beautybitten | a personal style & beauty blog

It's Always Sunny... in Palm Springs

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:42:00 +0000

1. Rag & Bone, hat; 2. Ray-Ban, sunnies; 3. Deborah Lipman, nailpolish; 4, Equipment, button-down; 5. Rag & Bone, shorts; 6. ASOS, rings; 7. Proenza Schouler, satchel; 8. TopShop, shoes

I'm so excited for this weekend! I know it's only Wednesday, but my mind is already wandering to Palm Springs. It'll be my first time there ever. Almost every Memorial Day Weekend has been spent somewhere in Vegas. I told myself to limit the Vegas trips and try to go to other places I've never been. So the boyfriend booked a hotel for the weekend, and we'll be on our merry way to this giant oasis in the middle of no where.

I still need to pack, but I can't wait to relax, do nothing, bask under the sun, and drink some adult juice while the rest of LA experience a low 70 degree weather... not even cold enough to go to the beach.

My luggage will probably have one outfit that looks something like this. What better place to wear a wide brim fedora other than Palm Springs. I will definitely have my Zara hat in tow. And Equipment blouses are quickly becoming an obsession. Their shirt is just so damn soft. As far as bag goes, I currently have my eyes on the PS11 or PS1. It changes depending on my mood. Lastly, I can't believe that I found something similar to the shoes I previously pinned here. I haven't been into cut-out shoes lately, up until I saw some hybrid looking ones, and these Topshop shoes are close enough for me. Too bad they're out of my size.

So, what's are your plans for the long weekend? Fortunately, my weekend some what starts tomorrow! But I'll be in class for Beauty Lab at the new Youtube Space in Venice. It's a whole day shenanigan with other beauty/fashion Youtubers, and I'm really excited!

Review: ZARA Mid-Heel Sandals with Ankle Straps in White and Tan

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:51:00 +0000

ZARA Mid-Heel Sandals (Spring/Summer '13) (link)
Reference No: 1509/201

Price: $49.90 USD
Heels: 3.35 inches Also available in black.

I received a number or questions about these shoes on my Instagram, after posting a quick preview of my ZARA shoe haul. I figured that I might as well dedicate a post on it since some of you have expressed interest in it.

Outfit #1: Shirt: Joe's Jeans | Pants: Joe's Jeans (similar) | Hat: Zara (similar)

Outfit #2: Top: Forever 21 | Shorts: H&M | Clutch: DIY

Since Spring decided to drop by early for us, I'm lucky enough to be able to wear open toe shoes in March. I've worn these shoes a handful of times (as seen in my Instagram mirror shots), so I've had the chance to know the wear and feel of these shoes.

Comfort: The shoes were semi-comfortable. The chunky heels give the sandals a lot of support and the strap keeps your feet in place which makes walking a little easier, and it also helps that the heels are not that high. I was able to walk in these sandals without worrying about my ankles rolling if I ever step on a crack. Since the shoes don't have any platform in front, I wouldn't recommend wearing these for a long period of time or if you'll have to do some extensive walking. The ball of your heel will definitely feel it. I'd suggest to add some insoles for the ball of your feet for additional comfort. I didn't experience any blistering on the front strap of the sandal, but it did feel uncomfortable after walking in it for too long. I'm hoping that maybe after the sandals have been broken-in, the strap will feel a little bit more comfortable overtime. I did walk about half a mile in these shoes on the streets of LA, and I'll say that these shoes are definitely not meant for that. By the last step, the ball of my feet wanted to kick me in the face.

Quality: The shoes are made out of 100% Polyurethane (faux-leather) with rubber insoles. I've had good experiences with ZARA shoes' quality which is why I mostly buy my shoes there. My only gripe would probably be the strap on top of your foot since it's a little stiff. I love the design of the shoes especially with the ankle strap to help keep the sandals in place. I've walked these shoes in concrete and I didn't see any wear or tear in them yet. The heels are holding up nicely and the white strap of the sandals has remained white.

Fit: Fits true to size. Unfortunately, these shoes are only available in sizes 6-10 (including half-sizes for size 6 and 7).

Overall Thoughts: When I first saw this pair, I was more drawn to the aesthetics and less concern about the comfort. The shoes are not unbearable uncomfortable, but they're not the most comfortable shoes in the world either. They'll probably feel better if you're walking around in carpet floors (in an office space or parts of the mall) than spend a whole day shopping in it. I'm really into ankle strapped sandals right now and the minimalistic look. They're a great pair to wear with either shorts or rolled up/cuffed jeans for a polished yet casual look.

Pin With Me - pinterest.com/beautybitten

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:35:00 +0000

Come join the dark side, and pin with me!

I've had my Pinterest account for quite some time now, but I never really knew what to do with it. It was only until recently when my brain had some sort of revelation.

Pinterest has been a great way for me to organize all my internet finds. It's genius, really. Whether it's some recipe, an inspiration, or an item I potentially want to buy, all the pretty images are nicely tucked away in their respective boards. I don't have to figure out where I saw that one thing.

