closet shake up

First off,  I wanna thank gorgeous Zanah of Mon Mode Blog for this award. Do visit her blog, I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do. 

And oh, this is my first award and I'm so honored. Thanks again Zanah!

Since this comes with listing down 7 facts about myself, here it is:

1. I'm a nurse who's planning to proceed to med school OR take a career detour and study fashion merchandising. I think career counseling will be a great help.

2. I think Ugg boots are not pretty but I have three pairs (that I sometimes use).

3. I am trying to outgrow my love of pink. I woke up one day and realized that most of my stuff are pink.

4. The first thing I do when I wake up is sleep again. What a bad habit. That's why I have to set my alarm clock 30 minutes earlier.

5. I'm not a fan of heights, speed, and balance. That's basically why I don't know how to bike.

6. I hate sodas. Not just because it's not good for the body but I just don't like the taste.

7. I wanna go to Italy and just eat. Okay, shop too.

That's it about me. I wanna pass this award to these lovely ladies: Rica (Sassy Rica), Sher (Beneath the Crystal Stars), Jing (Ki-at Ki-at), Valencia Lia (Roll Up Your Sleeve), and Michelle (Glisters and Blisters). You all deserve it!

Lastly, I wanna share an outfit I wore a couple of days ago. I did some closet shake up owing to the fact that I wanna get rid of some clothes to make room for new ones. Then I saw this lucky shirt I have since I was in high school. It meant so much to me because it's the memento of my oh-when-I-was-still-young-and-stupid days. I'm not throwing this one away. The back of the shirt says, "Don't gamble for love" (I forgot to take a picture of it and too lazy to do it right now). So now you have an idea of what I meant by saying young and STUPID. 

And I also couldn't believe I totally forgot I have this black boho skirt! Looking into my own closet (solemnly) never fails to surprise me.

Then I figured out it would be too nippy to wear just one scarf with that kind of neckline so I added another one. Look how green balanced the entire look.

What about you? What are your sentimental pieces? Do you also have a hard time letting it go? 

Enjoy the rest of the week lovelies!

Top: Artwork

Skirt: Rampage

Boots: Anne Klein

Earrings: thrifted

Belt: F21

Bag: H&M

Scarves: street fair

the princess and the hat

Yay weekend! This week has been great not only for New York Knicks, who got straight three wins (I'm so proud!), but for me too. I'm really happy to hear that my dear friend is getting married. Yeah, I'm too happy I cried. It's not that I'm too melodramatic or what but she's like the big sister I never had, so yeah... I'm a little melodramatic. And I'm such a sucker for happily ever after too. I am that girl who has not outgrown fairy tales yet. This reminds me of the photos I saw from Dina Goldstein's Fallen Princesses website.

Anyways, tonight was not a good night to go out coz it's freezing outside. The temperature was around 25 but it felt like 10 to 12 because of the wind. Despite that, I went to church for our youth service during Fridays called "The Gate".

I really find it a great challenge to be chic and warm without looking like an eskimo lost in the city. And I should say I hate wearing turtle necks, it makes me feel like suffocated. But with the wind speed of 25 mph, thanks to whoever invented it.

I added a long silver necklace (from I forgot where) to at least spice up my outfit.

I love how the pattern of the sweater (from Great American Sweater) looks when I put my hands down.

I love this hat (from mom's closet). It keeps my head warm. But then, after a minute outside I can hardly feel my face. It made me think of wearing something like this.

(Spacecraft the scout Mask from Urban Outfitters)

But on the second thought, I'd rather be caught freezing than wearing something like that. Especially this:

(Chicken hat from Urban Outfitters)

or this:

(Moose hat from Urban Outfitters)

Know what I'm thinking right now? I'm "mind" singing (and "mind" dancing) Alex and Harper's (Wizards of Waverly place) song:

What's that, a hat.
A crazy funky junky hat.
Overslept, hair unslightly.
Trying to look like Keira Knightly.
We've been there.
We've done that.
We see right through your funky hat.

But I admit, if ever I'll see someone wearing any of these will surely make me smile. In a good or bad way? That I can't tell. To some it could be a disaster but I'm sure some can pull it off in a cool way.

