NYFW SS 2014: Wine Red Tulle + Leather Accents

Eshakti (borrowed from Elle) burgundy tulle midi skirt // Urban Outfitters faux leather panel top //

Kristin Perry gold rose cat eye sunglasses // Express T-strap nude captoe stilettos //

Melie Bianco camel satchel bag // Wet n Wild lipstick in Wine Room

Photography: Mangue Banzima (1), Pierre Doumenjou (2,3)

DAY 2 MBFW. Still coming off my New York high - daydreaming about textures, colours, fit. These two handsome gents are my friends Rashad (@thestyleguyy) and Amechi (@bowtiemeach), stylist and tie-craftsman, respectively. Aren't they dapper in their fit-like-a-glove suits? We hung out together on our first experience inside NYFW, checking out shows that came our way, exploring the sponsor booths, and meeting fellow fashion influencers. Even a couple of weeks after, we're still keeping in touch and looking forward to bumping into each other at future events. It felt flattering and unreal to be snapped by streetstyle photographers and I tried chatting with each person afterwards to get a glimpse of his/her life story. For example, Pierre moved from France to NYC recently and used the festivities outside Lincoln Center as a springboard to launch his blog.

Sequined Tank + Peplum Skirt

Old Navy blue sequined tank top // Forever 21 peplum bow skirt //

Merona faux calfhair leopard print flats // Forever 21 black preppy varsity cardigan //

Photography: Angela O.

This outfit was from nearly a year ago (8/22/2012) - boy time flies! Today was spent lounging by the pool with friends, trying to get a tan on a partly mostly cloudy Ohio day: the ultimate do-absolutely-nothing Sunday Funday activity. Last night after an a cappella event, we invented a new game involving footballs and frisbees at the same time and it was one of those perfect memorable hot summer nights.

There's a brick wall with graffiti near my place that says "COLONS!" and I thought it was hilarious since I'm in a gastroenterology clinic during the school year and had my best friend help me take photos using it as a backdrop. There's a tongue-in-cheek contrast to the uptown girliness of my outfit and the urban decay of the wall. This was back when I tried to look cute for class ... before I succumbed to the merry-go-round rotation of professional "biz caj," scrubs, or bum clothes. To the second year of med school starting soon and another chance to dress up even on off-duty days.

Click to see more pictures → → →

Call Me Carrie Bradshaw

Eshakti Custom oxblood midi tulle skirt (c/o Elle) (similar) // Forever 21 white lace crochet crop top //
Forever 21 nude bandeau bra (underneath)

Payless white vintage style pumps (deal) // H&M burgundy felt floppy hat //

Kristin Perry gold rose decorated cat eye sunglasses (exact) (splurge) // Pure Ice red nail polish in Siren

Photography: JJ

Hello lovely people! I'm glad to have enjoyed my first real weekend in 10 months after finishing first year of med school. It was a crazy, crazy ride and I am glad for this respite before diving into the fray again. I wore this poofy tulle midi skirt from Elle to the class barbeque today at a local park. She was so kind to let me borrow it after I was so enamored with her remix post showing how versatile this statement piece is (sisterhood of the traveling tulle skirt!). When I put it on, it fit me like a glove - it's so uncanny to come across a blogger friend who has the same exact measurements. You can imagine my joy waddling around in this born-in-the-wrong-decade getup while munching on hamburgers and watching my classmates play sand volleyball in shorts and tank tops. Finally, impractical dressing is back full force! Though I've never watched Sex and the City, this is something I imagine Carrie Bradshaw would wear on a walk in Central Park.

At first when decorated sunglasses became a thing with the delicate little pastel roses, I thought they were the neatest thing. After a while I couldn't decide if it fell into the tacky and weird category, since I find myself reaching for more basics and classic wardrobe staples when I do find the energy and extra minutes to dress presentably (shhh don't tell). I redeemed this pair off Chictopia to replace my simple cat eye sunnies from H&M that I lost somewhere and am happy with the baroque over-the-top glamour they provide. The fedora version of my burgundy felt floppy hat wasn't a keeper, so I gave in to this round top one and it balances the poofy bottom of the silhouette.

