pandaphilia

Year of the Dragon

2012-01-27T10:11:00.000-06:00

Photography: me

EYE OF THE TIGER. Happy Lunar New Year Festival 2012! All of the Asian multicultural student groups had a big preview party last Sunday for the sold-out performances tonight and tomorrow. There were sneak peeks of acts, free snacks and games, bumping into old friends, and a re nao firework display outside at the end. I'm very pumped to see this year's show - JJ is choreographing Chinese yoyo and many of my friends are getting their dance on. Thank you event-goers for bearing with me as I shamelessly walked up to you and asked if I could snap pictures of your body parts (erm ... not quite as creepy as that sounded). If you hover over each photo, there's a strange and telling title for each.

Whew editing these photos took a lot longer than I thought they would. Early morning bloggin' sans coffee (7:30 AM what what), after dropping that horrid anatomy lab which single-handed threatened to turn my sociable and fun last semester into a raging nightmare. Imagine Caveman Angie, holed away somewhere mumbling things like "arbor vitae" "trochlear nerve" "posterior commisure" to herself while prodding at some plastic model labeled with miniscule smudged numbers. Given, I do enjoy learning anatomy a lot but this is all too much too soon. Isn't that what med school's for? My other 6 classes should keep me happily busy instead of stressed to the limit. Happy weekending!

Readers - do you celebrate a cultural New Year?

Snow Bunny

2012-01-26T08:55:00.000-06:00

H&M taupe button neck turtleneck LS top (XS) (gift from JJ's mom) // H&M faux leather biker jacket (Euro 4) //
H&M plaid tweed coat (Euro 4) //

H&M leather camel belt (31-32") // Forever 21 ankle zip skinny jeans (26) //

From Taiwan furry camel chunky heeled boots (36) // From Taiwan white rabbit (?) fur ball scarf //

Photography: JJ

TAUPES & FUR. Happy belated Chinese (Lunar) New Year everyone! I've been gone from the blogosphere for a mere 3 days yet it's felt like eons - I would blame it on schoolwork but honestly for once I'm caught up and even ahead in certain courses and spend most of my free time catching up with old friends. This is such a sharp contrast from last semester and despite a crazier courseload now, day-to-day is much more live-able. So 'scuse me if I was off writing poetry or having an afternoon coffee to relax (versus to prop up my eyelids) or playing racquetball.

This was what I wore for the Lunar New Year festivities on Sunday (1/22): a twist on the turtleneck theme, leather jacket, and boots with the furrrr. To accessorize, an interesting scarf from Taiwan last year - actually a replacement one bought on the street near a night market because I somehow lost the one I got for ultra cheap (like $4?) at a department store. It's fuzzy and soft but smells kind of funky, so I worry what it's really made out of ... We snapped these shots in the dim lights of the business school after the event, but the T2i picks up light from absolutely nowhere and makes pictures bright as day - still in awe.

Meanwhile, today was a strange day of days. It rained the entire day and I was alternating between sopping wet/drying/sopping wet. I found $11 on the ground outside a bar on my way home (it too was sopping wet). Cold is not my friend, but it keeps insisting that we get to know each other better. Can it be spring already? There's only so much layering permutations my winter wardrobe can handle. Hope y'all have been having a wonderful year so far and keeping up with all those resolutions *wink* : )

Readers - what's your most unique accessory?

Ice Cream and Planets Nook Covers

2012-01-22T12:14:00.000-06:00

Ice Cream Shop Nook Cover: Oh. Ma. Gee. I want this one so badly! The turquoise/orange and graphics are fun and perfect

Inside: no pocket but lotsa orange.

Planets Nook Cover: It'd be cool if the dots glowed in the dark. I like the simple line graphics and nerdy -little-boy feel.

Image credit: BarnesandNoble.com

Readers - do you like cute covers for your tech?

Don't forget to enter my Poshlocket jewelry giveaway!

Seeing the Beautiful You by Jackie Clark

2012-01-21T14:42:00.001-06:00

Today's post is going to be something different, more personal, and hopefully eye-opening. I am happy to introduce my first guest blogger ever, Jackie Clark. Jackie does outreach for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, an online resource for mesothelioma cancer. She contacted me to discuss a serious issue, one that has unfortunately touched many of us in this world. Some of you may silently be caretakers, loved ones, or cancer warriors/survivors. Jackie's knowledge of the disease and advice on living a full life despite the diagnosis can give us empowerment through knowing. I might emphasize that physical appearance is important in self-esteem but hair is just hair. Having a strong inner strength powered by loved ones and hope shines through to the outside. If you have any questions or want to talk, don't hesitate to email me. Thank you Jackie for writing this article. You can read her latest post here.

____________________________________________________________________________

Seeing the Beautiful You

By: Jackie Clark

According to medical researchers, emotions play an important part in our physical health and well being. While it is always traumatic to deal with a physically debilitating illness, scientific studies support the theory that a healthy state of mind and self-image can help promote healing and faster recovery times. Likewise, even if the disease is a recurrent or chronic one, a high level of self-confidence can help a patient deal with chronic illness and live a better quality of life.

Women diagnosed with illnesses such as cancer have a particularly challenging road ahead of them. For example, women who are diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer due to asbestos exposure know that one of the most effective mesothelioma cancer treatments is chemotherapy. This treatment, however, often causes physical side effects such as hair loss. Likewise, cancer treatments also cause weight loss or gain, and the disease itself can sometimes change a patient’s physical appearance, particularly if radical surgeries are involved.

This is why it’s so important for women with mesothelioma cancer and other cancers to find a way to look as good as they can on a regular basis. Pursuing a consistent regimen of outer beauty can give cancer patients a healthy dose of self- confidence, which in turn will empower them to take control of their disease. This empowerment is crucial for women who are trying to maintain a high quality of life while battling cancer.