I think that's all I have for now. Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Don't forget to clothe yourself with love, peace, and kindness!

first trip to frugality

Hello sweethearts! Happy Wednesday! This is the day of the week when I feel like the week is almost over but really it's not. I hope everyone is having a great week. Because I am! Yesterday I had my first trip to Goodwill. I am so inspired with a lot of bloggers who find treasures in thrift stores. As a result, I am so determined to try to go shopping without spending more than 30 bucks.  I googled Goodwill and hooray, it's just 6 blocks away from where I live. I have never been into any Goodwill stores before. The moment I stepped inside I was so overwhelmed, I have no idea where to start. I had a great time shopping! It was way fun than my conventional shopping. I don't know what to expect and the adrenaline of finding that "something" is spine-tingling. So here's my first attempt in practicing frugality.

I love this cropped blazer. What made me adore it that much are the pockets and collar. It's so feminine. And the color is pretty. For $9.99, it's so worth it.

When I saw this tweed jacket, I know I just gotta have it. I can think of so many ways to wear it. And it's just $5.99, what a steal!

This is my favorite! Too bad the picture didn't capture how gorgeous this vintage Scott McClintock coat is. It has a padded shoulder. The structure is really perfect. And the satin lining looks like I paid more than $12.99. The moment I held it, I never let it go. I can't wait to wear it. 

I found a lot of great pieces but thankfully they were not my size. Thankfully because if they fit right, I will be way over my 30-dollar budget. I say mission accomplished!

And oh, since black and white pictures are taking the fashion blogosphere by storm. Here's my hurricane.

I had this dress since I was in college. I love the structure and the intricate details in the bust part. Here's a colored version.

I think I like the b&w better.

But of course, I didn't go out just wearing this. I threw a cardigan (and a coat) for physiologic need.

I love how it looks so vintage. But honestly, the bottom part of the picture is the working of my smudged camera lens.

Here's the what the bottom part really looked like.

So yeah, that's basically it. I'm gonna go and grab a bite. I don't wanna be late for the sectionals (to the GLEEks, you know what I mean.)

Smile and don't forget to clothe yourselves with love and kindness!

tickled pink December

Wow, it's December. It never sunk in me that we are in the end of this year until I get to turn my desk calendar. And it already smells Christmas here in NYC with those for sale Christmas trees lining the streets (oh, it reminds me to buy one). I tend to walk near those bundled evergreens to sniff the refreshing scent. It's addicting. It's not like I get to smell it the whole year. I wish. I love Christmas. 

I feel so tickled pink today.  Here is my blissful ensemble to welcome the colorful Christmas.

 The skirt is my favorite piece because it's a hand-me-down from mom. She used to wear this when she was my age. I had this for as long as I could remember but didn't actually wear it until my fashion style evolved. I thank God for having such a stylish mom.

pink top: ralph lauren; 

cardigan: charlotte russe; 

belt: bcbg; 

bag: liz claiborne; 

flats: rampage;

necklace: h&m, strawberry;

bracelet: charlotte russe;

earrings: handmade by my cousin

Random things I love: hot pink, butterflies, and little colorful stuff.

I hope you guys have a wonderful first day of December! 

downtown cowgirl

Howdy everyone! I was inspired by Carrie Underwood's Cowboy Casanova and thought of pulling out this outfit. That happens a lot to me since I am not the most musically-inclined person on earth. I vent out music through what I wear.

Anyways, I went to an unconventional translation of the tough and rugged (in a really attractive and hot way) cowboy to a girly and sweet city rancher.

I was surprised when I found this forsaken lacy brown skirt  with a Caribbean green lining (from FANG) at the back of my closet. It's totally cute with the cognac brown cowboy boots. The scarf made the loud sound in this muted yet sugary outfit. Just another proof that scarves can really make quite a cool statement. But really, it's so much fun wearing this. That's the important part of fashion, having fun.

So, buckle up and ride 'em cowgirl!

Shakespeare in lace

Call me old-fashioned but I am such a big fan of poetry. And I am madly in love with William Shakespeare's works. Sonnet 116 is my favorite and I memorize it by heart. I have always dreamed of living in Elizabethan era for a week and experience wearing corsets and ball gowns as daily wear. Yes, just for a week. I am not sure if I can survive more than a week without computers. And I sure will miss wearing trousers.

Well, to make that dream close to reality, I put on this outfit and brought the era into a modern world.

I have to confess that lace is in my lovin'-it list this season. It is a great way to indulge my feminine side. The jacket's structure, button details, and slightly puffy shoulders remind of me of doublets. And as you can read in my previous post, I love mixing he and she elements.