So I've listed below what boards I currently have up on my Pinterest. Follow one or all of them! Hopefully, you'll find some sort of inspiration in one or some of them.

beautybitten on Pinterest:

1. My Style | beautybitten: For previous outfit posts on my blog. It's an easy way to go through my previous lookbooks that I've posted.

2. Youtube | beautybitten: My YouTube videos which includes hauls, favorites videos, styling videos, tags, and other shenanigans I may come up with.

3. DIY | beautybitten: Ok, it's not much on here... yet. But I'm when I am feeling crafty, you'll find my DIY tutorials here whether it's a video or a step-by-step picture instruction.

4. Wishlist: You know, just in case the universe grants me my wish to win the lottery. A girl can dream. But lottery or not, you'll find what I'm highly coveting in here. I just have to get them one by one. Or you know, for my parents or friends... just in case they can't figure out what to get me kekeke.

5. Lionel Bean: This is dedicated to the cutest puppy that I love. Because this guy is such a character, and he's too adorable to not be shared to the world.

6. Virtual Closet: Take a peek into my closet. Well, some of the things that are currently in my closet and what I currently want in my closet (clothes-wise). Yea, I know, everything is mixed up... just like my RL closet. But get a feel of how I'm curating my wardrobe right now.

7. Jewelry Box: Pretty trinkets for your arm party or ring party. Jewelry and sunglasses are a good way to finish and polish a look. There is no such thing of having too many.

8. Bags & Clutches: If I can be one type of lady, I would be a 'Bag Lady'.

9. Happy Feet: You can never have too many shoes! It's really one of my weaknesses.

10. Spring Fling: Outfit inspirations from editorials, bloggers, or magazine spread for spring.

11. Spring/Summer Cheap Thrills: Clothing items and accessories under $100 for this spring and summer seasons. Think of it as going shopping with me... things you'll probably see me grab at the store.

12. 500 Days of Summer: Outfit inspirations from editorials, bloggers, or magazine spread for summer. Obviously, I would also name this board after one of my favorite movies. Take a wild guess ;).

13. Fall on Me: Outfit inspirations for my favorite season from editorials, bloggers, or magazine spreads.

14. Winter Wonderland: ... is currently empty. I'll fill it up once it starts getting colder. I'm still enjoying the nice warm climate we're having right now. But here is where you'll find my outfit inspirations from editorials, bloggers, or magazine spreads for winter season.

15. Nail'd It: Whether it's a nail polish swatch or some crazy nail art design.

16. Mane Thing: All about hair.

17. Foodie Adventures | @yummiebitez: Because I like to eat, and take pictures of my food. And hey, it's also to your benefit because you can see what I ate in a certain restaurant in case you find yourself there. Or, you might learn about a new you place you might want to try later.

18. Red Carpet: My favorite red carpet looks from various events and awards shows.

19. Red Carpet - Makeup: My favorite red carpet makeup looks from various events and award shows.

20. Make Me Up: Crazy to simple makeup to help me get inspired to use my makeup stash.

21. Men-spiration: Sometimes, you need a man's touch... when it comes to your outfit. I love adding masculine elements into my outfits. And what better way to do it is by looking at what the men are wearing. They might just have something up their sleeves (no pun intended).

22. Home Decor: What I wish my place looks like. But for now, I can just get inspired from various home decors from some random strangers' houses. It's the best (and maybe the only way) to get a peek of someone else's house without being creepy. But really, I do wonder what people have or how they decorate their homes.

23. Places to See: I'm hoping to cross some of the places pinned here before I die. There's just so much more beauty in the world to see. Another thing I would do if I win the lottery, travel and see the world. I mean, there's so much more than just going to Vegas for the weekend.

24. Yummy Bites: Yes, I know. Now you can make the food I make and post on Instagram! I'm always being asked for recipes for food that I make. Well, here you go! I've also pinned some of the recipes here that I want to make in the future. No more recipe print-outs.

25. LOLZ: Sometimes we need a laugh, and there are just way too many witty eCards to remember.

26. Ermahgerd Puppies!: Because puppies are cute. Duh.

27. Food For Thought: Quotes to keep in mind. In case we need a little pick-me-up or a positive saying to keep us going.

And there you have it folks! These are the boards that I currently have on Pinterest. Make sure to follow me in case I add a new one! I hope this gives you an idea of what you can expect when you see me on your feed.

Also, if you haven't noticed the changes on my newly revamped blog, I've added a 'Pin It' button on my blog images for easy pinning.

Lookbook: Polka Dots

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:05:00 +0000

I still have a few or maybe this might be the last batch of pictures when I had my long hair. Sometimes looking at old blog pictures, and especially this batch, makes me miss my hair. But I think about the times I save time getting ready when it comes to fixing my hair, then I change my mind. Either way, hair grows.

But one thing for sure is that after two years, I think I'm over my ombre hair. It's been a great accessory, and I loved being partially blonde. It's time for my next hair appointment. Sadly, it won't be until July since my favorite stylist is totally booked right now. Although I have met with my other old stylist, and after that appointment I wish that I just waited. I guess that's what I get for being impulsive and impatient. Again, hair grows.

