Life In Technicolor.

2012

2012-01-10T23:42:00.002+08:00

life in b/w: i hope the world doesn't pass me by this year.

thought catalog: you have to actually break up in order to break up

2011-12-07T05:55:00.004+08:00

You can break up in theory, or you can break up in reality. Only one of them is an actual break-up. People who break up in theory decide they’re no longer together, then proceed to sleep together, call each other every day, and know each other’s daily plans.

People who break up in reality end the relationship and all elements of the behavior associated with the relationship for an undetermined period of time. Note: you can technically be “broken up while he’s in business school,” but not if you’re together every time he’s home for vacation.

If you’re unclear as to which of the above is an actual break-up, please don’t date my friends.

have a merry net-a-porter-y xmas

2011-11-26T18:54:00.006+08:00

my xmas present is somewhere on this collage...loosely speaking. WHOOOOooooooo

...

but right now the main priority? Passing the Bar. -_-

Christopher Kane x J Brand: NEON

2011-11-24T04:01:00.004+08:00

Denim-philes be warned!!! The latest designer collaboration to hit the shelves in time for Xmas? Christopher Kane x J brand. these neon wash pieces are part of the 2012 resort collection. Very nu-rave chic...though i will admit you wont be seeing me in any of these pieces!

Mind you, they don't come cheap. The Martini flare denim jean is about US$300; $285 to be exact. And while I'm all for investing in superior quality denim, these neon brites are unlikely to be a wardrobe staple the way your black or grey skinnies will be. Still, nice to look at!

Available at barneys.com and net-a-porter.

ricky martin & nicki minaj for MAC viva glam

2011-11-18T21:04:00.002+08:00

MAC's done it again.

Having always somehow favoured gay-friendly celebs for their VIVA GLAM campaign, its no surprise that the Puerto Rican outed father-of-2 Ricky Martin and current catwalk-music chart-rap empress Nicki Minaj have been chosen to front this year's campaign. Shot by none other than the legendary David La Chapelle, the ad is consistent with the loud, pink-saturated camp previous campaigns have established. The giant pink lippie is just the icing on the cake. As is that cute detail of the bony hand "lifting" Nicki's skirt hem at the slit.

My favourite part about VIVA GLAM is that 100% of the proceeds go to charity. NOT a percentage, NOT 100% of the profits, but 100% of the SALES. everything goes towards a good cause, benefitting the VIVA GLAM campaign that has raised $224 million for HIV/AIDS related causes since its 1994 launch. AMAZING!!!

Viva Glam Nicki and Viva Glam Ricky (just realized they rhyme...) will go on sale next February. Get ready to paint your lips for a good cause. And remember to have safe sex to begin with.

Erosion

2011-11-10T01:07:00.003+08:00

I sit in the harbour that is my heart,

Waters shifting, heaving, unstill.

I watch the waves come in to shore

My eyes mere pools threatening to spill—

Over:

Is what I thought, hoped, willed;

The cavernous hole you left remains.

Wash over me, I plead, let love be lost

But the tepid ocean feels no pain.

I brim, as does the sea out there,

Yet your stony self is resolute.

Me, the now-arch, swept over by

Sea-motion, emotion, absolute.

As moons are birthed and then die

So do the waters slowly erode—

Cave, arch, then eventually still

The stack,

then stump;

The same ocean drinking, sweeping,

Holding, keeping,

Endlessly:

All of me, my constitution, as

Worn-down pebbles of pity, regret;

Swishing and washing, over and

Over, and over. Take me,

Whole: cave, arch, stack, stump,

And until we move as one

I sit in the harbour that is my heart.

(I hope you find what you’re looking for/So your heart is warm/Forevermore.)

this is for you, and you, both people whom ive lost in some sense of the word. i miss you both.

gone fishing

2011-04-25T01:51:00.004+08:00

and i cant believe its already here!!!

... is basically all i have to say.

traversing many national borders and taking an inordinate number of flights and seeking answers for questions i have yet to ask... i hope tons of adventure awaits.

back in July folks!!!

---

and until we figure out which box to check, i still believe both options are the same.

greek

2011-04-23T00:45:00.002+08:00

so ABC's GREEK is one of my favourite shows. detailing college life and the ups and downs that come with it, GREEK succeeds as a TV show because it deals with what many people go through without being predictable or corny. while it may not have the mainstream mass appeal of, say, gossip girl, it does have an extremely likeable and charismatic cast and, a loyal and dedicated fan base.

its a pretty hilarious show with a lot of heart. and once i started on it a couple years ago, there was no turning back. GREEK recently came to its undeserved end, although it was smart to end on a high instead of playing college out for anything more than its customary 4 years.

chief among the reasons for fans watching the show is the long-term relationship between 2 greek society presidents, Cappie (frat) and Casey (sorority). yes they have quite unisex names. their relationship captivated viewers in no small part due to the overwhelming fangirl-dom behind scott michael foster (cappie), but also because it was such a realistic depiction of 2 people on TV, and thats not easy to come by.

no over-the-top gestures, no cheesy moments, and a very real issue of what happens when 2 people who love each other dont necessarily want the same things in life, at least after college. of course, a happy ending was to be had, but even i didnt expect the way it all played out.

the final scene, with forever young playing in the background (ok MILDLY corny), but those were the last words they uttered on television. a very fitting ending to a show thats chronicled what happens between people being 18 and 22. i suppose i relate because i'm done with my college education now, and i'm not so sure that moving ahead is exactly what i want to do. its a pretty sweet 2 and a half minutes of TV.

and if you'd like to get started,

you can catch greek HERE, all 4 seasons.

starring: spencer grammer (YES kelsey's daughter), scott michael foster, jacob zachar, jake mcdorman, amber stevens, clark duke, dilshad vadsaria and paul james.

growing up... kinda

2011-04-09T01:08:00.003+08:00

but thanks guys for playing a starring role anyways.

the NUS Guild House

The location for our unofficial segue into the "you're no longer a student, sucker" Club. thankfully, the beer kept flowing, otherwise the truth might've been too much for the majority of us. it was a good night of food, fun, laughter and no small amount of reminiscing.

Personally, i just liked seeing everyone dressed up. Especially since our future courtroom duties mean penguin suits all round, and where's the fun in a monochrome life?

friends...from WAY BACK. i really love her orange pants! So sander, so chic, so now.

sorta coordinated, completely incidental of course. in the background? The Rembrandts' "I'll Be There For You", which got everyone on their feet and singing along.

nervously and somewhat sheepishly doing The Walk onstage. Moderately fun, though.

Usual Antics, beer-induced of course. (idiots). pretty much sums up the dynamic. i remember calling this "the 3 twins". go figure...never good with numbers.

and then there were 6.

the people whose faces have grown familiar in my mind, whose temperaments i can instinctively discern, whose numbers are on my iphone "favorites" list, whose quotes i remember, whose houses i lounge in, whose families i've met, whose preferences i have down pat, whose misadventures i hear about, whose voices i instantly recognize, whose joy and tears i've shared,

whose Kindness Generosity Support Selflessness Hilarity Wit Intellect Affection Openmindedness Warmth Inebriation Annoyance Effusiveness Passion & Love

i have been nothing short of fortunate to have basked in, experienced and constantly endeavour to return.

arguably something we've lived by--

damn straight. xxxxxxxxx

random cool things

2011-04-05T02:09:00.004+08:00

random cool things to share (that i want):

1) A RUBIK'S CUBE MOSAIC

how wicked is this shiz!??!

Cube Works(click), a collective of graphic designers and general cool people, comes up with these huge amazing installation pieces...and they're all for sale!

they also do DIE MOSAICS, though those are clearly alot less colourful. random interesting fact? they're canadian LOL.

2) CUTE HORSEY NOTE HOLDER MEMO THING

SFMoMA store, coolest museum and museum shop ever. i spent an entire day in the complex. then again, i also take an hour each time i grocery shop...

3) COOL ASS NAPKINS FOR DRUNKEN TIMES/FRIENDS/SELF

needs no explanation-- how has no one dreamt this up til now?!?! get it HERE.

4) THAT ARCHITECTURAL GOLD CUFF

probably will wear it less than 5 times, but whatever. it looks good in the photo. thanks, tommy ton!

5) AMAZING GEOMETRIC PRINTS

anything by supermarketsarah (click), available at a trendy/upscale UK department store near you (read: selfridges & harrods).

my current wallpaper. just so i feel better about actually being broke right now.

ok that's all for a while, i just finished a MASSIVE 68hour exam, brutality. the next one starts in 6.5 hours, let me not even go on about how the next 2 weeks are meant to play out.

laters.

xxxxx

so, um....

2011-03-31T22:02:00.004+08:00

basically, a concept i can definitely get behind, in light of the following circumstances:

body clock being ridiculously out of whack-- i woke up at 730pm today...just for dinner.
to-do list being just as mind-bendingly preposterous, in that i need to finish 21000 (YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT) words in the next 2 weeks. well, 15 days. same difference.
my last beer being a san miguel (draught, yay!!!) over tapas... a fortnight ago. TOO LONG.

just know that if the party did happen, you're all invited.

xxxx

image credit: theblakewright

primavera by Margaretha Olschewski

2011-03-24T17:24:00.008+08:00

welcome to spring!

Officially, the season began a few days ago, on 21 March.

Margaretha Olschewski shot a colourful floral fashion editorial for COSMOPOLITAN UK, which gets us ready for sunny days. Don't you just FEEL lighter, breezier (I sound like a covergirl ad now...) and sunnier merely talking about spring?

the sun-drenched images are lush, fresh, green and beautiful--and the scenery a great foil to the explosive pinks, magentas, fuschias and purples of the dresses. soft flowy fabrics and girly accents like bows and frilly layers complete the picture. bit too saccharine for my personal taste, but there are many ways to incorporate floral motifs.

While SS11 has been more about color than anything else, the florals that showed up in some shows then ended up owning the recent FW11 runways. From Versace to Givenchy to the au courant Jil Sander, and even fashion-trend-bellwether Miuccia Prada's Miu Miu, it looks like florals are here to stay.

And if that's not enough to convince you, how about the fact that Mr. Nicholas Ghesquire (YES, MISTER G, because he deserves that much respect) put floral prints back on his creations for Balenciaga for the first time since that iconic Spring 2008 collection?

Blooms are the way to go, kids.

production details...

Stylist: Sairey Stemp

Hair: John Birchall

Makeup: Robyn Nissen

Primavera by Botticelli

Also known as Allegory of Spring, this famous Renaissance painting is the subject of much literature and many debates over the true meaning contained in its lush pastoral scenery and elaborate detail of the 8 depicted figures.

photo credits: GoSee and wikipedia

Sri Lanka: Colombo, Fort Galle, Unawatuna

2011-03-21T02:56:00.005+08:00

i just remembered that i neglected sri lanka in the midst of discussing Other Trips-- india and thailand respectively.

1. COLOMBO.

all noise and smoke and chaos and constantly being stared at; the country's capital is pretty much what i expected. But i had to have my wits about me as I was rushing to get catch Plane Bus Train on my own...

had a bit of a slumdog millionaire moment with at the old-skool train station thou; it reminded me of the movie so much, you know that last bit where she waits for him at the train station then they break out into a ridiculous dance?

2. UNAWATUNA

Unawatuna is ranked one of the top 10 beaches in the world...sri lanka is an island after all, and the coast is stunning-- just imagine the Indian Ocean at your feet. The tips of your toes, even.

The only downside is that it was an obvious tourist trap-- their familiarity (slight irritability, almost) with foreigners belied their own protectiveness of their own country.

it was a beautiful sunset though...preponderance of lovey couples notwithstanding.

3. FORT GALLE

a slightly more vacation-y area, the bohemian vibe is indisputable and inescapable as you walk the cobbled uneven streets...full of artsy cafes and hip guesthouses and rooftop seating (my favourite bit) and where "wifi" isn't a foreign word...

the sun beats down on the glistening ocean and to be right there where rock meets cliff meets water meets ocean meets infinity = priceless.

thank you for coming along for bits of the ride...u know who u are...

4. FINAL THOUGHTS

there wasn't enough time to enjoy the warmth of the locals, nor the beautiful weather; i see this photo and i think of the many people who came up to chat, to help, to ask for my hand in marriage (i never get the right men...). I remember the many random conversations, the kindness of strangers, the laughs from language barriers, the universality of a smile.

but i all i see is the train leaving the platform...

so I wish sri lanka all the very best in rebuilding its society in the wake of the cessation of the civil war. The people have so much hope, its the least that they deserve from their own country.

Deal.