Survival of the Fiercest

Mediocrity has no place in the savage world of fashion. It's a live or die sphere. It's a wild jungle out there, don't get eaten. Animal prints are big this winter, particularly leopard. But I just can't forget about Marty (Alex the lion's good friend from Central Park Zoo. If it doesn't ring a bell, maybe Madagascar will). I adore the erratic pattern of the zebra. What's fun about this outfit is the skirt, which is actually a scarf I got from the street fair. I want to have a primitive kind of look with the skirt to pull off a free spirited approach to elegance. This ensemble hollers "I will survive!" HUnt for your own stylish animal print pieces--it shows that you're not just an ordinary girl but a force to be reckoned with.

i am Chuck

I've always wanted to have a hi-top Chuck Taylor All Star that's really me but I can't seem to find it. Until one day just out of the blue, I stumbled at Converse's website. Then there it is, the make-your-own Converse shoes. It was a moment of euphoria. I was like "Finally! After a lifetime search..."

That happened months ago, but until now I still have that thrill whenever I wear my very own Chucks. One thing I really love about it is the hot pink heel stripe and the pink stitches. It's a subtle representation of the girly me. The typical hot pink hi-top they have didn't fascinate me enough. It's too pink. But having the chance to design my very own shoes gives me the power to be who I am. It sets me apart from a world of people wearing Chucks.

And oh, there's this option of having a personal ID on your shoes either on the outside low rear or the heel stripe. I have mine on the outside low rear. I thought it's just small enough not to draw attention that's why I decided to put my whole name and color it pink in contrast to the black canvas. But when I got it, it's huge! I think you can read it as far as 10 meters, more or less. I was so devastated at first because, unfortunately, I can't return it. So I wore my thinking cap and bing! I got the best idea ever. I colored it black to mask it. It turned out to be really great. It looks embossed and subdued. Love it!

Go and design your perfect Chucks. But a word of caution here: it might take your entire afternoon. It's so fun you won't notice the clock ticking. And by the way, I would love to meet your Chuck.

More love,

when two worlds collide

We've heard it, men are from Mars and women are from Venus. But isn't it cool how women can wear what's from Mars but they can't wear what's from Venus? Even cooler? We sure wear it better!

The gray boyfriend cardigan under the dark brown leather blazer plus the boots exude that robust masculine bite. Then I added the ultra feminine piece--the ski hat with a twist of girly details--and viola! Instant chic. Yes, just that... and the glass pendant to connect the entire outfit. Mixing both worlds create that  à la mode contrast effortlessly.

all in a day's work

Working hard? Or hardly working? Either way, your outfit should work it with a little fun and a bunch of sophistication. I am not a big fan of weekdays, let alone workdays. But what can I do? I can't go back in time and convince the one who made the calendar, whoever he is, to forget about the days that don't start with S. But if you're like me, a not-a-weekday-lover, there must be something we can do, right? Lo and behold, there is. Why not spice up your work getup with a little color and pattern? The pearl earrings and necklace displays distinct sophistication. And yeah, arriving with a knitted gatsby hat and classic sunglasses adds a suave charm. Don't worry, weekend's coming.

funk to punk

I love the transformation of this DKNY sequined top from glit and glamour disco gal (check my previous blog) to edgy rock and roll chic. Kudos to my custom-made hi-top Chuck Taylor All Star for making most of the 'conversion'. And that perfectly tailored off-white Ralph Lauren vest contributed a humungous rage. With the mystery brought by the fedora plus the chain necklace and silver cuff, no other word best fit to describe this outfit but hardcore.

city of lights

Bringing the disco era back from 70s to the streets with a kick of chic and urban panache. The glitter of this sequined DKNY tank top carries me to a place of music and dancing. I intentionally bought it two size larger for me to play with it. By wearing a bold black belt, the loudness is somehow toned down. And instantly it's dressed up. I love love love how versatile it could get. The white tank top underneath gives more oomph to it. Talk about standing out in a subtle and good way. Get those groove on!

back to nature

Living in the city that never sleeps, sometimes I just wanna catch Zs surrounded with lovely trees and serenaded by the waves of the ocean. Waking up with the golden sunrise that touches the horizon is beauty like no other. This outfit is inspired by the vibrant colors nature bring--the combination of earth, water, and a little fire. Experience the relaxed feel of the outskirts brimming with color, texture, and pattern.

Rain, rain, go away

Another rainy day. But if you are like me who never let the weather stop you from going out and having fun, days like this will just be another moment to shower the world with style. When the sun dozes off, you don't have to. Sprinkle lots of color to your gloomy day and drive all the boredom away!