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?

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Holiday Polish: Mistletoe Magic

Most of you know by now that I always paint my nails different colours. There's something I just love about nail polish and the possibilities they create, but with a busy interview season and other things to worry about besides chipping nail polish, it's been hard to deck my digits with boughs of holly. Yup, painting my nails is a luxury! But after my penultimate final, I brought out some holiday fun colours and got a-paintin'. This is Day 6 of The 12 Days of Fabulous :)

{Left hand} Dark green: Sinful Colors in San Francisco // Sanofi Avenis topcoat

{Right hand} Gold: Wet n Wild in Goldmine // Orange/green holographic flakes: Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure on top

Isn't it lovely/amusing? In some lighting the flakes appear a coraly orange; in others, it's an iridescent light green. Hidden Treasure is a true chameleon in all sorts of lighting.

Readers - what's your favourite holiday manicure?

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Blue Velvet Loafers

CRUSHING ON CRUSHED VELVET. Urban Outfitters Cooperative navy velvet loafers in size 6, $36. The colour is a darker richer navy than these photos suggest (more like the last photo). Definitely too big on me, even with thick socks. Time to hunt down some super thick insoles. The soles are also super slippery on smooth surfaces - many faceplants barely avoided in the cafeteria. They make a clacky noise when I walk. For some odd reason, they just called out to me when I was shopping with Sydney and they seemed to go with everything. A trusty pair of fashionable flats, be it loafers, oxford wingtips, or ballet flats are a MUST for my daily trekking around campus. Do shoes/clothes ever do that to you or am I the only one crazy in the world who makes friends with inanimate objects ...

But loafers are yummy like a good loaf of my family's cranberry walnut bread. If these really don't work out with some extra thick Dr. Scholls, then a lucky reader will take them away :) By the by, this was 5th day of the 12 Days of Fabulous brought to you by yours truly, the Pandaphiliac.

Readers - do you prefer flats or heels for everyday?

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California Dreamin'

Double Zero blue sleeveless romper (S) // Pitaya/ Lovely Day navy tuxedo boyfriend blazer (S) //

Merona calfhair leopard print flats (5.5) // Gifted pearl necklace (old) //

Thrifted Melie Bianco camel satchel bag //

Photography: JJ

I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS. As much as I want to roll around and make it a completely lazy Friday, Day 4 of The 12 Days of Fabulous! Can you believe it's only a week til Christmas? One more final and I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again. Winter Break is a much-needed recoup after this trying semester that danced away at a break-neck and yet sluggish pace. Meanwhile, I just beat Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword tonight. Oh man, I already feel nostalgic. We had a good run, Link.

BOYFRIEND BLAZER + A-LINE ROMPER. This blue romper is from the little gem of a store called SKY Boutique, located right by where I live. I remember feeling in awe as I walked around looking at all her treasures but frowning at the price tags. The colour is so perfect for the tail end of summer and the gold buttons give it a nautical feel. Best of all, there are pockets and the shorts part flare out a bit to give a feminine shape. With a strand of pearls on, I got complimented by a fellow WashU gal that I didn't even know. Threw on my navy boyfriend tuxedo blazer from Pitaya to keep warm for a day of exploration in Downtown San Diego (11/23) back during Turkey Break. Just looking at these photos now makes me cold! Just 3 more days of this Midwest chill and I'm back to walking on sunshine.

Drenched in a SoCal sunset, little plaza betwixt Jamba Juice and Starbucks.

Readers - what would you wear for warm weather holidays?

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