weekly outfit summary

My resolution to take outfit photos has really encouraged me to dress better for work - for that, I am thankful. It pushes me to use all the clothing I am continually buying. If it weren't for this blog, I would be wearing the same jeans and baggy sweater combination that I find myself throwing on at 6AM in cold winter mornings. 

Work outfits. My office does not have a strict dress code which is great. I think these two photos show the range in professionalism I aim to portray through my style i.e. sleek business casual to relaxed urban wear.

Pants 7 for Mankind//Shoes BCBG//Jacket Thrfited//Top Ann Taylor//Necklace F21

Shoes Marshalls//Tights Target//Dress Topshop//Sweater Marshalls

I visited Amherst, MA over the three day weekend. It began with the usual northeast snow storm. I ended up not changing my outfit the entire time I was there because the weather was so cold. Layering is cool, right?

Shoes Marshalls//Jeans Anthropologie//Socks Express//Sweater Ann Taylor//Bag Karmaloop//Jacket Goodwill//Scarf F21

Photo shoot with my friend Cassandra. I am truly fortunate to have friends who can understand my insanity. Not many people will stand outside and take photos for you. I also secretly believe that maybe we're all getting resilient to the weather to the point that standing outside with no jacket isn't so bad....

 I really love the skirt in these photos. It's a cashmere, maxi length skirt with a slit on the side. I discovered it at a thrift store in the middle of the summer. It was love at first sight. I am afraid to wear it in public though. It seems too luxurious for a research laboratory and too man-repelling for a first date.

Top Ann Taylor//Necklace F21//Skirt Buffalo Exchange//Shoes Shoe Mint

I will end the post with an adorable photo of cupcake treats for your cherished animal friends.

Kickass Cupcakes

XXOO

fashion, technology and music

New York Fashion Week starts tomorrow. I am really excited to watch the art, fashion and music emerge across the internet. Though to be honest, I get uncomfortable with the concept of social media, primarily over the gluttonous, self-propagating bullshit that floods our news feeds. The selfies, the fake interactions ("networking"), and the plethora of hashtags. I enjoy the witty hashtags with the playful puns that sound gut-cringingly cheesy said aloud. When I see hashtags, I see shameless self-promotion and lack of originality. I see people selling themselves for the sake of a "like" on a loveless platform where people (and maybe I mean women) are waiting for make snide internal judgmental comments. But that is the cynic in me. I also love social media because it lends every individual a voice. It lets everyone be an artist. It lets people see a side of you that you normally hide in public because the public is scary with strangers who have the potential to be judgmental pricks. Through social media, you have the safety net of the internet, where the people who follow you are usually your friends or like-minded people who enjoy your commentary on life. There are your ups and downs to technology, but I think it ultimately has done something amazing for the art world. 

Why this rant? I found this video showcasing technology, music and fashion, culminating into this loud artistic expression. Coco Rocha performs interpretative dance in these formless gowns with apocalyptic beats in the background and holographic images that blur the lines between reality and fiction. But during the whole show, it is hard to miss the bright screens of people's phones, trying to "capture" the moment. Whatever, the ups and downs right?

DESIGN DISRUPTED - Lexus, LEGS, Giles Deacon and Coco Rocha (Full Performance) from Coco Rocha on Vimeo.

work attire, new hair cut and other things

I am making a new year's resolution: take more outfit photos (Lunar New Year because I work according to that timeline). This probably means I need to bring my DSLR to my office, but until then, I will be using my iPhone. I just downloaded the VSCO app so my life has been revolutionized (hyperbole: yes no maybe?). I had to ask my coworkers to take my photos and take off my winter coat so you know I'm really putting my all into this resolution. 

Other updates: I chopped off all my hair and donated it to Locks of Love. I wanted to grow my hair out long for summer, but I am addicted to the scissors and the awesome feeling of a fresh cut. Plus, I honestly don't think my type of hair works for long hair styles. Also, I realize there is a fear of short hair with women. Society has inculcated the belief that the length of one's hair relates to one's sexiness. The first time I cut off all my hair (up to my ears), I cried. Then after the initial week (or month...) of depression, I developed a better sense of self. I found my beauty as a person with a disconnected relation to my hair. So the second time I cut off all my hair, I forgot about it. I received surprised reactions from my girlfriends and I responded confused, then remember that my haircut must be shocking to most people. Your hair cut can add to your personal style and representation of who you are, but it can not take anything away from you. I look forward to cutting off all my hair every couple of years because it feels like I get to start over, become introspective about what makes me beautiful, then carry on with life. Anyways, I apologize for the rant about my walkabout into the wilderness of female insecurities with their image. 

Here are photos from today's outfit:

 Outfit details: Skirt H&M//Sweater Ann Taylor//Tights Target//Silk Scarf American Apparel

And my haircut! It is an asymmetrical bob. I literally copied Kina Grannis's current hair style. It is currently my second favorite hair cut of my whole hair-cutting experience (if anyone was keeping track...). 

XXOO