Good, Bad, and Fab | LA style & best fashion trends blog

{GBF Life + Style + Travel} #42

2013-05-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

It was raining quite a bit on my first few days in Shanghai so when the sun finally graced its rays, I took full advantage by wearing a floor sweeping pleated maxi skirt from Jovonnista paired with my BCBG Generation denim shirt and Tom Ford sunnies. My Louis Vuitton Montsouris aka travel bff stayed close by my side. The backpack is great for all day excursions as it can fit a day's worth of knick knacks without killing my shoulders. My time here is quite packed so when a free afternoon opened up, I seized it and headed straight to Huahai Road, a shopping destination known for its luxury boutiques and department stores.

When I was young, I remember taking Bus 42 on this very street with Mom every Thursday night to go to my piano class. The buses were jam packed with people, perfumed with the stench of sweat, and completely suffocating. I rarely and barely noticed the shops as I wasn't yet window height and was also quite preoccupied with avoiding getting trampled on. Nowadays, crowds gather at the grand opening of the newest Dolce & Gabbana store rather than at bus stops. What was in focus back then has now blurred into the background.

My stolen afternoon was fabulous. I ran into the CEO of Coach inside their store, bought bagfuls of dried plum "hua mei" (my favorite guiltless snack), and saw Bus 42 pass by. It was empty, air conditioned, and completely in focus.

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style + Travel} New Shanghai

2013-05-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've been in Shanghai for almost a week and have been running around town meeting up with friends and family while taking in the city. Every meal is deliciously extravagant and is contributing to a happily expanding waistline. Conversations with family revolves around the retelling of childhood stories. Although I've heard all of them a million times, they tell it like it's being divulged for the very first time. It's nice. With my friends, I've been asking a million questions about the city as I'm intently determined to crack the code on what is/who is Shanghai. I'm still in the facts gathering stage.

The city changes at lightning speed. It's impossible to keep count of the countless new buildings that have popped up since my visit four years ago. The effect of globalization means boutiques carry the latest Korean trends, the cafes are Taiwanese and Hong Kong franchises, the girls wear Japanese circle lens, and everyone has an iPhone. I feel a little lost here as the identity of my hometown has completely changed since I left. I'm proud of its progress but a little sad that I can no longer find home.

This outfit has little to do with Shanghai. It's simply one of my favorites for summer rooftop cocktail parties. The green BCBG gown is flowy and delicate and needed to be paired with an equally flowy and delicate One Teaspoon silk shawl. Together, they exude a sense of boho spirit that's difficult to find in dressier clothes. My Shoedazzle heels add another layer of color to the outfit.

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style} All Day, All White

2013-05-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've always been a fan of layering white jeans with a thin sweater and shrunken blazer. It's an effortless and preppy chic look that can be worn to just about anywhere. For someone of average height like myself, I find it imperative to wear heels with white jeans in order to elongate and narrow the legs. Plus, heels help add a dressy twist to denim.

I wore this outfit all day last Sunday. My first stop was the farmer's market where I delightfully discovered that purple kale and blood orange are both in season. I bought both and made a tasty salad for lunch. A tablespoon of lemon juice, some dijon mustard, and a cup of grilled chicken accompanied my farmer's market finds. The salad was tangy, fresh, and super delicious! After my guilt-free lunch, I went to Fred Segal to indulge in retail therapy. I headed straight to their home decor store which is located in the back of Mauro's Cafe. It's one of my favs in LA as they always have kitschy and fun pieces along with a great selection of Missoni towels and throws.

After Fred Segal, I went to a business meeting (Day of Rest does not exist in my life). Then it was straight to my friend's birthday dinner. Good thing I had my healthy lunch because dinner was ribs, ribs and more ribs! Usually, I would need to make multiple outfit changes for such a jam packed schedule, but the versatility and simplicity of my Old Navy super skinny Rockstar white jeans paired with a blazer and sweater took me from day to night!

sweater c/o Old Navy
blazer: Madewell
jeans c/o Old Navy
pursed: Marc Jacobs
sunnies c/o Old Navy
shoes c/o Shoedazzle

This post is sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy's latest fashion lineup in store or online at oldnavy.com.

{live fabulously}

{GFB Life + Beauty + Review} Three for One

2013-05-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's time to toss out my other curling irons because my Jose Eber Trio satisfies all my needs. It's a clip-less ceramic tourmaline curling iron with three detachable barrels and a custom digital temperature setting. It heats up quickly and can create pretty much every coveted curl style in just a few minutes. It's honestly the most simple and the best curling iron I've ever used.

I've been taking full advantage of all three barrels as they each create slight variations of the S-shape curl. Check out the video if you want to hear me talk about my love for the Trio while making thinly veiled phallic references or you can pass on the rambling and scroll down to see the three hairstyles I created with the Jose Eber Trio.

{STYLE #1 Tousled beachy curls with the tapered barrel on Day 1 of my Lulus Coachella photo shoot wearing Mink Pink bathing suit and C. Label heels}

{STYLE #2 Loose flowy curls with the 25 mm barrel on Day 2 of Lulus Coachella photo shoot wearing a black lace top, BlankNYC high waist denim shorts, Tom Ford sunnies, Chloe + Isabel necklace/earrings, and SixtySeven sandals}

{STYLE #3 Silky curls with the 19 mm barrel at The London West Hollywood celebrating its fifth anniversary in my C.Luce dress, Celine purse, and Zara heels}

Jose Eber is offering a fab deal for my readers. Enter GBF20 at checkout for 20% off all products!