Clothes, scarves, hats, wigs and shoes can help cancer patients to attain their optimum physical attractiveness. While going out to shop may be difficult for some patients, most clothing retailers have online catalogs offering a wide variety of colors, sizes and styles. In addition, some specialty sites feature wigs, hats and scarves made especially for cancer patients. These are not only flattering but also fashionable, so a woman need not be afraid to be seen because of the hair loss she may have suffered due to radiation treatments.

Makeup is also important to a woman’s appearance, and makeup kits can be a fun way to experiment and try a new look. In addition, many makeup stylists are also willing to make house calls for those patients who aren’t yet able to get out and about.

While clothing and makeup may seem the last thing a person with cancer wants to think about, doctors advise that the most important thing a cancer patient can do is to try and return to as normal a life as possible. This means taking the time and effort to do all the things one would ordinarily do in order to look good.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and are contemplating or undergoing treatments, remember that it’s crucial not to lose sight of yourself in the fight. This means that you may have to dig deep inside in order to find the part of yourself that existed before cancer. By holding on to that part of yourself, you’ll be better equipped for your cancer journey. Finding your own inner and outer beauty serves as a reminder that after all, you’re still you.

Image credit: webclipart.about.com

Checkmate, Metallica

2012-01-20T10:01:00.000-06:00

Forever 21 checkered peacoat (M) // H&M sparkly metallic silver light sweater (XS) //

H&M light pink lace shoulder LS top (S) // H&M black and white striped pleated mini skirt (Euro 4) //

Forever 21 burgundy tights // CLAWS jewelry turquoise trio gold ring necklace (c/o WhitWatWear) //

From Taiwan fringe heeled boots with bling (35) // H&M super chunky long beige scarf //

Photography: JJ

CTRL+P MIX. So it was freeze-my-butt-off-like-a-wart cold today. And yesterday. And tomorrow. Thank you JJ for braving the bitter temperature to snap these pictures outside (1/19). Oh what I won't do for fashion. Last night, as I tried picking out my outfit in advance for once, the sparkly thin knit came back to mind, along with the lace top and burgundy tights from the pink blazer outfit, yielding a remix of what was in my Winter Break suitcase. While I had plans for my pink tulle skirt again, it just looked downright silly for a day of science madness, so my favourite go-to pleated skirt took its place. Better luck next time, tutu.

OFF THE SHOULDER, PEEP LACE. I remember getting the inspiration for peeping lace shoulders in the H&M dressing room during my pre-Christmas sale hunt. Pulling down the lightweight sweater to reveal a bit of dainty femininity, I tossed on a favourite small statement necklace (if there is such a thing) to top it off. To cover everything up and switch things up, this checkered coat rotated to the forefront to temporarily replace my plaid one I've been wearing daily this year. It was purchased on sale for about $13 last last winter, on a whim of course. I liked its dolly shape and potential layering space for a medium size. Like is to chunky as my scarf is to soup.

Meanwhile, I LOVE second semester senior year. I LOVE my science classes (never thought I'd confess that aloud), and I love having free time to catch up with old friends and do the things I love. I also enjoy sitting in a room bursting with intense neuroscience majors and feeling like I know something for once ; )

Readers - do you wear the same coat everyday in winter?

Don't forget to enter my Poshlocket jewelry giveaway!

Selling: Urban Outfitters Blue Velvet Loafers

2012-01-19T22:49:00.001-06:00

Do you remember these blue velvet loafers (size 6) that I picked up from Urban Outfitters a month ago? I'm selling them for $28 + shipping (United States only) - I paid $36 for them and they're sold out on UO online. They simply won't fit my little feet after a lot of trouble hunting down shoe pads and trying all sorts of methods. After all this stretching, it will probably fit size 6-7 no problem. Otherwise, they're quite new - I wore them to school once and for outfit pictures another (total 2 times). If you're interested, email me at angie [at] pandaphilia [dot] com.

See more pictures here. See my styled outfit post with them here.

Biker Ballerina

2012-01-17T16:29:00.000-06:00

Forever 21 leather panel strapless mini dress (S) // Forever 21 light pink tulle skirt (S) //

Aldo nude pumps (35) // Poshlocket Celeste Silver Roped Bracelet (c/o) //

Rings: real pearl silver from Epcot Japan (4), green topaz from medieval fair //

Forever 21 birds double gold chain necklace //

Photography: JJ

TOUGH LOVE, BABY. It was freakishly warm for a St. Louis January day yesterday (1/16) so I took the opportunity to style an outfit that was meant for frolicking around in SoCal sunshine: LEATHER MINIDRESS + TULLE SKIRT. With a strong breeze, it was too chilly to run around in this all day so it was a play-dress-up-and-change kind of outfit. Good thing too because it started hailing soccer balls at my windows at 2 AM - geez, Mother Nature's mood swings are scary as *@$! sometimes. I love paradoxes in life, and pairing leather and girly tutu skirts makes for the perfect oddity. This dainty pearl ring is actually a real pearl I got out of an oyster at Epcot Center Japanworld. I had the 7 mm yellow beauty set in a sterling silver band, size 4. Pretty costly, but for the experience and magic, right?

Today was the first day of my last semester in college, but I didn't go to class (bad kid, iknowright?) Nah, I was at an interview. It's weird being at two different stages of your life at once - it's like being two places at one time. Awkward moment: when you realize that the doctor sitting across from you actually knows more about fashion than you do. Karl Lagerfeld what what?

I have Selena Gomez's "Love You Like a Love Song" stuck in my head on re-peat-peat-peat-peat

Readers - do you like polar opposites in fashion?

Don't forget to enter my Poshlocket jewelry giveaway!

Threaded Comment Replies for Custom Templates

2012-01-17T14:30:00.000-06:00

If you keep up with Blogger Buzz, you'll know that FINALLY they have threaded comment replies enabled for Blogger (similar to Disqus, how you can reply directly to comments on your posts and have it appear indented like a thread)! You can read the original article. Before, I had inserted a reply button script that allowed me to reply but it wouldn't be attached to the original comment, so that was annoying.

