East-West Fashion

In Asia, I am always inspired by the little details in everything. The other day, I bought a simple roll of pound cake from the bakery; the cake was air-sealed in a plastic wrapper (to retain its freshness), sat neatly in a paper box (to prevent denting), and neatly rationed into .5" slices for easy consumption.  That's the thing about Asia: everything is wonderfully thoughtful, delicate and beautifully wrapped up*.
* though not very green

The same goes for its fashion. Most Asian fashion tend to trend towards the Japanese perspective. Unlike Western fashion where the aim is to look effortlessly chic, laid-back yet polished and less-is-more, Asian fashion is intricate, frill-worthy and the-more-the-better.  Combine this with the unique personality that is the Japanese culture and you get fashion that's a throw-back to couture or throw-forward to pop-art.

Below are some snapshots from Japan's fashion week.

I especially love this last set:

Atonement

Hello from the other side of the world - Asia!  I've just landed in Asia (in sickly condition) and I am already caught up in a whirlwind of ready-set plans.  I'm most looking forward to tomorrow night when I'll be a guest at a traditional Chinese wedding banquet.  The most notable event at a Chinese wedding (besides the food) is that the the bride will traditionally change into three (3) or more looks (my seamstress affectionately referred to this as "a girl's dream come true - her own fashion show and a wedding").  So, I am most excited about seeing the bride tomorrow night.

I also started thinking about some of the most stunning dresses I've seen on the big screen.  My dramatic favorite of all time would have to be Cecilia's (Keira Knightly) emerald green dress from Atonement.  Atonement's costume designer, Jacqueline Durran, chose the hue to symbolize temptation.  And, if you watch the movie (and this dress in-action), you'd agree that it steals your breath away.

 

Breakfast with Santa

Work has been kicking my ass the last 2-weeks and this morning, I woke up to this in my Inbox. 
Crate and Barrel wants to help me plan my breakfast with Santa on Christmas morning.

The whole idea of sitting down and have a real breakfast seems so ethereal to me at a busy time like this.  You know that scene in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts wakes up a red-head and sits there having breakfast in the grand hotel?  Ah, breakfast.  Real, true breakfast. In style.

End: 2-minute daydream. 

'Tweensetters

The Olsen twins are true entrepreneurs and good at what they do.  They were one of the first ones to realize that the 'tween market could be (and is today) a multi-billion dollar market.  After building their 'tween empire ('tween queens, those two), they moved onto the adult market by introducing their Elizabeth and James line.  They're have the genius to not only focus their passion, but also leverage their own experiences growing up.  I can't think of a single cent I made off of my growing-up experience.  Monetization is still a black hole to me as an adult.

Here are some shots of their new 'tween line, Olsenboye, by the Olsen twins for JCPenny.  

I'm intimidated by how cool today's kids look.  Being a millennial is freakin' awwwwesome - you got to see the world early (thanks, internet!), cell phones at 8 and Twilight.  I didn't look half as hip when I was a 'tween.  Not even close - I'll never live down the 80's.

Nola 'Fridge Art

This past weekend, I visited the city of New Orleans.  I had no expectations of the city when I landed, but found myself overwhelmed with the street art that seemed to wallpaper the entire city.  The street art told the rich culture of New Orleans: a laid-back, pleasure seeking, jazz and alcohol fueled attitude combined with a respectful consideration for its history and its neighbors.

While there, the entire city rained.  No, it poured, rather.  Within an hour, the streets filled with feet long puddles and inches-deep rainwater.  It was then that the reality of Katrina really sunk in.  My camera broke not even mid-way into the trip (it took a small nosedive of 4 inches from the top of a napkin holder to the table and immediately ceased to turn-on) so none of these photos are my own.  But, nonetheless, I am inspired to share the significance I felt for the city's street art.

Below is one of the six 2008 Banksy New Orleans graffiti honoring Katrina.

I really loved this one because it told the story of the Katrina refrigerators.  In the aftermaths of Katrina, many Nola residences came home to decomposing food in their refrigerators.  Now considered a toxic waste, home fridge owners taped up their fridges and left them on the sidewalks for pick up.  However, clean-up of the city happened slowly and many fridges sat on the sidewalks for weeks until its eventual disposal.  Meanwhile, Nola residences began drawing artworks on their refrigerators with themes ranging from serious political criticism to the humorous ("Do not open until Mardi Gras", "Free Meal Inside", "For Sale").

Here are some photos of the local 'fridge art:

 

Halloween themed set

I love the optimism depicted in the fridge art seen in New Orleans then (2005).

It's a great showing of the resilient and passionate spirit of Nola and something that I very much felt during my short and rainy visit to the city.

Sex and the City 2

As a dedicated Sex and the City fan dating all the way back to the first pilot/season (remember when it first started on HBO before the DVD marathons began?), I'm constantly delighted by each level of success it attains.  First, when I heard about the movie ("could it be true?") to when I heard of the sequel ("no way!"); and now, after months of watching the ladies' wardrobes shooting around New York, the first piece of tangible PR has dropped for movie number two. 

The general feel of the poster makes me wonder if there will also be some expensive theatrical explosives in these scenes.  SJP is looking every bit like the modern day James Bond.  But, on a more anti-climatic note, the wardrobe is... very disappointing.  The white maxi dress looks like something I could have picked up at Target on clearance.  I hope they release a poster for each of the ladies.  I'm rooting for Sam to pull it out!

Bad Fox

Michael Bay (the same man who brought you the Tranformers) brings you the hottest new crime fighting... in lingerie. 

Victoria Secret has hired Michael Bay to produce their latest commercial.  My inner feminist rolls my eyes at this over the top gimmick, but as a marketer: game recognizes game.  I have to admit I'm convinced that donning VS lingerie will immediately elevate me to "bad fox" status.

VS should look into selling beer.

Hipster Grows Up

Every night after work, I come home to about 5 catalogs waiting for my browsing leisure.  Last night, I spotted an unfamiliar catalog in the mix.  It took me a while to figure out where it was from given that the front cover of the catalog didn't have a header.  After a while, I was surprised to discover that the stunning looks were from the winter catalog from Urban Outfitters.

Sharing my favorites below.

The Urban hipster grew up beautifully. 

Get your own [full] copy here.

Christian Louboutin Estoteri Ankle Boots

I've been on the hunt for ankle boots lately.

I came across this pair of Christian Louboutin Estoteri ankle boots on sale at Barney's and I haven't been able to stop drooling all morning (my desk is quite a mess now). Sadly, they are completely sold out (curse or blessing in disguise?).  Even if they weren't sold out, I probably would have a difficult time forking over $569.00 (on sale from $955.00) for them.  Ok, I lie.  Shelling out the dough would be easy.  Living with  myself afterwards would be the difficult part, as well as retaining any sort of financial credibility with my husband.

HI!  Eye candy.

I love how the shoe is wrapped in soft white napa leather. 

It's soo exquisite against the tougher patent toe.

   

Unrequited love.

Vacation Expenditures

I should probably never take a vacation.

Girls (at least yours truly) always find a "reason" to go shopping prior to going on vacation.  And truth be told, girls (yours truly) feel "entitled" to go shopping while on vacation because "I'm on vacation!"...  This is a lose-lose attitude no matter how you look at it.  It feels good, but the best things in life bad behavior often do.

Well, with all that said . . .  I am going on vacation.

Next weekend, I will be going to New Orleans (random) and the weekend following I will be visiting Asia.   Even prior to packing, I've already ran into the road block of "which coat to bring?".  I have been digging around for potential candidates and decided to [vainly] share them here.

The Ultimate Dress

I love love dresses. 

If I lived in warm weather year round (California is coming pretty close), I would be in a dress every.single.day.  The greatest dress a gal -an average private figure female citizen- will ever wear is her wedding dress.  Depressing, yet true.

I never dreamed of my wedding day as a young girl.  To this day, I insist I could have done without a grand wedding (though it was great fun!).  If given a second chance, I'd most likely elope and put all my money towards having the ultimate dress*.  Yes, I, pinkstarberries, will forgo all the hoopla for 10 full-minutes of slow-motion running through the meadow in a couture dress.  But, I insist on couture. 

*the groom is still my ultimate favorite.

But, forget all of that.

That's not what I'm here to talk about.  I'm here to talk about dresses -- oodles and oodles of dresses!

This one from the new Vera Wang 2010 Spring collection looks stunning -- a fantastic combination of whimsical Disney princess magic (without the cheese) and a dramatic flair of romance in tulle.

Though not versatile for all body types (mine included).

Another one from the collection - beautiful intricate bodice, on-trend belted bow accompanied by a flowing devil-may-care-'tude silhouette.  Casual, low key, yet sophisticated blend.  Black for added drama, suiting the more contemporary brides.

On the topic of Vera, I thought I'd share my "reach" Vera dress for my own nuptials.

... not realized due to budget constraints, doh (happens to the best of us).

I ended up choosing this gorgeous lace and tulle combo from Manual Mota for Pronovias 2009.

It's a happy ending.

Holiday Cards

As a newly-wed, I sometimes find myself motivated by random housewife-ish tenancies.  Although I've always sent out holiday cards, I feel slightly more obliged this year to spearhead the effort for our "family".  Being childless, I chose not to include actual photos for the photos cards I picked up from Shutterfly.

My holiday cards arrived! 

I ordered the new modern holiday designs here.

Cheers!

Chanel Fugs-piration

Guess which famous personality is inspiring the creative mind over at Chanel?

Presenting . . .
"Bob Qui?"

No, your eyes deceive you not - that is indeed Sponge Bob (WHY). 
The front runner for the ugliest (IMHO) major cartoon character brought to life.  Ever. 

Karl Lagerfeld decided to give Sponge Bob his mini makeover.  The figurine fetched over $1,500 USD at the auction in Paris.

Hello Kitty Fashion

Happy first day of December!  I'm back, finally.  This Thanksgiving was a slight whirlwind of a trip, but I am back and inspired.  Let's get right to it.

This past fall, Hello Kitty turned 35 years of age.  As a dedicated Hello Kitty fan (traveling to the Hello Kitty headquarters in Japan store at Shinjuku Gift Gate) and a celebrity gawker, I was especially excited for all the Hello Kitty fashions the stars donned in celebration of the kitty's birthday.


My favorite is Lady Gaga's photo shoot by photographers Markus Klinko and Indrani.  These photos will be included in her re-release special edition of her platinum-selling debut album The Fame.  Gaga will also be giving away a lock of her hair with every set sold.  Oh, that Gaga, what will she think of next?

Adore the pumps.

 
My favorite of the set.