Category Archives: Uncategorized

Plus None

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In the days leading up to Christmas, you can bet that water cooler chats across the nation will consist of one topic only: the office holiday party. This prompts a multitude of questions: Are you going? What are you wearing? Who are you bringing?

For the youngins out there, this is the working adult’s version of a winter formal. Unfortunately I won’t be a plus one to any holiday parties this year – nobody asked Chic Vic to be a date! On the plus side, my company’s throwing a Gatsby themed party – and I already know what I’ll be wearing.

In case you don’t have a 1920s holiday party to attend yourself, you can still bring out all the glitzy, shimmery, shiny, and fancy things you’ve neglected in your closet all year. If a pine tree can be decked out in lights and tinsel, why can’t you? Whether you choose a dress or opt for pants, just make sure you don’t let that tree outshine you.

A Holiday Affair

Style 101: Preppy Plaid n’ Pleats

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I recently visited my alma mater where I studied my dura and pia mater, but none of that matters anymore, as it has no bearing on what I do at my 9 to 5. Psych!

It’s been a while since I’ve been on the UC Berkeley campus, but my visit reminded me of how beautiful it is. I love the architecture of the lecture halls and buildings. Red bricks somehow remind me of all things academic, which inspired my next look.

I’m a Professor Mix A Lot of sorts when it comes to mixing and matching patterns and textures. Case study: the almost tonal plaid skirt serves as a neutral canvas, allowing the vibrantly colored plaid blouse to dominate. However, one must also take into account the confounding variables of different fabrications and textures, such as the pleats and sheen of the skirt, the delicate lightweight cotton shirt, and the ruffled edge of the cardigan. In the place of schoolgirl knee high socks, I opted for the grown up version in the form of ooh la la nude fishnets. All of these add layers of interest to my outfit. Instead of following the crowd, I like to be an outlier sometimes. There is no regression toward the mean for me!

As my age gap closes in with the older folk, suddenly the undergrads look like such youngsters and the grad students seem mighty attractive. Excuse me Professor, when are your office hours?

Dec. 2013: Preppy Plaid n’ Pleats

RED sweater (similar) / Old Navy plaid blouse (similar) / vintage skirt (similar here &  here) / Urban Outfitters shoes (similar here & here)

Fringe Benefits

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I used to think fringe was an unnecessary embellishment – there was something about their dangly nature I wasn’t sure I liked. Yet, I soon realized there are fringe benefits to having it in your wardrobe.

One benefit is that it can add depth to any outfit by enhancing your movements and motions as you walk or dance down the street. Who doesn’t like a little pep in their step? Some flounce to their bounce? Yes, fringe can do all that and more.

Although this scarf is a perfect square, it is far from nerdy. When folded in half into a triangle, it becomes fairly versatile: throw it around the shoulders like a shawl, or gather it in the front to make a cowl neck. I’m very calculating like that when it comes to accessorizing. The possibilities are infinite, which makes this little number quite rational.

It was a perfect autumn day in the park, and this fringe scarf was just enough to keep me warm in the autumn breeze. I had some fun stomping on the fallen leaves, and all the while, the fringe moved with me and enjoyed itself too.

Between the fringe, the wide brimmed hat, lace mini dress, and suede knee high boots, I was having a bohemian rhapsody. Yes, fashion is easy come for me, but not easy go.


H&M scarf (similar) / Uniqlo hat (similar) / Miss Chievous dress (similar) / Urban Outfitters boots (similar)

My Vest Friend Mickey

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Oh Mickey you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind. Hey Mickey!

Although I have never watched an episode of The Mickey Mouse Club, I still have a favorite Mouseketeer: Ryan Gosling. From an awkward boy to a fine man, he has certainly grown into his chin. Let’s take a moment to dwell on God’s gift to womankind, the best Mouseketeer there ever was.

I was still in diapers when I went on my first trip to Disneyland. Needless to say, my memories of the happiest place on earth are quite hazy. I’m sure my mom purchased this tee during that very trip there in the 1980s, but now it’s vintage and all mine. Time to pay homage to everyone’s favorite oversized rodent.