Now you can have threaded comment replies with the touch of a button. Simply go to Blogger Dashboard -> Settings -> Other: set allow blog feed to "full," then Settings -> Posts and Comments: comment location to "embedded" and voila - everything's set. BUT if you have customized templates like me, things get hairy. I found this very helpful site that's unfortunately in Malay, but with the help of Google Translate, you basically need the first two lines. I'll translate briefly here (code credit: www.themasdoyok.com )

0. Go to Blogger Dashboard -> Template. SAVE YOUR TEMPLATE FIRST ("backup/restore" in upper right corner)
1. Edit html -> Proceed -> check the box that says Expand Widget Templates
2. Control+F and search for this line

<b:include data='post' name='comments'/>

3. Everywhere you see this line above, replace it with this (it appeared 3 times in my code):

<b:if cond='data:post.showThreadedComments'>
<b:include data='post' name='threaded_comments'/>
<b:else/>
<b:include data='post' name='comments'/>
</b:if>

4. Easy, right? It should look something like this:

Lemme know how this works for everyone and happy replying! If only Blogger came up with a better way to notify commenters of replies like Disqus thus and then everything would be peachy.

Readers - what commenting system do you use?

Don't forget to enter my Poshlocket jewelry giveaway!

Leprechaun

2012-01-16T18:39:00.000-06:00

David & Goliath "This is How I Roll" print tshirt (S) (gift from JJ) // H&M olive green cardigan (Euro 4) (old) //

H&M forest green colored skinny jeans (Euro 6) // Urban Outfitters/Cooperative blue velvet loafers (6) //

H&M multi bracelets // Rings: turquoise - gifted, green topaz - medieval fair

Photography: JJ

GREEN MACHINE. What I wore to a delicious brunch at The Creperie in Clayton with JJ (1/15). I absolutely love quirky and punny t-shirts and he got me this cute sushi one that says "This is How I Roll" when he went up to San Fran with friends last week. Why stop there with the green? On goes different tones of my favourite colour and it's just downright silly. Looks like St. Patty's Day came two months in advance. Took these pictures today though because it was so much warmer (67 degrees what STL? Stay like this forever baby).

Monte Carlo is the best dadgum crepe I've ever tasted. It has fresh strawberries, coconut, walnuts, and this ice cream/whipped cream-like cream to go with. Biking uphill in super-wind was actually worth it. I love the ambiance of The Creperie because it's loud, crowded, and has a kind of coffeeshop/Euro cafe feel. The outside sunroom is well-insulated, warm, and gives a nice street view out into the business district. This is how I roll.

Having a nice clean room is a huge accomplishment pre-semester. We vacuumed (nothing more gratifying than listening to the crackle of dirty junk getting picked up by a veritable vortex), unpacked, packed up last semester's things, and now have massive amounts of floor space. My last first day of college tomorrow - a mixed bag of feelings.

Readers - do you ever wear an outfit of all the same colour?

Don't forget to enter my Poshlocket jewelry giveaway!

Baby It's Cold Outside

2012-01-15T20:32:00.000-06:00

Forever 21 brown shearling jacket (S) // H&M cropped knit turtleneck sweater (XS) //

Forever 21 navy and grey striped shirt (S) // Forever 21 zip ankle skinny jeans (26) //

From Taiwan furry chunky heel camel booties (6) // Red frame glasses //

Photography: JJ

SURELY, SHEARLING. While everyone else is glued to the tube watching the Golden Globes, I'm huddling inside as close to the heater as possible, sorting out my final college semester schedule. 2012 has been a great start for me so far, and my first 24 hours back at the ~~North Pole~~ St. Louis have been productive, try-new-things-fun, and bloody COLD. Going from 80 degrees to a sharp dunk into snow-covered 30s is not pleasant, and riding my rickety bike uphill on a particularly windy day is even less pleasant. Either way, it's nice to be a busy bee again.

This is an old pre-break school outfit (11/28): SHEARLING + TURTLENECK. Can't even remember what I was doing that day but it was right after Thanksgiving. This jacket was $10 on sale in the spring and my homage to the raging shearling trend last year. Layered with a cropped turtleneck sweater, it's pretty warm. Nothing to write home about. While it's nice to dream fantastically and imagine myself swathed in light chiffon and bohemian layers, true winter necessitates warmth so hopefully this is the year when miraculously I learn how to layer without looking like a mid-hibernation bear.

You remember my previous giveaway sponsor, Unestablish, right? They're introducing an Australian line into its store: Finders Keepers. They have romantic neutral light grey, cream, black tones with a nice spring coral thrown in. I also see interesting cutouts. Check it out here. (Image credit: Unestablish)

Readers - do you prefer warmth over fashion?

Don't forget to enter my Poshlocket jewelry giveaway!

Jonathan Adler Nook Cover Review + Nook Tablet Update

2012-01-14T01:49:00.000-06:00

Part of the explanation of why I've been MIA from the web lately: been flipping through finger-licking good books lately and on my way to my goal of finishing 10 books during 2012. One thing I used to pride myself on is being a bookworm, but since college, reading for pleasure never seemed a convenient option anymore. Since purchasing the Nook Tablet less than 2 months ago, I've completed 3 books (one of which was over 1000 pages) - not bad, eh?

After a while, I decided my Nook should be protected with a cover, one with a cute design that makes me want to pull it out of my bag in public. After a bit of searching, I decided shelling out $30 for the Jonathan Adler Pink Circles designer cover was worth it and so far it's held up nicely (sold by Barnes & Noble). The design features pink and purple circles and is made of this vinyl-canvas-like material on the outside, and thick hot pink canvas on the inside. It opens just like a book and has a convenient built-in pocket on the left side with a clear case for an ID card or a picture (below "This Nook Belongs To:"). How cute! The Nook snaps right in on the right side and the cover folds back to allow for easy reading. An additional plus is that it can bend over to form a tent shape that doesn't slide on some surfaces, so good for reducing glare and watching TV comfortably. The other cover I was contemplating was the Kate Spade black and white striped one with red inside but it was $80 so no way. Unfortunately it seems that neither cover is available anymore on the B&N site, but check in your local store - there may be some left.

