Happy (Belated) Holidays!!

(Central Park on Christmas Day)

Happy Holidays Everybody!

What to Wear Daily: Winter Nights

(YSL black leather jacket, Anne Klein ribbed sweater, Arrow Zombie for Rodarte shirt, Diesel Jeans)

Took this photo the last night my friends Mark and Marie were in NYC. Marie was working with Michael Kors for a few months and is back in Montreal.

Oh... how I miss them, but thank goodness I'll see them real soon.

Taking a Trip: Montreal, Quebec

I didn't take any pictures of myself while I was here. I was freezing cold. The few pictures I did take included my friends Mark and Marie that live there. It was nice to get out. It's such a great city, especially Old Montreal. I can't wait to go back during the summer to see what the city looks like then.

Hope everyone is staying warm!

What's in the Closet: Defy Ring

Defy is a jewelry label that is based in Thailand. I fell in love with their rings when I went to a small boutique in Montreal. This was the only thing I got while I was there. This ring is completely oversized (1.5" high), which I absolutely love. I'm a huge music lover and this just fit perfectly.

I'll eventually do a post with some more of my jewelry I've been collecting. I've been on a jewelry buying frenzy in the past year.

Taking a Trip: The Nation's Capitol (3)

Some other random photos.

Taking a Trip: The Nation's Capitol (2)

This is the only picture I had taken of myself while I was on the trip.

Taking a Trip: The Nation's Capitol

I got to DC really late, but managed to meet up some good friends. When I woke up in the morning, I got to see this view from my friend's green house. Doesn't it look amazing?

Too bad I wasn't able to be in NYC, while it was snowing for the first time. This view of the fluffy white snow is so breathtaking. I haven't seen the snow in a while.

Free Access: NY Knicks

A client of mine gave me tickets to go see the Knicks... I know that they haven't had their best season, but it was still fun to go have pretzels and beer!

Back to Cali.

Just some photos...

I had a great time when I was back... I got to see a lot of people I love and care about. Yet, I was ready to go back home to NYC!

The Show

(Images from Style.com, WWD.com, Zimbio)

This is what I was working on during fashion week in September. I know it's really late, but I figure I might as well let you guys know who I've been working for.

What I Want: The Great Frog Rosary

(Source)

This is amazing. I just wish it wasn't over $1500. My friend has a beautiful rosary on his rear-view mirror that is metal and I've been obsessed with finding an antique looking one. I need to get something from their website ASAP. The stuff is reasonably priced.

What to Wear Daily: Owen it.

(Rick Owens dress and boots)

I normally don't wear head to toe designer, but I couldn't help it. I wore this to see the Gareth Pugh video installation at Milk Studios.

Milk Studios: Gareth Pugh

(Gallery attached to DVF with animal masks)

I went to see the pre-video Gareth Pugh did for Milk Studios yesterday. It was a nice walk to the Meatpacking District from my house. While I was taking my time with each video (it was a four large screens that had projectors playing all the videos simultaneously; put together to look like a large cube) I couldn't help but notice Gareth Pugh in front of me all of a sudden when I was at the last video. This was the first time I have seen a designer in New York that I really admired. I was in such shock. I wasn't sure if he would even have enough time to even come down because of his show in Paris.

It was a cool moment for me.

Hectic Day... running around like a maniac.

The day before the fashion show... I was so incredibly stressed out... plus I had the coolest friends in town. I couldn't even show them around. But like I said, they are amazing... so they didn't mind at all.

My first Fashion Week and for my designer... it's really fun actually. I don't even know why I'm up right now (well, I really do, but I wont tell). I gotta get up really early and deal with the next day.

I don't wanna take too many pictures, but I wanna give you some quick shots.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Back to Cali

(Lucus hanging out on his favorite love seat... doesn't he look sweet?)

I’m actually on my flight right now back to San Francisco. It’s a weird feeling… a bit of excitement because I get to see people that and the familiar space. Since I have never felt at home in California before. Home as in, where I belong. Any time I have ever been to New York, I always felt like this was where I truly belong. In California, I have amazing family and friends and I love them dearly… and miss them badly. But I don’t regret moving 3000 miles away.

