More With Google JP

Oh, the blizzard!

No, I'm not dead; I've just been really busy: stuck in Seattle, watching a bunch of movies (ahhh, Micmacs is so ADORABLE), developing a slew of crushes up and down the Drive, being pretty sure 1 or 2 customers have inevitably developed customer-cashier-customer crushes on me... blah blah. Oh and Christmas shopping.

So yeah. That's why I haven't updated.

photo courtesy: hotel chatter

J and I went to Seattle for a day trip that turned into a 2 day trip because of their strange snow storm and unsalted I5. Seriously. I've never ever experienced the powdery snow flying at my face at perhaps 40 mph. We walked to the Ace (when we should've just stayed at the Hotel Max or Westin instead...) which took about 45 minutes.

Don't get me wrong --- the Ace is not without its charms and I also got to eat the best veggie burger I've EVER had. EVER. (Said burger is named "Happy Hippie Burger" from the Cyclops Bar). (There's no room service or adjoining restaurant at this Ace but there was Cyclops right downstairs...).

The next morning, we walked down to the bus station to see if the Greyhounds were running. They were. We choose to stick close to the station because it was still pretty chilly and slippery out. We went into Red Balloon Co. and J bought her signature self-souvenir (Ugly Dolls). We walked next door to Caffe Senso Unico and I had one of the best vanilla lattes I've had (possibly ever).

Strangely, lots of places are closed on Mondays (as opposed to say... Sunday?) and the combination of snowy weather kind of kept us within the core of Downtown. We did go to their International District. J and I shared a delectable curry beef bun from the Fuji Bakery Inc., we ate brunch dinner at Mike's Noodle House, and shopped at their big Japanese supermarket (Uwajimaya). Yes, we did a lot of eating. But it was a really long day. A really, really long day.

(Best Veggie Burger Ever + Best Vanilla Latte) - being stuck over night = a pretty good trip.

Ugh, Phillip Lim!

image via upscale hype

If I had some sort of magical time machine that could fly me back to March of this year, it'd be great. And while it's taking me back in time, it can also fly me to New York (or L.A) and we could go buy me a pair of them Donahue.

Just saying.

P.S., damn you, Phillip Lim. Damn you. Damn limited edition.

RC: the death of me.

rachel comey tullamore clog via la garconne

When I first saw the Tullamore in orange suede it made my heart skip a beat. Several, even. But when I saw it in brown... well. It made me reach for my wallet.

But then I stopped myself.

Maybe another day. (Soon).

Halloween Ain't Over

until I finish all the leftover candies.

paper lanterns from Daiso.

I Need To See This.

Immediately.



Tiny Furniture Trailer from Lena Dunham on Vimeo.


I think you sound like an epilogue to Felicity.

Early Christmas

Beautiful.

I love it. SO MUCH.

But. I won't lie: I could really use the BIG luggage tote.
(This is the small one. It's actually quite light for a tote.)

New Blog Crush

SERIOUSLY.

Who would've thought Stalin was so.... "bangable?"

all credit goes to/belongs to megan over at commas and clauses/bangable dudes in history

Party Outfits

via la garconne

a. rachel comey second husband coat

b. rogan canopy top

c. rachel comey contrary dress

d. tsumori chisato cat dot baggy pant

Party season is starting --- holidays, birthdays, that sorta thing... and when that happens, the air is crisper and the nights are getting colder. Admittedly, I used to be most excited about Autumn because it meant a new coat. Coats were my reason for looking forward to back to school shopping. 

And when I got older, coats were one of the mainstays on wishlists for Christmas/birthday presents. While browsing my new favourite shopping site, I'm seriously considering Rachel Comey's Second Husband Coat. The name alone is worth it. Not convinced? Check out the pictures of the coat... the back of the coat looks AMAZING. Honestly.

But I can't just go to a party/gathering in an awesome coat alone... If I do, I won't have to worry about going to anymore of these shindigs. I won't knock anyone who still swears by a signature LBD but sometimes (really, most times) I think I get more bang for my buck with separates. And now, I find an interesting pair of pants trumps a skirt any day.

But FYI: I would not turn down a printed dress.

Oh! So Many Shoes.

a. suede black with embroidery

b. jelly shoes in white

c. patent leather bow flats

a. Cooperative Wool Toe Cap oxfords

b. Kimchi Blue Scallop Suede Ballet flats

c. Ecote Woven D'Orsay Skimmer

The other day on the train, I saw a girl with the F Troupe jelly shoes and I was in love. I never loved it when I first saw it when they came out (sometime last summer, maybe). But having seen them in person, they are a gorgeous pair of shoes.

And really. It got me thinking... I really need new flats.

The ones I have on stand by are falling apart.

And on that note, I could really use a red pair of TOMS.

Papier

via paperboy wallpaper

via turner pacock cazalet

I need to buy a sofa soon and when I do, I will need to move my desk from the living room into my spare bedroom (aka walk-in closet). And honestly, I would love nothing more than to have a wall plastered in an animal motif wallpaper.

Just saying.

Who Wears Knit Shorts?

Me. Soon.

stolen girlfriends club cable knit short via uo

A few weeks ago, I was browsing the UO website, checking out what's new and I saw pictures from their look book with a girl wearing knit shorts. Instant intrigue turned to instant obsession.

Honestly. Who doesn't need a good pair of knit shorts? Haha.

Cleanse

What kind of cleanse? A Backer banana choco chip muffin one. Oh God... they're so... delicious.

Trotsky Love

It has been a long, long week so far. Can't wait to watch a movie.

New Obession

Akira Minagawa. Seriously. Everything is so adorable and sometimes boarder-lining grandma chic. Apparently, Minagawa designs a more "affordable"(we're still talking in the hundreds here) line. The name?

Sally Scott.

via sally scott

Rain, rain, rain

Japanese quirkiness + Dutch innovation = cute, (practically) storm resistant umbrellas. I'll say yes to that cos more often than not, the hardest thing about holding an umbrella in Vancouver (where it gets very windy) is keeping it unflipped. (It doesn't hurt that the umbrella is so cute though).

via senz x mina perhonen site

AND I've also developed a fondness for Akira Minagawa (aka the designer of Mina Perhonen). You will too. Why? Look:

via mina perhonen

 Favourites from that collection:

mina perhonen

Oh. So quirky. Seriously <3

I Like Socks

This morning when I was walking to the skytrain, I could see my breath. It's getting cold and when it gets cold, my obsession with cute socks and hosiery gets reignited.

One of my favourite sock designer (yup, doesn't everyone have a favourite sock designer?) is Hannah Byun of Hansel from Basel. Just the right amount of quirk and cuteness.

(And I mean, if she styled these following pictures... I love her even more. Look at picture one! Rachel Comey printed jeans  <3).

all images via hansel from basel

sheer knee pads! (I mean, yeah she's famous for the knee pad socks but these ones are sheer!)

Tea Time

I was reading Megan's blog and she posted about her time in New York. Uhhh. So jealous.

The last time I had tea/cake in the afternoon in a different city was last summer in San Fran at Crown & Crumpet.

If Michel Gondry Made Clothes...

via style.com

I'd imagine Maison Martin is somewhere smiling to himself at this new SS11 collection... well, at least I was. Sure, some of the outfits from the collection will only appeal to a handful of people and the other half is practically unwearable but you can't help but smile. Seriously.

(And also: doesn't some of the clothes look like the MMM team let Michel Gondry take a stab at designing? Or that they were watching a lot of Gondry videos and movies. Straight-up dream sequence.)



We all know the Nicole Phelps from Style.com was not a fan. But some things are wearable and I'm a total sucker for huge clutches. Yeah. Total. Sucker.

The Gentlewoman

via la garconne

I was wish-list browsing through La Garconne and found The Gentlewoman --- wait, what's that? Apparently it's a new bi-annual magazine (horray for print media) by the Fantastic Man people.

