Sunday, June 28, 2009

What I'm actually Reading

Back at the beginning of June, I post a few books that I want to read this summer. As sincere as I was when putting together that list, things like this tend to go sour with me. Basically, my almost always hibernating productive side/righteous side kicks in once a while to remind me that there's way too many books for me to finish in this lifetime. Instead, I shall only focus on the important ones......

And it just happened that yesterday, while surfing around the web, I found out about the Infinite Summer challenge/book club. Basically, the idea is to read Infinite Jest from June 21 to September 22. This gives you about 75 pages a week, which is pretty doable for a book like this, right? I already snapped my copy at the store this afternoon, have some catch up to do while it's still early in the game.


Here are some other books that are arriving at my door on Monday, I ordered four but these two should give you an idea...



May the good weekend continue ;)

When Life gives you a steamer malfunction, you leave cappuccino for some espresso


I finally tested my espressor machine today.....only to find out that the steam knob is broken :( In the end, my milk remained cold. My espresso, bitter, but still oh so good!

Today is one of these days when nothing can mess up your mood. At least for me. Some shopping, a vitis to the book store, and a birthday party later, I'm happily in bed writing my blog while semi listening to the drunk people outside my first floor window.

Ang tomorrow, I'll be drinking more espresso, while longing for that good cup of cappuccino....

Friday, June 26, 2009

Three Blazers Later

One of the excuse why I haven't update in so long: excuse me please, I was busy shopping ;)

Three blazers, one trench, some killer heels, pants, shirts, and a bag later, I still couldn't find anything to wear on any given day. (you may feel the need to remind me that i'm kinda not really shopping for summer: I arealdy know that lol) I blame it on my yet to be fully developed style and fashion sense. I'm not really slow, it's just that I was raised in a very different culture that truly under-valued fashion for as long as I remember.

So after a week of shopping, I post shamefully the following items, which I still really really want to add to my wardrobe:


American Apparel Sexuali-Tee, everyone's favorite of the moment ;)

80/20 Hidden Wedge Boots

This cute convertible plaid jacket from Hong Kong

This summer, black and white only ;)

Back a few weeks ago, I was walking with a friend and out of nowhere, I said semi thoughtfully, " I think I'll only wear black and white this summer..." The result, of course I got laughed at and made fun of endlessly for the next few days. Of course it was a silly thought, it was also a lazy attempt to get back to my city girl status, after four years of "farm dressing". But one thing we have to admit, sometimes, black and white can be all you need.
Christian Dior 1951

Japanese Vogue, May 2009 Tanya Dziahileva by Mariano Vivanco Mixte Magazine
Sketch by Donfeld for Anjelica Huston, 1985

Monday, June 15, 2009

Next time, spf 1000 pleeeease

BBQ was lots of fun today, but I burned, just the upper back though. Silly me, not able to tell weather from the temporarily double taped curtain!! I thought it wouldn't be so sunny, therefore, I can cheat on my sunblock. Bad mistake.... Now, after 5 layers of cocoa butter and another thick layer of vitamin E mask, I'm finally done with the rescue efforts. A little tip for people who burn easily during summer: never use Aloe vera gel. Aloe vera is certain good for relieving redness and irratation, but most of the gel on the market have way too much alcohol to work. Moisturize. This is the only way to go.
Marie
Lately I've been browsing lots of home deco sites. Today, I followed my fav magazine for some really pretty prints but end up discovering this truly amazing artist: Bailey Saliwanchik. I looked through most of her stuff but unfortunately I can only find decent size image for a few. She is definitely worth checking out! I'm thinking of getting a print of Untitled below for my apartment, what do you think?
Goosebumps
Winter Painting
Untitled
Bloodie

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Lazy Saturday

I stayed up all night last night to chat with my boyfriend. Around 4 am or so, we both somehow got really into the working mode (Not so strange for him since its 4 pm his time). We discussed the up-coming production, some related new govt policies, and made some casting decisions together. We have had some rough time lately because of the distance and all the uncertainties in my life, so last night was much needed quality time, espeically since we were working together.

Today, I woked up extra late since I went to bed around 7 in the morning. I went over to H's place to perform my duty as the head chef of the bbq tomorrow. No matter how many times he describes the amount of food his friends can consume, I'm still amazed by the mountain of meat that I had to prepare today. Let's hope tomorrow is a sunny day :)

Friday, June 12, 2009

Tord Boontje

Tord Boontje has a nature based jewelry collection now!! The charms come in a set of three, and you can be as creative as you want, wearing one, two, or three together, as necklace, or as earrings. Now, how cool is this?
These are some of my old favorites, beautiful as always.
Icarus
Shadow Light
Midsummer
Garland

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Mercredi à Paris

So I have to admit, I'm a dummy when it comes to accessorizing. I wear the same chanel necklace for the past year and half. It never occur to me to switch it up a little, or perhaps take a trip to the store? Of course it's not that I don't understand the power of a simple cocktail ring or what layered necklaces can do to an outfit, or even how chic a stack of bangles can look, I just don't have the accessory DNA. I like to know that I can put on the same necklace everyday and have it go well with anything I wear. (Not Perfect, but Well) Today, I may have found just the right piece ;)

It's a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from its special Mercredi à Paris collection that was launched in China last month. It features a little girl at play in pink gold, coral, mother-of-pearl, and diamonds. This is a close up of a similar one from the same collection
Now I have a dilemma. This necklace retail for RMB 26,100 (that's nearly $4,000!) Is it so out of question considering my jobless status and heavy rent? Omg I'm in love with it!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Hello, I live Here!

Remember in the sex and city movie, Carrie walked into that sun light filled penghouse, and gasped, "Hello, I live here!" I thought to myself, every girl should have that moment with a particular apartment in manhattan. It's not the most spacious or the best location, the street may be a bit too noisy, and unlike Carrie's, there's never enough closet space... But it's home.


When you see real silly photography, of course there are by me ;)

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Thanks H!

I saw triple rainbow once over St. Paul's when I was living in London. Sadly, despite my many attemps, I could only capture two inside my camera frame. I dedicate this entry to the friend that I saw the rainbow with, for his words warmed my heart this afternoon. Ps, you are probably the only one who'd check my blog everyday, that's special to me ;)

How much is too much

I always had this idea that public display of emotion is nothing but a sign of weakness. More than often, I roll my eyes at the couple on the street who just can not keep hands off each other, and the reality show contestants who break down in tears because they won, they lost, or simply because life is "so hard" on them. I started this blog because I want to have something to remind me of the passing days, to remind me of the pretty things that I liked, even just for a second. For this very reason, my writing so far has been nothing more than words that complement the pictures. I was afriad to reveal any emotion, I was dreading the idea of weakness.....But maybe, just maybe, I'm holding back a bit too much.
For a starter, I have to admit, I'm terrified. Terrified of all the uncertainties in life, terrified of the possibilities of future, or rather the lack of it, and further more, I'm absolutely terrified of what my life will become in two years, so much has been promised, yet so much is still up in the air. Tomorrow, I'll step out the door with my usual brave face and bossy personality, but for now, I take this moment to be vulnerable, just a little bit....
All photos by Anna Amphigorously

Monday, June 1, 2009

Reading on the light side

It's almost silly to say that you enjoy something when you know very little of it. After blindingly picking wines in wine store for almost a year and developing an even more blind love for wine, it's time to learn a thing or two.



Thanks H for picking this book for me. It's a good read and totally unpretentious. So far, I read through two of my favorite wines, pinot noir and the sparkling; but knowing that this is probably going to be a long term project, I've also picked out a few light readings to read on the subway or take to the beach this summer: