Suddenly the weather is cooling down and those cardigans and socks are a great add-ons to keep you cozy but not steamy!! Let's waste no time and strut our Missoni for Target down the street!!

This is the slides show that break down to the basic piece - 08' BCBG Max Azura runway tulle strapless sash dress.


Let's shimmy shimmy Flamenco~


Blue Minnie mouse~~

This is today's complete look... LA GARÇONNE look in dress!! The layering over a dress is rather easy as the bottom half is full of volume and all you need to do is pile on clothes in different length and cut. You should be fine!! 

Loosen up couple buttons on the shoulder for a laid-back attitude!

BCBG 08' runway dress, Madewell denim shirt, Madewell cobalt tee with one-shoulder button details, Trina Turk halter style pin-striped vest, Missoni for Target zigzag socks, HM brown loafer platform, Prade 11' s/s limited edition tortoise sunglasses, Proenza Schouler large Feldspar satchels 


I love this new Prada sunglasses, very light, comfortable and very feminine with the swirl details. 


I only button the very top one on Madewell denim shirt which I think it jazzes up a little mysterious and 007 attitude to this whole look. 

Now, please excuse me as I am going out for a mission!
xoxo Rachel 

Are you GREEN enough?

So, are you green enough? No, I am not talking about ecology nor Permaculture subjects here. 

Just when I have been in the doldrums after picking kids up from their day-camps since  noon, Pei and Cathy came over to my house to cheer me up in the afternoon. {I must be dehydrated because of the scorching sun...}


Coincidently, Pei showed me a shirt she bought from Zara and I happen to pre-order the same colored shirt in June and just received couple days ago from Florence. Things like this isn't a diurnal occurrence so we both are very excited about how we could have the insight of (perhaps) what's next big color in fall!!!  {Must be the reason that we are close friends and we have similar brain waves........ } ^O^

Ooh la la ~~~

(moi)

Alaia red laser-cut tote 11' {Yeah~~ my perfect Napa get-away bag next weekend!!}, Haider Ackermann oversized satin shirt 11' f/w, momo's March sun-beam bracelet 

(son)

Celine "BOX" bag in Brown 11', Zara shirt 11', J crew accessories

Back to my business.... 

My ODJ

I am very happy about the alternation of a thrift find - Dior blouse since 2008. It is now one shouldered blouse with floral knots at sides and I still feel very "current" when wearing it on. 

Christian Dior thrift-find color blocks and flower patch-work blouse *altered*, J Crew brown-green cardigan, Levis coral skinny jeans, Proenza Schouler large satchel, J Crew earrings, momo's march Sun-beam bracelet, Chanel Sunglasses, black flats with studded bows *bought in Rome*

I love how distinctive each color on me yet how harmony they blend in with one another. 
 

Finally... my hair is growing... longer... 


Find your green.
xoxo Rachel 

Everyday Denim Do!!

Denim look can be boyish, feminine or could be a flavor of both in your daily look! Easy piece....  give it a try?!! ^o^


Your fixed shoes and bag combo. definitely can help you save the time to switch gears for your different daily outfits. See, here I proved to you that you don't need to worry so much of matching bag with shoes for different outfits and boyish messenger bag doesn't have to match with brogues or sneakers look.

Madewell cobalt t-shirt, Plastic Island boyfriend blazer, GAP sequins skinny scarf, Boyfriend jeans, studded belt, Anstasia Bice heels, Proenza Schouler ps1 bag, J crew studs earrings, Chanel sunglasses, piled bracelets and momo's march Sun-beam diamond bracelet 






Madewell denim shirt + floral silk jump suit (wore as pants) + lace belt + Proenza Schouler PS1 



Love my leather converse sneakers with studs... {I may use those studs as bullets...if I had a gun..... lol.}



Madwell denim shirt, Vera Wang Lavender label wide pleated skirt, J Crew studs earrings, London bought necklace, Momo's march "full moon" bracelet 
{....err, Proenza Schouler ps1 didn't show here, but I swear that I carried that bag to WholeFoodsmarket! lol}



Always, always, always, roll up your denim sleeves to kick up that too plain and twist la Garcoone look to a more feminine side.



Anastasia Bice leopard heels with bow + Urban Outfitter sheer stripe socks 


Have fun in denim.
xoxo Rachel 

Unostentatious Elegance!

While my dad bravely takes charge of caring for my 3 kids, I can't be happier just to watch TV or movies at home. You know, {Ok, even you didn't know, but now you know.) there are over 100 channels including locals and oversea TV stations broadcasted in Taiwan everyday and you almost can find good eats and even activities to do 7/24 everywhere.

I was watching an old movie {Apparently, to me, it is like 10 years ago} the other day and saw this beautiful woman worn a pretty silver with glitter dress.  Instantly, the dress reminded me of my new one!!  Mine is designed by a promising Taiwanese designer, "CHU!!"  I thought to myself that I needed to go back to Elite to explore more Taiwanese designers and I think they needed to be recognized as lots of them are really talented in my mind's eye.

Fashion has history, so does textile silhouette!! 

I adore the ideas of utilizing smart cuts and drapes without redundant embellishments on both dresses to achieve the quality of sexy and feminine look!!

Left below: "Trippen" shoes "happy" collection 2011
Right below: I was trying on copious compilation of colors underneath that Opening Ceremony crochet/fringe knit top ...... {grr... the underneath orange blouse seems not to comply with me....}


"Trippen" a Shoe brand from Germany, a flair mixed of European style and practicality.

I was debating whether should I visit HK, Singapore or Korea. Regardless, a good pair of walking shoes is in need...then I found Trippen "happy" collection with rubber sole platform!! {"Perfect" as my mind screamed.}

My ODJ

1. Top:

J Crew golden tank top

Opening Ceremony black crochet/fringe top ( I found this link for its dress and in white version)

2. Bottom:

KERAIA (Taiwan Brand) boyfriend cropped jeans

3. Accessory:

Purple floral key chain

PS1 large feldspar messenger bag

4. Shoes:

Trippen "happy" collection platform...{super comfy for its rubber sole}

My dear hubby, you forgot to use "flash" under this overcast weather!!

I couldn't stop but gazed at the intricacy of this crochet fringe top even when I am wearing it on me.... Aw..... ^O^

Summer is not so hot in Taipei after all... {Well, thanks to the typhoon!!}
xoxo Rachel

Live, Love and Play!!

"Jet Lag" is the worst enemy for family traveling with young children. The kids can't understand why they are up whilst everyone else is sleeping and they also can't make themselves go back to sleep again neither. Parents, for instance, US, would be so devastated of wanting to go back to bed. We know that if we don't, we can't keep up the energy, and we might have a headache, or being super-hyper, either way, we know the whole day would probably be ruined that we couldn't enjoy a thing!! 


Well, it never is the case when the family travels back to their hometown where parents' parents can actually watch the kids, right?!! It does feel great when we know there is always someone we can count on, isn't it?


We are up and about since 5 AM this morning. My dad who charges the responsibility of taking care of my 3 kids since yesterday he picked us up in the airport at 6 AM. For him, it must be some kind of achievement, otherwise I couldn't think of the reason why I am so blessed that hubby and I can enjoy an undeniably joyous kids-free time. And because my Dad's help, 3 kids hardly have the problem of being jet-lagged!! 

At 7 AM, the whole crew were hunting for breakfast!! 



I really enjoy the early walk in a traditional market where you can buy the freshest poultry, and live shrimps. 

Above right, Shu Uemura fake lashes with crystal stars.

Below left, an accessory neon green glasses from "框框"！

Eric and us went out for lunch while waiting for Irene to get her hair done!! You know, almost every girl I know would do their hair while they are back in Taiwan. It must be the preferable style, always advanced hair-cutting skill and newest hair curling technique that attract them. They'd be willing to sit in the hair salon for hours...yes, I mean from 2 to 6 or 8 hours straight just to make their hair looks perfect!! No kidding!! As for Me? Nay......, I have patience for everything else but hair!! lol 

"欣葉“...Taiwanese cuisine!!








