Lala's Style of the Day

• Striped Top: $1 Jet Rag
• Union Bay Shorts: $10 Mervyns
• S. Endelman purple Moccasin wedges: $6
• Blue cardigan: 0.50 rummage sale
• Black tights: 1.50 old navy
• Jane Buzz Tote: $25 nordie rack
• Ribbon in hair: victoria secret gift ribbon (I finally found a way to poof my hair up!)

Last Minute Halloween Ideas

So it's that time of year again. Halloween. It's the only day in which people won't stare at my attire because they might as well think that I am wearing a costume. Which is fine with me...I guess. Yes. Halloween is a great chance to re-invent yourself even if it is for one day, or more like one night. You can go crazy and all out there and this night particularly gives some girls the chance to slut it up. Playboy bunnies are not an uncommon sight on campus. My first Halloween costume was a pink and girly fairy princess. Then fat started accumulating in the posterior and the belly area and those girly cute costumes could not suffice my "growing" body anymore. So for like four Halloweens straight I was an ER doctor. It was a nice aqua green polyester stretch pajama type costume that has allowed me to go candy stealing for many years so I must thank it nonetheless. Secretly, I was jealous of my sister's cool costumes for she did not expand at the rate that I did. She got to be Mulan while I was her ER doc. We were a good pair.

This Halloween I don't think I will be dressing up. Not that I don't want to. I wish I could dress up everyday! It's just that...I don't have a costume and probably don't have the means of finding one either. Plus, I'm not going trick or treating and I'm not partying (midterm the next day!) and I do have a hiking lab that day so dressing up during the day would be out of the question. But for those of you who already have your costumes planned out to perfection, I applaud you and this post will probably be worth nada to you. For those of you who like to procrastinate, I did spend my valuable studying time coming up with easy and CHEAP costume ideas. And as you probably know, I am ALL ABOUT THE CHEAP. In light of my new eco-friendly state of my mind, I've created these with the intent that they can be gathered rather quickly at a local thrift store. There are SO much stuff you can think of by going into a thrift store, it really beats ritzy costume store any day!

If a little 80's is what you're looking for...



If a little 90's grunge is what you're looking for...

If a little artsy is what you're looking for....

If a little geek-chic is what you're looking for...

Now I really feel like dressing up. Perhaps I can create an Ugly Betty costume last minute.

Sunday Thoughts

DIE CORNBREAD, DIE!

that is all.

Lala's Style of the Day

• Floral Top: $5 tjmaxx
• shorts: Unionbay, mervyns $10
• leopar belt: 0.50 local thrift
• black and red scarf: 0.50 st. vinnies
• "Nuevo Ideal" headband: 0.50 local thrift
• leaf necklace: 0.50 local thrift
• knee high socks: $1.50 old navy
• grey leggings: $2.50 old navy
• black cowboy boots: $6 local thrift
• Messenger bag with my sharpie doodles: $5 target
  

Lala's Style of the Day

• Antik Denim Bambi Tee: 0.92 st. vinnies
• Proenza Schouler for Target Skirt: $7.50
• Suspenders: $0.50 st. vinnies
• polka dot flats: $3 tjmaxx
• belt: 0.50 local thrift
• Scarf in hair: 0.50 st. vinnies
• heart necklace: etsy

Prioritizing Life

Do you ever get the feeling that your life is about to take off?

No? Sucks for you because I DO!

Actually I'm just in for some wishful thinking because although I am scared about that ominous future, I have a gut feeling that it will all work out in the end. And besides, the future is never here, so no worries. There is so much more new activity going on this year than last year. Last year was basically a generic brand piece of white bread - bland and boring but doable. This year, I want to make it a superbly delicious green tea and red bean gourmet bread baked in the ovens of warm hearted bakers and bakerinas.

So yes. I am prioritizing my life. Everyday I have a list of things to do. A scaled down version of a hardcore time schedule. Do I follow it? Of course not. Do I try? Sometimes. Heh. This week was rather busy. So I am here to recap my life because it is oh so interesting. Please note the sarcasm. I was never really good with making sarcastic remarks. I am always too slow for that kind of talent.

