As we enter the new year...

I am reminded of how blessed we are with a second little one making her debut.  We are nearly 2 months away from her making her entrance into the world, and I can't wait till she makes her arrival.

I am not one to complain, but I feel that I've grown bigger this time around and it's become harder to adjust to sleeping (rolling around to get comfortable, having to switch from side to side, etc.).  I guess that's making me more anxious for her to be here already.

All the while, I am enjoying this pregnancy as I did with my first little one.  I most likely will miss being pregnant, but I can't wait to officially have two little girls to spoil.

xo Annie

Merry Christmas everyone!

Hope everyone's Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was spent well with your loved ones and that Santa was good to each and every one of you.

Tis the season to be giving than receiving, but it's always nice to receive as well ;-)

Santa was very generous to our daughter as she received all that I could possibly wish for for her including new clothes and new toys.  Right now she's just almost 14 months, and she could be happy with wrapping paper and cardboard, but my eyes lit up with every wonderful gift she received from her loving grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

I hope you all are able to recooperate from the past few days, and get excited to prep up for another awesome new year!

xo Annie

... life & love

happen.

And as a result of both life and love, I am happy to announce to my readers that I am pregnant again (!) and due in early March.  Can't wait till our new little bundle of joy arrives.  :)

In addition to that, our first little miracle is turning one this coming Halloween! We are super blessed to have her in our life.

... post Fashion Week

Over 2000 resumes received, 150 candidates were accepted for a coveted spot to work at the tents. And, I was one of those lucky 150 people.

This was my very first Fashion Week experience, and I took every second in like I've never had before. I, along with my fellow peers, worked very hard from 7a-4p, and even got to see the shows as well. I wasn't expecting that at all, but it was certainly a treat.

I worked two shows - Richard Chai and Tadashi Shoji, and both were magical from the lighting to the runway to the gorgeous clothes and of course, the front row celebrities.

Here are a couple of snaps of both shows.


If you look up top, by the letter 'A' on the ceiling... to the left of that letter is a short person. That's me! lol Taken at the Richard Chai Spring 2013 show


Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nick Cannon were front row


Beautiful clothing from Richard's 2013 Spring collection



The talented Tadashi Shoji backstage. I bumped into him and we both bowed to each other and smiled.


Troian Bellisario, Daisy Fuentes, & Mike Woodson front row at Tadashi Shoji


I told my husband that when we renew our vows, I want to wear something like either. Drool.

All in all, it was a wonderful experience, and hope to be able to experience this again.

... sequins collar

My current obsession is this fabulous top with an even more fabulous sequined collar. What's great is that it's tres affordable as well! Contemplating getting one... do I or don't I?

... post Lucky FABB

It's been just under a month since I got to experience the Lucky FABB conference. Normally, I wouldn't go to an event like this due to tickets either being sold out, the event not being in my area, or even tickets being too much $$$. Luckily (ha!), since I've made a career change into the fashion industry and since I do blog whenever I get the chance, I got the thumbs up and a-ok from my husband to attend. I was extremely excited to be able to go this year, but it wasn't until the day of the event that I got even more excited.

I learned of the schedule as soon as I sat down in the third row of the auditorium in the New York Times Building. I was fortunate to be in the audience of about maybe 300 or more bloggers from all over the nation and maybe even the world. I couldn't help but be a tad overwhelmed, a bit shy (not knowing any one can do it to you), and excited (to see who was on the schedule and to see a few of my favorite bloggers as well).

My favorite panelists were the below. :)




I felt like I related most to Rachel Zoe and Anna Sui the best. Rachel is a stylist, entrepreneur, & mother - all of which I am as well, but obviously on a smaller scale (in terms of stylist and entrepreneur). She was all that she is on tv, very smart, outgoing, and a multi-tasker like me. What excited me as well was that her stylist, Joey Malouf, her husband, Roger, & her parents were in the audience as well.

With regards to Anna, I relate to her for obvious reasons because we're both Asian. Hearing her story of how she grew up in Detroit and aspired to become something more & eventually did put me in awe. Look at her now! She was an amazing speaker and it helped that her moderator, Simon Doonan of Barney's was a riot.

All in all, Lucky FABB was a wonderful experience that I'll never forget - for the panelists, the fellow bloggers that I met, & for the helpful breakout sessions that they had to help you (as a blogger) become a better one.

... for the love of autumn

... enter my favorite month of the year

We've somehow made it through the summer (although technically not 100% over), and entered my favorite month of the year - September.

September is my favorite month for many reasons:

• It's my birth month!  Good reason for me to be happy for it to be September. :)
• It'll be the start of one of my favorite seasons pretty soon - fall!  It means cooler weather, the start of wearing cardi's, long sleeves or 3/4 length sleeves, and different shoes.
• Different selection of coffees and lattes made available at Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks.  Anyone else excited for Pumpkin Spice lattes? :P
• Two exciting events coming to the area - the US Open (I haven't been to a game in ages, but love watching tennis on tv) and New York Fashion week.  I'm very excited to participating in this season's NYFW, and even more excited to be attending Lucky FABB (Fashion and Beauty Bloggers) conference.  
• Apple picking, apple cider donuts, and warm apple cider.  Enough said to make my tummy happy. 
• Football!  I don't really understand the sport, but do enjoy watching my favorite team (Go Giants!!!) play.  Ever since the NBA season and the Olympics have ended, I've been waiting for another favorite sport of mine to come back.  Plus the Giants are coming back from an amazing season, playoffs, & big win at the Super Bowl!

I'll be sad to see the summer go, but I'm excited for this new season in our area.  Anyone else love the transition of summer to fall?

target + neiman marcus

This is so dangerous, and so exciting at the same time. Just look at the brands that will be sold. *drool* Just hope that it won't be as bad as previous collaborations have been, but we'll see come December. :)

... round and round I go

I have an obsession with round sunglasses at the current moment. I've been trying to find a 'steal' of a deal on round sunglasses so I don't have to spend a fortune on them.


Designer choice - Stella McCartney @ Neiman Marcus, $225


Steal of a Deal - Poolside Round Sunglasses @ Urban Outfitters, $16

I tried them on a pair with a darker lense yesterday at Urban, and fell in love. We were in a bit of a rush, so I wasn't able to purchase them, but if they're still there the next time I'm at the mall, I'm definitely going to purchase them. :)

... current events

My, it's been awhile since I last wrote here on my blog.  To my readers, I apologize.  For those of you just joining me, welcome!

Lots has gone on since Mother's Day.  We traveled to Dominican Republic to witness my sister and her fiance exchange vows.  It was held at the Riu Palace in Bavaro, La Altagracia outside of Punta Cana.  It was a beautiful sight to see two devoted people get married.  It was a well attended affair with 60 people there. 

It was also baby C's first trip outside of the country!  A lot of people asked me how she was on the plane especially since most babies don't adapt well to being on a plane and I guess it's a fear of most parents these days.  We weren't surprised when C behaved herself as she did on her first plane trip to Miami in April for DH's 30th birthday.  She slept the entire time to and from Punta Cana, and if she cried it was minimal and was only because she was tired or hungry (normal reasons for a baby to cry).  She survived the heat, and loved being under the palm trees and swimming in the ocean.

Lastly since then, I've started a freelance job as a Studio/Fashion Stylist with Century 21 Department Stores here in New Jersey.  It's only once a week, which I'm happy about because it allows me to still be a stay at home mother to baby C.  Safe to say, my first day went well and went by very quickly.  At the end of the day, I came home (actually home to my parents' house since my dad watched her) to a sleeping baby.  When she woke, she was so happy to see me.  That truly made my day.

Now that I'm semi back to the workforce, I'll be posting pictures of my outfits, or at least try to do so.

Hope all is well with you, and that you have an enjoyable upcoming Father's Day with your loved ones!  xo

... how sweet it is

This Mother's Day is quite different from last year's Mother's Day.
Last year was my unofficial first Mother's Day as I was pregnant then.
This year, my little girl is here and will be 6.5 months old at the time of Mother's Day.
I'm truly blessed to have her in my life as I'm truly blessed to have my wonderful Mom here to guide me as I raise my own child.

As a married woman, I aspired to become a good mother someday.  And, now that I am a mother, I can only aspire to become a good mother to baby C. 

... alterations definitely needed

If there's one thing I dislike about being short/petite, it's the need to alter all the pants I buy. It stinks and the amount spent does pile up.

I bought a pair of royal blue pants from H&M not too long ago. The waist fit perfectly. The length, the airy legs, and the airy crotch, however, did not. Looked like MC Hammer pants, literally.

Yesterday, I learend something from my seamstress. And, that is, you don't take in the crotch area because it's simply too difficult. You have to roll up the area at the waist, and wala (!) .. Instant fix.