Looking forward to rotating with opthalmology and ENT this week, a summer of relaxed research with plastic surgery, and exploring the nooks and crannies of Columbus. I spent the rest of this weekend watching Great Gatsby, doing some intense hiking and cliff-climbing with JJ and watching another David Attenborough animal documentary - not a bad way to begin.

P.S. The winner of the Gambita petite jeans giveaway is ... Lisa C. Ng! Caroline would like to offer all of you a 35% off coupon (enter code at checkout: Gambita4Pandaphilia) so you can skip the tailor and mall hunting and treat yoself to your favourite item.

Click to see more pictures → → →

Glamour Photos 2: Swan Lake | K-drama

Click to see more pictures → → →

Biker Ballerina

Forever 21 leather panel strapless mini dress (S) // Forever 21 light pink tulle skirt (S) //

Aldo nude pumps (35) // Poshlocket Celeste Silver Roped Bracelet (c/o) //

Rings: real pearl silver from Epcot Japan (4), green topaz from medieval fair //

Forever 21 birds double gold chain necklace //

Photography: JJ

TOUGH LOVE, BABY. It was freakishly warm for a St. Louis January day yesterday (1/16) so I took the opportunity to style an outfit that was meant for frolicking around in SoCal sunshine: LEATHER MINIDRESS + TULLE SKIRT. With a strong breeze, it was too chilly to run around in this all day so it was a play-dress-up-and-change kind of outfit. Good thing too because it started hailing soccer balls at my windows at 2 AM - geez, Mother Nature's mood swings are scary as *@$! sometimes. I love paradoxes in life, and pairing leather and girly tutu skirts makes for the perfect oddity. This dainty pearl ring is actually a real pearl I got out of an oyster at Epcot Center Japanworld. I had the 7 mm yellow beauty set in a sterling silver band, size 4. Pretty costly, but for the experience and magic, right?

Today was the first day of my last semester in college, but I didn't go to class (bad kid, iknowright?) Nah, I was at an interview. It's weird being at two different stages of your life at once - it's like being two places at one time. Awkward moment: when you realize that the doctor sitting across from you actually knows more about fashion than you do. Karl Lagerfeld what what?

I have Selena Gomez's "Love You Like a Love Song" stuck in my head on re-peat-peat-peat-peat

Click to see more pictures → → →

Little Miss Sunshine

Kohls yellow halter sundress (S) // Mossini strappy gold strappy knot heels (5.5/6?) (old) //

H&M white floppy sunhat // Charming Charlie pink bauble and gold chain statement necklace //

Poshlocket gold metal Celeste Silver Roped Bracelet (c/o Poshlocket) //

NYX black round lipstick in Snow White //

Photography: self-timer/remote and tripod

NEW YEAR, NEW ARM CANDY. My outfit for yesterday (1/6), first worn for dinner at a family friend's house over the summer. This yellow lighthearted sundress was a spontaneous purchase at Kohl's when I visited her in Florida in August. We were searching for princessy clothes for Disney and this happens to be a Snow White skirt-ish piece, but we went in relative casual wear anyway. By the way, booby cups freak me out on dresses and tops. This one cuts a little close .. I believe I got the heels from Target eons ago (high school?) when they were on clearance for $7. This is my first time wearing them ever. 

The newest piece is from Poshlocket, my newest sponsor. This online jewelry store was so kind to send me their beautiful light gold with silver striped Celeste Silver Roped Bracelet for styling and review (thanks Camile!). We also have a little something something cooked up for you lovely readers tomorrow (hint: starts with a "g"!). It's a sturdy bracelet and has a bit of weight to it, which I like in my jewelry. It is easy to match with anything, dressed up or down and is small enough that it doesn't slip off my petite wrists. The only thing that concerns me is the tiny tiny clasp holding both sides together, but luckily this slips on and off with little effort. I'll have to be extra careful - but you know me, I'm a klutz and rough with my jewelry/bags.

