I apologize for not blogging for a week there, what with black friday, cyber monday, and Bloomingdales sales. I got a new Canon SD 780IS in RED (my fave color), a Hugo Boss suit for chibi (how dashing!), and presents for chibi's family in Taiwan.
Other than that, chibi and I were also busy doing a last minute shoot for Sabo Shop's Holiday'09 collection last week. Despite the thrown-together studio at our Santa Monica place with inadequate backdrop and lighting, chibi did an excellent job photographing everything and then editing them in post-production.
First, he photographed each piece in isolation. Then, Sabrina from Sabo Shop (girl in white below) styled and directed the model shoot.
Here are some of my favorite unedited shots from the shoot that did not make it into the final shots:
This last one chibi took as I was walking away, and I looked like a nonchalant passerby. I thought that was really cool.
Now, if you look carefully at the unedited photos, you will see the line running down the middle on the backdrop. The story for that is, chibi bought a pipe from OSH the morning of the shoot and extended Sabrina's white paper backdrop to make it broad enough for the shoot. We had gotten another girl to be the model, but she had a neck accident and couldn't make it, so I had to fill in. I was REALLY glad Sabrina had many wigs and huge glasses to hide my face. I also gave chibi quite a big of trouble not keeping to my spot in front of the backdrop.
Last thing I'll say is, the clothing line from SABO was incredibly comfortable to wear and easy to layer together!! I also loved the jewelry and body jewelry from v from vera wong and Metal and Hyde. I went to the UNIQUE LA marketplace over the weekend to help out at their booth and it was tons of fun! See Sabrina's facebook for more photos!
Monday, December 07, 2009
Sabo Shop Photoshoot and Unique LA
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
American Apparel and Adia Kibur: what they have in common
I really think this blog could also be named the "What tempts me today" blog...
From Hautelook, this matching nude-colored Loop Terry Zip Jacket ($19) and Mini Skirt ($9) among a bunch of other colorful American Apparel really tempted me today. How understated and sexy is wearing this to play badminton, tennis, or golf? And they are so cheap. >_<~ I'm a sucker for nude tones... On the other hand, Gilt Fuse has some great jewelry Erica Anenberg, A Squared by Alex and Ani, and Adia Kibur. I particularly like the necklaces from the Nadia Lee for Adia Kibur collection. Adia Kibur has been featured in Lucky for their bib necklaces before. For me, the attraction is in the sophisticated undertones and art deco feel in their jewelry. I would feel like a modern woman who knows what she wants wearing these:
In summary, American Apparel and Adia Kibur may seems day and night (both literally and metaphorically), but they both starts with the letter "A" and they both tempted me so badly that I felt the need to blog about them today. OK~! That was a pretty lame way to tie this all together, and unfortunately, it is the truth, so we'll leave it at that... ^_^""
Friday, October 16, 2009
Gilty Ranjana Khan Necklaces
I'm back! Perhaps it's rejuvenation from being back with my beau in LA, or the approach of my favorite holiday/birthday, Halloween. I'm finally back in shopping mode. I'll take pictures of my spoils and post them soon enough, and you will be jealous, I promise you!
In any case, while I bought yet again from ideeli (a pretty dress for a friend's birthday present), I am feeling all sorts of lust over these incredible costume jewelry from Gilt. Of course, they are incredibly unaffordable for someone like me who isn't pulling in income.
My favorite is this black silk charmeuse cord necklace that jumped out and grabbed me by all my goth fantasies. The necklace has three row scalloped bib with black plastic and glass bead drops. Sounds so simple, yet it's so wonderfully theatrical and gothic. It strikes my heart so fatally with its similarity to a manga/anime that I absolutely love: xxxHolic.
There are other necklaces I liked too, also from Ranjana Khan...who is Naeem Khan's wife, by the way. They are a perfect team together!
Usually, these statement pieces of jewelry would be paired with other items that are relatively simple, such as a dress, a blazer, basic separates, which makes the outfit wearable for everyday. But judging from my colorful hobby of watching manga/anime/cosplay, I continue to dream of a studio that would be stocked full of these paired with extreme dresses (full bodied Victorian and decadent Baroque styles). Of course, with no occasions to go all out and a culture that is so obsessed with not overdressing, this is impractical and will remain in the realms of dreams.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
MoMA Store Sale gives unexpected necklace finds
I miss visiting the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City! After all, it's a really cool place where you can sit around staring at thought-provoking abstract art for a substantial amount of time, all the while watching droves of people walking by and about. You may be wondering, what does art have to do with fashion? I'm hoping the answer gets really obvious with the necklaces featured below:
The MoMA store is having a sale and you can find all the above items online. I love them all! Especially the Marianne Olry necklaces since hanging raw gems and precious stones around the neck is simply hot, hot, hot. And yes, the last one is a necklace SCARF made out of synthetic taffeta (cloth). Creative? I would say so. Clean and crisp? Mm-hmm! Gorgeous craft? Most definitely~!
The MoMA store is awesome for carrying pieces from relatively obscure designers from all over the world. For example, Paola Volpi lives and works in Rome where she is known to transform industrial materials into unique and precious jewelry and the context in which we see these materials. Marianne Olry, on the other hand, is a jeweler in Paris who was discovered by Bonnie Mackay, the creative and marketing director of MoMA Retail. Mackey spotted Marianne Olry’s delicate drop necklace sparkling in a shop window while wandering through the Marais in Paris. Alexis Bittar is a New York designer who is getting increasing amount of attention in America as well as worldwide. His biggest recent gig is designing Burberry's first ever couture jewelry collection. Quite a feat for the Brooklyn native known for his modernistic Lucite jewelry! Francesca Amfitheatrof is based in London and designs for the home in addition to her jewelry collection. Her clients include Alessi, Chanel, Fendi, Marni, Wedgwood, and so on.
Monday, July 20, 2009
RSVP Virtual Trunk Show at Shrimpton Couture
One of my favorite vintage blog and e-store is having a sale on beautiful reworked vintage pieces~! Go check it out at Shrimpton Couture e-store or blog. A lot of the items has just become 25% off instead of 10% off!!! My favorite item is the necklace featured on the left of the poster above.
While you are at Shrimpton Couture, do remember to check out Glamourai's necklaces!! Glamourai is a jewelry designer who designs many gorgeous pieces for Shrimpton Couture on a regular basis. In fact, "gorgeous" just doesn't do her work justice. Louise Black's necklaces are also awesome, in a totally different way.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Pretty in Pink: Necklaces from David Aubrey
ideeli is having a David Aubrey sale and these necklaces are soooo pretty. The first one caught my eye and the second one stole my heart. I've once again fallen into a desperate state of indecision. As the pictures show, the necklaces are great against black and grey (both neutral colors), which means you can count on them to pull together lots of different basic outfits. I want them both!
In fact, there is also a Chiana sale at ideeli, where I see lots of pretty tops and layered dresses that would look AMAZING with the necklaces above. Oh, what guilty pleasures...
Monday, May 18, 2009
Zodiac Cuff by Jessica Kagan Cushman
Horoscopes are relevant not only for teen magazines and fortune telling culture, it seems. Donna Karen designed a whole series of bags with zodiac themes, and Jessica Kagan Cushman came out with twelve cuffs featuring the zodiac constellations set in crystals on black resin background. The twinkling zodiac cuffs are sure to look good during a night out, and it can be a conversation piece providing tons of opportunity for hand-holding to figure out the constellation. You might even attract an astrology geek or two. It occurs to me that it could be a great "neutral" gift for a girl friend's birthday if you don't know what she wants. I think it's ingenious, what do you think?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Beautiful Vintage Jewelry from House of Lavande at HauteLook.com
1950s Cherry Necklace $600.00 / 
1950s Pink Diamante Flower Necklace $750.00 / 
1970s Amber And Diamante Runway Necklace $1250.00 / 
1950s Juliana Blue Aurora Bracelet $425.00 / House of Lavande was established two years ago in Palm Beach, Florida. Founder Tracy Smith of House of Lavande brings together vintage and couture by providing women with collectible costume jewelry pieces that were from design houses such as Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Dior among others that have created the one-of-a-kind styles. Aren't these vintage jewelry above pretty? I am also extremely taken by the ruby red Siam Cuff from Thorin and Co below. Thorin and Co really makes jewelry that looks regal and luxurious, don't they? All these and more jewelry from House of Lavande is on sale at HauteLook.com right now for another day or so. If you want to join HauteLook (invitation-only sample sales site) to look at these beauties, click on any of the pictures!!!
Thorin and Co Siam Cuff $425.00 / 
Thorin and Co for House of Lavande Black Rocker Necklace $900.00 / 
Thorin and Co Diamante Bib Necklace $900.00 / 
David Mandel Pink Floral Necklace $800.00 / 
