Wednesday, April 30, 2008

me want me want me want



I want this dress so badly!!!!! It's SO beautiful! Love the red, love the pleats in the front, love that it's sexy and young at the same time. Why is it so expensive?!? Even after it's on sale, still over $2Gs! Sigh... :*(


Christian Lacroix Strapless Mini Dress - on sale for $2,464 at Net-a-Porter

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sweet little clutch


While this could easily have been concocted by leftover fabric from an old bridesmaid dress , or better yet, tissue paper if you're going for the one-time use (remember those crepe paper and glue art projects as a kid?), there is something so strangely sweet and familiar about this clutch that I wish I could be dancing along Newbury St. with this in hand. Saccharine and girly, it is a perfect little bag just in time for spring.

Laura Merkin Eve Gauze Clutch - $165, exclusively at shopbop.com

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Is it me or does she look eerily like Goldie Hawn here, esp. w/ that expression?

People magazine just posted a sneak peek of their "100 Most Beautiful People in the World" list, and looking at the previews, I can't say I'm too impressed. As a kid, this was THE list to look forward to each year, because in the time before the Internet (I'm dating myself here), TMZ, and all of those entertainment news outlets that barrage our every days now, there was a mystique as to the way People selected their beauties, gorgeous photos were dedicated just for this issue, and of course, celebs all wanted to make it on this coveted list.

However, I've all but stopped buying these issues in the past 5 years or so because these lists have less to do with beauty and more to do with popularity. People post the people who are in the news the most. They post the celebs who frequently appear in their covers anyways. There are also way more beautiful pictorials from many other magazines, such as Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W. The photos in People are designed to be "friendly" and "comfortable," and they never push the envelope. What does this all mean? DRABNESS. The photos are dull, the people they pick are dull, therefore, the magazine is dull.

I don't know if I agree that Kate Hudson should have been their cover girl. Yeah, she's all sunny and bright, but to be THE most beautiful?!? No, I don't think so. Maybe back when she had a hit with "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days," I thought she was adorable in that, and much prettier, but she's pretty worn out looking these days. The Cantonese term I can think of is "chahn." Just, she's not who I would've picked.


I mean, they put Rumer Willis on the list, and sorry if this is mean, but she's pretty darn fug. What has she done? Nothing but be the spawn of Demi and Bruce. Everybody on the list is pretty blah and predictable. Eva Longoria, check. Jessica Alba, check. Carrie Underwood, check.

The only person I liked from the sneak peek was Salma Hayek. There is no debate from me that she should be on this list; she is absolutely stunning!


And at least the cast of "Gossip Girl" made it on. Again, is that because they are THE most beautiful, or because they are the hottest cast on television now? You be the judge.


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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

as if in a dream


I was surfing around when I came upon these gorgeous shots of Gong Li 鞏俐. I have been a fan of her ever since I saw "Raise the Red Lantern" as a little girl, and even now, she is as equally stunning for a woman who is now in her early 40s.


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crystal diva


I'm only halfway through "War of In-Laws II" (野蠻奶奶大戰戈師奶) and while the first 7 chapters felt forced and rushed, the characters are slowly growing on me, and the storyline is less muddled now.

The one thing I was excited about watching this series were the stylish fashions all the characters would wear. (The plot was loosely based off of "The Devil Wears Prada.") A full designer wardrobe was furnished for all the major characters, and in this day of globalization, just because you see it on a character in Hong Kong doesn't mean you can't buy it in the States.

From what I gather, some of the sponsors for this series include Valentino, ck Calvin Klein, Hermès, Armani, YSL, Heidi Slimane, and of course, Louis Vuitton. I'll try to cover those pieces in a later post, but what I was really drawn to was all the great jewelry that Myolie Wu 胡杏兒 got to wear. I read the credits in the back and discovered that Swarovski sponsored all of her jewelry, so of the key pieces that I thought looked the most stunning, here they are.

Cloe Pendant

Cherry Blossom Necklace

Claw Crystal Satin Pendant

Born Pendant

Stonehenge Pendant

I usually wear very dainty pieces myself, but I love how Myolie was able to show how easily it was to incorporate very substantial pieces into every day work clothes, and not look too ridiculous or loud about it. There was a very tender balance here in not overdoing it, and letting the jewelry sparkle for itself. I am so inspired I might pick up a few pieces myself!

