I Tried to Beat the Heat with the Blues

Forever 21 ruched sleeve chambray shirt (S) // Pitaya asymmetrical hem black and white polka dot skirt (S) //
Alonai blue slingback heels (34) (c/o Alonai.com) // Forever 21 multi layer chain necklace // Turquoise ring (gift) //

Photography: JJ

The hottest day in St. Louis since 2007? Heat index of 114 F. Feels like it. This is what I wore yesterday to work (7/22) as I walked for an hour outside with a backpack pressed against my back and my shirt getting a nice long soaking of sweat. It was an adventure trying to find my way through my own campus that I've been treading for the past 3+ years with the ceaseless construction blocking any pedestrian route possible. AN HOUR to deposit my check so that I can feed myself (and buy pretty things). 

Blue theme, swapped out my favourite black flats for these Alonai slingbacks after work. Wearing cool colours is not an effective way to cool down, trust me. Double asymmetry cancels out the imbalance, doesn't it? Haha my skirt is longer on the side that my hair is longer - mind twister. A hint of creativity as I just used the tie string attached to my chambray top as a belt.

Do you ever stop when you're walking somewhere because you realized that this a perfect Kodak moment? Today, walking towards our big castle-looking Brookings Hall, I wanted to snap a postcard-worthy photo of that scene. Another - after lunch, walking between buildings at the medical school campus in a grove of green ginkgo trees. This is why I think a pretty SLR bag is in order - I've been contemplating Cheeky Lime's for $98. Aren't they cute? However, I can't decide which colour and they said they're releasing Blue, Purple, and Mustard in the fall. There's another quilted one by THEIT called thebossi that is PERFECT but of course it's sold out and more expensive [update: pre-order available and giveaway on FB here]. A cute bag that protects my camera and carries other things like any other purse - added to the want-list of an obsessed blogger.

 

FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY. A night of overheating and finger mustaches. Goes along with my most recent inexplicable obsession: cartoon mustaches. Shout to my new friend Don, who gave me this OK Go logo bottle opener. LEGIT. Arby. Sauce. (So sad that there are no Arby's near me in STL blahhh)

All borrowed photos from lovetheit.com and cheekylime.com linked back to respective sites

Don't forget to enter my Alonai shoes giveaway and JStyleShopper $100 giveaway! Ending in a few days !!

[CLOSED] Alonai Petite-Friendly Shoes Giveaway (US size 2-14)

Alonai, the kind sponsor of my petite feet and two pairs of stylish heels, is sponsoring a giveaway for readers of Pandaphilia! They are providing 2 pairs of fashionable shoes (US size 2-14) up to $50 USD value each. I will draw a winner after 2 weeks, then another after the 4th week. Good luck! If you've been struggling to find cute shoes for your extra small or extra large feet, search no more (well, do search Alonai's extensive catalog). For those blessed with average sized feet, Alonai also carries your size!

Rules:
MANDATORY:

1) Must follow Pandaphilia publicly through Google Friend Connect (click here) - you can use your Gmail, Twitter, AIM account
2) Must visit Alonai.com and choose your favourite pair of shoes
3) Must fill out the form below only once


Optional, for bonus entries:
+1 Follow @pandaphilia and tweet this message: "Enter @pandaphilia + @alonaishoes stylish shoes giveaway! US size 2-14! http://bit.ly/ivtGRw" or click: Tweet
+1 Like Alonai's Facebook page
+1 Like Pandaphilia Facebook page

+1 Post this picture with link on your blog's sidebar (blogs made only for giveaways will be disqualified) 

<a href="http://www.pandaphilia.com/2011/07/alonai-petite-friendly-shoes-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI0hskbk9Gc3QhRQZWUyiIlVvUpuali8BqsJ4MmABcsoE3AJJcL9kLxBgrc-akto0kEWNJhpqaDqth_ZKGZqVZTvBfoIBBpwDvi0c6lpenlMix40jJwe486i4YtcDrrwzvm4yj9WSX7AX/" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a>

This contest is open to US and international readers (I will personally ship to the international readers). Please ask parental permission if under 16. Giveaway ends on 7/29/2011 at 11:59 PM CST. Two winners will be drawn, one on 7/16/2011 and another on 7/30/2011. Winner(s) must email me with their mailing address within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected.

