layers

Why does rain in California feel like impending doom?? It's getting colder in California this week, and the rain is supposed to be on its way. The gloomy weather makes we want to stay in bed all day, but alas, I'm behind on all my studies, so out of bed i go.

I took most of the day to spend with my brothers chillin at home, but i finally got ready to go study. I wore this outfit because first and foremost, it's comfortable, and yet I can keep warm inside the freezing cafe I always go to. Converses are a necessity for students who walk to and from campus, but they are also great for just everyday wear. My green Benetton sweater is the perfect under layer because it's fitting, and light enough for the warmer moments. The brown jacket I wear very little, but it's the perfect addition to this kind of weather. It offsets the other colors and adds oomph to the outfit although it's an easy going day.

jack parcel converse shoes, seven jeans, club monaco royal blue tee, benetton green sweater,
TCEC brown jacket, forever 21 jewelry


oh, and the leopard lining is so fun!

I have an affinity towards white things, and I've basically use white bags until they are not white anymore and then I trash them [why i can't have designer bags]. I found this Nine West bag in Ross for $25 and I know I'll get my use out of it!

I have to mention that my brother is getting better and better with the pictures. I keep the camera on over exposure, but it takes so little time for him to snap these that I almost don't feel like I'm bothering him anymore!

karolina wydra's hair

My friend Michelle has been harping about my former short hair, and looking at short do's all over the net. However, I still want to keep my long hair and didn't get on the wagon...until tonight. The ZDX Acura commercial was on TV, and Karolina's hair completely struck me. I cut my hair insanely short 3 years ago, but it's grown back to be long past my shoulder blades. If I were to go that short again, I'd want this exact cut! If you want to see the whole commercial, here is the ZDX Exclamation video.

diane von furstenberg

Please excuse my glee for this post....and this first image. I was playing around with my new lighting and I'm still trying to figure out the softbox positioning. I accidentally took a picture with my trusty polka dot socks, and it looked cool so i kept it!

I found this Diane von Furstenberg luggage doctor bag at Ross for less than half the price!! I have one travel backpack that I use on most of my backpacking travels, and this ridiculously colorful suitcase for my more "luxurious" travels. I don't believe in buying large brand name luggage solely because I destroy them when I travel and I'm deathly afraid of it being stolen at the airport. However, this cute carry on is just too fun to pass up. I randomly walked into Ross after a long day of classes, and could not believe my luck on scoring this awesome luggage piece. It is definitely coming with me to Seattle for spring break!! I can't wait til then, I've already started thinking about what outfits to wear and what to bring!

green, brown, and pink!





the doctor's bag is open, revealing a gorgeous hot pink interior!





I am hoping that this bag is small enough to be a carry on, but at the same time,
I'm hoping it'll carry all the outfits I plan on wearing in the rainy city as well...

bloglovin

Follow my blog with bloglovin

I just signed up for Bloglovin...FINALLY. I'm still learning the ropes for this photoblog fashion system, but I'm getting there! Baby steps...

lace and suede

I just picked up this lace shirt at some boutique in Little Saigon while I was waiting for Boiling Crab to seat us. It's really fitted and sheer, but pair it was a vest and some suede boots, and I'm ready for a night at the chophouse! The suede boots were given to me by my cousin [love same size cousins!!!]

My friend is celebrating his bday at a bar with a mechanical bull, and although I've never been there, I know that pants, boots, and a cowboy hat are in order! 2 out of 3 ain't bad!

DNA Couture lace shirt, H&M black vest, no brand skinny denim jeans, black suede boots

shabu shabu

Is this not the most enticing meal you've ever seen? !!!

