kittenmasks.com

l5p: the porter beer bar

2012-02-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

The Porter Beer Bar is one of my favorite places in Atlanta to chill with friends after a long day at work. Located in grimy Little Five Points ("colorful," "homeless," and "bootleg" could all be interchanged to describe this area), TPBB has one of those super long beer lists with just about any beer you could ever want. (I currently counted 29 on tap alone!) And to help make your drive home legal, they have an extensive offering of delicious pub food.

I like to start with an Allagash white to wash down the crispy Belgian fries, cooked in herb and garlic oil. You won't believe how much of an impact that oil makes. I'm also obsessed with their charred mayo sauce. It reminds me of the dipping sauces from Pomme Frites near NYU.

I can testify to the delicious of their shrimp and grits, and the fact that they were one of the first in ATL to use truffle oil to top the grits. But today, I opted for their black bean burger, made with quinoa and black beans. To counteract my vegetarian menu, Fifi got this monster concoction topped with delicious bacon. Mmm, pork.

The onions looked weird, though. I had a sudden flashback to my high school biology class, where a friend went crazy at the end of the pig dissection lab experiment and cut up poor Pepe's brains into tiny pieces. She later brought it to the cafeteria and attempted to pass it off as spaghetti. I'm still traumatized.

like this, like that

2012-01-29T10:30:00.000-05:00

Comme si, comme ça.

kitten mask >> Tom Ford 'Nikita'

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oh, this? it's fleamadonna

2012-01-27T10:15:00.000-05:00

When I lived in Seoul last year, I had a blast discovering Korean brands, especially since a lot of them have picked up on the somewhat western notion of sample sales. Thanks to Twitter (which, until April, was still relatively preferred over me2day), I had a heads up on all my favorite Korean fashion labels. Sometime in November, I was alerted to the fleamadonna sample sale, located in an office building in the confusing back streets of Apkujeong (압구정). I'm glad I took the trouble to find it, because I walked out of there with three incredible pieces.

This was my personal favorite, as it was being sold at a local boutique for over $120USD. I love the droopy sleeves and the cropped cut... and the pearl studding, of course. One less thing to remember to sling around your body in the morning.

Wearing: fleamadonna red polka dot pearl studded sweatshirt, James Perse maxi dress, Aqua fur vest, Jeffrey Cambell Ticks in tribal, Celine double dyed black and red Boston bag

And be sure to check out fleamadonna's SS12 collection! I've already bookmarked a few pieces for my friends in Seoul to send me...

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JCT Kitchen

2012-01-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

Saturday began with a scary drive through a torrential downpour in order to meet Jinah for lunch at JCT Kitchen. It's become one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. The food is consistent, and it's a perfect introduction to the modern southern fare that's finally gaining recognition. I've previously taken two visitors there for dinner, where we had the good fortune of scoring a fried chicken entree (incredibly delicious), but this was my first time going for lunch. I ordered a shrimp po' boy with truffle fries, while Jinah had the grown-up grilled cheese. The tomato soup was sweeter than I've tasted, but it was mind-blowingly delicious. I got conned into eating two of these brioche doughnuts, which were so light and fluffy that I couldn't believe that they were fried. This isn't a place for calorie counters, so put on your buffet dress and eat away.

How cute is Jinah in this APC sweater?

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West Egg Cafe

2012-01-22T21:47:00.001-05:00

Spent a bulk of the weekend stuffing my face over in the Westside Provisions area in West Midtown. We've come a long way since blogging about it in 2009. (Thank God.)

Sunday brunch was at an old staple, West Egg Cafe. This place has a special place in my heart, because it takes it name from The Great Gatsby. (Say what you will about it, that book addresses every problem in contemporary America.) I hate the 45 minute wait that always precedes any meal here, but the hearty brunch fare makes me think that the wait is a small price to pay. Went for the blue plate this time, instead of my usual green tomato wrap. God, I love their potatoes.

The message on the windows is ironic, isn't it? Hah.

Wearing: John Varvatos for Converse top, Diesel high waist shorts, Club Monaco gingham checked jacket, Thakoon wrap harness boots, Celine Micro Luggage bag

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style inspiration: joanna hillman

2012-01-18T10:31:00.001-05:00

Who: Joanna Hillman (see her at The Covateur)
What: Senior Fashion Market Editor, Harper's Bazaar
Fashion M.O.: pairing fitted basics with bold accessories, red lipstick, large sunglasses
Fave Designers: Alexander Wang, Miu Miu, Eddie Borgo

1. Alexander Wang knotted draped jersey dress
2. Pieces Zup Collar Necklace
3. Vince Camuto vintage cat eye sunglasses
4. Topshop Lectra slingback sandal
5. 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli clutch
6. Smashbox Photo Finish lipstick in Legendary
7. Bumble & Bumble texture hair (un)dressing creme

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i wanna be your friend

2012-01-16T23:14:00.000-05:00

I'd like to see this blog disperse through the blogs. Everything about it should appeal to girls who loves tumblr: glitter, lo-fi, writing in diaries, and cross processing.

"Friend Crush" - Friends

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vampires and coffee and Oxford

2012-01-13T10:18:00.001-05:00

On my trip to Covington, we made a pit stop at Oxford, GA, under the mentality of "might as well since we're already here." What's to see there, you ask? Oxford College, and a Rite Aid. There's no denying its relation to Emory, but the complete absence of people on campus on Saturday made for a great place to take photos. We could've shot a college brochure.

Have you been sticking to your new year resolutions? I didn't make any, but I've been eating the leftover candy, cakes, and pies from the holidays so I'm going to make a resolution now to stop eating crap. I'm throwing back a bunch of blueberries now while reading this list of famous last meals requested by international criminals. Not a single piece of tofu listed, but John Wayne Gacy asked for a pound of strawberries.

Wearing: Opening Ceremony cropped sweater, Uniqlo white button down oxford, Zara swing skirt, Balenciaga cut out boots

the winter uniform: black

2012-01-11T17:17:00.000-05:00

Despite Atlanta's unnaturally warm weather, I've immersed myself in the winter blues by wearing my favorite color (or the mixture of all colors ever created in the entire world), black. Nothing says "starving artist" or "hiding holiday food baby" like a classic noir ensemble.

I bought this dress during the post-Christmas sales and have lived in it since the day Fedex delivered it to my door. The great part about this outfit is that no one has yet caught onto the fact that I've worn exact outfit every time I've seen them since late December. I'm a total ninja without even trying.

Did you pick up anything good during the sales? Share your deals with me, so I can ooh and ahh with you.

Wearing: Theyskens' Theory sweater dress, Thakoon boots, Club Monaco gingham coat (similar here), Phillip Lim Pashli iPad clutch, H&M flower hair pin

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Covington: The Vampire Diaries guide

2012-01-08T21:50:00.001-05:00

I discovered via Covnews.com that one of my guilty pleasures TV shows was filming in Covington, GA (40 minutes from Atlanta) and decided to try and fulfill a 2011 goal. As sad as it may be, I'm completely obsessed with vampires, whether it's in book, computer game, television, or movie format. I haven't missed a single episode of "The Vampire Diaries" since it began airing on the CW. Unfortunately, this post isn't going to be accompanied by a glam shot of me cheesing crazily with Ian Somerhalder (Damon) or Nina Dobrev (Elena). Hunger won out at the end of the day (that, and boredom as Covington can be explored in 10 minutes), so we left rather quickly. But I have compiled a handy guide for all you TVD fans as reference on the offhand chance you're a crazy stalker like me.

The Clock!

Mystic Grill

1. When you first arrive in Covington, you will most likely pull into the town square. Ahhh, the site of 90% of the first season (and the second and third), there are countless photo ops. The statue in the square center has been featured as a Mystic Falls "founding father," and across the street is the giant clock, counting down Elena's humanity. The Mystic Grill sign can be seen, but don't expect to see Matt or Jeremy serve you a burger. It's a prop, and the building seemed empty when I was there.

2. 1131 Church St. - Also located off the square, Scoops is an ice cream shop frequented by cast members and staff alike. I didn't partake in their offerings, but I loved their yellow lacquer rocking chairs.

Evidence of werewolf activity on the pavement - Floyd St., on the way to Elena's house.

3. 2104 Floyd St. - Elena's house. Smaller than I thought it would be, but that is, indeed, the porch where Damon and Katherine-as-Elena shared their first kiss. I think this is a private residence now.

4. 2129 East St. - Tyler's house. Just a few steps away from Elena's house, this gated beauty can only be viewed from the street. (How much do you love those white lacquer stag busts?!) But if you look at the first house on College Avenue, you will see the cranes and dollys used by the film crew.

5. Covington Cemetery near Conyers St. - the site of the first scene of the entire series! Do you remember seeing Elena write emo-crap into her journal and then looking up to see Stefan creepily staring at her? This is where it all began! If I were a super fan, there would be an accompanying photo of me reenacting the scene, but I'm not that classless... yet. Gram's house is somewhere around here, but I couldn't be bothered to find it. Her house was crap, anyway.

Thanks to Lillie for taking most of the photos. Also, for not complaining about my general lunacy. I blame it on the full moon. But you ate all the gummies.

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playlist: shhhh

2012-01-04T10:18:00.000-05:00

I have no shame in admitting that I've spent the last two weeks compiling this gem. Unless you think it's utter crap. Then I might have to punch your ear drums with Eiffel 65's "Blue (Da Ba Di)" on loop. (I can't believe that video's been viewed over 23 million times. What is this world coming to?! Don't answer that, it's rhetorical. The Mayans predicted it years ago.)

So, it's time for bed, and you want some quiet tunes to lull you into a deep slumber void of giant apes attempting to take over the world. Just hit play and let Nico, Sia, and Bon Iver lead you to your zzz's.

Playlist: "Shhhhhhh" on Spotify

1. I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time - Bon Iver
2. Skinny Love - Birdy
3. Lullaby - Sia
4. Fast Car - Kina Grannis
5. I Will Love You - Fisher
6. Someday - Nina
7. Breathe Me - Sia
8. Duet - Rachel Yamagata
9. Another World - Antony and The Jacksons
10. Dream A Little Dream of Me - The Mamas and The Papas
11. Sadie's Song - Katie Herzig
12. Fade Into You - Mazzy Star
13. I Found A Reason - Cat Power
14. You're Beautiful (Clean Version) - Chester See
15. Your Song - Ellie Goulding

16. Love Is A Losing Game (Original Demo) - Amy Winehouse
17. That's Someone You Never Forget - Elvis Presley
18. Some Things Last A Long Time - Beach House
19. Such Great Heights - Iron and Wine
20. Delicate - Damien Rice
21. Love Is Requited - Elisa
22. A Case Of You - Joni Mitchell
23. Cielito Lindo - Marta Gomez
24. These Days - Nico
25. Black Flies - Ben Howrd
26. Teach Me How To Fight - Junior Boys
27. Grey Room - Damien Rice
28. Cold - Aqualung and Lucy Schwartz
29. Reverse - Gabrielle Aplin

from the last moments of 2011

2012-01-01T23:14:00.000-05:00

Saw the Holiday Lights exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. It's stunning and up until Jan. 7th. If you haven't been yet, GO. Although I do have to warn you about the crowds, strollers, and wandering children. Don't forget to pick up 3-D glasses on the way in to make your stroll extra enjoyable.

Rang in the new year with the most fabulous boys in Midtown at the GAGAPOCALYPSE party. You wouldn't believe how much decoration was involved in this shindig. I finally had a decent excuse to pull out that Alexander Wang mesh embossed dress that's been rotting in my closet for the past two years.

Happy 2012, ATL.

happy holidays, from km

2011-12-20T23:35:00.000-05:00

Dear Santa,

Bring me a puppy. I won't even ask for Cristiano Ronaldo like I did last year, because you didn't deliver. Not even the tiniest bit.

night to day: the sequin mini skirt

2011-12-15T16:08:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, the sequin skirt. Usually relegated to night time outfits (and associated with cheap clubs and grubby dive bars, especially), I think its powers as a daytime option has been severely underestimated. I'm always game for finding new ways to wear dubious pieces, so I embraced the challenge of finding a socially acceptable way to wear a garment sought by attention seeking women and drag queens. (I could easily fit into either of these categories, by the way, on a good night.)

Forever 21 sequin bandage skirt, Madewell fisherman crew sweater, Tommy Hilfiger canvas jacket (similar here), Balenciaga cut out boots (similar here, here or here)

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it's a wrap

2011-12-11T20:37:00.000-05:00

The only pair of boots I need this winter. Lucked out on them at the Jeffrey Atlanta sale this weekend.

Thakoon chunky heel ankle boots

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the high museum: picasso to warhol

2011-12-06T19:37:00.000-05:00

After a month of talking, Lillie and I finally made our way to the Picasso to Warhol exhibit at the High Museum. We made the fatal mistake of going on free Saturday, the first Saturday of every month, where Bank of America cardholders and Fulton County residents receive free admission. The permanent exhibits were fairly empty, but I could barely get a shot of the Picasso to Warhol exhibit. It was excellently curated with pieces you'd never seen in ATL from artists like Mondrian, de Chirico, and Miro.

My favorite section was the third floor of the Wieland wing, which features contemporary art pieces that are part of the High's permanent collection as well as some from the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) - Georgia.

"Bright Star (Sirius)" by Spencer Finch

Wearing: Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony cropped sweater (similar here), Alexander Wang pleated tulle jumper, furfur velvet capelet (alternative), Burberry Prorsum loafers (similar from same brand), Celine luggage tote

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brunch at empire state south

2011-12-04T14:30:00.001-05:00

I've had dinner at Empire State South, but Lola suggested going there for brunch on Saturday after hearing her coworkers rave about it. I'm not a huge fan of ESS. I've eaten at Hugh Acheson's restaurant in Athens, Five and Ten, but the memory of my dining experience was trumped by the shock of seeing a professor there with his family. (At that time, I was naive enough to believe that professors existed only within the confines of the university campus.)

