The Fashion Fare

Take a Step Back

2015-01-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

The start of climbing 377 steps (supposedly).

Loved the greenery along the trek up the stairs. Literally spent a good half hour taking pictures.

Halfway-ish up? Wasn't too bad.

Adore the lace detailing of my shirt. Added a feminine touch to the edgy look.

Marveled at the cute architecture. Cute colorful houses for the win!

Still at the midway point. I spy the bay bridge.

Overlooked half of the downtown area at the top.

Turn around, and you can see the golden gate bridge too!

Walked a good distance to Pier 39.

Lunched at In & Out > Clam Chowder. Craving satisfied.

Outfit Details:

H&M leather jacket / PAPER CRANE tee / H&M black denim / CONVERSE / ZARA bucket bag

I compiled a long list of to-go places around San Francisco Bay Area ever since high school but just never went. Years later, I finally decided to start the adventure whether I had company or not. This time, I dragged my sibling with me as a spontaneous day out. We walked a good three to four hours from Embarcadero all the way to the Pier. From the Pier, we crossed through Little Italy and Chinatown to make our way back downtown. Needless to say, we were dead tired to even shop around. Despite it all, it felt good to get away from home and play tourist for a day. Filbert Steps was my first stop on the list... Now onto the next adventure!

It's Been Awhile

2014-11-24T16:02:00.000-08:00

H&M green plaid flannel / Tobi black dress / F21 beanie / Steve Madden booties / Phillip Lim x Target crossbody

This school semester has been crazy, which lead to me to pause blogging for awhile. I'm trying to fall back into the routine, and what better time when it's fall break? I missed dressing up, especially when class attire usually consisted of throwing on a comfy sweater and some tights.

This fall I'm all for wearing flannels and anything black. I have been wearing this H&M flannel so many times... It's been my favorite piece if I didn't know what else to wear.

Meltdown Monday

2014-08-19T14:50:00.001-07:00

H&M black maxi / HOLLISTER marled cardigan / FOREVER 21 accessories / PHILLIP LIM for TARGET handbag

Yesterday marked the last Monday of Summer. Classes start next week and I am NOT ready at all! Meltdown, anyone? Speaking of meltdowns, I had a major one yesterday while trying to find THE LBD for my 21st this Saturday. I blame myself for such last minute preparations. Scouring most of the stores in the city, I left with no avail as nothing was pleasing to the eye. The LBD was either too plain, too trendy, too conservative, or too (the list goes on). Call me picky, but I was trying to find one that'll last. In the end, I found one online and all that's left is to pray it will come before my birthday. Since I knew I was going to be trying on a bunch of dresses, I chose to wear my maxi out. To add more comfort, I adorned my favorite cardigan as the weather was a bit chilly. Last but not least, a statement necklace always adds more dimension to the entire look.

To New Beginnings

2014-08-16T21:17:00.000-07:00

OASAP tee / FOREVER 21 striped cardigan / STEVE MADDEN boots / FRANCESCA'S COLLECTION red crossbody

Summer's almost ending and yet, I felt like it just started for me. Recently, I've quit my job that consumed up so much of my time that I realized how much it tired me out. With the free time I have, I decided to jump back into blogging for good. Now, I'm all for dressing casual as I haven't for months. I adore this tee from OASAP. I knew I had to get it once I saw it on their site. It's tomboyish with a girly flare from the added florals. I also like how it's just muted with no colors whatsoever. Sometimes dressing in just black and white seems so refreshing. Of course I had the urge to add in some color, so I opted for my favorite red crossbody. A simple yet trendy outfit. Perfect for a day out.

Thanks for reading!

Forever'd Out

2014-07-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

FOREVER 21 gray tee / FOREVER 21 distressed shorts / FOREVER 21 plaid shirt / OLD NAVY flats / PHILLIP LIM x TARGET crossbody

After much lounging around at home, I decided to see what's there at Nordstrom's Anniversary sale. Since I knew I won't be out for long, I opted for a super casual look. Not wanting to do much makeup, I put on my usual aviators to hide my panda eyes. Nothing quite screamed at me as I browsed the selections so that's a good thing maybe? After that, I just did some window shopping here and there. I definitely can't wait for fall fashion to roll in. I always tend to splurge during that season <3.

