Christmas Red

Hi ladies! Do you like Christmas red? It's a striking festive color that can't be missed in holiday season, but you don't have to be dressed as an old-fashioned Santa. It actually works really well with black and gold to create an edgy outfit...

BTW I'm already on the road to my winter vacation. Guess where I'm going this time? Hint: somewhere warm... :)

Dress: Searle
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength
Mink infinity scarf: bought from Neiman Marcus years ago
Leather arm warmer: Vince Camuto
Purse: Chanel Large Camera Bag
Boots: Cole Haan

Holiday Bling

One of the many benefits of holiday season is that you don't look as over-board if you walk down the street in bling bling at day time. Sequin pieces tend to add urban chic to every outfit as long as you keep the rest of the outfit simple and elegant. Now that Christmas is only steps away, strolling down the street with a cute sequin mini skirt sometimes seems just the right thing to do!

Express has quite a few cute sequin mini skirts this season. I picked one with tribal pattern in neutral tone. It absolutely brightened up my past weekend. Check them out!

Silk sweater: Joie (also seen in this post)

Sequin mini skirt: Express (here, similar, similar, similar, similar, similar)

Downcoat: Burberry Brit (also seen in this post) 

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Mink infinity scarf: bought from Neiman Marcus years ago (similar, similar)
Leather arm warmer: Vince Camuto (also seen in this post) 

Purse: Chanel Large Camera Bag

Over-the-knee boots: Stuart Weitzman 5050 in black napa leather (here, here, here, here, here, ) 

Say "Yes" to Blood Red Lips "No" to Bleeding Wallet

Sorry for being absent from blog for quite a while. I have been so swamped with family obligations as well as office deadlines. The good news is: now I'm officially in the holiday mood!

True red is always one of the best colors to wear for holiday parties. Since last winter, however, dark blood red lipsticks have taken the center of fall/winter fashion stage. I'd collected a handful of dark shades from designer brands (e.g. Fire Down Below, Afghan Red, and Scarlet Express are all fabulous dark red from NARS with different tones) since last year. This season I'm so excited at my recent findings: you don't have to break your bank account to get those awesome blood red shades. 

I might be late to the game, but the L'oreal Paris Infallible Le Rouge Lipsticks are impressively creamy, pigmented, and long lasting. If you are willing to do without exquisite packages, they are ideal substitutes for brand name lipsticks.

I bought both 737 Persistent Plum and 741 Bold Bordeaux. The picture below is sourced online and true to color in real life. 737 is a cooler shade with purple/pink undertone, and 741 is a warmer brick red with brown/coral undertone. Both colors are rich and sophisticated, yet not overly vampy. Both can be used for work and fun. As a rule of thumb, 737 works better on cool skin tones and 741 works better on warm skin tones. And of course, if your skin is more or less neutral, just like mine, both colors work for you and that explains why your lipstick collection usually doubles in size! :)

I was wearing 741 in the past weekend. I really loved it! I need to add this to my forever growing list of new year resolution: exploring more bargain lipsticks and sharing them online! :)

Down coat: Moncler (similar, also like this, this, this)

Jeans: DL 1961

Lipstick: L'oreal Paris Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in 741 Bold Bordeaux (here, here) 

Shawl: Louis Vuitton Monogram Shine Shawl in gray

Purse: Chanel Large Camera Bag (old, current season)

Studded leather gloves: Portolano (similar, similar)

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Booties: VC Signature by Vince Camuto

Finally, the holiday booths in Union Square are now open! It was sheer fun checking out those little cuties. I hope everyone a happy holiday!

Casual Friday Basics

Chunky oversized sweater, wool skirt, and knee high boots are my fall/winter staples. Fashion comes and goes, but these basic pieces stay. Stock them up when they go on sale, and save money and headache in many seasons ahead of you!

Have a good weekend, everyone! Stay warm~

Sweater: JCrew (similar)

Skirt: St. John

Brooch: Chanel

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Boots: Cole Haan

Purse: Louis Vuitton Damier Hampstead PM

Long Overdue Silk Floral Pants

Well, I'm not sure whether it happens to you or not, but occasionally I simply forget my purchase and let it sit in my closet for months. And that makes me feel guilty! No, not because I've spent the money on something I might not need -- honestly most of us girls are able to survive on a small fraction of our cloths without looking too crappy. I've concluded that fashion is a necessity only to our psychological health. That said, I do feel sad when I notice a beautiful piece that has been sitting in my dark closet and had no chance to see the light yet. And that was exactly how I felt on this pair of Joie silk floral pants. Summer is almost over; I have to give it a chance to shine!

It's indeed very nicely made. Its relaxed fit and refreshing prints speak for itself. Pair it with something really simple and let it pop!

Top: Madewell V-Neck Slouch Tee in black
Pants: Joie Theron B Pants
Sandals: Birkenstock Curacao by Birki in black stretch cork
Purse: Chanel Le Boy medium
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Goodbye, Summer

Labor Day. Time to say goodbye to summer, the season of bright colors, craziness and fun.

Goodbye, lychee.
Goodbye, peach.
Goodbye, watermelon that cools the beach.

Goodbye, crops.
Goodbye, flowers.
Goodbye, skirts in pastel colors.

I will miss you all, till next year.

Cropped top: Free People

Maxi skirt: Minkpink
Purse: Chanel Le Boy medium
Sandals: Birkenstock Curacao by Birki in black stretch cork
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Lululemon Tanktop

For New Yorkers, Labor Day equates to US Open. There is no better way to kick off a long weekend than a festive world-class sport event. I'm not a tennis fan, but the game, the crowd, the drinking and lounging always draws me back to this stadium. US Open is one of the best organized events I've ever been to. All booths and bars are well staffed, and I can always get my drink or food in minutes.

Sporty chic is always welcome on a day like this. I don't work out in Lululemon, being afraid that those cute cutouts may get caught somewhere and cause accident. That's said, Lulu style is really cute. Weekends and sports occasions are where it really belongs to.

Top: Lululemon
Shorts: Abercrombie & Fitch
Purse: Chanel Le Boy medium
Boots: DV by Dolce Vita Malika Boots
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Hippie or Preppy?

Dude, Brazil's catastrophic defeat in the semi-final left me with a blank brain. I'm still trying to recover from the concussion... So this is gonna be a super short post.

OK -- an outfit over the long weekend. I was trying to include this Birkenstock in my casual playbook. I think those hippie babies make the look less preppy and more relaxed. Somehow I like the way these two styles blend... What do you think?

Top: Peter Pilotto for Target (also seen in this outfit)
Denim shorts: Abercrombie & Fitch
Sunglasses: Miu Miu Cat Eye (also seen in this post, new with cute embellishment, more colors, summer glitters)
Purse: Chanel Le Boy
Sandals:  Birkenstock Curacao by Birki in black stretch cork (also available in rainbow stripes)

LBD with a Tribal Touch

Finally I've got the chance of wearing this lovely LBD from Anthropologie! Here is my review from last week: " Color Pop Embroidered Tunic dress by Chloe Oliver in XSP from Anthropologie. I bought it a while ago at full price and took it with me to Central Europe. Unfortunately the weather was too cold and I had no chance of wearing it. It's very breezy and comfortable. The beaded panels on the side are fabulous. Now it's on sale! Note: Its lining is tight on the chest. Size up if you are busty. I wear the smallest size in almost all brands, but the XXSP one did not fit me. I could put it on, and it looked OK in the mirror, but I could barely breathe."

LBD is classic, and the beaded panels add some tribal touch to the design and update it to modern chic. I'm absolutely in love with this little cutie. And you know what? I just noticed that Anthropologie had cut it to $59.95! Yeah, it made me sweat... LOL!

Click for large pictures.

Dress:  Color Pop Embroidered Tunic dress by Chloe Oliver from Anthropologie
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength
Purse: Chanel
Wedge: Pierre Hardy

It's Soccer Time!

Our Saturday ritual in spring/summer is simple: beer + chicken wings + soccer in our favorite Irish pub across the street. I'm not a soccer fan, but I can happily sit through those Premier League or La Liga games and get amused by the passionate crowd that boos, curses, roars and mocks each other. We live in such a civilized world that sucking in any dose of passion and true emotion benefits one's psychological health. It reminds you that you are alive and surrounded by living beings. 

