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