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

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.)

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

fashion's night out: atlanta 2012 - an open letter

To the team behind Fashion's Night Out - Atlanta:

Today marked my second time attending an Atlanta FNO, and the third of its kind in this city. As someone who was part of a grassroots organization as it tried to become a national NGO, I'm very aware of the difficulties that lie in coordinating and planning an event that requires more than ten people. I'm so glad to see that my city, my hometown, and my first love participates in such a large, global event and appreciate all of the hard work that was put into constructing an FNO in Atlanta last night. But there are a few things that I wish we had or think we can do better.

For one, the events were lacking. I understand that we don't have the budget or resources of a large city like New York. We are still finding our fashion footing, but aside from the promise of nibbles, drinks, and the odd trunk show, there was nothing presented that was out of the ordinary. Yes, FNO is a great platform to introduce your fall collection, but it's also a great way to introduce new customers to your brand through an innovative and interactive event.

Secondly, the space inside Lenox should be utilized better. A thematic exhibition, perhaps, like Opening Ceremony's Korea-themed FNO extravaganza, would fare so positively with shoppers and actually bring people out of their homes to spend some time (and money) at the mall. And while the tent at Shops Around Lenox was impressive, the event seemed to miss the point of FNO, which is to be fun and exciting. It's a day when fashion is energetic and creative and not presented like the Met Gala. Fashion week is a constant reminder at how stuffy the fashion industry can be; FNO is the night where we can celebrate how fun and inviting fashion can be.

Another point that FNO-Atlanta seems to miss is the importance of engaging bloggers. There is no greater way to create buzz around an event than through bloggers. The best part is that the advertising is FREE! Get us excited about the event and we'll be posting about it not only on our blogs but all of the other social mediums we're addicting to updating constantly (i.e. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Four Square... am I missing anything?).

I'm a realistic girl. I don't expect to see Phillip Lim mixing cocktails for shoppers inside Nordstrom's or Rachel Roy handing out cupcakes inside Macy's with her signature smile. But I think we can do better. Our city deserves better.

IFB Con - #ifbcon

Attending the IFB Conference today.
Follow me on Twitter for real time updates.



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giving thanks

A few things I'm thankful for:

1. Not being a victim of theft this year. Last year, I lost a giant plastic tub of clothes while I was moving into my Decatur apartment. While nothing expensive (aside from my favorite Alexander Wang infinity scarf) was lost, my entire arsenal of "going out" clothes disappeared. Sequins, tulle, and black tops have yet to be replenished, and maybe that's a good thing.



2. Remembering to get my HPV vaccination before my insurance refused to pay for it. The cut off age for the most effective cervical cancer prevention is 26. The rules may vary by providers, but Blue Choice Blue Shield (GA) requires that you receive all three shots before your 27th birthday. I barely make the deadline. If you haven't been vaccinated, make it a priority on your list! Even if you don't have insurance, you should consider getting the shots as the benefits definitely outweigh the initial cost. You can find more information about the vaccine here.

3. Keeping my sanity this year. I have yet to jump out of a moving vehicle, disappear into the night, and ditch my friends. I haven't burned any bridges this year, either, which is turning out to be an important part of entering your late 20s. Friends are harder to come by now that you're no longer in an enclosed environment where everyone around you comes from a similar background.



4. The rise of political awareness and activism in the United States by a group that isn't the Tea Party. Also, I'm pleased that my generation is putting aside their apathy and using our tech savvy knowledge to communicate something more than "in the shower" or "eating."



5. I'm extremely thankful that the major surgery I had last year has healed well. For someone who has never broken a bone, undergoing maxillofacial surgery was the most traumatic experience of my life. This time last year, I was still extremely swollen and wondering if I would ever retain feeling in parts of my mouth. A year and some months later, I'm so grateful to my surgeon and my orthodontist for taking such good care of me last year. I've also got to send a shout out to all my friends who messaged me and Skyped with me while I was in Korea. I don't know what I would've done without your support. I couldn't have asked for a better team.

