Style Scientist

And the winner is...

2011-08-01T01:04:00.011-04:00

...commenter #4, Sister Shirley of the Modern Mourner!

Congratulations, Sister Shirley! I hope you enjoy this gorgeous dress by Shabby Apple, and glam it up to the nine with Gothic-inspired accessories and sexy heels.

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

2011-07-07T02:30:00.005-04:00

Shabby Apple, an amazing online women's apparel boutique, and Style Scientist are partnering to offer Style Scientist blog readers a chance to win one of Shabby Apple fantastic dresses.

If you have not heard or visited Shabby Apple, please do so now. They have many pretty dresses and skirts that are feminine, flirty and fun! Visiting Shabby Apple website makes me want to wear their dresses and transform myself into one of those gorgeous female characters in AMC Mad Men series!

Wonderfully nostalgic and vintage-inspired classic with a modern twist...that's how I would describe Shabby Apple design.

Now here is the dress that I picked for one lucky winner.

Image from www.shabbyapple.com

What can I say? Yes...Wow...Right? This dress is undeniably gorgeous and sophisticated. It's call "Moon River" and you can check out more details of the dress here.

Image from www.shabbyapple.com

Made from dark gray stretch sateen fabric with fitted bodice and wide boat neckline, this dress is very Jackie O, very lady-like and very mysteriously seductive.

Image from www.shabbyapple.com

I love how wearing a belt above the ruffles rejuvenates the look of the dress and gives the appearance of a smaller waistline. Who wouldn't like to look slimmer!

Image from www.shabbyapple.com

So, if you would like to own this dress, just enter for a chance to win it. The rule is very simple.

Just leave a comment in this post and tell me how you would accessorize this dress e.g. what kind of handbag, shoes, jewelry etc you would wear with it. One lucky reader will be chosen randomly and announced on July 31, 2011. Only US residents are eligible for this giveaway.

Also, if you visit Shabby Apple and purchase any merchandise, please don't hesitate to use a coupon code "stylescientist10off" to receive an additional 10% off of your entire purchase. This coupon expires on August 7, 2011.

Happy Giveaway!

All Time Favorites: Marni Spring 2009 Runway Shoes

2011-06-19T17:10:00.004-04:00

Yes, they are! Every time I look at this collection, I've never got bored and I like them more and more every time. In fact, I want every single pair in this collection! Ha...ha...greedy me. :P They are so amazing in every single aspect. Be it either the design which is uniquely Marni, the great craftsmanship and the choice of materials and colors used. They are very individualistic. And that's what I like about Marni shoes - funky, playful and confident.

Images from style.com

Not only that the shoes from this collection are to-die-for, but the clothes and the accessories are also pretty amazing, too. Gotta love those big bold costume jewelry, so awesome!

Image from style.com

Aside from the other Marni shoes from the 2009 collection which I posted here, here and here, this one is probably the most playful of all.

I love the extra wide crisscross patent straps reinforced with suede loops.

Of course, the red and white woven leather pattern on the heels and the platforms make these shoes so eye-catching!

They are quite comfortable and give you lots of extra height. The elastic strap at the back also doesn't hurt at all.

Camel, chocolate brown, red and white together never look this good EVER! Really! :D

Worn with a Prada stretch poplin shirt from Spring 2011, an incredibly soft AG Adriano Goldschmied skinny crop and a Louis Vuitton bucket bag.

This Louis Vuitton Monogram Rubis Neo Bucket bag is from their 2008 cruise collection. I have not used it so often, so the leather is still pretty light in color. I love the red embossed alligator trims and the way they are woven into the bag. They make the bag a lot more interesting than the regular Monogram bucket bag.

I used to not care so much about the navy blue color, but I learned to like it recently. I used to think of navy blue as being formal and sometimes quite boring. But recently, navy blue clothing has caught my attention quite a bit. When I spotted this incredibly cute Prada button-down fitted blouse with a big bow on the front in navy blue, I picked it right away. It's the first navy blue item in my closet and I love it!

FYI, I will host a giveaway with www.shabbyapple.com next week. A lucky winner will receive one of their super cute dresses which I will get to pick...yay! Please go check out their website here. They have lots of cute stuff there and the price is very reasonable, too!

Don't snooze and stay tuned for the giveaway!!

Bold, Bright and Shiny: Prada Stripy Heel Platform Mary Janes

2011-06-05T21:58:00.001-04:00

I'm a big sucker for Mary Jane shoes. I don't know why, but I think it has to do with the strap across the instep. It invokes a sense of youthfulness and I think that has to do with the fact that Mary Janes are originally and traditionally worn by young girls.

Every season, I always look for a new variant of Mary Jane shoes. And for Spring 2011, the winner for the best Mary Janes (according to me..he..he) is Prada....surprise...surprise.... LOL

Mary Jane Wedge Platforms in smooth shiny silver leather with a circular buckle?

And the bold stripy heels? Who think of that?

Image from style.com

These green and black striped one is also pretty awesome. But I prefer the gray and black.

Image from style.com

Stripy everywhere from head to toe? Are you kidding me? LOL....only Prada can get away with it, seriously. (BTW, I'm so in love with this outfit. Wish I could get a hold of it.)

Thank you, Miuccia, for thinking outside the box. Please keep the unexpected coming. I can't imagine if all shoes were only designed by Manolo Blah..blah..blah...or Jimmy Choo..shoo..shoo. It would have been so depressing.

The Odd Couple: Vivienne Westwood Pirate Patchwork Mismatched Brogues

2011-05-15T23:51:00.002-04:00

So, I decided to delve into a new territory of an odd shoe trend - mismatched shoes!! I remember the last time when I indulged myself into a pair of mismatched shoes was when I was 5 years old :D. You know how kids enjoy it when silly things they do make adults laugh....yeah...

When I fist saw these Vivienne Westwood mismatched brogues, I thought "how cute!". The first thing that struck my attention was the colors of the shoes. Although, each shoe is different, but somehow it has a bit of a color coordination going on there. I think the blue, camel and coral work quite well together.

The blue side is made of patent leather....

....while the camel side is made of very soft suede

This odd couple is not all in disagreement. It does have a matching patchwork at the heel.

Note the asymmetrical patchwork in the front. How quirky!

Remember when Helena Bonham Carter caused all the rage wearing a pair of mismatched pumps at the Golden Globe Awards this past season? I believe her shoes are also by Vivienne Westwood.

Image from www.life.com

Justin Theroux also wore mismatched Nike sneakers to Iron Man 2 Hollywood premiere. Gotta love a man with such confidence!

Image from www.newyorktimes.com

A New York fashionista let her inner child take over by sporting a pair of mismatched pumps. Lovely!

Feel Good Miu Miu

2011-05-01T21:23:00.000-04:00

I watched "the Wrestler" by Darren Aronofsky over the weekend and felt so depressed! It's a good movie, but it's so sad :(. The style of the movie is sort of like "Black Swan" which depicts a character who is so desperate to survive (as in the Wrestler) or to be perfect (as in Black Swan). I love Aronofsky's work. I watched his first movie "Pi" which was done in black and white when it first came out many years ago, and I think it's brilliant. Then, I watched "Requiem for A Dream" which was pretty heavy-duty. I certainly did not prepare my psyche to handle such a load of mind handling by this director. Aronofsky is very talented, and you have to be quite prepared to watch his movie. He certainly knows how to mess up with his audience's mind x_x.

Anyhoo, my BD present arrived just in time to cure my movie-induced depression...he..he..:D

Image from www.miumiu.com

The Spring 2011 Miu Miu runway collection is so pretty! I've been eyeing on several versions of these pumps and boots. I love how Miu Miu juxtaposes wildly different materials, colors and styles into one shoe. They clash, but somehow they also fit together in a very eye-pleasing way.

I was contemplating getting the silver, black, red lace-up version as seen on the ad campaign above, but just before I decided, I was notified by my Miu Miu store that a new version just arrived.

And that's it! I love these shoes so much! They are so pretty and very feminine. And I love the muted pink (aka "Cipria") color. They look great with contrasting perforated black trims and patchwork. I like a little bit of a retro feel of these shoes, the skinny buckled straps make them look young and modern.

Look at the heels! So pretty <3!

Image from Harper Bazaar via www.miumiuaddict.com

I don't have any modeling pics yet, but here's a yellow version of these shoes which also look really hot!

Thanks, Miu Miu for cheering me up, now I can go back to my Sunday night movie. I think I'll go for a feel-good movie tonight :).

Have a good night everyone, and thank you so much for visiting!

Red Hot Chili Lady Clou Louboutin!

2011-04-24T00:50:00.002-04:00

Just a quick post after a super long hiatus (so sorry readers, work has gotten in a way for me to blog) to show case my first pair of spring 2011 shoes, the Lady Clou Louboutin in super red hot chili pepper!

Love the spiky studs!

These come in 4 colors - black, white taupe and red, but since I already have the black studded Very Prive, I chose the red for the Lady Clou. Wow...isn't it something? What do you think?

I'll take more detailed pics and modeling pics soon...stay tuned...

The Perfect Shade of Purple: YSL Suede Goat Fur Trimmed Palais Pumps

2011-01-17T01:11:00.003-05:00

Do you like purple? I do! It's probably one of my favorite colors. In psychology, purple is the color of royalty. It represents luxury, sophistication and romanticism. To me, I find purple attractive and mysterious.

I do not usually incorporate purple in my wardrobe. I actually only have a few pieces of clothing and accessories in the purple shade. I guess that also has to do with the fact that it's not that easy to find the right shade of purple on the right item with the right design.

But when I first laid my eyes on this pair of Yves Saint Laurent Suede Palais pumps, I had to take a second look. o_O The first thing that captured my attention was the color! It's rich and bright. It's not as deep and dark like plum. It's more like violet and it's just a perfect shade of purple.

These YSL pumps with decorative goat fur trim was all the rage when they were first debuted on the 2010 YSL runway.

Image from style.com

I can totally see why.

The Palais pumps have a great profile and a very unique heel shape with the right amount of platform thickness. It's already attained a YSL classic status just like the Tribute pumps.

The goat fur trimming adds to this sexy pumps a little bit of quirkiness. It's stiff, but not prickly at all. It's actually surprisingly soft.

And the suede is absolutely scrumptious. It's so velvety just like what a high quality suede should be.

