Big Bags are Fun

Happy New Year! Hopefully, 2010 is going to be a great one!

I'm still enjoying some time off from work and wanted to catch up on some much needed blogging. First case of business, say hello to my new friend:

I picked up this Morning After Bag at the RM San Francisco sample sale and it's quickly become a favorite! Slate greyish, with a tinge of green, I was hoping to grab a more colorful piece while there. However, despite getting there around 10:10AM (minutes after the sale started), the girls were already roaming around with multiple bags on their arms! I have to admit I didn't love this when I saw it right away, but now I actually really like that it's such a muted color since the bag is kind of humongous.

Yes, the bag is pretty heavy--especially since I manage to fit a plethora of random bits and pieces in there, but I really love it! In addition to it amazingly allowing space for my 12' work laptop, the trio of interior pockets is awesome for a girl like me! Spots reserved for keys, iPhone, and index cards (yes, I am a nerd), so I don't have to dig around for them. What could be better? I've been wanting a new bag for work, but this has become a quick and easy go-to for everyday errands as well.

Minkoff sales seem to be all over the place, so I'm happy that her bags are so cute and affordable! Regular seasonal sample sales in NY/SF/LA and online sales? Pretty awesome way of getting her bags into the hands of the regular consumer. Plus, how genius is the "Vincent" card inside the morning after's?

Rose Champagne Lovin'

I'm convinced that shopping is a bad, bad addiction in all sorts of ways. When forgotten, you almost convince yourself you can live without it. When wrapped up in the essence of it, you can't even begin to imagine life without the rush. That may be a little over the top, but I'm constantly finding myself caught up in huge waves of buy, buy, buy. I picked up a bevy of fun, fun goodies while visiting Norcal and have to share them all with you over the next few days!

Rose Champagne. So pretty. I've always loved Reiss--their pieces are stunningly beautiful and painfully pricey. I picked up this gorgeous Alonsio Weave Fold Over Clutch while shopping in SF this weekend and I'm absolutely in love with it. I've been looking for a going out clutch/wristlet and this doubles up as both! The detachable strap allows for easy transitioning between classy dinner dates and ridiculous nights out (we have to have some way of holding onto our bags while juggling those drinks, right?). The weaving is also a sweet contrast to the more standard clutches I've seen and the ones I already own. The best part is that the color is seriously unlike anything I've seen (it even photographs nicely!) and will be a perfect pop against a LBD or even as an addition to a bright colored frock! I picked this up at the Reiss store for $240, but ASOS has it for only $203!

If I hadn't already done so much damage to my bank account last week, I would've desperately wanted to buy this pretty little skirt as well:

Reiss Silk Selena Twist Skirt ($186.97)

It reminds me of the Aaron Ashe skirt from The White Dress Shop I've been eyeing! Oh well, maybe next time... For now, my pretty little clutch will have to do. I'm so disgustingly in love with it that I might try to pull off taking it out on casual outings here and there.

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale GOODS

Tuesday was VIP night of Rebecca Minkoff's much anticipated NYC sample sale. I went after work and thought maybe just maybe if I go at 830 the line wouldn't be so bad. Yes and no - it was really easy to get into the sale (no line) but once in, the checkout line snaked around the room, crowding around the tables with all the purses on them, making it an extreme workout to fight your way through people with your coat and bounty of bags. Nonetheless, I discovered my inner endurance and stuck it out, and ended up with a few yummy purchases:

Newest additions to the fam

From left to right: Matinee (unknown color, think this was made just for the sample sale. Similar to taupe but texture is different), Saddle Morning After Clutch (hereafter referred to as "MAC"), Plum MAC.

Matinee in mystery color

This is my new work bag to alternate with my black HH Conrad. I like how this is a cool tan/beige color with to the silver hardware so it feels more versatile than a more yellow/gold palette. It's very chic casual when paired with mostly blacks, but still dressy enough due to the structured shape. The Matinee is probably my favorite RM shape.

I've always wanted a dark red purse, eye-catching but not too loud (i.e. not tomato red), muted enough to be classy yet still pops against a dark monochrome outfit. First I followed around a girl with the plum MAC draped on her hoping she would put it down, then I felt like a sad little puppy so decided to go find my own color MAC instead. I picked up the warm brown MAC since I don't have any purses to carry when I'm wearing my cognac boots, then magically at the end of the night I saw not one but TWO plum MACs, and of course they came into my hot little hands to compare. The one I ended up choosing has this beautiful pebbled leather *drool*! Love love love it.

