Statue of Liberty | Beijing Streetstyle

"This is How I Roll" sushi shirt (gift from JJ) // 

Francesca's Collections black matte sequin skirt (gift from JJ's mom) (similar)//

From China black bead and white crystal detachable peter pan collar 

(similar here, here, here, here, here) //

From China gold spike headband // Thrifted Goodwill/Ann Taylor strappy wedge sandals //

Photography: Dad; thanks uncle for helping out!

WORST TITLE EVER. So, the only time I lugged out my SLR during my China trip was for this outfit photoshoot (sad, I know). My eldest uncle is into photography too, so we went all around our neighborhood in Beijing, posing in front of fruit stands, in parks, even stopping in an underpass (7/2). Thanks Dad for taking these photos! Something about the kelly green and spiked headband makes me think of the Statue of Liberty ... creativity bust.

I must have felt extra punny and cheeky that morning once I dug out the laugh-out-loud sushi shirt JJ got me from San Fran from my suitcase (which I have effectively been living in all summer). Then I got all matchy matchy and whipped out the trusty then-new detachable peter pan collar ($7) to balance the sequined black skirt on the bottom ($7). I like that the sequins create a hidden design and are matte so it's not too overwhelming during the daytime. Because it was so on-sale for a boutique item, JJ's mom bought it when we were shopping in Los Gatos and later surprise-gifted it to me.

I don't even understand why they're called "Peter Pan" collars - they look more like something wendy would wear. And if you can't remember, the little flying fella actually wore V-NECK POLOS ... if that's not a faux pas then I don't know what is. Still, ugly yet shocking things like Lady Gaga's meat dress go down in history along with George Washington's fake teeth (you do remember our childhoods' rendition of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, don't you?). These detachable collars probably aren't a good idea during the heat of summer, because as I remember Beijing was entirely muggy and a zillion degrees the entire time, making accessorizing impractical.

So scatterbrained today. Should be packpackpackpacking.

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Oxford Prep

Pitaya navy boyfriend tuxedo blazer // College Crests of Cambridge tshirt (old) //

H&M tweed plaid high waisted shorts // Sheer black thigh high tights (old) //

Forever 21 lace up oxford booties //

Poshlocket gold and silver striped Celeste bracelet (c/o) // CLAWS Jewelry cobra black stone gold necklace (c/o)

Photography: self, camera and remote

ONE OF THE BOYS. Tomorrow I am heading to Norcal to visit JJ and friends until the 11th. Yay! I'm really excited for potential blogger meetups in the area too (Whit and Mal, for instance). This outfit I wore yesterday pulled together elements of tomboyness and preppy, which makes me think of boys prep schools and A Separate Peace. I also reused some ancient pieces that I found in boxes back home. This tshirt is from junior high - most of my stuff still fits from back then because I haven't grown much since then (crazy, right?). It was a gift from my Dad when he went to England and it used to be part of my everyday nerd wardrobe (no, not the cute nerd-trend type) and these ever-popular sheer thigh high tights are from years of playing in orchestra (totally beats having to wear full blown pantyhose when you're already wearing a floor length dress). My knees never held onto these things the proper way anyway and the black strip always rolls downwards.

My bangs severely need a trimming and I can't believe it's JUNE. Where has the year gone? And I will give you a thousand virtual cookies if you'll take a gander at my blog sale and maybe get something :)

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Leprechaun

David & Goliath "This is How I Roll" print tshirt (S) (gift from JJ) // H&M olive green cardigan (Euro 4) (old) // 

H&M forest green colored skinny jeans (Euro 6) // Urban Outfitters/Cooperative blue velvet loafers (6) //

H&M multi bracelets // Rings: turquoise - gifted, green topaz - medieval fair

Photography: JJ

GREEN MACHINE. What I wore to a delicious brunch at The Creperie in Clayton with JJ (1/15). I absolutely love quirky and punny t-shirts and he got me this cute sushi one that says "This is How I Roll" when he went up to San Fran with friends last week. Why stop there with the green? On goes different tones of my favourite colour and it's just downright silly. Looks like St. Patty's Day came two months in advance. Took these pictures today though because it was so much warmer (67 degrees what STL? Stay like this forever baby).

Monte Carlo is the best dadgum crepe I've ever tasted. It has fresh strawberries, coconut, walnuts, and this ice cream/whipped cream-like cream to go with. Biking uphill in super-wind was actually worth it. I love the ambiance of The Creperie because it's loud, crowded, and has a kind of coffeeshop/Euro cafe feel. The outside sunroom is well-insulated, warm, and gives a nice street view out into the business district. This is how I roll.

Having a nice clean room is a huge accomplishment pre-semester. We vacuumed (nothing more gratifying than listening to the crackle of dirty junk getting picked up by a veritable vortex), unpacked, packed up last semester's things, and now have massive amounts of floor space. My last first day of college tomorrow - a mixed bag of feelings.

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What's Black and White and Red All Over?

