Her Morning Elegance

I absolutely, definitely, positively LOVE this song by Oren Lavie! Not only is the song pretty, but the video is super fantabulously spectacular too! I must say, this has got to be one of the best stop motion videos I have ever seen! (The Kindle commercials were also cute!) Please click below to see and hear what I'm talking about. Now, isn't that awesome or what?

Here Comes The Bride

My friend got married last Saturday in a lovely garden wedding in Ann Arbor. Everything was absolutely perfect! Even the weather was nice! Not a single gray cloud in sight! I was a Bride's Maid and we wore these lovely shift dresses from H&M. With a little creativity and inspiration (read: matching sash and hairclips), we transformed them into unconventional yet cute Bride's Maid dresses. Very J.Crew-ish. What's really cool about this concept is that we can actually wear the dresses after the wedding, giving it more life and versatility, not to mention getting more bang for your buck! Anyway, as promised, here are some photos from that lovely day...

Tickled Pink

My J.Crew Camden brogues have arrived! Welcome home, lovelies! They no longer have the blush pink in women's so I had to resort to getting the girl's version. The Girls' Camden leather brogues in Sea Shore Beige looks a lot like the blush pink I wanted so I went for it! It's times like this that I'm glad I have small feet! When the package arrived, I immediately opened it and was blinded by the shiny box inside! (Ok, I wasn't blinded but it was shiny! Hehehe!) My tootsies are tickled pink! Lo and behold... The lovelies are home!

Outfit Post: Working Girl

This is what I wore today. After Monday's outfit post which was so girly, I decided to give menswear a try. Nothing like a little contrast, right? Well, sort of. I've been browsing through my J.Crew catalogs and was inspired by one of their photos. I'm pretty sure the model was not sporting a muffin top but hey! I wouldn't give up my cookies and candies for anything in the world! I also bought this faux leather watch in Walmart so I figured I definitely have to wear something black or meanswear-ish to wear it. I've been wanting a simple black leather strap watch so this was an awesome find. It's not dainty (read: tiny and frilly) like most women's watches and I love how simple it is. The design was classic and the shape was just right. Plus, it was just $10. It was perfect.

• Gray Blazer: Larry Levine New York
• White Scoop Neck Shirt: TJ Maxx
• Turqouise Silk Tie: Heritage 1981
• Black Belt: Target
• Denim Trousers: Express Editor Trousers
• Faux Leather Watch: Walmart
• Sneakers: Jack Purcell via JCrew

Artspiration: Jo Lynn Alcorn

I first encountered Jo Lynn Alcorn's work while browsing through More magazine. Her flowers were so pretty it was hard not to fall in love. Her technique is 3-D paper collage. Like Yulia Brodskaya, I like how both artists turn paper, something so flat and plain, into something so intricate and amazing. For flower lovers and brides to be, Jo Lynn Alcorn's bouquets of custom made flowers may be special ordered here. Please visit her website to read more about her and her unique technique.

A Handful of Brown Balls

Outfit Post: Take A Bow

Isn't it obvious that I couldn't wait to wear my new Urban Outfitters bow skirt? I wore it today and it was a big hit! Everyone complimented me on how cute my outfit was, particularly my bow skirt. I love it! I didn't even notice that it had pockets until I wore it this morning! Pockets are always a major plus! I also got to wear one of my Aldo purchases. I think I bought 5 pairs of shoes from their website and this cognac one was really awesome! Lace-ups are the bomb! I started the week right with a nice outfit! I hope you guys had a great Monday too!

• Red Bow Headband: Forever 21
• Long Sleeve Denim Shirt: Thrifted
• Watch Locket Necklace: Delia*s
• Wide Elastic Belt: Forever 21
• Watch: Baby-G
• Bow Skirt: Urban Outfitters
• Scalloped Fold Over Socks: Walmart
• Cognac Lace-Ups: Aldo

She scores!

We were in downtown Ann Arbor last Friday for the wedding rehearsal. They were having their Street Art Fair and there were tons of artists and vendors. After the rehearsal dinner, I begged my partner in crime to poke our heads in the local Urban Outfitters to check out their sale. It was raining and parking was a hassle but nothing can ever stop me from getting a good bargain! Since we were still going to attend another party after the rehearsal dinner, we had limited time to look around. Given the time limit, I scored big time! I got me some pleated shorts and a lovely bow skirt. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the bow skirt! Hurray for sales!

Quotable Quotes

"Friends are like diamonds. They are rare, priceless and truly a treasure."

- Teresa, The Headmistress

Friends Near And Far

Our dear friends from California and New York arrived last Friday to attend the upcoming wedding. When we got together for lunch in Ann Arbor, it was like the old times all over again. The jokes, the conversations, the laughter, the gossips, the antics... Good times! Moments like this makes me wish time could stand still.

The One Ring!