Photos by JMichael.LA

Shirt | from Santee Alley (last seen here)

Bralette | Brandy Melville

Necklace and Sunglasses | H&M

Shorts | Necessary Clothing (last seen here)

Boots | Zara (similar here)

Bag | Gucci

I've been trying this thing lately called shopping my closet. I was doing pretty good until a few weeks ago when I fell off that wagon. Browsing Zara can be dangerous sometimes, and there's really no such thing as browsing. Oh wells. I can't wait til they get to my doorstep! I'm due for a haul video on my Youtube channel. So make sure to subscribe to see what are my latest additions to my closet. Or you can also follow me on Pinterest and pin my favorite pieces with me!

Instagram Mondays | May 9 to 19, 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:40:00 +0000

Here's a quick round-up of what I've been snapping on Instagram last week. Follow me: @yummiebitez.

1. The aftermath after filming my What's In My Bag tag

2. Bread pudding from Pete's Bar & Cafe in Downtown Los Angeles... amazingggg.

3. The most tender chicken I've ever had in my life. It fell right off the bone... mind blown! Corn bread French toast with fried chicken for brunch at KTCHN at The Gorbals in Downtown LA.

4. Sipping on a super rich hot chocolate drink (Lavender Liquid Chocolate with Flame-Kissed Giant Marshmallow) for a quick break from this cute cafe in Little Tokyo called Cafe Demitasse.

5. To the best person I know. Mother's Day brunch with my family at Firenze Osteria.

6. I've been seriously having major cravings for this ice cream! It's so addicting and definite my favorite ice cream hands down.

7. My little watch dog... watching me... creepily.

8. Ramen is always a good idea. One of my favorite ramen spots (Shin Sen Gumi in Little Tokyo).

9. Big Sur Pizza (shrimp, tomato, and basil) with strawberry pineapple lemonade from Pitfire Pizza in Downtown LA.

10. Ended up at Bar Ama after disappointingly finding out that there was an hour wait at Baco Mercat at 9PM.

11. OMG... the best pie I've ever had in life from The Pie Hole (Arts District in DTLA). I'm definitely a pie convert after this. Had the Earl Grey Tea pie with some Horchatta Latte to wash it down.

12. Sunday Funday outfit of the day: tank: Maison Scotch x Marie (from Madison); shorts: Joe's Jeans; body chain: Vanessa Mooney; cardigan: H&M; boots: Forever 21; and bag: Rebecca Minkoff (similar)

Lookbook: Floral Mesh

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:58:00 +0000

Photos by JMichael. LA

Suede Moto Jacket: H&M

Floral mesh top: Jason Wu x Target

Waxy pants: Armani Exchange

Basic Sandal: ZARA (similar here)

Envelope Clutch: ZARA

Necklace: JewelMint in "High Noon"

Looking at these pictures makes me miss my long hair. As you all know (or may not know), I've recently chopped off my hair. I'd say about six inches of hair fell on that salon floor. I've had this hair for more than two years now, and it's also the longest my hair has ever been... in life. I always have an itch to change my hair come around spring or summer time.

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Rose Denim Cut-Offs

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:40:00 +0000

Photos by JMichael.LA

Striped shirt: H&M (similar here)

Rose denim cut-offs: ZARA

Parka jacket: H&M

Bracelets: JewelMint in 'Mumbai'

Necklaces: JewelMint in 'High Noon' (recently worn here) and 'Lunar Blue' (invite) (also worn here)

Wide brim fedora with pin studs: ZARA

Bag: Balenciaga (recently worn here and here)

Boots: ZARA

Things I wear too much: 1) this hat; 2) that jacket, and 3) this bag. I always seem to grab these three items when I'm getting ready to head out. You may have also noticed it on my Instagram pictures that I'm wearing at least one of them.

This was what I wore for the Blogger Bazaar that happened a few weekends ago. Although my jacket was thin enough for a mild chilly weather, it became too hot for me to wear once we were inside the warehouse. Although it seemed like it happened many moons ago, the event had such a great turn out! It's always nice to see everyone in one roof.

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

DIY: Clear Envelope Clutch

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 02:34:00 +0000

Photo by JMichael.LA

I've recently taken into liking clear clutches as I browsed my favorite blogs. They just make a great accessory to any outfit especially for this spring and summer seasons. I like how you can showcase your pretty little things, and it may actually help you keep your clutch clutter into a minimum. So I've decided to do my own spin on this current trend. This is probably the easiest DIY I've ever done. It took me less that 20 minutes to create my own clear envelope clutch! I've adapted some of the steps from one of my favorite DIY blogs, A Pair and A Spare.

Check out my other inspirations for this DIY:

Photo Cred: 1. Damsel in Dior | 2. Minusey | 3. Unknown | 4. A Pair and A Spare | 5. This Time Tomorrow

As far as the pattern goes, I was inspired by the Givenchy Antigona clutch. I just liked the idea of inserting the flap into a slit. Since the clutch is made out of vinyl, it helps that the vinyl just clings to each other. Just make sure not to drop your clutch haha. But I did show another option where you can simply attach a magnetic snap to the clutch to make it more secure.

Pattern

* Pattern shown is not the actual size. It's a guide to what the measurements I used to make the clutch.