The 2011 CFDA Award Nominees And Honorees

2011-03-18T20:24:00.008+08:00

so random photo: the upper quad at uni... a month away from being done with my degree, absolutely mental development.

warehouse dress/vita bracelet/banana republic earrings/christian louboutin camel heels.

so, its that time of the year again...Presenting the annual CFDA shortlist:

WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Alexander Wang

Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler

Marc Jacobs

MENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Michael Bastian

Patrik Ervell

Simon Spurr

ACCESSORY DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Alexander Wang

Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler

Reed Krakoff

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR WOMENSWEAR

Joseph Altuzarra

Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row

Prabal Gurung

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR MENSWEAR

Alexander Wang

Phillip Lim

Robert Geller

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR ACCESSORY DESIGN

Alejandro Ingelmo

Eddie Borgo

Jason Wu

Pamela Love

GEOFFREY BEENE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Marc Jacobs

INTERNATIONAL AWARD

Phoebe Philo for Celine

MEDIA AWARD

Hilary Alexander of The Telegraph

FOUNDERS AWARD

Hal Rubenstein of InStyle

FASHION ICON AWARD

Lady Gaga

SPECIAL TRIBUTE AWARD

Arthur Elgort

i think at the end, my only question is:

Where's Haider Ackermann?!?!?!?!?

as a final note, i thought i'd share something eloquently-worded by my dear friend SAL, who writes so expressively that i once googled her words, thinking it was re-posted from somehwere else on the web. (also, i laugh mirthlessly at my poor estimate of her facility with language and repository of emotions.)

"Saint Patrick’s Day this year couldn’t have been further from last year’s – spent some hours in SMU’s library today getting some work done and avoided alcohol and all festivities (though i did wear green). The days of subsequent partying are long gone. Last night at Butter with J and A was good fun with the best of trashy music, though we were all exhausted by the time 2am came. A pulled off her magnificent heels and conceded somewhat ruefully that contrary to the original plan, she would no longer be bringing heels to Europe."*

*Hopefully i find a pair of suitable wedges (none of the ones i have now are ideal...) in time for April..

Alana Zimmer for Amica: SS11

2011-03-07T15:45:00.007+08:00

while it is the FW11 shows that are hogging the fashion headlines, in the Real World it is time instead for SS11 (yes because that was so last season, unrealistic fashion slaves). But this chronological disconnect gives me great pleasure--because i get to revisit the lush vibrance of the SS11 shows, some of which were stunning, and i am sure instantly recognizable.

Enjoy.

you should be able to recognize the SS11 runway stunners like prada (stripes!), jil sander (all that solid color-blocked volume) and gucci (secondary colored jewel tones). all that luxe, almost purist, saturation of hues is combined with impeccable tailoring for a sleek silhouette; i suppose color-blocking's gonna be around for a while.

so all we need to do to be on-trend this season?

WEAR. SOLID. NON-PRIMARY. COLOURS.

and as a final note, i might mention that im not quite a fan of ms zimmer's severe hair-as-helmet combover... yes futuristic and "forward", but also entirely Space-Age Weird. like if she went to space summer camp, she wouldnt be one of the cool kids.

Editorial Details

shot by: Ishi for Amica magazine (Italy)

model: Alana Zimmer

styled by: Paolo Turina/with Ryan Taniguchi (hair) and Lottie (makeup)

photo credit: GoSee

now for more sartorial inspiration (i know shes sticking to monochromatic classics, but that's just her style). I think alexis bledel (of gilmore girls fame) is one of the most stunning women on the planet who also happens not to be a Young Hollywood trainwreck:

finally, just because i've been writing much more than usual of late and therefore need a (non-judging) outlet:

Northstar

Time and circumstance: a dastardly pairing,

Scheming, conspiring—I deviate from my bearings;

No emotional True North exists if truth be told

But I forge ahead with teeth grit and mind bold.

aurora borealis:

I navigate this treacherous terrain in search of you,

A phenomenon, collision of charged particles—illuminate.

Unreachable, unfathomable, my frustration accrues,

Still I jostle yet furiously against this doomed estate.

The vast expanse of wasteland stretching impossibly far

Ahead of my eyes—is there an end in sight?

I trundle, you tromp, absent any rhythm between the two,

My hopeful, beating heart faces only winter’s blight.

The compass always points back

To you.

getaway

2011-02-25T00:59:00.010+08:00

a piece of paradise: koh phi phi ley, or the filming location of 2000's the beach, starring leonardo di caprio

the actual island is part of the same cluster of islands i visited, off the south coast of thailand

so getaways are always great to have-- be they through flights to another part of the world, or a more metaphysical flight of fancy. Music, poetry, theatre and art form the basis for the latter, in my opinion, and constitute an escapism from the harried concerns of Life. In addition, there is sometimes no better, or more eloquent, way of expressing one's thoughts and feelings.

While i much prefer beholding the work of other artists, plumbing the depths of my own soul can be a medium so rewarding it results in the creation of a piece of work I dare to call my own.

gdf

Internal Monologue

“Because I like you”: a fearless declaration in the morning sunlight,

And my eye catches the glint from both ray and word.

It takes me 5 minutes of swirling soaring dumbstruck replay before I smile

And respond in kind.

“Why don't you talk about yourself?”—innocuous,

imploring, an open invitation.

A pause, before I leap.

So I spoke and you listened, and I spoke and you listened, and the space between us melted as you pulled me in tight and didn't let go.

I caress your face, you touch my back,

Rough/smooth: a contrast. Your prodding makes me laugh like

A child, and while my mouth says no

My everything else’s wish is yes,

Unconditionally unendingly unerringly—Yes.

“Come here? It’ll be amazing.” I vascillate,

But only because I’m scared

To want it too much too fast too Now.

Predictably when I do arrive I disappoint myself and forget how

Time has a knack of flying by.

In the meantime I will myself to forget the Bad

Because I want to deny all of that existed: it mars the image of you,

Reveals that

You just didn't give a shit, did you now?

ggt

Pardon me, I obviously faltered there for a bit.

Give me some time,

And I will forget it all.

(You always kissed me on the cheek.)

South India Sights

2011-02-19T02:25:00.004+08:00

welcome to INDIA!!!

I visited the southern state of Kerala; interestingly, it is the most literate of all the Indian states--a staggering 98% of the people are literate there

a riot of color, filled with a cacophony of sounds, a melee of smells and a new sensory experience every corner that you turn...

typical roadside stall selling dailies, traditional indian sweets, and the ubiquitous chai, a frothy milky tea that is made a la minute with fresh cow's milk as you watch amazed...

a famous temple, where we found...

an extremely adorable and clever elephant--clearly i was amused by something...

seaside at pondicherry...not quite Malibu, given its rocky coast and grey palette, but the seaside is still the seaside, and the mood there was upbeat...

more sights in the French quarter in pondicherry...

stunning architecture in an old cathedral, yet another colonial remnant...

a typical bus station: hot, sunny, crowded, and in some need of cleaning...

at alleppey, we lived for a night on a private houseboat, definitely an indulgence...

but tell me how you can put a price on waking up to a view like that: serene blue waters, other rustic-looking houseboats like yours, the sun unflinchingly in your eye, trees swaying in the cool breeze...

and the ever-present tuktuks--you hear them before you see them, speedily zipping about the city; a quick and inexpensive way to get around.

Especially when you're wearing flipflops and carrying a 7kg backpack (even though it is cute and purple...)

on the topic of 14 February

2011-02-10T15:29:00.002+08:00

so.

basically,

I HATE 14 FEBRUARY. WITH A VENGEANCE.

some hate it because they think love's been commercially appropriated to churn industries. others hate it because they get reminded of their own lack of love when surrounded by sickeningly sweet couples. as for me, the last time i celebrated v-day was years ago, and come to think of it, i don't even remember why or how, nor if i even enjoyed the time very much. unlike the people with reasons for their disgust, i possess a regretfully irrational disdain for a day specially set aside for lovers.

still, i am not one to be unappreciative of aesthetic beauty when its staring me in the face, and so in commemoration of the day, and all the rest of the romantics/idealists/blissful/lovedup folks out there, here are some images from Gallery Stock's v-day series. the photographers are all named.

dougie wallace

jennifer cox

the rest of the pictures below are part of a series called, appropriately, 'YOUNG LOVE'. The images were shot by laura pannack, a fast-rising photographer who has won a slew of prestigious awards from 2008 till now.

i REALLY like how she's chosen to capture her subjects in very ordinary natural, almost nondescript surroundings-- as if to say that love isnt all fireworks and sparks;

love can be an ordinary everyday occurrence, if only we look out for it enough.

whether or not you see this, i miss you. x

opening ceremony x chloe sevigny

2011-02-05T15:16:00.004+08:00

About 2 months back, Chloe Sevigny's collaboration with the ever-cool folks at Opening Ceremony went on sale. All the travelling just meant that 1) i had no time to blog about it, and 2) neither did i manage to get my hands of any of the items.

Nonetheless, the collection features 5 prints: leopard, paisley, houndstooth, polka dot, and floral—to encourage just the right amount of pattern clashing. Just the way Chloe does it. Main clothing trends of the collection:

Cropped tees
microshorts
Cable knit sweaters
Flirty teadresses
SKY HIGH BOOTS

Of course, she's never seen without to-die-for footwear (I remember reading once that she said the shoes are to show off her legs, which she deems as her best asset). Nineties shoe label NaNa re-released some of her favourite styles, including combat boots and clogs.

more picks from the good people at WWWD...

good job if you got your hands on any of these, and if not, the current deluge of "_____ x _____" fashion collaborations should ensure that the next big thing will come along in no time.

in other news, it is chinese new year , a time of year which brings together food, family, gambling and money. All of which are very Asian elements i suppose. Have a happy Lunar New Year!

2011-01-20T16:30:00.002+08:00

happy 2011!!!

nothing like being festive and wearing a hat out of a xmas cracker. i had a brilliant 6 weeks travelling... more on that soon i hope. have a lovely year ahead-- as for me, the year promises lots of change ahead! xxxx

What's In A Name?

2010-11-26T00:26:00.003+08:00

It seems that when it comes to personal relationships, the world is ever-too-quick to want us to tie ourselves down to labels. Facebook gives us a number of alternatives: Info-->Edit-->Relationships--> and you get presented with the usual "single", "married" and "in a relationship", to even include options that have traditionally been difficult to define, such as "its complicated". I mean really??? What's in a name?To be honest, I'm just waiting for the day they include "friends with benefits" as an option. Anyway, I actually wrote a piece about that (READ IT HERE) previously, and my conclusion after all that hemming and hawing was that it really is to each his or her own.

The question: Is it really necessary to box ourselves into a particular categorial relationship with a person, and along with that, its (unnecessary, i'd argue) accoutrements of sex and exclusivity and time spent and a host of other obligations? Labels are preconceived, and that's the heart of the issue. Our continued use of them just entrenches the roles and responsibilities tacked onto each label--and i'm not sure that's what I want. Of course i'm not talking about familial relationships--flesh and blood are the 2 things you really cant cut. Ok fine, Heidi Montag might contest the former, but blood? Man, that is for life. No question.

So now that that's out of the way, I personally prefer referring to these relationships as plainly, The Human Connection. If you prefer a catchier (read: with a vowel and hence pronounceable) acronym, let's go with The Human Experience. To be fair, 'connection' does presuppose the existence of the other person, whereas 'experience' can be solo--ask anyone with a vibrator. I MEAN, WHUT!?!? That never happened.

We interact with tens, hundreds of people on a daily basis. We're CONSTANTLY forming more relationships. The rule in practice is that all our relationships are valued based on relative closeness. To that end, we tend to measure interpersonal relationships on a pyramidal scale. I doubt anyone can successfully argue against the relativity point... and pursuant to that, how is it possible that we choose such a linear, check-the-boxes type of labelling, when really, everything is a matter of degree? I might be dating a few people at once, for instance, and forseeing varying levels of likelihood of an actual relationship with each-- then what do i label any of them? To-Be-Boyfriends? Dates? Prospectives? Do i tack on percentages for my own ease of monitoring?

This neatly brings me to my next point in favor of anti-labelling (see the positive spin there? HA.): non-exclusivity. You don't just have ONE prospective at a time... and let me clearly state now that i am pro-fidelity, pro-monogamy, etc etc etc. But what I'm saying is, labels force you into a corner where you limit the behavior to just that one person. Again, Facebook example: "in an open relationship with [insert name]". Anyone else find this a bit ironic? If you're in an open relationship, it really isn't with anyONE in particular is it? Also, just realized multiple consecutive questions make me sound ranty. (Right? Right?!?!?)

Ultimately, my issue with labels isn't the labels themselves, but our obsession with them. It doesn't matter what you want to be with someone-- it just is. You don't have to follow the rules and answer the questions about "so what ARE you guys, really?", or "what are WE?", etc etc. Sometimes, it's easier to just let things be.

