"I suppose there are people who can pass up free guacamole, but they're either allergic to avocado or too joyless to live."— Frank Bruni

Friday, May 25, 2012

friday lunch log


Kimchee dog!! (note how perfectly the bun fits the dog)

my big day...

...was last Saturday. It was the craziest, most awkward, and perhaps weirdest wedding anyone has ever attended. Despite this, we were amongst our families (just 31 people in attendance) and flanked by love and support. I'm glad it's over, but glad it turned it out the way it did. Here's what I wore:


This comfortable, unique dress with the most amahhzing see-through bell sleeves (Plenty by Tracy Reece, from BHLDN) had a silhouette that reminded me of traditional Filipiniana dresses or kimonas. This looked great next to G's barong.


These were chosen among a total of 10 pairs of shoes I ordered. They turned out to look great with the dress, but were really loose at the heel. Hence, I wore them only for the ceremony, changing into flat gold sandals for the reception. (Nina Forbes in Gold Royal Satin from Zappos)


...and the icing on the cake: this simple, lovely birdcage veil my mom made for me. Sitting on its box in this photo doesn't do it justice but it brought the entire look into wedding magnificence. 

My hair was done by Kaori at Hair Kuwayama and it was, to my delight, not the common tight, slicked, kinky-curled up-do. It was the perfect landing place for the veil. My makeup was done by my BFF and my nails were in a super light pink-almost-white Essie color of which I don't remember the shade name.

Until I see photos that suggest otherwise, I'm pretty pleased with how my entire look came together.


(photo creds: 1, 2)

Thursday, May 24, 2012

time won't give me time


...but we don't have enough time as it is! (taken in my office building)


Friday, May 18, 2012

seriously. sneakers? odd normality

Last week, I did a post on the plethora of footwear options that make great alternatives to the tired, sloppy and gross flip flop. I would now like to move on to another all-too-familiar eyesore: the sneaker + business attire pairing.

I'm not sure what's worse, this or the flip flop. Seriously? Sneakers with your work clothes? But there are so many alternatives! Have you seriously given up? Have you tried flats? Brogues? What about Keds?? Even some Chucks would be tolerable! It's incredible how hard it is to find a decent picture of this faux pas online, especially when I see more women committing this eyesore of a fashion crime than not (this is, of course, when they're not wearing flip flops).  There isn't even a lot of written material on this faux pas, though I did find this blog post on the topic, and it did make the #3 spot on this Glamour list of do's and don'ts on, funny enough, District style, with which I completely agree: "'Are you kidding? Unless you had to jog to work on the Beltway, sneakers and business attire are a DON'T to end all DON'Ts.'"

 (photo cred: Glamour via MSN)

Aww. Look how happy that lady on the right is.
How in the world did this pairing become a normal thing to do? Why, when I wear my brogues, ankle boots or Chucks, do I get more crooked looks at my feet than someone wearing a pair of Saucony stability running shoes? Why don't men wear Jordan's with their slacks or suits? And if they did, wouldn't that warrant a strange look? I'd bet yes. How is it, then, normal when a woman pairs some dirty gym shoes with a skirt and blouse? And why, more often than not, are these sneakers white? My own running shoes that see about 20 miles a week (a little less the past couple of weeks), aren't even white. They're purple. I digress.

I understand some may be wearing them in transit, on the way to or from work, and that they may change into fab heels or other less comfortable shoes once they arrive at their destination. But still. Not a good look. I'm just having a hard time comprehending how this is awful look doesn't turn heads, and why women insist on wearing sneakers when so many alternatives exist.  Allow me to show a few:

Okay, maybe I should have started a bit tamer, but since I'm wearing these very boots (in brown) as I write this, I thought I start here. These are my distressed boots that are oh-so-weather-appropriate for the rain today, and super comfortable. For warm, rainy weather, I think it's a perfect pairing with my new Webster dress. Comfortable and sensible? Sounds like a great alternative to sneakers. 
Here are some brogues. (Yes, they do look familiar!) They pair well with pants or dresses or skirts or tights or leggings...the possibilities are endless. These, too, are completely appropriate for work and inclement weather.
If it's white you crave, the how about these cute eyelet Keds? Keds are undeniably comfortable and come in all sorts of colors, patterns, and toe shapes. They even come in slip-on. Not quite sure why anyone would stick to running shoes when there are so many possibilities with Keds alone. Although I don't think these look as good as darker colored alternatives (as shown above), they're still superior to those beat up Mizuno's.
As much as I cringe at these, they're probably super comfortable and I know they appeal to older ladies (although I believe, that you too, can do way better than these, abuelitas)...but even these orthopedic looking maryjanes are better than running shoes.
Ikat espadrilles?? Do I really need to say more? Summer perfection. They're neutral color, eye-pleasing pattern and comfort factor make them winners.
Okay, here's a more classic alternative that's work friendly and versatile. Simple flats. They go with anything and everything and are completely appropriate.

