Crazy about Nhã Khanh!

Ugh, I've been wanting to upload pics from this event since they night of but I've been so busy!! Last Wednesday, I went to a debut fashion show for Nhã Khanh at the Meyerson Symphony Center (PERFECT venue, btw). There were 36 looks and every single one was nothing less than stellar!

Here are a few from my camera:

There are several more but I couldn't capture them all. Plus, a lot of my photos turned out blah.

Here, Khanh and Nini are giving their speeches. They're so cute!


F21 silk top & belt, McQ by Alexander McQueen silk skirt, Steve Madden pumps, Banana Republic clutch, Saks 5th and F21 rings.

Great event. So glad I went! Congrats to Khanh and Nini!

Taking it back...

Earlier this week, one of my fav. couples asked us if we wanted to watch Shakespeare in the Park with them. I personally am not interested in Shakespeare but thought it'd be a good experience since I've never seen it before.

Pluses: Hot cocoa, free chips and salsa from Freebirds, good time with good friends.
Minuses: Mosquito bites, COLD!, and well, Shakespeare isn't exactly exciting!

It was so weird how the temperature changed so fast! It was nice warm weather and then suddenly went into the 60s!


Speaking of the 60s, I used this edit feature on this photo called 1960s. Looks old school, huh?

You can sorta see the cool backside of my sweater in this photo. The front looks like a normal sweater but the back is made of black lace. I heart almost anything lace.


This is righhtttt before I knocked out. I managed to stay awake through the first half and during intermission but right when it came back on.... Zzzzz.


This is after I woke up from my little nap. Hehe
F21 back lace sweater and flower connector ring, A&F denim shorts, Mossimo peace sign leather belt (Target), Dolce Vita for Target lace-up boots (love this item!), Zara studded drawstring pouch.

These boots are so fab! I bought 2 pairs of Docle Vita boots this month, one from Neiman's Last Call earlier this week and one from Target. How funny! (and one Sam Edelman from Nordstrom! Hehe.) I wore my DVforT boots 2 days in a row and got so many compliments from friends and random peeps! People love them!!

Anyway, back to Shakespeare. It reminded me a lot of high school when we had to read it and I always dreaded it so much. Ugh. I think I still feel the same way about it after all these years.

Twas a good experience, though. I like sitting in the park and doing stuff outdoors. Sometimes it's good to just relax, no matter what you're doing! :)

I'm just a girl in the world...

So, all my friends have been making fun of me for quite some time now when we're at fancy dinners and whatnot, and I pull out this oldie Velcro wallet out of my nice Gucci/Burberry/LV/etc... Even sales clerks and waiters make comments about it. Usually, they say something along the lines of, "Awwwww... how cute!?" And I'm like, "I KNOW, RIGHT!?" And my friends are like, "Ugh. I hope you know they're lying." LOL!

It's actually quite cute (imho). On it is a pretty orange with kissy lips. I'm not an Orange County girl, but hey, I loved Gwen so much back in the day (and still do!) when I couldn't afford L.A.M.B. so this was my only way to go!

Anyway, I never cared too much to upgrade my wallet. I loved the size and it did its job! I'd rather spend that hundred or 2 on part of a bag... or shoes! This Sunday, I went to an outlet mall with my friend and found that Neiman's Last Call and Off Saks had some pretty good sales for Columbus Day weekend! I picked up just a few things: Dolce Vita boots from Neiman's (SUCH a good deal, btw and SUPER cute!), a cute blouse from Saks, denim shorts, 2 drinking glasses from Neiman's (long story, tell you about it later!), and this Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B. long wallet. I always love Gwen's crazy designs and this wallet was so cute and ON SALE!



I love my new wallet! I don't feel so bad since it was so cheap for L.A.M.B.!

I've been a fan of Gwen since I was little. I had the No Doubt Tragic Kingdom CD! "I'm just a girl int he world...." LOL! I think that's why I loved my Harajuku Lovers wallet so much! It reminded me of good times! Here's the cover so you can see the kind of resemblance:


Gahhh, I love her! I think I'll make a pact to always have wallets by Gwen and Gwen only! Hehehe it's silly but I don't care!

Here's are some old photos taken at the No Doubt Reunion Tour concert I went to in 2009:



Gwen's SO freaking talented and awesome! Love her forever!

Birthday Boy!

Today is my #1 boyfriend's birthday (or my only boyfriend, rather)! I threw him a surprise party and let me tell you... it was NOT easy! This kid seriously has like 4,000 friends, easily. It's SO hard to get 4,00 people to keep a secret, you know!? Ok, maybe not 4,000 but like 50! I didn't make any Facebook events, E-vites, etc. I was a little unorganized at first... I started telling people individually... then put the rest in little groups... and anyway, I don't even know HOW, but I DID IT! It was SUCH a great turnout! Probably a good 35-40 people showed up! Thank goodness Uncle Julio accepted my 25 people reservation... and let me change it to 30... and sat 35-40 peeps! Lol and the best part? Joe was ACTUALLY SURPRISED!! How often does that happen!? Ahh, I must say... I'm really proud of myself and everyone that helped me!