Here's an animation depicting one of my favourite features: touch-to-search. If you're like me and are too lazy to look up an unfamiliar word in the dictionary every time you run across one, this is true immediate gratification at a single touch. The "look up" button is connected to Merriam Webster dictionary and defines all sorts of terms and phrases.

Readers - do you have cute cases for your tech?

Don't forget to enter my Poshlocket jewelry giveaway!

Burgers and Nails

2012-01-10T11:02:00.000-06:00

Five Guys heck yeah. The best burgers on the planet - double patty, barbeque sauce, mushroom, bacon goodness. Inspired by the infamous tumblr: Burgers and Nails. This was from a mall trip a while back, pre-Winter Break. Triumph of the day: learned that simply inputting a width upon export on Lightroom resizes my photos automatically. The easy button does exist!

Headed to LA for two days. Taking the train for the first time - I'm prepared to get me some snack cart action and pretend it's the Hogwarts Express (chocolate frogs, you bet!)

Readers - what's your favourite burger joint?

Don't forget to enter my Poshlocket jewelry giveaway!

[CLOSED] Poshlocket Jewelry Review + Giveaway

2012-01-08T16:19:00.000-06:00

You guys all know that when it comes to jewelry I like pieces that people can see from miles away, with an edgy-yet-pretty feel. Poshlocket is a small jewelry company based in New York and they have all kinds of styles, from dainty and ladylike, to big statement brights, to hefty metal wardrobe staples. They even offer free shipping and returns on all their orders (US only). Today they're so kind to sponsor a giveaway for $25 store credit for their jewelry!

At first glance a lot of their pieces remind me of what I see on Jewelmint, but their average prices are $18-24. They do range up to $50 for certain pieces, so it all depends on the individual product. Each piece is named after girl's name, and there is a necklace with my name too. When I received the Celeste Silver Roped Bracelet, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the material and how beautiful it looked in person. See how I styled it in this outfit post.

I made a set on Polyvore with my favourite gold jewelry from Poshlocket:

Golden Girl by pandaphilia

Chloé bracelet, $36
White pearl jewelry, $35
Celeste Silver Roped Bracelet, $38
Flo Necklace, $25
Tate Crystal Cross on Black Studs, $26
Nikki Cone Cuff, $20

Now onto a quick review of the Celeste Silver Roped Bracelet: it came in a pink scallop edged soft felt bag - I just adore the cute packaging. The bag smelled strongly of cinnamon as well. The bracelet itself is a sturdy piece with good weight to it. It fits just loosely enough on my wrist so that I can slip it on without undoing the tiny clasp (worried that it'll snap) and tight enough that it doesn't slip right off randomly. I look forward to styling this with many more outfits, since one of my more concrete resolutions this year is to accessorize more on a daily basis.

THE GIVEAWAY: Requirements are listed inside the widget below - you must complete ALL of the requirements on the first page of the widget to be entered (these are mandatory). The widget may take a few seconds to load. If there are any bugs, please leave a comment letting me know! Rafflecopter makes counting and verifying entries much easier, so the winner get chosen faster :) For an optional +3 entries, you can post this picture to your sidebar (blogs made for giveaways will be disqualified)

a Rafflecopter giveaway This giveaway is for United States only (sorry international friends - there will be more giveaways for you soon). Please ask parental permission if under 16. The winner randomly chosen using Random.org. Giveaway ends at 1/26/2012 at 12:01 EST. The winner will be drawn and contacted by email. If there is no response within 48 hours a new winner will be selected.

If you're interested, sign up for Poshlocket's mailing list for exclusive discounts/store credit.

$25 store credit will be provided by Poshlocket. I am not otherwise affiliated with the company. Image credit: Poshlocket. Compilations by me.

Little Miss Sunshine

2012-01-07T11:53:00.000-06:00

Kohls yellow halter sundress (S) // Mossini strappy gold strappy knot heels (5.5/6?) (old) //

H&M white floppy sunhat // Charming Charlie pink bauble and gold chain statement necklace //

Poshlocket gold metal Celeste Silver Roped Bracelet (c/o Poshlocket) //

NYX black round lipstick in Snow White //

Photography: self-timer/remote and tripod

NEW YEAR, NEW ARM CANDY. My outfit for yesterday (1/6), first worn for dinner at a family friend's house over the summer. This yellow lighthearted sundress was a spontaneous purchase at Kohl's when I visited her in Florida in August. We were searching for princessy clothes for Disney and this happens to be a Snow White skirt-ish piece, but we went in relative casual wear anyway. By the way, booby cups freak me out on dresses and tops. This one cuts a little close .. I believe I got the heels from Target eons ago (high school?) when they were on clearance for $7. This is my first time wearing them ever.

The newest piece is from Poshlocket, my newest sponsor. This online jewelry store was so kind to send me their beautiful light gold with silver striped Celeste Silver Roped Bracelet for styling and review (thanks Camile!). We also have a little something something cooked up for you lovely readers tomorrow (hint: starts with a "g"!). It's a sturdy bracelet and has a bit of weight to it, which I like in my jewelry. It is easy to match with anything, dressed up or down and is small enough that it doesn't slip off my petite wrists. The only thing that concerns me is the tiny tiny clasp holding both sides together, but luckily this slips on and off with little effort. I'll have to be extra careful - but you know me, I'm a klutz and rough with my jewelry/bags.

Keeping it short and sweet today and soaking up my last week of SoCal rays. 80 degrees in the winter and lovin' it. 1Q84 by Murakami is my new read and Peet's Coffee is the place to be, trying out new teas and daydreams.

Readers - do you ever discover old but good things in your closet?

