Monthly Archives: February 2011

Red Carpet Stylin’ – Oscars yeas and nays

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I didn’t watch the Oscars on account of 1.) it’s pretty boring. 2.) I was getting pretty much all the highlights and lowlights on Twitter (and was getting bored). 3) I don’t get regular television reception, and I watch everything through Hulu.com or Boxee.

However, my following of the red carpet sartorial choices through Twitter left me with a few distinct impressions that the fashion was much more exciting than debating whether James Franco was indeed high or not, and whether Anne Hathaway’s nasal voice tended to veer into baby whining territory.

Took a bit of time this morning to look through a few “best dressed” and “worst dressed” lists, and here are my ratings.

{Yeas}

BEST OF THE NIGHT

Mila Kunis. Lavender is a hard color to pull off, but damn, the cut, the lace, the sheerness, the pleating, the drape, the modernity. She is rocking this dress.


Taylor Swift. Short, sweet, and effing sparkly. It’s so nice to see fierce mixed in with all the floor length gowns.


Florence Welch. Lovely dress, mesh, floral appliques, sheer, gorgeous. She needs to do something about those limp waves and tired, boring makeup. She looks like she went on a bender last week and forgot to wash her hair before arriving on the carpet. Amazing dress, though.


Kelly Osborne. Demure, vintage, classic. Really, really on point.


Hailee Steinfield of True Grit really, really pops with this tea length frock, very in line with the whole ballerina trend that’s been all the rage since The Black Swan blew box office records. I absolutely love this. And it’s perfectly youthful to match her young age.


Halle. I wanted to get married in a similar gown. I think her recent custody battle has made her show some of her own personal ignorance and idiosyncracies, but her style choices are still sharp.

{Middle of the roads}


ScarJo looks good here. There’s something I can’t quite put my finger on, though, that doesn’t give this enough of a va-va-va-voom factor.


I like this one a lot, too. Paltrow almost always knows how to knock it out of the park by dressing for her shape. This is really flattering, but I wish she would’ve done something with her hair.

{Nays}


Dianna Agron. I LOVE this dress, actually, but only up until about the knees. Her makeup, her hair, absolutely flawless and shiny. Let’s face it, this girl is fantastically gorgeous. And so is the dress. Except for the part where it falls to her ankles and makes her body look stubby. Would’ve been better in a tea-length.


Reese, Reese, Reese, this kind of first lady trend gown went out of style in the 80s. It’s boring. BOH-RING. Just like a bunch of your most recent movies. Well, actually, milquetoast doesn’t quite describe your movies other than Walk the Line. It’s something worse, but I can’t pull up the word.


Zoe Saldana. Wow, the neckline is really gorgeous, artfully done and really unique compared to a lot of the other dresses. Below the waist, however, it’s a mess of color blocking and tulle. What the heck happened? Being unique is not an excuse to get lost in your effort.


Claire Danes. Wow, 70s retro makes a comeback, and falls flat on its face. I see what she was trying to do here, but she looks shapeless, lost, and really, really exhausted. Even that lipstick can’t save her.


Anne Hathaway. Other than her lackluster performance as the host, was this vintage Valentino (I think) gown. The sheen to it and the bunching on the train (I wouldn’t call it a bustle–it looks like bunching) and the oversize rosettes, it calls to mind an image of a bouquet of roses being thrown away and stashed in a red garbage bag. Harsh, but incredibly unflattering. The dress would’ve been much better had they hacked off the train and bustle.


Jennifer Lawrence. I actually found her on the best dress list on People.com. No. Just because it’s a silk Calvin Klein doesn’t make it look like a $15 jersey tank dress you picked up at TJ Maxx or Kohl’s clearance rack. If you put that much effort into your hair and makeup, the least you could’ve done is spend 20 minutes to meet with a stylist and pick something that doesn’t look bargain basement for the red carpet. This is fine if you’re going to the beach or somewhere other than the Oscars.

And I leave you with the most hilarious nay of all.


Why in the hell did Katie Price go to the Oscars? She’s not famous for doing anything useful other than being a hot mess. Just like this dress and her spray on tan. Let’s not even get started on her chest. This look literally summons bile.

 

And there you have it! My takes on Oscar night!

What were your picks? Link me to some of your Yeas and Nays!

 

Source: Glamour UK

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{ Architecture of an Outfit / OOTD } Get On Your Rubbers

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(He likes watching us take photos.)

Baby, when it’s cold outside, and there’s inches and inches of snow outside (right now the snow is melting away, but it’s still there and icky), you sometimes must make a trade-off between chic and warm/dry. I thought I’d forever be bundling up in thick coats, looking like the Michelin Man in my puffer jacket and ugly-ass Timberland snow boots that make me look like the daughter of a Sherpa. That is, I thought so until I got my The North Face belted parka and remembered that Hunter Wellington boots are both waterproof and warm, and thereby all their more affordable knock-off sisters are thusly cozy as well! Before some of the craziest blizzards of Michigan February blew in with their sturm und drang, chaos and other general turmoil, I snagged a pair of rubbers from DSW.com and bought a pair of Steve Madden fleece boot liners, which keep my tooties toasty, whilst shielding me from having to purchase a pair of Uglies (Uggs).

(I still believe that, despite the vast array of abhorrent footwear out there, Uggs will always be epitomé of absolute lack of taste. I get that they’re comfy and warm, but they are ugly as fuck. If you want toasty warm and waterproof, get a pair of Merrill or North Face or Patagonia waterproof boots from REI.)

Harumph.

Anyway, another way to stay warm in winter while wearing skirts is to layer your tights. Wearing teal opaque tights under thick lace crocheted tights is just as warm, if not warmer, than work trousers, and you don’t have to worry about bunching or discomfort in the crotch due to long johns. Super easy, super chic. Wear two tanks, and a nice drapey sweater, and you’re good to go.



