A Bvlgari Day

Jacket: Zara // Blouse, Skirt, Scarf, Sunglasses: H&M // Boots: Dolce Vita // Bag: Old Navy // Jewelries: Banana Republic, Mango

This past weekend, I went to see Bvlgari at the De Young Museum. I am glad I finally made it on the last day of the exhibit. I wore my graphic print jacket as I thought I'd dress appropriately artsy for my museum visit. And of course, my boots for loads of walking and browsing.

Bvlgari to me is more than just glamour. It's about heritage and also modernity. Although I love their traditional collections (for example their gold, emerald and diamond necklace), I find utmost delight in their use of multi colored precious stones. To me, it's innovative, bold and daring. At the exhibit, I came to learn that they were the first ones who introduced the new way of combining multiple colors of precious stones such as ruby, sapphires, emerald, cabochon, amethyst and lapis. The traditional way of the time was to mix single color precious stone with diamond. Today, multi colored jewels are still being sought out and remain as stylish as ever.

Here are some of my favorites:

1970s were a quite the time of innovation for them. This was when they broke away from the traditional precious stones and diamonds. They incorporated oriental influences into sautoirs which perfectly complimented long tunics and maxi dresses of the 70s. Sautoirs were also their way of venturing out from formal evening jewelry to more casual jewelry. As a tribute to their Italian heritage, they also designed the Monete collection where they incorporate ancient Roman coins into their jewelries.

Noone can talk about Bvlgari without its glamorous past. The late Elizabeth Taylor was a famous loyal customer to Bvlgari. As a part of an effort to win her heart, Richard Burton gave her several Bvlgari pieces. And, of course, the great Italian stars: Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and Monica Vitti.

Today, I am quite sure you're well aware that Bvlgari remains iconic.  Here are some of my favorites of Bvlgari in today's time. Clockwise: Jessica Biel, Carla Bruni (who is currently the face of Bvlgari), Jessica Biel, Kiera Knightley, Julianne Moore and  Jessica Chastain.

If you haven't yet gone to a Bvlgari exhibit, I'd highly recommend it. The jewels are breathtaking. It's one thing for me to talk about it here, or to look at the pictures. But, nothing replaces the experience of seeing them in person, or let alone learning about Bvlgari's history and all the wonderful stories from women - either famous or infamous - who own or collect Bvlgari. Like what the Italians say "La Dolce Vita". Or shall we say "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend"?

Thigh High

-------- HOW TO WEAR THE THIGH HIGH --------

-------- FIND ME MY THIGH HIGH  --------

[shaft height included below]

1. Christian Louboutin Monicarina // 2. Prada // 3.Alice and Olivia Cora // 4. Rachel Zoe Nico // 5. Stuart Weitzman Highland  // 6. Phillip Lim  // 7. Paul Andrew // 8. Stuart Weitzman 50/50 // 9. Jeffrey Campbell Kitsap // 10. Michael Antonio Studio Hyder // 11. Sam Edelman Kayla // 12. Aldo // 13. Report Signature Gwyn

I have been obsessed with thigh high boots for quite sometimes. It's such a classic timeless piece. They are always on the runway and I also know that I have all the pieces that "they" say I should wear with my thigh high boots. However, being a 5'10" means I really need tall boots so that they cover all the way up to my knee...."Wear it like you mean it!" Yet, so far, I found a trick and managed to wear my riding boots with OTK socks....My knee is 21" in height so that's the minimum shaft that will do it for me. So, I have been poring over sites and painstakingly looking at the shaft heights - critical information if I want real thigh high boots! Here are some that I found. Now, time to decide which ones to get. I hope you find this short list helpful, especially if you're tall like me. Let me know if you see any other tall thigh high boots :)

V for Valentine

Dress: Banana Republic // Bag and Sunnies: H&M // Double Drop Necklace: Gazel.com // Earrings and Bracelet: Forever 21 // Knot Ring: Banana Republic

In the spirit of Valentine, I am wearing pink to our dinner date. We are going Italian. We have a late dinner reservation so that's why I can blog about it before we leave for the restaurant :) Looking back at my Valentine's wish list, I got my gourmet chocolates although they are not exactly pink and champagne truffle. I got my dozen red roses instead of pink which are prominently displayed right next to me now. I guess there's a reason it's called wish list -- you don't get exactly every single item on it:-) However, I am happy and feel so terribly loved on this day ;-) I think I might still order bubbly pink moscato at the restaurant though. Happy Valentine's Day!

Dreaming Clutches

1. Kate Spade // 2. Karen Walker // 3. Kate Spade // 4. Phillip Lim // 5. Olympia Le Tan (worn by Men Repeller's Lauren Medina as a street style) // 6. Chanel (Cruise 2014 Collection) // 7. Karen Walker

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter2014 shows have come to a close. While we're gearing up for London, the clutches from the runway are what caught my attention. Novelty and 'messaging' seem to be the 'it' thing now.  Messaging started with your outfit (we've all seen some kinds of 'text' on t-shirts or sweaters...) and now they've moved on to clutches! True what they say -- 'say it with a clutch!' Did this novelty trend start with Chanel perfume bag which we saw first back last May for the Cruise'13/'14 collection? Even Leandra Medine was sporting her Paris Olympia Le Tan clutch outside the nyfw show -- the same one she wore last February. Maybe, it's not that new after all? But, I think I'll like to write something on my bags now!

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.