Category: Style


Style

August 1 2017

The Only Way I Shop: Subscription Boxes

I used to be a person who enjoyed the mall experience. Wander around department stores like Bloomingdales or Nordstroms and picking out a thing or two. BUT THEN! I discovered subscription boxes and I was hooked!

You may have heard that Amazon just entered to the game. (You have to be a Prime member.) There, you can select 3 to 15 items of clothes or accessories and you have seven days to decide on whether or not you’ll keep any of them. It’s good for the working women who doesn’t want to spend a lot on work clothes like dresses.

I tried Stich Fix and I just felt like it didn’t fit my personality. The clothes were too bright, didn’t fit and wasn’t up to par in quality. So I turned my attention to two companies in the game: MM.LaFleur and Le Tote.

MM.LaFleur makes polished clothes for the working women. Their prices are a bit high but they’re pretty fashionable despite the fact that they’re clothes for work. I usually just buy one out of the five or six pieces they send me. Their customer service is great, a stylist sends you an email asking you if there’s anything you need. After I try on all my clothes, I jump on my computer to give my feedback about each individual item. This ranges from style (did not fit, does not like the color) to price (too expensive). You have only four days to try on the clothes and then return them in their prepaid mailer. Recently, I got this this jacket called the Woolf. It’s like a stretchy blazer. It has small shoulder pads that give you that extra umph. It’s my new favorite piece of clothing. You can dress it up or down. Today I’m wearing a Skylar Yoo statement tee with it along with black leggings and heels.

The second company I’m buying from is Le Tote. This works like “Netflix.” You pay $49 dollars per month for three items of clothes and two accessories. After you’ve worn their clothes, you can return them for more. Cool thing is that you can keep your items as long as you like but, if you’re like me, you either buy it or you return it soon so you can get the next box. You’re basically paying the monthly fee so why not get the most bang for the buck (variety). It’s important to note that this company lets you “swap” out items and pick them out yourself, rather than have your stylist just send you what they think you want. They’re having a big clearance sale right now if you want to see what they offer. I recently got this blue floral blouse and I loved it enough to buy it.

Shopping will never be the same again! Bye bye department stores. Hello, online subscription boxes!


Style

July 21 2017

Pink Sequined Christian Louboutin Boots

Wow! Now these are some shoe stopping shoes! Christian Louboutin looks like they’re taking a page out of the playbook of Saint Laurent’s rhinestone boots that was all the rage (especially when Rihanna wore it). Love how these come in a subtle but shimmering blush color, yet they still have their trademark red sole. Of course, these Loubtouin’s are sequins and Saint Laurent’s were made of rhinestones but both are pretty fab!


Style

July 21 2017

Rainbow Converse Designed by Mara Hoffman

Designer Mara Hoffman is one of those cool designers I like to keep my eye on. I love her colorful bathing suits and her long dresses. She recently collaborated with Converse to create these ultra-unique shoes. (You know I have a thing for rainbows.) They don’t officially go on sale till August but I found them on Free People’s website today so you can purchase them early, before they run out. They’re actually embroidered shoes! They come in two colors, I prefer this one called Purple Multi.

They’re expected to be shipped out on August 4th.


Style

July 19 2017

Caroline Constas’ Gorgeous Rainbow Colored Clothing

I was browsing through Moda Operandi when I came across these rainbow colored clothes by New York-based designer Caroline Constas. How stunning is that gathered top with the ruffle skirt? As a person who loves ruffles and rainbows I almost cried when I saw these! (Not really, but it did make me emotional…like buy, buy, buy! But then, no, no, no.) I put these clothes in the, “Really beautiful but too expensive category.” (I should make a board called that on Pinterest!) The gathered top goes for $420. Yeah….no.

I have this theory that the retail industry is currently pushing out the middle market. High end luxury brands with beautiful unique designs will stay in business as will fast fashion brands that rip off the luxury market’s designs. With the rise of Instagram, I think a lot of women love following trend setting style influencers like Aimee Song or Chriselle Lim. I remember after seeing Aimee wear that black and white Self-Portrait blouse, I was like, “Where can I buy that?” The influencers know how to put their outfits together, they look A-MAZING so they amass a legion of fans who want to dress just like them too.

So who are the big losers? Coincidentally, they’re the same ones who built too many physical retail stores. BCBG, Bebe, J.Crew, The Limited, Abercrombie, Guess.

On the luxury end, it’s fun to discover new designers (or at least new to you/me). Browsing by designer, getting to know who they are is interesting too. In this Vogue article I learned that Caroline Constas is known for her off-the-shoulder tops (ok, like everyone) but ones that are “well priced, flattering, and not too flimsy as to pose a wardrobe malfunction risk.” She has a “straightforward signature—classic shirting with a twist.”