This time, we were seated inside, where I got to finally enjoy the vintage blue/black decor. I ordered the ESS Hash, while my brunchmates had some type of cheese/bread plate, grits, granola and yogurt, and bread with pimento cheese. The hash was good, but I couldn't decide if it merited the $15 price tag. The pimento cheese was amazing, as were the grits. The pastries looked delicious, though we didn't sample them. And as always, the coffee was impeccable.

ESS Hash

Hugh's Breakie

Pimento Cheese w/ Bacon Marmalade

The brunch menu isn't extensive and could use some expansion. At the moment, there isn't anything that's offered to vegetarians, and there's got to be something more substantial between the heavy plates and the starters offered. But then again, considering that its located on the first floor of an office building, I suppose most of their daily customers aren't really the dine-in types.

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animal prints, remixed

2011-12-02T10:15:00.002-05:00

I love graphic print tops with weird, slightly horrifying animals. My obsession started with Christopher Kane's collaboration with Topshop in 2009, and my favorite emerging designer, Leila Shams, is a whiz when it comes to prints. But how do you make something so bold acceptable as daywear?

Worn over a crisp button down with tailored black pants and a matching jacket, you've got a conservative overall look with a pop of spectacular peeking out from under the formality. Depending on the event, pair with a pair of power heels or avant garde booties, and you're ready for a power lunch - or if you're me, to Food Truck Thursday on 12th & Peachtree.

I fell in love with the Darn Churrasco from the Ibiza Bites truck. If you catch this truck wandering around Atlanta, order this dish! Steak with a cilantro sauce on a bed of rice, corn, mushrooms, and topped with two plantains - this was so delicious I barely had time to wipe my mouth before providing a sound byte to a camera crew. I'm going to be on public television! (I can finally cross that off my bucket list.)

Uniqlo button down shirt, Christopher Kane x Topshop alligator tee, Topshop leather trim pants, Express cropped jacket, Balenciaga FW08 space booties, Celine luggage tote

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style inspiration: taylor tomasi hill

2011-11-29T21:18:00.001-05:00

images from: The Sartorialist, Northern Light, and Stockholm Streetstyle

Who: Taylor Tomasi Hill
What: Accessories Director, Marie Claire magazine

Fashion M.O.: mixing prints, bold colors, avant garde designers, bold accessories
Fave designers: Dries Van Noten, Comme des Garcons, Balenciaga

The High-Low Mix
J. Crew fisherman sweater, Topshop velvet midi skirt, Dries van Noten boots, Adam leather jacket, Vince Camuto pyramid stud bracelet, Alex & Chloe cross wrap bracelet, Phillip Lim Pashli clutch

recipes: blueberry scones

2011-11-27T21:32:00.001-05:00

While they're called biscuits in the south, the Anglophile in me insists on calling them scones. Eating scones propels me back to my study abroad days in Oxford, where the sun would set at 4 p.m., leaving me and my Georgia-based housemates confused and suddenly melancholy. My favorite snobby intellectual, Tom, and I would meet after our tutorials in various cafes for tea time just as the sun would set on that picturesque, Gothic city partly because it was too early for dinner and an odd time to start drinking. So when I found this recipe from my favorite cookbook, Breakfast Lunch Tea (from Rose Bakery), I knew it was a great way to use up the almost fuzzy blueberries in my fridge.

Ingredients (Makes 12-15 scones)

3 1/3 cups plain flour, plus extra for dusting
1 handful wheatgerm or wholewheat flour (optional)
2 very heaped tablespoons of baking powder
2 heaped tablespoons of brown sugar (I usually add 3-4 because I like my scones sweet)
1 teaspoon salt
grated zest of 1 lemon or orange
1/2 cup of unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus extra for greasing
2 handfuls of blueberries (adjust according to your preference)
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups soy milk
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 inch round cutter

Preheat the oven to 400F and grease a baking tray with butter. Sift the plain flour into a bowl and add the wheatgerm or wholewheat flour, if using.

Mix in the baking powder, brown sugar, and salt, then add the butter and rub in with your fingers until the mixture resembles fresh breadcrumbs.

Mix in the lemon or orange zest. Add the blueberries and mix well.

Beat one of the eggs in a measuring jug, then add enough milk to reach 1 1/4 cup level. Make a well into the middle, pour in the liquid and use a fork to work it into the dry ingredients. Finish by hand but without overworking the mixture - just lightly bring everything together to form a softish but firm dough. If it is too dry, add a little more milk. If it is too wet, add some more flour. It must not be sticky at all. On a lightly floured surface, pat or roll the dough into a solid shape about 1 1/4 inches thick.

Using a 2 inch cutter, cut the dough into rounds and place them on the greased baking tray so that they almost touch. Beat the remaining egg and use it to glaze the tops of the scones. Sprinkle with light brown sugar and bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden. The scones will stick together, so take them gently apart when they have cooled a little.

dressing for black friday

2011-11-24T23:22:00.007-05:00

Waking up at 4am in hopes of being able to purchase a 42" flat screen TV for $200 calls for some serious planning. You want an outfit you can throw on with eye boogers still in your eyelashes, yet comfortable enough to take on a middle aged woman in a tug of war for the doorbuster cashmere sweater. While most of my Black Friday shopping this year entails sitting in front of a computer at midnight and clicking like a neurotic on an upper, here's what I plan on wearing to the outlets later today.

T by Alexander Wang tee - super soft and slouchy that you can wear it to bed.
T by Alexander Wang ruched skirt - comfortable and fitted so you'll be able to snag the offhand hottie who was dragged out to the malls by his mom to carry shopping bags
Balenciaga cut out boots (similar here) - to protect foot tramplers and also as a potential weapon if needed
BCBG jersey jacket (similar here) - warm with pockets for your phone and cards

Notice that I don't have a bag. Why? Because you need both of your hands - one to battle and one to snatch. Also, be prepared to run. You never know who else might be as crazy as you.

giving thanks

2011-11-24T00:03:00.000-05:00

A few things I'm thankful for:

1. Not being a victim of theft this year. Last year, I lost a giant plastic tub of clothes while I was moving into my Decatur apartment. While nothing expensive (aside from my favorite Alexander Wang infinity scarf) was lost, my entire arsenal of "going out" clothes disappeared. Sequins, tulle, and black tops have yet to be replenished, and maybe that's a good thing.

2. Remembering to get my HPV vaccination before my insurance refused to pay for it. The cut off age for the most effective cervical cancer prevention is 26. The rules may vary by providers, but Blue Choice Blue Shield (GA) requires that you receive all three shots before your 27th birthday. I barely make the deadline. If you haven't been vaccinated, make it a priority on your list! Even if you don't have insurance, you should consider getting the shots as the benefits definitely outweigh the initial cost. You can find more information about the vaccine here.

3. Keeping my sanity this year. I have yet to jump out of a moving vehicle, disappear into the night, and ditch my friends. I haven't burned any bridges this year, either, which is turning out to be an important part of entering your late 20s. Friends are harder to come by now that you're no longer in an enclosed environment where everyone around you comes from a similar background.

4. The rise of political awareness and activism in the United States by a group that isn't the Tea Party. Also, I'm pleased that my generation is putting aside their apathy and using our tech savvy knowledge to communicate something more than "in the shower" or "eating."

5. I'm extremely thankful that the major surgery I had last year has healed well. For someone who has never broken a bone, undergoing maxillofacial surgery was the most traumatic experience of my life. This time last year, I was still extremely swollen and wondering if I would ever retain feeling in parts of my mouth. A year and some months later, I'm so grateful to my surgeon and my orthodontist for taking such good care of me last year. I've also got to send a shout out to all my friends who messaged me and Skyped with me while I was in Korea. I don't know what I would've done without your support. I couldn't have asked for a better team.

Of course I could continue this list forever, but for the sake of brevity, I'll leave off here and open the floor to you. What are some of the things you are thankful for? Please don't hesitate to show off your wit or sarcasm. I live for that.

photo credits: Boston Big Picture

how to get in a k-pop music video

2011-11-21T23:32:00.005-05:00

Apparently, my post on dressing like a K-pop boy band member gets more hits than any other post (except for my Bonnaroo survival guide, which is kinda crap), so I decided to ride the popularity wave and give a few pointers on how to get in one of those neon-crazed, seizure inducing, faux club videos.

1. Join a Korean girl group. Not only will you be in the video, you will be featured in the song. You will have a riff where you belt out a few "whoo" and "yeah" sounds in between grammatically incorrect Engrish.

2. Look like a CF model. According to the NY Times, there are lots of options for plastic surgery in southern Seoul (read: Apgujeong). If going under the knife isn't something that interests you, dress like a hipster bag lady. (Channel Kreayshawn. And maybe Ke$ha.) You've got to stand out for being really (generically) pretty or so fugly that you're interesting.

3. Be white. But this only works if you look Russian. No American white girls. They want the tall model types with super white skin. If you have a tan, you don't have a chance. If you're black, you don't have a chance. No Latinos either. Don't be sad - typical Korean girls don't have a chance to pretend to party with G-Dragon and T.O.P. either.

4. Become friendly with anyone who works in the industry. Producers, writers, music video directors, set designers, stylists, cameramen - there are an infinite number of people with access to the set. All you have to do is befriend one with your beguiling charms, and MAGIK! You are pumping your fist in the air for two hours with 2PM.

5. Sneak onto the set. Only works if you have excellent sleuthing skills. Also, being a ninja helps.

photos: screencapped by yours truly from Youtube (Big Bang "High High", 2PM "Hands Up"), google images

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brief update

2011-11-20T15:58:00.003-05:00

Do you feel like there are two parts of you? Your "real-life" presence and your online personality? For the past few months, I've been really cultivating my online profile and spending less time and energy on my real world self.

A few tidbits I've learned in the past few weeks:

1. There are a LOT of rats in NYC. I was sitting outside the Shake Shack at night and saw no less than five mice scurrying around the bushes. I suppose that area is prime picking for fallen fries and pieces of burger. Maybe even a lick of that strawberry shake. Note to self: don't live near the Flatiron district, no matter how appealing it may seem. Those rats gotta go somewhere when it's cold, and I refuse to let their refuge be my house.

2. Dating sucks. I don't know if this needs any more explanation, but I'll expound a bit. What makes the process of dating (aside from forcing yourself to seem less insane than you really are) exhausting are the games. You're never sure of the rules, and they seem to vary by person.

3. Alexander Wang's T line is a godsend. I'm currently lounging around in a wrap skirt and pocket tee. That's right. I'm lounging in a SKIRT. That's how awesome this fabric is. Super soft and perfectly molded to your body - I'm a little upset that the only man who knows my body so well is gay... which brings me to my next point:

4. The world is unfair. You will get a giant pimple in the middle of your forehead before an important meeting that may break or make your career. Your car will break down, your heel will break off, and you will oversleep and walk in with wet, soggy hair and eyeshadow on your cheeks instead of blush. Just accept that you will never win. The universe always has the upper hand.

5. Facebook will only make you feel horrible. It's a constant reminder of how unglamorous/unfulfilled/unfocused you are. On the other hand, there is an offhand chance that you will see your high school hottie 70 pounds overweight and balding, which will make you feel a little bit better.

6. Don't underestimate the power of a perfume. A friend introduced me to Le Labo, and I made a pit stop where I picked up Ambrette 9 after one whiff. It's the perfect combination of floral and citrus notes, and I love the lingering effects after it mixes with my skin's natural oils. (I sound like a salesman.) It's a great way to say I love you... to yourself.

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underrated fashion[able] films

2011-10-28T10:42:00.002-04:00

Now that I've had my piece about the stereotypical films fashion bloggers idolize, I have quite a few films that I wouldn't mind seeing more. But as a general rule, let's all try to keep in mind that you can have too much of a good thing. (Is this a southern saying or applicable to all of the U.S.? I can't determine the universality of idioms most of the time.)

1. Brighton Rock
Based on a thriller novel written in 1947, this film is a remake with two relatively unknown actors carrying it. Relatively well written, brilliantly shot, and excellently acted, it's a great modernized film noir.

2. Submarine
A coming of age film about an awkward little boy from Swansea, you've gotta love how he idealizes the object of his affection, Jordana. You've also gotta love Jordana's uniform: red toggle coat and Lolita heart shaped glasses.

3. The Hour
Technically, this is a TV show done by the BBC and starring Ben Wishaw (who appears twice more on this list), but it's just so fantastically done that I had to list it. Following a news program show in 1956, the script is impeccable as is the casting and the scenery/props. The attention to detail is meticulous, and everything comes together beautifully albeit a bit slowly in the beginning.

4. Bright Star
Starring Ben Wishaw and Abbie Cornish, this film tells the love story between English poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne. One of his most noted poems (and one of the most romantic poems of all time), "Bright Star," was inspired by her. Visually impressive and filled with wispy moments (i.e. the moment when Fanny Brawne is laying on her bed with the curtain billowing around her), this is a perfect melancholy film.

5. Everywhere and Nowhere
Another coming of age film, but set in the "Asian" community in London. There are a lot of elements in this story that anyone who identifies themselves with a hyphen would understand. Though the plot could have been stronger, the music is solid and James Floyd is droolworthy.

6. Dans Paris
Following the story of a dysfunctional family on Christmas, the condensed one line plot summary makes the film sound dull and unwatchable. But with a very charming Louis Garrel who breaks the fourth wall by addressing the viewer, you forget that you're supposed to be watching a film and concentrate on him. Plus, it's shot in Paris, so what's not to visually love?

7. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Hands down, favorite Wes Anderson film. How can you not love a film that inspires crazy GIFs? Stellar cast and strong script, it's a celebration of being different, minus the macarons and petit fours. Oh yeah, and it's mostly orange, a color that's overlooked in the color spectrum.