I had a rather busy day today and with just a couple days left before my friend's wedding this weekend, things are getting a little too hectic. Since it's going to be a garden wedding, I really hope with all my heart that the weather cooperates!

In times like these, there's nothing more comforting than stuffing your face with some good old candy suckers. These ring pops are actually left overs from the loot bag I prepared for my friend's Bachelorette Party. Every girl wants bling and there's definitely nothing cooler than a ginormous bling you can eat! They come in different colors and flavors too! I must admit, it took me a couple of minutes admiring the ginormous candy bling on my finger before I started eating it. It's almost like adult pacifiers.

A little sweetness always help take some of my worries away.

Quotable Quotes

"Jumping into conclusions is NEVER a good thing. Wouldn't you rather know the truth and spare yourself from all that jumping?"

- Teresa, The Headmistress

Artspiration: Elena Kalis

I stumbled upon Elena Kalis's website while searching for Alice In Wonderland photos. When I saw her Alice In Wonderland underwater photos, I fell in love! I have never seen anything like it! They were so whimsical! There was also something so ethereal about them. With the flowy hair and flowy dresses, it makes me want to start shooting outfit posts underwater. Hehe! Now, if I can only find a private pool...

Shop Update: Short Overalls

I received my Urban Outfitters catalog the other day and I was pleased to see that the overalls trend is catching up. They featured long overalls in one of their spreads. Overalls are cute but I don't think I can wear it long like that. I personally prefer short overalls, being vertically challenged myself. Since I still have quite a few of them lying around, I decided that it's time for another shop update. Get it while it's hot, ladies!

The Bachelorette

I haven't updated much because I've been very busy organizing my friend's Bachelorette's Party. We finally had it last Saturday and it was a blast! (Now, I can relax until the wedding day! Hehehe!) We spent hours upon hours laughing, chatting, eating, fooling around, and yes, laughing! We were laughing so much, my face and stomach actually started to ache! Good wholesome fun! Like what I always say, "Good company, good food, good times!".

The Bride and Myself.

The Michiganders!

Melrose Place, Gossip Girl or Beverly Hills 90210?

My token solo shot for the evening!

• White Heart Sunnies: Flea Market
• Black Bead Necklace: Bazaar
• Strapless Floral Dress: Thrifted
• Pink Faux Snake Skin Belt: Vintage

Old School Music Videos? Ok Go!

Music drives me just as art and creativity does. I stumbled upon this super freakin' awesome video of Ok Go in my brother's page. I've always liked Ok Go but I've been out of touch, music-wise, for quite some time now. Some of you lovelies might be more familiar with their more popular video for their song "Here It Goes Again". You know, the funny dance routine that involved treadmills? Yes, that one!

Their music videos really kick major S. I'm quite surprised that there are still bands out there that actually exert effort in making their music videos special. Actually, I'm surprised that bands still make music videos period especially since so-called "music channels" are more interested in showing "reality" shows than music videos. Oh well. Hope you guys enjoy!

Bride's Maid

My friend is getting married next week. Being the dutiful bride's maid, I'm coordinating her Bachelorette Party, which is going to be this Saturday. Whoopeedoo! It should be fun but right now, I'm just overwhelmed with all the preparations. I wish I could just skip all this and go straight to the fun parts! Hehehe!

I spent the whole evening making souvenirs. It gave me a chance to whip out my dandy, hardcore button maker (Thank you, my lovely family, for such an awesome gift!) But what was supposed to be easy, turned out to be a major production number. Nothing wanted to cooperate this evening. The tape, the magnets, the cutter... Absolutely nothing! I'm just so thankful that Mr. Old School was kind enough to lend a hand. I really couldn't have done it without him.

I really feel neglectful. I've been meaning to update the shop for the looongest time! I already have the photos ready. I just can't seem to pin down a time to get it all done. Sometimes, I wish I was some sort of Gremlin. Well, a useful, tame and neat Gremlin. Just add water and I'd multiply like crazy! But of course, you have to feed me first! That would be awesome! Then I'd get more things done! Come to think of it, I think I'll just take helpful little elves or gnomes. Too much of me running around will definitely drive Mr. Old School crazy and I don't want that. I already drive him crazy myself! Hehehe!

Anyway, below was what I have been up to, all handmade with love...

Artspiration: Yulia Brodskaya

Yulia Brodskaya is a Russian born artist who is well known for her "papergraphic" illustrations. She transforms ribbons of paper into stunning masterpieces that are simply amazing! Her works are so expertly crafted that it opens up a new dimension to paper quilling. You will never look at twirled paper the same way again.

After I saw Yulia's works, there was no denying that I immediately felt inspired. I've dabbled with paper quilling a few years back but I never really knew that there's so much more you can do with it than just your usual twirled animals and flowers. Yulia's works definitely opened my eyes to new possibilities one can make with this old craft. She illustrated with twirled paper! Her creativity definitely gave it new life. To me, this is such a classic old school meets new school moment. Don't you just love it when things just get better?