The Boyfriend Shirt

2014-07-17T21:50:00.001-07:00

H&M boyfriend oxford shirt / H&M black denim / OLD NAVY utility jacket / TARGET taupe booties / KATE SPADE bag / JEWELMINT necklace

Thursdays are now my Fridays because I'm done with work for the week! It's always the last few days of work where I would give some effort into my work outfits. Today I decided on this boyfriend shirt from H&M. The shirt is actually a lot longer but to make the look work, I tucked it in. And as always, a plain shirt would need at least a statement necklace. Since the weather was on the gloomy side, I chose a light jacket in case the wind picked up later in the day. The look is not your typical summer outfit but considering my area... it's quite the norm.

Thanks for reading!

Off Duty at Irving

2014-07-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

H&M star print shirt / H&M denim jacket / Old black high waisted jeans / CONVERSE / ZARA bucket bag

Despite it being summer, a day off is rarely ever granted. When there is one, I jump at the chance to venture new eateries and areas. On my day off, I went to Manna for the first time to get my Korean fix. Having heard of Manna from many sources, I went to dine there and left completely satisfied. If you're in the Inner Sunset area sometime, do make sure to check them out! Irving has always been one of my favorite streets with so many eateries and local shops.

Since I was off duty for once, I wanted to go for a more casual look. To avoid making the outfit too plain, I chose a star printed shirt to go with my black high-waisted jeans and Converse. My denim jacket was the finishing touch as the weather can be quite bipolar. After satisfying my tummy, I was excited to have discovered this piece of art during my walk down Irving. Even if you're not up to having food at Manna, there is a plethora of other wonderful restaurants! I definitely encourage you to go and try a new eatery each time you find yourself in the area.

Thanks for reading!

Food Fridays: The Rotunda

2014-06-27T22:20:00.000-07:00

Tucked inside Neiman Marcus, The Rotunda serves both lunch and high tea. My friend and I went for lunch instead of the latter, and I have no regrets.The complimentary items are divine, and just blogging about this got me drooling for more of their popover with strawberry butter. The popover is reminiscent of the egg puff that is served during dim sum in Chinese Restaurants. Like the Chinese version, the outside is fried yet the inside is eggy with a melting sensation when inside the mouth. Since The Rotunda served it alongside the strawberry butter, I might just prefer it more than its counterpart. Aside from that, the chicken broth is very rich in flavor and the portion given is just enough.

For our main dishes, my friend chose a pasta dish whereas I opted for a sandwich. My entree is served along with a salad and fruit. The portion given is again just enough so you won't feel too bloated when leaving the establishment.

Last but not least, dessert! We chose a shortcake glazed with berries and its sauce. It is not overly sweet and definitely enough to share amongst two people.

All in all, I enjoyed my first experience at The Rotunda and made plans to return during the winter holidays. Reason being, I always admired the holiday decorations Neiman Marcus have during winter. I can't help but think how amazing the dining experience would be with the gorgeous decorations around you. Many thanks to my friend who suggested to lunch at this place! I'm a hole-in-the-wall type of foodie but once in a while, I do enjoy splurging on some fancy dining.

Thanks for reading!

Lunching at The Rotunda

2014-06-09T22:19:00.002-07:00

HOLLISTER marled cardigan / FOREVER 21 floral top / FOREVER 21 leggings / KATE SPADE satchel / ELLEN TRACY sandals

After all this time, I am officially back to blogging. From my hiatus, all I can say is that life happened and that it was just a roller coaster ride. Now that I've settled down from the situation, I bear happy news that I have several posts ready to be posted within the week! The first being this post, which is fairly recent as it was just yesterday's outfit. Since my friend planned to lunch at The Rotunda, I jazzed up my outfit a bit. Upon glancing at my closet's selections, this F21 top popped out. The floral print really stood out to me when I bought it several weeks ago. The print has this painting look to it, and the bottom part is flowy although not noticeable in this look. The flowy part is almost peplum-like but a toned down version as it doesn't flare around the hips. To not seem too overdressed, I chose my recent favorite Hollister cardigan. Then to top it all off, I finally got the chance to wear my Kate Spade outdoors.

