Some Colorful Questions

Thanks to Aki for tagging me to answer 11 questions of her choosing! I'm traveling for work for the rest of this week, so here are some bits and pieces about me -

1. Who is your favorite superhero? Why?

Rogue from the X-Men. She has the ability to absorb the power of anyone she touches - so technically she could get any power she wants to. Bwahahahaha!
Unfortunately she also has no control over her abilities and can also take life force if she holds onto someone long enough - which means no physical contact, which makes her a tragic figure for me. Boooo ...

2. What is your favorite magazine?

I've got too many to name just one, though I don't really read any in regularity: Saveur for foodie gastronomy, Taste of Home for recipes, Lucky for shopping, Elle Decor for the well-dressed I-wish-it-were-mine home, National Geographic for general interest, US Weekly for my dose of celeb "reality."

3. Have you ever lived abroad?

Only the first three years of my life - I was born in Taiwan!
Other than that, my time abroad is limited only to short-term travel.

4. If you could only wear one accessory (bracelet, earring, necklace, etc.) for the rest of your life, what would you wear?

Necklace - easy statement, one piece. Plus necklaces rarely ever get in the way of anything.

5. Do you own any animals?

I've got the best pup in the world, my pup Pacey. She's a mix of part rat terrier, part Saturday night - full-bred knuckle head!

6. How do you know when it's true love?

Hm, this one's hard. When you think of someone else's needs above your own? When you can anticipate someone's needs before they do? When you go above and beyond for someone in their time of need without asking?

7. As for perfume... floral, fruity, foodie, other?

I like scents with green tea, so I guess foodie? Though my current fave perfume is Stella by Stella McCartney, which is very floral.

8. Do you have a favorite store to shop at for clothes?

I think this one if probably already too obvious. J.Crew is my recent number one. Anthropologie and Zara are my current seconds and thirds.

 

9. What blogging habit gets on your nerves?
Once again I don't think I can pick one thing but loads of little things that have bugged me about blogging at one time or another -
The idea that the more popular a blogger is then the more "right" they are in their opinions and the more untouchable they seem.
People whose sole goal is gather as many followers are possible as quickly as possible.
People who drop offensive anon comments for no reason - there's disagreeing with something on a blog post which is fine and valid, and then there's making snide comments that are just being mean for mean's sake. What's the point?
And I know people are free to blog however they want to and there are no set "rules of participation" for blogging, but it does irk me that some bloggers seem to reside in their own personal blog bubble and they aren't responsive or communicative.

10. What type of music do you like listening to? Any favorite artists or songs?
I'm a weirdo - I am not a big music person. My music listening "magic time" is the drive to/from work. But I do enjoy a mix of everything - Sara Bareilles, the Cranberries (remember them?), the Doors, Jason Mraz, Rihanna, 50 Cent, the Civil Wars. Of-the-moment obsession? Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson - darn you catchy can't-get-you-out-of-my-mind pop tunes!

11. Are you satisfied with your job?
Yes- it pays well. ;o)

But seriously? It isn't exactly what I envisioned myself doing when I was growing up. I don't consider it a dream job. I don't think I'll be changing the world doing what I do. But I am good at it, it satisfies and challenges me, and it allows me to live like I want to.

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

How about you ladies? Let's learn a bit more about you - wanna answer one or more of the above questions yourself?

Dress: Floreat by Anthropologie chromatic canvas (worn here - sim, pricey, pricey, w/sleeves, cas)
Jacket: Zara bleached denim (worn here - sim, sim)
Shoes: Vince Camuto bello (sim pricey, reversed colors, cas wedge)
Necklace: ElizajayCharm via Etsy (worn here - sim, silver)

Call Me, Maybe

Note: this post is not indicative of the state of my current relationship, but inspired from one afternoon's worth of should-have-had-something-better-to-do simultaneous channel surf of episodes of Girls, Sex and the City, and that awful movie, The Break-Up.

There is something both scintillating and terrifying about dating someone new. The prospect of finding out  tidbits and sweet quirks about someone, the giddiness over the thought of that cute new almost-stranger thinking "who, little ole me?" is interesting and attractive. And ... the anxiety over having to "act your best" so as not to scare the new person away, the potential awkwardness of trying to find common ground.

I've always been a serial dater, so it isn't as if I've had a ton of experience dating loads of cute guys. My idea of a good first date is to keep things as laidback and non-commital as possible - i.e., nearly platonic so both parties have an opportunity for an easy out should the date crash and burn early. I'm also a bit neurotic so of course when guys who were not already friends expressed interest in me, I went through the requisite "does he really like me - why does he like me - are you sure he likes me?"