I'm so in love with these pumps. They are so cute and pretty. Definitely not a material for work, but certainly the kind of shoes you'd want to wear to a party if you need help starting a conversation. With the playful goat fur touch on the classically sexy shape displayed in that perfect shade of purple, these shoes certainly get a 5-star review from me.

Layer Upon Layer Upon Layer: CdG, Ann D & Prada

2011-01-09T19:33:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! Wow...it's already 2011? Time flies, doesn't it? How much snow have you got this year so far?

All I can say is that we got already too much! The weather has been pretty crappy, there's no sunlight and it's way too cold! Ahhh...I'm longing for the summer everyday.

I used to wear clothes that are not warm enough for the gruesome winter climate, but a good friend of mine taught me the great effect of layering. So I've been adding layer of warm clothes on top of one another to keep me away from hypothermia.

Today I wore a super soft waffle camouflage tee by J. Crew over my good old Jockey wifebeater. Then, I put on this amazing zippered hoodie with sewn-in jersey blanket by Comme des Garcons over it. This hoodie is part of CdG Fall 2009 RTW collection. I love the olive and dark green shades which totally match the camo-print tee underneath.

I had on my beaten-up Silence and Noise skinny twig jeans over a pair of incredibly toasty long john by the Gap. They don't make one for women, so I bought men's size small and they fit great! Totally recommend them. In fact, I'm going to buy more in case they don't make them again next year.

Boots are by Ann Demeulemeester from Fall 2009. They are so well-made and practical and most of all, they are very comfortable. Ann D boots are definitely worth the investment.

These 2-in-1convertible boots are so versatile and very stylish. I love to wear them in either way.

The removable shaft has 3 handsome buckles that you can adjust to fit your leg making it looking very sleek on any leg shape.

When it gets very cold I attach the shafts onto the boots and Voila! They look like a great pair of avant garde riding boots.

To guard against the blistering cold front, I wore my Comme des Garcons wool plaid blanket coat from Fall 2009 collection. I call it "My Toasty". It's one of the warmest coat I have in my closet.

I love the Trompe L'oeil effect on the jacket. The hood you see is from my hoodie underneath. My friend said that I dress like a homeless person, but whatevs.

And you can't forget the most important accessory of all - a good handbag! I finished up the look with Prada Tessuto Camouflage Bowler bag from Pre-Fall 2010. I like to carry a big handbag during fall and winter.

I love how functional this bag is. I can tug gloves, scarf, hat, cosmetic bag, wallet and an unbrella in this bag. It's so roomy and sturdy. I love how the feminine shape of the bag is in sharp contrast with the rugged masculine details such as the decorative silver studs over shearling leather trim and the slightly distressed camouflage printed nylon fabric. This bag is with me everywhere I go this winter.

Did you score any good deal on the day after Christmas? I got one special thing that I've been eyeing on for a long time and it went on a hugely deep discount sale at SAKS on the day after Christmas. I'll share it with you at my next post.

Stay tuned and stay warm!

That Amazing Miu Miu Metal Flower Pump!

2010-12-05T18:17:00.001-05:00

I've been pretty intrigued by these Miu Miu Metal Flower Pumps when I first saw them on the runway. At first I didn't know what to think of them. They certainly look quite feminine, but at the same time, they also look a bit awkward.

Image from style.com

I decided to check them out just to see and feel the materials, and I am quite impressed!

They are made of an odd combination of wool crepe and metal. The overall design and the silhouette are quite unique.

The details of the flowers are absolutely incredible! The combination of flowers and a bow makes it look all girly, but the steel helps toughen up the look. I also love the metal toe cap. It's there to show that this girl can kick and do some real damages...LOL...these shoes are pretty amazing in real life.

Image from style.com

So, they are definitely a keeper. They will be perfect to pair with a simple little black dress. All the attention will be drawn these amazing shoes. Certainly can't wait to test drive them ^-^.

Sunset in Maui

2010-11-28T22:21:00.001-05:00

During my recent trip to the beautiful island, Maui, I became obsessed taking photos of everything. Thanks to the digital technology, I don't have to worry about wasting films. I just took tons of pictures because I didn't want to miss out on any precious moments on this amazing island.

Here are a small collection of sunset pics I took from various locations on the island. Oh, how I miss Maui. The weather is perfect all year round and the scenery is just breathtaking everywhere you go. It's truly a paradise on earth.

Once in your lifetime, you should go to Maui. I highly recommend it.

This is the view from the front lawn of Hotel Wailea. The hotel is kind of old, but they have an amazing Italian/Pacific Rim Restaurant called Capische?.

Memorable sunset view from the dining porch of Capische? at Hotel Wailea. If you go to Maui, don't miss this restaurant. Their food is excellent and the service is unsurpassed. Ask for a table at the porch to catch the sunset view.

World-famous sunset view from the Haleakala summit. This is 10,000 feet above sea level. Do not forget to bring a winter coat if you're going there. I didn't and I was almost frozen...LOL, couldn't wait to drive down the volcano. But it's still worth going up there to enjoy the phenomenal view. Definitely a must-do if you visit Maui.

I love Hamoa Beach. This beach is the locals favorite. It's near Hana, the wonderful little town that boasts world-famous most beautiful road. The sand here on this beach is very fine and has sort of volcanic gray color. There are lots of little crabs for you to catch on this beach. Definitely a fun thing to do after sunset.

This is the view of Lahaina Harbour. Lahaina is quite a happening area on Maui. There are lots of great restaurants and art galleries. If you are an art enthusiast, Lahaina is the place to hit when you're on Maui.

I took this picture from the main restaurant at the Grand Wailea Resort where I stayed at. I love the restaurant name which is named after Hawaii state fish, Humuhumunukunukuapuaa...LOL...can you pronounce it 3 times in a row?

I took this picture while grilling on a beach park in Kihei. Low-key dinner on a beach with a beautiful sunset like this is just priceless.

Right before I left the island to face the cold climate here on the mainland, I took this photo from the terrace of Bistro Molokini, another fantastic restaurant at the Grand Wailea Resort.

No fashion stuff in this post. Just don't want to ruin the romantic mood...LOL. Anyways, did you score any good deal on Black Friday?

Comme des Garcons, Junya Watanabe and Gary Numan

2010-11-14T19:10:00.003-05:00

Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? I have not cos I'm gonna wait for Black Friday Sale. But it seems like many stores are slashing down their prices early this year to beat out their competitors. So, I decided to go out and do some window shopping today just to see what's out there, and of course, I have to find an excuse to go shopping, window or not...LOL...and here's what I wore today.

First is my new favorite button down cotton black shirt by Comme des Garcons.

I love the quirkiness of the variety of eye-catching buttons which make this shirt very unique.

Today the weather is unusually warm, so I put on a light-weight houndstooth print jacket by Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons. This jacket is made of 90% polyester and 10% polyurethane. It's super lightweight and best of all the fabric does not wrinkle! It's a perfect jacket to pack in a suitcase if you have to travel and might need something that can go either formal or casual.

Junya is a master of tailoring! He makes the most crisp and sharply tailored jackets. When it comes to tailored jackets, you have to give it to Junya.

Pants are by Theory. Don't you love Theory? I think they make the best tailored pants. I found these on a last call sales rack at SAKS at the end of last season for $69. What a great deal for a pair of fantastic pants! Love the zipper detail at the back.

I finished off the look with these Comme des Garcons Tri-Toned brogues.

These shoes are super comfy, a perfect pair to wear if you have to walk all day long.

They must look pretty eccentric because I got quite many stares today.

Now, I'm ready to stroll around for Christmas shopping.

Are you a fan of Gary Numan? If you are a fan of 80's electronic, synthesizer-heavy music, you have to know him. I was lucky to get a ticket to his concert.

The concert was lots of fun. Fans went wild when he sang Cars, one of his most popular songs. BTW, I love his shirt...LOL! I wonder who designs it. It has the most gorgeous gothic embroidery on front and back.

Hope to see his show again especially if he jams Nine Inch Nails. I wouldn't miss that show!

I'll leave you with this awesome MUST WATCH concert video of Gary making a surprised appearance at a NIN concert. Trent Reznor + Gary Numan = Explosion!

LaCoste SpongeBob SquarePants & Versus T by Versace & Christopher Kane

2010-11-07T20:02:00.002-05:00

Do you have any yellow pants? Many people don't like them, but I do. I actually have a few pairs in my closet. Yellow pants can be tricky to wear. Certain shades of yellow may not be that complimenting.

Image from lacoste.com

Last week, I stumbled upon these amazing denim pants by LaCoste that were on sale. I was immediately drawn to the color of these pants. It's such a lovely shade of yellow.

Image from lacoste.com

It reminds me of SpongeBob SquarePants. What a happy color!

Yep, I got them...and here are my SpongeBob SquarePants in the happiest shade of yellow. They are absolutely comfortable...Gotta love LaCoste and how they pick colors for their garments. Check out their supercolorful Fall Winter 2010 collection. The colors are mind-blowing.

I love the zipper detail at the hem. It nicely accommodates ankle boots.

People think that yellow pants are difficult to wear, but I disagree. I think they are actually quite versatile. If you are unsure, you can always wear them with black. But I love to be more crazy with my yellow pants, so I paired them with this super soft jersey T-shirt by Versus.

Image from stylerumor.com

I have always been a big fan of Versus, the younger line of Versace, since the 90s. I especially love their colorful funky-print T-shirts. I was disappointed when they stopped producing this line in early 2000, but now I'm glad that Donatella Versace revived this line again.

This time she brought Christopher Kane on board with her, and I'm not disappointed. This T-shirt has a brilliant use of colors on Bruce Weber archived photo for one of Versace ad campaigns. I love the rebellious youth vibe given off by this print and the colors used. It's brilliant!

Can't forget to talk about my beloved Marc by Marc Jacobs multi-buckled ankle boots from Fall 2008. I wore them so much I had to get the heels repaired two times already.

Somehow I feel invigorated wearing such bright colors in the gloomy fall weather when everyone opts for either black or brown. Are you daring enough to wear yellow pants?

My Cool New Specs: Loree Rodkin Nikki Frames

2010-11-01T00:23:00.004-04:00

During my recent trip to the exotic land...LOL...I mean Maui, Hawaii. I stayed at a very nice resort hotel called the Grand Wailea. There's a shopping mall right next to the resort called the Shops at Wailea which I frequented a few times during my stay.

The Shops at Wailea houses many upscaled designer boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. If you go to Maui, you should definitely stop by the Shops at Wailea. It's fun just to browse through stores there.