Last weekend consisted of studying, sleeping, wasting time, guilt shopping and hanging out with friends! I had another newspaper workshop on Saturday for nearly all morning and afternoon. I ate the ickiest Sbarro pizza I could have ever aten and I also realized how sucky I am at illustration and graphics compared to the other interns. My ego has been poked and is now slowly deflating. Fortunately, the superstar Fashaholic visited us that afternoon. We went off to Westwood for some good ole thankyoumarting and messing around. I bought a pair of the SMEXIEST, HIGH waisted flared jeans in the universe! In the words of CSS, these jeans are my hot hot sex. And they fit wonderfully like a banana peel if I were a banana. Yes. They are that perfect. I also found a turquoise 50's beaded cardign that looked quite grandma-ish, but as you know I have a thing for old people. At first I hesitated paying the $8, but now I realize I should always go with my gut shopping instinct. Afterwards we had fun at a costume store while leeching off my suitemate's gelato.

I think we totally pull it off. I'll be buying these if/when they go on sale.

You may drool now.

Sadly, fashaholic had to go back to a place called home and I had to go back to doing a thing called studying since I had three midterms this week.

On Sunday I spent much of my time catering to kids for this club called China Care Bruins were we are a mentor for an adopted girl from China. I don't know why I keep doing kid related stuff over and over again when I get annoyed by them so much. My kid was okay. I mean they're cute on the outside but seriously if they were in that Shallow Hal movie, they wouldn't look all that attractive. I don't think she liked me much because she ditched me for another girl. Also it was a little awkward when her dad tagged along. I think their family are Harry Potter haters because I was wearing my "YOU LOOK MOLDY DARK LORD VOLDY" tee and he gave me a look halfway between disgust and confusion. I know that look all too well.

Monday I basically studied and then came Tuesday which was practically my worst day ever. I had two midterms that day one at 8 and one at 3:30. For my first midterm I woke up 7:25 (keep in mind it takes around 20 minutes to walk to class). I had set my alarm for 6:45. I disabled it and then did a little "one minute" rest before I actually got up like I always do. My one minute rest turned out to be a 40 minute rest. I practically ran around the room like a madman, and waking poor Bacne up. I put on pants and was getting frustrated that the zipper wasn't working, in fact I couldn't find the zipper. I was thinking, "WTF!!! Did I BREAK this FRICKIN zipper!>!>!?!??" I was half asleep still and it was dark. Then I realized I was wearing it inside out. So I made it to the test sans breakfast and sans real clothing ( I was still in my PJs, how very attractive). But that wasn't the end of my midterm mayhem. For my second midterm I arrived at our normal classroom early, feeling confident and reviewing my notes. Then like 5 minutes before 3:30 they lift up the screen and reveal the board that basically told me that I was in the wrong room and wrong building. So I ran across campus to go to the building and took the four question test that was horrible. By the end of the day I was sick of life, but thankfully I went to a meeting for fashion club and my spirit regained itself. I really want to design for them but I just don't know if I'll have time. Well screw time. I will MAKE time.

Then Wednsday was a breeze compared to Tuesday. I was in my parkranger gear and it was appropriate because I had a lab in the botanical garden. I took my psych midterm and then did a shadowing at the newspaper which was uber boring but informational. I guess. I met up with my ms. popular friend and went to westwood - again. I showed her thankyoumart because she has not been a true Bruin and rarely goes to the gems in westwood. I bought things. Again. God. I need to stop spending. I basically let go of $20 in two hours that day. And if you are a college student you know $20 is a lot. So what did I spend it on? Well I got this denim skirt from thankyoumart that I am going to convert into a dress.

Then I spent a quarter of my money on pinkberry and then I made an illogical and so not me decision and bought hairbands for six bucks! My friends were shocked at my buy and I realized my folly too. I need to return them this weekend or else I will just not be at peace. I also went to Buffalo Exchange and found these red tights. I've been like looking for red tights everywhere. At 3.50 they're not exactly cheap, but they are necessary - or so I keep telling myself.

All my buys from this week.

Wednsday night was SOOOO relaxing I basically did nothing. I painted my nails in super tacky tween look. I love it.


And today was pretty good too. In the end, Life is always good.

P.S I have SOOO many ideas for blog posts (i've written them down on my list of things to blog) so come back soon for more updates!

Lala's Style of the Day

I love this outfit today.

• "corset"-esque top: $5 on sale at charlotte russe
• high waisted shorts of fury: mom pants reconstructed by me. My sister told me that my butt looked like a pancake when I wore them the first time. I love chocolate chip pancakes.
• belt: another one of those things I took from my mom
• white vinyl peeptoes: $9 payless. they hurt like h e double hockey sticks but fashion is pain and I want to break them in!
• T bling necklace: 0.50 icing
• sparrow necklace: made by me
• heart necklace: etsy
• things in my hair: made by me
  

Lala's Style of the Days

TUESDAY: The worst day ever day that turned out to be alright in the end. I'm such an overexaggerater as always.



