Mona Lisa Smile

I mentioned in another blog post that I went to see the younger Mona Lisa painting at a fantastic exhibit at The Arts House in Singapore. The entire exhibit goes into meticulous detail on how the Younger Mona Lisa is a Da Vinci original. It completely convinced me and I enjoyed seeing Da Vinci's tedious process in creating a painting. The most interesting things I learned were actually about math (a subject I usually stay very very far away) One point was how Da Vinci used the Golden Ratio to create composition in his paintings. I could try to explain the other points but I think I would just end up confusing you more! Either way, it was exciting to learn the behind-the-scene of Da Vinci's mind as well as all the scientific research to further prove who created the first beautiful Mona Lisa. And then of course, it was incredible getting to see her so up close and personal! 

I just had to get a t-shirt with her iconic face on it. Every time I wear this shirt, I see strangers pointing at me and whispering "Mona Lisa" as I walk past. Even my little five-year-students get excited to see this shirt. 

I'm half way tempted to write something funny or iconic on this shirt (perhaps "I woke up like this"?) like in Fly Art . 

Skirt: Modcloth | Shirt: Mona Lisa exhibit
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Le Freak C'est Chic

I don't know what my thing is with crop tops. I feel like I'm so obsessed with them; every off day that's my go-to. Maybe it's living in the tropics or being able to throw off the teacher clothes or what but I love 'em. When in doubt, just make it into a crop top. Like knotting my favorite graphic tee. I love wearing a gray tee (which can be problematic in a humid climate) because it casualizes an outfit. Is casualize a word? It is now. 

I found this orange skirt at my local thrift store. The circle is so HUGE, walking down stairs is just ridiculous in this thing. I feel like a big, loud, orange madame with a old-timey train. Which sounds like a bad thing, but trust me - for me, it's an awesome feeling. 

Then I tied the whole thing together with pops of turquoise. Voila! 

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Aussie Style

Moving to Singapore introduced me to something I wasn't expecting: Australia. It's the nearest trend-setting, large, English-speaking country to Singapore so naturally there's a lot of imports from Down Under. I also instantly (though sadly, temporarily) got a coworker, a roommate, and a good friend all three from Australia. It's been an education I've really enjoyed for many reasons but obviously the primary reason is always about style. I think Man Repeller says it best (although not the only media entity to notice their style recently): 

"They’ve mastered the art of looking cool... but Australians do laid-back differently... beach-aware if not somehow permanently beach-ready. Oddly enough their mode of dress seemed to reflect their personalities just as easily as their tans absorbed the sun. Good style seemed inherent. It wasn’t calculated, just ingrained."

I mean, helloooo who doesn't want that?

I'm not saying I've mastered it by any means but I'm starting to get a taste of what Singapore is going to teach me satorialistically (I don't think that's technically a word). Korea taught me how to feel comfortable in mini skirts and blazers and how to be unapologetic about wearing incredibly feminine and dressy attire to the grocery store. Singapore might teach me how to dress boldly but with ease and effortlessness. At least that is the goal. 

Another thing I've picked up from being in Singapore is two of my favorite Australian imports (no, it's not Veggiemite). It's Cotton On and Lovisa. Cotton On only has the most suburb (and cheap!) basic tees like this one pictured (I'm starting a pretty vast collection). Lovisa is a funky accessory store who has knock-out clearance sales, like when I bought this necklaces for $9!

So what are your thoughts on the Aussie style?

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Photos by Amanda 

Mint Juleps

There are so many things I love about this outfit I don't know what I want to talk about first. Also, I should point out I almost  titled this post "I don't think you're ready for these jellies". Get it?! I gotta admit, I'm pretty proud of that. I just don't think it fits the theme of the photos. Maybe for the next time I wear the shoes! Which are these plastic slip-ons with canvas flowers on them. I love them. They are just funky and girly enough and they are PURPLE. Even better, when it rains there's no worry about ruining your shoes! Singaporeans don't even bother with rain boots; it would be way too hot! So these kind of shoes are the perfect solution. 

The blog post title I did settle on is Mint Juleps because 1) they are delicious (duh), 2) these photos remind me of Georgia front porch summer living which is my favorite thing to do in the world, 3) this outfit looks very southern lady-eqsue with a hint of Singaporean casualness and 4) I'm obsessed with the color mint at the moment! 

But let's get down to brass tax. Or rather gold. I'm wearing two of my all-time favorite necklaces. I wear them constantly when I want to feel lady-like. My $1 thrifted heart-shaped pearl necklace and my personalized Tinkerbell necklace, also heart-shaped. I mean, y'all, IT'S TINKERBELL WITH MY NAME ON IT. Do I even need to explain…? Got it at the Magic Kingdom - my first and only time going. Tink is the Disney character that my mom has bestowed upon me, in a matter of speaking. She says Tinkerbell always reminds me of her probably because her wide hips a la the belted pear. (and probably her stubborn nature as well!) 

