Fall Dreaming

The fast approaching fall means that it's almost time for Fui and I to head back to New York and begin our new school term. Fui's a rising sophomore while I'm a rising junior. Heading back to New York also means that it's time to update my wardrobe for the cooler months. Here's what I currently have my eye on.-Hairin

1. Flat ankle boots like these from Chanel, Alaia, Frye and Dillard's for everyday use.

(pictures via heyyougetoffmycloud, luckybrand.com, dillards.com and shopbop.com)

2. A pair of heeled boots like these from Sergio Rossi x Puma. Or this pair of Chloe Silverado wedges that I've been relentlessly searching for online in a size 40.5 since last year when I passed them up 3 years ago. Never again.

(pictures via style.com. lefashionimage and luisaviaroma)

3. Dark straight-legged jeans are an essential for school. I tried on a brilliant pair from ksubi at Inhabit yesterday which I may go buy this weekend. These are from Earnest Sewn and Current/Elliot which would also work as well.

(pictures via shopbop.com)

4. A fitted black dress from either Alex Wang or Herve Leger. Alexa Chung also pulled off this Lover dress with aplomb during her show this week.

(pictures via shopbop.com and net-a-porter.com)

5. More tee shirts for school from wherever really, but those from T by Alex Wang, Kain or AA would always work

(pictures from shopbop.com)

6. I'm also looking for a new bag. I'm flirting with the idea of a new Balenciaga in black or a brown one with giant gold studs but I also currently the look of this distressed Donna hobo from Alex Wang. This Prada bag from last fall would also take any basic outfit up a notch and Sofia Coppola's Speedy for Louis Vuitton is practical and understated. Nothing really stops my heart yet though.

(pictures via shopbop.com)

living only for the moment

We went to Hakone for a day tour around the mountains and it is just so wonderful to be there in summer. I just have to share some of the photos with you.

View from Mt Fuji:

We took a boat ride on Lake Ashi which is a crater lake of Mt. Hakone. It was so amazing with the sunlight, the light, cool breeze, the blue-green peaceful waters, the luscious greenery. I realized at that point that it's so good to take a break from everything and just immerse oneself in nature and enjoy it. At this point, I am going to let the photos tell their stories. P.S. The maximum size of the photos are available if you click on them. 

That's Mt Komatakage with the cute little house at the top. 

We took an aerial lift to the top of Mt Komagatake which is 1357m (4452 ft) above sea level. View of Mt Komatakage's peak:

And that's Mei and I with the little house we were so curious about.

Believe

Sanrio Puroland opened in 1990 in Tokyo's Tama New Town. Mei and I went there to revisit our childhood memories, of the cutest cartoon characters that we had on our bags, lunchboxes, keychains, and more as children - prove of Japan's amazing ability to merchandise everything and anything at full blast. Obviously we had a kawaii-attack in there, but it was really nostalgic too. 

Hello Kitty & Hello Daniel

Mei wears: dress from a blogshop. slippers cotton on. bag tocco

My favorite Sanrio characters are Bad Badtz and Little Twin Stars. Bad Badtz is swelling up with tears here as he gets spanked: 

Badtz-Maru is a penguin. His birthday is April 1st. He is one of the few Sanrio characters that is marketed to both males and females. In Japanese "badtz" (batsu) is a term for "X", the cross signifying a wrong answer. "Maru" means circle or "O", and signifies a correct answer. Thus, his name figuratively means "wrong-correct," and is frequently represented by "XO". Badtz-Maru has many different facial expressions and poses, but a common expression is of pulling one eye down and sticking out his tongue, a gesture equivalent to blowing a raspberry. (wiki)

Little Twin Stars is a pair of characters. The little brother is called Kiki, and the elder sister is called Lala. Kiki has blue hair, while Lala has pink hair (sometimes, Kiki's hair is brown, while Lala's hair is blonde). They were introduced in 1975 and enjoyed popularity in the early 1980s. (wikipedia)

I'm wearing: dress gap. cardigan club monaco. shoes nanette lepore for keds. bag alexander wang. 

sunsets are beautiful. 

-fui

L'officiel May 2009

I like the lighting and the style of the photographs of this editorial from the May 2009 issue of L'officiel Singapore although I don't really get how "the floppy hat" and "the hip slung apron" qualify as entries in "The 10 most valued accessories of the moment"... or why they chose that picture to show "the heritage hobo" when all I can look at is the belt over the model's chest. But other than that, the model did good work and nice pictures in general.-Hairin

After breakfast

 

I'm wearing: jacket bcbg. tank french connection. jeans lgb. wedges old navy. watch vintage. bracelet from quintessential.

My jeans were purchased about 3 weeks ago at the Blackjack sale for 50% off its original price. I remember first coming across LGB and seeing the jeans on Jane from seaofshoes. It was an amazing pair of jeans(denim AND leather sewn together!!) and I spent that morning researching the label. I was over the moon when I found an entire range of LGB pieces at Blackjack and saw the jeans(the LAST pair, in my size and on sale!). I love the subtle bondage references.. the double zipper at the top and at the pockets as well as the leather at the top of the jeans. I would ideally wear it with a loose white tee or tank but the last-minute wedding lunch I attended today called for something a little more formal.

Over my French Connection tank I'm wearing a BCBG jacket purchased from the BCBG flagship store on Madison Avenue last November. I wandered into the store after a long day of shopping on the Upper East Side the day after Thanksgiving and was running out of time with Ivan waiting outside the dressing room. It was a toss up between a boyfriend blazer in the same colour or this cropped jacket and I remember Ivan telling me to go for this cropped number. I subsequently wore it to my Tibi interview and it has been a welcome addition to my wadrobe, being able to pull an outfit together instantly.

One thing I love about clothes is the memories each article of clothing is able to evoke and eventually every garment evolves from being just a piece of clothing to something that holds memories about when and where it was purchased, the places it was worn to and the events that unfolded when the item was worn.-Hairin

Dusty Pinnk

I'm wearing: top stella mccartney. jeans dip gap. bag ysl besace. sandals random.

I made an effort to break out of my daily neutral palette today and decided to wear this pink Stella McCartney top which I bought from her outlet in Florence about a year ago and told myself why not go all the way and carried my YSL Besace bag in a similar colour as well. I should really use this bag more often. It's a great size for a bag and can transition well from day to night. I love its structured yet relaxed shape as well as its embossed texture. -Hairin

A place where the water is so clear and the sand so white

This June I vacationed at my family's usual vacation spot at Noosa Heads in Brisbane, Australia. It never disappoints. It's always tranquil, the beach always beautiful, the scenery always breath-taking, the people always warm and we always have a relaxing time. Here are some shots of the sand, surf and sky- the last one includes my sister in it becausse she just looks so happy to be there, taking it all in.-Hairin

the whole story

Sweetness~

Wedding invitation by Matt Dorfman for his 2008 wedding

(via Design*Sponge)

Tokyo Imperial Palace

We went to visit the Tokyo Imperial Palace and the famous Meganebashi (Eyeglass bridge). The large plaza in front of the palace, paved with small, grey stones is a beautiful large space contrasting the city view of contemporary Tokyo. The light breeze makes the leaves sway gently, and the whole scene is picturesque and so peaceful, beautiful even when you consider that you're actually in the heart of Tokyo experiencing such a scenery. -fui

I wear: tee dkny. skirt moussy. tights silence + noise in urban outfitters. bag alexander wang. bracelet murua. 

Meganebashi 

Entrance of the Imperial Palace