Spring 2014 Trend (2): Metallic Shoes

上周提到了金属色的鞋子，这个风也是从去年就开始刮的，今年愈演愈烈，除了银色的镜面鞋，今年还出了不同的颜色和质感，金属色不光被应用在高跟鞋上面，还广泛出现在平底 坡跟 牛津 和运动鞋上，可以说是全面开花。金属色的鞋子非常好穿，几乎能搭配任何颜色和风格的服装。只要没有用力过猛，可以画龙点睛，迅速提升整体的时尚感。

You can't call yourself a shoe maniac if you haven't got a pair of metallic shoes yet. Metalwork was a huge influence to the SS/2013 catwalks. The shoes are the easiest way to re-introduce metallics into your wardrobe in preparation for spring. The trend of metallic shoes stays strong this year.

While silver pumps have been a running favorite so far, this year we see the trend expanding in color (silver, gold, rose gold, gunmetal, or even colored metallics), texture (e.g. cracked, perforated) and style (flats, sandals, oxfords, sneakers, wedges, flip flops, etc.). Pick whatever excites you. The good news is: metallic shoes go with almost everything! Just keep in mind that the beauty of metalwork is their subtle statement factor. A hint of sparkle goes a long way in a simple day-time ballerina shoe, while effulgent heels will add a fancy, fairy-tale feel to an evening look.

Almost all premium shoe designers offer wide range of metallic shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood has metallic pumps in both high heels and low heels. Giuseppe Zanotti offers a two-tone pair with an edgy heel design. Absolutely beautiful. Saint Laurent and Brian Atwood, instead, have a fun play with texture. Prada adds a cute bow to its sleek silver stilettos. Jimmy Choo continues to offer its highly acclaimed Agnes, and has extended its metallic collection to super chic and sexy Able Metallic Suede-Toe Pump, Black Silver. Only interested in classics? One can't go wrong with a simple pair of Manolo Blahnik, either in high heel or in mid heel.

At a more accessible price point, JCrew offers a suite of metallic shoes. Besides its highly successful strappy mirror metallic pumps, it also offers Viv metallic flats, Lucie slingback flats, Lillian metallic low wedge, Tybee metallic slide sandals, Rio metallic sandals and many more. Among all these, this Viv mirror metallic bow flats really stands out! Everly pumps and Valentina pumps have been updated with new texture, but I prefer the simple sleek mirror metallic version offered last year. Club Monaco also has a silver pair this year on the shelf. And of course, Kate Spade is always a brand to check out if you want a less expensive substitute for premium designer bags or shoes.

Too shiny and too edgy for you? A pair of stilettos with a metal toe-cap (or other metal details) can have just as much as an impact. Isn't this Nicholas Kirkwood pair cute?

Photo credit: bittersweetcolours, pinkavenueblog, oliviasstyle, vintagebeautyxox, wendyslookbook, crazystylelove, fashionindie, chictopia

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

Metallic Blue Leather Pumps

这个星期忙坏了累坏了。天天穿得人模狗样的，不是在工作，就是在跟人吃饭喝酒喝咖啡。说话说得都抑郁了，现在别提说话了，连打字都觉得累。抽空还是拍了张。

金属色的鞋子这两年很流行，我改天写个长点的慢慢唠叨。这双电蓝色的Max Kibardin是2009年买的，现在怕是不好找这颜色了呢，不得不佩服自己当年超前的眼光，哈哈~~~

裙子是DVF的，也有两三年历史了，当初路过UWS那家Barney's分店的时候在橱窗里看到，顿时不能自拔，赶紧推门进去就买了。虽然我算DVF的大粉，也有不少她家的裙子，这么一见钟情的情况还是不多见的。她家的衣服简直是妇女之友，挂在架子上一般般，穿在身上效果尤其好，说通俗点，就是屁股是屁股，腰是腰，胸是胸，没有半点含糊的。

西装是Gucci家的，用料裁剪做工没有啥好多说的，flawless。。。贵是贵了点儿，但是很值。钱多了发烧的时候，不能老是烧包包，烧件经典的衣服也还是不错的。据我个人的观察，男人真不在意女人的包包，但是会注意女人的衣服和鞋子。

Beautiful blue pumps are hard to find. So when you see a hot pair, snag ‘em! I got these Max Kibardin pointy pumps in Saks Fifth Avenue five years ago. And right now, they are super in!  Featuring metallic blue leather and a unique diagonal ankle strap, it fits in the metallic shoes trend, and stands out with its fabulous color and details. At 3 inches, the heel is the perfect height — high enough but not so high that it’s uncomfortable. I literally run in these pumps to catch buses / trains.

On a side note, Saks has stopped carrying Max Kibardin and many emerging avant garde designers since a couple of years ago, which, IMO, explains why it gradually lost ground to other luxury department stores. To position itself as a luxury flagship, it needs to carry some hard-to-find brands and items with the wow effect. I haven't been to Saks in the past year as fewer and fewer items could catch my eyes in recent years. Now that it is under the new management heading by Marigay McKee who was poached from Harrods (my one and only favorite store in London), I am waiting to see its revamp and return to more risk-taking designers, such as Max Kibardin.