According to previews and reviews, it's just grand. I say any magazine that debuts with Phoebe Philo as its cover model deserves praise in general (woah, when did I turn into such a fan-girl?).

But really, I won't know until I get a copy myself... but mostly, I don't mind all the crap that comes with mainstream fashion print-media because I like looking at pictures of things/accessories/clothes in a clustered way. Although perhaps, I should read the articles that comes with my magazines instead of drooling over pictures of shoes and bags. Maybe.

VIFF 10

Tonight. Wondrous.

EDIT: There was a problem with the reel of film and the showing was canceled. Wondrousness will continue on October 11th instead.

"Give me a break, you find out I'm Jewish and suddenly some bloke in a uniform is leading me away? That's ridiculous!"  --- absolute favourite line.

Colour Me Awesome

via rescue beauty lounge

My nails are so weak and dry and to protect them, I just paint them many pretty colours. Ha ha. Honestly though, I cannot wait to get some Rescue Beauty Lounge ones. I own a lot of Essie and had the habit of keeping my collection in the fridge... for a while, my fridge was full of citrus fruits & 2 clear box containers of polish.

Haha.

But really, just take a look at Short N Chic's post on RBL's "Anne" ---- so very pretty <3

Nom nom!

yup, I certainly did spell "caramelized" wrong. Oh well. Please don't judge.

I've never been much of a baker, mostly because I like to make things up as I go and that's not really a trait that works well with baking. There's a precision and a certain something that comes with the baking territory and I possess neither. But I'm trying to do different things and be more adventurous in my undertakings in the kitchen... So I settled for baking cookies. I mean, who doesn't like cookies?

I saw a recipe for a cornflake choco chip cookie and then I remembered the recipe I saw for caramelized cornflakes for another cookie recipe. I put them together and tweaked a couple of things and the results were favorable...and delicious.

Carmelized Cornflakes 

adapted from Momofuku for 2

1 1/2 c cornflakes

6 tbsp milk powder

2 tbsp sugar

(almost) 1 tsp salt

7 (5 would have been better) tbsp melted butter

Preheat oven to 275 F. Lightly crush cornflakes with wooden spoon in a bowl/container (I did it in a tall plastic container). Mix together milk powder, sugar and salt in another bowl. Melt butter and pour over cornflakes. Toss evenly until cornflakes are coated and toss milk powder mixture with the cornflakes. Spread on baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes.

Let it cool completely before use*.

*I didn't... not really.

DISCLAIMER: Honestly, this is going to sound disgusting... but I was pretty tired from my day of work and when the cornflakes were done and I tried some, I would have been more than content to have just eaten the cornflakes like that as a dessert. Yeah. Gross. BUT DELICIOUS.

Also: I never used to think the Christina Tosi was that amazing - but mostly because I don't like hype. But any woman who loves the use of milk powder as much as she does deserves some sort of praise. She has certainly won me over - but she's probably used to that sort of thing... you know, fandom. OH. I'm excited for the upcoming cook book. So very excited. 

Cornflake Choco Chip Cookies 

adapted from Cook Republic

Approximately 9 tbsp (although next time I will use less) unsalted butter, chopped & softened

150 ml of caster sugar (also will use less next time because of caramelized cornflakes & added corn syrup)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cup of flour, sifted

2 tbs milk (I upped the milk because the dough seemed a bit dry)

1 1/2 caramelized cornflakes

2/3 c of semi-sweet choco chips

1/4 cup of corn syrup (you could skip this... the syrup just made the cookie kinda chewy)

Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla until pale and fluffy. Add flour a bit at a time, mix on low speed until well combined. Add milk. Stir in cornflakes and choco bits. Bake for about 10-12* minutes until light golden.

*I baked mine for about 11 minutes because I only had a small scoop and the cookies were pretty miniature. My first batch was burnt and so I adjusted the baking time. The edges gets all crispy and because mine were so small that the cookie wasn't that chewy. But chewy enough. I think.

