Shu

Shu Pei Qin

via style.com and nymag

Picture spam of one of my faves. This girl is absolutely gorgeous. But of course, I didn't really have to tell you that.

Beat the Heat

The weather here is getting unbearably hot to the point that shorts and a tank with Old Navy flip flops is more of a uniform than anything else. Not that there is really anything wrong with that ensemble. It's very practical. In fact, I am about to make that my daily uniform as well.

Metropark dress, DKNY jacket, Chanel heels, Elliot Lucca bag

But before I become more practical, I am hanging on to all the last jackets I can wear, while bearing the heat, which includes again this DKNY cargo jacket that I've been wearing year round. It's gotten to the point that I feel naked without it.

Off to see why there is so much hype surrounding Glee.

Slant

Three weeks too late, but better late than never, I post my few-and-far-in-between pictures at Slant Festival. I will say now that I am not at all a film/music festival junkie (only time I ever attended SXSW during the years I lived in Austin was when my brother, JP Chan, screened one of his films there), and I will probably never try to be. However, after that weekend, I now have a new appreciation for what independent musicians and film makers do.

The above pictures are taken inside the venue. Yes, they feature lots of graffiti art, raggedy ann dolls, and paintings that will make you think twice. I have to admit that I myself was a bit skeptical about the whole event at first, especially since the venue was in the sketchy part of town - not to mention, it being named Super Happy Fun Land. However, after watching a handful of films on one night, listening to Goh Nakamura's amazing vocals another night, and topping it off by attending PJ Raval's workshop the next day, I quickly became a fan of all the above.

Timeless

The Mainbocher Corset

taken by Horst

Eyes Closed

Can't even keep my eyes open in pictures anymore. Been running around town for the last couple of weeks doing who knows what. Time for things to finally settle down. Hopefully.

zara blouse, h&m belt, unknown skirt, chanel shoes

Need a haircut asap. NO SHAPE. NO SHAPE AT ALL is what one would've said.

Day and Night

Stella McCartney PreFall 2010 Collection.

images via style.com

I DON'T SLEEP I DREAM

Slant Film Festival. Interested in films? Is SXSW your kind of event? Bored this weekend? In Houston, with nothing to do? Okay, I'll stop with the antics. My brother is coming down from NY and one of his shorts is showing at the Slant Film Festival this Friday. Read more about the event here and here.

Tapas

If you go out to eat with me, you would know that I love variety. I need something from every category on the food pyramid. When we go to restaurants, its difficult for me to decide and we often order too much because of the variety I want. Therefore, going to a restaurant that specializes in tapas is perfect for me. There's a lot of variety and the appetizers pretty much make up your meal. In other words, I get what I want, and I get it in smaller portions.

My favorite were the empanadas. The crust was crispy and chewy, the beef inside was succulent and tender, and they even drizzled sour cream on top. Well executed, my friends.

Scallops in tomato and wine sauce.

Chorizo and potato omelet.

Food coma...

h&m suspender skirt, express white tee, chanel shoes

We had a couple of other tapas (Shrimp and squid pesto pizza, lamb skewers on top of couscous) which I failed to get a picture of because we couldn't wait to dig in. Small portions? Yes. But when you still fall into the trap of ordering too many, you have to walk it off afterwards.

ALLSAINTS SPITALFIELDS

via allsaints.com

Boy Meets Girl

One beautiful afternoon, my cousin decided to dress ultra feminine. And on that same beautiful afternoon, I decided to be her date...

My attempt of denim on denim. Also my attempt at being a boy.

Her: Can you buy me a build-a-bear?

Me: Maybe next time.

Those were the days.

When I was a child, I pretended to be a teacher, a nurse, a cook, a power ranger - oh yeah, and 'The Bride with White Hair'. Something about Brigitte Lin was so appealing and attractive, that I would envelope myself in large white bed sheets and swing my hair both freely and forcefully, piercing through imaginary men.

via hkcinemagic

Hello May.

May is the time of the year when procrastinators start considering the destinations they would like to travel to during the summer and beyond. Since the holiday season is right around the corner after the summer months, one (I) must strategically consider where they would like to go during that time as well. So I crouch here and ponder...

Zara Blouse, Baker's heels, Bebe Mesh Cut-Out Leggings, Express chains

New York is usually one of my sure choices every year, but the question this year is when?

San Francisco. Beautiful weather, family, food, shopping. Very, very tempting.

Texas. I live in the huge state of Texas and while I've been to most of the big cities, there's always room for exploring those again.

And Beyond. Asia is probably out of the question this year. Again. My cousin is getting married in Australia early next year, so if I do attend, might as well be more efficient about it and save my legs from extra cramping time.

Bo Bia Bia

Bo Bia is a type of fresh spring roll that my family loves to eat. You can buy it at a Vietnamese grocery store or bakery, but we like to make it at home in part because we can each eat like four to six rolls. Making Bo Bia is actually really simple. The ingredients are basic: Chinese sausage, green leaf lettuce, eggs, rice paper, basil, hoisin sauce, dried shrimp, jicama root (available at most Asian grocery stores).

Wash Your Greens!

Fry your scrambled eggs extra thin. Roll up a couple of the egg "sheets" and then cut it into slender strips.

Wash, shred and then sauté the jicama with fish sauce and dried shrimp.

Cut the Chinese sausage very thin diagonally.

Assemble! Lettuce, basil, jicama, chinese sausage, hoisin on top of your moistened rice paper.

These were pretty delicious. When you make things at home, you can put as many ingredients of your preference as you want which is especially a huge plus for me because I like my Bo Bia Bia with extra basil and jicama, light on the hoisin sauce. My only gripe? It is tedious as hell to make. Even if you are only the helper.

I Couldn't Find a Better Place.

I've been on a mission to try out all the little new establishments in Chinatown. Along with that, my taste buds have been craving a good Japanese ramen for as long as I can remember. So, Kubo's it was.

Put on some items that day that hadn't really been touched since they were bought.

Detail of the red cord belt and the specks of lint all over my top.

Finally getting a chance to wear my Theory croc pattern wooden wedges.

Looks fairly decent, right?

First mistake was that I made myself believe that I could find good ramen in Houston, when I didn't even have good ramen in New York. Secondly, the too-hip-for-Houston-Chinatown should have rang the alarm the minute I walked in.

Sky High

Versace Spring 2010. Saw these in person today. Had been pretty neutral about them when I saw pictures online, but they are pretty gorgeous in real life. Adds about 8 inches to any girls height. Retail value? $1495 I believe. Invest around $1.5 K and heads will definitely turn. Your way.

Shoes Aside.

Miu Miu's spring collection of satin shoes has been blogged to death. Who can deny THOSE shoes being anything less than fabulous? I surely can't. Okay, so shoes aside, for a second that is.

While browsing through Miu Miu's S/S 10 campaign, I couldn't help but also notice the sequined skirts, satin clothing, colorful clutches, and pouty lips? Silky long blonde hair, soft black eyeliner, pink eye shadow, and a pale face. Oh, I definitely like.

Spring Time Is Now Clog Time

Clogs. Whether you hate it or love it, you probably cannot avoid seeing them this season. Many high street brands have already produced their own version. By own version, I mean they have spawned their own imitation of the Chanel S/S 10 clogs.

For a (significant) fraction of the price, here are some alternatives - all sub $200.

Chanel, Free People

Jeffrey Campbell, Topshop

Not related to the above, but if you are looking for a pair of mules and you like Jeffrey Campbell's clinics (yes and yes for me), you will probably like this:

Jeffrey Campbell