Perfectly Natural Lips

<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I've never been much for lipgloss' or lipsticks, even though I'm constantly being told that I need "just a bit of color" on my lips. I simply don't see the point of reapplication every time I take a sip of water. They leave the most unflattering lipstains on the glass and it means that I'm effectively eating lipgloss/stick bit by bit. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >I'd also always have to worry about accidentally getting some on my clothes- they are the devil to wash. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Besides, they are sticky (lipgloss in particular) and are not even particularly moisturizing even though they <span style="font-style: italic;">look</span> juicy.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGITomdTDI/AAAAAAAACNk/3IBwpfGIOYQ/s1600-h/Lips-+Lucky+%2B+Allure.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224606913624099890" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGITomdTDI/AAAAAAAACNk/3IBwpfGIOYQ/s400/Lips-+Lucky+%2B+Allure.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>But then I keep seeing these perfectly colored lips in magazines and make-up advertising campaigns, which makes me want to give lipsticks another try. Typically I always pick colors that are pretty and pink, because red lipsticks scare me and orange is my least favourite color. But having seen so many ads where models/celebs have perfectly colored yet natural looking lips that are <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> just pretty and pink (like above, esp love Leighton Meister's lip color!), I'm beginning to think that maybe a tint of orange is not so bad after all. Besides the color when applied almost <span style="font-style: italic;">never</span> matches its color in the tube. The aim should be to find a shade that comes naturally, like the color your lip looks when it has been bitten.<br /><br />Unfortunately not everyone's lips are the same and what looks good on the model does not always look good on you. I know, because I tried buying the exact same color as the model in an ad campaign and it turned out to be waaay too red for me! So I guess it wouldn't be helpful to talk about exact lip colors here. We can however, talk about the effects to strive for and favourite lipcolor brands around.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIN87cyJI/AAAAAAAACM8/9j1rzOY9w9Q/s1600-h/Lips-+Shiseido.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224606816001640594" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIN87cyJI/AAAAAAAACM8/9j1rzOY9w9Q/s400/Lips-+Shiseido.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>The effect I love is sheer with just a bit of shine, which translates to ultra conditioning lipsticks. One of my favourite brand for ultra conditioning lipsticks is Shiseido. They really ARE conditioning. Some lipsticks on the other hand, only add color and actually feel like it is <span style="font-style: italic;">drying </span>the lips instead *cough-mac-cough*. I'm loving this natural hue this model in their ad campaign is sporting. Perfect for the everyday look or to match with crazy eye make-up!<br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIOMGczjI/AAAAAAAACNE/1pW0rh-cVco/s1600-h/Lips-+Maquillage+models.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ></span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIOJNfJXI/AAAAAAAACNM/Ur-O73E3PIk/s1600-h/Lips-+Maquillage+lipsticks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224606819298518386" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIOJNfJXI/AAAAAAAACNM/Ur-O73E3PIk/s400/Lips-+Maquillage+lipsticks.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >The younger Shiseido line, Maquillage, also make real nice moisturizing lipsticks. Besides their <a href="http://iamfashion.blogspot.com/2007/08/shiseido-maquillage-neo-climax-lip.html">Neo Climax Lip</a>, they also have it matte. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIOMGczjI/AAAAAAAACNE/1pW0rh-cVco/s1600-h/Lips-+Maquillage+models.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224606820074311218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIOMGczjI/AAAAAAAACNE/1pW0rh-cVco/s400/Lips-+Maquillage+models.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>I absolutely adore their advertising campaign looks. The lip shades are all different yet still very natural at the same time (well maybe the top left model's color is not <span style="font-style: italic;">quite </span>natural...).<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIOAaeJVI/AAAAAAAACNU/lhdaIYXJaDY/s1600-h/Lips-+Cle+de+Peau+Models.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224606816937059666" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIOAaeJVI/AAAAAAAACNU/lhdaIYXJaDY/s400/Lips-+Cle+de+Peau+Models.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>Another favourite lipstick brand is Cle de Peau. My mom adores this brand, it goes on smoothly and silkily.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIOSZ_9bI/AAAAAAAACNc/I9BuJ2DeL-4/s1600-h/Lips-+Cle+de+Peau.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224606821766919602" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SIGIOSZ_9bI/AAAAAAAACNc/I9BuJ2DeL-4/s400/Lips-+Cle+de+Peau.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>And they come in the most darling elegantly shaped tubes too. Ironically this brand is also owned by Shiseido.... I guess they found the secret formula!<br /><br />These ad campaigns with those fabulously natural yet gorgeous lip colors have finally inspired me to test out and wear lipstick more regularly (more than before anyway, which was zero......). I hope it has done the same for you!<br /><br />Image Source: <a href="http://www.luckymag.com/magazine/toc/2008/08/toc_20080701">Lucky Mag</a>, <a href="http://www.allure.com/">Allure</a>, <a href="http://www.shiseido.co.jp/e/index.htm">Shiseido</a>, <a href="http://www.shiseido.co.jp/mq/index.htm">Maquillage</a> and <a href="http://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/">Cle de Peau</a><br /></span>