Bathroom shot

The strap on the MAC is longish, and being a petite girl, it dwarfs me if I use it normally. But after reading forums I picked up a few tips on shortening the length and this is my favorite style. A little Chanel-esque =P I can also double up on the strap and make it even shorter.

Plum on left, Grape on right

Earlier this spring, I went to the sample sale and scored my first RM - a grape Morning After Mini. The color is gorgeous, but I just don't find myself giving it the love it deserves since it's a hard to match color, and the bag is heavy due to the size and hardware.  I'm actually thinking of selling the Grape since the Plum is so similar in hue. Also, just have to point out the pebblyness of the Plum leather vs. the smoother Grape.

MACs in different colors.. that's okay right?

The MAC in front is the Grey Skies color, it's my roommates, I just like seeing all of them together =P

The best part? Rebecca herself was there at the VIP night and I asked her to sign the Plum MAC!!! She's so pretty too, tall and skinny, very put together looking. I also got rung up by her brother, the CEO of the company, haha. I like that it's a family business!

All in all, I'd say it was a successful sample sale. AND I mentioned it to a coworker and a friend and they're both dying to go this weekend! It's so fun to spread the excitement of sample sales and love of purses!!!

Boots Loot

They arrived! The boots I posted about below are finally here! Today we'll be discussing the case of Melissa Button v. Paige (harhar, remnants from my Legal Studies days)

When I first pulled both pairs from their boxes, I could feel my boyfriend rolling his eyes without even turning around to see his face, since I also thought what must've been going through his mind, "They're the SAME!" But the great differentiator between males and females are girls' attention to minute detail and the ability to build pro and con lists very quickly to convince herself of one boot over another. So here goes:

- Leather on the Melissas felt more raw and wet, I don't know how else to describe it. The Paige Tall riding boots felt very smooth, and right away I could tell this was why the Paige's were more expensive. It could just be a preference thing, and not an objective quality issue, since my roommates both preferred the "more real leather" feel of the Melissas

- Flap on the Paiges definitely made my calves in front look wider, but the clincher was the back dip that even more so emphasized my big calves. Ew. I did like how the Paige flap looked in theory just not on me, gives an updated look to classic flat boots.

- Sidenote: Piperlime's circumference disclosure was off! It lists the Melissas as 13 inch around, but I'm definitely bigger than that and they still fit! Think they're around 14 or so, but I probably can't wear thick socks and thick jeans.

- Sizing on the Paige was funny. I wasn't wearing socks so that could the culprit but every step I took with them on exhaled a small but distinctive farty sound. Maybe there was a tiny whoopee cushion in each foot or it could have been excess air, but I didn't want my shoes to come with sound effects.

So in the end, I chose the Melissas! SCORE they were also the cheaper of the two.

And some pictures!

Exhibit 1. Paige on left, Melissa on right

DROOL at the luscious leather.

I'm super happy I can check off Flat Black Boots from my Necessities list. I've sprayed these with rain protectant so hopefully I can trot down the street with these rain or shine and these babies will last forever.

Have Your Boots On and Be Ready To Go

In building a wardrobe (including accessories and shoes!) appropriate for the cold and approaching winter, sometimes I get caught between practical and pretty choices. Yes I need edgy black strappy heels for nights out, but I'd really get more mileage (literally) out of some flat black boots. This time, mind wins over heart and I decided I needed to invest in a good pair of boots that would last hopefully several seasons.

Banana/Gap/Piperlime is currently holding their Friends and Family event, so it's a perfect time to choose a few pairs and score the perfect one at 30% off. With Piperlime's free shipping and returns policy, it's also no-risk shopping! I'm not usually a fan of buying multiple pairs of shoes (sizing up/down, different colors, etc) but the site makes it easy to try and try again. I put in my order this morning for some Frye's that I'm crossing my fingers will turn out to be the One(s).

Frye Melissa Button ($298) . The side buttons are cute and give the something extra I'm looking for. These look a little more Western due to the dips in both the front and back, but I've read that they don't look too severe in real life.

Fryes have great reputations for their soft, supple leather and durable quality of the boots that lasts throughout the years. One concern I have about these is the circumference. At 13.5 inches, they might be squeezing tightly on my larger than average calves. Usually, I target 15-16 inch circumferences for boots (to allow for jeans as well), so we'll see if these stretch a bit.

The second pair are the Frye Paige Tall Riding boots ($348). A little bit more pricey but these have a wider circumference (aah, much more roomy!), and look more sophisticated with the front flap styling. Still has the same round toe (makes feet look smaller!) and flat heel that I like.

