eat awesome picnic food, and just lounge in the perfect 75 degree weather. Seriously, nothing beats that!

First, and most importantly, picnic food:
I made this pasta dish again, only with more veggies and cheese:


Also, a cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, with sliced tomatoes on the side.

Cecily made a quinoa salad while Anam brought libations (Orangina and old-timey root bear), pita chips+hummus, fruit, and FREEDOM CRUMPETS (crumpets with a nutella+strawberry jam+peanut butter spread. See, the peanut butter makes it AMERICAN.).


Samra and Paul

These next couple of photos courtesy of my bbgurl Erin.
Shoveling food.

One of the bands that played by the fake lake-side. So summery, no?
KT is summer rummagin' (and rocking a Twenty-Seven Names inspired outfit!), Zhub is grubbin, and Emily is unintentionally photobombing.

The scene:

And an outfit post for your time (courtesy of Anam). Sorry for looking like a hot mess! This was taken post picnic/85 c and delicious Chinese pastries/driving back from Irvine.

Jean jacket: Rodarte x Target | Floral dress: Asos | T-strap wedges: Target | Bag: Forever 21

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

a few things:

Some general self-promotion:
1.
I've added a few options at the right side to make it easier to follow this blog and be alerted the moment I update (OBVIOUSLY THIS IS IMPORTANT). First, subscribe via e-mail and be alerted whenever a new post is published! Secondly, there are two links to subscribe through an external site: Bloglovin' and a general link that will let you subscribe with your preferred site reader. Although, I assume that if you're reading this you're already savvy enough and know about this...so I guess this is for people you want to share this little site with. Tell them there are easy ways to read this. And at their leisure! Maybe?
1-b.
In addition, I've also made it easier to navigate fashion week entries on my blog. I now have a link up above that says "Fashion Week Collections." There, in bullet-form, are links to every designer and his/her collection.

2.

I've recently become a ~contributing writer~ for a new fashion/beauty magazine + blog called The Style|Setter. A few things I have written so far are here, here, and here. I may or may not be pimpin' this every so often so if you're not interested, just scroll to the next entry!

3.
If you are a fan of cute babies, cute baby animals, hot boyzzzzz, and inspiring fashion photos, then head on over (and follow!) my tumblr. It's basically everything else I like but don't post here.

4.
My link list is ever-growing because my friends are awesome and have awesome blogs. Check them out!

5. A fat baby and a puppy for your time:

Click photos for sources.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

On a Good Day

May's theme over at Mixed Tapes for Mixed Tastes is "Short Attention Span." This means that no song can go over 2 minutes. I was thinking of just putting a bunch of noisey/ambient tracks and make a soundscape but then I thought, "That's way too pretentious" and also a lot of effort. So I made an actual mix that is pleasant on the earbuds. I just listened to it and it does go by really fast but still enjoyable? Hopefully you find it enjoyable. Enough for a nice bike ride! I won't write lengthy descriptions for each song because that's too intense so here is the track list and album cover:


Download here
1. A Sunny Day in Glasgow: Magna for Annie, Josh & Robin
2. Crocodiles: Screaming Chrome
3. The Death Set: Blah!
4. Peter Bjorn and John: Writer's Block
5. Final Fantasy: ->
6. Morrissey: Angel, Angel, Down We Go Together
7. Inara George: Night Happens
8. Karen O: Igloo
9. PJ Harvey: No Child Of Mine
10. Patrick Wolf: The Shadowsea
11. Anni Rossi: Ecology
12. Belle and Sebastian: Simple Things
13. P:ano: Working
14. Talulah Gosh: Beatnik Boy
15. France Gall: Oh! Quelle Famille (avec Petits Chanteurs De I'lle-De-France)
16. Brigitte Bardot: L'appareil à sous
17. Natalie Portman's Shaved Head: Sophisticated Side Ponytail
18. Mika Miko: I Got A Lot (New New New)
19. Cold Cave: Hello Rats
20. Battles: Snare Hanger
21. Micachu: Sweetheart
22. Foot Ox: New Boyfriend
23. Phoenix: Congratulations
24. St. Vincent: We Put A Pearl In The Ground
25. God Help the Girl: A United Theory
26. Mirah: Recommendation
27. The Dodos: Eyelids
28. Joanna Newsom: On a Good Day

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Summer personified

KT: Can we please talk about Twenty-Seven Names? This is going to be me ALL summer.
Uh yes! I've been staring at this collection from Kiwi designers Anjali and Rachel for a few weeks now. Obviously every girly blog has mentioned it, and with good reason. The Spring/Summer collection, "Twelve," is just summer personified: lace and crochet, sheer tops and flowy everything. It's 60's anti-war youth and wide-eyed innocence. And all those white dresses? Amazing.



Behind-the-scene images courtesy of Rag Pony. Other images courtesy of So Much to Tell You and Fashionising

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Saturday Funday


If you're in the Irvine area this Saturday with nothing to do, I suggest you head on over to Mason Park for some free music, a rummage sale, and picnic! I will be there with some friends, hanging out and totally stuffing my face with picnic-y goodness. Perfect way to start your summer, no?

FAST FACTS (courtesy of Sam/Acrobatics Everyday):
1. NO JUNK is a totally free and open rummage/craft sale. you (any one in the world) can bring anything in the world that is not like, drugs or weapons and sell/trade to anyone in the world.
2. if you want to sell stuff, email acrobaticseveryday@gmail.com, or just show up. bring a blanket or towel to designate your space.
3. here is a map of what is going on: http://acrobaticseveryday.com/images/mason_map.jpg
4. this will start at noon sharp
5. 8 artists will be playing music throughout the day, without any power from outlets. they rule, check them out on the event page.
6. come with positive attitude, chill hard, listen to tunes, buy some cool shit (or don't)
7. there will be a FREE PILE which will exactly that: a pile of stuff that is free for the taking. this is where you will want to bring that box of magazines you have sitting around in your room that you don't know what to do with but can't throw away but can't really sell or do anything with. or anything. put it here, let someone who feels like they can use it take it.
8. bring foods to eat if you want to. there are charcoal bbqs in the park. acrobatics will be grillin up some food for cheap but you are free to bring anything. if you bring booze, don't make it obvious because we will get kicked out pretty fast (this is irvine).

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Chanel Resort 2011

Oh, to have friends in high places...I wish I was famous enough to get an invite from Uncle Karl and fly to Saint-Tropez to see Chanel's Resort 2011 collection for myself. Seeing paparazzi photos of Diane Kruger romping around, guests lounging under umbrellas during the show, models coming onto the "catwalk" on jet ski and motorcycle, and of course the great weather of Saint-Tropez...so divine. Instead of my regular collection collage, I thought I'd also add some of the background photos because they all seem to be having so much fun!

Images courtesy of Garance, Nitrolicious, Zimbio

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS

Happy mama's day! [Food edition]


My proud mama, pre-dinner!
As promised, photos from the dinner I made last night. Total cooking time was a little over 2 hours but would probably have taken longer if my brother didn't help out. So thanks, Tim!

All the ingredients for the four-course meal.
Anyway, some food porn for you readers because it's always nice to throw out a blog curve ball now and then. For my recipes, head on over to my food blog at Awkward Eats!

Cooking the white wine sauce with asparagus and bell peppers.

Finished dishes: Chicken in white wine stew with asparagus
~Sole meunière~ Cod in lemon and butter sauce, with fresh herbs.

Fusilli pasta with broccoli, bell peppers, tomato, Parmesan, and prosciutto drizzled with an onion and white wine glaze.

Roasted potatoes with Parmesan and fresh basil.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS