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, ) 

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

Spring 2014 Trend (6): Sheer

Floaty and airy, sheer inserts/sleeves/skirts are everywhere. From Fendi, Dolce Gabbana to Burberry Prorsum, designers dared to bare. Being it sporty mesh or ethereal  lace, it can add a dose of sex appeal to an otherwise demure look or simply lend some lightness to the overall feel. Transparency is a must for this spring's wardrobe. Even T-shirts, cropped tops, and baggy sweaters have adopted mesh or fishnet inserts to add a touch of sexiness.

We all know that it's always more elegant to leave a little to the imagination. A furtively revealing suggestion of skin is much more sartorially liberating than baring all. The most sophisticated take on the sheer trend is showing a little skin with peekaboo panels and translucent fabrics.

For everyday wear, I prefer a more conservative take on the sheer trend. I like skirts called "leg veils" (Tibi, French Connection, ASOS, Zara, another Zara), tops with mesh or lace sleeves (Anthropologie, Zara, another Zara), and dresses with strategic sheer inserts (Anthropologie, Free People, another Free People). Transparent blouses (Zara, Joie, Free People) are also on my list, but I will wear them with a cami underneath. I'll leave bold pieces (like this) at the beach or pool side.

How are you going to embrace this sheet adventure?

Photo credit: Fabsugar, Cosmogirl, style, Vogue

Lace Up Dress Down

人笨呢，那是一点办法也没有的。卫生间光线不好，我一直在微调相机的设置，试图找到最优解，今天弄出个高噪点的，只好后期狠狠柔光了一把，算是笨人笨办法，哈哈！

这条Rowan Skirt是Club Monaco的新款，非常女性优雅，穿件衬衣踩双高跟鞋，扭呀扭呀总是不错的。不过我今天刻意dress down，用宽松的套头衫儿和长筒皮靴来冲淡一下裙子的女人味儿，觉得这样更年轻和有趣一些。脖子上白花花的那圈是原本很好看的水晶珠链，以后还会出镜的，今天就。。。就。。。就先埋没了吧！拜托大家耐心点，让我这个笨人慢慢摸索相机的设置。。。:)

This Club Monaco Rowan Skirt just hit the market. Feminine and elegant, it goes well with shirts and heels for a perfect lady look. However, this morning I was in the mood of dressing down. So I paired it with a loose fit silk sweater and a pair of knee-high boots to tone down the girliness of the look. Well, I know you can't see it clearly due to the photo quality, but I did also use a crystal statement necklace... Still trying to figure out the best settings for restroom shots... Give me some time, please. It's your continuous support and patience that keeps me going... :)

grey silk sweater: Joie
lace skirt: Club Monaco Rowan Skirt
knee high boots: Burberry

A Tale of Two Schoolboys

上次Wardrobe Staples for Business Woman一文中推荐了JCrew Schoolboy blazer，其实JCrew家有两款Schoolboy blazer。上次那件海军蓝的叫"classic schoolboy blazer"，是他家的经典款，今天这件burnt orange的叫"schoolboy blazer"，是他家的改良版。这两款的区别在于：

• 改良版更长，身长有25 1/8英寸，经典版只有24 1/4英寸。
• 改良版右边两个口袋都是带翻盖的，经典版右侧上面的小口袋没有翻盖。
• 改良版袖口4颗扣，经典版袖口3颗扣。

主要由于身长的不同，这两款各有千秋。改良版因为长了那么一点点，扣起来更服帖，看起来更正式，也更适合配裤装。经典版是短款，所以更适合搭配裙装。两款我都觉得不错！

看来最近两周都只能卫生间自拍了，这段时间那个办公室都有人用。:)

In my previous post titled Wardrobe Staples for Business Woman, I recommended JCrew Schoolboy blazer. One thing I forgot to mention is there are actually two different schoolboy blazers by JCrew. Well, it may be confusing, but we love schoolboys, and the more the merrier!

The one I wore last time is called "classic schoolboy blazer", and the one in today's picture is a more updated "schoolboy blazer". Compared to the original schoolboy that is now referred to as "classic", the new kid has the following updates:

Length: The body length is now 25 1/8'' and the classic length is 24 1/4''.

Pocket: the new blazer has two flap pockets on the right while the classic one has one flap pocket and one welt pocket.

Buttons: the new blazer has four gold buttons on the sleeves and the classic one has three.

"So which is a better schoolboy?" You may ask. Well, it depends on your personal preference and body shape. Compared to the relatively minor changes in the pocket and buttons, this less-than-an-inch change in body length makes significant visual difference. The new one fits better when it is buttoned up, goes better with pants, and creates a more formal business outfit. The classic one is more or less a shrunken fit and goes better with dresses and skirts. Busty ladies may find it difficult to button up the classic schoolboy blazer. I own both styles (in the same size) and find both quite versatile.

Blazer: JCrew schoolboy blazer
Silk leopard print shirt: Joie
Black riding pants: Paige
Boots: Prada