lazy sundays and 10 years

After a pretty exhausting week of work, this weekend has really been what I needed: lots of sleep, lots of shopping, some working out, and lots of good food. :)  I paid a long-awaited trip to San Marcos on Saturday and went wild.  One of the things I got was this gorgeous Kate Spade purse, which I couldn't wait to wear.  It's my first over $100 bag (okay, it was $103 including tax), and boy, does it feel great.  There is something about quality items that make you want to wear and wear them again.

So besides lazying around today, I keep getting humbly reminded that it's the 10th anniversary (if we can call it that) of 9/11.  It's kind of crazy thinking that it was 10 years ago.  I actually remember the day really well.  I was in 6th grade Tech Ed. class at the time, when the PA announcement came on informing us of what had happened.  We all thought it was a joke at first, and even when we got that it actually happened, we were too young to understand the gravity of the matter.  I'm not going to pretend I know the first thing about politics or keep up with current events, but it's always humbling when you're reminded of people that you knew that have been affected or could have been affected by the event.

So I'll be honest:  I probably saw a total of 3 minutes on the news covering 9/11.  The rest of the day so far?  Being treated to brunch, going window-shopping in Soco...and waiting to go to the pool as it's currently way too hot for that right now.  In the meantime,  I had these shot outside my apartment in the morning.

I always wanted one of these candid "walking away" pictures.  Only I'm not 5'11", 120 pounds, and poised enough to look like I belong on the Sartorialist. :(  And this is only...somewhat candid, haha.

[shirt | h&m | $10] [skirt | zara trf | $10] [shoes | payless | $15] [watch bangle | ebay | $5] [porcelain bangles | vintage | from mom] [bag | kate spade | $103]

I love this bag.  Did I say that already?  So I'm thinking, I'll probably do 1-2 outfit posts every week at best, but I'll try to post more thoughts on fashion-related things/news/etc. in the meantime to keep this blog running. Slightly embarassing linking this to Facebook in retrospect, especially when your coworkers are experts at the product. Oh well, it's been too long since I've paid super-attention to fashion anyways.  Bringing the girl that could name the designer, the season, and everything about a piece of clothing back.

New City, Old Heat

So these past two months have been insane.  I moved to Austin from Houston, got a new apartment, started a new job, among many other new things.  One thing that has been particularly exciting is being able to wear the things in my closet I've been longing to wear.  I'm also fortunate enough to have "no dress code" at work - granted, I'm not sure how my coworkers would take black lipstick, lacy stockings, and all that other jazz.  Probably not very well.

The heat has been the worst it has been - ever.  Over 73 consecutive over-100 degrees days.  Yeah...not much we can do with fashion.  In spirit of my first fashion shoot at Austin, I put on my favorite dress, my favorite bag and braved the heat.

The flowers are from a lovely boy.  I decided to take my favorite one out of the bouquet and use it as a prop. Ridiculously cheesy.

These gorgeous shoes are from Deanne.  They go so well with everything and I've been wearing them a whole lot.  Deanne, if you're reading this, thanks a bunch. :D

New bag from Zara.  I've been wanting a small crossbody for the longest time, and I immediately fell in love with this one.  It's too small to hold everything I usually carry, but I said screw it, I'm buying this sucker.

[dress | mint | $30] [belt | from mom] [bag | zara | $50] [shoes | bcbgirls | from deanne]

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. :)