Love & beauty actually...are all around you

Zuhair Murad S14 Couture gown // Love Actually Film // Camellias in bloom

 Zuhair Murad's Spring 2014 couture collection was definitely love at first sight. The leaf-motif gold belts, the beautiful pastel spring colors, classic silhouettes, guipure lace, embroidery, embellishments, and floral appliques made me long for spring!

Links à la Mode Feature & Hello February

The shortest month of the year, February, is what I called the V-month. V simply stands for Valentine's. I think we should really celebrate love the entire month-- not just one day. I recently learned that my 5 year-old niece loves drawing hearts, which is puzzling to me how children gravitate towards things that are associated with love at such a young age! Anyway, I'll have to dive my nose into some books for an answer. Let the 28 days of love begin today!

It has been pretty incredible to start a new chapter this month with my 5th LALM feature so far this year!

The New Casual

Sneakers at Chanel Couture? Evening dresses to a picnic? Is there really any appropriate occasion to wear anything? Not anymore! Dress it up, dress it down, if you can make it work, all the better! This week we have a great roundup of news from Couture, Stockholm and Mens fashion week, as well as some style tips to put the new trends in action. So kick of your sneakers and pull up your chair, it's going to be a great roundup this week!

Links à la Mode: January 30th

• A la Modest: Pin Up Dresses That Don't Bare
• Attire Club: A Recap of Paris Fashion Week
• Bell Street: Nowhere to Wear that Pretty Dress? Create Your Own Opportunities to Dress UP!
• Burgundy Whispers: Tastemakers: Katy Perry
• Charlotte Lucy: Drape
• Confessions of a Style Cookie: Sporty Pastels at Chanel Haute Couture
• ExtraSmallXS: DIY Saltwater Spray
• Fashioned by Love: Beauty Talk with Adrianna Giotta
• Fashion Lush: Plaid Habits
• Lara Lizard: How to Be a Sarcastic Writer in 2014
• Modly Chic: Am I Pretty or Ugly?
• Privilege: Demystifying the Boyfriend Jean
• Simply Frabulous: Stockholm Fashion Week AW14 Back!
• Stilettos and Tequilla: 5 Ways to Wash Colour Blocked Clothes
• The Dragon Fruit Diaries: 5 Ways to De-Stress Over the Weekend
• The Stylish Butterfly: No More Black Tights
• Trace the Shadows: Who Dressed Laura Palmer? 3 Steps to Twin Peaks Style
• Trend Survivor: The Best Dressed Couple: Justin O'Shea and Veronika Helibrunner
• We Are Ready Made: WARM is in the mood for the emotion of fashion
• Wild Beauty Love: Painted Ladies: Madame X

SPONSOR: East Dane Tumi, MM6, Zac Zac, Mr Kim, Adidas, Men's Carven, LuliFama, Clothing, Red Ear, Jean Machine

Perforated Pumps Fresh Spring Air in Winter

click image to buy
 Jimmy Choo // Abel Perforated Patent Leather Pumps

Sexy doesn't have to be flesh-baring, at least not when the weather hasn't been very kind lately.  I actually like the subtle sexiness that comes with flesh-peekaboo, aka perforations.  If air is to NIKE, perforations are to fashion! They just make it that much better!  Cut-outs and perforations are making a comeback this spring, and they are definitely one of my favorite trends, as seen on the runway at Spring 2014 Rebecca Taylor, The Row, and Reed Krakoff. Let your skin soak-up some air in the spring time when the sun is out to play! I'll let my imagination do that for now, while I'm piled under layers.

Rebecca Taylor S14

Links à la Mode Feature & Award Shows

As we're getting ready to bid January good-bye, I am so ready to rid myself of this awful nagging flu that has plagued me for the past 2 weeks. It was partly my fault for not getting the flu shot before the flu  epidemic broke and  flu vaccines became a shortage in many pharmacies in town. Besides keeping myself hydrated with plenty of liquids and grapefruits (my favorite citrus), I have been loving the award shows.  So, don't be surprised to find lots of celebrity fashion posts, especially with the Oscar's coming soon.

Besides enjoying all the new fashion with fashion week by soaking up all the pretty images on style.com, I'm also very happy to be featured my 4th time this month with the weekly IFB LALM. Please check out these wonderful links and have a great  week ahead. The most dreadful day (Monday) is over!

Stepping Up the Style

The thing that keeps fashion interesting is that it's a never-ending project. But that doesn't mean we don't like to strive for perfection anyway. Whether it be following your favorite fashion icons, saying no to the trends, or breaking cliches, style can always be stepped up even when we simplify our wardrobes. This week we have a solid round up of style related posts, so be sure to check them all out!

