Tres Chic

Paris, when it sizzles. . .





Www.style.com is a great resource for current fashion inspiration. Top-notch photographers such as Scott Schuman share their amazing skills at capturing wonderful fashion moments. I just like to oogle at the pretty dresses and towering heels that fashionistas seem to effortlessly wear. I can barely pull off wearing 2 inch heels. Perhaps I just need more practice, but I think I'll just stick to my flip flops for the time being. These nude dress are so avant-garde and so French. I don't even know how to speak French, but these photos just make me want to speak the language and eat buttery croissants. If only I can fly off to Paris for a day or two...

Photo credits: www.style.com

Summer Livin'

I've been trying take it easy the past few days. I finished a test last week, so I decided to take a break. I went to the gym, did a little shopping, and listened to Leona Lewis' Echo. And today I treated myself to a skin care facial. I can't stand the pain of extractions, but summer is not good to my skin. Afterwards, my mom and I headed out to Nickel Diner, located in Downtown Los Angeles. We tried their famous Smac and Cheese and Maple Syrup Bacon donuts. Rich and decadent. The waiting line can get long so it's best to go earlier than later. Plus my mom told me the last time she came here they ran out of their popular donuts!

Here are my recent buys:



Cardigan: Nordstrom. Necklace and earrings: Forever 21.

Side note: It bugs me that I can't seem to rotate the bottom picture counter-clockwise. Ah well.

Scarves

From Seoul

From Beijing

My dad brought back me pretty scarves from his trip to Seoul, S. Korea and Beijing, China. I think I will wear them a lot this summer since they're light-weight and green! I wear a lot of green even though I try not to.

I will complete my list of favorite actresses once I get settled in with my second summer class. I have to read four chapters by the end of this week.

On a random note, Madewell has really cute rompers. I like this floral one, but it's all sold out! That's okay; it's not like I'd shell out 90 bucks for a dress.

Photo credit: Madewell

10 Best-Dressed Leading Ladies - Part One

In no particular order, here's a list of my favorite fashionable actresses in Hollywood. They are able to transform themselves into character with the help of convincing clothes and a new hairdo. I like taking mental notes in my head of what the actresses wore and try to adapt it into my wardrobe. The keyword is try; I am rarely successful in channeling stylish actresses. :O

1. Audrey Hepburn
In high school, I was a big fan of Audrey Hepburn, and watched about half of her movies (and this lady is in a lot of films). From rags-to-riches and charming socialite, she played them all. I admire her ability to get into character while still knowing who she is. That's why her natural charm makes me adore her in every film even when the screenplay is not so charming. Yes, although I'd like to think that all movies stand the test of time, that is not always the case. My movie recommendations: My Fair Lady, Sabrina, Roman Holiday, and Breakfast at Tiffany's.




2. Audrey Tatou
Another actress by the name of Audrey, but she carries her name all on her own. She is well known for her part in Amelie, a light-hearted and uplifting film about a woman set out to simply help others while finding love. She's also in the thrilling The Da Vinci Code and Priceless. In Priceless, she plays a modern-day Holly Golightly. Although the movie is a bit lackluster, I liked Audrey Tatou's I'll-do-whatever-I-want-and-when-I-want-to-attitude. Charming.

3. Carey Mulligan
In An Education, Carey Mulligan plays a mature high school student who questions whether college is essential or not. The movie is set in the 1960s in London. I love all the dresses and coats she wears; they give off a vintage vibe. I can't wait to see more of her movies.

"I feel very old, but not very wise" - Mulligan




4. Renee Zellweger
Renee Zellweger has allure and charm. When she plays various characters, she brings her mannerisms with her in every film and she's very likable. It's hard to describe it. In Down with Love, she plays a successful career woman in New York City in the 1960s.



5. Sarah Jessica Parker
Best known for her sassy role in Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker can pull off any outfit. But her beauty is skin deep and her talent is beyond the ability to wear high heel shoes. She is a mother, wife, and an ambassador to UNICEF.


Stay tuned for Part Two!

Photo credits: www.imdb.com

Kirsten Dunst

My apologies for not updating. I didn't want to leave you hanging since I previously wrote that I would be doing a series of style icons.

Kirsten Dunst is a no-frills, laid-back gal. I love her style in films such as Elizabethtown. She can do low-key, but she can also pull off special occasions.



Photo credits: www.people.com

HandCrafting Justice

I went to a HandCrafting Justice (HCJ) sale this weekend, and I was really impressed with the variety of high quality products. My mom bought a few brightly colored scarves, and I got a really cute kid's apron. The mission of the organization is to empower women in developing countries. The women make goods, and HCJ promotes them to customers. The mission of fair trade is a powerful way to help the women build confidence, sustain themselves, and retain their traditions. HCJ allows women to rise above violence and poverty.

There were a lot of great accessories that aren't featured on the website. I really liked the beautiful handpainted scarves from Madagascar.