Plus, let's face it - meeting new people is sometimes hard. And call me shy old-fashioned but I've never been one to be upfront to an interesting guy. So if I had to choose between dating and committed, I think you all know the answer to that already - go get me my BF!

 

But I've got to admit it - isn't new dating fun? You want to talk about so-and-so all the time. EVERYTHING they do is interesting. Up until the crack of dawn during the work week to chat on the phone - yes, please! Hair gets an extra fluff before going out, outfits get scrutinized and changed at least three times, friends of friends get Facebook stalked, your real life friends start wondering where you've gone. There are not enough hours in the day.

Every new step towards affection and potential commitment is like a present. Hand holding, food sharing, spending lazy afternoons just hanging out. Hearing yourself referred to as "my girlfriend" in casual conversation. The first time you are in real need and suddenly that person you're just dating goes above and beyond to be there for you.

What do you ladies think? What do/did you like most about dating somebody new? What do/did you dislike?

Dress: Tulle bird print (sim)
Belt: J.Crew metallic (sim, with bow)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction swim n fool (worn here - sim, sim)
Bag: J.Crew canvas stripe tillary (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)
Necklace: Anthropologie (sim, pricey)
Bracelets: F21 stud / Target pearl (sim, sim)

Fear & Loathing in Paisley Neon

Do you remember the key visual from that movie The Ring which was that ring of light from around the cover of the well that Samara sees after she was pushed in? Well after first watching that movie at home with some friends a few years ago, I still remember waking up suddenly in the middle of the night and staring with horror of the outline of my closed bedroom door with a glowing rectangle of light behind it because I had left the kitchen light on. For a moment, I was living in The Rectangle.  

I bring this up only as an example of latent fears of mine that stay with me to this day - scary things from my imaginings that froze me to the bone for years and years, and that still somehow affect me to this day.

I am afraid of the dark. Though I don't recall being so when I was little. I don't think I ever had to run to my parents' room in fear, nor did I lay up at night crying myself to sleep. But I read a lot when I was a kid, was "gifted" with a wild imagination, and as I got older, had a penchant for watching scary movies. And you mix it all together and you get a Lisa that is scared of the dark. One that to this day may run from the bathroom back into bed if I have to go in the middle of the night, and who finds it comforting when I travel to have the TV on as distracting background noise (and sweet dim light).

Bugs. Have been and always will be afraid of bugs. Except for honey and bumble bees. They're OK as long as they leave me alone.

 

Disappointment and ridicule. Growing up, I had experience at both ends of the bully line and my guilt of having bullied others and the shame/resentment of having been bullied still resonates a bit. I hate the idea of disappointing others, of not living up to expectations (I can be a complete people pleaser sometimes). I am scared of things that I could fail spectacularly at in front of a lot of other people, like public speaking.

Getting old. Age doesn't bother me as much as the thought of growing older - looking older. I'm certainly no super model, my worth and livelihood are not determined by how wrinkle-free my skin is, but the fact that as I get older, my own body will increase its limitations, decrease output and may one day fail on me - my own body - scares the heck out of me.

So let's lay it all out on the table so we can commiserate, laugh about, and get on with enjoying our weekends. What are your fears, big or small?

Top: J.Crew neon perfect gingham (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Skirt: J.Crew no.2 pencil in sovereign paisley (worn here - same in shirt, sim)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction pine-a-colada (worn here - sim, low)
Clutch: UO woven flap (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)
Bracelet: J.Crew crystal abacus ( worn here - sim, sim)
Ring: c/o JewelMint (worn here - sim, sim)

To my ladies in the States, have a great holiday weekend, and send some well wishes to the men and women of the armed forces for their sacrifices.

Variations on a Theme

Orange, blue, touches of white. As many different kinds of pieces as I like to try to throw together each week, I seem to always lean towards this particular color combination lately. There's something classic yet modern about it and the bright splash of the punchy orange is right up my alley. A HUGE achievement for a gal who for years stayed away from any citrus-y hues because I always assumed they didn't look good on me.

I'll keep myself from being overly-verbose since this post is more self-photo heavy than usual. But you can tell how I've been adoring these colors together. J.Crew may have single-handedly changed my personal color palette by releasing this in-your-face orange called "modern red" (aka "bright flame," aka "poppy," aka "cerise," aka "tangier orange," aka ...). And I know, I know, it's not like J.Crew discovered colors or anything, but they sure know how to put them on pretty skirts and shirts.