Of course I could continue this list forever, but for the sake of brevity, I'll leave off here and open the floor to you. What are some of the things you are thankful for? Please don't hesitate to show off your wit or sarcasm. I live for that.

photo credits: Boston Big Picture

brief update

Do you feel like there are two parts of you? Your "real-life" presence and your online personality? For the past few months, I've been really cultivating my online profile and spending less time and energy on my real world self.

A few tidbits I've learned in the past few weeks:

1. There are a LOT of rats in NYC. I was sitting outside the Shake Shack at night and saw no less than five mice scurrying around the bushes. I suppose that area is prime picking for fallen fries and pieces of burger. Maybe even a lick of that strawberry shake. Note to self: don't live near the Flatiron district, no matter how appealing it may seem. Those rats gotta go somewhere when it's cold, and I refuse to let their refuge be my house.

2. Dating sucks. I don't know if this needs any more explanation, but I'll expound a bit. What makes the process of dating (aside from forcing yourself to seem less insane than you really are) exhausting are the games. You're never sure of the rules, and they seem to vary by person.

3. Alexander Wang's T line is a godsend. I'm currently lounging around in a wrap skirt and pocket tee. That's right. I'm lounging in a SKIRT. That's how awesome this fabric is. Super soft and perfectly molded to your body - I'm a little upset that the only man who knows my body so well is gay... which brings me to my next point:

4. The world is unfair. You will get a giant pimple in the middle of your forehead before an important meeting that may break or make your career. Your car will break down, your heel will break off, and you will oversleep and walk in with wet, soggy hair and eyeshadow on your cheeks instead of blush. Just accept that you will never win. The universe always has the upper hand.

5. Facebook will only make you feel horrible. It's a constant reminder of how unglamorous/unfulfilled/unfocused you are. On the other hand, there is an offhand chance that you will see your high school hottie 70 pounds overweight and balding, which will make you feel a little bit better.

6. Don't underestimate the power of a perfume. A friend introduced me to Le Labo, and I made a pit stop where I picked up Ambrette 9 after one whiff. It's the perfect combination of floral and citrus notes, and I love the lingering effects after it mixes with my skin's natural oils. (I sound like a salesman.) It's a great way to say I love you... to yourself.






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reflection: musings on fashion blogging #3

There's an ongoing thread at the Fashion Spot that's kept my interest for the past month or so on the topic of fashion blogging. I've had a few things to say about this topic in the past, but a newly discovered revelation has really garnered my attention.

Exhibit A:

from Facebook group, Il Covo delle SoloAvvilite

Before I begin, I want to state that I don't read The Blonde Salad, nor do I know anything about Chiara except that she got invited to Cannes this year, which made me very jealous. In fact, I don't read any of the blogs that she supposedly copies because none of them give me intellectual fodder. (I like my fashion photos to be accompanied with ramblings on consumerism, sexism, racism - essentially anything with an -ism at the end.)

Exhibit B:

Chiara's interview starts at 2:30.

At the same time, I do have to ask who the fuck invites a girl like this to a fashion show and then asks her for an interview in which she describes everything as "nice." I'm going to cut her a break on the "it was a little bit less edgy and fashion than woman's shows" [sic] and "there was less checks than usual; it wasn't so much Burberry" [sic] because English is not her first language. I am going to suggest grabbing a thesaurus and finding some synonyms for "nice." But I have to draw the line on the description of "ethno-chic." First, what is that supposed to mean? And second, is that a word you would EVER use to describe BURBERRY?

