Out With the Old, In With the New

google.com

Happy New Year's Eve! Hope everyone has a fab (and safe) night saying goodbye to 2008 and hello to a new year!

Leather Again

image from kitson.com

Although I'm truly not a fan of all these celeb-turned-designers, there are always exceptions to the rule. For one, I am wanting this House of Harlow Black Leather Ring very, very much right now.

To Be Warm--Not A Question

Although I'm sitting under a blasting heater, just looking outside the shop windows reminds me that it is seriously cold outside. However, if I had this gorgeous Mackage "Ava" jacket, I would gladly trade places with the lady fidgeting with her umbrella outside. Check out that collar and the pleated breaks at the sleeves...ahh. Delicious.

The Calm After the Storm

Despite my unwavering love for the season, Christmastime, I'm learning, becomes increasingly stressful (& decreasingly cheery) the older you get. Once growing up and being out on your own you must suddenly figure out how to fulfill all those familial expectations that your mom used to do for you! Oh the tragedy. However, I managed to glide (nearly) seamlessly through the past few days and squeezed in some holiday cheer at the same time!
I awoke Thursday morning to a new pair of Hudson Signature Bootcut Jeans, the entire Twilight series and a delicious scarf knit by my mom.

Although I chose to skip out on the real traumatic stress of day-after-Christmas shopping, I did manage to pick up some cuuute black fringe sandals for my up and coming trip to Oahu (my gift to the boyf)!

Hope everyone survived the holiday as well as I!

image from revolveclothing.com

Thank You Santa!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!






image from google

I Wonder If...

3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 09

Yves Saint Laurent Spring 09

I could get my boyfriend into any of these?

Fug Girls Are Fuggin Funny

image: nymag.com

This article is what made the fact that I have to be at work on my first day of break not so bad. With the exception of number 9, I absolutely love everything Sex and the City.

One of These Please, Hold the Bow

Put me in any one of these dresses and I'll be forever happy.

Lela Rose Fall 08 Collection, style.com

I Almost Forgot...

to add this one too! Can you say holiday party? I can!

image from fabsugar

1 Down 3 to Go

After coming home from my first final of the week (yes, on a Saturday, right?) I was still rather tense. However, seeing this adorable dress from Whitney Port's up and coming collection let me take my first deep breath. It is simple and flirty and says my name all over it. An easy piece to make getting dressed that much simpler and finals that much more stylish. Ahh.

image from fabsugar

New York, New York

nymag.com

After my daily dose of nymag.com, I am wading around in sadness. It turns out that Housing Works in NY will be holding a huge YSL Vintage sale on Thursday with items ranging from $50-200. While I am very glad to know that all proceeds will go towards supporting many New York homeless and those living with HIV/AIDS, I must say that New York has never felt so far away!

Santa, I Can Explain...

Browsing around on one of my fav sites, fabsugar, I've decided it's time to start my Christmas list. A cheapie but goodie, this fab Rio Exotic Clutch from Forever 21 will help glam up any outfit. Plus, with the cute chain straps, I won't have to worry about leaving it somewhere when I've had too much adult egg nog...

I absolutely love this recycled zipper dress from Phillip Lim's Spring Collection. Not only is it 100% environmentally friendly but it is a fun variation to the simple LBD. According to fabsugar, the recycled version was made specifically for Miss Bosworth but hey, I recycle and use canvas totes for my groceries--it's okay if I let up just a tad for this cute thang, right?

Although this is a man's watch, I think I could totally rock the weight of this Micheal Kors Chronograph Gold Watch. It's totally elegant and refined. If this ends up under my tree, I will never take it off. Promise.

(All photos from fabsugar)

Happy December!

Although I am still swimming in school work and preparation for exams, I must admit that I am very, very happy to welcome December! This is my favorite time of year and there are a million other things I would rather be doing that what is occupying me right now (spaghetti and Media Studies textbooks). Yet, winter break is on its way and that is the only thing keeping me from going totally insane...So to all who do not have the horrific burden of finals week approaching, or I suppose even those who do, Happy December!

