Purple Passion!

Purple is the color of royalty .. something about it only being affordable to the wealthy back in the day.  Now it’s associated with LGBT, the big purple McDs guy, and the Phoenix Suns … just to name a few. Did you know that there is even a phobia of the color purple (Porphyrophobia)?? Holy crap … Wikipedia can provide a crap-load of useless knowledge.

I snagged this dress at a Halston sample sale last year. I love Halston’s rich colors … their clothing racks are like a skittles bag

Dress – Halston Heritage  |  Shoes – Christian Louboutin

1. Charlotte Russe – $4  |  2. Temperley London – $2725  |  3. Christian Louboutin – $795  |
4. Catherine Malandrino – $241  |  5. Delias – $40  |  6. Topshop – $24  |  7. Deborah Lippman – $24

A Beautiful Day in Napa

I spent the past weekend in sunny Napa Valley, CA for one of my best friend’s weddings.  It was the most amazing weather and wedding festivities ever and now I’m having major CA envy!  I wore this silk maxi for the pre-wedding festivities paired with nude sandals.  I would have actually preferred gold but my shoe limit was four pairs and you could barely see these anyway.  Ask me how I was able to jump so high in 4 inch heels and not break my neck?  Sheer luck.  I realized what a bad idea it was on my way down.

Dress – Jenny Han  |  Shoes – Christian Louboutin  |  Clutch – Not Sure

Shoe Porn!

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably know that I post daily #ShoePorn pictures of beautiful shoes.  While it is wonderful to share, it doesn’t necessarily help my shopping habit.  Alas, I’ll just call it research.  Currently on my Top 9 wishlist …

1. Jimmy Choo Ellie Wedge – $1495 | 2. Charlotte Olympia Carmen Wedge – $823 | 3. Christian Louboutin – $825
4. Sergio Rossi Fleche – $795  |  5. Fendi – $785  |  6. Yves Saint Laurent Tribute – $795
7. Charlotte Olympia Dolly – $895  |  8. Brian Atwood Rose Gold Maniac – $595  |  9. Giuseppe Zanotti – $595

I want to go to a ball!

Some of my favorites from the Costume Institute’s ‘Met Ball‘ Gala.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney

Liv Tyler in Givenchy  

Gisele in Alexander McQueen

Miranda Kerr in Marchesa and Nicholas Kirkwood shoes

Ashley Olsen in Vintage Dior … but I think her Louboutin (i think) shoes are too big.

Ginnifer Goodwin in custom Topshop

Taylor Swift in J Mendel

It’s Spring .. it’s time to buy boots!

I’ve been searching for a pair of boots with a practical 1-2″ heel.  Something I could wear for long walks around NYC, but still feel slightly taller than my stumpy 5 foot 1 inch stature.  I found these at Barneys several weeks ago and they are the perfect height, with a narrow shaft (very hard to find!), for a great price.  I wasn’t going to post these pictures because I’m making weird faces … but getting out to take photos is difficult to begin with, so beggars can’t be choosers.

This is the perfect time of year to buy boots … there are lots of great markdowns and if you purchase wisely, you’ll definitely wear them next winter!

Dress – James Perse  |  Cardigan/Dress Thing and Belt – Patterson Kincaid  |  Boots – Barneys  |  Sunglesses – Tom Ford

1. All Saints – $156 (Orig $314 – Sz 8)  |  2. Dolce Vita – $118 (Orig $315 – Sz 6-7.5)   |  3. Joie – $138 (Orig $395 – Sz 8-10)
4. Belle Sigerson Morrison – $298 (Orig $595 – Sz 6-8.5)  |  5. Alexandre Birman – $233 (Orig $665 – Sz 6)  |  6. Elizabeth and James – $224 (Orig $484 – Sz 6-10.5)

Elizabeth and James Doris Dress

I love the shoulders on this dress … it makes it a little more unique than a standard silk wrap dress.  My love for Elizabeth and James continues to grow and is only reaffirmed with this recent purchase.  It’s great for work … or a night out with just a change of shoes and accessories.  I wore this to work so I chose a pair of classic pumps, but a chunkier shoe would be great for a fun party.

Dress – Elizabeth and James  |  Shoes – Christian Louboutin  |  Sunglasses – Tom Ford  |  Lace Bandeau – Victoria Secret

Hello New York!