The lunch at The Rotunda was absolutely divine, but I'll save the details for another post.

Thanks for reading!

Cheer Up, Sunshine

2014-02-25T22:02:00.000-08:00

H&M pale pink knit / Old floral dress / H&M polka dot tights / ALDO oxfords / TARGET crossbody

Updating every so often was a complete fail once I realized that the first round of midterms was approaching. I've been doing nothing but studying and wearing anything comfortable enough to spend hours in the library. In turn, I've been away from most of my social networks for most of February. I did check in my Twitter once in a while but other than that, it felt like I took a really long hiatus.

With the amount of sunny weather these past few days, I took the chance to take a free day to dress up and relax for a bit. To create the lazy yet still cute look, I just threw a knit over my sundress. Since it's still not that warm enough to be bare-legged, I added on some tights and completed the look with my favorite oxfords.

With the sudden warm weather, I also couldn't help but grab my favorite drink from Starbucks. Green tea frap with soy and no whip cream, mmm...

Remember to treat yourself once in a while! (Especially if you've been studying too hard ;P)

Thanks for reading!

Springing Back to Classes

2014-02-05T10:24:00.000-08:00

FOREVER 21 striped top / HOLLISTER cardigan / H&M denim jacket / FOREVER 21 floral trousers / ALDO oxfords / NORTH FACE Borealis backpack (not shown)

Life had taken a random swerve that made me stray away from my blog... yet again. But now that all the problems are dealt with, I can now say with confidence that I am back to blogging! Springing back into updating, I am also still getting adjusted to a new semester. With classes resuming once again for the spring, I no longer think that it's winter. Thus, my outfit reflects my mindset with the florals and lighter layers. Originally I was going to head out the door with only my denim jacket and a scarf, if needed, but since I'll be in school until late at night, I decided to throw on a cardigan to layer underneath. I definitely don't want to be in another bedridden state, so I'm staying extra warm to play it safe! The floral print on the trouser caught my eye immediately when I was walking past Forever 21 the other day. Wearing it is also comfy so I was pretty much sold once I tried it on. Besides, I think that it'll be quite a nice addition to my spring wardrobe.

Thanks for reading! :)

Bold Print, Bold Look

2014-01-21T22:20:00.002-08:00

ROMWE floral jumper / COTTON ON anorak / FOREVER 21 leggings / FOREVER 21 flats / TARGET crossbody

I can't believe a whole year has past since I started this blog. As of January 17, this blog is a year old now! To keep on continuing, I plan to update more (3-4 posts each week?) and to upgrade the camera that I'm using. The camera that I'm currently using is more than 6 years old so I've been saving for a new one. There's just too many options out there so I guess I'm a bit picky to make a selection. Anyways...

This jumper in the outfit is one of my absolute favorites! The bold print caught my eye immediately and upon wearing it, I fell in love with it even more. I love that it's thick enough for the coldish weather here and that it has an over-sized look. I was never one for bold prints but this jumper changed my mind.

Thanks for reading! :)

Favorite Floral Scarf

2014-01-15T22:02:00.001-08:00

FOREVER 21 floral scarf / PAPAYA pink cardigan / H&M denim jacket / H&M pants / TOMS / Francesca's Collection crossbody

It feels great to finally leave the house with a minimal runny nose and no signs of illness. I got this scarf from F21 during the holiday sales and it can easily be my favorite scarf now. The print on the scarf gets more detailed near the ends and the colors blend well together. They also had a mint version, which I was also dying to get my hands on but resisted. I think it's safe to say that this will be my to go to scarf when spring hits.

Thanks for reading!

Last of 2013 Eats

2014-01-09T13:20:00.001-08:00

An update is long overdue but I caught a nasty cold right on new years... and I'm still recovering. With me stuck in bed most of the time, an outfit post is out of the question. Then I came upon a plethora of food pictures in my camera so a food post seemed better than not updating for another day or so. All these meals were consumed during the last week of 2013. Just looking at them makes me salivate haha.