Image from www.shopsatwailea.com

I stopped by Ilori, an amazing sunglasses store. They have stock full of cool designer sunglasses and optical frames. It's located on the second level of the mall. Their sales associates are very nice and very friendly.

While browsing through the store trying on several pairs of Prada, Chanel and Chrome Hearts sunglasses, I stumbled upon a selection of super cool optical frames by Loree Rodkin.

I have to confess that I've never heard of her before (lame..LOL). The lovely SA told me that she's a jewelry designer based in LA and is known for designing jewelry for Hollywood celebrities. Her sunglasses are also popular among the celebs (I have no ideas..ha..ha..).

After doing some googling research on her, I learned that she actually a pretty well-established jewelry designer. Her most famous design was the 60-carat diamond chandelier earrings that First Lady, Michelle Obama, wore during President Obama 2009 Inaugural Ball. They have become incorporated into a permanent collection at the Smithsonian..that's pretty impressive...huh

Anyways, here are the frames that got me excited about the most, the Nikki.

I love the cat-eyed shape which creates geeky librarian look. It seems to suit my face well...ha...

What got me interested in the frames was the beautiful translucent two-toned rims. The combination of olive brown and aqua blue adds such a modern twist to its nerdy shape.

And here's the best part. Look at the killer details on the temple...O-M-G.... This is what makes me say "can I has this frame, please?". Not that I need new eyeglasses since I have several pairs that I wear and rotate between weekdays and weekends, but the design of this frame is just too amazing to be passed up.

I love the gothic-inspired inner silver leg that can be seen through the outer plastic shell (not sure if it's made from steel or sterling silver (better be sterling since it's pretty pricey!). Look at the engraving. It's gorgeous!

And you can't deny the bling effect of the Austrian crystal encrusted on the temple...oy..yoy...yoy..

and on the tip of the ear piece....simply gorgeous!

I'm pretty stoked about these new frames and couldn't wait to get my prescription lenses put in. I love how she blends traditional, medieval and modernity together and comes up with such cool design.

Do you have any Loree Rodkin frames, and how do you like them?

More Prada Love: Python, Mink and Kitty Cat

2010-10-25T04:15:00.000-04:00

What do you wear with your sleeveless little black dress to cover your arms and shoulder from the cold? I used to wear either a Pashmina or a shawl, but I find it a little cumbersome because they tend to fall out of my narrow shoulder and they cover up the beautiful dress when you want to show it off. I finally found a perfect fix for those problems. Thanks to Prada :-).

This little cropped sweater/cardigan is perfect to pair with any sleeveless cocktail dress.

I love the mink fur trim that curls around the neck and down the placket. It adds a little bit of glamour to this simple ribbed wool sweater.

I particularly like the length of the sleeves which hits right above the elbows making them look quite sleek and yet still maintain the overall casualness. I put on this sweater over my Prada python-print silk dress from Spring 2009 that I already featured in this post.

I have a big party to attend and it's time to debut my cutesy Miu Miu cat-print satin purse. Its dark blue background matches the python print on the dress perfectly....meow...meow...

The last accessories to finish up the look are the Prada Art Deco Platform pumps. These shoes are so tall and gorgeous. I love them.

Off me go!

I haven't blogged for a while cos I was away in an exotic land. Will share some cool photos with you at my next post. Bye!

Swanky White Prada Go-Go Boots

2010-09-26T17:22:00.007-04:00

Oh Boy! How long has it been since my last post? Feels like forever ago, isn't it?

I had always wanted a pair of white tall boots since I was in college, but never found one that I like. There's always something about the design that just didn't click with me.

After trying on so many pairs and observing other fashionistas wearing them, I've come to realize that, for me, the perfect white boots must be made of patent leather, come up just below the knee and have to be flat- or low-heeled. Platform and above-the-knee style will make them look too costumey or too much like stripper boots.

Given the criteria above, I thought that it will be very hard if not impossible to find one that will fit me. Not until last fall when I walked into a Prada store browsing for their goodies that were on sale.

I asked if they had any leftover shoes in my odd small size in any styles available, and this lovely SA went back to the stock room and brought me these boots!

OMG! I couldn't believe my eyes! After all these years hoping to find a perfect pair of white tall boots, I found one at Prada? Why is it that Prada always knows what I want? LOL....

Yep, these are the greatest and most amazing white tall boots (dramatized ;-)), just the way I imagine my dream boots would be. Made from great quality patent leather, all in glistening white grainy texture (like what good leather should look like) and very easy to put on. <3

Stripes of gray on the side of the lug sole add a twist of modernity to the boots.

Sweet! The sole is Vibram, too! Excellent treads for great traction...won't slip on the dance floor for sure...LOL..

They also fit my calves, very comfortable and best of all, they were on sale...yippee!

Worn with Benetton white tee, Rodarte for Target asymmetrical crochet cardigan, Alexander Wang Rocco bag and Silence and Noise skinny twig jeans.

White go-go boots remind me of Nancy Sinatra "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'", one of the iconic songs from the 60s. Love it! Enjoy the video, and I'll see you soon! Will try to update more often. ^-^

Ciao!

Sweet Bonbon

2010-07-11T20:30:00.005-04:00

Does summer time put you in the mood to be casual?

Today I'm lazy and didn't want to think too much about what to wear...LOL, so I just grab one of my many Big Pony Ralph Lauren polo shirts to put on. This one is one of my favorites. I love this particular shade of blue. It contrasts so well with the pink pony. I also like the cut of this skinny-fit polo shirt as opposed to the classic cut.

Worn with Hudson white corduroy jeans and my favorite summer bag of all time...the Louis Vuitton pink Bonbon!

Oooh...how I love this bag. Just looking at it makes me so happy. I love the bright pink with red smudgy LV monogram and random splashes of my favorite shade of blue.

It's a limited-edition bag from Louis Vuitton runway 2008 collection. The shiny patent leather repels water so no worries when carrying it on a rainy day.

..can also be worn as a messenger bag..loves it!

Image from www.louisvuitton.com
Here's Claudia flaunting her bonbon ;-)

Pink bonbon forever...what a perfect summer bag!

I Tried Not to Let the Cat Out of the Bag!

2010-07-05T16:41:00.005-04:00

But I caved in...:p

...because of this cute little white cat

How adorable is she? It looks like she's smiling at you, no?

I've been debating whether I should get this Miu Miu cat-print purse for a while. I was alerted that the clutch version of this purse was available for sale, but I'm not a clutch person. So I passed.

But when I learned that there's a shoulder bag version with this cute white cat applique and sparkly silver chain shoulder strap, I was sold! This is a must-have purse for any cat lover like me...^-^

Made from thick duchess silk in deep navy blue with the cutest print from Miu Miu spring 2010 collection. You can see silver Miu Miu logo at the back. It's subtle which I like.

Images from style.com
Here are the handheld and the clutch version. Both are cute, but I like mine better :P.

No modeling pics yet, but I can think of so many occasions to tote this baby around...meow...meow...

I See Naked Women Everywhere!

2010-06-27T22:33:00.006-04:00

Yes, they are everywhere on the Miu Miu Spring 2010 runway collection. But there are 2 accessories pieces that were on my must-have list.

Ta..da...yes, it's the Naked Lady Pin. I love this pin. It's kooky and eccentric. It's also very hard to find...took me some time to track one down.

Don't you love her pose? It's very alluring.

Image from style.com
Runway look

And here's the infamous Naked Lady Collar...

..in the most beautiful shade of yellow. Made from 100% silk..loves it!

This naked woman motif, along with the whimsical cats, dogs, birds and daisies print, is the result of a collaboration between John Wesley, a celebrated American pop-art artist, and Prada.

I love how Prada chose artists to collaborate with. Remember James Jean for the Fairy collection?

I selected a few images of John Wesley's artwork showcasing naked females in various provocative poses to follow the title theme of this post.

You can read more about his latest exhibition at Fondazione Prada last fall here and here and browse some snapshots of his paintings and furnitures here. Or if you have the amazing Prada Book (which I yet have to blog about), it's in the last chapter.

John Wesley, Tattoo, 1993

John Wesley, Rocky Mountain Gym Teacher, 2002

John Wesley, Qvack, 1999

John Wesley, Brown Woman Stretching, 1995

John Wesley, Girls Running from Hand, 1970

John Wesley, Leda and the Man, 1973

There's no naked woman in this painting, but I think it's weird and utterly hilarious. I don't know what this bald perv is doing chasing after a giant bird, but that poor bird oughta run as fast as he could. I don't want to think about what might happen if the bird got caught...scaaaaary....o_O

Bejeweled

2010-06-20T18:27:00.029-04:00

No, I'm not talking about the PopCap Game..LOL....

It's the bejeweled Marni sandals that I accidentally found at Neiman Marcus Last Call. I can't believe my eyes when I saw these shoes sitting on the deep markdown section..oy..oy..oy.. o_O!

Wow...wow...wow...I can't believe no one picked this baby up yet. What a gorgeous shoe!

They are feminine and whimsical. And the most amazing part is the jewels. They are chunky, quirky and so cute <3.>

And that rich burgundy red...scrumptious!

I love the retro feel of these shoes. The platform and the ankle strap make them look so flirty ;).

What a great find! I love Neiman Marcus last Call. They have a lot of great stuff there. And the price is pretty good especially if you go there during special holiday promotion. These shoes original price was over $1200, but after so many rounds of markdowns, I scored them for $200. Best price ever!

Worn with Prada Fairy-print skirt from spring/summer 2008 collection (best Prada collection to date according to me..ha..ha..), tank and top are by Mossimo from Target.

Other accessories are Louis Vuitton LVOE charm on a gold chain and Louis Vuitton Desmayo sunglasses. I'll post about these sunglasses later. They are amazing and quirky and the quality is just top-notched. Just the way I like it!

Handbag of the day is the limited edition Louis Vuitton Monogram Velour Irvine in Prune from Fall/Winter 2004 runway collection.

Image from Style.com
Runway look

I love the rich jeweled-tone color of this handbag. The sumptuous velvet in deep plum decorated with the finest alligator skin details is utterly insane. I also love the antique brass studs, grommets and the peacock detail above the lock. What a gorgeous bag! This bag is definitely one of my favorites.

More jewels to come...have a great day everyone!

It's Raining Again...