After all, a rose by any other name is just as sweet.

that's my mac's wallpaper btw.

separately, will be tres busy from now on: in the midst of finals NOT EVEN FUNNY, followed by camp, then a monkeybunch of travelling for 6 weeks-- India, Sri Lanka, England. there's no way im remotely ready for any of the above, but you know. lemons, lemonade. i am really psyched to see my friends elsewhere in the world thou, so that's a major bright spark.

finally, the best summation of 2 years i enjoyed immensely:

(yea dont worry if you find it incomprehensible...my amazing friends wrote this and props if you can figure out which lines are attributable to me LOL)

HELLO! (waves) | we found a witch! may we burn her? |

| *gasp* globalization! | you shut up you! |

| she turned me into a newt! | obviously antithetical. | well done. |

| die. just die. | nnniiii! | ni ni ni ni ni! |

| oh my gawsh, you guys are sooooo |

| oH maH gaWsH, yOu gUys aRe sOoOoO |

| eh, you. shaaaaaadap. | eh, wonderwall wonderwall! |

| today is going to be the day that they're | NO PLEASE STOP |

| all off key la! | you're just jealous of my natural talent! *smirk* |

| go and die la. | eh change song leh, boring liao. |

| speed of sound! | nooo i want boulevard of broken songs! |

| eh you all grow up finish then call me ok? i'll be over there. |

| K bye. | nooo you're supposed to show some concern. |

| friend, this one called fist. you got try before? |

| wah lao dun liddat leh. | k la we go play basketball ok? |

| set! | but must sing wonderfull first! | wooo ok! |

| i close my eyes when i get too sad | wah chee raining leh! | *beep beep* |

hello azzedine & alber!

2010-11-16T00:30:00.000+08:00

so okay. i never intended for this to happen, but by the end of the few hours, i found myself at home, with 2 new pretty boxes. of shoes. again.

don't judge; sharing them online is my therapy.

iconic pretty blue box fastened with a black ribbon...

(unfortunately, they tend to be very flimsy- its frustrating. because i keep a majority of my shoes in their original boxes)

TA-DA. vertiginous.

olive/khaki platform sandal with brass buckle closure. i really LOVE the block heel, cos its sturdy and also quite my style (nothing too dainty or princessy please!)

Perfect with rolledup jeans, a plain shirt, and chunky jewelry.

sorry about the suspect-looking white item. its just my ankle guard.

"what? your ankle's injured?", you ask. "how do you wear your heels!??!?!"-- cue look of morbid fascination-slash-incredulity.

Well the truth is it was just an old injury which will never fully heal, and i'll be damned if i relegate myself to flats and flipflops for the rest of my life for it.

so FOCUS. ON. THE. SHOES.

im so sorry for the horrible grainy pictures... karla has the same pair, so you can check them out HERE. obviously she actually has proper outfit posts because she is a REAL blogger not a lazy sloth like me who's doing this undercover sartorial thing while actually trying to cut it as a law student in real life. (i'm being serious. her photos are beautiful.... like such as... see below!)

yea, im incorrigible, i cant even muster the strength to get a proper photoshoot done. i'm sorry... but to help matters, i got this picture from her blog, cos i think it showcases the shoe and its detail a lot better. i mean, you cant compare the humble iphone camera to a DSLR!

u can see the 'pebbly' looking texture to the leather...it reminds me of balenciaga's distressed leather. i am really pleased with this pair of shoes. plus they make me TALL. score.

omg, i have trouble breathing when i see this still.

brown box with metal studs, black leather belt closure, "alaia" embossed on the belt. this is a really historic shoe for me in that i never EVER thought i would get a pair.

my first ever pair of alaias!!! thank you thank you mr azzedine alaia for your legacy and craftsmanship... i can just look at the shoe and feel satisfied that i have them. wearing not necessary!

confession: i take them out and stroke the ponyhair every few nights... true story.

so they are black suede+ponyhair, with a fantastic side profile.

yea whatever, ignore the minnie mouse in the background. i'm sentimental, wot can i say!?

but the best bit is of course the zebra-print ponyhair cap toe... replete with a small black patent bow (which is thankfully hardly even visible YAY no overt girliness).

the only REAL problem i foresee is, between ponyhair and suede, i can forget about wearing these except for really special occasions.

and sorry this one isnt clear but the heel with the same ponyhair, and the back with 3 patent "stitches". stroke. stroke.

they're also the most expensive shoes... erm. EVER, that i own. (think loubs are pricey? HA.) it took me a lot of vascillating and hemming & hawing before i decided to get them. my dad really thought these were quite unique so that really helped my decision. thanks mum and dad lol.

additionally, don't think i'll be buying anything for awhile. will be on hiatus due to exams! back in early december!

Boy Meets Girl: Edzard Plitz for SCHWEIZER ILLUSTRIERTE

2010-11-06T00:03:00.003+08:00

I'm nowhere near multilingual, let alone fluent in German, but i think the concept (very broadly and roughly!) is "Model School" as the title suggests-- learning how to dress up in tweed pants (hosen, yes?), jersey blouses/shirts, and ties.

I like the schoolboy aesthetic and circumspect androgynous accessorizing: fedoras (a bit done to death, but this is a fresh take on the hipster-studded-model-off-duty look thats SO over), ties, leather belts and boots, all topped off with a bare face, natural brows and unstyled hair.

Make-up & hair: Miriam Jacks; Photography: Edzard Plitz

They collaborated with producer Roman Goebel to shoot this fashion editorial for SCHWEIZER ILLUSTRIERTE Style, the most widely-read Swiss People magazine.

photo credit: GoSee

la dolce vita

2010-10-31T00:00:00.001+08:00

so i realize how un-personal Life In Technicolor has become, and because i find myself stuck in a bit of a rut, i'm just gonna look back on the past 4 months since i got back from Sydney.

doubles up as an uber-cheater outfit post.

DKNY chiffon top/H&M black jeans

miss sixty bronze dress

so time's been spent hanging out with friends who've spent time here and have left it behind...i've definitely come to see that people come and go; its just a fact of life. not everyone's able to process this concept well, but i figure now that the faster you learn this, the better.

michael kors knit top

this was when i turned 22; i never thought i'd go beyond 21 to be honest. but time bears upon us in a way that we either fight (fruitlessly, of course), or embrace. so with a mojito in hand, i choose the latter. 22 was chilled out for me--those were literally the only 2 drinks i had at the venue, and the group was small but i had fun still.

brandless dress

of course, each summer hoardes of friends descend back on the sunny shores of this tiny island, and believe me when i say that nothing else brings me quite as much pleasure as being with these people all over again. the juvenility of it all is delightful--picking a posh hotel lobby in which to smuggle alcohol in while security marches about in precariously close proximity.

and as you can see, i got my hair done! (or hair DID... lol).

it wasn't quite a highlight job as it was a multi-colored dye job. i'm pretty pleased with how my colorist did it and even now, 3 months on, you dont see roots as much as you see dimension. (roots r a big pet peeve of mine, although yes i know bottle blondes like jen aniston pull it off real well.)

topshop multi bandeau

this was a wonderful generous opportunity offered by some friends who wanted to leave with a bang. so we did it, some 57 stories up in the air, overlooking the entire business district. its something i wont easily forget, and i spent some quiet time just looking over the expanse of the city. this photo doesnt do it justice of course.

then we also sit around, talk smack, play silly games, etc... typical stuff.

warehouse dress which i wore a year prior at my 21st(!!!)

and one of the benefits of being asian is topping human pyramids. i have a friend obsessed with these, but i dont think he'll ever see this. HA.

side note: oooo colored hair! see, its an appropriate indicator of chronology.

but for everyone that comes and goes, there are some who always remain.

massimo dutti top/mcqueen bangle

i never liked the word "girlfriends", because i just think its way too trite and overused. but this would be the closest i have to some kinda sisterhood. (EEP. sappy factor defo going up.)

thrift finds-- this is wot we call 70s fashion

and of course, the HUGE undertaking, the months of work, all of which culminated in the weekend of LAW IV. i'd say it was the most fulfilled i've been, artistically, since my theatre studies days where studying the Greek playwrights, European history, and English literary greats gave me personal satisfaction like nothing i've found since.

of course, the drunken aftermath HAD to be caught on tape, and while amusement is wot u see on our faces, oh the horror was definitely a refrain to be chanted.

a lawyer's story

in many ways, ending 4 years of academic study with soemthing so ordinarily beyond the realm of the law (i see little dichotomy between the 2, but thats honestly just me) was proof that entering the Big Bad World needn't be cause for worry...

at least not if you have friends like these.

you know how there are some experiences in life you cant go through without becoming friends? (like if you shoot a film together, or get stuck in an elevator or something)...

well there are also some friends in life you cant have without making every experience amazing.

its all written on our faces: life is

Bryan Adams snaps the long & short of it all for ZEISS

2010-10-24T23:41:00.014+08:00

Bryan Adams (yes, him of "baby you're all that i want" fame) photographed the contrasting looks of supermodel Tatjana Patitz and comedic actor Michael J. Fox in New York for the ZEISS art calendar 2011.

Clearly, what 3 of them have in common is a feelgood sense of humor.

The German group of companies will produce limited run of 1,000 copies and allow a privileged hand-picked crowd to take a sneak peek at the Haus der Photographie in the Deichtorhallen Hamburg in this month.

I love how Mr Adams found such a plethora of different everyday settings in which he could insert and amalgamate

the glamor of the celeb life,
big-city-awe of NYC, and
the supposedly vertically-coerced power play.

Cheeky, witty and able not to take itself too seriously, 2011 will be quite the year for those 1000 lucky folk. Defo a collector's item for keeps!!!

well played, Bryan Adams.

separately,

yea thats what she looks like in real life, for those who (kindly!) asked.

matador 100s in mustard

2010-10-01T22:06:00.005+08:00

Dear DHL,

I am counting on you to (re?)unite me with my prized possessions. Thank you.

designer spotlight: alejandro ingelmo

2010-09-19T02:17:00.000+08:00

on everyone's fashion radar this week is CFDA/Vogue Fashion Awards 2008 finalist alejandro ingelmo, who celebrates his first boutique opening! replete with light boxes, full-length mirrors and walls lined with ornate shoe boxes (YES! cleverly designed wall-to-wall storage!), his SoHo address is sure to attract the hipsters that do (and don't) already know about his sexy shoe aesthetic.

the man himself-- wot a looker!

hailing from a family of shoemakers, the fourth-generation shoemaker ingelmo chose to keep the feel of his boutique nostalgic in a respectful nod to his heritage. that simplicity of design gets a sophisticated lift with modern accents (above!!!). Apt then, that his store is located on the lower level of a Wooster St brownstone--with a discreet sign merely saying "shop".

BUT ON TO THE MAIN ATTRACTION: HIS CREATIONS.

ingelmo's signature are towering, sexy, fetishist strappy creations which first got him noticed by the fickle fashion insiders who passed them onto their celebrity clients, giving him even more visibility.

but he has recently expanded his collection to include a robust selection of casual-cool flats.

of particular note would be his burgeoning men's collection, which has been garnering RAVE reviews approaching cult status of covetability. no pictures because i'm not that into menswear or shoes, but suffice to say his sneakers are FLY.

Another most exciting collaboration (i'll just leave out H&M x Lanvin because i have no way of getting my hands on any pieces given that there is no H&M boutique in Singers...) is between my favorite ballet flat label repetto and the ever-hip, eternally-cool Opening Ceremony. While i favor their simple classic black flats, OF COURSE they would be funkily reincarnated for the hipster boutique.

Hopefully on pedder bring some in to Singapore-- although i was just there last week and only silver and gold repettos are in stock at the moment. BOO HOO.

picture credits: rantingsofashopaholic, newyorkmag, style.com

on art and artistry: paula parrish

2010-09-13T02:19:00.003+08:00

NY-based photographer paula parrish had her exhibition at the Visionairs Gallery paris (not to be confused with the independent gallery of the same name in NYC) open just a week ago. Her work is highly evocative of fantasy, that dreamscape achieved using experimental techniques in printing, mounting and reshooting images.

Her work is highly layered, textured and multidimensional, incorporates many techniques. While her artistry is clearly evident and appreciated in the art world (hence the exhibition!), she came onto my radar through her more commercial work in fashion, which she started in 2004.

the exhibition is on at:

VISIONAIRS GALLERY paris

14 Rue des carmes 75005 Paris,

during the period of:

7-30 September 2010.