8. Norwegian Wood
The film was a sad mediocrity in comparison to the novel, but there's no denying that the film itself is aesthetically pleasing. Quaint college campuses give way to the rolling Japanese hillside, all while maintaining costume authenticity of the 1960s. At least it's a pretty waste of time.

Honorable Mentions

Brideshead Revisited - another film with Ben Wishaw, but felt like mentioning three of his films in this list was too much. This is definitely a must-see, especially since it has all the religious overtones that drive bloggers crazy in "The Virgin Suicides." The costume is pre-WWII and parts were filmed in Oxford, which always gets a plus from me.
Pretty in Pink - aside from the modern Cinderella storyline, there are so many awesome things in this film: Duckie's alligator creepers, Iona's prom dress (and her awesome beehive), Andie's single long earring, Steff's 80s prep uniform...

*I'm aware that this list is mostly comprised of British films. I am a giant Anglophile.

photos: screencapped by yours truly

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what's your poison?

2011-10-26T14:09:00.001-04:00

I love my midday coffee runs. The motley of customers at my local Starbucks feels like a TV show. You've got the suburban mom, the working student, the diva rich girl, the extra large group of high schoolers ordering Frappuccinos... yeah, speaking of high schoolers, what are they doing in a coffee shop? Shouldn't they be making out in the park or skateboarding or living out their teenage angst in protest of the system?

We're in too much of a hurry to grow up. Adulthood sucks, y'all.

Wearing: Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony cropped sweater, Play x Pushbutton white linen skirt, Christian Louboutin Pigalle Plato 120, Celine boston bag

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stereotypical fashion blogger's movie list

2011-10-20T22:15:00.002-04:00

You know them. You may like them. But you can't deny that the blog market is saturated with images of them. To a point where you may want to throw up or have already done so. It's the stereotypical fashion blogger's movie list/compilation of tumblr imges.

1. Marie Antoinette
Directed by Sofia Coppola, this has fashion written all over it. Pink, lace, bows, and all those pastries are all must have elements for any [wannabe] fashion girl.

2. The Virgin Suicides
Made internet immortal by Tavi from The Style Rookie who refers to it constantly, this film is great as it has wispy girls, religious imagery, and lots of pink things. Plus, it also has Kirsten Dunst. Again.

3. Breakfast at Tiffany's
While Audrey Hepburn was more than just a LBD, this film is sadly all anyone associates her with in the fashion crowd.

4. The Royal Tennanbaums
Vintage prep and Wes Anderson are the makings of great freeze frame images, and Gwenyth doesn't disappoint with that fur coat of hers, which just about sparked a faux fur revolution last year.

5. William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Although this movie used to be a personal favorite of mine (what Gen Y-er didn't swoon over Leonardo DiCaprio in the late 90s? He was bigger than Bieber), my love for it nearly died when I saw it on every single 14-year-old's Tumblr this year. No references to the brilliantly written beginning or the patriarchal overtones or even the overt and glorified (I swear I'm not part of the PTC) drug use. At least point out the ridiculousness of having "I LOVE THEE" engraved on a ring. As if any Shakespearean character would have the balls to say anything so bold.

Honorable Mentions
The Notebook - I will tell everyone I hate this movie, but I will secretly watch it while PMS-ing.
Mean Girls
Black Swan - these photos seemed to have died out in popularity for the most part.
The Dior commercial by Sofia Coppola - not a film but I would like to stop seeing these images.

photos: google images

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this is me grown

2011-10-15T12:59:00.000-04:00

The first two pages of Sophie's Choice by William Styron are brilliant. Written retrospectively (and almost autobiographically) as a glimpse into the life of a 20-year-old aspiring writer, the paragraphs echo the confusion and frustration often felt by most post-grads transitioning from four comfortable college years into a career/adulthood. He writes,

I was glad to be shut out of my job-the first and only salaried position, excluding the military, of my life-even though its loss seriously undermined my already modest solvency. Also, I now think it was constructive to learn so early in life that I would never fit in as an office worker, anytime, anywhere. In fact, considering how I had so coveted the job in the first place, I was rather surprised at the relief, indeed the alacrity, with which I accepted my dismissal only five months later.

But while Stingo used his time after work to pursue his literary career, I went to Bonnaroo. I don't regret going, and I learned some very important life lessons plus a crash course in how to handle ridiculously self-important hipsters, but I don't know if it's going to be novel worthy 20 years from now. Unless someone I met there becomes ridiculously famous and has a downward drug spiral with a cataclysmic suicide that catapults a posthumous music career.

Wearing: cropped brocade jacket by H&M, floral applique top by Y3, satin pants by Stella McCartney x H&M (second design collab done by H&M!), leopard belt by ASOS, Pigalle Plato 120 by Christian Louboutin

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take no. 2, in a different way

2011-10-13T15:17:00.000-04:00

Wearing: Zara leather jacket (similar here), Leila Shams Alligator tee (get the Skinny Peacock Tee here), Free People Tea Length Crochet Skirt, Alexander Wang Freja boots, Celine boston bag

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taste of fall

2011-10-09T11:16:00.001-04:00

I've been run ragged the past few weeks. I just want to sit outside, soak up the sun, and read "Sophie's Choice" by William Styron.

I'd like to note for the record that the cover of the Penguin Classic books rub off on your fingers if they are moist. I was quite disappointed as I now have to invest in separate copy of "Middlemarch" or borrow it from the library. (I can make my hands moist on command, but it doesn't go the other way unfortunately.)

Wearing: Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony cropped wool sweater (similar here), Free People tea lace skirt, Burberry Prorsum shiny leather monk loafers, Club Monaco gingham jacket, F21 headband

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flux atlanta 2011

2011-10-01T22:18:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, Lillie and I went to Flux at Castleberry Hill, a normally somewhat questionable neighborhood (let's be real here and not put up fake arguments about gentrification or lack thereof) that was converted to a safe space for a single night. We picked the wrong night to attend an outdoor art exhibition because it was bone chilling cold (okay, so it was like 50 degrees but there was wind!).

I wasn't that excited about Flux itself. Maybe I would've liked it more if I had come earlier in time for the lantern parade, but the only thing that piqued my interest was this video piece of people underwater that was at Marcia Wood Gallery. I also saw this man constructing something out of found materials, including a baby carriage.

Wearing: lace dress from Nasty Gal, canvas jacket from Tommy Hilfiger (similar here), leopard scarf from Korea, cut out boots by Balenciaga, hair band by Forever 21 (similar here)

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fashion's night out: atlanta

2011-09-18T12:54:00.001-04:00

This post is way overdue. I got sucked into the gym culture and started to sleep normal people hours. It's like a new life, seriously. But more on that another time.

This was my first year attending Fashion's Night Out in Atlanta and the second year of its inception into this city's miniscule fashion culture. I started out the night at the Modern Luxury/The Atlantan pop-up shop in Atlantic Station. A collection of local boutiques came together in a large space where there were drinks, food, and a DJ. I saw a lot of mediocre things, but I did stumble upon a local newcomer, Swell Caroline. I'm currently into all things prep if you've noticed my Tumblr feed, and her jewelry fits right into the category. I'm a huge fan of the monogrammed charms, which would go perfectly with my new Ann Mashburn gingham shirts. And running at $26 for charm or $45 for the charm + bracelet, it's perfect for gift giving.

Afterwards, I headed to Phipps where I stopped at the Saks event (all the Chanel Les Blues nail polishes were sold out - didn't even get to see a swatch of it, plus there was a surly saleswoman working the counter who refused to sell me nail polish, like WTF?! Never shopping at Saks ever again!) where I took a fashion quiz before stopping at Jeffrey where I saw the Balenciaga sweater with the german shepherd print. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it wasn't in my size, so I went home empty handed.

photo courtesy of Jinah

Well, not exactly, as I indulged in a pair of Burberry Prorsum loafers before all the crazy happened. I tried on the creeper wedges, and they run super narrow. (And this is coming from someone who has seriously unnaturally narrow feet.) The loafers are pretty narrow, too, but I love how they elongate my legs. I can create the illusion that I'm 5'8! The only down side is that if you're walking on marble, the soles make a squishy sound that may occasionally sound like you're having gastrointestinal issues.

photos courtesy of Jinah

Wearing: Stella McCartney jacket, Uniqlo button down, Zara skirt, Burberry Prorsum loafers, Celine boston bag

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fall uniform: free people + sam edelman pax

2011-09-12T14:58:00.001-04:00

When I like something, I get obsessed with it. During my first year of college, I fell in love with Reese's breakfast cereal (which is sooooo bad for you because it's got 3242384 grams of sugar in a bowl) and ate it everyday for two months. This was also around the time when I decided to learn the lyrics to M-Flo's "Miss You" even though I didn't know a lick of Japanese. My roommate would come into the room and be like, "AGAIN?!" I wonder how she put up with me.

Right now, the obsession is the Floral Lace Fit and Flare dress from Free People. I picked it up at the Free People Atlanta opening and haven't taken it off since. It's the perfect dress to jazz up with jewelry and my Sam Edelman Pax boots (which I also never take off). There are a few other elements to this dress that make it a keeper: buffet-ready with its empire waist line, tulle detailing for the princess in all of us, and burnout floral lace that's sorta vampy (Halloween is a-coming). I'm tempted to order it in the pearl gray, too.

In the meantime, DJ, play that music louder, お願い!

Wearing: Floral Lace Fit and Flare dress by Free People, Sam Edelman Pax boots, misc jewelry from my personal treasure chest

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is it fall yet?

2011-09-08T12:01:00.000-04:00

On a recent trip to my nearby Neiman Marcus Last Call, I stumbled upon this Stella McCartney jacket from the FW09 runway collection on the markdown rack. Originally priced at $1625, it was reduced to the outlet price of $578, then given a further 50% off discount. It's a beautiful, incredibly structured and tailored jacket. It's also in a rather avant garde silhouette from a label that's considered obscure in this region, which probably explains why it was still hanging in the store.

I really love the near cape-like quality of the cut, and the print really gives some intensity to my usual, solid colored wardrobe. But at close to $300, I still couldn't decide if I should buy it. A few day ago, I got an email from Last Call, saying that they were giving shoppers 30% off all purchases. When I saw it still hanging on the racks, I knew it had to come home with me. Bought for $200, I think it's my best buy of this year. (It beat out the $11 jeans I bought from the Gap earlier this month.

It's Fashion's Night Out! Where are you going to be?

I'm starting out at the Modern Luxury pop up shop at Atlantic Station, then I'm going to check out the Frank Tell pop-up plus some other stores around the area. Then, I'm heading to Phipps so I can preview the Chanel Les Blues nail polish (and get a polish change from the rainbow concoction I've currently got on). While I'm there, I've got to make a pit stop at Jeffrey's before going to the new Bottega store to get a whiff of their new scent. The night ends at Lenox where I'll probably have to restrain Jinah from buying everything in the store. Holler if you see me! I'll be wearing this jacket.

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play time's over

2011-09-07T16:01:00.000-04:00

Is it just me or is there a dearth of good designs lately? I'm seeing high street collaborations left and right and can't seem to find one that's being done right. The Karl Lagerfeld collection for Macy's looks cheap and extremely generic. All the items can be found at your local Marshall's for a fraction of the already affordable price. Don't even get me started on the crap that's being hawked at Sears under the Kardashian name. It looks like Snooki and J-wow's wardrobe without the class. (I never thought that would be a sentence I would ever write.)

Even Alexander Wang looks off his touch. Do you remember the brilliance of the SS08 show? I bought four pieces from that collection (three of them at Drew Lewis when they carried women's clothing and A. Wang), and I'm still wearing them. I was initially drawn to this jumper because it reminded me of Little J's wardrobe in the first season of Gossip Girl (before she got all goth monster on us), but I've found it a little harder to work into everyday life now that I can't pass for a prep school girl anymore. Doesn't stop me from trying, though maybe I should take a lesson from Uncle Karl and Kim K. and admit my days of little girl forays are over.

Wearing: Comme des Garcons striped dress, Alexander Wang SS08 jumper, F21 headband, Balenciaga FW09 ankle boots

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end of summer '11 - playlist

2011-09-06T09:44:00.001-04:00

As the summer draws to a slow close, it's time to say goodbye to backyard patio parties, skimpy bathing suits with cut-off shorts, and watermelon seed games. Sticky, humid weather is replaced by a cooler breeze, and all the things left on your summer list have to be put away for next year. The fun, light vibe of easy living is replaced with a softer, mellow tune that holds a tinge of longing. The end of a summer fling? An unrequited love? Regret for a vacation not taken (or mis-taken)? Box them up with your flimsy tanks because fall is coming.

PLAYLIST: End of Summer on Spotify

1. Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys
2. California Waiting - Kings of Leon
3. In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry
4.Oslo in the Summertime - Of Montreal
5. Push Bike Song - The Mixtures
6. Island in the Sun - Weezer
7. California Soul (Diplo Remix) - Marlena Shaw
8. Aberdeen - Cage the Elephant
9. Go All the Way - Raspberries

10. Will Do (Switch Remix) - TV on the Radio
11. Alarm Clock - The Rumble Strips
12. Everyday - Buddy Holly
13. Piledriver Waltz - Alex Turner
14. Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) - Looking Glass
15. Blame It on September - Allstar Weekend
16.Ramblin' Man - The Allman Brothers Band
17. See You In September - The Happenings
18. Unrequited Love - Lykke Li

Please leave a comment below if you would like an invite to Spotify.

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frolicking around the decatur book festival

2011-09-04T10:12:00.002-04:00

After brunch at Rise-n-Dine yesterday, I saw a bit of the Decatur Book Fest with Jinah. We overheard someone saying that Tom Felton was wandering around the festival (he's in town for Dragon*Con). It's nice to know that Draco reads. I'm tempted to go to Dragon Con today because Joe Manganiello (who plays Alcide in "True Blood") is going to be signing autographs as well as Tyler (Michael Trevino) and Caroline (Sara Canning) from "Vampire Diaries." Yes, I have a weakness for adult and teen paranormal romances. Anybody else go to either events?

