New Yorker Wanna-be

Posted on November 21, 2013 by alexnguyen

Today, I wore this outfit and a student came up to me and said that I looked like I was from New York. You may or may not agree, but I’ll take it.

Trench: Thrifted – Similar // Top: Urban – Similar // Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Talbots – Similar

*Note: When your jacket is a little too big, roll up the sleeves, and use a costume pearl necklace around the two back buckle loops for a more tailored look. (Sorry, there’s no picture of it, but here’s an example from ConnnieTang)

So this is my first official Thrifty Thursday post! Some other bloggers graciously added me to their #ThriftStyleThursday crew. Hmm, I’m just realizing that the criteria was for the entire outfit to be thrifted. OOPS. At least I followed the thrifted coat theme. I’ll do better next time girls.

Zhenya at Being Zhenya
Kristi of Alligator Toe
Miche at Buttons and Birdcages
Jackline at Sincerely Miss J
Martyna at Spoolish
Justine of The Two Cent Chic
Nout at Sandpaper Kisses

Thrift Shop

Posted on November 17, 2013 by alexnguyen

Macklemore may be on to something here…Having a nice closet doesn’t mean you have to spend tons of money! During my days as an unemployed student, I picked up a couple of tricks on how to successfully go thrifting.

Sweater: Free People // Top: No Brand // Skirt: Anthropologie
Shoes: Cathy Jean // Belt: DKNY // Pocket Watch: Flea Market

**Everything that I am wearing, from head to toe, was thrifted**
(except for the skirt which was a hand-me-down, which is even better!)

1. Location
Thrift stores get their inventory from the community around them. Hence, if a thrift store is located in a stylish neighborhood, you will tend to find a lot more quality items.
Case and point: I walked into the GoodWill in Santa Barbara and was able to snag an Anthropologie brand dress (100% silk) for a measly $5.

2. Brands
Know the brands that fit your body well, is good quality, and ones that may be big-names. I’m not really a designer type of girl, but I do know good labels when I see them. Use this knowledge to your advantage to snag the best steals.

3. Fabric
Good fabric = good quality = long lasting wardrobe. Go for silk, cotton, wool, linen, cashmere, nice-feeling polyester…Ditch the fabrics that look not up to par.

4. Know your Style and Body Type
Be confident in your style and the shapes that look good on your body. This will save you time and regrets when shopping. If you try something on and you are hesitant, doubtful, or trying to look like the edgy-rocker-total-opposite-of-you-chick next door, DON’T make the purchase. Trust me, no matter how much you like a different style, if it doesn’t match YOU, then it won’t work.

5. Know your Closet
Now, if you’re like me, my eyes tend to draw towards similar things. Before you even try on that shirt that caught your eye, think to yourself “Will this add to my wardrobe, or do I have this style already?” Get things that are unique. Also, it is good to know what is in your closet so that you can mix n’ match! Don’t be that girl who found this awesome, unique, great quality shirt, but then comes home to find out that she has nothing to go with it. You end up spending more money and time. Just DON’T.

6. Patience
When you walk into a thrift store, be prepared for spending time to dig through the barrel for some buried treasure. I suggest to go thrifting when you’re in the mood for it.

BTW, if you ever need a thrifting buddy, you know who to call. 🙂

The Red Brocade

Posted on November 12, 2013 by alexnguyen

Last weekend, I took off my teacher hat and partied it up in Florida at my cousin’s wedding. If you don’t know already, I have been blessed with a wonderfully big extended family. We are so tight-knit that it’s kind of scary and weird to some people. Here are some snippets:

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What I wore:
Dress: Anthropologie – Similar // Necklace: Talbots – Similar – Sale
Shoes: DSW: Similar

I loved wearing this red dress so much that I decided to try and dress it down for work.

Sweater: Anthropologie – Similar // Boots: DSW – Similar
Belt: Anthropologie – Similar

Note: Do not be confused with Brocade and Brigade.

BTW, I know some of you may be wondering “Why all the fashion posts? Where’s all the crafts?” Well, getting dressed is a MUST-DO, while crafting is a MAY-DO. I can’t show up to work in my PJ’s now, can I? When I have more time to craft, don’t worry, you’ll be the first to know.

Rule Breaker

Posted on November 5, 2013 by alexnguyen

Who says you can’t wear white after Labor Day?

Jeans: Gap // Blouse: Anthropologie – Similar // Sweater: Restyle
Shoes: Aldo – Similar // Necklace: Loft – Similar

I absolutely love Gap Jeans, more specifically their 1969 Always Skinny cut. Again, having short legs and hips make it hard to find jeans that make me feel semi-tall and thin. These jeans do the trick! They’re pretty much the only type of jeans I wear. (Note: Their jeans don’t shrink or stretch so don’t go up a size even if you think they’re a little snug.) As for the shoes, I thought oxfords would be a nice touch to make this more of a fall outfit.

Once a rule breaker, always a rule breaker.
(If you know me personally, just humor me for the sake of my measly attempt at being hip.)

P.S. Sorry for the over editing. I think it’s now time to not be lazy and take out my DSLR instead of using my iPhone.

>>>>>>> <<<<<<<

BTW, Happy Birthday Caitlyn DV.
Gosh, don’t we look young.

2008

How to Jumpsuit

Posted on November 1, 2013 by alexnguyen

I’ve been crazy about jumpsuits lately.

During one of my shopping excursions, I stumbled across this lovely number and decided to take a risk on it. Being a woman with a slightly below-average height and short legs, it’s hard to find a wide leg piece that looks decent, let alone a jumpsuit.

Showing your shoulders while teaching is a BIG NO-NO, hence the not-necessary cardigan.

Jumpsuit: Anthropologie -sold out // Sweater: Thrifted – Similar
Shoes: Nicole Miller – Similar

>>>> <<<<

Options:

Piperlime (Classic)

Guess (most similar)

Asos (Easy-care fabric)

Daily Look (Cream Lace)

>>>>> <<<<<

PC: Caitlyn DV
Thanks Caitlyn for putting up with my awkwardness and excessive singing and laughter.

Colors of the Wind

Posted on October 28, 2013 by alexnguyen

Dress: Anthropologie // Sweater: H&M // Boots: Anthropologie (Similar)

I should have titled this post “Fix-its”.
Problem 1: I wanted to wear the dress, but it was slightly chilly.
Fix-it 1: Layer with a sweater
Problem 2: The sweater was a tad loose and had no shape due to stretching.
Fix-it 2: Add a belt
Problem 3: Tired due to staying up to watch Revenge and Once Upon a Time.
Fix-it 3: Two cups of coffee and smile and hope that your students won’t notice.

Nepal

Posted on October 28, 2013 by alexnguyen

Like I’ve said before, I’ve created many blogs but have never been able to keep up with them. As I was re-exploring my lot of abandoned blogs, Nepal came to mind. My Jaimasi blog about my Nepal trip last year was never concluded.

>>>>> <<<<<

It’s been over a year since my last trip to Nepal, but I remember it like yesterday.

My last day in Nepal would have to be hands down the day that God melted my heart. Bishwa surprised me in saying that I would be able to visit the school that I taught at during my very first trip to Nepal in 2011. It was quite an adventure to get there. Madi accompanied me in the taxi. We had a couple of Nepali words in our American accents to tell the driver, who tried to as usual raise the price for foreigners. Let’s just say, we got lost (mainly due to me, ha!). But all is well, we eventually found it.

As we entered the school, we ran into some teachers that I knew from the previous year. It was bizarre. De ja vu. Like I never left. They remembered me by name and embraced me like long-time friend. I am and have always been so amazed at the culture’s hospitality and friendliness. Yes, talking to them and catching up was a little bit awkward due to language barriers, but still nonetheless awesome.

Then the bell came for recess. Let me just show you.

It was such an amazing experience (sort of like closure) to see that God uses small moments and pockets of time for His glory, even when you couldn’t see it before. I just pray that through both trips, seeds were being planted. I pray that the Lord continues to shower them with love and that they will be able to see Him, the giver of life and the Almighty.

Where does this leave me now that I am back in America? The word that continues to linger in my head is service and trust. I still can’t figure out where and how He wants me to serve, but hopefully the Lord will reveal it to me. As for trust, if you ever read my posts, you would know how worried I was about finding a job and my post-grad life. Who would have guessed that I ended up getting a job a couple of days later, had a wonderfully tough and trying year that the Lord got me through, strengthening and making new friendships, and now transitioning to another job that He has blessed me with.

God provides. God is good. God never fails.

>>>>> <<<<<

I hope to one day return to this beautiful place. If you decide to travel here, feel free to ask me for some trip advisories!

xoxo – Alex

P.S. Can we just pause in amazement that this is my SECOND post? We’re on our way to consistency! Ha!

Puffy Love

Posted on October 27, 2013 by alexnguyen

I just bought a puffy vest without realizing that I had no idea how to style it. Like any ol’ good fashion newbie, I rushed home and Googled and Pinterested different ways to style it. Here’s what I came up with…

Style 1: Comfy

nicoleloher.com

Style 2: Feminine

atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com

Style 3: Work Appropriate

saucyglossie.com

>>>>>>> and then there’s my affordable style…. <<<<<<<

Vest: Gap Outlet (hurry before it’s gone!) // Sweater: Talbots – Similar
Skirt: Gap – Similar // Boots: Ralph Lauren (a great investment!)

I found the vest at the Gap Outlet which was a total steal. The vest was surprisingly well made with great detailing. You can’t see it, but there is synching in the back which added a more feminine touch and shape to the vest.

Let’s just say that I got a lot of compliments from my students today, therefore I thought that this outfit was post-worthy.

xoxo – Alex

Third time’s a charm right?

Posted on October 24, 2013 by alexnguyen

This is officially my THIRD time trying to create a blog and upkeep it. Do I promise to keep it up this time? Well, they say to never make promises that you can’t keep. So…I’m not making promises yet. But I will say that I have a good feeling.

Be prepared for a bunch load of random posts about crafts, teaching, fashion, and just daily life shenanigans.