Black and white

For several weeks I have been absorbing lots of fashion senses from runway and street styles which have been intensified by fashion weeks. I have to say it definitely adds a lot of unnecessary and unpractical purchases. For example, after seeing an array of leather pants worn by models or fashion editors and bloggers, I couldn't help but made my first and second purchase of leather pants. Yes, leather pants are great! However, the point here is that if I live in a big city or work in any creative environment, I have no problem of wearing leather pants matching with leopard print pumps (hey, how about a fur coat on top). Neither works for me for the current moment, or at least for another year. My preferred outfit works from 8 am to 9 am and it is hung on the back of my office door, replaced by more appropriate work outfit, and it re-appears after work. If I don't meet up friends after work, it will be another 20 minutes before it's going back to closet.

This is what I am wearing today -- it's actually a little above the threshold but I am still in it now. Compared with leather pants, this is nothing! Hat is also good friend of bad hair :)

HM jacket & hat , GAP jeans

a scarf I bought in India

 

Another picture I took during weekend. It stroke me that I never ever lived in dorm in my whole life. Other than my family and my boyfriend, I never share my apartment with anyone. Not saying I feel regret but I do feel I missed something. 

Living with your family or your bf is easy. I am in my pajama or often times just a big tshirt when I am home. Dorm outfit is supposed to be good to go to bed instantly while appropriate to answer your door without feeling under-dressed, presumable cute as well. This is my take - a comfortable romper with a colorful cardigan.

F21 romper and cardigan
Jcrew ballet flats

Technology Shock

Technology shock is a term used in Economics to describe an aggregate production function being affected by certain events. In my case, it is a simple fact that I am shocked by any technology device. My I-phone recently started giving me headache. The battery only lasts for 5 hours and it kisses me good night. It means on average, I have to charge it 4 times a day. It's okay if I stay at home or in office but I can imagine it will be a pain in the ass if I am on road. It's an one-and-half year phone!

Today's outfit: sequins, stripe, khaki and sky-high heels (to me:)

F21 cardigan, Jcrew shirt
YSL scarf, AF khaki

Body image

Real woman

 It's not the first time I heard about it but it got confirmed again recently - men don't like skinny women (forgive me, Asian men are not quite included here)!

WHAT?! WHAT THE HELL?

Growing up in Asia, this is my number one belief - the slimmer, the better. There is a solid example to back me up : the first sentence from a friend/relative who haven't seen you for a long time oftentimes is "you are slimmer/fatter/bigger/fuller-figured..."

Being judged fatter/fat is consider the ultimate insult, the person usually feels very hurt during the whole meetup and secretly plans for the revenge for the future. It's common knowledge that Asian girls want to look like below. Please, if you can clearly see the backbone, it's like the ultimate level.

from Boise Weekly

My belief fell apart after I moved to US.The first year in graduate school I reached a historical high at my weight. Basically because I lived on king- sized sneakers and TGI Fridays potato chips. I used to wear long sweaters all the time because I couldn't close my jeans zippers. Guess what?! According to my male friends - I conveyed a healthy and sexy body image. Those years were my prime time.

In the beginning when I went out with my boyfriend, he loved the way how I ate. Basically I finished all the food you put in front of me. Moreover, even when I was at my heaviest, my bf still thought I was on skinny side. Years after, I slimmed down naturally because of work stress and others; the weight issue becomes a constant battle between us.

"You should eat more. You are like a matchstick! No, a toothpick!" (He must secretly read my Jcrew catalog; otherwise how is he familiar with the lingo?) 

Since I already knew my bf's political opinions, I don't bother to ask him, so I went to my male friends including Americans, Europeans, Asian Americans and Asians. 70% of them told me "they prefer slightly fuller than skinny ones for sure!" 20% of them said "Skinny is very cool!" 10% "Doesn't matter, as long as she has a pretty face!"

Cool thanks guys!

P.S. I have been feeling not well for a short period. Covering up and soaking salt water is my survival kit.

GAP sweater, Theory white shirt
Big chunky sweater, Anlo jeans
Kenneth Cole platforms

Something red, something coral

I was watching Lord of the Rings like the 15th time; suddenly I got little bit scared by the power of the ring so I went offtrack a bit to try on clothes. Color is big on the runway, red, orange, hot pink and coral especially. Some try-on for the spring preview.

