Personal: Style Resolutions + Urban Denim Chic Editorial

First post of the year. Seriously can't believe it's 2013. Probably because I'm getting so old. I shouldn't be complaining. ha ha (I'm really not much older than I perceive myself to be)

A few STYLE resolutions I want to play around with this year:

1. Less is more - I'm not really one to be simple when it comes to my personal style but I wouldn't mind giving it a shot. Like I stated last year I feel like my style is gently maturing each and every day. I love it and I'm so excited to continue to explore! Pintrest has really got me addicted to the simple yet tailored look. Btw follow me here!

2. Incorporating my culture - Being a Hmong-American I find that it's really our job to inform the community about the identity of the Hmong people. It wasn't until I moved to NYC did I realize how uniformed or misunderstood we really are. I mean it is great that some know of us due to Clint Eastwood's film but geez we really need to step it up. This year I'm vowing to represent my culture in whatever I wear. Whether it's color choices, an accessory or even a hairstyle.

3. Building heel/pump collection - This one is going to take much more effort. I'm so use to wearing flats, sneakers, combat boots, etc. I let down my shoe game and I really want to try harder on establishing a few good classics that work with my wardrobe. This also means I want to wear them out more! Yay! Must learn to avoid pot holes. Thanks NYC for the shitty sidewalks.

4. Pants, Pants, Pants - I'm not a fan of jeans, pants, bottoms or whatever you call them. WHY? #1 - I feel like a muffin top and #2- I don't like how I look because I have no booty. YES, I am self-conscious of my flat asian booty.  (It's growing though! Working out pays off) But I want to try and wear more bottoms. Especially because there are so many options to choose from these days.

5. Experiment with hairstyles - This one might take some effort but I'm kinda bored of the curly hair that I'm comfortable with. When I was in middle school I would always try all sorts of things. What ever happened? I got lazy or maybe I just care less about it.

Veering off topic - I wanted to share this editorial because it pretty much has a few of the style resolutions that  I really want to try this year.

 

 For the rest of the editorial click here.

RUNWAY FEVER: Gypsy

If I you could live one day in my fantasy world this is exactly how you would dress. The more you dress like a gypsy the happier you'll be. Proven fact in my book. (I'm just saying) This editorial was titled "Grand Bazaar". When I think of the word "bazaar" it brings me back to my family vacation to Thailand. There was this local night bazaar that we would attend to every night. It was basically a bunch of vendors selling touristy things, fresh local produce, and fun musical entertainment. Such a memorable experience and eye opening trip. I really do want to go back.

I'm really amazed at how much Asian culture has influenced fashion editorials. It's becoming a norm to see Asian culture and role models in the media now. I'm very proud and love the fact that fashion is moving away from the stereotypes. YES! Besides the asian influence I really enjoy the mixing of the prints. I'm really experimental when it comes to prints. I'm willing to push boundaries. I think the styling was really tasteful. The styling shows that prints are very wearable. Kudos to the stylist!

Photography by Begum Yetis

Styling by Dilara Fındıkoglu

Hair by Tayfun Kaydok

Makeup by Ufuk Celep

Model Kat Cordts @ Joy Models Istanbul For more visit here.

OOTD: Tell me something I don't know

Here's yesterday's ootd. I didn't realize that I wore cheetah print two days in a row! lol I love Fridays cause I'm ready to hang out with my friends and grab drinks. Working all week can get stressful and boring. I met up with one of my great friends Felicia to catch up on some girl talk. We grabbed my favorite Vietnamese Tacos at Xe May Sandwich shop. They have the best viet subs too! The menu is reasonably priced. Try the HOG sandwich or taco if you ever get a chance to go. We also hit up the East Village and did a little thrifting at No Relation Vintage. I got my hands on some pretty good deals. Will instagram (zabbbeyyy) a pic later! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Crop Top: Forever 21
Skirt: Thrifted
Cardigan: Not sure where I got this cause I've had it for years.
Belt: Necessary
Shoes: China Town
Lipstick: Fairytale by Covergirl

PERSONAL: Frame this.

Just ideas for a party I'll either be hosting or decorating. Not exactly sure on all the details yet. All I know is that it will definitely be a fun night. I'm really loving these masks. They're such great props for cool funky photos. Looks kind of hipster-ish......lol

PERSONAL: Self-doubt

I don't know why I've been so hard on myself lately. I sometimes catch me saying I can't or I don't deserve this and that. I don't understand where this negativity is coming from. Maybe it's the devil who is whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Recently I just became saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. I grew up in a Christian family but I never really felt like it was right for me. I did believe in a God but I felt like I didn't deserve his love because I wasn't "perfect". Totally wrong. God loves you for who you are. He accepts you. This brings me back to the reason I started writing this post. Maybe the reason I'm having all this doubt is because I truly believe that I don't deserve love and happiness....weird to think this and all but it might somehow make sense if you look at the issue realistically. All I can do now is pray and ask for the support of friends and family. Good day friends!

OOTD: I think I wanna marry you

This is my OOTD. It's been a while since I've been able to post an outfit because I don't have anyone taking pictures of me. Luckily my friend Dustin just moved to NYC. Now we're always together all the time so I shouldn't have an excuse now. In many of my previous post I talk about how my work has changed. What I probably mean is growth. I'm growing into a woman and so does my taste. My style has become more fashion forward and simplified. I remember just wearing prints every day. Nothing wrong with prints but I barely had basics. Moving here has challenged me to work with what I have. Making a week's worth of outfits from a few key pieces. That's a way to force you to dig into your creative juices. Fashion is so fun and never allow someone to tell you otherwise.

Inspiration: "Hey, I Heard You Were A Wild One"

I'm so ready to move on to the next photo shoot! I usually start by hunting for new ideas and inspiration. Usually if I'm lucky I can find one image that sparks it all but for this shoot I really want to be fun and push the boundaries. Not trying to play safe this time. Don't get confused and think that  I have always chosen to stay in certain guidelines. But with the growth of myself as a person I've been in the mood for more spontaneous things.  I want to see where my creativity can really go. Fashion should be free and you should never limit your own abilities. 

Hey I heard you were a wild one

Oooh

If I took you home

It'd be a home run

Show me how you'll do

I want to shut down the club

With you

Hey I heard you like the wild ones

Oooh"

I am a wild one
Break me in
Saddle me up and lets begin
I am a wild one

Tame me now
Running with wolves
And i'm on the prowl

Show you another side of me
A side you would never thought you would see
Tell that body

Gotta make sure do you have enough
I can't lie
The wilds don't lie

I am a wild one
Break me in
Saddle me up and let's begin

I am a wild one
Tame me now
Running with wolves
And i'm on the prowl....

All images found on Trendhunter.com and have rightful owners.

Lyrics from Flo Riday - "Wild Ones" ft. Sia