moved house

And so I've come to the end of the road.

We've all known it was going to happen.

I'm not interested in writing about fashion exclusively. I don't want to post a bunch of WIWT posts. I think personal style is a wash, mostly, and I don't care enough to pretend to be interested in how people wear their Forever 21 tops with their Target collab finds. 

I've evolved from the person who started this blog in 2008, a time in which I was grappling with how to release my desire to be creative while working a 9 to 5 desk job. It's time to move on. 

I'll be writing at culturedswine.com for now. There will be some fashion. There will also be stories about dating, friendship, and travels. Because honestly, in my life, I don't feel like the fun should ever stop. 

See you around! 

a suburban fairy tale

Once upon a time, there was a girl. She was very lonely. Or so she thought. But she still had her imagination and lots of fluffy thoughts thanks to novels but Netlifx, mostly. One day, she was introduced to a boy with whom she thought she had a connection despite the protestations of her friends (every single one of them). And so she opened herself up to him. Until one day, she discovered that he wasn't a rat or even a super rat, but just a scared little mouse.

Alone again, she wandered thoughtlessly for a few weeks until she saw a beautiful Boy in the windows of a black and white store. It was as if this Boy had been waiting for her all along, to be embraced in her arms and to swing proudly from her shoulder. It's so much easier to get the jokers out of the deck when you've got the world's most perfect Boy by your side. Well, in addition to your personal band of homegrown pink princess terrorists.

Alicia ♡ Boy Forever

event. Cirque du Soleil: Totem

On Friday, I went to the big tent in Atlantic Station to see the latest Atlanta installment of the Cirque du Soleil productions. This was my first time seeing anything by the company live, though I've made a few attempts to see the "LOVE" show every time I was in Vegas.

I've always been a fan of gymnasts, the height of my obsession being Alexei Nemov at the Sydney Olympics (am I dating myself here?), but Cirque du Soleil's 'Totem' isn't just about amazing body feats. Set to a world music soundtrack, the show features the traditional contortionists, elements from the Shanghai circus, and so many other artistic visual delights.

This glitter bodysuit is going to be my next Halloween costume.

Stacking cups on heads. This was a crowd favorite.

Despite the appearances here, these costumes are amazing up close. Also, I'm a sucker for fur, even if they are worn by variations of Darwin's Theory.

ph. by Pouya Dianat, courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

But above all, my favorite part happened backstage, where I got to view the costumes up close. Handmade in every aspect of the word, the clothes are the most spectacular carnival of color. And OMG, DO NOT even get me started on the meticulously arranged rows of MAC make-up. The OCD organizer in me squealed for joy when I saw it.





All of the masks are fitted for each artist, and look shockingly real (or gross, depending on how much you love apes). Another aspect I found surprising is that each actor is required to do their own makeup, and as you can see from the sample Polaroid, the makeup can become quite intricate. This particular actor used to require around 3 hours to put on his performance face. He is now apparently down to 1-1.5 hours. (That would not be me. I would be the loser sitting in front of the mirror for half a day.)





The tour goes on for 15 years, so even if you're not in Atlanta, there's a good chance it might still come to your city. This particular big top is only in ATL until Dec. 31, so you should plan accordingly.

'Totem" by Cirque du Soleil
Located in the Big Top at Atlantic Station
261 19th Street, Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30063

Financial compensation was not provided for this post. Access to the show and media materials were provided by Cirque du Soleil. Opinions stated in this post are my own.

giveaway. 'mari' wire band ring

I'm finally doing one of these. Yes, yes, it's a giveaway. In honor of a new era, plus just wanting to do something nice for all you people who come to read my ramblings, I'm going to give this lovely .925 Sterling Silver 'Mari' wire band ring to a lucky soul just in time for Christmas. Ho, ho, ho, and put your name in the pot.

Requirements:

1. Put in your name and email on the form.

2. An extra entry if you follow me on Twitter. 

(Because you're unfortunate to experience the crazier rambling that happen in my head throughout the day, I'm gonna throw you an extra bone.)

Giveaway ENDED Dec. 21!

still here.

I'm still here.

I'm just having a major lifestyle change.