Perfectly Natural Lips

I've never been much for lipgloss' or lipsticks, even though I'm constantly being told that I need "just a bit of color...

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The Hat For Summer 08

<div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Hats are all the rage this summer. More specifically, straw hats are all the rage. The aim to look chilled-out-rock chic or festival chic. The nice thing about this S/S08 trend is that on the runway, any style of straw hats will do, whether the hat is the smaller fedora style, or larger floppy style. And most importantly, hats are so useful for the summer days out. Actually on any given day, I'd prefer not to have to wear a hat (-hat hair!) but since I've been travelling a bit, I really wanted something to protect my skin from the sun. Thus my sudden interest in the hat trend.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217379443543578450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveNR05zF_6DXS6x_0lTZ5SI05pZh7WQdmJIOmYAMjGV6nl4pxXg0_BeD4m0g5CC-5pAAsKNIwctM6gN9UgUdynyDh8W6zxsQ2BDBWOcEG-e_CmbzzsMslTwfdDESMoS8RUMUqeRwysz6r/s400/Sidewinder+Floppy+Fedora.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The most practical hat for shading my face from the sun would be one of these huge floppy hats. And I figure I would feel less idiotic wearing one this summer since it was on the runway and hey, even Blair wore it in Gossip Girl (-bad logic, I know.) But since it's not really possible for me to fit such a large, irregular shape into my suitcase, I decided against it.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217379439595341746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKb3a7mrgVwyn8Kv7Tn2ol5OlcWJ3oWP2jHTnrJKv2D46mPryHiiXp2xhR92h0udNbpDHIyLb_GK9_-j2_du2EeRLYOIf7SpQgY1By1XMu60laqCkfWTrbD8gdRR9bZu5vMvZvLlq-Ao/s400/Hat+(2).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The shape I wanted was one like the one Rachel Bilson was wearing. It looks so cool on her!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217379444453405490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCas9H90U48CVxmp_5f_QVwdr4FAYbZHK_sQN4IvK8PmieP2VAs5NrgdJcPSs08kK6Vx-0sg82b17Uq7MtBF7o35tsTnfkF2fWADRxgVZcZ3PJE0BsHabEIu_iSzPGRAJ27mFq96XLjWhm/s400/Spillane+Straw+Fedora.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />It looks a lot like this fedora from Urban Outfitters. Unfortunately, it seems to be only available in the US.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217379437884487266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB914CIlWidGzJJVtL65vTN5nYrDlYWKObu6BZMd5AU1i2mV-9ap_XkGqrtrkufKQNwf-1bR22i60Mu3iXd8MSoFkW2aTDRX51KdRgmlYlEDY7TsWjq9eBDjrx8PeD_3fSHp-PLzfekf5N/s400/Hat+(1).jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I tried on a similar one to the one Kristen Dunst is wearing in the photo from Top Shop, butI thought it looked way too much like a cowboy hat. I wanted to look festival chic, not like I thought Halloween had come early. Plus the sides were so short it didn't seem like it would actually shade my face from the sun.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217379438334793570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-M917-CpLqV0nRerFxbQ153x-kGnS27JVcDCfjsYq8yMSNJyDw2RDGDz3QWLbl5klCW8qmGiVM2HPCchMUDtXk10y7NBZ3MHskZEIM6qqDzuLcXxhmhh5L7ZnOR8z7M0-ROo52-_oIk/s400/campaign_image108.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />So I ended up settling for this hat -it's part practical and part festival chic. And it fits perfectly into my suitcase. I've been really loving it on my holidays! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217379747354964370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX7_OdzMA3OtftOFJtJrs6psdIg51MmX240vFLF1gYfjfpiFpi5t111DMvEkI2jq17J6eMhxV3jeSmh3v0d_edjcHumUg197DTWr7crTXZ9ZZBnSfOiiC3hzEkPyQlm76mvvFiCMJYl7I/s400/Straw+Boater+Hat.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I also debated between straw colour and black. I thought black was even more versatile than straw colour. But in the end, I decided to get into the spirit of travelling and the current trend and opted for a straw-coloured one. (The straw-coloured hats must have been much more popular than the black ones because the Top Shop I went to only had one straw-coloured hat left, whereas there were still many black ones.)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Anyone else been having fun with this trend this summer?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Image Credits: </span><a href="http://justjared.buzznet.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">http://justjared.buzznet.com</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.topshop.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">www.topshop.com</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">www.urbanoutfitters.com</span></a> </div></div></div>

