A Night Out

{ Vest: a random boutique // Shorts: DIY // White camisole: Mag // Vest: Espirit // Khakis: Norman's // Platforms: Marc by Marc Jacobs }

The cuffed khaki pants my sister is wearing are actually uniform pants from school ;) I just love the idea of reusing things that usually aren't stylish and making them look fashionable - for instance, old Oxford shoes.

School is mundane, I think physics is just such a bore, and it's even worse that I have it first thing in the morning when I am still sleepy...I really dislike teachers who stand and lecture all period.

Before I go, some thoughts on plaid:
Personally I love plaid, but only when it's done right; sometimes I see people wearing shirts, skirts, pants, bags etc. with prints that have over 5 colors and look incredibly messy - this, I find absolutely hideous. Sometime the color palettes used are hideous and totally uncoordinating too. I prefer the large-squared plaid with a few colors, or the classic lumberjack.
What are your opinions?

xo
Tina

A Sunset in my Eyes

{ Top: Ella Moss // Shorts: Joe's // Sandals: Kate Spade // Black sunglasses: Rimo // White sunglasses: F21 }

Well, school has started for me, which is the reason why I haven't posted - the first week is pretty hectic and for me especially because I'm at the new school. As you can all see, it was also very windy during the shoot above, but it was very enjoyable standing at the shore and feeling the water run between my toes.
I miss summer already, have you started school yet?

xo
Tina

A Windy Day

{ Shirt: Eliot // Skirt: A&F }

Thank you for all of the wishes for a great trip in Bora Bora! The weather was windier and colder than usual (I usually travel there in the spring) since it is currently winter over there, but I still had a wonderful time despite the rain and clouds on a few days.
As you can probably conclude from looking at the photos and the title of this post, the photos were taken on a very windy day. However, I had plenty of fun working with the wind and the effects it had on my hair & my outfit (although I had to be careful that my skirt didn't fly up! :)).
Unfortunately I start school very soon, and I am dismayed that summer has passed by so quickly. :( It always seems that at the end of a holiday, I feel as if I've done absolutely nothing the entire time and would like to cram in as many things to do as possible before it's all over.

Anyways, hope you all are having a lovely week - Friday is only two days away!

xo
Tina

A Pleasant Surprise

{ Romper: Aqua // Shirt: Laundry // Cardigan: Wallace // Sandals: DVF // Necklace: ? }

Sorry for being MIA - I will be leaving for a trip to Bora Bora tomorrow and thus will not be posting until August 7th or 8th. Thing have been been busy the past week due to the trip and I lost my memory card reader for a few days, so that is why a new post hasn't been up.
When my sister and I were out shooting in our garden the other day, we came across a delicious surprise - tiny grapes growing over our wall from the neighbor! We picked a few off, rinsed them off and tried them, and they were very good. It was also very unexpected, as I had not even known that our neighbor grew grapes. :)
I bought the necklace from a store in Pasadena about three years ago for only $12, and it is very durable. I've dropped it numerous times, and it hasn't even broken once, surprisingly. Also, I like how (if you haven't noticed) the charms are actually a little keychain you can detach and put somewhere else, like a bag.
I hope everyone is having a great week! I will try to post again tomorrow but if not, see you in a week. :)

xo
Tina

Plaid Skirts & Guns

{ Sweater: BCBG // Skirt: Aqua // Mary Jane flats: Steven by Steve Madden }

*Note, I do realize that pictures are a bit dark; however that was my intention.
The sweater I am wearing is actually a very old BCBG piece. My mother was cleaning out her closet and my sister found the top in a bag to be donated/thrown away. It was very fortunate that she looked because the top is in a completely unworn condition (my mother purchased it about 6-7 years ago and did not wear it), and the berry color is a really great pop of color.
Reminding me of color pops, which color do you like to use most as a burst of color? Or, which do you find the most useful with your wardrobe?
For me, my favorite and most useful is red - it goes with so many other hues and always looks great and classic with a black & white ensemble.

Hope everyone is having a great week.
xo
Tina

P.S. Don't worry, the gun is fake - I bought it during my last trip to Italy. :)


*Also, I'm coming across many private blogger profiles; consequently, I can't reply to comments or view your blogs if you have your profile hidden! If your profile isn't public, drop me a link.*

Watermelon Slush

hello readers, ♥

Sunday was a wonderfully sunny and breezy day, so I decided to take advantage of the weather and take a walk with my sister. The buganvilia was in bloom, there were errant leaves on the ground among the very soft grass, and the trees provided ample shade (although they made it a bit hard to catch the light in some pictures; my camera is a little Sony Cybershot, not a Nikon or Canon that I wish to have). The entire path was very beautiful and the stroll relaxing; I think everyone should take a walk now and then to let go of everything and just enjoy the moment.