While looking around for boots, here are the features I looked at and might be useful to keep in mind:

• Shaft - up and down length of the boot. Depending on your height (I'm 5'2), I like them to go right under to my knees, so usually I look for 14-15 inches. Any taller and boots would make me look stumpy. Conversely, I've been looking at ankle boots to wear with skinnies and tights!
• Circumference - the widest part of the calf area. Most people are between 13-16 inches, and I'm on the larger side. This is also what I look at when shopping for skinny jeans (though most measurements given for skinnies are the ankle opening circumference)
• Heel height - This time, I knew I wanted flat boots, and was okay with going up to 1 inch on the height. A great compromise are the hidden or wrapped wedge boots (like these Steve Madden Idens) which still give a boost but have the comfort and look of flats
• Smooth vs. slouchyness - Here it depends on personal preference. Some friends prefer the more casual/effortlessly cool feel that ruched/slouchy boots evoke, and opt for those. I, on the other hand, don't like calling attention to my calves, and like my boots to have smooth sides. Slouchy boots are cute, but it's about knowing what works for your body type
• Durability / leather quality - Since flat black boots are such a wardrobe staple, I was prepared to make an investment into this purchase, and researched top brands in boots. Frye's came highly recommended: stylish and built to last. Of course, how you care for your shoes can make a difference in their lifespan, but to some extent, the quality of the leather used and workmanship goes a long way. If I were looking for more casual, trendy pieces though, I'd be okay with a cheaper pair, but be prepared to buy another pair next season 

I Buy Impractical Things

Fred Flare has some of the CUTEST, quirkiest, whimsical-est things, and luckily for us, they are having a 30% holiday preview sale off the entire site! The Christmas counter on the website handily reports that indeed, there are only 49 days left until our favorite green-and-red holiday, so it's a great time to stock up on gifts for your loved ones. Or if you're like me, it's a marvelous excuse to buy things I needed anyway so why not get some with serious cute factor?

First, I needed mugs. Yup, boring old ceramic mugs. But then I found these upside down animal mugs ($20 each)!! When right side up, they are normal looking drinking cups, but I'm motivated to finish all my liquids so I can turn the mug upside down and stare at the cute faces on the bottom! I received the panda and cat ones yesterday, and as a disclaimer, just want to say that these are super adorable BUT tiny, almost like shot mugs. Maayybe it can hold a triple espresso, or 6 sips of tea. But they're too cute to ship back so I'm keeping them!

Real life comparison. Mugs are teensy compared to my roommate's grown up sized tinkerbell mug

These Russian doll measuring cups ($16) are cute and practical!! Although I don't really bake or cook or do anything in the kitchen besides make Ramen, so maybe these aren't that practical. Well, if in the future, I suddenly get an itching for baking, these will definitely be useful.

 After doing some research on these, I found that Anthropologie Russian Doll measuring cups ($28), are exponentially higher cute factor, but also a lot more impractical. They're made of stoneware for goodness' sake, I'd probably just stare at their prettineses, but would be too scared to actually use them. I also got heart shaped earbuds because why should we be stuck with normal earbuds? Why NOT have fun with the everyday usage products in your life, and get some super duper cute ones while you're at it? Okay, so my bf laughed at me while I had them in my ears, but they give me an extra kick in my step, and that's what matters. Other awesome suggested buy from Fred Flare:
Holly Golightly sleep mask


Mini umbrella friends. Love the feet/handle

USB drives. Favorite is the turtleneck guy!

Don't be fooled, Fred Flare also has lots of clothing and jewelry options in addition to these accessories and small pieces, but I haven't yet tried them. This was my first time shopping with FF, shipping was super quick, mugs were packaged with plenty of bubble wrap, consider me a happy customer!

LUSH Brazened Honey Mask

I love Sundays! Besides the fact that they're officially dubbed my "lazy days", they're also my beauty "freshen-up" days. After slacking off on my regime during the week due to fatigue, I always make sure to save some time on Sunday to tend to what I've missed out on. One of the essential skincare items that I absolutely cannot (and should not) do without is a face mask. After a tough past few weekends, I've missed a few Sundays here and there and have definitely seen the difference. Applying a face mask is unlike any other way to pamper, soothe, and treat one of our most important features!

I actually ran out of my Fresh Umbrian Clay mask and have been debating whether or not to repurchase it. It's been great at controlling my breakouts and calming my skin, but not great enough to warrant the $48 price tag. Always on the lookout for a fun new mask to try, I figured I could definitely find something else... and something else I did find!