Tee+shorts is perfect for ladies in a sports bar. No, I don't pretend to be a soccer fan by wearing team jerseys. Neither do I want to look lousy. A relaxed top, dressy shorts, minimalist heels, and edgy accessories always create a laid-back yet put-together look that mixes well in a casual bar. Hope you all enjoy the World Cup in comfort and style. *_^

Click for large images. 

Top: Zoe Karssen Wild Boys jersey top

Shorts: Crewcuts (also seen in this outfit)

Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Purse: Chanel

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

Out And About

周末天气好得不象话，周六在外面不知不觉晃荡了一天，只觉春日苦短。

先是去看了一个位于west village的art fair。有趣的是，某人连颜色都看不准，却最爱看art fair。我就不一定喜欢了。有的art fair一半是卖小吃的摊点，有点挂羊头卖狗肉的嫌疑。而这次的art fair是正经的art & craft为主，规模很大，占了好几条街道，枝枝蔓蔓的看都看不完。除了绘画 手工艺 首饰 帽子这些常见的东西以外，还有live music，让人看得很高兴，想来我最喜欢的还是人和人类活动，没有什么比live performance更让我觉得有趣的了。美中不足是人实在太多了。天气一回暖，纽约人民就跟冬眠醒来的动物一样，呼啦一下全都涌进了曼哈顿街头，赶上不冷不热的大晴天，城里简直人满为患。窃以为应该在周末限制进城人数，实行单双号制，单日只能出生日为单号的人进城，双日只能出生日为双号的人进城，以显摆咱岛民的优越性，justify半岛恶贵房租的合理性，哈哈！玩笑归玩笑，我还是挺enjoy的。可惜来之前先喝了几杯啤酒，走着走着就急着要放水。好不容易某人找到了他喜欢的那个女画家，挑了一幅画，我们就急匆匆地离开人群去找地方放水了。话说那个女画家吧，画得也不是不好，可是看了几次，我也看腻味了。难得的是某人对她一往情深，每次art fair都去掏钱买副小画，真是个坚定不移的好孩子，跟我的喜新厌旧正成对比，想当初还是我看了喜欢推荐给他看的呢。

放水以后就直奔mid town。我心思不在art fair的另一个原因就是。。。Chanel的fall/winter collection上市了！谁说我不喜欢art了？Chanel就是我喜欢的art。。。之一。。。一进门就被这个embossed Le Boy森森的吸引住了。美不美？美不美？这一季的黑色是pearl black，不是纯黑(jet black)，稍微有点发蓝 ，非常好看。做旧的银链，立体雕花的外表，看起来非常古朴高贵。常见的棱格Le Boy大多是小羊皮的，这个则是calf skin，牛皮比较耐磨，这会是个很好的vintage piece，会age well，不光给现在的苏大妈用，还可以给未来的苏婆婆用，甚至留给小小苏。而且这个new medium size也比常见的medium size要高一些，能装更多的东西，所以这个包比常见的medium Le Boy要更适合日常生活。我纠结！为什么呢？一来是我个子小，这个包背起来有点点大，二来这么精细的花纹平时背似乎有点太过火了。店里只看到new medium和mini两个大小的，一个太大，一个又太小。问某人意见，他说：“你再过10年再背这么装饰性的包也许更合适。” 哦，这是夸我年轻还是损我气质不够sophisticated呢？你瞧这人，说个no都说得这么有水平，真讨厌！不管他是什么意思吧，我恋恋不舍的把包放下了。。。哎，拜托哪位好心的姑娘去把它收了吧！都卖光了，我也就不惦记了，不然总是心心念念的。