-----

and on a personal note...

in the same vein, the musical

"Scruples: A Tale of Trial and Error"

will be showing from:

24-26 September 2010 at

NUS Law Faculty (NUS Bukit Timah Campus), Auditorium.

i suppose it seems slightly shameless... but truly this musical is what i've poured my heart and soul into for the last 2 months. In all the theatre work ive done, never have i attempted a musical. Incorporating live music into a piece of art onstage is definitely no easy task, but for something so apparently foreign to me, doing theatrical work again just makes me remember and realize how happy any manifestation of artistry makes me.

slightly pensive, obviously, because this really is a swansong for me, effectively. ironically, it is also a debut in many ways--first musical, first time directing a musical, first time working with amateurs, first time working with law classmates,... the list does go on. i can only hope i get to look upon this as fondly as i do much of my other theatre work in teh past.

latest acquisition

2010-08-08T00:24:00.001+08:00

sam edelman shoes.

very fierce.

Designer Spotlight: CUE

2010-07-21T20:56:00.007+08:00

so Sydney was really great- i lived in 2 really distinct neighborhoods (Surry Hills, a hip haven for yuppies, and Chinatown- enough said) and loved both!

I discovered a new label and quickly got to finding out more about it after purchasing a dress that i can only call "Impeccably Constructed". i have no occasion to wear it as yet, but i hope i can provide a picture of it soon!

Its founder Rod Levis states: "CUE is not a cheap and cheerful label. Our clothes, which mostly use imported fabric, are expensive but they are sharper, more edgy and appeal to the savvy buyer."

All the additional cost was validated when CUE won Australia's prestigious Fashion Retailer of the Year Award just months ago in October 2009.

i really love how their WEBSITE shows you catalog looks, as well as the inspiration and styling involved! i think its very clever marketing...

Routinely occupying prime space in fashion rags like Harpers Bazaar, Grazia and Vogue, other fans of CUE include numerous Aussie celebs, Claudia Schiffer and Jennifer Hawkins. The brand has grown from its humble single-store origins in 1968 to 140 CUEstores in the region, including 66 in Myer department stores and 17 in New Zealand.

Most hearteningly, CUE is certified as "ethically made in Australia", which means they arent just about outsourcing production to keep their own profit margins high. Now a company that cares? I can definitely get behind that.

wearing michael kors embellished collar dress.

us, world champs, at the International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot Competition 2010 in Sydney. it was a blast meeting new people from all around the world, so winning was just the (admittedly very enjoyable) cherry on top.

i have so many more pictures and summer stories to share but this will have to do for now! I hope you like my SKYDIVE PICTURES; easily one of the most massive things ive done in my life!!!!

Predictably, barely a week into returning home, i got straight to work on the Law School annual charity musical, which is what's gonna keep me on my toes until the end of September.

anatomy of a skydive.

2010-07-15T17:50:00.003+08:00

need words even be said?

14000 ft up, 1 minute of free fall, 5 minutes of parachuting, land, big hugs.

EPIC.

the many faces of summer

2010-06-29T13:08:00.001+08:00

June. the ole mid-point of the year, really, once you think about it. but think of June and you think of the height of summer! summer's all about sun, surf and sand you say?

well, summer's got many more incarnations than that if you're lenswoman Ewa-Marie Rundquist, shooting a SS10 campaign for L.O.G.G., H&M’s sporty range.

carefree summer.

pensive summer.

languid summer.

lazy summer.

my favorite supermodel EVER.

you could if you tried. twiggy's 4-step DIY.

trend: ACID beige

2010-06-20T00:51:00.006+08:00

before i begin: IVE UPDATED THE LINKS! THANKS.

dree hemingway in valentino couture SS10 at the "cinema against AIDS" benefit in Cannes, France

so even if pictures are worth a thousand words, i would have been SPEECHLESS seeing dree as she was in valentino couture. i'm pretty sure this image is new to anyone who sees it, because it took the fashion world by storm about a month ago, when the images traversed the web at lightning speed as people tweeted, blogged and generally gushed their way through the parade of gowns while ms hemingway arguably stood firm at the top of the heap.

now it appears that marie claire magazine has followed in her stunning footsteps. (btw, HER SHOES. kill me now please. i cannot place them!)

a great way to not just co-opt dree's look but to be appropriate for the season is to catch on to this bandwagon they've conveniently termed ACID BEIGE.

indeed, neon pops of color are tempered with the sexiest neutrals like sand and blush, creating a look that's not too over-the-top while sitll being complete attention-grabbing.

balenciaga/roksanda ilincic/DvF/calvin klein/max azria

style.com has a rather more blinding take on this spring trend--going all the way with neons and acids as shown on the Resort 10 runways (as opposed to the SS10 season). i suppose its the wild abandon of partying away in exotic locales that gives rise to a similar disregard for propriety and "toning it down".

besides, Day-Glo and golden tans are quite the bedfellows.

of course, how can i end this post with any other image than that of SJP in her neon yellow stunner from the same collection as dree's pick?

she matched it with silver ferragamo pumps, loose waves, minimal jewelry...

and a megawatt smile.

i suppose this summer, THAT's really the best accessory.

SO whether you decide to go all the way like sjp or keep it tempered like dree hemingway, there's no question that pastels are out and rainbow brites are in.

fallon cuff by dana lorenz

final picture--item of lust. just saying. it would go SO WELL with anything neon!

short personal update:

sydney calls more and more loudly-- i'm flying off in just about a week, and its been 15 years since i was there last!!! INSANE. i would defo appreciate tips and ideas from anyone- just email me at leyandrea13@gmail.com and that would be MUCH APPRECIATED. feel free to ask for something in return haha. aside from the competition, i'll have about 3-4 days free on my own, aside from meeting up with friends and their friends.

photo credits: style.com, GoSee, Buzz Catalog

CFDA spotlight 2010: gothmeisters mcqueen & dana lorenz

2010-06-07T01:28:00.010+08:00

in honor of the CFDA Awards held today (7 june), i am posting about 2 of the nominees i have respected/admired enough to shell out for:

alexander mcqueen for the Special Tribute Award (SJP is presenting, supposedly)
dana lorenz of fenton and fallon, as nominated for the swarovski accessories designer of the year award

alexander mcqueen.

so F/W 2010 was alexander mcqueen (aka lee)'s inadvertent swansong, and it comes as no surprise that the fashion community, rocked by his sudden and shocking departure, chose to honor him with the Special Tribute Award this year.

skull accessories.

one of mcqueen's iconic images (i would argue THE iconic image) is the skull motif. Emblazoned on his silk scarves (a la nicole richie circa 2004-present) since 2003, it has since appeared in all other manner of mcqueen merchandise: jewelry, tees, shoes, and most notably the skull clasp box clutch.

edit: instead of explaining let me jsut upload a picture...

skull clasp box clutches.

now that sarah burton is helming the label (i personally am pretty excited to see wot she does because she has been doing good work hitherto...), the cachet of anything mcqueen f/w 2010 and prior has undeniably increased-- along with, i can foresee, their prices in the future.

more skull accessories.

personally, however, i'm more concerned with making sure i have a piece of mr mcqueen's heritage-- and it just aint the same if it wasnt designed by the man himself. of course, budgetary concerns dictated that i only have a very small piece of his legacy...

mcqueen f/w 2010 skull bangle.

and so i present my latest acquisition. simple but iconic.

a necessary addition, i would go so far as to say.

while there will never be any more designs by the man himself, his vision while alive was so unflinchingly clear that ms burton and the rest of his dedicated design team will no doubt know exactly the boundaries within which they will work to keep his legacy alive.

dana lorenz.

dana lorenz is the feted designed of the 2 haute jewelry labels fenton and fallon.

Her work is characterized by a heavily-embellished, pretty/punk rockerchick aesthetic, which immediately won her press coverage in top rags like vogue, as well as a slew of celebrity fans including rihanna & michelle obama.

(today i'm only writing about fallon because her haute line, fenton, is characterized by high-end materials like freshwater pearls and prices do increase significantly because of that. we're talking in the thousands as opposed to the relatively cheaper fallon which starts and ends in the hundreds.)

i suppose then that its no surprise that she was nominated for accessories designer of the year, along with hipstercool wunderkind alexander wang (whose chainstrap bags are honestly amazing) and fellow too-chic jewelry designer eddie borgo.

dana lorenz's vision is clear as well.

multilayered chains are an iconic staple, with the occasional strand of pearls or (gasp) barbed wire mixed in. yet, her seemingly heavy-duty jewelry never looks clunky or unwieldy. almost contrary to that, in fact, is how they become statement pieces.

her jewelry is also always topped off with the same simple rounded lobster clasp- in a complementary finish to the piece of jewelry itself. fallon is also etched into a leaf-shaped tag attached at one end. nice touch, if you ask me-- it reminds me of a dogtag which fits the military-tough-chic aesthetic of her line anyway.

plus, its a nice little indicator that marks a piece of her work.

terrible photo (iphone) of my necklace.

i dont think its clear at all, but basically this design is a multistrand necklace- one gold, one black metal and one silver entwined with a leather strap.

the chains are wound round each other, and u can see the little leafshaped tag at the bottom of the picture. obviously my camera is too shitty to capture the engraved part of the tag, but it looks exactly like the one in the picture just before this one.

another terrible photo.

wearing:

topshop sheer tank, haberdasher long skirt, oris watch, banana republic matte gold cuff (my left hand), and of course fallon necklace.

it was TOO EARLY on a saturday morning- evidently. but this is literally the only photo i have. major thanks to the parentals for their sponsorship of this post.

FINALLY:

TO SHOP: (click on image for direct link)

fallon doesn't ship (domestically nor internationally), so you have to purchase your jewelry either from online sites shopbop.com, barneys and buydefinition.com, or from nationwide US stores barneys, kitson, henri bendel, intermix and other select boutiques.

For the full list of internationally participating stores, CLICK HERE.

fallon is also available for purchase in the following cities: dubai, london, berlin, hongkong, tokyo, riyadh, beirut, jakarta, vancouver, toronto, singapore.

mcqueen does ship internationally, so you can shop on the site itself-- in fact they are currently having a sale...which includes his sea-inspired collection! and of course for smaller budgets, his accessories.

if you'd rather try everything on for size/view them in person, both fallon and alexander mcqueen are available for purchase in Singapore at:

on pedder

#02-12 Ngee Ann City

391 Orchard Road.

(short note: the only drawback is that prices are marked up by a certain percentage here, so if you are travelling i suggest you purchase abroad.)

short personal update:

i have been really busy with a number of projects, shortly summarized as below hehe:

took a trip to laos with a crew of friends--tubing in vang vieng and took in some sights in vientiene. hit up the pristine serene island of tioman prior to that. now i'm back in singapore but most of them are all still travelling southeast asia before returning to the UK...
flying off to sydney in a few weeks...will be there for about a fortnight for an international moot competition- (dont worry its another one of those ridiculously esoteric legal things that we do...). not so sure i want to be in australia in winter, but we'll see. its been over a decade since i last set foot in sydney so i'm sure its changed tons.
busy this summer with a MAJOR project: the annual law charity musicale... i am directing it so its a pretty epic undertaking. not sure how things will pan out, but fingers crossed. people are all over the world at this point so its difficult to collaborate as of right now. hopefully scheduling conflicts will lessen when people fly home...

that's all folks!

apologies AGAIN for barely updating this- you can choose not to believe me but i do feel bad. still endlessly thankful for the continued readership...cheers guys! xxxxxxx

think pink

2010-04-27T19:19:00.003+08:00

so i saw this on a website recently. pretty wise words- thou you cant do much with them.

off of the streets of london so you can draw your own conclusions from that.

i am love

so i've been wanting to see this film, and hopefully see it before i recommend it, but that earlier photo just reminded me so much of the palette in tilda swinton's latest film. she produced and starred in it, and truly she is one of the most nuanced actors out there. i tend to favor actors who 'underplay' things, rather than being OTT, and tilda's 3rd in my book. (meryl and kate being the toppers.)

the visuals in this film are absoltuely STUNNING from the looks of it. its definitely more of a visual landscape than it is a narrative-driven film. check out the trailer below, its only 3 minutes long but at the end of it you are left wanting much much more.

so beautiful.

just FYI, it is essentially an Italian film about a Russian mother at the centre of a wealthy Italian family who starts to have an affair with the best friend of one of her sons, only to find her life unravelling.

gotta love diesel.

i dont often about 'inspiration', or in a manner like this where i share colors that speak to me or create a mood; maybe only done that once or twice.

but i do quite like how this has turned out... truly when i saw the pink photo it just SCREAMED to me to put the i am love poster next to it.

uniqlo x jil sander SS10

2010-04-14T22:59:00.003+08:00

UNIQLO SS10: +J COLLECTION

IN COLLABORATION WITH DESIGNER JIL SANDER

Japanese brand Uniqlo is synonymous with well-tailored, affordable, quality basics in a dizzying array of styles and colors.

i suppose, kinda like The AA of asia, if you will...

let me just interrupt what i have to say with an unadulterated declaration that

I LOVE TAO OKAMOTO.

her outfits are the most badass of the lot. or maybe she's just working them the most.

ok back to the story...

