Dressing down.

Love these silly sweaters. They're both currently available on Forever21.com.

Swan princess shoes.

Was browsing around the web and stumbled on these breathtakingly gorgeous swan embellished white satin pumps from Manolo Blahnik.

Despite its astronomical price, I added it to the "Future Wedding Inspiration" folder under "Bridal Dress & Accessories" -- until I landed on Bergdorf Goodman's description of the item and found out that Bella wore it to her own wedding in the latest Twilight movie. Um. That fact alone made me delete every single saved photo of the shoe from my files.

Manolo, of the Carrie Bradshaw/Sex and the City fame: you are utterly shameless.

In other non-designer shoe news, I finally found the most perfectly understated yet ridiculously sexy pair of black pumps while shopping with Manfriend yesterday. Ever since I lost my staple black suede peep-toes sometime last year, I have been on a persistent hunt for a worthy new replacement. As my luck would have it, I was thrilled to find out that the store had one last pair in my size.

My new 5-inch heeled babies make my legs look deliciously long and toned, and I danced, danced, danced the night away in them yesterday at a new club in the city, surrounded by some of my favorite people in the world. I can't wait to don them again for Valentine's Day for a night out on the town with my love (Mother Nature, pleasepleaseplease cooperate). Already got a fiery hot dress ready! ;)

Traveling Thursdays: Travel and life.

NOT ONLY do I love Diane von Furstenberg for the iconic designer that she is, but I also admire her for her strength, wisdom, and free spirit.

I look at her curly, frizzy mane; I openly stare at her wrinkles that she doesn't attempt to hide nor alter; and then I think, wow, this is what I aspire to be like when I grow older; gracefully, and completely comfortable in my own skin, free to be me and no one else.

I remember reading an article once, and her secret to doing it all was to, just simply, love life, and keep on moving.

Love life. Keep on moving. That will be my motto, not only for my two weeks in Singapore and Bali, but for my own individual journey moving forward.

Which reminds me, I have exactly one week left to figure out what to pack for Asia, and I have been lusting after DVF's line of stylishly sturdy luggage for the longest time. In any case, I am definitely keeping some of the designer's (free!) jetsetting tips and other traveling tidbits in mind for now.

Memory Lane Mondays: Reliving prom.

As we finalize decisions and game plan for our Asia trip (17 days!), I find myself in slight panic mode, as I am still without a formal gown for the "Bollywood-themed" gala we will be attending while in Singapore. I think I hit the jackpot when I stumbled on http://www.promgirl.com/ last night, as there are many affordable, gorgeous styles in beautiful, vibrant colors. (Whether or not I will need to get the dress tailored is another story altogether.)

Which got me thinking: my highschool prom was sort of a disaster. Several people got stuck in traffic that day, including myself and the bestie, so we all ended up missing our dinner reservations. My then-boyfriend and I had also gotten into a huge argument at the beginning of the evening, which soured the rest of the night's festivities. But, worst of all, the dress I had oh so carefully designed and saved up money to get personally made -- the dress whose details I had several discussions with the seamstress months beforehand -- was ill-fitting, too short, and looked nothing like I had envisioned it to be.   

But there were definitely some bright moments. My aunt, who has been my hairstylist for years, did my gorgeous updo for free. We all had a good time ordering in pizza, relaxing and hanging out at my girlfriend's house beforehand. M and I were also thankful for the extra two hours we suddenly had on our hands to continue primping and getting ready.

And although prom itself and the after-party was a little lame, I am all in all very glad that I got to experience a staple American tradition, with funny stories and memories to share for years to come.

Oh, it's DJ Steve Aoki and those Harajuku girls.

Saturday night at the Smithsonian: DJ Steve Aoki spinning, and some Harajuku girls sightings at Asia After Dark's "Tribute to Japanese Art and Fashion" event.


This event, specifically, sought to raise awareness and funds for the recent Japanese earthquake victims who still need our help.


Manfriend and I found it so strange (and amusing!) that there was literally a SEA of people surrounding Aoki (can you spot him?), just standing there, bobbing their heads in a trance.


Fabulous! I have no idea how he was able to walk around in these.



Cherry Surprise!
If you have never partied after-hours at a museum before, I highly suggest you get on their mailing list soon; trust me, tickets always sell out!

Hustler.

I looked at my calendar the other day, and something in me snapped when I realized that my first graduate class is only a mere few months away. Only a few more months to squeeze in as much volunteer and freelance work as I can before I have absolutely no semblance of a social life come August since I will be working and schoolin' at the same time.

Currently trying to write up a 75-word bio for my new DC style column, and I am completely stumped. I've always hated writing about myself, mainly because I'd like to think that I am one of those people who can't be properly summed in a few words, or a short paragraph... (And, yes, I'm being facetious, stop taking things so seriously.)

In any case, can I just write "HUSTLER" somewhere in there and get it over with? Sigh.

Spring/Summer 2011, when art thou arriving?

I both love and hate the fact that the fashion world is always one or two seasons ahead. On one hand, it gives you something to look forward to, but on the other, you are forever aching; forever waiting and wanting. You know, kind of like vacations: by the time it ends, you are already scheming and planning and dreaming of the next one.

Speaking of vacations, Manfriend and I will be celebrating July 4th in Singapore this summer (we are still trying to decide between Indonesia or Thailand afterwards), and I have been looking for a dress for the black-tie gala we will be attending that long weekend. Elie Saab's haute couture creations for this Spring are gorgeously romantic and pretty, and just basically more than perfect. A girl can dream -- and Mr. Saab knows this fact all too well, it seems.

Images via Style.com.

Dreaming of furs and feathers.

I have been in desperate want and need of a beautiful fur coat and a glorious dress with feathery details for a whiles now.

And so maybe it is my subconscious wishing it was a bear hibernating, or a bird migrating to some place warm and exotic instead of suffering in this unbearable winter weather -- but in any case, here's to hoping my vacation request does not get denied this time around. Asia awaits us this coming July.

Images via a personal new favorite, Young Sophisticates.

Sweater weather.

I can't remember the details of last night's dream, but I remember this: I had on the most coziest, comfiest, softest, most perfectly slouchiest oversized sweater of all oversized sweaters engulfing me and my body.

I woke up this morning and the realization that I actually don't own said sweater in real life almost made me whimper. Sad. I honestly could have lived in that thing, cuddling with it forever. (Or at the very least, just through the winter when Manfriend's away on yet another business trip.)


via.

via.

via.