winter textures

This winter, I find myself craving leather pants and fuzzy sweaters to soothe my fears of the icy winds outside. Recently, I really appreciate leather pants and leggings. They fulfill the needs of my inner motorcycle badass that only developed after I watched Easy Rider. To soften the inevitable intimidation that ensues with leather accessories (because of course I am extremely intimidating, all 5'2" of myself), I add (with lack of a better word) fluffy white tops. Let the pictures speak for themselves about the compatibility of these two textures. 

I have been searching for the perfect angora cropped sweater since fall. One day, I WILL find you.

The leather skirt/pants are slimming and they refine your outfits because I know we are all trying to combat the "just getting out of bed" look.

For those of us who cannot get enough of leather. And have incredible bodies. 

If you haven't fallen in love with leather textures (or don't feel comfortable trying this new trend), then let this editorial inspire you. 

XXOO

Winter Trend: Thigh High Boots

I'm really excited for the return of thigh-high boots. I remember sporting this trend the winter of my 1st year of college and I have recently spotted them on two of my favorite bloggers Aimee from Song of Style and Olivia from Lust for Life. They have been the two bloggers that I have religiously followed since I was a young high school student. 

How do you wear thigh-high boots? I like to wear them with sheer black tights (and maybe thigh-high socks if you're experiencing a colder winter) and sweater dress. I feel like these shoes make all outfits more sexy (but not slutty) and more chic. I personally own a pair of black and dark grey boots. I find that they match with all my outfits and fit with the winter color palette. 

Song of Style

Lust for Life

XXOO

a moveable feast

I had the fortune of visiting France for 2.5 weeks (thank you work for freeing me & congratulations to my cousin and her husband on their wedding).

In my brief travels, I experienced both French summer (in Paris and southern France) and French autumn (in my last week in Paris). I loved the hot weather of southern France, but I thrived in the 60 degree, slightly rainy atmosphere in Paris. Street fashion was made for the temperate Spring and Fall. 

Best fashion in France? Hands down in Paris. It was like New York City (primarily Bedford Ave, Williamsburg), but these young, fashion-forward Parisians were superimposed on the beautiful, architectural city of Paris. 

How did I pack for the trip? I confronted the challenge of packing enough outfits for 2.5 weeks (and a wedding) in my small suitcase by packing clothes that all matched each other. My suitcase was a mix of port, cream, grey and black plus leather and lace texture. I had to dress to the nines while being economical with space. Challenge met!

Best experience in France? I was vintage shopping in the Marais neighborhood (my favorite place in the city - best vintage shopping, best falafel, and best park-Place des Vosges), and I spotted Kelly Wearstler. She was wearing a denim-on-denim outfit, looking picture-perfect. I immediately ran to her (even though this store was the size of a glorified closet) and shakingly introduced myself as an avid fan of her blog. She was chill to talk to but unfortunately I was a melting mess and could only muster the courage to ask for a photo (she said yes!).

Check out my photos!

 On my list of "Greatest things that happened to Kate"

Musee de l'Orangerie, painting by Henri Matisse. Great museum that carries Monet's Water Lilies painting collection as well as other impressionist pieces.  

I discovered the beauty of head scarves on my trip. This scarf added a pop of color and design to my outfits (whether around my neck or head). Best accessory for when it's raining and you have no umbrella also. 

 Favorite museum: Musee Rodin. I loved the classical sculptures found in the Lourve and Musee d'Orsay but the dark, sensual themes found in Musee Rodin's sculptures (that led to what we now consider modern sculptures) blew me away. Also, the man was a boss.

Louvre in front a painting of a fight between David and Goliath. Wearing my usual head scarf, slouchy sweater, clock necklace, port pant combo.  

What regular streets in Paris look like.

Place des Vosges. Don't get me wrong, I believe the Jardin des Plantes, Jardin du Luxemborg, and Jardin des Tuileries are all beautiful gardens, but there was a certain intimate, je ne said quoi about Place des Vosges.

