!the daily coke

lana del rey

2012-01-27T19:56:00.000-05:00

A Film For Interview by Sean & Seng

this woman seriously has the essence of Bardot and the voice of..I don't know, Mama Cass. just amazing.despite her shaky performance on SNL a couple weeks ago, I still love her and can't wait for her album to come out on tuesday.

Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans by Interscope Records

fatale flashback

2012-01-26T22:24:00.000-05:00

"a girl of singular beauty"
starring: Natalia Vodianova
photographed by: PaoloRoversi
Vogue Italia, September 2004

these photos are just as powerful and beautiful as they were 8 years ago
that is the very aspect of fashion and photography that I love. it's timelessness.

via

pinning

2012-01-25T16:55:00.002-05:00

I waited one long month for my invite to join Pinterest and now that I've successfully created an account, I am addicted.

still learning the in's and out's but feel free to follow my boards!

http://pinterest.com/coycolleen

I moved a ton of images from my old tumblr account to my boards and am finding new style things through the site. it's quite fun, but it can keep you awake until 3 in the morning...

fly in style

2012-01-22T00:22:00.003-05:00

airports. I have a love/hate relationship with them...with traveling in general.

tonight I finally set off to NYC again. it's bittersweet especially after spending more than a month back home. seeing my friends & family on a weekly basis makes it a bit hard moving back to the big apple where I'm practically alone.

I am excited for school to start up again. going back after completing my first semester of grad school is a weird feeling. I'm used to going back to LA after visiting home, not doing anything, working from home, yadda yadda.

I have no idea what to expect this semester and that's sort of what I'm worried about. more than dealing with the snow and ridiculously cold temperature. I got a pair of Hunter boots over the weekend so I'm sort of prepared, but barely. just wish me luck.

so that brings me to why I'm posting here...airport attire! I loathe dressing up for the airport. I remember the days in undergrad where I'd settle for sweats and uggs and call it a motherf***ing day.

now that I'm in my 20's and actually feeling like an adult, I find the urge to dress a little less casual when I'm traveling.

of course, celebs always have to look their best on a day-to-day basis, what with paparazzi snapping their photos every 5 seconds...so I always look to the stars to see what they're wearing to the airport and usually, I'm liking what Vanessa Hudgens & Nicole Richie sport while traveling

essentials: boots, good jacket, sunnies, jeans/leggings, giant carry-on purse

what is your go-to travel outfit? let me know in the comments!

etta james

2012-01-20T20:24:00.001-05:00

a voice like no other

will be remembered forever

R.I.P.

here's the original song tim bergling "avicii" sampled for his track, levels

blackout

2012-01-18T21:27:00.001-05:00

I wish this post was only referring to Britney Spears' 2007 album blackout but no.

if you haven't noticed yet today, there is a number of web browsers and blogs that are raising awareness to the issue that faces free speech online by "blacking out" their websites.

this gives us an idea of what the internet would be like without sites like wikipedia, google, blogger, facebook, anything you can think of that allows you to search and post "pirated" content.

the cause of this?

SOPA and PIPA

two bills the U.S. Senate consider passing.

Detailed information about these bills can be found in the Stop Online Piracy Act and PROTECT IP Act articles on Wikipedia

many of you like me probably frequent these sites on a daily basis, so imagine living without them?

sure there can be pros to this bill: we'd spend less time on the internet. and that's basically it.

our culture online is centered on sharing information. we read the news online, catch up on our favorite twitter feeds, post about the things we see and read online, listen to and discover new music through blogs, watch videos, etc. etc.

our blogging lives would practically be over if these SOPA and PIPA bills pass.

forget about posting looks from your favorite runway show.

forget about sharing photos from your favorite vogue editorial.

the abilities of fashion blogging will be so limited if these bills pass.

take a look at your blog now and notice the images you post that come from other websites. it will probably look like this:

today, Google reported that 4.5 million people signed anti-SOPA petition.

if you'd like to sign the petition to end this ridiculous bill, head over here and make a difference: https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction

gowns at the globes

2012-01-17T18:03:00.002-05:00

I haven't watched an awards show in so long, I figured the Golden Globes last sunday was the perfect opportunity to end my cycle especially since I was sick in bed...and there was simply nothing else on tv.
though I hadn't seen all the nominated films or tv shows, I felt the winners deserved the honor. except kelsey grammer.there were so many "best dressed" attendants that I had to post the ones I really loved and stunned me.
Claire Danes in J. Mendelalso the winner of best actress in a drama, "Homeland"

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang

Elle Macpherson in Zac Posen on the red carpet, and in Gucci at the afterparty
Nicole Richie in Julien MacDonald
can't forget about the men!

no idea what designers Ryan Gosling and Channing Tatum sported but they look damn good

*drool*

photos via washington post, celebuzz, dailymail

he had a dream

2012-01-16T20:26:00.001-05:00

most of us know that today is Martin Luther King Jr. day.

while today we celebrate the life of a man who fought til the end for social rights and equality, the underlying nature of this holiday goes far beyond the latter.

thinking about the "I Have A Dream" speech, it is insane that his words were spoken merely 42 years ago.

that means for centers, the values and practices of the American citizen were branded by hatred and abuse of the minority. in short.

it's only been 4 decades since our morals have been questioned and fought against since MLK's passing.

can much change in 40 years? I would hope so, but sadly it's not the case.

there is still hatred. still prejudice. still lack of acceptance for many people. it upsets me and of course, so many others.

each negative stereotype or remark about another that leaves the tip of my tongue and enters the ears of a friend is taking a step backward to what MLK fought for.

writing this blog post to address issues is simply not enough to promote social change.

tweeting about it won't work either.

in this world, we rely so much on our social networking that the essence of the english language and process of being active outside the office or behind our laptops is lost.

change doesn't happen on the world wide web. we can address it, but will we go through with it?

I am inspired to change. I've never been so reminded or touched by this holiday more so than I am today.

who knows, it could've been the yogic tea experience I had this afternoon with my friends. that feeling of opening my chakras or whatever they call it.

I want to make a difference and I want to start now.

and that begins inwardly.

not in this blog, though I hope to also inspire you all, but I suppose this is where I draft my ideas of how I can be a better person.

school starts up again next week, and while last semester my focus was on multiracial issues in the media, I want to explore new ways to address those issues and actually make a change.

it's a process but I'm excited for that's to come.

thank you, MLK for your passion, bravery, and impact in our lives.

waiting for april

2012-01-13T19:00:00.002-05:00

hey bloggers!

so I'm in a dire state of desperation. I wasn't able to score tickets to COACHELLA this year.

that's my fault for not doing the layaway tickets last june, or waking up at the crack of 10 am to start lining up for tickets (online, of all places)

please please please let me know if you hear of anything.

in the time being, I look forward to catching up on all your posts from the past week I wasn't able to comment on - good to be back in blog world.

but again...COACHELLA is still in my mind and probably will be for a while. so keep your eyes and ears open, as mine will also be.

much love.

what happens in vegas..

2012-01-12T19:40:00.000-05:00

...ends up online

this was a pretty epic weekend, as are all vegas trips but what made it more special were the endless memories and lessons learned both good and bad. I won't go into detail but let's just say whatever we experienced was a total blast and was well worth the tears.

PH TOWERS . MARQUEE . FAT TUESDAY . VANITY

vegas preparation

2012-01-07T16:35:00.005-05:00

brb for a few days...I'm going to vegas!

this trip is long overdue. part of what I miss about living in cali is the accessibility to vegas. we don't have this kind of ish in the east coast.

(left) paris hilton tease travel size perfume . hairspray . moisturizer . deodorant . vitamin B & ibuprofen . face wash . bobby pins & comb . backup contacts . all the essentials

(right) whatever makeup I managed to find in my parents' house

(left) you need your outfit options. I'm so indecisive so I brought three to choose from for 2 nights. again, what I managed to put together from my closet at home

(right) I'm not too big on accessories for vegas so a few rings will suffice

cheers to da freakin weekend

pony tale

2012-01-05T17:17:00.000-05:00

. ."

click through to read the story about two girls who dreamed of a world where barbie's and ponies and cotton candy pink filled every corner ... and how their dream finally came to life in this collection

starring: Amanda Booth
photos by: Kimberley Gordon

via ilovewildfox

for the love of confetti

2012-01-04T18:22:00.002-05:00

there are many ingredients to throwing a fabulous party. from the music, to the people you invite, to the h'ordeuvres. but the ultimate flavor for your party comes to decoration because without it, you're left with blank walls and boring centerpieces.

this is where Nicholas Anderson and Julie Ho, creators of CONFETTI SYSTEM, come in.

the artists transform simple materials like tissue paper, cardboard, and silk to these incredible works of art that are eye-catching, totally unique, and dare I say...so fetch.

not only do the two collaborate with party planners but they also have installations at store window displays, lookbooks, concerts, restaurants - the list goes on. their background in set design and sculpture makes for the perfect pairing in creating the most memorable displays.

Confetti System also creates jewelry (leather based necklaces) that are simple and sophisticated, just as expected.

you can shop the collection here.

At Home with Chloë Sevigny

2012-01-03T17:25:00.000-05:00

um, can I be her? she's the best

the year of the dragon

2012-01-01T15:15:00.002-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

hope everyone had a fantastic NYE. mine was spent at home due to my inability to walk straight (I sprained my foot last thursday at avicii...which was bomb but the slippery sidewalks of san fran are the total opposite. so careless.)

2011 was a great year. so much happened. most were great, memorable, life-changing.

I'm looking forward to this new year. especially since it's my year: the dragon

here's what's awesome about this chinese astrological year:

Other years might seem to drag on, but the Year of the Dragon has the potential to breathe life-shaping fire, to be magical, even mythical. Keep one eye on the calendar and the other on the stars.

I'm ready to kill it in 2012

but before I do that, I want to remember all the good that's happened in 2011, so here's a look back at my year!

I began and ended the year with my favorite cousins/friends. funny how that worked out didn't it?

cheers

napa valley

2011-12-27T21:13:00.000-05:00

the day after xmas was spent wine tasting in napa with my cousin and her college pals

couldn't think of a better way to get day wasted

merry christmas!

2011-12-25T16:22:00.004-05:00

to all that are celebrating the holiday, merry christmas!hope your day is filled with joy and love

mrs. claus

2011-12-11T15:01:00.001-05:00

santacon in a nutshell

so this is my first christmas/winter in NYC. to be honest, I am a little upset it hasn't snowed at all. except that one time in october...regardless I expected to be ankle high in snow by now. but what do I know, I'm a california girl.

