Snap shots from Japanese fashion mag

While in Seattle couple weeks back I got a chance to stop at Kinokuniya (Japanese Bookstore). I remember back in my high school years I would go to Kinokuniya in Kuala Lumpur after school and pick up the latest copies of Non No.

Well years and decades had since passed and I have completely out grown Non no, but I did pick up another Japanese fashion mag Classy and am now savoring the pages.

Couple of things that caught my eye:

1. This breezy outfit, perfect for summer. It looks so effortless and the fringe clutch made the whole outfit so much better.


2. Three ways to style a white bermuda shorts. I love how the shorts are paired with heels and wedges and yet it does not look trashy. The safari top, wide white belt, and nude peep toes outfit is definitely my favorite. I also love the versatility of cuffing the shorts for a different look.


There is something about Japanese style that I absolutely love but can't quite describe it with adjectives. I actually tore out my Lucky Mag stickers and started tagging pages after pages of the Classy magazine.

There is a spread on a variety of white shirts which I will scan in a day or two.

Nordstrom

Props to Nordstrom STL for having a twitter account and is using it actively.

http://twitter.com/NordstromSTL

Spring cleaning

I got bitten by the spring cleaning bug early this year, and compounded by the fact that I was really having shoes-overload problems.

So off to Target I went to get some shoe organizers and happened to stumble upon the Orla Kiely for Target kitchen hooks which I promptly picked up as well.

In order to add some sort of a hanging storage, I jammed the kitchen hooks in between the two piece of wood when I was assembling the shoe organizer.


The kitchen hooks worked out perfect for my belts, hat and light canvas bags. And I must say I am 99% please with the end result!


My only advice would be to not buy the shoe organizer from Target, but rather, go scour it somewhere else like Lowes or Home Depot. With the one I got, the "cubby holes" are small and they barely fit my 6.5 size shoes. If you have larger feet then the shoes may not fit in the cubby.

lemming

Should've bought these when they came out, now I can't find them anywhere and I'm still lemming these after a year!

Miu Miu Naplak Patch spectator pumps

My Phenomenal NYC trip

And I take it with me when I leave
The crowded skyline, the energy
The sleepless city always leaves its mark
Just close my eyes and I'm back again

New York City - Paul van Dyk (Feat. Ashley Tomberlin)

Back from my whirlwind New York City trip, feeling so energized and refreshed. I don't know what is so magical about the city, is it the well-dressed and yet so individualistic people, is it the commotion, the lights, skyscraper? Is it because my BFF is there? Or the fact that I'm only there once a year?

Maybe it's the Pinkberry:


Or this drool-worthy S8 I saw on 58th


I don't know but I absolutely love it.

We shopped everywhere, from the Flagship H&M to Jcrew, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, to stores that I always wanted to visit like Zara, Club Monaco, MANGO, MadeWell, Muji, CB2, Davidz, Steve Madden, Steven, and Uniqlo.

I did not go crazy though, since I did 5 major J.Crew final sale hauls right before I left. Uniqlo is probably one of my favorite store of them all, it carries basics in EVERY COLOR imaginable. So it was with much constraint that I walked away with only a pair of solid black skinny jeans, that they hemmed for free. (All denim comes with free alterations).

Oh, that and I bought my first Oliver Peoples sunnies! *Fans self*.


I am on an epic-shopping-ban for the next 6 months until I plan my next trip. NYC again? Dallas possibly...

cravings

Oh my, look at this email from Neiman Marcus. Now I really am craving for spring! Yum!

From left:

• Tory Burch Tory in Green Petals
• Marc by MJ Shopper in Coral
• Kooba Ryder in Pink (Kooba has the most phenomenal leather)
• Rebecca Minkoff Devote in Sunshine
• Rebecca Minkoff Nikki in Peacock (though I have heard RM bags don't do well in rain)

Hunter Aubergine

Finally bit the bullet and got the Hunter Original Wellies in Aubergine. This was after months and months of lemming.

I was going to get the Navy color at first, but BFF talked me into Aubergine. It is more unique after all. She has the original Hunter green version and it is very original and very cute on her.


Pardon the tag that is still hanging off the side of the boots, I was very excited and wanted to try these on ASAP. My knees look exceptionally chubby. That's okay. The smell of the new rubber boots is making me high. Hah.