My ODJ
Etoile Isabel Marant one-shouldered linen-cotton blended blouse, KERAIA (Taiwan brand) boyfriend jeans, Proenza Schouler large satchel, Chanel brooch, Marni horn necklace, San Diego straw hat, Valentino plush/lace bow flip flops



3 of us infused ourselves with a sense of tranquility, a Thai massage, in the afternoon at Villalike. 


Pamper yourself in the tranquil massage!
xoxo Rachel 

In Two Days....

We will be in Taipei in two days... my home town!! How exciting!!

Why?

The food, the street vendors, the people, the friends, and most important of all, my whole family!!!

We are crunching time to do house remodeling before and while we are gone. By end of tomorrow, I should have our Chandelier up on the ceiling. While we are gone, we decided to let our contractor keep working on replacing the whole house hardwood flooring. Some renovation needs my supervision but the replacement of hardwood flooring should be easy enough comparing to replace the stairs.

I heard that Taiwan is HOT, HOT, HOT these days. Lots of my friends here in USA are flying back at the same time and we know we are going to pack light, light, light!! And we are going to continue the fun we had over here and maybe even more while we meet in Taipei!! 

Y-3 08' runway red sheer maxi dress, Lilith sheer white dress (could be worn as jumpsuit while button up), Lavin leopard happy sac, Silver oxford espadrille

My ODJ

1. Top:

Armani exchange stripped tee

Lilith white sheer dress with ruffle around neck

2. Bottom:

Helmet lang jean shorts

3. Accessory:

wool blend fedora hat

J crew golden stripy belt

4. Shoes:

Prada golden strap cork platform sandals

Keep up your energy for the summer!!

xoxo Rachel

Yellow + Khaki + Green = One kind of Summer!!

Vince bright yellow knitting tank, Vince knitting sweat shirt, Marni 3D horn flower necklace, Proenza Schouler large satchel, J brand twill cargo jeans, Chanel over-sized sunglasses, Max Mara clog!

So my butt is the same size as Large PS1 ..lolol....

Keep up the fun with colors!!
xoxo Rachel

Wrap up..... before fall!!

Summer sale is the best time to stock up your winter/fall wardrobe!!

No, I am not kidding, a lot of 11' A/W pre-order items probably won't be available until Aug. anyway whilst lots of past season looks will def. be worthwhile to invest in with smaller expense and be coordinated into new styles later on. So, why wait up, go shopping!!

 

Humanoid orange shoulder-pat tee, rainbow cropped tank with slouchy back, some floral elastic belt, Africa multiple color turquoise necklace, Marni 10' pink textured cropped pants, PS1 large satchel, Kron by KronKron wedge

My Outfit Du Jour

This puffy shirt was a thrift find from Cathy's wardrobe last year which has the same leafy print as Stella McCartney's 11 pre-fall new collection. 

2011 pre-fall Stella McCartney

leaf print shirt, pin-stripped vest, Red Valentino slightly distressed retro high-waist, wide leg jeans, Marni platform heels, PS1 large satchel.
Accessory: Elisabeth Cole dagger Swarovski necklace, Lotta Djossou bird bracelet with replaced cross pendant


{Yeah, I bought hubby his Father's Day gift and I am DONE. lol}

Speaking of stocking up fall items,
I bought TOGA leopard print in front-side only tights and Marni's single horn flower pendant necklace. 

Pei is pondering if she should keep both the beige/cream wallet and the distressed brown caviar reissue 226 which she would prefer it was a larger 227 size instead.

Love the whole leopard look....Roar.... Purr......
TOGA 11' look 

Cant' wait to play the look with TOGA leopard tights this fall. 

{you can see how we girls interpret different leopard looks here! ^^}

Summer is around the corner, what's your plan?

xoxo Rachel