I've tried filling up my free time with some christmas activities but am failing miserable due to the extremities of submitting final papers, trying to get a decent amount of sleep and food into my body, all that good stuff that comes with school. I turned in one of my finals tonight and needed a break so here I am posting.

last weekend was an epic celebration of santas and birthdays. I attended the NYC SANTACON which I am so glad I did. there's no other time in the year where you can roam around the city in a santa costume. I also have to say that the subways looked hilarious - santas were everywhere.

I'm already stoked for next year's and definitely have to prepare more in advance. I threw on an outfit right at the last minute. I dug up this cape from American Apparel which really brought my whole modern day mrs. claus outfit together. added green tights, a santa hat and presto, I had my costume. oh and I wrapped myself around with some cheap tinsel decorations from cvs, which left an obvious trail around the bars we hopped at. whoops. I was so impressed with everyone's costumes I wish I took more photos but it definitely gave me some ideas for next year!

did you go to santacon this year? tell me about it in the comments!

brenda walsh's wishlist

2011-12-08T13:16:00.000-05:00

Beverly Hills, 90210 was nothing without Brenda's presence.

the once naive, small-town girl from Minnesota transformed to the coolest chick in the 90210.

she was the rebel & stood her own ground, the trendsetter from being beach chic to wearing all black everything (not until the college years, that is), and was the hottest activist of her time.

Brenda was the most cynical and the most intelligent female character, and quite frankly who didn't want to be her at some point?

as an ode to season's 1-4 (which were also the shows best seasons, don't even try to argue), here's a list of what this beverly hills bad ass would want for christmas.
notice that all items are under $100 - being the eco and economically friendly gal Brenda is, it's only natural that she'd wish for presents that are reasonably priced, correct?

1. oversized blazer

(left) ASOS oversized boyfriend blazer, marked down to $72 @ asos.com
(right) Petites longline blazer, $86 @ miss self ridge

I think it's safe to say that Ms. Walsh was way ahead of her time whenever she rocked one of those xxl jackets, and it's still a fashion do. here are two perfect blazers to add to her already large collection (no pun intended)

2. passport cover

leather orange vines passport cover, $16.49 @ o.co

ah, the forgetfulness of Brenda Walsh...specifically the time in Mexico where she and Dylan were held up at the border because she forgot to bring her passport. though she can never live that moment down, you can help her to not forget the next time she travels outside the country. this passport cover is the perfect choice since it's fair-trade and strictly vegetarian!

3. statement necklace

(left) Asos leaf collar, $62 @ asos.com

(right) Urban Outfitters DLC mesh choker, $34 @ urbn.com

Brenda isn't big on layering the accessories but we often see her with a nice statement piece. a choker seems to be her weapon of choice, usually so here are two collars that she can pair with nearly everything in her simple, yet edgy wardrobe.

4. lace-up boots

Modekungen spike boots, $74 @ modekungen.com

now that Brenda's all grown up, she should probably retire those doc martens. to retain her style but dress her age, get a similar lace-up boot with a heel for a more sophisticated look, and she'll be set for 2012.

5. dancing queen package

XBOX 360 Dance Central 2, $49 @ amazon.com

maybe this seems like an odd gift idea, but if you know Brenda well, then you know she is the best dancer in the 90210. remember when she and David won that couples dance-off at CU? or even at those West Beverly school dances, I could never keep my eyes off her hips - they don't lie. Dance Central 2 is the most bombin gift for this babe. just make sure she has an xbox..

Factory by Erik Hart tank dress, marked down to $69 @ the outnet

and while we're at it, why not throw in a LBD? Brenda knows how to work a sexy number like this one, and it's perfect for a night out dancing in hollywood. now that she's legal.

6. guides to acting

(left) "Inside The Actors Studio - Icons" dvd, from $6 @ amazon.com

(right) "An Actor Prepares" by Constantin Stanislavski, from $6 @ amazon.com

being the impeccable drama queen she is, a few essentials for the contemporary actor are much needed to break a leg. help Brenda prep for her next role with the Actor's Studio dvd and the classic Stanislavski book on the method so the next time she auditions, she won't have to *ahem* take a seat on the casting couch - oh, whoops, just a rumor.

7. parisian mementos

(left) "Living in Paris" by Jose Alvarez, from $30 @ amazon.com

(right) "Chronicle of a Summer" dvd, $7.99 @ ioffer.com

that summer in Paris with Donna was a memorable one. she could brush up a little on her french accent so I figured why not let Brenda re-live the joie de vivre of Paris by way of photography in coffee table books and cinema verite?

8. charity donation in her name

Brenda always took part in some form of social activism throughout her time in Beverly. from volunteering at the teen crisis hotline to getting arrested in a PETA-like movement in college - and who could forget the time she housed the homeless santa claus during christmas? the ultimate gift for this pretty partisan is a charity donation in her name. ChangingThePresent.org offers a number of charities to donate to, including some that are close to Brenda's heart:

ASPCA gifts

Amnesty International USA gifts

National Alliance to End Homelessness donation

what would be your perfect gift for Ms. Walsh? tell me in the comments & stay tuned for next week's character-inspired wish list

who's that chick?

2011-12-06T23:51:00.001-05:00

no, really though

who is this??

from a distance, maybe you'd think an Olsen twin but N to the O

it's Lindsay Lohan, y'all

she cleaned up well, I wonder what the remedy was

cher horowitz's wishlist

2011-12-04T22:10:00.000-05:00

if you read the Urban Outfitters blog, you'll know where I got my inspiration from for this post

the bloggers at Urban made up some wishlists for our favorite '90s style icons, asking "What Would ___ Want?"

subjects have been Married With Children's badass daughter Kelly Bundy and the bff duo we all wanted to be, Cher and Dionne from Clueless

if you know me, I live for the '90s and was thrilled to see these faux wishlists. I started thinking, if these chicks lived in todays culture, what would they want?

so here I am, decided to do the same thing, 1) because I'm bored and out of ideas and 2) because it gives me a good excuse not to write papers!

such an exemplary grad student...

for my first stab at this xmas wishlist with Cher Horowitz, my all time favorite character in a film (which also happens to be my all time favorite film)

the following is my idea of what Cher would want today

and hey, if you personally know a Cher - someone who embodies her character - feel free to use this as some inspiration for your xmas shopping!

1. the white, collarless blouse

(left) Elizabeth and James embellished blouse, $395 @ farfetch.com
(right) Alice by Temperly embroidered blouse, $325 @ net-a-porter

because her maid, Lucy, has somehow forgotten where Cher's shirt from Fred Segal went (maybe the cleaners?) here are two options for getting that "responsible" look she was going for

2. the Shakespeare collection

the BBC collection, from $141 @ amazon

we all know how much Cher loves her Shakespeare, especially when Mel Gibson plays the starring role. why not gift her the ultimate film collection? as she would say, "tis a far far better thing doing stuff for other people"

3. the Bar Method workout dvds

Super Sculpting I & II dvds, $20 each @ barmethod.com

Buns of Steel is so 5 years ago! ..ok more like 15 years ago so keep Cher up to date with the hottest workout, the Bar Method. the dvds are an excellent alternative to taking class in studio, though the Brentwood location is perfectly convenient for our beloved 90210 blonde...why not gift a few classes as well? the introductory month is just $100 and it works

4. the perfect red lipstick

Exude lipsticks, $29 @ online

these cosmetics are all the rage & totally loved by Rachel Zoe. get this modern lipstick in a bold, seductive red and Cher will be ready for any date.

5. the red dress

Calvin Klein red jersey dress, € 289,00 @ luxyuu.com

so we all know that awful robber ruined Cher's Alaia after the "val" party so gifting her another red dress might help her forget. and best of all, it's Calvin Klein! daddy will approve this time.

6. the essential spanish tutor

Rosetta Stone Spanish Level 1, $179 @ online

let's be honest, Cher needs to know that Mexican isn't a language and the only way she can communicate with Jose is to habla espanol. Rosetta Stone is the perfect gift for this clueless betty.

7. the guides to sex & finding love

(left) "Sex Signs" by Judith Bennett, from $0.1 @ amazon

(middle) "The Rules" by Eileen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, from $0.1 @ amazon
(right) "Become Your Own Matchmaker" by Patti Stanger, from $7.50 @ amazon

Cher may have found true love in Josh, but a girl still has to keep up with all the rules. Kate Middleton is a self proclaimed "rules girl" and Cher should be too, so "The Rules" book is the perfect gift. she also is akin to reading body language (she was soo right with Mr. Hall and Ms. Geist) that Judith Bennett's classic is a great addition to her, I'm assuming, small book collection. and to top off this gift bag, our modern-day Emma should have some recent dating tips from Patti Stanger. since Cher is a matchmaker herself, why not learn from the best?

8. the perfect faux fur

(left) Topshop faux fur longline chevron gilet, $75 @ topshop.com

(right) Dorothy Perkins cream purse, marked down to $17 @ dorothyperkins.com

don't let Dionne think she has to "skin a collie" to wear fur...faux is the way to go! now that it's winter, this Topshop vest is a go-to for windy LA nights. throw in this chic Dorothy Perkins evening purse because you can never have enough faux.

stay tuned for more character-inspired wish lists!

25 days of gaga

2011-12-04T18:55:00.000-05:00

calling all little monsters
this GAGA frenzy at Barney's flagship puts the "awe" in "awesome"
the "extra" in "extraordinary"
ok that was super cheesy
but this workshop is the BUSINESS

I was expecting more window displays, and actually a more festive theme to the workshop but Gaga did me wrong in that department
Gaga's Boudoir was the only display that caught my attention and had the most detail & thought. it's all hair!
the other displays were a bit blah to be honest, kind of disappointing but the Gaga elves at barney's totally made up for it once you enter the workshop..

the mini maze at the men's department leading to the workshop was like a portal into the world of Gaga, I felt like I was at disneyland

I didn't expect anything less, Gaga knows how to put on the theatrics in every arena of life
you could easily spend an hour here because there's a lot to look at, I especially loved the fine jewelry display (sorry didn't take a pic of it) and the clip-on nail decals, aka perfect christmas gift! *hint hint*

from chocolates in the shape of skulls & platforms, to monster cookies and plush toys, makeup of all sorts, flamboyant sunglasses and leather jackets, you could probably find a christmas gift for anyone here, the only downfall is the PRICE - which is expensive
I mean, would I really spend $65 on one teacup? or $95 on a chocolate-shaped shoe?

still, this merchandise is fun to look at and hey, I commend anyone for buying these products, after all 25% of the proceeds go to Gaga's Born This Way Foundation

to see & shop the collection visit the website or head over to Barney's

karlie kloss' bones

2011-12-03T01:49:00.000-05:00

Vogue Italia, December 2011

photographed by steven meisel

see the rest here via modelcouture

I can't believe this girl is 19

& just inducted into the exclusive Victoria's Secret Angels (which I don't fully understand because she has zero curves, zero boobs, and zero body fat), she has so much going for her

hipster december

2011-12-01T16:16:00.001-05:00

HAPPY 1ST OF THE MONTH, EVERYONE!

hope you all stuffed yourselves on Thanksgiving to prepare for the winter hibernation. it may have also been your last meal after watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion show which of course is the promotion of eating disorders- oh, I mean bras.

don't mind the sarcasm

anyway I'm very excited to be living in New York during the holiday season. I flew in from San Fran yesterday and though it wasn't the merriest of times (my luggage didn't make my flight & I waited 3 hours to get picked up at the airport...) the mood was easily lightened as I saw the christmas lights flickering from trees and buildings outside my neighborhood. the christmas season really does ease the mind.

over the break I discovered this interactive site called "Hipster Girl Dress Up" which lets you transform an avatar of your choice from a regular, old girl to a hipster. the most amusing type of people these days are hipsters. they are everywhere and everyone wants to be one. well, if you can't make it happen in real life, this is your chance I guess to be one on the web. it's quite addicting and very accurate.

here's what my roommate and I created:

like it? create one for yourself, it makes a great fb profile pic

it's november but...

