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.

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.

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Let's Have a Kiki | Merry Christmas

H&M silver sequin and tulle dress // Aldo nude pumps // Silver beaded sequin clutch from China (gift) //

Wet n Wild lipstick in Wine Room //

Photography: self; tripod and remote

LOCK THE DOORS TIGHT. This dress would be the epitome of a tinsel-meets-ballerina holiday outfit. I wore this sparkly little number to our post-finals party with my pink blazer and burgundy tights, leopard fur coat reserved for the nightcrawling hours. Today it felt right to throw it on for a cloudy and dreary San Diego Christmas to pizazz some festivity back into the atmosphere. With nude pumps, a high pony, and classic wine red lips, everything feels more classy and sassy. But really, let's have a kiki.

The fire in the sequins comes alive with ambient lighting and unfortunately doesn't photograph well. Therefore my cheesy dancing as a human disco ball is reserved for in-person enjoyment. If anyone has any tips on photographing sparkles and sequins, please share your knowledge! I amused myself for a whole 3 minutes reflecting the rainbow with my torso standing in front our tree. I hope your holiday has been wonderful and close to the loved ones around you. Gift-wise, my brother went all out this year and got me the new apple EarPods which fit wonderfully inside my big earholes and produce some quality beats. Santa also left me lime green Play-doh which this 90s kid is freaking ecstatic about. Already I've made dumplings, a lopsided heart, and a bracelet with it while taking breaks to sniff the memorable scent.

Since starting break I've finished The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, a great analytical-but-engaging read to changing your bad habits into productive ones ... and howled with laughter with every page of Me Talk Pretty Some Day by David Sedaris. That I believe completes my goal of 10 books in 2012, surprisingly half of them read during med school. Cheers to two more weeks of exorbitant movie-watching and not getting trampled during after-Christmas sale shopping.

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Schoolgirl Tulle

H&M mustard knit sweater (XS) // Forever 21 chambray shirt (S) (underneath) //

Forever 21 light pink tulle skirt (S) // Merona faux calfhair leopard print flats (5.5) //

BCBG silver metallic foldover clutch (c/o ReallyPetite) // Forever 21 burgundy tights //

Bracelets: Poshlocket (c/o), Forever 21, H&M // Forever 21 white plastic bow ring (S) //

Photography: me, tripod and remote

TUTUS, NOT VOODOO. As much as I like the idea of bravely going where no fashionista has gone (on campus) before, the last few times I pulled out my pink tulle skirt for styling, I've chickened out and reluctantly put it back in the closet. One day while surfing Lookbook, the perfect inspiration scrolled across the screen - a girl wearing an orange sweater with a collared shirt underneath and a tulle skirt very similar to mine (sorry can't remember exactly who). This was the toning-down solution that escaped me and I gleefully stored the image in the back of my mind.

Friday (2/3) was the perfect day (mid 50s and cloudy) to throw on this ensemble for my one class. Even in a class full of pre-meds and biomedical engineers, I felt fun and flirty but not crazy. Mustard and chambray are a match made in heaven and I love how the bright yellow pops against the grey skies and is reminiscent of a schoolbus. JJ was gone for a grad school interview so I fumbled with my self-photography equipment and raced the wind and impending rainstorm. This weekend has been pretty tortoise-paced in a pleasant way - hanging out, sleeping, playing racquetball, feeling out some Legend of Zelda tunes on the piano/violin, eating exorbitant amounts of pho, green onion savory pancakes (congyoubing), Chipotle, hot dogs. No, I did not watch the Super Bowl (but glad a Manning won) nor join the fray for Jason Wu x Target. Now for squeezing a big dollop of catch-up on my work. Have a great week!

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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

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Prima Romperina

Forever 21 ruffle romper (tucked into skirt) (M) // Forever 21 tulle skirt (S) //
Taiwanese brand pearl ankle flats (35) // Forever 21 pink quilted bow clutch //

Photography: JJ

Another case of the acrobatics. There's something about wearing a tulle skirt (tutu enough for me) that makes me want to high kick and twirl. So ungraceful, I know. Wore this outfit for lounging around the house on a lazy Saturday afternoon (6/18). Whatever made me think up rompers and tutus I haven't a clue. Maybe this outfit from Summer 2010 as inspiration?

St. Louis was kicking up a storm today. My boyfriend and I went to Blick, the art store on the Loop to buy pastel materials and rediscover our artistic sides. I'm so excited to try out a new medium! Great deals on 140lb watercolor paper and bristol, which I just learned about today. A watering hole stop for bubble tea (jasmine green milk tea for me, passion fruit for him), then off into the thunder and lightning that seemed directly overhead.