When I heard "ethno-chic," it made me think of the late 90s/early 00s when designers LOVED to put "Chinese inspired" designs down the runway. I'm talking cheongsam/qipao detailing, dragon printed silk (seat covers at Chinese restaurants), even the pointy hats - which, in my opinion, is one of the most extreme forms of sartorial racial objectification that I've encountered in the fashion industry. (There are probably more, but I wasn't around to experience or view them on the runway, so I'm going to discount them for this argument.) Her use of "ethno-chic" is probably a nod to Bailey's use of ikat prints, but the underlying presumption of the Burberry Prorsum FW '12 show is still undeniably modern prep, which is the image both Burberry and Bailey present consistently. The entire scenario just highlights that Chiara (and many other popular fashion bloggers) is an extremely inadequate fashion journalist (because that's how she got into the show, right, as press?) as she's only capable of parroting descriptions she must've picked up from other writers without the sense to pair the proper buzz words with the right designers.

In regards to her copying other bloggers: as a product of the 21st century, I know that there is very little that's artistically original in this society. All the great things seem to have already been discovered (e.g. pop art, mini skirts, adhesive nail polish), so I can sympathize with the plague of maintaining (or creating) originality. But you can be unique without resorting to plagiarism. Maybe what she's doing is totally unconscious and that she ends up mimicking other bloggers as a result of being saturated with images. Maybe she does it because she has no originality of her own and just purchases items that are popular at the moment. I don't begrudge her for either reasons, because that's what the term "mass market" means. But it's obvious from her popularity that this is what people want to read, so instead of disparaging her, shouldn't we reprimanding the "readers" of her blog?






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leaving on a jet plane pt. 3

I'm off again for a real vacation this time. I'm spending a week out west with my family - going on a tour of Yosemite, wandering around Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. Really excited to pull out all my recent acquisitions of California style clothing (or at least what I imagine to be California style). Regular updates will be scheduled for here, but stop by my tumblr for all the quick shots I take on my phone!
kittenmasks' tumblr

leaving on a jet plane pt. 2

I'm going to NYC for two days, starting Tuesday.  This entire trip was really unexpected and a part of me feels like I shouldn't be taking it. But what's done is done, and the tickets are bought and paid so a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
 
Gonna be rushing around trying to squeeze in all my favorite NYC people in an 8 hour block on Tuesday. I would feel wrong promising shots of the city, when I'm not even sure I'll have enough time for a decent lunch. However, I've put the McQueen exhibit #1 on my priority list. Yeah, I'm pretty sure a lot of people would say that my priorities are skewed, but I feel like you guys would understand. You're such enablers, I hope you know that.

happy easter 2011

This may be the last Easter. Let's all enjoy it.

P.S. Dyed eggs (real ones, not the plastic ones with candy in them) creep me out.

fashion blogger pet peeves

When you were growing up, did you think that your mom/dad/grandma complained WAY too much? I'm coming to understand that a side effect of getting old is not being able to put up with shit you think is dumb, useless, slow, irritating, etc. And this is hitting me like a train on a track, coming towards [me], stuck still no turning back. (Oh god, I hate this song so much, why are people still singing it, quoting it, playing it??? PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS BALENCIAGA STOP) I've been compiling this list in my head for months now, and I've just gotta write it down somewhere. (Sorry if you've gotten preview through my Twitter - 140 characters just wasn't enough for this anymore.)

Scary lady hates these blogs.

List of Things Fashion Bloggers Should Be Banned From Doing/Saying/Writing

1. Referring to their boyfriend-photographers as "the boy" or "boyf."
   Let's begin by stating the obvious. "Boyf" is not a word. If your photographer is too shy to have his name revealed on the big, scary, predatory internet, then don't mention him at all. Or be like Stop It Right Now, and give him a witty nickname. Although some people may disagree, I swear this isn't coming from bitter singleness. It's really annoying. For real.
2. Using the word "infamous" in the wrong context.
   I'm aware that fashion bloggers aren't intellectuals. There are some who brag about not "having the time to read" (trans. I'm lazy or I never learned to read). But it becomes more obvious when the word "infamous" is used when you actually mean famous or unforgettable. Let's take a brief review of the definition of the word "infamous":
   

   adj. having a reputation of the worst kind; causing or bringing infamy (which means disgraceful).

