Category Archives: Fashion

5 Things to Try This Month – March 2018

04/02/2018 Shirley

March is the beginning of Spring and it’s time to try new nail colors, new coffee, and a new cuisine. See below for the things I am doing this month.

Enjoy the New Nespresso Double Espresso

I am always looking out for Nespresso’s new coffee flavors. This month they released two new capsules (Double Espresso Chiaro and Double Espresso Scuroin) for the Vertuo system machine. I tried it at home and it’s delicious, especially with some frothed milk.

Switch to Green Nail Color

For this month (St. Patrick’s Day and beginning of Spring), I am switching from my all-time favorite red gel nail color to green. Instead of the dark green color, I got a light green color with glitters and Swarovski crystals. I love my new gel nail color and I think it’s perfect for everyday this month!

Break Into Light Color Shoes

Since we are in the beginning of Spring I can start breaking in the light color shoes I bought for the warm seasons. One of my recent favorites for casual attire is Puma’s Glitter Platform Sneaker in Gray Metallic. Unlike most of the glitter shoes I have, these Puma glitters are sealed under a glossy coat, so you won’t see individual glitters falling off.

Valentino

Update Work Wardrobes

With the starting of a new job, I plan to update my work wardrobes with more dresses. Among the brands I like, The Kooples, offers many dresses that are perfect for work and I can wear from morning to Happy Hour.
For example, the The Kooples’ Contrast-Collar Lace-Inset Mini Dress I recently got would be perfect for the office, if I wear it with a sweater cardigan and flat ballerina shoes (with short heels). After work, I can skip the cardigan and switch into a pair of stilettos. This is an ideal dress that takes you from day to night!

Experience a New Cuisine

I like to try food that I’ve never tasted before. This month my friends introduced me to the Kabul Afghan Cuisine restaurant in Seattle. We had kababs combination, which includes chicken, lamb, beef, grilled eggplants, Basmati rice, and Afghan Bread. All the food we had at the restaurant was delicious, but I liked the beef and the rice the best! We finished our meal with the dessert, Ferni, a custard pudding flavored with cardamom and rosewater, and topped with ground pistachios.

Kabul Afphan Cuisine Ferni Dessert — Shirley Style food advantures

All Posts, Fashion, Top Five

5 Things to Try This Month – February 2018

02/25/2018 Shirley

February is one of my favorite months, because it’s the month many of my dear friends and I were born. I will celebrate the special days with my friends and travel to Mcminnville, Oregon, for wine tasting, and to Palm Springs, CA, for vacation.

Below are some of the things I will be doing this month.

Dior New Lip Sticks

I’ve been using Dior’s Addict Lip Glow Color Reviving Lip Balm in both Pink/Glow and Lilac/Glow colors for years. This Dior lip balm is designed to moisturize and enhance our lips’ nature color. I am really glad that Dior is releasing new colors – Raspberry/Glow, Pink/Holographic, Purple/Holographic, Matte Pink/Matte, Raspberry/Matte. I plan to get this Dior’s Addict Lip Glow Color Reviving Lip Balm in both Raspberry/Glow and Pink/Holographic!

Something Red for February

This year’s Lunar New Year falls in February. Red is the lucky color for Chinese and it’s one of my favorite colors too. To celebrate for the holiday month, I will switch my monthly gel nail color from last month’s pink to red.

New Job is the Best Birthday Gift

I am starting a new job in February. It’s a senior program manager position for an Artificial Intelligence training organization. I am fascinated with the role Artificial Intelligence technology plays in our current world and I am glad I have the chance to learn more about the technology. To me, starting a new job a few days before my birthday is the best gift I could ask for.

Vacation in Palm Springs

I will join my friends at Palm Springs, CA, for a few days this month. This will be my first time to Palm Springs. I am very excited. This trip will be my mini get-away from the chilly weather in Seattle. And I can wear the Summer dresses every day!

Manila Blahnik documentary

I love to watch any fashion related documentaries. I found a documentary (on Netflix) on the legendary shoe designer, Manolo Blahnik. The film title is “Manolo The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards”. It’s fascinating to see how his passion for shoes grew since his early childhood, and how his life experience transformed him into one of the world’s most famous shoe designers!