(I always feel silly when someone else takes my photo.)

Did I mention, these boots are awesome?

I highly recommend them.

PS. if your feet are small enough, you can buy Hunter Wellies at a fraction of the price by getting a pair in the Nordstrom kids’ shoes section. A boy’s size 4 is a woman’s size 6 or 6.5, size 6 is a women’s size 8, and they offer them in sizes 4, 5, and 6. Win.

{ Outfit architecture: Drape-front sweater, H&M. Tank, Belt, crochet scarf, earrings, Forever21. Skirt, American Apparel. Lace crochet tights, men’s style watch, Target. Teal opaque tights, J. Crew. Boots, Dirty Laundry via DSW with Steve Madden fleece boot liners. Studded Alexander Wang Rocco tote knock off, Spotted Moth. Studded bangles, Alex and Ani via Charlie and Lee. }

Enter my $100 Shopbop gift card giveaway! FREE CLOTHES.

Open internationally. Entry closes Friday, March 11. GO GET IT. Tell your friends!

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{ Architecture of an Outfit / OOTD } Even mundane tasks call for sexy thigh highs

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Let’s face it. Grocery shopping can most certainly suck. If you’re a young, single something, or young married something, going to a trendy, organic, low-priced grocery store like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods on a SUNDAY EVENING is like trying to escape Ninth Circle of Hades. Dodging between cars that back out at will without a thought to traffic–nothing compared to dodging unruly, screaming children and obese house parents crowding the ice cream section in Frozen Foods. What the hell is wrong with Trader Joe’s stock staff that the veggie meats and health conscious items are right next to the cookies, ice creams and cheese cakes? I can NEVER get a cart through there without having to turn around, make like a football player around other shoppers, and go the long way about around different aisles. It’s sick. SICK.

Now, imagine having to navigate the morass of Trader Joe’s only to undergo the ordeal AGAIN across the street at Whole Foods, where not only are the people still crowding the aisles, but are snobs about it. Nothing to turn your nose up when you’re paying 70% more for leeks you could’ve gotten at the farmer’s market on the weekend for $1 a stalk. Yeah, avert my gaze, you snotty hipster, I’m staring at you, I think while I’m pulling $8 vegetarian Tofurkey Roast from the freezer and pile it on top of my low sodium non-chicken soup stock and organic dog treats.

ZING! I’m sure they felt the sting of my telepathic insult. OOOOH. Got served, yo.

It’s mentally draining, being a yuppie. It is.

But I’d rather be a yuppie, braving the throngs of unruly chubby children with no regard to volume control nor restraint when it comes to sugar intake, than be the parents of those repellent children. Honestly, I want to scream to parents when their kids are fake crying just to get their way, *at the top of their lungs*…. at Trader Joe’s: “Your kids supremely suck!” Why do their kids suck? I don’t know. This is a long shot, but maybe because their parents suck at being parents. I don’t know… maybe they’re tired. Whatever.

Don’t let your kids shoot up sugar like heroin and bring them to Trader Joe’s on a Sunday night, where you give them more candy and then stare at cheesecake in the frozen foods aisle. If you don’t do that, then maybe your kids won’t suck so bad. Seriously!

If you don’t think you can actually discipline your awful spawn, here’s a thought: Don’t have kids. It’s green, better for the planet, too. Best of all, it’s better for me.

Do what’s right for Mae. Don’t procreate.

And stop staring at my thigh highs and mini skirt combo. I can rock it in the grocery store if I feel like it. And bright fuchsia lipstick. I’m not the one staring listlessly at cheesecake.

God, it’s really, really hard being a yuppie.


On a more serious note, the reason I dress up for the grocery store is because I actually went right after work on a Monday (this was shot three weeks ago–I’ve been seriously haggard, sick, swollen, puffy, frumpy or F) all of the above for the last bit). However, I do occasionally dress up when I run errands, because I often look in the mirror before going out and, as soon as I see the reflection, a part of me dies.

Like, seriously, I woke up looking like that? How in the hell am I still married!

Maybe we’ve gotten to the part in our marriage where appearance really doesn’t matter, you know, the comfortable, stable part where you stop having sex, get chunky, let yourself go, and know you’re in this Fo LYF? Like, hey…. we got this spare tire and you’ve got your own keg there, but man I love the shit out of you, let’s go get Ben and Jerry’s and watch a Glee marathon. *Shudder* Okay, so we do do the TV marathon thing–without the junk food–but I think we both get grouchy when we see spare tires…

(I hope!)

No, but seriously, when you have a bad day, it’s gross outside, and according to your mirror it’s gross inside too, you gotta do something. Paint on some bright war paint (ie. makeup), line them eyes and curl them lashes and put on sexy, slimming clothes and awesome shoes. Superficiality be damned, it bloody works. I guarantee it.

And even if you don’t feel better about yourself, you will LOOK better. Which, in turn, makes people look back at you and wonder why the hell they didn’t do the same thing as you that day!

I win.

{Outfit Architecture} Cardigan, J. Crew. Striped T, Club Monaco. Woven full flouncy skirt, American Apparel. Belt, tights, thigh high socks, Target. Bow midi boot, Bakers Shoes. Gold style bow necklace, Modcloth. Lipstick, Revlon Fuchsia Fusion.

Enter my $100 Shopbop gift card giveaway! FREE CLOTHES.

Open internationally. Entry closes Friday, March 11. GO GET IT. Tell your friends!

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{ Giveaway } $100 ShopBop SPREE & Gemma Redux Jewelry Wishlist

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February’s other big giveaway is really something, folks. I’ve teamed up with ShopBop to award one lucky thereafterish. reader his or her own a $100 gift card to spree.

Given the amazing selection, it’ll be hard to choose what to spend it on.

Here’s what I’m currently drooling over.


Gemma Redux jewelry has a raw, urban kind of feel for the fierce, assertive, ferocious girl who likes to stand out. In my own opinion, of course. ShopBop has a great selection of accessories ranging from cute to super edgy from designers such as Jennifer Zeuner and Ginette NY.

More and more I feel I need to incorporate more accessories into my wardrobe. During my last 5 years of interest in fashion, I always felt the need to place emphasis on the clothing pieces and shoes, and paid very little attention to arm and finger candy. I think it’s about time. That is, if my budget allowed me.

{How to Get It}

All the following steps are required.

Following on facebook/RSS/Bloglovin & leaving your initial comment is only one ENTRY. Please do not leave multiple comments for each of the three following steps. Thanks!

  1. “Like” thereafterish. on Facebook. (Tell me in the comment below what name you follow me under, I need to verify.)
  2. Follow thereafterish. on RSS reader (tell me in the comment) or Bloglovin’ (let me know which in the comment.)
  3. Also in the comment, let me know what you’d buy with the giftcard!

{Extra Entries!}

You can do all or a few of the following for extra entries! Just make sure to list your extra entries in a separate comment for each different option!

  • +4 Blog about this giveaway, and comment back the URL to your post. The post should *NOT* be part of a huge grid of giveaway buttons/huge list–such entries will be discounted.
  • +3 Post about this giveaway on your blog’s sidebar, comment back the URL to your site.
  • +1 Tweet about the giveaway with the following words, “@maeluu is hosting a $100 ShopBop gift card giveaway! Go check it! http://wp.me/pW5H5-Jd #giveaway”.

A possible 10 total entries! Nice!

Open Internationally! Yea! Giveaway ends on Friday, March 11th! I will announce the winner shortly after. All winners will be contacted directly.

FTC Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by ShopBop. I am not being compensated in any way to conduct this giveaway.

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YSL Rouge Pur #131 Opium Red giveaway winner!

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Thanks to the wonders of Random.org, we have a winner of the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur SPF8 #131 Opium Red Valentine’s Day giveaway, and that is Miss Michelle Elaine of FVNCY.com!

Thanks for playing everyone.

Michelle E, you will be contacted directly to send this belated Valentine your way! Enjoy!

More giveaways planned soon!

xx,
M

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Sundays are for #2… Playing with makeup! {Architecture of Beauty/FOTD} Asian Doll Look

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I’ll admit it, I’m growing into a bit of a beauty junkie. The hours I spend browsing the white floors and colorful aisle of Ulta, the black, white and pink aisle of Sephora and the crowded makeup section of Target, they are innumerable. I actually spend more time reading beauty blogs, browsing makeup websites and watching YouTube beauty and skin care videos more than I do online window shopping fashion sites, or reading fashion magazines. I absolutely love fashion, it’s true. But in the world of style, beauty is my queen and skin care is my king. Fashion is just my princess in the hierarchy. As it should be. Whereas fashion is an outward expression of my creativity, it only just SITS on my skin. My obsession with beauty and skin care stems from the fact that I have had many a battle with skin issues and finding the right makeup for me–a battle that rages on today. The skin I’m in, well, it’s right there. I was born with it–I can’t say that about clothes. Seems stupid to say it out loud, though.

So yes, Sundays will find me sitting on a couch or breakfast nook stool, hunched over my iPad or iPhone, watching beauty or skincare tutorials on YouTube, mostly those of esteemed celebrity makeup artist, Lisa Eldridge. Hot damn, I love her work.

Inspired by her and Michelle Phan’s eye liner tricks, I decided to go for an all over thick eyeliner with a kick.

Because of how I looked in these photos, I name this Asian Doll look, very plastic, very porcelain, almost artificial. The only thing missing is fake lashes.

Click photos for larger image.


Architecture of beauty: Chanel Teint Innocence Foundation + Sonia Kashuk translucent setting powder + NYX Eyebrow Cake in Brunette + Lancome Color Design eyeshadow quad in neutral colors + Maybelline Lasting Drama Eye Studio Gel Liner + CoverGirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara + NYX Eye liner in Electric Blue + Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz + NYX Cream Blush in Boho Chic + Laura Mercier Lipstain in English Rose + Burt’s Bees chapstick for sheen

Here’s a close up.

{How to get this look}

  1. Blend a neutral brown/taupe all over your lids into the crease.
  2. Apply a highlighter shade into your inner corners and along the brow bone.
  3. Fill in your brows.
  4. Take a gel liner and line a thick line along your top lashes. Really work it into the roots of the lashes, and then create a cat-eye shape at the outer corner. I used Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner.
  5. Next, take a flesh colored pencil [here I used Stila Kajal Liner in Topaz] and line the water line. This not only disguises the red, it also perks up your eyes and makes you look alert and more awake.
  6. Take a brightly colored eye pencil. Here I used a bright turquoise liner by NYX, and I lined 2/3 of the way along my lower lashes.
  7. Curl your lashes. I use Tarte’s crimp eye lash curler. It’s brilliant, and it’s got refillable pads. Green.
  8. Finally, use a lengthening formula mascara. A good one for both volume and length is CoverGirl’s LashBlast Fusion mascara.
  9. Keep your cheeks pretty neutral, nude coral blush, nude peach lip with a bit of gloss.

And that’s it! Easy, right?

Read the rest of my Beauty Posts here!

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Bon Weekend, Mis Amis! The List

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It’s the weekend! To keep you inspired, entertained, or perked, here’s a list of some of the most beautiful[ish] things this week!

