obsessed with oxfords

I love OXFORDS. Maybe it's because I like to add "manly" elements to every outfit to prevent over-girliness, or maybe it's because they're just so darn comfortable. Whatever it is, I know that one pair of oxfords gets more wear than my entire heels collection COMBINED. I don't know... I just think they really suit my style. 

Ever since I wore my oxfords (seen below) to their ultimate DEATH (to the point where there were multiple holes), I've been searching for a new pair. This past pair was only $10CDN but they  only lasted 5 months, so I wanted to find a more durable pair. 

Well, today I found a store called Elegance Gallery, a shoe store that I happened to stumble upon while walking aimlessly along the streets of Causeway Bay, HK. They have a wide selection of shoes in stock - BUT, if you don't like what they have, you can actually CUSTOMIZE the shoes and change the fabrics/colours (for an extra $50HKD - approximately, $6-7 CDN!!!).

I saw a pair of GREEN cloth + leather oxfords and I liked the style but I wasn't too fond of its leprauchan shade. So I got them customized in two slightly different shades of camel + brown leather. Super standard "boring" shoe colours, but I wanted to have a really wearable pair that I intend to wear for years... YEARS!!!!!!!! They'll be ready in 3 weeks and I can't wait to see how they turn out!

I was also thinking though of getting some crazier customized oxfords: dark turquoise/teal leather or suede for the tips and back of the shoes + a multicoloured woven ethnic print for the middle (cloth) section. What do you think?

Here's a little "inspiration board" I created to visualize the design...

Like? Dislike?

Speaking of ethnic prints, here are some Peruvian-inspired iPhone case patterns from Schatzi Brown. It's actually things like this - being able to make my own customized iphone cases - that make me want an iPhone... not the phone itself. HAHA... I think I just like customizing things.

iPhone cases by Schatzi Brown

Anyway, I'm curious what you think about the shoes... OR, leave me a comment and let me know how YOU would design a pair of oxfords (with two tones/fabrics/colours). When I was at the store, there were pages and pages of fabric swatches to choose from including floral prints, glitter fabric, polka dots, stripes, and canvas in all colours.

 I'm curious to know your design ideas! =P

DIY: fishtail dress

Hello stranger!

I haven't blogged in two weeks!

That's because I just got back from the most relaxing two weeks I've had this year. Much needed vacation time. I will update with photos later but right now I'm trying to get into a "back-to-work-on-Monday" mindset, although it's really not working. I went to Singapore this past week, and I did pack that DIY fishtail dress I altered recently. It was the perfect outfit to prance around shamelessly in. 

I know some of you requested pictures of the final product so I scoured my vacation photos for some pics of the dress. Uploading these photos also brings me to this depressing moment where I mourn the end of my vacation time. haha. =(

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... don't know what my face is doing here but it's a good picture of the cutting of the dress.

...this awkward-wistful-staring into space-gaze is what happens when I don't know that my picture is being taken. photo creeper!!!

...the best part of the whole vacation was being reunited with the fiance, Mr. Potatohead... at least for a short while. (3 months til THE PERMANENT REUNION!!!). Man... I commend anyone who has been in a long-distance relationship, because it's tough knowing such a big part of your life is 10,512 miles away!

Picture 1: visiting Little India in Singapore

Pictures 2/3/4: visiting Stanley in Hong Kong

More vacation pictures + DIYs to come!

DIY: 1 Blouse, 10 Looks (Re-styling with Lace)

I always like thinking of different ways to alter or add some little details to my clothing. I liked this silk blouse for its easy-to-wear cream colour and its standout black collar. It would definitely go with all different kinds of coloured cardigans and blazers. I did think it was a bit plain though, so I started thinking of how I could jazz up the shirt a bit. So I came up with this DIY: LACE BLOUSE EDITION to demonstrate a whole bunch of ways to alter a simple button-up shirt like this one.

Well, the first easy add-on that doesn't require any kind of sewing is a thin belt. Depending on whether you want to stay monochrome or add a punch of colour, you can use a thin black belt with gold details (like the picture below), or go for a bright-coloured one. 

Cinching a belt at your natural waist will give the blouse a less-boxy, more-defined look.