I just saw a woman wearing these at work, and when paired with cute striped socks and office pants, they're pretty cute...and I hear they're comfortable. All the doctors running around in them are enough of a testament to their comfort for me.









I couldn't sign off without a plug for ankle boots. My mom is amused by my recent love of them, as am I because I can't believe I didn't take to them until fairly recently. These would make fantastic alternatives to just about any of your business casual looks.
  


(photo creds: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Thursday, May 17, 2012

worlds clashing

A clip of what my life resembles right now...clashing worlds! Not in the same way George's worlds are clashing but there are two worlds, they're clashing, and my head is blowing up.


A better clip lies here.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

dinners past

Some dinners from the last couple of weeks...

Kimchee (김치) rice with a fried egg and bulgogi (불고기)
 

Salmon with roasted potatoes and sauteed kale

Monday, May 14, 2012

saving moms

In honor of Mother's Day, Nic Kristoff wrote an excellent piece on saving the lives of mothers with fistulas.
Read it here, then consider contributing to the Worldwide Fistula Fund.

because it's monday...



This video was all the rage last Thursday, but it doesn't get old because it's so impressive. Unassisted triple play!

Friday, May 11, 2012

the tired flip flop

Now that it's May, warm weather has officially arrived (because 70+ degree weather in February just isn't right). When the temperatures rise, so does the number of offensive feet flopping around in equally offensive footwear. Yes, I am referring to the flip flop.


Gross. Especially on men. In restaurants. Super gross.
Looking at this picture is grossing me out.

I am not denying that I have owned and worn a good number of flip flops in my life (I would guess about 7 pairs). It started in college, which was inevitable, being in Southern California, but not just Southern California but the deep armpit of the state, in the oftentimes hellishly dry and hot Inland Empire. As my first pair wore down, I got another, and another. They would differ in style, from rubber, to fancier leather, from skinny thong to wide (remember when they were called thongs?). Skipping ahead, I find myself currently owning 3 pairs - one pair of Havaianas and 2 pairs of throw-away Old Navy ones (one pair for the pool and one pair that serves as travel hotel slippers). Although my Havaianas are still completely wearable, I reserve those for quick trips to the trash chute, if even that.

With the rising popularity and diversity of sandals (I don't remember this large a variety in my earlier years), there are so many alternatives to the sloppy, loud and often inappropriate flip flop. Just the other day, I saw more women wearing flip flops than weren't on my way to work. Not only are there alternatives, but it was raining! It baffles me why so many people insist on wearing inappropriate footwear in inclement weather. Not only is the flip flop a political faux pas, but also a fashion faux pas. Anyway, here are some examples of flip flop alternatives that are probably as comfortable, if not more, than flip flops. They definitely look better.


These are from Target. Chic and cheap.






 



These are available on Piperlime. Super fun color and buckles, but not as cheap.











If you like the rubber sole of a flip flop, try these Havaiana espadrilles! They come in this classic style (left), or in a more feminine ballerina style with a little less coverage on top (right).


How about these novel canvas huarache-inspired sandals? Cheap and unique.







These are nice and bright and look pretty comfortable too (they're also pretty cheap).


I'm not that big a fan of the actual thong part of a sandal, but maybe you are. How about something like this?


I'm starting to think it's kind of silly for me to keep showing alternatives, because there are literally thousands of them out there. Zappos even allows you to search sandals by styles including thong, slide, Euro...among others, which is many more style options than any other shoe site I've seen. Personally, I'd love almost one of each of the sandals featured in Piperlime's summer sandal guide (save for the pink ones, thong ones, toe-loop ones and some of the sky-high wedge ones).

So hopefully, I've made my point. If not, another argument against flip flops is that they make driving difficult, if not dangerous. They get stuck under the pedal.


(photo creds: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

night essentials

Here's a list of items we picked up from the grocery store at 10pm, right after 1.25 hours at the gym:

  • 1 pack of Oscar Mayer® Angus hot dogs 
  • 1 pack of Schmidt's® potato hot dog buns 
  • 1 slice of Harris Teeter® Grande Finale Chocolate Cake
  • 1 bag of Doritos® JACKED Enchilada Supreme chips














 ...each item as crucial as the next...








 (photo creds: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

boycott Anheuser-Busch

Read Nic Kristof's column on why, join in on the boycott, then spread the word.

(photo cred: Nicole Bengiveno/NYTimes)

For the full story, go here.