{Design}




18 Amazing Eco/Green Homes article by The Daily Green champions small homes and the ecological benefits of Living Small. These homes under 2500 square feet are all well designed, filled with natural light, and some of the best architecture I’ve seen in a long time. Going Green and downsizing doesn’t mean you can’t still live large.
Images via Bill Timmerman & Alberto Placido, Juan Rodriguez/Small Eco Houses via The Daily Green

{Travel}

While I admit I’m super feminine, I’m not your average girly-girl who loves flowers like roses and daffodils, who loves floral prints and hearts, and the color pink. In fact, I draw the line at roses and pink. I would rather a good video game or new addition to my computer set up, like a 4TB external HDD, rather than a bouquet of flowers and a fancy dinner. However, my more girly side never gave up her love of fairytales and castles.

I love castles so much that I got married in one (side note: it also has a very geeky history.)

So when I stumbled upon this article in my Real Simple daily email, I totally creamed my lacies. Read and drool, ladies.

7 Castles You Can Sleep In by Real Simple.
Image by Inverlochy Castle Hotel, via Real Simple.com

{Health}


The Daily Green’s 7 Super Foods to Eat for a Health Boost pretty much tells you what you should’ve known from watching Popeye (plus a few other things). Eating Spinach is brilliant. Packed full of nutrients, this leafy green fights cancers and cardiovascular disease. Also, it’s got protein (didn’t know that, did you?), so you can be super healthy, and still get your protein fix, without eating dirty, hormone laden meat. The article also touts the benefits of honey (did you know it kills bad bacteria, aids in digestion and is full of anti-aging antioxidants?), walnuts (full of omega-3s which promotes heart heat, and full of vitamin e, which is good for the skin), and chocolate (dark chocolate: an antioxidant and can help reduce blood pressure). See the rest of the 7 in this article.
Image via Google Image Search

{Fashion}

  • The New York Times Style deconstructs Victoria Beckham’s change of direction this season, as she debuted a line with more loose silhouettes than her last six seasons of her signature tight-fit bodycon dresses. (NYT)
  • (A bit old but still) Vogue Italia’s Editor Franca Sozzani trashes Style Bloggers, calling them an “epidemic”, a “viral cold”, dismissing their ubiquitous and growing presence in Fashion as a trend, likening them to “moths” that “only live one night”, and that “they don’t hold a real importance in the business”. Of course not. Except, ironically, she trashes the ever-increasing number of bloggers not in her glossy magazine, but on her own blog. Bloggers help propel lots of these trends into the forefront, which gives these trends and pieces legs, which in turn drives up revenue income for each of these houses. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.–Sozzani eventually tried to backtrack, but the effort was half-hearted, and only revealed further how these industry statues have lost touch with the evolving influence of bloggers and media in general. GET WITH IT. (Refinery 29)
  • In contrast, Proenza Schouler’s design duo, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, acknowledge the growing influence of the web and bloggers and appreciate it. They also speak of perhaps one day launching a lower priced line, though they stay mum about a possible deal that could fuse Proenza with Andrew Rosen, the CEO of Theory. (Fashionista)
  • In a surprising move, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, the co-founders and designers for popular high-end lines The Row and Elizabeth and James, have teamed up with Tom Shoes to create a charitable shoe range. The shoes will be under the label Toms + The Row Shoes and will cost between $98 and $150 a pair. In line with the One for One giving campaign of Toms, The Row will donate to a child in need one pair of shoes per pair sold. The shoes will come in plaid, herringbone and cashmere models. (Ecorazzi)

Via New York Times, Fashionista.com, Refinery 29, Ecorazzi.com

{Media}

Are you a media hound? Science boils your media consumption habits into five basic categories. Hmmm.

{Politics}


The US Congress proposes eliminating funding to Public Broadcasting, which would effectively remove the necessary revenue needed for 368 public television stations, 934 public radio stations, hundreds of online services to continue broadcasting important news, educational, cultural and musical programming–programs that intelligent and interested citizens like ME rely on day in and day out!

DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. Write your Congress people, and tell them how you feel about this and how it affects you! We cannot lose this important resource.
Get involved now!

Have a great weekend, loves! Are you doing anything exciting?

Check out my first feature/interview in popular Ottawa fashion blog, Twenty York Street!

Twenty York Street Loves thereafterish.!
Yeas!

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{ Architecture of an Outfit / OOTD } Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo

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Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it’s all right

~”Here Comes the Sun”, the Beatles

One of my favorite songs by my favorite band of all time, “Here Comes the Sun” pretty much sums up my feelings on this most stupid of winters. Winters in Michigan can be pretty tough. But this winter has been pretty bi-polar, as if the wind and sleet gods cannot decide which to inflict upon us. Last week it was -1F/-18.33C with a wind chill of -7F/-21.67C, and there was 16″ of snow sitting on the ground. Today it was 51F/10.56C. Next week it will get back down to freezing again. The endless, ruthless cycle of chill and warmth leaves slick patches of black ice on the ground, and my body has problems adapting to the constant weather changes.

I’ve been sick for a week. Let’s just say, I’m over it. I’m over being sick, and of the cold and constant flux between warm and cold. My body is shutting down. She can’t really take it.

Kind of makes me wish we were in Hawaii already. That the dream has come to fruition, and has transported Husby and me to the tropical, balmy climes of the Hawaiian shores. Contrary to what people here on the Mainland think, Hawaii does not get hotter in the summer months, just warm, breezy and lovely, whereas Michigan can get into the high 90s F/35C with 90% humidity, which, if you don’t know, is bloody miserable. Spring here in Michigan is literally non-existent. It comes in mid to late May, a few blooms come out for a couple of weeks, and then summer hits you like a blast in the face in early June.

Today I donned flowers around my neck, playful contrasting prints and bright saffron on my thin silk skirt, just to remind me that perhaps we may have an early spring this year. One with flowers that last for more than two weeks. Please, flower gods.




{Outfit Architecture} Victoria’s Secret camel bell sleeve coat + J. Crew lux wool cardigan + H&M polka dot ruched sleeve T + Club Monaco Bubble Print silk skirt + Target woven faux leather belt + J. Crew floral wreath sash belt worn as necklace + Dolce Vita Jade sandals in desert suede + Sillygrrl Esty vintage ring + Marc Jacobs heart locket watch + Shop Ruche wooden filigree earrings

For more on How to Mix Prints, see my other Mixing Prints posts, including my article “Rules on How to Mix Prints aka ‘How to Wear Opposing Prints Without Looking Like and Imbecile Who Can’t Match’“.

Check out my first feature/interview in popular Ottawa fashion blog, Twenty York Street!

Twenty York Street Loves thereafterish.!
Yeas!

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BHLDN, Anthropologie’s Wedding Collection

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BHLDN, Anthropologie’s new wedding line, creates moments as layered, dynamic and moving as the bride

Announced just a week ago to Anthropologie’s mailing list, the company has created BHLDN, a sister company and collection dedicated to be a resource for creating an extraordinary wedding experience for a bride and her party.






Selling an impressive array of gowns, bridesmaid frocks and party dresses, BHLDN’s site is an impressive online full-service boutique, which helps outfit a bridal party from underpinnings, to shoes, to the most intricate head piece. The retailer sells accessories, shoes, and the most charming gowns, inspired by vintage prints, photos and letters, all lovingly created and tailored to give each bride a one of a kind moment. Wedding gowns range from a $600 tea frock to a $4000 paint brushed halter gown, or $3600 pleated work of art. There is a large selection of necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets, all inspired by nature’s shapes and textures, and from vintage costume pieces, ranging from $60 – $1000 and every budget in between.

Simply stated, a wedding “goes beyond the dress”, and BHLDN’s mission is to create moments that are “as layered and dimensional as the woman standing within it”.

I could write an entire rambling article here extolling the virtues of this new venture for Anthropologie, but as the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The dresses speak for themselves.

{Bridesmaids & Party Dresses}






{Wedding Gowns}

Tulle Era Dress

Ribonned Silk Gown

Pleated Fantasy Gown

Floral Artwork Dress

Ethereal Monarch Gown

Cascading Goddess Gown

Burnished Organza Gown

If BHLDN had existed two years ago when I was planning my nuptials, I would have festooned myself head to toe in pieces from the collection (my faves: the Ribboned Silk, the Cascading Goddess, and the Pleated Fantasy Gowns). Luckily, I found the most modern organza gown at a very humble price stuffed into the racks at a prom store from hell, and I was able to pay off my dress in a matter of months. But a girl can dream, can’t she?

For more photos, and to start planning your day, visit BHLDN’s site. You can also “like” them on Facebook.

Image credit: BHLDN Facebook, BHDLN.com

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All This Beauty #2: Shoe Porn and Dirty … Things

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{Two very beautiful things}



Images designed by Nubby of Nubby Twiglet for Solestruck.

What: Dolce Vita Jades in Desert Suede.
Quality leather and silken suede in a desert sand hue that almost perfectly melds into my light olive, golden skin. Once summer hits, the cool BurlyWood shade of the soft material will blend seamlessly into my feet, making me appear inches taller and more willowy than I am at my stubby petite height.

I got them in the mail a few weeks ago and finally wore them last night with striped tan and creme socks, because it wasn’t warm enough to go full barefoot glory, and because I haven’t had a pedicure in months. They are surprising comfortable, and with a little bit of breaking in, will be absolutely buttery to wear for the Spring.

These gorgeous shoes come in lipstick red, black and brown, as well as in leather/non-suede varieties.


Via Google Image Search


Via Sillygrrl.com

What: The Dirty Show Detroit.
The ninth annual International Erotic Art Exhibition, held in Eastern Market in downtown Detroit’s gritty warehouse/farmer’s market/underground artist’s enclave, showcases a large number of international and domestic artists specializing in tantalizing, mind-blowing, or straight-up pornographic art. The show also presented a number of performance artists as well as aerialists and bondage acts.

The “artsy-fartsy” satirically French pornographic comedy was beyond me. French-style clowns, though slightly less terrifying than American cartoony clowns, are still clowns in the end. And still terrify me. Adult-sized men in bunny suits are still man-sized bunnies, whether they are getting fake head and singing opera. The climax (yes, it’s a pun) of the night for me, of course, was Sarah and her partner Irina getting on their trapeze and flying to “All That Jazz”, in a more fleshed out, saucy performance. Best of the night. I was so proud, and I lost my voice screaming for her. I think I was the only one screaming like that. There was also a sensual, sinewy aerialist who took to her lira (suspended hoop) with a fluid grace, a flowing elegance that dripped in seductive allure. There were a couple less graceful, yet equally exciting lira duo who performed in the middle of the warehouse as well.

I wanted to buy several prints of a French Canadian artist, and luckily found his prints online. Amazing work.

All in all another great night.

{Gem of the night}

A turquoise haired boy, no older than 20 or 21–a mere child!–approached me with a shy, but expectant smile.

“Excuse me, miss, may I ask you a question?”

I paused, confused. I’m the only one wearing bright, light colors in this sea of grey, black, red, bound by fishnets and leather. What do you want? “Uh, sure…”

“Would you like a Valentine?”

I nodded, excited to finally get an actual Valentine. The only other one so far, the first being from Sarah on Friday. “Sure, honey.”

He pulled a holographic picture from his front pocket and then mumbled a sort of goodbye I didn’t hear and walked away.

I turned it over and noticed he had scratched his number on the back. Too cute.

Dear Minty Fresh, you must’ve missed the fact that I was wearing a big wedding ring set, but it was so cute and quaint none-the-less.

However, I think he noticed later when I was nursing a beer in my left hand (on purpose), because he avoided making eye-contact with me or standing in the same area for more than five minutes for the rest of the night. Funny.

He’s exactly the kind of boy I would’ve gone for when I was 20 and I still had electric teal or royal purple hair and dressed in Asian pop-star, club-kid, emo-punk fusion and secretly danced and sang along to Blink182 in my dorm room late at night and still had the sex-drive of a tigress in heat. Thankfully, that very unstylish and over-sexed and confusing time in my life is over, I’m happily married to the Geek of my Dreams, and my clothes are elevated to the next strata. But it sure makes for an interesting comparison.

{ What did you do on Vday? }

More gritty details about the night will be posted to my personal blog tomorrow. If you want the link, msg me.

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Michigan Bloggers really are FTW

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WARNING: THIS POST IS NSFW! (Insert Expletive CD Cover Warning Here.)

For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you probably knew Friday (February 11) was a meet up for all local bloggers (Michigan/Detroit/Grand Rapids/Detroit) in Ann Arbor, MI.


Via Suze

My best friend, Sarah (Sillygrrl), organized the whole thing, and we all met at the Ann Arbor Brewing Company for drinks and convo. It was pretty insane. The two only men who signed up didn’t show up, and the third and forth who were loose maybes did not even come…. (one being my husband who toyed with the idea of attending–he was, after all, the one who introduced me to blogging on WordPress vs. LiveJournal/Xanga/Blogspot/Self-hosted blog @ Tripod–yes, I’ve been blogging a VERY LONG TIME–10 years).

So 21 girls. 4 hours in a bar. Mayhem. Lots of weird strange looks thrown our way, because we were all wearing name tags with a big “Hello, My name is” in Futura emblazoned across the top.

And a lot of the word “fuck” thrown about. Well, I was the F-word factor. I’m also sure I said “cock”, “cunt”, “penis”, “vagina”, “bitches”, and a ton of other inappropriate things about nineteen thousand times. Surprisingly no one ran away screaming, so I actually guess people liked me. Or at least disguised their abject terror and repulsion better than most actors. If none of them drop by either of my blogs, let’s just say I wouldn’t be half-surprised.


My other new bestie, Mandy of GingerMandy, had a terrible headache the whole time, born of fatigue. It made for Miss Quiet Pants who later morphed into Miss Grumpy Pants around mile 20 on M14 on our way home. A normally gregarious, snarky and cleverly loquacious one, a silent Ginger, for me, spelt disaster. What happens when your regularly, almost as equally foul-mouthed bestie stops talking? Are we sitting in the De-Friend zone? Has my life turned into a real life Facebook, where you can just De-Friend at will without so much as a “Hello, Go to Hell, You Bitch-ass Motherfucker, Goodbye!” emotionally wrought conversation? I had to slow down to the speed limit and ask in a trembling voice, “Everything okay back there? You have me worried.”

“No, I’m just tired,” was her reply.

You have no idea the kind of sigh I heaved in anxious relief. Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit for creative-writing’s sake, but a quiet one in a group of three chatty girls can be a bit disconcerting.

I did really sigh, though. They probably thought it was just flatulence from the pesto cream ravioli, which I fervently promised Sarah would prove for a disastrous ride home. Luckily, the girls were spared the horror that happens when I, a pescetarian vegetarian with terrible lactose intolerance and a stubborn yen for cheese, eat copious amounts of dairy in one sitting without a large amount of dry carbs to neutralize… issues. I’m sure neither of the girls have any clue as to what sort of olfactory catastrophe they were spared. Sarah and Mandy, if you read this, thank whatever diety you pray to right now.

So, back to the meet up. Bar. 21 girls. 1 table. 1 server. Probably lots of spit in people’s food. She was not the most spirited or necessarily agreeable server. She was nice enough, but considering that there were 21 girls at one table… I’m sure it was a cluster fuck of a service situation for just one person.

Whatever, it was amazing. I want to blog about all the individual amazing women I met, but there’s so much to say. I just want to say that meeting everyone was rather lovely. I got to spend time with lovely ladies at my end of the table named Dotty, Anna, Bethany, and Selina, and then later got to speak a bit with Stacey. We were also able to squeeze in a few moments of Asian craziness with Amanda and my cousin Ria in which I flashed my ever-so-tired Asian Peace Sign pose (several times). Lauryn and Jenni had to leave with Ria pretty early, but we were able to catch up for a few hot seconds before they left. Mandy and I made friends with some boys who expressed utter cluelessness but a genuine interest in the phenomenon of blogging and social media, which pretty much closed the night out with Amanda, Sarah, Mandy and I chatting with these men about all things nerdy and Internet-y. (In case he actually sees this: Happy birthday, Nathaniel!)



Even though I’m really social, that only happens at the actual moment I arrive to that public forum. When I am home, or with the husby, or anywhere that wasn’t a planned social event, I’m actually rather reclusive; the idea of being around crowds of people gives me quasi anxiety attacks, which in turn, makes me grouchy, disagreeable, and a general pain to be around. Then once I get into a social setting, my anxious nervousness translates to non-stop idle prattle laden with the too many occurrences of the word “like”, and more expletives than I can count. It’s the opposite of shyness. It’s nervous inappropriate babbling. I’m lucky they don’t put me away.

This runs through my head for several days before I eventually make the grudging decision to attend x-event:

  • What, I have to be friendly?
  • What, I have to learn people’s names?
  • What, I have to censure my sailor mouth?
  • God, do I really need to go out in public again?
  • I’ll just make people uncomfortable or accidentally toss around seemingly racist jokes (even though I’m just making fun of being Asian or Brown–which tends to make my Caucasian friends squeamish) or say the word “fuck” 20 times in the course of five minutes.
  • Do I really have to get pretty and gussied up and choose an outfit other than for work? So much effort. So much time. So much emotional investment.
  • What if they don’t like me?
  • What if my carefully chosen outfit goes dramatically awry, and they talk shit about my horrible “ensemble” on their blogs?
  • What if I’m so offensive to the point that even my new best friends divorce me?
  • Oh jeez, can’t I fucking stay home and just play video games or edit more beauty tutorials?
  • Well, I’m just going to shoot myself in the foot the moment I open my big mouth and something deplorable comes tumbling past my lips without stopping in my brain to figure out how offensive, off-putting, or just plain dumb it is, so I guess I ought to just go.
  • Hopefully my friends will still manage to love me out of the goodness of their hearts anyway after the night is over.

I’m serious. I’m a mess in my head. I think that’s why I love the Twitter so damn much. Immediate catharsis and ablution.

Because I hate the shit out of my crappy Verizon phone–at one point I actually tried to break it by throwing it hard to the table, but the infernal thing did not break–and out of respect to my fellow bloggers, I didn’t tweet but once or twice. Also for that reason, there is no running Twitter commentary of my reactions to the night, which, all in all, was so good that again I did not really need to have my waste of $49 Verizon brick in my hand.

So here are a few of my reactions which spilled out of me as soon as I got home and on the computer, which, as you will read, I liken to a cork being pulled from a bottle.

@gingermandy had a headache tonight, so all the people in the bar watched, agape, as I gave her a facial massage. #ItWasNotPervyREALLY
59 minutes ago via web

For those of you who are currently tired of my barrage of 1 page of tweets… No one was running a Twitter commentary during our meetup.
56 minutes ago via web

That’s what happens when you pull a cork from a bottle. The bottle being my mouth. And the cork, no phone in my hand earlier. Sorry.
55 minutes ago via web

And for those of you who want to know, yes, the #Michigan #bloggers meet up was freakin’ awesome.
55 minutes ago via web

And no one ran away screaming when they realize how much I say the words “like” and “fuck.” Pretty damn good night, by my estimation.
54 minutes ago via web

So, if you didn’t get that, here are the takeaways of that rambling… whatever…:

  • Michigan Bloggers are awesome.
  • Lots of them happen to have ovaries.
  • The ones with testes like to stay home in lieu of being surrounded by The Awesome, consuming massive amounts of alcohol and laughing a ton.
  • I say fuck a lot.
  • It was a good night.

Be sure to check out my Valentine’s Day Giveaway of a brand new in box YSL Rouge Pur Lipstick in shade 131 – Opium Red.

Go enter! Tell your friends.

Open worldwide. Ends TOMORROW, Valentine’s Day at 11:59PST!!!

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Video How To: Get a flawless, easy makeup base

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A few weeks ago, my lovely cousin-in-law, Ria, volunteered to be my “victim” for a few hours, to let me do some makeup looks on her. The session was partly teaching her about skincare, and trying to teach her a few looks such as an easy neutral day look, taking that to night, a sultry smokey eye, and a dramatic green eye.

A beautiful 3/4 Asian/Polynesian/Caucasian mix, Ria has a very interesting complexion, large, doll-like eyes, and surprisingly, monolids (the hooded, thin, almost non-existent lid most East Asians like Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, or Taiwanese have). So creating looks for her and teaching her to do these looks was both daunting and interesting.

Before you can go for any kind of look, you have to have a good base. Not only are you concealing any major or minor flaws you may have, you’re evening out your complexion, which brightens the entire face, and instantly makes you look put-together, professional and mature. Most importantly, it gives you the appearance of being fully present: awake, alert and ready. Having a good base is like having a properly primed/gessoed canvas. You can’t just slap paint on a bare canvas and expect the paint to stick properly. The same principal applies to makeup. The different layers of a base not only serve to conceal and perfect your skin, but creates a proper surface to which the pigments in your eye, cheek and lip makeup will adhere.

A well-applied base will also help that makeup last longer throughout the day. Superficially speaking, there is nothing worse than makeup migrating in clumps, weird stains or drip trails down your face several hours into your day. It’s not only mortifying for you, it’s horrific for others to look at. And it’s just plain sloppy. Don’t be a slob.

This video is for those who are averse to liquid foundation and need an easy way to apply the base. Enter: Your secret weapon – tinted moisturizer.

Watch for how to!

Products used – click links for where to buy:
Primer – Laura Mercier Foundation Primer (Also available via Macys.com, Nordstrom.com, and Sephora.com)
Tinted Moisturizer – Stila Tinted Moisturizer (also available via Ulta.com, Sephora.com, Drugstore.com)
Concealer – Revlon Age Defying Moisturizing Concealer SPF25
Setting Powder – Revlon ColorStay pressed powder
Brushes – Sigma Beauty Brushes

The next step is a neutral day look that can be easily transformed into a night look. This will be the next video in the Rialeilani series. Stay tuned! I hope to have it up next week some time! Also in the works, we talk skincare.

{Music}
Music by Anya Marina, “Vertigo” and Jane Lui, “Goodnight Company”. Please support these amazing indie artists.

You can purchase Anya’s music here: Shopbenchmark/AnyaMarina

You can download Jane Lui’s latest album “Goodnight Company” at her website FOR FREE (!!!!), just make a donation of any size to support her awesome talent. http://janelui.com/music.

Remember to like and comment the video, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

FTC: All products used in this tutorial were purchased for the purpose of this video or already owned by both Rialeilani and myself. This post and video are not sponsored by any of the products or manufacturers mentioned in this video. (Though I wish it was.)

Be sure to check out my Valentine’s Day Giveaway of a brand new in box YSL Rouge Pur Lipstick in shade 131 – Opium Red.

Go enter! Tell your friends.

Open worldwide. Ends Valentine’s Day at 11:59PST.

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{ Street Stylish } Style tips from street style Yodas

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Six top street style photogs share their knowledge of what makes an ensemble blog worthy.

The infamous Mr. Newton‘s favorite subjects are the eclectic crowds that flock to summer music festivals, but he still enjoys catching a budding fashionista or fashion industry insider doing her thing.

Bundling up doesn’t mean you have to look like the Michelin Man. Take a lesson from this cutie I snapped in Paris who had the art of flirty, fun layering down to a science. Try pairing warm thigh high tights over a sexy pair of stockings for a little peek-a-boo action and adding some bright colored gloves to finish it off.

Tamu McPherson of All the Pretty Birds says, the key to chic winter style is in layering, echoing Mr. Newton’s ideology.

…Her cape is self-made and works with the silhouette of her knit top and denim shirt. When it comes to winter layering, experiment with different shapes to create something that feels pulled-together.

Maya Villager of TurnedOut.tv gravitates toward people comfortable in their own skin, with “a quiet confidence about themselves.” (Refinery29) She believes winter is about mixing it up, pairing cozy, chunky knit textures with bold prints keeps it fresh and “casual but quite chic.”

Vanessa Jackman also finds confidence and a smile ravishing. And she loves a good hat. For fashion, and for function: “perfect for those days when your hair just doesn’t behave!” (Refinery29)

Of this woman’s ensemble…

the mixture of textures and colors is so refreshing. And the leather trousers add a little bit of rock and roll.

Craig Arend, the photographer behind Altamira targets models in their off duty looks.

His winter style advice? “Keep it simple,” but don’t be afraid to get creative with accessories. Here the model uses her long scarf as a hood to protect against snow.

Streetpeeper’s Phil Oh Loves COLOR.

I look for people who stand out in a sea of black coats, black pants, black drapey [sic] things, black shoes, and black bags.


Thoughts on Vena Cava’s Lisa Mayhock? “…artfully pastel-splotched jeans. And that smile!”

Takeaways for winter styling from these street style pros:

  • Learn the art of layering. Know what silhouettes and shapes work with what and go with it!
  • Keep it simple with the cold.
  • Work some color into it!
  • Mix it up with color, textures and prints.
  • When in doubt, flash a brilliant smile.
  • Nothing makes an outfit look better than absolute confidence in your own inconceivable brilliance.

Source: Refinery29

Be sure to check out my Valentine’s Day Giveaway of a brand new in box YSL Rouge Pur Lipstick in shade 131 – Opium Red.

Go enter! Tell your friends.

Open worldwide. Ends Valentine’s Day at 11:59PST.

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{ Architecture of an Outfit / OOTD } Stylish Blogger Award? Really?

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{ outfit architecture: Striped, ruche-sleeve top: Anthropologie. High waist, polyester pleat pants: American Apparel. Bow necklace: Modcloth. Hammered gold vermeil cuff: Wendy Mink Jewelry (gifted/won). Platform YSL style pumps, Dolce Vita April. Gold heart locket watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Belt, Target. Carpenter Studded Bee Bag, Spotted Moth. }

This week I was awarded the Stylish Blogger Award by not one but two sweet bloggers. One, Emma, has an enviable shoe collection of cute, sexy, and quirky picks a girl like me would die to have, the other, Sunny of TZ, is both an esteemed writer and budding handbag designer as well as being a hard-ass Asian Corporate Attorney! It’s an honor to know both and a huge compliment to receive the Award from them. Last week I got the same award from ML, a fellow Filipina Canadian with an enviable pencil skirt collection.

I love fashion, but I would by no means consider myself super stylish. I just dress how I like. So thanks, girls!

Not one much for Memes, but here goes.

{ Se7en random facts about me… }

  • I am Canadian-born Filipina.
  • When I was five I moved to Southern California, grew up there, went to college there, dropped out of college there, enrolled in Community college there, and fell in love there. I lived there until…
  • …I met a man totally randomly on MySpace, fell in love by writing tens of emails to each other in a day, and eventually met in person almost 2 months later. We’ve been together for 6 years now. I call it my Digital Fairytale. Because of N (whom I call Husby), I moved from the safety (and WARMTH!) of San Diego, and the comfort of my circle of best friends, to Detroit…
  • Though I’ve been here for 5.5 years, I’ve retained my very distinct Southern Californian accent.
  • I think Detroit is better than LA.
  • I grew up thinking I’d be a writer. Then I changed my mind and thought I’d be a video producer. Then I changed my mind in college and went back to writing. I graduated with a Creative Writing, English Bachelor of Science degree. But now I doubt I’ll ever really be a writer in earnest. I rather love blogging instead.
  • Believe it or not, I only own about 25-30 pairs of shoes. About 5-6 of those are sneakers or sandals I’d never, ever dare to preview on this website!
  • Bonus random fact… I always feel awkward posing for all my photos, even though I’ve been doing it for about…. 7 years. Seriously.

I don’t really pass on memes, but if you want to participate, go ahead! I award all my stylish readers (read: Cop-Out). I have more than 7 to award… so I can’t pick! Let me know you did this, and I will come by and read and comment the hell out of it!

Let’s end with accessories and a beautiful, big-assed dog.


Be sure to check out my Valentine’s Day Giveaway of a brand new in box YSL Rouge Pur Lipstick in shade 131 – Opium Red.

Go enter! Tell your friends.

Open worldwide. Ends Valentine’s Day at 11:59PST.

Follow. | Grab my RSS Feed {ish.} | Facebook {ish.} | Lookbook.nu {ish.} | Bloglovin’ {ish.} | Xx.