See you soon St. Louis

Received this email early a.m.

This will not be good for my wallet.

Lazy sunday morning. Breakfast and mags.

Home alone this morning, having 2 cups of coffee along with a bowl of cereal.

Going thru my fashion magazines from the past 6 months, tearing out pages that I want to keep, and filing them away for my own DIY "look book".

Mobile post sent by s00nami using Utterz. Replies.

brooch

I love how Old Navy styled the cardigan here - leaving it unbutton, and crossover it with a decorative brooch (Click to see slightly bigger pic).



Cardigans are always in for fall, but does this also means that brooch is back too? I still have plenty "leftover" from 3-4 years ago. Sounds like they are ready to make a re-appearance.

grey and purple

I love the color grey. Purple, only on occasion. But I can't help but add this Banana Republic dress to my wishlist. It looks gorgeous and I can even pair it with a long sleeve shirt for winter.



Just a week ago Franki over at Life in a venti cup blogged about BR30 collection, and she is high fashion gal. So needless to say I was amazed (at both her and BR's fall collection).

I remember couple years back when BR and GAP had an identity crisis, BR's design was so casual, safari, and GAP-like that I promptly switched over to Jcrew's work wear. But BR has always fit me better, with their wide petite selection. I'm glad they are back. Time to start saving for fall.

holy wedges

Is it wrong that I love these?




Guess who made them?

Then, click here and here to find out.

target notebook

Just this past Sunday I bought a notebook from Target. It's from the greenroom eco line, printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper. What drew me to it was the cover, love the pattern!

And while starring at the notebook cover, it re-ignited my lemming for the Orla Kiely multi-stem bag. Of course, as usual, I'm too cheapskate to pay upwards of $100 for cloth/canvas bags.

I fold

As I was browsing on Coach's website for my scarf post below, I came across this purse:
Coach Ergo Leather Convertible Tote

Which reminds me of this F+C tote that has been pretty popular in the past two years or so:
Foley + Corinna Mid City Tote

I hope the "fold" style stays "in" for a bit more - I definitely love the practicality of the design.

Playtime with your scarf

Let's talk about scarves, one of the more underrated and neglected fashion accessory. A well placed scarf can liven up a simple outfit. Target has tons of cute scarves and so does H&M, and with those prices they won't break your bank.

I really got into scarves a few years back when I stumbled across the "Playtime with your scarf" PDFs from Hermes.com. The digital booklet shows many many ways a scarf can be worn, and those are accompanied with illustrated steps. Here are screen grabs of the pdf thumbnails, with the pdf you can easily enlarge the pages and see the details... e.g. the knots.

Download Playtime with your scarf




Try tying one around the neck with a solid color short sleeve crew neck T for the summer.

Here is an even easier way to get started, do as my BFF does here with her green/grey purse, or like the Coach Madeline as seen on Coach's website.

shoe heaven

Saw these absolutely gorgeous in the latest Neiman's newsletter:

Snakeskin Pointed-Toe Mary Jane

I hate to say this, but I will totally buy a knock-off version of this. As much as I love the real Manolo Blahniks, they are unfortunately too rich for my blood. Maybe one day...

grey and yellow dress

To break the monotonous food journal posts, I just want to say I am in love with this dress for summer.

Mr Abbott - Colorblock Mini Dress


Grey and yellow, one of my favorite color combo.

pinky toes

Inspired by Rebecca's post, and after many many weeks of putting it off, I finally went to the nail place and got my toes buffed and painted today.

new lemming

When this bag first came out last year, I didn't pay much attention to it. But today at Target I saw a girl carrying the black version, and OMG I literally stopped in my track, I just could NOT take my eyes off it.


I really want one, but darn whole "owning a house" thing definitely gets in the way of my "economy stimulus" purchase!

rain boots splurge vs. steal

I love rain and thunderstorm, but the water is no good for my daily heels. I've been eyeing Hunter "Original" rain boots since last fall, but so far I cannot bring myself to splurge for it.


Today as I was browsing piperlime.com I found these Chinese Laundry knockoffs, definitely cheaper but I am unsure of the quality.


Splurge, steal, or none of the above?