THAKOOOOOOOON!!!

So, folks, this morning I went to Target to get some bathroom cleaning supplies and a hairbrush, when what do I see but the new Go International clothes, gently swinging on their hangers next to the in-store Taco Bell.

And what's that whispering to me across a line of shopping carts getting pulled into the store? Why, it's ... tie-dye!! Well, Japanese "shibori" prints, to be exact, but it's all tie-dye to me. And you know I cannot resist the call of the tie-dye.

It's the new collection by Thai-American designer Thakoon Panichgul, a favorite of Michelle Obama and many other notable fashionistas. I promptly forgot the Sani-Flush as I ran to the racks, pulled off a ridiculously pretty blue-and-white print dress and some other pieces, and zoomed off to the fitting room.

Now, Go International styles have been mostly a miss, for me, but this new line seemed really different. The cuts and fit didn't look so tiny, and the materials were mostly soft, cool cottons. But what really caught my eye were the beautiful prints! I looooove ethnic patterns, and Asian fabric prints have a special place in my heart because I'm from Asia, and printing techniques like Batik and Tie-Dye (which my mother learned as a child in her grade-school art class!) have long been part of our cultural history.

This Shibori-print dress was airy, unique, and just beautiful:


(image: Nylon magazine)

Of course, I wouldn't wear it open like in the photo, but even buttoned-up it was just lovely. You can wear it belted or not, but it felt too loose unbelted so I opted to tie the sash-belt. There are interesting pleats that run down the front, which give it a fabulous, slimming effect! And even minimized my big 'ol bust, which is like a miracle. :o)

I loved all the Thakoon pieces in the store. Particular faves:

(image: Target)

In this photo, you can't see the little bands of Thai-style embroidery down the front of this blouse, but it's delicate and eye-catching in person.


(from Nylon Magazine)

This photo doesn't do the bright colors of this dress justice. It's quite loose, but wonderful when belted. This is also a "Shibori" print. I love how women of all different sizes can wear these pieces!


(from Nylon Magazine)

Though this tunic top wasn't yet at the store, the black-and-white print is on other clothes so I got to see it there. I'm thinking of getting this for my mother. It might also work well as a swimsuit cover-up.

(image: Target)

I found this to be a beautiful print for a bathing suit!

I suggest that, if you want to see this collection, go to the store and look at them there. On the Target website there were so many reviews for my dress that stated how "small" it was that I never thought it would fit me. But the one I tried on and bought wasn't tiny at all! It fit me really well, and I'm a top-heavy woman who needs to get large sizes in blouses and dresses just so they'll fit around my chest.

But I think that, like all mass-produced clothes, the sizing of each of these pieces may vary from one to another, so you really have to try them on.

And hey, it's Target -- you can stock up on the toothpaste and batteries and laundry detergent while you're at it! ^_^

Let me know what you all think of this collection!

PREZZIES!

I had a pretty awesome Christmas! Got together with my parents and one brother for dinner, and afterwards we opened our presents. I waited till everyone came over to open them.

I was thrilled with what I got, and even more thrilled that everyone loved the presents I gave them! It's sooo hard to shop for my family members, so that was great!

This is what I got:

This blouse is more beautiful in real life than in the pic, even though the metallic accents are actually a lot more subtle. The fabric is flowy and dreamy. I think it's very me. :o)


These Ted Baker wedge sandals, which my mother had got on Amazon, are totally perfect! They have a retro vibe, and they're also very ladylike and graceful. Of all my shoes, I think this pair is my hands-down favorite!

My brother gave me this DVD of one of my favorite recent movies, Eastern Promises:



Even though it's rather violent and graphic in parts, as all David Cronenberg's films are, I found it to be haunting and romantic, and really mesmerizing. I don't own a lot of DVDs, just the ones I really love. This film is definitely one of those. I highly recommend it!

And here are some of the gifts I gave:

These beautiful Pelle Moda sandals (from Amazon) for my mother. We got each other sandals from Amazon! She loved these! They've got gorgeous little silvery jewels that make them shimmer.



This is a touching, amazing book about music journalist Rob Sheffield's life with his beloved wife, also a music journalist. My brother is a music lover who was in a local band for many years, so I thought this the perfect gift for him.