Sleeping in the Library

My goodness, its been too long since I posted...anything. My head has been buried in books and my eyes have been glued to my computer screen (unfortunately not at anything too interesting), for I have been piled up to here (can you image, "here?" its really high) with essays that I've put off for far too long. I am looking forward to the nice Thanksgiving vacation where I will hopefully update you with my lastest happenings, I suppose.
Til next time...

YSL Tribute

Friday night I went to visit the much anticipated Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. The exhibit is a tribute to the life and undeniable influence of Yves Saint Laurent. He pioneered the tuxedo suit, masculine influence to female fashion as well as designed basics that will forever stay a "must have" in our closets. The exhibit showcases over 120 pieces, including many who's inspiration has been derived from music, theater and far away places!
Although the museum forbid all photography, the pieces I was exposed to this night will surely fail to flee my memory. I highly reccommend visiting this exhibit if you are in the near area, it will be an unforgettable experience.

"My profession is the loving dialogue of this naked woman with all the magic spells of the wrapping of my fabrics."

Cheapies but Goodies

As I'm sure we all know, sometimes the best purchases are the one's that didn't break the bank. In fact, those are my favorite purchases for that very reason...honestly, what's better than finding something fab AND cheap? I'm thinking not much...Anyways, here are two of my recent cheepie but goodie purchases:

Silence and Noise Beaded Speakeasy Vest. Looks too cute over a white tee and jeans or an LBD.

Close up.

My boyfriend admiring my new purchase! Hehe.

Forever 21 Sheer Beaded Top (I have no idea what the actual name is).

Close up.

These lovely items accompanied me to Seattle but the cold rain made things a tad tricky, however, with all of this sunshine Oakland sees right now I think I'll be donning these pretty soon. Yay me!

In the belly of the plane?

Is this woman capable of sounding any more ridiculous? I thought the nightmare that is Sarah Palin was over. Sigh.

Honey, I'm Home!

For the first time in my life, I actually needed to relax when I got home from a vacation. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it...Seattle was fruitful with rich, winter colors and was endlessly entertaining (although practically living in San Francisco my whole life, I have never encountered such aggressive or talkative homeless people!), however, it was also exhausting. It seemed as though we were non-stop the entire weekend.

I don't have too many pictures as they're all on my boyfriend's camera but here are a just a few from my trip. Any of me were automatically exempt as I quickly learned my transition to unpredictable Seattle rain was highly unattractive.

Serious Pie? Seriously delish pizza. Very small and quaint restaurant with gourmet pizzas to die for. 

Pike's Place. My favorite spot the whole trip. Flying fish (yes, people throw fish around in the air!), delicious fresh produce, fun atmosphere and the original Starbucks.

I had really been looking forward to Seattle shopping and had my heart set on visiting the Kimberly Baker flagship store but was unable to fit it in the schedule. Sigh. However, I did discover a few other cute shops like Tulip, where I found an adorable plum pair of boyshorts and Maison Luxe, where I would've bought the entire store if I could have fit it in my suitcase. Sadness.

The Journey Is Life Itself

Although this is old news, I find it still incredibly relevant. Until I realized this advertisement was indeed an advertisement, I felt as though some of my most intimate reflections were being pulled right out of my head. And now, despite said revelation I am still captivated and utterly compelled by the message proposed. It is undeniable that the knowledge gained from experience possesses an incomparable power.
This said, I am leaving today for my first trip to Seattle. I have been fortunate enough (and worked hard enough) to experience life outside of this country, however, I have no knowledge of my own country. I am incredibly excited for the journey I am embarking on and am anxious for the knowledge I will gain through this experience.
Hopefully I can do it as gracefully as Louis Vuitton does ;)

Boyfriend + Boyfriend Sweater= Extra Cozy

Well rested from our extra hour of sleep thanks to Daylight Savings, my boyfriend and I took advantage of the rain-free morning and moseyed our way up to College Ave. to grab some coffee (Chai, for me) and a bagel. I saw this as a great opportunity to throw on my new BDG PE Cardigan from Urban Outfitters (mine is a fab oatmeal color) and a big scarf!
Lucky, lucky me.

Bring It On

It is raining cats and dogs all over the Bay Area right now and I couldn't be happier! Lucky me, I am not one of the many outside trying to fend through this downpour, but if I were, I would want to do it bundled up under this fantastic umbrella I found on pareumbrella.com! For $65 you can stay dry and cute at the same time! Fabulous.