2011-11-23T00:25:00.001-05:00

the world has been counting down the days til christmas.

it feels as though the holiday season crept up slowly these past few weeks.

with all the lit up buildings and trees around 5th ave, the opening of Union Square's holiday market, and of course Gaga's Workshop inside Barney's...to me it just feels christmas is coming all too soon.

not that I'm complaining

quite the opposite, actually. christmas means that I get to be home finally and enjoy some freedom from the books, while I catch up with my fam and favorite friends.

oh, and not to mention getting presents from santa.

and speaking of santa...

if you're having trouble shopping for presents here's a very posh and trendy (and not to mention utterly marketable, innovative take on advertising) "12 Days of Christmas" music video/lookbook from NMRKT that is sure to inspire creativity in your gift-giving.

you should definitely watch all installments but here are my favorites:

Eleven Pipers Piping | Eight Maids A Milking

Six Geese A Laying | Five Golden Rings

see the rest here!

1600s

2011-11-15T14:19:00.001-05:00

there's no doubt that today's fashion scene and popular culture have great fascination with the 17th century and earlier eras.

recently I've noticed a growing trend in the art world, romanticizing today's mainstream figures in baroque & elizabethan garb & whatnot.

Nicki Minaj channelling a Franz Xaver Winterhalter portrait for W Magazine

Sophia Coppola's 2006 film Marie Antoinette sort of opened doors to this renaissance-meets-indie (or) mainstream craze. I remember listening to that soundtrack over and over again. the pairing of completely opposite eras makes for the best pieces.

conversely, these remained paintings of Beyonce and Eminem as the Queen and King of England (among others of Selena Gomez, the Beibs and Gaga) are just a few examples of how popular this growing trend has become.

for more images, peep this article at MTV Style or this one at Fashion Indie

fux with the 1%

2011-11-12T17:02:00.001-05:00

I know, I know. it's November but I had to post about my first nyc halloween.

since I despise going out to clubs on saturdays here (no thank you, bridge&tunnel folk - and plus it was fucking snowing), I refrained from going to those weekend parties and opted to celebrate on the actual holiday which fell on a monday this year. so I joined my friend Jason at the Standard Hotel for Susanne Bartsch's halloween bash. turned out to be a very gay, very over-the-top but stunning night of outrageous costumes (some of the best I've ever seen in my life) and techno music.

with halloween being so close to my birthday, I always find it a point to dress up, considering it's an extension of my bday celebration too - not selfish of me at all.

I had a gnarly eye infection so I had to be creative with my costume and incorporate my glasses somehow. naturally, I went with some cultural inspiration from the occupy wall street movement and hence, I dressed up as the 1%
if you don't understand who the 1% is, read this article from Tiger Beatdown

such a coincidence that Jason was an OWS construction worker, which made for a perfect costume duo!
while I'm not exactly sure how big of a statement we made that night, the growth of this wall street protest has hit almost all corners of the world, it's pretty amazing/crazy. I was in new york when the first protests broke out so I really feel like I'm a part of history - in essence, we all are.

for a breakdown of what's been going on in Atlanta, Oakland, China, New York City, and everywhere else occupiers are, click through here and get updated, there's a ton happening and much change to be made.

$ so tall that my barbie's gotta climb it

2011-11-09T01:41:00.002-05:00

it's no surprise that finally, an ... eccentric Barbie doll has been born.

with the development of a new tween generation - you know, the ones that text, play on their iPads and tumblr post non-stop, in addition to incessantly watching those horrible MTV shows like Skins, Teen Mom, Teen Wolf? I don't even know anymore...but kids today are different than those of the '90s and prior. their interests are different, trend-based. and this is where Barbie steps up her game, tattoos and all.

fuck, she's more bad ass than me.

Tokidoki always puts out the most vibrant, off-the-wall fashion accessories & toys which make the brand a perfect partnership for Mattel/Barbie, in my opinion. though this doll comes off a bit Jerseylicious meets Courtney Love circa 1990whatever, the fact of the matter is that kids these days aren't dressing a far cry from this. I'm almost positive you can find a similar outfit (minus the glitter platforms) worn by Disney channel actors.

the tattoos and pink hair make this Barbie a product of her time. the fact that children are idolizing Nicki Minaj nowadays (hello, Sophia Grace!) who contributes greatly to our culture shift in style, fashion & music, I don't understand the assaults poor tokidoki Barbie is getting.

ultimately, this is a collector's and limited edition doll, so most of these are probably in the hands of people over the age of 18, who could give 2 shits about her punk style. plus if you're going to name Barbie's cactus-dog pet "Bastardino," even more of a reason to release this as a doll for adults.

due to so much controversy with parents whining about the possibilities of their precious daughters wanting to get tatted up after playing with tokidoki Barbie, Mattel was forced to issue a statement which follows:

“Barbie has been dressed by more than 70 fashion designers over the years. From Versace to Vera Wang, Tarina Tarantino to Christian Louboutin, Barbie has sported an endless array of styles. Many of Barbie’s most pop-culture couture outfits have been designed for the adult doll collector.”

knowing myself years ago as a pre-teen, if I were growing up today no doubt this doll would 100% be on my Dear Santa wish list. but in hindsight, if you're a parent, would you really spend $50 on a collector's edition doll just so your bratty tyke can play with it? (I've had experience with my prized Spice Girls dolls being abused by little cousins...I learned my lesson)

child/teen actors that take rides on the crazy train should be more of a concern to parents rather than a plastic toy doll. I'm no psychologist, but I can bet the actions of real life people that your kids love & watch everyday on tv & film have a greater impact on ruining their future in comparison to a pink-haired Barbie doll.

see more tokidoki Barbie greatness here

23

2011-11-07T02:52:00.000-05:00

my cousin and I @ griffin

good LORD I can't believe another birthday went by already.

it was 2 weeks ago but I've been swamped with school (well, not really considering how good of a procrastinator I am) and playing tour guide with my lovely friends and family that paid me visits within that time frame.

this was my first NYC birthday and as much as I wanted to have a giant celebration, being it was a wednesday and in nyc language that means "hottest day of the week" in clubland. in reality, pure exhaustion and laziness won so a night out took place the day after, which wasn't my actual birthday and is a big peeve of mine but whatever it was fun.

if you care what I wore....topshop blouse, no name skirt, and knee high tights because it was 40 degrees out yeaaabuddy!

you're my occupation

2011-10-23T23:32:00.001-04:00

and by "you're" I mean you, New York. you are a beautiful city.

I'm under your spell and have been since I first touched ground here nearly 6 years ago.

I always dreamed of living here, and finally they came true.

can't believe it's been 2 months. this has been the best relationship of my life, with the best soulmate a girl can have.

New York, I love you.

busybusybusy

2011-10-18T15:32:00.000-04:00

sorry for the lack of posts.
more efficient blogging is done here: http://vianacoke.tumblr.com/
promise I'll get back to this once I'm done writing these awful midterms.
besos.

mermaid or whale?

2011-10-05T23:23:00.002-04:00

Today, over 160,000 Facebook users, including a number of my own friends, shared this post with the image below attached. Here's what it read:

October 3, 2011

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

(The girl on the picture is French model Tara Lynn) Feel free to tag yourselves :)
Last comment: I'm not putting down thin people, being a thin woman myself (BMI of 22 maybe?) just saying that being large doesn't equate to being unattractive.

By: Delphine Fieberg

If you're a woman, like myself and millions of others, that have insecurities about your weight and the way you look, remind yourself that you are alive and you are allowed to enjoy living - not starving yourself (ok, well sometimes. kidding. this is why I'm not a motivational speaker..) or not being able to do what you love because you don't feel comfortable in your own skin.

I hope you were inspired by this post as much as I was, and thousands of others were to make this image, which our culture has deemed negative, into something positive.



what's that jacket margiela?

2011-10-02T23:31:00.001-04:00

No it's Kanye West, actually.

The rapper debuted his first ever fashion collection in Paris last week (read the style.com review here) and I'd say it's a great first attempt at a runway show. I honestly don't think P.Diddy could deliver anything better with his Sean Jean line.

"The biggest hurdle I had to face is the celebrity designer or the hip-hop designer concept," Kanye reportedly said backstage.

There's definitely a stigma attached to the hip-hop/rap fashion scene. If you haven't noticed, the style is predominately urban street wear; for men, it's the baggy jeans and puffed air force ones, and for women, skin tight jeans and exposed mid drifts, cleavage, coin slots...

This is the picture the mainstream media puts into our heads about hip-hop and rap.

Kanye West is changing that with his new line. There are still elements of the genre, with the very risqué necklines and use of leather & fur. I also spotted some '90s influence in some of the sweaters which I loved. He doesn't lose authenticity of who he is and what his music represents.

There is, however, the argument that a lack of ethnic models in the show. The african american model in the show is Chanel Iman. Is this a positive or negative thing? This could also be Kanye's way of breaking the assumed role of black females in hip hop videos and fashion advertisements. Hell, now white female rappers like Kreayshawn and Iggy Azalea are breaking the mold too (Iggy btw is far better).

