Circa November

Long overdue, roopsies. Regardless, this entry, being post #90 (whoa.) marks the very first post in my blog's three-year (whoa...) history to actually feature me. Surprise! Bet you didn't realize I was actually a small Asian. So as I've made redundantly clear over this cherished span of time, my heart belongs first and foremost to fall fashion. These autumn shots courtesy of fayettevillemandy's Nikon D60 recap the day I arrived back to "DR" with a new pair of combat boots and fresh mindset on risk-taking thanks to my bffl, Karen Ashley Fabella. Thanksgiving = Nemo-and-Stitch-a-Palooza, in case you were unaware. As mild as I now perceive this outfit to be, I was initially instinctively cautious of its man-repelling potential...WWJT? (What Would JBiebs Think?) clearly topped my list of concerns.

Clutching onto Kara's NYLON for dear life, apparently.

I love this look because it totally lends itself to a rather significant throwback-- my double-denim obsession of second grade. Yes, with my Arizona Jeans Co. light-wash denim shirt and Kids 'R Us-belted New Legends skinny jeans and hiking boots, I believed full well that I was the shit. (Sidenote: Holy shit. All of these companies are now obsolete. Saauuuu '90's.) Thanks to Singer22 and other sources of encouragement, I'm proud to report the ensemble has been resurrected in a positive light. It goes without saying, however, that there will always exist those trailer park honeys who give double-denim a painfully bad name...but if I started writing now, I'd be the next character featured on thingsidoonaddy. And all I have to say in response is should I make it on that page, I have way better stories to offer than this.

Ilyk2pickleaves, a variation on one of the most epically amazing Facebook passwords of all time.

LOLZ!

Denim button-down: H&M, $30

Grey v-neck: Forever 21, $9

Denim shorts: 7 For All Mankind, $168

Brown leather belt: Target, $13

Tights: Worthington, $4

Black combat boots: Baker's, $70

Sunglasses: Diesel, $120...but for me, gifted as a PGA, aka the upside to being an unpaid intern.

Cross-posted HERE.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Amateur Hour

I'm never ashamed of and will even quickly admit to my rookie status regarding accessories. Researching, taking notes on and applying successful celeb accessory usage tops my list of New Year's Resolutions, though. If I've learned absolutely anything this year, follow through is vital. So you have my word on this one; unlike the beginning of every other year where I vow to experiment with layered turquoise necklaces, brushed gold bangles and chunky rings... and then freak out and revert to my original Ann Taylor single leaf-strand necklace (faded as it is)... I'm promising results in the shape and form of accessories responsible for tying every outfit together. No more intimidation factor. Man Up.

So here's to the $32.40 (no tax, bitches) I spent on three remarkably versatile pieces, all from Forever 21 which has risen to let's say... 60% of the time ggc status. Merry Christmas to me.

Chain and Diamond Necklace, $8

Chain Fringe Necklace, $15

Rhinestone Heart Dangling Chain Necklace, $10

Let's pray that these don't break in 2 seconds and/or when I embark on my New Year's Eve/Amanda's birthday adventures beginning December 30th, 2010. Let's be real. My ultimate goal is to beat the system and get the highest ROI on the amount I spent... dividing total retail cost by # of times used = "actual" cost (Hmm, $32.40 divided by 900 times worn... would make that cost pretty low. I'd say that's a good goal.) and perceived value to me as the consumer. I just love philosophizing aka justifying all my purchases. Maybe there is an up side to over-analyzing absolutely everything? Clearly. I know what's best for me.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Things I want

Self-explanatory. Happy holidays.

Leather/suede shorts

 Leather Short

Silence & Noise, $128

Microsuede Short

Sparkle & Fade, $129

Scalloped Shorts

Chiffon Scallop Short

Lucca Couture, $48

Scallop Short

Fletcher By Lyell, $59

Vela Shorts

Leifsdottir, $258

Sequin shorts

Sequin Short

Sparkle & Fade, $29

Sequin Glam Shorts

Forever 21, $23

Sequin Hot Pants in Black

Forever 21, $23

Sequin Hot Pants in Silver

Forever 21, $23

Texture-esque shorts

Floral Jacquard Shorts

Forever 21, $18

Lace Shorts

Forever 21, $17

Jacquard Woven Shorts

Forever 21, $20

Dark-hued rompers

Falling Buds

Kimchi Blue, $49

Faux One Shoulder Silky Romper

Silence & Noise, $69

One Shoulder Romper

Lucca Couture, $69

Atypical tights

Two Tone Panel Tight

Urban Outfitters, $14

Garter Net Tight

Betsey Johnson, $28

Opaque with Glitter Back Seam Tight

Urban Outfitters, $14

Geometric Open Sheer Tight

Urban Outfitters, $14

Lurex with Hearts Tight

Urban Outfitters, $14

Pretty sure I just got a "lady-boner" from all this fashion goodness, as did my entire wardrobe. Sigh. Soooooo many ideas.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Se fiesta aquí

I know I butchered the verb tense (along with singlehandedly making up the tense and meaning completely), but as D-D-D-D-Dr. D would say, what I'm getting at is the phrase "Se habla español aquí", or "Spanish is spoken here". Clearly, I haven't studied my español since senior year of high school when I somehow managed to receive a 4 on the AP exam, but what can I say? Everything Señor has taught me since seventh grade stuck. Now, who would have thought I would be applying this knowledge to my own little fashion blog so many years later? More importantly, who would have thought I would reference two professors in one post? Creepy. Moving on.