2010-06-13T18:18:00.004-04:00

Yes, it's raining again. The weather has been pretty dreary, cold and wet lately. I have been wearing one of my favorite rain boots for the past 2 weeks already.

They are my good old Dolce & Gabbana rain boots. I love these boots. They are versatile and are very unique in terms of design and the materials used.

The shoe part which mostly contacts with water is made of rubber. The front rubber part extends up just above the ankle to give the shaft portion, which is made of soft waterproof nylon fabric, some structure. I love the pebbled cowhide leather trim. It's a nice touch of detail.

You can't deny that the leather strap with shiny silver buckle makes these boots look so handsome and, of course, they help secure the soft shaft to stay straight on your leg.

And to add some sassiness, you can fold the top part of the shaft down to show off the silver lining which creates a playful bling bling effect...LOL...^-^

Worn with Rodarte for Target Kimono Floral print hooded raincoat.

I love this raincoat! The print is very cute and feminine.

These rain boots have been very loyal to me. I always take them with me when I travel because, unlike most rain boots, they are super lightweight and you can roll the shafts up making packing so easy and space-saving.

They are very easy to put on and take off, thanks to the back zipper. Don't forget to note the leather trims...handsome..<3..

I just appreciate how designers put thoughts into combining aesthetic and practicality. Rain or shine, these boots are packed into my suitcase everywhere I go.

When I wrote the title of this post, it reminded me of the song "It's Raining Again" by Supertramp, one of my favorite bands ever!

Gosh, how I miss the 80's! Feel so nostalgic listening to this song.

Advice from Moschino: How to Keep Your Boyfriend

2010-05-23T17:06:00.003-04:00

Follow advice from Moschino and your boyfriend will never leave you ;)

Muah!

Always keep your cool, girls!

That's easy to do...^-^

This is very important!

Oh, yeah...he..he...

Of course! Hello?

I love this cheeky old T-shirt by Moschino. I got it several years ago and I love wearing it when the weather gets warm. It's light, form-fitting and very comfortable. This year I glammed it up a bit with Miu Miu Swallow print collar from Spring 2010. It's amazing how this collar changes the look of a simple white T-shirt into something whimsical and sophisticated.

Worn with D-Squared cropped pants and Marni Tribal Platform.

I'm going to NYC for Memorial Day long weekend. Do you have any recommendations for good restaurants especially the cheap eats types and fun things to do?

Meow Miu Meow Miu

2010-05-13T23:27:00.006-04:00

Oh my little darling...where are you?

Are you hiding in that box?

Ah..I got you!

Oh you little cutie...why are you so adorable?

Images from style.com
Hmmm....I'll take you with me everywhere I go...

Quirky Whimsy Things

2010-05-02T14:34:00.006-04:00

The weather was so nice this weekend. It put me in such a playful mood. So, I pulled out some whimsical stuff in my closet to wear and have fun with them.

I wore my Comme des Garcons creepy toe moccasins out and about today. They are great for walking...so soft and super comfortable. And they add lots of fun and quite a personality to the whole outfit.

They are definitely some shoes to wear if you want to stir a conversation with strangers. They certainly put a smile on people's face. :-)

Worn with Comme des Garcons deconstructed poncho in navy blue from Fall 2009, J Crew waffle tee and Silence and Noise Skinny Twig Jeans

Images from style.com
Although runway look is a bit more serious, but you still can't deny that oddball silly look of these shoes.

Remember that Prada girl who walked the Fall 2009 runway with the most amazing leather fringe gladiator dress? And remember her gorgeous mustard yellow velvet clutch with sequins and paillettes applique? And the most amazing and unobtainable (breaking my heart!) Mohawk shoes?

I love this look so much! Look at the hair and the look on her face...she means serious business, right?

Since I couldn't get my hand on any of those amazing Prada creations, I just have to settle with the miniature version of everything on the model on this t-shirt instead.

Yes, this girl (Prada calls her a robot!) wears exactly the same dress and accessories as the model. Even the hair is also similarly electrocuted...LOL... How cute is that! Thank you Prada for making this super cute robot t-shirt using my favorite look of that collection.

Worn over Gap long-sleeved t-shirt, Silence and Noise Skinny Twig jeans and...

...to compliment the gladiator dress on my little Prada robot, I put on the Ann Demeulemeester Multi-strap gladiator wedges

Ann D wedges are awesome. I love them. They are pretty comfy and add a good amount of height and tough girl look to the whole outfit. I definitely will enjoy them all the way through summer for sure!

Prada Art Deco Platform Sandals

2010-04-25T21:30:00.006-04:00

After a long hiatus due to crazy insane work schedule, I was hoping to update my blog by showcasing my dream shoes, the Prada Plex Chandelier pumps that I was raving about in my last post. But I just learned last week that Prada couldn't fulfill my special order due to difficulty in production.

So so sad...these shoes must be difficult to make. I can only dream of my dream shoes...*sigh*...

Anyways, I still decided to blog about Prada shoes. Why not? ;-) I got these beautiful platform sandals last Fall, but have not gotten a chance to wear them yet until now.

The thing that caught my eyes about this shoe is the suede material. It's thick, soft, lush and feels like velvet. I also love the wonderful combination of gray and black.

I love love love the T-strap and the art deco style vamp! It's very chic!

They are comfortable enough, but boy, they are very high...I was wobbling a little bit when I took the first few steps...LOL...

Nevertheless, they are so beautiful and very sexy in a Prada way...if you know what I mean.

Plus they are versatile. Although they were from the Fall season, but the suede and the peep toe make them quite appropriate for Spring, as well.

Gotta try to de-seasonize your shoes, right?

Hello Prada, Can I Has These Shoes?

2010-03-25T00:03:00.007-04:00

Image from Prada Ad Campaign Spring 2010

Yah...the Plex Crystal Chandelier pumps. Can I, please? Bitte...bitte...per favore...

These shoes are something else. They are so over the top, but not gaudy. And the rarer they are, the more I yearn for them <3.

Style Scientist keeps on drooling...*sigh*...

Betsey Johnson Makes Cute Shoes!

2010-03-18T21:33:00.001-04:00

Betsey Johnson's signature style is usually super girly and flirty, but she always manages to skillfully add a bit of a pleasantly unexpected twist to her design.

These Tartan Oxford Kadina stilettos that I got from DSW (they have great selection right now) are no exception.

I love the mix of different materials on this shoe. It's a perfect blend of patent leather, tartan plaid fabric, grosgrain ribbon and metal studs. It's totally Lolita meets Joan Jett.

The wide grosgrain lace-up really makes these shoes utterly adorable. I like how the bow stays in shape. If the laces were to be those regular thin shoe laces, I don't think these shoes would look as cutesy. The grosgrain trim alternating with metal studs decoration on the toe box add punk rock feel to this shoe. That's the unexpected contrasting Betsey Johnson twist I was talking about.

In the sea of heavily discounted shoes at a DSW store, these Betsey Johnson Kadino Oxford stiletto captured my eyes immediately. Well, that hot pink shoe box probably contributes to that instant attraction, too. I was like, OMG! These shoes are so cute! And at an additional 60% off on top of the already discounted price? Sure, I'll try to make them fit my feet no matter what....JK...^-^

My First Spring 2010 Shoes: Ann Demeulemeester Multi-Strap Buckled Ankle Boots

2010-03-07T11:19:00.010-05:00

Can you believe that spring is approaching already? The weather is getting much warmer and the day is getting longer. I'm happy to see more sunlight everyday.

To celebrate the happy time, I pre-ordered the highly anticipated Ann Demeulemeester Multi-Strap Buckled Ankle Boots from her Spring 2010 collection, and they just arrived at my doorstep.

I was kind of excited to check out these new boots. I own a few pairs of Ann D shoes including the triple lace-up combat boots from Fall 2008 and the open lace-up booties from Spring 2009, and I love all of them. Ann D's design evokes an image of a no-brainer super-confident kind of girl. I love it!

And these ankle boots are a great example of that.

Ann D shoes are super comfortable due to the large toe box. She always manages to create shoes that are comfortable without compromising the essence of her design. I always look forward to her creation every season.

I'm usually not a big fan of wedge heels because they don't provide good stability, but this one is an exception. The stacked square heel is actually quite supportive and stable.

I like that the top-most buckle can be used to wrap around your bare leg.

Images from style.com
Can't wait to rock these boots! They are amazing and easy to style. Plus, I can see myself wearing them through the Fall season. Talkin' about versatility!

Head Over Heels with Studded Prada!

2010-02-28T21:53:00.009-05:00

You know when Prada came out with studded RTW and accessories for Men Fall 2009 collection, I was so jealous that men would get to enjoy such cool studded accessories especially the lace-up oxford shoes. They are pretty badass! This is one of a very few occasions that I wish my shoe size was big enough to fit men's smallest shoes..ha..what a wishful thinking!

Images from style.com
See how amazing these oxfords are? I am in love..like...so head over heels with these studs. How can one not? They are so friggin' handsome. I'd totally hit on any guys whom I see wearing these shoes. They are so hot!

So when I saw a similar, but a bit tamer female version at Barneys, I was so excited. But again, sometimes I hate my tiny feet. They didn't have my size :-(.

But when I was browsing through the fabulous shoe racks at the recent Barneys Warehouse Sale, this baby was staring at me. It's the only pair left and it's my size...at 75% off. You've gotta be kiddin' me! Of course, they came home with me. I can't believe this! I gave up on the hope of finding these shoes and there they were...on a super sale rack...waiting for me...so patiently.

A woman who was trying on a pair of very cute Miu Miu commented..."you know..I really wanted your Prada, but they are too small for me..you're lucky you have small feet". That's when I realized maybe it's not so bad at all having such small feet.

I wore them out today and they are super comfortable. I love the androgynous look of these shoes. There's no overt feminine sexiness at all whatsoever. Somehow they kinda make me feel a bit more empowering than usual especially when you received compliments from random men because they wanted your shoes....LOL...

I paired them with my current favorite bag..again it's a Prada bag..what else?

This bag is amazing. Despite many studs on it, it's very light. I love the shape, the size and the fact that it closes with a zipper. Great design, balanced forms and functions and of course high quality and aesthetics...this bag has them all in one. Will I ever stop loving Prada? Hmmm....

I wore them with a Prada nylon jacket (I must stop myself from wearing Prada head to toe..what a dork!), a Vivienne Westwood cashmere scarf and D&G stretched pants.

Did you have a chance to go to the legendary Barneys Warehouse Sale? Please share your stories of amazing finds like my studded Prada oxford shoes.