Either way, if Kanye's clothing label is any indication of what the future of hip-hop fashion, I think it's definitely going in the right direction.

see more photos here via modelcouture

the glance

2011-09-19T15:06:00.002-04:00

spotted front row at Carolina Herrera: Anna Wintour & Nicki Minaj, an unlikely duo

via fashionindie

front row chicks

2011-09-14T23:25:00.000-04:00

Last Friday, Sept. 9, I had the pleasure of attending my first ever Mercedes Benz Fashion Week shows. I accompanied my friend Lorraine whose awesome new job as a magazine reporter scored us the extra ticket that would allow me to watch the Luca Luca and Rebecca Taylor shows that day.

What an experience, what a scene it is to be at the fashion hub of the nation. To be surrounded by all who live and breath fashion is so different from my everyday life as a graduate student in a non-fashion related school (though my school is part of a very very important school of that sort..) was overwhelming and to be honest I felt totally out of place. Yet at the same time it reminded me of the reason why I started this blog 2+ years ago: fashion, my love and admiration for it.

Fashion is clearly not just about shopping or posting your favorite editorials on your blog. It's really a lifestyle, about understanding what defines you and how you want to be perceived by others. It's about taking the trends, designed by the most creative human beings knowledgeable in both the present and future of mankind (whats fashion, if not understanding its history, past present and future?), and making each piece unique to yourself only. You can be inspired without having to copy someone else's look, for instance. Kind of like the idea of saving face, if you hold yourself to a high prestige of being fashionable, you cannot let yourself fall trap to being an imitation.

This idea was so relevant during fashion week, which is essentially a who's who event - see and be seen, dress to impress. I can't tell you how many photographers and fashion bloggers I saw out at Lincoln Center that day, taking photos of each other, staring at each other, constantly on their phones...in my sandals and school bag, I felt totally intrusive attending these events but had such a blast being involved in the scene. Albeit I haven't even been in the city for a month and I had the opportunity to attend these amazing shows, be witness to upcoming trends.

I absolutely loved the Luca Luca show. It's so difficult to explain that feeling when the lights hit every side of the stage, the music starts blaring and the first model walks onto the runway. So exhilarating, and I think Luca Luca was a perfect gateway fashion show for me.

Absolutely loved the flirty, flowy and colorful numbers modeled at this show. I'd easily wear all of the pieces.

(here's an awesome article about designer Raul Melgoza's inspiration behind the ss2012 show)

Peering across the runway, you can spot the fashion elite, the celebs sitting in the prized front row (I also caught a glimpse at Kelly Bensimon, who sat closer to the back of the runway). To be honest, I can't even name every celeb that had front row privilege but as soon as each of them entered the tent, a crowd of reporters, photogs and flashing lights obstructed any & every view of them until the show finally started. Honestly, an experience of its own.

We had two hours to kill after Luca Luca, so Lorraine and I headed over to Whole Foods at Columbus Circle and chatted over our cold salads (fashion shows and models definitely alter your consumption decisions that's for sure). Stepping just a couple blocks away from NYFW made up realize that really, this crowd only makes up a small percentage of New Yorkers. It was a friday, so the day was as normal as it could get, with everyone at work and whatnot - maybe just 1% of the city gave a shit about fashion week #reality

As for the Rebecca Taylor show, I was floored by the sophistication and coolness of each outfit. I think Lorraine said it perfectly here, "comfortable but flirty — with flowy dresses and slouchy sweaters...The layered skirts and loose silhouettes gave off a fresh vibe while the peek-a-boo blouses and asymmetrical glittery dresses exuded a distinct contemporary edge."

My appreciation for these designers has grown immensely since attending these two shows. I was already so inspired by RT's hair & makeup that I left the house with wet hair today and got a manicure to match the teal eyeshadow used in the show. The things we do for fashion...

ridding the past

2011-09-06T01:00:00.000-04:00

Goodness, I can't believe it's SEPTEMBER. It's good to be back in the blogosphere, I know it's been way too long and I can't wait to start this new chapter in my life and share my journey with you all.

It's been a solid 2 weeks and some days since I moved to New York City and I could not be happier with the decision I made to go back to school in a city far far away (both in distance and in culture) from California. The question that I will probably soon face is, will I get homesick? As of today, fuck no.

I feel more alive and free than ever before. Maybe because I'm thousands of miles away from home that has tied me down in so many ways since I was a toddler. I can't explain the type of freedom I'm experiencing now other than the fact that it's exhilarating, scary, overwhelming (but in a good way), all at the same time.

5 years ago, I moved to LA in hopes of finding a niche since I never had one in my hometown of San Fran. As an 18 year old, I felt that same sense of adventure as I do here in the east coast but with more aloofness. Less wisdom, I guess, though I barely have any considering I'm just 23...My adaptability to the LA lifestyle came easily, during a time when I was vulnerable in college and just wanted to fit in. Being new in a big city is exciting and you learn things about yourself that you'll never discover otherwise. Some places are meant for certain types of people, it's our journey to discover where that place we belong is. 5 years ago, hell even as little as a year ago, I thought my destination in life was LA. But what I slowly discovered was a hyperral world that I simply did not want to live in anymore.

[By definition, a "hyperrality" is a a means to characterize the way consciousness defines what is actually "real." Things that are hyperral are entirely simulated, as a result being more real than real, more beautiful than beautiful]

Jean Baudrillard posed the theory of simulations, simply defined as "fakes." To Baudrillard, the contemporary world is coming to be increasingly dominated by the inauthentic, where counterfeit things are beginning to dominate reality.

I feel as though I lived in an unreal world for long enough that I'm ready to tackle life in a newer setting, where appearances only matter to 5% of the population, if that. Sure I'll miss LA but it'll be nothing like New York. There is a level of comfort that I've oddly found in a city that is so bustling, that it's bridging terms of an oxymoron. Who knows if I'll feel this way in the next 2 years, or months, but as of now I couldn't be happier to be here (how many times have I said that already? whatever.)

out with the old, in with the new ... view of manhattan skyline from williamsburg

a new direction

2011-07-05T23:35:00.000-04:00

no, I'm not making a reference to Glee. fuck that show.

rather I am literally taking this blog in a new direction.

you don't have to tell me how long it's been since I've blogged regularly. I know that it's been a while. a long while. and frankly, I've recently felt uninspired, and unmotivated to blog about just/primarily fashion, post random editorials on here that have no meaning to me other than the fact I think they're pretty. there's more to life than that. and there is also more to my life than reading fashion blogs.

since I've been in the "real world" I've discovered so many things that make the fashion world seem mundane to me. it's been over a year since I graduated college. in the span of 14 months I've dipped my feet in online journalism at the hyperlocal newsite Patch.com; I spent 4 months interning at a local not-for-profit that opened my eyes to a less than glamorous side of Los Angeles. I've been travelling, rolling and working on my glutes at the Bar Method. not once did I spend an entire day, as I used to, slaving on the computer checking on the latest in fashion & entertainment. I simply had no time, and no desire to.

of course I still enjoy reading all your blogs but this is not the direction I want to go forth in. I have a brain & an opinion and I want to use it. primarily why I am going back to school this fall to get my masters in media studies. yes, I will still blog but it won't be just fashion & pictures. there will be substance, something I think a great majority of blogs these days lack. no offense.

so if you'd like to continue with me on this journey to a better, and more interesting daily coke blog, filled with more than just fashion (think music, movies, food and culture! how fun!) please stick around and continue following me. if not, fuck off. kidding! but if you're going to comment one word adjectives like "cute" or "fabulous" or solicit your blog without reading what I have to say, I suggest fucking off. honestly, this time.

and if you also follow my other blog, which was intended just for theory study, I will be deleting that but I've moved most posts here so feel free to read if you're interested & get a better idea of what's to come in the future:

promoting thinness in fashion ; absurdities of SATC2 ; juxstaposing dolls & women in fashion ; sexy women journalists, sleazy male audiences ; perfection in Black Swan ; rationalizing the 2011 Oscar's

see you soon...

photo via jetaimecali.tumblr.com

4thness

2011-07-04T23:35:00.000-04:00

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, AMERICA!

take the time today to celebrate all things America: burgers, terrible beer, drive-thru's, talk shows, and flipping people off on the freeway. end the night with some fireworks too. cheers!

v.e.g.a.s.

2011-06-28T02:19:00.000-04:00

this happened 2 weeks ago and I want it back already! cheers!

in sum: day drinking, moscado, sun, pool parties, the wynn buffet is the shiznit, marquee madness, shuffling, party bus, sleeping in the bathtub, eggs and hashbrowns, jabbawockeez rock my socks off, gambling, more drinking.

I miss it already. round two in 3 weeks!

elizabeth and james

2011-06-23T01:28:00.000-04:00

wow, haven't been able to post in a hot minute but I've been so busy beyond belief (if I had a dollar for every time I've said that..) anyway I wanted to post about this Twitter thing that happened last week but my computer was being a biotch so I had to wait until NOW to finally share my re-tweet from Elizabeth and James. btw, I have nooo idea who tweets for them but I'd like to think that maybe it's an Olsen twin (and we all know how obsessed I am with them) so of course this is a huge deal for me, especially after a loooong week that re-tweet basically made my life. so here's the proof!

yeah, I know, to an average person this is nothing to really celebrate but I got excited & inspired to give a little Elizabeth and James love on my blog so here's a couple of drool-worthy items you can buy off shopbop.com

shop more of the collection here

she's a rainbow

2011-06-09T18:27:00.000-04:00

THiNK PiNK
Jalouse June July 2011

see more @ fashioncopious

fantasyland

2011-06-07T14:16:00.000-04:00

did anyone tune into the MTV Movie Awards over the weekend? I stopped watching after Reese Witherspoon received the Generation Award for which she gave a really memorable & humorous speech. there aren't enough actresses like her that girls can look up to these days. given that Twilight won nearly every award (including female performance! Natalie Portman got robbed) I honestly fear the future of cinema, but at the same time it's MTV not the Oscars.

what brings me here on my blog, other than the fact that I'm completely bored, is this resemblance I saw between the set design of the MTV Movie Awards and the latest runway show of Stolen Girlfriends Club. the fantasy genre seems to be trending in the arts. I love that these creative people can bridge the modern, real world with the fantasy so that we can live through it in what we wear, and where we travel.