HM dress, Jcrew belt, Zara wedges

BCBG top, Club Monaco skirt 

HM dress, Loft coat 

Grey cargo pants

Last night I made the world best lasagna which took 3 hours 15 minutes long but totally worth of it. I have no idea if it is the world's best since I believe there are Italian boys out there who will tell me their mama have better recipes but this is good enough to me.

It strikes me that since when I become this mama type person? Two years ago if you put this recipe in front of me, I would look at the long list of ingredients/instructions and say goodbye. My max tolerance of the length of recipe was three lines so it only involved "1. take the box out, 2. put into microwave at medium for 1 mins, 3. now enjoy the delicious ..." Now when I talk to my mom on the phone, often times I am telling her what I cook today and what I want to cook next. Moreover, I become more and more caring. If there is a last bite like a spring roll, I give it to my boyfriend. Is mother nature calling me? 

Zara white shirt, Loft cargo and shoes
Uniqlo black sweater

White shirt and black sweater are the go-to items when I don't have time to think about my outfits. I usually grab one of them and pair with my favorite jeans. But these cargo pants have started climbing up the ranking in my heart. One biggest reason is that it's cropped so the pants create a lengthy look for the wearer.

Peer Pressure

My office has a belated Valentine celebration today; the head would like everyone wear pink. One of the perks of growing up in Asia is that it's easy breezy for me to wear pink in public as an adult.

It's not like I have a whole closet of pink or I am a big fan of pink but, to me, pink is just like other bright colors such as yellow, turquoise. However, it's a different story for my American colleagues. A lot of them complained  "I don't have pink!" or "it's stupid to wear pink!" so eventually red is allowed. Please! unless they wear red clothes with a bear holding a heart saying I love you, red clothes are just so Xmasy. And most importantly, they ruined my plan of wearing a pink pompom dress that I bought long time ago but had no prom to go. Yes, I am chicken; I don't have the nerve to wear pink pompom with the knowledge that all others will wear you know not pink pompom. As a result, pink cardigan then, pompom can wait.

Jay Godfrey top, Theory skirt
Gap cardigan

Happy Valentine! ...little late

As a tropical islander, I learned how to jump between water holes without screwing up my shoes in the afternoon thunder storms; however, in New England, how to walk properly in winter is hard-required knowledge.

Actually, I already get used to walk in the snow - it may not look lovely and look more like a penguin but I still manage to keep the same speed as on the dry land; however, walking on ice is totally different. No matter how careful you are, it's inevitable to flip once or twice throughout the winter (the scary story is that people actually break hips because of that).

Yesterday was the lovely Valentines. I got a big bouquet of roses from my man; on the card it said "my love is as big as the bouquet" so I carefully examined how big the bouquet was and decided that next time he should make it 100 roses or even buy a rose garden :) - Honey, I love you! He is very busy on his research so we had a low key dinner at home. We had my signature traditional Chinese beef noodles, homemade pesto with grilled red pepper + mozzarella cheese; I also made Nachos Grande! Every since I had it in the hockey game, I have been thinking to recreate it at home. Easy and simple. We went with green tea but the standard is supposed to be beer!

Today's outfit. Layers of jewelery. My suggestion of wearing chucks of jewelery: DON'T LEAN FORWARD; YOU MAY HURT YOUR NECK! 

BR dress and pumps
Jcrew everything else 

Yesterday's outfit. F21 dress, BR coat

trying on outfits

Since my boyfriend needs to work, after dining out, it leaves me no choice but try on outfits. I just got these pieces from H&M. love love love them!

One thing pushing me to emotional high is that today, an innocent (blind?) boy guessed I was 24 or 25. He started by guessing 22 or 23 but added 2 by finding how excited I was :)

HM dress, Jcrew belt
Loft shoes

HM hat and faux fur scarf
Madewell blazer, AE shirt
Uniqlo jeggings, Loft shoes

HM top, Jcrew belt & shoes
AF jean skirts

Casual Friday!

In my perspective, Friday is the most happy day in a week. Moreover. today I am blessed with sunshine - I am singing from the bottom of my heart!

F21 top, Jcrew coat, AF jeans

something random

Hello pretty, I got a new pair of lace up boots from piperlime. It was final sale so I paid something less than 40 bucks for it. That's what I call a bargain. The coat is an oversized vintage so I cinch it with a belt. I don't usually wear bracelets or bangels because I have slim wrists - the normal-sized bangels just don't stay; however, I am using necklace here and it amazingly works. Truth be told, they are quite heavy
- I feel I am using handcuffs.

My amazing eye

Yesterday when flipping through magazine, I realized I chose the wrong profession - I should have been a scout!