I wish I took a picture of my before, but an after pic will just have to do.

To be posted soon! Stay tuned :)

... autism awareness

Support Autism Speaks and purchase a one of a kind Stella & Dot bracelet to support Autism awareness. The Shine bracelet has already sold out! But don't fret, there are 3 other bracelets you can purchase to support the cause.


All commission that I make from the sales of these bracelets will be donated AND matched to Autism Speaks! Check my eBoutique today!

... rebate sale + free shipping

Today, I've decided to give an awesome STEAL of a DEAL to all of my Stella & Dot clients.

Purchase items from my Stella & Dot eboutique, and receive a rebate back in your pocket PLUS FREE shipping!! Pay for these up front, and I'll send you a rebate check back to you.

To break it down, the rebates goes as follows:

Receive 5% back of your purchase of $50 & below.
Receive 10% back of your purchase of $51-$100.
Receive 15% back of your purchase of $100+.


Remember, Mother's Day is coming up & any Stella & Dot jewelry piece would be a great gift at all different price points!

So you receive the following from me:

• Beautiful, one of a kind Stella & Dot jewelry
• Money back in your pocket depending on how much is spent
• FREE shipping

Remember to visit my eBoutique to purchase and to partake in this awesome special today!

... sippity sip

image credit

Love how just a bit of DIY creativity can make something so classy. This was done at Emily's bridal shower courtesy of her friend, Rachel. Cute, right?

... to die for

Splurge


Sam Edelman Roza pumps - $179 on Zappos website

Steal


Simply Vera Peep Toe High Heels - $55.99 on Kohls website


I posted these Simply Vera shoes on a previous post. I still love them as you can see that it's a steal, but I drool over the splurge shoes. I love how both are so similar but you could get the Simply Vera shoes for a fraction of the price.

TJMaxx and Marshalls in our area do sell Sam Edelman shoes, so I'm hoping this ends up on the shoe racks within the next couple of months. We shall see. If they do, you know what I'm picking up. ;)

... call me maybe

I love love love this song.

... the boo

I'm not from California, but something about the magic of being in California (particularly in Malibu) makes me crave all things summer. One can wish they owned a summer home there right on the beach, right?








Looking at these pictures, seeing how calm and serene beach life is, makes me wish I was in California.

One day, someday. :)

... isn't she lovely

Received an email from J.Crew with a huge picture of this lovely bag. At a price of $348, not sure if I'd buy it personally because it's a bit much for me to spend right now, but it looks gorgeous!

Would love to see it in person. The leather looks buttery smooth, and I love the color. Simply gorgeous!

... summer summer summertime

Finally, the Stella & Dot Summer Capsule collection is available for purchasing. Who doesn't love bright colors and jewelry?

If you're interested in shopping this collection, feel free to click here.

If you love the jewelry, and would love to earn it for free, leave me a comment with your email address & I'll be in touch with you on details on how you can do that!

... olivia palermo

I only first learned of Olivia Palermo during the MTV series, The City, starring former Hills star, Whitney Port. Since then, Olivia has been popping up on my feed as the stylish socialite that she is.

In the below pictures, Olivia is sporting two of my most recent favorite styles - the pleated skirt and the high low skirt.

I remember when the high low skirt/dress was considered 'in' in the mid to late 90's.  I remember my sister wearing a high low dress for her sweet 16, and how everyone had that type of dress for their proms.

... hello gorgeous

image credit

In reference to the dress, not the girl. LOL

... thirty three

image credit

a little bit of color can go a long way.

my last entry for my March Inspiration Series for this past Saturday.

... thirty two

inspiration for baby C's christening.

... thirty one

green with envy.
kate spade horseshoe cove scout

the kate spade scout bags are back!
simple & chic bag. a must have for the spring & summer.

... thirty

although not tweed, this textured fabric h&m blazer will do.
so in love with tweed blazers/jackets these days.

twenty nine

cute stationery involving springtime events makes me happy.
this also makes me excited for baby C's first Easter.

... twenty eight

let them eat cake.
cutest cake ever.

... twenty seven

it's springtime.
time for me to get glam & girly.

... twenty six

jean jackets.
they're here to stay.
have to start wearing my dkny one more often.

... twenty five

coralization.

need more in my life.

... twenty four

Love love love this dress. It reminds me of one of my style inspirations, Zooey Deschanel.