Maxi

Blouse (old): H&M // Skirt: Vintage // Bag (old): Steve Madden // Boots (old): Bandolino // Quartz Ring and Onyx Stone Double Drop Necklace: Gazel // Chain Bracelet: Forever 21 // Knot Ring: Banana Republic // Hat: Target

Wearing my vintage maxi skirt with a ring and necklace from Gazel, where I currently help out with their marketing and merchandising. Gazel has beautiful and unique handcrafted jewelries made from natural stones. They let me borrow this ring and they let me have this double drop necklace. I absolutely love their pieces - impactful while understated. They are so easy to style. This time, I was feeling bohemian so I wore them with my floppy hat and fringe handbag. We went out for a quick getaway. It was quite a lovely day -- despite the absence of the sun. And of course the rain started when we left....  how timely. Happy hump day.

Black and White

Coat: H&M // Colorblock Sweater: Target // Legging Jean (old) and Belt: Gap // Beanie (old), Bag (old) and Sneakers: H&M // Jewelries: H&M and Forever 21

It's been raining non stop for the few days here. So, it's been quite wet everywhere. I am wearing my beanie to keep warm and hopefully stay dry. Sometimes, I wish I could just use hats and beanies as a permanent alternative to an umbrella. That way, I get to keep my hands free and be dry. (I hope someone can invent a hands-free umbrella (and no, not a poncho and not a hoodie) that can provide full protection from the rain :D Wouldn't that make our lives easier?!) And I absolutely love this coat. Love the slubby nubby texture (note: just make sure you are extra gentle with it because it snags easily). This coat is so 80s -- think Don Johnson in Miami Vice. I never thought I would like something from the 80s. I love vintage but I am normally drawn to things from early to mid 20th century. I guess with Leonardo DiCaprio's The Wolf of Wall Street, everyone's in the mood of the 80s now.... Hope you have a great Monday!

Shades of Pink

1. Journelle Eberjey Giselle PJ Set // 2. Journelle Hannah Teddy // 3. Dyptique Roses Mini Pink Candle // 4. YSL Rogue Volupte Silky Sensual LipShade // 5. Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles // 6. Macaroons: your local macaroon shop // 7. Bubbly Moscato: your local beverage store (my fave here) //  8. Pink Roses: your local florist :)

Valentine's is around the corner. I am in the mood of pink now -- what a timely color with the upcoming Spring. I rounded up a wish list for the V day. How can I resist the idea of lounging around in smooth luxurious PJ and teddy bear? Any grown-up women need these :D It's also the time to self pamper. I could use some rose-scented candle and rose lipstick. And it will not be complete without this delicacies - macaroons and truffles. Yes, I know and my truffles need to be pink champagne truffles. Finally, bubbly pink moscato (my favorite) and some pink roses. Aren't I in pink heaven now? What's in your Valentine's wish list?

Dreaming Haute Couture

We are only 2 days away from New York Fashion Week. While I can't wait for Spring, I am already excited to see what the Fall 2014 collection will bring. Meanwhile, I am still dreaming haute couture here. I wanted to share with you what I think are the best of haute couture. Sure there are fabulous fabulous fabulous minimalist haute couture pieces out there. However, I picked the ones that I think give off that w-o-w factor, which is absolutely necessary especially if I get to drop humungous amount of $ for haute couture. I group them by major trends that I see in the runway. I am curious if any of these trends will eventually show up in my and your Spring 2014 (or 2015?) closet :)

--------------- DRAPE IT LIKE IT'S HAUTE ---------------

I am absolutely enamored by the haute couture draping. Yes, we know that the 'leg' dress which was made popular by Angelina Jolie a while ago is here to stay. As shown below, the drape is now also to be found in other spots where they've also got quite a powerful effect. I love how flattering drapes are. It's amazing what they can do to a dress.

 Valentino

Zuhair Murad

 

Alexandre Vauthier

 Vionnet

Giambatistta Valli

Schiaparelli

 

 Vionnet

Atelier Versace

 Dior

--------------- SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON ME ---------------

I see quite a bit of bright reflective, shiny metalic fabric in the runway... and they come in different hues ... and I must say I really really love 'em.  They have that 'glow in the dark' effect. They have such 'dreamy' and 'ethereal' feel. To me, they make the dress come to life. Who's not 'enlightened' by this?

 Bouchra Jahrar

 Vionnet

 Dior

 Atelier Versace

Vionnet

 Elie Saab

 

Chanel

 Schiaparelli

------ SHEER ME UP ------

Sheer is here to stay! I get how the transparent look is perfect for Spring especially when the temperature is just warming up. Not sure how I feel about this. I feel like it's been here quite a while... isn't it time to make way for another groundbreaking trend. However, I am all about showing some skin but not too much skin. Sheer totally creates that sexy mysterious aura. Point is -- should look like a lady without looking like a tramp...

 

Dior

 Armani Prive

 Valentino

 Chanel

 Zuhair Murad

 Valentino

--------------- BEAD LOVER ---------------

Yes, after all, what's haute couture without handmade intricate beadings. I am a big fan of beaded dresses of the Art Deco era. I swooned over these dresses because they revive that glamorous era. I assume we are still recovering from the Great Gatsby effect... which is fine for me... bring on the party baby!

 Armani Prive

Valentino

 Atelier Versace

 Armani Prive

Chanel

 Zuhair Murad

------ HI-LO EFFECT ------

Another trend that I find has a little overstayed the runway...although I admit I had to take another close look before I made up my mind. It seems the hi-lo effect is getting a makeover this Spring. It has transformed into asymmetrical hemlines in a variety of shapes and forms which makes it more interesting. It immediately makes me think of that 'skort' -- which seems to be the 'it' trend now. At any rate, I am all about playing with proportion. Excited to incorporate this new-ish trend in my closet :)

 Dior

Ulyana Sergeenko

 Giambattista Valli

 Atelier Versace

 Viktor & Rolf

Dior 

Images are sourced from Style.com

This is it! I know I know this post is longer than the ones I normally do. I was going to write a short spill about the haute couture but I realized there are so many beautiful pieces. It also takes several visual pictures to illustrate a trend...I hope you find some helpful nuggets of information here. If you'd like to see more of my picks of haute couture, check out my Pinterest board  :)
 

It's Raining Man

Trench Coat (old): Banana Republic // Blouse and Sunnies (old): H&M // Denim: Gap 1969 Legging Jeans // Bag, Scarf and Umbrella: Zara // Rainboots: Kamik // Jewelries: H&M, Banana Republic

It finally rained! I am not a fan of the rain however I was relieved it came. We need it because of the drought out here in Northern Cali! I got my trench coat out to brave the long-awaited rain. I was happy to finally use this cutie umbrella which I bought a few weeks ago - what a timely purchase! Oh and did I mention I love polka dots -- one other thing that I have so many of in my closet -- like my scarf here :-) I don't like being wet so I donned my rainboots to stay dry. Running errands while staying out of oodles of water. While I keep dry, hopefully the rain will stay long enough to keep the drought out. Happy Monday!