Watch the video:

Hope you enjoyed this DIY tutorial. Feel free to share your creations by tagging me on Twitter or on Instagram!

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Ombre Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:58:00 +0000

Photos by JMichael.LA

Ombre from head to toe. I still have a few backlogged outfit pictures with my long hair. If you follow me on Instagram, I chopped off some of my hair. I was getting a little tired of the length and wanted change for this summer. I actually love the length of my hair now, and found it more manageable in the morning when getting ready. I'm also eventually going to color my hair with a solid color. I think it's about time for me to say good-bye to my ombre. We had a good two year run already.

Ombre dress: Lamb and Flag

Jacket: BB Dakota

Bag: Balenciaga

'Rodeo Drive' bracelet: JewelMint

'High Noon' necklace: JewelMint

Studded wrap bracelet: Brandy Melville

Ankle boots: H&M

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Mint Green Jeans + Lace

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 07:43:00 +0000

Photography | JMichael.LA

Watch video here:

Here's the second outfit from my video How I Wore My: Mint Green Pants (see first outfit here). For the longest time, I couldn't figure out how to wear this mint green lace top, but I felt the need to buy it when I saw it at Zara. It sat in my closet for a months, and now it's finally making it's first appearance. I love mixing feminine pieces with something edgy, for example the black contrasting the mint color.

Bowler hat: H&M

Mint lace top: Zara

Mint green skinny jeans: Lamb and Flag

Bag: Balenciaga

Studded boots: Forever 21

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Red Beanie

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:56:00 +0000

Photography | JMichael.LA

I've had this dress for almost four years now! I remember buying it in 2009 at H&M in San Diego before having a night out in the Gaslamp District. I was 22 then. This is still my favorite bodycon dress that I own right now. I'm not sure if it's because it was the first one that ever fit me like a glove, or the memories I've had with this dress. I'm just glad it still fits to this day.

And chilly days calls for chunky knit sweaters. I love the asymmetrical cut on this Zara knit sweater. And if I'm not wearing a hat, I'm wearing a beanie which is why I'm not really looking forward to summer. I won't be able to wear my beanies. Must take advantage of this mild spring season.

By the way, I do have an extra pair of these earrings. If any of you are interested in these or something from my closet, check me out on Poshmark (username: beautybitten). If you use code "HICCQ", we'll both get a $5 credit.

Burgundy beanie: Urban Outfitters
Denim bodycon dress: H&M
Asymmetrical chunky knit sweater: Zara
Platform Boots (Litas): Jefferey Campbell
Cleopatra Reborn Earrings: JewelMint (invite)

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Day to Night

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:46:00 +0000

Daytime

Nighttime

Happy April Fool's Day! Not that today is considered a holiday, but we'll acknowledge it.

This past weekend was spent in a relaxing way as this week was going to be a crazy work week for me. I definitely took advantage of just lounging around, eating delicious food, and watching movies. Finally saw The Perks of Being a Wallflower on Blu-ray. I had no idea how sad and disturbing the storyline was. I haven't read the book, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I still enjoyed the movie though.

On Saturday, we made a conscious effort to get up early since we tend to sleep in over the weekend. The boyfriend and I went to brunch at Blu Jam Café on Melrose. I've finally tried their famous Crunchy French Toast. The only other place I would eat French Toast is at Square One Dining in Silverlake. I can't say one is better than the other since they're both different, but they're both delicious in their own ways.

After brunch, we headed back with a really bad food coma. I was planning on having a productive day, but instead, I ended up taking a nice long nap. I decided to change my top with this black t-shirt instead since it got so warm towards the middle of the day. Then I woke up hungry again and decided to get some snacks, aka ice cream, at Scoops. I swear all we seem to do is eat, but I don't really mind haha.

We took a stroll around the area as we noticed that they had some cool graffiti art on the wall. And this wall definitely got our attention because of its vibrant colors. Not to mention, it also had Catwoman in it too. We just thought that this background was a nice contrast on my monochromatic outfit.

As as the sun had set, I changed up my outfit by making it nighttime appropriate and glamming it up a bit with some heels on. It's amazing how a few tweaks with your accessory and shoes can change the whole look of your outfit.

If you guys ever find yourself at the Grove, try to go up to the rooftop parking lot which is the employee parking lot. I never realized how amazing the view is up there. It was a little cloudy and smoggy when we came up there, but the view was breathtaking nonetheless. I can only imagine how much better it would be on a clear day. You have a view of the Hollywood sign, Downtown LA, and Century City all in one spot.

Photography by JMichael.LA

Not sure if you notice though, but these are currently my favorite shorts! I bought them at Necessary Clothing back in October when we went to New York, and I've been in love with them since. I've worn these previously as seen on this post.

So I wonder, what would you do you usually wear to help transition your daytime outfit to a nighttime outfit?