I stopped by the Beverly Hills LUSH store after grabbing brunch today and stumbled upon their fresh bar of concoctions. LUSH offers tubs of freshly made face masks aimed at a variety of skin remedies. I felt like each mask spoke to me in a different way and it took quite a while to decide on the Brazened Honey mask. Aimed at exfoliating and brightening tired skin (goodbye dull skin!), the added promise of tightening pores was just a bonus feature that sold me. This product reminds me a lot of the Mario Badescu Almond & Honey Scrub (which I LOVE) that I have so often dabbed on as a calming mask. However, since this is actually formulated to act as a mask, it also had the kick of really cleaning out my pores. Like with the MB scrub, I scrubbed my face beforehand while applying it and then again, by mixing the dried mask with warm water while removing it. After a quick 15 minute application, my face felt soft, smooth and balanced (not too dry and not too oily). Some people have said that the thick consistency of the product has made it difficult to apply, but I didn't find any problems with this at all. It was a little tough to remove since it's so chunky, but I like that I could really massage it around my face while taking it off.

Since they're made free of preservatives, each $5.95 tub is supposed to last 2 weeks. I've been reading reviews and customers claim that they've been able to use the masks up to a month since the products are kept refrigerated. This makes more sense since there's way too much product to use up that quickly so we'll see how good it stays into the month. Since I picked up the BB Seaweed mask as well, I'm probably in for some trouble in finishing both up within the month--I got too excited and didn't think this through at the time.

As an added plus, for every 5 containers you return to the store for recycling, you get one free mask of your choice! I think this will definitely keep me coming back for more. Other notable items to purchase (per my best friend who's obsessed with LUSH): Coalface Cleanser, Ocean Salt Cleanser, and any of their solid shampoo bars (which are equal to 3 bottles of 250ml shampoo bottles!). I've officially discovered another beauty obsession. Eeeeek.

Sephora Therapy

Aah Sephora F&F! An occasion to get beautiful. Of COURSE I have to post about what I got (and would get if I had a money tree). Beauty has always been my first love; it's how I first became introduced to higher end brands - first starting with MAC and then spilling over to other companies - and from there, growing into an awareness (or got suckered into, depends how you look at it) for quality products and pretty packaging.

I tried to hold myself to a higher standard of consumerism and buy what I really needed - as of now, this is skincare, since my epidermis has been freaking out on me for the past couple months, leaving me scarred, literally and figuratively. I've had to deal with breakouts at the age of 23! I thought teen acne sucked, well that was expected and pretty normal. Adult acne is so much worse, because everyone else seems to have grown out of that phase and into clear, supple skin. Sigh. When will it be my turn?? For now, I've been putting everything that promises clear skin into my shopping cart, so we'll see how they go.

(Oh, and of course I didn't just buy skincare. Try as I might, I couldn't not have fun with this F&F; discount, since it only comes once a year! I rationalized things with 1. my skin needs it and 2. I wouldn't have bought it without 20% off. Most of the thigns I ended up with falls into this second basket)

Here we go!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple - gentle cleanser for my sensitive, easily irritated skin. Bought the 8oz to try. This got lots of rave reviews, and my Mario Badescu creamy cleanser is too filmy and doesn't leave me with a bare-skin feeling,

DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew - forever in search of a new moisturizer. Currently using Olay Complete, which is fine, but hey, I like trying new things. This one is a gel and only has 3 ingredients, which I appreciate, since most lotions are packed with bad irritants ending in some variation of -ol (read: alcohol). It's good so far, nothing bad about it.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment - love love love lip products. Lip and cheek stuff are my favorite makeup items (Michelle, I'm with you on that one!), and this is a much raved about cult favorite that I had to try. At $22.50, it wasn't a lip balm I was willing to pay full price for, but I'm loving it! Super smooth and moisturizing, smells lemony also. I keep one next to my bed and one in my purse. yup, that means I got two - ordered the Rose version after I got the regular one!

Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream for Medium to Thick Hair - this is probably my favorite product of the bunch. Created by MIT researchers as an alternative to silicone, this cream was designed to tame frizz and smooth hair to be ultra touchable.  LOVE how it makes my hair feel! Seriously, it makes it so soft to the touch, I just love running my hair through it. With other anti-frizz products, I'm afraid to touch my hair throughout the day since it adds to the oilyness and drags it down, but Living Proof doesn't make my hair greasy at all. Usually, I airdry so I haven't tested this out against heat, but I've read that performance only improves with irons and curlers.

Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head in Delicate - havn't been using my Clarisonic since I've been on this new oral antibiotic and Epiduo gel combo (told you I'm trying everything! Including this concoction my dermatologist prescribed... I'm not liking it though, it makes my skin burn and sting sometimes), but after I finish this month and am able to get back with my Clarisonic brush, hopefully this Delicate head will be gentle enough to still clean my skin.

Marc Jacobs Daisy - in my fantasy world, I have a zillion cute bottles of perfume sitting primly on a dresser, but in reality, I just don't use enough scent to warrant buying all the pretty bottles out there.  That's why perfume roller balls are the perfect solution for me, trial size versions that are portable so I can put it on whenever I remember! I chose Marc Jacobs Daisy. It's light (i.e. appropriate for the office), with a dry flowery scent that has me sniffing my wrists even after 10 hours at work.

Shiseido The Skincare Hydro Nourishing Softener - I use so much drying products in an attempt to zap out all the oil in my skin that sometimes, a little moisture is necessary. This toner is supposed to refresh dried out skin and give back moisture. Shiseido is an outstanding skincare company, so I'm looking forward to good results!

 Sephora F&F; ends November 2, 2009 so you still have some time to browse and decide on what to buy, but some items are already out of stock, so don't wait too long!

Blushing Winter Cheeks

t's not hard to tell that shu uemura is a definite Coastalpolitan favorite! I can't help but fall in love each time I walk by the counter at the mall and although my collection is small and humble, my shu uemura goodies are fun and irreplaceable!

Like Janice, I'm absolutely obsessed with blushes. "Um, why do you have so many?" is a reaction I get most often whenever a friend rummages through my makeup bag. So that I can have one color to fit each mood and setting, of course! Plus, what girl doesn't love pink (okay, maybe that's just me)?

The current look I've been aiming for is the perfect pink hue--the kind that's usually triggered by walking outside on a cold day. As most of my days are spent indoors (boo.), I had to find something to help me fake this illusion. I actually bought two blushes to add to my collection recently, Glow On in M Pink 30 and P Peach 45, but M Pink 30 is the one I'm in LOVE with. Gorgeous color that it is, the color seemed a bit overwhelming to me in the beginning. However, I've finally mastered layering this on with the perfect light swipes and haven't worn any other blush since!

As luck would have it, you can pick up Pink 30 (1 of the 3 shu blushes offered) for 20% off via Sephora's F&F Sale!

EDIT: Unfortunately, these beauties are all sold out on Sephora.com, but trust me when I say that this is worth the $21 regular price!

Wolford = Warm Fuzzies

Just wanted to comment on this amazing pair of tights that is keeping me warm today while walking to work and running some errands during the afternoon. Wolford's Opaque Polar Tights have a super warm, fuzzy lining alongside its interior that creates a much more substantial barrier against wind and cold, so much more effective than the hole-y fabric of tights. Like fleece for your legs!! Soft soft soft like the first time you wear it before washing.  The fibers are created using a moden knitting technique technology for extra durability. One of the commonly touted benefits of Wolford is that it lasts forever, which is three times longer than I can say for my other pairs (I'm looking at you Hue and DKNY!)

These do look like any ordinary pair but Google images assures me these are Wolford Polar tights

The outer surface of the tights is totally opaque and matte, unlike the soft satiny sheen that normal tights give, so it's a tradeoff.  But what's cool is the vertical ribbing on the outside (the fuzzy internal lining is stitched in vertical panes), adding a pattern to otherwise plain legwear.

Wolford tights are pretty expensive - retail is $68 for this pair - but I snatched these up in 2 minutes at the Ruelala sale awhile back for 50% off!  Literally, I set an alarm for the sale to begin since I knew my size and the opaque black pairs were sure to go quickly.  Years of piano and facebooking (now twittering) have trained my fingers to be super speedy and accurate in clicking.  I checked out with the Polar pair, and another dark brown ("Mocca") pair which is more breathable.  The dark brown is the go to during a cool summer/brisk fall day, whereas the ones I'm wearing today I consider my industrial strength tights.

Creators at Wolford, you guys are geniusesss.

Adding a Perfect Touch with Pearls

Lately, I've become absolutely obsessed with accessorizing with pearls. As a little girl, I was gifted with a pink strand and was adamant about wearing them everywhere. Now at the age of 23, I remember why I always loved them. They're a perfect way to dress up any outfit! Check out one of my favorite looks spotted recently on One Tree Hill (I know, no one watches this show but me):

Just found Tiffany's style blog recently and am loving it (I think it's my new favorite blog of the moment)! Her post here shows a beautiful pearl necklace from Marika King that I am dying to get my hands on! It's sold out for now, but will hopefully be available again soon.