I tried to counter my bad day by wearing a cool ensemble. Nice outfits always do brighten up my day.

• Dress made by me
• Steve Madden espadrille wedges: $15 loehmanns
• yellow 50's ray bans: 10 cents church rummage sale
• silk ribbon in hair: $0.99, GAP
• dragon fly clip: gift from art teacher.

TODAY:

I was walking around in Westwood with mi amiga when this guy yelled "Hey girl scout!" I'm not a girl scout you stooge. I'm a boyscout/park ranger. Like dur. But I did feel a little Troop Beverly Hills today.

• Boy scout shirt: 0.50 local thrift. My roommate kept wondering why the breast pockets were uneven and I just thought it was made that way, until untucked the shirt out of my shorts and she pointed out that I had skipped a button. Yay me.
• Green shorts: Libertine for Target, $6.50
• Leopard flats: $10 Target
• tiger shark headband: made by meeee
• sunglasses: 0.10 church rummage sale
• belt: 0.25 local thrift
• Buzz by Jane fox tote bag: $25 nordstrom rack
• giant fish that i'm guessing to be Nemo: decorated by my floormates who I don't know at all.
  

Today was my...

Glad it's over.

be right back...

Lala's Style of the Days

YESTERDAY: I felt like a 90's asian valley girl.

• Floral baby doll mini: $0.50 local thrift
• Red flower belt: $0.25 local thrift
• Black shorts: $3 wet seal
• Fringed scarf with plastic beadsd: $0.50 st. vinnies
• Green jacket descended from the rainbow gods: $2.50 st. vinnies
• Striped leggings: $0.50 the icing
• Maroon Socks: $1 tjmaxx
• Black Cowboy Boots: $6 local thrift
• Sustanability Fair Bag: free from a fair on campus

TODAY: As Bacne calls it a "normal" look.

• top: $3 PS for Target
• Wide legged jeans: Lux, $12 Loehmanns
• St. John skinny belt: free from aunt
• Yellow necklace: $1.50 the limited
  

Not all old people are created equal.

Today after getting off class, I accidentally ran into this old man with weird glasses. I didn't "run" into this "old" man (he's actually not that old, but it flows with the story). I was actually walking back to the dorms and minding my own business of looking at the ground when he stopped me and asked, "Are you a student?"

Now, there are a lot of weird/creepy solicitors out here on campus every day and I guess my anti-solicitor instinct was turned off at that particular time of the day because I stopped and said yes. At first I thought that he was lost and needed help finding some building, but nope I was wrong. He had this weird accent that I couldn't quite understand. He started handing me out these books on Hinduism and Buddhism and asked me if I knew what "karma" was or if I knew who Socrates was and what a "monk" was and who "Gandhi" was. I just sort of stood there nodding. He handed me these two books into my hand and then started asking me what major I was and if I was an undergrad or a grad student. Then he said I looked like a "movie star" and that I had nice "hair". Creep.

I didn't understand the point of our conversation until he asked me if I would donate any money to his organization which I still don't know what it was about. It seemed pretty cult-ish and if not cult-ish, pretty fishy to me. I told him I didn't have any money. I wasn't lying too. Then he persisted on asking me if I had anything valuable - anything. He was getting desperate. I even showed him my empty bag and only told him I have homework and nothing else. And the man snatched the books away from my hands. What a butt-hole. I would have lied anyways if I did have the money because creepy weird glasses men cannot be trusted.

The moral of the story is that not all old people are created equal. There are the good. And then there are the ones like creepy weird glasses man trying to jip me of my money.

A Look at Fashion Oxymorons: Business Casual

Two days ago, I happened to stumble upon a fashion oxymoron. I had signed up for an interview for a all woman's leadership/ community service club where I found the letters business casual taunting me on a slip of paper. I've heard of it. I've seen it. But still in my mind, I whined out loud, "What the Fudge is Business Casual?!" I didn't get it. And it wasn't just because I'm naturally slow like that. Was I suppose to dress business? Or was I suppose to dress casual? And is there even really such an idea as business casual? If I were to take this meaning literally than I would have applied the mullet theory to my clothing - business in the front and party in the back. But thankfully I decided to ditch the idea of a formal collared shirt blazer and jeans combo because apparently jeans do not fit under the business casual label. Then what the heck is the casual for?

I was not going to be defeated. I whipped out my handy dandy googling skills and looked up images. I was disappointed when I saw how boring business casual turned out to be and knowing myself I want to look anything but boring. I'd rather look tacky and take my chances with trashy than be seen as boring because I try to be anything but. It's also good for disguising my boring life in way. The description of "business casual" were mostly, for women, a nice button up shirt and slacks or a skirt. Did I really want to conform and change what I wanted to wear just for an interview? (If I were wise, I would have said yes, but I'm not wise, so I said no)

No.

