Summer Floral

Photos by Annie Teng

I pulled this dress out of a full rack at SF's beloved boutique Ambiance union street store. On the contrary of the usual colorful and flowy design incorporated with floral patterns, this gem takes on a clean-cut tight fit which reminds me of traditional Chinese dress qipao. This way makes the dress more versatile: can be easily dressed up or down, casual or business.

I've owned these Sofft shoes for almost 3 years now. They deliver what the brand's name implies: the soles are soft and very comfortable to walk in regardless of the 5-inch platform. So far I've already danced in them all night at two weddings. Looking forward to the next one :)

What I'm Wearing
Dress: from Ambiance
Bag: Kate Spade
Shoes: Sofftshoe

In the Mood for Leather Panels

Photography by Superhero Michael Shriver and his sidekick Jinna Hagerty

My new obsession this season is anything with leather panels. Designers have really gotten creative with the trend lately of experimenting with geometrical leather panels rather than using a print. It's nice to see a dress with a good variety of texture while still looking elegant. Granted the leather on this dress isn't remotely real, I still love calling it "vegan leather."

What I'm Wearing

Jacket: H&M
Dress: H&M (similar)
Scarf: American Apparel
Necklace: Wearable Artworks by Peggy Hunt
Tights: Express
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Vargas (seen here)

In the Mood for Fun in the Sun

This week we decided to try something new so I'm excited to present our very first fashion video! The video was really fun to shoot and it's a great way to see how these clothes move and work in real life. Of course with the video means that I have a lot of people to thank!  The wonderful Akaash Saini did a great job shooting and putting video together as well as helping me get all the sand and seaweed out of my hair!  Of course our resident photographer, Michael Shriver, did yet another great job shooting the still photos.

Finally, a special thanks for our friend Xiaohan from the music blog Buttery Toast for the fantastic music selection! I hope you enjoy the video and some of the still shots. Let us know what you think. Should we do more fashion videos?

Song: The Only Place by Best Coast

What I'm Wearing

Dress: Forever 21 (similar)
Shirt: Zara Studio Top
Bikini Top: American Apparel
Bikini Bottom: Forever 21 Mesh Bottom (similar)
Sweater: AE
Shorts: Forever 21 (similar)
Swim: Miu Miu
Shoes: Dolce Vita Banks

In the Mood for the Salty Ocean Air

Photography by the Admirable Michael Shriver

This weekend I got to breathe in the salty air of the open sea and eat all of its contents too! The best meals are truly the ones you catch yourself and if you ever find the opportunity to convince your parents to  retire on a boat, be sure to seize it!

Something you shouldn't do is walk around on a sail boat with 4-inch heels though. The shoes looked fantastic for the camera but I had a few close calls there.

What I'm Wearing

Blazer: Lux (seen here)
Dress: H&M (similar)
Jewelry: Vintage (seen here)
Shoes: J.W. Anderson ALDO Rise Weatherbee Pointy Heeled Shoes

In the Mood for a Bit of Cutouts

Other than mint and neon colors, cutouts have been on trend this season as well. Bolder designs have cutouts around the waist or belly button area (such as this one from nastygal, this one from TopShop), others put the geometric cutouts on the back (such as this one). I've been quite fond of this trend honestly. The designs get very creative and makes daily wearable clothes more art like. It terms of where the cutout should be, it depends on your personal taste and body type. They show off a bit skin but not trashy.

I found this dress at one of my favoriate stores – THERAPY. Loved about how it incorporates the cutout with a bit vintage collar styling.

Miz Mooz does everything with a bit vintage, a bit funkiness and some playfulness. These shoes from them are one of my go-to daily heels. They are not too high (about 2 inches) and very comfortable.



What I'm Wearing:

Dress: from THERAPY store (similar ASOS flowery dress with back cutout)
Shoes: Miz Mooz (similar black cutout)
Sunglasses: from the fair (similar in tangerine)

In the Mood for a Glass Garden

For those of you who are in Seattle or gonna visit Seattle soon, definitely go check out the Chihuly glass exhibit in Seattle center, next to the Space Needle. Jen and I went during memorial day weekend. The colorful glass art work looks breathtaking under the sun. (trivia: Seattle is the second best place in the world after Murano in Italy.)

My outfit has a simple outline but I like the boldness of the bright colors. The layered tank dress is very flowy when I walk. The orange looks bright yet soft when the sunlight goes through the layers. I'm a fan of short heels for everyday wear. These pumps are about 1.5 inches, easy to walk in and the delicate design in the front adds extra points!

What I'm Wearing

Dress: Forever 21 (similar)
Purple Hosiery: Similar
Shoes: Seychelles 'Amethyst' Peep Toe Pump

White, Red, and Black

There are a lot of new pantone shades out this spring but white, red, and black are always a classic choice that will last through all the seasons. This post is a celebration of the classic palette. Here are pictures from my fashion photoshoot at Red Rock Canyon, in Las Vegas, where the rocks are vivid red under the golden sun.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

White

I prefer a creamy white which looks softer, more feminine, and less juvenile.

What I'm wearing:

Dress: Audrey 3+1 (similar)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Red

Red is one of my favorite colors. Depending on how you match it, red can be punchy, edgy, festive, powerful, or just a nice colorful accent for your usual black, white, or gray. This solid red summer dress adds variety to my standard black and flowery summer dress collection.

What I'm wearing:

Dress: no brand (similar)

Shoes: Forever 21 Victorian Boots (similar)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Black

Black is probably the most versatile color when it comes to fashion. Not only it's easy to match with other colors and textures, but it also works with any skin tone. I love the shiny high waist leggings from AA. I can wear them a lot with leather jackets, a long sweater, t-shirts, flats, heels and practically anything.

What I'm wearing:

Top: H&M heart tee (similar)

Leggings: AA high-waist legging

Shoes: second hand Zara ankle boots (similar)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How do you wear white, red or black? Tweet to us to let us know!

Love,

X&J