Leather, Maxi and Red Lips

When a long overdue heatwave hit the winter plagued North East over the weekend, every girl pulled out her favorite sundress to celebrate. And I was absolutely in the mood for a floral print maxi dress! Cotton sundress still looks a little flimsy in April? Add layers! Feminine maxi sounds a little out this year? Revitalize it with a cool leather moto vest! When I was in mood for boho chic, no one could stop me. :)

To light up the face, I used a true red lipstick:  Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Best Red. This is the second drugstore lipstick I loved -- I know I'm a late comer to this market. It felt creamy and light on the lips, and stays fresh 3-4 hours without retouch. In terms of color, its neutral red is closest to NARS Jungle Red. If you want a classic true red at a fraction of designer lipstick price, give this one a try.   

Both the dress and the vest were bought last year, but I'm sure you are able to find similar items in the market.

Dress: Free People (similar, similar, also like this, this)
Leather Vest: Bagatelle (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote Mini in Hot Red
Lips:  Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Best Red
  

Maxi Dress in Retro Floral Print

Hot and humid. A breezy maxi is all I want. A cup of smoothie will also help.

One of the great benefits of living in NYC is that you can always find one-of-a-kind pieces that are not available in mass production brands or department stores. I'd never heard of Aoyama Itchome before I saw this skirt in Soho, but its retro floral print and super light flowy texture caught my eyes immediately and has won tons of compliments since then.

BTW I am leaving for Europe today on business and won't be back until the 10th. Don't miss me too much. See you when I get back. xoxo~

Dress: Aoyama Itchome
Sandals: Birkenstock Curacao by Birki in black stretch cork
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

TGIF: Heading Out of the City!

I'm dying from this busy week! I need a weekend trip as much as fish needs water. The ambitious may live to work; I work to live. Maybe that's why I will end up being a mediocre. But, if it's a happy mediocre, be it! :)

Have a good weekend, everyone! Don't let the summer slip through your fingers...

Maxi dress: C&C California (current season)

Sports bra:  GapFit Racerback Pullover Bra

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Purse: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC

Sandals: Birkenstock Curacao by Birki in black stretch cork

Necklace: Stellar McCartney

Maxi Dress with an Oriental Touch

Dreadful weather in NYC these days. Maybe it's the perfect time to dig into my old pictures. :)

This is one of my favorite maxi dresses. The slim and long fit reminds me of Cheongsam (or qipao) from those good old days when China managed to incorporate western body-hugging silhouette into our traditional modest yet elegant fashion style. The muted grey color (with bright yellow trim) and the cotton fabric also resonate with my Chinese heritage deeply. And, guess what? I bought this dress from an American brand in an American online store! That left me wondering what OUR designers had been doing... We all know that there is a 唐装/汉服 movement in China, which encourages us to go back to our traditional attires. So far it seems more focused on special occasion (e.g. wedding, graduation ceremony) attires. I see its future as bright as the kilt. Let's face it: fashion evolves. Our fashion heritage can only survive and thrive if it adapts to modern life style. I'd be more than proud to wear a Cheongsam in my everyday life as long as it is both comfortable and fashionable. 

Click for large picture (taken in 2012).

Dress: Monrow (current season)

Sunglasses: Tom Ford

Flip flops: Havaianas 

Soft and Splendid

Splendid is another brand that fits into my casual weekend wardrobe perfectly: soft, comfortable, effortless, and affordable. This maxi tank dress I bought last summer is exactly how I define summer casual chic. When the temperature hits the higher 80's, I want nothing but a simple dress that wicks my sweat away. The tank top cuts a little too low for me, so I usually wear a sports bra that adds a little pop to the palette as well as minimizes the visual effect of chest. Sometimes the secret of looking sexy is a right dose of being conservative. Hope we all have a splendid weekend ahead!

Click for large picture.

Maxi dress: Splendid (similar in grey/white, similar in poppy print, short dress, jumpsuit, long sleeved maxi, similar in other brands: #1, #2, #3 )

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Sports bra: GapFit Racerback Pullover Bra

Sandals: Pedro Garcia Xola Ankle Strap Sandals in almond/white (also available in high heels) 

Purse: Louis Vuitton