   Do we all understand? Ok, good.
3. Talking about getting dressed as an "organic process."
   What the fuck is this supposed to mean? Can we stop trying to turn the process of putting on clothes in the morning (or afternoon, depending on when you roll out of bed) as something more legit than the fact that if we walked out naked, we'd get arrested for indecent exposure? This is almost as annoying as Vanessa Traina talking about her closet.
4. Veneration of sack of shit, lazy ass "it" girls. This list includes - but is by no means, comprehensive - the following: Cory Kennedy, Jen Brill, Vanessa Traina, and any other disheveled, entitled, individual who roams around the fashion shows reeking of desperation. I'm still confused by America's fascination with people who don't work for a living and spend their family's money gallivanting around the world. Slightly unrelated, can someone tell me how Rachel Bilson and Kate Bosworth earn money because they haven't been in a decent film in like years.
5. "Inspiration" blogs.
   There are three things that are irritating about these blogs. First, there is no original content. I enjoy looking at photos of screen caps from "Romeo + Juliet" as much as the next Gen Y, Leo fan, but there's only so much minimal design room photos, old photos of Courtney Love, and pink hair that I can stomach. Second, there's no reason to see the same editorial of Abbey Lee on fifteen different blogs. The first time on fashiongonerogue.com was enough. Third, a lot of the blogs don't credit the original sources, which can be really irritating for people who take the time to be creative. Call it talent, if you will.
6. Bloggers who wear head to toe designer wear, all available at your local Barneys or Saks or wherever.
   There's no innovation in seeing someone wearing a single label. I consider this type of blog to be on the same level as the "everyday wear" blog - what's the point? I don't want to see your all Rick Owens or all Lanvin outfit because I can see that mess on the brand lookbook. I suppose this could also apply to any brand - high street included. The all Zara or all H&M ensemble creates as much as interest as a dog peeing on a fire hydrant.

My dog is bored by these blogs.

do you know me?

I have a formspring now. 

Ask me anything.

Don't Work With Vice Magazine

I wasn't going to say anything about this, because neither of these situations involve me but I feel like someone has to say something, if only to get the word out there that working for Vice Magazine sucks. In the past month, I know at least two people who have gotten swindled for their work for Vice. Both situations had Vice making near impossible demands for impending deadlines, and despite meeting all their demands, both of my friends weren't reimbursed for the work they did.

Supposedly, Vice is notorious for not paying or delaying payment for their freelancers, and it seems like the same policy runs for people who work there daily. Being a freelancer myself, it's completely unfair to ask someone who depends on odd jobs to wait a month or more for a paycheck. It's even more unfair when you ask people to perform ridiculous tasks and then refuse to reimburse them. If you can't pay up, then don't hire freelancers. 

This goes out as a word of warning to people who are looking to work for Vice. Don't put your own money up and expect to be reimbursed in a timely fashion or even at all. I'm sure there are some people who have had positive experiences with Vice, but it seems like there's an overwhelming number of people who have worked with Vice and were disgruntled by the experience. Take this as a warning to proceed with caution around them.

i'm alive!

Hello, everyone.

I'm alive. For real. I've even got a photo to prove it. I'm still a little camera shy, so bear with me for a few more weeks. I came across a quote from Chloe Sevigny that sums up my fashion thought process since the day I loved wearing frilly dresses with frilly socks and jellies.

“Yeah, you know, wear something unusual to distract from my face. Oldest trick in the book.”
- Chloe Sevigny

Now it's time to start exploring Seoul, the bits of it that haven't been glorified in guide books and blogs.

day four, post-op

Not feeling so great after the surgery, not gonna lie. Despite that I've had less bruising and swelling in comparison to the other people who went into surgery with me, I spent the past three days trying to decide if I regret undergoing this operation. It's painful, and if anyone tells you otherwise, they are a liar.

I'm currently in this studio apartment in Mok-dong, trying not to concentrate on watching the swelling go down. I've been obsessively documenting my progress on Photobooth. (Still trying to decide if these photos will ever see the light of day because they're really embarrassing. I took my first shower today since the op. I think that should say enough.)

