Blur the lines of transition

I was feeling like I needed to dress a little less crazy recently, partly due to the heat here in Texas. It's scourching hot! So I opted for something subtle, yet still me. I originally had a plain gray vest, but quickly switched to the black fringe vest when I saw it laying around in Rose's gameroom.

Recently, I've made a lot of positive changes in my life -- for the better. This song totally keeps me going and relates very well to my current state of mind. Ironically, I heard it at the gym and had the lightbulb moment. The gym is one of my few positive changes! :)

Patti LaBelle - New Attitude

Head to toe:

Abercrombie red stripped shirt

Vintage bowtie

F21 fringe vest

G-Star Raw denim

EXPRESS belt

Urban Outfitters shoes

The Fame

Can I hire paparazzis to take pictures of me when I'm feeling cute?

Over the weekend, mxrosie and I went out for some drinks to celebrate her freedom from first session of summer school. I can't believe by the end of this year she'll be graduating! So proud! It's been such a long overdue journey.

In all honesty, I'd rather have my privacy.

"You're our biggest fans, you'll follow us until we love you."

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L to R -- Me, Tony, Rose, Sam, and Eric

I had such an amazing time this past weekend. Especially Friday night. I started by day by finishing off the week at the gym, because I knew my caloric intake this weekend would be plentiful, then met Sam at happy hour with Rose, Eric and Tony. (picture above) Happy hour was great, it was my first time at this new 'best kept secret'. They had friendly bartenders who made strong, delicious drinks with even better finger foods to accompany your buzz. From the night on, we went to Halcyon for more drinks and smores. After stuffing our faces, we finally decided to hit the dance floor at Rain. From then on is a blur.

Head to toe:

Diesel shirt

Urban Outfitters tie

Vintage vest

BDG denim

Zara shoes

Urban Outfitters studded belt

Avan's Birthday. More to come.

L to R: Kevin, Chi, Kaidon, Shelley, Cici, me, Touyen, and Laney

UPDATED

Some of my favorite photobooth photos

Girls with the Birthday boy

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Head to toe:

Vintage blazer

BDG Maroon v-neck t-shirt

Urban Outfitters necklace

Miley Cyrus/Max Azria jeans

Skelatons are the future

First off, I'd like to congratulate my cousin Tony for graduating high school this month! I remember two years ago when it was me trapped under that unflattering graduation gown and I remember I couldn't wait to start a new chapter of my life - and I hope you feel that same, Tony.

Now, being a couple of years older and full of mishaps and derailed paths I feel as though I am no longer nieve about life. After graduation, we have such high hopes and dreams about what we're going to do and where we hope to be - but sometimes, life takes us elsewhere. I thought I would be half way done with college by now, but yet, am still wrestling with the idea of school. Is it for me? Is it worth it? What do I want to do, now?

Higher education teaches you many things, from textbook to facebook. But whether or not I was in college or not, I still as though I've learned a lot of life lessons that one gets from being away from home and in a college enviornment.

Notice my Marc Jacobs sweater has skelaton prints? I carry a lot of skelatons in my closet, and today at graduation, I decided to take those skelatons and wear them.

I do have regrets, as I'm still trying to find myself. I have more knowledge about myself and the world around me.

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Tony, now that you aren't confined with the same people you've been with for the past four years. I hope that you find yourself to do whatever it is you want to do - and do great things. Just remember, always dress your best. You'll never know where life will take you.

Do you like his outfit? When I was at work earlier that day, he went to my house and borrowed my vest and bowtie without me knowing.. Lol!

I love my grandma's style. It's very layered, simple and clean. Her choice in necklaces that day was truely classy. Look how well that jade pops against her ribbed maroon shirt! Style has trickled down in our family from generation to generation. I wish I could show you old photos she has of herself, my mom and aunts when they were younger. It's like staring at pictures of Rose and I. At least now we know that fierceness and fabulousity is genetic!