Outfit #1: Daytime

Black tee: Calvin Klein

Destroyed cut-off denim shorts: Necessary Clothing (Similar from ShopBop or Forever21)

Buckled ankle boots: Zara (Similar from ASOS - also comes in beige)

Bowler hat: H&M (Similar from UO, FreePeople, or TopShop)

Black Monogram Canvas Mini Pochette: Gucci (just added a shoulder strap from another bag)

Necklace: H&M

Outfit #2: Nighttime

Black tee: Calvin Klein

Destroyed cut-off denim shorts: Necessary Clothing (Similar from ShopBop or Forever21)

Cream cropped blazer: H&M (Similar from Forever21)

Studded clutch: Unknown (Similar from NastyGal or ASOS)

Basic ankle sandals: Zara (Similar from Steve Madden or ASOS)

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Mint Green Skinnies

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 04:51:00 +0000

I'm finally some what getting in the groove of things. I just kinda finished editing my upcoming look book video for YouTube which I'm hoping to post by tomorrow. Well actually, my boyfriend was kind enough to do it for me. So awesome.

So this one of the looks in the video. I have two more outfits wearing these pants, so don't get sick of them yet.

I've been really loving these skinnies from Lamb and Flag. They're so stretchy and so comfortable. And the length is perfect for my petite size. And, I'm not sure if it's because it's officially spring here in LA that's making me want to wear these almost everyday, but whenever I'm getting ready to get dressed, my eyes gravitate to these pants.

As you may all know (or not know), mint is one of my favorite colors, next to pink. It all started with my first bottle of mint nail polish, Essie Mint Candy Apple. Ever since then, I feel the need to own every mint nail polish made even though they only vary slightly in tone. It just looks so pretty.

I've also been into men's wear lately whether it's inspired or borrowing the boyfriend's clothes. Fortunately, this v-neck hoodie has shrunk and it fits me nicely. It's a little bit loose and baggy, but that's how I've been liking my clothes lately.

And, I finally bought my yearly Valentine's Day present for myself. I got it a month late since I couldn't decide which bag to get. Last year, I fell in love with a Chanel tote, and this year I decided to go with the Balenciaga Arena Giant 12 Gold Town. I realized that I didn't have a black and gold bag yet, and I just really fell in love with the shape, hardware, and everything about this bag.

Photography by JMichael.LA

White v-neck hoodie: ZARA Men

Mint green skinny jeans: Lamb and Flag (find similar on Hudson)

Studded leopard print flats: ZARA

Arena Giant 12 Gold Town: Balenciaga

Gold large runway watch: Michael Kors (find similar on Amazon or Saks)

Nail polish: Covergirl Outlast in Snow Storm

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Floral Shorts and "Band" Tee

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 04:26:00 +0000

Hello floral shorts. We meet again.

These shorts might look a little familiar to you already since I've worn it previously in this post. I try to maximize most of my pieces in my closet by mixing and matching. Although I can't really say that this is a completely different look than my last one, I feel this would be something I would wear if I were to go again to a John Legend concert in the spring or summer time.

I really like how these shorts have a little bit more of a relaxed and loose fit so I can dance my ~~pants~~ shorts off ;). This could also be a good outfit for summer music festivals such as Coachella!

I just realized that my nails actually somewhat match the colors on my necklace. I really love pairing turquoise and nude together with some gold accents. I guess it's because it kind of reminds me of the little blue box from Tiffany.

Photography by JMichael.LA

And the weekend is almost over once again, and it's back to work in the morning. But I am glad that I do have the weekend to be able to dress how ever I want.

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

John Legend Concert tee

Floral shorts: (old) Forever 21 (find similar on ASOS )

Messenger bag and faux fur tail keychain: H&M

Buckled ankle boots: Zara

Karma Necklace: Dogeared

Lunar Blue Necklace: JewelMint (click for here my link)

Ritz tortoise watch: Michael Kors

On my nails: H&M nailpolish in Nerd; CoverGirl nailpolish in Mint Mojito; and Milani Nail Jewel in Gold.

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Chambray and Leather

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:56:00 +0000

I've been into no fuss dressing lately, and have been keeping it simple especially with jewelry.

Here's what I wore to the Sigma VIP party back in January.

This might have been the second time (or first time??) that I didn't go to IMATS. I remember when I first went to IMATS, there were barely any people who attended. The second time around, it caught more buzz that there was actually a line outside to get into the hall. So I can only imagine how much bigger it was now.

Even though I didn't get the chance to check out IMATS this year, I was glad to be invited again and attend the Sigma VIP party for the second time. The Sigma team put together a nice event for the YouTube beauty community to just mingle. It's always nice to see everyone in the same room to catch up and finally meet some people I've "met" online. Thank you Sigma for bringing everyone together again in one spot!

Chambray button-down blouse: Unknown (similar from Macy's)

Faux-leather A-line skirt: Kaitlyn (similar from UO and Topshop)

Patent leather wrap bracelet: Tory Burch (find here)

Earrings: H&M

Ankle strap sandals: Zara

Quilted tote bag: Chanel

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Spiked Wide Brim Fedora Hat

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:25:00 +0000

O hai. Long time no post... again. I guess this is my official post for 2013! I hope everyone had a great start to the new year.

I know it seems like I have been dead in the blogging world since my updates have been very sporadic, but I'm very much alive on Instagram and Twitter. I haven't been posting too much on my blog just because most of my outfits have been mirror shots posted on Instagram. The good thing about Instagram is it's easy to use, and it already has preset filters. It's also easier to take mirror shots (or selfies), and share your pictures in real time. But, your writing space is very limited, so any details to an outfit might be left behind. Nonetheless, I still find myself often updating it more than once everyday. I also find it more interactive since it's much easier to respond to everyone.

