Take Me out to the Ballgame

May 3, 2017

LOOK 1

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BELL DRESS | ADIDAS STAN SMITH LEATHER SNEAKERS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY SAKU NEW YORK.

LOOK 2

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK CUTIE COLLAR PLEATS DRESS | ADIDAS STAN SMITH LEATHER SNEAKERS

As some of you may know, I have, as of lately, been highly interested in Korean fashion. In the past week, I featured two distinctive Korean designers, one called, s a k u New York. s a k u is both feminine and casual, with great attention in creating never-seen-before styles. The SS17 collection's theme is, 'the LINK_', in that every creature is somehow linked together through inspiration and dreams. What is really exquisite about this collection are its key designs which have slit-pleated details and beautifully colored liners, like in Look 2 which is very sporty chic. Even the crochet detail with the neon peach color is quite lovely. The collar also brings a cute added touch to this dress.

Look 1 is all about structure and material. The cut and shape of the bell dress are impeccable. What I'm most infatuated with about this particular dress is the neon peach liner. You guys will be seeing a lot more of this up and coming-trending color. This stretchy, white, crew neck dress also features a concealed back zipper closure and the front hemline is shorter than the back side. Flirty and feminine, this bell dress is a perfect pick for any daytime look, from a stroll through the park, out watching your guy play ball, or even to a bridal/baby shower!

I styled these dresses very simply yet I had a lot to work with :) The baseball team, balls flying everywhere, the wind, the sun, the felt grass and symmetry of the lines... all these worked into creating a story. Sporty chicness meets girl-next-door meets ballet dancer. I hope you guys are digging the new edits and photos. As always, hearing from my readers never fails to make my day! Drop those comments down below or feel free to send me a message! Have a great rest of your Wednesday!

LOVE & XX'S,

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City Ballerina

April 28, 2017

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BLACK PLEATED SKIRT LINKED W/ SWEATSHIRT | 
RHODA WONG DUSTY ROSE SLEEVELESS TRANCH | MATT BERNSON MEZZA |
VVA IVY CALF GREEN POUCH HANDBAG

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SAKU NEW YORK, RHODA WONG, & MATT BERNSON.

Friday calls for a mixup on ballet-like trends and a bit more feminine chicness! Today's post features two designers from my most recent post (check it out here - major Parisian feels) who are both extremely talented in their own rights. The pleated skirt linked sweatshirt by saku New York is a great staple piece to have in your closet. The adaptability of this piece is incredible, as I can see this being worn all-year round. It's a great combo for layering or just by itself. The vest (comes separately) scalloped collar and lace work are just gorgeous! I layered it with an insanely beautiful dusty rose sleeveless trench by Rhoda Wong, with intricate pocket and collar details. What really caught my eye was what's within the pocket, a handkerchief holder! Like chivalry, it is a rarity - a dying breed if you will...

These Matt Bernson ballerina flats are my latest shoe obsession. You can wear these flats with or without the lace-up straps, whether tying them further up the legs to bring a gladiator/ballet-like feel to a look or even just around the ankles for a more definitive structured look, these versatile flats will be all the crazy this spring/summer season. And you bet I will layer these beauts with some sort of socks/tights come this fall! If you're looking to invest in a really good pair of flats, I really recommend these comfy and chic pair!

What's everyone up to this weekend? I will be working on more content for you guys - coming up on Monday will be a new cocktail recipe with one of my favorite liquors I've been drinking a lot of this year :) I can't wait to show you this spring-y, yummy and refreshing drink! Next week will also feature more sporty athleisure wear, but think more high-fashion, folks! And much more exciting projects in the works, it just keeps getting busier and busier! #forevergrateful

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

saku New York Pleated Skirt Linked with Sweatshirt Black

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An American Girl in Paris

April 26, 2017

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BLACK LAYERED BLOUSE |
 RHODA WONG BABY BLUE STRUCTURAL JACKET | BROWN HAT KOREA NAVY BLUE LACE HAT | 
GENUINE PEOPLE BELL BOTTOM CROP JEANS | LINEA PELLE SUEDE BUCKET BAG BLUE | 
UO BLACK PATTI LOW HEEL MULE

Happy Wednesday! The weather has been rainy and awfully gloomy here in New York City, so I'm bringing you Paris today! Just kidding, this shoot did take place in New York, but I bet I'd have you fooled if I told you I was in the La Ville-Lumière. And even though we're not in Europe, today's post is definitely Parisian-chic inspired!

Brown Hat is a Seoul-based hat brand with handcrafted hats inspired from classic designs, yet with a finishing touch of wit. The collections are defined by founder and designer Ji Hyang Park’s signature design in creating flexible and sometimes experimental silhouettes, and her mixture of use of the finest fabrics. The navy blue lace hat from this look is so great because I could wear this at a resort but at the same time, I could also be wearing the heck out of it in Paris! Brown Hat aims to offer timeless hats for men and women. Some hats are also available at NYC boutique, Dreams On Air.

Another talented emerging Korean designer is Lissa Koo, for saku. The motif for saku is both the chic New York sense and the easy, breezy West Coast atmosphere. While being a unique, never-seen-before style, saku offers clothes that are ready-to-wear and easily approachable for anyone. Pursuing both sportiness and femininity simultaneously, saku showcases silhouette apparel that greatly emphasizes woman’s beauty along with comfortable fabrics that allow easy movement. The black layered with white lace blouse is by Lissa, and is only one of many more pieces I just can't wait to show you in the next coming weeks! You can find some of her designs at DOA as well.