Head to toe:

BDG pink button-up from Urban Outfitters

Marc by Marc Jacobs cardigan

vintage bowtie

plastic turtle aviator sunglasses

H&M aviator pants

Zara high tops

A touch of pink

This past weekend has been completely busy, actually, this past month has been completely busy and with current situations, I don't see relaxation and summer days ahead. Sorry, that was a run on sentence. But to get to my point, yesterday I went out with some good old friends and some new ones, too. I stopped by my cousin's workplace to meet her and had some quick photos of us taken by our friend Jenny. I sense in the future that you guys will be seeing more of her photos on here. I'm always looking for photographers that I can feel loose and unselfconscious with.

But this is enough rambling. Here are the pics.

Mai's blog - Rose's blog

Lately, I've been feeling a bit stressed and gloomy thinking about a situation that I wish not to express on here because it is personal and private. What I will say about the matter is that no one is dying, physically no but possibly metaphorically. It's the beginning of summer where everyone is finishing off their last finals, packing up and going back to their 'roots', so to speak. Unfortunately, I'm not going anywhere. I don't feel like I did when I used to get excited for hot summer days and long summer nights. I'd much perfer it be autumn so I can wear black and off blacks, as it is the color of my heart. Kidding. I'm not down in the dumps, but close. The soft minimal touch of color in my shirt and belt resemble hope that I'll be spashed with color very soon; as you can see the touch of pink underneath my peeling black shirt. Things will look up very soon. That's the thing with life and fashion, everyday is different, things are always changing, styles and trends are coming and going, it's an constant rollercoaster - much like our lives and emotions.

To quote Heidi (Klum, not Montag), one day your in and the next day you're out.

One day you're down and the next day you'll be floating on air.

Head to toe:

Urban Outfitters pink cotton shirt

Forever 21 black cotton shirt

Buddha beads from Metro Park

Miley Cyrus/Max Azria black denim

Aldo oxfords

Vintage blue leather belt with gold buckle

Vintage black leather bag

Russian Princess - on a budget

Over the past year, some of my closest fashionistas have traded in their handy, full of evil and regrets piece of plastic, for a few dollars and coupons. Who says a fashionista can't be frugal? Isn't that the smartest decision for those of us who don't have a Swiss bank account? I think so. Here's to being frugalistas!

I recently made a vintage/thrift shopping trip on South Congress - an amazing shopping area full of vintage boutiques, thrift shops, one of three American Apparels in my city, high-end boutiques, and good eats. After rummaging through some vintage boutiques, we went next door to a thrift store owned by a local church before it closed, there I found this amazing trench coat by Banana Republic (seen below) and a Lanvin-esque bowtie.

I've accumulated plenty thrifty finds that I have yet to wear because I simple don't have anywhere to pair them with. Usually, I don't buy items without knowing how it'll fit into my wardrobe, but sometimes you come across items that are too good to pass up at the time of purchase! After getting the trench I wanted to get some good use out of it before the Texas heat decides to take over. I paired the coat with Aunt's sweater that I stole from her closet, cream coloured denim versus black to give it a lighter look and feel since I decided to wear black boots, some small accessories, and of course, touches of fur! I love the way all the pieces come together to make a beautiful color palette. Many runways shows, past and present, show looks that are head to toe one colour. I love it on models and ad campaigns, but normally, I hate to dress/look matchy-matchy but in this case, I'll make an exception.

Here's a prime example of looks that are all one colour. Dior fall 2007. We love Dior. We love Jessica Stam.

Much of my look includes vintage/thrift finds mixed in with regularly priced retail pieces which is why I call this look Russian Princess, on a budget. I always encourage everyone to pair high-end with low-end to achieve the perfect look. With that in mind, try to have most of your high-end pieces be your staple pieces that you can wear on many occasions.

Head to toe:

Urban Outfitter's faux fur hat (borrowed from mxrosie)

Dilated sunglasses

Banana Republic trench coat

Zara faux fur vest

Vintage sweater

Vintage gold necklace

Forever 21 tiered fringe necklace

Urban Outfitter's jean

Vintage boots