So you might be wondering, how can I possibly be wearing this outfit in the middle of winter season. For the past few days, we have been blessed with some amazing high 70 degree weather in January, and at one point, it went up to as high as 80 something degrees. AMAZING. This is why I love Los Angeles. We can take out our shorts in the middle of winter season while everyone else is bundled up in the cold. Yes, we complain once the temperature dips down to anything lower than 50 degrees, which happened a few weeks ago, but California is called the sunny state for a reason. We probably looked like a bunch of crazies to the east coasters for whining about the "cold" weather.

One thing about being a tad bit colder is I can wear my beanies and hats. I've been particularly smitten over my Zara spiked wide brim fedora hat. I love this hat so much that I wish I can wear it everyday. I always get complimented on how cool this hat is whenever I'm out. I really love the spike detail on the hat because it gives an extra edge to any outfit. I may or may not love this hat since it also sort of reminds me of the hat that Walt wears in Breaking Bad. I mean it's only the best show, ever.

Oh, and I'm wondering, where do you usually find your outfit inspirations? Is it by browsing blogs, Instagram, Pinterest, or some other way?

Andddd, I'd like to thank my favorite person for taking these pictures :).

Button-down blouse: Forever 21

Destroyed cut-off shorts: Necessary Clothing

Patent leather wrap bracelet: Tory Burch (find here)

Karma necklace: Dogeared (find here)

Wide brim fedora hat with pin studs: Zara (find here or splurge similar here and here)

Oxford heels: H&M

Tote bag: Chanel

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Recap: What I Ate #1

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:32:00 +0000

I've been getting a lot of questions about recipes or the stuff I eat that gets posted on Instagram (@yummiebitez). I try to reply to questions as I get them on my comments, but I figured that maybe doing a recap on what I ate on my blog might be a good idea also.

If you guys haven't figured it out yet, I love to eat and cook. I'm lucky that Los Angeles is really diverse when it comes to restaurants. And thanks to Yelp, I've found and tried so many of these great places.

And, ever since I moved out two years ago, I've taught myself how to cook and feed myself. During the first month of my independence, I solely ate microwavable TV dinners. Although it was quick and easy, I started feeling sick and grossed out eating it everyday. Ever since then, I learned to love spending time in my kitchen.

So here are some of the food I ate and made (as shown on my Instagram):

Baked Smoked Salmon Pasta with Spinach, Tomato, and Mushroom

Many of you asked how I made this dish, and honestly, I just threw whatever I had in my fridge. One thing I love about cooking is that you can pretty much just wing it. You can throw whatever in the pan and make it work somehow.

So this recipe might not be that helpful since I didn't really measure what I put in the pan. But hopefully the instructions will give you some idea on how to make it.

Ingredients:
- penne pasta
- half a stick of butter
- two cloves of garlic
- heavy cream
- cherry tomatoes
- mushrooms
- frozen spinach
- ricotta cheese
- parmesan cheese
- smoked salmon

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Boil water and cook your pasta as instructed.
Defrost frozen spinach and pat dry with a towel. Mix spinach with ricotta cheese and parmesan cheese. Set aside in the fridge.
Melt butter in a pan. Once butter has melted, sautee garlic for two minutes. Add mushroom and sautee for about five minutes, then add the cherry tomatoes and heavy cream. Let it simmer in low heat for another five minutes.
Add spinach, ricotta cheese, and parmesan mixture in the pan. Stir and let it simmer in low heat for about ten minutes.
Drain your pasta and put it in a baking dish. Take your sauce and mix it with your pasta. Tear up your smoked salmon and mix it in as well.
Let your pasta bake for about 20 minutes.
Serve :).

Red Velvet Crepes with Bananas and Nutella Cream Filling

Find the recipe here (via Prevention RD).

Parmesan Crusted Sole with Tomato-Basil Cream Sauce

Find the recipe here (via Life's Ambrosia).

** I substituted White Sole fish instead of using Tilapia since that was what I had in the freezer.

Red Velvet Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich

This was definitely a favorite. You guys know my love for macarons, so it's only genius to make it into an ice cream sandwich! I've also tried their Thai Tea macaron ice cream sandwich, and it was equally amazing. My only gripe is that eating this can get pretty messy. I also think this is big enough to share. It's pretty sweet, so I'm totally ok eating half of it (but I ate everything anyway).

Find it here:
MILK
7290 Beverly Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Hope this helps and answer most of your questions! Do you have any recommendations for recipes or good LA eats? Leave them on the comments down below!

Happy Friday!

xo

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Gray Leopard Pants

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:19:00 +0000

If you guys follow me on Instagram (@yummiebitez), then you probably know by now that I kinda sorta just came back from New York. It's been a couple of weeks now since I got back and I'm having New York withdrawals.

I'll be slowly posting the outfits that I wore while I was on my trip as well as a photo blog.