Sweet Sixteen

2012-01-05T02:57:00.000-06:00

Photography: me

LITTLE MAN. My not-so-little brother turned sixteen on 1/3 and we went to Fish Market on Harbor Drive the night before to celebrate. A simple celebration complete with an Asian cake with fruit (very different from fruitcake connotations as this was quite tasty) from 99 Ranch, now he's all grown up *tear* Mom's a bit internet-camera-shy right now, so this silly picture of my Dad wearing the Fish Market bib should suffice :D hahaha!

Taking pictures in raw and actually editing them was a pain. The process for editing photos 5000x3000 pixels or so took 3x as long to get through my usual process. I need to figure out a workflow or some trick to make this go by faster or I'll never get off the computer. My old Lightroom presets also seem to have different effects on jpeg versus raw files and they're not as cool. If the photos don't look that much better after an outfit post, I'm going back to nooby jpeg for the sake of simplicity xD Is it just me, or do the photos actually look grainier? o_o If any of you photography buffs are reading this, halp!

Readers - what's your birthday tradition?

Glamour Photos 1: Sleek and Sexy

2012-01-03T01:59:00.000-06:00

This first set (out of 3) of glamour shots were from Modern Concept Photography in Taipei - an opportunity while we're still young and free to revel in costumes and over-the-top scenery. It was difficult because I brought a suitcase full of warm-weather clothing and didn't know that it was bring-your-own-clothing, so we worked with the bare minimum. I still loved every moment and the makeup artists really knew how to transform people. That looks nothing like me, right? xD JJ also did such a wonderful job considering he didn't have any glasses on during the whole thing. Thanks to Tank, the photographer too, a man with many cameras and endless skills, and the rest of the gang at Modern Concept! Stay tuned, as the next two sets are princess and casual!

Readers - have you ever taken glamour shots?

Best of 2011 | 2012 Resolutions

2012-01-02T01:34:00.000-06:00

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While it seemed like the entire summer and most of 2011 was Year of the Colorblock for me, I discovered my personal sense of style and realize that I don't have to apologize for not wearing what everyone else is. 2011 gave me the opportunities to earn that Canon T2i that I love so dearly, and these ginorm photos.

Wonderful moments: Taiwan with JJ, met Harry Shum Jr, met Wongfu, published in Style Yourself book, covered STL Fashion Week, raising Chickee, started reading more
Finally, I can't thank my wonderful sponsors enough for all their support and generosity!

2011 was filled with all sorts of exciting ups and downs from the moment we watched the fireworks burst out of Taipei 101 and the dragon slithering up the grandiose tower to the finishing moments with family and vino in San Diego. This year saw my best semester in college, some of the most stressful periods of time, and this was the year I finally accepted who I am: human. Not invincible, not limitless, but full of dreams and passion. We're on the brink of uncertainty, the brink of possibility.

2011 witnessed the whole journey of being accepted into medical school. 2012 will witness me graduate college.

If there's anything I learned from my studies in Chinese literature/culture, it's that time is circular. I believe in balance, and where there's the good, the bad, and the ugly, there's also the worst, the best, and the beautiful. At the beginning of 2011, I realized that I don't need this blog to be happy. At the end of 2011, I realized that just because I don't need something to be happy doesn't mean I can't enjoy it. Where will 2012 take us? With so much support from my friends, family, and you readers, this blogging experience has blossomed. Even if it's time to turn over a new leaf, it doesn't mean we can't use old trees to do so.

Here's to a simplified list of my 2012 Resolutions:

1. Live, laugh, love to the fullest. "Just do what you feel," in the words of a friend.

2. Take care of my body, it's the only one I have. This means sleeping, eating, and skincaring right.

3. Constantly remember my motivations in life.

4. Be nicer to myself. That inner critic can take a vacation every once in a while.

5. The most exquisite things in the universe will never replace the people around you - remember that.

Readers - what are your 2012 New Years Resolutions?

NYE: au casual

2011-12-31T21:45:00.000-06:00

H&M silver tinsel/sparkle light sweatshirt (XS) // H&M deep blue satin button down top (Euro 6) //

H&M Pants Collection dark green slim fit colored jeans (Euro 6) // H&M multicolour bracelets (XS/S) //

Merona calf hair leopard print flats (5.5) // Wet n Wild lipstick in Wine Room //

Photography: self-timer/remote & tripod ; Thanks Dad for helping with the photos

TINSELTOWN & JEWEL-TONED. My subtlely sparkling silver top, thin as can be but still with a bit of weight to it - reminds me of mithril, for fellow Lord of the Ring fanatics out there. The annoying thing is it started falling apart before I put it on, but for $10, who can complain? It reflects light beautifully but my camera doesn't want to capture it properly. Wore this over a satin sapphire button down and some emerald skinnies out to Red Lobster with the fam a few days ago and finalized it for a New Years Eve-Eve (NYEE, pronounced knee, or like the Knights of Ni?) on 12/30/11. Also felt effortless and channeling Alexa Chung while walking my dog, if only she wore more messy buns.

Since I have nowhere to be, I figured as much as I want to get dandied up in my sequined and posh best - the glitter's best left on the dance floor. Someday though, I will count down in Times Square (think of the potential riffing: NYE in NYC). Someday I will attend opulent holiday parties and be decked in boughs of sartorial awesomeness. Reality check? Bumming at home with my parents, watching the ball drop a whole three hours early. At least there is White Zinfandel and a trunk full of hope for 2012 involved. Happy New Years, everyone! (Am I the only one who only feels comfortable when it's an even numbered year?)

The two winners for the UNESTABLISH giveaway have been selected and announced here. Congrats!

Closer to the actual silvery colour and you can see some of the sparkle

Readers - what did you wear for New Years Eve?