Okay maybe yes a little. I realized that I needed to find a right balance between displaying my personality while also adhering to what others wanted. After all, isn't that trade-off we all have to go to in life? If they wanted a button up shirt, I'll give them button up! If they want a knee length skirt, I'll give them a knee length skirt! So I wore this (minus the red stockings because people thought it might be a little too much even though I thought they were way cool and very Prada-esque)

I'll rule the city someday. This looks like those cheesy photos you take at the mall.

I wore a button up in yellow to add extra pizazz and because I felt like a yellow on that particular day. I later realized that the colors were also Bruin colors so if they questioned my attired I could have simply said that I'm very school spirited. The skirt was rather normal, in a neutral color. I added tights because business casual should not be too showy and revealing and my simple black flats with a bow on top. I managed to look smashing, to myself anyways, although I kept worrying that I was not business casual enough throughout the whole day. I decided that if they didn't want me because of what I wore, than this club was not for me. Thankfully they didn't say anything. But unfortunately I felt like the Asian Miss South Carolina during the interview. Hooray for me.

I love colors and I believe that just because those words business casual come up, it does not mean you have to go the ultra conservative and normal route. I would like to add however, if it's for something really important and you don't know what to wear, it's better to go the conservative route than to experiment. If you read this before your job interview and wore bright eye shattering colors and didn't get the job, please don't blame me! I rarely know what I am saying most of the time so never take my advice seriously. But you can if you wannnna....

When I typed up business casual, an image of Mary Kate Olsen appeared. While I'm not a big celebrity style icon type of person, I did like her "business casual" outfit because it looked so chic and fashionable at the same time.


Tips for a successful Business + Casual Outift:

• No boobage. People want to know your ideas and thoughts and your intelligence not your girls. (Unless your working in the adult industry, now that's a whole different story.
• Dress as if your parents are judging you. That should be a helpful tip. You want to look nice and presentable.
• No flipflops or things to show your tiny appendages.
• Sleeveless shirts are usually a no-no, but it really depends on your work environment or the situation. If going sleeveless is your dream then add a nice cardigan to your outfit.
• Jeans are also probably a no-no. Go for a nice pair of trousers instead.
• Shorts are also probably a no go.
• Button up shirts are always a safe bet. Just make shirt it fits and no puckering occurs. A beek-a-boo window to your bra just looks trashy.
• Skirts should be mid length. A long length skirt might look a little .. weird? Unless you can pull it off, then claps to you!
• If you don't trust my advice then go with your own instincts because that's what I would do if I read these "tips".

Confidence is key. Too bad I lack it.

Lala's Style of the Day

• Electric Blue sweater: 0.10 local thrift
• Ripped, destroyed, painted jeans made by me but originally Express jeans $10 from tjmaxx
• Boots: 7.50
• Mustache face necklace: made by me
  

Guilty as charged

postsecret.com

Lala's Style of the Day

• Yellow with blue piping button up shirt: Proenza Schouler for Target $5.50
• Skirt: Proenza Schouler for Target $7.50
• Belt: $2.50 Wet seal
• Navy tights: 99 cent store
• Maroon Nicole Miller stockings: $1 tjmaxx
• Kenneth Cole bow flats: $15 DSW
• scarf: christmas gift from friend
• vintage men's wool coat: 0.50 local thrift ( i finally got a chance to wear this!)

What I realized today.

When you're sick. and you drink a lot of water. you pee a lot.

A lot.

Party Like a Superstar!

When the sky is dark, and the city lights are on and the air pollution has temporarily faded, I lie in my bed imagining myself as a wild child and if I'm adventurous enough, I make believe myself as an out of control over the top wild child drinking and partying till the crack of dawn and then puking my guts out and then realizing with utter amusement that my puke looks like a magnificient Jackson Pollack painting. But there I lie in my bed with my entourage of stuffed animals anything but a wild girl.

Thursday night however, I got to go to my first "party"/"club". I put the quotes because to me it just felt like a field trip at night to a dark building where people dance. I am what people call a late bloomer. In fact, I did my first load of laundry all by myself Friday afternoon. That's one small step for Lala, but a giant step for mankind. (Yeah, that's just how much I rule!) So Thursday afternoon, I completely forgot about this party because of my excitement of getting into the newspaper as an illustration/graphics intern. I was also busy trying to make myself sound like Mother Teresa for an application for some community service/women's leadership club. After I got back for classes which ended around 5, I said, "Oh shoot. What am I going to wear?" And like any true girly-girl, I just sat there watching my friends dress up and down (no, I am not perverted. god you have a sick mind). In a last minute decision, I picked my LALA top. I was about to wear my Lobster headband to match my shirt, but thought better of it. You really don't want to be the weird girl with the lobster on her head when going to a club.