This blog has been on my mind for the past few weeks. I no longer see the point of having a blog with a bunch of photos where I'm standing awkwardly in front of some landmark or dully in front of this tired wall in my room to show off how I paired a black skirt with a black sweater. Call it my blog's 4.5 year crisis.

I've always been a firm believer of change, and evolution hasn't really touched this space. However, I'm out of ideas. Not sure if I want to still continue as a fashion blog or move towards an Atlanta-based news/event space. The largest part of me just wants to make it a giant space of everything - quite a reflection of the chaos that is my life and me.

All this talk about how blogs should be a marketed towards a specific audience and target a niche point of view just makes me want to barf. How is this possible when I am nothing and everything at the same time?

I'm southern. But I'm not blonde. I'm Asian. But I don't dress like a Californian. Or like Rei Kawakubo. I'm not downtown or uptown. I'm classic and modern. Okay, I'm done with writing these ridiculous comparison clauses.

You get the point.

I'm not going away. I'm just no longer going to do scheduled posts where I've obviously coerced some poor soul to take my photo in some public venue while I stand stupidly. Those days are over.

By the way, whoever went insane trying to look for the 'Geni' antique ring from this post, you can get it in my shop on Etsy now. (Use code: KMASKS12 for 15% off. Sorry for your troubles.)

22. cheaters, buicks, and dramaland

Since most of my offline life revoles around dramas (more so lately as the weather has gotten chilly, leaving me wanting to spend my evenings wrapped up in a Sofia cashmere blanket with a large mug of hot chocolate), I've been caught up with the idea of cheating boyfriends courtesy of "In Need of Romance 1" (로맨스가 필요해 1). Pegged as Korea's answer to "Sex and the City," the show revolves around the lives of three 33-year-old best friends navigating through the murky waters of relationships, marriage, and work. While most of the sex scenes are absolutely cringeworthy with their awkwardness, the plot does raise a number of valid points about cheating spouses.

In a complicated web of feelings and memories, the main character In-young is torn between wanting to forgive her director boyfriend of 10 years for cheating with a young and beautiful actress. The majority of the show asks both In-young and the viewers to waver between her choosing the cheater who's eaten up most of her youth or the younger, good looking heir of a major hotel chain. To me, this is no contest.

And not just because he's taller, more athletic, better looking, and a bag of cash. (Although all of those points do help - let's face it, drama land.) He treats her better. He treats her like a princess. He's the conglomeration of all the good guy characters that Korean dramas push into our faces. The white knight in a black Buick SUV. (For some reason, Koreans leave to feature rich people driving cars that most people in America would think as middle class. Import taxes rendered these cars as luxury vehicles in Korea, pre-FTA. I think things are much different now.)

Granted I've never been in a situation like this, so I don't understand people who would choose to stay with the cheater boyfriend, complete with the paranoia that he might commit the same crime again. Am I the only one who would go for the new model? Even if he is in a Buick? Please, tell me I'm not the only one.

Also, I would tell my friend who is the president/owner of a successful e-commerce site that rakes in a revenue in the millions to give up her hatchback Ford Focus/Smart Car for something that would better fit her nearly 6'0 frame.



HM leather peplum top (similar here)
Alexander Wang silk tiered skirt (FW08)
long pearl necklace (similar here)
Gucci vintage doctor bag (similar here)
HM scarf
Thakoon knotted harness boots (similar here)

atlanta: buckhead container store

I was invited to the opening of the new Container Store at the corner of Wieuca Rd. and Peachtree St. on Thursday evening and was really blown away. It was, hands down, the best Atlanta store opening I've ever seen. With delicious catered foods, free flowing dranks, and a live band, no fashion event in Atlanta could compare. The presentation of everything was ooh-worthy. Maybe it was a good thing you couldn't buy anything that night because anyone could be slowly convinced to drop $2K on a customized Elfa closet after all that.




I never thought of using organizers from The Container Store to present hors d'oeuvres, though it should come to no shock after being a reader of Luxirare for a few years. My personal favorites were these bamboo trays used to hold these delicious pork buns.






Although the presentation of the whoopee pies in these bright colored drawers made for a refreshing change that I'll definitely be looking into for my next dinner party.





Thanks, Container Store for the invite!