[Contest form removed after giveaway ended]

2 pairs of shoes (up to $50 USD value each) will be provided by Alonai. I am not affiliated with the company.

Ladybug Polka

Pitaya black and white polka dot asymmetrical hem skirt (S) // Pitaya yellow patent skinny belt (S) //

 Faded Glory red scoopneck tee (XS) // 

Alonai black mary jane espadrilles wedges (34) (c/o Alonai.com) // 
`twentythree magenta and jeweled earrings (c/o `twentythree handmade) //

Photography: JJ

Being very ambitious here and including two sponsors, an outfit, and humour all in one post. In this outfit (6/16) I'm wearing another beautiful pair of petite shoes courtesy of Alonai.com. Mary jane strap with espadrilles material for the wedge, great for a summer work outfit. The klutz I am, tumbled down the stairs in front of a bunch of doctors trying to walk and keep the wind from tossing my skirt up at the same time.

Speaking of which, I AM SO EXCITED to show you this polka dot skirt with an asymmetrical hem! It's such a unique interesting piece that screams retro summer. The shorter side cools my body and the longer side keeps me cozy in the A/C lab, or maybe it's all in my head. I also get the feeling that the decision was made based on the nice belt that came with it - originally it was a red patent skinny belt but I switched it out for yellow because it'd be more loved in the wardrobe.

I originally found the perfect deep red fitted tee at Pitaya too but I didn't want to shell out the $12 so there was a mad hunt for red october tshirt at Walmart in between shopping for groceries. If this is Walmart's idea of an XS ... I'm not going to finish that sentence. It fits like a M on me but at least it was only $5. Forever 21 didn't have a solid red shirt the last time I checked in-stores and online.

Jump shots are now captured mid-air and crisply thanks to the T2i. Oh how you've made my life complete. No, not the camera - the photographer. For once I took some shots of JJ and I'm mighty proud of his cam skills. One last thing to address. Yup! That's my housemate stalking me in the background, pretending to be a deranged fan xD We had a lot of good laughs. But truth is, she's super stunning, visibly in the last Dior-sunglasses-commercial-worthy shot (that I proudly snapped). Now to watch Black Swan and celebrate a late night in! Transformers 3 after work tomorrow - excite.

The shoes and earrings were provided by Alonai and `twentythree, but sponsorship has no impact on my opinions and reviews of them.

Southern Girl, from Southern California

H&M yellow sheer racerback tank dress (XS) // H&M white tank top (worn underneath) (Euro 4) // 
Rue 21 white lace skirt (worn underneath) (M) // H&M purple floppy sunhat // 

Alonai blue slingback heels c/o Alonai.com (34) // Rue 21 woven belt (M) // 

Photography: JJ

After successfully wearing a sheer dress to work (with the aid of layering a-plenty), I quickly changed out some pieces for a "how to wear sheer for a walk in the park" look (6/15). Minus cardigan, flats and jeans, plus floppy hat and skirt underneath and my new teeny tiny Alonai slingback heels. They look so summery with this dress and I just want to pop my leg up. Pop pop! Alonai is so kind to giveaway pairs of shoes for my readers soon. Meanwhile, join my Pandaphilia x Weldon Owen stylebook giveaway that ends this Wednesday!

Remember this floppy sunhat from H&M? I tried on a kelly green on in this fitting room review. Instead of squashing my white one from last summer to death in my suitcase, I just decided to go with a more colourful one. Can't wait to wear this in the Ozarks and this sheer dress over my bikini : ) This vacation is going to be amazing and of course there's shopping too. 

Meanwhile I've been going at the MCAT pretty hardcore this weekend. My housemates and I watched Predators on Netflix at home and I have to say, the old technology from the 80s with a beastly version of our former Cali governor beats supreme bokeh and Adrien Brody. Life is catalyzed by cups of coffee sitting at hand's reach but steadily equilibrating with room temperature. What is an enzyme that can speed up the week and fast forward until Friday? rebeccablackase? Oops, my nerd is showing. 

Don't forget to join my Style Yourself fashion handbook giveaway! (c/o Weldon Owen)