Star Inspiratoin III- Ga in

Ga in is one of the girls in a four-women group, "Brown-eyed Girls."

She is a pop star in South Korea and her voice is just the loveliest.

I love how she looks really cute in pinky orangery striped dresses and silver doc martens on TV and gives out that sexy glamour vibe during concerts and shows.

I just love her shiny, spandex-y, patent, leather concert costumes similar to that of Rihanna.

She is not THE prettiest girl in the world, but you get drawn into her. Asians have this thing with girls look pretty with big eyes, but I personally think Ga in looks adorable with lean eyes with lots of eye liner.

I want that purple blazer with shoulder ornament!!!

Her red carpet look with a fur overthrow is just fab.

Innerwear as Outerwear: Daring trend

I wanted this trend to come along for a while.

I've been waiting for innerwear to become outerwear. It still sounds crazy, but I always wanted to show off pretty lingerie.

I bought lingerie overalls and lacy shorts few months ago, but I always thought it was too precious to be just worn in the privates of my home.

I am still cautious because I have a feeling this trend will blow over this spring and never show up again for another few seasons.

Vancouver's comfort food

I've been around a few places on my own in Vancover and here are my top picks so far.

Ganache Patisserie in Yaletown

1262 Homer Street
Vancouver, BC

  What a perfect end to a stroll in Yaletown.

I got the passion fruit green tea cake and double shot espresso.

Burgoo Bistro

Various locations

http://www.burgoo.ca/

 The squash soup is to die for!

It's a perfect lunch with a friend after shopping.

I also highly recommend their clam cowder and french onion soup.

I personally enjoy going to the Lonsdale location because it's by the harbour.

The Dulcinea Chocolate Cafe on Denman

 1118 Denman St.

 Here's a thorough review by ChowTimes.

Go for desserts and drink all made in Chocolate!

I had the "Vancouverite" drink, which was rich in chocolate with a touch of sweet maple syrup topped with crunchy walnut bits. Good comfort drink on a typical rainy Vancouver day.

I'll be going around more to review few more places around Vancouver!

Outfit Parade

Since I joined the online fashion communities, I've been trying on more outfits.

Just having fun!

Last outfit's a bit different from the other two.

Just trying out my oversized tunic for the beach~

Turban: The Middle Eastern Craze

 Turbans are usually worn by men, no? Well, Prada's '07 show had several models walking down the runway emphasizing the female empowerment!

The silk turban is a modern twist by Prada to show that the Middle Eastern adornment can be not only religious and cultural, but cool.

Recently, we first saw turbans coming down the '07 runway at Prada, then the trend didn't really take off, but is it back now? We saw celebrities such as iconic Sarah Jessica Parker and the legendary Kate Moss sporting a turban and saw some semi-turbans (open top) on fashion-forward Ashley Olsen.

 I really wanted to wear a silk turban the moment I saw it. You may need long silky hair to pull this look off.

Unfortunately, a turban would cover my entire hair :(

Can only fashion icons pull this look off?

 SJP pulling off the turban look in SATC movie II, but she's in Abu freakin' Dhabi!!!!                                                        Ashley looks so rock-chic in black satin semi turban!

The black Givenchy bag and her cut-offs paired with plain black top make the turban look so damn cool!

Lookville, Lookbook and Chictopia

I have registered for Lookville and Chictopia, but not Lookbook.

If you don't already know, they are online communities for fashion enthusiasts to post photos of outfits and fashion inspirations. It's a great and easy way to express your fashion sense and to be recognized as a fashion guru.

They all are after the same thing, to enable fashionistas to present themselves online, but each site is a bit different.

LookVille

Lookville is still in BETA (testing).

It's more like a site where you can upload photos of your outfit and ask questions or suggestions from other users.

I find this really helpful because you don't have to be SUPER fashionable. The community is there to provide you with answers and give fashion advices.

If I didn't know what to wear with my boots, I would post a picture of my boots and ask, "What can I pair this with?"