New York is like what everyone says. It loves you and it eats you up and spits you out. You have intense days- good and bad. There are times when I’m there and I hate it so bad, I was thisclose to moving back. I found a few reasons that made me want to almost move back immediately. Things that I loved and that were familiar, but I knew it wasn’t right. Being in New York is meant to be.

I had only 10 days to pack to get here. I threw everything in boxes and said my goodbyes and in a blink of an eye, I was in New York. My boss, which is an amazing, kind person, set me up with his friend that was living in Brooklyn. She let me crash there for a few days, while I was trying to find a place. I found one within 2 days and moved in. I love my apartment and I love my neighborhood. I mean… I’m near everything and I don’t even need to leave a 3 block radius (but of course I do.) When I thought I was settled down enough, I looked for a job in fashion. I looked thoroughly and applied at places that I knew would be a great experience. I got replies back right away and then, I found the perfect job. Ideally, I want to work with someone that is absolutely passionate in what they do. I want to be behind them 100% and I want to work hard for them. Within the first month with this designer, I’ve learned so much about all aspects of her business. It’s very serial for me and exciting and overwhelming. Sometimes I can’t believe I’m sitting with her there and looking at fabrics for her current line. I only dreamt about doing that and then bam. I am.

But anyways… going back to California reminds me of this dark time for me… when I was struggling really hard to even get my foot in the door. I don’t regret anything I’ve done in my lfe that has brought me to where I am now. Not a single thing. I’m lucky to now be residing somewhere where my opportunities are endless. I love how I can have a conversation with someone that doesn’t even know me and they can just tell how enthusiastic I am and passionate about what I want to do… and they want to help me. Surprising right? Everything that I have done has been because of me and it’s liberating. I know that the best way to get in the door is if you know someone, but I came there knowing no one. I think the majority of people that move to New York take that chance and end up finding what they were looking for. Some people stay, some people leave but you just can’t bet what a city like this ends up giving you.

I’m just glad I never gave up.

What's in the Closet: Rick Owens

I own a good amount of pieces from Rick Owens... I'm kind of shy showing this stuff... so...

These are my boots from a while back. I love them... they are amazing and comfy but sometimes I feel like I'm too close to outer space... haha (but always in a good way, I swear!)

I still haven't gotten all my stuff shipped to NYC, yet. It's though though, 'cause I wanna buy everything I already don't have here yet... wish me luck!

What I Want: Lanvin Men's Sneakers

(via The Selby)

How amazing do these look? Too bad they will never come in my size! Ugh.

Pleats Please: Robert Gellar Pleated Pants

I have this pet peeve about men's pleated pants. Whenever I see one of my friends wear them I cringe and remind them that men in their 50s are the only ones that can get away with them (mainly only because of their age). They just make a man look so wide and frumpy. With a flat front, a man looks so much sleeker and thin.

But I changed my mind when I saw these pants from Robert Gellar's AW 2009 collection. They actually are really well designed. These don't look wide nor frumpy.

(Source)

I really want to pay more attention to men's ready to wear. I just feel like it's so neglected. Whenever a guy asks me what they should buy, it's so hard to me to visualize designers or even stores that carry stuff that is relatively affordable... Chain stores like H&M or Zara just isn't enough when it comes to structure and cut.

The Barneys New York Warehouse Sale

Did you guys even realize that the Barney's Warehouse sale is already going on in SF? It ends on the 9th...

I can't believe that I finally move to NYC and the warehouse sale moves there... Insane! Hope you guys are finding some great things there!

Expect to see me at the NYC one... I'm praying that I'm not going to have to elbow someone for a pair of Margiela's... wish me luck!

What I Want: Balenciaga caged suede boots

Only one word can describe these: Wow.

What I Want: Borga Margo Clutch

How awesome is this bag? It's from Borga Margo F/W 09.