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life} Made by Mom

2013-05-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up, Shanghai was not a fashion capital as the handful of boutiques and department stores offered a small selection of domestic styles which all morphed into one another. Plus, very few people had coffers of disposal income to spend on fashion. Yet I was keenly aware of the need to dress up at a very young age and recall twirling in my sky blue cotton dress during recess in preschool trying to capture the attention of a certain caped crusader (a boy in my class who wore a red velvet cape to school. My taste in men has since changed). Even at a young age, I was drawn to the mesmerizing power of fashion.

Instead of dressing me in drab, Mom made all my clothes. She'd tear out pages from magazines picked up on her overseas business trips and copy the styles seam by seam. She was an impeccable seamstress, a talented knitter and had an instinctive knack for making pretty things. At night and on weekends, she'd be bent over the sewing machine putting together her latest fashion creation or knitting away while watching TV or playing with me. If I hold absolutely still, I can still hear the rhythmic sound of her sewing machine zigging away. I wish I still had some of the clothes she made for me as they're more valuable than anything in my closet as every fiber was made with mom's love.

Happy Mother's Day!

{outfits 1-4} c/o Mom

{FABULOUS MOTHER'S DAY CONTEST}

This Mother’s Day, Wet n Wild Beauty has collaborated with the Noreen Fraser Foundation to support women’s cancer research. Together, they have created the Extraordinary #MOMents campaign, encouraging individuals to enter why their mom is extraordinary!

Entering the campaign is simple; post a photo of your mom on wet n wild’s Facebook page with a special memory of what makes her amazing. For each #MOMent shared, wet n wild will give a dollar to the Noreen Fraser Foundation to support women’s cancer research. Two runners-up will receive wet n wild gift packages worth $100. The winner and their mom will each receive a year supply of wet n wild makeup!

{live fabulously}

{TRAVEL + STYLE}Three Boohoo Outfits in Shanghai {"Past, Present, Future"}

2013-05-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Next Monday, I'm going back to where it all began. Shanghai. It's my birthplace, my first home, and the core of my childhood memories. Although most of my extended family still live in Shanghai, including my 90-year-old grandparents, I've only been back a handful of times as the present has a way of sucking you in and keeping you discombulated from retracing your roots. Yet it's our past that shapes our present and prepares us for the future. So, through family gatherings, business meetings, and modest amount of shopping (HA!), I plan on exploring all of Shanghai...to see the new, revisit the old, and explore the unknown. Follow my journey on twitter and instagram!

For my trip, boohoo sent over three pieces from their current summer/spring selection for me to style three outfits to wear in Shanghai. I like the UK based shopping site's eclectic offering of trend driven apparel and accessories and LOVE that each piece has quintessential British character which adds a touch of unique flair to my outfits. Scroll to the bottom to find out how you can win one of the featured piece.

{REVISIT THE OLD-Family Dinner}

I've paired a lace embroidered sleeveless button down shirt from Growze with msy boohoo fit and flare organza lace skirt. Why all white? Because family will always see the child in you so why not play up the innocence angle? A pop of color in the form of bright yellow patent oxfords from Growze adds edginess to the look.

{SEE THE NEW-Shopping on Nanjing Road}

Ever since I saw them at boohoo's US launch party, I've been obsessed with these black dungarees. They're eye-catching and one-of-a-kind and are a trendy take on the jumpsuit look. The color and material makes the piece polished and chic which means you can wear them with just about anything and still look put together. The inseams are perfect for average height gals which means I can walk in flats while engaging in heavy duty shopping.

{EXPLORE THE UNKNOWN-Business meetings}
I hold a strong aversion to wearing anything that resembles formal business attire so I plan on pairing my side embroidered floral white skinny jeans with my Mason button down blouse for business meetings in Shanghai. The unusually long blouse looks dressy and compliments the ornate flourishes on the pants which hopefully will distract from the fact that I'm wearing jeans to a business meeting. If eyebrows are raised, I'll just blame it on LA denim culture.

{outfit 1} Growze top | boohoo skirt | Growze shoes | Anthropologie headband | Belle Noel bracelet | | Wire LOVE bracelet | Foreign Exchange starfish ring
{outfit 2} Old Navy tee | boohoo dungarees | BCBG Cuff
{outfit 3} Mason by Michelle Mason blouse | Beautiful People tank | boohoo jeans | 3.1 Phillip Lim sandals

{HOW TO WIN ONE OF THE FEATURED BOOHOO PIECES}

Post a comment and tell me your favorite boohoo piece and how you'd wear it
OR
Tweet me your comment @goodbadandfab @boohoo
Winner will be picked on May 26!

Enter "GOODBADFAB" for 20% off boohoo.com!

{live fabulously}

{Street Style Inspired Nail Art} "Pop It"

2013-05-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

I may look to runways for fashion inspiration but I get my dose of fashion aspiration from the streets. Paying attention to street style fashion is the easiest and most functional way to connect with what's trending. Lately, I've been fascinated with one particular street style look-juxtaposing sporty and polished with a black and white color palette. I love the idea of wearing a baseball cap with a tailored jacket. It's unexpected, interesting, and keeps the style conversation going.

