Rocker Chic | Origami Skort + Denim Vest + Black Lace

Black lace cardigan // Black tank top (underneath) //
Thrifted from Goodwill denim vest // Zara dupe black origami skort (bought from Threadflip) // 

Target suede black ankle booties // Wet n Wild lipstick in Wine Room //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

Believe it or not, I found the inspiration for this outfit from a character on The Big Bang Theory - in one episode, Sheldon's assistant Alex was wearing a lace top underneath a denim vest. While sometimes denim vests can look tweenish, the way she paired this unexpected combination made it look feminine and fresh. I wore this to chill in German Village with my friend Marie, where we tried to study at our favourite French patisserie Pistacia Vera (they have the best sweet potato tart - tastes like a mini pumpkin pie!), exploring the Book Loft, finishing with some rainy day coffeeshop productivity (9/29).

Threadflip has been a successful way to sell my clothes and window-shop others' closets too, and since I had $50 of credit from inviting friends, I tried out the buying experiencing with this Zara look-alike origami skort that everyone in the blogosphere was sporting this past spring and summer. It is an asymmetrical skirt from the front that creates an interesting geometric "origami fold" shape on the legs, and a sensible pair of shorts in the back. This pair pays homage to the glorified times as a 90s kid dabbling in fashion, since skorts were THE thing to rock when I was in the 4th grade. This rocker look reminds me slightly of Kat Von D, the black lace standing in for her tattoo sleeves.

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Denim and Polka Dots

Thrifted Goodwill denim vest // Forever 21 blue tank top // Pitaya polka dot asymmetrical skirt //

Forever 21 black triangle layered necklace // DIY/Converse All Star checkered sneakers //

Bracelets from H&M (gift from JJ's Mom) and F21 //

Photography: Dad

THE ANATOMY OF TONGUE IN CHEEK. I'm backkkk! Those 9 days in Norcal have been a blurry blast, filled to the brim with excitement and adventure. I need this full week before China to recoop and to blog (haven't been on my computer for over a week thanks to my new iPhone being all handy with shiny apps and snap-happy camera functions) about the trip. I'm a little scared to open Google Reader and see the zillions of posts not making it to my retinas because of spontaneous coffee trips, flying kites on the beach, the weirdest donuts and my ever-growing love affair with San Francisco.

Quick post before reading Nickel and Dimed to bed, pics quickly snapped in 2 minutes by my wonderful and careful Dad photog. It was super foggy and almost dark after my afternoon out in a nearby plaza: reading The Power of Habit at B&N, aimlessly wandering through boutiques and picking through Ross (got a belt loop hanger for $2), discovering the oh-so-rich-goodness Dark Chocolate Latte at Coffee Bean. Denim sleeveless vest for summer, seen on fashionable chicas in Santa Cruz and thifted mine for $5 at the Goodwill near JJ's house. Inspired particularly by one girl on the Boardwalk wearing a pleated polka dot mini with hers. Comfy, temperate, a dash of "cool" vibe as I toted around my purse full of coloured pencils and new Anatomy Coloring Book to study via kindergarten methods for my 18th year of education #nerdalert. (Now I realize the angle/poses/layering make me look super stunted - next time I would wear the asymmetrical skirt hi-lo to elongate my legs)

I think my fingers are so deprived from a proper keyboard this turned into one full-on verbal rampage.

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Polka Dot Mod Squad

Forever 21 chambray button down shirt (S) // Pitaya polka dot asymmetrical hem skirt (worn as hi lo skirt) (S) //

H&M black bow flats (5) // Covergirl LipPerfection lipstick in Rapture // OPI teal and red nail polish //

Photography: JJ

Remember my chambray top + polka dot asymmetrical skirt combo from the summer? With a twist (literally), I turned this exactly combination into something fun for the spring (4/4). Instead of tucking in my top, I tied a "90s knot" at the bottom and swiveled the skirt around so that it's an instant hi-lo skirt instead of asymmetrical to the side. Yay for reworking pieces that are already happily living in my wardrobe!

Working on catching up on all these fun outfits to show you. Life is moving so fast, blogging keeps eating the dust haha. Snapshots of this week: Sitting outside under the gingko trees, suffering allergies, sharing poetry. Relaxing at Starbucks on the Loop and idly browsing clothes at a local boutique. Screaming for joy at my bike gears/chain finally working smoothly after a free tune-up thanks to BigShark (going to ride EVERYWHERE now). Updating my research poster, learning about the crazy cool things animal brains do. Watching Mission Impossible IV (first one I've seen) and long calls back home. Life has been chucking lemons at me for the past two months and oftentimes I get hit. But you get up the next day and try again and again. You try for the people who can't try anymore. You try to save up those second chances for your future self. No matter how much your day sucks, and if your lemonade tastes unbearably sour, just dump some sugar into that shi*.

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Polka-block

Ezra/Pitaya polka dot asymmetrical skirt (S) (worn as top) // Faded Glory red tshirt (XS) //

H&M ruched bodycon skirt (Euro 4) // Taiwan brand teal opaque tights //

Forever 21 gold hummingbird chain necklace // Urban Outfitters double face watch //

DIY/Converse All-Star checkered sneakers (5) //

Photography: JJ

PUMPED UP KICKS. Outfit for 11.11.11 (yes, the whole internet picked this up too, some quite obnoxiously). This unexpected combination of asymmetrical hem and wearing my skirt as a top is about as creative as I can manage after rolling out of bed on a cold Friday. I tried to keep it relatively neutral and soft with an ivory skirt, but the length and shocking contrast looked funny, so I swapped it for a black bodycon. In my last minute scurry to not freeze to death in the 40 degree morning chill, my dark sheer dotted tights were nowhere to be found, so I pulled out this teal opaque pair from last winter. It constrasts quite well with the bright red and crazy dots.

• Scenario 1: Sitting in a French coffeeshop, drinking something even tastier than Starbucks' holiday lattes, reading all the books I've missed out on in the past decade.
• Scenario 2: At Kayak's coffeeshop, drinking something with the fun fern pattern on top, reading the last Millenium trilogy book.
• Scenario 3: At the library, drinking black coffee from a thermos, frantically reading my 10 lb stats book and doing problems until I pass out.
• Pop Quiz: Which one seemed most likely? .... D:

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City was a blast and I bumped into so many people from high school. Small world! Tangled is an adorable movie despite the implausible details (e.g. perfect unfrizzy hair, really?) that defy the laws of nature and physics. You don't question the Disney. I am pumped to finish off the remaining bits of this semester strong and have a happy Thanksgiving with my family back in San Diego. My last college formal is also this weekend, so the designer dress I rented will be featured for your eyes especially ; )

Readers - have you even worn a skirt as a top?

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 !!

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.