little black boot

the troubles with having a sister with the same shoe size is that she consistently borrow your shoes when you want to wear them. it always happened with my bronx motorcycle boots, which she abused them as if they were her own. tramping through salt slush during warmer winters and leaving them around as door mat in numerous house parties have rendered my beloved boots for early retirement. i've brought them to the shoe repair for a replacement heel and reattach the upper to the sole repair last year, under a year i encountered the same problem again - the detached upper. of course i could bring them to the shoe repair but i feel these boots have too much pride to admit their weakness, so i've decided to reserve them for only the finest weather, ie no precipitation. so now i am looking for a new addition to my family to brave the bipolar weather of a canadian winter.

from the left top clockwise:

• harley davidson little sur - the classic motorcycle boot with a round toe. a clunkier profile than my bronx but i think these are more durable and practical. ($130 CAD)
• frye erin chelsea - i am quite attached to the equestrian look right now, these also give off a more clean and polished look. ($298 CAD)
• dingo shoe boot - these actually could be a good alternative to oxfords, this shorter western style is less obvious. ($80 CAD)
• frye bill short vintage - the classic short western boot with all the details: pull on tabs, wooden sole, stitching on the upper. perfect ($298 CAD)
• steve madden pystol - the trendier western boot with inside zipper in dark blue. the little star shaped cut outs are a nice touch. ($136 CAD)

left to right:

• aldo gaser - nice pull on motorcycle boot with buckles and studs. ($99 CAD)
  
• aldo floseda - another western boot with a slouchy shaft and cleaner look. ($99 CAD)

i really want to try these on before i commit. but i am think i am leaning on the harly davidson ones and a western style. they are so different but i could wear them in so many ways. what should i do?

resistance

wearing: joe fresh style purple cardigan, talula zodiac sheer tee, zara paper waist wool trousers, aldo wedge

as much as i hate spending my hard earn money on less than perfect items, regardless if they are regular or sale priced, i gave in to these pants. you must be thinking what is wrong with them? well there is this weird stain on the belt, it is not very noticeable, but it is there when you look closely enough (third picture). as much as i love zara for their fast fashion, they are one arrogant retailer, when i asked them about the mark on the belt, they refused to give me any sort of favourable resolution:
- can i have some sort of discount for the damaged belt?
- can i exchange the belt of this pant with any pant?

so after i was denied, i left with out the pants. i waited two days, developed this “can’t-eat, can’t-sleep, reach-for-the-stars, over- the-fence, world-series” * kind of attachment to those pants, which drove me back to the sale racks of zara. amongst the messy scoured racks of pants too large too small: not perfect. to my relief, i found my pants. tried them on again, figured that the stain is not that visible and the belt is interchangeable for other (duh!) and skipped to the cashier.

these are probably my first proper pants. not jeans not leggings not super form fitting – the solution to my problem of what to wear for my lower half in the mornings of my future formal group meetings and in-class presentations.

* quote from young Olsen’s It Takes Two

skittle nails

as an lover of american apparel and nail polish, i am so excited about the new launch of american apparel's new line of nail polish. american apparel is known for their array of colours in their clothing and accessories, so isn't it just so fitting that they expand that concept into nail polish? as psyched as i am to get my hands on all of these colours, i am a wise consumer or at least i like to think that way; i have so many questions based on how many coats to achieve opacity, finish of the colours, brush design, lasting power, and comparability to other top brands, such as opi and china glaze.

until i have the time to visit an american apparel store, i will just dream about all those unconventional colours on my tips:



factory grey - i feel this will be my go to grey. all the ones i've encountered have either been too light or dominated by an red/blue/brown base. i hope this cold grey is my answer.



manila, office, palm springs - these are my spring colours! nothing obnoxious nothing neon, i am ready for the pastels: subdued and calm. manila is the mellowed out response to pantone's colour of 2009: mimosa, office is a dainty jade that dominated chanel's f/w 2009 runways, and palm springs is a light coral that one splash away from becoming pink, orange or nude. gorgeous!



mount royal, passport blue - i can never get enough blue nails. royal blue looks like a nice shade of dusty/greyed out blue that isn't too bright and really sophisticated for daily wear. passport blue, i would i die if this had a creme finish and when it dried it would not become some kind of ubiquitous blue/black ordeal. i want it to be a nice visible dark blue in very sort of light.

available at american apparel for $7.50 CAD

so fresh out of box

wearing: zara navy scarf, talula creme henley, the gap lilac mens oxford, talula leggings, payless boots, ardenes arm warmers

when i know i have a free day the next day, i often neglect my phone and just leave it in my bag, which usually results in a plethora of missed calls, voice mails and text messages. yes yes it is extremely irresponsible of me but i don't like feeling accessible when i am at home. i don't usually have much time to myself, so i like to spend this time on me and not on the phone with an old acquaintances that has wayyyy too many relationship problems.

i did keep myself busy during these times though, i finished the office box set M lent me, finished stalking those korean girls, attempted to clean my room and of course, during doing all of the above; i consumed my weight in chocolate. my attempt at tidying up my basement proved fruitful, i found some old mens oxfords in feminine spring colours and some of my aunt's old dress pants and almost kept my mind off of the sales going on during boxing week.

but of course i gave in and went shopping with my mom, and pickup a fur vest and an over sized sheer white graphic tee of the zodiac. welcome to my trendy closet.

that girl that jane so plain

wearing: talula oversized cardigan, hello kitty sweater tunic, betsy johnson lace tights, american apparel lake blue tights (underneath), zipia brogues

i don't really like christmas day, possibly because:
a) i am asian
b) i am an atheist
c) my family had previously owned a chinese food take out restaurant for several years which was open during xmas day, which resulted in an uneasiness to do nothing till this day.
d) our family doesn't prep or do huge feasts.
e) all of the above.

don't get me wrong, i really do like the whole spirit, the hectic atmosphere, and the exorbitant amount of chocolate consumed in preparation, but once the day is here, i feel confined to my house.
asians know how to profiteer off the xmas day holiday, since no place are open (minus 7-11) every one must eat and buy from their businesses that will main open as long there is a opportunity to make more.
speak of, today after we exchanged gifts, we went to the mandatory dim sum lunch where my brother pulled the fire alarm. at first we didn't hear anything, but sure enough, a faint and regular ringing resonated from the main dining area. in panic, we sacrificed our lovely heat vent and ran out to the cold. we all looked at each other in silence and we all simultaneously burst into laughter.

you don't have to be anybody because being somebody doesn't make you anybody anyway

velvet long sleeve double u-neck dress in burgundy, sheer long sleeve henley dress in light blue; all from american apparel

♥ long sleeve body conscious dresses

so i am not sure how i much i will like the sheerness and baby blue-ness of the sheer henley. of course i could have chose a darker, more appropriate and versatile colour to combat the sheer quality, but i am so sick of wearing such safe monochromatics. maybe i just wear super obvious black undergarments and just let the translucency speak for itself.

- also new ring in transit. can't wait!

let's end it with a smile and say goodbye

yamashita tomohisa, you've really grew into your looks.