Tropical Floral

Were you disappointed this morning that there were no additional % off for the Anthro tag sale? I was. Did you score anything? The Sincerely Pairs Halter dress looked promising from the picture, and it looks gorgeous on some of the fellow bloggers. When I put it on? it looks like an apron...

However, I did find this floral pants with the 2nd cut price my size. I was pretty reserve about this whole floral pant trend. In someway, it felt like wearing an old sofa cover.  It is also just a passing trend which will probably be out of date really soon.  On the other hand, it is kind of  fun. I will definitely not pay for full price, but with a 2nd cut, I went soft.

Pairing it might not be as hard as it seems. As long as I go with something neutral and not too busy, it would work, I think. These pants are also a bit long, I will have to fold them up. Whatever the top might be, I think I will need to wear heels with it.

Floral pants pairing by inkmark featuring scoop neck tops

What do you feel about floral pants?

Comfort Zone

Do you ever make sure all your cloth are washable when you know you are going to certain restaurants? I do that when I know I am going to any type of BBQ place, or Indian restaurant.  Sharlima is the plan for tomorrow's lunch, so I was told by my college.  I normally don't like chicken, especially the breast,  but theirs are phenomenal and it is only $5.00.  Who can resist? The downside is that you smell like the Clay over baked thoroughly marinated with Indian spice chicken you just ate and it will smell like that for the rest of the afternoon.

The weather in bay area has been very tricky lately.  Very windy in the morning then it can get pretty warm in the afternoon.  Layers and Layers... I know it is not exactly spring color, but somehow I am stuck in the winter mood.

Comfort Zone by inkmark featuring messenger bags

On the other hand, I had my eye set on those two dress.  

Both are too short for work to be practical, and it will be a while before they go on sale if they go on sale at all.  So they are just candies for now.  I also really want to do this headband look, but somehow headband never stay.  My parents forgot to turn me when I was a baby.  The back of my head is too flat....

Orignial Oil painting by Arbe

Orignial Oil painting by Arbe by inkmark on polyvore.com

JCREW inspiration

Time really pass by fast, doesn't it.  Did you take advantage of JCREW's recent 30%  off promotion? It didn't seem like a good deal after the 40% off promotion.  I skip both times, other than getting my daughter a graphic question mark tee.  *pad myself on the back.  Nevertheless, I was seriously tempted by the silk pleat skirt in crimson floral especially after seeing how great it look on shopping with m.  Then I reason with myself that I don't really wear much of the pretties any more.  Skirt is always risky during final sale if you haven't try it on before .

These days I gravitate towards something that require less effort in throwing together in the morning so we won't be late for school. It is also one of my goal to make more use of the things I alread have.  All those crazy 40% 50% off sale  last year had grew my appetite for shopping to the point that I needed some serious diet.    Here is a old JCREW catelog picture I liked while browsing the tumbler.  I thought to myself ,  I had almost every elment of that picture other than the model's look.    I decided to try it on and see how it goes.

No, I do not own the high heels any more despite the fact I love them.  They left cut on the right ankle after 2 hour of running errand on the weekend.  I decided to return them, thanks to Nordstrom's generous refund policy.  So what do you think?   I think I would only wear this on weekends.  The shorts are not too good for work days. 

(Tee: JCREW turtleneck tissue tee, Shirt: JCREW factory chambray shirt. Sweater: Vince Car coat. Shorts: BR (really old, I almost forgot I had a pair like this)   Necklace: JCREW muti-strand pearl necklace Shoes: Kork Ease.  Bag: Rebecca Minkoff)

Happy Chinese New Year

2012 hasn't start smoothly for our family.  My son had gotten a stomach flu and I was under the pressure for product tape out.  The time taken to stay home care for my son him means there are more work pile up on the tight schedule.
So I am officially going to start my new year on the Chinese Lunar new year and hopefully things would go on more smoothly this time, haha :-)

Red is the color of celebration and purple is also a happy color.  In fact the word "Great red and purple" is a proverb describing someone is prosperous.

Originally I was hoping to wear this set from Anthropologie

Outfits: Cultivated - Clothes - Anthropologie.com (clipped to polyvore.com)




but the Chinese new year happen to be on the Monday when I aide at my daghter's school, and we are schedule to do PE.   Doing jumping jack on a pecil skirt is just not going to work out.  So I decided to go "Great purple and red", wearing the Chinese vest my husband got for me when he visited China on top of the JCREW's  purple cashmere sweater and paired with jeans and UGG boots.

May the new year bring prosperity to your family!