All Posts, Fashion, Top Five

5 Things to Try This Month – January 2018

01/31/2018 Shirley

January is the beginning of a new year. There are plenty of things to experiment with (i.e. adding a new skincare routine or reading a new book to refresh your statistics knowledge). Below are the five things I’d like to do in January.

Replace Gel Nail Color for Fun

I go to the nail salon to replace my gel nails every four weeks. I usually get my nails done in red and change the designs and decorations (i.e. pearls and crystals) each month. For this month, I wanted to try a different color. I chose hot pink color with silver glitters, crystals, and pearls.

Experimenting with a New Skincare Device

It’s the beginning of a new year, and it never hurts to try a new skincare routine. I’ve being hearing about some benefits of the microneedling process on skin. This process involves penetrating the skin with tiny needles (by a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician) to induce the collagen built-up and improve the skin complexion. But the treatment is pricy (about $500 or more per session). The potential benefits of microneedling is enticing, but I am not sure if I want to spend quite a bit of money for a session just yet. For starters, I’d like to try an at-home microneedling device to see if the professional microneedling treatment is worthy to invest.

Watch the New TV Show Versace

In December I saw a commercial for the new TV series, The Assasination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”, and I was intrigued by the story. The series is based on an actual event. And it’s released in January.

Read a Book to Refresh Knowledge

When I read any article that includes any statistical information, I try to keep an open mind on how likely the numbers actually represent reality. I know there could be some bias with the author’s intention to persuade the readers to agree with their point of view. Recently, I came across a book, “How to Lie With Statistics”. The book is light reading and helps to remind me how there can be bias in statistics information.

Shop For Sales

January is a good shopping month. A lot of stores (especially e-stores) are offering additional sales, up to 70 percent off of the original price.

All Posts, Fashion

Kenzo Embroidered Tiger Sweatshirt

01/11/2018 Shirley

Clothing with bold animal designs has become very popular in recent years. It’s hard not to notice the increasing number of clothes items, handbags, and accessories designed with animal prints like cats, tigers, dogs and insects.

I am a big feline lover. And for years, I really like Kenzo’s embroidered tiger sweatshirts. The sweatshirt has a big embroidered tiger head pattern on the center of the chest. I think the design of the sweatshirt is bold, but not too exaggerated. And the most important thing is that the sweatshirt is really comfortable. You can upgrade your casual sweatshirt look by pairing it with a pair of black jeans or a short skirt.

Each season Kenzo offers its iconic embroidered tiger sweatshirt in different colors. Each sweatshirt is based on the same tiger pattern, but the color of the embroidery varies on each design. For example, a Kenzo’s embroidered tiger sweatshirts in a neutral black color could have the tiger outlined in pink thread and centered with an orange “Kenzo” logo, but another Kenzo’s neutral black sweatshirt might have the tiger outlined in light green thread and centered with a white “Kenzo” logo. These embroidery changes make each Kenzo’s embroidered tiger sweatshirt a unique piece.

If you like Kenzo’s tiger design, but prefer something thinner than sweatshirts, you could consider Kenzo’s printed cotton T-shirt. The t-shirt doesn’t have embroidered material, but the color and pattern look the same as on the sweatshirts.

When a fashion piece I like comes in multiple colors, I can’t resist the desire of getting multiple versions. I currently have the Kenzo’s embroidered tiger sweatshirts in hues such as orange, maroon, fuchsia, and black. If I ever spot another Kenzo’s embroidered tiger sweatshirt in the color combination I like in the future seasons, I wouldn’t hesitate to get it.

All Posts, Fashion, Holidays

The Five Best Shoes for Holiday and Evening for 2017

12/13/2017 Shirley

Each year around the holiday season I like to pick five shoes that I think are perfect for the evening. If you are into glitters, I have three that I highly recommend. If you prefer non-glitters, there are still plenty to choose from.

See below for my suggestions.

Jimmy Choo Hanover Bootie

Glitter boot is in for the Fall and Winter. If you haven’t had the chance to update your wardrobe with an eye-catching boot, try Jimmy Choo’s Hanover Bootie. It’s elegant and stylish. Pairing the Hanover bootie with a miniskirt or short dress will elongate your figure and show off your legs.

Jimmy Choo Romy Pointy Toe Pump

If you are looking for a pair of stilettos in glitters, I highly recommend Jimmy Choo’s Romy in ombré glitter. For me, Jimmy Choo’s Romy pumps are very comfortable to wear for hours and the glitters are perfect for the season! Try the Romy pump in pink and black glitters (my current favorite pair)! The shoes will go well with dresses in pink and black.

Miu Miu Studded Glitter Pump

If you are into silver glitter stilettos, try Miu Miu’s Studded Glitter pump. This point-toe pair of Miu Miu shoes is covered in silver glitters and embellished with sparkling studs. I have a pair of Miu Miu Mary Janes in a similar design and with crystal rhinestones. The shoes go well with almost any outfit. In my opinion, if you are traveling for this holiday and can only bring one pair of stilettos with you, this Miu Miu’s Studded Glitter pump will be it for you!

Miu Miu’s Studded Glitter Pump

Gucci Gucci Elaisa Embellished Bow Pump

If you are not into glitter shoes, there are still many options when it comes to the holiday and evening wear. For example, Gucci has the Elaisa Embellished Bow High Heel Pump, which has a removable elastic bow made up of pearl embellishments. You can wear the pump by itself or place the pearl embellishment bow on the shoes (or ankle) to upgrade your look instantly.

Gucci Elaisa Embellished Bow High Heel Pump

Roger Viver Red Ballerina

Red is a must-have for the holiday season. When you need a short break from wearing the stilettos for the evening, try a pair of the ballerina flats. I highly recommend something like Roger Vivier’s Embellished Satin Ballerina shoes in red. This point-toe shoes has crystal-embellished buckles. THe design of the ballerina flat will give you the comfort you need without losing your sparkling charm. I suggest you to pair it with a black dress like The Kooples Floral Lace Dress.

Roger Vivier Embellished Satin Ballerina

All Posts, Fashion, Travel

Personalize The Iconic Louis Vuitton Leather Goods

11/27/2017 Shirley

When you buy a fashion accessory, nothing is more thrilling than being able to personalize your item to suit your style and make it a unique piece.

I am a long-time fan of Louis Vuitton’s leather goods. For years, the only kind of personalization I have done for my handbags was hot stamping them with my initials. But on my most recent trip to Las Vegas, I did something I’ve never done before; which was to customize a new handbag with colorful patches of my choices.

What do I mean by customizing a handbag with colorful patches? This is actually a new personalization service Louis Vuitton offers recently (Summer 2017), called “My LV World Tour”. This personalization service is available on Louis Vuitton’s iconic Monogram Canvas items and can only be ordered in some designated Louis Vuitton stores.

(Front of My New Monogram Neverfull Noir)

The process of ordering the “My LV World Tour” leather goods is all done electronically in the designated Louis Vuitton stores. The SA (Sales Associate) will bring an electronic pad and ask you to pick a Monogram Canvas item you’d like to get. Then, you can decide on which of the “My LV World Tour” patches you’d like to put on your product.

There are five different patch groups: Cities, LV Heritage, Grand Hotels, Make It Your Own, and LV Pop. Each patch group has twelve patches. (See the patch sample in the bottom of this blog post.)

You can choose up to ten patches to put on your Monogram Canvas product: five patches on the front and five patches on the back. Each patch you choose can only be used once. If you already choose a patch on the front of your product, you can’t use it again on the back.

After you finish designing your personalized “My LV World Tour” leather goods, the SA will show you the markups of your product. Once you finalize the order, it may take up to six weeks for the product to be completed. The finished product will be sent to the Louis Vuitton store you order the item from, and the SA will contact you for pick-up or shipping.

(Back of My New Monogram Neverfull Noir)

For “My LV World Tour” personalization service I chose a Monogram Neverfull Noir. This Monogram Neverfull Noir design is kind of like a hybrid of the Neverfull in the classic Monogram and the Neverfull in the Damier Ebene. The classic Neverfull Monogram comes with natural color leather handles and trim, but the Neverful Damier Ebene comes with brown leather handles and trim. Based on my years of experience using the Neverful Damier Ebene in the past, a brown leather handle and trim is essential.

(Interior of My New Monogram Neverfull Noir)

The only thing I have to do now is to wait for my personalized Monogram Neverfull Noir bag to be done!

My LV World Tour Patches

Cities

LV Heritage

Grand Hotels

Make It Your Own

LV Pop

Check out my open box video on my personalized LV World Tour Neverfull Bag

All Posts, Beauty, Fashion, Top Five

5 Things to Try This Month – November 2017

11/21/2017 Shirley

November is the beginning of the holiday season. It’s time to think about what to do for Thanksgiving and where to shop for the Black Friday sales. It’s also a perfect time to update your wardrobe and bundle up for the cold weather.

Below are some of the things I suggest for November.

Update Beauty Product Collections with Glitters

As we are getting closer to the holiday season, beauty product companies are rolling out items with glitters and shimmery. It’s time to get a head start on building your Year 2017 holiday beauty collections. My suggestion is to start with the MAC’s Snow Ball Gold Pigment and Glitter Kit.

Kick Off the Holiday Season with Nutcracker

Last weekend, my friend invited me to watch Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker show at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. I watched the Nutcracker Ballet a long time ago, but it was in December. Although I wasn’t ready for the holiday season before I watched the show, with the holiday decorations I saw and the music I heard during the Nutcracker Ballet, it all definitely got me into the holiday mode.

Bake Dessert for Friends and Family

The only times I’ve baked desserts have been during the holiday season. In the past year, I’ve mastered my baking skills for a couple of desserts. For this year, I’d like to add a new dessert to my baking list, so I can get ready for the holiday feasts with friends and family. And I am planning to bake a lot of cheesecake from scratch.

Invest in a New Warm Jacket

Last year when I visited Spain in December, I knew I would be sightseeing in various cities on daily basis and I’d need a warm jacket to help me get through the trip. I bought a Canada Goose jacket for the trip and it really served its purpose. A warm jacket like the one I bought was a good investment. For this year, I am looking into getting another down jacket in a different style and color.

(Picture taken at Toledo, Spain.)

Upgrade to New iPhone

My first iPhone was the 3GS, which I purchased in Year 2009. I love using iPhone so much, so I’ve been getting a new iPhone every two years. This year, Apple released two iPhone devices: iPhone 8 or iPhone X. I know I want the iPhone X and can’t wait to get mine!

All Posts, Fashion

Fall 2017 Fashion Trends

11/08/2017 Shirley

Red has always been my favorite color when it comes to fashion. I love handbags, shoes, dresses, and coats in red, and I will never get tired of the color. Luckily, red is one of the new neutral colors for Fall 2017 and Winter 2018.

If red accessories are not your preferred color, there are still plenty of other Fall trends you can incorporate into your wardrobe for this season. Below are some of my suggestions.

Velvet

If you are a fan of velvet, this is the perfect season for it. The velvet material can be seen on clothing, shoes, and handbags. Try GG Marmont Medium velvet shoulder bag.
This bag is not only made of velvet in a trending purple color, it is also a statement-making accessory for “love”!

Fringe or Feather

If you want to invest in a unique piece for the season, consider something with a fringe or feathers. Something like Alice + Olivia’s Philomena Dress., with just the right amount of the feather element, you can add a twist to the style by pairing it up with some fashion jewelry. You won’t be able to wear it all the time, but it will always be a classic item in your wardrobe.

Glitter Boots

One of the must-have accessories for this season is glitter boots. We’ve seen it offered by various brands, from Kate Spade to Saint Laurent. The sparkles on the shoes will instantly upgrade your look, no matter what you are wearing. A pair of glitter boots will definitely come in handy as we get closer to the holiday season.

Classic Plaid

Plaid is a classic Fall fashion element. It is available on stylish suits, jackets, and skirts for this season. One of my favorites items is Chloé’s Plaid Blazer. The combination of the red buttons with the brown plaid hue and the design on the lapel gives this blazer a traditional and stylish appearance.

Red

Red hue, the color of the season. Any clothing items, shoes, and bags in red will immediately spice up your outfits. If you want to invest in at least one red item for this season, I’d suggest you to try a pair of red leather booties. Not only this is in trend right now, it will also be a special addition to your wardrobe. Try Stuart Weitzman.