So the collaboration with designer Jil Sander back in December 2009 was highly anticipated, really in the sameway that CdG x H&M or Rodarte x Target or Stella mccartney x Gap was--

a high-fashion designer at an affordable price.

known for her clean and tailored sartorial stamp, I definitely expected the same sharp modern silhouettes from the new +J collection.

More interestingly, I wanted to see her designs in the high-technology yet functional textiles Uniqlo has been churning out, and if that marriage would work.

based on the pictures interspersing all this text, i'd say the collection speaks for itself.

with a muted pastel palette, the superior tailoring and quality of the fabric get to take centrestage.

the modernity of the clothes comes both from the sleekness and simplicity of designer jil sander's impeccable aesthetic, as well as the sheer quality of uniqlo's innovative textiles.

shiny lilac jacket? on a dude? with cotton twill chinos? WOT!??!?

point being,

why hello good looking. i love your bold jacket. like a cool-ass biker dude, without the jesse james tattoos (and infidelity). and great flatfronts.

is purple too bold for some of u dudes? well ok they've got it in black as well. i dont need to get started on the womenswear-- tao models the same jacket in the first picture. add to that elegant basics and breton stripes aplenty.

(prices of the jackets from $79 to $229, if you're curious).

cheers!

on a more personal note, i realise the last time i did a full post it was 2 months ago. that is pretty ridiculous... i've really neglected this, and i also know i've barely posted any outfit photos in a really long time.

the truth is, aside from the trouble it takes (dont get me wrong its really fun, just time-consuming), i've been focusing on school. this summer promises to be superbusy, and i'l be spending some time in sydney both for school and for fun. other than that, i've actually put all other plans on hold because school-related stuff is gonna take up pretty much all of my time. i know you continue to read this, and for that i am so grateful, because the reason i even blog is so that i can share my opinions with other people. i still read emails and comments (thou i screen them), and most importantly i am still a silent supporter, particularly of the blogs ---> there.

be well!

all image credit to uniqlo press kit. all images from uniqlo's regular ss10 collection.

2 blocks south

2010-02-10T22:34:00.002+08:00

2 blocks south is an australian streetwear label. these latest shots for their ad campaign feature models marte and sam andrea (!!! i still get excited when i see my name anywhere in any incarnation...), and shot by photographer marijke aerden.

i think the shots have been beautifully styled--the monochrome doesn't take away from any of the pictures. they are still edgy, compelling and very sexy. in fact, these pictures remind me of another high-gloss monochromatic photoshoot--the grayscale is balanced out by the high saturation of the images. SO AMAZING, the models just pop off of the screen.

and speaking of going south...

demi moore for helena rubenstein

i mean, why even bother with makeup when everything gets edited to within an inch of its life!?!?!? i can see how erasing blemishes is a good thing to have, dont get me wrong, but it seems even my untrained (albeit critical) eye can spot the following enhancements:

unusually alabaster skin (i mean its not like she's cate blanchett/anne hathaway...)
extremely full and glossy jetblack hair
a wrinkle-free neck and fingers...oh yea, and FACE
cleavage!!!!! though i must admit the edits in that department look fabulous.

that's what happens when ashton kutcher posts pictures to his twitter account.

image credits: nymag, gosee

how to do nudes (the Calvin Klein edition)

2010-02-02T22:47:00.004+08:00

calvin klein

typically full of clean lines, sporty silhouettes and minimalist designs rendered in fresh pastels for Spring...not so sure those sandals will be a hit, but certainly the frocks will be...

so francisco costa and his ck colleague italo zucchelli threw a party last week in celebration of LA ARTS MONTH. i guess in other words, LA "let's-pat-ourselves-on-the-back-with-statuettes-because-xmas-and-thanksgiving-are-over-and-summer-is-too-far-away" MONTH. i kid. kinda.

in any case, among the many celebrity attendees dressed in CK but of course, i spotted 2 ladies, each epitomizing one end of the fashion scale.

presenting.....

melissa george

red lips are a HUUUUUUGE HIT this awards season, but instead of chilli red, melissa got red-by-way-of-twilight on her lips. the dried-blood color contributed to the vampiric fantasy just as much as her whitish pallor did.

aside from the makeup, the lovely blush sheath was undone by her poor red carpet posing. the loose sleeves went from comfort wear to poor form in one flashbulb second. it is a lovely color and beautiful up close, but there's just no disguising an unattractive silhouette.

shame.

kate bosworth

clearly a far FAR cry from the missus before this. from her luminous glowing tan to her natural pink lips, kate was quite the picture of youthful vitality.

the salmon crinkled silk dress was age appropriate and very cute, ending just above her knees for a balance between girlishness and sophistication.

any shorter and it would've screamed "SEND ME TO PROMISES PLEASE", but i'm glad we're too busy with awards season to be obsessing over celebrity weight interventions.

(BTW, anyone else notice that!??!?! no weighty news these days truly because there's no need to cook up such frivolous things when major groundbreaking historic things are happening these days... like the annual awards shows. -_-)

vintage drew barrymore, 2009 promoting grey gardens

all the talk about nudes just reminded me of this picture because it made such an impact with her old hollywood glamor phase...it was versace i believe.

BTW people i'm sure we all know she won the emmy and the golden globe for her performance in that show!

which brings me to oscar excitement. traditionally, the oscars are the grandest and most feted awardshow of the season. i take no contrary view. so i'm just excited to see what happens, especially with best picture now being the most open race, given that there are 10 nominees this year onwards, and that the Directors Guild, SAG and HFPA have conflicting winners so far.

always good to have some unpredictability-- winners wise.

as for the gowns...

i think we've already seen how nudes are taking over this season!!! i need to get me some of those.

image credits: FYB, redcarpetfashionawards, rantingsofashopaholic

massive outfit post!

2010-01-20T17:33:00.005+08:00

loving each day as if its our last/dancing all night and having a blast/cos baby/i want you right here next to me

jack/pip/me/oli

posing with a busker on a KL street. we were a multinational bunch!

anyways. since my camera got stolen, i've had lots of difficulty doing proper outfit posts, especially since i dont want to revert to using my macbook's built-in camera.

SO. here i present the past month in photos culled from facebook. (HOW AMATEUR!!!!)

warehouse dress/stuart weitzman magenta quasar honorroll heels/marc jacobs satchel/tiffany jewelry.

image credit to my dearest friend jinesh who's been Very Into his new camera.

the light that afternoon was absolutely gorgeous as well; we were outside the museum and it was the prettiest setting i had been in in a while.

the bag comes in dusty pink, slate, and black, but my mum decided on the grey one. so here i am, just borrowing it. the grey makes it super versatile and i really like the pyramidal stone detailing. definitely more bad-ass than the pink one!

michael kors dress, red lips. no jewelry!

zing/me/shaun

*hopefully* my future collaborators when they come here for summer from the UK (cambridge and bristol respectively...). here we were at a friend's house, and i really love the ethereal tint to the photo.

we used a film camera, so that must be why it has this hue to it.

HITLER!!!!!!!!!

it was an austin-powers-themed birthday party and they brought a kohl liner, and everyone had to draw on themselves. most people drew moles, referencing the "moley" character from the movie.

i of course, missed out the part of the invite detailing the theme, and therefore came dressed... in decidedly NON-60s wear. so a hitler mustache had to do the trick.

alldressedup top/warehouse wool pencil skirt/tiffany jewelry.

amazingly enough, the mustache paid off, because here i am, Most Sporting Girl, along with my friend moses, the Best Dressed Boy! he took honors for obvious reasons-- homemade frill sleeves, skunk pillow-round-neck, fedora and tux. twas a night of good fun!

marc by MJ dress/aldo pointy flats/own glasses/mop from school.

this was a time of HUGE laughs. i knocked my can of tea over, and had to clean up the mess... so i trotted off to the loo to ask the cleaners for a mop i could borrow. using it effectively was another story altogether.

but that was a fun day too.

dorothy perkins top/tiffany jewelry/fuschia lips.

so that's all i've got, at least in terms of photos that properly capture me and what i'm wearing. i've been pretty busy with law school and figuring out what it is i'm gonna do next (in Life, that is...).

i miss writing back to everyone and i promise i will do so by the end of this month so keep writing to me and thanks for continuing to visit Life in Technicolor.

cheers! xxxxxxxxxx

on outlandish blondes

2010-01-10T20:51:00.004+08:00

so lady gaga does it again, this time choosing to be a somewhat Jesus-incarnate. while i respect and admire her madonna-esque chameleon qualities, i've never been a fan of all that outlandishness, simply because i remember her before she got big. she made a nondescript appearance on the Hills (YES i watched that show), and it just seems like shock value now.

clearly, i'm just one person.

veik, from beijing, has taken his adoration to a whole new level by DIY-ing lady gaga dolls!

he's done an absolute TOP JOB of getting her looks down pat, and you can see the looks below...i've put some corresponding real-life photos of her more memorable looks.

for more,

you can take a look at veik's photostream that he constantly updates.

dolls: jesus/THAT kermit coat

her latest incarnation.

the coat.

at the MTV VMAs, where she also gave that heartstopping, OTT and very bloody performance. more like performance art.

and of course, her bow hair/the SS10 mcqueens that could snap ankles like twigs.

joonbug featured an interview with veik, and i picked my favorite question out of the 10 or so:

How long does it take to create each doll?

It depends. Some looks are very easy to make. What is hard for me is finding the materials to make her outfit, makeup, or wigs in doll-size. I try my best to make my dolls look as close as possible to the real person. But I make my dolls at home and am not a professional doll designer or OOAK [one of a kind] doll maker, so materials are very limited. But that's exactly what I advocate, DIY. You can see that I use a pen cap, paper, and black nail polish to make her glasses. I want to tell other doll players that they can create their own Lady Gaga doll with very basic materials you have at home. Especially for kids; I know how I played with dolls when I was a child. I couldn't always ask my parents for money to buy all I wanted to. So, I made things myself. Nowadays, since there are so many people that find me online and not just kids, I'm improving my skill. I hope to do Lady Gaga dolls better than ever, so I'm learning from talented people and improving myself. Although now it will probably take longer than ever to create a doll.

OH, i hear you say-- enough about gaga already!

i couldnt agree more!

so i leave you with this amazing/gross picture of the stylist everyone loves to hate: rachel zoe.

what really baffles me is how her almost-hot, floppy hair, laidback beachbum of a husband, rodger, continues to tolerate her! i remember one ep of the rachel zoe show where he was trying to get it on with her and she totally blew him off. NO, not that way.

as in, "no honey i'm so tired and stressed. another time."

and rodger was sad! poor man!!!

between her raisinface (as coined by perezhilton), bony limbs, visible ribcage, concave chest, self-obsession (watch youtube clips of the show if you dont believe me!), straggly hair and lack of libido-- that's what a diet of coffee does to you!-- i'm amazed rodger continues to be loving and do the sweetest things like tell her shes gorgeous and make her brekkie she barely eats.

even if i had 10 other lives, i'm pretty sure i'd never have been a blonde.

