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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Late Summer Breeze

I am so back-logged on my blog, y'all. I would apologize, but they say if you only give a little they like, they'll just have to keep coming back for more. ;-)  I just came back from Vietnam for a week; I can't wait to show you all of the photos! Until then, here is a shoot I did a while back with my new friend, Sara. Check out her blog about being in Singapore, traveling, and art-ing here (and you can read my interview here).

I feel like I start every blog post with "I love this dress." But honestly, that's how I feel. I try not to wear things I don't love and certainly wouldn't go to the trouble to show y'all if I didn't feel so strongly (or as strongly as you can on a $4 dress). At different angles, this dress isn't the most flattering but I think it drapes and falls so nicely. My boyfriend says he likes these kinds of dresses because when I move he can see the curves of just one side at a time and I thought that was an apt description! Even if it isn't the most body-flattering, I don't care. It's this great orangey-coral color and the movement of the chiffon is so fun and effortless. It's a pretty versatile dress as well; at work I wear it tied up in the back a lot higher with a belt and leggings. 

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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 

Dark Romance

I'm going to attempt to walk you through my creative process for this photo shoot but goodness knows, my process is usually full of nonsense and cheese. I had been almost ... craving... I guess craving is the right word, romantic but dark outfits. I just had this idea in my head that I wanted to create. I think I've been inspired a lot by Briar Rose Blog with her really adorable girly looks. I was also inspired by the cat fascinator that I found at Naughty Cat - I'm not the biggest on cat accessories (I know, this is sacrilege to a lot of people. Please don't hate me) but I'm not opposed to it either. But when I saw the fascinator with it's cute little ears covered in lace, I just had to have it. It went back to that craving of dark, romantic, gothic, victorian things. 

I didn't mean to take pictures in the twilight magic hour, but it was a happy happening. (sometimes good things happen when you take too long to get ready!) When I saw this abandoned lot near my house and the sun setting behind the hill, I seized the opportunity. I have also been inspired by this incredibly talented girl, Esther - From the Sticks, who shoots her own photos that are so beautiful. They're full of light and air and whimsy. 

Not only was the photo shoot so much fun to do (though a little messy, getting mud all over my heels and weeds in my hair), wearing this outfit later that night was also a blast. I wore what I call my "ninja suit" under the dress - just basic black tights and a long-sleeve black shirt. This is my canvas to keep me warm and to build the rest of my look on. It also complimented well with the dark romance I wanted to go with. Then I threw on one of my all time favorite dresses. It's this gorgeous little thing that is so flattering it doesn't need any extra bells and whistles. And I love the baby blush color, the sheer material and the butterfly sleeves. 

My boyfriend told me the other day how he had a kind of realization about me and my clothing choices. He said he is starting to realize just how much I have and want to communicate and how my clothes are a big part of me speaking to the world. He can tell what kind of mood I'm in sometimes by the choices I decide upon. I guess that goes back to the "craving" and how that word is really perfect for what I mean. I get an idea stuck in my head and I can't shake it until I can create and express it. 

Dress & Shoes: Korean Thrift Store 

White T-Shirt and Jeans Amped up

Today I just wanted to throw on a comfortable, casual outfit. I ran some errands, met my boyfriend for lunch, and read in the park. This is the first day of actual stellar autumn weather - NO HUMIDITY! Very exciting. It changes what you can wear. I love this shirt because of the gauzy, flawy material. It's got great movement and is so feminine - definitely ups the game of just the regular ol' jeans and white t-shirt combo. 

These jeans I found at my local Goodwill and I can't be happier. They are perfect; dark color and simple design - no weird stitching or embellishments. I just wish jeans would add 2 more inches to my frame - even in wedged heels my legs look pretty short. At least they frame the backside-side nicely. Because remember what Stacy and Clinton from What Not To Wear say: Jeans should make your butt look good - no matter what your butt naturally looks like! 

Shirt: Clothing Swap (That Girl - Korean clothing brand) | Jeans: Cello Jeans (Goodwill) | Bag: Korean  Thrift Store | Shoes: Korean Thrift Store | Spoon Ring: Premier Designs | Spiral Ring: It's About Time  | Bracelets: India | Watch: Citizen Eco-drive | Earrings: Gift | Locket: Gift | Bicycle Necklace: Naughty Cat