Made in Heaven: Comme des Garcons Tulle Skirt

2010-02-25T07:35:00.007-05:00

Do you remember that Comme des Garcons skirt from Fall/Winter 2009 collection? The one that's made from several layers of nude tulle fabric with a pleated skirt underneath? It's one of my favorite pieces from this collection.

Images from style.com
As you may remember that I placed this collection as Best of 2009. Rei Kawakubo has executed such an amazingly complex design for this collection and this skirt is such a good example of her astounding creativity.

Images from style.com
It's light, airy and angelic-looking, but underneath the front layer, there's a sturdy panel of a pleated skirt. The restriction of the movement of the pleats imposed upon by the overlay of the fragile tulle is so unexpected.

Images from style.com
Look at everything on this model. It fits just right altogether. I can't say enough how much I love this collection (as I mentioned that it's my pick for Best of 2009). I have never seen anything like it before, and I have to say that it's probably Comme des Garcons's best collection to date.

I love watching CdG Fall 2009 runway show. Everything including the music (soundtracks from the movie Donnie Darko) is just so perfect. The mood was melancholic, dark, moody and very haunting (like Donnie Darko brewing psychotic madness!). The whole show is perplexing and almost scary it sends chills running down my spine every time I watched it.

Especially when Gary Jules's version of Tears for Fears "Mad World" was played during the last part of the show...OMG...I can't think of anything better than this! And the evening dresses...one word...breathtaking!!!

You have to watch it yourself to understand what I'm talking about. I've never enjoyed any runway shows as much as this one, and I've never gotten bored watching this show over and over. It's amazing!

This skirt was the first piece that I got from this collection. After searching all over the place, I found one.

The navy pleated skirt panel underneath is so cool!

I paired it with Comme des Garcons fleece sweater with wool blanket that I got from Barneys.

and Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage Jasmine bag

Shoes are by Marni, socks are from Target

Shoes are made in Italy, socks are made in USA, bag is made in France, sweater is made in Japan and skirt is made in heaven!

Thank you Rei for your unbeatable creativity. I look forward to more of your creation. Love how you "think different"!

Burrrrrr....it's so cold!

2010-02-06T23:22:00.009-05:00

The weather has been pretty brutal lately. I just don't feel like going out at all. All I want to do is to hibernate in my toasty bedroom. But today I had to run some errands so I needed a really warm winter jacket.

I have been looking for a down puffer jacket for a while, but have never really liked any one in particular. I fell in love with Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons puffer jacket from Fall 2009, but they ran out of my size. Alas, I guess it's not meant to be :(. However, I found a great substitute. Surprise...surprise, it's Prada again! LOL...

Here it is! I love the casual design of this down puffer. But what sold me was the materials. They are of high quality. The other thing that I like about this jacket is the color! The deep rich Bordeaux already makes me feel so warm...seriously! And the antique rustic hardware makes this jacket so versatile. It will go with any gold or silver hardware accessories.

And the hood has fox fur trim. It's incredibly soft. I'm happy I got this jacket on sale. It's a great investment piece for me. I can see myself using it season after season.

Remember the Alexander Wang Rocco bag that I've been carrying around in my previous post? Here's a close-up pic of it. You have to feel the super thick pebbly leather of this bag. It's heavy-duty! It's the kind of bag that I can throw around and don't have to baby it that much. And it goes with everything. I like that it's subtle and doesn't scream logo monogram like many other bags in my collection. Sometimes, I want to take a break from monogram laden bags.

Of course, the heavy studs on the bottom of Alexander Wang bag have become his signature style now. Do you know that there are 95 metal studs attached on the bottom of the bag? o_0

Worn with Proenza Schouler Parmabio Motorcycle Ankle Boots, American Apparel winter leggings and Neiman Marcus leather gloves

Gotta go now...it's so cold out here. See you at next post!

In Waders from Prada

2010-01-26T00:40:00.002-05:00

I think one of the most intriguing features of Prada Fall 2009 design is the strange pairing of wader-like boots with either sophisticated luxurious power suit, leather trench coat or decadent leather fringe dress.

Image from prada.com
The look is mysterious, strong and confident.

Image from prada.com
For this season, I've been particularly perplexed by her shoe design. Aside from the infamous Mohawk pumps, I find these leather waders very peculiar.

Why would someone wear lug-sole waders to places other than to go fishing?

The unique feature of these boots is the excessively flared shaft that requires a calf strap to prevent it from flapping around.

I love these waders! They are so cool..

...and very comfortable

Worn with McQ Alexander McQueen for Target studded jeans and Prada Gabardine Tech coat

Images from "Women in Waders" calendars
While surfing the internet, I stumbled upon a website that sells "Women in Waders" calendar. The company makes calendar featuring models in skimpy bikinis and fishing waders every year and they always sell out! What the....? LOL.....can't blame the fishermen for having waders fetish, right?

Image from Voque China
What is so attractive about women and their waders? I guess Prada already answers that question because when she brought it to the extreme high art form, one can clearly see why.

So who's sexier? Prada girls or calendar girls? I let you be the judge ^-^.

Ciao!

Which Came first, Chanel or Uggs?

2010-01-17T19:45:00.010-05:00

Who could have imagined that Chanel would make winter boots looking like Uggs boots? Don't get me wrong. Although I think Uggs boots look kinda ugly, but I love them. In fact, I have 2 pairs. They are super comfy and they keep your feet toasty especially in frigid cold weather.

When I spotted these Uggs-lookalike Chanel winter boots, I had to take a second look. I asked my SA, "is this really Chanel? OMG, they look just like Uggs!" My SA laughed and told me they were so popular and sold like hot cakes. She encouraged me to try them on. I said...nah..I already have two Uggs boots. But I tried them on anyways. I thought they look kinda cute. Next thing I knew they came home with me :P.

Although the design is pretty similar to that of Uggs, but the quality of the lambskin is way far superior. The outside is made of buttery soft leather, it's not suede like Uggs, and the fur is very fine and very soft.

Gotta love the rough rubber flat sole. It's waterproof and provides good traction on snow-covered ground.

Talking about comfort...

..warmth and style...OK..I concede, Chanel comes first...

I wore them with one of my favorite Gabardine Tech winter coat by Prada.

I love this coat. It looks thin, but it's very warm. It's heavily padded and has a funky furry hood. The entire hood is made of raccoon fur! When you put it on, it makes your head looks 10 times bigger than normal...ha...ha..but it's so soft and luxurious.

Not to forget Uggs, I take these gloves along with me. If you're looking for a pair of great winter gloves, I totally recommend this one. They are amazingly warm and super durable. It's such a great purchase as I got them from an Uggs Outlet store.

It's so cold today. The river is frozen. Huuuuuh..when will winter be over? I can't wait for summer to arrive.

Jeans are by Silence & Noise (tellin' ya I'm addicted to this brand) and handbag by Alexander Wang. I will post more about this bag later. It's my new favorite workhorse bag.

My New Go-To Shoes: Proenza Schouler Parmabio Motorcycle Ankle Boots

2010-01-10T16:27:00.000-05:00

I had my eyes on these Proenza Schouler Parmabio ankle boots since early fall, but never actually decided to buy them since I was distracted by many other cool shoes that came out this season. So when I saw that they went on sale for 50% off, I grabbed them immediately. I have never owned PS shoes before so this is a new adventure for me.

I love the design of these boots. It's a perfect blend of a serious rocker vibe and a hint of edgy sophistication.

Look at the profile! It's haute! The side zipper and snap button remind me of a motorcycle jacket. And the buckle perfectly finishes off that badass biker look.

The leather is absolutely divine. It's thick, soft and has a wonderful pebbly texture to it.

With the hidden platform, the height is perfect. Another amazing factor of these boot is the rubber lug soles. You can never have too much traction when it comes to heels above 3" high.

The square toe box is heaven-sent. I love shoes that leave a little room for me to wiggle my little piggies around :).

And they go with everything.

Plus they're so comfy and easy to walk around in. I went out today doing some post-Christmas shopping, and my feet were still very happy after many hours of walking!

Image from www.halcoholic.com
Ask Hal of halcoholic.com (hi Hal, I love your boots..LOL..). She has one, too, and she loves them to death. Check out her post here.

Best of 2009: Comme des Garcons & District 9

2010-01-06T23:58:00.003-05:00

As you know I am a hardcore Prada fan, whatever Miuccia Prada does, it's always good. But let me tell you that for year 2009, Comme des Garcons Fall/Winter collection has won me. I always like Comme des Garcons, but I have never coveted the entire collection before. This collection is by far the best of 2009 and the best of Comme des Garcons. I want every single piece from this collection! Sorry Ms. Prada, I still adore you, but Ms. Kawakubo is the winner for me this year.

The first piece I got from this collection is this super cool hooded military utility jacket with some sort of a cotton blanket or a robe underneath.

The hood is really cool. It looks more like a cap with a brim that's reinforced with metal wire so it's stiff and stays in place. The back of the sleeves do not connect to the shoulder creating interesting negative spaces.

You gotta love lots of pockets and the zipper is very smooth. Don't you hate the zipper that you have to struggle with every time you have to zip or unzip? Let me tell you, as much as I love Prada, but their coats and jackets especially the ones from their Sports line always have stubborn zippers. Ms. Prada, hear me out, please...

Worn with Silence & Noise Skinny Twig Jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs rain boots and my good old Neiman Marcus leather gloves

Love the MbMj rain boots so much! How many rain boots out there come with stacked heels?

Images from vogue.com and style.com
I tried on this jacket, too. The plaid blanket is very thick, cozy and warm. But I opted for the cotton all green one cos I want to be able to wear it in spring, too. Look at the creepy toe shoes! So cute!

Still in the military mood, no? Have you seen District 9? If not, please go watch it. It's one of the most amazing sci-fi thriller ever! At first, I couldn't care less for this movie. Thought it's just a generic sci-fi flick. Boy, was I wrong? It's beyond phenomenal. It's now one of my all-time favorite sci-fi movies ever.

The plot is so gripping. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen seriously. And I watched it two times in a row. It is that good. The main character is Wilkus (the cute guy on the right) who in the beginning of the movie is kind of like a dorky loser. But series of unexpected turns of events make him become an anti-hero. You'll like him. Koobus (the guy on the left with a cool utility jacket on..he..he..gotta add a bit of fashion observation here) is Wilkus nemesis.