LAST THING!!!

i hope everyone had a great festive season adn a good start to the new year. the second half of junior year starts tomorrow, and already i've been emailed 10o pages to read by this weekend. that's just for one module. so i'm off to do that now.

cheers xx!

muse

2009-12-31T16:13:00.001+08:00

model alice dellal.

keep reading and you'll see why she starts this post off.

here is claudia schiffer in muse magazine, as shot by photographer jonas bresnan.

and boy does she show why she is one of the greats-- by ably morphing herself into alice dellal. at least, that's how i look at it.

the asymmetric hair, the brunette roots, the black, lace, boots, biker gloves, leather, pvc, skin.

want a comparison to one of the edgiest models around? its uncanny.

stunning.

welcome to 2010 everyone.

may the new year bring forth challenges, inspiration, and many happy returns. xxxxxxxxx

image credit to GoSee

KL highlights

2009-12-28T16:32:00.002+08:00

so just some pictures from KL to close out the year.

i've found that South-east Asia especially has got a rather preculiar charm to it... not least because of its relative undeveloped nature in comparison to cultural and economic giants like HK, korea and who can leave out the powerhouse Japan.

i'm just gonna do this chronologically for ease.

merdeka square

merdeka means 'freedom' in Malay, and mainly i found the architecture of thsi area really interesting. in a Muslim country like Malaysia, lots of religious elements are usually incorporated. in this case, the building just reminded me of the middle east.

working it.

or trying to. just one of those very many poseur photos you take, especially in front of a graffiti-covered wall in teh middle of the city.

booyah!

we kinda tried our hand at f1 racing. yawn.

but of course, one of the highlights of the trip was seeing the petronas twin towers, which are the tallest twin towers in the world. they are due to be eclipsed by... the dubai tower, but since that's only under construction, KL wins for now.

doing the classic pose: "i held up the tower bridge!"

the place was absolutely crawling with tourists, and i suppose the towers were much prettier at night because of all the lights.

petronas is acutally Malaysia's state-owned petroleum company, so you can imagine why the towers are as magnificent as they are. they also house the company's HQ offices.

we got to watch an introduction to the towers in a plush theatre.... next to us are our friends from Australia and NZ. they are a couple we met at our hostel one night over drinks-- how predictable. but we all got along really well so we decided to see the towers together!

to get up to the tower bridge, one has to line up early in the morning in the hope that you are one of the first 800 people there-- becaues they give out 800 free passes a day.

and NO, you cannot buy your way up to the bridge. so here's the view of the towers close up. pretty intimidating.

more of the city.

at one of a few observation decks.

i own you.

and again.

guess who got stopped by some chinese/honkie/taiwanese/etc tourists??!?!?

i'm still not sure how to react to this bizarre event.

classic jumpshot.

backstory: it took MANY attempts to get this right. the photog was a really good sport about the whole thing, thou.

in any case,

this cast iron structure really reminded me of the iwo jima one in washington, D.C. its the very famous structure where the men are raising an American flag? if you know this, good. clint eastwood would be proud. if not, erm-- google it.

this one in Malaysia was meant to commemorate the soldiers who had fought in the war of independence. (i htink). either ways, it was a war memorial, and to get there we had to climb a winding path but it was so worth it when you got to the top.

and the batu caves. the reason why we went to KL in the first place!

we debated over whether that giant buddha was gold or not...but upon closer inspection, the most it could've been was gold-plated. and even then, we didnt think it was.

it was just absolutely MASSIVE.

more posing.

there were a total of 300+ steps (i think), each of them being numbered as you walked up. the steps were steep and narrow, with no rest stops.

my quads were burning but how i loved the burn. haha.

the caves were filled with many animals, from monkeys to roosters to dogs, and my personal favorite, 2 snakes. this is the second albino python i've been privileged to get acquainted with...

the maiden experience was in venice beach in cali over summer.

snakes are warm and luxurious, and not at all gross or slimy. that being said, i do acknowledge that they are an acquired taste.

and finally, we went on a cool-ass dark cave tour, where our guide let us experience TOTAL PITCH DARKNESS.

never in my life have i had that opportunity. i was frantically waving my hand right in front of my face, but to no avail. i saw nothing, and felt for once, that somehintg absolute could exist: absolute darkness.

we saw tons of creatures of the dark too.. and a cockroach castle.

i wince now even just saying that. mind you, not a nest, not a hive, a BLOODY CASTLE. when i heard those words i relly couldve just dropped dead there and then. the bats and cave forms were pretty cool though.

in other news, christmas has been a very happily busy time of seeing family and old friends. its amazing how the debauchery carries on from pre-xmas through to post-xmas, with the NYE parties coming in just in time to ride that same wave to inevitable inebriation.

have a good start to the new year everyone!

big bum pants, 3 ways

2009-12-20T02:44:00.006+08:00

hello everyone, i'm sorry i've been away so long! aside from exams, i took a short trip to KL (photos up very soon!), after which i had a Youth Conference, after which i... got lazy and/or had too many parties.

jovovich-hawk silk top/ anthropologie cuff/ mom's pants

i recently busted out my mum's high-waisted pants which i like to call my BIG BUM PANTS. it was a friend's 70s themed birthday party...

of course my top was very au courant except that most people were oblivious to that LOL. it had huge ornate buttons all down the back, with a silk sash too. hopefully i will be able to put more detailed shots up... at some point. btw i managed to get that top at a CRAZYAMAZING discount. think $800+ reduced to $90. needless to say, i picked it up immediately!

anwyays, emphasis on the bum = #1 reason why high waisted pants are risky for me!! so here are the only 2 other times i've pulled off the look... by focusing on the top half either thru details or color or fabric, and keeping my fingers crossed. haha.

marni knit/cotton top/mom's pants/ pedder red leather shoes/balenciaga wool+leather city (FW06)/tiffany heart tag bracelet.

its actually just the green top, but my mom also made me wear that black tube inside so that no wardrobe malfunction would occur...thou i personally feel that a deep v-neck is no problem if consuelo castiglioni intended for it to be that way, haha.

i wore this outfit to the gareth pugh fashion show a number of months back...wearing green there certainly made me stand out, but i dont subscribe to the whole wear-the-designer-youre-seeing scheme of things. you're there because you appreciate his/her work already...

and btw that bal is SUCH a conversation piece. its currently on heavy rotation and i've actualyl had many a conversation struck up because of it. never did i expect that!

shoes and trousers as above/dorothy perkins top/ tiffany elsa peretti starfish necklace, own attitude. :)

poor shot from my macbook. back when i couldnt be bothered with my stolen camera to borrow from my mom/brother/dad. yes we each have one.

what i liked best about this outfit was the equation of

girly top+ boyish pants + fierce shoes = HMMM. interesting outfit.

so... thoughts on big bum pants? whether or not they're here to stay, they can be fun to wear.

and happy holidays everyone! joyeux noel!

mini-makeover

2009-11-18T00:07:00.000+08:00

ok, i'm NOT a fan of featuring myself (as opposed to my clothes and fashion in general)...but in the absence of proper outfit photos, i will just put up a makeup-related one.

matthew williamson for H&M top**/ accessorize earrings/ estee lauder makeup

this was taken at the beverly centre bloomingdales i believe, at an estee lauder makeup event they were having. so i received a little makeup makeover (they didnt help with outfit and hair, unforch HAHA) from the nice ladies there, and got to do the whole photoshoot thing there too.

i picked a orangey, summery look with warmer coral colors, and after going through the shots with the photog and the photoeditor, we finally settled on this shot as the best one. quite a fun day out and you can still see my summery coral nails. MATCH!

small stretch of rodeo

i suppose since i'm on the topic of LA i might as well put this up...

the FANCIEST RESTROOM I HAVE EVER HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF USING.

i suppose it HAD to be on rodeo drive.

my friend and i drove to rodeo to get some cupcakes, and then we decided to have lunch. so we picked the most ridiculously decked-out cafe on the stretch-- waiters in full gear, all-white seats, tables, linen, tons of chandeliers, lots of foliage YES FOLIAGE it was thick! not potted plants!, and more plastic-ed overtanned middle aged italian women (well they were speaking italiano...) than you could count.

and these women were HOT. not despite their age but because of it. it was amazing. and we sat and sipped waters and had a nice pretend-pretentious meal while listening in to all their husband-talk. personally, i couldnt concentrate cos their diamond rings kept shooting glints into my eye.

the restroom was cavernous, filled with ornate sculptural fixtures, lots of mirrors and fresh flowers. strange that the biggest mirror faces the toilet of course--do i need to check myself *down there*, or what?

but still. i thoroughly enjoyed my few minutes in there. so much so that, YES, i was insane enough to press myself as far into the wall of either side of that room to snap all of 2 pictures.

i never told my friend i took those photos. i hope he never sees this.

**YES i am really proud of having scored this matthew williamson top...i have no idea why it took me so long to post about it--goodness knows choo is the next collection (not raving about it AT ALL BTW) to talk about.

eitherways, i love matthew williamson and even though i cant afford his stuff (still 4-figures on heavy discount!!!!!), i will still love him and his amazing colorful vibrant aesthetic. shoutout on the sidebar!

and just to leave you with the cutest ad campaign ever. just google dentyne to see more. the premise of the ads is to re-humanize what technology's taken over in daily interactions.

it don't matter if you're black or white

2009-11-10T17:30:00.000+08:00

the most amazing editorial i've seen in a while. how can you go wrong with monochrome!

indeed.

technicolor by way of coffee

2009-11-02T17:28:00.002+08:00

hello world!

apologies that it's been so long-- junior year is INSANE and being a law student's kind of a full time job. either ways, there's nothing like some aestheticism to perk up the dull day.

HERMES' silk scarves are legendary (don't ask me for any personal anecdotes...maybe in a few years HAHA!), and the iconic designs are on display. pop by if you can.

and now for today's feature presentation:

a most cheeky, fun TECHNICOLOR dreamscape brought to you by famed, color-loving lensman miles aldridge. his impressive body of work can be viewed HERE.

if you havent already guessed or observed, these shots were done for lavazza coffee. in particular, for their 2010 calendar! i dont envision myself getting my little paws on that anytime soon, but suffice to say these pictures are working up my appetite. for color. and caffeine.

i guess, of course, which was kind of the point.

and even more conceptually cool is the fact that the words on each photo are titles of famous operatic italian songs! not sure how nessun dorma inspired brite neon lights, but who's complaining when everything looks as good as here?

hope this brightened your day!

fishy business

2009-10-02T18:55:00.002+08:00

so i got a really cool email the other day about a sustainable type of leather...

READ ON.

of course, what got me intrigued first was this absolutely gorgeous, quintessentially Fall campaign picture: red lips, rich colors, heavy-looking knits.

The Icelandic Unnur Fridriksdottir, founded the company UNNURWEAR, in 2006, making high quality handbags, accessories and clothing for fashion forward women all over the world.

Translated from Icelandic to mean "waves of the ocean", Unnur’s specialty is using sea-leather in her handbags...yes FISH! The fish being used in the current collections is farm grown Icelandic Salmon and farm grown African Perch. In using sea-leather, UNNURWEAR is contributing to sustainable fashion, and not endangering any species. There is nothing fishy about that!

and i have no idea where i got this picture but it is too gorgeous NOT to post. i can stare at it for hours on end, and she really makes the hourglass look like the most amazing thing to have...complete with exaggerated shoulders, which i'm glad is showing an interesting slowdown in fashion!

the shoulder-pad purveyor extraordinaire christophe decarnin showed lots of restraint in his showing at PFW, choosing to embellish rather than go for volume outright, like what he previously did. FINALLY, i am won over by his aesthetic--rock chick/glam warrior is totally something i can get behind. i'm not sure how i'm going to approach the next season, but for now i'm happy to watch and learn from the runways.

glan/pri/tash/maya/me

revisiting old photos took me to this one, taken YEARS ago-- 4 years to be exact. i'd just flown back from melbourne, and how things have changed. of the 5 of us, i'm the only still back home while they've all left to pursue various other things in life. (side note: i guess all our fashion senses have developed too... THANKFULLY!)

while i am infinitely happy to see firneds go for what they want in life, it does make me question my own path. i've literally been to the airport at least twice a week in teh past month or so, just seeing friends off, which of course means i never got on a plane during any of those instances.

i wouldnt call things fishy...but these murky waters of life are definitely a challenge to navigate in pensive times like these.

cupcakes and chanel

2009-09-24T21:03:00.004+08:00

so here's a really awesome story:

girl has friend, friend goes to newyork, friend goes to bakery, buys cupcakes, friend hand-carries cupcakes back home via frankfurt, friend gives girl cupcakes and takes photo of girl WITH said cupcake box. girl is very happy.

the famed and fabled magnolia bakery is home to the cupcake, made famous of COURSE by dearest carrie bradshaw, who i rememebr had one with miranda along bleeker to calm her nerves. i could have these whether or not i had nerves to calm. :)

**side note: YES that is the newest addition to the family:

the chanel 2.55 reissue (medium) in lambskin and gold hardware.