H&M black fitted blazer w/ red lining (Euro 4) // Rue 21 "Le Moustache" print tee (L) //
H&M black and white pleated mini skirt (Euro 4) //

Forever 21? black leggings // Wild Diva peep toe suede ankle booties w/ bow tie accent (5.5) //

Thrifted red knit beret // H&M red gems and baubles statement necklace //

Claires black faux shiny croc bag // From Taiwan black frame glasses //

Photography: JJ

WORK IT, QUIRK IT. Hello lovelies! Been off the web for a few days, spending time with family in hot-hot-hot (relatively) San Diego. Had my computer off, finished reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, started another page-turner on my Nook: Brandwashed. It reveals the psychology behind how companies fool us into buying, buying, buying and as a blogger, it's certainly pertinent. Since I started 2.5 years ago, my closet has rapidly divided and colonized my life like some unruly E.coli. The pressure to consume, to buy the newest hyped lipstick, to online-browse the incessant discount offers, to hand over that hard-earned money. There haven't been many times when I've come home and not felt guilty about purchasing something. Up until high school and even through some of college, I refrained from consuming materialistically and was all about saving. What happened? Btw Day 7 of 12 Days of Fabulous (need to catch up I do)

This was my outfit for a day of finals studying at Kayak's Coffee (12/17). I spent more time eating and enjoying my gingerbread latte than chugging through 400 pages of boring academia, books, and journal articles, but it all worked out. My never-ending obsession with all things that are magically (in my head, at least) French, including BLACK/WHITE/RED colour schemes. In fact, standing in front of my closet I meant to do an all black/white outfit but with the hint of red on my blazer cuff, the red just kept piling on in the form of accessories. Got the red beret for 50 cents I remember at a thrift shop. It gave off an aura of grandma-knitted-it and head lice, but still, it has been one of my favourite pieces conducive to playing Parisian dress-up. Black tights with ankle booties elongate the legs, a readers' favourite H&M pleated skirt that was only $10 not-on-sale, and a $6 snarky print tee that fed my moustache obsession starting all the way back in the sweltering summer at the Lake of the Ozarks. Can you believe it's a large? Yeah, makes no sense. 

Right now: attracting the bewildered attention of many a neighbor as I hurdle, jump, squat, pose, laugh in front of my tripod and remote/self-timer combo as the best boyfriend-photog in the world is on the other side of Cali. Also, forcing myself to finally get that blog shop running, which will include these booties :) Last but not least, making ambitious lists and resolutions as always. You can guess what's on there: get off my butt and exercise, stop being a hermit and enjoy college, stop picking my pimples. Realistically, let's aim to do at least one, mmkay self? 

To Peace. Love. And really long blog posts. Happy Holidays !

Readers - what's your favourite colour combo?

Enter my UNESTABLISH giveaway for TWO $50 gift cards!

H2O

Styleta for Charity: Water v-neck tshirt (S) // Forever 21 navy collegiate preppy cardigan (S) // 

H&M plaid tweed boyfriend shorts (Euro 4) // Merona blue sweater tights // 

Zoe&Zac/ Payless penny loafer pumps (5) // Taiwan brand red frame glasses //

Photography: JJ

PREP-ARATION. Outfit for yesterday (12/11), quick throw-together for some late brunching at a nearby pho noodle venue. My new favourite way to eat it: gather a little sliced beef and noodle in the soup spoon, dab a bit of hoison sauce and 2 drops of sriracha hot sauce, submerge in the broth, slurp! My mouth waters at the delicious memory :D As much as this outfit is great for a day in the library, it was worn for rabidly-hungry college senior face-stuffing and bumming around the house writing papers all night.

It feels so nice to be re-motivated to blog. Recently, videogaming has been preoccupying my life and obsessive mindspace, and today I finally reached the point where I'm reluctant to proceed because that means the end of the game and possibilities D: Many a videogame has been left 95% finished for that reason, but hopefully I'll man up and finish Zelda: Skyward Sword before Winter Break. Meanwhile ... my penultimate finals week is here, which ironically means more blogging to relieve stress like a good pair of bike shocks.

This comfy loose-fit tshirt was from Saturday's Styleta Fashion Night Out (post coming up after editing hell). Even though it's an American Apparel size S, it's quite big - perfect for a lazy Sunday lounge feel. These tomboyish plaid tweed shorts from earlier in the fall have been recycled through many outfits not shown here, and as you all know by now, I can't live without pockets. Lastly, throw on some bright warm tights that, if I might add narcissistically, make my legs look nice. Penny loafer pumps and collegiate cardi and systems are a-preppy-go.

[This post was all ready to go yesterday, then Flickr crashed for Google accounts. Why is Flickr owned by Yahoo anyway? These photos were uploaded on Picasa instead Fixed 10:50 AM]

Readers - what's your favourite charity?

Kung Fu Pandaphilia

Forever 21 panda hug tshirt (S) // Pitaya grey semi-pleated skirt (S) // Pitaya yellow patent skinny belt //

Xhilaration black and white oxford flats (5.5) (buy here) // Forever 21 pastel multi heart necklace //
Sammies panda backpack with panda plush keychain (gift from friends' parents) //

Photography: JJ

Last last Saturday (6/12), my friends and I went to see Kung Fu Panda 2 in 3D at the Galleria and IT WAS AWESOME. I want to watch it again and again and again. Not to state the obvious or spoil anything, but there are exceptionally adorable baby pandas in that film. Yes, the dorky glasses are 3D and swiped from the movie theatre.

We grabbed Five Guys afterwards and right beforehand, I ran around trying to shop as fast as possible at Forever 21 and H&M. F21 haul: adorable sailor dress (I know I already have one but this one has the cute back foldover thing), bright orange scallop hemmed skirt (FINALLY, but only left in M), and basic navy biker shorts. H&M haul: purple floppy hat (left mine in SD because it wouldn't fit in the suitcase properly), sheer yellow racerback tank dress. Oh my poor stipend, draining away so quickly. This skirt is quite versatile - I've probably worn it 4 times already - oh the crime, eh?

Got my first secondary application today! Just when I thought the fury was over, more work rains down from the med school skies. Posting SLR pictures tomorrow : ) P.S. Omg the bags under my eyes D: