I cannot believe I got this dress for $10. Hells yes. Found it in this random place in Toronto along Queen St. The store was below street level and seemed kinda sketchy since everything was $10. For all I know it could have been "borrowed" goods! Well, a deal is a deal I guess!
If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said that short-waisted people should not wear high-waisted bottoms, but now I'll eat my words thank you. I love high-waisted skirts and dresses like this and I'm happy to say it doesn't make me look stunted. The key may be in having a scoop neck on the upper half to elongate the neck and draw the eye. Beware of empire waists though; those can still be tricky!
This season I've really been into loose, over sized silhouettes; however, they can be difficult to wear on smaller frames without looking like you're wearing a sack. This gorgeous top though by Elizabeth & James is absolute perfection when it comes to achieving that key loose look. Of course, this line is by the uber stylish Olsen twins, so no wonder it would look great on petite people like me! To keep this top sexy, rather than slouchy, it clings just enough to hint at curves and features an asymmetrical neckline. One shouldered tops are super sexy, as I truly feel that when it comes to being sexy, a peek is better than a peep show! As well, I am salivating at how the sleeves look primed for scrunching and finally, the cherry on top is that this top is made of 100% silk, making it just that teeny bit more fantastic. Seriously, could this item be any hotter?
The Fashionable Housewife is having a HUGE Sensa Weight Loss Twitter Party with over $4,000 worth of prizes! Join us tonight (Nov 18th) from 7:00pm - 9:00pm EST.
When initially writing this post, I tried to come up with some witty metaphor about how various wardrobe items were like pieces of a house and how basics were your foundation, but somewhere along the way I got distracted and started counting how many pairs of shoes I could fit on my shoe rack (12). The gist of it all was that you need basics. You can never have too many nice basics since they are the items of your wardrobe that you can wear a million different ways and never look like you're repeating anything.
This is not to say that you need to spend a ton investing in key basic pieces. Feel free to if you find a pricey basic that fulfills the exact criteria you are looking for, but if you can find a cheaper alternative, well that is even better isn't it! That's where America's Basics come in. Started out of Brooklyn by former industry insider Lauren Mishaan, America's Basics seeks to have "fashion meet simplicity." Creator Mishaan left work in couture design houses to bring a line of comfortable, affordable, basics that women of all ages and body types could enjoy and love. Following that philosophy of inclusion, all the clothes on the website are modeled by women with a variety of ethnic backgrounds and body types. If America's Basics reminds you of another basics-centric retailer *cough..AA..cough* then I doubt you're the first to think so, but trust me, the prices at AB are much, much better!
The team at America's Basics were so enthusiastic about their line that they offered to send me proof of their product and sent me my own shirt! I decided to go with the basic of all basics, a crew-neck tee:
The shirt does fit very snug with its mix of cotton and Lycra, but it's super comfortable and I love the bright turquoise color. Shipping was also pretty prompt, with my item arriving within a couple weeks. For only $6.90 it just can't be beat!
Everyone needs a button-down shirt in their closet; they are casual, versatile, and with a flick of a button, surprisingly sexy! This button-down has a cute military vibe with its button-front pockets on the chest, and button flap sleeves.
White tank: RW&Co Purple knit cardigan: Gap Multi-strand pearl & metal leaf necklace: Forever 21 Denim leggings: Aldo (I need more pairs!!) Gold metallic flip flops: from Singapore
And that is how you do it ladies and gentlemen, albeit with slightly farther apart legs.
On a more frustrating note, I want to thank you all for voting on which pair of Famous Footwear shoes I should purchase! The overwhelming vote was for the r2 violets, however when I tried to purchase said shoes online, I could not as apparently they only ship to the US, despite the contest being international!! I don't blame the blog running this contest though, as I'm sure she was just misinformed by some mistaken PR person. No biggie though right, as I could just ship it to a PO box since I live fairly close to the US border and then just drive over and pick it up. Wrong! Stupid Famous Footwear site has a form page for shipping address and then another for billing address, EXCEPT that the billing address (which must match the one on your form of payment, ie. credit card) also can only be in the US. Fail Famous Footwear. You are certainly pissing me off. So now I have a free gift card, but no idea how to redeem it. FML!!
Lately, I've been obsessed with Korean food. Blame it on the film festival I went to a couple months ago, but since then I cannot seem to get enough of Korean cuisine. Just thinking about its many spicy and pickled flavours makes my mouth water.
A few weeks ago I found myself sitting in a car being driven in the pouring Vancouver rain seeking out a non-descript plaza of Korean restaurants somewhere between SFU and Coquitlam. Please don't ask me for directions as I am a person who regularly gets lost in a parking lot. In any case, it was well worth the drive and the food was as delicious as the hype!
The star feature of this restaurant is their unique dish, Bool Chul Pan. I believe it is a very traditional Korean dish and this place is the only place in Vancouver to serve it! Basically you take a cookie pan and put it on a portable stove, then throw in a mix of meats and veggies all marinated in the yummiest spicy sauce imaginable. If you like kimchi, you'll love Bool Chul Pan.
There were various varieties of this dish at the restaurant, but we ordered chicken. Unfortunately I had forgotten my camera, but these photos are all courtesy of Chowtimes from whom I learned of this place. The above photo shows the squid variation they ordered.
Once you have eaten your fill of the main dish and the usual accompanying side dishes, your server will ask you if you wish to finish with fried rice or noodles. Whatever option you choose is then mixed into the remaining food and sauce on the plate and stir-fried in front of you. I swear, this part is even more delish than the first as all the juices soak into the rice!
Finally, you may cleanse your palate with this bland congee-esque soup. I prefer the Chinese version of this rice porridge, as the Korean one has zero flavour and is of a much more watery consistency.
The price for this meal of kings came to only around $13!! A massively good deal since we shared it among 5 people and left stuffed to the brim. If anyone wants to drive me out there again, I will gladly introduce you to this hidden gem!
There is just something so superbly cool about a unique winter coat. All too often we relegate ourselves to drab, boring, shades typical of winter. You know what I'm talking about, you monotonous slaves to black/grey/brown! I counted myself among the offenders, but am now actively trying to pursue color! Case in point: this gorgeous emerald wool coat. Nothing makes my heart quiver in winter more than a chic wool coat, and this one is definitely chic and spicy with its shiny buttons and cheeky ruffle trim. Throw in a retro tweed-ish pattern and punchy green color and you are set to blow the socks off the boring brigade!
What's Haute Magazine wants to know who looked hotter in Balmain Cut-Out Lace Dress: Selita Ebanks, Alessandra Ambrosio, LeToya Luckett or Kate Hudson?
Grey tee: Mexx Plaid shirt: Aritzia Denim leggings: Aldo Leather belt: Danier Boots: Aldo Wooden bead bracelet: gift from Paris
In this outfit I was going for comfort as you can see. Currently comfort for me equates to plaid and I've been wearing this plaid shirt to death ever since I bought it. If only I still had my magenta and green plaid shirt from the 90s - it was super soft and despite what you may think, the color combo was absolutely perfect. Well, I hope whichever girl cousin it was passed down to is fully appreciating it - it's vintage now baby!! The belt and boots are my concessions to style with this outfit. The belt was necessary to create proportions on my body and prevent my plaid shirt from swallowing me whole. The boots were necessary for that vital bad-ass factor. The bracelet was actually given to me by an ex. He was my first love, or what was my immature and naive impression of love at the time. Him and I had a very bland relationship, except when we were in full-tilt drama of the worst kind. Looking back, I can't hate him though he hurt me and changed a part of me forever. He was an immature boy and kinda dumb, and I was probably more in love with love than with him. Now, we are basically strangers who used to know each others thoughts. It's funny how you go from being each other's best friends, to nothing.
Got another makeup question for u... :P if u have the spare time of course. Someone I know is getting married next week and I bought this nice black cocktail dress, it's tight and ruched from under bust down going for a real sexy look lol. My bf wants me to wear it with red lipstick, I tried it and I admit it looks pretty cool, oh so bold! but it's so different to anything I've ever tried I can't really tell what goes with it like I've googled rules on red lip looks, but thought of you for a more Asian-specific advice because googling in English doesn't really return much dedicated advice for Asians i think :P So yeah [because] it all looks so [different] on me like I barely recognise myself I cant really tell what to do with it and i wouldn't want to look like a try hard or a clown! Wondering if you have any advice?
I'm also thinking of curling my hair into big waves, but not really good with it [and] my left and right side ends up totally different and can't get to the back, any tips on that?
All my close high school friends are [going to] be there, most are boys so really wanted to turn up stunning because usually I'm just "one of the boys" ha... and at least at a wedding event it won't be totally random dressing up to this degree, that's why even though bold, if I can pull off the look. I wanna go with red lips because I'm only 21 and there's not many formal events to dress up to!
Thanks!
