Victoria's Secret pretty dress alert

Victoria's Secret The Crisscross Dress 

in Red Lolli (sale $68)

Oh, the scalloped lace hem - gorgeous!

If red is not your thing, the sassy berry color is also a stunner!

What to wear to a golf resort?

Per advice from TBSmen.com, "take inspiration from Mother Nature and mimic her seasonal palette."  In other words, dress to match your environment, even man-made ones.

When I think of golf, I think of vivid green grass and sunny blue skies. 

Here's some color palette ideas from Ralph Lauren ads I saved in my scrapbook from 2001....seems like such a long time ago.

Polka dots, gingham, and stripes....still in-style today!

Checkerboard trend

I'm digging the checkerboard print lately! I'm a huge Mary Engelbreit fan (who frequently uses such themes in her illustrations), maybe that's why!

Zara Checkered Print Dress $59.90
simple but edgy...

Forever 21 Flounced Checkerboard Dress $29.80

cute drop-waist shape...

ASOS Sleeveless Shirt In Chequer Board Print $49.88

now this shirt is highly impractical, but would make for a great editorial/fashion shoot...

Snack break! I have to try this one....

Checkerboard topped brie from Aloutte Cheese

Can't get enough of checkers? Love these images from Fashion Tag.

White Summer Skirts

I had entertained the idea of having a white skirt in my wardrobe for a long time, but haven't actively searched for one, since I'm usually paranoid about panties showing through and white items staining too easily. I had saved some magazine pictures of white skirts I loved in my old scrapbook to remind me of the styles I would prefer, if I ever were to shop for a white skirt...

But it wasn't until I saw To Brighten My Day's and Petite Hues' white skirts, that I became super inspired to run out and buy a white skirt already!

My first instincts were to check out LOFT (one of the few retailers that I can always trust for quality, affordability, and petite sizing). Just in luck, they were having a 40% sale, and this skirt qualified what I had in mind....

LOFT Petite Textured Cotton Summer Stroll Skirt in White 

Size 00P (waist measures 12.75" across, total length measures 17.25")

was on sale at $26.70

Also wearing old J.Crew Stretch Perfect Shirt in size regular XXS and Forever 21 studded flats. 

Review: This 100% cotton skirt is very light-weight and almost gauzy. I have a feeling it'll probably shrink a whole size in the machine-washer/dryer (thus, I'll be hand-washing and hang-drying mine). It fits comfortable on me (might be loose on tinier petites). It is also lined in a soft cotton material, which helps decrease the sheerness. Overall, I really like the pleated details and A-line shape. The best part for me is that the length still looks good with flats. The lightness of the skirt would definitely keep me cool for hot summer days. It's a keeper, even though I don't know how long the skirt will last....must be careful not to eat any sloppy-joe's or spaghetti with this skirt ;)

How do you keep your white items spotless and clean? Any tips? 

Fruit print trend

I could not resist this strawberry print. I've been trying to refrain myself from spending frivolously, especially from trendy items, so I had to contemplate this one out thoroughly....

1. It reminded me of the sold-out J.Crew citrus print shirt, but better, since red is more flattering than orange on most skin tones.

2. I asked myself "would this be appropriate for work and play?" - yes.

3. I then asked myself "is this style something I could see at Anthropologie?" - yes.

4. Also, "would this shirt match other items in my closet?" - yes.

5. I asked my best friend for her opinion, and she said "yes, it's cute!"

6. It has positive reviews with 5 stars.

7. I google'd images of the shirt to make sure it looks good on others, and yes it does, see on Cats in My Closet and Steal her Style.

8. It's only $17.80

9. Sometimes I believe I'm meant to have certain things based on "signs.'" While randomly reading blogs, I came across this image from a 1950's film. The red dots-on-white skirt! It's a sign red & white motif is actually timeless and meant to be, haha. Thus, I finally caved in.

Forever 21 Strawberry Print Shirt 

in size Small

Right away, the only problem I had is that the arm holes are too big. Easy fix!

Here's after DIY alterations:

 

What I did...

Slimmed each side by sewing where the dotted yellow lines are.

I don't have a sewing machine, so I had to meticulously hand-stitch (took forever).

It's not the most straight or even hand-sewing, but good enough for me! Even though Forever 21 blouses tend to be made in this cheap, semi-sheer polyester fabric, they are easy to work with when it comes to alterations.  

Overall, definitely one of my favorite purchases lately! 

Fitted Tan Jacket

 From old Anthropologie clipping from January 2010 issue page 22:

I adore a fitted tan jacket.

Have a wonderful day!

Anthropologie Into the Garden issue

My favorite things.....

Daksha Stitched Blouse pg. 14 - ah so pretty!

Lalina Dress pg. 18 - this is definitely artwork worthy

Cherry Drop Sheath pg. 15 - yes to fruit print trend!

and I really like the idea of this Tasseled iPhone case

This is why I love Anthropologie!