{ Shirt: Diesel // Sandals: Theory // Clutch: Prada }

{ Vest: Esprit // Top: Madewell // Sneaker heels: Alain Tondowski // Bag: Marc Jacobs }

The shirt is actually a winter piece from Diesel that I bought in Hong Kong back in December. However, I thought the vibrant color would be a nice color pop, and the length and blousen style a good counterpiece for the shorts. Often I like to balance loose and flowy with the tighter and more sleek: the resulting silhouette, I think, is far more interesting for the outfit.

Hope everyone had a great weekend :)

xo

Tina

~~~~~~~

P.S. Is anyone else utterly perplexed by CSS? I want to redo my blog template, but when I took a look at the code the other day it made my brain feel like spaghetti :P Any tips? Thanks.

Back from the Dead

Hello everyone!

Ever since I stopped posting in February and disappeared from the blogosphere you might have wondered where I went off to. I'm not going to get into all the reasons and give a long explanation but basically, blogging started feeling more like a chore than a passion for me and I had less and less time to put much thought into posts, reply to comments, look at blogs, etc.
However, summer is here and ever since I returned from my recent trip to Hong Kong I have been feeling the blogging fever once again! :) So (obviously) I have decided to return to my abandoned blog and have a fresh start. Many of you have probably removed me from your blogroll because of my absence; I would love it if you added me back because after all, I am back! :)

{ Vest: Romie // Dress: Splendid // Sandals: J. Crew }

Sorry for the small pictures, you can always click them to view a larger version. I missed everyone while I was gone! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend shopping and whatnot. xoTinaP.S. I have set up a new e-mail account (due to too much spam being sent to my old one) if you would like to contact me for a link exchange, questions, etc. Please do not spam me! Thanks.

8 Things

♥hello everyone!

As the usual barrage of catalogues comes in the mail, and I began my yearly drooling over spring fashion, the same things continue to fuel my excitement for the season to be here.


EIGHT: Sandals galore. They were hot, hot, hot last year and I'm glad that strappy sandals [flat or heeled] are still in! They such a relaxed touch to an ensemble.




SEVEN: Delicate florals. I'm usually not a fan of florals, as some designs can be very lurid and unflattering, but light delicate designs really catch my eye. They're so feminine and sophisticated.



SIX: Edgy. I'm all over leather[!], chunky heels, funky tights, graphic deisngs, and studs.




FIVE: Nautical. So happy that this trend is back to being all the rage - I had just started to get into it a couple of summers ago, and plan to pick up where I left off!





FOUR: Proenza Schouler. This designer [or should I say, designers] can do no wrong. I was re-viewing the SS09 collections and found it captivating. The jumpsuits are incredibly, and I love the sillhouettes, like the bulky shoulders of some of the jackets.



THREE: Playful skirts. Circle skirts, balloon skirts, pleated skirts - I love them, and they're in such bright colors and lovely designgs this season, too.



TWO: Scarves. They are my must-have accessory for spring, since LA has the perfect weather to wear these are the finishing touch to an outfit.





ONE: Color! I am in love with the Crayola trend this season - I’m really planning to branch out and experiment with more colors in my wardrobe. And contrasting colors? Love love love for accessories. I would just love to have a barrage of dresses in every color of the rainbow, like in the pictures above, but sadly, I don’t think it would be the most practical for my closet.
*******
I'm already wanting a few things, like:
~Colorful skirts
~Long cardigan vests
~Nautical shorts
~High-waisted shorts
~Thin drapey silk scarf
~Graphic tees in fun, bright colors and unique designs [that come from various brands]

What are some of your current wants? I'm sure you have some already :)
*******
As for my answer of the question of the moment [three brands that define your style]: Theory, Madewell, and Diesel. I tend to mishmash rocker and classic/proper and end up with a really effortless look. Not mention those basics with unique twists. :]

♥Tina

P.S. Just purchased a gray leather bomber-style vest from Aqua; picture to come!

Net-A-Porter: Spring Fashion from A-Z

♥hello readers,

A NOTES online magazine from Net-A-Porter made me incredibly eager for spring - west L.A.'s sunny skies are further intensifying my excitment! I loved this section of the NOTES magazine and really wanted to share it with everyone. Click on the images to enlarge them.

*thoughts

-Asymmetrical: Love it. Looks incredibly chic as a neckline or hemline, or both. And an asymmetrical row of buttons or zipper looks unqiue and possibly edgy.