Rent the Runway Review: Erin Fetherston Dress

2011-12-30T12:00:00.000-06:00

Erin Fetherston gold strapless mini dress with ivory sash (0) // Aldo nude pumps (5) //
Makeup: Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer Palette (light yellow, gold, rusty bronze), ELF Natural false eyelashes, Stila stay all day eyeliner, NYX Lipstick in Snow White

Finally, my belated review of renting a beautiful gold designer dress from Rent the Runway for free (thanks to winning Jean's giveaway a year ago). Mind you, these pictures were taken after 4 hours of crazed dancing and sweating, so the dress is wrinkly and I'm surprised my makeup/hair even held up this well. Read about the magical evening here and see tons more photos of the food, fashion, and fun. Thanks to JJ for snapping these after the event and to Jeremy Lai for the official photos.

Remember my decision process for which fabulous dress to pick? Two sets of the Erin Fetherston Mikade Gold Dress with the beautiful ivory chiffon sash came in a USPS box, size 0 and 2 as I had requested - the second one is free, which I think is wonderful, making sure that your only worries before the event should be how to do your hair and makeup and not on squeezing into something that won't zip up or keeps falling off. The package was complete with a thin black Rent the Runway garment bag which to my pleasant surprise, was mine to keep, a sample of fashion tape that I didn't use, and clear plastic bags to protect the dresses. There was also a reminder on how to return and when - since my dress arrived on a Thursday and the standard rental period is 4 days, I had to return on Sunday, which was no problem. I just packaged the dresses only into the bag they provided, and JJ was so kind to run it to the blue mailbox nearby before noon.

This Erin Fetherston gold dress looked tiny when I opened the box - super short and kind of boxy. But when I put it on, it hit at just the right place on my thigh and the wiring in the bust and sweetheart neckline area helped keep the shape. The ivory chiffon sash turned out to be a lot shorter than I thought it would be, but figures ... my estimates were from a magazine page and the Rent the Runway model's length was accurate. It's still pretty and honestly the shorter length meant less tripping and possible horrid accidents. There are double hidden side zippers, helping to really seal everything in - something I've never seen before. Surprisingly the belly area didn't bulge unsightly after a stuffing dinner and the back also gave the illusion of having nice curves haha.

The Upsie Daisie clothing adhesive I ordered with the rental proved to work magic. I just adhered one side to my bra and stuck it to my skin, no irritation and it came off easily at the end of the day while staying relatively put through all the dancing and sweat. Not to mention, it helped to give a boost : ) I used 2 pieces, torn in half each. The double sided page full of these stickies costing $10 will last forever, probably becoming old and unsticky before I get through them all. They even included alcohol wipes to clean the skin of oil to keep it adhere better but I didn't use it.

I was a little worried, since late returns or missing items will be charged, but they sent an email saying "thanks for renting" when they received the package. They take care of all the dry cleaning and I got to enjoy my evening in a designer dress and not have to worry about it rotting away unworn in the corners of my closet. While I don't think I will shell out again just to wear a designer dress, Rent the Runway makes sense if you want a unique showstopper to make you feel extra glamorous on your special evening. This review concludes the 12 Days of Fabulous. Thanks for reading over the holidays!

Readers - have you rented a dress before?

This review is not sponsored and reflects my 100% honest opinion and I am in no way affiliated with this company.

How to Get Clean & Smooth Underarms: Emjoi Light Caress Epilator Review

2011-12-29T14:25:00.000-06:00

Today we're going to talk about armpits [initiating humour]. This review should really be titled "The Real Deal about Epilators (A Comedy)" or "My Fight with 30-something Tweezers." If you're like me and you're absolutely tired of irritated, red bumpy underarms from shaving, epilators might be for you. I also have dark hair, so even after shaving there's this dark patch that's unsightly even from a distance. It prevents me from raising my arms to the sky when wearing tank tops and t-shirts. I've even resorted to trying to tweeze everything out before and lemme tell ya - you get super dizzy super fast looking down and into your armpits for over 2 minutes. There is such a thing as a girl's underarm 5 o'clock shadow and the more I shaved, the more that monster reared its ugly head.

I first thought about getting an epilator maybe half a year ago when I first heard of it. But I kept dragging my feet out of fear of pain and because they're pretty expensive. Over the summer, I deliberated over which one to get, but finally at the beginning of September I bit the bullet and chose the Emjoi Light Caress epilator, corded because I would forget to charge the battery on a cordless one. Honestly, this one-time purchase makes sense because razors constantly need to be replaced and those Venus ones are a mighty price to pay just to be a goddess every time you want to wear a mini skirt.

It sounds like death when you turn it on. I was standing there in the bathroom giving myself a pep talk and having a psychological dilemma. When I finally got the nerve to put the rapidly rotating thingamajig to my underarm ... oh yeah it hurt like hellfire. It's more of a quick and sharp pinch, but I've heard that pulling the skin taut helps reduce the pain and get the hairs more easily. To get everything, you might have to glide the epilator upwards, downwards, side to side and get the couple of stragglers with some tweezers if you're OCD. My plan of attack was to say "oww" out loud every time it pinched to divert my attention and rest every once in a while. But after 7 minutes or so, all was said and done - really freakishly smooth underarms ... this lasted for two weeks plus. When the hair slowly grows back, it will be a lot more sparse and usually thinner and lighter (mine were super soft and almost invisible). Also, you're going to have to grow out your hair for 3-5 days initially, so wear a long-sleeve shirt (won't be so hard since it's winter).

I have to admit ... I was a pansy/lazy and went back to shaving for a while and of course, all the previous grotteyness came back. Once I tried again, it hurt like hell again. I'm going to man up and keep using this until I'm desensitized, and it's supposed to get a lot better after a few uses. Call me a masochist, but overall, this is one of my most worthwhile beauty-related purchases of the year. Now I can pretty much forget about shaving altogether for weeks at a time. When Christine of Xteeener posted her video, I thought that if a sweet and sensitive girl like her can survive this, so can I!

What it promises/features is to the right: There is a cool little light and you can use speed 1 for upper lip and speed 2 for underarms, legs, bikini area but I haven't tried the latter two.

