White + Gold

So Wild.  I got to walk down the runway for the INSPIRE United Way charity fashion show hosted by Monsanto, thanks to my good friend PJ who was one of the main coordinators of the fashion show.  As a public health student, I am very conscious about all the *lovely* interventions Monsanto does, so I have to admit I felt a bit quesy about supporting Monsanto.  However, PJ and I set aside our different opinions about Monsanto, and it finally came down to supporting PJ, raising funds for United way....and having a ton of fun.  If you have ever walked down a runway before or performed in front of large audience, you'll understand what I mean when I tell you it's the most distressing, heart-pumping experience that makes me want to do it again and again...

 

It was nice to have an excuse to dress up after the fashion show ended.  This is the outfit I wore after I was able to escape from the hectic dressing rooms I nicknamed Madness that night.  Sadly, my hair was so hopelessly, tightly curled (styled by Paul Mitchell School students who promised that the 1/2 inch tight curls would loosen throughout day, despite me telling them that my hair curls super easily and stays curled until I wash my hair) that I wasn't able to relax it for this post-fashion show outfit.  I was literally pulling and tugging at my strands all night thinking my hands could magically unwind them, but alas, no luck.  Whatevs.

[Found the fabulous Soo!]

[My pixelated life on instagram @alimei16]

Aside from the fashion show, I absolutely had a blast making this white ostrich feather skirt.  It took close to a year to make because I'm just slow at LIFE.  I am super happy how it turned out though, and am brewing ideas of my next designing project in my little brain...

[Armour]

[Gold sandwich for dinner, anyone?]

One of my fav trends for fall/winter 2012 was all white from head to toe, and the stark color (or noncolor?) was commonly paired with all gold accents or all black accents.  I tried to incorporate pieces that I already owned, and this little gold sandwich bag, which I thrifted last spring at ScholarShop (for $8 bucks too!), was so perfect for bringing that extra gold oomph to the outfit.  Not to mention it looks like a delicious, gleaming sandwich.  If you know me, I have an unhealthy obsession with sandwiches.  For lunch, dinner, breakfast, midnight snacks, mid-afternoon snacks...and as accessories apparently.  Can't. Get. Enough.

Zara white blazer size XS (similar here and here), DIY white ostrich feather skirt, Thrifted gold hard-bodied clutch via ScholarShop (similar here and here...the latter is very chanel-spring/summer 2013-esque with the aquatic theme), ASOS Armour Fan Earrings (here), Jimmy Choo Vicky size 37 (similar here and here), Gorjana gold leather wrap bracelet (here), H&M gold buckle bracelet (similar here)

Thank you for stopping by! heart, alice

[Being silly]

Photo Credits: Vincent Wu from Illuminated Focus Photography
If you like these photos, please support Vincent Wu by liking his facebook page!

Morning Skincare Routine + Mini Reviews

My morning skincare steps in the order I presented them:
(Water + hand towel)
Clearasil Tinted Acne Treatment Cream
Rohto Cool Eye Drops
Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper Primer (I use it as my day lotion)
Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream
Estee Lauder Daywear Advanced Multi-protection Anti-oxidant Lotion SPF 15
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 PA+++


Other products I mentioned:
Lancome Renergie Eye Multiple Action (Light)
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion


Black Mesh Dot T-Shirt (size S)..................................................Zara
White Shorts with Front Rib (size XS)..........................................Zara
Silk Scarf (worn as a headwrap)......................Borrowed from my Mom



Face: Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick (Warm Sand 2.5); Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream No. 23; CoverGirl and Olay Simply Ageless Eye Concealer (Light/Pale); Tarte Smooth Operator Finishing Powder
Eyes: Maybelline Chai Latte Eyeshadow Quad; Urban Decay eyeshadow in Foxy, Bootycall, Half Baked, Snakebite, and Blackout (from Naked 2 palette); MAC gel liner in Blacktrack; Waterproof Maybelline Full and Soft Mascara in Very Black
Bronzer/Blush: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Exposed
Nails: chipped and awful....I know


I just realized that in my evening skincare routine, I seemed really nervous and stiff!  Hopefully this video is a breather...I'm practicing little by little guys!  Let me know if this helps and/or if you have any questions in the comment box below!


heart, alice

P.S. This video was dedicated to Jessica Y.  Thanks girl for keeping me on track and motivating me!

H&M March 2012 (just released): My Picks + Review

The dressing room I was assigned to in H&M was awfully cramped, so I tried to make do with my crappy lighting and dusty mirror in my roomy bathroom....so please keep in mind to excuse the lousy lighting (makes the colors inaccurate) and my poor editing skills (still a noob).