White shorts

Forever21 High-Waisted Pocketed Shorts

Egret size XS ($15.80)

(Also wearing Forever 21 Studded Faux Leather Flats size 6 - fits true to size.)

I added these shorts to my online shopping cart to reach the free shipping deal, and I'm glad I did. The size XS fits comfortably on me (with a little bit of gaping at back of waist). I like that it's not too thin or see-through as with most white shorts. The annoying thing is that it's dry-clean (the stretchy sateen-like material looks prone to shrinkage in the machine wash).

Unintentionally channeling Audrey Hepburn's style again....

Here's a more modern take on white shorts:

Inspiration from my scrapbook.

I'm also loving white Bermuda-length shorts like this one from ASOS:

ASOS City Shorts ($53.20)

 Do you own white shorts? What's your favorite style of shorts?

Forever 21 cute summer picks

I might have mentioned a long time ago on another fashion blog that I have a thing for 'parrot' prints.

Parrot Print Tie-Front Romper

$24.80

I haven't tried wearing a romper or jumpsuit before, somehow it doesn't seem very comfortable (wedgie-prone?), but I adore the print on this one! It would look cute with these sandals too:

Colorblocked Buckle Gladiator Sandals

$19.80

I really like the "idea" of these sandals..the color-combo are perfect for summer attire!

Thanks to Classy Girls Wear Pearls in Bermuda and I am Khatu Punta Cana's vacations photos, I'm inspired by such resort-wear right now!

Best Eyebrow Pencil so far!

Let's begin with my personal history of eyebrows....

Gene-wise, I've been blessed or cursed with very sparse and thin hair, including my eyebrows. I suppose I have the typical Asian sparse eyebrows.

Of course, growing up with a lot of TV watching and magazine reading, I have always been attracted to people with thick, dark, shapely brows.....

Till this day, I dream of marrying a guy with a family of thick eyebrows so that my kids can inherit such looks, haha!

Anyhow, I've tried the fake-eyebrows trick using eyeliners and brow powders, and they never make any sense on my face. Having dark eyebrows seems to make me look weird, mean or angry, instead of sultry and beautiful as the ladies above.

Oftentimes, one looks the best the way nature intended. Over the years, I've learned to accept what I was born with and to enhance that natural uniqueness instead of trying to look like someone else.

So the only thing I need to enhance my sparse eyebrows....is some sort of filler that helps put in some shape.

As mentioned on I am Khatu, most eyebrow liners and powders on the market are BROWN. Asian people don't typically have brown eyebrows. Maybe a few lucky people can get away with using black eyeliner for the brows...but for folks like myself, black is just too dark or bold for the face.

The only solution I can think of is using grey powder or pencil. Unfortunately, finding a simple grey brow powder, grey pencil, or grey eyeshadow (that is matte with no shimmer) is rare! For the longest time since college, I've been using the "soft black/charcoal" powder from Eyebrowz (a website I found while googling the topic), but they don't last a full day on my oily face and the powder gets gritty after awhile, so I have been on the lookout for something better....

Found it! NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil in Charcoal ($4.50, affordable!)

I love that it is actually grey grey, it is buildable but never gets too dark or black....
Here's how grey it looks compared to a black eyeliner:

 (black eyeliner on left, NYX eyebrow charcoal pencil on right)

Another great thing about this NYX eyebrow pencil is that is stays on the whole day, better than powders. 

This is how natural it looks on my sparse eyebrows:

BEFORE          vs.          AFTER

     

It provides just enough color to fill in some of the sparseness and create shape without overpowering or looking like I have makeup on. 

I highly recommend this NYX eyebrow pencil in charcoal, especially if you have black hair with sparse eyebrows, and wanting to keep it natural! 

What eyebrow products do you use?

Fruit print trend

If you missed out or felt blah about the J.Crew citrus print perfect shirt ($88)...

...perhaps try a strawberry print instead at Forever 21 ($17.80)!

Doesn't it make you want to get some fruity drinks?

Kool-Aid, anyone?

ASOS pretty dress alert

I'm not needing another fancy dress in my stuffed closet, but boy, this is one is breathtaking!

Anyone going to a garden party or wedding?

I recommend this:

ASOS Pencil Dress in Floral Jacquard ($141.31)

The print somehow reminds of Grace Kelly's floral dress in Rear Window

Love the pleated details and pockets!

Ah, so pretty! See it on blogger Gary Pepper Girl. 

Forever21 edgy but nice shopping picks

Life In Progress™ Contrast Trim Moto Jacket ($29.80)

Can't get enough of contrasting sleeves....

Studded Faux Leather Flats ($24.80)

Don't they remind you of Valentino Rockstud Ballerina Flats?

Lastly, for fun...

Scottish Terrier Print Loafers ($16.80)

Because they remind me of yummy Walkers shortbread!

Any other great finds or wishlist items at Forever 21?