Now, the best party of going to a party is dressing up and getting all glammed up. There are two paths people can take when getting dressed: the hot but oh so chic sophisticated route or the road to skank-ville. Fortunately, me and mis amigos were all dressed very fashion savvy. MWang's dress was super short but thankfully she wore a pair of leggings underneath and prevented herself from becoming the asian Britney. (hehe)

The three musketeers!! Eyes have been blacked out because they are wanted criminals. Mwang stole a bottle of ketchup and a cup from the dining halls..tsk tsk. And Bacne, well she's just Bacne, always doing terrible things.

I have just spent the last two hours creating a fashion guide for our wonderful skank-less outfits divided into three categories: Funky, Trendy and Classy.

• Blue: Cheap, easily affordable for a broke college student
• Yellow: Mid-ranged, hit's the guilty spot just a bit
• Pink: Splurge extravaganza! Hit's the guilt spot so much that it breaks apart and pus pours out. Gross I know, but that's reality.

Since I've only been to a "party" once, I can't say I'm an expert in club wear, but I like to think I know everything and preach about it. I understand that going to a club gives you the freedom to dress up or even "slut it up" a little, but to a certain degree you don't want to look like a around the corner prostitute. You don't want to cheapen your image by revealing all. Afterall isn't it better when we leave more to the imagination? *wink wink*

When wearing something more scantily clad, pair it with something a little more covered up. Wearing a low cut or flesh bearing top looks so much more sophisticated when pair with nice skinny jeans than say a micro-mini skirt. We saw some pretty skany girls that night - skanky to the point that one of the girl's boob was about to fall out. Now that's just my philosophy on party wear. If you choose not to follow, that's okay, just please please remember to wear your panties.

My commrades and I arrived at the place and everyone started dancing while I stood there like a giant vegetable (an aspargus of some sort). I felt like a baby octupus trying to travel it's way through a sand dune with dozens of scorpions watching. Weird? Yes. Awkward? Very. This vegetative state always seems to happen to me for every dance I go to. I get there. Get excited. Then I just stand there, feeling like a big ball of awkward. Perhaps I found the dance "moves" the kids today dance hilarious. Doing squat moves against a partner's crotch is quite amusing isn't it? Maybe it's just me. Perhaps then it is my fear of looking like a fool. I am confident in dressing like a fool, talking like a fool and even acting like a fool, but somehow dancing like a fool? just doesn't cut it.

Thankfully my friends guided me towards the path of enlightenment. Then, suddenly, as if a lightning bolt of ephiphany had struck me in my noggin. I looked around and realized that really, no one knew what they were doing. Just shake it and you'll make it. And even if I didn't "shake" it all too well, at least I looked fabulous.

Lala's Style of the Day

I always knew I was schizophrenic. Now I finally have proof.

• t-shirt: Zara $19
• skirt: my mom's new skirt she didn't want from Nordie's Rack
• Yellow tights that make my legs look like the albino version of the wicked witch: $1 thrift.
• cherokee belt: taken from my mom's closet like oh so many other things of mine.
• coat: $10
• bag: $2.50 icing

Today was the first of four saturdays for the newspaper workshop. Kinda long, kinda boring but very exciting. Also me, Beckster and JShrew went to westwood and did a little groceryshopping/thankyoumarting/pinkberrying. It was very productive even though I should have stayed back to do the mass loads of homework and studying that I am behind on.

Lala's Style of the Dayzzzzz

THURSDAY MORNING:

• top: made by me.


• skirt: $7 loehmanns


• yellow belt: $3 tjmaxx


• leopard flats: $10 target


• lavender members only jacket: given to me by my mommy.

THURSDAY NIGHT: I finally got to exhibit my LALA top dress.

• top of super duper fabulousness: Lala top, made by me
• pants: forever 21 from like forever ago skinnified by me
• steve madden wedges: $15 loehmanns
• dragonfly hair clip: gift from my art teacher.

FRIDAY/TODAY i mean YESTERDAY: Second exhibit of LALA top because it is just way too cool. I would wear it every day if I could.

• Coat: $10 from rampage/charlotte russe
• jeweled crown (it's no longer a headband any more!): made by me.

More updates I promise :)