I got some really friendly and useful advices. The users are very nice and provide solutions to fashion crisis. You'll get an answer within few hours. 

(Francesco Artibani from http://www.fashionsavesyou.net/)

Chictopia

Chictopia has been around for a while providing fashionistas an outlet to show off their fashion sense.

A lot of well known bloggers (Blonde Salad, Style Scrapbook, the Haute Pursuit)use the site to express their individuality.

The site is not to look for an advice or suggestions from other users. If you are new to the site, you won't get too many feebacks, since there are so many users already registered.

It's more like a site where you can upload your pics to get compliments and advertise your style as well as your blog. 

You can also collect Chicpoints everytime you log in, post pics, or comments to get free item of clothing from their website.

(http://blog.screamingmimis.com) 

Lookbook

Lookbook is only available by invitation.

Not everyone can freely register, you have to be recommended by already registered LookBook members. I would say the site is more exclusive to top fashionsitas or well recognized bloggers.

Unlike Lookville and Chictopia, the pictures posted up in LookBook resembles that of an amateur artwork or a photographic work. The photos are not only full shot of the outfit, but they capture the mood and the atmosphere of the setting that corresponds to the outfit. In other words, it's probably best that you have someone else take a picture of you with a really good/professional camera.

The pictures are really good quality and Lookbook is a source for people looking for fashion inspiration.

I hate to say this, but Jane Aldridge of (Sea of Shoes blog) who just graduated high school, got to design for Urban Outfitters, did a photo shoot with Vanity Fair, featured in many fashion magazines and has a unique eye for fashion. Also she is a known user of LookBook.

This is what I THINK, so if I got it wrong feel free to politely correct me.

So I hope this helps for people who are new to fashion blogging as I.

If there are other online communities I should check out, please let me know. 

Leave a comment on this post or email me at monm.kim@gmail.com~

Thanks for reading.

Jane Aldridge Boots from Urban Outfitters

Trying out different outfits for the boots!

One more glam, the other gives out more Bohemian vibe. 

What else should I wear with the knee high lace up boots?

Alexa and her hair

Alexa is one of the top style icons these days, but now she got her style down for sure, she should really think about her hair :\

I personally love her quirky, down-to-earth style, but her hair is a mess. It's unfortunate!!!

Dear Alexa, GET A HAIRSTYLIST!

She would look even more fab with good hair!

Look at that lovely jacket and the bag-to-die-for!

I know she has this "bed-head," but it really looks like she just rolled out of her bed :(

Her outfits would be more "liven-up" if she combed her hair.

I am saying this because I love you Alexa <3

Souvenirs from Europe

I am finally done cleaning my room and unpacking my suitcase.

I was looking through my suitcase and found some ticket stubs and museum brochures from my trip.

I got my first Day Pass for the tube in London!

On the same day, I went to Tate Modern and watch Henry VIII at the Globe Theatre!
At night, I went to see Les Miserables Broadway Musical with my sister. It was a magical Birthday for me~

The fancy brochure is from Chateau de Versailles and the pink restaurant business card is from Chamonix, Mont Blanc Chinese restaurant which serves THE Best fondue in Alps (raw steak and chicken on skewer served with sizzling hot cooking oil).

My calligraphy kit from London! It's much faster to write with a regular pen, but I'll make time to write with this pen!

And this is half of my magazines I collected from European cities.

My dad was annoyed that I kept looking for kiosks to get my magazines, but it was totally worth it!

I also got these cool bracelets from Florence look out point.

All around Italy I've been searching for the perfect cameo, but either the face was too ugly, or it's too pricey or just not right.

But these were only 4 Euros and the face on the cameo is pretty decent and look similar to the 200 Euro ones I saw.

I'll be posting my Armani jacket and straw loafer I got from The Mall outlet in Florence soon!

Gosh! Armani was so much cheaper in Italy!!!

Where can you get an Armani jacket for 199 Euros?

SATC II - Miranda's wardrobe

I thought it was going to be a disaster!