What to Wear Daily: Ride them cowgirl

(Jovovich-Hawk for Target Dress, Dior cowboy boots)

What to Wear Daily: Shoulder Freak

(Maison Martin Margiela green suede jacket, Taverniti jeans, Ann D boots)

When I first wore this, I went to see Santogold at the Warfield in SF. This guy working the door thought I was trying out for Star Trek... I quickly replied "No, I was trying out for the Jetsons..." (:

It was raining for the past few days... I ended up wearing this last night going out with girlfriends. It's so humid here. You see the the shine on my forehead? Lol... I miss SF weather so bad!

Job Hunt: For an additional one

(5th Ave in Flatiron District)

I need a second job guys... Even though I'm incredibly happy being in NYC (seriously, like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders), I need a second job. I'm dying! I want to do something creative or at least do something in fashion and I'm totally fine with an internship. I'm not completely ready to leave my current job. I'm afraid I won't be able to afford living here without it (at least for now). I wanna be able to stay at my apartment at least for a while, until the fashion business is up and running so I don't need to worry so much about the roof over my head. I mean, I'm totally fine with eating a half a bag of ramen a day, if it gets down to the nitty-gritty, but can I enjoy NYC just for now?!

I have written so many resumes in the last year and a half... I don't know if I can take it anymore. At least the good thing about it, is trial and error. I'm sure there are mounds of people that are dealing with this resume madness... and my dilemma is tiny incomparision.

And P.S.

I saw miss Kate Lanphear strolling down this street today in all black (of course) and studded Balenciagas, the exact ones below. Oh how I love her...

(Photo Source)

Movie Set

There is a movie being filmed on my street. This is the best picture I can take out the window of my apartment.

Vivienne Westwood on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross

I absolutely love Vivienne Westwood. Her concept of design is so punk rock and it reminds me of when I was a teen.

I need to find her Manifesto, ASAP!

PDT (Please don't tell)

I went to this place a few times before when I was visiting NYC. I frequent speakeasies all the time... I prefer to not be in a crowded bar, while I'm trying to have a cocktail. I took this photo of some ladies having fun. Normally at these places you can't take photos (only the bartenders can take them for you) but I took this shot (without a flash, of course) just to let you guys see what it looks like inside. This place probably at most, can fit 40-50 people at a time and even though you can make reservations, it's also a first-come, first-serve basis. I wouldn't think it would be so crowded on a Monday night.

Compared to other bars like this here, I want to say this place is probably my favorite, mainly because of the friendly bartenders here. Some other places, they seem cold and they don't want to interact with you.

Just Purchased: Dior over-the-knee cowboy boots

I finally went uptown since I've moved... for Bloomingdales of course! I skimmed around all of their collections and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to get. This will be my first purchase living here. I've been wanting a pair of cowboy boots for years and I've been really picky about it. I still think about a pair of Dior gaucho boots they had many seasons ago, but I can no longer find them. These were modern and they had a heel. Good enough for me to wear them all around the city without my feet bleeding.

Video: Yves Saint Laurent Homme SS 2010 by Samuel Benchetri

I swear I never do video postings... but since it was just men's fashion week, I can't help but post this video. It's a little long, but it's worth it.

Inspiration Video: Janet Jackson (Circa 1991)

Janet Jackson "Love Will Never Do Without You"

I know Michael's death has been in the media for a while now (and it will continue for a while) and he deserves it because of the legacy he has left us. Yet, I couldn't help but look through old music videos of the Jackson Family. Janet, in particular, has always left an imprint on me. I grew up loving the music that their whole family has produced.

This video was the first to display Janet as feminine, delicate and sexy. Also, all the gorgeous men in the video, look at where they are now! You can't help to see how modern the video is despite the fact that it's almost two decades old.

Hope you guys enjoy!

What to Wear Daily: Vivienne Westwood

(Zara racer tank, Vivienne Westwood draped asymmetrical red skirt, Fish necklace, Charles David crocodile pumps)

(Me and Nioka on the subway to Brooklyn)

(Nioka and Kat with my Marc Jacobs Collection clutch)