As someone obsessed with pops of color, I had to incorporate some hot pink into my black and white sporty chic look. I also decided to match my nails to the outfit as I just received a salon range of some of Sally Hansen's most fabulous nail colors. Although I blinged my nails with different nail strips in keeping with the black and white theme, the interesting nail art shapes really popped against the outfit.

This was the first time I tried the Sally Hansen strips and really love the effortless process and long-lasting results. The strips quickly conform to my nail shape and it's super easy to peel off the excess. The sheer fact that I can master them means they're dummy proof! Show off your nail art by entering the Sally Hansen I Heart Nails contest!

blazer: Zara
skirt: Ted Baker
shoes: Zara
baseball cap: Sandro

{I HEART SALLY HANSEN NAIL ART CONTEST OFFICIAL RULES}
To enter, you have to upload a photo to Facebook, or take a picture with Instagram or tweet a picture with designated hashtag #iheartnailart . Contest ends last day of the month. Winner will be announced one week after contest closes. All monthly winners will come to NYC in July/Aug for a final round of putting together a look. Judges will determine the winner each month and at the end Grand prize is $2K and winner will be the brand ambassador for a year for Sally Hansen.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sally Hansen via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sally Hansen.

{live fabulously}

{Elizabeth Charles Spring Outfits} Love, Requited

2013-05-07T11:04:00.003-07:00

Do you know what's the most amazing feeling in the world? When you find out the object of your affection doesn't object to your affections. Up until high school, all of my great loves went unrequited and were one-sided tragedies that played out as love stories in my head. So when I finally got a taste of requited love in ninth grade, my mind was blown. It was so nice to have the love of my life actually know my name. I'd been missing out!

I first laid eyes on Elizabeth Charles on a beautiful New York day a few years ago. I was in the city on a weekend shopping bender (how can you be in NYC and NOT binge shop?) and was knee deep in shopping bags and about to wave the white flag and flag down a yellow cab when I saw Elizabeth Charles on Hudson Street. Even though I was exhausted, I went into the cozy boutique with a voracious and curious appetite. Inside, I found a well-curated selection of hard to find high-end designer brands from all over the world. I dropped my bags and proceeded to browse through every single piece of wearable art, excited to discover new designers, inspired by all that unfolded before my line of sight. On that day, my skin came into contact with Karen Walker and Vanessa Bruno for the very first time.

Over the years, I continued admiring EC from a distance by shopping their online store. It was an expected unrequited love. But just like when I hit puberty in ninth grade, things change. I'm excited to announce I'm featured on the Elizabeth Charles website! Check out my interview and top spring picks!

Just like that, my one-sided crush blossomed into a relationship. It's a bi-coastal long distance relationship but in this case, distance only makes the heart grow fonder. Plus, they have a second fabulous boutique in San Francisco which I plan on visiting as often as possible. Love needs be nurtured! To celebrate my requited love, I worked with photographer Sabrina Hill to style and shoot a few of my favorite spring pieces from Elizabeth Charles New York.

{first look} Kenzo cardigan, Vanessa Bruno tank, Jen Kao skirt, United Nude sandals
{second look} Pierre Balman sleeveless shirt, Nightcap jeans, CR varsity jacket
{third look} Isabel Marant dress, Chloe sandals, Sedgwick clutch
{jewelry} Taara Mai Ogi ring

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style} Tread Or Sink

2013-05-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Do you know what's more terrifying than posting swimsuit pictures on a public blog? Having to tread water for three minutes to pass the swim test in high school. You don't pass, you don't graduate. By the time I got to 12th grade, I had already failed it twice. I could swim but I never learned to tread as the idea of splashing around looking like a waddling dog just wasn't very enticing. So I just kept retaking the test hoping against hope the swim instructor wouldn't notice I had one leg propped against the edge of the pool. I even tried distracting him with grotesque facial expressions emoting pain and agony. But he had laser sharp vision that saw through my horrible acting and the eight feet deep pool.

After I got accepted to USC, I realized I couldn't let a stupid test of physicality stop me from pursuing higher education and achieving lawyer acuity. I also got sick of seeing people (myself included) throw up after the swim test. So I asked Dad to teach me to tread. Our first few lessons were total fails. I just didn't understand how to stay afloat. As I kept sinking, so did my morale and just when I thought I was destined to become a high school version of Van Wilder, Dad said to me, "Jenny, did you know that if you tread water, you won't get your hair or face wet in the pool?" Oh, that's good to know. That day was our very last lesson. I passed the stupid test and treaded from Van Wilder to Elle Woods. All I needed was the right motivation.

.I was motivated to wear my LUXE by Lisa Vogel two piece swimsuit from Swimspot in Vegas last week because the shape and color are absolute classics. The halter shape top enhances what needs to be enhanced while the low cut banded bikini bottom flattens what needs to be flattened. It gives me the confidence to tread through bathing suit season!

two piece bikini c/o Swimspot
shortalls: no idea {similar}
shoes c/o Soludos
baseball cap: Forever21

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style} The Summer Statement Dress

2013-05-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, I love fashion and getting dressed up and the whole shebang but I'm also a very lazy person. No, scratch that. I'm efficient. I'm perpetually seeking the shortest path to sartorial bliss. And that's why I love printed maxi dresses. They're effortless to wear but always eye-catching. In fact, they require very little supplementation in the way of accessories or layers. The dress is and remains the fashion centerpiece.

My designer maxi dress from T.J. Maxx is a shining example of printed perfection. The flower petal design of the ikat print is bold and distinct. The fine jersey fabric is slippery to the touch and rubs against the body like butter on pound cake. And unlike most maxi dresses, this one doesn't stretch for miles which means I get to wear it barefoot poolside all summer long. And the best part? The fit is loose but not flowy which makes it casual and dressy for day and night events. I can wear the dress directly from the pool to a summer cocktail party-preferably in Turks and Caicos.

To celebrate your personal style, T.J. Maxx wants you to submit your own T.J. Maxx Style Scout looks for a chance to win up to a $500 gift card. Read the official rules here. To enter:

tag #maxxstyle and include the designer and price of their score
AND
share via Twitter, Instagram or Facebook (desktop only)

Our MaxxStyle Scouts are making the latest trends their own, and sharing tips for ways to express yourself through fashion. You never know what you'll find at TJ's - the possibilities to express your personal style are endless

Compensation was provided by T.J. Maxx via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of T.J. Maxx.

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style} Cosmic Connection

2013-05-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite work to play uniforms involve pairing a printed shift dress with a classic blazer or jacket. It's the perfect way to get away with a little bit of edge and style while still looking professional at work. A boxy purse, minimal jewelry, and closed toe pumps seals the deal on a law abiding look. Once day turns into night, I'll strip off the jacket, add a statement necklace and kick off the daytime soles for soul breaking feet stunners. My legal pleading sized handbag is downsized for a clutch big enough to hold a few hours of nightlife.

My cosmic print dress from Zamrie takes me back to my star gazing days. My parents love the outdoors and used to always take us on road trips to Yellowstone, Zion, Joshua's Tree, and the Sequoia National Parks. My favorite part of the trip was rolling down the backseat window, peeking my head out, and staring into the starry sky. It felt so peaceful to crash against the wind while gazing at the the infinite flickers of balls of hydrogen and helium. I saw it as a galactic metaphor for the infinite possibilities of life that hang above us ripe for the taking.

Grab and shine on.

dress c/o Zamrie
tweed jacket: Zara {similar}
purse c/o Cuore Pelle
shoes c/o Shoedazzle
necklace: Marni
watch c/o Guess

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style + Giveaway} Taking Sexy Back

2013-04-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Stella & Jamie is having an amazing giveaway on their facebook page! Enter to win a fabulous black leather fringed hobo purse and a pretty and proper iPad case. You can earn two additional entries by creating a Stella & Jamie polyvore page. How fabulous! To kick start the launch of the contest, I've paired and styled the two prizes with two of Stella & Jamie's sexiest frocks from their Fall 2013 collection.

It's easy to assemble the basic ingredients for a sexy dress-tight on the body, short in length, low cut in the front. But it's difficult to find the secret ingredient, the spice that take a run-of-the-mill sexy dress from body envy to fashion envy. Stella & Jamie must be stockpiling it as their sexy frocks captivates the fashion imagination while accentuating the female form.

{the sexy black dress with cutouts in all the right places}

If I ever become a spy and need to seduce a foreign politician, I'd do it in this dress. The pictures don't really do it justice as every inch of the dress screams couture vixen. The dress is strategically cut, extremely figure flattering, and completely comfortable to wear which means I can easily perform acrobatics when escaping from the Cheznowsbvia parliament. And of course, I need my fringed hobo purse to store my James Bond gadgets and to infuse some bohemian fun to the outfit.

{the slinky dress with the cool print}
I love dresses that gently drape off one shoulder as I find it much more enticing to give a peek at the goods instead of giving away the whole kitchen sink. I plan on using the iPad case as an evening clutch as the python texture and cute top handle are just too amazing to not show off to the world.

{outfit 1}
dress c/o Stella & Jamie
purse c/o Stella & Jamie
shoes c/o Lulus
necklace: vintage
bracelet: Hermes
{outfit 2}
dress c/o Stella & Jamie
iPad case c/o Stella & Jamie
shoes c/o Lulus
rings: Luv AJ | Jenny Dayco

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Video} A Cinco de Mayo Party with Sauza Tequila

2013-04-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

I rushed from the Lucky FABB conference to a sprawling bachelor's pad tucked away in the hills of the San Fernando Valley to shoot a Cinco de Mayo "girl's night in" video for Sauza Tequila with five other bloggers. We come from different places, live different experiences, vary in age, and blog about different things. And although we started the shoot as complete strangers, by the end of the night, we were dancing and laughing together like old friends. That day, the power of female camaraderie took over the bachelor's pad (with a pool in the living room) in the hills with a little help from a few glasses of margaritas.

I arrived in the late morning and was greeted with a full crew on set. The mood was bustling as everyone was busy prepping the house for the shoot. I was quickly whisked off to get my makeup and nails done. During the beautification process, I chatted with the other ladies about their dress selections, shoe options, and nail color choices. And just when I thought it was time to get to work, we took a lunch break. I had already eaten at Lucky FABB but my policy is to never refuse food. It's impolite. After lunch, we started shooting. The house was adorned with festive Cinco de Mayo colors-brilliant fuschias, yellows and greens. Since every scene involved food and drinks, we eagerly anticipated and welcomed each take. "Dip my chip into the guac bowl again? No problem. Oh and I think I need a margarita refill...you know, for continuity sake." Not only was the food and drinks delicious, they also looked too good to eat as we had a food stylist on set intricately preparing every morsel and drop.

We shot late into the night and by then the conversations delved beneath the surface. Our last scene took place in the cliff side backyard overlooking LA in its panoramic glory. The director kept reminding us to perk up and not look so serious as we were engaged deep in conversation, chatting about family, careers, and our hopes and dreams. I may never see these ladies ever again yet in those fractions of life, we bonded, shared intimate details, and were the best of friends. And those are the moments I'll cherish for years to come. Thanks Sauza for getting the conversation started.

I hope you like the video!

stopped in my tracks by the pool in the living room

lovely view of my city right before sunset

can't help but throw in a little bit of Chinese into the Cinco de Mayo video shoot

pretty set, pretty food

a moment of happiness captured through a selfie. In the video, I'm wearing a 3.1 Phillip Lim dress

He's equally talented in the saving of lives and the ways of love. And best of all? He's ready to pour you a Sauza-rita, and listen as you pour out your feelings. This perfect man is perfectly prepared to help make your ladies night unforgettably fun - with Sauza Blue, of course. Check us out at http://facebook.com/SauzaMargaritas.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sauza® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sauza®.

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style} A Spring/Summer Dress Staple

2013-04-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Maxi dresses have always been one of my spring/summer staples as they're effortless to style and never go out of fashion. They're also incredibly comfortable to wear as most maxis fit loosely around the midsection generously allowing for all kinds of waistline fluctuations. With graphic prints in heavy rotation in my spring wardrobe, I'm drawn to my Karen Kane Moroccan print dress as it's the perfect blend of comfort meets trendy. It's a statement making dress that's also versatile to wear.

I wore my maxi dress on the first day of Coachella and accessorized it with festival friendly pieces like my straw fedora, oversized sunnies, and layers of jewelry. My studded buckle boots completes the casual and outdoor appropriate festival look. However, I can switch gears and wear the dress to a law firm picnic or the American Bar Association bowling night by ditching the hat, pulling the hair back into a top bun, adding a shrunken blazer, and switching out the boots for wedge heels. Now that's getting the max out of my maxi dress!

maxi dress: c/o Karen Kane
boots: c/o Shoedazzle {similar}
jacket: Clover Canyon {another version}
hat: street vendor {similar}
sunnies: Tom Ford {identical}
rings: Stella & Dot | Luv AJ
bracelets: c/o Chloe + Isabel | Lux AJ | ASOS
necklace: c/o Gorjana Griffin

{live fabulously}

{GBF LIfe + Style} Eye of the Tiger

2013-04-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've ever loved a sweatshirt like I do my green Kenzo tiger sweater. It's just quite difficult to find any redeeming style qualities about an item that's usually bulky, plain, and all around drab. And aside from my beloved cardinal and gold USC sweatshirts which I wear religiously, I never cared for any others until I laid my eyes on this one. The bright emerald green color is unusual while the embroidered tiger makes a playful attention grabbing statement. I love the fit and thickness as it's layerable under jackets but can also be layered over shirts and blouses. I'm not peeling my sweatshirt off until the green fades to straw and the tiger shrinks to a cat.

The sweatshirt's versatility was magnified when I took it around the the block a few weeks ago. I wore this outfit to the Perry Ellis spring/summer collection preview held at Eveleigh (one of my favorite Weho restaurants). I was floored by the livening style direction of the brand as its Nantucket splashes of color and Princeton prep style aesthetics truly captured my attention. After the event, I headed to downtown LA to watch the Lakers clinch their spot in the playoffs. That was the last time I saw Kobe play. But the man is a beast and I'm sure he'll go in beast mode and recover in no time. Staring into the eye of a tiger is a walk in the park for the Black Mamba.

shirt: H&M
sweater: Kenzo {similar}
pants: Nightcap {similar}
necklace: Topshop {similar}
origami bow tie: Perry Ellis

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Fashion + Travel} Coachella Love

2013-04-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been a week since Coachella! I had so much fun being silly with friends, photo shooting with Lulu's, and party hopping from one desert mirage to the next. But the highlight of the weekend was seeing, hearing, and falling hard for the xx. The moment the London indie pop band started playing on the Coachella main stage, the rest of the world muted into non-existence. All I could hear was their rich and powerful vocals softly whispered into my ears as each song reverberated and penetrated deep into the layers of the cerebral. The end of the set felt like the ending to a pensively intimate night with a new love. Exciting but not enough.

Speaking of love, here are the Lulu's shoes I brought with me to Coachella. I packed six pairs for three days. I never learn.

{C. Label platform stilettos} sexy poolside heels

{SixtySeven ankle boots} fabulous everyday shoes

{Kelsi Dagger Mules (sold out) similar here} super soft leather and intricate cut-out details

{Kelsi Dagger strappy sandals} love the tres chic chunky heel

{Kelsi Dagger two tone sandals} perfect two-tone summer colors

{Blond Ambition strappy sandals} vibrant color and intricate detailing

Thanks Lulu's for gifting me with so many fabulous Coachella moments!

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style + Travel} Dueling Duality

2013-04-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you've been reading my blog for a while, then you probably know I live in a state of duality. There's the duality of being a lawyer and a fashion blogger. The duality of playing with classic work hour outfits that can transition into quirky play hour outfits. The duality of writing one-liners twinged with sarcasm juxatoposed with honest narratives about my life. Perhaps that's why I'm drawn to pieces like this pink studded leather jacket from Lulu's. It perfectly fits into my yin and yang world.

At Coachella, I wore the jacket with a delicate and ethereal mint chiffon dress to fancy daytime brunches. The studded details and the structured tailoring offset the uber femininity of the dress creating a romantic and fun look. At night, I wore a graphic print tee and Aztec print jeans with the jacket to the music festival which turned out to be a very serendipitous decision as we were vortexed into the sandstorm of the century. If I hadn't been covered from head to toe, my entire body would've turned fifty shades of grey...dust.

I guess it's part of my DNA to live in duality. There's just so much to experience, so much to live and to love. Yet we've been gifted with just one tiny microcosm of a moment to do it in. So why constrict, constrain, and restrain? I want it all-the good, the bad, and the fabulous.

graphic tee c/o Lulu's
jeans c/o Lulu's
pink leather jacket: RD International c/o Lulu's
sandals: Kelsi Dagger c/o Lulu's

dress c/o Lulu's
heels: Blonde Ambition c/o Lulu's

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style + Giveaway} Spring into and Sprinkle in Lulu's

2013-04-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of playing dress up with my pals Annette and Kelly a few weeks ago. In celebration of the dawn of spring, we each styled the same color blocking pastel frock from Lulu's and strutted our stuff in front of Sprinkles Cupcakes Beverly Hills on a bright and sunny Saturday morning. We looked like walking advertisement for Sprinkles as the colors of our dress perfectly matched the shop's exterior panels. By the end of the shoot, we even dubbed ourselves the "Sprinklettes." It was a miracle I didn't give in to the buttery aroma of my favorite dessert especially with the un-subliminally hypnotizing "I Love Sprinkles" song from the ATM machine blasting on repeat a few feet away.

I love how each of us channeled our personal style and personality through the dresses! Annette went for a mod chic (very vintage couture) look while Kelly stayed classy and elegant. I decided to go for a playful look, layering the dress with a white sleeveless blouse cinched at the waist with a baby pink belt. The flickers of the sequined collar catches the colors of the dress. Although I'm usually hair challenged, I decided to partake in some braiding action and ended up with a braided crown on the top of my head. Minty wedges from Sole Society and an assortment of bangles completes my look. It's always so fun to hang out with my LA blogger girls as I'm constantly inspired by their sartorial eye for style!

To celebrate my love for cupcakes, here's my LA cupcakes top five list

1. Sprinkles red velvet cupcake
2. Dots strawberry cupcake
3. Georgetown Cupcakes vanilla cupcake
4. Joan's on Third coconut cupcake
5. Confexion Cupcakes & Cake salted caramel cupcake

{Honorable mentions}

Whole Foods lamb shaped cupcake although my heart cries every time I bite off the head
Magnolia Bakery vanilla cupcake paired with the banana pudding
Doughboys chocolate cupcake after a bowl of the French Onion soup

If you'd like to indulge in the pretty colors of spring, you're in luck! Lulu's is giving away a $100 gift card! And if you win and end up doing your very own style shoot in front of Sprinkles please let me know so we can add you to the Sprinklettes line up!

{$100 Lulu's Gift Card Giveaway Rules}

1. Follow us on Twitter: @goodbadandfab @kellygolightly @nettevartanian @stilettobeatss
2. Tweet a favorite item from Lulu’s and hashtag #springintolulus
3. Comment on this blog post for each entry
4. Bonus entries for following us on Instagram! (@goodbadandfab)

Open to residents of US and Canada only. Winner will be announced on April 26th.

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style} Staying Power

2013-04-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

T-shirts are a girl's fashion BFF. In terms of upkeep, they're super low maintenance. Just toss them in the washer and go. They mold to your body shape which means they're always flattering you. They'll go everywhere with you unlike your fair weathered friends like Leather Pants and Fur Vest. And, they don't get jealous when you want to play with others as they're okay with being layered and covered up. I guess that's why I've always had quite the t-shirt collection. I recently added to that collection with several premium tees from Old Navy as they currently have an amazing selection of modern fit brightly colored tees. I raided the store and went home with a few new bffs.

I've paired my Old Navy striped modern fit tee with a Charlotte Russe varsity jacket and my skirt from my cheerleading days at Arcadia High. As a cheerleader, we cheered at all the varsity football games while standing on our stools with our megaphones and pom poms. Every time the team did something cool, we'd hop off and do a little cheer. I never knew what was going on in the game as I was always too busy checking out the football players or turning around to wave to my friends in the stands. At the risk of sounding redundant, I was a clueless cheerleader.

There was one particular football player I had my eyes on. I think he was a tight end. He always warmed up in his varsity jacket before the games and I would think about how perfect it would be to date him and walk down the halls of J Building wearing his jacket. We would be a teen romantic comedy like She's all That or Varsity Blues! Eventually, we did date. And one day, the movie moment came to life. We were walking to the field together when he took off his jacket and put it on me. Immediately, a wave of disappointment came over me as I realized the jacket was ten sizes too big and I looked like a munchkin waddling in leather and wool. We broke up shortly thereafter. And no, it wasn't because I couldn't play out our Amy Smart and James Van der Beek roles. That relationship ended up having less staying power than the one I have with my tees.

This post is sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy's latest fashion lineup in store or online at oldnavy.com.