Make it denim and blues for this mouse, starting with a vest. I made the $15 inVESTment (on sale!) and have become best friends with this denim vest; one could say I am VESTed (I’ll stop it with the vest puns). The versatility of a denim vest is endless. The look and feel of the outfit can be determined by whatever sleeve you wear underneath, be it faux leather, camouflage, knit, or, as I have chosen, a ribbed solid color cardigan. We all know that behind every great mouse is… a great mouse. The little red bow is my tribute to Mickey’s better half, Minnie. Finish with a pair of skinnies rolled up to show off my red shoes, and I’m ready to stroll down Main Street, USA.

How I would like to be on the happiest place on earth right now. And by that, I mean on Ryan’s hot bod. M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

Vintage Tee (similar new) / Levi’s Vest (similar) / William Rast jeans (similar) / Dr. Scholl’s shoes (similar) / Urban Outfitters cardigan (similar)

Surprise, Surprise, Faux and Hide

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Things aren’t always what they seem.

From across the sales floor, this dress appeared to have a delicate lace overlay in a beautiful contrast of hunter green and pale blush pink. Yet once we met up close, I was surprised to discover that it wasn’t lace at all, but rather a lace print. This faux lace meant that it would be easy to care for because it was machine washable. No expensive dry-cleaning bills and purchased on sale, this dress was a score.

While the fit and flare silhouette of this dress is reminiscent of 1950s fashion, the length is not. The flared skirt combined with the stiff fabric make for an inappropriate flashing opportunity. I won’t be going bottoms up in this dress, unless I have a drink in my hand.

Like the faux lace, this bracelet was also deceiving. I picked it up at a vintage show, thinking it was just a pretty blingy bangle to add to my collection. Oh, but it was so much more than that: when hinged open, the rose uncovers a watch. Since it was made in the good old days, I was able to wind it up and use the watch immediately. And it just so happens to match a brooch I already had – were they part of the same set and somehow separated long ago? It was serendipity that brought them together in perfect harmony with my dress.

Whether it’s faux lace or a hidden watch, keep the surprises coming. Except for a surprise stain, which I am guilty of overlooking for the love of vintage. Don’t judge me!


Zara dress (similar) / Nina shoes / vintage brooch (similar) / vintage watch (similar)

Day of the Dead

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Halloween may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a little undead. Time to replace the duck face with a skull face for Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos).

With origins in Mexico, this holiday occurs the day after Halloween and is meant to commemorate the lives of the deceased with food, drink, and lots of lively celebrations. Although I have never participated in this, I am still astounded by the vibrant colors, morbid face paint, and psychedelic skeleton artwork that characterize Day of the Dead.

I’ve had this black dress for years and have never worn it, but the colorful Mexican inspired embroidery seems perfect for this holiday. The look wouldn’t be complete without a head full of flowers. My solution: I pinned a couple of oversized flowers to a pillbox hat, and voila, instant floral arrangement! I love how they match the embroidery in my dress perfectly. This black dress needed some umph, and a vintage petticoat was just the answer. I’ve always wanted a petticoat, and I’ve been so lucky to inherit this one from my aunt. Yes, the scratchy tulle makes things a little itchy down there, but at least it’s not caused by a transmittable disease. Huzzah!

Unfortunately, I am not very good at putting on makeup, and would be deathly incompetent in painting a skull on my face. Alas, my Day of the Dead inspired outfit falls short of looking sinister.

Without the skull face paint, I look pretty alive. Can someone throw me a bone?

Nov: Day of the Dead

Anna Sui dress (similar and here) / Forever21 pillbox (similar) / herringbone fishnets (similar) / Dollhouse booties (similar)

Circus Circus

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Circus Tent

Come one, come all! I may be a lady, but let the freak show begin!

I went to my one and only circus show when I was ten years old. It was actually my dad who really wanted to attend, so he insisted on taking my sister and me. As much as I protested against going, I actually enjoyed the show – minus the smell of elephant poop.

While the circus I visited took place in an indoor arena, I am still enchanted by the whimsically striped circus tents from the olden days. The dizzying array of vertical and horizontal wide stripes on this dress is reminiscent of just that. The crisp blue and white can only be complemented by bold pops of cherry red in my belt and shoes. I kept all other accessories to a minimum except for a bracelet, a brooch, and a blue headscarf to match the blue stripes.

I know what you’re thinking and the answer is yes: beneath this tent is the greatest show on earth. That’s what he said.

Where’s a lion tamer when you need one?


thrifted I. Magnin dress (similar) / thrifted Selby shoes (similar) / thrifted scarf (similar) / vintage brooch (similar) / red belt (similar)

En Garde This Beach

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Like the birds, I migrated south for the weekend down to sunny Los Angeles to visit a good friend I hadn’t seen in over three years.

We did all the usual L.A. activities: eat, drink, shop, reminisce, and be merry. We even got crafty! I had more celebrity sightings than I can count on my two hands, albeit I either didn’t know who they were or didn’t recognize them until they were pointed out to me. Although slightly star-struck, I was pleasantly surprised to find that celebrities are very plain looking in real life. Average Joes and Janes everywhere – rejoice!

A visit to L.A. wouldn’t be complete without a day at the beach. My favorite thing about beaches besides the soft sand and the sound of waves crashing on the shore, are the lifeguard towers. Luckily, we found one in a beautiful sun bleached Tiffany blue that needed some saving – we breathed new life into it in the form of a photoshoot.

Yet another opportunity to get in some last minute tanning, I wore my high waisted shorts and a sheer graphic tee with my sassy girl on it. I love the retro cut of these shorts – they have just the right amount of shortness to be sexy without being tasteless. The dark denim also makes them versatile to wear in the evening with a pair of heels. The beach was deceptively cool, but luckily I brought my camouflage utility jacket. Not only did it keep me warm, but it also provided a nice masculine contrast to the feminine shorts.

The lifeguard may be off duty, but Staff Sergeant Lau is not. Life’s a beach – I command you to play in the sand. No seriously, only in the sand because I can’t swim and will be unable to save you in the water in case of emergency.

Life is too short, so wear a pair of shorts. And that’s an order. En garde!


Urban Outfitters army jacket (similar) / Zara tee (similar) / Urban Outfitters shorts (similar) / Jeffrey Campbell shoes (similar)

You Had Me at Aloha

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There isn’t a person I know who goes to Hawaii and has a terrible time. With the beautiful sunsets, clear blue waters, and soft sandy beaches, Hawaii is as close to paradise as it can get. Especially because anyone who travels there is bound to get lei’d.

I’ve always been on the lookout for something retro Hawaiian, and luckily found this lovely dress at Mercy Vintage.  It seemed to fit the bill without appearing too touristy. I love how the floral pattern has the qualities of a watercolor painting, and while not the typical Hawaiian hibiscus floral motifs that can often be found on sarongs and beach towels, the dress still evokes the aloha state.

I don’t know when I’ll visit paradise again, but I can at least look like it in this dress. Aloha, I’d like to get lei’d. Next, may I have a side of poke come through too?

vintage dress (similar here & here) / Me Too heels (similar) / vintage elephant necklace (similar)

FashArt

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I’ll have to face the sad reality that there are simply too many runway shows to review from Fashion Week. While I’m slowly getting caught up, Jean-Charles De Castelbajac’s collection caught my eye.

So whimsical, yet wearable, his Spring 2014 collection consists of unexpected fabric combinations as well as bold color blocking in vibrant and neutral hues. However, the most striking feature of the collection is the display of his own art on his designs. Whether it is a patchwork of arms and legs, a poem, or even an abstract painting of a face, Jean-Charles’s art inspiration is sure to turn a few heads from art critics and fashionistas alike.

It was part fashion, part art – it’s fashart! Not to be confused with shart.