Cost: $44 on Amazon

Packaging: like a round little capsule, pretty neat. Pretty design and turquoise colour

Pros:
- Efficient and thorough hair removal (you may need to tweeze a few stragglers)
- Long-lasting effects, won't have to shave for a week
- No more razor burn/bumps!
- Cost: this is really an investment - think of how expensive your Venus razor heads are!
- Multiple speed settings, can use on various parts of the body

Cons:
- Painful, like hard pinching
- Really loud
- No collector for hair, so stand somewhere easy to clean

Verdict: This epilator business takes some getting used to, but besides waxing there probably isn't another way to get as close of a shave (or rather, anti-shave). If you're sensitive to pain, I suggest you stick with shaving or your current method of hair removal. For the more adventurous, let's put on our big girl panties and get some ultra-smooth underarms.

What's included in the package: leathery pouch, epilator, power cord, exfoliating pad, protective guard, small brush (see above)

24 karat gold plated ... like that's supposed to make it hurt less. With and without blue guard. Not exactly sure what the comb-looking thing's supposed to do - get out all the tangles? I certainly hope you don't have THAT much underarm hair ;)

Readers - would you ever try an epilator?

This product was purchased with my own money. This review is my 100% honest opinion and I am in no way affiliated with this company.

Dressed in Berry Creme & Wine

2011-12-28T12:37:00.000-06:00

H&M pink blazer w/ side ruffles (Euro 4) // H&M light pink lace shoulder top (S) //

Forever 21 lace/tulle scallop hem skirt (S) // Forever 21 burgundy leggings //

H&M small black purse // Xhilaration cognac oxford flats/wingtips (5.5) //

Charming Charlie pink bauble and gold chain statement necklace //
Taiwanese brand red frame glasses // Urban Outfitters double face watch //

Wet n Wild lipstick in Wine Room //

Photography: self-timer/remote & tripod

CONFECTION CONFESSIONS. My last-minute holiday mall-hunting outfit (12/22) coloured in ROMANTIC PINK + BERRY, taken the day after because it gets dark so fast. Don't let the warm temperature and palm trees fool you - it is still the dead of December. This colour palette was inspired by burgundy, which goes well with pink and cream, satin and lace textures. Burgundy is like a fine wine - complements well, not ostentatious. Been wanting a pair of these in my cold weather wardrobe for a while and their fuzzy lining will ensure lots of wear to come.

This lace/chiffon skirt is a perfect length and I got it for $4.75 from easypetitelooks' blogsale. It's a very tiny small and the wide elastic band makes it fit like an XS so I folded it in to prevent unsightly bunching. With raised floral patterns embroidered onto the tulle and a thick opaque underskirt, it's ladylike and girly at the same time. My favourite thing about this light pink top is that it balances out the skirt with a tinge of lace modestly placed at the shoulders. It's sexy in a subdued and elegant way. With my trusty H&M pink blazer over the bunch and my favourite pair of shoes (honest to God, wear them almost every day), mix in a heavy bauble and gold necklace in a matching rose pink shade and my med school interview purse - utilitarian, unobtrusive, and still fashionable.

At the mall, I did some major damage perusing the racks at H&M in their convenient pre-Christmas sales. All the best fall/winter items are leftover in sunny San Diego, where there is never much need for major Midwest cold weather staples. Forever 21 was also very well-stocked but as per usual, I tired of the long lines and visual overload and run clawing at my eye sockets and screaming. Meanwhile, the rest of my break thus far has been spent marathoning Psych and reading countless ebooks on my Nook Tablet (read my picture-filled review here).

Day 11 of the 12 Days of Fabulous (almost done!)

Readers - what's your favourite colour/pattern of tights?

Cable Knits and Sequins

2011-12-27T10:56:00.000-06:00

Ralph Lauren cream white cable knit sweater (S) (gift from aunt) //

Forever 21 black and gold sequined mini skirt (M) //

Charlotte Russe? heeled boots with strappy detail (5.5/6?) (old) // Forever 21 burgundy tights //

Claires wreath and stocking earrings // H&M multicolour bracelets //

Wet n Wild lipstick in Wine Room //

Photography: self-timer/remote and tripod

BIKINI WEATHER!? What I wore for Christmas Day, after my just-crawled-out-of-bed morning mess (12/25). My aunt and her family loves Ralph Lauren, and always shower me with gifts when they visit. This sweater is just the right thickness for layering or wearing by itself. In my recent sequin and everything-shiny craze, I finally found a cheap $14 black-and-gold sequined mini at Forever 21 in St. Louis before I left for home. The only sizes left were mediums, which drop down low past my waist, but probably help with the skimpy length issue. The other option was rose gold, which was very pretty but simply too bright and in-your-face to wear in public (as much as I love the idea in my head). The most amusing part of this skirt is that it's 3+ in 1 - scratch the sequins one way, the skirt will turn all gold; in the other direction, they're black. AWESOME. It also blends in well in bright daylight (bedazzling) and nighttime/shade (a more subtle sparkle).

I also picked up these burgundy tights in a perfect shade (not too dark, not too bright, not too purple) and was very happy to find that the inside was lined with a thick soft and slightly furry material, making my legs extra warm. The fact that it's footless causes some concern and calls for socks, but all this goes without to say because it was 78 on Christmas this year in San Diego. Holy crap I will never, ever get used to this (and yes this outfit was too hot). I can't even remember where the boots are from, since my swordfighting days meant hunting down cheap pairs of black boots at the mall and medieval fairs to berserk in style. To top off the holiday look, I added one of each of two pairs of holiday earrings from junior high and my Claires obsession days. One is a little tinsel wreath complete with fake mini bell and the other is a red stocking adorned with baubles and holly. Finish with berry lipstick and we are ready to jingle bell rock in le CABLE KNIT SWEATER + SEQUINED SKIRT.

