Fashion's Night In

 One my many fashion idols. Alexander Wang's niece, Aila :)

To my husband, Labor Day marks the transition from summer to fall. To me, it signifies the start of my favorite season to shop for and ooh-ooh-ooh, let's not forget Fashion Week! My fingers can't refresh the Style.com website and Garance Dore's blog quickly enough. Seeing all the cool kids stomping around ol' NYC in deliciously creative outfits from the comfort of my pajamas whilst in bed is one of my favorite past-times. With Olive in tow, I knew that I wouldn't be able to make it to any boutique parties on Fashion's Night Out. Who am I kidding? I'm so socially awkward, I would never have made it out with or without my lil' monster. But armed with a laptop and internet connection, I can do some serious damage. Miniature lumberjack me, be gone! This mama needs new pieces!

Little black waffle jacket by Iro. Oui, please! The texture! The leather trim. What is love? THIS is love. Hunter green suede pumps by Rachel Zoe BFF Brian Atwood. Taking them! In these, my legs will look as if they go on for miles. Is that even possible when you're only 5 feet tall? Theysken's for Theory Frigi flared pleated shorts. Need! Worn over black tights, I'm going to look so Katherine Hepburn goes downtown. Equipment Diem contrast collar blouse. Effortless. So-Garance. Flare-legged jeans by Elizabeth & James. Done. Move over skinny jeans, my cankles deserve to breathe. Phillipa paisley tunic by A.L.C. The cut is so feminine and lovely. RAD message tee by Zoe Karssen. Nike Dunks in navy suede. Elizabeth and James Centinela glasses in tortoiseshell. And the piece de resistance? A Stella McCartney Bryce wool and cashmere coat in navy... 

Ahhhh... Whoever said that money can't buy happiness, simply didn't know where to go shopping. (Pearls of wisdom borrowed from the mermaid herself, Bo Derek.) I'm so happy, I'm glowing. Am I diseased?

Hubby, if you're reading this, I love you. Life is too short to look ugly. 

And if you're still steaming, please read THIS:


“He’s always asking: ‘Is that new? I haven’t seen that before.’ It’s like, Why don’t you mind your own business? Solve world hunger. Get out of my closet.” ― Michelle Obama

You Complete Me

Never thought this day would come, but my thesis is FINISHED. I am presenting it to my advisors this Friday back at UCLA, and then *crossing fingers* I will officially receive my Masters. (I walked in graduation over a year ago - pregnant with Olive - but never received my actual diploma because I hadn't turned in my final film.)

This labor of love was inspired by my difficult munchkin, whom my hubby and I love and adore, but struggled dearly to appease during her first months in this world. All characters and props were fabricated from the Amazon cardboard boxes her baby gear arrived in. Pieces were then scanned and manipulated in After Effects and Final Cut. (I had initially hoped to shoot them in stop-motion under a down-shooter camera, but ended up having to learn After Effects when I realized the project would be more feasible if made that way.)

While the short is minimally-animated, spastically-timed, and probably leaves you thinking, "Wahhh? That's it?!?" I am still proud to have, simply, finished. It wasn't easy making time in my packed child-rearing day to grind this out. And it wasn't easy uploading this film online for the whole world to see. (Feeling kinda' naked.)

I hope you like it.

P.S. Thank you, Alexis and Jeff, for making this possible. I could not have pulled this off without you two!!!

Happy

There are some days when I think I'm going to die from an overdose of satisfaction. (Words borrowed from Salvador Dali.) Today's one of 'em days.

Was informed today that my second-year film, "Til Death Do Us Part" has been selected as a recipient of funding from the Matt Groening Initiative at UCLA. This is "mayjah," and I am beyond ecstatic!!! (Hence the numerous exclamation marks.) Going to go work on my sets now!!! *Jillian shriek*

Cherry-on-top? With the help of my cousin and bridesmaid, Jen, I finalized my decision on wedding shoes, er "Choos" for my wedding day. Can't wait for them to arrive in the mail :o)

Miss Behaved

Le cub and I stopped by Single Stone in downtown Los Angeles earlier today, and together we picked out a vintage engagement ring! The ring is nothing like what I'd planned on or imagined picking (neither a round cut nor an asscher cut), but the moment we slipped it on, we knew. We'd found the one. I can't wait to start flaunting my douchey-bling next week. *annoying Jillian-from-the-Bachelorette-shriek* Photo to be posted.

P.S. Ari and Patty of Single Stone were so lovely to deal with that I opened up a Yelp account to give them the five-star review that they deserve.