hey pretty thing

Footless

2012-05-31T22:06:00.002-07:00

Maison Scotch leather jacket (similar)

Vince linen tee

Helmut Lang tank top

Forever 21 destroyed jeans

Blogging has become second nature in the sense that we don't make an effort to purposefully shoot outfits anymore. My fiancé usually has his camera, and he'll take pictures while we're out and about. Here, we were having a nice after-dinner stroll and an impromptu shoot. The only problem... I was wearing flip-flops. Yes, insert big blogger gasp here. I changed out of my Theyskens' Theory flats (which are, ironically, more painful than some heels I own) and opted for comfier footwear, even if it meant my fiancé walked a few feet ahead and pretended he didn't know me -- jk, but he did make sure to crop my feet out of all the photos, pshhh whatever man.

10 things from the weekend

2012-05-29T01:03:00.000-07:00

My posting has been sparse this past month due to grad school insanity, so here is a quick photo recap of the past couple weekends.

1. Wedding cake tasting at Macrina Bakery (one of my favorite cafes that at one point I frequented daily) where we chose our cake. The white chocolate cream cheese frosting and fresh fruit won us over.
2. Driving on the viaduct into the city.
3. At the Fremont Food Truck Rodeo.
4. Gold-tipped mint nails and a jam dot cookie at Roy Street Coffee and Tea.
5. Coral cheeks and lips. My new favorite blush: Lover by Illamasqua, and coral pink YSL lipstick.
6. Céline and Tom.
7. Bright-eyed in the morning at Saint Johns' brunch.
8. Fiance channeling his inner hipster by voluntarily drinking a Pabst. Also, pretty sure this is the most glorious picture ever taken of a PBR.
9. Sundress, patio dining, and a cold beer at our favorite gastropub Smith.
10. Americano from Stumptown, all gone.

Happy 2nd birthday, Hey Pretty Thing!

2012-05-21T00:27:00.000-07:00

Forever 21 cardigan (similar)

H&M sandals (similar)

Marc by Marc Jacobs wallet

Ray-Ban aviators

I'm a week late but I can't believe it's been 2 years since I started this blog. It's been fun to see my style evolution, and track where life has taken me over the years. The beauty of it all is how far your passions will take you when you let them... Maybe it's with age or luck, but I'm more of who I'm meant to be than when I started this blog, and there is a fulfilling peace in that. Anyway, this past month has been particularly intense in grad school hence my lack of posts, but I'll try to keep up. Looking forward to another year and new chapters, like buying a home and getting married to my best friend. Thank you for journeying with me and following the blog. With love, Carolyn

Helena Quinn giveaway winner announced!

2012-05-20T20:46:00.001-07:00

Thank you Helena Quinn and to everyone who participated in the giveaway! This is the "Jessica" swing coat styled on the Helena Quinn website with a casual tank and denim shorts, and the randomly selected winner is:

pancakeSTACKER!
Congrats! I've sent you an email. :)

This was my first giveaway and I've received a lot of great feedback, so look for more goodies in the future. Thank you for reading my blog!

Making my way downtown

2012-05-14T00:52:00.000-07:00

Club Monaco denim blazer (similar)

H&M striped tee (similar)

Forever 21 destroyed jeans (similar)

Zara patent leather python flats (similar)

Proenza Schouler multicolor python wallet

Comfy outfit (and flats! Something I've re-fallen in love with, call me practical) for brunch with friends then furniture shopping with the fiancé a few weekends ago. I have a long backlog of posts coming up... these weeks have been extremely busy but I'll try to keep up, bear with me! Btw, I'm about to unload about half of my closet on Shop Pretty Thing so keep an eye out.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway of the "Jessica" oversized blazer by Helena Quinn! You still have a chance to enter here. I'll announce the winner in my next post.

Helena Quinn oversized blazer giveaway!

