My Kids will Dress like THIS.

Srsly, I don't know if I want to be the parent who put this straw hat, striped shirt, blazer, grey jeans, chucks outfit together, or the child who wears it...

PS- You have no idea how much I am LOVING the straw hat. 

{picture from the sartorialist}

I really hope that I DO NOT spoil my children and buy them Chanel at age 6 (this girl looks so young!). I'd like to think that I'd be more pragmatic. ...But if any of my friends should perchance be the next top designer or fashion editor...I guess that'll make my child the coolest kid on the block to be able to wear the loveliest clothes. 

Chanel with a scooter, beyond adorable. 

{pic creds: altamaria nyc}

... you don't need a purpose in life

Never mind that he failed to know very basic fashion trivia...

Who Mario Testino is?

The color sole of Christian Louboutins? SERIOUSLY EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THIS. everyoneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. 

Who Jason Wu is?

Let's just stop and cream at his accent. 

REALLY. I just did. 

As Robert Pante says, "If you look good and dress well, you don't need a purpose in life." 

But, srsly, I bet he doesn't know all this fashion trivia because he is so worldly and read books. 

yeah. 

A girl can cream. 

...I mean, dream. 

PARTY FOR THE TREES!

Green Party: A night of free Brooklyn Brewery lager (organic beer drinking for a cause!); fashionable Way-farers-inspired shades; glow-stick headbands; and the usual ridiculous. 

We don't really need a reason to party, but if we did, this would be a good one. 

That's a HAWT line. (I promise to never say hawt again.)

Pola and Me, Euro-trip buddies Summer '09. LOVE!

Wearing: Lacoste polo, Theory jacket, neon green Replay belt, Ben Sherman jeans

I was bored that morning so I thought the neon green belt would intrigue.

Yes?

A.Sam, with a reversible "tablecloth-pattern" jacket; and Pola, with her hippie-esque glam

Both rockin' glowstick bands (Is that what they call that?), in very different ways.

 Which do you like better: A.Sam's exaggerated necklace (more like bodylace) or Pola's headband?

P.S.: Peace signs make every outfit work wonders. Unless you're Asian. In which, stop being a FOB. (jk, i srsly wished i were more fobby at times.)

"Popped collar? what's going on here?" -Alex Smash

It wasn't intentional. 

This whole Green Party was quite spontaneous, sorry if I wasn't totally dressed the part.

Yes, I disappoint...rare, but it happens.. ahah. 

(Oh, fun fact: I use to dress really preppy. It made my parents happy. You will be amazed how many Lacoste/Ralph Lauren polos I have. I also have different color slacks from Brooks Brothers. Yeah, I used to shop at Brooks Brothers, and I liked it.)

My homeboys: the Pats. 

Richie Rich, Pat D, Pat W

A party isn't a party until Richie takes his shirt off. Yes, he trimmed. 

Ben, A.Sam, Pat D. 

I adore them. And their different styles that works for each of them respectively.

Listening to: I LOVE COLLEGE-Asher Roth

Pic credits: A.Sam's camera

Random: Baconnaise

bacon-flavor+mayonnaise, but vegetarian. 

It was featured on Oprah today, and I fell in love immediately.

Nearly holy..because it's also Kosher. 

Random: Credit Suisse

well done, CS.

none of which is my doing, but i'm glad that the likeliness of me keeping my offer is HIGH...and that I will NOT be in debt come July...Even if I will have already pre-spent my relocation bonus on my Euro-trip.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

"Every day should be Earth Day." pic from FeedYourInspiration@tumblr

Some thoughts:

1) Who knows good music? I know good music.

Remember how I was just RAVING and listening to Nothing to Worry About by Peter Bjorn & John on Monday...yeah, the Hills decided to open Monday's episode with that song. Seriously. I know good music--because anything they play on the Hills qualifies it as good music. Clearly.

2) East Japanese Restaurant on 3rd Ave and 27th street has closed.

Health violations.. Ali is probably thrilled. I, on the other hand, am disgusted yet devastated. I loved that place (my family eats at the various East restaurants around the city enough to pay for an "East card" ..for discounts.) There HAS TO BE another conveyor belt sushi place in Gramercy. Ugh.

3) My family really makes me laugh with their witty lines.

I had sent an email to my mom, my uncle, my aunt and some family friends (we are so close that they are practically family) giving them potential birthday gifts suggestions. I did not send my dad this email bc he never answers his email. Anyway, one of the suggestion was a leather Gucci bag that I want, alas cannot afford. The Gucci Chain Large Hobo Guccissima. It's not from the new season but it's simple and classic.

My mom's reply reads: "Why us? I should forward this to your beloved Daddy. He will take care of it."

my dad might kill me for even asking such a thing during a recession

My uncle's reply: "I think I bought something similar the last time I was in Burma. Will find it for you. Thanks for being so considerate"

knock-offs are just NOT the same. and making a wishlist is pretty freaking considerate

My aunt: "I thought there was no birthday presents after 21..."

where is this even written?

