The Day Before

For weeks now I have been addicted to Sundance Channels' Full Frontal Fashion shows that featured fashion documentaries such as Lagerfeld Confidential and Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton. Documentaries that allowed an inside look on how fashion Gods work. But my favorite show is The Day Before. The Day Before is simply what it is, it's a chance to witness what goes on before the lights of the runway dims and the fashion show starts. It is a story of all the chaos and overwhelming adrenaline rush of the people who works behind the scenes. The genius conceptions of legendary designers to the hands of a perfect atelier to the runway is pleasing to watch. My favorite fashion God is probably Karl Lagerfeld and I'm sure you are not to deny that he is to you too! His sarcasm and tough view of the world may not be of realism but he definitely hits a nerve when he conveys his idea and why he does it. He is completely uninhibited and unfazed to what surrounds him but relates to it all at the same time. The clip below is from his Fendi Fall 2009 show. It is charming to see how much the Fendi staff adores Mr. Lagerfeld and how dedicated they are to the brand.

Boudoir

Breakfast Area

Reception Area

Lovely rooms!

I love a real Parisian hotel. I stayed at the Villa Opera Drouot close to the Opera last time I was in Paris and I just loved everything about it. It isn't at all your "tourist" place, it's across a market and along a tiny street. You hear parisians not tourist drinking at a cafe at night and old ladies shopping for food in the morning. The place is tiny, dark yet very romantic and classic. The room keys are still an actual key with a red tassel chain and the staff barely speaks English so it truly forces you to speak their language. I just love it!

Time to party with Dita!

She bangs!

Photos from Fashionspot.com

See here's one of many reasons why I'm itching to cut my bangs short. Right now it's in the in between growing stage and I feel very very normal having it long. I have been wearing bangs for 3 years now and it's frustrating to grow it. I am in love with Karen Elson in this Lula and Leith Clark shoot. Just so enchanting!

A Union Street Holiday..

Fairy's laid out in the most extravagant way! I don't normally like this stuff but this piece is just so grand that I can't help but to be cheerful just looking at it..

(Store: Enchanted Crystal)

The best trinket/accessories store in the street and friendly sales ladies to!

(Jest Jewels)

I just have an owl obsession

and assorted bracelets in candy colors! Did I mention that we were offered water and jelly belly while shopping? That's customer service!

A random street decor...

Bored, broke, and gloomy outside I decided to stroll around Union Street in San Francisco and make an extra effort to notice silly colorful things rather than clothing in hopes that it would bring me an upbeat mood to a not so good day. I am just amazed at some of the cute little things that I've seen. It was a perfect day as it turns out and it makes me appreciate this city even more.

Nice and Chic!

I love this girl's style cause it sort of reminds me of my thrown on my body clothes. I love that she doesn't forget to be girly and edge-y at the same time and as a result a complete effortless chic ensemble. It is the exact meaning of what I call dressing in comfort but with effort. The difference is that I like my hair a little bit more done that hers. I am dying for her pink jacket and her knit over white tank dress. Love Love Love it!!

Dalad from Stylelikeu.com from Stylelikeu on Vimeo.

I want me some Luella!

I just couldn't get enough of the spring fashion show looks lately and it's really making me want to hold off on Fall Season especially now that Luella just showed her Spring looks. I love the 60's vibe and quirky hairstyles. I suppose I can take inspiration from the looks and wear something like it for the rest of the sunny days this year. Good thing that I live in California where there's more sunny days and no snow season.

Godzilla roams Tokyo, yet again!!!

Searching for the right train route to get to the hotel..

Yummy Yakiniku!!

Ugh I'm stuffed!!!

But there's always room for a cold drink while walking around the busy streets of Shinjaku!

Mark visits Tokyo, Japan at least once or twice a year and few years ago to keep me updated to what he was doing he took some pictures of this Dragon toy he gave me for christmas as his stand in and emailed them to me. I thought it was a really cute way to let me know exactly where he was and what he was doing. I love the "storyboard" context of his photos. It's a refreshing way to get in touch with me while he was away.

I just love her..

Vogue October Issue

I just love Michelle Williams and her eclectic yet dainty style. There's that edgy-ness mixed with melancholic aura in her.

Something to look forward to...

Love, Love the Diane von Furstenberg's Spring 2010 collection that it makes me want to hold off on Fall and keep wearing light and airy pieces of clothing. I love the draping and sensuality that exuded this collection and I can't wait to get my paws into one of those pieces. Heavenly!!! What I love about Fall clothes is the layering, sort of the act of hiding and hibernating but Spring clothes represents sort of unravelling what you've got under all those months just screaming for it to come out and play again, and this collection I believe captured that. The okay I'm rested now let's go and rediscover the world!

From the Italian side of my family..

Kay Kay with Joe

Kay Kay and Joe on their wedding day

Kay Kay with Aunt Rose and Uncle Mike

My cousin Ricky from Buffalo, NY shared some of his mom's old photos in the 40's and I was just thrilled to see them and jealous on how glamorous that time was. When men put on their best suits and women dressed to the nines, hair perfectly coiffed and fur still celebrated. I do encourage comfort dressing but comfort with effort to still look your best at all times. I take inspiration from these photos.

Yosemite

There is no picture I can take that will give this place justice. It is an absolute beauty and serene place.

There were no lights available at night and the moon is the only bright thing in the sky. Star gazing wasn't successful but walking in the darkness with just a flashlight and not seeing anything else before or after you was scary but an awesome experience. I was secretly hoping for a werewolf or a vampire sighting.

The tunnel towards...

giant redwood trees..

I spend last weekends holiday at Yosemite National Park. I have never felt so overwhelmed with excitement of all that surrounds me and I don't even consider myself an outdoorsy person but I am actually determined to camp out next time I visit this place.

Ballet for fun...and poise

My outfit once a week for an hour..

This shoes needed getting used to

So I recently enrolled in a ballet class and so far I am loving it so much!! It is such a release of stress. The classical music and the intense discipline hits my neurosis in every right way, HA! The one thing that I have to make sure though is that I loose A LOT of weight to make sure that my ballet positions makes a clean line and not curves. I've already been corrected for sticking my booty out too much!!

Betty Page

I have been thinking of Bettie Page lately and I can't help but to wonder who she really is in closed door, and how she would be like if I peeked through the key hole of her boudoir? What captivates me about this woman isn't only for her controversial art and career but also the mystery that surrounds this woman who just vanished from the spotlight, from the world! Her reclusion, her mental illness, and her discovery of born again Christianity remains a huge mystery to me and I guess it serves a huge part of her life's allure.

I give you the master...

"I like beauty, it's not my fault"

Valentino: The Last Emperor is a closer look of how a master works, how he fights for his legacy, and his showmanship. A soldier of beauty who made many women feel the best and inspired women to pursue the same. I love to see a person who lives and breaths and stands for what he believes in and to not be bothered by the impossibilities. His vision of beauty is endless and dedicating his life for this purpose is captivating.

Check out Valentino's Couture Spring Collection 2008, his last runway show.

FALL dreams

Long leather gloves this one is from the Zac show but the one I can afford is from BCBG

Yummy Fur Vest

And this outrageous pom pom hat from DVF, I don't care how loud this hat is I simply must, must have it!!