Friday, December 27, 2013

A Grandma, a Granddaughter, and Her Dress





My grandma encourages me to dress up in her vintage clothing. I happily comply.

Grandma, me, and a dress of hers from ~the 60s.


Your friendly neighborhood ketchup advertisement.



Thursday, December 26, 2013

Furreal doe.








{BDG Chambray. Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply Floral Ankle Zip Skinnies. Vintage fur coat and hat via my grandparents' closet.}

Monday, December 23, 2013

[A Story Told Through Pictures.]


{Tell me what you see.}

{I see...}



{A girl.}

{Sitting on a bed...}

{She's reading. Shakespeare. Macbeth, I think.}

{She stops.}

{She's thinking.}


{I wonder what she's thinking...}

{She sees me.}

{...But she smiles.}

{As if...}

{...She knows me.}


{We talk.}





Patagonia Better Sweater Hoody | Banana Republic Colorblock Boatneck Pullover (similar) | Old Navy  Rockstar Jeans









Apple of My Eye

The kind of simple fun one gets into with a DSLR and nice lighting.
Naomi.


Dramatic lighting>>>



Emma, our 4-year-old cousin.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Do Try This at Home

Random day last week where Nay and I discovered we were wearing cute outfits and decided to do a mini photoshoot in the downstairs room, which was lately left bereft of its ping pong table (sad face. We're gifting it to the grandparents). Anyway, here are some of the highlights of the zany shoot:


Prerequisite creepy/dramatic picture. Please disregard the hazy colored shapes of hastily blotted Nerf Guns in the closet. Instead, feast your eyes on that lovely little lantern. It is the Pottery Barn Malta Lantern--we have several in different sizes, but I believe that one is the large. Go quick, they're on sale!

Perfect lighting + homemade terrarium = awesome.

 We then moved outside to the deck:
Yes, I did blink. Yes, I still think it looks good enough to post.

Dem legs doe. 


The wonderful dress and shoes are from my mom's cavernous closet. Things go in but rarely come out until years later.  I removed the shoulder pads and might take in the shoulders a bit because they're actually an awkward capsleeve length. I was considering leaving the shoulder pads in, but was innocently told I looked like a linebacker (yeah, no).

DIY Flower Crown | Forever 21 Basic Long Sleeve | Vintage All That Jazz Drop Waist Polka Dot Dress | Coach Legacy Mini Tanner Crossbody in Black Leather | Target TightsDollar Tree Socks | Vintage Banana Republic Platform Sandals

Really proud of this shot too. My photo game was on par today, as was my sister's model game. 

BDG Chambray | AG Adriano Goldschmied Stevies in Hunter Green | Nordstrom Nerd Glasses | Vans Original Classic Authentic in Black

I'm sure you'll be seeing more of us shortly! Lots of time for photoshoots coming up as Nay finishes up her finals this week :)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

CollegeFashionista Style Guru Internship Application

In an effort to be proactive and pursue internships I'll actually enjoy partaking in, I decided to apply for the CollegeFashionista Style Guru Internship. Basically, one takes a picture of a fashionable person on one's campus, then writes up a little* fashion advice for readers concerning some article the student was wearing that was sartorially on point.

*"A little" is a little bit of an underestimate, as it actually translates to between 250-500 words, which incidentally turns out to be your basic newspaper article length.**
**Or at least, this was so in high school journalism, where 250 words was the average minimum.

Anyway, I decided to post my responses to the questions and show y'all the mock up I did to apply for the internship. I figure it'll be useful whether I get the internship or not--if I don't get it, it will be advice for what not to write, and if I do, it will be the opposite.

If you answered "Yes" to "Writing, Blogging and/or Journalism Experience," please explain.

In the summer of 2012, I wrote and published a young adult novel, and also attended the University of Virginia's Young Writers Workshop. In 2013, I wrote for my high school's newspaper, and contributed many opinions, features, and editorial articles. Currently, I am part of the editing team for University of the Pacific's literary magazine, and also have a fashion blog as well as a writing blog.

How did you hear about CollegeFashionista?

I peruse Refinery29 daily, and decided to check out their College section, as it is applicable to my current stage in life. I noticed that CollegeFashionista is a frequent author of articles about college, and decided to visit the site. Once there, I fell in love with the concept and resolved to apply to be a Style Guru.