I picked up a simple long strand of pearls from Nordie's recently and am going to keep my eye out for more to add to my collection. They will be the perfect touch to my darker fall/winter wardrobe. Here are a few other pieces that have caught my eye:

Betsey Johnson Tulle Trim Pearl Necklace ($48). It's simple and elegant, and the black tulle adds a fun touch! The black and white effect offers some similarity to the Marika King one.

Nordstrom Long Strand Illusion Glass Pearl Necklace ($48). I'm loving the layering possibilities and the fact that the pearls are spaced farther apart.

Forever21 is always an easy stop for fun and cheap accessories. Here's a pretty strand of faux pearls with a blush pink satin ribbon interwoven throughout. Priced at only $6.80, I love!

And just for fun, I saw this while shopping in SF last weekend. With a price tag of $598, it's probably a bit out of my price range, but looked so gorgeous wrapped up in a row of 4. I will probably have to stick with more affordable pieces for now, but am going to love all the fun possibilities they offer! Wear more than one piece at a time, tie on a satin ribbon, take them out to play or off to work. Why not have some fun with a classic staple?

Once You Start, You Just Can't Stop...

I hate that shopping can basically cure all. After feeling a little down lately, I've forgotten how easily a girl can get lost in the excitement of new purchases! I desperately wish I was more immune to this weakness... but alas, once you start swiping that card, it's pretty much never going to stop. My current obsession: SHOES.

While doing a little roaming around in SF this past weekend, I stumbled upon these Michael Kors 'Berkley' sandals... on sale for $98 from $128!!

I've been looking for some "trendier" shoes to add my embarrassingly nonexistent collection of shoes and these were perfect! I love that they're simple, but offer a little more with the zipper detail. The SF Nordie's didn't have my size, but I was able to pick up a pair today in LA on the way home from work. They are amazingly comfortable and will be a quick and easy way to dress up a pair of skinny jeans. I'm also looking forward to throwing these on with a mini skirt and tank top for those nights out. These will have to do before I can afford anything like the hot Manolo's that my friend picked up this weekend. :)

I did some more browsing around while killing time before my Bar Method class (more on this in a later post) and quickly fell in love with the kate spade 'felice' flats!

I haven't found a pair of flats that I've really liked in forever and these are not only the perfect combo of cute and girly, but are SO comfortable. The price tag of $195 was a little too steep for me at the moment, but Fate works in mysterious ways. Although I had doubts, I scoured the internet in search of these cuties on sale and somehow, THEY WERE ON SALE. At 40% off on Nordstrom.com, my fingers did some clicking and by this time next week, I will have some adorable new flats to wear for the fall. I'm certain that these beautiful flats will quickly replace my black patent Revas as my go-to pair since the nude color will serve as a great pairing for any outfit.

Two great shopping excitements in one day made for a great Monday. As the fall season is finally starting to set upon LA, I'm looking forward to adding to my cold season wardrobe as well! Let's hope for some exciting new looks in the weeks to come.

If the Shoe Fits

Have you ever heard of the phrase "to wear many hats"? It means to play different roles and to assume a new set of rules/functions based on that identity.  The analogy is true for me and shoes (I don't wear hats because my hair is already flat and I don't need any more help in that department, no thank you!)

Lately I've been on a shoe buying binge, and have justified each purchase by telling myself that each has a separate purpose - one is fancy going out, one is summer casual, and another is sporty practical (do you appreciate all my double adjectives? It's like I'm giving them a proper name. That or I'm further convincing myself of all their different utilities, ha!)

First, I recently moved into a new apartment and one of the best features is the top floor gym! Seriously, it has been a year since I've regularly worked out, and even longer when I last bought a new pair of running shoes.  I'm a little embarassed to admit that my current pair are K-Swisses that I got my freshman year of college (um, definitely thinking about deleting this last line), so with all these incentives, I decided it was high time to get a new pair. I knew I either wanted a pair of Nike Shox or Asics; the former because I like the look and cushion from the Shox, and the latter because I've heard great things about the comfort of the Asics running shoe. Well the cuteness of this pair won me over:

Nike Shox Turbo Mesh Si (what a mouthful). The Nike website showcases the shoes better...

Looove the color combo. Ladyfootlocker and all those similar companies were having sales on the exact style I was looking at, buuut they did not have the black/white/pink! Had to get this pair, but the baby blue pair would've been a second choice. There's a guy version of this shoe also, and I'm digging the black/white/yellow.