Kath
Thanks for the great question Kath! It sounds like you are going for a very classic, sexy look. Red lipstick is an awesome choice as it's sure to make you look like a bombshell, especially against a classic LBD. Your boyfriend is one smart cookie! Red lipstick also looks amazing on Asian skin, after all red is our color! Below is a pic of the look you want to go for:
This look is actually deceptively simple to do, although it may seem here that it requires quite a few products and steps. Believe it or not, but I've tried to pare this down to the bare essentials! Since you are going to a wedding, you'll want a more "done" and long-lasting look and that takes time and precision.
Step 1: Your face Always prepare your canvas before you paint! This MAC foundation comes in a variety of tones, SPF 15, age-fighting antioxidants, and has a smooth satiny finish. Dot foundation where you need it: under eye circles, along nose and outwards along cheeks to even out skin tone. I've created a brief diagram to illustrate what I mean, above. Be sure to blend all edges and examine from all angles to ensure no lines.
Step 2: Eye shadow Next, create some depth and drama on the lids with a cocoa and taupe shadow palette like this one from Rimmel. Brush #1 on brow bones, #2 on the rest of the lid, and #3 from the lash line to just above where your eyelid creases, creating a gradient of colour. A gradient shade works well on Asian eyes since we usually don't have deep creases.
Then take the white MAC shadow and smear it in the inner corners of your eyes, to waken your peepers up; however avoid this step if you have wide-set eyes as it will make them look even further apart! Finally, with a stiff eyeshadow brush, brush more of the white shadow along your lower lash line, blending so it looks smudged into your lash line and not a stark white streak.
Step 3: Eye liner and mascara If you're new to eyeliner, then go for gel before liquid. Bobbi Brown long-wearing gel eyeliner is known throughout the industry for its wearability, pigment, and staying power. Most people say to start from the outside in, but I like to go inside and outwards with my liner. Pull the lid gently taut to create a smooth surface, and starting at the inner corner, draw a line following your lash line. Flick the line up a teeny bit at the outer corners for a flirtatious look.
To complete that full, sexy look, you need major lashes. Fake lashes will definitely give you that, but they can be tricky to apply. Instead, I recommend curling your eyelashes and applying a voluminizing mascara. LashBlast, by Covergirl is the most effective mascara I've found for its price. This magic orange tube seriously pumps up your lashes, so go for 2 coats! Also, they have a waterproof formula, so if you tear up you won't have to worry about raccoon eyes!
Step 4: Contouring Blush and bronzer can sculpt a round and/or flat face. Often Asian faces are smooth to the point of not having distinguishing features when compared to Europeans, so we need a little defining to bring out our bone structures. If opting for blush, definitely go for Nars Orgasm. It is truly a universally awesome shade and this stick can be used on cheeks, lips, and eyes! To slim the face, apply just behind the apples of cheeks and blend back towards your hairline. If bronzer sounds better, then suck in your lips and brush the darker shade where your cheeks hollow to sculpt your cheekbones. Brush the lighter shade along tops of cheekbones, temples, and down your nose to highlight. Bronzer can also create the illusion of a higher nose if you brush the sides of your nose carefully to create depth.
Step 5: Lipstick Finally load on the drama with a full, red pout! I myself use this shade of this lipstick and I love it for its full pigment and creamy texture. A little goes a long way with this one! It's a good idea to line your lips first, so use a lip pencil of the same shade, or clear, to prevent bleeding of color outside your lip line. Apply lip balm to smooth your lips. Take a lip brush, and use it to paint the lip color onto your lips. Blot lips onto a tissue paper. Apply more color if desired. Take a clear gloss and dot onto the center of your lips to create a full pout, or simply leave it matte for a more retro look. Personally I replace the gloss with a slick of lip balm for a creamy finish.
Step 6: Hair Since I'm rather hair-retarded myself, I can't really help you on this one, but I do recommend investing in a quality curling iron, and to apply a heat protectant to your hair before curling it to further prevent damage. I found this video super helpful on curling hair:
And there you go! 5 easy steps to glam, retro black lined eyes, and ruby lips. Hope this helps Kath, and I'd love to see a picture of your results!
If you have a beauty or fashion related question, I'd love to hear from you! Simply email me!
I like shopping, clubbing, doritos, skirts with pockets, Pookie from Garfield, waffles, sleeping till noon, the ocean.
I dislike morning people, line budgers, celery, nylon, ugg boots, and camel toe.
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Dress: from Toronto
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