The plot revolves around xenophobia. And what would be the race that has an ultimate stark contrast against us humans? The aliens..guys..the aliens..

But let me tell you, the movie humanizes them. You'll feel sorry for them. You might start to dislike or even hate your own race because of the things we humans are capable of doing to people who don't look like us.

The movie is so much fun to watch. It's thrilling, entertaining, filled with actions and is quite emotional at the end. With the way it ends, I won't be surprised and I actually eagerly anticipate that District 10, a sequel, be made.

So go watch it, guys. It's awesome! Check out this trailer in the mean time!

Ever Feel like Killin'? Just put on these Gucci Kills Platform Booties.

2010-01-04T20:31:00.002-05:00

Have you ever seriously thought that a stiletto could be used effectively as a murder weapon? I have not. Well, not until I spot these aptly named Gucci Kills Platforms from Fall/Winter 2009 collection.

Look at the heels, guys! They are 5.75" high, but the platform takes 1.25" away , so you only handle 4.5" height..not too bad, right? They are long, slim and best of all they are made from metal! Yeah...they can definitely be used to stab someone and cause some serious bodily injuries, don't you think?

Check out the leather. It's scrumptiously soft and stretchy. I can't ask for more. What I love most about these shoes was the small ankle circumference. It wraps around my ankle very well. Don't you hate booties with shafts that are too big they make your legs look funny. I also like the shiny metal band detail on the platforms. Details..details..details...it's all about the details..

Next is the curves..curves..curves.. and more curves..LOL...You must pay attention to the curvaceousness of the heels, the sole outline and the back of the ankles. Who thinks of that? So curvy and scarily dominating? Seriously?

These shoes exude extreme confidence. They make you feel like you're the commander-in-chief...ha..ha Well, no one would mess up with you if they see what you have on. They are real weapon for sure. The small peep toes just cut it for me. I had to have them. They are so playful. It's kinda like you can look, but you can't touch kind of thing ;-).

Images from style.com
These shoes are seriously hot, controlling and definitely deadly. I love them. They are the highest and probably the most dangerous shoes, literally and figuratively, in my closet.

Watch out for Gucci Spring/Summer 2010 shoes. They are absolutely to-die-for.

Balenciaga Suede Mesh Effect Booties

2009-12-06T21:00:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for the winter yet? The weather seems to get colder and colder everyday. Today I ran around doing some Christmas shopping and brought out my new Balenciaga booties that I got since early Fall. I haven't had a chance to wear them yet until today.

Here they are! Ta..da..you like? I love the leather and suede that are interwoven together to create a mesh effect.

The heel curves and juts out looking a bit awkward, but it makes the shoe looks edgy and interesting, plus the 3-tier platform adds a bit of height for these cools shoes.

OK...not bad..not bad..my toes didn't hurt. They are pretty comfy to walk in, but...

...they do make a little bit of squeaky noise when walked on a hard surface. Do you have any advice on how to rid them of the annoying squeak?

Worn with Oilily jacket, this jacket is padded and amazingly very warm.

I love the quirky vintage brooch appliques on the chest. They add whimsy to the plain red plaid look.

Worn with D&G pants and Vivienne Westwood cashmere scarf. OK...gotta run and do some more Christmas shopping..see ya!

Comme des Garcons Creepy Toe Moccasins

2009-12-03T17:34:00.004-05:00

I know..I know..

Many of you think that they look weird, silly or even hideously ugly. But I am intrigued!

I am absolutely intiqued by the strangeness of Rei Kawakubo's new creation for Comme des Garcons.

The Trompe L'oeil effect of a child-like drawing of crooked toes with painted red toenails is just downright friggin' weird. I get giddy like a little kid every time I look at them.

The search started when my inner child either kept waking me up at night or haunting me in a series of lovely nightmares. She told me she wanted these crazy shoes. She wouldn't stop bothering me. I must search and acquire them before I turn insane. These nightmares have to stop!

I must go to New York. It's the only place where I can pacify my inner child's need.

Ahhh...the only pair left in my size...you are meant to be with me. Thank you, CdG NYC. Now I can have a sweet dream...zzzzzzzz.......

Peking Duck for Thanksgiving & a New Obsession from Comme des Garcons

2009-11-28T23:40:00.010-05:00

How was your Thanksgiving? Did you eat a lot? For me, I did.

This year instead of having turkey as I traditionally do, I opted to have a Peking Duck! Have you had anything other than turkey for Thanksgiving?

I found a very small, but incredibly amazing Chinese restaurant that serves Peking Duck on Thanksgiving Day. They require that you place an order a day in advance.

So I did. When I arrived at the restaurant, the Peking Duck was not ready yet. To calm down my grouchy stomach, I ordered an appetizer called "Scallion Pancake". It is a deep-fried super crispy scallion dough. It is very crispy on the outside...

..and fluffy on the inside. You dip it in house special ginger soy sauce. It was so good, I could have ordered more, but I didn't want to stuff myself before the highly anticipated being arrived at my table.

Here comes the yummy Peking Duck! Look at the skin! It's the best part of the duck, you know? It's so crispy and crunchy.

First, dipped the fresh scallion brush into the amazing Hoisin sauce

then painted it onto a warm wrapping skin..

...and tore the scallion brush into pieces...then laid the yummy crispy Peking Duck skin onto the wrap.

Rolled it up and the rest is history...oh boy...

The third course was a delicious stir-fried Peking Duck meat and mixed vegetables dish. I love this dish very much. I ate the leftover with rice at home...it was so good...

The final course was a Peking Duck soup. The chef used the Peking Duck bones to make the broth and he threw transparent noodles, baby Bokchoi and soft tofu in it. It was so soothing and so perfect to end this spectacular meal.

OK, other than the Peking Duck, I was very excited when I received this package from Comme des Garcons right before Thanksgiving.

It is something I've been obsessed over for a while now. I get giddy just thinking what lies inside this box. Wanna guess what it is?

Meet My New Studs: Christian Louboutin Studded Very Prive

2009-11-07T22:28:00.002-05:00

What do you think of these shoes? The first time I saw them on SAKS Fifth Avenue website, my jaw dropped. I can't believe Christian Louboutin makes shoes with such punky design.

I've never own any Christian Louboutin shoes before. I always hear that they are not that comfortable, so I just admire them from afar.

But then I got an unexpected gift card and before you know it they became my first Loubie!

Back view..I love how the red soles give such nice contrast to the black leather.

I put on new nail polish called Vandetta by Chanel. I love that deep rich violet color. What a great color for fall!

I got this concert tee recently when I went to see KMFDM show.

KMFDM is such a great industrial band. They were doing a tour to promote their new album called BLITZ. The concert was great. There were so many people and the mosh pit got kind of crazy. Anyways, I managed to stay away and enjoyed the concert from the mezzanine level of the concert hall just to be safe, as I'm a chicken when it comes to rowdy crowd...LOL...

Don't you love their album cover? They always have the best album artwork created by an amazing artist, Aidan Hughes.

I paired my studs with Prada Stoffa wool jacket and Kill City jeans.

Gotta go now. See you soon, more cool shoes to come!

Hot Pink Mama!

2009-10-09T23:33:00.001-04:00

Remember my black Christian Dior Deesse Fertility Goddess Sandals from many posts ago?

Well, they have a cousin that is as pretty, but a little more playful.

Instead of the stingray skin, this style is made of sumptuous suede in magenta.

I love how the curvy straps fit over the feet. They are so comfortable!

Do I have to tell you why I think these shoes are one of the best-designed shoes ever?

Can't resist this cool heel! Love the Masai Fertility Goddess. Isn't she gorgeous?

Image from style.com
Runway version

Image from style.com
To complete the Hot Pink Mama look, one has gotta find a matching dress like this!

The Lovely Chanel Drop of Flower Camellia Rain Boots

2009-09-29T22:03:00.000-04:00

Let me introduce you to my lovely rain boots. I was smitten when I first saw them. They are one of the cutest rain boots I've seen.

I love the shiny black with contrasting white sole and heel. The interlocking C on the toe ensures that Chanel signature is not missed.

Aren't the Camellias so adorable? And you have got to love the shiny gold CC on the petals. So cute!

I have rain boots that are not well sealed and they make your feet damp, cold and icky. But these Chanel are tough and are 100% waterproof. I test drove them last weekend. They are of super high quality.

Plus they are very comfortable, too. My feet are dry and happy after a long walk.

It rained a lot last weekend and I got to wear my new rain boots with my new favorite nylon jacket by Prada. This jacket is so awesome. It has many cool details ! I love the ruffles. They add a feminine touch to an urban-style jacket.

How can one not love this jacket. It's super light and thin, but surprisingly keeps you very warm. It is also lined and padded with Thermore, a patented material specifically developed for Prada. The process of producing Thermore reduces the thickness of the fabric, but still maintains the superior thermal insulation property. Prada is always very innovative with their fabric choice.

Jeans are by Silence & Noise. I'm now addicted to this brand. They are inexpensive and very well-made.

I wish it rained more cos I wanna wear my Chanel Camellia rain boots and my Prada jacket everyday!

Caciocavallo: My newly discovered favorite cheese!

2009-09-21T22:46:00.006-04:00

Wow..it's been so long since my last post. I apologize for MIA for a while. Work has been quite crazy and I have not had time for myself much less time to blog.

Anyways, now I'm back and have many things to share with you. I took these photos a while ago and just now had time to process them.

Have I told you that I'm a big cheese lover? One of my favorite local cheese shops, owned by a very nice Italian man, always imports exotic cheeses from around the world. I love to stop by his store to taste new cheeses.

Today he introduced me to an awesome Southern Italian cheese called Caciocavallo. After I tasted it, I was hooked! It's so good, it is now on my favorite cheese list.

The teardrop shape one in the middle is the Caciocavallo which literally means "cheese on horseback". It is made from cow's milk. It's so milky! I love the milkiness of this cheese so much. The flaky pebbly texture and slightly salty taste in combination with the milkiness make your mouth water and crave for more. You should try this cheese if you have a chance. If you're a cheese lover, I guarantee you'll love it.

Me lounging around in front of the cheese shop after the cheese tasting.

Today I wore a Christian Dior T-shirt and a white cropped denim by Rock and Republic.

Close-up of the T-shirt. Gotta love the hot pink lips!

Mesh on mesh....Stella McCartney mesh sandals still receive so many compliments every time over.