Sorry for the gratuitous WIWT post. It's not even that interesting. Except for the leopard hair and pink mini bag I got from Solestruck.

Wearing: V-neck tee from Target, Etoile Isabel Marant skirt, Sam Edelman Pax boots, Bebe belt as necklace, Jeffrey Campbell Hoffman bag

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restaurant review: no. 246, decatur

2011-09-02T12:23:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I met up with Jinah for lunch at Decatur's new urban, casual Italian joint, No. 246. I have a secret obsession with restaurants that use numbers for names, and I got more excited about 246 when I saw that they used my favorite colors to decorate: black, white, and shades of grey.

I convinced J. to order drinks with me, after feeling frazzled by an incident involving a homeless man while I was parking my car. (As I was digging for change, this guy came up to my car and started BANGING on my car window asking for money. WTF. That's not going to make me sympathetic to your plight.) I had the bellini while she ordered the Pimm's cup, which was amazingly refreshing. It's going to be my new go-to drink while we ride out the end of ATL's crazy hot summer.

While Jinah ordered a massive sandwich, I had the tagliatelle pasta. It was in a simple oil based sauce with mussels. A bit on the salty side, but enjoyable nonetheless. We also shared an order of toast with ricotta, eggplant, and meatball toppings (as seen in the shot glasses). All in all, a great lunch but not one for the everyday as our bill came to $46 including tip. Midday balling is fun until the alcohol wears off.

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reflection: musings on fashion blogging #3

2011-08-31T10:29:00.004-04:00

There's an ongoing thread at the Fashion Spot that's kept my interest for the past month or so on the topic of fashion blogging. I've had a few things to say about this topic in the past, but a newly discovered revelation has really garnered my attention.

Exhibit A:

from Facebook group, Il Covo delle SoloAvvilite

Before I begin, I want to state that I don't read The Blonde Salad, nor do I know anything about Chiara except that she got invited to Cannes this year, which made me very jealous. In fact, I don't read any of the blogs that she supposedly copies because none of them give me intellectual fodder. (I like my fashion photos to be accompanied with ramblings on consumerism, sexism, racism - essentially anything with an -ism at the end.)

Exhibit B:

Chiara's interview starts at 2:30.

At the same time, I do have to ask who the fuck invites a girl like this to a fashion show and then asks her for an interview in which she describes everything as "nice." I'm going to cut her a break on the "it was a little bit less edgy and fashion than woman's shows" [sic] and "there was less checks than usual; it wasn't so much Burberry" [sic] because English is not her first language. I am going to suggest grabbing a thesaurus and finding some synonyms for "nice." But I have to draw the line on the description of "ethno-chic." First, what is that supposed to mean? And second, is that a word you would EVER use to describe BURBERRY?

When I heard "ethno-chic," it made me think of the late 90s/early 00s when designers LOVED to put "Chinese inspired" designs down the runway. I'm talking cheongsam/qipao detailing, dragon printed silk (seat covers at Chinese restaurants), even the pointy hats - which, in my opinion, is one of the most extreme forms of sartorial racial objectification that I've encountered in the fashion industry. (There are probably more, but I wasn't around to experience or view them on the runway, so I'm going to discount them for this argument.) Her use of "ethno-chic" is probably a nod to Bailey's use of ikat prints, but the underlying presumption of the Burberry Prorsum FW '12 show is still undeniably modern prep, which is the image both Burberry and Bailey present consistently. The entire scenario just highlights that Chiara (and many other popular fashion bloggers) is an extremely inadequate fashion journalist (because that's how she got into the show, right, as press?) as she's only capable of parroting descriptions she must've picked up from other writers without the sense to pair the proper buzz words with the right designers.

In regards to her copying other bloggers: as a product of the 21st century, I know that there is very little that's artistically original in this society. All the great things seem to have already been discovered (e.g. pop art, mini skirts, adhesive nail polish), so I can sympathize with the plague of maintaining (or creating) originality. But you can be unique without resorting to plagiarism. Maybe what she's doing is totally unconscious and that she ends up mimicking other bloggers as a result of being saturated with images. Maybe she does it because she has no originality of her own and just purchases items that are popular at the moment. I don't begrudge her for either reasons, because that's what the term "mass market" means. But it's obvious from her popularity that this is what people want to read, so instead of disparaging her, shouldn't we reprimanding the "readers" of her blog?

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brunch at parish

2011-08-29T09:33:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, I drove out of my suburban bubble to Inman Park for brunch with Sooji and Lola at Parish. I forewent the usual brunch mimosa and opted for a strong, black coffee (with plenty of refills) and had the fried green tomato benedict. My PICs had the fried chicken doghead benedict and the french toast. The fare was super delicious (and a far better option than Highland Bakery, in my humble opinion), but they had me sold at the complimentary beignets. I also loved the abandoned, haunted mansion decor, though the beaded curtain at the entrance felt a bit kitsch.

Fried Green Tomato Benedict

Fried Chicken Doghead Biscuit

French toast

Wearing: Ann Mashburn gingham shirt, Rag & Bone Errington eyelet short, white Zara blazer, Chloe Kirsten wedges, Bebe necklace, pearl necklace, Celine bi-color pouch.

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thanks solestruck!

2011-08-28T09:10:00.004-04:00

I entered my "What's In My [Celine] Clutch" photo in the Solestruck contest and won! The most adorable leopard print with pink leather minibag came in the mail yesterday - perfect for all the upcoming music/beer/art/book festivals this fall. Is this a subtle hint for me to start incorporating more color and print into my wardrobe?

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free people atl

2011-08-26T09:47:00.000-04:00

On Thursday, Free People opened their first store in Atlanta and kicked it off with a little party with free flowing wine plus hors d'oeuvres by Ecco. I've always loved the concept of Free People, but never found myself ordering anything from the website because I just couldn't convince myself of the quality (ironic because I had no problem ordering from the Forever 21 website, maybe it's the difference in price points?). But after stepping into a store and touching all the fabrics themselves, I'm completely sold. The Venice lookbook is amazing, and all the pieces live up to the hype. The space is a little small for now, but I foresee FP easily expanding into a larger area very soon. Now, if only they would carry shoes...

oh mummy, what's a sex pistol

2011-08-24T15:22:00.000-04:00

Summer just wouldn't be right without an outdoor music festival. My baby cousin scored some free tickets to the Identity Festival after working at the radio station during the summer, so I got to see Steve Aoki and Rusko as well as too many neon colored furry boots and extra short tutus. I could handle the Mukluks on acid and the Tinkerbell-esque outfits, but I had to draw the line at the pacifiers. Let's leave those and candy necklace in late 90s thankyouverymuch.

P.S. I missed fulfilling my 2011 goal of meeting a "The Vampire Diaries" cast member by a millimeter! Michael Trevino (Tyler, on the show) was at Aoki with Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina on "Glee"). Looks like it's back to waiting outside Ian Somerhalder's building in hopes of catching him on his way in or out...

Summer uniform: T by Alexander Wang tank, Blank NYC studded cutoffs, Sam Edelman Pax boots, Minkpink Elisa Day Soft Jacket

museum of design - atlanta

2011-08-20T01:10:00.000-04:00

I went to the Museum of Design Atlanta today with Rahul and saw the bathroom exhibit that's going to be there until mid-September, which was perfect because R. has an unhealthy obsession with bathrooms. There's a brief timeline on the bathroom, followed by three designers' interpretation of the modern bathroom. Each perspective is unique, but our favorite was definitely the interactive one by the Bouroullecs where you can construct your own sink. We're like kids; give us toys and we'll be entertained for hours. It's sad that our toys are now sink fixtures.

(Zara leather jacket, Alexander Wang tank, BCBG chiffon skirt, Sam Edelman Pax boots)

omg taco!

2011-08-17T23:24:00.001-04:00

I had my first fusion taco experience at OMG Taco today. I feel almost shameful admitting it. My mom and I have been making some bastardized version of Korean tacos at home (marinated pork Korean style, fresh salsa from tomatoes/cilantros/lots of red onion/jalapenos, topped with some 고추장 sauce my mom makes specially), so it was nice to get a version of what the west coast's been hyping around the street food arena. Run by a guy originally from San Diego, OMG Taco takes its abbreviations seriously with their LOL and WTF toppings. But I wouldn't be the asshole I am if I didn't point out their misuse of the word "infamous," which is turning out to be Alanis' "Ironic" of our generation.

I can't wait for my 35mm lens to get here so I can stop with these out of focus food photos.

Chicken tacos with WTF sauce

LOL Fries, I think

(Alexander Wang silk top, black Zara skirt, Sam Edelman Pax boots, Celine boston bag)

salt lake city and yellowstone national park

2011-08-15T22:15:00.002-04:00

I've befallen a series of technological disasters. Right before I left for Yellowstone/Utah, my Leica died. I don't have the heart (or reliable technician or the funds) to get it fixed, so I rushed to get another camera before heading west. I ended up getting the Nikon D7000 at Costco (best return policy plus best deals ever), and it proved to be a decent choice for the mostly landscape photos I ended up taking.

Temple Square; Salt Lake City, UT

Utah State Capitol

Pago; Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City Public Library

Salt Lake City Public Library, interior

Old Faithful Geyser; Yellowstone National Park

Jackson Lodge; Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park

reincarnation of isabel marant dicker boots

2011-08-12T10:27:00.003-04:00

Do you remember the Isabel Marant Dicker boots? Of course you do. Who could forget with Kate Bosworth and Rosie Huntington Whitley and even Katie Holmes prancing about with them on their feet? It was the subtle "it" boot of last fall, rendered even more lustworthy because of its exclusive availability and high sticker price.

Well, I almost scored myself a pair on Net-A-Porter. Almost is the clue word. Like an idiot, I listened to the sizing recommendation on their website and went one size down instead of ordering the usual 37. So, when they arrived, I had to send them back because they were too tight. I may be $615 richer, but it hasn't stopped these boots from haunting me.

Maybe it's a good thing I didn't get them, because nearly every single high street retailer has released their own interpretation of this elusive boot.

Out of all of them, I want to say that the Aldo Qualheims are the closest to the original Dicker boots, since it keeps the low shaft and the side zip. The Steve Madden Pembrooks look like they would be the most snug fit and also the best suede, but at $160 and a chunkier heel, it does look like Dicker's bastard brother who came out of the womb missing a few essential parts (i.e. the side zipper). ASOS' Aggie is the cheapest and the highest heel height, but the boot is too high and the pull tab on the side is an extraneous detail that has little use aesthetically or in practicality.

Verdict: Go with the ASOS Aggies. You'll cry less when the heel eventually gives out from excessive use. Also, I don't forsee these boots living for another season.

what's in my clutch?

2011-08-09T15:52:00.002-04:00

You'd be amazed at what I can fit in this thing.

Celine bi-color pouch can hold:

wallet
envelope pencil case holder for lipstick and other necessities
Dior Addict lipstick in Diorkiss
Fresh's Strawberry Flowers travel perfume
butter nail polish in Lady Muck & Artful Dodger (I've now started painting nails while sitting in the car)
Fujifilm Nexia Q1 for fun photos
Kindle - because one day I will finish the "Game of Thrones" series

leaving on a jet plane pt. 3

2011-08-06T10:00:00.004-04:00

I'm off again for a real vacation this time. I'm spending a week out west with my family - going on a tour of Yosemite, wandering around Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. Really excited to pull out all my recent acquisitions of California style clothing (or at least what I imagine to be California style). Regular updates will be scheduled for here, but stop by my tumblr for all the quick shots I take on my phone!
kittenmasks' tumblr

things i don't understand #2

2011-08-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

Aside from the fugly sold out items on Net-A-Porter, there's another dimension of WTF on the site: FUGS items. These items aren't necessarily overpriced. They can be a reasonable bargain, but still prompt you to ask yourself why anyone would ever want to buy this.

This week, there seemed to be a plethora of these items.

net a porter, why pt. 2 by kittenmasks

(clockwise, from top left):

Vivienne Westwood dress - this looks like pantaloon onesie set. I think it's just the photography.
Vionnet fringed wool poncho - what in the name of Ugly Betty is this?!
Miu Miu basket weave vest - this could be cute styled correctly, but I guarantee that the person who buys this is retired and just wants to cozy up to the fire with a collie.
Lanvin silk pajamas - these are cute, but why would you need to pay $2600 for them?
Valentino pleat skirt lace dress - I could see Alexa Chung wearing this dress and it being very cute on her. Unfortunately, I can also see Katy Perry/Amanda Seyfried/Olivia Wilde/Katie Holmes wearing it and looking like a hot mess.
Vionnet feather gown of bad press - there is NOTHING good about this dress. NOTHING. It makes the fit model look fat and dumb. Can you imagine seeing this on the red carpet? Actually, I can. And it smells like road kill.

crossing the ga/al state lines pt. 3

2011-08-03T10:10:00.000-04:00

Although the trip to UBC proved fruitless, I didn't completely hate the entire trip or regret it. We had a really good lunch at the Magnolia House, where we drank sweet tea and had a meat 'n three. I may not talk like a southerner or look like one, but gravy and fried okra runs in my veins. The best thing about living in the south is the massive amount of fatty, delicious food. BBQ pork, collards, candied yams, green beans, country fried steak, and oh god, the cornbread. Is your mouth watering yet?

And no trip is complete without a photo of Georgia red clay. This is the soil that's responsible for cotton, tobacco, and peaches.

photo by Jinah

Jinah captured this photo of me goofing off.

photo by Jinah

crossing the ga/al state lines pt. 2

2011-08-01T18:01:00.000-04:00

Soooo, what's the dish on the Unclaimed Baggage Center? First, it looks like a DMV that you would see in Florida. I don't know why they chose to decorate in the colors they did. Maybe it was renovated in the '80s when washed out pastel colors mixed with various shades of brown was acceptable. Maybe the folks who drew up the plans were drunk when they chose the colors. So many plausible explanations could be given.