For my father, I got this soft, fine merino wool sweater by Alfani at Macy's. It's warm and comfortable but lightweight and elegant. He loved it!

So those were our family gifts. I also got some gifts to give my husband when he'll finally join me here in California. All in all, it was a wonderful day!

GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY TO EVERYONE!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Eid Mubarak! Happy Holidays to you all, and I hope everyone's days are filled with love, laughter and fun! And I wish you all a fantastic 2009!

FRIDAY FIVE

I used to do a little meme on my Livejournal blog called the "Friday Five". I thought it might be fun to do something similar on this blog ... on this Friday anyway! Don't know if I could keep it up every week, but today I'm feeling inspired.

So here's my Style Friday Five, pix of 5 online fashion finds that caught my eye:

First up, these Jeffrey Campbell "Burbs" heels, at Amazon:

I think the studded details are spectacular. It's rocker-chic but elegant.

Next, this G by Guess "Ivonne" skirt, available on the G by Guess website:

I think this is sleek yet sexy!

Next, this beautiful, custom-made suede bag, the "Morchella" by Morelle Designs on Etsy:


(image from the Morelle blog)

I think this bag is incredibly pretty, and it's just thrilling to see work by such a talented artisan! Check out her other custom-designed handmade bags. Here's hoping she makes it big, soon!

Next, this great winter coat by Guess, available at Nordstrom online:


I love the cool black patent detail on the pockets!

Finally, since I can't leave the Boho behind, this gorgeous velvet skirt by Free People:



The color combinations on this skirt are so dreamy and Sixties! I love wearing skirts in the winter, and this one's a fab departure from the usual denim, tweed, and corduroy skirts that abound this time of year.

There you have it: five pretty little things that caught my fancy on the world wide web!

SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PARTY

Today was our school Christmas party, and I'd been thinking about what to wear to it for a couple of months now. It's got to be pretty and party-like, but not formal because you have to run behind a bunch of preschoolers all evening, and then clean up the venue hall afterwards.

Problem is, I don't have many cold-weather clothes since it's warm here in my part of California for most of the year, and festive cold-weather clothes are even harder to find in my closet. Soooo, after looking through what I had I finally realized that I could wear one of my summer tops with a thin, long-sleeved tee underneath. And that's just what I did. Here's what I came up with:

I paired this Free People "Nemrana Princess" tank (which has a glittery little accent at the neckline that's perfect for this type of occasion) with a long-sleeved, thin cotton tee (in a dark teal color and wide scoop neckline) underneath:

This is one of my favorite tops and I'm glad I got to wear it in the winter!

I paired the top with my J Brand 910 skinny jeans (in dark brown) which have a slight sheen to them that's beautiful in the evening:


And the final accents were these sequined, embroidered Report "Turka" flats (mine are the dark-colored ones on the extreme left, with peacock-blue sequins that matched the top perfectly):


The whole outfit looked really nice, and made me feel so happy! For the first time in years, I finally got the annual school Christmas party outfit right, for a change! That brought me some much-needed Holiday cheer. ^_^

P.S., as soon as I get myself a good camera, I'll start posting photos of myself actually wearing different outfits like what I see in everyone's blogs. Stay tuned!

ISAAC IS MY HOMEBOY

I adore Isaac Mizrahi! I'm sad that his TV show on the Style network is no longer on, and that he'll no longer be designing clothes for Target. But I'm thrilled that he's going to take over at Liz Clairborne, and also that he has a new book out, How to Have Style, which you can get online at Amazon.

I highly recommend this fantastic book! It's super-inspirational, and features all kinds of real women with real body types, from short to tall, slim to plus-sized. Isaac uses simple, basic clothes (versions of which you can find at every price range) and fun accessories to create fabulous, quirky looks that are also very flattering. It's just amazing!



It's also not surprising. After all, Isaac is a great designer, not just a talented stylist like the What Not to Wear duos (Trinny & Susannah, Stacy & Clinton) or similar media personalities. And he still puts on a couture runway show every season. An artist who loves real women with real bodies is a rarity in this world, and for that reason alone you should check out Isaac's book. Every night I look through it to see how I can put together clothes I already own in different, interesting ways.