Links à la Mode: January 23rd

• Al Balsam Life: Dress For Business: Spring 2014 Mens' Edition
• April to August: Review: Zara Pointed Ankle Strap Flats
• Burgundy Whispers: Winter Essentials
• Corinne Monique: The Life of a Legend and Death of a Diva
• Elegance Hunter: How to Succeed at PFW
• Fashioned by Love: 5 Dresses Every Woman Should Own: It's a Wrap
• Flower City Fashionista: What Not To Wear, Even When People Tell You You Should
• Frantic but Fabulous: How to Steal Outfit Ideas from Your Favorite Magazines
• Free Ur Closet: Eco Love: Fashion and Beauty
• Hunting in Heels: Hardcore Metal: 5 Metallic Shoe Picks
• Lara Lizard: I'm a better blogger because I'm prettier
• My Fashion S/ash Life: Short Afro Heroes
• Rhinestone Religion: 5 Winter Skin Lifesavers
• Romeo Style: Monday Men Style: Shoulder Slingers
• Style Bizarre: Get the Style of Omahyra Mota
• Sweet on Style: DIY Headbands
• The Stylish Butterfly: Black and Gold Artsy Nails You Can't Wait to Try
• The Undercover Princess: Breaking the Prom Cliches
• V is for Violet: Fashion Design and Merchandizing Professions
• We Are Ready Made: Sex is Around The Corner

SPONSOR: EastDane David Galan, IRO.Jeans, MSGM, Raleigh Denim, Tretorn Shoes, Jack Spade, Ullens,

2014 Style Resolution: No more black tights

Miu Miu S14

 It's a new year! It's still January! It's still frigid cold outside! Are you tired of seeing dark colors?  For bloggers and fashion lovers, a style resolution is a MUST!!! This year I really wanted to un-bore myself and melt the cold with some colors. Well, it's winter and EVERYONE I see wears black tights, and it just doesn't bring me much excitement blending in the crowd.  With so much layering and knee high boots, where's the show ?

Links à la Mode Feature & 12 months of inspiration

Time passes so quickly, when I'm busy...or not.. as I get older.  My mom says that I'm one year older as soon as we hit new years regardless  when my birthday is.  I read somewhere that wisdom comes from common sense + experience. So age signifies the accumulation of all your experiences thus far, which goes to say that I'm wiser than I was last year!

New experiences can be exciting but also nerve-wrecking when they're completely new to you. I'm hoping to tackle new experiences in 2014--stepping out of my comfort zone and be wiser by the year's end.

One of the hardest things for me to do  is not to get lost in all the little things or not to "sweat the small stuff".  So, this year I'm going to make that my priority.  I hope you'll find your inspirations to guide you to where you want to be in the next 12 months. This blog is my own inspiration to continue to bring  you a piece of my world, one post at a time.

Once again, I'm headed towards a great start with my first Links à la Mode feature of 2014. It's always so nice to get linked up with other great posts.

Happy New Year!!!

Welcome to 2014. Don't you love the start of a New Year? Imagining all that will happen over the next 12 months. Sure, you can think about the next 12 months any time, but something is special once the calendars reset to a new year. So... what's in store for you? Who knows! But one thing we can do is show you some links to help you make the best, with DIY projects, fashion tips, and a few bits of inspiration just for you!

Links à la Mode: January 2nd

• Al-Balsam Life: Skin Care Diary
• Attire Club: 12 Fun Facts About Neck Ties
• A La Modest: Winter Wedding Wonderland
• Beauty and Sass: 3 Trends That Will Stick Around for 2014
• Burgundy Whispers: Fuel Food
• Carly Tati: DIY Junya Wantanabe Patchwork Jeans
• Cream and Sugar Please: 5 Tips for The Perfect Selfie
• Doefya: A Pair and a Spare
• DressCode:HighFashion: Backstage at Jean Paul Gautier FW13/14
• Fashion Lush: Fridge Chic: DIY Gold Animal Magnets
• I'm an Airhead. Oh Wow!: How to Layer Clothes
• La Prive: Show Them Who's Boss!
• Les Assorties: Dress You Lips in Red
• Lunar Candy: How to Get Your Man to Dress Better
• Miss Monet: Why I Love Fashion Illustrations
• Stilettos and Tequila: 5 Lessons Blogging Taught Me in 2013
• Style Bizarre: Tattooed Fashion Bloggers
• Style Through Her Eyes: LUSH Lip Scrub Review
• Tonie Girl: Time to Sparkle! 5 Ways to Wear a Sequin Skirt
• The Stylish Butterfly: 11 Ways to Wear a Festive Fashionable Bow

SPONSOR: East Dane Lisa Perry, De La Renta, Ellery, Melillo, Ruddick, Banjo Matilda, Black Pointe, Steven Alan, 30%, Ostwald Helgason

Polar vortex calls for comfy parkas and hot tea

January's bone-chilling cold is here and it has hit hard in many states, some places like North Dakota is like the new Antarctica. I'm picturing the life of polar bears, penguins, albatross, Antarctic fur seals, and Orcas and how nature has equipped them with naturally fat and fur as insulation. Unlike  these polar ice animals, we spend a lot of money to  keep ourselves warm in the winter. One of the cheapest way to keep warm though -- is simply by drinking hot tea. My favorite is jasmine tea. I drink up to 5 cups of hot tea a day when it gets really cold.

Snaps of me after snowfall

Kick-start 2014 with slithering snakeskin boots

It's officially 2014 and I am super excited to wet your new year's  appetite with some gorgeous boots that will keep your inner fireworks flying for the rest of this winter.  I recently had a heart-ful conversation with a dear friend about life, hopes, and dreams; we are the type of dreamers who dream big but live small.  We are filled with a sense of wonder and when it comes to shoes, we share that love too. So, this post is dedicated to her, and I thought a post about gorgeous boots is a great way to kick-start 2014 with high-flying style.


1. GIVENCHY - one of my favorite luxury brands.  When I have my eyes on  new things, including shoes, I'm usually fixed on a certain detail that pops like the cool printed green and silver pattern and slightly curvy heels. 

GIVENCHY Ayers Snakeskin Printed Ankle Boot in Green

Givenchy Podium snake leather clutch

Links à la Mode Feature and Holiday Wishes

Have you found a great coat for the winter yet? If you haven't, check out my featured post on how to avoid buying the wrong quilted puffer coat. The weather has been pretty dramatic lately--cold one day then warm the next, but winter is here to stay.  We're only 3 days away from x-mas and just t a week shy of 2014! Are you excited? I'm actually more terrified than excited because I have not made any plans for 2014. Well, since it's the holiday season, I just want to wish everyone lots of love and joy. Stay warm. Happy Holidays.

Wearing the Pants in the Family

Do you know what? Every time you think you got the pants down, something new comes up! Transparent pants, sequin pants for any occasion, no-pants... heck even changing your sweaters into pants. It's crazy what we'll do to cover our legs! Anyway, while the whole roundup isn't necessarily about PANTS, they certainly come up every now and then. What I like about the idea of "pants" is the idea of taking control of your wardrobe. Maybe everyone in your family wears pants, but in your life who or what is wearing the metaphorical pants? And what can you do to reinvent them? Let's find out in this week's Links a La Mode!

Links à la Mode: December 19th

• A la Modest: My Previous Jobs Side by Side
• Attire Club: Tips on Being a Good Host
• Kiri Yanchenko: Crop It Like It's Hot
• Late Night Minutes: DIY Ugly Christmas Sweater
• Love, Kate Smith: Primp & Pamper
• Lucy's Pearls: How To: The New French Roll
• Miss Monet: Fashion News: Rihanna is Balmain's It Girl
• Nothing to Wear Novello: Trending SWANTS
• Quirky Britches: Borrowing from the Men's Department
• Stye Bizarre: Rock Your New Year's Eve Look
• Rising Colors: How to Dress Like a French Woman in 7 Steps
• Risticulous: What I Made: Long Cardigan
• Style Context: How To Wear Sequin Pants
• Style Wire: The Awkward Gift Guide: Over Achieving Sibling
• The Curatorial: 20 Great Gifts Under $100
• The Lifestyle Project: How to Take a Good Passport Photo
• The Stylish Butterfly: How to Avoid Buying The Wrong Quilted Puffer Coat
• The Stylist: What's the Lifespan of a Trend? 
• What2WearWhere: Elaine Turner Opens Boutique
• Wild Beauty World: The Yoga Body

SPONSOR: East Dane Ca & Lou, Oscar de la Renta, RVN, Inis Meain, Havaianas, Parke Ronen, Lenny Niemeyer,

How to avoid buying the wrong quilted puffer coat

I'm originally a Cali girl, but I lived in NY for some time before moving to the D.C metro area . You can get through winter just fine without a puffer coat in Cali. It is not the same if you live in the N.E (U.S).  Here, everyone needs a puffer coat -- the #1 winter essential.  Because it is such an important piece of clothing that you'll be wearing for 3-4 months, why not take the time to buy one that not only keeps you warm but also looks good on you ? You can achieve comfort and style, even with a puffer coat! A great looking and fitting coat can get you through several winters, so let's avoid becoming a victim of bad fashion.

'Underworld' + 'The Matrix' Inspired Hybrid Black Winter Coats

Snow came early this year for us--not flurries but actual snow! I did not expect our local weather to dip in the 20's degree Fahrenheit a few days ago, which prompted me to gear up for freezing temperatures in thick coats and layers. Thank goodness everything from last year still fits !!!

