Tag Archives: fashion

Jungle Fever

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I’ve got jungle fever – and I don’t mean in the Spike Lee sense.

Although I have never been in a jungle, I have trekked through lush rain forests on several occasions. I would imagine the jungle experience to be similar, complete with the sights of gigantic oversized ferns, hot and humid temperatures, and the sounds of frogs, birds, monkeys, and other critters that inhabit such an environment.

Since I have no plans to venture into a jungle anytime soon, I will gladly settle for this amazing blouse I recently purchased on sale from H&M. As a part of their Conscious Collection, this blouse epitomizes my style in every way; it is soft, flowy, feminine, and most importantly, it has a beautiful printed design. The illustrated jungle scene is depicted as a half fantasy, half realistic utopia.

I paired the blouse with a thrifted cream pencil skirt. Since the skirt is so light in color and form-fitting, I could not tuck in my blouse as I would normally do with a pencil skirt. To remedy this problem, I simply wore the blouse untucked, and added a skinny belt to keep the outfit looking neat and polished.

I’m thirsty from all this blogging. Time for some jungle juice.


H&M blouse (similar) / thrifted skirt (similar) / Me Too heels (similar) / vintage earrings (similar) / vintage Avon necklace (similar) / vintage belt (similar)

Who Wears Short Shorts

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I like short shorts, but unfortunately, all I own are own some denim Bermuda shorts and some safari-esque khaki shorts.

I am desperate need of a chic pair or two to add to my wardrobe. Currently coveting: retro high waisted, casual distressed denim, and sailor style.

And that’s the long and the short of it.

Who Wears Short Shorts

Tribal Baubles

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Greasy sunscreen, the smell of charcoal, and the taste of burnt hot dogs. Not wanting my finest frocks to smell like barbeque, what should I wear?

I decided to go with one of my favorite tops for the summer, a vintage Leslie Fay knit. I opted out of wearing a belt at the peplum to make way for more food in my tummy, although now I have stylist’s remorse for putting my appetite before my fashion sense. To spruce up the pallid top, I added some colorful tribal jewelry collected from my past world travels. Every time I put on this necklace, I am reminded of the sights, the food, and the people of the village from where I skillfully bargained for it.

Never mind the onlookers behind me, and the smell of barbeque wafting through the air, I attempted to find my Zen in a shady spot under the trees. The hues of blue-greens in the necklace and bracelet helped calm my soul on a beautiful summer day.

If only I didn’t go for seconds, I would’ve achieved the perfect lotus pose.

Summatime

I’m on a Boat

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Although I was born and raised on the BWest Coast (the Best + West Coast!), I am a terrible swimmer, and much prefer to be sittin’ on the dock of the Bay. However, I shouldn’t let my fear of the ocean deter me from dressing for a maritime occasion.

I fell in love with this fabric when I first laid eyes on it; I waited for the perfect sewing project to turn it into something magnificent. Luckily my mom had the perfect dress pattern. Under her watchful eye, with her nagging guidance, and my patience tested, I transformed the fabric into a summery dress that’s ready to set sail. The seafaring look would not be complete without my nautical rope belt and my yellow peep toe Mary-Janes help accent the pops of yellow in the dress.

I’ll look fresh on the boat for the America’s Cup opening ceremony. Dare I say my cup runneth over with style?


home-sewn dress (similar) / U.O. belt (similar here & here) / J.Crew Mary-Janes (similar here & here) / vintage straw clutch (similar)

Shake it Like a Polaroid Picture

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In elementary school, I remember being forced to take awkward Polaroid mug shots for no reason. As a kid, my siblings and I would fight over using the Polaroid camera, and then watch in awe as it magically spit out the unprocessed image. It was pure magic to witness the pictures develop right before my eyes.

So with this nostalgia, I was elated to find this awesome tee shirt at a museum store during my visit to Toronto a few months back. I had long been looking for a cool “tourist” tee shirt – one with a graphic of a camera slung around the neck – and this one fit the profile perfectly. It was old school in all the right ways.

Lately my go-to casual outfit has been: graphic tee, blazer, jeans, strappy heels, and dog tags. This vintage yellow blazer added the right pop of color to an otherwise neutral palette. I wore this outfit to a quick casual dinner, and soon afterwards, I was ready to shake it like a Polaroid picture at a local bar without feeling too underdressed or too pretentious.

Who’s ready for their Polaroid mug shot?


personalized dog tags (similar) / vintage blazer (similar here + here) / graphic tee (similar) / Me Too shoes (similar)

Into the Wild Summer Solstice

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Soak in the sunshine because this is the longest day of the year. It’s the official start of summa summa summa time, time to sit back and unwind.

I was wild about this dress when I spied it on the racks of the thrift store safari that is Salvation Army. I swiftly pounced on it like my prey before another shopper could have the chance. Not only was this dress animal printed, but also the print was a mix of three different animals: leopard, cheetah, and tiger. To top it off, it had the animals lounging on the hem of the dress. With tiger and leopard accessories to match, I created the perfect wild look that could scare the summer solstice daylights out of someone.