Some other wrap dress options …

1. Camilla and March – $690  |  2. Ever – $200  |  3. Tibi – $178
4. French Connection – $40  |  5. ModCloth – $55  |  6. TopShop – $64

Product Junkie

I’m a total product junkie. I stockpile products in case there’s a natural disaster and I’m left without moisturizer.  It’s ridiculous. 

After my recent trip to Asia and a recent project for a major beauty brand, I’ve decided to try out some new stuff and have opted for an entirely new regimen… I’ve dubbed it the Korean beauty regimen.  Despite the fact that I am Asian, I don’t necessarily have the porcelain skin that is so sought after in the Far East.  Now that I’m in my thirties … I’ve started to notice fine lines and saggy skin that probably only I can see … but is still insanely bothersome.  I’ve been diligently applying everything under the sun in a seemingly infinite-step process to my face.  Apparently this is the secret to beautiful Asian skin … it’s not just in the genes!  Anyhow, I was happily rewarded when my mother (who I hadn’t seen in a couple months) turned to me this past weekend  and said, “Your skin looks great!”.  Score.  (And I hadn’t even told her about the Beauty Regimen… of course I had to share afterwards.)

Here it is friends …

1. Remove Makeup. I use Estee Lauder Gentle Eye Makeup Remover.
2. Wash Face. I regularly use the Clarisonic with Cetaphil or Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. It is Awesome Possum. It removes all traces of makeup and gently exfoliates when I’m not using a separate exfoliater.
3. Toner! It evens out your skin tone and makes your pores seem smaller. I switch between Lancome Clarifying Toner and Tonique Confort for Dry Skin … since you know, I have dry skin.
4. SK II Essence … I call it the Holy Water. I have no idea how it does what it does but it works. It has evened out my skin tone and maybe makes me look 29 again.
5. Eye Cream … I alternate between Lancome Genifique and the new Renergie Two Step Eye Cream. The Renergie has an additional concealer which is great for those under eye bags.  Both have great texture.
6. Night Cream … I have super dry skin so I end it all with a slightly richer dry skin cream from good old Ponds. 
7. Once or twice a week, I use Clinique’s 7 Day Scrub. I used to use it more often but since my Clarisonic entered the picture … I don’t use it as often.  I still like it when I’m feeling especially flaky or clogged.
8. Every once in awhile I use the Juice mask … more because I had an aetestician recommend it once.  Also seems to have evened out my skin tone.  This is of course applied and washed off after Step 2.
9. Morning are pretty quick … I only use water to wash my face and apply La Roche Posay’s Day Moisturizer with SPF. Always wear SPF!

Hello Spring

Wow.  It was HOT in NY yesterday.  I know it doesn’t compare to the humid, muggy, 90 degree days that will likely be upon us in several weeks … but it was a good preview.  It was nice to be able to shed some layers and enjoy an outside meal and I’m hoping Spring will stick around for just a wee bit longer.

I got this skirt after posting about this outfit from Anthropologie.  That skirt was a bit too heavy for me but I found this great option from Forever 21 at a much more affordable price.  I’m still searching for a great printed top to replicate the aforementioned outfit … but a clean white tank is also a good alternative.

Tank – Splendid  |  Skirt – Forever 21  |  Belt – Forever 21  |  Bag – Rebecca Minkoff  |  Necklace – Forever 21

Just a little shopping

I did a little shopping this past weekend.  Nothing crazy.  Trying to keep to a small budget, but I am regretting passing on a pair of YSL Mohawk Palais.  Sadly, it was not the most practical of choices. I may still call up the store if I’m feeling impulsive

Skirt – H&M

Necklace – Forever 21 (Other jewelery is from various vendors in Asia)

Boots – Barneys

Just a couple inspirational things …

Just some random things …

I’m kind of obsessed with her nails …
A Marvelous Kiddo (via A Cup of Jo)

I can’t believe this is a street photo … it’s stunning.
The Sartorialist

This month’s Anthropologie catalog was shot in Cartagena, Colombia. It’s an absolutely gorgeous place.
Image via Mama’s A Rolling Stone

I love Soho at night.

Anyone following the Smallest Coolest Home Contest on Apartment Therapy?
I am in need of office organization and this has me wanting to go directly to the Container Store.
Image via Apartment Therapy (Heidi’s Every Inch Counts Entry)