Marc-ing on Marc

Ah Marc Jacobs - one of my very first fashion crushes.

Marc Jacobs is the one that really made me appreciate and follow fashion and designs.
I instantly fell in love with his point of view - this quirky, awkward, and yet perfect romanticist.
Today at work, I waited for 5PM (PST) anxiously not because it was just another long Monday but because I wanted to see the Marc by Marc Jacobs 2013 FW collection.

Around 5:10pm, the cover of the runway had been removed, the light dimmed, and my heart racied - like a kid right before opening a present.

The first model walked out with big, beautiful, and romantic hair with a teased messiness.
As the collection went on, I was feeling a bit bored *GASP*
The prints were, dare I say, meh and the silhouettes were way too awkward (especially the last suit in this post!). I was telling my friend, as we were streaming the show from our own offices, how this collection summed up to "a Pan Am stewardess meets a lover who is a love child of the 50's and 70's."

And I meant it not in the most positive way. It seemed like I was looking through yellowed, stale magazines that I'd find in a library.
Maybe that's what Marc Jacobs wanted to come across but I wish the collection had a stronger pov with more jolly prints, hues, and colors. Lastly, the colors that he chose were very 2012. I felt like this collection was an extension of his 2012 Fall/Winter collection except this collection would be "fillers" for 2012.
Overall, the somber and unflattering collection isn't his best but his awesome plaid outfit made it all, including the backward sleeve!

img source: style.com

I'm Out of Shape

The Bay area supposedly has many amazing hikes.
I went on a field trip when I was in college and have never been back.
An ex-coworker organized this outing at Olompali State Park, which sounded amazing. We had some wine and cheese before and then a 3.5 mile hike.
There is absolutely no doubt that I am totally out of shape.
But this hike was pretty good and the weather made it just right.

After the hike, I got dinner at Sesame Korean Cuisine and it was pretty good mostly because when Chris asked for ice water, the owner said "Ice water? Let me serve you more beer!"
Perfect end to the hiking day.

Asian Art Museum + Pho

During the first weekend of January, I visited the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.
While I have been to almost all museums in SF, I never really felt the need or urge to go to this one thus far (mostly from 'omg, I've seen so much Asian stuff when I lived in Korea).

The museum wasn't too big. I managed to see through stuff in around 1 to 2 hours but your trip can depend on how much you like to read placards.

My favorite part of the museum was looking through incredibly ornate vases, plates from Korea, China and Japan.
The photos I took don't do any justice of how beautiful and elegant they were.

Also, I enjoyed the two statues next to Buddha that reminded me of Gangnam style.


After the museum, my friends and I went to Turtle Tower to get some good and warm noodles.
Thankfully, there wasn't too big of a line so we were seated pretty quickly.

Definitely recommended if you are looking for clean-tasting pho, but if you are used to Pho empowered by MSG, you won't like this place.

Peepin' is my Passion

I have been peeping browsing lots of Asian fashion lately and came across this site called Campus Style Icon.
Since I never got to experience university life in Korea (and I hear it's crazy!), it's fun to browse and absorb their youthful spirits... like a dementor.

Can't Stay Away!

I have a severe addiction to places where I'm basically treasure hunting from thrift stores, antique fairs, flea markets, craft fairs, and bargain stores like Marshalls and HomeGoods.
My most recent finds are a coffee table accessory (I have no idea what it's called),bookends, frames, and a jewelry box. By the way, I love the Anthropologie's Celestial Coasters that Ello Kris got me as Christmas gift

When it comes to bargain stores and thrift shops, my inner hoarder always wants to make excuses to get something for "later" and I always end up coming up with acceptable excuses! That's definitely the most challenging part.

I learned that when bargain shopping or at a flea market, the most important thing is to not overdo it. It's just so easy to end up with crappy, corny, and cheap looking shit rolling around on the floor and shoved in every corner of the apartment.

But who knows? Maybe my apartment is already right there. Or maybe the inner hoarder in me is slowly achieving its goal.

Year of Snake

2013 is the year of snake. So the last week of 2012, I glued scrap fabric to an Ikea frame and inserted the snake screen print that I got from a vintage store in Olympia, WA.
I haven't made resolutions yet except that I should be more daring, challenged, and loving.
...and to hang this frame soon.

Hope 2013 will be a wonderful year for everyone. After all, YOLO, guys, YOLO ;)

Colorless.

I took these a long time ago at San Francisco's Orchid Show to experiment with black and white photography.
That day, I had two cameras with me -- my D90 and my film camera FM10 (which I took these pictures with). Carrying two cameras was not easy in an area filled with a crowd and delicate flowers.
Especially when these Marina girls hella laughed at me for carrying two cameras -- "Does she really need to have two cameras?!" "YAAAAA! How many cameras does she need?"

Regardless of Marina girls' kind remarks, I had lots of fun.

On a slightly different note, developing b&w is not cheap (which is so ironic since developing color used to be more expensive). As a result, I could only develop a handful of photos and had to scan via my little old scanner.
Oh.Well.

But hey, it's San Francisco.