It's the Poncho Season!

After a full week's sleek business attire in black, white and grey, this weekend I was inevitably drawn to cozy knits that is bold, bright and fun. This Tory Burch knit poncho was exactly what I was in the mood for: contrast colors, fringes, tussles, and soft chunky material. It's really a Boho chic statement piece. Believe it or not, I bought it two years ago and this was the first time I pulled it out of the closet! //feeling guilty...

Sweater poncho: Tory Burch (more Boho chic pieces like this, this, this, this, this) 

Long sleeved tee: Banana Republic

Leggings: Club Monaco Rochelle Faux-Leather Legging (also seen in this outfit)

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote Mini in hot red

Booties: VC Signature by Vince Camuto

Subtle Cutout Dress

Unique cutout designs may add an unexpected element to any silhouette. The key to subtlety and elegance is showing a sliver of skin without revealing too much. When cutouts at the waist or shoulders have become too cliche, this dress with cutouts at the side of thighs still seem quirky.

Dress: Pencey
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote Mini in hot red
Watch: Daniel Wellington classic St. Andrew Lady in rose gold
Boots: DV by Dolce Vita Malika Boots
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Hey, I'm not a quitter!

Sorry for being absent in the past a few days! Life has been hectic, but I'm committed to this blog! I'm desperately in need of a haircut. Nevertheless, I'm here posting more pictures, because you've asked for more... I feel so touched and loved. xoxo~~ :)

Just a quick shot of what I wore this weekend: a beautiful embroidered mini-dress from Free People. Yes, it deserves a close-up. Got lots of compliments throughout the day. This is one of those pieces that represents the brand's free spirit in a more subtle style. I attempted to mix it with a structured purse, a preppy watch, and studded masculine boots to create a Boho chic outfit. Do you like it?

Dress: Free People
Necklace: Cartier Love necklace
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote Mini in hot red
Watch: Daniel Wellington classic St. Andrew Lady in rose gold
Boots: DV by Dolce Vita Malika Boots
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Small Town Girl

I love small towns in the Northeast. They are clean, old, quaint and cozy. All you need to bring is laid-back attitude. Summer summer, please stay!

Top: Ella Moss from Anthropologie
Shorts: Rag & Bone
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote Mini in hot red
Sandals:  Birkenstock Curacao by Birki in black stretch cork
Necklace: Stellar McCartney

Gem Over the Shoulder

I'm absolutely in love with this Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini tote. Yes, it may appear a Celine-wannabe, but its textured saffiano leather and magnificent hot red color simply make it hard to pass. Being dressed up or down, it is indeed a little gem swung over the shoulder. Don't get fooled by its petite size at the first glance. It easily holds all my everyday essentials: compact wallet (this size), key wallet, cell phone, compact camera, sunglasses, lipstick and compact mirror. It's a lot more functional than the cool-looking RM Craig camera bag and many other more expensive cute mini bags, including the white-hot Chanel Le Boy medium.

MAB totes, mini or medium, are spotted quite often nowadays in NYC. Loyal RM fans may miss those signature slouchy bags in buttery soft leather, but MAB tote, Hudson Moto, Amorous satchel and other recent saffiano leather bags have signaled RM's march into the more structured styles that dominate the handbag trend these years. For me, a nice bag is a nice bag; branding is secondary. I own several RM classics (MAB, MAM, MAC, MAC mini), but it doesn't prevent me from embracing the new structured styles.

The dress is from Ralph Lauren's discontinued line Rugby. It left me with a void that I seem unable to fill. If you know any other brands that make you feel so British preppy, please let me know!

Dress: Rugby
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote Mini in hot red
Sandals:  Birkenstock Curacao by Birki in black stretch cork

Walking in the Green

Summer is an interesting season. The city is packed with tourists from all over the world while the local residents all rush to the countryside or the beach to escape the hustle-bustle of city life. Nothing is more therapeutic than a walk in the woods or a splash in the ocean.

In recent years, my weekend outfits have grown more and more relaxed. Madewell oversized tee is one of my must-haves for the summer. This basic linen timeoff tee, in particular, has a really nice drape and feels super cool on hot summer days. I have it in multiple colors.

Here I paired the oversized tee with a midi skirt from ASOS. It's made of a drapery fabric that's soft to the touch. The baby pink color is slightly more pinkish than shown on the website -- and I like that. My pictures have done a better job in capturing the color in different lighting.

Click for large pictures. 

Tee: Madewell Linen Timeoff Tee in heather grey

Skirt: ASOS Midi Skirt In Heart Print With Pockets in pink

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Necklace: Stellar McCartney

Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote Mini in Hot Red

Sandals: Birkenstock Curacao by Birki in black stretch cork

Here is the closeup of my Stellar McCartney necklace. I bought it in Italy two years ago, and it has become one of my favorite pieces of fashion jewelry. And yes, you may play with the golden ball and make it spin. :)