parlez vous anglais?

It's been a busy two days shopping-wise. Went to rue St. Honore/rue Faubourg St. Honore yesterday and dropped by Colette, Sonia Rykiel, Comme des Garcons. Passed by and window gawked at all the other stores like Chanel, Goyard, and Prada. The new theme of the Hermes windows is a passage to India complete with gilded elephants and tigers and matching Hermes scarves and bags. I doubt if it was the trip E.M. Forster had in mind.

This morning was spent at Montmartre at the Basilica of the Sacre Coeur, where we spotted a man singing the Elvis blues on the way up. The steps to the church were pretty intense but rewarding when you got to the top. After lunch, I went to the Surface 2 Air store in Marais, easily one of my favorite areas. Vanessa Bruno, Isabel Marant, and a few others claim home here as well. I picked up a few goodies, but I'm waiting until the end to show off all my purchases.


Jardin de Tuilieries.


Quiche Lorraine.


Windows at Hermes.


It's my cousin Paul's house. Montmartre.


Window of a bottle shop in Montmartre.


Inside Pylones in Montmartre. They have a store on Spring Street in Manhattan.


Blurry picture inside Surface 2 Air.


Wacky goods for sale on the sidewalk in Marais.


Delicious pastries.

shit... what does boisson mean again?

For some reason, traveling always = struggles for me. Had to fight jet lag this morning. Managed to finally roll out of bed around 10AM with the help of a very strong cappuccino. The late start to the day meant that we didn't get to do much. Just went to the Catacombes (damp, musty smells & dripping ceilings plus skulls didn't sit too well in the morning) and then hit the Virgin Megastore (for French rap CDs) before coming back home to eat take-out chinois/drink a big ass bottle of white wine/stuff my face with macaroons.

Going to Colette tomorrow as well as some other shopping joints. We shall see what I can scrounge...


She lights up blue at night and sparkles every hour for 10 minutes.


Givenchy store front window. Closed on Sundays.


Display for a flower shop.


Best shot I could get in the Catacombes without flash. There was a man following me the entire time so I couldn't even sneak in a flash shot.

bonjour from le france!

After a rough 7 hour flight and a cheery welcome from the French (not) , I've finally arrived in our apartment to find a surprise outside. Can't wait to start exploring! I'll be updating throughout my vacation so keep coming back!

P.S. On the French version of MTV's "Made," the boy wanted to be made into a fireman. How shallow does that make us who aspire to be Homecoming Queen, a model, and a wakeboarder?

let me know that you love me & let that be enough

This was a crazy weekend. I went to Athens on Friday to see my favorite crazy of all time, Swang. It was like the old days - going bar hopping, getting insanely drunk, sitting on sidewalks, hugging strangers, stumbling around on heels, crashing into bed, and getting up for brunch the next morning. I forgot how much I missed it. (I also missed eating a hearty brunch - drink included - for $12! How cheap is that!)

P.S. I met a cute 'lil French boy this week. Can't wait until Paris...! Let me know your recommendations if you have any!


Swang & crew at DePalma's


Wuxtry Records


Last Resort

the weather outside is frightful

This really made me crack up this morning. I know, I'm like five years old. But it's dreary outside, and I really needed a laugh. Enjoy!

P.S. I don't know why there are German subtitles.

frilly bib

I spent a good chunk of my weekend watching "North and South." I have a soft spot for BBC mini-series with the motto being: the longer, the better. If you haven't heard of "North and South," it's based on the book written by Elizabeth Gaskell based on a family of an ex-minister that moves from southern England to the industrial town of Milton (modeled after Manchester). Much of the story revolves around the sexual tension between Margaret Hale, the daughter of the ex-minister, and Mr. Thornton who owns a cotton mill in the town.

He's like my 19th century dream man. Unfortunately, today's translation would be slightly less favorable: short tempered, supposed progressive but really against feminism, staunch anti-"socialist," and pro-immigration but only when he benefits. In short, he'd look like John McCain. (shudder)



shirt. Ralph Lauren. sweater dress. Phillip Lim. tights. street market.

why is it called black friday?

Why is it called Black Friday? I thought it was because everyone starts shopping at the ass crack of dawn (most start waiting in line by 8pm or so), but Wikipedia tells me that it's referring to the heavy traffic "in comparison to the extremely stressful and chaotic experience of Black Tuesday.". That would have been my second guess.

I skipped the crowds and took advantage of the sale on Oak NYC, which finally arrived Friday. I finally got my hands on Surface to Air's three-finger ring, which I first spotted exactly a year ago.




dress. complex geometries. boots. jeffrey campbell. ring. surface to air.

if we met now, we wouldn't be friends

It's been unnaturally cold this week. Cold weather hinders my wardrobe plans. Mother Nature is a real bitch sometimes.

Did anyone else catch the Britney special on MTV last weekend? I felt so guilty for talking smack about her when she was more than a hot mess. My friend Tom really put my emotions succinctly:

"I think what I find the most tragic is that this girl is clearly not an idiot, but she also doesn't have the background or the education to articulate herself in a way that I think would make more people respect her."

top. American Apparel. bottom. Sisley. jacket. Warehouse. boots. Faith. necklace. Bebe.

turkey & gravy

As Asian as my family can be, we go all out on Thanksgiving. I'm talking about green bean casserole, collard greens, cornbread, candied yams, sweet potato pie, homemade gravy, and lots and lots of turkey and ham. It is a veritable feast. And now that the kids are older, we add drink to the mix. Not that we need it.