Orange you glad?

(J.Crew shirt, Zara skirt, BCBG shoes, Michele watch, Elizabeth Wahyu earrings)









Photos by Maricela Correa.

I barely resisted when I saw this little orange skirt with flared pleats on sale at Zara. $19.99? Yes, please. I know summer's over and I'm fully aware that this isn't a piece I'd wear everyday (mostly because it's very short). But giving into small desires and wants - Magnum ice cream bars, a third pair of gold hoops, a popsicle maker, late night movies on a weekday, a bright orange mini - is sort of what makes life worthwhile to me.

Moschino & tulips

(Free People lace dress, Zara blazer, H&M hat, Moschino belt, Kelsi Dagger shoes, Elizabeth Wahyu ring, Banana Republic bracelet, Sarah Aghili giraffe necklace)

























Photos by Catharine Acurso.

I just had to jump on the Moschino belt bandwagon. After a bidding war on eBay, I scored this vintage Moschino belt and have had a hard time prying it off ever since. The blocky, gold letters against the sheen of black leather make this one accessory that can completely transform an outfit. So I kept the rest of my look simple and sleek with a black lace dress and tights.

The sculpture I'm posing in front of, "Hymn to Life: Tulips" in Beverly Hills, is by Yayoi Kusama and has special meaning to me. I lived in Japan for a year, and spent many weekends traveling throughout the country. The most memorable place I visited - aside from the exciting bustle of Tokyo and the wondrous serenity I found in Kyoto - was a small island in the Seto Inland Sea called Naoshima. The island, every art lover's dream, is littered with open-air sculptures, including a massive yellow pumpkin by Kusama. The fiberglass pumpkin is perched on the edge of a pier by the ocean, and the sight of it against blue skies is awe-inspiring. I visit Kusama's sculpture in Beverly Hills every so often, and whenever I see the whimsical dotted flowers and bright colors, I feel like I'm right back on that beautiful island.

The unbearable lightness of clothes

(SteveJ & YoniP silk top, Jeffrey Campbell heels, Silence + Noise leggings, Elizabeth Wahyu cuff)

It pains me that some of the most exquisite clothes cost so much money... not because I don't think they're worth the cost (though some are just insane...$500 for a T-shirt? Please!), but because I just can't afford them! Like so many women, I'm always pining away for that one piece way out of my price range, always calculating as I sift through the racks, touching soft silks and rich cashmere blends, drifting away regretfully after a quick peek at the tag, thinking, "Well, after the rent, the bills, and food, gas, and..."

But then, when I can get my hands on a good deal like this SteveJ & YoniP top, I treasure it. I zip it safely into a plastic bag, I hand wash it myself and allow it to air dry (on a satin hanger, no less). I cradle its soft, silky bulk in my hands and do a little jig because I'm just that happy that I now own this beautiful thing. Yes, you could say I'm a little fanatical and possessive of my clothes... but I'm not the only one, am I?

(By the way, meet my sister Jennifer! It's her debut on my blog!)

Overdressing

(Coincidence & Chance skirt, DKNY silk tank, Elizabeth Wahyu necklace, A|X belt, Guess shoes, Zara equestrian blazer)

It's funny to think that I used to be teased for the way I dressed. At a young age, I had a distinct idea of how I wanted to look and and would come to elementary school in my favorite printed sundresses or bright flouncy skirts. Looking back, with all the girls wearing Converse high tops and Gap denim shorts, I probably looked overdressed for the fourth grade. I remember being taunted everyday by one particular bully (I guess you'd call her a "frenemy" nowadays), who would always sneer and say, "Like seriously, Tiffany? You need a new wardrobe." Back then, I'd come home and cry to my mom, who played--and still does play--a great role in my love of fashion and dressing up. Fifteen years later, I'm still overdressed among most of my groups of friends... except now, I really don't care!

Glacier ring

(AA oversize tee, super old DKNY jeans pink tank, Ksubi jeans, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, Gucci purse, Elizabeth Wahyu glacier ring & necklace)

The giant Elizabeth Wahyu glacier ring is a treasured piece in my sprawling jewelry collection. Since much of my mother's side of the family lives in Indonesia, we visit every year. Last summer we met the incredibly talented jeweler, Elizabeth Wahyu. She's established a name for herself throughout Asia, where her pieces sell out in department stores and on home shopping network TV. My sister and I are now the distributors of her amazing jewelry in the USA, and once there's a website up and running to make purchases available, I'll let everyone know! 

On another note, Ty from Jeffrey Campbell gave me a heads up that he featured me on the JC blog wearing the CAMP shoes (pictured here as well), and I'm so thrilled about it! I've been a devoted fan of Jeffrey Campbell footwear for a long time (it's so rare to find shoes that are both affordable, innovative, and stylish) and the CAMP is one of my all-time favorites. Check out the sweet post here!