Is there such a thing as fashion week overload?

Perhaps.

It doesn't actually stop me from being excited. I was excited about Paris Fashion week namely for Dries Van Noten. It was... okay. But then I saw the "Carven" link and I clicked on it. I never really paid attention or thought about Carven mostly because it's not really a brand I'm familiar with... until recenty. I was flipping through my Japanese magazine and they featured this beautiful Carven spread. Anyhow, back to the Paris Fashion Week offering by Carven:

via style.com

First it was the shoes with it's whimsical bow that caught my eye but then the outfits were easily just as cute. They're nothing new but the good ol' basics well-put together.

via style.com

According to Nicole Phelps the designer was going for "Bourgeois, but with a nasty side"... I'm not sure about that but Guillaume Henry (the designer) definitely borrowed from the boys to create these looks. Certainly not a new trick but works in his favor.

Bootie Lovin'

a. a.wang anabela platform high heel via shop bop

b. chie mihara's catame via ped shoes

c. l.a.m.b pilot wedge (more like a clog wedge but bootie-ish) via shop bop

d. coclico's ormonde via shop coclico

e. rachel comey's bugle boots via lambs ear shoes

By now, it must be obvious I have some sort of obsession with shoes --- I really do. If I'm not writing about them, I'm probably thinking about them or shopping for them. Or trying my existing collection on just for kicks.

But honestly, a good pair of shoes is definitely an investment. Have I ever told you about my aunt and her awesome collection of shoes? (Well yeah, I mean I talked about it that one time but honestly... I have to show you some of her other shoes... AMAZING). She's got these beautiful Celine stacked pumps that are to die for --- so very simple but so very classic. OKAY, back to my point --- shoes are investments and I'm just thinking of securing my shoe closet for the future :)

Wintry Expectations

a. Cacharel Double Feutre Dolman Coat

b. Built by Wendy Student Wool Floral Embroidered Crew (with scallop neckline! seriously)

c. See by Chloé Patchwork Sweater Pant (polka-dots? YES!)

d. Moustache socks at UO

e. Dino socks at UO

f. Ilse Jacobsen rain boot

I always looked forward to fall because it meant a new winter coat - something beautiful and made of wool, most likely. And yes, I live in Vancouver where it's raining about 80% of the time... but that's why there are umbrellas, right? And of course I'm not all whimsy and no practicality because I do understand the importance of a good pair (actually: essential) of rain boots. My hulking calves will not yield to Hunter's but I find there's a certain charm to the Ilse Jacobsen's boot anyway (or maybe that's my pride talking).

Obviously, you need thick socks that goes high enough when wearing rain boots. I can't explain the number of times I walked around peeved because my socks had somehow found its way half off my foot. And yeah, I buy dude socks that are way-too-big but very, very cute. Nothing wrong with that, right? I mean... how can anyone refuse socks with dinosaurs or mustaches on them? You tell me. 

And I know Hannah MacGibbon's says it's okay to dress from head to toe in cashmere/knit but perhaps I lack a certain delicateness to pull that kinda thing off. Sweater + sweater pants = okay. But throw on a sweater coat and we're just talking crazy.

Knit leggings are a Godsend in Vancouver - honestly. When it gets cold, it's downright chilly. I really like the patchwork on the See by Chloé's because it runs along the inner seam of the leg meaning there will be less piling (and c'mon, polka-dots...).

Too Good

Honestly. New(ish) music is so good.

Woe is Me

The Walkmen haven't sounded this good since Bows + Arrows.

Clutch Lust

No 6 Shoulder Bag via No 6 via Gretchen's Closet

There's something about clutches that I adore... maybe because I have a habit of carrying huge bags but I rarely have anything in them. The logic would be to downsize my bag, right?

TV OD

There's something ultimately soothing for my mind to watch way too much TV when my week has been way too long... needless to say, I've been ODing on TV (real and Internet-styles).