Second, it isn't exactly the bargain heaven that the website wants you to believe. There were a few goodies that I spotted: a pair of River Island purple suede platform pumps for $25 and an almost brand new ASOS pussy bow blouse in size 8 for $10. Jinah also picked up a pair of Paige denim jeans with the tags still on them for $15. (Her haul is SO much better than mine, even if the one shouldered print dress she found is too small for her.)

I was in the market for T-shirts, so I dug through the boy's section and found a few for $0.99. The best find was a T-shirt that was NWT and purchased for $4.29. I came home to find that it's from the Korean brand SPAO and endorsed by K-pop mega band, Super Junior.

Other items that were spotted but extremely overpriced: Kate Spade items that ran from $150-$200, badly made counterfeit Gucci bags for $50, worn in Christian Louboutin knockoffs for $80, USED make up items for $17-$30, formal dresses for $80-$150, a Sonia Rykiel pink feather fur coat for $200 (dubious origin).

Clearly, the people who are behind the pricing at the Unclaimed Baggage Center have lofty notions of the market value of their goods. At the end of the day, UBC is simply a nicely done thrift store. Their prices should reflect as such. Only an idiot would be dumb enough to pay $200 for a pair of Kate Spade shoes that are out of season, maybe used, and without a box. With competition from websites like The Outnet, Neiman Marcus midday dash plus their outlet stores, UBC doesn't exactly prove to the bargain it advertises itself to be. If you're considering making the trip out to Scottsboro, I would suggest that you're better off visiting the nearest outlet center or even checking out the sales at the nearest mall near you.

all photos on this page by Jinah! Click here for her take on the trip.

crossing the ga/al state lines pt. 1

2011-07-28T13:36:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Jinah and I took a mini road trip to finally check out the Unclaimed Baggage Center. There have been tons of rumors flying about this place, and we were determined to put them to rest. I didn't take photos inside the store, but you can head over to Jinah's blog for those photos. To be honest, my haul wasn't as good as hers, but I'll post more on that tomorrow.

For now, I have these photos from the road trip part. We passed through so many cute towns and wanted to stop by everything - abandoned buildings, impromptu highway fruit stands, and various general stores. Buuuuut, we managed to restrain ourselves to a dilapidated schoolhouse in Summerville and a fruit stand off Hwy. 140 where we picked up peaches and preserves.

recycling in beige

2011-07-26T16:00:00.000-04:00

I originally bought this dress while I was in Korea from A-land to wear to a wedding. But I didn't go to said wedding and so I've been trying to find an occasion to break it out. Gilt City is launching in Atlanta, and Jinah and I got our names on an RSVP to the premiere of "Crazy, Stupid Love." (This doesn't guarantee a spot in the theater, so let's see how many women we're going to be fighting to see this film.)

When you first see this dress, you see capped sleeves and think, "No, this is NOT going to work." (Because capped sleeves are NOT your friend.) But once it's on, it transforms into the most spectacular dress in the world for two reasons:

1.) the capped sleeves are not really capped sleeves.
2.) there is more than enough room for stomach elasticity in case you decide to wear this dress to a massive buffet.

(dress by be [born to enable], Bebe belt worn as a necklace, Alexander Wang Freja boots, Celine bi-color pouch)

too many mirrors in this house

2011-07-25T15:20:00.000-04:00

Crazy things have been happening all over the world. I blame it on this extraordinary heat. Also, fundamental religion and political vitriol. When are we going to realize that divisiveness isn't the solution to any problem? I borrowed "Handing the Undead" by John Lindqvist (the writer of Swedish vampire thriller novel and film "Let Me In") from the library and found a bookmark of the Ten Commandments in the pages. I refuse to believe that it was a coincidence.

I've been defaulting to various versions of easy summer clothing. I'm really beginning to love clothes with holes poked through the fabrics. It's like air conditioned fabric. Really glad I bought this sweater when I was in Korea - almost walked away without getting it. Sometimes, it's good to have enabler friends.

(Ballerina Retro Chic sweater, Free People embroidered shorts, Only Hearts tap shorts worn underneath, Jeffrey Campbell Ticks in tribal, Matthew Williamson x Linda Farrow sunglasses, Celine Boston bag)

let's go walk to the border

2011-07-17T11:10:00.000-04:00

Soooooo, I didn't take a single photo when I was in NYC. Not even on my phone. Speaking of camera phones, the docents/guards/Nazis at the McQueen exhibit at the Metropolitan are super hardcore. This tourist took a photo on her iPhone, and they called her over and made her erase it. Also, this little kid walked in front of me when I was at Laguardia and threw up what appeared to be chocolate milkshake in my path.

I stopped by the Isabel Marant boutique in Soho minutes before I had to leave for the airport. I treated myself to this skirt and probably would've been coaxed into purchasing more if the blonde salesgirl didn't have permanent stankface on top of a surly attitude. Just because you work at a popular boutique doesn't give you free license to be an unpleasant pseudo-elitist even if there was an irritating family with an unruly small child running around the store. (Not my child. If I ever have children, they are not allowed to accompany me on my shopping excursions. That is Mommy-time.) If you want to get friendly service, go to the black salesgirl with natural hair. She is really great.

Also, if you want to see what my face looks like when it's 90+ degrees with the sun glaring in my face, head over to Meredith's blog, where you can see photos from food truck Thursdays in Midtown.

t-shirt. American Apparel
skirt. Etoile Isabel Marant
shoes. Balenciaga cut out boots
sunglasses. Chanel
bag. Celine

leaving on a jet plane pt. 2

2011-07-11T22:01:00.000-04:00

I'm going to NYC for two days, starting Tuesday. This entire trip was really unexpected and a part of me feels like I shouldn't be taking it. But what's done is done, and the tickets are bought and paid so a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Gonna be rushing around trying to squeeze in all my favorite NYC people in an 8 hour block on Tuesday. I would feel wrong promising shots of the city, when I'm not even sure I'll have enough time for a decent lunch. However, I've put the McQueen exhibit #1 on my priority list. Yeah, I'm pretty sure a lot of people would say that my priorities are skewed, but I feel like you guys would understand. You're such enablers, I hope you know that.

the beatles x km x nail polish

2011-07-06T09:28:00.000-04:00

I like to make lists. Sometimes, they make sense (like "groceries" and "things to do this week"). Most of the time, they reflect the chaos in my head. While in the shower this week, I came up with a list heading, "Names of Nail Polish Colors Inspired by the Beatles." Here's the evidence of my work.

I know I'm missing a few songs that are totally worthy - "Eleanor Rigby" as a pale purple-grey, "Back in the U.S.S.R." as a metallic blue, "Blackbird" as the classic matte black, "Helter Skelter" as a crackle!!! I feel like this list could go on forever. Feel free to add your suggestions and maybe I will add another section of swatches to this.

march of the meanies

2011-07-03T12:08:00.000-04:00

I wore this to the airport on Thursday. It's the only day that I didn't wear my Theyskens' Theory Lara dress this week. (I wasn't kidding when I said that I loved that dress.) These boots really polarize people; they either love them or hate them. I love that I don't have to vet people out now - if you hate my Balenciaga boots, we can't be friends. We probably won't have anything in common, anyway.

I fell down some hardwood stairs, and now I have these cut up marks and bruises on my legs. As if they weren't scabby enough...

top. Cres E. Dim
skirt. Zara
boots. Balenciaga
sunglasses. Chanel

conflicting emotions

2011-06-28T12:48:00.001-04:00

I've got some issues. I used to pass myself off as a "maximalist" (not a real word, I am aware) to excuse my ridiculous double closet plus 80-100 shoe count. (Other excuses used: "Jinah has a bigger closet and bigger hoarding issues than me, so I am okay." For the record, Jinah says this to herself as well, replacing her name with someone else's. I'm convinced this is a way of life for most girls.)

I look at people who are able to keep their shoe count down to the single digits, or even bloggers like Dead Fleurette who has created a wardrobe based around the French 4-5 piece philosophy in absolute amazement. Seriously, how do you come to the decision to reduce and maintain a small wardrobe? My closet is literally bursting with crap. The sad thing is, I can tell you exactly where I got each item, an approximate price point, and a small anecdote about said item. Is this a sign that I should sign up for an A&E show?

I think I could probably reduce my shoe collection. All the shoes in the first two rows are the ones I've been wearing the most this summer:

Top: Balenciaga cut out boots, Alexander Wang Frejas, Jeffrey Campbell Ticks in Tribal
Bottom: Chloe Kirsten Wedge, Balenciaga space boots from FW08, Alexander Wang mules

But how do I even begin to conquer my clothes? I suppose the first question I should be asking is if this lifestyle is viable for me. Opinions, experiences, and advice requested. Also, if anyone has tried it and decided against it, please tell me your story!

2011-06-27T17:34:00.002-04:00

Mondays call for simplicity. I love this dress because you can throw it on and walk out the door. It's casual enough to run errands, but also has potential as an evening piece with the help of jewels and some sky high heels. The best part is that this dress requires no bra, due to its built in bustier. Perfection in black? Hell. YES.

dress. Theyskens' Theory Lara Dress
shoes. Alexander Wang mules SS10
sunglasses. Matthew Williamson for Linda Farrow

things i don't understand #1

2011-06-24T17:56:00.000-04:00

I love Net-A-Porter.com. The item photography is fantastic, and most of the things on there are totally droolworthy. But every now and then, I see something that makes me wonder, "Who is shopping here?" Then I look at the item's price and then reel at the fact that something so fugly could be SOLD OUT. Here's just a sampling of the items from this week that are sold out, plus my running commentary.

sold out on netaporter, why by kittenmasks

Rosamosario print dress, $620 - I'm pretty sure this was ripped off Topshop.
Thakoon Addition cap sleeve dress, $625 - first, it's got a cap sleeve. CAP SLEEVES ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND. Secondly, this dress looks way too simple to be priced at $625. Does this dress work magical wonders that I'm not getting while staring at a stock photo on the web?
Artisan earrings, $1,100 - these look like they were picked up at a Miami flea market and used to belong to a very tacky, ostentatious, currently deceased grandmother.
Juicy Couture Striped cotton and cashmere-blend cardigan, $160 - this could be from Forever 21. Enough said.
Preen Razor wool-crepe pants, $1,000 - I'm going to assume that the people who purchased these live in Australia or somewhere else in the world that's in winter. Just THINKING about wool in this weather is enough to make me sweat.
Artisan 18-karat gold diamond triangle earrings, $2,180 - I'm really curious as to who's purchasing earrings priced at over $2K. Also, I'm going to go ahead and assume that there were 1-2 pairs available for sale, because the idea that more people are throwing away $$$ on some crap jewelry item that looks like it's from the bargain bin at Claire's is making me ill.

transition: edgy to brunch

2011-06-23T15:38:00.000-04:00

While spending hours on various street style sites, I've come to a number of conclusions about things that are acceptable in various parts of the United States. First, various states of undress are mostly acceptable in California. People won't blink an eye at butt cleavage, peek-a-boo flimsy bras, sheer netting over crochet skirts, etc. None of these things will pass in ATL. (From personal experience, 5" Alexander Wang hooker heels will get you raised eyebrows. Also, so will pink pleated skirts.)

Taking my favorite summer staple, a Victoria's Secret slip worn as a dress, I've made it brunch appropriate with your grandmother. For the transition, I replaced the slip on mules for the dressier Chloe wedges, added a blazer with a splash of color, and swapped the grotesque, chunky jewelry and leather accents for southern-approved pearls and ribbon accents for a softer look.

DOWNTOWN:

top. lace crop by Pencey / dress. black slip by Victoria's Secret / shoes. mules by Alexander Wang / assorted jewelry / sunglasses. Chanel

UPTOWN:

top. turquoise crop top by Topshop / blazer. Zara / shoes. Chloe

how to dress like a korean boy band member

2011-06-21T14:20:00.002-04:00

Have you ever looked at the latest K-pop phenomenons and thought, "Wow, I'd love to look like that?" Yeah, me neither. But I thought that there would be a few people who have considered it or at the very least would be amused by my list. (I have an obsession with making lists. Apparently, David Sedaris does, too.)

How To Dress Like A Korean Boy Band Member

Everything is unisex. Gender roles? What's that? In K-pop World, everything is a go. You want to wear Alexander Wang's mesh embossed dress, why not? See: G-dragon and his latest skirt obsession.
Put studs and spikes on everything. And I mean, EVERYTHING. Jackets (of course), shoes, arm bands, your face. It declares to the world, "I am a badass. Or at least my stylist wants me to be."
Neon colors! Electro blue, hot pink, flourescent green - the more of an '80s throwback it seems to be, the better.
Dressing in all silver or gold is also acceptable.
Clothing that lights up are always a plus. Feel free to decorate yourself like a Christmas tree. You'll get those teenage groupies screaming, "OPPA!" faster than Rain (비) can rip his shirt off.
Group coordination is one of the key elements to making this look work. The deeper you roll, the cooler you are - see: Super Junior, boasting 13 members.

K-pop Boy Band by kittenmasks

three teeth left his silver smile

2011-06-20T17:52:00.001-04:00

I think I've found a new favorite nail polish brand. I recently ordered Artful Dodger and Lady Muck by Butter London from beauty.com and received them today. They apply flawlessly, and I'm totally smitten by the turquoise Dodger. Also, as a confessed anglophile, I adore the names - Artful Dodger makes me think of the first "Bridget Jones's Diary." My favorite scene was when she was in the bath tub after discovering Daniel's "American stick insect," picking off her fake eyelashes and flicking them onto the tile floor. I would totally do that.

I've gotten a few inquiries regarding the side cross cuff I'm always wearing. It's something I made about 1.5 years ago but wasn't that popular. I've got a few pieces, which I'm selling on etsy.com but feel free to email me about them at kittenmasks@gmail.com.

top. Monki / shorts. Rag & Bone Errington Eyelet Short / shoes. Kirsten wedge by Chloe / nail polish. Artful Dodger by Butter

nutella banana cake

2011-06-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

Last week, I spotted the recipe for Banana Nutella Cake on Ruby NZ's blog and wanted to try it. I've converted the measurements for U.S. standards. Also, the bananas I used weren't extremely ripe. For banana cakes, it's best to use overripe bananas, because it'll make your batter sweeter and doesn't require as much sugar. The powdered sugar is optional.

For the Banana Cake
generous 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
generous 1/2 cup cup caster sugar
2 organic eggs
2 large, ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp boiling milk
scant 1/2 cup cups self-raising flour, sifted
1 tsp cinnamon [I thought this was a little much, so I only used 1/2 tsp.]
powdered sugar (optional)

For the Nutella Cake
1 cup of Nutella
2 organic eggs
scant 1/2 cup self-raising flour, sifted
dash of milk

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Place sugar and butter in a bowl and beat until creamy. Then add the eggs one at a time. Do not add the second egg until the first egg has been fully mixed. Stir in the mixed bananas.

3. Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling milk. [I just stuck the milk in the microwave.] Stir milk into mixture. Fold in sifted flour. Add the cinnamon. Pour into prepared cake tin.

4. To make the Nutella batter: add the Nutella, eggs, flour, and milk into bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour onto banana mixture. Use a fork or spoon to mix the two layers.

5. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top. (Optional.)

babies, the documentary

2011-06-16T11:42:00.000-04:00

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I'm not a fan of children. (They're not fans of me, either.) I tend to shy away from conversations about anyone under the age of 14, pregnancy/maternity clothes, and child rearing. So, the fact that I enjoyed a documentary called "Babies" is truly revolutionary.

I'm always a huge fan of anything that comes from Focus Features, which probably explains why Netflix recommends only "cerebral dramas" to me. "Babies" follows four babies located in four different cities - San Francisco, Tokyo, rural Mongolia, and Namibia - documenting the moments from birth to around toddler. The cinematography is absolutely beautiful, especially the shots from Namibia and Mongolia, but the film itself never reaches a climax, leading to any type of revelation about humankind and its similarities despite geography. I feel like that's where the directors were going, but without narrative it's difficult to lead viewers towards any type of conclusion.

Regardless, it's adorable (which means a lot when it comes from me) with a few LOL moments. I love all the scenes where the babies and animals interact; it's absolutely fascinating how much patience animals can have towards children. Do they innately know that this is a little person so you're not supposed to bite their face off even if they pull your tail?

Watch it now on Netflix!

riding trains to the end of lines

2011-06-15T17:54:00.000-04:00

A lot of people are encouraging wearing 100% silk during the summer months. Can someone explain this to me? Does this 100% silk = breathable fabric only work in low humidity areas like California? I wore this dress to class once and quickly discovered that if you start to sweat in it, you will sweat it in ALL DAY. The back of the dress was stuck to my butt when I got from my chair. Hope no one sat in it after me! (Gross, I know. C'est la vie.)

This dress is by Katayone Adeli. Does anyone else remember that line? She was like the Alexander Wang of the '90s. (I guess I should be saying that the other way around.)

dress. Katayone Adeli / belt. Japanese boutique / jacket. Yubsshop / shoes. Carlos by Carlos Santana (what!) / hat. H&M

the stuff childhood dreams are made of

2011-06-14T23:33:00.000-04:00

There's a traveling carnival in the parking lot of my local Kroger, and I can't resist a kitschy childhood throwback. As long as you've got a carousel and a ferris wheel, consider me there. Liana and I began the night with a ride in the spinning dragon, where we quickly realized that we're too old to be in a ride like this. I nearly threw up my tacos. The super duper fast ferris wheel was the best ride, hands down. We finished the night with Baskin Robbins ice cream, rounding out my inner child's best evening ever.

top. Ballerina Retro Chic / shorts. Blank Denim NYC / shoes. Lanvin / bag. Celine / nail polish. Chanel Mimosa

an attempt on salvaging sartorial mistakes

2011-06-13T11:45:00.000-04:00

The year was 2003 (or 2004. Or 2005.), and I was a young, naive, and blissfully unaware. Words like "fashion blog" and "recession" were unknown. Instead, I was drawn to phrases like "ladies free before 11pm" and "open bar until 10pm." And Friday nights meant parading around in the skankiest looking club clothes while wearing your highest heels and your blackest eyeliner until 3 or 4am, where you inevitably ended up at Waffle House/The Grill eating D-rated food in a bleary eyed, drunken stupor. Ah, the days of college. Thank God that shit is over.

But years of closet purging can still unearth a questionable fashion purchase like this:

Yes, that is a camo mini skirt from HOLLISTER. That's right, I said it. HOLLISTER. There are about five levels of wrong with the fact that I have an item from Hollister in my closet, but I'm going to save that for another day.

The question of today is: can I salvage items like this?

Paired with a denim shirt, lots of jewelry, and most importantly, Balenciaga cut out boots, this skirt is less crap and less pre-teen. (You could easily replace the Balenciagas with any other type of flat, industrial looking boot.) Finish off with a bi-color pouch, and it's almost fashion editor worthy.

Shirt. Zara / Skirt. Hollister / Boots. Balenciaga / pouch. Celine / sunglasses. Chanel

grocery store runs in 90 degree weather

2011-06-10T12:31:00.000-04:00

WEATHER:

ORIGINAL LOUNGE AROUND OUTFIT:

+ ACCESSORIES:

+ BLAZER (optional):

+ BAG:

+ SHOES:

= INSTANT GROCERY STORE RUN GLAM!

T-shirt. Theme Magazine / Shorts. Madewell / Blazer. Zara / Bag. Celine / Shoes. Alexander Wang

i wind around the parties drink in hand

2011-05-22T23:38:00.001-04:00

Two things:

1. Americans like to label themselves by their work. On Saturday, after surviving the rapture, I was asked this question no less than six times. I gave a different answer each time. There are only so many times I can say, "a jack of all trades, master of none" without sounding like a cliche. I wonder what this woman says when she gets asked that. Do socialites actually claim themselves as socialites? I said that (somewhat jokingly) to a stranger and his face went like O_O.

2. Raise your hand if the idea of the rapture freaked you out and prevented you from getting a good night's sleep. Okay, so it was just me. Can I move somewhere there aren't religious activists? How about that space in the middle of Australia?

I love the facade of Ryan's apt. complex.

Greasiest place in America.

How much more literal can chili cheese fries get?

Later, Ryan mashed the leftover chili and cheese and ate it. Cheese is not supposed to be that color.

The bar at the W Downtown.

Freezing poolside.

why i will never be on the real world

2011-05-21T01:27:00.001-04:00

I have a penchant for really bad television, and I mean, really bad television. I've watched two seasons of The Bad Girls Club, nearly every single reality show on VH1 (including both seasons of What Chili Wants), and countless other craptastic reality shows. But what really prompted my insatiable desire was Real World Paris, the first Real World I ever saw.*

Now that I've seen a whopping NINE seasons (ten, if you include me making my way through this year's Las Vegas), I've come to the conclusion that I would never be chosen to be featured on this show for the following reasons:

1. I'm too smart. I have a degree from a decent university, graduated with a relatively high GPA, and studied English Literature. Paper credentials aside, I watch the news, listen to NPR religiously, and read voraciously (even if I do spend a lot of time reading shit novels like the Sookie Stackhouse series). Sarah from Real World Philadelphia closely matched my academic field and interests, and she turned out to be a total snooze, often casting her roommates aside for a more creative crowd. Since then, The Real World has yet to cast another English major.

2. I'm not a homophobe. As proven by homophobic but possible-homosexual (and thus self-loathing, potential gay man) Ryan from New Orleans among many others, placing intolerant people in a house with a stereotype of the group of people he/she cannot stand makes instant television gold. This formula has been rehashed by the Real World group for countless seasons, and it still doesn't bore me.

3. I'm Asian. The last Asian to be featured on The Real World was San Diego's Jamie Chung, who later went on to be a D-list movie star. In a possible move to prevent the world from seeing films like "Sorority Row," the casting crew of The Real World series has refused to place another Asian face in the show. I prefer this reasoning, because the other (and most obvious) would be that The Real World is racist.

4. I don't have a drug addiction/abusive boyfriend/rough home life/crazy religious upbringing.

5. I'm not a nymphomaniac.

6. I'm not straight edge or a religious celibate either.

7. I'm too old.

*This really comes at a shock to most people, but my parents didn't get cable I was in college. This probably explains why I consume cable television voraciously.
OMG, I think the bird outside my window is having sex because the chirping noises just got REALLY FAST, GROSS!!!!!

top. Zara
pants. Zara
jacket. Zara
shoes. Balenciaga
Fuck me for wearing all Zara.

werner herzog needs to narrate my life

2011-05-18T21:53:00.001-04:00

On Monday, Sooji and I went to see Werner Herzog's new documentary, "Cave of Forgotten Dreams." I'm a huge fan of his documentaries - the two I've seen, at least - but I found myself dozing a bit through this one. It's undeniably beautiful, and Herzog has an incredible talent for discovering fascinating bits of nature and linking its relevance to human society. However, there were so many portions of this film that dragged, and sitting in a dark theater mid-afternoon without any coffee while soothing operatic music plays is a recipe for sleep.

The film documents a trip to a recently discovered cave in southern France that houses a few of the world's oldest paintings. Painted tens of thousands of years ago (ranging from 32,000 to 20,000 years ago), they are in pristine condition due to the calcification of the rocks. The images are breathtaking and completely unreal. A part of me refuses to believe that such a place exists, and without these images from Herzog, I would believe it's all part of someone's wild CGI imagination.

Chauvet Cave, the "Cave of Forgotten Dreams"

Werner Herzog on right

top. Sisley
jacket. Zara
jeans. Cheap Monday
shoes. boutique on Garosugil
bag. Miu Miu

photos by sooji
source: the dfg

the motion keeps my heart running

2011-05-16T10:36:00.000-04:00

Castleberry Hill hosts an art walk every second Friday of each month, and last Friday marked my first time attending. All the galleries in the area (most of which are open by appointment only) throw open their doors to artist and art lovers for three hours (7-10pm). It's a great way to introduce yourself to local, national, and international artists while smoozing around booze and snacks. A few food trucks line Walker Street during this time, to Lillie's extreme delight. Spotted Westside Creamery, Kings of Pops, and Tex's Tacos (as pictured).

I was most interested in what we saw at Escape Gallery by Esteban Patino. He created his own alphabet and used wood cut outs to construct various images. The piece I liked the most was entirely white with each character set individually. I think Lillie was most taken with the pieces that are like the one I photographed.

Afterwards, we stopped by Intermezzo to eat cake and drink hot chocolate. There's something grimy about the place now that makes me never want to go back... at least not to the Peachtree location.

Esteban Patino's work at Escape Gallery

A video on Esteban Patino

Hot Chocolate Berlin

Cake with cappuccino frosting - not as good as you would expect

dress. Zara
top. Low Classic from A-land
shoes. Spicy Color
bag. Miu Miu

it's hard to recall the taste of summer

2011-05-14T15:40:00.000-04:00

Jinah and I have been trying to go to Empire State South since last December, but our schedules didn't really coincide until last Thursday where we met for a late dinner. We sat outside where we were allowed to freely use the extra bright flash that came with her SO ADORABLE Alice in Wonderland Holga and gab about literally everything. Useless fact: she and I went to summer camp together when we were children, and the single sartorial memory I have of her as a kid has her wearing printed bicycle shorts and T-shirt with craft paint - both items I LOVED as a wayward and ill-advised 8-year-old. Thank God I burned those photos years ago.

As for Empire State South, I was a little underwhelmed, but I think 80% of it is due to me ordering the wrong dish. I had the trout while Jinah wisely chose the duck confit (with a little prodding from me - "Ohmygod, you HAVE to get it," also my catchphrase to egging friends into buying things they don't need). I'm trying to follow the diet advised in "Feed Your Face" by Jessica Wu, which I'm slowly discovering is impossible because I have to give up desserts. (If you see my Seoul posts, you will see that I've been to nearly all the cafes in Garosugil. I've been spoiled.) In a moment of experimental delusion, I ordered the cake puree (I don't even remember the dish's real name), which made me think of cake that's been vomited and repacked into a dessert. (Or something that came from Bridget Jones's dinner party.)

One thing I will attest to is their coffee. I sampled a bit of Jinah's macchiato, and I was briefly transported to Italy as my 14-year-old self where I tried my first espresso. And in true Alicia-like fashion, I spent the rest of the night playing Cooking Dash.

top. Christopher Kane for Topshop
skirt. Korean market
blazer. Zara
shoes. Balenciaga
clutch. Celine

first and last photos by jinah

dripping blue blood from the wrist

2011-05-05T18:11:00.000-04:00

I feel like I'm inbetween a lot of things lately. Indecisive about whether or not I like this bipolar weather - is it hot or is it cold? Am I a student or not? Do I love Atlanta or hate it? (Hate it. I think.) Are those lace shorts a necessity or not? How far am I going to go to get them? Why is finding a blazer so hard? I have images of the clothes I want in my mind, but they're not translating to real life.

On the days I want to dress like an adult, I like to wear outfits like this. Helps me blend in with the ladies who lunch. I stalked these shoes on Yoox for four months. I'm totally obsessed with the FW08 Balenciaga collection, even if some of the shoes look like condoms.

dress. Shipley & Halmos for Uniqlo
shoes. Balenciaga FW08
belt. thrift store find
bag. Celine

photos by sooji

we walk in shoes too big

2011-05-01T21:47:00.000-04:00

Living in suburbia makes one crazy, so occasionally I venture out to crazy, kitsch places like Medieval Times. I can't lie - the show Camelot (on the Starz network) has reopened my obsession with the King Arthur tales. We had to study them as freshmen in high school, and I really loved the book "The High Queen," which I thought was slightly racy to be on the curriculum for a Catholic high school.