A family friend: "I already bought a present for you. A book called "Dhamma Talk" (about Buddhism). But I will rethink your choice"

i know material possessions are impermanent, but that's OKAY with me!

what sarcasm. LOVE THEM.

Listening to: July, July!- The Decemberists

Because June loves The Decemberists and is unpatiently waiting for July.

LookBook Gems

Lace and Power Shoulders.

Balmain-inspired jacket, harem pants and fringes. a compilation of the hottest fashion trends today. well-done. 

High-waisted, wide-legs: "paperbag pants" ...in white, mind you! so structurally beautiful! 

Because marginally different shades of grey works! note: amazing hat. 

white tights can DEFINITELY work! and a Chanel-inspired bag that isn't black is always refreshing. 

backless shirts are so hot. especially now that summer is coming soon (not soon enough...)

leather never looked so effortlessly chic. leather jacket, harem pants, studded boots.. too cool for school. 

i know they say the multiple chains look is soooooo 2 months ago, but i love it. 

big fan of effortless looks with the PERFECT accessory. case in point, this picture above. 

hippie-esque, and lovely. ethnic Indian-inspired(?) harems, with the most orgasmic criss-cross wedges. (really, need those shoes.) 

What gems. 

Listening to: Peter Bjorn & John's Nothing To Worry About 

oh, also check out their video on YouTube 

it really makes you smile. 

 

Quarter-fucking-life-crisis.

This week-long reflection was really good for me. I am now having a quarter life crisis. Yeah, it's totally cool.

Shit.

This weekend, on the picture perfect Saturday afternoon, walking in LES and Soho, even running into Richard Chai, fashion designer extraordinare in his white v-neck (Slavy, I am sorry for giving you such a hard time about YOUR white v-necks last year--you, my friend, are just too fashion forward, even for me...aha.) I met up with my friend Chris, just to catch up. Before yesterday, I hadn't seen him in years--which I think is a little ridiculous because Yale is only 2 hours away from NYC. Bah. Anyway, I've known him since the summer of 8th grade. We go way back...to CTY @ Johns Hopkins. Think about, that was 8 years ago, which brought on a realization that contributed to my crisis. TIME GOES BY SO FAST. Holy shit, it was a blink of an eye before high school was over (gosh, i loved Stuy.) and college was just around the corner. Another blink of an eye ...I am a month away from graduating college and starting my first real job. I am scared shitless. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited about Credit Suisse, but it's hard not to freak about what I want to do with my life and if I'd have enough time to do everything--and do it well.

Actually, I came across this quote that kinda PERFECTLY describes my quarter-fucking-life crisis:

"we human beings are conflicted beings. our beliefs don't always harmonize with our instincts, and our behavior doesn't always reflect our beliefs...we wage war between the person we are and the person we hope to become" -Brandon Mull

Can I lead the party girl life style while being a financier...

Can I party hard, jetset on weekends while saving money to buy an apartment (you know, the responsible thing to do) and donate money to the less fortunate...(http://www.poverty.com/)

Can I get totally smashed without it interfering with my Buddhist morale...(http://www.purifymind.com/BuddhismAlcohol.htm)

Basically, I am pretty sure despite the beautiful weather..I was a downer and seem so defeated. I am also pretty sure, I scared Chris. Sorry. But amid this quarter-life-crisis, I realized something from a quote I found while catching up on my week's worth of GoogleReader this weekend:

the greatest mistake you can make in life is to be constantly fearing you will make one.

Damn right.

So, c'est la vie.

...Resting...

I need an extension. I'll update soon, PROMISE, but for now, I'm really enjoying being a technology minimalist. It is also Burmese New Year--it's a week long celebration and time of reflection, so that is exactly what I've been doing. It is more of a Buddhist thing: more meditation and learning more about the religion (i have nightly sessions with my mom!) than getting drunk with festivities...which is so refreshing. 

One of my Burmese New Year resolutions was going to be to be a better Buddhist by drinking less alcohol. But considering I'm London, Paris, Barcelona, IBIZA bound in a month and a half...I don't think that would work. Though, I haven't drank in weeks--to enter the New Year with a clean slate. Not at the dinner party my parents hosted. Not in New Jersey the next night. THAT TOOK INNER STRENGTH. really. The Blue Label Johnny Walker was mocking me. So were the EXCELLENT wines. 

 I think my resolution will be to be a better daughter by being more considerate and grateful...and to meditate more. 

Happy Thingyan, my Burmese friends. 

3 R's: Rest. Reflect. Relax.

I have some blog posts to catch up on..But, this weekend..I'm taking it back to basics and just enjoying the weekend. My parents are hosting a dinner party on Friday so I've been helping out--getting everything organized etc. Thus, the lack of posts this week. Saturday, I'm planning on going to Jersey, catch up some reading in the backyard (hope the weather is nice!!) and hopefully, pencil in a session at the driving range sometime this weekend. Boy, do I miss golf. (I might miss the massage session after golfing more.) 