Keeping it short and sweet today and soaking up my last week of SoCal rays. 80 degrees in the winter and lovin' it. 1Q84 by Murakami is my new read and Peet's Coffee is the place to be, trying out new teas and daydreams.

Click to see more pictures → → →

Dressed in Berry Creme & Wine

H&M pink blazer w/ side ruffles (Euro 4) // H&M light pink lace shoulder top (S) //

Forever 21 lace/tulle scallop hem skirt (S) // Forever 21 burgundy leggings //

H&M small black purse // Xhilaration cognac oxford flats/wingtips (5.5) //

Charming Charlie pink bauble and gold chain statement necklace // 
Taiwanese brand red frame glasses // Urban Outfitters double face watch //

Wet n Wild lipstick in Wine Room //

Photography: self-timer/remote & tripod

CONFECTION CONFESSIONS. My last-minute holiday mall-hunting outfit (12/22) coloured in ROMANTIC PINK + BERRY, taken the day after because it gets dark so fast. Don't let the warm temperature and palm trees fool you - it is still the dead of December. This colour palette was inspired by burgundy, which goes well with pink and cream, satin and lace textures. Burgundy is like a fine wine - complements well, not ostentatious. Been wanting a pair of these in my cold weather wardrobe for a while and their fuzzy lining will ensure lots of wear to come.

This lace/chiffon skirt is a perfect length and I got it for $4.75 from easypetitelooks' blogsale. It's a very tiny small and the wide elastic band makes it fit like an XS so I folded it in to prevent unsightly bunching. With raised floral patterns embroidered onto the tulle and a thick opaque underskirt, it's ladylike and girly at the same time. My favourite thing about this light pink top is that it balances out the skirt with a tinge of lace modestly placed at the shoulders. It's sexy in a subdued and elegant way. With my trusty H&M pink blazer over the bunch and my favourite pair of shoes (honest to God, wear them almost every day), mix in a heavy bauble and gold necklace in a matching rose pink shade and my med school interview purse - utilitarian, unobtrusive, and still fashionable.

At the mall, I did some major damage perusing the racks at H&M in their convenient pre-Christmas sales. All the best fall/winter items are leftover in sunny San Diego, where there is never much need for major Midwest cold weather staples. Forever 21 was also very well-stocked but as per usual, I tired of the long lines and visual overload and run clawing at my eye sockets and screaming. Meanwhile, the rest of my break thus far has been spent marathoning Psych and reading countless ebooks on my Nook Tablet (read my picture-filled review here).

Day 11 of the 12 Days of Fabulous (almost done!)

Click to see more pictures → → →

Think Pink

H&M pink fitted blazer w/ruffles (Euro 4) // H&M crisscross mesh bodycon dress (Euro 4) //

H&M floral A-line skirt (Euro 2) // Forever 21 oxford lace-up booties (6) //

CLAWS jewelry turquoise and gold necklace (c/o WhitWatWear) // 

 H&M polka dot red trim socks // Aldo snake coil ring (5) //

Thrifted Melie Bianco orange satchel bag // Urban Outfitters double face watch//

Photography: JJ

ROSY GARDEN(IAS). This is what I wore to the closing event of St. Louis Fashion Week (10/15), which seemed like just yesterday! This ensemble felt natural, it felt me, and I can proudly now say my personal style is usually some variation of a skirt (A-line is the best) and a tucked in top/dress with a fitted blazer. I feel polished and cute at the same time. Better yet, I've been hunting down a pink blazer for ages (my trend bane, if you will). After considering many light pink ones that were always too oversized, H&M came out with this perfect fitted one in a dusty pink richer colour and it has ruffles on the sides! I was sold, despite it being $40 after coupon (orig $50). You can read about the other things I found in my latest fitting room review. The bodycon dress I wore before has been recycled as a top and remember, it was only $5? Same with the $5 floral A-line skirt I scored and styled last fall. The cool necklace from Whit and Mal's giveaway is handmade and designed by CLAWS Jewelry and I love how edgy it is while being dainty. Toss in curly hair and we were off to a very good start.