Let me tell you why I had this conclusion. I have long term success in predicting which hollywood personality will be promising, including Jessica Simpson, Antonio Banderas, Ali Later...to name a few. Last night when I saw Minka Kelly featured in Glamour magazine, I totally feel "that's it. Where can I apply for the job as a scout?" I saw her in the 500 days of summer (the very very last scene as the new girl Autumn like 2 mins) and was totally impressed by her beauty. She was never on the radar or anything, no magazine publicity whatsoever ...until I felt she had potentials.

Is it too late to switch jobs?

F21 top, Zara jacket, AF pants
Plenty shoes

Oops..it's Monday already?!

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I had a very short one; with working on Sat and waking up late on Sun, I felt it's not enough!  

I recently developed a unhealthy habit; I have to have midnight snack before going to bed. No matter how much food I have for dinner, at 11:30 pm sharp, I hear a long "mmmmm..." from the bottom of the stomach to remind me it's time.If I ignore it, the outcome is to stay on bed with a noisy stomach and eventually I feel so hungry that I want to vomit, very annoying!

P.S. A little bit disappointed, I thought people won't come to office this morning because they were too hammered.  Everyone made it! What's going on?

Loft Blazer and tunic
BR belt
Boden necklace, Sam Eledman flats

Working on Sat

Working on Sat is never fun, especially if I have to wake up at 6 am. Every time when I have to leave home for work with dark outside, I always recall the flight attendant years. The long haul international flights such as European or American routes always departed at night so it meant I had to leave the house when my family came home for dinner. As a homey person as I was, I always did the struggle " I am not going; you better kill me if you want me to go." My boyfriend or my dad would be "okay, then don't go." and I would be "okay, then you call my supervisor, tell her I am not coming."

After these years, I haven't grown up a lot. This morning when I opened up my eyes and found it was dark outside, my first thought was "let's call my colleagues and say I am sick/fell from stairs." Oh relax, I didn't do it. I am here sitting on my office chair as a normal responsible person.

Madewell blazer, A&F belt
Velvet blazer, 7 jeans
BR pumps

A little bit lonely but it's okay

Yesterday I had a dream that I was shopping in Bottega Veneta. I told the salesperson "give me one of each your style!" ...Considering the fact that I no longer am obsessed with BV, I think it was mainly about my shopping gene. My friend once told me her husband said " number 1 with extra large fries and two apple pies" in the dream - he is a big/fat man. It is more like what you are thinking in your daily life (or what's important in your daily life) reflects in the dream, I suppose.

Anyway, I was a little bit low recently because it is Chinese New Year. Last time I spent CNY with my family was 7 years ago. Though I talk to my parents and sister everyday, it doesn't help the fact that I am 11000 miles away from them. On usual days I can claim that I have total freedom but during holidays I just feel lonely.

Don't worry about me. Overall I am a very optimistic person full of energy.  I will be feeling low, sitting on sofa  for 10 mins, during which I may shed some tears, and then I will be "mm..sigh..whatever! What do we have for lunch?"

This is what I wore last night. You must be thinking ...gee she is still in the parka....

a sweater I bought from Taiwan,
Uniqlo ink Jegging, Boden belt
Loft shoes, Boden parka

Happy Rabbit Year!

First of all, HAPPY RABBIT YEAR! WISH YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!

As long as you live in the New England, you know in winter, sun is just a decoration. I couldn't even count how many times I went out of home with a "since there is sun, it must be warm" outfit and ran back to put on extra clothes. After two days of gray/white snowy days, the sky is blue with a decorated sun. However, as experienced as I am, I put on two layers of pantyhose and all the other necessities (underneath the leather jacket, there are a wool undergarment, the dress and a cardigan)

vintage leather jacket,
HM dress, Kenneth Cole boots

Military trend Part II

There will be a snow storm attacking my town. According to Americans, "do you have enough bread and milk?" Personally don't drink milk and eat little bread so don't see why it's important; my bf is, on the other hand, a devoted bread eater so he may be more anxious. The good thing is that I got some bread recipes; Let's try, shall we?

As I said, I am currently addicted to military trend so bear with me for a bit.

I started by wearing just a white shirt underneath....After checking the temperature,

Above plus Talbots beige cardigan
& black jcrew cardigan

P.S. My friend was correct. I paid little attention on the quality of the pics. This pair of jeggings is supposed to be deep blue but it looks totally dark. Maybe it's time to really go out standing in the coldness to add light or buy a better camera.