it's official, jason has stolen my heart

...and by Jason, I mean Jason Wu, of course.

It takes a lot for me to say someone is "one of my favorite designers".  Just like figure skating (my other obsession), consistency is the most important thing to me.  After 4 seasons of closely observing Jason Wu's lines, however, he hasn't disappointed me yet.  

Some of my favorite looks from his Resort 2012 Collection:

I'm loving short suits, shirts buttoned all the way to the top, and collar details.  A little late to the trend, but I'm all on board now.

feeling demure

So, I've come to accept that I'm indeed sick.  I always go through this day or two of denial hoping it'll go away by itself but nope - only gotten worse.  So what do I do when I'm stuck in my room with tea and soup and korean soap operas?  Put on pretty clothes and take photos.

I've been looking for the perfect two-tier pleated dress since I saw Carrie's Halston Heritage one in SATC 2.  I really try hard not to covet things because a celebrity wore them because I think it becomes popular for the wrong reasons if that makes sense - but this dress is an exception.  I think I'd love it regardless of whether or not it's famous.  I found this perfect gold one with a sheer racerback cutout from H&M when I went to New York this past weekend.  I wanted to wear it to my last dinner in Jersey with friends but I couldn't find a bra to go with it.  Solution?  No bra.  Okay, maybe a little TMI.

[dress | h&m | $35] [shoes | bass | $25]

Interesting story about this origami daffodil.  A very good friend, knowing my favorite flower is the daffodil, made it for me as part of an apology package after a fight.  I wonder if he would have done it had he known that we would stop talking forever only a few months later.  There is something beautifully sad about this daffodil.  I miss him a lot.  

how to deal with heartbreak

I just came back from a week-long trip to New Jersey to visit my old high school friends.  It was a fun-packed week for sure - it was so wonderful being able to hug everyone again, to talk to everyone in person, and go places together - the things that webcam, online chatting, and texting just don't allow.  Now, I'm going through serious Jersey withdrawal - even my throat hurts.  Boo.  I miss everyone and everything so much already.

While there, I hit up my favorite store H&M a total of 5 times - 4 times in the first 50ish hours.  I packed lightly, so my outfits are all pretty simple.  Here are a few highlights.

In front of my old house here.  It's a lot smaller compared to my texas one, but there's nothing like the house you grew up in.

[dress | image | $12.00] [belt | wetseal | $3.00] [sandals | mossimo | $8.00]

In the heart of SoHo.  My best friend Jim took me around New York this day, and I had a blast in SoHo.

[shirt | charlotte russe | $4.00] [belt | forever 21 | came with shorts] [skirt | papaya | $7.00] [sandals | mossimo | $8.00] [bangle | ebay | $1.00] [bag | deux lux | $20.00]

In the middle of Central Park.  I went with my best friend Jen and her boyfriend Jeremy this day.  It was quite hot.

[top | h&m | $10.00] [dress | h&m | $13.00] [sandals | mossimo | $8.00] [bag | deux lux | $20.00]

I didn't end up finding the perfect white shirt that I wanted, but that's okay there's still time.  I did find an amazing Halston Heritage-ish tiered dress in a gold color and a sheer low-cut back at H&M then.  Will soon make an appearance on this blog (for you, Jen!).

Now back to soap opera watching, apartment hunting, and being a bum.

bye bye sanguinity

Time off from school has given me time and space to work on personal style - and it has been wonderful.  Just being home and seeing how enormous my closet already is has encouraged me to stop buying things I don't need and focus on polishing my outfits with the things I already have.  It's a bit difficult since a feel another style change coming on.  The past 3 or so years, I've been obsessed with all things girly, over-the-top sweet, and childish.  I'm not denying that feminine touches are still very much part of my personal style, but it's been hard to work around the lace and the ruffles when I just want something more simple.
I've stopped buying mini A-line/circle skirts and chunky heels and floral chiffon.  That's not to say I'm not drawn to them - especially since my closet is filled with stuff like that - but it's just not worth my money, at least not now.  I've been drawn to basics instead.  No, not the racerback rib tanks or the crew neck tees that practically flood Forever 21, but modified basics.  I haven't bought anything like the stuff I've been fawning over recently - because I want to wait for the perfect one.  Hopefully my trip up north in a few days, the land of H&Ms, 5th ave., and lovely New York fashion will satisfy my craving.