With "The Twilight Saga" and "Harry Potter" as the leading the nominees, Executive Producer Mark Burnett said the feel of this show also reflects those fantastical worlds that are ruled by wizards, werewolves and vampires. "I think there's been a lot of movies in the last few years that are very fantasy-driven," he said, adding that Tim Burton had been a major inspiration for the stage design

via mtv.com, corridor 40

photo sesh

2011-06-05T16:52:00.000-04:00

in my attempt to make up for the lack of posts on this blog, here's a plethora of photos for your eyes, mind and soul to enjoy

via kickin the peanuts, nasty gal , bryanboy, the sartorialist, urban outfitters, corridor 40

commencement

2011-05-23T01:14:00.000-04:00

it was my cousin's MBA graduation a few weeks ago and it just hit me that my undergrad anniversary was exactly a year ago (give or take a few weeks). the graduate commencement at LMU was a whole lot shorter than undergrad thank GOD! but it was still a great ceremony. there was a cute little reception at the end, where colorful tables were set up and mini sandwiches, fruits and dessert was served. I really do miss college, especially LMU. life was just so much easier. felt great being back on campus and I love the renovations. GO LIONS! LOL

the LMU grads of the fam

♥ of a lion

congrats, Tin!

what I wore: LF cropped jacket, h&m skirt, Steve Madden clogs (btw, are clogs still in style?? they aren't retired for the summer yet, right? fill me in peeps!)
in other news, I'll be going back to school in the fall for my master's at the New School in NYC and I'm stoked. can't wait to be a student again :)

paper cut out

2011-05-15T23:12:00.000-04:00

'2Become1' by Antonina Dolani
Umno Magazine May 2011

one of my favorite editorials. don't care that this looks like an Urban Outfitters catalog, or a freshman graphic design project.

via fashion copious

abbey tambies

2011-05-10T23:46:00.000-04:00

ok so this title is a tad ambiguous and sort of doesn't make sense to anyone that isn't me so I'll explain...

"As a model I feel like the canvas, as a musician I feel like the paint."-Abbey Lee Kershaw

I love Abbey Lee, and when I discovered that she recorded a single, I got ecstatic. however, after reading this article from Fashion Copious which indicated said single...I clicked the link thinking that maybe, JUST MAYBE she'd be doing the vocals. or something. no, tambourine. could've made that a little more clear in the article. now of course I can't make out the exact sound of the tambie (tambourine, in my language) it's still cool that she makes a little contribution to the song.

so here's the band Our Mountain, now featuring Abbey Lee on the tambourine, with the song "Wooden Hearts"

royally wed

2011-04-30T01:32:00.000-04:00

The British couple, with Kate Middleton as the new Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William as Duke of Cambridge.
The beautiful pair shared two public kisses, which wasn't traditionally accepted for royal couples until 1981 when William's father Prince Charles wed Lady Di.

The moment the world waited for was finally revealed when Kate stepped out the Benteley that dropped her off in front of Westminster Abbey. Designed by Sarah Burton, Alexander McQueen's successor, the V-neck dress is made of French Chantilly lace and English Cluny lace throughout the bodice, skirt and underskirt. Ivory and white satin gazar, the dress was designed to emulate an opening flower. The train measures at 9 feet, 16 feet shorter than Diana's in 1981.

Kate's ivory tulle veil was held by the Queen's Cartier 1936 “halo” tiara which she lent to Kate. Her handmade shoes, also by McQueen, were composed of ivory duchess satin and lace.

source

don't want to talk. all i hear is noise.

2011-04-26T01:05:00.000-04:00

my cousins and I standing by the shore...well, the San Francisco Bay...

can I just tell you all about how obsessed I am with Empire of the Sun? since their uberly stellar coachella performance, I cannot get enough of these guys and have no idea how I ever lived without their music prior.

I felt compelled to post this song because I just got great news in the mail regarding a big white envelope sent to me by a university in New York, enclosing an acceptance letter to their grad school program. !!! I do have much to think about and have heard a slew of opinions and words of encouragement but since I have a couple weeks to turn in my decision...right now, all I hear is noise (but don't get me wrong...I'M FUCKING EXCITED)

"standing on the shore"

good friday/sunday

2011-04-24T15:40:00.001-04:00

happy easter, everyone!

c.o.a.c.h.e.l.l.a.

2011-04-21T01:39:00.000-04:00

best weekend of my life.
in sum: walking miles in the blazing sun and dirty desert ground for hours, blisters, sunburns, and extreme weather changes from 100 degrees to 60. no sleep, fatty foods, lots of beer, trees and other substances.. people watching (i.e. fanny pak, rob kardashian, whitney port, lo bosworth..), discovering new and amazing music, dancing like no one was watching. 5 minute showers, wearing the same outfit twice (do not judge me!), taking zero pictures - literally, dying cell phones and getting lost in the sea of crowds. jamming to the best live music and seeing some of my favorite artists which I've loved since my childhood, and experiencing all of this with my friends (in addition to making new ones) was priceless.

day one: cold cave, skrillex, a-trak, afrojack, kele, marina and the diamonds, the black keys, kings of leon, robyn, boys noize

day two: erykah badu, glasser, yelle, chuckie, laidback luke, mumford & sons, animal collective, empire of the sun, arcade fire

day three: wiz khalifa, nas & damien marley, jimmy eat world, death from above 1979, duck sauce, the strokes, kanye west

images via pitchfork media

festival fever

2011-04-11T02:09:00.000-04:00

my ideal coachella outfits.

though of course, impossible since I am not carrying more than 1 duffel, 1 pair of sandals/shoes and 1 hat.

but just for kicks...

Robyn "Handle Me"

Mumford and Sons "Little Lion Man"

Ryan Leslie "How it Was Supposed to Be"

images via polyvore.com

unpierced

2011-04-06T00:37:00.000-04:00

as some, or none, of you may know I have zero piercings on my body. yeah, you read that right. ZERO. unlike every other asian mother out there, mine never pinned me down to a chair at the mall to get my ears pierced. however, now it seems as though all the lost years of having a daughter without pierced ears caused strife and occasionally she'll say "you'll look good in earrings" or something along those lines.

so here I am, turning 23 in half a year still without piercings - though I did dabble in a little rebellion as a sophomore and got my nose pierced but that lasted for a good year or so. in the working world filled with cubicles and briefcases, it's taboo to have visible piercings in unconventional places like your lip or eyebrow so those are out of the question.

living so long with bare ears has made dressing up a ton easier, as I don't have an extra body part to accessorize. of course, I can opt to wearing just one pair of earrings a day but what's the fun in that? so the million dollar question is: will I ever get my ears pierced? perhaps... but just so I can wear these from Chanel:

besos.

i can be the treble, baby you can be the bass

2011-04-04T00:58:00.000-04:00

if you haven't already, go out and buy/download (legally or not) Britney Spears' latest album Femme Fatale for the ultimate dance party experience in your bedroom, the car, the club, the gym, the grocery store..everywhere and anywhere

yes, I know every pop, hip hop, r&b, latin artist is going electro-house these days and yes, this album is no exception. but I must give it up to Brit Brit for coming out with yet another amazing album that I can dance and sing idiotically to. in her "Blackout" album, literally every song is club worthy and even single worthy. Femme Fatale is no different. (there are a couple songs that do admittedly sound the same, but with different lyrics which is the album's only downfall, yet a small one). though "In the Zone" is still my favorite of hers, this comes close.

my faves and songs you must listen to:

"Til the World Ends", "I Wanna Go", "Trouble for Me", "Big Fat Bass"

here's Big Fat Bass for ya

bad girls

2011-03-25T22:49:00.000-04:00

ladies night at Lot46 in San Francisco

here's a little promo...to learn more about Anna Lisa and hear her music click here like her cd cover art? learn more about the awesome photographer, JJ at his blog here

eyes of violet

2011-03-24T00:51:00.000-04:00

R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor
the essence of beauty, character and talent

photo via bonnie leigh

california girl

2011-03-21T17:56:00.000-04:00

I'm back in San Francisco for a few days and felt compelled to post even just a little something since I now have all the time in the world. the rain has been killer and resulted in a very delayed flight Saturday but it's all good in the hood, as I got time to catch up on some Freakonomics and squeezed in a couple minutes for an interview with Dancing With the Stars' Anna Trebunskaya for my latest article on Hermosa Beach Patch - check it out!

my dear friend Rhonda's birthday celebration was Saturday night so sit tight for some photos. always a great time catching up with old friends and celebrating each others' existence over shots of hennessey and grey goose. we enjoyed a performance by the lovely Anna Lisa, seriously a natural born performer and I'm counting the days til she gets a record deal.

tomorrow is my last day in the city and hopefully the sun stays out and I can get a little shade darker - highly doubtful - but I'll be in la soon enough to GTL. can't wait.

photos via invent.ory

time is of the essence

2011-03-16T20:46:00.000-04:00

Balenciaga Limited Edition Watch
steel, leather and waterproof. fabulous.

my apologizes for the sporadic postings but I have been beyond busy.
I currently am working 3, yes 3 jobs, all part time of course but between freelance writing, working out/being a receptionist at bar method, and interning across town, I'm a tad swamped.
since everything these days is about TIME and the lack thereof, it's essential that I use it wisely and not hide behind my computer and blog all day.
this blog means a lot to me and so do my followers so hopefully I can find a little time during the day to post here and there.
so until the next time I find to post again, ciao!

3.14

2011-03-14T16:19:00.000-04:00

happy Pi day everyone

so in spite of this holiday and the tragedies that happened in Japan last week, why not take 3.14 minutes to reflect on the people that are and have been affected by the tsunami?

my entire life, I've lived miles away from the ocean & since moving to LA, the beach is within walking distance from me. I work in a tsunami hazard zone in Hermosa Beach and my college barely hits a hazard zone. to think that any part of California's coast can be hit with something as catastrophic as the tsunami that recently hit Japan is frightening. looking at before and after photos of Japan today is heartbreaking. imagine if that was your home?

not to put a damper on anyone's day, especially mine because it's already been a rough one!, but it just takes less than 3.14 minutes to donate. whether it's a dollar, or 3.14 dollars, anything helps. go to www.redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

tgif

2011-03-12T00:22:00.000-05:00

wearing: LF top, Rachel Roy shorts

have a fab weekend, everyone!

heads of steel

2011-03-11T01:01:00.000-05:00

Sarah Burton has continued the McQueen name beautifully with this Fall 2011 collection, themed "The Ice Queen and her court" which rang chills among the show's audience as lights crackled and live wolves roamed the catwalk, according to style.com's report.The pieces were very couture and to go with the exquisite black and white motif wardrobes, the hairdo's were elements that added even more sophistication and edginess. One of my favorite blogs Into The Gloss featured a backstage look at the McQueen show and I was so impressed by hairstylist, Guido's transformation of a simple hair clip:

see more McQueen hair masterpieces here

via fashion gone rouge, into the gloss

totes m'gotes

2011-03-07T03:24:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by this photograph by The SF Style blog featured in a post about totes (what a great rhyme) a couple days ago and wanted to make a dedication to all tote bags alike. yet how coincidental is it that as I was preparing this post I came across news of the worldwide YSL Manifesto tote bag giveaway! fate? I think so..

to me, the simple canvas bag is a bit underrated. they were a staple of mine in high school, that is until I crossed over to the dark side...of Gucci bags. anyhow, over the years I collected tons of totes. I loved the simplicity, the grab-and-go factor to totes. yet each bag makes its own fashion statement, with either a graphic or designer logo, a quote or even a mix of color. yes, I'd say a tote bag is the most underrated accessory rarely seen on the streets of LA and Europe, in seas of Louis', Gucci's and Birkin's. why not keep things simple for a change, and trade in your designer leather for a colorful canvas? here are some ideas to get you started. also, read on to see the preview of the YSL Manifesto collection and worldwide tote bag giveaway/promotion in LA and how I got my free tote!