I'm on Spring Break, and unfortunately, unlike, EVERYONE else, I'm on a staycation. I'm really envious of my friends that went to Jamaica, Mexico, Bahamas, PARIS!, etc. Ugh, I need to save up for Europe in June. But, I'm planning a day at the spa sometime next week. I really really really really need it. Random: On Weds, I went to Jean-Claude Biguine to get a haircut. I'm still undecided on whether or not I like the haircut. eh. Maybe I'll grow into it. 

Well, enjoy your weekend, loves. 

TOPSHOP SOHO

Thursday, April 2, the weather was beautiful: the sun was out, everyone left their winter coats at home, and everyone EVERYONE was just giddy. In Soho, getting out the Spring Street 6 train station, the giddiness was magnified, exponentially. There was a buzz in the air. A buzz more frenzied than an average day in Soho. Balthazar had a waiting line--at 4 pm. The swarms of people--tourists, fashionistas, and EVEN news stations made walking down Broadway to the newly open TOPSHOP SOHO nearly impossible. 

Once there, the line curled around Broome then Crosby was quite daunting. It was truly a calling to fashionistas everywhere. And I loved every second of it. Yet, I didn't even make it through the TOPSHOP doors. (love topshop, but i really don't do lines. they are surely the bane of my existence.)

Sure, I was disappointed that I did not get to see the inside of the awesomeness that is TopShop Soho--after all the excitement! Fashionista...or maybe NylonMag...described it worthy of "multiple orgasms." ...and I have only one response to that...promise?! ;)

And, I thought I was being so clever and calculated arriving there around 4:30. I sincerely expected all the fashionistas (there to catch a glimpse of Kate Moss) gone by then. (No offense.) Alas, I was sorely sorely mistaken. But to be honest, I really just went to see all the hype (shoe studio and good DJing!..and the free tote!). I had just read on a blog earlier in the day that most of the items there were priced as if the exchange rate was 2 to 1 (2 dollars to one pound). A dress that is 45 pounds in London would be 90 dollars in the store!  With today's exchange rate 1.48 dollars to a pound, it actually makes more sense to buy the items in  London, saving me roughly 23 dollars! (Thank you, my International Finance class..and every other class that has taught me about FX exposure..aka every finance class I've ever taken. And a big whoop whoop to the strong dollar.) Luckily, I'll be in London in less than 2 months, where I might very possibly buy everything in TopShop. 

My outfit that day: 

Listening to: Never Miss a Beat-Kaiser Chiefs

We can thank the Brits for great clothes and awesome music. 

It's always better when its 12 inches...

Heidi Klum in 12 inch Alexander McQueen heels. It would never be worn in real life. But, DAMNNNNN, are they hot. (Sorry the pictures are so crappy. pics via Splash.)

(for those minds in the gutters, insert porn reference here.)

I've stopped drinking.

Happy April Fool's Day, bitches. 

I bet you saw that coming. As the former Manchester United football player, George Best, said best...

"I've stopped drinking, but only while I sleep." 

It doesn't make me an alcoholic. Just a clarification. 

Anyway, LONG FREAKING DAY. 

Today, I forgot my ipod at home and my golly gosh(yes, i can get away with saying it) I almost died. It really is unhealthy when you need your ipod that much. I had hoped..at least...the world would work with me a bit. Perhaps having someone next to me play their ipods really loudly--which is often the case usually, alas not when I need them to. Anyway I really can't imagine anyone that would play the music I like--indie/alternative, etc--that loud. DeathCab in eardrum-popping decibels. MAGICAL. (I mention DeathCab bc I have been listening to them EVERYDAY, inspired by my watching re-runs of the OC on SoapNet. NO JUDGMENTS, PLEASE.) 

Also, is it weird that whenever I see a sentence start with "Today," I expect it to end in "FML"? I was just looking at the first sentence in the previous paragraph. FML culture. 

Oh, mind you, I wrote this whole blog on my blackberry notes application while underground on the subway (which is the reason why this post is a little disorganized...) Technology has really taken hold of my life. 

This weekend, after Relay-for-Life, I vow to take it "back to basics." Christina Aguiliera-style. Ugh, wow, forgive me for such a lame joke. Anyway, yes! BASICS! I plan to continue reading Charles Kindleberger's Manias, Panics, and Crashes: A History of Financial Crisis. I've been reading it for the past two months. What a disgrace. I also need to write my Monetary Economics paper--making the case for a "bad bank" structure and the nationalization of banks. Really, I'm a little excited. I've been reading nauseous amounts of Financial Times articles and editorials. <3. 

SHAKESHACK and TOPSHOP SOHO opening tomorrow. I am shitastically excited. 

Listening to: The Ice Is Getting Thinner-Death Cab for Cutie