Here are some looks of me in my fave color combo from this past weekend, yesterday and pre-hair shearing.

What sweet combination of colors can you not get enough of recently?

 

Top: J.Crew vintage v-neck (sim)
Shorts: F21 belted zig zag (sim)
Shoes: Sam Edelman trina (sim, wedge)
Bag: Longchamp (worn here - sim, pricey, sim)
Necklace: Anthropologie (sim, pricey)
Bracelets: Old Navy, J.Crew (sim, sim)

 

Sweater: Guinevere by Anthropologie roaming ruffles (worn here - sim, pricey, plain)
Dress: F21 v-neck maxi (worn here - sim, sim)
Belt: Asos metal keeper (same in larger size, sim)
Bracelets: Old Navy, F21 (sim, sim)
Ring: Banana Republic (sim)
Shoes: Sofft giovanna (worn here - sim, wedge)
Bag: Cooperative by UO mixed media (worn here - sim, sim)

 

Sweater: J.Crew tippy (worn here - sim Factory version in cotton, sim)
Jeans: J.Crew destroyed matchstick (worn here - sim, sim)
Collar: Asos gold sequin (worn here - sim rounded, sim)
Shoes: BC Footwar slouch (worn here - sim, sim)
Bracelet: J.Crew golden stripe (worn here - sim)
Bag: Cooperative by UO mixed media (worn here - sim, sim)

Monday Morning Rambles

Hello Monday, do you ladies! Here's an inkling of how rambling my mind can be:

Short hair bed head is no bueno. Suddenly all my hair products and accessories don't work right on my hair.

Pup may have allergies. Or pink eye. Or dust in her eyes. Or she may have picked up a weird habit of creepily winking at me from the other dogs at the park.

I must have a sixth sense when unexpected visitors are about to drop by. Because I busted my butt cleaning up the guest bedroom on Saturday morning and come Saturday afternoon - surprise - I had guests.

Non-coffee drinkers should not make coffee for coffee drinkers. That said, coffee drinkers should not complain about the bad coffee made by non-coffee drinker because non-coffee drinker was being gracious and nice and coffee drinkers were lazy and couldn't scoop their own dang beans.

It's already begun. I no longer put on cologne in the mornings because I mist myself in the sweet sweet scent of DEET before I leave the house each day. Then proceed to hack and choke on it in the confines of my car.

 

I just placed an order with J.Crew for more clothes but I don't want to spend the money to upgrade my ancient Blackberry to something that is more up-to-date - say, circa 2008? Priorities ...

I am wearing a lot of white today. Errant ketchup packets and just-painted walls are giddy with their potential field day.

There are the rumblings of something bump-ly growing on/in my chin. I have a feeling it is going to be angry because I keep poking at it. Enjoy the chin pic below while it still appears its normal size and shape.

And with that randomness done ... what are you ladies? Have a fine rambling or two to share with everyone on this fine Monday?

Top: LEC stretch poplin (worn here - sim)
Skirt: Maeve by Anthropologie shaped swirl (on sale, worn here - sim luxe)
Belt: Asos metal keeper (sim brighter, sim)
Necklace: F21 twisted rhinestone (worn here - sim simpler, bigger)
Bracelet: J.Crew golden stripe (worn here - sim, pricey)
Shoes: Zara lined wedge (worn here - sim, rubber, dif color)

Hair Less

Remember this post? Well ... it is done.I am officially shorn.

And while I am still mentally vascillating between elation at a major physical change for myself, sheer what-did-I-do terror, pat-myself-on-the-back bravery, and hesitation at what would everyone else think - it's really too late to do anything about it now anyways, isn't it.

I do know that I can't stop playing around with my hair now. My head feels so much lighter. My frizzy split ends are gone. I can feel the breeze on the back of my neck. I got some fresh new hair for summer. (Though short hair problem I had forgotten about? Waking up in the morning and having hair stick out in directions unintended - and staying that way).

Don't you love that "new 'do" feeling you get after hitting the salon? No matter the cost, I feel like there's something indulgent about having someone else wash your head and blow out your hair. "New hair" makes me feel like dressing up (or in this case, down) and going out to do something special, regardless of the day of the week.

What do you like to do when you come back from getting your hair did?