The Feed Foundation FEED2 Kenya bag, handcrafted in Kenya by a co-op of women and deaf Kenyans, includes a $100 donation to the United Nations World Food Programme's School Feeding Operations in Kenya | $225 here
Jack Willis Whaston shopper bag, $24 | here
Lauren Moshi butterfly skull rey tote, $110 | here
See by Chloe leopard floral reversible canvas tote, $175 | here
Victoria's Secret Pink animal print tote, $19.50 | here
YSL 'La Manifesto' tote bags for SS2011, the eighth edition 'Manifesto' was conceived by creative director Stefano Pilati | preview here “I want to create a wider influence for the message that is being sent from the catwalk, by taking imagery of the collection and giving it to people on environmentally friendly paper in the street without targeting a specific demographic,” Pilati said in a statement
yesterday March 5th, the YSL SS2011 Manifesto made its debut on the streets of paris, new york, london, milan, tokyo, hong kong and los angeles. each of these cities was gifted 2,000 canvas totes along with a SS2011 campaign lookbook, BUT it was certainly a mission impossible for my friends and I, as the YSL girls were nowhere to be found. we scavenged the streets of santa monica in hopes of getting our own canvas totes. here's how it all started:

10:00am tweeted @Y_S_L: "When will you be in SanMo Place?!" they replied to me via direct message, telling me to follow them on their Facebook page to get the low down on locations. I checked out where they would be in los angeles - their 1:45 stop at Santa Monica Place mall was perfect giving me enough time to get dressed & rid of my hangover.
1:20pm headed over and got to the mall at 1:45 on the dot. problem was, my friends and I had no idea where the distribution would be. after walking aimlessly, we soon began seeing large, black books marked with the YSL logo. the black tote bags also made appearances but were sporadic - had they run out already?!, I thought. thankfully, no. after approaching these random passerby with the coveted totes and books, we learned the distribution location was in fact at the Santa Monica Pier, not the mall as their facebook page indicated. what gives!?
2:15pm we get to the pier and see a few tote carriers, but no distributors. no one else seemed to be on this YSL mission other than us, something was seriously wrong with this picture - how are completely random people getting these totes that they never even knew about, while we are frantically searching high and low for them!? we were not leaving empty handed. we literally walked around the pier for about 20 minutes when we finally decided to just head back to 3rd street. maybe the YSL girls made their way over there by now, who knew?
2:45pm I reached my boiling point and decided to flag people that looked uninterested in their totes and found a 30 yr old woman that seemed so, but when I offered her $5, she refused. however, after deliberation she came to her senses and offered me the bag for however much I was willing to pay her for it. I gave the bitch $8. now I have my tote and I didn't leave empty handed. thankfully, another one of my friends flagged down some dude that obviously didn't give two shits about YSL so he gave it to her for free. bi-winning.

rationalizing the Oscar's

2011-03-04T23:16:00.000-05:00

The 83rd Academy Awards were held Sunday night, Feb. 27. Millions watched but ratings were incomparable to previous Oscar shows. There was a reported 10 percent decrease in ratings to 2010's (viewership was at 41.7 million, while this year's was 37.6 million), despite the show's efforts in ringing in a younger viewer pool by having James Franco and Anne Hathaway host. "Producers have developed the idea of making this year’s Oscars a ‘visual journey through movie history’ and should be hosted by ‘young and energetic actors,'" the IBTimes reported.

While their efforts fell short, and both received harsh criticism for their highly awkward hosting skills, it is still unknown why the response to the show was so bleak. Is the answer in capitalism? In sociological studies, Max Weber argues that capitalism is a rational system in the sense of being calculating, efficient, reducing uncertainty, and increasing predictability. Using capitalism to describe the Academy Awards is a loaded term but the underlying factors in creating a show that has a specific target audience far from what is normally expected is intrinsic of good marketing and PR, both consumer capitalist industries.

Weber developed four types of rationality, but the one I am interested in is formal rationality, under which "we are not left to our own devices, but rather we use existing rules, regulations, and structures that either predetermine the optimum methods or help us discover them." Formal rationality paved the way for institutionalized structures like bureaucracy, whose systems are intended to make an individual's life easier, more efficient. However, they have become so entrenched and so immovable and inflexible that the individual is trapped and controlled by them.

At the Oscar's last week, young adults were presuppositioned to watch because its hosts would be the youngest in history. Is the their method for vying a younger audience a rational tactic? If so, it worked because according to Reuters, the night kept 95% of their young audiences, ages 18-34, tuned in.

Fusing the young with the old actors is touching, and taps into the background of each actor's craft - young actors are here because the old have paved the way for them. Halle Berry acknowledged this in her presentation of Lena Horne, for instance. However, I don't recall Franco or Hathaway introduce each film category in its historic context. The presenters did. If young Hollywood isn't able to embrace and present the classics, then what was the point?

This ploy for 20-somethings to watch an awards show they normally wouldn't is similar to one form of formal rationality, calculability. It involves means that are "calculated, counted, and quantified." At the Oscar's, the primary concern was to draw in the quantity of viewers, not the quality. Perhaps producers rationed the calculability of young viewers in casting Franco and Hathaway, since 80% of the nominated actors and actresses are over the age of 30. The youngest nominated actress was 14 year old Hailee Steinfeld, while the youngest male actor Jesse Eisenberg is 27. So long as a younger host can keep viewers entertained, it doesn't matter who is or who isn't nominated. Quantity over quality.

juxtaposition

2011-03-04T02:38:00.000-05:00

Da Vida Brasil e Italia

Flair Italy March 2011
Shot by: Jean-François Campos
Styling by: Vittoria Cerciello
Model: Sophie Vlaming

via fashion copious

spring wishlist

2011-02-28T18:22:00.000-05:00

coliác Martina Grasselli bracelet $ 475 here
J Dauphin snake ring €234 here
Acne Halo platform wedges $700 here
See by Chloé's beige silk-chiffon blouse $350 here
Nasty Gal double cross tee in black $38 here
Alexander Wang Diego bucket bag $825 here
Preen tulle maxi skirt $545 here
Acne Domino pocketed satin-twill jacket $660 here

cardboard cut-out

2011-02-25T23:13:00.000-05:00

Sally Menezes by Zoltan Tombor
for Twill Spring 2011

via fashion copious

all black everything

2011-02-24T15:18:00.000-05:00

alexander wang
&
the olsen twins

images via vogue, star style inc

"all of the lights" & nyfw

2011-02-21T17:53:00.000-05:00

thought I'd take this opportunity to share some of my favorites from the fall 2011 collections shown in NYFW in relation to Kanye's latest "All of the Lights" video. there's nothing quite like adding a touch of lime green, cyan, or neon pink to your all black wardrobe. for me, it's become such an easy routine to wear black on black, but I never forget to add a colorful scarf, shoes, or jewelry when I go the dark route. after all, everyone could use a pop of color and light in their lives.
"until it's Vegas everywhere we are..."

Libertine, Jill Stuart, Carlos Miele

Carolina Herrera, Jason Wu, Jason Wu

Alexander Wang, Bill Blass, Libertine

what were some of your favorite looks from New York Fashion Week? let me know!

stop. collaborate. listen.

2011-02-18T17:48:00.000-05:00

the twins behind the high-end line The Row are joining TOMS for a charitable shoe collection. the popular espadrilles are known for donating a pair of shoes to a child in need, per purchase. shoes usually go for about $40-70 but The Row's shoes that will be made of Italian-sourced wool and cashmere blends will range from $98 to $150. Stylelite raised a great point, that with almost twice the price, the brands should be able to donate two pairs, not just one. that's the politics of this collab. but on the brighter side, I'm glad the Olsen's have hopped on board for this great cause.

"We feel it's really important to spread awareness of the TOMS One for One mission...The giving is immediate. Having the opportunity to be a part of something so meaningful has made the collaboration with TOMS special to everyone at The Row," explained Ashley Olsen

via racked national, refinery 29

whiteout

2011-02-17T05:27:00.000-05:00

Sophie Srej in Costume Denmark February 2011
Shot by: Mikael Schulz
Styling by: Maiken Winther

whiteness. like a blank canvas, this editorial creates a portrait using the very colorless element it is made of, modeled by a person that shares this very characteristic in her outer appearance.

I love this editorial and I love the classic, minimalistic styling - which make this shade so unboring. however, I was reminded of this rhetorical concept of whiteness which reminds us that is it so easy to label someone with this distinct skin tone as either superior, or invisible. it is clear & understood that race is a social construct. it doesn't exist, as it is based on solely the color of your skin. ethnicity is forgotten. hence, invisibility. but maybe that's the irony.

via fashion copious

kisses

2011-02-14T21:40:00.000-05:00

The sound of a kiss is not so loud as that of a cannon, but its echo lasts a great deal longer.-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., "The Professor at the Breakfast-Table"

an aquaballet kiss circa 1950 & a world trampolining champion and his fiancee share a mid-air kiss in 1973
happy valentine's day to all whom this holiday applies...

coachella artist of the day: Crystal Castles "Not in Love"

images via npr

mila kunis: portrait of a swan

2011-02-13T21:02:00.000-05:00

Mila Kunis for the upcoming March 2011 issue of W Magazine

I've looked up to Ms. Kunis for years now. since I was in high school, during my obsesive days of watching That '70s Show, she had always been my favorite cast member along Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace. essentially I grew up watching that show and my developmental years were centered around the antics I picked up from '70s, whether that's good or bad...still now sure lol but I owe much credit to that show for shaping my humor and personality.
anyway, it's great seeing her grace the covers of magazines and make it so far as an actress on the silver screen, playing roles that are worlds apart from her annoying yet loveable '70s Jackie. gotta give her some credit here.
that being said, I can't wait to see her next roles which I'm sure she'll play as beautifully as she did in Black Swan.

via fashion copious

coachella artist of the day: Cee-Lo Green "Wildflower"

hello mister, pleased to meet ya

2011-02-10T15:18:00.000-05:00

extremely busy, tired, stressed, sleep deprived...but all in the name of determination, motivation, drive (insert more synonyms for persevering here)

I've been tirelessly working on my grad school application (which is due next tues. eek!), edits for my old thesis advisor's current project for the western communication studies conference (check out I Live Here, a stunning non-profit org.), and write-ups for my job at Patch.com

needless to say, I have little to no time for blogging so I bid you adieu (at least for this weekend) and I'll be back to comment and read everyone's musings on fashion, photography, music and etc.

coachella artist of the day: Angus & Julia Stone "Big Jet Plane"

stella & dot, and the rabbit

2011-02-03T01:23:00.000-05:00

happy year of the rabbit, everyone. 2011 has been great so far and this lunar new year, things are said to get even better especially after coming out of a terrible 2010 (which was the year of the tiger, a ferocious year)

in the year of the rabbit, we are to be conscious of our indulgence. supposedly, "the influence of the rabbit tends to spoil those who like too much comfort and thus impair their effectiveness and sense of duty" (read more here) while we may need to lay off the iced coffee or occasional fast food indulgences, overall our rabbit lifestyle "will be leisurely as we allow ourselves the luxuries we have always craved for."