Aside from all the speech about honor and valiance, you get to witness jousting, sword fights, and shitting horses. The only downside is that there are no utensils. I have this stigma about eating with my hands. Also, I feel ill when I watch people lick their fingers. It really disgusts me. Why would you do that? If the chicken is really that good, just order another piece.

No utensils, see?

Our favorite was the black and white knight, but we were sitting in the yellow knight section.

I seeeeeeeee youuuuuuu.

What happened to Wayne Gretzky's face? You know you've fallen when you're advertising for Skechers.

top. black tank by Monki, lace bodysuit by Cheap Monday
pants. Acne
jacket. Zara
belt. H&M
shoes. Aldo
bag. Gucci

all the bright lights do is bore me

2011-04-29T13:54:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, I went to the final event in the SCAD Style week with Jinah and Lillie - a free screening of the "Bill Cunningham, New York." Just as "The September Issue" made us all fall in love with Grace Coddington, this documentary makes Bill so endearing. His earnestness in his work, his ability to see beauty in everything, his positive personality are just a few of the many reasons I loved this film. Find a screening near you and go!

Also, apologies to the girls for making you come out super early because of my psychotic tendencies. Thanks for being good sports!

Afterwards, we went to Ormsby's for dinner with Atlanta's fratastic bunch. Never going there again. It was filled with former frat boys who traded in their popped collars for ill-fitting button downs. Biggest pet peeve in menswear is when men's sleeves start past their shoulder. If your sleeves start there, you either need to buy a new shirt or lose weight.

The Richard, turkey with avocado and sweet potato fries.

Shrimp & grits - bad lighting makes it look unappetizing, but it was pretty decent.

when did you get so LA

2011-04-28T15:58:00.001-04:00

When you don't hear from me for long periods of time, I've most likely been consumed by a computer game. For a while it was Farm Frenzy, Angry Birds, Cart Cow, Wedding Dash.... now it's Cooking Dash - Thrills and Spills. I'm slowly making my way through all of the PlayFirst! series. I've also been reading the entire Wicked series... for the second time around, I think? Not sure if where I left off the first time, but now I'm halfway through the Lion story. Success! Now, if only getting those cut out boots by Balenciaga were this easy...

top. Fleamadonna. skirt. Topshop. shoes. Jeffrey Campbell. bag. Miss Selfridge. ring. A-land.

photos by sooji

happy easter 2011

2011-04-24T13:38:00.000-04:00

This may be the last Easter. Let's all enjoy it.

P.S. Dyed eggs (real ones, not the plastic ones with candy in them) creep me out.

baby you've got to be more discerning

2011-04-22T22:26:00.000-04:00

You've probably noticed a difference in the outfits being shown on this blog, especially if you go back to the way-back archives of what I call "the hot mess era." I don't even want to post links to the entries, but this one particular outfit of a floral maxi dress and cowboy boots comes to mind. What was I thinking?!

Now that I'm 25 - soon to be 26 - I've accepted that I need to be more discerning about the shit I buy. At the beginning of 2011, I swore to myself a number of things.

Limiting the pieces I buy from fast fashion brands for reasons that range from their unethical use of cheap labor and materials to the plain and simple fact that most of their items can't last more than 5 washings. There are certain items that make more sense to purchase at F21 - like their $2.50 camisoles, I really can't live without them - but no more trendy purchases. I have more than enough in my closet.
More investment pieces. In the end, the cost per wear will outlast the initial sticker shock. I'm now at a place in my life where I can and should be making purchases that will be lifelong, not this season. Plus, I'm tired of purging my closet every year. It's exhausting.
SIMPLIFY. As someone who tends to travel and move around more often than I think, I need to keep my closet simple. One season per suitcase has become my new motto.
Give more support to emerging designers. Reading Leila Shams' blog has made me more aware of the struggle new designers endure just to get a single collection out. Without support for new talent, there would be an end to innovation and creativity, which goes against not only my personal beliefs but the nature of fashion itself.

That said, here are two pieces from two very talented emerging designers. The top is from Leila Shams' SS11 collection that featured a very arresting albino alligator. I've been a little obsessed with albino alligators since I was seven, when my parents took me to see one at a New Orleans aquarium. When I went to San Fran last year, Rahul and I stared at the one at the California Academy of Sciences for at least an hour. We saw him eat lunch.

The skirt is by Paul &Alice, a Korean brand I discovered while in Seoul. Their pieces are very femme, and their SS11 collection has a soft delicacy that is so versatile with edgier pieces. The jackets tend to have a more daring silhouette, experimenting with boxier fits which only works for a certain body type or look, but their dresses (especially this season) are stunning. I especially love ribbon detail dress that has back cut-outs. Exposed backs are so much sexier than exposed fronts.

top. Leila Shams. skirt. Paul & Alice. shoes. Aldo. clutch. Celine.

photos: by sooji

Disclaimer: all my tenets of fashion are decisions that I've made for my own wardrobe. I harbor no judgment for those who disagree with any or all of my beliefs.

stuck on a dream that somewhere is better

2011-04-19T10:25:00.001-04:00

Aside from griping about bloggers (see previous post), I'm spending a lot of time prepping for the Old English class I'm taking at summer school (yes, I know it's retroactive to take summer classes after graduation, but post-bac is now almost required). Can you believe this professor is trying to weave "Lord of the Rings" into a curriculum that's traditionally encompassed King Arthur (personal fave), Beowulf/Grendel (another old fave), and Norse poetry (anything that links to Alexander Skarsgård is a yes)??? Pass.

I'm so in love with these jeans. I wore them everyday for a week. Is that gross? Yes, probably. Best $39.90 I've ever spent. I'm tempted to go back and buy more pairs. I have this habit where if I like something, I buy it in bulk. When I was a freshman in college, I was obsessed with these bootcut jeans from Express. I had four pairs of them and only lived in them for about a year. This is what happens when you're suddenly allowed to choose your daily wardrobe. (Catholic school.)

top. Retro Ballerina Chic (Korean store). pants. Zara. bag. Celine.

fashion blogger pet peeves

2011-04-18T00:32:00.001-04:00

When you were growing up, did you think that your mom/dad/grandma complained WAY too much? I'm coming to understand that a side effect of getting old is not being able to put up with shit you think is dumb, useless, slow, irritating, etc. And this is hitting me like a train on a track, coming towards [me], stuck still no turning back. (Oh god, I hate this song so much, why are people still singing it, quoting it, playing it??? PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS BALENCIAGA STOP) I've been compiling this list in my head for months now, and I've just gotta write it down somewhere. (Sorry if you've gotten preview through my Twitter - 140 characters just wasn't enough for this anymore.)

Scary lady hates these blogs.

List of Things Fashion Bloggers Should Be Banned From Doing/Saying/Writing

Referring to their boyfriend-photographers as "the boy" or "boyf."
Let's begin by stating the obvious. "Boyf" is not a word. If your photographer is too shy to have his name revealed on the big, scary, predatory internet, then don't mention him at all. Or be like Stop It Right Now, and give him a witty nickname. Although some people may disagree, I swear this isn't coming from bitter singleness. It's really annoying. For real.
Using the word "infamous" in the wrong context.
I'm aware that fashion bloggers aren't intellectuals. There are some who brag about not "having the time to read" (trans. I'm lazy or I never learned to read). But it becomes more obvious when the word "infamous" is used when you actually mean famous or unforgettable. Let's take a brief review of the definition of the word "infamous":
adj. having a reputation of the worst kind; causing or bringing infamy (which means disgraceful).
Do we all understand? Ok, good.
Talking about getting dressed as an "organic process."
What the fuck is this supposed to mean? Can we stop trying to turn the process of putting on clothes in the morning (or afternoon, depending on when you roll out of bed) as something more legit than the fact that if we walked out naked, we'd get arrested for indecent exposure? This is almost as annoying as Vanessa Traina talking about her closet.
Veneration of sack of shit, lazy ass "it" girls. This list includes - but is by no means, comprehensive - the following: Cory Kennedy, Jen Brill, Vanessa Traina, and any other disheveled, entitled, individual who roams around the fashion shows reeking of desperation. I'm still confused by America's fascination with people who don't work for a living and spend their family's money gallivanting around the world. Slightly unrelated, can someone tell me how Rachel Bilson and Kate Bosworth earn money because they haven't been in a decent film in like years.
"Inspiration" blogs.
There are three things that are irritating about these blogs. First, there is no original content. I enjoy looking at photos of screen caps from "Romeo + Juliet" as much as the next Gen Y, Leo fan, but there's only so much minimal design room photos, old photos of Courtney Love, and pink hair that I can stomach. Second, there's no reason to see the same editorial of Abbey Lee on fifteen different blogs. The first time on fashiongonerogue.com was enough. Third, a lot of the blogs don't credit the original sources, which can be really irritating for people who take the time to be creative. Call it talent, if you will.
Bloggers who wear head to toe designer wear, all available at your local Barneys or Saks or wherever.
There's no innovation in seeing someone wearing a single label. I consider this type of blog to be on the same level as the "everyday wear" blog - what's the point? I don't want to see your all Rick Owens or all Lanvin outfit because I can see that mess on the brand lookbook. I suppose this could also apply to any brand - high street included. The all Zara or all H&M ensemble creates as much as interest as a dog peeing on a fire hydrant.

My dog is bored by these blogs.

pushed on by the fingertips of dreams

2011-04-14T08:18:00.001-04:00

The last photos from Seoul, seen through the cheap lens of a T50. I used to be really obsessed with film cameras, but I feel like I'm coming to see the value of a digital lens. Maybe it was spending that extra $400 to fix my Leica, but the Digilux has really become a metal extension of myself lately.

I used to be drawn to film because of its "magical" quality. It still has some sort of magic, but I would be lying if I said that I didn't use Photoshop to manipulate some of the images. It might just be this particular camera, but some of the photos came out too grainy for my satisfaction.

Sunny, who's been featured on this blog a number of times, is one of my favorite people because she's so multi-talented. You wouldn't believe some of the skills this girl has - one of them being a great shopping enabler. "Get it. It looks good on you." A phrase that I heard one too many times, and my suitcase barely survived to tell the tale.

Brunch at Original Pancake Story, buying masks at the local pharmacy because of the yellow dust, wandering around Hannam-dong and seeing celebrity vans (연예인 차), picking out our future houses in the UN Village, going to Passion 5 (also chronicled here).
My last day in Seoul had me running to the hairdresser last minute, so I was in Garosugil where we grabbed a really late lunch at Abiko Curry and stopped for some of the best coffee in Seoul at Cork & Turtle.

We found these masks hilarious. We looked like birds.

Penthouse style apartments in Hannam-dong.

Colorful houses in Hannam-dong.

Entrance to 2nd level at Passion 5.

At Abiko Curry.

Tables at Cork & Turtle.

View from balcony at Cork & Turtle / sipping Americano.

People To People on Garosugil.

what's in your bag?

2011-04-13T11:17:00.002-04:00

I was going to write this whole paragraph on the importance of a bag in the sartorial process, but I'm going to spare you the monotony. Instead, I'm going to tell you the story of how my mom found these free condoms I picked up in NYC (they had the subway symbols on them!) in my bag, and I blamed them on my gay friend Rahul. Whoops, end of story.

Chanel sunglasses
hand sanitizer (germs are everywhere)
Avocado lotion, Lumix P&S
Ricola throat drops (soooo soothing)
Dior lipstick
Honesty chocolate mints
grapefruit scented oil sheets (love)
keys
possessed Motorola Cliq (it types on its own)
Jetoy planner (I hate cats, but this was a gift)
iTouch
green envelope pen holder
Kindle (my #1 survival tool)

Are there any must-have items that you carry around? Any daily beauty tips are welcomed.

drive out with the sun in your eyes

2011-04-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Being back in Atlanta feels so surreal. Seoul seems like a dream, but mostly Atlanta feels like a warped reality. Life got really real when I saw my first homeless crackhead. I miss all my Seoul PICs, but mostly I miss my cushy life. Now it's time to get back to the grinding stone.

Went to Miller Union for the first time with Lillie over the weekend. I've been begging friends to go here with me for months, but the plans never came to fruition until now. Started with the feta plate and ordered the seasonal vegetable platter as a main, finishing with half a homemade ice cream sandwich (chocolate chip & peanut butter). Their farm to table method really fits well with my new psychotic, germaphobe lifestyle. Their kitchen is kinda open (you can peek on your way to the bathrooms), allowing you to witness the preparations for the food.

It was a nice way to begin a busy Saturday that had us hitting up the new CB2, scouring Zara for the April lookbook (not out yet, btw), and ending the day with a last minute caffeine run at Starbucks. The cake pops are delicious.

top. Cres E. Dim. skirt. Spicy Color. shoes .Jeffrey Campbell Tribal Ticks. bag. Celine Luggage.

i had a weakness for etiquette

2011-04-09T06:57:00.000-04:00

Hannam-dong (한남동) is quickly becoming the new hotspot for bourgeois taste buds in Seoul. On my last weekend in Seoul, Sunny and I nursed her hangover at The Original Pancake Story (which was disappointing, or so she says), walked around the UN Village and picked out our future houses, and devoured pastries at Passion 5.

I wish I'd discovered Passion 5 earlier. One long floor of pastries, breads, and confectioneries, this place is a sweet lover's dream. They're also the originators of the Baum pudding sold in Hyundai Dept. stores, which was one of my treasured foods while I was on the liquid/soft chew diet.