Yoga hemp bags handmade from Thailand: stylish yet useful

Handwoven bags from Kenya


Handmade cards from Madagascar

Doesn't it feel good to know that your purchase helps women build confidence?

Photo credits: www.handcraftingjustice.cedris.org

Reinvent Yourself

Good evening. I am on a mission to spend less money. This means cutting back on shopping sprees and focusing on viewing my clothes in a new way. Every now and then I like to do little DIY (do-it-yourself) projects. I have a knack for sewing and tailoring clothes, and I enjoy redesigning clothes. Sometimes the projects are quite labor intensive so I usually do them during winter/summer breaks. One time I made a plain cardigan into a pretty one with rosettes. My inspiration: J. Crew's sweaters. I will share with you my DIY project. It is fairly simple to do.

Materials:
Any plain cardigan
A piece of silk or cotton fabric ( 1 in. X 18 in.)
Needle
Thread
Scissors

1. Take the piece of fabric and fold it in half hot-dog style. Iron the fold to smooth it out.
2. Use your handy-dandy thread and needle to sew up and down along the cut edge. As you go along, scrunch the fabric through the thread to create ruffles.
3. Tie a knot at the other end to fasten the form.
4. Now place the rosettes on the cardigan and make the design you want. I made a S-shape design.
5. Use your thread and needle to secure the fabric onto your cardigan.

Voila! I hope I inspired you to rethink your closet. Reuse. Save the earth and your wallet too!

Kim Yu Na

I just watched Kim Yu Na's long program, and her performance was amazing. Here's the link to the video.

For her short program, she performed to a James Bond song wearing a bedazzled ensemble. She has so much charisma.


For her long program, she wore an elegant and timeless ensemble in azure. I like how she decided to go for a simple, understated look with minimal make-up. Her beauty naturally shines through as she glides across the rink. South Korea's pride must be bursting at the seams now. I cannot even imagine the immense pressure Kim Yu Na had for the past couple of months (or even years) leading up to this major event. She definitely carried herself well under pressure.



Fighting! She was born to skate.

Trina Turk Jewelry

My favorite Los Angeles-based designer, Trina Turk, released her very own jewelry line recently. Ms. Turk is well-known for her unique prints and flattering designs.

I love the coral and turquoise colors - very tropical.





I love it when designers reinvent themselves. Trina Turk's jewelry line definitely complements her apparel.

Photo credits: www.trinaturk.com

Singin' in the Rain

In Los Angeles, we don't get much rain. So when it rains, it feels like it pours. But we need all the water we can get because of the drought. I don't have the proper gear for this kind of weather. If I had it my way, I would go out to a Burberry store and buy a trench coat like the one Audrey Hepburn wears in Breakfast at Tiffany's. But this is nonsensical when there are so many inexpensive alternatives.


This Old Navy rain coat comes in several different bright colors to make your day more cheerful.


Banana Republic has a crinkled leather jacket. If you have a faux leather jacket, you can wear that since the material is water-proof.

For more brilliant ideas, go to LA Times article on rain gear.

Photo credits: www.oldnavy.com,
www.bananarepublic.com,
www.imdb.com

Nikaya Handcrafted

Nikaya is a great socially conscious and eco-friendly company. According to their website, their supportive relationships with fair trade groups help the rural poor achieve economic independence by utilizing traditional handicrafts skills to create unique modern designs.

I love what Nikaya stands for. As a former volunteer with Journeys Within Our Community, I am impressed with the company's mission to empower local artisans to create high-quality products that represent their culture.

Here are some of my favorites:

Tote bag

Clutch
Pendant


Silk necklace

Kampuchea Bracelets


The great thing about Nikaya is that they come up with new designs regularly. I can't wait to see what they will deliver next.

Photo credits: www.nikayahandcrafted.com/

Emma Watson, My Dear

As a fan of glossy fashion magazines, I just love it when I stumble across a Burberry ad. They usually feature Emma Watson in a modern, classy feminine way.

From the Autumn/Winter 2009 campaign:



And from the Spring/Summer 2010 campaign:


She looks older than her age of 19, but yet it looks very natural. I'm sure she is very mature for her age, which is something most of us strive to obtain. But for people like me, it just takes time and experience.

Photo credits:
www.nymag.com
www.justjared.buzznet.com

Weak in the Knees

These shoes from J. Crew have me falling head over heels. I love the straps and the thick heel for durability and rock-steady comfort. The black suede contrasts well with the light pink patent leather design. Oh, my amor!

Be back in two weeks.

Photo credits: www.jcrew.com

Ready to Wear - Spring 2010

There are so many great American designers with brilliant ideas. I love it.

3.1 Phillip Lim


Alexander Wang


Derek Lam

Michelle Obama has been known to support several American designers including Jason Wu and Thakoon.

Photo credits: www.style.com