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

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. :)

Cat Out Of The Bag

贾宝玉说：男人是泥做的，女人是水做的。而我要说：男人属狗，女人属猫。狗，不管多么淘气捣蛋活蹦乱跳，内心深处终究是有一份忠厚纯朴老实可靠的，那种大气稳妥才能撑起家的归属感；而猫，外表或慵懒或乖巧，却逃不掉独立反叛贪玩自赏的天性，时不时地有点坏脾气和小性子，搅搅家里的一潭静水。男人没有了狗性，抑或女人没有了猫性，在我看来，这个世界可就乱了套，家将不家矣。

猫女自然需要猫眼墨镜！这副Miu Miu猫眼墨镜是不少明星戴过同款或类似款的。猫眼的好处在于它几乎适合任何脸型，尤其是大圆脸大方脸能被修饰得小一圈儿。今年又出了新款，比如这副紫红色 和这几副亮闪闪的，都青春洋溢，在春夏会特别抢眼，而这副玳瑁的则四季皆宜。不管什么颜色，今年镜角的小装饰真叫人喜欢。

如果你嫌这个还不够夸张呢，可以看看Tom Ford家的猫眼墨镜。Miley Cyrus (here), Taylor Swift (here) 和 Anna Paquin (here) 都戴过。

假皮裤 是Club Monaco家的，现在正打折。我喜欢它正面皮背面布的设计，看起来挺时尚的，屁股后面又不会亮光光的叫人不好意思。这条裤子弹性很好，穿起来比前面秀过的两条Club Monaco都要轻松些，宁可买小也不要买大。因为我有黑色和棕色的真皮裤了，就买了这条青苔绿的，也还很好搭配。现在这么便宜，要不要多收条紫色的呢？

羊绒斗篷也是Club Monaco家的，不过是两年前买的，今年他家的款式都不如这件好看，嘻嘻！

We may have different personalities, but I truly believe that every woman has a cat in her heart of hearts. That's our desire to be sexy, naughty and playful. And this sunny weekend has wakened my little Miss Cat that has been sleeping for a long winter.

So, I decided to dig out my Miu Miu Cat Eye sunglasses. Yes, this is the pair you've seen on Miranda Kerr, Katy Perry, and many other celebrities. Its winged frame compliments almost all faces, and in particular, has the magic of visually narrowing square or round jaws. It was updated this year in a cute and playful way. This violet pair and the glitters are definitely statement accessories that scream "I <3 spring/summer". For an all-season more sophisticated take, tortoiseshell is always a safe bet. The tiny embellishment at the corner adds a youthful and cheerful touch.

For an even more dramatic look, check out Tom Ford, spotted on Miley Cyrus (here), Taylor Swift (here) and Anna Paquin (here).

The faux leather leggings, my yet another purchase from Club Monaco in the past winter, are now in deep discount. I like its play of texture -- we all want to look updated and chic in the front, but may want less to show off our behind in glossy leather. The leggings are quite elastic. If you are between sizes, you may consider sizing down.

The cashmere poncho was from Club Monaco two years ago. I like its high-low uneven hem and the button detail on the side (not shown in the picture). There are some similar items this year (here, here), but I do think mine looks better... Oops!

Cashmere poncho in navy: Club Monaco (similar, similar)
Olive faux leather leggings: Club Monaco Tasha Faux Leather Legging in peat moss
Sunglasses: Miu Miu Cat Eye (new with cute embellishment, more colors, summer glitters)
Leopard print cashmere/silk scarf: Louis Vuitton Leopard Stole in brown
Wedge sneakers: Stella McCartney Faux Suede Leopard-Print Wedge Sneakers
Lip stick: NARS lipstick in Autumn Leaves

Dual Personality Double Cool

I know the title may sound a bit arrogant, but that's just an accurate expression of my zest of playing with different texture and color combos! Bored with my office ladylike attire, I always want to have some fashionista fun over weekends. :)

This Club Monaco Rochelle Faux-Leather Legging is exactly what I was looking for. Edgy and unexpected, it adds cool attitude to any outfit one could imagine. Compared to the Club Monaco Carolina Skinny Waxed Pant I wore last week, it feels less tight and more stretchy on the body.  The material was thick enough to keep me warm over this brutal windy weekend. It is on sale both online and in store, and the discount in store is just UNBELIEVABLE! Mark my words and check it out!