Stay tuned for cool Fall 2009 shoes. Ciao!

Contemplating Getting a Smart Car

2009-08-16T10:17:00.006-04:00

Does any of you readers own or know someone who owns a Smart car? Do you like it and why?

I've been thinking about getting a Smart car for a while now, and when the Federal announced Cash for Clunkers Program, I thought this would be a good opportunity to trade in my old car and get a new and environmentally friendly one.

So I stopped by a Smart car dealer a few weeks ago to test drive it. The showroom is full of these super cute cars that are so tiny, but surprisingly quite roomy inside.

They come in 5 different styles and a variety of colors. I love this one. It's a 2002 limited edition called a Crossblade. but this model is no longer available for sale.

Here's a cutout Smart car showing the skeleton and internal features.

I tested it and I like it! It's cute, fast and easy to maneuver. Unlike a regular-length car, you can do a quick sharp turn no problem. The best part is that you do not have to do that pain-in-the-neck parallel parking anymore..ha..ha. Just nose it in and voila!

I did not wear appropriate shoes to test drive a Smart car today (lame!), but I still managed to drive without any incident.

They are strappy Marni pumps with peculiar-shaped heels from Spring 2009. They are pretty comfortable. I love the thick platform that gives me an extra 5 inches.

I took my beloved Prada Fairy bowler out an about today, too. Skirt is by Americal Apparel.

Top is also by Prada. It's the Sports version of their Spring 09 runway collection. You can wear this top in many different ways depending on how tight you tie the bow around the neck.

So tell me about the Smart car. Do you recommend it?

If I were to get one, I'd go for a red or a white. What do you think?

I'm totally diggin' this: cocoperez.com!

2009-08-13T19:32:00.004-04:00

Today, while I was browsing my favorite daily guilty pleasure perezhilton.com, I found out that he just launched a new website focusing mainly on fashion and celebrities, cocoperez.com. Well, celebrities and fashion are not new to the blogosphere, but if it's Perez Hilton who will be blogging, rest assured you can anticipate outrageousness.

So I checked out his new site and I like it already! What still lacking is his infamous white drawing on the photos. But Perez still lives up to his famous (or infamous) witty, bitchy and outrageous attitude.

He already has a few posts about Kate Moss being old and a junkie. He called her Cokate sniff sniff and described her as a geriatric who had photoshop as her BFF.

"Kate Moss sure is busy!

Despite being far older than what is typically considered modeling age, with the help of Photoshop, the svelte model is in high demand.

In addition to editorial spreads, and ad campaigns, girlfriend is on the cover of a whopping three September issues this year!

As we're sure you know, the September issue is considered the most important of the entire year for fashion magazines. This year, Kate graces the September covers of Vogue UK, Russian Vogue, and W Magazine, which has yet to be released.

We have to admit, she looks pretty damn fierce on the Russian Vogue cover.

Wonder how she stays awake while working all those long hours??

Sniff. Sniff."

Below is another outrageous post about Kate Moss wearing a Prada fringed dress from Fall 2009

"Kate Moss shows off Prada's fall collection in the upcoming issue of W Magazine.

The spread, shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, and styled by Alex White, features Moss wearing Prada's ferocious leather fringe dress with studs and embroidery detail, and a gorgeous silk velvet brocade dress, among other things.

All of the featured clothes are fab, but that leather dress is sex on a hanger!

And again, geriatric Katie is killin' it with the help of her bff, photoshop.

Whatever works!"

He gave an exclusive interview about the new site and he mentioned that Anna Wintour was not going to love this.

"Should the fashion magazines be scared?
Absolutely. Anna Wintour watch out! Actually, Anna Wintour’s days are already numbered now, so she should be cowering in fear. I don’t know if she’ll make it past the Fall. Eventually, I will have a larger audience than Vogue."

Check out his site for fashion, celebrities and craziness, it's hilarious! I can't wait to hear him report back from the upcoming Fashion Week.

Sci-Fi Inspired: Balenciaga Constellation Cone Heels

2009-08-04T20:02:00.006-04:00

Have you seen the movie "Metropolis"? It's a black and white silent Sci-Fi film released in 1927 by the famous director, Fritz Lang. It is considered a Sci-Fi classic and a must-see for any movie aficionados.

Images from Metropolis the movie and www.girlarmor.com (photo inspired by Maria the robot from Metropolis)
The story revolves around a beautiful woman named Maria who was transformed into a robot by a mad scientist. The plot is complex and strange, but very captivating. If you like Sci-Fi thrillers, you must watch this odd film. Last weekend I watched the 2002 restored version (unfortunately, this version is still missing about 26 minutes of footage) and my mind was completely switched into a futuristic mode...

Talking about futuristic, no one can beat Nicholas Ghesquière's design for Balenciaga. One great example of his awesomely spacey designs is his Constellation Cone Heeled Sandals from Spring 09 collection.

These shoes remind me of spaceship design. I propose that NASA mandate their female astronauts to wear these shoes. It's time for NASA to be fashion forward, don't you agree?

Aptly named...Constellation because the perforations on the leather vamp resemble brightly lit stars in the sky

Metallic aluminum-like finish cone heels would have been so perfect for Maria the robot.

Surprisingly, these shoes fit well and fully support the arches.

What zodiac can you see from these constellations?

I'm not turning into a robot yet, but when the completely restored version of Metropolis is released in 2010, I might be. I hope to wear these shoes to the theater if the movie premieres in my city!

Style Scientist featured in Blog Love Thursday Interview!

2009-08-01T10:24:00.003-04:00

I am honored to be interviewed by an incredibly talented blogger, Christine Kim. Her lovely fashion blog with a kooky title "What was I thinking?" features amazing fashion bloggers on a special section called "Blog Love Thursday". Influential fashion bloggers such as Atlantis Home, La Couturier, Mode Junkie, Fashion Chalet, Gala Darling, Life In Travel and many more have been interviewed. I feel absolutely thrilled to be invited.

Thank you so much, Christine. It was so much fun chatting with you.

Artwork by Christine Kim of "What was I Thinking?"
Christine created an amazing illustration (above) of her favorite pic taken from this post.

BTW, if you'd like to know why Style Scientist has a particular fondness of PRADA design, please check out the interview here.

LA LA Land: Part 2

2009-07-30T05:44:00.007-04:00

This post is a continuation of LA LA Land: Part 1.

The first day when I went to Rodeo Drive, I started off late. So I went back again for the second time to hit the stores that I missed.

I took pics of many storefronts...Fred Leighton, Dior Homme and Miu Miu..I love Miu Miu store. They have very cute RTW and shoes.

Chanel

Yves Saint Laurent, this is where I caved in to a new pair of shoes. I shouldn't, but the sale was too good to pass up, and the shoes were on my wish list for quite some time. I'll post pics of them soon.

Isn't this the most breathtaking candle holder in the whole wide world? I love the black color and the twisted, distorted, but somewhat symmetrical look of this natural black coral. For a whopping $125,000, you can have this gorgeous piece in your living room.

Next up is Louis Vuitton

Guess what store this is...It's the only store on Rodeo Drive that does not have a name on the storefront, but everyone knows who it is.

It's PRADA! They had Fall'09 RTW, handbags and shoes already on display. I love the lace-up flat boots on the mannequins. They remind me of Ann D lace-up booties.

I had to take pose in front of my favorite store.

Today I had on a Prada blouse, DSquared cropped pants, Louis Vuitton Richard Prince Watercolor Papillon and Marni Tribal sandals.

My feet got tired after strolling around for a while. I went to SAKS and took a break at their Cafe. I ordered a cocktail and a mouth-watering appetizer - grilled jumbo shrimps with cilantro pesto. It's so yummy! I wish they gave me more shrimps though. Three definitely were not enough!

While waiting for the food, I had to take a pic of my shoes. Talking about shameless shoe obsession!

I love LA. I do. It's a great city. I don't know if I'd like to live there, but I certainly love to visit. There are so many good restaurants and shopping places.

Good bye, LA LA Land. I sure will come back again!

Prada Goodies!

2009-07-25T19:51:00.005-04:00

I was quite impressed by the packaging of the new Prada goodies that I received sometime ago.

The items were wrapped in a very nice gift box.

Can't wait!

My goodness! Each individual item was neatly wrapped and tied with a bow. I feel like it's Christmas already!

The first item is a very cute 100% cotton sleeveless tunic with tie around the neck. It's very comfy and airy, just perfect for summer.

The second one is a white cotton shirt. Do you know that Prada makes pretty amazing white cotton shirts? They always have beautiful and sometimes very unusual details. The quality is top-notched and the cut is always perfect. This one is has raw edges on the collar and tie around the waist. I'll take some modeling pics later.

The third one is a lovely sleeveless blouse with a silk bow. It's my favorite of the three.

The fabric is a blend of cotton and metal creating a crinkled and crumbled look, perfect for someone like me who does not like to iron her clothes! The powder pink color makes this lovely blouse even more adorable.

Image from prada.com
I have some pic wearing this top that I'll post later, but in the mean time you can see how it looks on the model in Prada SS2009 ad campaign.

Image from prada.com
Prada is very innovative with their use of fabric and materials. The cotton/metal mix is very clever. I love how the texture the fabric makes it looks like these models are marble sculptures, don't you think?

LA LA Land: Part 1

2009-07-19T19:13:00.003-04:00

I envy Californians because they get to enjoy everyday sunny sky and wonderful weather. During my recent trip to Los Angeles, I strolled along the famous Melrose Ave. doing some window shopping. There are so many cool shops and novelty stores there. I stopped by Alexander McQueen boutique, but the store was closed :(. Anyhow, I snapped some pics from the outside of the store.

I was curious about the billboard peeking above the store gate. Is that a new movie ad? Let's take a closer look.

Oh, wow, it's McQueen's billboard ad. That's kinda cool. I would have thought that it's an ad for HBO series Deadwood, had I not seen his name on it.

Image from anthrax.com
OK guys, which team is hotter, McQueen or Deadwood?

Next stop was Maxfield. I had to snap a pic of their store front. It pays tribute to Michael Jackson in an artsy way. Love the graphic sequined white glove! MJ never can say goodbye, indeed :(.

BTW, Maxfield is a really cool store. They carry lots of avant-garde designer stuff. They also have a lot of antique collectible items shown in very nice display glass cases throughout the store. Expect to see lots of skulls and erotic paraphernalia..ahem...I also saw a lot of beautiful pre-owned Hermes Birkin and Chanel handbags, too. I wish I had more time to explore this store, but I had to run. Maybe next time.