A note: when I ordered, the sales rep said Nike's tend to run small, so I got my normal size (6.5) + a half size up (7) just to see. After putting on socks and lacing them up, there's a bit of toe room in the 7's.  Not a lot, but I'm thinking that my feet will swell up and won't want to be restricted by a tight toebox when I'm working out. (You can tell I havn't actually worn my shoes yet, just admired its pretty color combo in its box.) I believe the rule of thumb is to order half size or full size up, depending on the company's usual sizing standards, and Nike is one to size down. If you get a pair that's tight, you end up with painful toenails, blisters, and decreased incentive to run. The key is to get a snug pair so that your feet don't move around too much, but not tight that it suffocates them.  The 7's give me about a half inch of room in front, which are good.

The second pair of shoes came after I realized I can't walk around all summer in NYC with just flip flops. I've always thought the gladiator trend was cute, but wanted to find ones that wasn't too out there. These fit the bill:

Seychelles Get Outta Town sandals

I've had a pair of Seychelles before, and the padded soles are the best part, super comfy! I'll be able to walk around all of Union Square, up to Central Park, and down to Midtown with these. I got the dark brown for practical reasons, but I love love the yellow! They're so cheerful and brighten any summer outfit. When I put these on, the side strap make my feet look slightly wide but they are cute nonetheless.

The last pair was purchased on a whimsy, after a random trip to J.Crew's final sale. Additional 20% on top of already lowered prices, making the decision to buy these babies easier. I was doing okay in the fancy heels department, let's face it, they all get dirty and stepped on at clubs anyway, and was only allowing myself to get a black strappy pair. Sadly, these are neither black nor strappy but they are beautiful!

J.Crew Greer pleated sandals in Golden Cypress

The pleats and satin material sold me. I really wanted to get the natural/shell color but satin + light color in a shoe just clashes with my sense of responsibility about shoes. They would be dirty and messed up in no time. This richer color will be great for fall, and the heel height is perfect for more conservative outings, like brunch with parents, or a wedding.

Eye Awakening Discovery

Trips back to Berkeley and the SF Bay Area always make for some great weekends: I love the people, places, food, and weather (most of the time). I've only been back twice since moving to LA and it never fails to surprise me that after having lived there for 4 years, there's still so much I've never seen/done before!

On my most recent trip, I didn't just discover some fantastic new food places, but also a girl's most needed accessory: pink eyeliner! Like many, I've heard countless tips about lining the bottom waterline with white eyeliner as an eye-popping trick (a la Tyra Banks). However, being darker toned, my little Asian eyes have never really been able to pull off the look the way it's meant to be done. While getting ready for a night out with the girls, I noticed this cute little pencil in my friend's make-up pile. It was perfect! The shu uemura brand has always caught my attention for its vibrant coloring, so I'm not surprised that the Spring Mode Drawing Pencil in Me Pink is another one of their fabulous concoctions.

After scouring multiple Nordstroms for the pencil, I finally picked up this much need addition to my make-up collection! The pencil is creamy and smooth, perfect for a quick and easy application without the worry of eye irritation. The pink hue also has the perfect hint of glimmer in it. No, not glitter, but glimmer and shine. This is a great feature that sets it apart from Benefit's best-selling Eye Bright, which is matte and thus doesn't show up as much when I wear it. I love that I can stick to lightly lining my waterline for daytime wear and then upping the oomph factor by drawing the inner corners of my eyes for a night out!

Summer Sandals

Summer's pretty much here and with the beautiful change in weather, every girl needs a cute, comfy pair of sandals! Now that I am no longer a scrubby college student at Cal, it's probably time to trade in my beloved Rainbow flip-flops for something a little dressier to pair with my summer outfits (hello dresses and skirts in bright colors!). Unfortunately, despite all the choices that are out there, finding a pair I've liked has been more of a difficult task than I expected.

Finally, thanks to some help from a co-worker, I picked up a perfect pair from Urban Outfitters!

   

The Ecote Braided Leather Sandals are exactly what I've been looking for: simple, cute, comfy, and will go with any outfit. I've been wearing them for a week now and love that they are so lightweight and soft. The sandals come in five colors (all very cute and wearable) and are only $28! They may not be the dressiest or trendiest pair of sandals, but I'm loving how easy they are to slip on for weekend and nighttime outings.

These sandals also appear to be a huge favorite of The Hills' girls. Lauren Conrad has been spotted out and about in black and cognac versions while her BFF, Lo Bosworth, was recently seen with the ivory Ecotes while donning a cute summer dress:

(photo credit to Pacific Coast News)

In the Nude

When I find a pair of shoes I like, my sequence of thinking goes like this: 1) do they have it in my size? 2) should I get black/silver or brown/gold? It always kills me to have to choose between the two - black goes with everything, but I love goldish tones for my skin and for an extra dash of warm sparkle.