Of course I am talking about SATC II movie. I know it's a bit late to post about it now, but I am going to do it anyway. I was expecting to see the fabulous Carrie Bradshaw and her amazing outfits, but sadly I was bombarded with crazy, non-practical, way OTT outfits!
I loved Carrie's outfit in the first movie, but the sequel was dissapointing.

The story line was fun and adventurous, but Carrie was a bit OTT.

The Halston dress was fab, but the rainbow rhinestoney necklace was horrible and so were many outfits Carrie was put in.

I hate her whole tuxedo outfit at Stanford's wedding, her harem jumpsuit she wore to the premier of Smith's movie and the Dior outfit with pouffy skirt she wore to the marketplace in Abu Dhabi.

I mean who wears a Dior shirt with skirt that pouffy and heels that high at a crowded marketplace!!!???

The mask she brought to go with Dior outfit was just to funny :/

(She looks so cute in the cowboy getup! The stripes look gorgeous on her!)

(She looks adorable in her 80s style-hack! I would still wear it!)

I loved Miranda's outfit!

She wears very simple outfits that are androgynous, yet sexy and practical!

I love her outfit she wore to the bazaar, the white fedora with big Ralph Lauren-ish halter dress/pants.

I also love the yellow Ferragamo bag she carries! (the one she had during brunch after the wedding)

The green sequined jumpsuit she wore during karaoke was just awesome!

Her style is really practical and sexy. And I love her sarcastic yet comical character.

Specs and Sweater

I would love to be able to pull off sweater and sunglasses now.

Even if it's Vancouver, sweater is too hot for summer :P

I want to wear winter clothes during summer and vice versa.

What's wrong with me?

Milano and Verona

Milano was the first city I reached in Italy from Swiss.

I was awed by the sheer grandeur of the first Duomo Cathedral I saw in Italy.

Wow! was all that I could say! It was much grander than any Notre Dames I saw in France.

I loved the grand piazzas and luxe deco on buildings.

The next city I visited was Verona, yes, the city which Romeo and Juliet was set in the play.

It was what I imagined Europe to be like!

Scooters in narrow alleyways, arched windows, statues in the middle of the piazzas, and cafes with patios.

Such lovely city!

Versailles - Parisian Suburb II

Aside from the amazingly decadent Chateau de Versailles, the suburban area was just lovely!

The Notre Dame bell was ringing across the town to let everyone know the mass is about to start and people were carrying couple of freshley baked baguettes in their arms to start off their breakfast. My family and I were strolling around town looking at the real estate listings, scoring some french pastries from the patisserie and sitting at the patio of a cafe drinking espressos.
It was such a perfect Sunday Afternoon!



Despite during the Revolution when people sold all the stuff in the palace, Versailles has such a amazing collection of furniture that is easily transferrable to our modern homes! 
I would study so hard if this were my study room!

I just love the detail and the colour scheme of the stucco (?) or moulding of the wall and the window.

I would feel like such a Dauphine if I slept in a bed topped with feathers and chandelier~
Amazing tapestry behind me with the royal fleur-de-lys symbol.

Montmartre - Parisian Suburb

Montmartre was such a lovely neighbourhood!

It's on a hill, so you can see the whole city of Paris, which kind of reminded me of home.

It was crowded with people because the day was super gorgeous and there was some sort of farm market going on.

My favourite part was the Artist block where Parisian artists display their work on the street and sold them.

The Artist block was surrounded by bars, cafes, and lovely restaurants with patio serving mussels and fries!

I just loved the whole market! I got some postcards and sketches!

It wasn't like central Paris, but still busy and ironically I felt more calm and relaxed at Montmartre.

I love how different neighbourhoods give very strong unique vibes in France.

I will post about Versailles suburban area soon!

Those girls look so cute! I am not sure what they are doing....

I got my French Vogue!!! later... I got Vogue Italia, Cosmo Italia, and Glamour Italia at Milan!