The fuchsia dress is from DVF, bought from Barney's a couple of years ago. Every woman loves DVF dresses. They tend to hug your body in the right way. This dress, in particular, stroke me with its vibrant color and body hugging fit when I was walking by Barney's window with my BFF. It was love at the first sight, and today our relationship still works like magic.

Blazers from Gucci are simply flawless. Top material, clean cut, and impeccable hand work. This one is no exception. We women tend to splurge on designer bags. But don't overlook your cloths and shoes. A wise investment goes a long way. This blazer costs less than many designer handbags... How much is the Chanel 2.55 reissue now?  Would someone please kindly remind me... :)

Grey wool blazer: Gucci
Fuchsia bandage dress: Diane von Furstenberg
Electric blue metallic leather pumps: Max Kibardin

Spring 2014 Trend (1): Sporty Chic

2014年春季流行什么呢？随便写点吧。其实大部分都是去年春季的延续。。。:)

今春运动风继续流行，随着大众品牌的全面加入，今春会比去年更盛。运动风需要将女性的妩媚和酷劲糅合在一起，关键是怎么混搭：不要全身运动服运动鞋，那样的搭配过时了，需要一两个简单的运动元素（比如数字大T恤，运动外套，运动卫衣，运动长裤）搭配女性元素（比如高跟鞋，裙子）；棒球帽+运动衣+运动鞋的搭配就没多大意思了哦。下面有不少可以借鉴的图片。文章结尾有不少大众品牌推出的运动元素单品。

The Sporty Chic look has been brewing since last spring, and will take a full blossom in 2014. It is designed to mix femininity with street glam to create a downtown cool girl style. Add a baseball cap, number tee, bomber jacket, sweatshirt or a pair of track pants in your outfit to get this look. Make sure to keep things simple and focused. Mix-n-match is the key: mix some feminine pieces (e.g. skirts, heels) unless you want to look as if you are indeed heading towards a basketball court.

Finally, don't under-estimate the powder of Athletic Striped Pants! They have been everywhere! Last year, stripes or panels, whatever name you call it, updated almost all tuxedo pants and added sporty fun to this formal classic. This year I've seen them on denim, leather, Khaki and many more. Check out Wendy's latest outfit. Even a lady like Wendy cannot resist leather panel pants... :)

Think that's too funky and not main street fashion? Look at the list below. Do you still think so?……* _^

JCrew Cotton Twill Embroidered Crest Baseball Cap

JCrew Linen Baseball Tee in Color Block

JCrew Linen Baseball Tee in L'Amour Triomphe

JCrew Linen Baseball Tee in Ca Va

Free People Colorblock Bomber

Free People Hickory Track Pant

Club Monaco Vienna Bomber

Club Monaco Jonie Dot Bomber Jacket

Club Monaco Jonie Bomber Jacket

Zara Trouser Pant Suit with Lace

Zara Grey Velour Trousers

Zara Jogging Pants with Zips

Zara Combination Trousers with Cuffed Hem

Rag & Bone Aviator Bomber

Foodie Chat (4): L'Artusi

Want to find a place in Big Apple that delivers al dente pasta? Come to L'Artusi. I went to a business dinner with a big group a couple of days ago, and everyone went home happily stuffed. :)

Photo credit: Time Out

We started with three appetizers. Hamachi Ceviche was served in small portion but definitely tasty with the right amount of acidity and fruitiness. Market Salad was so fresh and flavorful. Despite my original plan of having one bite on each dish, I reached for the second serving. Not really impressed with Sweetbreads a la Plancha.

All three pastas were delightful, all cooked to al dente. Orencchiette with Sausage Salumi and Pecorino, and Garanelli with Mushrrom Ragu and Ricotta Salata were chewy and flavorful. Ravioli with Butternut Squash, Sage, Brown Butter and Parmesan was a vegetarian pasta a bit too sweet and starchy to my taste. But I could see my vegetarian friends liked it a lot.

For the entree, we ordered Arctic Char and Roasted Chicken. Oh, this arctic char! I wish I had bigger stomach for it! It was so tender and juicy that I immediately regretted that hadn't resisted the temptation of appetizers and pasta. It looked like light pink salmon at the first glace, but tasted more juicy and tender. I couldn't say no to fatty fish like this! Roasted Chicken was also good according to my friends, but I really didn't remember after all the fine wine and laughter.

If you go to L'Artusi one day, don't forget to order Brussels Sprouts as the side dish. Mark my word!

I was too full for dessert. So I only took a bite on the Fruit Salad. Fresh and juicy. Too full to make any meaningful judgement, sorry!

We booked the private room on the second floor, and the waiter was very attentive and professional. The only complaint was that they ran out of our first two choices of red wine and the one recommended by the waiter was not to our standard. Fortunately we had a large group and they offered a deep wine list. We finally found a good bottle on the third try. :)

I will come back, for sure...

Address: 228 W 10th St., New York, NY
Telephone: 212 255 5757