Jardin des Plantes

I loved the Nasty Gal dress I wore for my cousin's wedding. Form-fitting, classy and stylish :)

I have always loved French culture, admiring it from afar in my high school French language classes or through Godard's lens, but traveling there really confirmed something for me. I really want to live there. 

So here begins a promise to myself to really follow through with this dream.

XOXO

P.S. I won free tickets and meet&greet with Surfer Blood. I'm in love and I can't stop.

dinner in little italy

Friday evening, I went to an Italian dinner with my sister, Anne. We went to our favorite place Giacomo's (please try their butternut squash raviolis and pumpkin tortellinis). I arrived there at 5:45 PM confronted by an hour-long line outside the door. I immediately considered leaving, but my sister pushed me to stay.  During the wait, I took the opportunity to take outfit photos. Honestly, I am still uncomfortable about outfit photos. It feels self-adsorbed and I become insecure with a camera aimed at me. Plus, I never carry my DSLR on me--too heavy and inconvenient--so I resort to Iphone photos. Resolutions: I need to get over my insecurities and be less lazy.

 Instagram-edition: Posing on the Long Wharf like an Asian tourist.

XXOO

P.s. I am so excited to see Chvrches tommorow.

govenors ball

I had the great fortune of going to the govenor's ball music festival this past weekend in NYC. I got see some of my top favorite bands, from The XX, Yeasayer, Animal Collective, Beach House, Grizzly Bear, and Kanye West. The music was great, but there were downsides. With the tail end of a hurricane flooding Friday's events and Randalls Island transformed into a mud pit for the next two sweaty days, finding the right outfit was difficult. I was  forced to wear rain boots for the duration of the festival to maneuver the muddy pits of questionable brown slop, but I still attempted fun and summery outfits for the event. 

 Day One: Found these vintage Salvatore Ferragamo loafers at Goodwill. NYC always kills it with its thrift finds. 

Day One Outfit: Rain boots are still clean in this early shot before the festival. I doned the plaid, cropped shirt to match the farm-like manure smell of the island. 

Outfit details: Backpack Fjallraven Kanken//Boots J.Crew//Shorts Brandy Melville//Shirt DIY//Plaid Shirt AA//Sunglasses Ray Ban

 Day Two Outfit: Found myself in this beautiful rooftop garden. With the mixture of hot weather and sweaty dancing, bathing suits are ideal for music festivals. Also, I wore a sheer shawl to protect my back from the sun rays. 

Outfit Details: Bathing suit AA//Shawl Thrifted//Sunglasses Thrifted//Everything else the same as above

I got to see Grizzly Bear -- Life goal complete. 

This past weekend was an incredible experience. I can't wait for more music festivals!

XXOO

Cannes Film Festival

Jessica Biel was GORGEOUS for the Cannes Film Festival this year, in a Marchesa gown. The feathers at the bottom hem are so ethereal. I will forever dream of this gown. I also love her outfit because of her necklace because I have a really similar one in gold .....

The necklace is really versatile; it can be worn as a necklace, belt, or bracelet. I found it at this vintage bazaar hosted by my school.

Then my 2nd favorite look of the night:


Cara Delevingne is the hottest person on Earth, I'm fairly certain. I could find heaven in those perfect eyebrows.

what i want for summer

Warmer weather has been frequenting Boston more consistently these past few days (aside from torrential downpours, but it wouldn't be Boston otherwise). With summer in mind, there are two fads that have been on my mind: Hawaiian palm tree prints & jean overalls. Set aside your misgivings about the combination of the two and be inspired..

The palm tree print adds a bright pop of color and is a fresh sight for sore-eyes from the onslaught of floral patterns that frequent the summer scene. Also, palm trees are synonymous with paradise and relaxation aka summer time. 

The jean overall represents comfort and durability with its jean texture. Perfect when pairing a baggy overall with fitted crop tops or lacy bandeaus. It's no-hassle but adds a breathe of fresh air to an outfit. It's basically a jumper, but now you have the endless options of choosing the tops you can pair with the jean material (which is anything because jeans match everything!) I plan on finding my dream overall in the bins of Good Will. 

May you find yourself on the road towards the prefect summer outfit. 

XXOO