Talking Mango: Blog

I noticed I always take photos of the outfit I’m wearing a lot if not daily and I never really do anything with them beside store it on my computer. What a waste of space I thought. I decided that I’m turning it into something blog worthy from now on. Clever me, eh? Plus, this will keep me blogging regularly and keep post somewhat interesting. I wanted to do this as a daily thing but I know my laziness will get the best of me. And sometimes, my outfits are just plain boring because I’m just going to class. Nonetheless, enjoy & critic if you want!

I’ve recently fell in love with my quilted shoes & Longchamp bag combo.

Sweater: Gap
Cami: Forever 21
Jeans: American Eagle
Belt & Shoes: Forever 21
Accessories: Chole’s Heart Hair Clip, Longchamp’s Le Pliage
Perfume: Vera Wang’s Princess
Make up: None, just Nivea lip balm

I’m welcoming the new year … in monochrome. I had breakfast with the parents at a very conservative Chinese place so I guess this outfit appropriate. I swear, I’ll wear more colors later… hahaha.

Dress: Forever 21
Shoes: Forever 21
Accessories: Longchamp’s Le Pliage
Perfume: Ralph by Ralph Lauren
Make up: NYX’s Blush in Mauve & Nivea lip balm

I rarely wear makeup but when I do, I can never seem to skip blush. It’s my favorite! You can’t really tell in the photos but my cheeks were rosy red, the way healthy way. And I guess it’s good you can’t really tell in the photos – no one wants to be made up! It’s winter here in California but there was a sudden heat wave so I pulled out a dress to have some fun. Oh, and look at the ruching at the bust of this dress. Loves it! And this dress is teal, I told you I would wear some color this year.

These looks aren’t much but I’m trying one step at a time to upgrade my look. Until then, I just have to work with what I do have and make the best out of it. Maybe you’ll see the transformation slowly as this unfolds!

While I’m still celebrating that it’s a New Year on January 2, I’m kinda sad that 2009 took away Brittany Murphy, Billy Mays, and Michael Jackson. May they all rest in peace. I have high hopes for 2010. I really wish 2009 took away some of the worst trends instead…

1. Maxi Dresses – Thank goodness these things are SOOO over. I hated them when they first appeared in Hollywood. This trend got so out of hand and everywhere I went I saw a variation of them. They were really popular in the summer… when it was hot. Wear short dresses, skirts or pants – long dresses make you look clumsy and frankly enough, really ugly. Some lady had a strapless crochet maxi dress and it was falling down way pass where it’s supposed to sit. Nt even my homegirl Paris Hilton can pull them off! These things are just trash and I will stand by it!

Actually that was it. I just think maxi dresses were stupid and I felt like I needed to blog about how much I wish they stay in 2009 or better yet, never existed. My deed is done for the day!

Now if you know me, I love shopping online. It’s going to be the new year soon and I plan on going to a lot of places this year that requires a dress and a pair of super nice heels. Dress shopping online is probably one of my favorite things to do. The selection is so much bigger than any store you can go to. Plus, the websites are usually organized by occasions, style, fabric, color and designer unlike stores where everything is just a hot mess. Take Her Black Dress for example; everything is organized and easy to find. Don’t be fooled by the name, there are more than just black dresses.

Before you think Black is boring, think again. They don’t call a LBD a classic if it was boring. A classic dress on your closet is not boring; it’s classy (can could be fun and girly). You can wear a black dress any time as well: for your school’s homecoming or prom, clubbing event, birthday parties, weddings, etc. etc.

Well anyways, I was planning my birthday annual dinner party and it’s always formal attire. I saw this little dress on the site and fell in love with it. It’s the Betsey Johnson Evening Sequin Stripe Dress. It’s strapless, sparkly and has a hint of color. I can most likey rewear this dress again for some other event anyways.

I wish I knew this website during my junior year for Homecoming. I knew I wanted to wear a black & gold dress but I didn’t know where to start. It would’ve been so much easier then. They also have other color combination like red, pink and white. Pretty neat, no?

For an added bonus, go check out Rate Her Black Dress. It’s a little interactive site where you can rate different celebrities black dresses. Go ahead, judge them and their fashion choices!

- Advertorial for Her Black Dress

Okay, I admit it – I’m a magazine whore. I have a copious amount of magazine subscriptions and I’m always looking for more. They are my guilty pleasures, my advice giver and my bible. I recently got my copy of Women’s Health with Pink on the cover. There’s an article in there featuring 7 New Year’s Resolution to make this year. It’s funny because they aren’t too horrible and I might actually follow through with some.

1. I will wear things that hug the body I’ve worked hard for. All this yoga, pilates and running better pay off. I don’t sweat and get my butt to the gym so I can look bad in the clothes I wear! Also, if this resolution works out it will also mean one more thing beside looking good- shopping spree!

2. I wont dress shabby on Sundays Finals. I had to tweak this resolution a little. I always try to dress nice on Sundays anyways because I like to dress up when I get Sunday brunch with the family or friends. It’s like traditions. What really gets to me is dressing shabby for finals. I know I need to feel comfy but looking like a bum is no excuse. “Dress for success” should mean something.. but then again I live in my sweats for 2 days straight studying and then 4 finals on one day last quarter and I got the straight A’s and the highest GPA I’ve ever had! Guess you can still look good in sweats, right?