Last but not least is this crazy gorgeous jacket by Rhoda Wong. What makes Rhoda special is not just her age (which is twenty(!)) but her deep understanding of structural pieces when it comes to fashion. Aesthetically-pleasing with good detail playing on a variety of textures and materials, Rhoda's talent is off the charts! The baby blue oversized jacket is perfect for spring, Paris and/or both, plus more. It's a wonderful color with beautiful metal buckling and subtle yellow stitching on only on side of the jacket.

Watch these women closely, guys. I guarantee you will be hearing a lot more about these emerging designers in the coming years. Lastly, while shopping the look, please note some pieces are not available online yet and need to be inquired within. Have a great rest of your Hump Day!

LOVE & XX'S,

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Off to the Races

April 24, 2017

WEARING: ECHTEGO LACE DRESS | GUESS CARRIE BLACK SATIN PUMPS | 
BOOHOO MOCK CROC CLUTCH BAG

Do you guys remember the 'elevator' shoot from a few weeks ago? (Post link here.) If not, let me jog your memory. It was an editorial shoot with a navy blue dress by a great Korean designer, Sungmin Shim, for Echtego. I discovered her from a new showroom, Dreams On Air (DoA) here in New York City and was immediately attracted toward her style and collection. I love her designs so much, today's post is focusing on another beautiful piece from her 'Sentimental Vengeance' collection. And I will be telling you why I had to style this statement dress, not only because of it's aesthetic-gorgeousness.

I love when an object, whether a piece of clothing, a photograph, or a musical instrument can bubble certain memories/feelings toward the surface. It might be nostalgia or melancholy, perhaps both, with a tinge of hope, joy or fear (eek), but what I find so wonderful is its (objects) power to evoke sentiments we wouldn't have otherwise. And when I saw this black and white lace dress, it immediately drew me to my passion for Classical music. (Check out this dedicated post solely on that here!) You guys know I live for opera, but my first love when it comes to music is the Classical stuff. It's been in my life since my figure skating days, but something about the way it made me feel as I listened to it brought my attention to study it and learn from it. Nowadays, it's one of my main choices in music to listen to while writing. It keeps me centered and relaxed. Plus I just really love it. I just find it so incredible how an instrument can make you feel things you wouldn't feel from anywhere else, or with anyone else. Do I have any Classical music lovers out there?!

I used to go to the opera and the philharmonic like it was my religion, but I honestly haven't had the time to do so in a few years. Plus, I don't know many people (my age) that are as into it as I am. And that's perfectly fine, but damn I miss the hell out of it! And how lovely would this dress be for a night out for something like that? But I also think this dress also works well for the office or even attending a wedding! The tiny striped trim on the sides gives the lace dress a little bit more of a chill factor, as in easy and cool to wear. But I would really want to wear to this while doing something more on the fancier side. I feel confident and sexy in this number, so why not do something a bit more fun than just hitting the office in it? Have a great week, guys! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

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Mixing Prints

April 17, 2017

WEARING: RAILS ROCSI LIPSTICK PRINT SHIRT | REBECCA TAYLOR PHLOX FLORAL PANT | 
GUCCI BELT | CHLOÉ MEDIUM HUDSON BAG | EVALINE WHITE TIGHTS | 
MADDEN GIRL MORGHAN PEWTER

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY OLIVE & BETTE'S.

Happy Monday! How was everyone's Easter (to those who celebrate this holiday) weekend? We kept it pretty low key, and I even did some reading. The past week kicked my ass and I've been exhausted! I have to say it was the first weekend in a really long time, where I wasn't as active on social media. Sure I did a couple of Instagram posts like I usually do but I wasn't engaging as much as I do. It was kind of nice to just step away from constantly being on the phone and to do something else for a change. Yesterday, I laid in bed and read Keats for a few hours because I simply miss the beauty in reading poetry. Reading's hot, if you didn't know by now...

Aside from a relaxing past couple of days, today's post is about the wonderful play of mixing prints when it comes to fashion. Number one tip or Rule of thumb? Always try to mix two different prints together. I'm not a big fan of matching prints such as a pantsuit or even two-piece set of some kind. For example, I played with the ever 'groundbreaking' floral (Laughter cue in for The Devil Wears Prada reference ha ha ha!) print with a pair of pants from Rebecca Taylor. And instead of going with a matching top, I went for a more casual but flirty shirt from Rails, which has an adorable lipstick print! And the material is so soft, I could wear this shirt everyday with anything! Both pieces are from Olive & Bette's, an amazing boutique in Soho (there are other locations in the city) that carries other designers such as AG Jeans, Iro Paris, Yumi Kim, and more! I simply love their friendly staff too! If you're here in New York girls, you HAVE to check them out next time you're downtown.

Accessories from this look are definitely Asian inspired. I've been heavily embracing my Korean background as of late, and because of it I've also begun to dig deep into the cultures (and sub-cultures) of Asian fashion. This year I've been all about the socks and sandals trend. Many would never dare to go for this look (which is all good) but I love how much fun it brings to an outfit! If I wore only sandals or a higher heel with this look, it'd completely change the overall style of it. But with white tights, a few sprouting cherry blossoms in the background, and big Korean hair, I definitely think brings a more daring approach to an already 'busy' look. I'm not saying it'll work every time, but in some instances, it can really elevate or heighten an overall style. Also, my hair is a tad blonder... and I'm loving the slow but big transformation! Color done by the one and only David Adams from Fourteen Jay. I styled my own hair for this post and did it up a little differently, you guys like? Have a killer week! Catch with y'all soon. :)