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Life} Coachella 2013 Moments

2013-04-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

It's the final day of Coachella and I've living and loving every music festival moment! Here are a few of my weekend highlights.

{fashion trends}

hats

crop tops

shorts

maxi skirts

{parties}

BCBG x Benefit Cosmetics Beauty Bungalow. Amazing private estate, amazing desert view.

with my Benefit Cosmetics beauty gurus

and Cuit, my BCBG main squeeze!

loungin' poolside before a Lulus photo shoot

the lake, the paddle boat, the Moroccan picnic setup at the H&M Coachella party

Santigold's amazing performance at the H&M party

sunbathing at the Stylecaster x UGG Australia backyard bbq

cabana poolside people watching at the Lacoste L!ve party

with my LA blogger girls at the True Religion x Flaunt Magazine brunch

{music}

the Coachella ferris wheel

music festival outfit in Lulu's and Shoedazzle

mind blowing Fedde le Grand set

R. Kelly's surprise guest performance as Phoenix closed out Coachella Day 2

The xx...my new fav. Their voices melted me from the inside

standing next to Coachella road kill

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Travel} Coachella Weekend Besties

2013-04-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

I'm officially at Coachella! The first day has been amazing so far and I can't wait to share every Coachella moment with you so follow me and four other LA fashion bloggers on our Lulu's Coachella desert adventure! I'll be posting all the action on twitter and instagram with the hashtag #LULUSatcoachella.

Here are a few of my "I can't live without" items I took with me to Coachella.

Best of the best: Magid floppy sun hat | Jose Eber trio styling tool | ASOS tiger head chain | Heidi Merrick printed scarf | Rebecca Minkoff "M.A.C" clutch| Karen Kane printed maxi dress | Soludos espadrille flats | Chanel Illusion D'Ombre cream eyeshadow | Stila "Carina" Stay All Day Liquid lipstick | Wet n Wild cream eyeliner | Sunblock | Wet n Wild "Reserve My Cabana" Highlighter | Puffs Tissues | Hydrating Mist | Hello Kitty Water Bottle | Anthropologie perfume | EOS hand lotion | Dita "Taxon" sunglasses

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style} Three Outfits, Two Gorjana Pieces, One Coachella Day

2013-04-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Coachella is finally here! This weekend is going to be crazy stupid amazing. With multiple daily stops at intimate lunches, sun kissed pool parties, all night ragers, and the actual music festival, I need blinging jewelry that's versatile enough to compliment multiple outfit changes. My Gorjana Griffin "Laurel" bangle and "Super Star" necklace fit my Coachella festival style needs. The chiseled bangle is beautiful in its simplicity yet stunning enough to wear by itself while the starry necklace delicately floats on my collarbone with whimsy and charm. These two beauties are going to take center stage at the festival and shine.

For an intimate brunch with my friends at True Religion and Flaunt Magazine, I''ll be pairing the necklace and bangle with a navy lace Topshop shirt, True Religion "Joey" fuschia ombre shorts, Shoedazzle floral wedges, and my Rebecca Minkoff "M.A.C" purse/clutch. And of course, I'm bringing along my Hello Kitty water bottle for safety. I'm in the middle of the desert!

In the afternoon, I'll be zigzagging between the BCBG Beauty Style Lounge, the BCBGENERATION party, and maybe the Lacoste Pool Party if I'm over the top ambitious. With all three events taking place near pools, I plan on baring it all (some) in my Topshop floral swimsuit worn underneath my Milk The Goat "La Jolla" lace dress. The outfit will double as PJS as I do plan on taking an afternoon nap at one of the parties. Hopefully I can find a hammock or even a bed of towels. A floral wreath courtesy of C&C California compliments the ethereal bohemian look.

My third outfit isn't quite neon but I plan on wearing it to the Neon Carnival anyway. After all, wearing blatant neon to a neon party seems like such a cliche. Even though it'll be at night, I feel naked at Coachella without some sort of head adornment (the ultimate cliche). I turned my Milk the Goat romper into a bodysuit tucked into bright navy wide leg pants topped with a simple H&M floppy sun hat.

See you in Indio! Follow my Coachella madness on twitter & instagram

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style} My Dream Lawyer Power Suit

2013-04-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

My black and white sleeveless pantsuit from T.J. Maxx is my dream courtroom outfit. The tailoring is crisp, modern, and chic and instantly makes the wearer look sharp and put together. The length of the pants require six inch heels which puts me in giant Asian girl territory. A sharply dressed Asian female giant spewing out legal jargon? Definitely a triple threat.

I never understood why lawyers wear boxy gray and black suits to court. It's a cultural mandate that absolutely bores me to no end. Yes, it's important to cover up private areas out of deference to the judiciary and the judicial system. But dressing conservatively doesn't equate to a total banishment of style. Why not add a pop of color to the suit with a neon scarf? Or take power lawyer to the next level with some gold jewelry? I believe judges would appreciate a little color or bling in the otherwise monotonous courtroom. I've seen judges fall asleep on the bench. Not all trials are Law & Order riveting.

On my very first court appearance, I showed up wearing a cherry red pantsuit. And I lived to tell the tale. Yes, I got a lot of glares. And fine, technically I wasn't an attorney yet-just a clueless intern at the city attorney's office observing my first trial. Two days laterw, I got reprimanded for disobeying the dress code. The red suit was just one piece of the problem. There was also the neon orange knit top paired with a short and flouncy floral skirt. And the yellow sweater incident. As I sat there in my supervisor's office listening to her explain why colors are too risque for court, I realized I could never be a prosecutor. It's just too much style-aucracy to overcome for a rebel lawyer with a style cause.