The pasta at Parallel 37 was on point. Everything was cooked perfectly and I was surprised at the amount of salmon they gave.

The picture says it all for the creme brulee. So rich yet not too sweet. Mmm...

This pumpkin tart cheesecake was my absolute fave! It was decadent but bursting with the holiday flavor.

This kelp noodle dish from Cafe Gratitude was much needed as I've been bad and eating so unhealthy. It's also refreshing as the dish was cold served. Cafe Gratitude has the cutest menu names too!

Finally, my first cronut! I got it at Paris Baguette and it was love at first bite. The cronut was pretty big, so I had to eat it in halves.The middle had an eggy custard (as well as the top) that was not overwhelming sweet. It was a good compliment but it seems like a plain cronut would do the job already.

Lastly, my dad took a trek down to Newark to get some bread at 85 degrees bakery. After hearing about the hype down in Southern California, I finally get to eat some! The bread was amazingly soft when freshly bought but overnight, the bread seems like any other bakery out there. The price point is a bit steep if I might add. Don't think I'll go back for the bread but I would pay a visit to try the desserts!

Thanks for reading!

A New Bloom

2013-12-30T22:04:00.001-08:00

H&M forest green blazer / YESSTYLE chiffon floral top / PACSUN Bullhead jeggings / TARGET booties / TARGET black satchel

The new year is quickly approaching and here comes another round of reflections and resolutions. 2013 has been a year of change for me. I got accepted to a hospital's volunteer program, got my first official job, met so many amazing people, started this blog, got featured on CollegeFashionista, and the list goes on... With the year coming to an end, I am ready to welcome 2014 with open arms. May it be another amazing year!

To symbolize the new change, this outfit demonstrates the new bloom. The top portion symbolizes the new budding whereas the bottom portion symbolizes the soil. And unintentionally, my cameraman can be seen in the background. It's all thanks to my little sister and former roommate that I can keep this blog running! Also, many many thanks for all the readers! :) May 2014 be a prosperous one for you too!

Thanks for reading!

Merry Christmas

2013-12-26T01:25:00.000-08:00

FOREVER 21 burgundy sweater / FOREVER 21 tan coat / CHARLOTTE RUSSE peter pan collared tank (underneath) / PACSUN Bullhead Denim skinnies / ALDO oxfords / PHILLIPLIMXTARGET handbag

Finals has been over after a few days so I'm finally free from classes for about a month. After such a brutal week of exams, I've been relaxing by catching up with family and friends. It's been so long since I updated that I thought a Christmas post would be appropriate to make a comeback. This year's Christmas has been not as lively but I was still in the spirits nonetheless. This look here definitely placed me in the Christmas mood. Instead of the bright red or patterned sweaters, I opted for the burgundy sweater as it looked well with the shade of green. To add some depth into the outfit, I wore my Charlotte Russe peter pan tank underneath so I could use the collar. On top of all that, I chose a tan coat and brown oxfords to complete the holiday outfit. As I had to wake up early in the morning to make some party food, it was a comfortable yet cute look to wear. Hope everyone have filled their bellies with delicious food and spent time with their loved ones.

Happy Holidays!

Thanks for reading.

Trenched

2013-12-04T22:09:00.000-08:00

CHARLOTTE RUSSE peter pan tank / FOREVER 21 burgundy sweater / H&M bunny printed skirt / H&M polka dot tights / FOREVER 21 gray knit knee-highs / ALDO oxfords / Gifted trench / PHILLIPLIMXTARGET handbag

This outfit was from a couple of days ago, as the weather was still fairly warm enough to get by with a skirt with tights. Sadly, the winter chill has slowly made its way into the city. This particular look was worn for a couple of times. It looked so cute, I couldn't help it! I don't know why but with this outfit, I view myself as a literature geek. Maybe it's the knee highs along with the oxfords and sweater. Minus the coat, doesn't it just sceam library outfit? That, and it's definitely suitable for Fall. I can't believe the season is almost over. As much I want it to stay longer, I can't wait for the holiday season! :)

Always Thankful

2013-11-28T16:47:00.002-08:00

FOREVER 21 cardigan / EXPRESS black basic tee / FOREVER 21 leggings / ALDO oxfords / TARGETXPHILLIPLIM handbag

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! It's the day to stuff our faces while reminding ourselves of what we're thankful for. There's a lot of things I'm thankful for, but among all things, I'm most thankful to be able to wake up each day and be with the ones I love. Hope everyone is surrounded with great friends and family today! Nothing like the holidays to bring everyone together. & Enjoy every bit of it!

