Tag Archives: Knee Highs

{ Architecture of an Outfit/OOTD } Peppermint candy striper

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I’ll be brief today.

You know what I love about peppermint? How it immediately refreshes your mouth with a small little sugary circle or a small strip of chewy, minty goodness. I also love that it mixes two very contrasting colors, white (or cream) and red. Two powerful hues: the color of innocence, purity and all things new, and the color of passion, courage, love, energy and vitality–a perfect combination.

Know what else I love? Mixing prints. I’m good at it. I do it often.

I also love, love, love red.

Yea. (Ever notice how people don’t know how to spell yea? They always spell it “yay.” — Because of overusage, the incorrect use has created the actual word “yay,” but I’m still arguing for the original spelling.)




{Outfit Architecture: Tulip skirt, disco necklace, stud strap bracelet, Forever21. Peppermint drape cardigan, Spotted Moth. Striped long sleeve T, H&M. Thigh socks, Target. Speckle bracelet, Old Navy. Cage strap heels in the style of Jeffrey Campbell, GoJane. Red lips, Laura Mercier Lipstain in Mulberry. }

I love us.

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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{ Architecture of an Outfit } Swing, Swing, Swing From the Tangles of My Heart

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… Okay, so I’m not super emo. When I was going through a really shitty break-up, this song was bouncy and hopeful, while speaking to the heart-break I was experiencing. And yes, I did consider myself emo-girly style back then. I was 22, what did I know?

I’ve been making more of an effort to “act” or shoot action shots instead of standing in front of the camera like an idle twit, as I normally would. As such, the person who requested more action shots this year is to whom this post is dedicated: Allie of Heels Eggs & Rice. I’ve been a fan of her blog since I discovered her through a mutual blog friend. And hopefully she feels the same way about me. She’s a truly inspirational girl, with an amazing, edgy, avant garde style. You should check her out and follow her. She will be huge in the Hawaiian Style/Fashion industry one day, and you could say “I read her blog, back when…”



Swingy, isn’t it?

I’m quite ass-less. Husby likes to joke that I’m his wife with Shelf-Booty, and whenever I strip down to my underwear, he jokes, “Goddamn, look at that big ass!” If you don’t get, he’s poking fun of the fact that I have Ironing Board Backside. I’ve got a pretty decent rack, which I often feel self-conscious about, being that I’m skinny and very petite (all of 5’2.5″!)–the things can sometimes look HUGE. Sometimes I find myself wishing the front were a bit smaller, and the back were a bit larger. Oh well. Can’t change what you were given. Maybe the Universe has a better body for me in store in the next life? :P

High-waisted flouncy skirts are quite possibly my favourite thing to wear. Maybe. They give the illusion of an ass on the Assless Wonder. They also give boyish/straight body types like me (aside from the cleavage) the appearance of curves. And the high waist elongates the body, giving me the illusion of longer legs! While I love, love, love these skirts… I already wrote a list out on my 12/31 post my favorite features in style… I don’t think I can actually choose the top one.

{ Outfit architecture: Sweater, belt, neck sash (was a belt on a dress), Forever21. High waisted woven flounce skirt, American Apparel. Tights, socks, Target. Patent Mary Jane Heels, Baker’s Shoes. }

{ Architecture of an Accessory: infinity earrings, Sole Sisters in Royal Oak, Michigan. Amber cocktail ring, J. Crew. Recycled gold wire bangles, Alex & Ami via Charlee and Lee (A Victoria, BC boutique–my hometown!). Watch, Merona/Target. }

Is there one type of clothing that you love because it creates features on your body that you feel need enhancing?? Let’s talk about it!

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{ Stylish Story } A Very “Mary” New Year

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A photo (or 2)… every hour of how I spent my New Year’s Day… with a spoonful of sugar, a Ginger, a Hawaiian, and a Silly Grrl.

2:00PM

Time to wake up!

But we didn’t. Sort of floated between sleep and reading tweets.

Bear Walk.

3:00PM

Lunch. Healthy.

3:30PM

Manicure and Tweeting. Nail Lacquer by American Apparel.

4:00PM

Videogames while nails dried and I digested.

5:00PM

Primping.

6:00PM Driving – No photos.

7:00PM


Detroit Opera House to see Broadway Production of Mary Poppins.

8:30ish PM

Mandy, Sarah, me, and Ria (my cousin!).
Intermission & posing for blog photos. Very nice, but slightly creepy gentleman offered to take our photos. Then he touched several of us a couple of times. Weird. I blame Sarah and my thigh high socks, Mandy’s leopard tights, and Ria’s very, very sex shoes.

9:30PM

Outfit shots! Knee socks and faux fur! We have queef loads of class. LOL. Sarah and I always seem to jive on fashion elements!

{ Outfit architecture, Me: Vintage Faux Fur coat & slip, H&M ballet wrap cardi, American Apparel tutu (AGAIN!), Bakers Mary Janes, Target tights and socks. On Sarah, Nordstrom lace dress, Jones New York leopard faux fur coat, Target tights and socks. }

10:00PM
Dinner. Convos about boys, blogging, making money, life… and numerous giggles with lots of talk about topics unsuitable for public forums, during which our fake-accented server walked up behind us mid-juice-topic, not once… but twice! HOO BOY! :)

11:30PM

Cashing out.

1:00AM

…Yes, it’s what you think.

2:00AM – 4:00AM

Movies, tea, videogames and snuggling w/ Husby.

And this is the B3. 3 Bloggers forming a Triumvirate of giggles, sarcasm, boy-bashing, sex-talk and mutual inspiration. We met to hang out again the next night for dinner & a brainstorming & gab session.

Sarah (Silly Grrl), Mandy (GingerMandy), and me.

Did you do anything adventurous or fun on your New Year’s Day? What?

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{ Architecture of an Outfit } Q: What’s Cookin’, Good Lookin’? A: New Year’s Eve Dindin, son.

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What I wore on New Year’s Eve, on our night in.



{ Outfit Architecture: Backless cross sweater, Victoria’s Secret. Slip, vintage. Multi-layer, reversible lace petticoat/tutu, American Apparel. Socks, Target. Platform YSL styled pumps, Dolce Vita Aprils. Satin Bow Belt, ModCloth. }

{ Architecture of Beauty/FOTD }


{ The Look: Neutrals with berry red lip. Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Foundation in Nirvana + Tarte Eraser 4-in-1 Natural Concealer + Lancome Colour Design Quad in Haute Sunset + Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner + Laura Mercier Lipstain in Mulberry (as base) + Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry (deep red) + Tarte lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 Clinically Proven lengthening mascara + Clinque High Impact Curling Mascara + Anastasia Brow Pencil }

I never, in my wildest dreams, thought that I would own a blush pink tutu, let alone wear one. But here I am. Since American Apparel released the Mini lace Petticoat, and I saw it on Sandra B of Niotillfem months and months ago, I have lusted after owning this extraordinarily feminine, somewhat sensual, whimsical and charming-without-being-overly-sexual item. After enrolling in school for Esthetics on New Year Eve, I dropped into the local AA and purchased one of my very own, along with some necessary key pieces for work and school, as a treat for doing something constructive for myself for 2011!

I hardly entertained the idea of wearing outdoors, so I wore it inside instead. What is the point of owning glittery, backless sweaters and frilly micro-mini tutus if you’re not going to wear them?

Do you have anything you’d never or be unlikely to wear outside, but decided to buy anyway?

I’m also guesting over at Monochromachic.com while Kristy is away (again). I wrote about “Power Items”. Please go visit and comment! Let me know what you think!!

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{ Architecture of an Outfit } 2010 in outfits & more gratitude than I can fit in my mouf

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Despite considering myself a pretty good writer and offering a pretty good variety of different types of posts on this very young Style Site, the ones that seem to resonate most with readers are my Architecture of an Outfit posts.

So, to thank you, my new and old readers, for 7-going-on-8 amazing months of growth, I am posting my very favorite Outfit Architectures of 2010.

{ January }

Just another Casual Friday outfit. Very cold. One of the few times I feel I layered well.

 

{ February }

Date Night in Feb. To celebrate 5 Years Together with Husby (5 years together total, at the time, married just 6 months).

 

{ March }

(Was a tie, I guess I dressed pretty well that month)

Work


Also for work.

 

{ April }


Traipsing and fooling around in the Cleveland Art Museum with my bestie, J.

 

{ May }

(Was a very good month as far as outfits go. Wow.)

Mother’s Day brunch



Sister-in-law’s wedding. Dress by Dolly Pearl (by Vi Hoang).

Work. I was obsessed with my Melissa Vivienne Westwood Anglomania shoes that month.

 

{ June }

(Another good outfit month)

Day to Night Dressing.

Date Night.

Family Dinner

 

{ July }

Work

Also Work

 

{ August }


My go to “ugly day” uniform.


Brunch with my blogger besties (one of which is my cousin).

 

{ September }





All work outfits.

 

{ October }


Casual Friday at work.

Halloween (a few days early).

 

{ November }

(A very stylish month thanks to Causeway Mall.)



Work outfits



Outfits for my review article for Causeway Mall.

 

{ December }



Work outfits.

{ Conclusion }

A thorough look at my year in clothes has produced certain and particular conclusions regarding trends in how I dress.

I rather love

  • Stripes and Polka Dots
  • Socks
  • Waist cinching belts
  • flouncy short skirts
  • Man trousers/man pants
  • Fierce black shoes (mostly strappy or super tall or both)
  • Ankle length pants
  • Bows in any form
  • The color combination of grey and yellow
  • Scarves
  • Cardigans
  • Mixing prints

It’s also quite apparent that because I only dress for work, that I no longer know how to dress with jeans. Even on Casual Fridays, I feel really awkward or clueless when donning jeans. And that I only have 2 blazers.

{ Gratitude to the max }

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little journey with me. Thank you so much for helping thereafterish. to grow over 15-30% each month, and for coming back and leaving me beautiful comments. I am more grateful to you than I could ever express. Please continue to help me grow and flourish in 2011. It’s just going to keep getting better and better thanks to you all.

Happy New Year, my loves.

xx,
Mae Lu

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Fall Inspiration: Back to School Geek Chic

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The back to school craze is not limited to just teenagers and young would be college coeds; the Back to School time of year is a time of seasonal transition which heralds a feeling of change, renewal or metamorphosis.

These feelings of change can awaken the need to reinvent ourselves, our images, our perspective, our outlook, our goals.

What better way to embrace the spirit of change than to mix up your fashion?

Forever 21′s look book is filled with new looks for the back to school time this pre-fall, but I think we can take a few cues from it.

Geek Chic #1: Create a spirited arrival with a classic letterman style cardi, a flouncy, perfect for autumn, floral print skirt, argyle socks, and tassled loafers for a bookish, classic charm.

Geek Chic #2: Embrace your inner librarian with this sweet, Miu Miu-inspired sheers, skinny cargos, and kicky socks are a great way to delve into the first day of school in style.

Geek Chic #3: Have your inner librarian embrace her inner rocker with a graphic T and socks. Tie that hair up into a top knot and accessorize with cute socks and glasses, and you’re a punky secretary with a high style IQ.

Nerd and geek style is less about being a nerd than embracing your inner brainiac and channeling it to show your razor-sharp wit, lightning-quick intellect. It’s chic, it’s comfortable, and least of all, you don’t have to worry about putting on drying, uncomfortable contacts.

All the pieces in this look are available at Forever 21, and are so affordable it’s easy to buy more than just one style to create a whole wardrobe of Geek Chic looks.

To buy: http://www.forever21.com/Default.asp?cookie_test=1

Posted to Luuux. Here, Here, and Here.

Photo credit: Forever 21 via Chictopia.

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Clueless, We Salute You

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Fifteen years ago, midsummer, knee highs, plaid, hats and girly-chic catapulted from ho-hum fashion after thoughts to full on trends that have proven their power through their longevity. It was through an innocent enough, rom-com known as Clueless. A modern day, even more comedic take on Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless inspired millions of females over the world to embrace fashion. The trends set by the movie’s stylists are still evident and prevalent in today’s street styles.

We salute you, Clueless. May you forever inspire countless women to express their creative side.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for 25£ ($38USD) to ASOS! CLICK HERE! Giveaway closes on 8/13!

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