*image from pareumbrella.com

exactly

"...La mode est une harmonie entre l'utile et le beau..."
"...Fashion is a harmony between the useful and the beautiful..."


*image from google

Leather search over?

Okay, so I know it may seem as though I've become a tad obsessed with finding the leather jacket of my dreams, but I do believe that this search may be coming to a close. Last night I posted an image similar to what I've been looking for, but after browsing around on urbanoutfitters.com today I think this is the one! This Silence & Noise Motorcycle Jacket is faux-leather (so I'm still animal-friendly!), slightly worn and complete with fantastic zippers.
The only worry? I am a frequent at the Urban by my house and I have not seen this jacket yet...please oh please don't be sold out!

Spring with MJ

Although I'm late on commenting on this fabulous news, I am so excited to hear that Marc by Marc Jacobs will be releasing a full swimwear collection Spring 2009! Jacobs has paired up with Swimwear Anywhere Inc. (the company also designs for Juicy Couture and Michael Kors Swimwear) to produce this newest addition to the Marc by Marc Jacobs family.
Just the thought of this fabulous summer-ness may help keep me warm through the winter!

*image from nymag.com

Gossip Girl Virgin

Despite my former love of the book series, tonight was the first time I'd watched a full episode of Gossip Girl. While the acting was absolutely horrendous, comforting me in the fact that I am not missing a thing, I was loving the fact that Serena van der Woodsen was wearing a leather jacket exactly like the one I've been wanting (see earlier blog)! It was even paired the same way I would do it (sexy and tough leather jacket topped over a feminine, flirty dress with bad ass heels).
I found this one quickly on Nordstrom.com to give a similar example, although its not exactly quite right...
But hope is out there!

Corn Maze

With my mom and siblings in tow, we used to venture out to the Ardenwood Farm in Fremont each year before Halloween. They always had a crazy big pumpkin patch, full of the largest, smallest and weirdest looking pumpkins as well a huge corn maze (I got this picture from google so most likely it is not from Ardenwood)! After telling my boyfriend about this intense maze (which I've absolutely gotten lost in), he was gung-ho, ready to do it! So I called Ardenwood today to make our plans to go tomorrow afternoon only to find out, to my dismay, that they are not hosting a pumpkin patch this year and they have completely discontinued the corn maze!
I must admit, I'm pretty bummed at this information. Not only was I excited to share a very cool event with my boyfriend, but I was looking forward to rewinding back to childhood for a bit. Sigh.

Shower Time!

Approaching with rapid speed, is my favorite day of the year: Halloween! Halloween is the one day we get to truly be anything (or anyone) we want. How awesome is that?! Each year I see tons of girls squeezing into the tiniest, sleaziest outfits possible, as if Halloween is their excuse to skank it up (pardon me, but I wasn't sure how else to say it). I, on the other hand, have always been the odd one out. Instead of participating with my friends as a sexy kitten or the naughty school teacher, I have always enjoyed being something...different.
After years of peer pressure to not make this amazing costume, I have finally decided: 2008 is my year to be a shower. Calling the 80's Karate Kid, I am going to be a shower for Halloween. Yes, it is a little obtrusive. Yes, it makes going out a tad more difficult. Yes, it is a little dorky. But quite frankly, I don't really care because I am SO excited to finally execute this costume! Who's with me?!

*note: that is not a picture of me. big bulky black socks and running shoes? i dont think so.

What to do?

Wow. Its early Saturday night and everyone around me is already sleeping...we're young, crazy and ambitious, shouldn't we be livin' it up or something right now? Instead, I hear snoring on my left, snoring on my right, what am I supposed to do!?
Man, oh man.

Mahjong?

The other night I went to a party at the Berkeley Art Museum at UC Berkeley for their current exhibit, Mahjong: Contemporary Chinese Art from the Sigg Collection and can I just say, it was great?! The event was complete with great people, yummy treats and a scavenger hunt (which I must say had my boyfriend on a mission!). It was my first time at BAM and I was not only impressed by the captivating and controversial pieces that filled the building, but the buildings' interior was captivating in its own right. The pieces at the exhibit explore the political and cultural changes of China from the 1970's to current and this museum was perfectly fitted to showcase this reformation.
This exhibit is running now through January 4, 2009 and I highly reccommend checking it out. The musuem offers free admission every first Thursday as well as free admission for UCB students.