Thin sliced choice beef that cooks in seconds, tons of veggies, tofu, rice with soy sauce, ponzu sauce with 3 hot drops, peanut sauce with 3 hot drops, and hot water. This list of ingredients is for shabu shabu, japanese hot pot. It's one of my favorite meals and a wonderful place just opened with the best service and the most amazing meat. It's called. CA Shabu Shabu and you can read my Yelp review on it here. Shabu shabu is basically a boiling pot of water, and you make your own soup with all the ingredients in front of you. After you cook and eat the meat, you are left with the most amazing soup to warm your tummy!

sigh. i had this twice already in the last 2 weeks...but i want some now that i'm making this post!

coral and sheer

Last night, my friends and I went to Andrei's in Irvine for our friend's birthday. Since it's been so hot here in SoCal lately, I decided to bring out the coral sheer dress I picked up on sale at H&M awhile back and match it with my Betsy Johnson shoes. The accessories just came in at the last minute and it totally made the look! Pink and silver is so spring-like and fun to wear!!

I love love love these Betsy Johnson shoes. They are so high, but if I'm going to a dinner where I don't have to walk more than 10 minutes, I'll rock it! I started the shoot by myself with a timer, but my brother woke up from his nap and took the rest before he left for school. Thanks Toan!

H&M sheer coral dress, Martin & Osa beige cardigan, H&M silver belt, Betsy Johnson peep-toe heels


Accessories: Forever 21 bracelet, Target silver hair clip, H&M drop pearl earrings

I didn't even need the cardigan, it's so beautiful outside. However, for dinner, its the perfect light thing to wear. The dress is kind of bubbly and so comfortable!

I tend to take my hair in and out of hair ties and clips all day long. When it's tied up too long, I get headaches, so having a cute hair clip that can also act as a brooch is the perfect way to not loose them in your purse!

I thought about wearing different colored belts that contrast a bit more, but this one needs another hole punched into it. It's meant to be a pants belt, but I will have to punch more holes to make it hold at a higher level.

and this is just a throw in. Michelle gave me these beads to celebrate Fat Tuesday!
we wore them for dinner, but the pics don't reflect that very well!

alexander wang

I am in love with this designer, Alexander Wang. He opened for the New York fashion week, but I haven't had the chance to see the pics yet. However, I've seen pieces of his collection that I want in my closet ASAP. This piece is from the Spring 09 collection and you know my affinity towards well fitted white dresses. This goddess jersey dress has to be in my closet!!!!!!

what will the future hold

During Tet, sometimes people like to have their fortunes told to see how the new year will turn out. I have never had mine told before because I believe in making my own fate rather than fulfilling what was told to me. When the offer to read arose at my uncle's house, i was naturally hesitant. However, i gave in since my father also had her do his reading [which is enough reason for me to agree], and it was an extremely interesting read. I will not reveal what was told orally, but my brother was there as well, and he documented this eerie little experience. I am curious to see how this will all turn out.

on valentine's

It's valentine's day but here I am, enjoying my solitude. Valentine's for me isn't so fun. It's not because I'm single or taken, I just feel that it is an unnecessary day. Valentine's should be every time you feel the need to put just some extra effort for that person you love. Since I have the day to myself before we start Lunar New Year celebrations, I think I'll take la couturier's advice and add a little pink to my wardrobe, put on higher heels than I normally wear during the day, and add a little sparkle to my lashes. I won't be doing an outfit shot for this, since its for me, but be sure it will be fun to wear out!

I have gone through my whole blog reading list, and I am most taken by la couturier's valentine's day post. I am most impressed so here is a snippet below.

[I’m quite ready for this lovely day! Ordering thousand-calorie desserts sprinkled with something pink, dressing up, and wearing bits of pink here and there with a dash of sparkle is excused without a second thought. Of course spending an entire day with a romantic sweetheart is adorable, but is it necessary? Not entirely. In fact, not at all – I would much rather spend it with the girls.

Valentine’s Day is not a reminder of this self-conjured thought of your inability to attract men (or women, whichever sex you choose). It is but a day in the year that so happens to fall on the fourteenth of February, but if we insist on making it significant, then, Valentine’s Day is a reminder of the freedom and independence you have as a self-sufficient woman. All you need is you: you alone hold the key to your aspirations, happiness, and successes. No (wo)man is necessary to feel whole or empowered.

Is it depressing to feel alone, or left out, when all other ladies have little bouquets and kisses awaiting them? Perhaps. It all depends entirely on your perspective. I know one too many girls who loathe Valentine’s Day – and all things associated with it – with their entire being. They mope, gorging themselves with food as dig out all self-imagined faults and allow themselves to submit to their insecurities. I suppose I can attempt to empathize, yet those of you who actually know me (!) know that I value my independence above all else. I have never harbored any desire to have a boyfriend for that very reason; being single allows for so much more freedom. Being coquettish is allowed! And that, my loves, is quite entertaining in itself!

Thus, for you single ladies out there, embrace your independence. Take advantage of it; wear red and pull out your freakum dress. Take a bit of time to coif the hair and do the makeup – nothing too extravagant, of course. Think to emphasize your best features, whether it be your hair, your eyes, your lips, your figure. Go out on Valentine’s Day à la the Sex and the City girls pre-marriage, and just enjoy yourself.]

my lunar new year

It's the year of the TIGER! The day has come, and the past few years, I've taken on the role of mom during new years. I clean the house, decorate, and then throw a huge bash to ring in the new year. Last year's was big, but this year was huge. I made pho, Michelle made tofu and pork with eggs, and Carmen made fried rice. With communal effort, we had the gang over and it was a great shindig. They brought significant others and long time friends, all of which make me so happy.

Here are the pics from the last half of the evening, when we actually played in the studio. After that, the party and food pics. I'll kick it off here with my hoa dao [cherry blossom] that I bought from the flower mart in Little Saigon. I hung li xi [red envelopes] on it and I found this deco as well. So pretty!

I have no idea why the fedora made it into the shoot.
I couldn't find another rice hat so I guess it will just have to do.


I love this hat.






I have hot friends





yea that's right. I can squat like no other.

These are from my dlsr. I'm still working out the kinks so I had it on the tripod. We were posing for the G10, but someone turned on this camera from the tripod and took some from a different angle. I just found them, and I love when that happens! This shot is my favorite of the bunch. It was Michelle's idea but Tam's face makes me want to die of laughter.

goooood times

I guess this is the best outfit shot of the night, but it's uncomplete without the most comfortable pair of heels I own. I couldn't put them on because its carpet, and the last time I wore heels, it punctured a hole in my background paper =/

Somehow, through all the laughter, we end up on the floor. Tam made us do a frog toes shot. Tam has major frog toes. Let me explain. Viets have a problem with frog toes from the slippers and flip flops we wear. It's mostly between the big toe and second toe, and some of us are special and can spread all 5! Tam's feet are naturally wide set apart, but as we see here, the rest of us can spread em pretty wide too!

and the food...I made pho. This pot simmered since 10 am til 8 pm. By then, it was just plain DELICIOUS.


the holy trinity for pho: star anise, nutmeg, and cinnamon


bowls of noooodles


finished product sans msg

I bought 2 durian for the party. Some LOVE it, some HATE it. I spared the haters the pain somewhat by buying the frozen one [spared my wallet too], but once that baby was open, the smell permeated throughout the house. yummm

Samar baked this all by herself!


cheeers! soju bombs with the boys


loving the peace signs. so asian


Bo Cua Ca Cop: Viet gambling on the floor. Cause we do it og style


my partners in crime


Tam must have her pork rimes. Since the meal did not require this, I just bought a bag...just for Tam. She ate the whole thing by herself. ^_^

Half an outfit. I bought this shirt at Forever 21 when they were going through their Asian phase a few years back. Although most of the dresses and shirts were not well done, this one was perfect. The bodice is black and the sleeves are so flirty and fun. I paired it with some comfy tights so I can eat!

The other half of my outfit. I have no idea who took this shot, but I had to laugh. They're doing my outfit shots without even knowing! I love these shoes. I can wear them to a club, dance all night, and still be able to walk to the car after. Now that's something since I wear heels for shoots and to dinners where I don't have to stand more than 10 minutes. These are by Celine, and they were made in Italy. The price was quite hefty for shoes in my opinion, but DSW had an insane sale, and I gleefully left with these for under $100 bucks. Score.