[sleeveless blouse | cheap monday | on modcloth for $42.99]

[pleated dress | asos white | $203.12]

[chiffon oversized blouse | just female | on asos for $120.02]

[cropped shirt | asos | $12.93]

okay, so maybe i'm also craving white things.  in the meantime, i just need to be happy with my current wardrobe.  i usual feel a closet cleaning session, but it just isn't time yet.  

back to packing for ny/nj.  hopefully i will flood this blog with loads of outfit pictures - although they'll probably be super simple since i can't pack a shitload.

styling class: zach's final shoot

The other day, after I officially finished all undergrad work, I helped my friend Zach shoot his final.  I am so fortunate to find a chick flick, fairytale loving friend in Zach - and that was the inspiration of the shoot.  The idea of the shoot was a modern-day fairytale, inspired by those Taylor Swift music videos and cute Asian soap operas.  Many thanks to our friend Kelle for being such a wonderful model, and bearing with the 5 outfit changes amidst her busy final schedule.

Guy meets girl, he falls head over heels and tries to start conversation by the book she is reading.  What a dork - but a very well matched one at that.  The red in her shoes and belt play off of his tie and socks.

Girl left book behind, guy returns the book as an excuse to talk to her.  Tries to impress with a semi-dressy shirt and casual jeans, her pink top complements his shirt and hints at the romance about to happen.

Guy and girl start dating, she reads their book to him.  A very casual, but light shot, with her light blue sweater top and his white shirt indicating the simplicity and innocence of their relationship.

Guy and girl in relationship, they read the book together.  Brown and gray neutral elements used in this shot.

Guy proposes to girl with ring box in book, using a light summer white as the theme for the end to this fairytale.

So much fun to shoot.  I'm going to miss this, but look forward to more outfit shots over the summer as I enlist my poor sister to be my outfit-of-the-day photographer. :)

styling class: week 13, post 1

So I kind of forgot what our assignment was supposed to be this week, since I was all caught up photographing the final.  I am excited to do the faux-pas dress up though, even though I haven't decided what to wear.  Anyway, here's for the long-awaited (yeah, right) post with a semester's worth of progress and work.

Copied directly from what I'm handing in:

Age of the Heart

By Phebe Huang

Statement of Purpose

My personal style is something I’ve long wanted to define with several words, or even better, a single work.  I wanted to fall into a category – “classic”, “girly”, “bohemian”, “edgy”, and the many more labels the fashion industry puts on looks and people.  Then the realization hit me: I’m everything.  My personal style draws from beyond magazine and blog inspirations - it is influenced by my current mood, my personal life, the people around me, and many elements past the fashion industry.  The following shoot provides insight to my various styles, most easily categorized by age.  When I dress, I become Phebe the cute 5-year old, or Phebe the rebellious 15-year old, or Phebe the sophisticated, Jackie O-like 70-year old.  It simply depends on the age of my heart on a particular day.

Concept Idea

The following shoot is a progression through various ages.  The concept of the shoot should not be interpreted as costume play of the seven ages and stages of life represented, but rather stylistic elements and influences that can be drawn from these ages.  Seven frames are used to depict the progression.  Cute and whimsical at 5, casual masculinity at 10, edgy and grungy at 15, romantic and girly at 17, powerful and clean at 25, relaxed minimalism at 40, and sophisticated bohemian at 70.

Location

Local Playground in the Sendera neighborhood in Katy, TX.

Photographer

Dora Huang

Clothing and Accessories 

[At 5]

Hat: Claire’s

Shirt: No Brand, China

Green Skirt: Charlotte Russe

Brown Skirt: Mandee’s

Socks: No Brand

Shoes: No Brand, Ebay

[At 10]

Shirt: Charlotte Russe

Vest: Charlotte Russe

Pants: Charlotte Russe

Boots: 59 Seconds

[At 15]

Shirt: 5-7-9

Tank: Charlotte Russe

Skirt: Rainbow

Tights: Silence & Noise

Boots: Dolce Vita for Target

[At 17]

Dress: tfnc London

Socks: Aldo

Shoes: Mudd

  

[At 25]

Shirt: Mandee’s

Bow Tie: No Brand

Pants: ASOS

Shoes: Fioni

Clutch: xhilaration

[At 40]

Shirt: NY&Company

Pin: NY&Company

Pants: Papaya

Shoes: Forever 21

[At 70]

Trench: NY&Company

Pashmina: D&G

Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Eagle Bangle: No Brand, Ebay

Jeweled Bracelet: Forever 21

Elephant Bangle: Forever 21

Shoes: Dexter

styling class: week 12, post 2

A couple of weeks ago, I did a post of a spread that inspired me to add more color to my wardrobe.  But I feel there's a reason that more than half of my closet is filled with neutrals.  I've been really loving the white movement going on now, which I'm sure you're sick of me mentioning.

source: fashion gone rogue

As for color and pattern mixing, I feel I'm a true by-the-book, if the two don't share enough similarities or work as contrasts, then it doesn't work.  It's much easier to explain this visually.

source: jcrew ss2011 | harper's bazaar korea march 2011 | lmdu | clothes horse | fashion infusion | all the pretty birds