*image provided by bampfa.berkeley.edu

I Do.

Looking at my blog, I realize (although not for the first time) that I am ridiculously random. I suppose that was the purpose of this blog, a place for me to put down any random thing that came to my mind but I've realized that I've been editing my thinking when it comes to blog writing. Now if this at all sounds confusing, which I'm sure it may, let me explain...
As previously stated, I am random and do not always have a place to put my randomness. This blog was meant to serve that purpose. However, I have not been doing it justice. I have realized (aren't you loving these revelations?) that I have been holding back from expressing all these random thoughts, for if I were truly letting this blog serve its purpose I would have new posts all the time. My new resolution is to allow this blog to be what I've intended it to be from now on. Whether it be my latest fashion craving, my professors that drive me insane or my thoughts on the weather, I am going to commit to a faithful relationship of blogging. I do!

I need some order.

Starting tomorrow (I'm going to try today but as it's already half over, lets say tomorrow), I am going to get my life reorganized. Yes, that is the plan. I have spent the past few weeks stressing over the million and a half things on my to do list that instead I have crawled under a rock, closed my eyes and hoped when I opened them it would all be a dream.

They opened. To do list still looming, greedily.

As of Monday, October 13th, I am going to get reorganized. I will restart my 6-month workout plan, get my studies under control and slowly but surely finish decorating my new apartment.

Ah. Feels better already.

leather?

Okay, so I have never been a big fan of leather. I suppose it just makes me feel kind of weird to know I would be wearing an animal...but lately I have realllllly been wanting a cute black leather jacket. Something simple, not too intense, that I could easily throw on over a dress or a plain white tee with some cute studded heels? Would faux leather really be that bad? I think they're totally cute I just don't really want to wear an animal....

argh.

The word on the street is...

Twenty Two Shoes on College Ave. is closing (sad) and having a huge sale with items up to 75% off (happy)! Everyone coming in the store today has been happily spreading the news with shopping bags in hand. While I'm here at work watching everyone else partake in the fun, you should get out there and check it out! The sales are happening in all their stores--LA, Oakland and San Francisco.

You know I'll be there as soon as I'm off! See ya?

hello, fall!

I cant believe how long its been so long since my last post! Ive been so boggled down with school and work. Things just keep getting piled on and I find myself constantly wondering, "how the hell am I going to get this all done!?"

Anywho, lets talk about something far less depressing. The rain.

I suppose last night was technically the first rain of the season, but it was only for a second so I'll count today as the first day instead! hehe. I love love love the rain. Whats not to love? Rain equals lazy days in front of the fireplace and a good book or hot cocoa and movie under a cozy blanket. Rain equals cute boots, chunky scarves and warm cashmere sweaters. Rain equals my favorite fashions of the year! Although the Bay Area is notorious for our ever-changing weather, I am officially welcoming the fall season! Fabulous.

SATC anyone?

Like every other gal I know, I am in L O V E with Sex and the City...so the release of the movie to dvd has made my week! After a crazy search to find the extended cut, I went home, put on a fab pair of stilettos and enjoyed seeing the ladies again! This movie always gives me the shopping bug and it refuses to go away until I itch it! Lucky me, I quickly popped into Sway on Telegraph Ave. 10 minutes before it closed and found a cute blue and white wing tee and a simple plum dress with hidden pockets. Itch cured.

The Luxe List

Nina Garcia, one of the most fabulous women ever, has come out with The Luxe List, which captures the top 10 most essential pieces to any woman's wardrobe. Her list includes: animal print, cashmere, evening gown, investment bag, jeans, knee boots, little black dress, stilettos, trench coat and wide leg trousers.

Much more financially practical than The One Hundred she discusses in her newest book, this list is my newest fashion adventure: The Luxe List Scavenger Hunt. I have been in a style depression lately (you know, when you go in your closet and realize that although it's full, you have absolutely nothing to wear?) and am very excited to start my new quest! Wish me luck!

raise?