This sweater cardigan has got to be my best fall purchase, or even one of the best purchases of the year. I fell in love upon seeing it in f21. From the sleeves to the material and down to the very details, I love everything about it. The color even screams autumn. The material is thick enough that I can last with just a t-shirt underneath. It feels like being wrapped in my favorite blanket! To make it more fitted around the waist, I would tie a belt around it, like this current look. If I were to just lounge in this cardigan, I would wear it as is to emphasize the lazy look. But since I'll be in a family gathering, I thought it would be proper to add a belt. To add in more comfort, I wore my favorite leggings and completed the look with a pair of oxfords. Hands down, my favorite Thanksgiving look ever. Comfy yet still chic. ;)

Eat up merrily everyone!

Thanks for reading!

All Layered Up!

2013-11-16T12:23:00.000-08:00

PACSUN floral tee / H&M cardigan / COTTON ON anorak jacket / H&M pants / boots from local boutique

I was all bundled up and ready to brave the cold... only realizing that Friday wasn't as cold as Thursday. The weather forecast even stated that temperatures would be around the same as the day before. Sadly, it wasn't the case and as the day progressed, a thin cardigan may have been sufficient enough. Bipolar weather much?

On cold days, I usually layer with a cardigan underneath a coat or parka. Sometimes, if more layers were needed, I would add on a chambray also. It seems like winter is quickly approaching even though fall weather just approached here. Holiday decorations are already up but the holiday spirits aren't hitting me yet. Time is going too quick and I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that the year would almost be over.

Food Fridays: Black Bean Noodles Attempt #2

2013-11-15T12:16:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since I've done Food Fridays. For this week, I attempted another shot at black bean noodles as the taste for the first try wasn't what I wanted. The taste for the first try left a rather small hint of bitterness so I placed an ample amount of sugar in this attempt along with an addition of oyster sauce. The end result was near, but I'm sure more improvements can be made.

The sauce I used here was the one that I used for the first dish also since it's still not close to being finished. This was my first purchase of Korean black bean paste so I can't compare it to other brands, although I am eyeing a particular one at the market.

The ingredients are about the same with your normal potato, zucchini, and onions. I had no minced meat of any kind in my fridge, so I just cut up some available fishcake that were in the freezer. Hey, still good although it strays from the usual norm.

I tossed in the potatoes first as it would take the longest to cook. After about 5-7 minutes, I added in the zucchini and onions. Once the onions were softened along with the other ingredients, I added the fishcake and after a minute or two, the black bean paste along with a dash of olive oil to mix it up.

Then, I added the appropriate amount of water to create the sauce. About 7 minutes in, I slowly poured my mixture of cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce.

Once thickened, I let it simmer for another minute or two as I prepared my noodles. I forgotten the brand of noodles that I used but they were freshly made and placed inside a package. I'm pretty sure your local Korean market would have some. Differentiating from last time, I did not use the packaged noodle that I showed in the first try. It just did not fit with the dish although most say it can... I guess I just prefer my noodles a bit on the "chewy" side.

This was before I mixed the noodles and sauce together. (That one small dot on the left is bothering me... I didn't even notice until now... Guess I was too hungry to realize it when I took the pic :P)

And ta-dah! Here's the finished product. Much much better than the first.

So good... I want another bowl. :3

Thanks for reading!