Today was one of those woke-up-tired, went-to-work-tired, went-home-more-tired days. Making lots of headway in my research and woke up to an inbox full of secondaries. Excited for showing you my black black hair from now on (edit: oops one more outfit), good riddance with that nasty orange mop.

Don't forget to enter my Alonai shoes giveaway! Heels, flats, boots that fit all (US size 2-14). Two winners!

Valet For the Ballet

Today I went to a Peet's Coffehouse very close to my house and tried out the Matcha Green Tea Freddo that Sophia and Ping have been raving. It was so delicious! I ordered a large and wasn't able to finish it but that's all right. I forced myself to get out and make some headway into that PIR/personal statement for medical school. It feels like dissecting everything about your being, spilling it out and sectioning off the good and the bad and analyzing every little detail and the cause-and-effect of every choice every made. It's a big ego-deflating process but in the end, I'm sure to come out wiser. As Delphi said, "Know thyself."

I had been planning on showing this outfit for months now, but somehow haven't had the inspiration to. I purchased the light pink tutu skirt and black ruched sleeve top from Forever 21 along with the Hello Kitty tank I wore yesterday. For a size XS, it fits really well on my waist. The elastic band prevents any unsightly bunching or gaps yay! My dad actually liked the black top paired with classic jeans when we went to visit his relatives. So perhaps he does have some fashion sense after all xD I impulse-bought the ballet flats online with this outfit in mind. I should really learn to work with what I have instead of buying new pieces for crazy outfits haha. This pair is way too big, as they are size 6's. The cross lacing in the front is really weird up close but creates a cool effect from a distance. I remember when I unboxed these one of the flimsy strings fell off. I took one of those slide-up razor knives and cut myself a hole. No cheaply made material will defeat me! After lacing these up my legs, it's really hard to walk around without the strings falling back down so I waddled like a penguin around my courtyard probably much to the neighbors' glee.

My hair wouldn't cooperate either. I spent over 30 minutes trying to put it into a top bun but my hair has grown much since I last thought up this outfit (yay for fish oil pills!). I tried using multiple hair ties, little clips but it wouldn't stay up. This outfit is very high maintenance for being so simplistic. I avoided wearing jewelry because in my mind ballerinas are clean, poised, and elegant without need for explanation.

I double winged my eyeliner and used Michael Todd's Creme Glace lipgloss in Disco that Nikki sent me. I originally thought about a nude lip but I wanted a bold look that would show up slightly better in photos. Turns out I wasn't even facing frontwards in most of these shots anyway oops.

As you already know, I love playing dress-up. If you've danced a day in your life, I am obviously playing around in these ballerina poses. I am the biggest klutz when it comes to moving my arms and legs at once! Haha all my motor coordination cortex space is taken up by my fingers (years and years of musical training) and none is left for my feet. However, I am pretty flexible for a nub so I took lots of photos doing weird things. Huzzah for self-timer high kick! I'll give my camera a treat for snapping it relatively well *feeds it fresh batteries* fu fu fu :3

Wearing:

Black ruched quarter sleeve top, F21 (size S)

Pink tutu skirt, F21 (size XS)

Navy pointed toe lace-up ballet flats, F21 (size 6)

"The world is my stage"

[Picnik contrast all the way up] Don't you love the purple?

Can you tell I love this picture? [Picnik, Orton-ish]

I took these photos around 6 PM so my garage door was finally shaded. Wish it were slightly brighter out.

Look ma, I'm flexible-ish!

POW! I could be kicker on a varsity team, no?

I made a gif animation ta-da!

Back to slightly more normal pictures

Stretch!

Jump shot makes my skirt look like a mushroom/umbrella

My "durrr" face. This is really what I look like between snapshots HAHAHA jk

Pretty tulle

Ballet shoe love ♥

 Peet's Green Tea Freddo yummy :D !

Hope you guys have a wonderful day! Tomorrow I may hit the beach at La Jolla. I can't believe I've been home all summer 15 minutes away from the glorious ocean and I haven't ventured West an inch. If the mini tanline from writing my essays underneath a fail-located umbrella at the coffeeshop weren't enough, I can't wait to see what big Kahunas I'm going to have to fend off tomorrow. Lots of sunscreen and Clinique After Sun rescue balm : ) Enjoy the summer, lovelies!