The Hat For Summer 08

Hats are all the rage this summer. More specifically, straw hats are all the rage. The aim to look chilled-out-rock chic or festival chic. T...

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Cardigans II: The Long Ones

<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Beyond the classic cardigans, I am also obsessed with long cardigans. They give off that effortlessly chic look that is just so...well, chic.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SH1DktmRhMI/AAAAAAAACMc/1vPUaYU_IZc/s1600-h/Long+Cardigans+II-+UO+%2B+AA.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223405440814122178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SH1DktmRhMI/AAAAAAAACMc/1vPUaYU_IZc/s400/Long+Cardigans+II-+UO+%2B+AA.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>The beauty of it is that the long cardigan look really IS effortless and easy to achieve. Take a plain long cardigan, like these two from UO (left) and American Apparel (right), and pair it with a tank top (black/white or more interestingly- contrasting colored!), skinny jeans (or shorts) and flats (or heels!) and you are good to go! And because the look is so plain and simple, it is also the perfect canvas to accessorize with. Throw on a sharp colored headband, a bold colored scarf, a funky long necklace, crazy earrings, chunky bangles or a fabulous bag for a touch of fun. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SH1E0u7ZJvI/AAAAAAAACM0/KCmeorenzKo/s1600-h/Long+Cardigans+II-+Marc+by+MJ.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223406815560673010" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SH1E0u7ZJvI/AAAAAAAACM0/KCmeorenzKo/s400/Long+Cardigans+II-+Marc+by+MJ.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>If you are too lazy to even do that (like me!), then you are in luck. The long cardigan trend has been around long enough to evolve with sharp, geometric prints, contrasting colors and bold details like big gold buttons that it can be worn just as it is, sans accessories, and still look fabulous and fun. I am loving these two refreshingly colored cardigans from Marc by Marc Jacobs. The bold contrasting blue colors with the geometric prints and the gold lining (left) gives the cardigan an old fashioned yet retro look that is both refreshing and stylish. And I just LOVE the dark blue sleeves with the line of gold buttons on that pale yellow cardigan. That little details gives the otherwise ordinary yellow cardigan that extra something that makes it special. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SH1Dk-BxBjI/AAAAAAAACMk/a6xTVMU1blc/s1600-h/Long+Cardigans+II-+AA.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223405445224400434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SH1Dk-BxBjI/AAAAAAAACMk/a6xTVMU1blc/s400/Long+Cardigans+II-+AA.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">For more washable options, there are these classic cardigans with bold contrasting colors from American Apparel. This is the perfect way to add some color to your summer wardrobe!</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SH1Dk-BxBjI/AAAAAAAACMk/a6xTVMU1blc/s1600-h/Long+Cardigans+II-+AA.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SH1DlJwPWSI/AAAAAAAACMs/T76TWHIZpL4/s1600-h/Long+Cardigans+II-+Vince+%2B+UO.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223405448372115746" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SH1DlJwPWSI/AAAAAAAACMs/T76TWHIZpL4/s400/Long+Cardigans+II-+Vince+%2B+UO.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >For something a bit more subtle that <span style="font-style: italic;">may</span> even last you through fall, try these cardigans with details and trimmings from Vince (left) and Urban Outfitters (right). They are <span style="font-style: italic;">far </span>from "mumsie"- just remember not to pair them with bermuda shorts like that model above (left), it should be paired with something either really long or really short!<br /><br />Image Source: <a href="http://www.americanapparelstore.com/">American Apparel</a>, <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?navAction=jump&navCount=0&itemCount=&id=WOMENS_APPAREL">UO</a> and <a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Entry.jsp?catID=0&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1216168658624">Saks</a><br /></span>

Cardigans II: The Long Ones

Beyond the classic cardigans, I am also obsessed with long cardigans. They give off that effortlessly chic look that is just so...well, chic...