Let me first start off by saying that I love my job. I really do. I actually enjoy coming to work and being there is never something that puts me in a bad mood.
Until today.
We've recently hired a new girl and she's totally fab. But I've learned that in addition to pretty much giving her my job and my hours, she is also being paid more. The bosses have said that they're trying to "be fair" in having us "share" the hours (which isn't fair at all in reality because she gets 3 times more hours than I do), but I'm really curious as to what the reasoning could be to pay her so much more? I have worked really hard for this store... coming in last minute when they've been in a jam, taken on as big of a load as I could (and getting it all done!) and pretty much have been an incredibly fab employee. So its no wonder that I'm really not happy about this...I feel I deserve some "fair" treatment here but I'm not sure how to go about asking for it....
Help!

exercise with a purpose

As part of my new 6-month workout plan I've decided to invest in a few key pieces to make exercising a little easier, not to mention a little cuter! I went to lululemon on College Ave., I had never been there but always wanted to and found some really great things. I found myself a fabulous pair of short shorts that allow me more freedom and range of motion thanks to the stretchy material and thin band around the thigh, plus they have a soft band at the top to decrease any potential lovehandle evidence! Best of all it was on sale from $42 to $34! Then I grabbed a much needed sportsbra thanks to the helpful gals that work there. I explained exactly what I was looking for (black, simple, not too much support--which is surprisingly hard to find anywhere) and she showed me just the thing. While these items are normally out of my price range, I believe it was a necessary investment in furthering my health goals! (It's so easy to lie to yourself when surrounded with cute things!)
Much love to lululemon!

Glass Like You've Never Seen It Before

Sunday I joined the mass crowds at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park for the second to last weekend of the Dale Chihuly exhibit. There was a particular buzz going around the park, excitement and anxiousness surrounded the entire vicinity. The popularity of the exhibit called for the museum to issue timed tickets in an effort to decrease the congestion of the area, so although I got there at 12:30pm, I wasn't admitted into the show until 4pm. Not complaining, I enjoyed a stroll around the rest of the museum and hopped out of the park over to 9th St. where I grubbed at Park Chow Restaurant (I highly recommend this place!).
Entering the exhibit was much like being as Disneyland, the anticipation growing faster and faster. The entire show was under a dim lighting that allowed the brilliant color of the glass pieces to shine even stronger. Every set was divided off and truly enabled me to fully appreciate one piece at a time without being distracted or overwhelmed by the other amazing works.
This was incredibly impressive show and I highly recommend checking this out before the shows closing next weekend. I'm sure going during the week would be even better as it is far less crowded. Seriously, check it out. I may even see you there!

hummingbird

Okay, please tell me if I'm being some sort of insensitive bitch but currently there is a woman in my work crying (yes, truly crying) because there is a hummingbird flying around our skylight and can't figure out how to fly out. While I feel bad for the bird, I mean it is pretty helpless, I'm not sobbing over it. I figure that eventually it will figure it out, right? This woman has been in the shop for over almost an hour asking me if she can climb on things to get it out (remember I said skylight ie: up high, unreachable. What good is it climbing on our antique couch?) and leave out flowers for it to eat. She also began telling me how the bird reminded her of her father who's death anniversary is today, rather reminiscent of a prior post explaining people's love of telling me their life stories.

I really can't handle people like this. Grab a tissue and get out of the store. Ahh.

search for the boot

I am in the search of a perfect cowboy-brown, flat boot and I can't seem to find one anywhere. Yes, there are lots of boots out now, and yes there are lots in that color but for some reason I can't seem to find one that's just...well, perfect. I've dedicated far too much time online for this search and each time I make my way out to the shops I only find disappointement. This is a rather irritating adventure, but I'm not prepared to give up just yet! Maybe when I stop looking, they'll come?

3.1 Phillip Lim

Okay, I am offically in love. Yesterday was 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear show and let me tell you, from what I've seen so far, I am really excited by these fabulous pieces! Above are three of my favorites that I believe fully express the flirty and feminine motif that captures this collection. They each maintain a level of sophisocation while simultaneously staying true to Lim's edge that I'm so fond of. Plus, paired with wild Louboutin's (see second picture), I really can't see how this could go wrong!