Pretty much everyone in this room is one of our guests. Lol. Some are actually not pictured!

Ok, REWIND. The night before the party, I told my bf I was having a "girls' night" at my house... That secretly meant... "I'm running a gosh darn sweatshop over at my house to make your damn Mario cupcakes for your surprise party you don't even know about!" LOL but it was enjoyable. A friend came over to help me (which I am SO thankful for!) and my brother and his friend happened to be there to lend a helping hand.

They turned out pretty fab for 1st time fondant users!

With a huge bottle of wine and great friends, anything can be done!

It made me so happy to see everyone having so much fun! At that point, everything I'd done to plan was totally worth it! From talking to a billion guests, calling twenty restaurants begging them to accept my party, the fondant Mario cupcakes, being all sneaky... All worth it!

Birthday boy making a wish!

Isn't his cake the bestest?

I think he really loved them because when he went around passing them out, he was really into it... like... "Don't eat the poisonous mushroom!... If you eat this one, you can go through the secret passageway!... If you eat this one, you'll be able to fly!... If you want to grow bigger, eat this one!" HAHAHA Priceless.

Trouvé silk shirt (Nordstrom), F21 faux leather mini, Steven by Steve Madden Winka wedges, Papaya necklace.

After the dinner at Uncle Julio's, we loitered outside like good Asians for a good half hour or more... Then finally got everyone to come out to Ghostbar. It was the best birthday EVER (IMHO)!

And the best part... His present from me! I'm jealous, myself!

Happy birthday, love!

"Baby, Baby, Baby, Ooohhhhh...!"

This weekend was an extremely busy weekend for me! I feel like I only slept like 8 hours TOTAL all weekend... Oh wait, I did! Anyway, My good friend had her baby shower this weekend! I hadn't seen her in a little less than 2 months but she is MUCH bigger than she was 2 months ago!

Some girlfriends and I decided to make a diaper cake for our hot mama friend. None of us had ever made one before! We just winged out and I must say... It turned out pretty fab!


What do you think? We used lots of items that were pastel colors! I learned that putting together a diaper cake is pretty easy! It's the shopping for the items and having to go to 5 different stores that's the hard part! We took about 2.5-3 (or more!) hours to hop from one store to another and drive back and about an hour to actually assemble it! All you need (to make one like this) is a pack of 100 diapers (don't go cheap! get the good kind so they can actually use them later!), a 4-pack of cute pastel baby bottles, a butterfly rattle, a huge plastic bottle piggy bank (Party City), a pastel pink bottle cleaner, 4 pacifiers (keep in the clear box so they don't get dirty), 4-pack of cute baby socks, 4-pack of cute baby mittens, a 5-yard roll of thick ribbon (pink for girl!), and some small ribbons (for the little bows), B-A-B-Y blocks, another stuffed lion rattle for the front centerpiece, a cute bib, some other goodies to stuff in the cake, rubber bands, a hot glue gun, safety pins, and a few good friends to help you put it together! This diaper cake was really just made with LOVE!

The diaper cake team (We're awesome!):


And just look at these adorable cupcakes from Sprinkles they had at the shower!!!


So freaking cute... and yummy! I'm sooo obsessed w/ Sprinkles right now! Red velvet is the absolute BEST.

I went a little crazy on the stickers on my photo editing program I use! Hehe


T-Style Net Floral Dress (from London, first time wearing it!), Dooney & Bourke vintage crossbody bag (can also be used as a fanny-pack!), Tiffany & Co. necklace, BCBGeneration wedges.

Anyways, just a few months away before little bundle of joy comes out! I can't wait to buy her little booties and cute stuff!! :)

Fassion for a Passion!

This weekend, I volunteered at the 2nd annual Fashion for a Passion event held by Against the Grain Productions, a Dallas based non-profit organization that creates awareness and raises funds for Asian orphanages. :)

I volunteered both this year and last. It was an amazing event... definitely takes a lot to throw such a successful event like this one. It was held at LandCo/7 senses in downtown Dallas. I gotta say, PERFECT venue for this event. All the cool furniture, light fixtures, antiques, etc. really gives it something special.

Backstage: where all the crazy stuff happens! (Photo by Quoc Cong Qc)

I wasn't able to catch most of the actual show because I was too busy in the back doing stuff, but I got to help dress the models and work with the designers so I saw it all from backstage... which was even more amazing (IMO) because you get whole different view of everyone and everything.

Here are a few pieces that really I really personally loved (Photos by Quoc Cong Qc):

Designer: Sumie Tachibana
I feel honored to have worked with Sumie; all of her stuff was so intricately made and unique. She flew in from NY and she is awesome!

Designer: Nha-Khanh


I met Khanh at FFAP last year and she never ceases to amaze me. Her work is featured all over fashion press in Dallas (probably some national, too!). I love her: as a designer and as a person! I can't wait to see her new collection at the debut party for her line this fall!