Happy Chinese New Year by inkmark featuring ruched tops

OOTD: Autmn Gold

I wish I was in New England this time of the year.  Bay area doesn't get too much fall color, although we still see some color change  especially around Stanford campus where the Chinese Pistache trees are widely planted.  Have you check the airline ticket for the upcoming holidays?  It is scarily expensive.  Trip to Hawaii cost thousands.  How did I find a such good deal on the flight to Hawaii two thanksgiving ago?  Hubbie asked this question multiple times and how am I supposed to know the answer.  The downside living in California is that we are spoiled.  Once a Chinese poet said "Go far far away, familiar places have no scenery."  It is somewhat true.  Although I had never really tour San Diego in detail, somehow it just doesn't feel that exiting for some reason.

autmn gold by inkmark featuring knit tops


I had intended to wear this outfit, but the weather was too warm for a cashmere cardigan. So I switch to the mix tape cardigan of the similar color.

A la Mode Paris

Do you remember JCREW's Paris's shot in the past?  Although we love to travel, we have never been to Paris.  Before we had kids,  we did not have much interest.  We are not much of city dweller. But the JCREW Paris 2007 really inspire some romantic thought about biking on the street of Paris, but by then we don't have much traveling freedom any more as our son was so young.  He had traumatized us in his trip to Chicago when he was 1 year old that we did not travel for the next 5 years.





Now the kids are older, we still don't have any luck with Paris. My son cannot have wheat or dairy, and to me, experiencing local food has always been a good part of the travel. So for now we will have to haul that thought. But we can always dream, right?

So when I see this little crewcut tee, I felt it really speak my mind.

A la Mode Paris by inkmark featuring a black messenger bag

So here is the OOTD in real life.

Color Denim

I haven't been into the color pants till I tried it with Stripe, now I am hooked.

Somehow I think the  red jeans have a transforming effect on otherwise a pretty plain top.

Ella Moss top (see more draped tops)

Color Denim by inkmark featuring navy tank tops

Got Milk?

Have this happen to you? Rubbing your eyes after cutting hot pepper?

 My allergy flared up in the late evening and that is many hours after evening meal. God knows how many times I had washed my hands after the meal preparation. Yet, my eye lid went on fire. I try to wash it, putting eye cream on, closing my eye and hoping the pain will go away. Nothing works. Finally I begged hubby go look up the internet for some remedy.

 A few minute later, he came back with a wet paper towel. He dab it on my eye lid, like magic, the pain went away instantly. What created that miracle?

 Milk.

 Ah, not only does it strengthen our bones, but also it reliefs burns, sunburn and pepper burn alike. It is also known to help with cold sores. I seem to recall seeing it on TV that someone drink milk to neutralize poisons.

Love it!

Do you know any effective homeopathic remedy that works well?


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I really liked it this look when browsing the photographs on Sartorialist.   Here is my take

The Sartorialist inspiration by inkmark featuring a tiered lace skirt

J CREW classic

Untitled (clipped to polyvore.com)

First Day of Kintergarten

Today is the first day of Kindergarten for my daughter.  Parents are asked to stayed so they can explore the school campus together.  I don't think my daughter is as exited to start school  as I thought she would be. Maybe it is just too early and she was half awake after I drag her out of bed.

Somehow I felt more pressure dressing for those occasions than dressing for work.  I guess whenever you had to meet a lot of new people, you want to dress appropriately so you won't leave the wrong impression.  Considering I might have to bend down, jump up, run or do some strange thing, dress, skirt and heels are out.  I guess with an autistic son who has the skill of escape like Houdini, you can never be too paranoid. Now even with my daughter, that paranoia kind of stayed.

It is interesting during recess time, one of the parent ask me if I had been in this school before because I seem to know a lot of what is going on.  It is a parent participation school so there is a lot involve.  I told her I am a new parent and I am just as clueless as all the other new parents.  But I guess I look confident enough to pass on a false impression, haha :-)

First Day of Kintergarten by inkmark featuring scoop neck tops

Anthroholic Outfit Styling Challenge: Rushing Ruffles Dress

Kim from Anthroholic is doing a styling challenge.  It is rather interesting.  This is such a versatile piece I felt it can be style a million different way. I am exited to see what people would come up with. While I am not particularly creative, this is the two ways I came up with.  One way is probably my lust list,  which may not necessarily be her style, was to do a cozy comfortable set with sweaters and hats and boots.  I would even put on a scarf that is thick and textured.

Anthroholic Outfit Styling Challenge: Rushing Ruffles Dress by inkmark

Another idea is to accessorize it by simple jewelry.
The strand pearl necklace Kim already own and the shoes I believe she has also. I'd layer it with the sweater coat (she already own) with a coat like this one from JCREW to give it extra warmth considering she is from Chicago and it does get quite cold.

Anthroholic Outfit Styling Challenge<2>: Rushing Ruffles Dress by inkmark