Bonus: cute little gif animation of me being uber excited below.
P.S. It is obnoxiously hard to take self-photos with an SLR.
P.P.S. 10th of the 12 Days of Fabulous!

Readers - what did you wear on Christmas day?

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T19:20:00.000-06:00

OF FAUX TREES AND HOT POT. Belly full of hotpot and lights on the tree a-twinklin' ... Merry Christmas to one and to all :) It's 78 degrees in San Diego today. I can kiss dreaming about a White Christmas goodbye! My outfit involved sequins and sweaters, only one of which is appropriate for a beautiful SoCal holiday - stay tuned tomorrow for pictures!

Readers - how was your Christmas?

Nook Tablet Review

2011-12-25T11:18:00.000-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I used to be such an avid reader. In fact, I have records of every book I read since late elementary school. While the library is great and free, sometimes fighting over reserving popular books leads to procrastinating on finally tackling those great reads. Buying hardcovers can add up and as much as I love physical books, they become a hassle in this mobile stage of my life (think multiple boxes of 50+ lbs ... filled with books). Now, I happily can say I read for pleasure before I go to sleep every night.

At first, I thought that tablets like the iPad were half-dismembered version of computers, and a little bigger screened than smartphones. At $500+ a pop, such a big purchase didn't seem worthwhile when I already have so much technology. Randomly, during Thanksgiving Break, JJ and I ventured to the Barnes & Noble in Mira Mesa. There was a central station featuring book covers on vertically displayed TV flatscreens, many Nooks to play with, so many amazing covers for these eReaders.

After tinkering with the zippy interface and cute "me-sized" screen (it's the size of a paperback book, suitably) of the Nook Tablet, I became enamored. At $250, it was a pricey impulse buy but I have been using my Nook every single day. Extra plus: the excitement of having a new piece of technology less than a week after its release. After a whole month of use, I'm loving it. It's a more productive entertainment gadget than my laptop, where I'm easily distracted while being distracted.

I think the only downside is when B&N has sales and coupons, they never apply to Nook products (that makes sense), including the apps and ebooks. The app store does cost more than comparable markets. Initially there were some problems with it shutting off by itself, but recently nothing buggy has happened. You can also "root" it and do all sorts of other DIY adjustments, but I'll leave it at that ; ) P.S. Day 9 of 12 Days of Fabulous!

It does everything I need a tablet to do:

Small and thin, easy to slip into a purse or backpack
Wifi-enabled for instant searches and my blog-ogling needs
Fast. SO FAST.
Clear IPS screen - this is intense resolution, folks
Battery lasts foreverrrr. I didn't charge mine for 3 weeks and it was still alive (only reading)
Reads pdfs, research articles, ebooks in epub format too - downloaded straight from its web browser
You can read in the dark with black background, white text. Great for reading to sleep
Angry Birds and other apps (though it costs more than Android Market)
It has a microSD slot for additional storage (16GB+)
Cute covers available (feat. in a post soon), gives it more of a bookish feel
You can lend an ebook to a nook friend for 14 days - access disappears on your Nook for the time so it's really like borrowing. Sharing is caring!

Amusing feature: some children's books have a "read to me" or "read and record," so that you can record your own voice telling your precious darling's favourite stories and they can listen to it any time. I would very much like an ebook copy of Samuel L. Jackson reading "Go the F*** to Sleep" for my toilet humour ears only, of course xD

Haha already using the reflective surface as a mirror xD

Readers - did you get new tech for Christmas/the holidays?

This review is 100% my honest opinion and the product was purchased with my own money. I am not in any way affiliated with B&N.

Olives and Black Roses

2011-12-24T11:48:00.000-06:00

Forever 21 black sheer top w/woven neckline (S) // H&M tan tank top (Euro 4) (as undershirt) //

H&M olive green A-line skirt (Euro 2) // Forever 21 black rose print tights (M/L) //

Wild Diva peep toe suede booties w/ bow accents (5.5) // Jewelmint Astoria necklace (worn as bracelet) (c/o) //

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Soft Nude // Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer Palette gunmetal, gold, forest green eyeshadow //

Photography: JJ

THE LATTER IN MY DRINKINI. Day 8 of the 12 Days of Fabulous! (This is like running a freaking marathon, blog-wise.) It's Christmas Eve in all its excitement - there are presents under the tree and candy cane on the faux branches, but most importantly there is delicious homecooked Chinese food on the table and my family gathered around it. Home is the best. I wish that they wouldn't ever stop playing Christmas music, year-round. I will always be the idiot singing out loud in the supermarket to "offer you a simple phrase, for kids from one to ninety-two ... Merry Christmas to you." This was what I wore to Styleta Fashion Night Out 2011 (12/10) to enjoy the on-campus fashion and photograph the runway (the post soon).

SHEER + A-LINE SKIRT. I always had trouble styling this top because it was sheer, long and flowy and generally boxy. Sometimes I wore a belt around it but it never quite felt right. With something black underneath, it kind of lost its sheer charm. So luckily I finally figured out a way to accentuate the sheerness without baring uncomfortable amounts of skin (which for me is any amount of midriff I realize) - layer a nude coloured shirt underneath. Voila! Also finally glad to bring out this skirt, something that finally went on sale for $7 last Christmas and I snatched up a Euro 2 versus the 6 thinking that if I became fit enough, it'd be fine. Hahaha, self, time to exercise and eat healthy ... what were you thinking? Either way, the back would not zip up so I just hid it under the shirt's loose material. LOVING the feminine A-line flared shape and olive green colour.

Another wise discovery: buying M/L tights instead of S/M has saved me a lot of ripping. My mondo-thighs just seem to hulk out of any normal dainty pair, so sizing up has greatly helped. You might remember this grey pair of the same F21 rose print tights - of course now they're ripped and questionable looking. Too finish off with some ingenuity: my Jewelmint Astoria necklace (read my review) wrapped thrice around my little wrists to make a cool chunky brassy/golden bracelet. Hurray for arm candy!

Readers - how do you wear sheer?