3. I’ll take one big fashion risk.

No one does fashion risk better than Lady Gaga. She is my inspiration.

Leather jackets and micro-mini bandage skirts were my fashion risk for this year. I’ve been looking for the perfect bandage skirt for awhile now and just last week I found one at H&M. I’m not a big fan of H&M but I decided to walk in just for a scroll. These skirts look good with everything. Boots, heels, tank tops, t-shirts, etc. etc. No going to lie, I love how my butt looks in it. And as for leather jackets, I love how they look tough and sweet at the same time. I have one leather hooded jacket that I’ve died for to get and hell, I’m wearing that until the weather tells me it’s time to strip it off! I’ll find another fashion risk soon enough!

4. I’ll look pulled together and polish for work school. I have to wear my work tee shirt with jeans and the worst I can do is show up with my hair uncombed and food stuck in my teeth. Okay, that’s pretty bad but I rather spend the effort at school. I have class 5 days a week with the same people everyday for Chinese. Even though the rest of my classes consist of 300 students I still want to walk across campus and I rather be noticed as the girl who is dressed nice than the girl who is dressed as a bum. I’m not saying I’m going to be trotting around in heels, but a simple tee, cardigan and nice jeans will do. You can look well put together even in the basics.

5. I’ll resist wearing a tee-shirt and shorts to bed. I have to admit, there are some cute pjs out there but I never felt like I had a reason to wear it to sleep. I might not wake up looking like a Victoria Secrets’ model but I can at least try sleeping like one. And if I get lazy, I’ll just sleep naked. I heard there’s health benefits to sleeping naked anyways. Sorry for the mental picture readers.

6. I’ll stop being a wuss about wearing color. I like my blacks, whites, greys, deep blues, purples & reds. They look good and I’m confident enough in it to rock it. Occasionally, I’ll throw in a splash of orange only because it’s my favorite color but it’s so hard wearing black/brown and orange without looking like it’s Halloween or that I’m a turkey. I need to stop with this and play with colors! I got a bright red pea coat last season and I cannot wait to start wearing it again. I have a long sleeve teal dress perfect for winter. I wish I bought that bright yellow micro-mini skirt I once saw when I had an employee discount on it.

7. I’ll look hot at the gym. Curses, that my school gym is free and that I have no excuse like “I don’t have a gym pass”. I got some pretty sweet workout pants a couple months ago that I’m dying to go running in. I need new running shoes because my old ones are super heavy and are ripping. Anyways, I really need to work out first so I can accomplished this one. This one is a stretchhhhh!

So that’s the 7 resolutions from the magazine. I like them; I really do. We’ll see how this goes. I like to think of them as guidelines, not resolutions. Cheers!

Dear Santa,

I know this letter is super late but you must understand I’ve been busy thinking about what I want this year. I know I’m not on the nice list but I really think that you should be nice even to the naughty kids because we really need encouragement. But wait, you really should be ashamed of yourself for watching us like that all year. Shame on you. But I forgive you because you’re going to make this up to me, materialistically. I really don’t need anything else. I have a loving family, friends and boyfriend, roof over my head, food on the table and clothes to keep me warm. I really can’t ask for anything else. Plus, you’re Santa – your job is to satisfy my materialistic needs. So here’s a short list, and work your magic. You got 4 hours left. Better late than never Santa.

xoxo,
Talking Mango

1.  Ugg’s Bailey Button in Chestnut. I hate tucking in my jeans to my boots because they crumple up a that the bottom. This convenient button on the side of these boots solves my problem. Plus, you can never have too many pairs of boots (with or without fur!). I have cold feet; I need these!

2. Louis Vuitton’s Berkeley in Damier Azur. I’m usually not a fan of Louis Vuittion, but hell this is Christmas and I believe if I’m going to ask for a handbag, it’s go big or go home. The only reason the Channel classic flap isn’t on this instead is because I want to work for that purse myself instead. Anyways, I saw this bag at work one day and decided that I must have this on my arm as soon as possible.

3. A Pug puppy. I know it’s so typical of me to ask for a puppy. Growing up I never asked for a pony so this is only fair game that I want a Pug puppy now. They are the silliest and cutest dog ever. Who wants a typical looking dog anyways? Please, these bulging eyed puppies need love to and I’m here to provide that!

4. Blackberry Bold 9700. I’m going to lie, the old Bold 900 looks like a spam can. I want a smart phone, not a can of perserved meat. I’m not too into iPhones since I like having keys to text but anyways, I got an iPhone to use if I really wanted to thanks to the lovely boyfriend. I’m a bit hesistant about the trackpad isntead of the trackball but reviews say it’s an upgrade so I’ll believe them. I’m tired of having bad phones. I want a phone that deserves an actual cover and case to protect it. Plus, it’s the only Blackberry I think looks decent with 3g network! My old phone is beyond helped – just like any of my other phones but I swear if I get this, it will be different!

5. Nars Blush in Orgasm. Yes, I know I don’t even wear makeup but when I do, I would prefer to put something nice on my face. It’s the perfect shade for my skin tone too! I’m barely scraping by with my old blush. Blush is my all-time favorite type of makeup. I just can’t bring myself to spend $25 on makeup and that’s where Santa steps in.

Merry Christmas kiddies & happy shopping on the 26th!