I usually see indulgence and luxuries floating on the same boat, but to keep in accordance to the rabbit mantra, why not indulge in those luxuries in a smarter way? if you're like me and love jewelry for example, head over to Stella and Dot for the most affordable pieces of silver, gold and everything in between. the online shop sells trendsetting couture jewelry created by award-winning designers and my cousin is cool enough to even be a Stella and Dot stylist! (see her homepage and shop online using her as a stylist with this link)

here are some of my favorites:

almost all these pieces are literally under $100 so go indulge in these affordable luxuries!
click here to shop

and as I promised in my previous post, here is your Coachella artist of the day: Glasser "Home"

living in the sprawl

2011-02-01T23:07:00.000-05:00

73 days til COACHELLAI can't tell you guys how excited I am about this - I've never been - so each day I blog, I'll post a song from a Coachella artist and hope you'll enjoy discovering them as much as I did!

Arcade Fire, "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains"

on a personal health note, I am feeling much better compared to how I felt (delirious and congested) the last time I blogged. so thanks for all the greetings! helped a lot :)

oh, and by the way...HAPPY FEBRUARY!

happy sunday

2011-01-30T19:59:00.000-05:00

does anyone have a cold remedy to share with my poor, vitamin c deficient body? I literally have been sick for a week, haven't left the house for more than an hour at a time until today AND it was showering outside. I've definitely consumed over three gallons (slight exaggeration) of fluid: orange juice, diet arizona iced teas, and have generously contributed to the coffee bean's daily commission (I recommend the apricot or vanilla ceylon teas). anyhow, to make matters worse, my prescribed cough syrup and combination with antibiotics
has unfortunately made me quite dellusional, not at all helping with me completing my grad school applications. I re-read my personal statement earlier and it needs serious re-editing. FML. other than that, I'm glad this week is over and hopefully I'll see more of the sun in February. toodles.

images via cult culture, lovemejessy, modekungen

a(ndrogynous) wang, row

2011-01-26T20:26:00.000-05:00

Alexander Wang pre-fall 2011

via caroline's mode

The Row pre-fall 2011

via leave me breathless

barbra streisand

2011-01-25T15:46:00.000-05:00

party photos I forgot to post...until now.

btw, everything's more fun when"barbra streisand" by Duck Sauce is playing in the background

bottle service for Hepsie's 23rd birthdayy

yes, this was necessary lol

basking in the WeHo hipster paradise

in other news, who's going to coachella this year??? I just bought my ticket and made a playlist. so excited to see: kanye, wiz khalifa, lauryn hill, erykah badu, robyn, glasser, cold cave, animal collective, crystal castles, afrojack....the list goes onnnnnn

who are some of your fave artists playing? I need to get introduced!

geta trippen boot

2011-01-23T22:32:00.000-05:00

the Trippen boot. the German shoe company specializes in using "modern design [combining] environmental friendliness, sustainability and social responsibility." this Lucifer boot consists of a shaft cut to resemble an downwards cloven hoof, hence the name association to the devil. however, when I first saw the shoe, I was quickly reminded of the traditional Japanese geta sandals, worn by geishas and sumo wrestlers. either way, this shoe is pretty awesome.

via corridor40

the lsd apartment

2011-01-21T19:14:00.000-05:00

Lauren Santo Domingo's apartment is seriously one of the coolest, in a way without even trying to be cool, and most unique interior fixtures I've ever seen. places like these make me real excited to design and decorate my own apartment in the future when I'm filthy rich.

see the rest here, via yes please mademoiselle

white swan, black swan

2011-01-20T23:15:00.000-05:00

I saw this film last month when it opened and have been working on this post since then. I let it fall to the wayside but alas, it is complete...

To summarize Darren Aronofsky's latest film, "Black Swan," in its genius, social context and ideals in this one post will be nearly impossible for me since I love to talk for hours, and conjure the incessive thoughts that run through my head for days until I see the next film that makes the same impact on me...but I will try.

First off, I had no pre-concieved notions about the plot, other than the jibber jabber I heard from other people. That "it was disturbing." Sure, it was disturbing. I fainted during one scene. But other than summing this film as a disturbing psychological thriller...I see is as rather an honest, yet twisted (though, I guess that's sort of a synonym for disturbing) story and portrayal of young, driven people. In essence, the film plays on the idea that "there is an angel and devil in all of us" ... the extent to how each side is experienced and the measures we'll take to reach each extreme.

In Black Swan's case, the character Nina (Natalie Portman) needs to find each extreme to herself - the angel and the devil, or the white swan and black swan. The ways Nina attempts to conquer the black swan within her are brutal and graphic, to the point where the audience (point in case: me) is able to connect with her and feel her pain. Images of flesh & bone (especially the flexion of backbones) already indicated how much discipline a ballerina has.

Much associated to the nature of a prima ballerina is the color pink. Nina's room is mirror to that of a 12 year old aspiring dancer or princess, even the pea coat she wears is a pastel pink. Nina is naive and unaware of her identity outside being a ballerina. The audience also never really knows how old Nina is, and the fact that her mother still babies her doesn't help much, either. In order to discover herself, she is instructed by her director to let go, in the example of newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis) - who is the epitome of the black swan persona Nina is trying to reach.

Their director (Cassel) says "perfection is not just control, it's also letting go"..."it's better to be wrong than perfect." In Nina's mind, it seems like ultimate wrongness is giving in to temptation and befriending Lily. Nina really doesn't know who she is and the only time she really does think she's embracing her evil/black swan side, she's merely hallucinating. Aronofsky does an excellent job showing the mundaneness of Nina's character by playing with reality versus fantasy images that occur in Nina's world/mind.

Ultimately, the premise of Black Swan was perfection. The consequences if we don't achieve it, and price we'll pay to reach it.

Several times throughout the movie I felt light-headed and wondered whether or not it was because of the gory finger peeling scene (which caused me to nearly faint and literally feel queasy as I'm typing this right now...) or because I, in the bottom of my gut, can relate to Nina. Of course, I'm no ballerina but for the past 10 years I've felt the pulse of the media telling us to be perfect. I used to cover my bedroom walls in photos of actors and celebrities I adored. I even created a "thinspiration" wall last year without fully realizing that I was a contributor to this anorexia fad. Of course, I pinned up fashionable photos and images that inspired me, but really, they were inspiring me to be thin.

now back to Black Swan...Think about how many teenagers cut themselves because they aren't satisfied with their lives in high school. Think about the self destructiveness people take on because they lost their jobs, their loved ones, their sanity. It's all relevant in this movie and that's why I think it is so brilliant. The only difference is, it is that perfection in the film is portrayed through ballet.

this article from the Huffington Post gives a great explanation about this idea of perfection as well.

Our pop culture media has a tendency of taking one extreme of a text and launching it as the center of all the reviews we read online or print. What frustrates me is that multiple reviews (this one from Jezebel, and Crushable i.e.) on Black Swan focus on weight and eating disorders - last I checked, that wasn't the point of this film is not to promote anorexia or bulimia, but to show the extreme measures a ballerina must take to achieve "perfection" in that industry (the same goes for modeling, acting, even body building).

Immediately, I'm reminded of the lesbian sex scene that prompted almost every male in the theater to go see Black Swan.The kissing scene between Natalie Portman and Mila "sweet lips" Kunis (what Portman named Kunis during her GG speech), which showed for a second in the previews, was almost a catalyst for some viewers. I asked my male friends what they thought of the movie and all they could remember was the hot les scene. In an interview with Kunis, she says, ""It's one of those things where we shot it, we did it, and you hope people walk away from the film with something else, other than just the memory of that two minute scene."

Much of what is seen through the eyes of the media is a reflection of the interests in the culture we live in. Nothing said by the blogs or reviews is untrue, and were applicable to at least 5% of the film's viewers. I walked away from Black Swan with an appreciation that I'm not a professional ballet dancer or in a position in society to be paper thin or Gisele gorgeous. However, there's always going to be that trigger in the back of our heads telling us "we aren't good enough" so in every case that bug tries to play mind games with you, remember one thing: we're just human.

unconventional art

2011-01-20T03:45:00.000-05:00

since I love all art, not just fashion, I wanted to share a couple of great pieces I came across recently and hopefully these will inspire you as much as they did me...

Russian artist duo Alexei Lyapunov and Lena Ehrlich created these incredible paper-based sculptures based on everyday scenes across different cultures. I love that they created a Beatles sculpture, and the boy & girl airplane flirt (below) but there are a ton more that also tell stories. check out this mafia scene with raw meat hanging from string or this boss screwing his secretary.

tons more to see here.

though somewhat of a weird concept, the photography of James Reynolds's "Last Supper" is quite gripping to me. the British photog documented the final requests of former death row inmates, replicating these meals on prison trays using portions that were actually the maximum amount for prisons.

"I'd like to think that the photographs make them think, what thought that is, I am not sure, as I myself had more thoughts the more I looked at them. What would my last meal be? What kind of people were these prisoners? Why did they choose that particular meal? What crime did they commit?"

see the rest here.

there are plenty of things we can do with human hair - make them into wigs, braid, weave, even design clothes (remember this Lady Gaga number?) among these crafts is one that I find most unique. Seattle-based artist Adrienne Antonson created these insects using only human hair and glue. so detailed and realistic, I was first disgusted since I hate creepy crawlers, but so amused that she captured the life and being of these insects with, of all things, hair!

