Chictopia 10 Conference

Hello!
I felt kind of ridiculous telling Jenny and Jen that the conference last year was a disaster especially when this year's was such a success! The venue was set up almost like a wedding reception with round tables and floral center pieces in a ballroom. The topics were actually about blogging. I felt like last year's was just a huge ad for the companies whose representatives were speaking, but this year, they actually discussed relevant things such as trendsetting, visibility in the online world, driving traffic, and how social media has made the industry more inclusive. The speakers were all really knowledgeable in their topics and each provided great incite to their panels. My panel was the last one of the day: The Effect of Technology: Has the Industry Become More Inclusive? So I was shaking with nerves through out the day. I don't think I enjoyed myself as much as I should have because of it, but afterwards, everyone said I did a great job so I'm relieved I didn't embarrass myself in front of such important people. More on my thoughts of my panel's topic later...

After lunch (which was delicious! pasta salad om nom nom nom), Jen, Jenny, and I headed out to take photos where we met Chantal, of Cocorosa, smoking outside and she asked if she could tag along with us to take photos (as if she needed an invitation?!). We also met Lucy (thanks for that photo of Jen and me) and Starr who just finished taking photos at the park nearby the conference and left after a few more photos. The park was filled with amazing props such as this cute rock/stool thing that was too perfect for me and Jen to pass up. Chantal was so sweet and down to earth (she changed in and out of a pair of converse before and after our photo shoot)! She even gave us photo tips like including the sky in photos to create more depth in photos. I'm so in love with her outfit--that big bow is just too adorable and perfect! I need to find that top! We got so into taking photos that we missed part of the third panel! Oops!

I loved the dress I wore to the conference. Robert and I actually bought it a few days before I left. It was the last one and in my size, and even though I had already finished shopping for my trip, I just felt like it was Destiny's way of telling me to wear this instead of what I was planning, which was Friday's outfit. There's also a ruffle detailing on the top that's hidden underneath my cardigan--which I also love! It felt a bit weird not belting it, but Jen and I decided it looked better as is. I was actually going to buy this cardigan during Gap's big sale a few months ago, but I didn't have enough money then. I'm so glad I got all three cardigans I wanted eventually: the oatmeal one, the gray one, and this forest green one. This one went on sale right before I left for NYC--another destiny moment?! I love how when you fold over the sleeves, there's a little stripe detailing. And this is...my Madewell bow pin!!! These aren't the greatest photos of it, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to wear it a bajillion times in the future. I just need to get to know the kids a bit more to make sure they won't break it before I wear it to work. So far so good! I think I also need to find a blazer or something more structured since it's a bit...droopey on a cardigan.

Until next post,
Jasmine

photos taken by me and jen

outfit: floral dress -- uo; tights, bag, headband -- f21; flats -- topshop; green cardigan -- gap; bow pin -- madewell

Back to Reality

Hello!
While I'm waiting for some photos from a few people, I'll just resume with the normal blog posts until I can get everything in order! All I can say for now is that it was one of the best weekends of my life! I'm already having bloggers and NYC withdrawals! The day of the Chictopia 10 Conference was the best. I feel as if I made many new best friends overnight, but more on that later...Tuesday was my first day at my new preschool teaching job.

It was a really rough day. The other teacher who's supposed to work with me is also the owner of the preschool/my best friend's mom and is also currently out of the country. So I was forced into working with the children on my own. It was definitely scary and confusing. I really started missing the preschool I had interned at, which had way more structure in the schedules, rules, and lesson plans. The children there were also more disciplined and didn't come from such broken families. I was definitely spoiled with good kids at my internship, but I'm welcoming the challenge. I want to change these kids' lives, so hopefully I can. I'm writing this on Tuesday night so hopefully things will have gotten better by then.

I decided not to go too fashionista on my first day, but I think even this simple outfit was too much. I also wanted to make a good impression on the parents while being comfortable enough to chase the kids around. The other teachers are in t-shirts and jeans, and one kid even asked why I was wearing my belt on my shirt instead of on pants, so I guess they've never seen that before. I donated all my jeans though since I never wear them, so I have no idea what to wear to work...! I was supposed to search for teacher clothes while in NYC but couldn't find any so I will just have to make due with what I have.

Tuesday was also the day I was reunited with Robert after my trip to NYC. We went on a little date of dinner and shopping. You would think that after a whole weekend filled with shopping that I would be sick of it, but I actually kinda missed the small stores in my city. Everything in NYC was super-sized, especially the stores. There wasn't a store that I walked into that wasn't multi-storied. I didn't really buy anything though. I did get some skin care products from The Body Shop since they were having a sale. I still really love the Aveeno scrub I raved about a couple posts ago, but the Body Shop's seaweed skin care line has been getting rave reviews so I thought I might try it out while it's on sale!

Check out my first two recaps of my trip here and here.

Tweet me: jazzyhwang.

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: grey dress -- cotton on; brown belt and shoes -- topshop; tights and bag -- f21; bow -- h&m

Kaelen S/S 2011

Photos by Jasmine Hwang Courtesy of Chictopia

Kaelen S/S 2011 was the last show I saw during New York Fashion Week. It was held in a different location in Chelsea, NY. The presentation was impressive: the models would pose on these platforms or on the floor, and when the background lights would change color, the models would rotate until the presentation was over. I think this collection was my second favorite out of the six that I saw.

The designer, Kaelen Farncombe, was inspired by a recent tornado chasing trip, which can be seen through the effortless drapery and the colors that ranged from light peach to charcoal gray. She also used a range of fabrics from knits to leather to twill. This collection is definitely one of the more wearable ones, which is probably why I loved it so much. It's just so minimalistic and simple to wear out. The make up and styling were impeccable as well. I love it when designers use the same shoe and make-up on all the models because it's one less thing to look at. Aren't the shoes amazing?! I need to learn how to tie a turban like that. My favorite look is definitely the jumper dress layered over the long-sleeve t-shirt. I've been looking for a jumper dress everywhere so hopefully one will pop up soon so I can recreate that look!

Until next post,
Jasmine

SoHo and Central Park

Hello!
I'm so sorry it's taking so long to get these posts done. Jen and I mainly used her camera since it's new and better than mine. It was also more accessible always being on her shoulder while mine was buried under everything in my bag. I totally forgot to get these these photos while I was there (via flash drive) so I had to wait for her to find the time to either email them to me or put them up on flickr.

So on the second day, I ventured to the city by myself again since I had two shows to catch in the morning. I attended the Binetti show with Annie from Time Enough for Drums at the Lincoln Center. I'm so mad I didn't get a picture with her. I assumed that I would get some later on that evening during the blogger meet up she, Annie, and Starr had planned; but it ended up being cancelled since their hotel messed up their reservations. I then left for my very last show, Kaelen, which was in a different location in Chelsea. Afterward, I met Jen at Penn Station and we continued our adventures. I went for a more comfortable look that day because I knew there'd be lots of walking. I actually got this skirt during my trip to Las Vegas and I'm in love with it. I can't wait to wear it more! Green is my (and Jen's!) favorite color so I'm so glad I have found a way to incorporate it into my outfits.

We headed over to SoHo, of course. We went to the Madewell store to check out the Alexa Chung collection, and it was amazing! But of course the prices were ridiculous! I did walk out with a bow pin that I ended up wearing to the Chictopia 10 Conference the next day. Topshop was right next to Madewell (a deadly combination) and I bought these shoes because the flats I brought along with me (the floral F21 pair) were killing my feet. I love how the laces are ribbon! I want to do this to all of my oxfords. We got hot dogs and cupcakes from food stands. They were all delicious! I got two mini ones: mint chocolate and oreo; while Jen got a big red velvet. We also went to Urban Outfitters, where surprisingly I didn't buy anything, but we did rest on a couch there for an hour. It's crazy how there are no benches around the city, but I'd take UO's air conditioning and comfy, over-priced couches any day.

After shopping, we headed over to Central Park for outfit photos. I loved Central Park in the winter with its bare trees and being blanketed by snow, but it's so much more pretty green and luscious! This is definitely my favorite spot in NYC. I could probably spend hours here. We then got dinner at a cafe that's located in the middle of the park. I ate there before the Renegade Blogger Meet up the day before, and I'm definitely going back the next time I go. We both ordered burgers and shared a seemingly bottomless basket of chips and guacamole. With the blogger meet up cancelled, we went home early and relaxed in her apartment.

Sorry for the lack of photos from this day...I guess Jen and I were too preoccupied with shopping that day, but we more than made up for it on the next day so stay tuned for that!

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. I finally got a twitter so TWEET ME!

photos taken by me and jen

outfit: striped top -- gap; green skirt -- aa; red bow -- etsy; black bow belt -- h&m; tights -- f21; flats -- topshop

Buckler S/S 2011

Photos by Jasmine Hwang, Courtesy of Chictopia

Buckler S/S 2011 was the first show I attended during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. It was located in a room called the Box, which is a small room where everyone was required to stand (or sit) and watch the small runway show. What I liked about it is that the models pose after the show for everyone to take photos; what I hated about it was getting trampled over while sitting on the floor, but hey, I got a front row view! Aren't the models gorgeous?

This collection is definitely a reflection of how I want all men to dress: casual, classical, seemingly effortless, and well put together. Come on guys--get your act together! Stop it with the baggy pants and the free graphic t-shirts. Alexander Buckler mixed and matched different textures to add interest to such classic pieces, like the look with the mesh top and leather shorts. The collection was very cohesive and was a great start off to my NYFW experience. There are so many more looks but these are my favorite.

How do you think men should dress?

Until next post,
Jasmine