I love their innovative menu, interior decor (which I had enough sense to photograph but a mini fiasco resulted in all the film being ruined ... or nonexistent), and extensive drink menu. Be sure to stop there for brunch, because their BLT sandwich is supposedly amazing.

Yongsan-gu Hannam-Dong 72-74

Telephone: 02-2071-9505

7:30-21:00

Nearest tube station: Hangang-jin, line 6, across from Leeum Museum

주소 : 서울시 용산구 한남동 729-74 1F
전화번호 : 02-2071-9505
오픈시간 : 오전 7시30분~오후 9시
찾아가는 길 : 한강진역 근처, 리움 건너편

sidewalks are unassuming fields

2011-04-02T22:46:00.001-04:00

These are the remaining photos from last Friday. After going to the Paul + Alice sample sale and eating oven brick pizza, Sunny and I wandered around Bukchon (복촌) to take photos of houses. I bet the people who live in the area hate living there because of all the tourists. It's one of the last areas in Seoul where traditional Korean style houses (한욱) still exist. A lot of the older areas in Seoul are being torn down and rebuilt in the name of modernity, and it's sad that these relics of history are slowly being removed from Seoul's architecture. At the same time, they're a total bitch to heat in the winter, so I can understand why you'd want an upgrade from spending $500 on heating.

My eyes look kinda closed in this photo. I swear my eyes aren't small.

i was a creature of appetites

2011-03-29T07:22:00.002-04:00

Last Friday, I got word of Paul + Alice's sample sale, so Sunny and I hightailed our ways over to 헤화동 (near 대학로) to get our fix. Sunny picked up this khaki sleeveless cape/trench thing from Fall (which looked SO good on her), and I got a striped skirt from their SS11 collection. I noticed that we're both carrying beige bags. We first spotted her Miu Miu bag at the duty free store, and I convinced her that she needed it. We're both enablers and should never be allowed to shop together.

Afterwards, we went to 가회동 to eat oven brick pizza at 대장장이 화덕피자. We ordered the rucola pizza, and it was pretty delicious. We were skeptical over the ability of the tealight, but it did indeed melt all the cheese in the center of the pie. Power may come in small packages?

Celine Bi-color Pouch

Miu Miu small satchel bag

build the foundation with bricks they've thrown

2011-03-24T06:37:00.000-04:00

Aside from my computer classes and obsessively documenting the outfits of the hottie in my Dreamweaver class, I've been doing this:

01. Spring is coming. Except it's snowing right now.
02. Extra large book collection in a Hyoja-dong cafe.
03. I bought a book journal. It's motivating me to read voraciously.
04. Got my nails did in at Nail Love near Ewha.
05. The best nail art I've seen.
06. Where my great-grandfather's house used to be. Now it's an art museum. And the house where my dad was born is now a Kolon printing office.

Neighborhood: Garosugil #3

2011-03-20T08:50:00.000-04:00

On Friday, Felicia and I met at Garosugil to celebrate my second removal of my braces. We had dinner at Allo Papergarden and went to Deux Cremes for dessert. I've come to associate cake whenever I see her, so I feel disappointed if I don't eat some type of pastry after a meal. I've had my gripes about Garosugil, but I've really grown to love it. Aside from hosting the world's best hairdresser (Sung-hee at Jacques Dessanges) and one of my favorite shops in Seoul (Caramel), it's a great place to people-watch. And you will see all sorts of people. For instance, Felicia and I had the delight of sitting next to a couple who thought their table at Deux Cremes was located in a love motel. (This is scandalous for a relatively conservative country. You will never see a couple kissing in public here. I witnessed an old man nearly have a heart attack when he witnessed a couple making out.)

Dinner notes: Allo Papergarden is one of the more popular destinations here. Located on Serosugil (a backstreet), it's a store-cum-restaurant/cafe that serves Italian basics like pasta, risotto, sandwiches, etc. Not pictured are our dishes: I had the seafood risotto which was super luxurious and relatively well done, while Felicia had some pasta dish that was creamy so I didn't partake.

Dessert notes: Deux Cremes is poppin'. Get there early or be prepared to wait - for possibly long amounts of time. Despite its exterior, the space is insanely small for its traffic. The tarts are pretty decent, but can someone tell me why every pie/tart has a rock hard crust in Seoul?!?! Deux Cremes would be an embarrassing place to go on a first date; I'd spent more time stabbing the pastry with my fork than paying attention to anything else.

How to get there: for Allo Papergarden - coming from Sinsa Stn. (신사역 #8출구), walk down Garosugil and take a left at the street before Nescafe, then take the first right. Walk straight and Allo Papergarden will be on your left. Deux Cremes is located on the main street (Garosugil), near the Kate Spade store.

I love the interior at Allo Papergarden.

Neighborhood: Garosugil #2

2011-03-16T09:13:00.001-04:00

I've been quiet lately, because I'm taking some computer classes that run five days per week for 4 hours in the morning. I'm now officially the girl who drools while sleeping with her mouth open on the subway. My head may be down (and my hair all over my face), but that slurping noise means that I'm slurping up a string of drool that's almost reached my lap.

Yesterday, I finally got to catch up with Sunny with an impromptu lunch date in Garosugil and squeezing in a quick shopping trip to Myeongdong before calling it a day. My feet ache still, but I think we've seen everything there is to see. We even dropped by the Celine store inside the Lotte Duty Free to drool over the Celine trio pouchette in yellow. They also had a black zippered Cabas, a yellow rectangular Cabas, and the zippered box bags in red and black.

But back to the food. Lunch was at Deli Heinzburg, where I ordered the turkey panini while Sunny had the mushroom panini with the balsamic sauce. Pretty damn juicy. We popped by Deux Amis afterwards - the last place in Seoul for my macaron taste test. Their rose macaron was the best rose flavor I've had in Seoul, but the cookie didn't crumble very well. The earl grey flavor was too overwhelmed by chocolate, and the raspberry tasted too bland.

How to get there: from Garosugil's main street, turn into the street with Nescafe on your right, go straight and you'll pass Deux Amis before Deli Heinzburg. (Deli Heinzburg is closer to allo papergarden.)

The menu folds into a neat square.

The mushroom panini. Check out the beautifully sliced cheese.

Turkey and cranberry panini.

I love the color of the pink radishes.

Neighborhood: Apgujeong #2

2011-03-13T04:07:00.002-04:00

Hidden away on one of the many back streets of Apgujeong-dong is a bistro/lounge called Abbey Road. Felicia and I were initially attracted by its London Metro logo and promised to check it out the next time we were in the area. The walkway inside is quite long, and I felt unsure of whether or not this was indeed a restaurant. The building looks like it could be an art gallery, which I later discovered, kinda is. Serving up pasta, pizza, and sandwiches, it's not the ideal place for a full dinner. They boast an extensive drink list and serve one of the best apple martinis I've ever tasted (as seen in photo with Felicia).

On the way to the bathroom, I spotted some type of exhibit and snapped a photo. The work made sense when the waiter handed me a CD containing a music compilation plus an explanation guide for the art work they're hosting. All works were done by Hongik University's Textile Art and Fashion Design's students and graduates.

Food was okay, a little heavy on the olive oil. Go there to get drunk. If you don't like smoking beware, there's no nonsmoking sections. Also, it tends to be dead during traditional dinner hours on the weekdays; we went on Thursday at around 6:30pm, and we were the only people there. Then again, the weather was crap that day.

How to get there: Apgujung station (압구정역) exit #2, walk straight for around 10 minutes. Pass the large intersection with the S-Oil gas station (성수대교 사거리), turn right at the KB bank. Pass the Starbucks on your right. Abbey Road will be on your right, near the Princess Hotel. Look for the London metro sign.

Hours: 5pm-3am
Tel.: 02-546-9505

Spicy pepper pasta

Bacon aioli pasta

Apple martini

Neighborhood: Hongdae #5 - Vinyl

2011-03-01T21:35:00.000-05:00

I don't usually make new year's resolutions because it feels like you're setting yourself up to fail. I told myself that I wasn't making a resolution but a life goal - why kid yourself when you know the truth? I've been sober since January, but that was all shot to hell when I found out that my girl Felicia is in town. I can't tell you how much I love girls who are DTDA (down to do anything). What began as a hunt for chicken brought us to make a list of all the places we wanted to try around the Hongdae area, and Vinyl was one of them.

Drinks in plastic bags are usually associated with boxed wine (mistake) and homeless men (bigger mistake), but Vinyl is just so damn cute. I'm so glad I didn't go to Hongdae University. My butt would've been sipping a bag of this in every class. It's like Jungle Juice/Hunch Punch with a straw.

Large groups not recommended, but you can always take your drink to go.

Price: 4,000 - 7,000

The menu.

Dumb hippie decor, in the style that permeates the Hongdae area. I'm slightly angry by how much effort is actually placed into making places look like this.

How to get there: Sangsu Station (상수역) exit #1. The cafe, At Corner, should be on your left. Walk for 2-3 blocks, and Vinyl will be on your left.

falling and laughing at the drinks we spilled

2011-02-28T08:08:00.000-05:00

March begins tomorrow.

I've been relatively busy. Finished reading The Beautiful and Damned and The Imperfectionists. I'm leaving for a short trip to Hong Kong on Saturday, starting computer classes after I get back, and getting my braces off (again). In the meantime, I've been eating and eating and eating. Okay, I've been doing other stuff, but this is all I've got in my Lumix.

The P.532 sandwich at P.532 (Garosugil).
Take a left at the Starbuck's and you'll find P.532 on the left.

Really amazing samgyubsal (삼겹살) with lots of veggies.
How to get there: Shin-nonhyeon (신논현역), exit #2. Pass Take Urban on left, take a left at first street. Walk straight for ~3-4 min. and you'll see a ton of ppl lining up on the left. Go through sliding plastic door and take a number.

Tomato and mozzarella sandwich at Picnic.
How to get there: Dangsan Station (당산역), exit #1. Take bus #1, get off at 2nd stop in front of Ehwa Mokdong Hospital (이대목동병원), cross the street. It's next to the Morning Glory.

Fantastic spicy noodle soup in Myeongdong. It's the Chinese restaurant at the end of the street where MMMG Cafe is located.

Curry special at Tea Therapy. See directions here.

i ain't no bohemian

2011-02-24T05:27:00.001-05:00

"My art is like milk, and the audience can turn it into yogurt or cheese."
- Hahn-bin

Finally, a classical musician who wears Yohji Yamamoto and Margiela on stage. Chopin and Debussy isn't so boring anymore.

Neighborhood: Garosugil #1

2011-02-19T12:40:00.001-05:00

I've been meaning to check out Palette in Garosugil for weeks now but didn't get a chance to until yesterday. Garosugil has become my go-to area lately, which is baffling to me as it's got a lot of characteristics I despise the most in Seoul. It's rather totally charmless with an air of unnecessary pretension. 100% urban planned, it's predictable but easily navigable. It also has some of the best bakeries in Seoul.

Palette is tucked away on a perpendicular street. It's a bit of a hike, and the walk isn't that attractive. Lots of construction is happening around the area, and lots of cars roam around the street with hapless ajummas behind the wheels. That said, the cafe is a great place to take a book or catch up with a friend. Spacious with limited seating means that you're not sharing the table with couple next to you. Although they serve canneles, their main line of business is clearly macarons. Traditional flavors include vanilla, pistachio, and caramel, but they also offer seasonal flavors like cassis, black sesame, and wasabi.

L to R: Passion Choco, Earl Grey, Roseberry, Orange Choco, Cassis, Chocolate.

L to R: Black Sesame, Pistachio, Lemon, Caramel, Roseberry, Cinnamon.

Verdict: the filling in the macarons at Palette had a different texture than the other places, as you can see from the photo. Overall, I found passion choco and lemon the best flavors. The flavors I enjoyed the least were black sesame (though I can see this being popular with Korean taste buds, as the flavor is really similar to the sesame seeds - nutty and creamy) and chocolate (too sweet). The earl grey had too strong hints of chocolate. I also had an issue with the softness of the macarons. A part of me is suspicious that these weren't made the same day, as they felt a little less fresh.

Price: 24,000 for 12 pack (also sold in 6 and 15 packs)

How to get there: take line 3 to Sinsa Station (신사역) and use exit #8. Walk straight until you see the phone shop and turn onto Garosugil (가로수길). Walk straight and take a left at the 2nd Starbucks. Walk straight down this road for approx. 5 minutes. Palette will be on your left. (Next to a 7Eleven, I think.)

show me the side streets in your life

2011-02-17T09:28:00.000-05:00

At the art exhibit last Sunday, Sunny and I stumbled upon the work of a fantastic photographer, Won Sung-won (원성원). She created a series based upon an experience she had when she was seven, where her mother left the house. (In Korean, the term is "집을나갔다" which translates directly as "leaving the house" but can be interpreted figuratively to mean leaving the family. We had some dispute over this, as I thought it meant that the mother actually left the family, not just left the house to run errands.)

Using that experience, she created a narrative using a series of photographs that shows a young girl searching for her mother. If you see the details in the photographs, you can see that the tale is really tragic. One of the most haunting image is one of the young girl doing the laundry. Her back is turned, but the loneliness is staggering.

As for the artist's process, she photographs each item individually and then places it on a larger canvas. Click here for a better understanding of the artist's creative process. The detail of her work is so meticulous.

Neighborhood: Cheongdam #1

2011-02-13T22:47:00.000-05:00

I scored these free tickets to this extra large art sale at Coex this weekend and got to see the most amazing set of photographs ever (more on this later). As we tramped around the stalls to check out the works, we got really hungry so the trip to Poong-won (풍원) in Cheongdam (청담동), a Japanese izakaya. For some reason, they thought we weren't Korean. Maybe my hat threw them off. Post dinner sweets are now necessary in my life, and my sweet tooth was satisfied with what tasted like homemade ice cream (in blueberry tiramisu, cheesecake, and green tea flavors) at Monday-Tuesday.

Agedashi Tofu Salad