 

Jacket: Zara bleached denim (worn here - sim, sim)
Top: J.Crew fanfare (worn here - sim, same print tunic)
Pants: J.Crew scout chino (worn here - sim, jeans)
Shoes: BC Footwear slouch (worn here - sim, sim)
Necklace: ElizaJayCharm via Etsy (sim in silver)

 

Tee: LEC boyfriend (worn here - sim)
Jeans: J.Crew destroyed matchstick (worn here - sim, sim)
Necklace: Anthropologie ampay (worn here - sim)
Bracelets: J.Crew via Ebay, F21, Goody double wear (sim, sim)
Shoes: Toms canvas wedge (worn here - sim, platform, patent, flat)
Bag: J.Crew canvas stripe tillary (worn here - sim)

Don't Mess with Mister In-Between

Being a round-headed person pretty much means that most everything else on my head is round - especially my cheeks. I grew up as big-headed chubby-cheeked tomboy with short fat curls, which meant that until puberty, I was the subject of much adult-led cheek pinching. Aw-inducing for others, painful face for little Lisa.

My build is also short and borderline stocky, which means it is easy for me to build muscle. So years of playing tennis through junior and high school earned me the nickname of "mango calves." Which resulted in my wearing only pants for the last 10 years in am attempt to cover myself.

What was worse to me than all of that? Freckles! How many Asian people have freckles? Aren't we all supposed to have porcelain doll complexions like my sister and my cousins? What happened to me? Summer was always the worst because my freckle smattering usually turned into a great connect-the-dots spread across my face.

And then ... I got mature older. Grew into some of my features. Realized that life was too short to obsess about what I didn't have. Got over it. There are bigger more important issues and things in my life. Plus, it's just way more fun to get ready for each day when I work on "accentuating the positive" versus try to figure out how to cover up all the bad (seriously - ever try to cover freckles up? Not enough foundation and powder in the world ...)

 

My cheeks? Are probably still pretty round considering the shape of my head. But I get told nowadays that I have fantastic cheekbones, and I'll probably look younger than my age for years to come - not going to complain about that ... so I'll keep on smiling (and haven't been pinched in years!)

I love my "muscly" legs now - I honestly think of them as one of my best features. Now that I've embraced wearing skirts and dresses, I haven't met one yet that I don't like!

Freckles - well, still working on my freckles. But they're unique and they make me who I am - and as much as I still love-hate my facial polka dots, I couldn't imagine myself without them!

OK, ladies, so I want to hear from you. Which of your features do you find to be pretty darn kickass? Was there anything about yourself that you used to be self-conscious about but now love love love?

Sweater: J.Crew jackie (worn here - sim, sim)
Top: Little Yellow Button via Anthropologie meeting place (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Skirt: A/X cargo pencil (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Earrings: F21 (sim, sim, sim)
Bracelets: T+J Designs, Target (sim, sim)
Shoes: c/o ShoeMint rosemary (worn here - sim, sim, sim)

A Hair Above

Despite being a gal who doesn't really have the patience or know-how to really take care of her hair, I am pretty sensitive about it. My hair in its natural state bears a mild resemblance to a broom - the hairs itself are course and straight, and it does not want to hold a curl or behave and lay flat. When it is humid, there is not enough product in the world to keep it from going crazy. Yet when I lived in the dry SW, it lay super-flat and was static central. I may be the only Asian person in existence with frizzy coarse straight hair.

I've had a series of bad hair experiences as well that may have "traumatized" me into being super-sensitive about my locks. Such as in fourth grade, when my mom took me for a perm right before my class pictures (my mom liked my hair short with big curls back then). The hair place was super busy and the ladies left me in my curlers and solution way too long. By the time they remembered me, there way no saving my hair. I went to take my class pics with a chin-length full-blown 'fro. Brushing it out and trying to pin it back only resulted in me resembling a well-kept poodle.

Suffice it say, that was my last perm ever. I pretty much spent most of junior and high school with no real hair style - it was long and almost always my pair pulled back into a severe ponytail.

In freshman year of college, I went to get a cut at a new hair place and the stylist there told me that I was going bald up front - probably from years of pulling my hair back into a ponytail, but ultimately nothing that was permanent or really that obvious - but to this day I still remember that comment and am neurotic about potential scalp patches.

 

Nowadays I am just unnaturally scared about going grey. In my mind sometimes, all I can think about is what could be worse (I know, I know) than my dark coarse hair slowly being streaked with white - I have visions of looking like some crazed wild-haired mountain woman.

Why am I whining (un)poetic about my hair? Considering I've had essentially the same hair for the past few years, I am thinking of ungoing a major cut in the next week or so. And part of the reason why I am announcing it is so that I don't want to be called out as a chicken for backing out!

Do you have any hair-tastrophes you want to share? What's your favorite length? How adventurous are you with your hair cuts?