Designer: Ann Hoang

Ann Hoang didn't showcase a collection at FFAP but she had two of her items up for live auction. They both were fab!

Designer: Chloe Dao

Chloe Dao was the winner of Project Runway (2nd season). It really was an honor working with her! Her and her assistant are both so down-to-earth and a pleasure to work with! They're also really fun and great dancers! Lol ;)

There were other designers that also have really good pieces like: Prashe Shah (Prashe), Nikki Duong Koenig (Cykochik Custom Handbags), Cac Lam (2FeMale), and Judy Yang (JudYang). (Also live auction pieces from Lyly Thanh, CC Couture, Dolly Pearl, and Lizzi London.)

Some random snapshots from the event:

Lucca Couture dress (Modcloth), F21 gold chain necklace, Charlotte Russe bangle, BCBGeneration wedges.

I should've worn heels but I stayed in my wedges because I knew I had to run around all night... Hope it doesn't look too bad!

AFTER PARTY!
The after party was at Lumi Dumpling House in uptown. It was great to be able to see friends, socialize, relax and enjoy it!




Here's a fun one of us!



Cheers!

Let's hear it for New York, New York, New Yoooorrrkkkkkk!!

I've been to NY a few times before this and I absolutely love it every time. Now, I've experienced the summer and winter, but never Labor Day weather! It's the BEST NY weather! Highs in the lower 80s and lows in the 70s. It's perfect since you spend so much time walking around outside!

NOW! A few pics from NY!

The trick to having a comfortable plane ride is to wear comfy clothes! But! You wanna stay cute, well because... you're going to NYC, one of the most fashionable cities! Check out that shoulder action! (btw, never wearing that to the airport again... I beeped going through the metal detectors bc of it and had to get felt up by the TSA woman)
PURE shirt (Nordstrom), TART leggings (Nordstrom), Exhilaration oxford style flats (Target), French Connection white leather bag (bought in the FCUK store in London, how cool!), Longchamp Large 'Le Pliage' tote, convenient for travel.


Right when we got in, we checked into our hotel, the W at Union Square, and then headed straight to the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway to watch Mamma Mia! It was SOOO good!!!
Low headband from Forever 21.

Since it was pretty much IN Times Square, we walked around a bit after the show. Felt great outside and all the bright lights really do inspire you and the streets really make you feel brand new, just like Alicia Keys says. I found the best pizza of my life that night in an alley near Times Square. It's called Patzeria Perfect Pizza on 46th street, between 7th and Broadway. BEST pizza.

The next day, we had brunch at Max Brenner's, went to Central Park to hang out, checked out the Met museum, and ate at some Japanese place. This is a picture of me at the Met. I think I prefer art museums but the Met really did have a LOT of stuff.
F21 blouse, RAVE black trouser shorts (on sale for like $2, no lie), belt from Germany, Exhilaration oxford flats (Target), F21 studded crossbody bag, F21 owl necklace.

Of course, I prefer wedges over flats but at the end of the day, I'm SO glad I didn't wear wedges. We walked EVERYWHERE and back.

This is the BEST part of the Met. The Rooftop Gardens. Here's the view. There's a bar up there where you can get drinks and just chill and enjoy the view. Breathtaking, isn't it? There's also this cool fortress thing made of all bamboo sticks! So cool!

The next day, we were determined to use the Subway more than just twice! I personally love it! It reminds me of 1. when I was in France and had to use it to get anywhere, and 2. when I visited NY in college as a broke college student and couldn't afford cabbing it everywhere. Good times!
F21 plaid shirt, BDG shorts (Urban Outfitters), F21 belt, Xhilaration oxford flats, FCUK bag.

We hit up a few neighborhoods and saw a lot of cool stuff like Hi-Line park, 5th Ave., SoHo, Chinatown, and more. That night, we went to Gallery Bar (I think lower East Side). It was pretty cool.


It was seriously almost pitch dark in there and my flash was so bright. Took me like 3 tries to get one of us with my eyes actually open.

Not exactly sure what we're doing in this pic but it's pretty hilarious. We had fun!
SUGARlips top (Macy's Impulse section), F21 leggings, f21 studded crossbody bag.

This is some of us before leaving to the airport to go back in front of our hotel. :(
F21 batwing top, F21 bandage skirt, H&M dotted hose, Lovely People booties, FCUK convertible bag.

I really love NY. Wish I could live here!! I'm totally a big city girl! I pretty much spent the last day shopping all day in SoHo. Can't wait to wear everything!!!

Bests of NY (IMHO):
Best pizza: Patzeria Perfect Pizza on 46th
Best dessert: Serendipity 3 on E. 60th (Frozen Hot Chocolate)
Best cart food: Elotes (corn w/ spices, no idea where it is)
Best tourist spot: Central Park
Best tourist attraction: Times Square lights and shops
Best shopping: Soho
Best musical: Mamma Mia
Best H&M: 5th Ave. location
Best season of year: Fall

Ugh, I miss it already. can't wait to head back again! *sobs*