I just finished my marathon of Baker King (which I suggest you watch because it is beautiful and darling but also frustrating and angst-ridden) over the last 5 days. I swear, whenever I watch an abundance of Korean shows everything I hear sounds Korean.



I think I'm going to start watching Bored To Death. There's something ultimately endearing about Jason Schwartzman. Funny. I was just thinking about him in The Darjeeling Limited & the luggage in the movie. Marc Jacobs designed them and honestly.. what's not to love?

 Look, you can't go wrong with an animal motif. Honestly.

images via Purse Blog

Lamentation

I won't lie, I am exhausted and fell asleep like an old lady (namely my grandma, who perpetually does this... daily), sitting in my armchair, with the television on... So, I'm going to keep this one short.

 Life Lesson 1: If you love it, buy it or you'll regret it and write a blog post titled "Lamentation."

You know. Like those shoes by Chie Mihara. I still think about them and scold myself. Important lesson learned, no?

Corniness

As much as a beautiful shoe, a quirky print, or a buttery soft bag can complete my outfit and make my day --- a soup hits the spot when I've had a long week. Trust me. It has been a long week and I can't wait for a break.

As much as I wanted to make Sophie Dahl's Tom Kha, I lack the proper equipment (food processor) to do so. I managed to borrow my grandma's blender for soup making. There's something unsurpassed about making soup in the fall - especially when it's a simple one.

Toumorokoshi no kurīmusūpu (Japanese Corn Cream Soup)
Adapted from The Well-Seasoned Cook
3 ears of corn, shucked, de-cobbed (is that a word?)
1 tablespoon of unsalted porn butter
1 tablespoon of canola oil
(Roughly) 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup of water
3 stems (?) of green onions, white part only, chopped
1 small onion, diced (roughly)
1 small avocado, sliced
Salt, to taste


In a semi-large sauce pan, melt butter and add canola oil over medium-low heat. Add diced onions and the chopped green onions and cook on medium heat until translucent. Add corn. Cook until corn kernels have cooked through, salt to taste, add broth and water, simmer for a bit. Add mixture to blender and blend until well-blended. Taste mixture, add salt if needed.

Because I didn't have any milk or cream on hand, I added sliced avocados for creaminess.

Mad skills or Mad skillz.

The Mighty Colabs

Okay. Let me start off by saying that I know more than a few people (e.g., Susie Bubble and Nitrolicious) who have gushed about the shoe collaborations of SS11 at NYFW... but I'm comfortable enough to admit that I am equally smitten.

courtesy of style bubble

Suno x Loeffler Randall. *gush gush gush*.

Is anything really more beautiful, currently? No. This moment, my mind is filled with images of these shoes --- it's quite unhealthy, really. I admit it...

via style.com

I really like the whimsical nature of the mixed prints but I see these shoes are more or less the centerpiece of the whole outfit. Skinnies + white v-neck + Suno X Loeffler Randall platforms = <3

original images were from susie bubble

Chris Benz x Alejandro Ingelmo. Platforms are the way to my heart when it comes to shoes. They are the shoe equivalent of a pair of yellow silk pants. The Shoe Snob knows the story behind the collab, so I won't elaborate further cos, well, I just want to gawk like an awkward teenage boy.

images via imelda.com

Remember how I was gushing about the shoes at the Karen Walker SS 11 show? It dawned on me to just look it up and see if it's KW's or some sort of awesome collaboration. Lo and behold, another collaboration has taken place --- Karen Walker x Beau Coops.  Although this isn't their first shoe collab, it's definitely a 360 from what they made for Sass & Bide.

Also: I am strangely drawn to platform loafers --- is that weird?

I still blame Chie Mihara for all this shoe lust but what can I say? I love really like shoes.

The Tale of 2 Rebeccas

rebecca minkoff via style.com

Rebecca Minkoff showed her SS '11 collection at NYFW. Some of the outfits were a little uninspired but I have a soft spot for her quirky linings inside her bag (yeah... the lining) so I picked my top 3. Like I always say, I would not say no to yellow pants.

rebecca taylor via style.com

If I had to play favourites and you were to ask me which was my favourite Rebecca, I'd say R. Taylor. The woman does unfussy-feminine like no other. And front zips at the bottom of pants? C'mon. What's not to love?