I'm going back to the hospital tomorrow morning to refit my mouth with the bite wafer because it keeps moving whenever I try to cough out phlegm. Sexy.

I don't know when I'm going to be able to go out and about in public again. Those days seem very far away, indeed.

the arrival, surgery, and now.

All right, so here's the whole deal.

I'm here in Seoul for maxillofacial surgery, more commonly known as jaw surgery. I have an underbite, which I think I hide very successfully in photos, and it's been causing a lot of problems as of late as I've suddenly decided to start grinding my teeth at night. Right after my return from Europe, I went to Seoul to meet with doctors after receiving recommendations from family members to think about having the operation in Korea. This problem is fairly common in Asian people, so there's a plethora of practices that are dedicated to this one specific type of oral surgery. I felt fairly comfortable upon my return to Atlanta with the surgeon and dentist my mother and I chose and planned to return to Seoul after my birthday celebration to begin pre-op treatment.

 The day after I arrived, I plunged into dental works, aka getting braces. Got my spacers inserted, a few days later, had my back brackets put into place. That was when things started going downhill. One of my back brackets weren't put in correctly, so my back teeth wouldn't meet properly. (As of this moment, it's still fucked up.) The next day, I went to meet with the surgeon at Severance Hospital (affiliated with Yonsei University). With the operation looming less than 3 weeks away, I was expecting a more detailed explanation of the game plan for my jaw. (There are a number of options that I have: operating on just the lower jaw, doing both upper and lower, and also determining chin length.) Aside from me asking post-op questions, he had nothing to tell me save for the fact that he planned on going on vacation from Aug. 2-8.

Yesterday, I went to the dentist, assuming that they were going to put on my brackets. When I arrived, they first inserted an expander in my mouth without having told me previously that I was getting an expander. That was when I started to come to the realization that I was completely clueless about the dentist's plan for my mouth, in addition to the plans for the surgery. I was getting pretty upset while sitting in my chair, but the last straw came with the brackets.

The first day I arrived, I had discussed with my dentist that I specifically wanted to have enamel colored brackets for the top teeth and metal on the bottom. When I looked in the mirror after they placed the brackets, I saw that they put all metal. I was LIVID. When I complained that the metal brackets were not the ones I had requested, my dentist showed me the paper that showed the words "metal" written under brackets. I told him that I don't know who wrote that, but it was something I hadn't requested. The fact that his attitude was like, "They're on now, just keep them on" made me absolutely furious. If I'm paying thousands of dollars for a service, I expect for the job to be done well. That means that if I want enamel brackets and you put on metal, you go back and put enamel brackets in my mouth even if it's a pain because at the end of the day, you fucked up and this customer is NOT happy.

After more discussion, I come to realize that the dentist (the one who actually comes up with the plan for the surgery) hadn't made the measurements and graphed a chart for me yet, citing that he hadn't had enough time. He gives me more excuses by saying that this entire procedure is rushed. I heard that as him saying that he's inadequate to prep me for an operation that's now 16 days away. When I told him that I wanted to further discuss the plans for my surgery, he brushed me off by saying that he had a lot of patients to see today. I heard that as him saying that he didn't consider my status as a patient as important and that my concern for my surgery was unwarrented and an overreaction. I left the office with an internal struggle with how I should proceed.

Many phone calls and many emails later, I sit in front of this computer with a full braceface and only one decision made thus far. I will no longer forge a working relationship with the dentist at Eastman Dental Clinic (located in Apkujeong, Exit 6) and in turn, will not be working with the surgeon at Severance Hospital. The last question (and probably the most major of them all) is: do I stay in Korea, find another doctor and have the surgery or do I go home, meet with a new surgeon (and continue with the orthodontist I've worked with for 10 years) and have it in Atlanta?

fact.

Three facts.

1. Heat makes you angry.
2. All women are vain.
3. Terry Richardson is a bastard.

I finally have internet. It's like being able to see after a year of blindness.