Tag Archives: polyvore

Be Mine, Valentine

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Whether you call it Valentine’s Day or Singles Awareness Day, February 14th is soon approaching. What will you be wearing besides your heart on your sleeve?

Now before you lament on this Hallmark holiday, let us reminisce on what it meant to celebrate this love filled day as a kid. Do you like me – yes or no? Oh, the excitement of receiving candy grams and cheesy cards riddled with popular cartoon characters! When the card was from the boy I liked, I totally read it with such conviction that he meant those words only for me: “I choo choo choose you.” I have had many a Ralph Wiggum moment.

But we’re all adults here, so before the clothes come off for some brown chicken brown cow, let’s rewind. After all, there is no better way to say, “I love you” than to dress you up in my love, and then undress you. Except I’m doing the dressing myself, because I trust nobody’s styling skills except for my own. Stunning strapless frock or leave-it-to-the-imagination long sleeve shirtdress? Decisions, decisions.

So go ahead and turn to the object of your desire, for whom your pupils dilate, your palms sweat, and your heart races – and ask the all important question: Will you be my Valentine?

I Heart You

A Horse is a Horse, of Course, of Course

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Quality time with family, endless eating, exchange of sweets and delectable treats, and envelopes of money? All this can only mean one thing: Lunar New Year.

For those of you unfamiliar with this holiday, it is one of the most important Chinese celebrations, lasting 15 days. Each year is based on a 12-year cycle of the Chinese animal zodiac and 2014 is the year of the horse. Those born under this sign are energetic, independent, great communicators, and love to be in a crowd. Can I get a neigh?

There are a myriad of superstitious traditions that one must perform in preparation for and during the New Year. Homes are decorated with flowers and Chinese calligraphy posters. You must clean your house, get rid of stuff, cut your hair, and shower one last time before New Year’s Day. This is to ensure you get rid of bad luck that you’ve accumulated during the year by literally sweeping it out of the house. In contrast, on actual New Year’s Day, you don’t do any of those things, for fear of getting rid of good luck. The next 15 days generally involve a lot of family time; such paying visits to your relative’s homes, bearing gifts of fruits and treats. Married couples will give their unwed and usually younger family members red envelopes of money. It literally pays to be single – all the single ladies now put your hands up!

There is no horsing around when it comes to ringing in the New Year in style. It is customary to wear new clothes, as they symbolize a new beginning. Avoid wearing black, and instead choose red. Red is highly regarded as a lucky color, and is believed to ward off bad fortune. Add a dash of gold and you’re golden for the New Year.

Here’s to wishing you a wonderful and prosperous Year of the Horse – the animal that puts the “hay” in Gung Haaaaay Fat Choy!

Year of the Horse

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

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

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

Crop it like it’s hot

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When them boys try to holla at you, crop it like it’s hot.

As the temperatures rise, so do the hemlines of shirts, in the form of crop tops. Are you telling me you don’t have toned abs? Never fear, because the good news is that you don’t necessarily need to expose your entire 1-pack. The cropped top can show skin ranging anywhere from under your ribcage to the top of your belly button – how much you choose to expose is up to you.

Although this certainly isn’t a new trend, I am a stranger to showing off my mid-section in public, unless I’m at the beach. If I were to sport this trend in the future, I’d reveal only a sliver of skin and wear a high waisted bottom of some sort – no bellybutton exposure for me! Stay tuned to see if I can successfully crop it like it’s hot.

Crop it like it's hot

G.I. Jo Camo

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Atten-shun!

The last time I wore something with camouflage print, it was in the form of a baby tee. At age 13, I recall pairing it with my favorite flared khaki pants and my tan utilitarian button up. But since then, I have not felt the need to incorporate camo back into my life. That is, until now. I’ve performed a complete about-face.

Not just any camo will put me at ease! Specifically, I’m looking for a lightweight jacket or parka that hits at the hips, with a belt or drawstring that cinches at the waist. Is that too much to ask for? Wear it with a graphic tee or a casual blouse. I would contrast it with something ultra feminine, like a skinny jean, pencil skirt, or even show a lot of leg with a pair of shorts. Finish with a girly espadrille wedge heel to make the outfit spring appropriate. It’s the perfect utilitarian chic look that will command attention even from across enemy lines.

Time to hit up the local army surplus store or a Forever21. Consider this my fashion tribute to Memorial Day.

Jo Camo

Chic Chambray

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Chic Chambray

When I first met the chambray button up shirt, I didn’t care for it too much, thinking that it certainly would clash with all the denim jeans I owned. Who wants to wear head to toe denim? Not I. Yet, slowly but surely, chambray found its way to my heart. Suddenly I longed to make one mine and looked forward to creating all sorts of beautiful outfits with it.

So, what exactly is chambray? Originally made in Cambrai, France, true chambray fabric looks rough and uneven. It is traditionally woven with blue threads and a white horizontal thread to give it that mottled look. However, now chambray can also refer to blue dress shirts or shirts that are denim in color.

Old Navy chambray (on sale! cuter option here) / Unisa espadrilles (similar here & here)   vintage Lord & Taylor jacket (similar) / vintage envelope clutch (similar)

I am surprised at how much I like denim on denim. The key to this outfit is to wear different shades of blue. The casual fit of the shirt felt a bit matronly on me, but nothing that a skinny belt can’t fix. To add some flair to an otherwise plain blue denim palette, I incorporated a leopard urban turban and a similar wild print in my espadrilles. I decided to pin a 1960s flower brooch on my shirt instead of my jacket to help break up the monochromatic look. Even in this balmy spring weather, a lightweight jacket is a must. I chose this peach colored vintage Lord & Taylor jacket to complement my blue-clad ensemble. And what look wouldn’t be complete without a purse to hold my essentials? This woven straw envelope clutch adds a punch of texture to my outfit.

Chic Vic in chambray. This shirt is sure to be a staple in my closet for the warm spring days ahead. Oh hey, can you say chambray all the way?

The Old Lady by the Seafoam Green

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I have a lot of old lady tendencies. I sleep early. I drink warm water instead of ice water. I like to sew. I dress conservatively. Actually I’m just a young lady with an old soul for fresh style. And nothing says fresh as a spring breeze by the sea better than seafoam green.

I picked up this minty fresh 1960s beauty in a dimly lit basement of a vintage shop on my recent trip to Toronto. I was immediately drawn first to the beautiful color of this dress, and second to the chiffon-like material. I admit I felt a bit like a flower girl due to the youthful empire waist, bow at my back, and flowers under my bust, but for only $10, I couldn’t pass it up.

I consider myself a fashionista of sorts, but even so, I was stumped at what to wear with this dress, especially the shoes. Gold or silver metallic? Definitely no black. Perhaps white shoes to go with the white flowers? When all else fails, I stick to a simple nude pump.

I kept the accessories simply light and bright to go with the springtime airy feel of the dress: a single strand of white pearls, sparkly white floral clip on earrings, and one blue floral cloisonné bangle. Easy breezy!

seafoam green dress (similar here and here)

Seafoam Green