CYBER MONDAY - Great Savings for Online Shoppers

source

So, I did mention that I didn't visit any retail stores for black Friday deals but I am 100% guilty of  black Friday online shopping (shhh!). H&M.com is where I frequently shop because they have new sales every week usually until this week--they had new items  on-sale every 24 hours! But if you snoozed you would have missed out on them because they were sold like hotcakes (most went out of stock within 5 hours). I was checking their site very early every morning this whole week--it was my motivation to get up early! lol.  New sales started at 3 a.m EST, so I sacrificed my beauty sleep for the savings--totally worth it!


This brings me to the next hot topic: CYBER MONDAY! (aka: online shopper's biggest shopping day of the year after Thanksgiving weekend). If you are wondering about how Cyber Monday deals stack against Black Friday's...here's what Yahoo Finance has to say:
"Cyber Monday deals are better on clothing and shoes, whereas Black Friday deals are better on electronics." But overall, Cyber Monday deals are still super, so make sure you act before it's over.


These are just a few sites I will be stalking on Monday (most likely while everyone else is in bed sleeping and dreaming) for very specific items:

H&M.com: 
40% off your entire purchase of $50.00 or more with free shipping
For things I probably won't need but totally want.

Walmart.com: For a sewing machine, gifts for my niece and nephew
[ Celebrate Cyber Monday at Walmart.com!]

Kohls.com (starts Saturday): For new luggage
[20% off Everything Site wide. Code CYBERWEEK. Offer valid 11.30 through 12.4!]

Nordstrom.com: For coats
[Shop NORDSTROM for Cyber Monday deals in Beauty. Plus, get free shipping on every order.]

Avon.com: For a make-up palette
[ Holiday Special - Mega Palette only $19.99 (80 Value) + Free Shipping Offer!]


Do you ever stalk an online sale like  a hawk? Tell me your crazy story...would love to hear it.

How about you? If you are going to soak up Cyber Monday deals...where will you shop and for what?

How was your previous Cyber Monday experience?

Please share your comments below.

Holiday Beauty Gift Ideas Made Simple

My Confession: I've always wanted a make-up palette with every color possible but I have never received one in my life. So, when it comes to doing a post on holiday beauty gift ideas, I knew exactly what I wanted to showcase. 

Last-Minute Holiday Clutch Handbags

What I love about the holiday season is the hustling and bustling in retail stores and seeing everyone trying to get their shopping done. It's chaotic but that's just part of the fun. If you have already planned what to wear so that after a huge feast, you can still breath, walk , and talk then you are in great shape.

From Runway to Holiday Hair Embellishments

Low buns, high buns, or side buns combined with hair accessories (gems, pearls, bows, florals, and etc) give a romantic look that can also work around the holidays. Embellishments are going to be trendy all the way til spring of next year, so why not wear them on our hair now? I think they can transform a casual style into something holiday-worthy.

Isabel Marant for H&M: a shopping guide

If you have ever wanted one or a few of Isabel Marant's runway looks, you can now get them at H&M in stores starting yesterday (11/14/2013).  Everything is out of stock online at H&M.com! These items fly off the shelf faster than I can put together this shopping guide.

What I love about her H&M collection is that it is comprised of key runway looks from 2010 - 2013 that are very stylish and easy-to-wear.  Her collection is also available for men and kids. So this is definitely your chance to grab something you still love from a  couple of years ago.  Everything in this collection is relevant now in 2013, especially for the winter and holiday season: sequins pants, wool blend coat, embroidered jackets, leather pants, pilot jackets, metallics, and signature fringe suede boots. Be sure to get'em early in your local H&M store.

LET'S GET PARISIAN CHIC!!

Brooklyn Decker and Molly Sims shopped Isabel Marant for H&M

Jenny Packham Holiday-ish Vibe Dresses

Rouge is definitely on  my mind when the holidays roll around every year. You can also do no wrong with a rouge dress during other times of the year like Valentine's Day and July 4th.  It is definitely my numero #1 color for Thanksgiving and X-mas. It's not too early to start looking for "the dress"! Honestly, I've never really checked out Jenny Packham's collections until recently because she gets a lot of royal attention from dressing Kate Middleton on multiple occasions.  I do love her sophisticated touch and very classic silhouettes. Even though my choices were taken from her spring 2014 collection, I think they are perfect for the holidays as well. The embellished gowns are so glamorous and wearable, except not really wearable because of the price tags. The up side is I have found steals for dresses that echo the essence of Jenny Packham's holiday-ish vibes at prices that you and I can afford without doing serious damage.

Camouflage & Poetry in Winter Wonderland

 This post is a response to IFB project: Soldier Chic, which is about styling the sizzling trend: camouflage. I know I cheated a little bit because these photos I'm using here are from January 2013. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the little story (& poem) and the photos.

IFB Project #114: Soldier Chic