Button-down blouse with studded buttons: H&M (similar here)

Grey leopard pants: H&M (splurge here)

Buckled ankle boots: Dolce Vita by Target (similar here)

Mini MAB bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Patent leather wrap bracelet: Tory Burch

Necklace: Forever 21

Here's one of the outfits I wore in New York. This outfit was definitely perfect during as I took a stroll around Manhattan. The weather was around mid-70s and this pink button down blouse with the stud button was just perfect. And I'm so in love with these grey leopard pants!

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Halloween DIY: Selina Kyle/Catwoman Costume (The Dark Knight Rises) - Mask, Makeup, and Hair

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:28:00 +0000

Halloween is fast approaching! And since this year, it's in the middle of the week, you probably have a Halloween party to attend to this weekend. If you're still looking for a last minute Halloween costume, here's a possible idea for you just in case you don't want to spend a fortune on your costume.

Click after to jump to find out how I recreated Selina Kyle's alter ego, the Catwoman, from the movie The Dark Knight Rises. With a few items from your closet and art supplies, you'll have your costume this year in no time!

Every Halloween, I try to make my costumes every year. And this is probably the easiest costume I've ever made for Halloween. Two years ago, I went as Katy Perry (see my costume here), and it was the most labor intensive costume ever (albeit cute and original at the time). But this year, I decided to go easy on myself as well as utilize what I have in my closet.

I've provided a template below for her mask. It took me about an hour to two hours to do the mask. It really depends on how fast you can stitch :).

Watch my tutorial here:

What I used:
- Felt cloths, one plain and on embossed (I found the embossed felt cloth at Michael's)
- Cardboard
- Thread
- Needle
- Scissors
- Glue (optional)
- Black garter
- Headband
- Mask template (click on the image below, save the file on your folder or desktop, and print):

**Please let me know if the template has been resized. I drew the template on a 8 x 11 grid paper and just scanned it.

Costume:
- Black long sleeves turtle neck
- Liquid leggings (or regular black leggings)
- Wide belt
- Boots

Makeup
Face:
- Urban Decay Naked Foundation in Shade 6.0
- L'Oreal True Match Powder Foundation in W4
- NARS in "Orgasm" blush

Eyes:
- Brows: Urban Decay in "Buck" eyeshadow
- Lids: Urban Decay in "Hustle" eyeshadow
- Highlight: Urban Decay in "Virgin" eyeshadow
- DollyWink liquid eyeliner pen
- Maybelline The Falsies Mascara Volum' Express
- NYX Cosmetics Fabulous Lashes in EL132

Lips:
- NYX Cosmetics lipliner in "Hot Red"
- Wet N Wild lipstick in "Stoplight Red"

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Tweet me or tag me on Instagram (@yummiebitez) me if you decided to go as Catwoman this Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Party or Trick or Treat safely!!

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Chambray + Floral

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 06:58:00 +0000

Fall is in the air. Finally.

Floral print dress: Fashion Q (similar here)

Chambray shirt: Topman (similar here)

Brown ankle boot wedges: Forever 21

Satchel and faux fox tail keychain: H&M

Accessories:

"Oyster" earrings: JewelMint

"Rodeo Drive" bracelet: JewelMint (now on sale for $9.99)

Woven fedora hat: Forever 21

Tortoise watch "Ritz": Michael Kors (similar here)

Gold feather bracelet: Chan Luu (similar here)

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Dalmatian Pants

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 02:33:00 +0000

Hello.

Metallic City T-Shirt: Calvin Klein (on sale)

Dalmatian print slim fit pants: H&M

Quilted Affair Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Black wedges: ASOS

Arrowhead necklace: H&M

Cuff bracelet: Tory Burch

Pyramid bracelet: J.Crew

Carribean sunglasses: Ray Ban

Lipstick in "Coral": Revlon

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Neon Yellow Pants

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:18:00 +0000

Oh haiiii...

And an update!

I finally replaced my stolen Canon s95. It was seriously my favorite point and shoot camera that I kept stalking Craigslist to see if anyone from my area was selling it second-hand. I tried to look for other cameras that's comparable to it, but alas, I didn't really like anything. So I was pretty stoked to finally find one in really good condition.

Asymetrical Knitted Slouchy Sweater: Lamb x Flag (find similar here)

Neon Yellow Skinny Jeans: Romeo & Juliet Couture

Tortoise watch: Michael Kors

Skull bracelet: Brandy Melville (find similar here)

Studded combat boots: Forever 21 (old) (find similar here)

Photo credit: Crystal

So Crystal and I met up today at Waterloo & City in Culver City for dinner to do dineLA. We both have never been to this restaurant, and we were excited to eat after seeing the dineLA menu.

Long story short, we left really happy and satisfied with our food. It was such a cute gastropub, but also has that romantic ambiance which makes a good date spot.

So after dinner, the only typical thing to do was take picture of our outfits, hence the outfit of the day post. After minutes of taking plenty of pictures, we headed back to the front of the restaurant. And then... we ran into Gwyneth Paltrow and Naya Rivera!! I saw Naya first, and the first thing I thought was "OMG GLEE!!!". And Crystal was the one who spotted Gwyneth. Team work!