I HAVE TO DISCLAIM THAT THE 2.55 ONLY REFERS TO THE QUILTED BAG WITH THE METAL CHAIN & THE MADAM LOCK, AS DESIGNED BY COCO HERSELF. (lambskin only)

the perhaps more-famous and certainly more coveted bag with the leather-and-chain straps combined with the (horrendous??) double-c lock is designed NOT by coco but by karl lagerfeld, whose aesthetic i am inclined not to appreciate. only representing my personal opinion here, people, so please dont shoot me. that bag is NOT the 2.55 despite the misconceptions, and it is merely termed the CLASSIC FLAP BAG.

to my knowledge, the 2.55 is far rarer (i waited a number of months for mine, which came in a shipment of only 3, which resultingly sold out via preorders including mine...they're hardly on the shelves!), and as a result does cost more than the classic flap bag. it also does NOT come in the cheaper caviar leather the classic flap bag can be incarnated as.

i dont mean to appear ranty, but i am rather quite sick of people mixing up the 2 bags-- i appreciate the history behind this bag as well as its discreet luxury.

no logos for me, thats for sure.

red velvet, chocolate on chocolate, vanilla on chocolate, chocolate on vanilla.

magnolia only does 2 standard types of cupcakes: chocolate and vanilla. you can mix and match those with either chocolate or vanilla buttercream icing.

the beauty of these babies is how light and airy they are...i'm used to denser cupcakes and these were the instructional epitome of how being whipped could actually be a good thing!

these are, for comparison's sake, from sprinkles in LA, another franchise that has captured the imagination of many. just like how magnolia's NYC sensibilities keep its options simple, the west coast psyche always dictates that the more there is, the merrier.

so spinkles has tons of choices, and unlike the whipped buttercream used by magnolia, they have a thicker, creamier, denser and sweeter type of icing.

the truth is, while i love the airiness of magnolia's and i have to say their vanilla-on-chocolate combo is SUBLIME, that spinkles still does the better version of the only cupcake we all know really matters: RED VELVET.

ps: these are completely personal opinions i know people are very protective of their cupcake bakeries! i have yet to try crumbs, but i'm told they're only middling in comparison.

thoughts?

welcome to fall

2009-09-15T18:26:00.004+08:00

before you scroll down to look for images, who wants some free marc by MJ goodies!?!??!

well, here's your chance:

SO!

darling site SHOP IT TO ME has ingeniously come up with a head-to-head pairing of brands, which will "duel it out" as readers LIKE US vote and determine the winning brands!

if you're not familiar with the site (its been on my sidebar for months now...), you can read a quick summary of its main highlights HERE.

now just LOOKING at these head-to-heads, im excited to vote! only the winning brand in each match up will proceed, and it will carry on for 5 whole weeks before a final winner is declared! what's fun about this concept is that WE get to decide which brands we favor--quite a democratization of fashion, no?

its in this spirit of fun that SHOP IT TO ME constantly exists, and here's the best bit i mentioned earlier: as if you needed any extra incentive to take part in this fun fun fun exercise, they're giving away marc by MJ accessories (wristlets, umbrellas, key fobs) too!!!!

right now, its probable that you're thinking WHAT"S THE CATCH?

and the truth is, there's NONE. all you need to do is:

click on any of the SHOP IT TO ME links contained in this post, which will get you to the site.
sign up as a member, if you havent already. membership perks? read about them HERE.
ONCE YOU'RE A MEMBER, click HERE to start voting for your favorite labels, and watch their competition crash out! haha evil...
cross your fingers and hope you win some goodies. if not, keep playing! 5 weeks, dude.

either way, its a free, easy and FUN activity that combines fashion with good old competition-- i mean, doesnt everyone love a winner? ;)

---

shot by daniel schroeder in south africa for MAXI magazine, these images remind me completely of the season we're about to enter into. the saturated colors, sunset hues and glow from the light cast on the model's face all synthesize to a lovely warm pinkness set in nature.

it really was love at first sight for me...

and while i have no doubt the photos were enhanced, i would still love to see a park full of colored leaves.

now i dont get a particularly fall-esque vibe from her clothes, which in fact are rather summery, but reds, blues, and girlish ruffles with the quintessential girl shoe, the Mary Jane, make this model quite the ingénue!

i especially like that this is juxtaposed with her edgy hair...reminds me of karla from karla's closet. i don't think i can pull such a hairstyle, but i can certainly try adopting this primary color palette!

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE.

to a good season and good things ahead.

Brinksmanship

2009-09-09T16:18:00.003+08:00

it's always been a dilemma each birthday-- i wonder if i should have a big shindig, or if i should just lay low and keep my expectations non-existent for fear of disappointment. this year, however, i decided to throw a nice dinner party! given the dearth of posts recently, i figured maybe something more personal might fill that void.

for some reason the dress was really popular with people, and it was actually highstreet and not even designer! i was desperate and only found this the day before the party because i swamped with this intensive law module. more on that another time.

dress: warehouse, shoes: louboutin (the camel pumps!), bag: fendi, friends: priceless.

i've also been feeling quite... out of sorts to say the least. which, i suppose, is why i havent much to say. interestingly my parents are in SF right now, and ihope theyre having a great holiday! especialyl since they footed the bill for aforementioned party... HAHA.

the whole bunch of people studying in teh states have flown off too, and we've having a bunch of sendoffs for the people going to the UK. in teh spirit of new beginnings for everyone, i guess i'm just going to post this poem. i wish it applied to me as wholly as it does to some others, but either way i wont let anything get me down.

peace and love. xx

Brinkmanship (or ‘On Beginnings’)

A wind-up monkey clashes its cymbals

(sounds like symbols—for what, repetition?

Anthropomorphism?) in anticipation.

Keys jangling in a pocket, silk-lined and

Shallow, waiting to escape their cloth lockup.

Hands held close, waiting for the millisecond of

Silence—

A pregnant

Pause—after which rapturous applause can emanate freely, endlessly.

I take your photo like there’s no tomorrow, because

(excuse the cliché…)

There really might not be. Inbetween the clicks and snaps

I realize you are Most Beautiful when you almost-laugh;

When your lips lift themselves, cloud-like,

Into slight crescents, upon which

Celestial chimeras can prance

And never tumble off their soft pink confines.

I await, along with the primate-toy, the metal

Keys, the impatient hands, your Cupid’s bow—I

Await, along with them,

The next new thing that comes.

too much of a good thing

2009-08-12T00:05:00.007+08:00

so, chanel's come up with something that really goes over the top. the classical felt and boiled wool flap bag adorned with jewel symbols of russian history. YES, that is its full, OFFICIAL name. part of the so-titled paris-moscou collection (not sure why its spelt that way...), which features plenty of ornate, bejewelled opulence--much like the collections of marie antoinette and russian czars so referenced by The Kaiser.

the 2.55 is such a classic, but i guess abit of updating never hurt anyone. i just think this is all a bit too much.

thank you all for your lovely, encouraging and candid comments from the last post--that in large part is why i knew i couldn't just abandon this project i started so long ago. in fact, i have to be better at it. along with all the lovely people i've met through this blog.

thank you.

forgive my indulgence

2009-07-12T22:53:00.003+08:00

the post is so titled because i have nothing sartorially-related to say today. it's been a fortnight at the law firm, and i enjoy what i do but the hours are long (fact, not complaint!), and the mind gets tired. but i'm glad i've realised that this is for me, as opposed to running in the other direction.

i feel an acute disconnect with certain parts of my life. you know how a gear system only works smoothly when every cog's in place? not every cog's in place in my life, and the halting shakiness i experience that should otherwise be seamless transition--it just means i have a ways to go. be it because my interests are eclectic, my interface to the world is strange, that i am somehow socially intimidating, or that maybe i'm just too damn average. all of those reasons are equally baffling and pathetic simultaneously-- i don't like getting shortchanged, so i will continue to resist the suffocating encroaches of the distinct helplessness that i'm not getting my money's worth out of life.

of course, its tough not to get into specifics, but it is for that very reason that i won't. this platform is NOT to be abused with mindless selfcentred rants, published in the hope that someone out there will have a comforting anecdote or two. i want to continue to use the public arena as wisely as i can...and besides, i'm not on my 5th journal for nothing.

So, it's been a really long while since i had anything of worth to say on this platform... and for good reason. i've been thinking for a long time about how these blogs serve more than the readers and their voyeurism/genuine interest/boredom (delete where applicable); they feed on our own need for approval and exhibitionism. i am glad each time someone says "nice outfit!", or "great shoes!", but if my blog is about me and what i wear, then surely that's too shallow a reason for its existence.

AGAIN, let me disclaim that this is completely a personal opinion, and i reserve all rights to respond to this matter on that note.

lastly, do forgive my indulgence--if it does so happen that you've actually persevered with reading till this point. once in a blue moon, i do need to air some views.

have a good week all!

cali #2: norcal

2009-06-25T23:27:00.001+08:00

so the 2nd half of the trip was spent in norcal...more sights coming up :)

the cathedral/church at stanford university...very majestic, full of stained glass and painstaking mosaic, but i really liked the central dome for its illumination of the church.

the entrance to the church from teh courtyard. it was commencement week so the campus was absolutely crawling with tourists/family/etc etc. there was ALOT of photo-taking going on.

then, SAN FRANCISCO.

hated the tourist thing but i just HAD TO take a shot with the bridge. i mean, who sees it and doesnt do that!??!?!

the sky was a gorgeous blue that day, and the bridge just looks stunning here. to me, san francisco isnt really about the sights, its about the city and its energy and its quirky vibe.

wearing: heritage 1981 knit top. probably with my trusty jeans. (i really needed to up my game, huh...now that i look back on the photos...haha)

haha, alcatraz.

and who can resist lots of high quality choccies from the bay area's most famous confectionary? all individually wrapped squares...excellent for snacking on, whenever.

lori's diner...another one of those institutions. but i think its a sell-out. dont franchise it!!!! and the food was completely middling i must say. disappointed.

i did, however, manage to make a trip to dottie's true blue cafe, the tiny little shop in the tenderloin district (OF ALL places...). after 2 hours, we got our pancakes, italian sausage, fruit, omelettes, french toast, ham and potatoes.

you want to go to the institutions that only the locals know about, not the chain stores or fast food or anything that's "famous". dottie's is a SF legend, and 2 hours? it was worth the wait.

the bay bridge, unfortunate poorer cousin to the golden gate, which most recently starred in fantastic 4: rise of the silver surfer. and plenty more to come, i'm sure.

SF giants!

ok SERIOUSLY, saks fifth avenue is famous (infamous!!?) for its dedicated shoe departments. i first heard about the zip code thing while watching oprah, and she filmed at the LA location i believe. so, i was extremely heartened to see that in SF, they similarly dedicated a zip code to their cavernous basement of a shoe salon.

and there's where i met the latest love of my life...

yea, i caved again!!! the minipass 90 in camel, patent calf leather. -_-

i put them on and john, the guy helping me out, and i, just had a moment of silence to admire the shoes, it was completely surreal, almost like the world righted itself ever so imperceptibly; things went from soft-focus to crystal clear and my smile was genuine again.

don't judge me here--i didn't shop much the entire trip (BEING LITERAL HERE), with only one big purchase: these shoes. and a wallet, which was for my MUM. so the love did get shared. and people back home got lots of personalised gifts too, and lovely chocolates all round.

city hall: in in the day, and at night. the uplighting is absolutely spectacular. and in the day, the gilded edges take centrestage. a glamorous city hall that befits such a magnificent city.

back where it all first started, wicked!!! ridiculously overpriced merch, but thoroughly enjoyable evening at the historic orpheum. now all i have to conquer is west end.

wearing: michael kors dress. well you HAVE to dress up for the theatre, right?!

the highlight of the trip... okay one of them. spent all my time in NYC in the museums, but it wasnt as pronounced this time. had a lovely day to myself jsut having peet's (san franciscans know its the best in teh bay!) and chatting with people about politics and art...then having the day enjoying robert frank, henri matisse and all the other lovely people. sadly there's no hockney amongst their already-extensive contemporary collection, but jasper johns made up for that deficit. lovely!

the famous castro district...all rainbow flags and little bars and music. i only drove past, though.

and the view of the city from twin peaks.

that bridge you see? its the bay bridge, which i guess looks alot better at night. it was a long winding drive up, but the view of the whole city made it pretty worth it. and the brightly lit street is market street, one of the main thoroughfares of the city.

i'm just posting the highlights of the trip rather than talking about what i did--which was mainly really boring everyday stuff like crash the couches of people i just met, walk around the city alot, go grocery shopping, and meet new people. i actually enjoyed that part alot more than any "famous" locales or photo ops.

SF really surprised me with how liveable it really is. for the longest time i was a detractor of the west coast--i still find socal WAAAY too laid back for me, and for that matter even the other parts of norcal i stayed in were too. but SF is a great mix of hi-low, fast-slow, culture and cosmopolitan life. but my biggest takeaway from the month was the generosity and genuine niceness of the people of california. i had a pretty awesome time there thanks to them. :)

anyone have stories of their favorite cities to share?

Arnhem Mode Biennale 2009

2009-06-22T22:54:00.003+08:00

The Arnhem Mode Biënnale is being celebrated this year until 6 july, with a series of fashion events in Arnhem’s Klarendal neighbourhood, where many specialist businesses are based. you can check it out at: Klarendal Fashion Quarter

This installment of the fashion event’s connecting thread is: SHAPE.

Over 80 fashion labels are taking part, including Lanvin, Raf Simons, Hussein Chalayan, Jil Sander, Martin Margiela and Viktor & Rolf.

i've just posted some images from the various exhibits...lovely!

i think the lighted mannequins just highlight the drapery of the fabrics, exposing their exact placement on the human form. very clever way to showcase the architectural aspect of clothing! here its really just about the shape and form, with the colors, bright as they are, merely second fiddle.

extremely creative, accentuating the empire line of the gown with the waterscape; the bodice protectively enveloped, then the form-fitting, slim, train part of the dress being contrasted with the flare of the fountain jets. i love it, its so smart.

look closely and you'll see the previous picture in the background...fluoro-neon mannequins...

this is conceptually either too crazy or too complex for my mind to handle...either ways it is quite a sight to behold, if nothing else. =S

By invitation of the Biënnale, the photog-stylist team of Carmen Freudenthal and Elle Verhagen have created an exhibition of their vision of fashion. Within a huge space at the Museum voor Moderne Kunst Arnhem, they have built a house filled with installations inspired by fashion clothing and photography, and optical illusion.

. The artistic duo mark 20 years of collaborating in fashion and publicity photography with this exhibition. WOW! check out some of their stuff below...

i absolutely love this--almost as if she's descending from the ceiling in her world and about to crash, feet first, into ours. its a photo and therefore static, yet there's an energy and movement to the way its been captured that the full force of gravity's effect comes through.

i guess you could see it conversely too--that she's being pulled away, almost, away from teh world she knows and into the unknown.

a raf simons piece, deconstructed photographically. very cool.

HOLY HOUSE

Museum voor Moderne Kunst Arnhem

Utrechtseweg 87

6812 AA Arnhem, The Netherlands

Tuesday – Friday 10.00 – 17.00

Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 11.00 – 17.00

www.mmkarnhem.nl

cali #1: socal

2009-06-20T23:23:00.006+08:00

so, its basically been FOREVER since i posted anything, and a month away from everything, really, i think has done me some good. the AIM of it all was really to just live like a regular local, not a tourist--thumbs down to the glamor, none of that hotel-in-the-city nonsense, no guidebooks, no companions, no concrete plans. nothing but an open heart, a wide smile and wisecracks to keep me going.

i'm happy to report it worked like a charm.

i demur from lengthy ruminations here, lest i reveal too much depth (OH, the horror!) for a fashion blog--just kidding.

so the first half of the trip was spent in socal. unfortunately i didnt take many photos on the trip in general, so i have little to show for the month, but many MANY memories i can happily assure you. i wont post the boring personal bits, dont worry. you may read on in peace.

prop 8 signs still displayed from dorm rooms--this was my view every morning. just reminds you that you're in california. LA was the first stop...

of course i had to hit up venice beach and santa monica, soak in all that LA beachiness...i think this shot was for myself to remember the location, or something.

venice beach is an eclectic blend of everything you'd expect from LA, except the glamor. hippies trying to tell you the sky is falling, skateboarders weaving in and out, girls in bikinis laughing, street vendors hawking their wares, cyclists and joggers with the occasional dog, the odd tourist, every hairstyle imaginable, the list goes on.

not on miami ink or la ink, but a pretty famous tattoo shop anyways. friends wanted to hit it up and they were satisfied with their end results.

i, on the other hand, made no bodily modifications, although i did meet 2 new friends. i forget her name, but she was warm and heavy and substantial (and quite moody)--so i'm not sure why we call reptiles cold-blooded.

then rodeo drive of course...not bothered with the picture taking, as you already know, but the FAMOUS PRADA FLAGSHIP STORE, i had to snap. designed by rem koolhaas, it made headlines in 2004 when it opened, with its open concept and seemingly-counterintuitive lack of flashy advertising.

personally? i think its smart. on one of the most ostentatious boulevards in the world, sometimes less is more, and the extended storefront, anonymous mannequins, and imposing staircase of iconic luggage have combined to make this store a standout on the street, in a quiet classy way that truly says LUXURY.

and the worldfamous sprinkles cupcakes a block down. the line stretched out the door, but that's what happens all the time anyways. strangely enough, there was no line at all at stanford shopping centre when i went to that branch. hmmm.

that was afternoon tea, supper and breakfast the next morning. waaaaay too sweet for my liking, i must say, but once i scraped off some of the frosting i was good to go.

beverly hills. nice residential area, really close by where i was living, so it was nice to see that much greenery, especially when stuck in traffic which was a daily occurrence.

and the nearby cedars-sinai medical centre, which if you read anything gossipy, you'll know about. the facility of choice for most celebs, probably due to its proximity to their homes.

i just had to. i'm still a fan after all these years, YES!

i just had to #2. seriously, if you're standing there having a conversation with 2 guys just dressed up like that, you're probably not gonna resist a photo op. especially not if they volunteer to orchestrate it for you.

yes, kitson was a stop. and i've really liked nicole richie's house of harlow 1960 stuff, so i checked it out. weirdly enough, the piece i liked the best, the black necklace, was super light despite it looking pretty substantial in photos. it felt flimsy and thus very cheap, and i just didnt feel the price was right. $125 just wasnt worth it.

these earrings on the other hand, were properly gold plated, and bold enough to make a statement without breaking the bank. they also come in a bunch of other colors (blue, green purple, white), with the same black stones. whatever, i have a piece of her jewelry now!

and a nice blue kitson box. -_-

next was san diego, which i took the train to just completely on a whim.

a new friend so kindly opened his pacific beach condo, and thankfully he had 2 big couches. (ooh, choice!) visited the various neighbourhoods there, and SD is just gorgeous really, but unfortunately it RAINED while i was there.

imagine: rain, in socal, in summer.

but the pacific ocean made it completely worth it--the coastline, the breeze, the rocky outcrops, the stretch of cliff, the white waves, the penguins and crabs...

it was so stupid taking a photo but i couldnt NOT take one, it was pretty amazing to have the world's largest ocean at your feet pretty much. my friend acquiesced to take the photo, but having spent his life in SD, he just didnt get my fascination. :)

and then i had my flight to san francisco.

ps: southwest airlines are the BEST. i switched my flights 3x with no hassle, the last of which being 12 hours before i was due to fly. fabulous.

pps: thank you everyone for still reading my sketchy posts, and for all your lovely comments. i will get down to replying EACH ONE of them in the coming week when i'm done with being jet-lagged. have a good father's day! :)

ppps: wearing-- silence + noise blazer, ck top, levi's.

dolci pair of dolces

2009-05-23T04:08:00.003+08:00

in the absence of any verbal capacity at 4am in the morning, i will simply let the pictures speak. i dont think they do justice to the shoe, but its better than nothing.

btw, if you're interested in a great rainbow brite coral summer shade, the nail color in the pictures = Mod-ern Girl from the mod about brights collection

the shoes also come in a 1-inch platform version, with a buckle closure rather than tie.

ps: i'm not sure how the pictures ended up like that, but my legs ARE NOT such a horrendously burnished shade, nor are they as luminescent as the camera flash misleads one to think. tsk!

brevity is the soul of wit. xx

goldmember

2009-05-20T19:07:00.001+08:00

shot by markus jans for deutsche Vogue, this jewelry special Realy caught my eye. i'm not sure if i've blogged about my abysmal accessorizing skills, but other bloggers can definitely tell you that i've divulged it to them on the occasions that they display an extraordinary flair as such.

additionally, the makeup was done by renowned artist thorsten weiss and i LOVE the strong brows--they really make a statement in an imperceptibly masculine way that is so sorely overlooked these days with everyone trying to be either floaty and saccharine pretty or the pendulum swing of liquid-liner-indie.

but the star is all that heavyduty gold stuff.

i need me some heavy chains and cuffs in 24K. or whatever can pass for it! thoughts!?

also, by the time you read this i will be mere hours away from my flight to LA (flying thurs morning!). i'm not sure how updating will work while i'm there, seeing as i wont be bringing my laptop along. BOO!

i guess i will still have TWITTER where i can post blurbs...but sometimes that doesnt cut it. i will definitely be keeping up with my favorite blogs (see side!) while i'm there...but as for anyone who bothers to read this, patience is advised.

much love, see u all soon! xx

ps: anyone in LA/SF right now? comment me!

cocktail dress + Q&A

2009-05-18T02:56:00.004+08:00

'spotlight' by warehouse toga dress, stainless steel bangle from hongkong, stuart weitzman jet mirror alto platform pumps.

excuse the weird facial expressions...i get like that sometimes. i smile plenty normally, just not when im alone and facing my small camera.

wore this to a dinner party over the weekend... it was specified "dresses or nothing at all for the ladies", so i chose the former. haha. the photo was taken POST-dinner...and mind you this wasn't just your typical fare of hors d'oeuvrs and canapes...NO. it was a fullblown 7course individually plated Cantonese dinner.

lovely food, washed down with copious amounts of chinese tea, champagne and white wine.

i realise you cant see...but the toga side of the dress is actually a big satin bow! very SJP if i say so myself, and that's actually why i bought the dress in teh first place. its from warehouse's line for special occasions, spotlight. this dress is no longer in stock but many similar styles are still up for grabs. check it out! :)

**EDIT//

ok facebook has yielded a photo of the big blue bow!

what's a girl to do with champagne and wine? why, have both of course! :) xx

so...i was tagged by the lovely honeybunny to do a Q&A, so here it is!

What is your current obsession ?

my new silver and tan leather Dolces, green tea, squats, anything woolly, yoghurt.

What are you wearing today ?

richard nicoll top, white shorts, big earrings, no makeup.

What's for dinner ?

fruit salad, grilled fish with lemon honey sauce, mash, and ice cream for dessert.

What are you listening to right now ?

After Dark by Le Tigre

What do you think about the person who tagged you ?

she's lovely and porcelain and very perfectly girly.

What's your must have piece for summer ?

nice cut-out sleeveless tops, fierce sandals, and heavy accessorizing.

If you could go anywhere in the world for next hour, where would you go ?

any where in Italy or Spain for the best homecooked native meal they offer.

Which language do you want to learn ?

currently abysmal, but I've already started Spanish and French. (for a number of years now..that's how slow i am!)

What's your favorite quote ?

"it is the spectacular, and not life, that art truly mirrors." -Oscar Wilde

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet ?

probably my sheer CK blazer at the moment--it goes with anything.

What is your dream job ?

mogul.

Any favorite model ?

mostly the males? KIDDING!!! anja rubik and ai tominaga.

Favorite designer ?

NICHOLAS GHESQUIRE, dries van noten, phillip lim.

What do you consider a fashion faux pas ?

wearing too many trends at once, and wearing designer top-to-toe; there's no personal stamp in either of those cases.

Describe your personal style ?

Clean lines, lots of mix-and-match, embraces color, accented with fabulous accessories.

What's the most expensive fashion item you've ever purchased?

probably a bag...the Balenciaga Lune.

The rules :

1. Respond and rework; answer the question on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add more one question of your own.

2. Tag eight other people.

SO...i tag: (all these blogs are on my sidebar--so take a visit! :))

Ashford from ashford gets dressed
Zoe from Graciously Zoe
Janet from Janetteria
Kira from Kira Fashion
Tina from Luphia Loves...
Stella from Stella Wants to Die
V from The Valentine Journals
Lynnette from tis serendipity

if you guys have any other questions (cant imagine THAT being the case!), just ask away by commenting. i dont want to paint myself as more interesting than i may be....

nor less so, by the same token! :)

cheers all xxxxx

fierce spring denim

2009-05-16T23:11:00.004+08:00

this evening at dinner my friend asked, "what's the next big thing for spring?"

and that really got me thinking. i guess i could be all forward-looking and trendy, but i must say my personal style eschews what's "HOT" (stuff that got passed over include: gladiators, fringe, cross-body 'vintage' bags) for what i feel i can pull off appropriately.

that being said, this editorial by john scarisbrick for bon magazine sparked a veritable fire in my imagination: FIERCE SPRING DENIM sums it up, i suppose. now where is that jean jacket when you need it most...

denim clearly comes in all sizes, color, textures and shapes--and you can pair them with anything! dress them up, dress them down, ripped, patchworked, shredded, dipdyed...it just never ends!

ridiculously inspirational, i hope this gives us all some ideas as to how to welcome spring BESIDES a walk down a flowery garden path.

to quote:

"florals? for spring? ground-breaking."

-Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada

and if you need FURTHER assurance that denim is back with a vengeance, (at least this season), barneys is in on the whole denim thing too. this time, its recycling to the rescue, as old jeans get a new lease on life, thanks to the 8 lovely designers named above.

random news alert... i got:

a haircut
a ridiculously amazing pair of Dolce & Gabbana tan and mirrored leather strappys. photos to come soon i promise, xx