-Bondage: Like it, but wouldn't wear it. However, I think the look is really creative - leather, chains, whips, straps, buckles, you name it. Also, one bondage piece is all one needs to spruce up an everyday outift.
-Cocktail bathing: Like it, but wouldn't wear it, as I don't normally lounge at the pool sipping cocktails. There are some very artistic and chic designs out there though.
-Denim: Of course!
-Easy chic: Love it. Oversized and menswear really appeal to me - it just so comfortable and stylish. I do think one can go too far with this look though, and end up looking like she bought clothes that were 5 sizes too big, and threw them all on randomly (yes, I have actually seen this). -Fringing: So-so. I like fringe, but some designers just overdo it. Or, some people don't know how to wear it and work it.
-Geometry: Like it. Some prints are a little too bold for me (DVF), since I'm am not really a big & bold print person, as I have mentioned before. I prefer geometric prints in a more subtle way.
-Hip-hop: Love it, but wouldn't wear it. I am a huge fan of this look, but I just don't have the wardrobe to pull it off. It's also not really my style, but I do think that it's a really edgy & chic look, and admire people who work it just right.
-Ink: Love it: Navy and black are colors that are hard to dislike - they're just so versatile. I would pair them with brighter colors to make a contrast, though, so my wardrobe isn't too drab during the sunny months.
-Jumpsuit: Like it. Unfortunatley, I just look terrible in long jumpsuits since I am very short. Rompers are more suited for me. Also, some long jumpsuits can look sloppy if not paired with the right things. I do like the look of pairing one with sky-high heels, though.
-Kaleidoscope prints: Not really liking it. A lot of the prints are just too much, or the colors used just are very appealing when put together.
-Lanvin: Can do no wrong. Everything is so elegant, sophisticated, and chic.

-Miami Vice: So-so. I do like the brightly colored tailored basics, but not sure if I would wear them, or pair them together.
-Nude: Love it. It's very minimalist and subtle, not to mention extremely versatile.
-Orange: Love, love, love. I really like citrus shades for the summer - they are just so bright and cheerful!
-Peplum: Like it, but wouldn't wear. I think it's very elegant and classy though. Luella's are so chic.
-Quilted: Love it. It is just so timeless.
-RingsEclectic: Like it. The desigs are very unique - I'm seeing some tribal elements, too.
-Scalloping: Like it. Very sophisticated. I especially love it on shoes or necklines/hemlines.
-Transparency: Like it. It's so feminine and elegant. I really like the look of a semi-sheer cami or blouse peeking out from underneath a jacket.
-Underpinnings: Like it, but wouldn't wear. One has to be careful with this sometimes a person ends up looking like she is really wearing lingerie - not a good look!
-Vertigo heels: Like them, but my feet just weren't made for them.:]
-Woodstock: So-so. It seems perfectly suited for the beach or a tropical location, but the prints aren't really my cup of tea.
-Xpose shoulders: Love it. After all, what could go wrong with this style? I think it looks fabulous on dresses and drapey off-shoulder tops.
-Yacht Club: Like it. I've always liked slightly nautical things, and am glad this trend is making a comeback.
-Zebra: Love it. However, I prefer it to be on accessories - I've seen way too many hideous jackets, tops, pants, etc. in zebra print. And, I also think zebra should be done subtley - decorating oneself with zebra jewlery, belts, and other accessories just looks tacky.

*What do you guys think? What is your favorite trend or trends featured in this issue of NOTES?

**Now, as for my input on the question of the moment (describe your wardrobe in three words or less). It's a mishmash of: classic, rocker, simplistic.

♥Tina

P.S. What do you guys think of the new header?

Photo credits: Net-A-Porter

Christmas in Hong Kong

♥hello readers,

Sorry about my hiatus for the past month - in fact, I was in Hong Kong for two weeks over the Christmas break, and things have been so hectic since I got back, I haven't gotten time to upload the many pictures I took in HK. Hong Kong is so beautiful around Christmastime - I think you all will enjoy these lovely pictures.

THE LANDMARK













TIMES SQUARE














Source: Myself

I hope you enjoyed looking at all of the pictures of the magnificent decorations! I had a ball of a time when I was shopping. :]

Be sure to answer my next "Question of the Moment" at the top of my blog!
As for my answer, my go-to outfit for lazy days is usually an oversized cardigan (belted, if a belt is in my vicinity) with slim jeans and boots or flats.



♥ Tina