The woman is a force! “Constas is also savvy in that her business is vertically integrated, so her patternmakers, sewers, and seamstresses are all in-house. Not only does that maintain high margins, but it means she can be involved in every step of the process, from the size of the buttonholes to buying strategies. ‘Getting my hands in production and sales has been so important,’ she says. ‘I can’t imagine having a label and doing it differently. As a designer, you have a vision for what you think will do well in the market, but it’s great to be in those sales meetings and hear what buyers’ needs actually are. At the end of the day, it’s a business.’

That’s my kind of gal!

P.S. Sorry about the lack of posts! I’ve been swamped with Skylar Yoo, the fashion brand for bold women coming out in mid-October. I’ll try to post more!

Related articles across the web


    Style

    July 7 2017

    A Stunning White Dress

    The rabbit hole we call the Internet led me to this online store called Ellis and Friends. I was perusing their website when I came across this stunning white dress. I love the bare shoulders, how it’s A-line (hiding my big hips), and how it’s made in lace, crochet and organza. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

    P.S. My favorite ruffled blouse, from Self-Portrait, is now being sold online. You can buy it on the company’s website.


    Style

    July 7 2017

    The Prettiest Purple Top

    I recently discovered the store MILLE. They sell clothes that are a little pricey but worth it for the unique style. This purple top with balloon sleeves, ruffles on the arms and a tie at the neck is so pretty! It’s called the Rayne Tie Shirt and it’s by Thierry Colson.

    Though sold out, I noticed that now a lot of sites let you enter your email address to get on an email list. They’ll notify you when they get a new shipment in. Genius!


    Style

    July 6 2017

    The Perfect Beach Cover-Up

    I’m not a big fan of crochet but when I saw this, I was immediately drawn to it. Isn’t it so pretty? I love the scalloped edges. Five out of five stars with 16 reviews. One person wrote, “This cover-up is stunning. Lots of compliments on it. Well made too.”

    It’s called the Crochet Cover-Up Tunic and it’s by Surf Gypsy.


    Style

    July 5 2017

    The Prettiest Chair (is Comfortable Too)!

    I have this weird fascination with chairs. If I had all the money in the world I would start a chair collection. So far I have the Sayl Chair by Yves Béhar (in white and red), the Eames rocker in red, and I have an accent chair for my office, a pretty turquoise Eames chair.

    One of my dreams is to get the classic Eames Lounge Chair in black. It’s the epitome of cool.

    Just to note, now that I’m moving (I only have one month left!), I’ll be scouting out cool furniture. Hope you enjoy seeing more posts like this (home decor).

    I just spotted this fancy gem on Room & Board’s website. It’s called Chloe and it’s made from luxurious velvet. It looks gorgeous in dark blue and in pink.

    It got really high reviews on the R&B website, 5 out of 5 stars, with people saying things like:
    “Such a great yet simple design and it’s comfortable looks excellent.”
    “Beautiful fabric! Gorgeous design. Perfect color. I love it and may get another.”
    “A good friend of mine has this chair in a different fabric. When we were looking for a good comfortable chair for our guest bedroom, I didn’t hesitate. This is a chair you can spend hours in. I just love it!”


    Art & Design

    June 23 2017

    The “Secret” Magazine That I Really Love

    Let it be known that I subscribe to A LOT of magazines. I remember my older sister, Grace, had a countless number of magazine subscriptions when she was a high schooler. Since we’re four years apart, that would mean I was 10 when I first got exposed to these “glossies.” I experienced the rise of grunge, hello Kate Moss, goodbye Cindy Crawford. One of my fondest memories would be running towards the mailbox to try and get my hands on one of her magazines before she could. I loved the feeling of holding a crisp version of Vogue, Elle, and Allure. Oh and those Fall tomes! The September issue would be the best – picture after picture of gorgeous models wearing outrageously expensive outfits. I wasn’t materialistic, it was about the art of the clothes, the fashion photography, and even, sometimes the articles.

    Fast forward a few decades, (ok, three), and now I get these delivered to my door: Vogue, Elle, Allure (ah, still love these three), InStyle, Oprah, StyleWatch, Bazaar, W, Time, Bloomberg Business, Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, Wired and Inc. It’s a weird mix between fashion and business. My recent purchase is also my favorite….get ready for it: Teen Vogue.

    {Awkward Pause} “You know you’re like 40, right?! (That’s my head talking..or maybe you. Stay with me.)