Cold Rose

2013-11-14T20:15:00.001-08:00

YESSTYLE pullover / TARGET parka / FOREVER 21 leggings / H&M flats / FOREVER 21 beret

From just a day, the temperature seemed to drop drastically. I don't mind the cold, gloomy weather but instead of heading to school for just one lab, I felt like staying in bed. Too bad the guilt would consume me if I did. Since lab would only last for an hour or so, I didn't make an effort in dressing up (again). As per usual, I threw on whatever sweater/shirt I could see and dressed as comfortable as possible. I did like the color palette for this outfit though. The shade of blue goes well with the rosier colors.

With the colder weather quickly approaching here, hot drinks, good books, and maybe a show or two is all I want to do.

Monochromatic

2013-11-13T21:48:00.001-08:00

OLD NAVY speckled jacket / FOREVER 21 striped shirt / H&M pants / OLD NAVY flats / KOHL'S necklace

Not feeling to have much color in today's outfit, I simply went with black and white. Simple, yet polished enough for work. The only slight tinge of color is the pale purple that's in the necklace. I'm still in love with this speckled jacket of mine. I try hard not to wear it so much but it's too tempting to grab it off the rack since it goes with almost anything. But for this look, it adds some texture to the otherwise plain result. Here's to the early mornings where you just don't want to get out of bed and get dressed... One of my many lazy outfits for work :P.

Casual for School

2013-11-12T20:01:00.001-08:00

OLD NAVY love tee / H&M denim jacket / FOREVER 21 leggings / FOREVER 21 cobalt blue beanie / CONVERSE all star sneakers

By having just a biology lab to attend today, I dressed simple. Today's look is my typical casual school look with the comfy leggings, a long shirt, denim jacket, and, of course, my aviators. To add a little something, I borrowed my sister's beanie since the embellishments added a kick to the outfit.

This week's classes aren't too much of a handful. I mainly have lectures to attend to since a majority of my labs were cancelled for this week. To place it in another way, it makes it seem like my weekend has been extended for another week. Going to have to cherish it before final exams come rolling in...

Cropped & Polka Dots

2013-11-11T20:54:00.003-08:00

Gifted polka dot sweater / Hand-me-down high waist jeans / ALDO oxfords / FRANCESCA'S COLLECTION satchel crossbody / FOREVER 21 sunnies

Today marks the last of the three-day weekend, in which I literally slept 99% of the time if I didn't work. I knew I was exhausted from all the staying up, but it never occurred to me that I was this tired. I spent most of my waking day sleeping in the car in-between going to places and when at home, I stay in bed. So grateful to have a break to catch some Zzzs! I finally got some of my energy back today... spent mostly on eating and cooking haha. It felt nice to actually whip up some actual food and not some frozen dinner from Trader Joe's. Today was an errands sort of day. I had to pick up some new makeup since I used up all of my essentials and I had to get some groceries to stock up the fridge. With the limited amount of clothing I have back at home, I came up with this look. Yet another cropped sweater and my aunt's vintage jeans. In this look, I'm also wearing my new oxfords from Aldo. It's about time I got one. I've been wanting one since high school but was too picky to make a selection. Guess the wait was worth it after-all because this one is the perfect shade of brown and the details are on point. Perfect choice of shoes for Autumn.

Thanks for reading, and hope you had a restful three day weekend too!

DAISY

2013-11-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

Cropped sweater gifted from Dad / H&M pants / CATHY JEAN combat boot / VS Pink backpack

This look was pretty simple because when it's midterms week, all I want and care about are the exams. Therefore, when it comes to dressing up, I basically throw on whatever's in my sight. Thankfully, I still have a plethora of sweaters to go through from my dad's haul. Outfit saver much? In my effortless attempt to throw on something for school, these cute sweaters have been my go-to thing. They're the right amount of thickness. Since the weather has been warm as of late, I am neither freezing to the bones nor sweating like a pig. The sweater gives me the right amount of warmth.

Out of the bunch, I have to admit, this daisy sweater is way too adorable! It's cropped so it'll be cute when pair with a skirt or shorts too. With it being Fall, it can still work if you wear some thick tights.

On a side note, I am FREEEE from midterms for this year. I can finally take a small breather and at least enjoy this upcoming three day weekend.