最后上个逛街的行头。别看我成天写fashion blog，其实我有时候也对自己的眼光有疑惑的，尤其看见我兴高采烈的买了东西却发现后来打折打到尘土里都卖不出去的时候。是不是我的眼光太奇怪了呢？比如这件baseball tee，我买了有两三个月了，也穿过好几次了，现在居然还有卖的。。。Anyway，我周六又穿它了，配了条好老的AF牛仔裙。因为要走路，就穿了一双New Balance WR10，这可不是他家跟fashion brands合作的发骚时尚运动鞋，是正经用来跑步的。以前我也说过自己是New Balance的大粉。前几个月跑步比较多，屯了不少他家的跑步鞋，不光是因为好穿，也是因为好看，不跑步的话，穿着逛街也挺美的。比如这双WR10，前后根落差只有4毫米，非常轻，而且鞋里面是柔软的布，光脚穿也跟穿袜子一样舒服。虽然简约鞋的风头在跑友中慢慢衰落了，而我在PF以后也不太敢穿简约鞋跑步，这鞋穿着逛街真是好极了。

Tee: JCrew Linen Baseball Tee in Lovebirds
Denim shirt: Abercrombie & Fitch
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength in black
Purse: Chanel 2.55 Reissue
Sneakers: New Balance WR10v2 in Red/Orange (here, here, here, here)

When in Doubt, Go Black

Sleep in on Sunday morning and find yourself late for the brunch? All you need is a brainless outfit that still looks pulled together. Black is my go-to color in such circumstance. Grab a sheer black silk blouse, a pair of black skinny pants, and a pair of bright colored shoes. Throw on the same accessories from last night. And from here sets off a beautiful Sunday.

Sheer silk blouse: Elizabeth and James Orchid Amandine blouse in black (current season, similar, similar, similar)
Pants: Club Monaco in black
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength in black
Necklace: Bougainwillea necklace by BaubleBar from Anthropologie
Purse: Chanel
Pumps: Nicholas Kirkwood two tone patent leather block heel pump (similar on sale, similar, similar)

As Gothic As I Could

If there is a style that I'm absolutely obsessed with but cannot find a way to pull off, that will be Gothic. And I've painfully come to the conclusion that I probably never will. The reason is I'm too well nutritioned. There is a saying, "you are what you eat." And I definitely look like someone who eats salmon, steak, and lamb on regular basis. Plus, I work out. Plus, I love tanning. There is no way that I will look skinny enough or pale enough to resemble a morbid angel that lives on instant noodles besides alcohol, tobacco or weed. I can't look vampy, no matter how much white powder, black eyeliner or black lipstick I pile up.

But I don't give up. I'm so attracted to this mysterious and exotic style that, occasionally, I will attempt a muted Gothic look that doesn't look too outrageous on me. Like this one: black lace dress, black-red lipstick, dark black sunglasses, dark purple / gold necklace, Gothic ring, purse in distressed leather and jeweled gold sandals. I could have used a pair of black lace-up boots to complete the look, but I do keep functionality in mind as well. After all, it's already May and I enjoy walking around the city over this sunny weekend. -- All the outfits posted are real-life outfits that I live in.

Oh, there is another reason I don't look vampy: I smile to much!

FYI, I bought this exquisite soft lace dress by Karen Zambos Vintage Couture from Shopbop in 2011. I've collected tons of compliments on it! It's made of fine 100% silk lace. Now it's not easy to find high quality lace dress like this, but I'm sure there are substitutes as sheer is one of the themes of the year. Free People carries lacy Gothic or Bohemian dresses all year long.

The necklace was bought from Anthropologie and it's now on sale.

To get the vintage dark red lips, I first applied a layer of red lip liner (NARS Lipliner Pencil in Jungle Red) all over the lips to define the shape and prevent the lipstick from running. On top of it, I layered a black lipstick (Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense in 48 - Satin Blackcurrant). Black lipstick is really hard to fine, and this is a warm reddish black color. It's very creamy, pigmented and long-lasting, but you need a lip liner underneath to prevent bleeding. Love it! Go for 49 - Satin Blueberry if you prefer a cool tone. I would leave 50 - Satin Black to Halloween. :)

Silk lace dress: Karen Zambos Vintage Couture (current season, similar, similar, similar, similar, similar, similar, similar)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength in black
Necklace: Bougainwillea necklace by BaubleBar from Anthropologie
Ring: Juicy Couture
Purse: Chanel
Sandals: Vince Camuto (current season)