2012-05-07T02:28:00.000-07:00

Helena Quinn "Jessica" oversized blazer

Blue Life tank top (similar)

Forever 21 destroyed jeans

Zara heels

Prada leather tote

Hermès enamel bracelet

Helena Quinn, a new LA-based line of lovely coats and jackets, contacted me to give away their Jessica oversized blazer to a Hey Pretty Thing reader! My favorite part of the coat is the adorable pink lining. To enter:

1. Leave a comment with your email

2. Follow Hey Pretty Thing on Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Twitter, or Facebook

3. Good luck! :)

Proenza Schouler PS1 multicolor python clutch

2012-05-05T00:56:00.000-07:00

Proenza Schouler python wallet

A more detailed shot of the multicolored python beauty that I first wore in this post. The colors remind me of the rhyme I sang as a kid to tell if a snake was poisonous (because I was in an environment where this discernment was extremely necessary..... sarcastic btw): Red touches yellow, dangerous fellow. Red touches black, friend to Jack. Well, according to the rhyme, this Proenza Schouler is a pal to whoever Jack is. Anyway, it doesn't hold much so it makes me really simplify, which I've actually come to appreciate.

Springtime classics

2012-05-02T00:38:00.000-07:00

Shipley & Halmos trench coat (similar)

Vince chambray shirt (similar)

Anthropologie white skirt (similar)

Report two-toned pumps (gifted)

Prada leather tote

I still love how these neon pink and nude pumps from Report brighten up an outfit, especially springtime classics like chambray, crisp white, and khaki. They were first featured with floral shorts in this post.

Birthday dress

2012-04-30T01:35:00.001-07:00

Wilfred back cutout dress (similar)

Christian Louboutin glitter pumps (similar)

Proenza Schouler multicolor python clutch

Snapped some shots in our new studio (so new we haven't even steamed out all the wrinkles in the backdrop yet) before my birthday dinner. I've been into this dress style lately (wore a similar one here), a sort of casual sexy. Of course the festive glitter Louboutins my fiancé got me for our first Christmas together came out to party.

Also, I got a new Twitter account for this blog. Follow me at @heyprettything!

Birthday celebration (part 2)

2012-04-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

1. Thank you The Gerald for the birthday drink!
2. Lighting up dark situations with the aid of a candle and my friend Dave's iPhone flash (off to the right). Bloggers will do anything for a photo.
3. Long exposure picture... kind of like your vision after a night of barhopping.

Belle Clementine - Seattle

2012-04-28T21:34:00.001-07:00

Last week, my fiancé reserved a long table at Belle Clementine in Ballard for my birthday dinner with good friends. They offer seasonal 3-course family style farm-to-table meals including a drink and dessert. It was like having a big dinner party at home... with amazing food and no clean up.

The night's menu in the kitchen.

Chef David Sanford explaining the evening's menu and where everything was sourced.

Tartine of farm eggs and sardines.

Good food = happy girl.

White russo kale salad with bacon vinaigrette.

Alaskan halibut with pesto on top of mashed roots and tubers.

These mini apple pies were so delightful. This is also my "baby dino" face as the fiancé calls it... it comes out when I'm excited about something, which is pretty frequent. Also, ignore my wonderful Photoshop job of a fleshly-colored oval over my friend's face in attempt of providing him some anonymity.

Thank you friends for coming!

Birthday celebration (part 1)

2012-04-25T21:47:00.001-07:00

Walking purposelessly around one of our favorite neighborhoods to eventually meander into a cafe for lunch. Along the stroll we spotted this gangster Marilyn Monroe.

Chill lunch of kale farro salad and caramelized onions steak sandwich at Oddfellows, the cafe equivalent of the high-ceiling, exposed brick, hardwood floors type of space we dream of living in.

Dessert of haupia cake and green tea tiramisu with coffees at Hiroki. And accidentally flipping the camera off in my cup holding manner. Anyway, the day was slow-paced the way I like, and my fiancé planned a birthday dinner with my friends which I'll post later.

Céline birthday present

2012-04-24T00:52:00.000-07:00

Céline tortoise sunglasses

My birthday was this past weekend hence being MIA from the web. I'll have a few posts up from that celebration to come. For now, here's what the fiancé gifted me! Ignore the stickers still on the sunglasses, I got excited and didn't take them off yet before commencing with photos. You'll be seeing more of these Céline sunnies in action!