Next stop was Rodeo Drive, the epitome of street of high fashion. I love this lady's outfit. She reminds me of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. It's so Beverly Hills.

Spotted some fashionista tourist striking a pose in front of Tiffany & Co. So Vogue!

It's late and I was hungry, so I checked out the menu of this fancy restaurant. It's not that interesting, kinda bland. I needed some spicy food so badly! Where would you go for hot spicy food when you're in LA? Of course it's Thai Town on Hollywood Blvd! No other place can beat this neighborhood when it comes to yummy cheap eats.

Almost forgot to mention what I wore today. I scored these Maison Martin Margiela armbands from eLuxury right before they closed their online business at an incredible steal.

Images from style.com
These armbands can be worn in different ways as seen on MMM Spring 08 runway looks.

I paired them up with D&G Dolce & Gabbana 80's punk rock graphic tank with tulle overlay.

Worn with Silence and Noise skinny jeans from Urban Outfitters. I'm kinda addicted to this brand now. They make good quality jeans that fit me well. And the best part is that they're inexpensive especially when you get them on sale at $9.99!

Accessories of the day are my beloved Ann Demeulemeester Lace-Up booties and Prada Nylon tote.

Stepping into my rental car heading to Thai Town to pacify my grouchy stomach.

See you in LA LA Land: Part 2 soon!

My Dear Marni.....

2009-07-16T05:21:00.007-04:00

What not to love about Marni shoes especially the shoes from the Spring/Summer 2008 collection? I think this is Marni's best shoe collection to date. I was awe-struck by a pair of tribal-infused runway platform sandals. They are so eye-catching.

Look at them! The tribal motif with combination of bright colors, shiny rivets and side buckle strap make them so unique. They are unlike any shoes I've seen. The funky and quirky utilitarian look put them in a league of their own.

Gotta love the wooden cone heels

Images from style.com
They also come in different color combo. I like the orange one, too.

Images from style.com
But I think the pink one is my favorite. Even Consuela Castiglioni, Marni head designer, chose this pair for the runway.

Image from "the BOOK" catalog
Looking quite lovely when paired with a Marni bag and skirt

Again, what not to love about them. They add good 5 inches to your stature!

And they are super comfy. I have worn them on several occasions and received so many compliments and stares every time, proof that these shoes are seriously made not to go unnoticed.

Who likes Cropped Trench? Raise you hand!

2009-07-11T00:49:00.007-04:00

Count me in..I love trench coat. It's perfect for the spring and fall weather. My first trench is a classic long khaki Burberry that I found at a vintage store many years ago. It's a very nice coat, and I love it to death. But since it's long, it can sometimes be a little cumbersome. I've been searching for a shorter version for a while, but to no avail, until...

...Eluxury had a major sale right before they closed their internet retailing operation last month. They had this amazing cropped trench by D&G Dolce and Gabbana on sale! I couldn't believe my eyes. It's such an awesome jacket and at such a great deal.

I love the design of this cropped trench. There are so many nice details on it that set it apart from the traditional Burberry design. D&G is one of my favorite brands. They always make funky and cute whimsical clothes.

I especially love the belt, the wide lapel and the big collar. The sleeve length is also perfectly cropped.

I like the fit of this jacket. I can see myself wearing this season after season just like my long Burberry trench.

Worn over my good old short-sleeved T by French Connection

Jeans are also by D&G..LOL...I told you I love D&G. Accessories of the day are Prada python hobo from Spring 2006 and sky-high Miu Miu Croc sandals.

Do you like trench coats, cropped or long and which one do you have in your closet?

Fertility Goddess Chic: Christian Dior Deesse Sandals

2009-06-25T23:43:00.013-04:00

I've been excited about this post for the past few weeks not only because of the fact that I haven't been updating my blog due to travelling, but also because it features my favorites shoes of the season.

May I present to you the best shoes of Spring 2009, Christian Dior Deesse Sandals or best known as Dior Fertility Goddess Heels.

I can't begin to describe how exotically sexy these shoes are. They are the most curvaceous shoes I've seen. The weaved metal straps are intertwined to wrap around your feet. The front and side are covered with exotic pebbly stingray skin dyed in giraffe-like pattern. They are very African-inspired and utterly gorgeous!

See how curvaceous it is from the profile? It has a small platform which I love. The name Deesse is quite appropriate, too, since the heel is shaped like a goddess.

The heel represents Masai. She's the African tribal fertility goddess.

Close-up of the heels showing the pregnant figure with full breast and prominent derriere

Gorgeous face of the goddess...

...and her body that's full of life. The heels are antique-finished. You see random scratches all over the statue making it looks like it's been hand-carved from wood.

I found these images on a French website showing how the shoes are made and inspected. Very interesting!

Image from style.com
Runway looks

They are pretty comfortable, too. I love the shiny metallic straps. They are very sturdy and support your arch very well.

If I had to pick the best shoes of this season, these would be it. Only John Galliano can bring fertility to maximum chicness! Hand downs! Thank you, John. Your creativity is unsurpassed!

"Fall in Love with Fall" 2009 Shoe Report

2009-06-24T21:43:00.002-04:00

As promised, here are some pics that I was able to snap while at the shoe fashion show last weekend. Please excuse the blurry photos as I only brought my crappy point-and shoot-camera and the battery did not last long. There were many many beautiful shoes and the star of the night was the highly anticipated new collection by Rene Caovilla. You must watch out for this brand as the new collection is stunningly gorgeous and their shoes have glitter sole! Can you believe it? Shoes with super sparkly glittery soles. Only Rene Caovilla!

They served champagne and cookies made in the shape of high heel.

While I was waiting for the fashion show to start, I snapped some pics of some of the fashionistas attending the party. From left to right, Alexander McQueen boots, Prada (maybe?) flats, YSL Tribute in gorgeous burgandy, Rene Caovilla (do you notice the glittery sole?), the far right one with feather is also by Rene Caovilla.

Snapping pic of my own shoes...LOL...YSL cage boots featured in the previous post.

Models walking the red carpet

Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin..love this rich dark red color..

Christian Louboutin animal print

Sexy wild animal Louboutin

A lot of sexy lacy design from Christian Louboutin

Glitter is big this fall..these are also by Christian Louboutin

Nothing's ever gone wrong with Prada

I love this one...Miu Miu glitter cutout sandals

Miu Miu platforms with funky studs and cabachons

Chie Mihara..I love this brand. Watch out for her design for this fall. Very Lolita..innocent, but playful..I have the caramel T-strap ones that the model on the back wore.

More cute Chie Mihara....the front one has three grosgrain bows decoration...so cute!

More Chie Mihara cuteness...

This is my pick as the winner of the night, Christian Dior Horn Heel (sorry for the blurriness, better pic below).

I tried it on and it felt great. The heel is shaped like a Rhinoceros horn. I love it! The intertwined straps on the vamp are embellished with antique-finished silver studs. It's ferociously sexy!

Image from style.com
The horn heel also has an ornate silver ring around it. John Galliano did very well this year. I love his Fertility Goddess shoes from the spring season and I expect nothing less from him this fall. He definitely does not disappoint. Good job, John!

What I wore to "Fall In Love with Fall" Shoe Party

2009-06-21T17:37:00.006-04:00

For the past week, I've been quite excited because I was invited to attend the Fall 2009 Shoe Fashion Show at Neiman Marcus this past weekend.

I have had high anticipation about the Fall 2009 collection based on what I've seen on the runway, and I was not disappointed. Everything is smashing! You all are going to love the shoes from this upcoming season. They are incredibly fantastic!

I wore my new Prada stretch poplin short-sleeved button down shirt from spring 2008 Sports collection. I love the puff sleeves with stitched roll-up at the end. They add a nice silhouette to the shoulders.

I paired it with McQ Alexander McQueen for Target pin-striped cropped pants. Since I wore all black ensemble, I could play around with accessories. What else would be more perfect than my Yves Saint Laurent YSL cage boots from spring 2009 which I featured here and here, and a Jean Paul Gaultier Le Prive Tartan Trench Bowler from Fall 2008. I can't tell you how much I love this bag. Doesn't it remind you of a trench coat with a Catholic school girl uniform twist? Isn't that awesome?

The party was fun. They served champagne and cookies while you watched the fashion show.

I took some pictures, but my batteries went dead in the middle of the show :(. However, I still managed to snap some pics for you guys. I will post them soon. Stay tuned, you'll love the shoes. They are super HOT!

Ballet On the Rocks: Miu Miu Jeweled Flats

2009-06-17T22:50:00.004-04:00

Although I am not big on jewelry, but I have always been attracted to sparkly glittery stuff. Every time I lay my eyes on the Miu Miu jeweled ballet flats, which have now become the house staple, I always look twice as they are so gorgeous.

Look at the multifaceted crystal jewels arranging on irregularly-shaped antique silver plate setting. Aren't they gorgeous? They are so sparkly, they hurt my eyes...LOL...

The shoes have leather flexed soles and are very comfortable.
The leather is soft and scrumptious. They are very well-made as can be expected from Ms. Miuccia Prada.

They have been on my wish list for quite some time, but I've never decided to buy them. And then the perfect opportunity arrived. I couldn't believe they went on sale! All I know is that this style is extremely popular and when the season ends, not many are left in stock for a discounted price especially the metallic silver ones which is my favorite.

So I took them off my wish list and they came home with me.

What a happy ending!

Thank you!

2009-06-16T20:13:00.003-04:00

I would like to thank Gisela and Maury of Heights of Fashion and
Cari of isnotfashion for awarding me "One Lovely Blog Award"!

Please check out their fashionable blogs here and here.

Thank you, ladies! What an honor!

Summer Perfect: White Lace-Up Ann Demeulemeester Booties

2009-06-13T20:00:00.006-04:00

I know..I know this is not new. I blog about them before here and here. But I just love these Ann D booties so much! They are perfect shoes for the summer.

I wore them around town today. People love these shoes. I got so many compliments.

Worn with Rock and Republic capri jeans and Jaded by Knight T-shirt. I really like this LA-based brand. They have great quality T-shirts with amazing Gothic prints and embellishments.

The front pattern is silk screened, but the crosses at the back are genuine leather sewn on to the shirt. That's one cool T-shirt! I'm planning to visit their store in LA next month when I go to California. Hope to score some cool T-shirts there again!