(Dress from Isaac Mizrahi's Resort '09 collection, via Style.com)

Isaac also has a great website, Isaac Mizrahi New York, where you can join the forum with other people from all around the world and share your thoughts and ideas about style. You can also make your own "Inspiration Board" on the site to share with others. This is a virtual bulletin board where you put all kinds of beautiful images (of anything imaginable) that inspire you, and which can be used as the basis of your own, personal style. I have a ball looking through other people's Inspiration Boards on Isaac's website!

It's really awesome to find a designer who loves and celebrates all kinds of women, not just those who are models or celebrities. I think that's the secret to Isaac's enduring success. Our world is all the better for this wonderful, talented man, and I hope he and his styles stay around for a long, long time!

Now, if only we can get him back on television. Sigh.

MORE BLOG LOVE!

Sorry for the delay in blogging. I've been very busy finalizing preparations for our annual school Christmas program, which will take place this coming Thursday. After that, vacaaaaation! Two weeks off. Yessss!! That's one of the great perks of being a teacher! ^_^

I'm long overdue in posting this, but I'm totally thrilled to have gotten another Blog Love award! This time given to me by the fabulous Lady D of Africana In Atlanta!

Lady D was recently featured in Glamour.com's Daily Style Blog as a Best Dressed Reader! I couldn't agree more. Her blog provides daily inspiration on how to dress in a more interesting, eye-catching and stylin' way. It's a must-read!






Thank you, Lady D!

The rules are that I have to also give this award to 7 of my fave style blogs, so I'm going to award this to the following awesome blogs:

1. Budget Chic -- She is just amazingly stylish! As a fellow budget-conscious woman, I can only aspire to dress as well as this.

2. Real Style for Real People -- Christina's Lee's blog is filled with inspiration and practical advice and tips on style. I read it like I read the news headlines every day! :o)

3. The Street Walker, Tel Aviv -- Showcases the stylish folks of Israel, particularly in the city of Tel Aviv, and also around the world. I'm a huge fan of style around the world, and this blog is one of the coolest! It's written in Hebrew, a language I don't know, but that's not a problem for me at all ... the language of great style is universal!

4. Economy of Style -- Psyche is both an academic and a fashionista! Now that's inspiration!

5. Vintage Love -- Miss Vintage Love's blog on vintage style finds are nothing short of amazing. She has an online vintage clothing boutique: Proper Vintage, which is awesome!

6. Fatal Attraction 2 Fashion -- Danz blogs about style and fashion from Barbados! This is a fabulously comprehensive and cool style blog that's really worth reading from beginning to end.

7. The Budget Diva -- Fab tips on hot picks! This is where I go for budget style finds that are really cool, quirky and not broadly publicized. A great read!

So, here are some more style blogs that I think are really worth reading on a daily basis! I urge everyone to check 'em out! ^_^

BLACK FRIDAY (AND OTHER EVERYDAY) FINDS

Sooo ... my Black Friday was pretty great as I did not spend as much money as I thought I would, lol! At first it was a bit disappointing, since I expected to find many clearance-priced clothes as I did last year, but this year's selection was much, much smaller. I wondered whether it's because stores are stocking less inventory due to the recession, or not many things looked nice on me this time. Maybe a bit of both?

In any case, the mall was not the only place I've been finding fabulous buys. Here are some I've come across recently.

From my favorite store (especially for sales), Macy's:

This pretty little Style & Co. cotton eyelet jacket is very flattering and versatile! The color makes it wearable year-round here in California. The price was an amazing $10!


This lovely I.N.C. camisole is soft and flattering. Perfect for the warmer months, but also wearable in the colder months with a layering piece underneath. The price, again, was $10!

From Target:

This wonderful cotton blouse has a removable neck-sash/tie that I wear around the waist as a belt. It was only $6!

On Amazon I've been finding summer sandals on clearance at unbelievable prices! There are literally thousands and thousands of them. My favorite is this Modern Vintage "Feliciana" black patent leather gladiator sandal:


I also adore these "Dahlia" sandals (which cost only $17!) by Dolce Vita:

I have a "thing" about patent leather sandals, for some reason. Now seems to be the best time to stock up on great bargains for this kind of footwear.