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Cardigans I: The Classics

<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >A few years ago, if you showed me a classic cardigan like these two below from J Crew, I would probably grimace and claim that it was too old for me.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHwLQ0C2u4I/AAAAAAAACME/Q9kwxTqprEg/s1600-h/Printed+Shirts-+J+Crew.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223062051319364482" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHwLQ0C2u4I/AAAAAAAACME/Q9kwxTqprEg/s400/Printed+Shirts-+J+Crew.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Now that I've reached legality worldwide though, I can't seem to get enough of it. I've already bought this J Crew cardigan in <span style="font-style: italic;">both</span> colors shown above. I've even raided my mom's wardrobe for cardigans and found some gems like classic Vivienne Westwood and Ralph Lauren twin sets in a navy, gray and pink. They are the best staple a girl can have. It can be by itself with black pants, for a casual office look, Or with jeans for a casual but put together look. It can be worn over something pretty but sheer or summer dresses, to keep the chill away. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHwLREu0aEI/AAAAAAAACMM/Y8wz07FuzqI/s1600-h/Printed+Shirts-+UO.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223062055798728770" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHwLREu0aEI/AAAAAAAACMM/Y8wz07FuzqI/s400/Printed+Shirts-+UO.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>And it can paired with printed tees (like the ones above from UO- I LOVE these two printed shirts, one of the few things from UO over the years that I absolutely adore) or bold colored tanks for a fun combo. I personally love these two last ideas, it is put together, sophisticated but still casual and fun. And here's a quick tip: pair the blue printed tee (above) with the white cardigan and the red printed tee with the cobalt blue cardigan.The printed tees by itself <span style="font-style: italic;">may </span>possibly be misconstrued as waitress-like (seriously, I tried mine on and that's what my cousin told me I reminded her of). But in combination with the contrasting colored cardigans that doesn't take away from the design, it is the perfect mix and match combo.<br /><br />I'm so glad I rediscovered these gems that I'd previously discarded!<br /><br />Image Source: <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/index.jsp">J Crew</a> and <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/index.jsp">UO</a><br /></span>

Cardigans I: The Classics

A few years ago, if you showed me a classic cardigan like these two below from J Crew, I would probably grimace and claim that it was too ol...

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Vuitton Clutches

<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >The other day, my mom surprised me with a Vuitton clutch. She exclaimed over the phone, about how pretty it was, with gold trimming and a little wristlet thing. I was excited because I love clutches and she made it sound gorgeous. I was a bit skeptical though when I found out that it was white with multicolored prints all over it. But then she said that the color was just what I needed to go with all my very dark colored clothes. Mom's know best, right?<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHl5Rlls1KI/AAAAAAAACL0/RHL2Mvke9fc/s1600-h/Vuitton+Clutch-+1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222338585967776930" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHl5Rlls1KI/AAAAAAAACL0/RHL2Mvke9fc/s400/Vuitton+Clutch-+1.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>My first reaction upon seeing this picture was.......oh no. It seems that no matter how they package the white canvas with the multicolored logos they will always appear somewhat tacky and fake to me. It must be because the one and only fake Vuitton I ever bought was also of this print and thus I shall always associate it with being fake. The mutlicolor logo also looks... toy like. Adding the gold trimming to this combination just didn't help.<br /><br />I do LOVE the shape and design of the clutch though. It's just so cute and perfectly sized. I don't understand why they would not produce this in any other pattern! Maybe it is some marketing plot by the masterminds at LVMH to make consumers buy this clutch anyway because of the style and then hope that the pattern will grow on them!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHl5R10AhQI/AAAAAAAACL8/a5VCku5lUSw/s1600-h/Vuitton+Clutch-+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222338590322754818" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHl5R10AhQI/AAAAAAAACL8/a5VCku5lUSw/s400/Vuitton+Clutch-+2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>I would much prefer a Vuitton clutch like these Vernis clutches. They are colorful yet sophisticated and tasteful. They even have straps to transform it into a shoulder bag! Classic and versatile. I wouldn't mind the red or the purple!<br /><br />But alas, the prices of these clutch aren't exactly the same (the Vernis is more expensive!). Maybe the white canvas multicolor logo print <span style="font-style: italic;">would </span>grow on me..........what do you reckon?<br /><br />Image Source: <a href="http://www.eluxury.com/estore/index.jsp">E Luxury</a><br /></span>

Vuitton Clutches

The other day, my mom surprised me with a Vuitton clutch. She exclaimed over the phone, about how pretty it was, with gold trimming and a li...

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3 Days in Vienna

<div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Continuing from Budapest, the next place we went to was Vienna.</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220479887254981970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsx64QR9iE3ggWTxYlBDnbpAjQxBmnAeYjIadWAZVzRAj-zswY5y4xJkKSxInFgEaZph8PytcN_AKXsJkLV77WlN0Bi6IhF8cpfRt_62MuCiSHbPKT6m3wD5juehOHtxfoGVxXyap50Ki/s400/Vienna+(1).JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The first (and very hot) day we went to the <strong>Belvedere</strong>, which like the other palaces, consists of a palace and a large garden. Unlike other palaces, Belvedere doesn't have the typical apartment tours but instead are art museums. We spent the afternoon walking leisurely in the meseums attempting to learn about the artwork.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220479886403283186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZpHRR8fArZ3rfFBWhkM7rSt5AEbDCmQY_mx7aE5M5JZFD4GYE1qzXd3UNXosMqfHecob_6jnOfWy7rbNT-p5YxMs40dyS1jcYwjOouIq7xlKJzzMv8FaPd_hE6zKki_5xbxk9EsKW0KS/s400/Vienna+(2).JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Next, we saw the <strong>Hundertwasser Haus</strong>, which looks like a colourful building from a cartoon but was actually a block of council flats. This building was fun to look around and discover its quirks!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220479892089199554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINr7yZKeEFFwKy7tHXCwFnCg3V60vT8vQnGWC9kDRFNgXJCVAkrU3NbZKET6rAf9x0NBIvvBsSy-alPIXOlJCfS6DSbq3MbPdByLjcIgdephyW-605tcpIRf9tmh3YhkoFo56WdzKeibd/s400/Vienna+(3).JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />At night, we went to the <strong>Musikverein</strong>. There, we watched an orchestra perform music by Mozart. I was amazed by how many songs that I know or have heard before are by Mozart. There were also two opera singers who sang with some of the pieces, although I didn't enjoy those performances qutie as much since they didn't sing in English and I have no idea how to appreciate opera singing.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220479893268026946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMNV8TCnFvJJOaOOvMSblbkLTX0gFiW675wKqswSJPWQaENUwOzpWHcAhm-e2x5bby4yVx2NwLsPUQG9w_YuaFkGXN0XE1f4dWLs_PY3fTzEMR4FmXkqgYugkJuwZL7DJZbL4m-TYbFCK/s400/Vienna+(4).JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The next day we visited the <strong>Schonbrunn Palace</strong>. We thought this was the most impressive palace in Vienna, although we were definitely liked the back garden more (below.) </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220479717688375522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPgZayScevRwWzXchJvkD4e8uf0rm1mGp_3GVqqMbOtNMh2aiA2j0Zebi1L0A7kqMlMNsbzeJQIOQsA7FBjxHHmQ2neSiMXQ7q4u-QgSBTXVekjYvPX9jhSC5lq1JYr7xcAVi0q-5p8mD/s400/Vienna+(5).JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The main attraction of the garden was the Gloriette, which just looked like a very fancy ornament to the garden to us. And yes, we walked all the way up to see the Gloriette up close.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220479716102929090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUhwsFCBFDPIH6oW4DTCewwor0X2_Caocipq9pfOwByitqq9pGjLfxf3wzdlTs4uLXyJMot3QR6DlaPD_UweeQe3OmwpkAMvLxlkZZnIaDMT9PGrlpxisF_3bmep4icxFpOkH8DEcQFo8/s400/Vienna+(6).JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />In the afternoon, we visited <strong>Stephansdom</strong>. After visiting many European churches, many of them have started to look very similar. But I really like and remember this one -the exterior and interior remain very old-looking and authentic. The inside of the church was dark and grey, and you could really appreciate the Gothetic style inside. It's honestly one of the few sightseeing churches that has made an impression on me.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220479714942387810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlNYq3pQKgbCWSo5PUu9Zb4JHg2J0m7Jn92UyKnkOmmz-KbaXCk1hbWGrhWBw2o6bHsnTZ8XM7j4ESSI3CmOyeThOmLsaP0wY0Q54_BuAUdt3ohMiFNIVOjtq7JyubVvnLhWsvy8OKo-A/s400/Vienna+(7).JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />On the last day, we visited the <strong>Hofburg Complex</strong>. There are a few exhibitions and tours inside, but the one we really liked was the Sisi Museum. After going through all the guided tours in the past few days, I feel like I've really learnt something about the history of Vienna -or at least the history of the Austrian Royal family! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220479721699847442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS99uhHyHzDNRrm8ZOeFEu43J7Sh37_S2RHbxA0OVXPY8TEnEtWOQoA9YLcC_ZUYB08DkrkywjrA1rW2Hjxm4jlFxo3g3MB-7tE2f_pCjMqnIoTvo21gENnVmWItE6N1wMawtqKTbVKTIC/s400/Vienna+(8).JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />For the rest of the afternoon before going to the airport, we decided to just chill in coffee shops and try the cakes Austria is so famous for: the Sachertorte and apple strudel. To be honest, the Sachertorte wasn't that great -it just tasted like a dry piece of chocolate cake. And while the apple strudel was tasty, we weren't all too impressed by it either, (probably because all the cakes were so hyped up that we had high expectations for them.)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Walking around Vienna, the general feeling I got was the Vienna was much more tourist-friendly and had a very holiday-feeling to it. Everything there felt very artistic, creative and cultured, although I'm sure that's just because we all already know that Vienna is the 'music capital of the world'. </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Image Credit: the blog</span></div></div>