I bought this Laveer Revelry Camo Blazer from Barney's in winter. I like its wool-cashmere blend, sleek cut and camo print sleeves. Unfortunately it seems sold out everywhere. If you like the unexpected marriage between camo print and classic blazer, you may want to try this Laveer Revelry Camo and Herringbone Blazer. Besides, I'm biting my fingers on this Laveer blazer with a cool military touch! If only I had a bigger closet... :) Anyway, I'm glad that I've discovered Laveer Revelry blazer. I'll keep an eye on this brand in the future and have high expectation on its fun variations.

And I got this pair of Stella McCartney Faux Suede Leopard-Print Wedge Sneakers in hunter green in 2012, I believe. Still in love with its quirkiness. The wedge is high, but comfortable enough for walking.

The striped tee is from Abercrombie & Fitch -- who says adults should avoid Abercrombie? Give me a reason please. All I know is that some of their classic basics are well made, of decent quality, and dirty cheap when they are on sale. Those (clueless) fashion police should just shut up and mind their own unbelievably superficial brand-conscious business. I will keep getting my basics and lounge wear from wherever I prefer and make sense out of my hard-earned money. :)

Striped long sleeved tee: Abercrombie & Fitch
Camo-sleeved blazer: Laveer Revelry Camo Blazer
Black leggings: Club Monaco Rochelle Faux-Leather Legging
Wedge sneakers: Stella McCartney Faux Suede Leopard-Print Wedge Sneakers

TGIF: Bring Your Sweatshirt to Office

概要

我爱卫衣！它们柔软舒适保暖，能洗能烘好伺候。可是，大部分卫衣都是＂小孩子＂和＂运动服＂的代名词，怎么把它们穿到办公室来呢？今天分享一个我在办公室蒙混过关的打扮。其实核心就一条：你得把它弄得象毛衣。

首先，你得找合适的卫衣。AF那种一般都不好过关但是JCrew和Theory都有比较成熟简洁的款式。图上是JCrew 2013年的款式。这件Theory和这件JCrew也不错，看起来没有那么运动，穿起来长长大大的，象宽松毛衣。我一般避免买紧袖口紧下摆的款式 (like this)，也避免胸口有大字儿特别六一的款式。JCrew有时侯玩些花样，但是并不总成功。比如这件看起来挺高大上的，可是实物很让人失望，白色衬衣太薄，跟卫衣的厚实各种不搭。还有这个带金属色三角的，那些三角质量很差，跟撒在新娘新郎身上的金属色碎屑差不多。还有那些带jacquard字样的卫衣，都各种廉价感，通通不建议。总是往宽松简单里买最保险了。

然后，你得用一些更正式的配件来打扮这件卫衣，让它也沾点阳春白雪的气味。这里我穿的是JCrew No. 2 pencil skirt in double serge wool和Dolce Gabbana 尖头鞋。为了使整个look不过于沉重，加了一条Stellar McCartney项练和一双猫咪绣花的丝袜。

大功告成，蒙混过关啦～

I'm a big fan of sweatshirts. They are comfortable and warm. A quick swirl in the washer and drier puts them back to shape. No iron, no steam and no dry clean. Plus they set me into weekend mood. That's why I always want to sport it on Fridays and break away from my business routine. We all know 99% of straight men are fashion illiterate anyway. If my honey mistook tortoise as animal print, chances are my male senior managers won't be able to tell a sweatshirt from sweater, as long as I style it the right way. The fact is, I've sneaked a couple of sweatshirt outfits into office successfully. Once I even got a compliment from a senior manager:"Nice sweater!"

The key is making your sweatshirt looks more or less sweater-ish. :) 

It may be hard for traditional sweatshirts or hoodies from Abercrombie to make a pass in office. However a more matured one from either JCrew or Theory could fool quite a few pairs of less scrutinized eyes. The one in the picture is from JCrew 2013 collection. This Theory piece and this JCrew one are also on the less sporty side with their long loose body. I would avoid those with ribbed hem & cuffs  (like this), or with big letters/patterns that scream "high school". JCrew sometimes challenges interesting combos, but unfortunately it does not always work. For example, this one has a very dressed-up feel, but its thin cotton does not go well with the thick sweatshirt material. Also, these metallic triangles look so plastic in reality. I would also avoid any "jacquard" sweatshirts from JCrew. They look cheap. Anyway, stay simple and loose.

Now you need to dress it up by pairing it with more business appropriate pieces. Here I paired it with JCrew No. 2 pencil skirt in double serge wool and Dolce Gabbana black pumps. To add a bit fun, I used a pair of embroidered stockings (see that cute kitty on my left ankle?) and a Stellar McCartney necklace. Treat your sweatshirt like a sweater, and it will look like a sweater at the first glance! :)