Can you believe it's November already!? The months just fly by - cue calendar-page-flip animation sequence. The transition between October 31st (definitively Halloween) and November 1st (think countdown to Turkey Day) is awkward at best. Nevertheless my November wishes are: to eat as much pumpkin pie/cheesecake as possible (hello, love handles), go to a pumpkin patch, consume as much post-Halloween sale candy as possible.

The best thing about flying out for interviews is all the people that you meet. There's something about just extending your hand and chatting up a storm that makes all the studying, painful classes, MCAT boot camp, endless essays totally L'oreal slogan - because [it's] worth it. And just to top it all off, McDonalds seeing med school in action ... I'm lovin it. My friend Sherri helped me realize the bigger things in life and to be confident in my strong sense of identity and never apologize for who I am. Thus, more time for coffee breaks and catching up with old friends, less complaining and unmotivated slushhhh, more powering through life. I have to remind myself why blogging was fun to begin with - it's because of everyone else in this community. I've been so self-absorbed and just posting to get things checked off ... my play has become work. So, now it's just fun! Very excited about continuing my sartorial set-list documentation, something I'm going to call "365 Days of Cute."

Readers - are you dying for a pink blazer?

[CLOSED] JStyleShopper $100 Giveaway

Like Asian fashion but live too far away to shop for those pieces you keep seeing on the internet? Look no further! JStyleShopper sells Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Hong Kong fashion and is based in the United States. JStyleShopper is sponsoring a $100 store credit to readers of Pandaphilia!

JStyleShopper carries clothes with a theme: ruffles, lace, bows, girly and pretty things. Their pieces are also great for petites, because Asian fashion tends to account for smaller frames. I purchased a couple tee set from them last fall and was happily surprised with the durable and quality material. Remember this photoshoot? Read more on my shopping experience there.

Here are my picks from JStyleShopper. The couple tee set is so funny and cute. The guy tee says in Chinese: I just wash the dishes, but don't eat. The girl tee says: I just eat food, but don't do dishes. I would want the set in white hehe. My boyfriend is the good cook, I'm pretty useless in the kitchen. But doing dishes is my wind-down time, or it used to be. Now living in an apartment involves actually eating food we cook and washing lots and lots of dishes x_x The legwarmers and scarf are things I didn't pick up in Taiwan during night markets but wanted to.

 

Now onto the giveaway! Please read everything carefully and good luck!

RULES:

MANDATORY:
1) Must follow Pandaphilia publicly through Google Friend Connect (click here) - you can use your Gmail, Twitter, AIM account

2) Must visit Jstyleshopper.com and choose your favourite item

3) Must comment on this post with your name, GFC username, and fave item (email is not necessary!)

Optional, for bonus entries: 
(post another comment with your Twitter username, FB name, and blog URL where applicable):

+1 Follow @pandaphilia and tweet this message: "Enter @pandaphilia + @JStyleShopper $100 giveaway! Cute asian fashion! http://bit.ly/nUawJ4" or click: Tweet

+1 Like Pandaphilia Facebook page

+1 Like Jstyleshopper Facebook page

+1 Vote for my contest entry here by clicking Like

+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/jstyleshopper-100-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgZ-QvyeLdUw3Cn6_6i9pRlWLCKhO5KdJFV3f2AC2UAApLJrrlVgmahzXPXhWmzceQGlP8rnaQKAvAilZs-QmmvIVzd4MwD6jiMdh-XHyqKykCDCYuD9FAREZR1ZcO22RnJFNWkRnzGa7/" style="border: 0pt none;" /></a>

This contest is open to US and international readers. Please ask parental permission if under 16. Giveaway ends on 7/26/2011 at 11:59 PM CST. Winner will be drawn using random.org on 7/28/2011. Winner(s) must email me with their mailing address within 72 hours or a new winner will be selected.

$100 store credit will be provided by JStyleShopper. I am not affiliated with the company. All photos belong to JStyleShopper.com