Dress: F21 linen fronds (worn here - sim, strapless, luxe)
Sweater: J.Crew (worn here - sim, sim, striped)
Belt: Asos bow skinny (same in large size, sim)
Bracelets: F21, J.Crew, Target, Limited (sim, sim, sim, sim)
Shoes: Michael Kors hamilton (worn here - sim, mid heel, luxe)
Bag: J.Crew tillary canvas stripe (sim, luxe, cas)

Sizing Up the Citrus and Cherries

Even though being short never particularly bothered me when I was growing up, I think we’ve all been instilled in our brains since a young age that size does matter. (Remember elementary school and how the teacher would always line us up by size – shorties in the front, bean poles in the back?)

Height didn’t really play a role in my life until about junior high – two BFFs of mine were especially gifted in the stature department, so naturally they looked older than their age. Our school was in the same walking path as the local high school, so it wasn't uncommon for my pals to run into (and get hit on) by older guys while my poorly attired little self was mostly ignored. I was naturally a bit hurt since I was getting into the phase of actually liking boys at that time, but I wasn't jealous of my gal pals too because though they may have looked 16, inside lurked two awkward gangly eighth graders.

And then through junior high and beyond, people around me started outpacing me in the vertical growth department. I often felt talked down to because, well, most people had to look down to talk to me. Pics of me with my pals made me blanch because I was always the awkward short person in them. Going shopping in stores was a lesson in patience since obviously most pants needed to be hemmed. I sometimes felt like I had to prove something because though I may be little in stature, I wanted to show people that can keep up physically - I’m strong enough to carry those boxes, creative enough reach those containers. I use "creative" because it certainly isn't like I can just reach the top shelf of anything ...

 

I obviously am not a representative for taller than average people but I understand it can’t be easy either. I have extremely tall cousins – seriously, everyone on my dad’s side of the family, except my dad, is like six feet tall at least – and I know that they always got the “you should be playing basketball - do you know Yao Ming?” comments, or found it hard to get dates with guys who were taller and/or not intimidated by their size, or couldn’t find anything long enough for them to wear.

Height is a not an easy thing sometimes and fortunately or not, we’ve all got to live with and learn to love the hand that we’re dealt. How do I deal with my shortness nowadays? Platform heels, anyone? That, and my resignation realization that there’s no way I’m going to be any taller, so 5’2” it is - love it or leave it, self.

Have you ever felt limited because of your stature? Do you think you've ever been treated differently because you're "too short" or "too tall?"

Dress: Boden glamourous maxi (sim halter, strapless, solid, pricey)
Cardigan: J.Crew featherweight cotton (worn here - sim, cashmere, cropped)
Necklace: via Overstock (sim, pricey, luxe)
Bracelet: J.Crew (sim)
Shoes: Sofft giovanna (worn here - sim, wedge, pricey)

Going to Great Lengths

I'm 5'2". Which in the realm of fashion (and life) means I'm a shorty-shorterson and there are loads of pretty pieces out there that unfortunately are way too much material for me to handle.

Prior to starting this blog, I honestly didn't wear anything except for jeans and pants - I hated showing my legs, felt that swishy skirts were too fussy and dressed up, plus I had no idea what flattered me.

It's quite apparent now that I've embraced the skirt and dress - it's girly, easy and really forgiving on the figure. But due to work, modesty and my minimal understanding of what works, I've really stuck to knee-length for my hemlines. I've tried the mini before under more cas circumstances and have recently purchased a maxi length dress that I didn't immediately trip myself all over, so I can say that I am expanding my hemline horizons.

But anything between the knees and ankles? This is about as far down as I've gotten to-date. Except for today - see Lisa in full-blown midi.

 

Except do you think this length is too midi for mini me? I'm considering chopping it about three inches, which would take it to just below my knees (and above my calves, which I've heard is a flattering length since it does not cut me off at the biggest part of my lower leg) - but I kind of like it as is. Even though I've tried this dress with flats and look frump-tastic.

What's your formula to finding your perfect skirt/dress length? And do you think there's any limit to what length you should wear based on height?

Dress: Chelsea Girl via Asos floral tea (sim, sim, pricey, wrap, different print but sim silhouette)
Belt: H&M (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Shoes: Michael Kors hamilton (worn here - sim, sim, lower)
Necklace: c/o simply livly via Etsy (worn here - sim natural wood, in gold)
Bracelets: J.Crew & F21 (sim, sim)
Bag: Brahmin sadie (worn here - sim, luxe, striped)