I was so impressed with H&M's just-released clothing line and Angie inspired me to post some pics up!

 1) Black cotton tee with rhinestoned peter pan collar size S ($17.95) + 2) Champagne tweed mini skirt size 4 (has a slight metallic sheen) ($29.95)

 I've been adoring anything tweed lately, but 99% of the time, it's too expensive or it's not the color I was looking for.  So when I found this tweed mini skirt that stayed on my waist, was made of thick tweed material, lined, and was the champagne color I was looking for (it looks pink in the left photo, but I promise it's champagne with a balance of beige and pink tones), I just knew I would get a ton of wear out of it.  Since it is a bit on the short side for work, I would pair it with opaque black/brown tights and voila!  Work appropriate galore.  This H&M tweed skirt seems to run small, since I usually take a size 2 for an H&M skirt to stay on my waist.

The black tee with the swagged-up champagne collar, on the other hand, is a possible return.  I'm in love with the unique, blinged out collar that catches the light so nicely, but I find it kind of weird that this well-made, sturdy collar was stuck on a plain black tee.   Ok, I admit, it does dress up the tee, but....it's still a cotton tee.  Also, the tee is really boxy and unfitted when not tucked in (boxiness not pictured).  I just don't know...what do you guys think?  Is it a keeper?  

 3) Mesh Dot Black Shirt size XS ($17.95) Returned

When I bought this green, high-waisted skirt from my previous Express haul, I had an image in my mind that it would totally rock with a black mesh dot shirt and nude pumps.  As evidenced by the photos, I adore them all together!  With this straight cut on the cotton part of the shirt (as opposed to a sweetheart cut), it makes the shirt less sexy/girly and more clean/minimalistic, which I prefer.  I agree with Angie on the pricing though...I'm not sure if it's a keeper yet.  I just can't seem to find a more affordable mesh dot shirt besides this one and Zara's, which isn't quite perfect but it's a buck cheaper.  This shirt is well-fitted since it's stretchy, and seems to run true to size.

4) Cobalt Blue Fitted Blazer size 4 ($34.95)

I was actually wearing this neon, chartreuse sweater that day and by sheer accident, I was replicating a combination from bcbgmaxazria's spring line! (as pictured below) I have been on the hunt for a cobalt blue blazer like the one from J.Crew (as pictured below), but the J.Crew was way out of my price range.  This H&M one is surprisingly well-fitted, lined, and made of sturdy material.  My only gripe is that it is just slightly too long for my preference (I like when my blazers end right at the top of the hip).  Being 5 times cheaper than J.Crew's, I'm pretty sure this H&M blazer is a keeper.  This style seems to run true to size.

Bcbgmaxazria Spring 2012

J.Crew Spring 2012

5) Slim Black Trousers size 4 ($34.95)

Gals, I know this may sound bizarre, but this was actually my favorite find.  I've been looking for slim black, sturdy trousers ever since I started working, and these surprisingly go beyond my expectations.  The material is so covetable (on H&M's standard) since it's so thick and structured; it has belt loops; the length is perfect on my proportionally short legs; and it is fitted but has a little "give" (definitely not squeezing like leggings, though the pictures suggest they are taut over my butt and thighs...I promise my butt and thighs have room to move).  A well-fitted, already-tailored trousers for below $40?  Hell yes.

6) Cap-sleeve V-neck Black Crepe dress size 4 ($34.95, but I used a 20% off coupon...so it was $27.96)

 I actually purchased this dress 2 weeks ago from H&M, but I figured why not include it in this H&M review since this dress is still available for sale.  (Sorry it is a bit wrinkly!)  I love the cut and silhouette on my body!  Not too tight, but still fitted enough to flaunt my curves.  I love the cap sleeve style on my small, bony shoulders and the v-neck to give me shape on my rather shapeless chest.  This is going to be my one and only LBD (aka little black dress) after I sell my strapless black dress from Zara (if anyone is interested, I'll post a picture below).  I know this dress will go a long way since it's such a timeless staple.

The Zara dress I'm selling (as mentioned above): SOLD

Selling this Zara strapless bodycon black dress with crisscross pattern (can't see this detail in the picture) for $10! Has a slight sweetheart neckline, and is a size XS. One of my bf's favorite dresses on me, but I found another black dress recently that's better suited to my body type (referring to the H&M one).

Overall, I was super impressed with H&M's newly released line, especially the quality and sturdiness of some of the pieces.  I never really considered H&M a "quality" option, but this review/haul is starting to make me think otherwise.  Let me know if this review was helpful :D

heart, alice

P.S. In case you were wondering, the nude patent pumps in the photos are Target Versie size 7 and the black patent pumps are Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Pumps in size 6 1/2.