Swarovski Cloe Pendant, gold-plated - $115

Swarovski Crystal Cherry Blossom Necklace - $330

Swarovski Claw Crystal Satin Pendant - $260

Swarovski Born Pendant - $85

Swarovski Stonehenge Pendant - $95

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I never met a frog that I didn't like...

Ever since I was little, I'd always thought that frogs were kinda cute. In their buggy-eyed, bloated tummies, padded fingers kind of way, they always seemed to represent wide-eyed innocence. Other girls always associated frogs with a handsome prince in disguise, but not me. Maybe because I grew up (for a short time) in an area where I had access to frogs, snakes, turtles, and salamanders, I liked the frogs for the frogs themselves, and these little creatures never really grossed me out.

While frogs aren't normally viewed as creatures reserved for cute accessories, I instantly fell in love with these 2 very frog-centric pieces.

The first is this adorable little ring from J.Crew. This version comes in black agate, but there is also a lemon jade version (which would've been my first choice, but I think that one is sold out). I love that it's a little frog that's wrapped around your fingers, much like the little frogs I used to catch as a kid in Walden Pond. This is an ideal little ring to wear on the index finger, methinks.


Then there is this Marc Jacobs purse! It's kinda silly, is fully impractical, and really, why a frog, but I love it anyways. I like that the frog is smack in the middle, as both a showpiece and an accent to the bag. While you can get it in neon pink or acid yellow, I prefer the muted, plain black version, because the gold frog stands out more.


For a one-of-a-kind frogger experience, Neiman Marcus has an exclusive version of the frog bag.


Yes, even Victoria Beckham would approve (if she was your idol, of course). :p


J.Crew 10kt Gold Stone Frog Ring - $425 at J.Crew

Marc Jacobs Evening Rana Pouch - $795 at eLuxury

Marc Jacobs Angie Evening Frog Pouch - $1,195 at Neiman Marcus

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Inside a $25,000-a-night escort service...

...Oh, wait, get your head out of the gutter. I'm just reading what the caption says about the girls from "The Hills." Wrong caption, you say? So why in the heck is a reality TV show featured in a music magazine?


Don't get me wrong, I love the show with all its fakeness and pettiness and peroxideness, but I don't think it deserves a cover story on Rolling Stone. These girls, while we all know them from watching their every move for the last 3 years, are by no means talents. They are pretty people with connections to dream jobs and fantasy homes and vacations, with links to the latest trendy bars, cars, and boys. They are Barbie in reality, but I don't see them as more deserving than a lot of other artists who are truly talented, have worked on their craft, and are able to deliver more than silly drama.


I think RS is just trying to cash out with putting the arch-rivals on their cover, which I'm sure was a huge feat considering the people involved, but it's almost like a "so what?" The people subscribing to RS definitely weren't sitting around waiting for this cover story, and the people who normally care about these people buy gossip rags. Anyhow, I'm sure that the photos will be very nice, etc., but honestly, I don't think they deserve such an honor for what they've done so far.


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Monday, April 28, 2008

no shirt, no service, even for little squirrels


If I could have a pet squirrel, it would ideally be like this little guy. His name is Sugar Bush, and was apparently raised by a woman in FL who saved him from a tree that was being cut down. She dresses him up in the cutest little outfits and photographs him. I LOVE these shots! They are so strange and weird and LOL-funny and bizarre, but it's absolutely adorable. I can't stop staring at the pic above. This is freakin' hilarious! Who does this?!? But more importantly, where can I get a pet like this?!?


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blinking heart

As a surprise, my friend the bride bestowed each of her bridesmaids with a unique gift from Swarovski. I received this lovely "Blink" heart pendant that I instantly loved and have been wearing for the past three days.


I must confess, this isn't something I would have chosen for myself, but I love the thought she put into choosing a piece that is unique to each girl. That little bead above the pendant can slide up and down to create a different look to the necklace (choker-style or lariat-style). I definitely love the gift!

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more gossip girl pics

Here are more photos from Nylon magazine of the latest "It" girls, Blake Lively and Leighton Meester. They are both absolutely gorgeous in these shots. Enjoy!


See earlier pics here.

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show more emotion!


Zhang Ziyi 章子怡 appeared in the April 2008 issue of Vogue China. While I think she has a pretty face, these photos are sadly too bland for my taste. Her lack of any expression doesn't so much as intrigue, but rather, shows an emptiness that is very disconnected and unsavory.


What do you think? Am I being too critical?

Oddly enough, there was a TV ad for this issue...



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