"As an artist with a deep interest in sustainable and self-supporting systems, human hair seems the most immediate and true material. I find the historical implications and various uses of human hair fascinating. I am also intrigued with the attraction/repulsion response the material evokes. It is sentimental, challenging and honest."

looking for more ants or grasshoppers? see them here.

I love reading the Urban Outfitters blog and the other day, I stumbled upon this entry about "the Paper-Cut-Project." founded by Nikki Salk and Amy Flurry a year ago, their highly-detailed paper creations have made it onto the runway, catalog and window display campaigns, including a collection of animal masks for Hermès and rightfully so. these things are pretty awesome.

to see more paper art from Salk and Flurry, click here.

2011 golden globes: rose, emerald & sparkle

2011-01-18T02:45:00.000-05:00

there was a clear theme going on amongst the best dressed women at the Golden Globes last night. from that honeysuckle rose seen on Emma Stone (in Calvin Klein), to emerald green spotted on both Angelia Jolie and Mila Kunis (in Vera Wang), these women were all stand-outs to me. there were lots of backless numbers and sparkling showstopping gowns but my favorite was definitely Olivia Wilde in Marchesa. my only problem with her overall look was the bland hair but otherwise, she rocked the jewels off that toule.

images via WENN, Huffington Post, the vogue diaries

street peeping

2011-01-13T02:34:00.000-05:00

I've collected a couple of my favorite street scene looks of celebs and ordinary fashionistas and wanted to share. so much influence and inspiration is taken from outside people just wearing who they are. we see that and are hit by how they look energetically. I think these capture that very feeling. enjoy!

via style bubble, racked la, caroline's mode, olsen's annonymous, the sartorialist, facehunter, the sf style

simply keira

2011-01-10T16:29:00.000-05:00

Keira Knightley for Vogue Italia

January 2011 by Ellen von Unwerth

via fashion gone rouge

200

2011-01-09T18:29:00.000-05:00

I'm going to be honest and say that I have logged out of the blogging world since my last post, which is why I haven't been reading, commenting, admiring your lovely blogs for the past 3 days (which seems like weeks in the blog world!) so you can all imagine that when I finally took/had the time to log in today the shock on my face to see that I have 200 followers now.

I didn't have any intention of really posting anything today, since I've been so busy doing whatnot (interviews, writing for Patch, going to Disneyland...you know the usual) but I just had to take the time and say THANK YOU to everyone that's made this blog such a huge part of my life and yours too (hopefully).

when I began this little venture of mine 2 years ago, I had no idea this site would blow up as much as it has (for lack of a better word, since I haven't really "blown up" nationally, but in my mind it's a huge deal!) I wish I was economically stable to do a giveaway of some sort so instead if you'd like to see a link to your blog on here leave me a comment and I'll do you that favor, as little as it may be.

again, thanks for following and commenting. you the best! (as Drake would say..)

the man behind the cam

2011-01-06T21:52:00.000-05:00

I came across this great video of Scott Schumann, better known as The Sartorialist, in a quick glimpse into his life as a blogger, fashion extraordinaire and somewhat icon to photography. take a look...

after meeting the Schu last year, I've been even more intrigued by his blog and his ability to dictate the trends. there are a ton of blogs out there that are modeled after The Sartorialist, even the work I did during the summer was inspired by Scott's street style photo brigade, capturing unconventional and trendy style whenever you see it in front of you. in hindsight, we're all inspired by our surroundings - what we see, who we hang out with, where we live...

I was so inspired by this video that I decided, why not share some of my style inspirations?
here are the things, people, places I always turn to when I need an uppity boost on life & fashion:

paris | olsens | kate | friends | antiques

here's my playlist as well if you're interested in the kind of music I listen to on the daily:1. Icarus by White Hinterland2. Blazin' by Nicki Minaj feat. Kanye West3. All I Want is You by Miguel4. Seven by Fever Ray5. Tell Me by Groove Theory

spring color

2011-01-04T00:34:00.000-05:00

found this great trend watch on Refinery 29 for the must-have colors for Spring 2011. there are 6 in total: pink, yellow, orange, blue, earth tones (beige & maroon), and white. of course, these colors always seem to be the "trend" and in style but there are specific shades to really watch out for.

here's my rendition, which I hope will inspire you all to hop on the neon pink, bright orange, electric blue and flesh tone colors of the new season.

images via polyvore, elle.com, style.com

& I owe it all to you

2011-01-01T20:55:00.000-05:00

black eyed peas "time"

this song was really the theme of the Eve, and I'd like to think it was all because of me (I requested it to the DJ)

what was everyone's New Years Eve like?!
I usually never - actually, scratch that - I NEVER go out on New Years. really, the closest I've been to going out is getting alcohol & dip at the market. since my flight from Texas to SF was the night before, you can imagine how tired I was...I'm exaggerating the tiredness just a little...but I wasn't really planning on hitting the nightlife so conveniently, a resto/bar closeby that's owned by a dear friend was throwing a NYE bash so we went. in sum: free booze, free munchies, old friends & family, belly laughs, creepers, confetti, confetti covered hair, balloon popping, fist pumping, sore feet, and good times.

happy 2011! how was everyone's NYE?!

twenty eleven

2010-12-31T21:19:00.000-05:00

whoa, baby
I just got back from my short trip to Austin, TX. always a treat.

anyway I can't believe it's already New Years Eve!

2010 was....interesting - to put it mildly. I wouldn't account this year as my best but there were memorable moments in there, no doubt.

here's a look back:

may 2011 be more spectacular than the year before itCHEERS

t'was the day after christmas...

2010-12-27T01:05:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a Christmas weekend as amazing as the one I had (lol, kidding)

but really, I'm usually such a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas - what, with all the planning, prepping, shopping, stressing, etc. etc. I've never thoroughly enjoyed my Christmases in the past couple years, to be quite honest. thankfully, the 2010 (which is possibly one of the worst years I've ever lived!) Christmas celebration at home with my family was one of the best yet.

loved what Santa was able to pull off this year. from these Missoni rainboots to Beverly Hills, 90210 season 3 aka the best season on DVD, I really can't complain.

my first pair of rainboots. aren't I lucky :p

this is me attempting to pack for Austin, TX...in mah rainboots y'all!

my dear cousin got me this amazing wallet which I will probably use until the rest of my life.

my mom and I saw San Francisco Ballet's "The Nutcracker." it's U.S. premiere was done by SFB in 1944 so it's been such a tradition I'm glad I was able to finally see it.

couldn't take pics inside but the War Memorial theatre is gorgeous, as are all venues in SF. Nutcracker is so familiar to me, I've watched way too many productions of it in my life and SFB's was nothing spectacular, though the soloists were really good. I was also really impressed by the student dancers, being that they're probably all under 12 yrs old and can dance in sync. love seeing young talent. however, the entire time I kept thinking to myself...I wonder how many of these dancers struggle to achieve perfection like in Black Swan...haha

I'm leaving for Austin in the morning so until I return to foggy San Fran....later days!

feliz navidad, darling

2010-12-25T17:13:00.000-05:00

a serious azn Christmas portrait of me and my best gfs from high school.

we started our Christmas tradition after we graduated in 2006 and I'm so thankful that nearly 5 years later we can still bond and share the joy of Christmas and each others' company.

90s looks

2010-12-22T19:02:00.000-05:00

sources: google, tumblr

12 in 1

2010-12-17T19:04:00.000-05:00

this is what happens when you overlay 12 issues of Vogue into one image:

australia, spain, german, india, italy, u.s.

wouldn't you say this gives a clear depiction of what's valued in each country? could be shape, beauty, colors, simplicity, complexity, etc. etc...see the rest here

randomosity

2010-12-16T01:54:00.000-05:00

images via tumblr

the swan queen

2010-12-14T15:52:00.000-05:00

seriously cannot get over Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan, which I watched over the weekend.

gripping. intense. beautiful. phenomenal. mind-blowing. only some of the words that describe the genius of this film. I'm working on a more detailed review on my other blog (which is more of a writing and comm. studies blog - hey, gotta use my undergrad knowledge for something..) but until I finish that, here is a look at some of the Mulleavey sisters of Rodarte sketches for the costuming:

watch the trailer:

fun sidenote:
unprepared for the theatrical drama, I actually almost fainted during Black Swan - I felt so connected to Natalie Portman's character, and this is why I think the film is so effective in getting the message across (I won't give it away) and really, what makes a fantastic film is the director and actor's ability to come through the screen and tap your nerve and heart strings.
anyway I really felt for the character that in an intense moment (which was gory for some people like me) I became lightheaded. mind you, this was maybe only 45 minutes into the movie another scene of the same nature happened and I got up out my seat and the moment I stepped out the theater, I broke out into a cold sweat, my ears went numb & couldn't hear a thing. on the verge of passing out, I somehow made it to the concession and got myself a water and some candy to get my blood sugar flowing...quite the rush. I debated on just leaving after calming down for about 8 minutes but my curiosity in the film was enough for me to brave the rest of it and I'm so glad I did.

christmas wishlist #4

2010-12-13T21:27:00.000-05:00

I noticed a trend going on recently: sparkly & glittery oxfords. so why not hop on the bandwagon with the ultimate shoe for the trend, these Miu Miu glitter and crystal-embellished brogues:

buy them here

crystals

2010-12-10T15:42:00.000-05:00

spencer pratt would wet his pants for these crystal necklaces enclosed in a bullet. how gangsta is that?

via caroline's mode

christmas wishlist #3

2010-12-08T17:06:00.000-05:00

it was a perfect day for Christmas shopping at Santa Monica Place. first, I stumble upon the All Saints store, which has practically become one of my favorite brands as of November 2010, then I see this glorious black leather jacket with a perfect black fur lining (if you know me, you know how much I want a new black leather jacket...and one with FUR too!? sold.) this story gets better, because as I'm browing the All Saints website, I discover that this beautiful garment is named after my favorite housewife of the Real Housewives of Atlanta...NENE!!! ok...maybe All Saints didn't name the jacket specifically after Nene from the real housewives but to me, this spells fate.

buy it here

now while we're on the Nene topic, here's a bit of comic relief from the fabulous housewife...enjoy!

so posh

2010-12-07T15:07:00.000-05:00

no one else does it quite like victoria bechkam at the airport.

image via the skinny website

baby, it's cold outside

2010-12-06T14:51:00.000-05:00

the holiday parties are approaching and I have nothing to wear!!!

that, AND there is a ton of gift shopping I need to do.

between watching dvd sets of the oc for hours upon hours and with a tivo, where will I ever find the time?

images via polyvore