3 Days in Vienna

Continuing from Budapest, the next place we went to was Vienna. The first (and very hot) day we went to the Belvedere , which like the other...

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HTC Diamond

<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Despite the upcoming launch of the new 3G iphone, July 11th, last week I decided to make the jump and got myself a HTC Diamond phone instead. Even though the idea of the iphone, combining a 3G phone, storage and an ipod all in one, sounds extremely appealing, in the end I decided that the iphone (even the second 3G generation) was too common and too bulky.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHVSkLlZrTI/AAAAAAAACLc/bA_yCGgiolI/s1600-h/Phone-+iphone.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221170124544388402" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHVSkLlZrTI/AAAAAAAACLc/bA_yCGgiolI/s400/Phone-+iphone.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > <o:p></o:p></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >The design is just not exactly the sleek and cool or girly and cute style that I like. I considered waiting for the NEXT generation of iphone, which is reputedly smaller than the original, but my disintegrating Nokia 6280, with its expanded battery and barely attached back cover wouldn't allow me to wait.<br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHVTNhv7z9I/AAAAAAAACLs/NthUvQFp_iQ/s1600-h/Phone-+pink+blackberry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221170834868785106" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHVTNhv7z9I/AAAAAAAACLs/NthUvQFp_iQ/s400/Phone-+pink+blackberry.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">And so I walked into the store thinking to get a very sophisticated but cute and girly pink Blackberry. Even if I'm too cheap to get the full plan, it would look so adorable! Unfortunately, it appears that the pink Blackberry has not landed in <st1:place st="on">Hong Kong</st1:place> yet (and I don't plan to join Verizon just for it) and they only had it in grey or black- boring. For a moment, I considered getting the grey one. But unfamiliar to the whole Blackberry craze in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:place> and clueless about phone functions beyond making a call, my mom was disapproving. "Why would you get that? It looks like a phone from 10 years ago."</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHVSkVLmPfI/AAAAAAAACLk/YOi7XMWB6Go/s1600-h/Phone-+HTC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221170127120514546" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NUbPhaVyuGs/SHVSkVLmPfI/AAAAAAAACLk/YOi7XMWB6Go/s400/Phone-+HTC.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">She thought I should get one that was trendy and hip- like the one they were show casing in the glass case- the HTC Diamond (the store we were at just happened to be promoting it). I was hesitant at first. Since I've owned a phone 10 years ago, I've been a Nokia fan. They are always reliable and durable (to be fair, my Nokia 6280 has suffered through countless drops onto concrete surfaces in the last two years and a case of waterlog before coming to this state of disintegration). I was only willing to consider switching to the iphone or the Blackberry in the first place because they were just as reputable (kind of). And I've never even heard of the HTC before!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I wasn't sure about the durability and reliability of HTC (I eventually found out that it was from <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Taiwan</st1:country-region></st1:place>). But then my mom stepped in, again proving that she is much more open minded and young about modern technology than I was. She said that I was probably only going to use the phone for two years anyway, and so I should just stop over thinking and get the model that I liked regardless of brand and durability. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Admittedly, the design is beautiful. It is small, sleek and shiny, with very cool smooth angles on the back cover giving it that <i>diamond</i> touch. They also very neatly fitten in a pen slot in this sleek design and it stays put magnetically. Very cool. The specs are quite good too. It is basically a touch screen PDA, with wifi and all the little PDA features like calendar, email, music, photos etc all on a very prettily designed interactive windows program that is very easy to use. Seriously. I am technically challenged and even I figured it out. There is 4GB of internal memory, so you can fit everything in. It also has a 3.2 pixel built in camera with auto focus, which is awesome, since even my very first digital camera only had 3.2 pixels. It works in North America, Europe, Australasia and Asia (including <st1:country-region st="on">Japan</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on">Korea</st1:country-region>) - just not <st1:place st="on">South America</st1:place>. Supposedly it has GPS too, but I have no idea how it works. I figured since I don’t even have an internet plan for my phone the GPS feature will just go undiscovered. And this is the general gist of the HTC Diamond as I understand it. I’m no expert, so I could be wrong. For more accurate details, check out their <a href="http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=46278">website</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">From all this, it appears that the HTC Diamond trumps the iphone, Blackberry and even the Samsung Armani (I briefly considered it since it was the same price, but it is a Korean brand phone that doesn’t work in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Korea</st1:country-region></st1:place> and thus I rejected it. There was also some other things not so good about the specs, though I must say the case it comes with is very nice) phone. In reality though, it doesn’t work <i style="">quite</i> like a dream. After almost a week of use, here are some things I found wrong with it</span></p><ul style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Even though the camera is 3.2 pixels, the pictures taken indoors tend to be yellowish and not very flattering for <i style="">anyone</i>. Seriously. Very yellowish. Outdoors, it’s not bad. But over all that autofocus thing means it takes a few seconds to actually take a picture. Not exactly snap.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">There are a lot of functions, but it takes a while to get from one place to another. Either the touch screen is not very sensitive or it is very slow (probably a bit of both). It needs more RAM. In this aspect, the iphone is much faster.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Another thing is that people don’t seem to be hearing me very well these days. I used to talk to people when I’m walking around all the time and they hear me fine. Now I can hear them perfectly fine but they can’t hear me!</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""><span style=""></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Another major thing and I’m not sure if it is only me, for two days, my phone would suddenly just switch off with no trigger and I can’t turn it on! I had to take the battery out and then turn it on again to get it to work. This is a major concern. But it hasn’t happened for 2 days now and I’m hoping that it was only an aberration. I think I’ve gone over my 7 day trial period, so I can’t exchange for a new one. And besides, I’m already out of the country……… fingers crossed!</span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Overall, I wouldn’t really recommend anyone buying the HTC Diamond, even though I’m an owner. I mean, besides those things I mentioned, it works fine. I haven’t personally tried out the music playing (because I haven’t gotten around to figuring out how to connect it with my computer yet- busy busy these days…), but I assume it works fine too. Still, as you can tell, they still have a way to go to perfecting this model. Once they do though, the HTC Diamond would be perfect!<br /><br />*Update*<br /><br />Thanks Kate. After playing around for a while, I finally figured out how to adjust the brightness/color contrast of the photos, and now the pictures look much better! Now all they need is a flash!<br /><br />Image Source: <a href="http://www.apple.com/">Apple</a>, <a href="http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=46278">HTC</a> and <a href="http://na.blackberry.com/pink/">Blackberry</a><br /></span>

HTC Diamond

Despite the upcoming launch of the new 3G iphone, July 11th, last week I decided to make the jump and got myself a HTC Diamond phone instead...

Read more »