pandaphilia: formal

Showing posts with label formal. Show all posts

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Liquid Gold | NYFW Cosmic Kickback

Forever 21 gold lamé dress // Express nude and black pointy cap toe T-strap stilettos //

BCBG silver metallic foldover clutch // CLAWS Jewelry black stone necklace //
Forever 21 gold spike bracelet // Erin Wasson Low Luv aztec shield ring //
Lancome red lipstick in Baroque Rouge //

Photography: Jae L, Jess Y, photo at event: Alexis

My friend Jess graciously hosted me in New York during Fashion Week and we went to Jenn Im's Cosmic Kickback party, hosted by Threadsence and Sugar & Fluff at the Lali Lali Gallery (9/7). There were fans and big-time bloggers everywhere, outer space ambience/lighting, and professional masseuses who worked their magic on my tense back. I was beyond flattered when I met my long-time supporter Toni and another gal I met outside Lincoln Center the day before. Toni is a darling girl who is studying pre-med at NYU and we chatted about how school was going for her and how to boldly use all her passions to help her realize her dream. What a small, wonderful world! By the end of the party I couldn't feel my toes at all, so we went next door to Urban Outfitters, where I picked up the burgundy patent leather oxfords from yesterday's post and ran around town. We had dinner and cocktails at Oficina Latina - they have absolutely amazing mango peppercorn caiparinas - and finished off the night celebrating with one of our WashU friends turned successful restaurant owner at his new swanky flat in Brooklyn. Then shuttle it to La Guardia at 3 AM and hopped on a plane back to Columbus!

This gold floor-length gown was a stunner I saw on display at Forever 21 and knew that it was something extraordinary. While shopping we frequently think, "I don't have anywhere to wear this to," but my philosophy is to seek out occasions that fit the dress, not the other way around. Though it is made of stretchy material and quite unforgiving of food babies, this was the time and the place to go "balls to the wall," as Jenn Im says. This dress features a sexy leg slit on the side to show off your shoes and a keyhole back that heightens the drama even more. Thanks to Jess and her roommates for giving me a whirlwind weekend experience of a lifetime in the Big Apple (and doing my hair!). It was wonderful to catch up and swap stories - how our passions for art and science curiously played out in our post-college lives. Left my heart there in that city and I can't wait to be back.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Pandaphilia, Doc-in-Training

Ohio State College of Medicine white coat // Thrifted Scholarshop mint blouse //

Anne Klein black pencil skirt (part of my interview suit) // Predictions for Payless/DIY Christian Louboutin red-sole black pumps //

H&M gold segmented necklace // Thrifted Melie Bianco camel faux leather satchel bag //

Island Girl Hawaii neon yellow nail polish (forgot to remove oops) //

Photography: Cassandra (with her new Canon T3i woot!), Dad

MD-To-Be. Welcome to the brand new chapter of my life! As of last Friday I moved to Columbus, Ohio to start my journey through med school. So far Orientation has been extremely tiring and exhilarating - meeting special people and new friends and faculty who come from many backgrounds with remarkable stories and personalities. It is exhausting to say your name and where you're from over and over again - it's like we already have to start memorizing material haha.

The White Coat Ceremony was Monday and this is it! This is the moment we've all worked towards for so long! I went through the whole thing not even processing what this entailed. Yes my coat needs to be shortened and taken in just about everywhere (the Dean even said "yeah ... we'll shorten those for you" as he shook my hand) but it's my passport to the hospital! We get to work with actual patients in just 2 months, making our new curriculum at Ohio State space age and relevant.

I am blessed by every kind of spiritual being that ever existed, because my Dad helped me move in and did everything basically (color me spoiled), and my dear friends from childhood and high school came to visit. I'm adjusting surprisingly well to the environment and running errands all the time. Next Monday the lectures start - wonder how that's going to turn out! Columbus is a unique city with lots of opportunity and fun places to explore. So far I've had the best Mediterranean food on this continent (imo) and late night pizza with an inappropriately named sauce (four letter word that begins with an sl and ends with t if you're curious ... it's Sriracha and ranch). There are thrift stores and little boutiques and a mall but I doubt I'll be spending much time and money there for the next four years! However, I'm doing a fair job of getting dressed well every morning and snapping a few outfit pictures in my apartment. Those posts will regularly be posted in my now regularized life schedule once I get internet next week. For now it's sitting in the library and using their wifi after hours xD

YES, I am going to keep blogging. YES, I still love pretty clothing. YES, just like Professor Oak says on Pokemon - there's a time and place for everything! Of course I won't wear mini skirts with my white coat and Daisy Dukes in clinic, but doesn't mean I can't rock floral pumps like the petite lady doc who coated me (she and I are already developing a connection over this). More than ever I need this passion to keep me going and to destress. More than ever I like to hear from you wonderful readers! And I will never lose this goofy fun-loving make-other-people-laugh nature of mine because the healthiest people in the world have a sense of humour. Laughter is the best medicine.