Friday, May 04, 2012

dudes' duds

I know how you all love to hear about my taste in clothes, but I recently got a request from a loyal reader to feature more men's fashion.  Since I've always thought men's fashion was a snoozefest, and weakly attempted to touch on it before here and here (I guess sports uniforms don't count), I'm going to leave it to the pros. Hence, here are some men's fashion blogs to which I will refer my male readers for some inspiration and eye candy.

The Urban Gentleman
This blog covers it all - fashion, grooming, etiquette, style, how to get laid. The latest post is about using a few key pieces to accomplish a unique look, which is helpful in countering the argument that men's fashion is a big snore. Among the suggested pieces:

(photo creds: Barney's, Nordy's)

The Urban Gent also covers street style.  Check out this stylish man:

(photo cred: TheUrbanGent)

Check out the far right side of the site - The Urban Gentleman Guides: Basics for Every Man. Here is where you will find helpful tips on how to fold that cute pocket square, 'how to prepare for a female visitor', 'mouth etiquettes' (?), and whether or not men can (should be 'should') wear sandals. For celebrity examples of the kinds of styles covered by this site, read this.

Perhaps one of the most well-known and influential style photographers - one that most others aspire to - is Scott Schuman, the Sartorialist. Although I don't care for his writing, his photos are pretty great and he doesn't come off as douchey as one could be if they were him.

(photo cred: The Sartorialist)
He covers a wide range of ages and places in his pictures, and one of my favorite things to do is click on the random pictures to the right of the site. They provide tons of style inspiration...

 
(photo cred: The Sartorialist)
...or just personal looks seen around town, like this man in Washington Square Park.










(photo cred: The Sartorialist)


(photo cred: The Sartorialist)















(photo cred: yep, Sartorialist)
(photo cred: Sartorialist)


For those of you into dapper looks, Schuman covers the annual Pitti Uomo show and captures tons of pictures of those in attendance looking very sharp, but my favorite looks are the more casual ones, like the one the man to the left is sporting. 

Oddly, I think my favorite photos of men on this site are the older fellows. They just seem to have a more established disposition that is conveyed through the photos - 'trying too hard' is certainly not something one would say when seeing them.


(photo cred: Sartorialist)


(photo cred: Sartorialist)











(photo cred: submitted to the Sartorialist)
On occasion, Schuman will also solicit readers' vintage family photos - undoubtedly interesting and inspirational for those pining for looks of an earlier era.

If I've learned anything from the vintage photos, it's that good pieces are timeless...but women's clothing is still much more interesting, which is why I'll just send you here for more men's fashion blogs.



Thursday, May 03, 2012

because it's thursday...

I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt


I Can't Make You Love Me covered by Adele


Fun fact: This is Maxwell's favorite song!

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

sports bits

By now, I've figured out that bloggers' gripes about feeling "uninspired" is totally real and not a bunch of whiny crock. Having said this, I hope you'll excuse this week's List, as being one of somewhat stale sports bits from the past week, because we all know that in the sports world, stories get old quick.

    Pujols is in a homer draught. HAHA Angels, and your dumb moneybags payroll. I hope you rot in last place amidst your dysfunction and lack of extra cash.

(photo cred: Amy Sancetta/AP)

    We went to the A's/O's game this past Sunday at my favorite ballpark, Camden Yards. It was a brilliantly sunny day, just perfect for baseball. I was feeling especially confident that my home team would make me proud. Although a definite minority, we A's fans represented quite well in a sea of orange. Anyway, I saw my new fav, Colon, pitch about 8.5 innings, holding the O's to no runs and setting his team up for a win... until Balfour blew it and the A's lost 2-5. At least it was a nice day. (...filled with Old Bay sausages, rolling crabs and Natty Boh! Yay Baltimore!) 

(photo cred: here, by Christopher Soper)
     
    The Brooklyn Nets' logos were revealed earlier this week. Jay-Z's team is going to have some boring uniforms if they stick to this black and white scheme.

(pic cred: NBA.com/nets)

    I think they should have orange and black uniforms, since no other basketball team does, or, even better - uniforms that incorporate Jay-Z blue. Duh, Jay!

 (photo cred: here)
    The Redskins are idiots. Yes, I'm referring to their drafting a second QB after getting RGIII. They don't even deserve a picture.
    While we're on DC sports, that Bryce Harper is an exciting lad to watch. Hot dang, does he have a cannon on him!



    Lastly, I know this isn't a news story, per se, but I just wanted to suggest that maybe Tony Reali should have dinner with G and me. His sports knowledge, friendly demeanor and witty use of Seinfeld references have us both giggling like schoolgirls.