{GBF Life + Style + Travel} A New York Date with Boohoo

2013-04-10T10:56:00.002-07:00

A few weeks ago, UK-based fashion retail site boohoo threw a fabulous launch party in New York to celebrate their US expansion and invited me to come along for the the ride. They took over an old fire station near Chinatown and transformed it into infamous Hacienda Nightclub (England's version of Studio 54). For the momentously fabulous occasion, I wanted to wear my new Keepsake aqua graphic print peplum dress from beauxx. However, the first day of spring in NYC felt more like arctic winter as temperatures were in the low 30s and the windshield factor was "bad hair day" strong. But I was a girl on a fashion mission. So I layered, and layered so more, and gave my dress a proper NYC debut.

I arrive in New York on a sunny and crispy Wednesday morning. At baggage claim, a Men in Black suited Jose with a J.Wu sign marked in bold Sharpie immediately catch my eye. We walk across the street to his car where the rich aroma of morning coffee permeates the interior. We pass by familiar signs-the Van Wyck Tunnel, the Queens Long Island Expressway. I put my phone away as it's still impolitely early to call or text anybody. So I soak up the joy of doing and thinking about absolutely nothing. Nowadays these moments are fleeting and rare and deserve to be cherished as I would a pair of McQueen stilettos. Soon, dense buildings and towering skyscrapers sweep into my line of vision. As we pull up to The Dream Hotel in Chelsea/Meatpacking, I let out a deep sigh. The city never fails to take my breath away.

Since I didn't sleep a wink on the red eye flight, the smart thing to do would be to nap after checking in. But I'm not tired. I'm never tired when I'm in New York so I never sleep. The energy of the city pulsates and reverberates into the inner core of my being lifting me to Red Bull winged heights. I go for a walk, my favorite NYC pastime And of course, precision shopping somehow sneaks its way into the wandering. My credit card gets conquered at Theory, La Perla, and Ted Baker and just as I'm about to admit defeat at Scoop NYC, I get a call from boohoo. A late lunch at The Chelsea Market? Can't wait.

Over lunch, I develop an infatuation with boohoo's social media director. She's talkative, animated, passionate, and compassionate. Aside from discussing the merits of Lindsay Lohan's acting chops, we talk about boohoo and its origins. It was started a few years ago by two business owners already heavily involved in the UK fashion industry. Their vision was to create a fashion site inspired by music, culture, and people. Boohoo offers an amazing selection of trendy apparel and accessories primarily because they are so in tune with street style and pop culture. She shows me a Youtube video made at their Manchester office a few weeks ago. The entire company partakes in some Harlem Shaking. So cool.

Then we're off to their midtown showroom to check out the spring/summer collections. At first, I'm polite. I gingerly browse the pieces. Then, my eyes starts dilating and my hands get itchy. The pieces are too damn cute to resist. I take them off the hangers, strip down, and put on boohoo in the middle of the showroom. Did you know overalls are called "dungarees" in the UK?

A late dinner at Buddakkan nibbling on spare ribs, pork belly, scallops, and rock shrimp sends my first night in NYC into the early morning. I get back to the hotel, start working, and finally fall asleep at 2am, Cali time.

I woke up a few hours later for a quick workout before heading out for a day of boohoo festivities and to prepare for the big party. And what a party! The space looked absolutely amazing and was packed with friends and celebrities. With libations flowing and the original DJ from The Hacienda spinning, it was impossible not to dance all night. The next morning, I flew back to LA with boohoo and NYC on my mind and in my heart.

{The Dream Hotel}

{NY outfits}

{fabulous prints}

{perfect festival wear}

{the neon yellow pieces are my favs}

{live fabulously}

{GBF Life + Style + Trends} Crop a Top

2013-04-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

With crop tops and prints on everything being two of the biggest spring 2013 fashion trends, it was only fitting to wear spring trends to the Neiman Marcus spring trends presentation. To combat the risque nature of my Motel Clothing graphic print crop top and matching bandage skirt, I lowered the fashion risk by draping my Isabel Marant cardigan. It's absolutely marvelous how one item of clothing can completely transform the essence of an outfit.

From running in the playground in a red velvet cape in preschool to walking down the halls of law school in blinding magenta colored gaucho pants, I've always been a fashion risk taker. No matter how wild or bold the trend, I'm willing to try anything once. However, when it comes to crop tops, I've always been squeamish about baring my stomach. It's just too much work to work the trend! I'd have to suck in my stomach, perfect a perfect posture, wear crazy makeup to face block people from looking at my stomach, and eat air until the top comes off. Too much sacrifice, not enough fashion utility.

However, this Motel top and skirt crops the work while lengthening the style. The top and skirt covers JELLO problem areas while giving a little peek-a-boo to the firmest part of the stomach creating a toned illusion that's flattering enough to flaunt. I'm also mesmerized by the print as staring at it is akin to looking into a kaleidoscope-on acid.

I'm glad I took a risk, cropped the top, and bared it for fashion.

{Motel crop top and bandage skirt}

{Isabel Marant sweater cardigan}

{3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli satchel}

{Missoni pumps}

{Jenny Dayco necklace}

{live fabulously}