All Posts, Beauty, Fashion, Food, Top Five

5 Things to Try This Month – October 2017

10/13/2017 Shirley

When I think of October, I think about the changing color of the maple leaves and the chilly weather in Seattle. These are the clear signs of the arrival of Fall.

Below are five things I’d like to try this month to help me enjoy the Fall season.

Bake for Fall

I love to bake pumpkin loaf in the Fall. I’ve been having my eyes on the Williams Sonoma’s Nordic Ware Fall Loaf Pan, and I finally bought it last week. I plan to use my new Fall loaf pan to bake different kind of cakes this month.

Sea Urchin Feast

Sea urchin (uni) is one of my favorite seafoods. It tastes especially good when it is freshly opened up. On this past Friday, my friend hosted a uni feast party for our October gathering. We paired the uni with sake, and it was perfect. I plan on hosting a uni feast for my family this weekend.

Add Long Earrings to Wardrobe

Swarovski recently came up with new long crystal earrings. This is the exact earrings I’ve been looking for. This will come handy when I dine out with my friends during the upcoming Seattle restraurant week.

Attending Private Fall Shopping Party

Nordstrom is hosting a private Fall shopping party this month in its local stores. I will be joining my friend for one of these private shopping events at the Nordstrom in Seattle area this Sunday. And we plan to get together for drinks before the event starts. We are very excited to check out the shopping party!

Experiment with Skin Care Products

My skin tends to get dry in Fall and Winter. To help myself get through this season, I plan to experienment with different kinds of body lotion and ointments to keep my skin moisturized throughout the season.

Beauty, Fashion, Food, Top Five, Travel

5 Things to Try This Month – May 2017

05/22/2017 Shirley

May is the perfect time to embrace the Spring season! Among many things I planned to do in May, are: a family trip to Universal Studios Hollywood with my nieces, improve my makeup techniques, and indulge myself for endless crepe desserts.

Listed below are my five things to try list for May. Hope it will inspire you to enjoy the season of Spring.

Improve My Makeup Techniques

During the first weekend of May, Nordstrom in Bellevue, Washington is hosting an event to promote the beauty brand, Charlotte Tilbury. It is created by the famous celebrity makeup artist, Charlotte Tilbury. Before the promoting event weekend, one of the celebrity makeup artist, Kate, from Charlotte Tilbury, was giving a master makeup class on May 4th. I attended the session and had a great time learning the makeup brand’s new products.

Indulge in Layers of Crepes

I love to eat desserts and my recent sweet obsession is the Mille Crêpes cake from Lady M Confections bakery. Each Mille Crêpes cake is made of more than twenty thin layers of crepes and filled with light pastry cream between each layer. My favorite flavor from Lady M is the Green Tea Mille Crêpes cake. To satisfy my sweet tooth, I ordered the Mille Crêpes in Green Tea and Strawberries (seasonal) to share with my family!

Break In the Summer Sandals

After the record rain in the Seattle area this winter, we finally got some long-awaited sunshine, This is the perfect time to break in your summer shoes. Try something with 3-D flowers, like Charlotte Olympia – Tara Embellished Metallic Leather Sandals.

Family Trip to the Universal Studios Hollywood

I don’t usually go to theme parks, but when I do, it’s always with my nieces. In the beginning of May, we went to the Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA. Our first stop at the theme park was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. To avoid the long line, we arrived to the theme park right at 8:00 am when it was first open. We had the luxury of riding the rides (twice) before the crowds came in. I also took the photo right in front of the Hogwarts Express train with a cast member.

Expand My Reading Topics

I learned some basic Blackjack strategies in the past, but it was all based on the memorization of the Blackjack strategy cards. Every now and then I would play a few hands of Blackjack game in Vegas for fun (but I would only play it when I am with my experienced friends). This month, I plan to go to Vegas with some family friends and I though it might be interesting to read up on the famous “Beat the Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One” book, by Edward O. Thorp. I am only half way through reading the book, but I am already fascinated with the explanations on the game strategies. I don’t plan to play a lot of Blackjack while I am in Vegas, but it would be great to understand what I am doing when I play!

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