Style Advice of the Week: Come As You Are
Nirvana, Doc Martens, unwashed hair, and almost-insufferable amounts of teenage angst—sound familiar? If you guessed grunge, you’d be correct: this nineties fashion movement is alive and kicking. As this Fashionista shows, the key to making the decades-old trend modern is by adding a glam spin to it.
Our sartorial muse expertly juxtaposes grungy elements with polished menswear, a classic Coach bag, and patterns galore. By combining the iconic, slouchy plaid flannel with the structured tuxedo blazer and loafers, she ensures her silhouette is both sleek and edgy—a daunting yet rewarding style anyone can rock, with some effort.
            And can we please discuss her masterful pattern mixing? Plaid, stripes, and chevron might make any of us more minimalist mavens blanch, but this Fashionista pulls it off with aplomb. The secret is combining pieces in a similar color scheme—like red, black, and white—with dissimilar pattern sizes. Thus, the louder, bigger plaid print balances nicely with the smaller Breton stripes and the subtler chevron.
            So how can the Clueless among us snag this stylish look? First, pick your nineties grunge poison—ripped jeans, combat boots, or thrifted flannels are the bomb. Then it’s on to pattern mixing. Choose similar-hued patterns of varying sizes, like skinny stripes with big plaid, or minute dots with larger florals, to mix into your outfit. These patterns could grace your watch, tights, or even your wallet—be creative! Finish off the look by incorporating a few tailored menswear elements, like loafers, oxfords, or a blazer, and you’re good to go.
            Bonus—this layered look will keep you warm for fall and on into a mild Californian winter. Take that, sweatshirts and Uggs!
Style on,
Sarah Yung


Supposedly, we'll see if I get the job by December 20. Crossing my fingers for an early Christmas present!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Oh, Grandmama, It's Me, Anastasia.

Haha starting out the post with a quote from that golden animated VHS of yore, Anastasia. Can you believe that came out sixteen years ago? I was two, and I can't believe it either. (To clarify, I didn't watch it until much later than two years of age, although watching it that early would explain some of my mental issues.) I'm home for Christmas break and it is GLORIOUS. Anyway, here's a tad bit of photo spam of a vintage/ethereal photoshoot from our grandma's house on Saturday. The lighting was perfect, and the DSLR was conveniently there (lies. I brought it purposely), as were a pair of lovely vintage opera glasses and a multitude of vintage dresses (truth, although both were provided by our grandma).

So raise your (opera) glass!


Vintage Handknit Cardigan by my Great-Aunt Sylvia | BDG Chambray Buttondown | Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply Ankle Zip Floral Jeans | Vintage The Limited Salmon Crew Socks

My grandma's old dress from the 50s or 60s! It fits like a dream--which is to say, quite imaginatively, I guess. I don't know how people are expected to know how a dream feels. Anyway, this dress fits me quite well.

Yes, I posed in the hallway with the receiver to my head, a demure smile on my lips as the automated operator whispered sweet nothings tinnily into my ear.


Clearly, I am overly ecstatic to be home.


There were, of course, many more photos, through which I am currently sorting. Expect another post soon!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Cupcakes and Cords

Upon my rescue return from college on Wednesday, I was treated to a shopping trip at Palo Alto, and a box of Sprinkles Cupcakes the next day. 

This is how I know my parents love me.
(Kidding, of course.)

The Matchstick is a perennial favorite cut of jeans and cords, although the sizing seems like it can be a little iffy. In any case, these navy cords will be a perfect addition to my fall/winter arsenal. 


Lemon for Mommy, Triple Cinnamon with Cinnamon Cream Cheese for me, Lemon for Naomi, Peppermint Chocolate for Daddy (who promptly began to pluck off the peppermint. Humbug. I ate half of his and he ate half of mine because apparently it is a well-known fact he does not like peppermint candy, but no one says no to cream cheese frosting.)

As far as cupcakes go, Sprinkles are delicious but I don't think I would say they're the best. I enjoy a denser cake base, so I think I would say Baked and Wired in D.C. is slightly superior. They also have much larger cupcakes for a much cheaper price, a wonderful and delicious bargain to which I say, being Asian, I cannot help but be partial to.

Of course, I can't reasonably get Baked and Wired as often considering we're on the West Coast, so Sprinkles will have to do. I'll take what I can get. ;)

Anyway, expect more posts soon as we embark on the daunting and wondrous journey we call Christmas Break!