Click to see more pictures → → →

Friday, December 30, 2011

Rent the Runway Review: Erin Fetherston Dress

Erin Fetherston gold strapless mini dress with ivory sash (0) // Aldo nude pumps (5) //
Makeup: Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer Palette (light yellow, gold, rusty bronze), ELF Natural false eyelashes, Stila stay all day eyeliner, NYX Lipstick in Snow White

Finally, my belated review of renting a beautiful gold designer dress from Rent the Runway for free (thanks to winning Jean's giveaway a year ago). Mind you, these pictures were taken after 4 hours of crazed dancing and sweating, so the dress is wrinkly and I'm surprised my makeup/hair even held up this well. Read about the magical evening here and see tons more photos of the food, fashion, and fun. Thanks to JJ for snapping these after the event and to Jeremy Lai for the official photos.

Click to see more pictures → → →

Monday, November 21, 2011

.:Aurora:.

Erin Fetherston gold strapless mini dress with ivory sash (0) // Aldo nude pumps (5) //

Photography credits: Allison Li, Jenny Sun, JJ, me

This past Saturday was the Chinese Students Association Winter Formal at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. I had the time of my life and danced my face off in those painful nude Aldo pumps of mine. In fact, my legs are still sore and I'm proudly wearing my "lasted over three hours in killer heels" badge. This Erin Fetherston gold dress had just enough room to expand for half of dinner, then it was time to burn off some of the scrumptious chicken and cheesecake in front of the speakers. Took some photos with JJ's HTC Evo 3D, not the best camera but it let me snap some quick ones and enjoy the rest of the night carefree.

The venue was gorgeous, modern, romantic. I could see the city skyline through the sheer ceiling high curtains and the centerpieces had floating white orchid blossoms lit with beautiful aurora-like lights. The dresses were stunning, the music was bumpin' (shoutout to some impressive mixing by DJ Keeno and some soul-searching croons by Jordan Ing), and we danced the night away. Who soaked her designer rental in sweat? ; ) Grotty, yes. Fun, heck yes. Btw I did my friend's teal and brown makeup. The flash washed it out but the super-pigmented Coastal Scents 88 palette really shone through! Review on that too soon :)

Review of my Rent the Runway experience and close up details of makeup and the dress taken with my SLR to come! For now, packing for home and see you on the sunnier side of the country!

Readers - what did you last wear to formal/prom?

Friday, November 4, 2011

I Rented the Runway

I was flipping through the InStyle November 2011 issue and I saw an eye-catching gold dress that Selena Gomez wore with a long white side tail/sash. Then I noticed that it was from Rent the Runway, so I was reminded of the $100 credit from Jean's giveaway I won last year. So, I just spent 2 hours picking out a rental designer dress for my Winter Formal. Luckily the code still works!

So after all was said and done, my dress is rented for 4 days in size 0 and 2 (the second size is free!) and I am ready to rock my senior year on the dance floor. I also got 20 zig zag Upsie Daisie Clothing Adhesives for $10. Shipping was $7.95 and they pay for the return. They also charge $5 insurance for the dress. The grand total? $~~97.95~~ 0.00 thanks to the amazing gift code! Hopefully I won't trip all over the sash xD

If you're interested in Rent the Runway, here's an invite link. If you sign up using this, I get $20 credit and would like you very, very much.

And the winner is:

Mikade Gold Sash Dress | Designer: Erin by Erin Fetherston | $75 rental | $595 retail

Runner-up that wasn't available during my formal:

Malia Tulle Sequin Gown | Designer: BCBGMAXAZRIA | $100 rental | $595 retail

There are a lot of other interesting options, and JJ really liked the gowns and other unique cuts. Check out these insane retail prices. Obviously you can see I am into sequins this season (Express has some nice but pricey sequin holiday dresses).

Elegant

Arabian Sea Gown | Designer: Alberta Ferreti | $300 rental | $2595 retail

Luxury Lush Gown | Designer: Bibu Mohapatra | $350 rental | $3500 retail

Gold Peacock Lace Dress | Designer: Haute Hippie | $150 rental | $995 retail