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?

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?

Colours in the Mirror are Blockier than they Appear

H&M black lace accent dress (S) // H&M leopard ultra-skinny belt (XS) // 

Xhilaration mustard strappy wedges (5.5) // Taiwanese brand teal tights // Thrifted camel satchel bag //

Nail polish: L.A. Colors in Turquoise, Pure Ice in Wild Thing (dots), Wet n Wild in Glitz (glitter) //

Photography: Self timer and tripod

Le gasp, a timely update! I remember I wore this on April Fool's Day when the air turned cold again and snapped at my heels wedges. This simple black dress has lace roses across the chest, which adds just the right amount of flair. While trying on H&M sale items, my boyfriend really liked this one and it's a work-appropriate length (good for the limited office wardrobe I do have). Since it was a size small but too loose on me, I cinched the waist with a leopard print ultra-skinny belt, also from H&M. I wanted to add colour, so I put on my mustard summery wedges and teal tights and used my vintage-y camel satchel bag to hold my laptop. I didn't realize I had started colorblocking a long time ago before this trend really took off. Now all I'm doing these days is writers' blocking.

It was also really windy that day and the clouds raced across the sky like mad. My tripod wobbled and shook but I'm glad I posed by the windows outside my dorm hall because it is a clear mirror on the world outside and how rapidly the scene shifts. I also did my nails in celebration of finishing a Physics exam. Speaking of exams, I have a dreadful one for Neuroscience coming up that is daunting the socks off me. Wish me the best! *cringe*

Meanwhile, check it! : )

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Carrot Top

H&M orange cropped sweater (Euro 4) // H&M knee length ruched skirt (Euro 4) // 

H&M brown felt fedora (M) // Taiwanese teal tights // Taiwanese camel faux fur heeled boots (36) //

Photography: JJ

Startled to see my old hair colour again and missing it lots. Here's what I wore under my trench coat for the outfit I posted two days ago. When I spotted this super bright orange freshly-squeezed-carrot-juice-worthy cropped sweater at H&M for a good price, I had to take some risks with bright colours and thaw myself out of a stagnant winter. With these teal tights I got at a night market in Taipei over break, I looked like a walking, talking Crayola box. Mondays have to be combated somehow, right?

Still working through this backlog of post material. I have some reviews to write about beauty products and still photos to edit from many a shoot. It seems that life doesn't slow down enough to let me catch up on blogging just about what happened today! So much to do, so little time. What I really miss is kicking back with a good book by a sunny window or sitting down with a slice of lemon cake and cup of piping hot black coffee at Borders. Too bad they're closing ... I still don't know what happened there. They will be missed. Any good reads recently? I need a good page-turner!

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My Dear Watson

Merona trench coat (XS) // H&M brown felt fedora (M) // 

Taiwanese teal tights // Taiwanese camel faux fur heeled boots (36) //

Photography: JJ

"Why is she dressed up as Sherlock Holmes?" must be what my entire university thought as I walked past in this strange ensemble. It was a Monday a couple of weeks ago, and no signs of spring yet to come, I decided to throw on my trench and a newly acquired fedora to top off the outfit. It seems like STL skipped straight over spring and summer to eagerly arrive at fall again. A few daffodils sprouted their green leaves - an encouraging sign. 

I will separate this look into two posts because the trench covers up most of the bright inside. You'll see what I mean in two days. I've found that Target is a great place to look for affordable trends. I got this waterproof (but not wrinkle-proof) trench coat for $50 last fall and wore it most of the season, day to day. It does fall a bit too close to the knee for my height (always jealous of those gorgeous models who bare their legs and the hem of the trench falls 4-5 inches above their knee-cap (Vivian Volkoff in Chuck, anyone?) and I have to double-tie the belt so it won't come undone but for the most part, it's a relatively affordable trench that works over many outfits. Now with my new favourite hat, I can feel extra private-eye. The only question is, where do I find the perfect Sherlock pipe? 

(Smoking is bad and will eventually kill you faster than warranted. Don't do it. Pipes are cool props only).

What do you think about the fit of this trench? Any remedies to make it not look like it's eating me?
P.S. Happy pi day! 3.14159265 not quite as delicious as my favourite pumpkin pie though : )

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