In essence, partying happens here. Party is not a passive verb, but if you understand what I'm trying to convey, it just kind of works... similar to how "fratting" became a gerund as ubiquitous among my daily vocabulary as is the word "Calloway". Double lives, anyone? But I digress. So it's that time of year again: final exams, heinous Christmas sweaters and apparently, chasing black raspberry Belvedere with Four Loko. Christmas time is upon us, meaning New Years isn't far behind. I always like to give a nod to everyone's beloved Topshop during the holidays because it's a brand which exudes such sparkle year-round. In short, if the holidays were rolled up into a sole apparel brand, Topshop would be it. This year's NYE selections highlight texture, movement and simplicity-- three of my favorite concepts for sure. Last year, I was about vintage (thanks, Mom) mixed with fast fashion basics; now, I'm intrigued by understated pieces that can be played up by meticulous details and loud-in-a-good-way accessories.

Limited Edition Twist Dress, $340

Chainmail Vest Dress, $370

One Shoulder Drape Dress, $110

Slinky Cape Sleeve Tie Waist Dress, $80

Iconic Heavy Beaded Dress, $270

One Shoulder Suede Dress, $310

Chain Back Bodycon Dress, $100

It actually pains me how distracted I am right now, so commentary will come later.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

City sart

I was speechless (a bit melodramatic, oopsies) when I noticed The Sartorialist's "On the Street..." shot from Friday. I can't say I've ever missed New York City even a bit more than I have in the past few weeks. With endless assignments dealing with feasibility regions to maximize profit and Excel spreadsheets of material purchase budgets, my longing for catching "Home Sweet Home" in cab commercials (what was it even for, BofA or something?) and skill for weaving around inert Midtown tourists has gradually swelled to a point of no return. Sigh.

"On The Street....Greene St., New York"

3 December 2010

This photo captures so many choice words to depict the city: fresh, lively, extraordinary, inspirational, rejuvenating, exhilarating... just good for the soul. There's really nowhere in the world that makes me happier (fratting with the best friends anyone could ever ask for comes in a close second, though-- aww). Though my worlds intersect at some unclear divide, there are elements of both in who I am at school, and this photo serves as all-encompassing inspiration for this development.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Little Miss Adventurous

Meet Miss Amanda Lynn Williams, a bubbly, fun-loving brunette from Fayetteville, North Carolina. With an introduction like that, it seems she’s as all-American-girl-next-door as it gets, but if you’re expecting a Southern belle who simply can’t live without her Vera Bradley tote and Lilly planner, you’d better look elsewhere. Her self-proclaimed style being defined as “simple with a little edge”, Amanda begs to interrupt the fashion status quo by channeling the personas of style icons Kate Moss, Rachel Bilson and my personal favorite, fashiontoast blogger and model Rumi Neely.

“I've always felt that my ability to express myself through my style has been really stifled.” Unashamed to admit she feels Wake’s fashion scene is “too bland and not adventurous enough”, Amanda, who has lived in some awesome places (Germany-- no big deal), replaces the typical rainbow-splashed wardrobe of pastel-colored polos with dark cotton crop tops, North Face fleeces with fitted schoolboy blazers and classic tall UGG’s with leather harness boots. What’s not to love about a girl who radiates constant Rachel Zoe-esque creativity and a breath of fresh fashion air? Continuously emphasizing the significance of distinguishable simplicity, the below outfit shows a bit more of Amanda’s casual side, but demonstrates her style in that “it’s just simple basics paired with the flannel and boots”.

Amanda salutes brands like Haute Hippie, Free People and Charlotte Ronson, as well as blogs like The Sartorialist and Stockholm Street Style, that best personify as well as inspire her willingness to step ahead of the traditional fashion curve. “In high school, anything too different didn't exactly warrant positive attention from my peers. And then coming to Wake, I quickly realized that I wasn't going to find that fashion freedom that I had hoped I would find in college.” Around her sophomore year, the non-sorority-girl-sorority-girl admirably stopped caring about standing out and her style evolved naturally to its current state.

Capitalizing on the fall and winter seasons to make best use of layering and balance with jackets and other fun pieces, Amanda’s personal style highlights a versatile approach to wearing a wider variety of her wardrobe in the colder months. Besides her favorite spoon ring which she inherited from her mom, she also can’t live without the brown leather purse she purchased in Florence and is very much looking forward to the holidays, meaning a shiny red bow tied around a coveted Jeffrey Campbell shoebox. Why brown lace-up boots? “Why not?” Point taken. So whether she’s assisting me in putting out the grease fire we started in my kitchen on the morning of Senior Fifth or going on adventures for sushi at 10 PM Sunday night, this girl clearly knows how to have a good time and doesn’t mind dressing well while doing it, either.

Cross-posted HERE.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.