    Not sure if you’re aware of this but Teen Vogue has gotten really political and its articles are captivating.

    Per The Atlantic:
    “In May, 29-year-old Elaine Welteroth took over as editor from Amy Astley, who helped found the magazine in 2003. Welteroth, the digital editorial director Phillip Picardi, and the creative director Marie Suter have moved the magazine more aggressively into covering politics, feminism, identity, and activism. Together, the three have shepherded a range of timely, newsy stories, including an interview exploring what it’s like to be a Muslim woman facing a Trump presidency, a list of reasons why Mike Pence’s record on women’s rights and LGBTQ rights should trouble readers, and a video in which two Native American teenagers from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe discuss the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.”

    It feels like Teen Vogue is on the pulse of what’s cool but not in a “trying-too-hard” kind of way. Outside of politics, it also shares some interesting articles like Solange’s letter to her teenage self. I was taken aback by her beauty, her boldness, and her creativity!

    Read the whole thing here.

    My favorite phrases:

    “there will be fear. a lot of it. there will be triumph. a lot of it. there will be constellations you want to reach for but can’t put your finger on. you will trace them like the scars on your body you got from trouble and the times of your life. you will take the long way to get to these Orions. the long way will become a theme in your life, but a journey you learn to love.”

    “because you have your mama’s blood, you are fiercely independent and outgoing. you’ve been starting petitions, building tree houses, and starting clubs since as long as you can remember. sometimes in the midst of juggling all this, you put a lot of pressure on yourself and often crash and burn. you shut down. you go into your room, lock the door, put on music, and you do not move for 8 hours straight. it will feel like the heaviest and bleakest darkness you can possibly feel, and when you ask everyone to leave you alone and let you be, what you really want to say is ‘i want you here’ and ‘i need help.’ sometimes it is ok to say just that. it won’t make you less strong or less powerful. no one you love will criticize you or blame you; in fact, they will lift you up.”

    Now I want to cry.

    Photo: Julia Noni for Bazaar


    Style

    June 21 2017

    Why I Failed as a Lifestyle Blogger

    After I left the art blog My Modern Met, I had big plans for myself. I was going to be like my Internet idols Joy Cho of OhJoy!, Joanna Goddard of Cup of Joe, and Bri Emery of Design Love Fest. I would showcase to the world my beautiful and exciting life! Look at my colorful, well-put together outfit, listen to the latest podcast, be on the cusp of what’s cool. I have total respect for them, but lifestyle blogging just wasn’t for me.

    Did I not remember that I’m a total introvert? That I have a hard time taking a selfie? That I treasure my privacy? How was I ever going to make it as a lifestyle blogger? Two years passed and I gained about 300 followers on Facebook. About 100 people come to my blog every day. Who are you, people? Why would you be spending time on my site when there are so many more interesting blogs out there? 300 fans on Facebook is not a bad number, mind you, figuring I hardly post there. I was too afraid of criticism, and since I didn’t get many likes on any of my posts, I figured people didn’t care anyway.

    Then, I had this revelation. Though I still like my privacy, I could be bolder in my life. I could share with the world my failures, my vulnerabilities. A few days ago, when I told all of my 2,000+ Facebook friends that I was starting a new company I was scared s***less. Yet, I did it. Why? Because I think sometimes you have to put your life’s goals out there into the universe. Will some people laugh at me? Probably. Now I’m accountable for my actions. The business could implode and never launch but what’s so bad about that? A little lost money but lots of lessons learned.

    What happened next? I chopped off my hair (it was long for over 20 years), dyed it pink and started wearing more fashionable and expressive clothes. I fell in love with fashion. It’s a beautiful form of art!

    Now, I feel like I’m back in my element, emailing or talking to artists on the phone about their passion. These people just love their craft, they are completely engrossed in the world of hand lettering. And why wouldn’t they be? It’s fascinating what you can do now – taking a rough pencil sketch and “vectorizing it” to create a colorful, unique work of art.

    “Lettering, in short, tells a story by using drawn letter shapes. These letterforms are not fonts that can be bought and simply used over and over again. Rather, they are custom-created for one particular piece and purpose. In this sense, they can be compared to illustration – an illustration consisting of letters.” (From the book, The Golden Secrets of Lettering by Martina Flor.

    My UK agency and I are working on the target market right now. Who will wear these statement t-shirts? At first, I thought maybe the ban.do market. The really young millennials. Now, though, I feel as though it should be someone who’s fashionable but also mindful and authentic. There’s a story to be told there. Just wait and see….

    Newer posts Older posts