Recently, I've decided nOt to choose, and instead go for nude-colored shoes, which presents a perfect compromise in the black vs. brown dilemma. Nude in itself can range quite a gamut of shades.. from beige, to yellowish cream, to pinky peach.  I have a pair of nude pumps for work, and it just works with everything.  Plus, it makes me feel taller because the color extends the leg and gives the illusion of length =)

Yesterday, I got a package from Nordstrom with a pair of nude shoes and a cardigan.  Sidenote: I love packages.  I love the anticipation of getting the notification email, ripping off the tape of the boxes, and shrieking in high-pitched glee when everything arrives intact and actually fits perfectly. Such was my package yesterday.  After clicking on the Nordstrom site for weeks and biting my fingernails over whether to buy it or not (I'm just a little indecisive), I pulled the trigger and got these pretties:

please don't hurt me, 4 inch heels

Mmm, cant wait for summer! Love the heel, the patent leather, the interesting cut. Looking at that skinny stick stiletto though is going to make me paranoid of potholes, gutters, and any sort of vents on the ground.  Best of all, these match everything for those summer dresses! Black? Yes. Brown? Yes. Red/purple? Yes, yes, yes!  Do-it-all-ness is a quality I appreciate in people, as well as shoes.

frontal view, on my hardwood floors

Verna Necklace

I've been itching for some new jewelry recently.  Apart from a pretty  Open Wave pendant necklace that I wear everyday (thank you Sherry!), I am unadorned and don't wear much jewelry.  Lately though, maybe because spring is coming, and I want color and vibrancy into my outfits, I've been focusing on acquiring accessories to jazz up outfits.

So I jumped onto Etsy, a website where independent sellers can showcase their handmade items. I first learned about the site through other beauty fanatics who loved the handmade soaps and lotions that people sold.  But I adored the jewelry section more - so many unique pieces featuring the stones/materials that you like, and getting to support smaller designers.  It could just be the Berkeley influence, but I feel better paying an indie jewelry maker than forking money over to Urban Outfitters for an inflated wing necklace that dozens of other girls may have (which I've done before).

Anyway, I ended up choosing this gorgeous gold-filled wire and cobalt pearl necklace from thepebblecollection that resembles leaves from a branch. Love the bold color (cobalt/royal blue is one of my favorite colors to accent with), the classic appeal of pearls, and the warm gold will look better against my skin than silver does. Can't wait until it arrives!

My other choices were this round tree pendant (the seller has a lot of nature tree/leaf themed goodies) and these dainty silver wire leaf earrings. I really like the organic shapes of these pieces. Maybe next time??

In the Bag

What's in the bag? See for yourself..

Yes, this is the Hayden-Harnett Conrad bag from this post! I luurrrve it; it works both as a classic black bag for the office, AND dressy enough for meeting up with friends afterwards. The leather is super supple and soft (look at the shine on this baby!), and now I completely understand girls' love affairs with purses and handbags because I am officially OBSESSED. This marks several milestones - my first HH, and my first black bag.

The lining is gorgeous! I love peeking into my bag.

Compared to other girls' purses I've seen, I consider myself a light packer O.O Inside, I carry:

• small notebook with weekly to-do list and for jotting down random notes, + pens
• Lacoste wallet from Century 21
• Longchamp makeup bag with 1) Prescriptives Virtual Matte pressed powder, 2) Lancome Juicy Tube in Fruity Pop, 3) MAC Hello Kitty lipgloss in She Loves Candy, 4) MAC SlimShine in Ultra Elegant, 5) Kiehl's #1 lip balm, and 6) sample size of Prescriptives Virtual Matte foundation which are for emergencies but I've never used. I bet you can't tell I love lip stuff =)
• Neutrogena handcream
• 3G iPhone (I waited 4 hours in line the 2nd day it came out)
• elbow-length gloves to keep my phalanges warm, essential for NYC winter
• earmuffs - useful in theory but I don't like how they mess up my hair since they go around the head

Not shown but still in the picture is my Blackberry, which fits perfectly into the right external pocket, and my Metro card which lives inside the left outside pocket. When it comes to bags, I still need function in addition to fashion, so I love that this bag has so many pockets. Along with my building keycard and work keycard, sometimes I transfer my phone into the ingeniously magnetic (!) back pocket for easy access.

I must say, my first foray into the realm of purses was a success, and converted me into a believer.