Autumn Days

(The weather is cooler, so my mind is on cooking lately). I've seen Sophie Dahl's cookbook but there was something about it that didn't intrigue. But having seen the snippets of the 6-part series, it kinda makes me pay a little more attention to The Delicious Miss Dahl.

I know there's a lot of blah blah about how she's this and that and not this and that. I don't think it's necessary to discuss this here. So, let's just enjoy her charm and wit.  The woman is a poet (but whatdoya expect when her grand-dad is Roald Dahl?). 

"total over-kill, like walking into a bordello." -- in regards to adding too much rosewater.

Oh. And I was able to find the first episode on some streaming site.
(The show has a pretty good soundtrack. Seriously).

Rodarte v2.0

via style.com --- i really love the "see it move" option

After a fun-filled year of Target collab, Mac X Rodarte controversy (of the politically-incorrectness nature), the Mulleavys arrived at NYFW with an interesting collection.



Not to say I'm not a fan but collections of yesterseasons never really made my heart skip - they were too artsy and a little impractical for my needs. But this SS11 collection is something else. Interesting prints and sculptured pieces are still very obviously Rodarte in its nature but there is something more whole and coherent this time. I'm a fan, for sure.

Karen Walker, You've Outdone Yourself.

via style.com

Oh Karen Walker. You've redeemed* yourself with this collection. It makes me all giddy and happy about spring/summer. Uh. I know. It's autumn now... I should really think about jackets/coats right now.

I still haven't found printed pants I want to wear yet but seeing the SS11 collection keeps hope afloat.

*FW10 was... less than awesome. I'm sorry. 

via style.com

I would not say no to yellow silk pants. Or the shoes. Well. Really, any of the outfits. Just saying.

via style.com

(Speechless).
Oh, wait, no. Middle outfit is so pajama-y. Doesn't it remind you of that stylish grandma I was creeping on, on the bus?

For now, I will keep my eye out on Maximillia for the shoes featured in the 3rd picture above (and several other times on other models/outfits). They are absolutely adorable (or at least seemingly so from the pictures I've seen).

Andy, You're a Star

(like that Killers' song.)
(As in Andrew Rosen of Theory-fame).

via Style.com

There's minimalism done right and then there's "I'm-trying-too-hard-to-be-edgy-minimalism."

This is obviously the "done-right" kind.

Bag Envy

via my Japanese magazine

Okay, I Was Wrong.

Remember how I was hating on the so-very white spring/summer '11 collections? I was wrong. My sincerest apologies.

adam via style.com

How perfect are these outfits? Really.

I've always had a sort of secret crush on Adam Lippes. Can you blame me? And that 3rd picture right there is totally a throwback to his Oscar de la Renta days.

(EDIT: Haha. Controversy, controversy. Check out fashionista's take on Mr. Lippes middle outfit. I forgive him if it's on purpose. She's awesome and I'd copy her too.)

A Détacher via style.com

Mona Kowalska, you're my lady this spring/summer (so far). Everyone who knows me, knows that the way to my wallet is through print (and/or prints of animals). And there's also a sort of calm sensibility about Kowalska's design that it's simple but not without charm.

And is that a romper in the first picture? Yeah. I thought I pretty much gave up the romper once everyone and their mama (I'd say grandma but if people's grandmas were wearing rompers, I'd be in. Totally) were sporting it --- but look, I'm entitled to change my opinion... yes?

boo via style.com

See. I changed my opinion about the all-white ensembles. Look. Proof above. And I know I could've picked more summery outfits from the collection but the all gray look still appeals (I blame you, Scott Sternberg... again). And the middle outfit is pure tongue-in-cheek-whimsical. It's like wearing an umbrella as a shirt and another umbrella as a jacket (in the best possible way, mind you).