Reading Diana Vreeland

Sometimes after work, I'll dash home and go to the park near my house to read while I still have a little sunlight left. This past week, I devoured the book The Empress of Fashion: A Life of Diana Vreeland by Amanda Mackenzie Stuart. Having read a bunch on fashion, her name always came up but it wasn't until I saw the documentary Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel on Netflix that I was obsessed with her. I needed more. Luckily, my library has a great fashion section in nonfiction which I have been ravenously running through and I quickly grabbed at this book. It didn't let me down either. I finished the darn thing in 3 days - Diana's life was fascinating through and through but what really entertained me was the small history lessons that coincided with her life - she was part of a team that revolutionized magazines to what they are today. She was ahead of her time in many things - fashion, women in the work force, fashion journalism, fitness - but I think the thing I loved most was being inspired by what inspired her. Her colleagues and friends always talked about how she was constantly looking, watching, regarding and assessing everything. She was always looking for beauty and logging away these little bits into the back of her mind to pull out later and use. 

I feel like I can really relate to that. I love people-watching because I'm always picking out something beautiful about the way a person carries themselves, how they styled an outfit or their hair. Not to mention just looking out the window on the bus ride to work - Singapore is so beautiful with a fantastic blend of different cultures (who still wear their traditional dress out and about), new and old architecture, greenery everywhere and bright, bold colors. 

What inspires you? Read any inspiration books lately? 

Skirt: Goodwill | Shirt: New2U | Belt: Target | Sunglasses: Modcloth
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Winter White and Evergreen

I bought this coat on one of my thrift store trips for $10! Even though it's not the thickest, I was drawn to the green and pink plaid and I had to have it. I knew it would be the perfect Christmas coat, with the evergreen - though a little nontraditional with the hints of pink. I based the rest of my outfit around one of this season's trend: winter white. I didn't want to clash with the pink by adding red so I went with simple white and a little gold flourish on my shirt's lapels. The trick to wearing all white is the same trick as wearing all black - making sure you have different textures to break it all up. This is a more simple holiday look than I usually go for, but I think the coat really ties it all together. 

What did you wear for this Christmas? Hope everyone had a great cozy day! 

Shirt: Old Navy | Skirt: Gift | Belt: Korean Thrift Store | Shoes: Korean Thrift Store | Belt: Goodwill | Bows: Daiso 

Eat Like a Pig, Look Like a Lady

Lately I've been pushing myself to really get better at layering for winter (something I always seem to be reminding you is not my strong suit, being from Georgia). But for this outfit, I went back to what I feel comfortable doing. No layers - just ONE sweater and ONE pair of tights (I usually wear a t-shirt or tank top, and extra tights for added warmth). It's good to challenge yourself and push your style but it's always nice to go back to what you really like. Luckily, the weather was willing to cooperate. 

I wore this outfit to my expat Friendsgiving dinner last weekend. It was very important I wear something where I could sit easily sit on the floor (it's Korean style and foreigners here don't have enough seats or space to sit 20 people). When I pulled out this tulle skirt, I knew it was perfect. It's an absolute stellar length for me to sit on the floor no problem and still look put together. I bought this skirt years and years ago at a thrift store and at the time, it looked so badly 80's. It had an elastic waistband (which turned out to be very helpful after eating lots of turkey!) and no one was really wearing any tulle. I didn't care. Flowly materials like tulle always instantly grab my heart so I took it home and kept it in my closet until I was brave enough to wear it (7 years ago I wasn't as fashionably adventurous) or until it came into style. Thankfully, both happened and I'm so glad I kept it around. I absolutely love it. I call it my "grown-up tutu". It's got the feel of tutu but not all the volume. And man, to twirl in this thing! So fun. 

I got this sweater this summer at a clothing swap and have been salivating for a long time just thinking of wearing it! And then when Phillip Lim's Target line came out and I couldn't even look at the Target website, I was so sad. But I consoled myself when I pulled out this sweater. It's not Phillip Lim, but it's similar. I love animal print, I love color and I LOVE red and blue together. C'est parfait! 

The only accessory I added besides little silver studs was my cowboy necktie, the turquoise bolo. I bought this bad boy back in Georgia and even though I'm very much the suburban girl, it reminds me a little of a home. This piece is always fun to wear because it's always a new challenge to put it with unexpected outfits while making sure it doesn't look like a costume (I never wear the bolo and my cowboy boots together). 

The outfit, the weather, the FOOD and the company turned out to be pretty incredible this day! What did you wear for your Thanksgiving?

Sweater: Clothing Swap | Skirt, Belt, Bolo: Thrift Store | Shoes: Homeplus 

Ballerina Skirt at Art Show Opening Night

This is one my new favorite outfits. I'm obsessed with the grown-up tutu/tulle trend. I got this skirt from one of my dearest friends (Thank you, Kristen!!) and I've been dying to wear it. I think I've tried it on in my apartment a million times trying to figure out the perfect outfit. I've been waiting to wear it because - even though I'm a firm believe on not "saving" the good stuff for special occasions - I knew it would be just the thing for my art show opening. 

This ensemble made me feel so girly and pretty. The lace, the tulle, the heels, pearls, ribbon and red lipstick. It's nice to get fully dressed up sometimes and pretend to be a lady. I wish I had more opportunities to do so.  I believe you should have an emotional connection with your clothes. It makes my style more personal and I like to think people can intuitively tell how much I enjoy being in my clothes. Life is too short to not wear clothes you love and feel amazing in. 

I must admit I was a bit apprehensive of wearing so much volume on my hips but with the wide belt and the smaller top, the proportions work well. Besides, Kristina Uriegas-Reyes more articulately explains why curvy ladies should wear petticoats and tutus. 

Okay, let me get out 3 more things I love about wearing this outfit and then I promise to stop rambling. One: I live the small details of the tiniest bit of edge: the gold chain, the leather jacket, and the wide leather belt. Two: the bodice is actually a waaaay-too short dress. Three: I bought the necklace for a $1 but I hated it. It was too tight and high on me. I added the ribbon and presto! I love it now. 

The art show was so much fun and I have so much fun mingling with Daejeon's finest. Everyone got dressed up and looked spectacular. Not to mention all my friends' exquisite art work! Thanks to everyone who came out to support local art. 

Bodice: Forever 21 | Skirt: Gift | Jacket: Cotacachi, Ecuador | Belt: Thrift Store | Shoes: Target | Watch: Citizen | Clutch: Clothing Swap | Earrings: Gift | Necklace: Thrift Store 

Last picture taken by the talented and kind Yohan Ban. 
Aren't my artist friends so stylish?!