Unfortunately it was feeling more like winter during my photoshoot. It was bitingly cold, and so I tried to think like an animal in the wild. What would the leopard do? The cheetah? How about the tiger? And just like that, I struck a pose in the cold wind like a beast. Am I worthy of being America’s Next Top Model? Maybe. Oh, except that I haven’t quite mastered the art of smizing. Sorry Tyra, I have failed you.

thrifted dress (similar) / cardigan (old, similar) / thrifted necklace (similar) / bangles (old, similar here + here)

Into the Wild

Papa Don’t Preach

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But I made up my mind, I’m writing this post about you.

When I look at my father’s 60-year-old frame today, it’s hard to believe that he was once an energetic young dad dealing with four kids. Looking back at old photos of him, I’d say he was a pretty stylish guy.

He wasn’t around much when my siblings and I were younger because he worked hard to make sure he could provide for us and feed our hungry tummies. This was one of his biggest regrets, he later told me, that he missed out on so much of our childhood. To make up for lost time, he would lecture us on various facets of life, lectures I always dreaded. Only in recent years have I started to understand the meaning of his lectures. Whether it is advice on finding the right man or finding a career I’m passionate about – he has two cents to say about everything. I’ve realized that my dad is a very smart man. He has bestowed on me many words of wisdom, of which I realize the truths to his words much later.

Dad, thank you for always challenging me and providing the inspiration for this outfit! Like father, like daughter.


unlabeled jacket (similar) / U.O. tee (similar) / vintage trousers (similar) / Me Too shoes (similar) vintage D&B purse

Beautiful Little Fool

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“That’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool . . . ” – Daisy Buchanan

I guess you can call me a beautiful little fool for attempting to rival the looks of Ms. Daisy Fay. After all, she wears the finest pearls that money and buy and has two men vying for her love. Who wouldn’t be jealous?

Perhaps one of the most popular fashion decade amongst vintage experts and amateurs alike is the flapper style of the Roaring 20s. The style of this decade consisted of shapeless shift dresses with boxy straight cut silhouettes. Gone were the constricting corsets of past eras, and this was the first time there was so much exposure of the arms and legs. Shoes also became important in the outfit, as they now were visible because of the shorter hemlines. Mary Janes and T-straps were the popular shoes of this era, with their aesthetically pleasing design and practicality for dancing.

After watching The Great Gatsby, I was inspired to get jazzy and celebrate the 20s while I am still in my 20s. I got this awesome sequined wool top during my solo trip to Toronto a few months back. Not only does it shine and sparkle under the lights, but also when I move, the sequins rustle like the sound of leaves blowing on the treetops during a breezy autumn day. I wore it over my LBD, and with my already boyish figure, I suddenly created a flapperesque silhouette of a dress. Add some gold T-strap heels and a velvet turban headband (I used a strip of fabric scrap), and I am ready to do the Charleston all through the night. I probably could’ve used one strand – or ten – of pearls, since the 1920s look isn’t complete without tons of costume jewelry. Oh, what a fool I am!


vintage sequined tank (sequin option here) / We Who See T-strap heels (similar) / DIY velvet turban headband (tutorial here)

When in doubt, crop it out

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There are just 14 days until the start of summer and I’m already experiencing hot flashes. How can I keep my cool during these heat waves? When in doubt, crop it out.

I’m not inclined to bare it all unless I’m in Vegas. However, when the temperature reaches the mid 80s, a cropped top is a perfect way stay cool and shows off a little skin without feeling too exposed. Not to mention it’s an excellent solution to get some color in your midsection, if you don’t mind a funny tan line.

My aunt was cleaning out her closet and I became the lucky recipient of her groovy 1960s two-piece dress. The openness of the sleeves is not only stylishly cute, but has a functional purpose, for it serves as a much needed ventilation to my overheating body. This photo shoot was taken in the late afternoon, with the sun beaming down on me, and not a shady spot in sight. I think I might be too hot to handle, quite literally.

Is it hot out here or is it just me?

two-piece vintage dress (similar top & skirt) / vintage heels (similar here & here)

Sin City Blackout

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Meet Vixen Vic, my alter ego.

Last week I went to Las Vegas and committed the greatest cardinal sin of all: I didn’t pack enough accessories!

Specifically, I was missing a belt. I know what you’re thinking: after a couple of drinks and dancing to loud music in dimly lit clubs until sunrise, does anyone really care? I do.

Call me a prude if you may, but I am no friend to Vegas attire; dressing in as little as possible has never been my forte.

However, shopping in my closet yielded an appropriate solution: black short shorts (hey it’s just like running shorts right?) and a sheer black top (the chest pocket placement is not an accident). Add a dash of glitz, gold, and vintage – you’ve hit the jackpot in the city of sin. Oh craps, I should’ve worn a necklace. Send another gin and tonic to me at the penny slots please!

My favorite detail in this outfit: the filigree-like loopy 1960s gold earrings that I scored at a vintage market in Toronto.

I returned home with no photographic evidence of my trip there, because as we all know, “whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Enough said.

Vixen Vic vs. Chic Vic – readers, what do you think?


Silence & Noise blouse (options here & here) / Silence & Noise shorts (options here & here)   Nine West Rocha Pumps / vintage earrings (options here & here) / vintage belt (similar)