The Gerald - Seattle

2012-04-18T21:15:00.003-07:00

It's been a while since I've done a food post though we eat out almost everyday... The fiancé discovered The Gerald, a gastropub (our fave) that opened in Ballard a month ago, so we had to check it out.

Truffle popcorn, game over.

My cocktail tasted like a slightly fancier version of vodka cranberry... brought me back to college days.

Poutine with gravy and cheese curds.

Fried chicken maple waffle sliders with housemade veggie chips. I've had fried chicken and waffles a lot but never in slider form and it's genius!

Deconstructed chicken pot pie.

Cyclops.

After dinner, we hopped across the street to King's Hardware, the first bar that debuted Adrian Grenier's (Vince from Entourage) throwback flat top beer, Churchkey and put down a few brew skies.

In bloom

2012-04-15T23:28:00.000-07:00

Forever 21 blazer

J. Crew linen tee (similar)

Rebecca Minkoff floral shorts (similar)

Report two-toned pumps (gifted)

If you didn't know I love pink, well...now you really do. It was finally gorgeous enough this weekend to debut these sweet floral denim shorts and my new favorite pumps from Report! Report was amazing to make me a sample before the lovely two-toned neon pink and nude pumps hit the stores in May, but they're available for pre-order. They're so comfy, I wore them while house hunting for 6 hours (haven't found our home sweet home yet) then treated ourselves with wine and dessert after.

Breathe it all in, love it all out

2012-04-12T01:03:00.000-07:00

Dolce Vita cropped sweater

WiNK pleated maxi skirt (similar)

H&M sandals (similar)

Banana Republic fringe bag (similar)

This was taken on a lovely lazy day over the weekend. Being three weeks into grad school, the long days and nights that turn into early mornings because of endless reading have set in... I can't express how much more I've treasured those weekends of absolutely nothing.

Easter outfit and brunch

2012-04-09T01:31:00.001-07:00

Shipley & Halmos trench coat (similar)

Anthropologie skirt (similar)

Dolce & Gabbana gold flats (similar)

Prada leather tote

There aren't many occasions except tea parties (and unfortunately I go to about zero a year, like most girls over the age of 5) where I can wear this floral skirt, but I do love when I get to. The adorable back details like the bow, pleated tulip shape, and a whole bunch of tulle underneath (I never outgrew my childhood ballerina stage) make the skirt so special.

After celebrating Easter, we had family brunch at Mistral Kitchen, and they are doing 3 for $15 so that was fun. Course 1: olives and charcuterie plate. Course 2: biscuits with sausage gravy and soft-boiled egg. Course 3: citrus pavlova with panna cotta, ginger, and cilantro sauce.

Spring outfit inspiration + 3 watches

2012-04-06T00:24:00.000-07:00

Post brought to you by WatchesOnNet

I made this inspiration collage to help me revamp my wardrobe for spring. When the weather starts getting warmer, I like light outfits with fresh colors and simple accessories. These gorgeous watches are timeless (har har) and add sophistication to an outfit, but are also fun arm candy.

1. Blythe silk blouse from J.Crew
2. Le Steel pink round sunglasses by Illetseva
3. Biscay mint jeggings by Rag & Bone/JEAN
4. Rose gold watch by Michael Kors
5. Tank Solo leopard watch by Cartier
6. J12 ceramic watch with diamonds dial by Chanel
7. Klee nude/neon pink sandals by Diane von Furstenberg

Take me out to the ball game

2012-04-04T01:40:00.001-07:00

3.1 Phillip Lim trench coat (similar)

Madewell silk combo baseball tee (similar)

Rag & Bone alpaca skirt (similar)

Acne suede booties (similar)

Plush fleece-lined tights

Balenciaga envelope clutch

I've never quite been into dressing that makes complete sense, which ripped jeans with satin heels don't, and maybe that's why I like it. I keep outfits from being too girly or stuffy by having fun, unexpected elements to the look. In this case, I paired the silk+cotton combo baseball tee with a sparkly necklace and an insanely furry sweater skirt (it keeps my urge to get a pet at bay).