We were debating whether or not to ask them for pictures while they wait for their car. Fangirl moment. We eventually mustered up the courage to ask them. They were so sweet and nice about it that I got even more nervous. We were just so excited about the whole thing since it was pretty much the cherry on top to our dinner date.

Here's a repost of my arm candy for the day and my picture with them from Instagram. I still can't believe we ran into them. So surreal!

If you guys aren't following me yet, please do. I update my Instagram almost everyday with what I eat, latest arm swag, and cute pictures of my doggie Lionel. Username: yummiebitez.

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Knitted Sweater

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 22:33:00 +0000

Crochet sweater: Lamb x Flag (find similar here)

Demin cut-offs: Hollister

Tan boots: Boutique from Santee Alley

Belt: H&M

Accesories: Forever 21 (find here)

Watch: Funboy (find similar here and here)

I've been bedridden this past few days, so I probably won't have a new video this week. Sorry loves! I'm trying to get better so I can get back into filming soon. I've been trying to drink as much fluids so I can flush this sickness out already. But as for now, my blanket and Netflix are my friends right now.

So the outfit that I mentioned on my latest haul video and I almost forgot to post this outfit up!

About a few weeks ago, I had dinner with some of my favorite Youtube girls at Cheesecake Factory at The Grove. It was just nice to catch up with everyone and enjoy a meal together. I just got this sweater around that time, and it came at a perfect time since LA nights tend to be chillier. And if you've seen my May Favorites video, the watch might also look familiar to you. I've been really loving this watch for summer just because it's just such a fun accessory to add to my outfit, and it's pink!

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Floral and Stripes

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 04:57:00 +0000

Hello again! So I'm trying to get back in the groove of taking pictures of my outfits. My favorite Canon S95 was sadly stolen, and it's been a tad difficult taking pictures since then. I'm not exactly sure how bloggers tow their dslr all the time, but I'm trying to make it into a habit to at least have it on the weekends.

So here's last Memorial Day weekend's outfit of the day that partially posted on Instagram.

My friend and I had the chance to visit the Cleopatra Exhibit at the California Science Center. It was a pretty exciting day for me since I really love and am very fascinated with Egyptian art and history. It was interesting to learn about the life of the most well-known woman in history by seeing the things that surrounded her and things that she touched. It's an amazing exhibit, and I think everyone should check it out while it's still here in LA.

So back to the outfit... I've always been a little hesitant with mixing prints before. But like how I've mentioned it a kajillion times already, blogging has actually made me adventurous when it comes to putting outfits together. Sometimes they may work, and sometimes they do. The whole trial and error process is the fun part of finding out your personal style. I ended up really loving the pairing of this striped shirt and my super feminine floral shorts. I think adding the military style jacket and buckled ankle boots toughen up the outfit a little bit. Normally, I would've probably worn one or the other with something more solid, but the goal that day was to mix prints.

On top of mixing prints, I've also made the leap to lighten my ombre. This is probably the lightest I've ever been my whole life. I guess I'm actually partially blonde now. I've always had my jet black hair ever since my bad highlight job that fried my hair leaving me crying in tears, but that's another story. Anyway, the lightest part of my ombre has gotten much lighter since I got done. I really love the color and how it turned out overall. My hair is ready for summer!

Striped shirt: H&M (find similar here, here, and here)

Floral shorts: Forever 21 (find similar here, here, and here)

Military style jacket: Jack by BB Dakota

Buckled-ankle boots: Dolce Vita by Target (find similar here and here)

Accessories: Armani Exchange watch, random skull bracelet, helloberryinc chain bracelet, Forever 21 necklace

MAC bag: Rebecca Minkoff (find here)

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Facebook | Lookbook.nu

Lookbook: Geometric Cut-Out Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Anne Di) — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:45:00 +0000

OH MYYYY GAWDDD... an outfit post!!!

Sooo, hiii.... here's an outfit post (finally) that I wore for Mother's Day. My grandma recently came here from the Philippines and is now staying with us! So after taking both my mom and my grandma out to lunch, we decided to roam around and be tourists around Beverly Hills. I honestly have never been to Rodeo Drive up until today and I've been living in LA for awhile now, so it was actually nice to be able do this with my family. And it was also a good opportunity to take outfit pictures courtesy of my brother!

I love finding random finds at any store. I recently went on a much needed shopping trip yesterday at the Third Street Promenade, and found this cut-out dress at Forever 21. I really love the cut-out part of it. And since the dress is just black, I decided to add a pop of color by cinching the dress with a neon yellow belt.

And, because of the cut-out detail of the dress, I decided to keep the accessory minimal on top.

Anyway, Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies and mother figures out there!! Even though everyday should be Mother's Day, I hope you were treated extra special today. I'm truly so grateful to be so blessed with a loving, patient, kind, and overall wonderful mom in my life!

Cut-out dress: Forever 21

Neon yellow belt: GAP (find similar here and here)

Patent leather wrap bracelet: Tory Burch (find here)

Pyramid bracelet: Forever 21

Bracelet: H&M

Platform boots: Jeffrey Campbell (Litas) (find here)

Tote bag: Chanel

BlogLovin' | Twitter | Facebook | Lookbook.nu