Like a Skyscraper

Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper

I love this cover on Demi Lovato's Skyscraper by Kina Grannis

Signature Pieces

Every now and then, I look to invest in some signature pieces. I am not a big fan of shopping for the sake of shopping especially since I was on budget last year. But I definitely keep in mind items that I would love to incorporate into my wardrobe. This summer it was light, silk blouses and summery skirts. Now I am currently on the hunt for a button-up tunic I can wear over leggings. I was able to find some online, but it's hard finding one that fits my budget.

J. Crew chambray shirt (I love this material)


J. Crew chambray pop-over - I love how you don't have to button-up all the buttons. You can "pop it over" your head.
Madewell chambray shirt - Since when did Madewell get so expensive? Alexa Chung..

A few great videos

I am convinced that some of the best music videos take place in supermarkets. Case in point: Michael Buble's "Haven't Met You Yet" and Sara Bareilles "Gonna Get Over You."

The Perfect Pair - A Guide to Buying Denim

Every once in awhile, I need new jeans. The search is daunting - no matter how many jeans I try on.. I can't seem to find one that fits me like a glove. But really it's relatively easy if you just think back to all the jeans that did fit you.

Express, Madewell, and Gap tend to be my best bet since I have a petite, curvy frame. So a few weeks ago, I tried on a pair of Gap jeans, "mid-weight perfect boot," and I immediately fell in love. It has Lycra so it hugs curves. Comes in a rich, dark wash called Adirondacks - how cute is the name (just like the upstate mountains)! And it's mid-rise - thank goodness! I can't stand low-rise jeans; how am I supposed to sit down without worrying about flashing other people. Luckily, I had a discount coupon so I didn't have to wait until the sale season and wonder if my size was going to be out of stock.

So next time you are trying to search for jeans, consider:
1. Previous brands that you have enjoyed
2. Style that fits you (Straight/skinny work best for slim frames, and boot/flare work best for average/curvy frames)
3. Fabric and color (stretch vs. non-stretch, dark/medium/light rinse)
4. Length (petite sizes are made for 5'4" length so if you are shorter like me, consider getting the jeans tailored or save some money and do it yourself!)
4. Look for special discounts!

Dress Up or Dress Down

As the weather is cooling down and summer is fleeting, I am thinking of my favorite season to dress up (or down) for! Fall, of course.

New Yorkers seem to effortlessly transition between seasons even with the crazy global warming going on. I really enjoyed wearing sleeveless blouses and light-weight skirts this summer. Now I am ready for autumn - scarves, boots, and peacoats (I think I am in love). Here are some of my picks:


Vintage tweed jacket from J. Crew. I just love cropped jackets - so classic and versatile.


Soft cotton sweater from J. Crew. Perfect for lounging around and reading a book.


Red leather satchel from J. Crew. Something about the color red captures my eye.


Cotton cardigan from Madewell. I bought a black waffle cardigan from Madewell years ago, and to this day it is still one of my favorite pieces in my closet.

What will you wear this fall?

Mad Men

I am currently watching the first season of Mad Men, which is so good! I love the subtle sense of humor and the drama. Plus, the 1960s fashion and style is unbelievable. A-line skirts, silk scarves, and loose blouses: elegant yet casual at the same time. It makes me want to dress-up.


During this time, the women played the subservient, domestic roles. It's good to see how times are changing.


"I'm from Bayridge; we have manners." Bayridge still hasn't changed.


It's also surprising how often the actors smoke cigarettes on screen. They lit a cigarette in the office, on the subway, and at home with all the children present. Isn't it crazy to think smoking was a nonchalant hobby? Now there are so many regulations and warnings, yet people still choose to smoke.

Edit:
I was walking by Grand Central the other day, and I stumbled upon Banana Republic's Mad Men collection. The style is just drop dead gorgeous. I have no money right now, but it doesn't hurt to look, right? Here are my favorites:


I love blouses with ties and textured cardigans. Love at first sight.


Finely tailored dresses with just the right amount of volume.


Modern coat with texture.

Banana Republic, you know me so well.

Photo credits: IMDB, Banana Republic

Adore Vintage

Adore Vintage is a unique online vintage store with the prettiest frocks and accessories. They're lookbook for Spring has an old-school charm. I'm digging the 1960s makeup and clothing.

Summer Blouse


Floral Sundress


Tilted Straw Hat

Photo credits: www.adorevintage.com

Watercolor Splash

Samantha Hahn's artworkCupcakes!

Hipster girl.
Model.

Such great illustrations. Watercolor is a wonderful medium - there's a lot of freedom in terms of color combination and intensity. I love how Samantha Hahn mixes food and fashion. Yum. I heard about this artist through one of my favorite blogs: Oh Joy!

Photo credits: www.samanthahahn.com

Shop Fair Trade!

Banana Fiber Earrings from Kenya, $8.00

Black Soapstone Earrings from Kenya, $8.00

Hello! It's been awhile since I posted on here, but I thought I would take the time to share with you about fair trade. Fair trade is the idea that artisans should get paid a fair wage for the work that they do. A lot of big apparel corporations have gotten into trouble for ignoring ethical issues and paying their workers below the minimum wage (also known as sweat-shop labor). HandCrafting Justice is one of many fair trade organizations that promote dignified work for women in 20 developing countries. The women receive a sustainable wage for the work that they do so that they can provide food and education for their families.

Here are some interesting facts:
Absolute poverty is defined as living on less than $1 a day.
1.5 billion people around the world live in absolute poverty.
70% of the poor in the world are women.

HCJ works with mainly with women because women are more likely to invest in their children and they are the main caretakers in the household.

I've been working for HandCrafting Justice for about six months now, and it has been a pleasure learning more about what the organization does. We work closely with the artisans to achieve high-quality products and to provide a constant flow of income for them. Buy fair trade and make a difference. (There's nothing better than some shameless promotion.)

Silk Carryall Bag from Thailand, $40.00
Ilse's Backpack from Thailand, $25.00

Photo credits: www.handcraftingjustice.org

New Year, New You

It's been awhile since I posted here. I still love reading fashion blogs, but I find it difficult to keep up with my blog since I am trying to simplify my lifestyle.

I wish everyone a happy new year. Goodbye for now.