Btw, Seattle is like the last kid picked for dodgeball in regards to getting shafted by spring. The sun is deceptive and illusive, it's like the worst lover ever. So many poetic personifications about this foreign orb of light in the sky. All this drama to say, I'm easing into the slightly warming weather with tights and the perfectly light trench coat.

Dinosaurs go rawr!

2012-04-02T00:30:00.001-07:00

H&M cardigan (similar)

Marc by Marc Jacobs shirt (similar)

Acne wool skirt (similar)

Tibi bow flats (similar)

Pretty satin, bows, and gold heeled flats are just asking to be paired with a girly a-line skirt... and a dinosaur t-shirt.. next to a red phone booth. Yep, have fun with it.

Urban safari

2012-03-28T11:00:00.003-07:00

Boy. by Band of Outsiders shrunken shirt

J.Crew sweatshirt (similar)

Rag & Bone shorts (similar)

80%20 ankle wrap sandals (gifted)

This is the last of my guest posts for 80%20, who gifted me with these sandals. They're so comfy, I was running all over town in them...literally. I wore this outfit to go house hunting this weekend (we haven't found the one yet.. the search continues!) I like the boyish look of the wrap ankle sandals with these cargo shorts, and it would have been too easy to overcommit to a safari look, but I wanted to feminize it with a pop of bright pink.

Our DIY wedding save the date

2012-03-26T01:14:00.001-07:00

A week ago, I posted the DIY chalkboard picture frame that we used for our save the dates... and here is the finished product! We love photobooths so we wanted to incorporate that look. We took these photos in the bathroom with a tripod and remote (the shower curtain was the backdrop!) and I put it together in Photoshop then sent it off to print. We absolutely loved the way they turned out -- clean, simple, and so us.

Some of our photobooth strips from all over -- the inspiration behind our save the dates. The gemstone magnets are from Leif.

I created a short video of our adventures that is on our wedding website. It was my first time using iMovie so this project took weeks but it was so worth it! Makes me smile every time I watch this video. You can also visit our wedding website here.

Finally white pants weather

2012-03-23T18:34:00.001-07:00

Vince chambray shirt (similar)

Elie Tahari pants

Maison Martin Margiela heels (similar)

Hermès cuff

Prada leather tote

One of my favorite spring combos is crisp tailored white pants and a soft casual denim shirt. The look and colors are so clean, it's not fussy yet put together. I've been stalking my Weather app, and wore these white pants the day I saw there would be sun. Anyway, it's been an insanely busy but exciting week wrapping up everything before starting grad school on Monday, wedding cake tastings, meeting with our event planner, house shopping.. and I managed to squeeze in watching Hunger Games at midnight with all the 14-year-olds yesterday (Team Peeta!)

I'm tired of this black and blue

2012-03-21T00:09:00.001-07:00

Maison Scotch leather jacket

Rag & Bone alpaca skirt

Plush fleece-lined tights

80%20 boots

Marc Jacobs bag

Spring, hurry up. Because if I dedicate a post to it, weather will listen to me -- totally logical. Hoping this is the last time I have to wear tights.. and black.. and a leather jacket.. even though I recently got this awesome one by Maison Scotch that looks like a letterman jacket.

Anyway, check out my 3rd guest post on the 80%20 blog for my spring anthem by the Bag Raiders.

Ruffles and silk

2012-03-19T00:39:00.000-07:00

Valentino vintage silk blouse (similar)

Chloe wide-leg silk pants

Zara pumps

Prada leather tote

I can't believe I found this vintage Valentino silk blouse in perfect condition, only to spill coffee on it the first day I wear it. Like, they kept it mint for decades and I manage to ruin it in 30 minutes.. classic. Luckily I think I got the stain out, can't see it in the photos. It's so whimsical and feminine, I'm going to have to wear it with like a leather skirt next time to toughen it up a little.