And now on to the skirt! Sheer is here for the summer and I love how this one has the clever sheer panel at the bottom of the skirt. Who doesn't love a bit of tantalizing knee-cleavage… I bought it at Bugis St Market, which is a center of shopping MAYHEM. It's shops after shops all crammed together selling bunch of cheap but trendy clothes, shoes and accessories. Many times, I don't even mean to go there but it's like I get sucked. It's a vortex, no doubt about it. But either way, I love the finds! 

Have you purchased any perfect finds lately? I wanna hear! 

Shirt: Cotton On | Skirt, Earrings, Sunglasses: Bugis Market | Shoes: Salvation Army | Belt: Korea | Rings: H&M and Lovisa | Bracelet: Gift | Heart Pearl Necklace: Thrifted | Tinker Bell Necklace: Disney World | Clutch/Wallet: Borneo 

Stripes on Stripes on Stripes (And Other Patterns)

For years I've shied away from horizontal stripes. They're supposed to make you look wider and why would anyone want to look wider, right? But I couldn't stay away from the nautical stripe trend. It makes an outfit more fresh, modern, and casual. And after seeing GabiFresh and Tanesha from Girl with Curves (both who I oh so LOVE) looking so gorgeous and curvaceous in their horizontal stripes, I had officially changed my mind.

I think the smart way to wear horizontal stripes has to do with proportion. I think if the skirt I'm wearing was longer or fuller, it wouldn't have worked. It would have made me appear larger than I actually am. But between the short skirt showing off my legs and the tight sleeves on the shirt, it kind of proves that there's not an entire blob underneath the stripes.

Stripes are also fun to match with other patterns. I would say as long as the colors match, it doesn't matter which print you choose. I'm actually wearing a dress underneath my Gap t-shirt. Besides the stripes, another reason why I love this shirt is the fit. I think most loose-fitting shirts look stupid on me. But this one has an effortless fit that just skims over my curves instead of hiding them. And the last detail I'm so pleased with is the necklace. I made this last winter and it matches my skirt/dress perfectly! 

Shirt: Gap (American Goodwill) | Skirt (dress): Target | Shoes: Target | Watch: It's About Time | Ring: Premier Design Jewelry | Necklace: Handmade | Sunglasses: Eunhang Underground 

Lady-Like Graphic Tee Confessional: I'm a Bond Girl

I wasn't a graphic t-shirts fan until recently. I thought t-shirts were for high-schoolers, going to the gym, or throwing on with jeans and flip-flops. So instead, I would just buy plain basic tees because I thought they looked more grown-up and classier. But I never had the idea of pairing a t-shirt with more feminine pieces! Thank you, Pinterest, for that one. (Below are some of my favorite graphic tee looks.)

So instead of just wearing a black or white t-shirt, I choose my James Bond tee. I still styled my outfit exactly like how I would if it wasn't a graphic tee. But now, it's more personal and adds an interesting detail. A cool t-shirt can also be a conversation-starter. I get a lot of compliments on this shirt so it opens the door to talk their ear off about how I bought it at the International Spy Museum in D.C. during an East coast road trip this summer (shout-out to all my patient and loving listeners! You know who you are...) 

And here's another secret - this skirt technically doesn't fit. It's got a band around the waist that clasps with a button. The button won't go! So I wore a fitted tee over it that still slims my waist and no one is the wiser. I can't give up this skirt no matter how wonky it fits. It's a silky texture and the print is out of this world. I've never seen such bright oranges in a floral print before. And it has pockets! 

I've just started growing a graphic tee collection but luckily between thrift stores and the Korean clothing stores here, there is no end in sight. I know my friends in Korea have got some awesome and hilarious finds. What's your favorite graphic tee look like? 

Skirt: H&M (American Goodwill) | Shirt: Mighty Fine | Shoes: Korean Thrift store | Necklace: Raleigh, NC Flea Market | Ring: Clothing Swap | Watch: Citizen Eco-drive
Lady-Like Tees, Please: 

1. Riches for Rags
2. Huffington Street Style
3. Marion Berry Style
4. Barefoot Blonde
5. Huffington Street Style
6. Marie Claire Street Style
My Graphic Tee Wish List:

1. Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal
2. Zombie at Tiffany's
3. Y'all Georgia
4. Hogwarts Alumni
5. Beauty Fades Sarcasm is Forever