Category Archives: Holidays

Ten Best Holiday Dresses for 2014

12/07/2014 Shirley

The winter holidays are a time for all kinds of parties. Everyone wants to look their best, so holiday dresses are an important part of the season. Here are my top ten holiday dresses for winter 2014.

Alice + Olivia – Kimber Embellished Dress – $595 via Nordstrom

Alice + Olivia always has some great dresses for party. I like it’s Kimber Embellished dress in pink. The stretchy mesh material on this dress adds some sexiness to the look.

Alice + Olivia Zilla Leather-Trim Dress – $698 via Saks.com
A black dress with scoopneck top and flared skirt might be a common design, but this Alice + Olivia Zilla Leather-trim dress is no ordinary silhouette. The contrast materials (leather and nylon/spandex) make the swingy design stand out, and leather trim makes this dress perfect for parties or a night out in Winter.

BCBG Maia Jeweled Illusion Dress – $398 via Saks.com

Red dresses are the must-have for holiday parties. The jeweled neckline on the dress complement the red dress well. And the tulip hem of the dress shows off the legs and make them appear long and lean.

Carmen Marc Valvo Embellished-Neck Halter Dress – $595 via Saks.com
I am a big fan of halter top dresses that show off the shoulder area. This Carmen Marc Volvo’s black dress with embellished neck is perfect for parties. The dress is also available in red and ivory.

Diane von Furstenberg Zarita Lace Dress – $348 via Saks
I like dresses made of lace and love cobalt blue. The two elements combined in this silhouette really stands out in the crowd.

Donna Karan Long Sleeve Boatneck Collage Dress – $2,195 via Donna Karan
This Donna Karan red long sleeve boatneck collage dress is ideal for more mature women for a business holiday party. The unique cut-out with the red mesh insert adds some sophistication to the silhouette.

ERIN erin fetherston Dolly Lace & Metallic Pique Fit & Flare Dress – $355 via Nordstrom

In my opinion, this dress seems a bit conservative compared to most party dresses, but it’s elegant and classic. It might be right for you!

Marc Jacobs Sequined Eyelet Shift Dress – $3,200 via Saks
This Marc Jacobs shift dress is covered in purple sequins with a jeweled neckline. This is perfect for holiday parties and special occasions.

Parker Kenzie Sequined Body-Con Dress – $396 via Saks.

I like the black and blue sequins on this dress. The dress also has a deep scoop back, which adds some sexiness to your look.

Shoshanna Cindy Flared Lace Dress – $385 via Saks
I like the scalloped edge and the flared design on this dress. The green color reminds me of the holidays!

All Posts, Fashion, Holidays

The Marc by Marc Jacobs Layered-Effect Plaid-Skirt Dress

12/05/2014 Shirley

I was browsing dresses from Marc by Marc Jacobs and came across a dress hat instantly caught my attention. I absolutely love the combination of the black top with red plaid. At first glance, the dress looks like two separate pieces — a plaid skirt with a black sweater-like top. But, in fact, it’s one dress with two layers.

I love the plaid look for the winter holiday season, especially the black and red color combination. I can see myself wearing this outfit to work, or on a Friday casual outing with friends.

So, I bought the dress!

The material is not too heavy, but it keeps me warm. In other words, it’s a perfect cold weather dress. The back of the top part the dress has a very interesting design. On the back, the top part of the dress is split, with a hook on the top and a nice ribbon. The ribbon can be tied in creative ways, especially when wearing your hair up.

I intend to pair this cool dress with black tights (just like the photo here), and a new pair of Frye’s booties in black. The layer-effect plaid-skirt dress from Marc by Marc Jacobs may not be perfect for everyone, but you should give it a look!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Toto Plaid Crepe Dress – on sale $358.95 (originally $598) via Nordstrom

All Posts, Food, Holidays

2014 Winter Holiday Meals

12/04/2014 Shirley

For the 2014 Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to cook a homemade meal (well, almost entirely homemade). I somewhat cheated on the turkey by buying a pre-cooked turkey breast with stuffing. But I made almost everything else from scratch.

For mashed potatoes, I got a recipe from Williams-Sonoma, online. I bought raw potatoes from the supermarket. The recipe called for sour cream instead of milk, spices, and butter. The mashed potatoes turned out really well; exactly the way I hoped.

In addition to mashed potatoes, I baked sweet potatoes. I like diced mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows and brown sugar, but this year I aimed for a little bit healthier option.

Cranberry sauce is one of my must-haves for Thanksgiving. I usually buy canned cranberry sauce (but not the jellied type), which I like, but this year I made cranberry sauce from scratch. I used a recipe for “cranberry chutney”, from Williams-Sonoma. I boiled raw cranberries, added sugar and water and orange juice, and a cinnamon stick, with orange and lemon zest. The recipe called for port wine, but I left that out. The result was super good!

Homemade Cranberry Chutney with Lemon & Orange Zest

Now, I’m mildly embarrassed to admit that I heated up canned corn and added lots of butter. Canned corn is a guilty pleasure for me, and to be honest, I prefer good canned corn to fresh!

For green vegetables, I did not go with the traditional American green bean casserole. Instead I made a classic asparagus side dish.

All things considered, I think my 2014 Thanksgiving meal was a great success. I intend to follow up with a homemade Christmas meal!

All Posts, Holidays, Travel

The Venetian Macao Hotel Light Show

Video 01/16/2014 Shirley

While I was in Macao visiting the famous Cotai Strip, I watched the light show presented outside of the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel. The show was designed to celebrate the winter holiday. It included a Chinese dragon running across the screen, gold coins, fireworks, a snow storm, and a gondola (which reminded me of the Venetian in Las Vegas). The winter holiday theme of the show was perfect for the season. I think the light show was amazing!

All Posts, Holidays

The Ten Best Shoes for New Year’s Eve Parties

12/26/2013 Shirley

I hope you all had a great time with your friends and family for the recent Christmas celebration. This leaves us one last holiday of the year: New Year’s Eve. Are you still searching for the right pair of shoes to go with your fabulous outfit? Here are my top ten picks, listed by the designer name, in alphabetical order. The best thing about these shoes is that they are great, not just for the holidays, they are also great for any special occasion you have in the upcoming year. Can you believe that this year will be over in a few days?

Christian Louboutin – Body Strass Mesh Red-Sole Pump in Grenadine ($1,195) This classic pump reminds me of the Cinderella pump by Christian Louboutin last year. Although this Body Strass Mesh pair is not as fancy as the Cinderella, it will be more suitable for all evening occasions.

Giuseppe Zanotti – Suede Crystal-Cuff Sandal in Black ( $1,295) This design of this pair of sandals might be simple; typical straps on the ankle. However, the straps are unique with sparkling crystals. It will show off your long and lean legs!

Gucci – High-Heel d’Orsay Crystal Pump in Red ($1,650) I always love red shoes, especially when it they have crystals. This pair of Gucci d’Orsay Crystal Pump will be perfect with any black dresses you wear.

Gucci – Sofia Etoile Crystal Pump ($2,295) A pair of black heels goes well with anything. But this Gucci is no ordinary pair. It’s covered with crystals and supported by one and a half inches of platform. It will totally help you to stand out in a crowd.

Ivanka Trump – Maggie Pump ($129.95) Designer heels are pricy, but there are some affordable options out there for the holiday parties. This Ivanka Trump pair would be good for evenings. This pair reminds me of Jimmy Choo’s Luna open toe pump.

Jimmy Choo – Baxen Glittered Wedge Pump ($625) Most of the nice looking heels are not really comfortable for walking and standing on feet for too long. If you are wearing pants/jeans this pair of glitter wedge-pumps will be great for you. I was a bridesmaid for my dear friend’s party in Hong Kong a few weeks ago and I wore this pump with a long and elegant bridesmaid’s dress. This shoe helped me to get through the day, from the wedding ceremony, reception, to the after-party.

Jimmy Choo – Tayn Crystal T-Strap Sandal ($1,595, on sale for $801) This pair of Jimmy Choo sandals is classic. It goes well with any outfit, such as pants, long and short dresses. The downside of the design is that it has 4” heels without any platform. I almost got a pair in red, but I changed my mind after I tried them on. It looks pretty, but I know it would start to hurt ten minutes after I stand up in it without any platform.

Manolo Blahnik – BB Crystal Pump in Silver ($1,685) Manolo Blahnik’s BB pump is famous for its comfortable design. They are usually available in leather, satin, or suede. This pair of Manolo BB pumps is unique; it’s made of silver satin and crystal. It will look stylish with both pants and dresses.

Rene Caovilla – Crystl-Trim Lace Platform Pump in Silver ($1,145) Rene Caovilla’s heels are always elegant. This pair is covered with lace and trimmed with Swarovski crystals. I think it would look great with a satin dress in red, such as Talbot Runhof’s Sleeveless Ruched Cocktail Dress.

Valentino – Rockstud Crystallized T-Strap Slingback ($3,545) Who can say “no” to the famous Valentino’s rockstud heel, especially when it’s covered with crystals? The moment you step into this pair, it will transform your outfit into classic attire.

All Posts, Fashion, Holidays

Ten Best Holiday Dresses for 2013

12/23/2013 Shirley

We are in the middle of the holiday season with many social events that are going on. Have you found your ideal dresses yet? If not, here are my top ten picks, listed by the designer name, in alphabetical order.

Carmen Marc Valvo Embroidered Halter Cocktail Dress in Black/Gold ($585) This black halter dress with gold embroidered leaves is simple yet elegant. The gold color highlights and compliments the black color of the dress well.

Carmen Marc Valvo Embroidered Halter Cocktail Dress in Black/Gold

Carolina Herrera – Strapless Beaded Chiffon Gown ($8,990) If you are looking for a formal gown for this holiday, I’d suggest the strapless beaded chiffon gown by Carolina Herrera. This is a good replacement for the typical dark gown for evenings. The beads on the silk chiffon will catch attention with every step you take.

Carolina Herrera – Strapless Beaded Chiffon Gown

Dolce & Gabbana – Strapless Crystal-Belt Dress ($3.825) This strapless Dolce & Gabbana dress emphasizes your neckline. The overall design is classic, but the crystal-mesh bow belt calls out the waistline and makes it one of a kind. This dress will never go out of style.

Dolce & Gabbana – Strapless Crystal-Belt Dress

Erin by Erin Fetherston – Lace-Bodice Combo Party Dress ($330) This Erin by Erin Fetherston dress is made of metallic-print material, which is perfect for parties. The black lace layered on the top portion of the dress offsets the strong metallic look and adds some fancy elements to the design.

Erin by Erin Fetherston - Lace-Bodice Combo Party Dress

Herve Leger – Scoop-Neck Bandage Dress ($780) Red dresses are always great for the holidays. Try to pair this sexy Herve Leger dress with Jimmy Choo’s famous Lang Metallic Strappy Sandal in Silver to show off your curves.

Herve Leger – Scoop-Neck Bandage Dress

Kalinka – Pink Metallic Floral Lace Cocktail Dress ($1,395) Metallic materials are some of the essential elements for the holiday seasons. If you are tired of the typical black dresses, try this Kalinka dress in pink metallic floral lace and scalloped-eyelash trim.

Kalinka – Pink Metallic Floral Lace Cocktail Dress

Kay Unger New York – Illusion Lace Cocktail Dress ($460) This Illusion Lace Cocktail dress by Kay Unger New York is another red dress I like for this holiday season. It’s not as revealing as the Scoop-Neck Bandage dress by Herve Leger (see above), but it definitely helps you to stand out in the crowd. This dress is made with lace (a popular trend for this year) in a relaxed sheath silhouette, which allows you to indulge yourself with a little bit more hors d’oeuvres without feeling the tightness around your waist.

Kay Unger New York - Illusion Lace Cocktail Dress

ML Monique Lhuiller – Sleeveless Belted Party Dress ($498) If you want a dress that brightens up your complection at night, this Sleeveless Belted Party Dress in blue is perfect. The design also aims to flatter your figure and show off sexy shoulders.

ML Monique Lhuiller Sleeveless Belted Party Dress

Naeem Khan – High-Neck Ray-Beaded Cocktail Dress ($6,500) It goes without saying, this light Naeem Khan dress with silver beads all over is a classic and elegant piece. It’s perfect for any evening occasion.

Naeem Khan – High-Neck Ray-Beaded Cocktail Dress

Oscar de la Renta – Scoop-Neck Belted Lace Dress ($2,890, now on sale for $1,011) I am very fond of Oscar de la Renta dresses. I think they are very elegant, but often too special for ordinary parties. However, I think this Scoop-Neck Belted Lace Dress is classic and ideal for most holiday occasions.

Oscar de la Renta – Scoop-Neck Belted Lace Dress

All Posts, Beauty, Holidays

An Interesting Coincidence

11/06/2013 Shirley

diptyque candle – Noisetier

A couple of months ago, I was at a Nordstrom Private diptyque (fragrance-related products) “Wine and Cheese” promotional event, where the idea was to introduce special customers to stories behind the brand and some of their products. I had a dinner date with a girl friend so I had to leave the event early and didn’t get to buy anything.

Two days later I was back at Nordstrom for a Fall Beauty Trends Show. Richard, the sales person who invited me to the diptyque event, was also at the Beauty Trends Show, and he invited me to stop by his counter at Nordstrom after the show. So I did.

To make a long story short, on a whim I bought a scented diptyque candle – Noisetier (Hazelnut) Candle”. It has a strong woody and fruity scent.

Fast forward two months later to November 2013. There was a big windstorm in the Seattle area and my house lost all electric power. I used my diptyque candle in a way that I hadn’t anticipated. The diptyque Noisetier scented candle really spiced up my living space.

All Posts, Beauty, Holidays

Chanel Fall 2013 Makeup Collection Superstition

10/10/2013 Shirley 2 Comments

For the Fall 2013, Chanel launches new makeup collection – Superstition, with khaki tones for eyes, mascara, and nails, and peachy/pink shades for cheeks and lips. The makeup items in this collection allows us to create a soft look in the cold weather and sophisticated look for the upcoming holiday seasons. In my opinion, no color could better illustrate this Fall season than khaki, which is in between the bright shades for Summer and dark tones for Winter.

The Chanel Fall Superstition makeup collection offers many limited edition items, such as Chanel’s famous mascara – Le Volume de Chanel in Khaki Bronze, Stylo Yeux Waterproof eyeliner in Khaki Precieux, Ombres eyeshadow in Mystere, Rouge CoCo Shine lipstick (in four shades), nail polish – Le Vernis in Alchimie, and new cream blush – Le Blush Crème de Chanel in six shades (three of them are not limited edition).

Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Khaki Bronze

The color is unique, but it’s not ideal for me. The Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in khaki bronze on my eyelash doesn’t stand out as much because I have dark brown eye color and dark hair. On the other hand, this khaki bronze mascara would work well on people with lighter eye and hair colors.

Stylo Yeux Waterproof eyeliner in Khaki Precieux

If you want a soft day time look, use this khaki eyeliner in place of black. The shimmer element in the khaki eyeliner is also good for highlighting your eyes for a night out. The khaki eyeliner also goes well with Chanel’s limited edition Mystere eyeshadow pallet.

Ombres Eyeshadow in Mystere

I am a big fan of Chanel makeup, but I was hesitated to get the new Ombres eyeshadow in Mystere when it was first launched. I through it was a bit too dark and would be more suitable for mature people (such as my mom). After I tried it on, I realized it’s one of the most versatile eyeshadow pallets that Chanel offers.

The Ombres eyeshadow in Mystere consists of three grayish khaki colors (range from light to dark hues) and a light khaki shimmering shade. These four colors can be mixed differently to create fun looks for day and dramatic appearance for night. I had a great time trying out different looks. Below is a couple of the combinations I tried.

For Day: I apply #2 (shimmer beige) over the eyelid to crease, then layer #1 (shimmer dark khaki with dark green tone) on eyelid and Stylo Yeux Waterproof eyeliner in Khaki Precieux. This combination brights up my eyes. To complete this look I use Le Volume de Chanel in Prune

For Night: This pallet is great for creating smoky eye effect (which is the beauty trend for Fall 2013). I use #3 (light grayish khaki) over eyelid to crease, use #4 (medium grayish khaki) on the crease, and #1 (shimmer dark khaki with dark green tone) on eyelid and also use it as eyeliner. (Be sure to apply #1 with wet eyeliner brush; this will darken the eyeshadow color and allows it to stay on longer.) If you blend the colors well on your eyelid and crease, you have a perfect smoky eye. To add some fun to the look I added #2 (shimmer beige) to the inner rim of my eyes.

Rouge Coco Lipstick in Mystique and Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick in Rendez-vous

No makeup look is completed without a touch of color on the lips. For the Fall makeup collection, Chanel offers two new Rouge Coco lipstick colors in Mystique and Icone, and four limited edition Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks in Instinct, Secret, Rendez-vous, and Esprit. The lipstick hues range from light to dark in pink and peachy shades. My favorites are Rouge Coco in Mystique (peachy color) and Rouge Coco Shine in Rendez-vous. They look fabulous with the Mystere Ombres eyeshadow.

Chanel Fall 2013 Makeup Collection Superstition

All Posts, Beauty, Holidays

The Ten Best Holiday Beauty Gifts for Her

11/12/2012 Shirley

Are you looking for beauty gift ideas for this holiday? Here are my top ten picks.

Bobbi Brown 24 Karat Shimmer Brick Highlighter- The five shimmer highlight shades can be used together for a natural glow or individually as an eyeshadow. In my opinion it can be used day or night, for no occasion or a special occasion.

Chanel Les Deux Levres Scintillantes Glossimer Duo – This Chanel holiday limited-edition lip gloss duo with a lip definer in a Chanel makeup bag is one of my annual favorites. The lip glosses are in Wild Rose and Spark (best seller).

Dior Holiday Diorific Vernis Nail Lacquer- Dior launches several new shades of nail color for this holiday. Each comes in a classic glass bottle with a gold stopper. I like the red (Marilyn) the best; it’s sexy without trying too hard!

Dior Grand Bal Lip and Eye Palette- Gold color makeup is in for this holiday. This is the perfect combination of gorgeous white and gold eyeshadows with two lip glosses in an elegant gold clutch. You can carry this to holiday parties and refresh your makeup at anytime.

Fresh Sugar Passion Princess Gift Set- This gift set includes three beauty products I love from Fresh. The Sugar Lip Polish exfoliates the lips, the Sugar Passion Tinted Lip Treatment nourishes lips, and Soy Face Cleanser removes impurities. Your boyfriend will thank you!

Guerlain Holiday Rouge Automatique – Two new limited-edition shades (Lou Ling and Altoum) of Shine Automatique lipstick launched for this holiday. I like both shades because they include golden sparkle that really pop — perfect for the holidays.

Marc Jacobs Fragrance MJ Dot Holiday Gift Set – Marc Jacobs fragrance gift set with Eau de Parfum spray, body lotion, and shower gel. A gift set like this would please any woman who found it on her pillow on Christmas morning. She will find a way to please you too!

Valentino Fragrance Valentina Holiday Set- My favorite Valentina fragrance now is available in a gift set – 2.7 fl.Oz. Eau de Parfum spray and 6.8 fl.oz. body lotion. The scent is perfect for a semi-elegant event such as a company party.

Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss Trio- I am a lip gloss addict. I love YSL lip glosses, especially because they come with sparkling 24-karat gold flecks and nourishing oils. I can’t resist any of these gorgeous colors and he won’t either!

Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Trio- The trio includes three chic nail colors that offer a high-shine finish and long-wear protection. I like the Rouge Pop Art shade (middle) the best, because it’s perfect for the holiday season. But the other shades, Rouge Dada (left) and Rouge Pop Art (right), make a bold statement for day time events.

Shirley Style

Category Archives: Holidays

Ten Best Holiday Dresses for 2014

The Marc by Marc Jacobs Layered-Effect Plaid-Skirt Dress

2014 Winter Holiday Meals

The Venetian Macao Hotel Light Show

The Ten Best Shoes for New Year’s Eve Parties

Ten Best Holiday Dresses for 2013

An Interesting Coincidence

Chanel Fall 2013 Makeup Collection Superstition

The Ten Best Holiday Beauty Gifts for Her

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