Lace is always a simple DIY addition and I thought adding some black lace detail would contrast nicely with the pale colour of the blouse.  

 

LACE LOOK #1: THE COLLAR BOW

 The first way to add lace doesn't require any sewing at all - just tie a bit of lace into a bow around the collar. I like non-sew DIYs like this because if you ever get tired of the look, you can scrap it easily.

LACE LOOK #2: THE BELTED LACE BOW

 Another way is to tie the lace around your natural waistline to have it act as a belt. 

LACE LOOK #3: THE LACE TRIM

 Now let's move on to our endless lace sewing options. Look #3 here is simply to sew a strand of lace at the bottom of the shirt which helps balance out the black collar and instantly adds some subtle detail.

LACE LOOK #4: LITTLE LACE SLEEVES

Sewing the lace along the sleeves will add more flair to your shoulders! Since this shirt has black buttons underneath a flap of cream fabric, I would also consider sewing the "flap" to the side in order to expose the buttons underneath for a different kind of look.

LACE LOOK #5: DOUBLE LACE LINES

This DIY would require sewing two lace lines horizontally across the shirt. I think this look would be nice with a gold statement necklace worn up top. 

LACE LOOK #6: THE FLYING V

(Yes, that title is a Canucks reference, haha)... Anyway, I think this would be an interesting take on the V-neck. 

LACE LOOK #7: THE DOUBLE FLYING V

...don't worry - we won't try for a triple.

LACE LOOK #8: THE PSEUDO-BIB

I think this look would only work with two or three buttons showing at the top. It gives the blouse a kind of pseudo-scoop neckline, or a "lace bib" for grown-ups.  

LACE LOOK #9: SKID MARKS

Sewing two vertical lines all the way down is an elongated look that can create the illusion of a slimmer torso. (I just made that up right now, but really, I just think it makes the shirt look more interesting in a very symmetrical way). In my opinion, adding a thin belt to this look ties it all together.

LACE LOOK #10: THE "ASYMMETRICAL FLAIR"

I don't know what inspired this one, but I think it definitely adds an interesting element to the blouse. This look would definitely be best without a cardigan over it, in order to show off the lace lines sewn on one side. If you really can't stand the asymmetrical-ness, then get more lace and sew the same pattern on the other side!

 

So... what do you think about the looks? Like? Love? Utterly despise? haha... Let me know which ones are your favourites. With so many options, I still haven't decided which one to actually use. (My excessive-spending side is telling me that the solution is to buy 10 copies of this shirt and make all 10 styles). =P

inspiration: bridesmaid dresses

Went lurking around Tsim Sha Tsui today looking for a tailor to make bridesmaid dresses. There's this place called Beverley Commercial Centre where there are a whole cluster of bridal stores on the second floor. Most of the tailors will whip up a whole dress from scratch for around $40-50 CDN! You just have to give them all your measurements and they'll make it for you in about 1-2 months. Most of the dresses are chiffon or satin in a variety of different colours. I actually haven't decided on what colours I want, and just looking at all the hues of fabric made me even more indecisive! I'll probably go back eventually when I've settled on a style. 

Anyway, one of my favourite sites for dresses is MODCLOTH so I went searching for inspiration on different styles and ended up collaging a whole bunch of them like an art piece. I think that's because I always think of style & fashion as an extension of art - style for me is all about (mis)matching different colours, prints, and textures. So here's some dress inspiration for you all... (I'm sure all my guy readers are so extremely ecstatic right now)... bahahaha...

all dresses from modcloth.com

Which ones are your favourites? I'd love to know!!

inspiration: dip-dye DIY

I've been seeing a lot of dip-dye/ombre denim lately. I guess it's a toned-down revival of 70's hippie tye-dye. I've been wanting to dye a shirt or two for awhile now, but never seem to get around to it. So meanwhile, here's some dip-dye inspiration, courtesy of Google.

I love the thought of randomly dying a whole bunch of things...

...like tote bags, denim shorts, white t-shirts, and scarves!

I found a simple tutorial online (here) on the whole dip-dye process.

1: dip-dye levi's jacket - Denim Refinery // images 2-5: tumblr // 6: MDP // images 7-8: Blooming Leopold

Happy Dip-DIYing!