oh hey: duty free beauty

I love duty free. Before an international trip, I save up all my little pennies and buy a year's worth of makeup at the duty free shops. The best part about the duty free in Asia is that ALL OF THE COLORS FIT ME. Plus, every product has SPF and whitening, so I'll never have to worry about looking like a farmhand, ever.



Shiseido Perfect Mascara, Shiseido Anessa BB with SPF 50, Diptyque eau de rose roll-on perfume, Diptyque Freesia mini candle
Clinique Derma White SPF 15 Powder, Chloe eau de rose perfume set

I had to seriously fight the temptation of purchasing the Clarins Contouring Facial Lift cream that supposedly helps produce a slimmer V-line. Curiosity killed Alicia's bank account.

18. stream of consciousness

I'm sitting here trying to figure out something witty and entertaining to write while gulping down this cheap ass zin from Trader Joe's. I was seriously wine deprived while I was in Asia. Cheap beer and high content alcohol in various forms (soju and whatever that vodka-like hot mess from China was) just doesn't create the same type of dulled buzz that's necessary for minimal productivity like wine.

When I go through customs at the Hartsfield Airport, I like to make up little lies about my employment. I find it odd that they ask you about what you do for a living. It's not like a drug dealer is going to be like, "I was in Thailand so I could source my manufacturers for next year's batch of the latest club drug that I will be introducing to the Atlanta market."

It makes me feel like Barbie. I get to be everything and nothing if I wanted. (Do they make Unemployed Barbie? Maybe she's a FUnemployed Barbie?) I've been a med student (no way in hell that's happening in real life), a chemical bioengineer (no idea what this is), graphic designer, writer, and unemployed. I'm thinking that I'd like to be a model agent for my next trip. What would you choose?




Club Monaco leather jacket
Club Monaco 'Medora' sweater
Topshop cropped pants
Loeffler Randall mesh booties
Celine micro luggage tote

[travel] seoul 2012

This particular trip to Seoul involved me running around frantically to check off everything on my list. Since I had to make pit stop trips to Thailand and Hong Kong, I had literally six days to gotothedermatologist-getmyhairdone-meetsomefriends-hitupmyusualspotsinapku-checkoutthenightmarkets-sayhellotomydoctor-eatwithmyfamily-andallthatothergoodstuff. To say that it was manic would be an understatement.

Yayoi Kusama for Louis Vuitton at Incheon Airport

Found these macarons in a cafe off a side street near Garosugil. Really good.

Went to this Cafe with V from NO NAME blog!

My old hood in Apkujeong

Cheon-gye River, one of the greatest things Lee Myungbak did as mayor of Seoul.

Night in Cheong-dam

Window display in Cheong-dam

I fell in love with this window display for a men's shop in Cheong-dam.

Namdaemun Market

Rice cakes sold in a subway car for the Korean Thanksgiving.

Bulgogi at Han Il Kwan, a must for every trip.

The ubiquitous apartment complexes all over Seoul. 

Goods for sale in underground shopping complexes. Love this concept and seems unique to Seoul.

The menacing, massive shopping complex that is Doota in Dongdaemun.

17. guy code

There's this new show on MTV2 called "Guy Code," and I've watched two days worth in giant 5 hour marathon blocks. It's ridiculous how obsessed I've become with this show considering the obvious point that I'm not a guy.

I think the appeal of the show lies in that its format is similar to the VH1 "I Love the" series, which really shaped the way I approached cable television and nostalgia. For the longest time (and even now), my greatest wish is to become a VH1 commentator. If I were to go on "Made," that would be what I'd want to be "made" into. Seriously, there's a job that pays you to talk about what you think? Cha-ching.

Sample topics covered on "Guy Code?" Being broke. (Stop talking about how broke you are; it's unattractive.) One night stands. (If you're going to tell a story about it, make sure that there's at least one embarrassing moment.) Drinking. (If they put a cherry in your drink, you should slap the bartender.) Say what you will about "Jersey Shore," I love Vinny.




Forever 21 white tee
T by Alexander Wang ruched skirt
Christian Louboutin 'Pigalle' 120mm pumps (in 100mm or in leather 100mm)
Tom Ford 'Nikita' cat eye sunglasses

16. i love you, club monaco

I stopped by the renovated Club Monaco store at Lenox Square and fell in love. The entire store has been gutted and redone in the most beautiful and most breathless way ever.



I'm such a Club Monaco fangirl, especially as their latest collections have just been KILLING it on the minimalist, clean, yet quirky front. There are so many details I've been adoring this season, like the knitted skirts, pencil skirts with leather panel insets, and zodiac printed silk shirts. If Club Monaco were a man, I'd marry him.

Maybe if I hung around the men's shop long enough, I'll find myself a new boyfriend?



Dear Club Monaco, I'm so sorry I took these paparazzi photos of your store. I just love it so much that I had to share. If you ever let me in to take legit photos of your new store, I swear I will not disappoint.



P.S. If you proposed to me, I wouldn't require a ring. Just get down on one knee with this Lauren Merkin gold sequin clutch. We'll take it straight to the altar.





Club Monaco leather quilted jacket
T by Alexander Wang pocket tank
Cheap Monday band aid skirt
Nike Free Run 3

psa: traveling

As you read this, I'll probably be standing in line waiting to get groped by TSA. (The most action I've gotten this year. Would it be too inappropriate to start singing The Divenyl's "I Touch Myself" while getting a pat down?)

Going to Asia for two weeks, so let the scheduled posting begin!

Seoul at night, from this blog

15. fashion blog speak

Have you ever noticed that fashion blogs have their own language? There are definitely a few phrases that I've noticed are specific to fashion blogs. The use (or more often, misuse) of these words stems from the fact that most fashion bloggers are not the best writers. (There are, of course, a number of exceptions to this overly generalized statement.)

I'm ridiculous, so I've kept a running tally of these phrases in my tiny Muji notebook.

• "organic" way of dressing - trans. I found this on the floor and put it on but need an intelligent way to describe how I got dressed today.
• "infamous" - trans. very famous (ed. note: this word is sorely misused and makes me cringe when I hear it referred in blog-speak.)
• "working on some exciting new projects" - trans. I'm busy and have worn the same outfit for the past two weeks, explaining why there are no outfit posts.
• "the boy/boyf/man friend/man" - trans. boyfriend.

Anything else you'd like to add to the list?


ph. by Lillie

Tommy Hilfiger canvas jacket (similar here and here)
Topshop x Christopher Kane alligator shirt
10 Crosby ikat shorts
Balenciaga cut out boots (or as loafers)