Sunday, September 25, 2011

Deserted Adventures.




Black Cardigan/Thifted shorts/Grama's white button down/Kenneth Cole Belt/ Charlotte Ruse Sunglasses/ Fedora
   If you follow me on tumblr, you would know that  I wore this outfit on my first day back to class. I've been so busy with class that I didn't have time to blog about it. There is so much more things to do this year. I find  that I'm being sufficated with all the things I have too. 
  I am please to announce that I will be starting my own little Etsy shop soon to help save up for college. I am currently working on the designs right now. Hopefully the store will be up by the end of this year.
  So a week ago I got up the courage to ask my amazing friend, Jolin Tran to have a little photoshoot with me for a lookbook picture. I was a lot of fun. I got to explore a place that I had passed by and never entered. It was great to do something non-school or work related. I hope we can do it again.


Sunday, September 11, 2011

A Country Mouse in the Big City.


      Being in San Francisco has made me realized, although I was born in a suburban neighborhood, my heart belongs to the city. The architecture, the overcrowding streets, the overall atmosphere feels like home. Although, my tour allowed us to only spent one day in San Francisco. I wished I could stay there a bit longer. Hopefully I will be able to go back one day.
    Thinking that Northern California would be like sunny Southern California, I packed my bag full of shorts. So my legs were freezing during our stop in China Town. Luckily, I had brought a blazer and trench coat with me. This was my first time being in a China Town. I have never been to one, not even the one in LA. The decorations in Chinatown was very pretty and inspirational. When we got there it was around 7 o' clock    in the morning so the stores weren't yet. So we couldn't do anything other than get some Dim Sum or some cake from a bakery. The pastries were very good though.

       On the first day of our trip the tour bus took us to the city of Solvang. Solvang is a Dutch city that still has european architecture from the medieval times. It is a very beautiful town, the people there are really nice and bubbly. Since the town is a tourist attraction many of the stores were gift shops and had many pretty souvenirs. The architecture there was very interesting. It reminded me of  Belle's town in Beauty & the Beast because it looked kinda cartoon-ish. Due to the way the walls were painted.
   We also went to Hearst Castle but I couldn't take any pictures since my dad took my camera. The castle is quite beautiful. It was filled with many paintings and drawings from Europe. I even saw some images from my art history textbook. The place was huge, we had to drive all the way up to a hill to get there. The view was magnificent. You could see the Hearst Ranch and the ocean from the Castle.
     The second day was where we explored the city of San Francisco. This was my favorite part of the trip. We started off the day at 6 o'clocking the morning and went to Chinatown for breakfast. After that we walked up one of the steepest streets to get up to the Lombard Street. It was quite a morning workout. However this street is not known for it's steepness but for being the most winding street in the world. I discovered that the painting and drawing building of the Art Academy was on the next street. The next stop was to Pier 39. We spent most of our time on a boat sailing around the coast. It sailed us around Alcatraz, Angel island, under the San Francisco Bridge and back. After lunch at the pier, it was off to the palace of fine arts. I wished we could have went inside but we were limited to only 15 minutes around that area. Then it was off to the 6 lucky houses. The houses were the only ones who survived through the city's two massive earthquakes and was believed to be a good luck charm. The next stop was San Francisco bridge and then to St. Mary's Church. The third to last stop was City Hall, across the street was the city's huge library it was about 3 stories high. It was gorgeous, and so much different than the library back home. We drove up to this hill top and was able to see the city in a 360  kind of view. I wished my camera had a 360 fuction. Too bad it doesn't. Our last stop was to Stanford University. The school was very large and peaceful. The campus kind of had a sad atmosphere to it.
    We only had one stop on our third day, and it was Yosemite park. I loved the park, it would be a great place for a photo shoot. The air was so fresh and it just felt refreshing. The rest of the day was spent driving home. I slept the whole way there. Well that was my San Francisco trip for you. More pictures can be viewed on my Personal Blog. I just started school so there will be a back to school outfit post soon. Hopefully by next week.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

15 Loves of Summer

    Sorry for the lack of posting, I have been so caught up on Summer tutoring and homework that I barely have time. But I shall try my best to update this blog more often. I'm be going to San Francisco soon, so you'll expect a post about that!
    So on with my Summer Loves. The reason why I call it loves is that  some of these things I really like but I haven't gotten to buy or try them out yet. I guess I should call it wish list but there are some that I would not like to buy but still like. And some of them I just enjoy watching/listening to. I think I shall call it loves for now. 
Summer Loves

1. Pocket Watch: To tell you the truth, I have been wanting a pocket watch for a while now. The thing is it is a big over my price rage for jewelry. I just love how classic the watch is. The one above is from Nordstiom and retails for about $20.
2. Red Lipstick:  I few months ago I bought Revlon's Matte Lipstick in Really Red. I really liked it but I didn't really start using it until this month and I really love it. It really makes my lips POP.
3. Portfolio Bags: According to Seventeen Magazine, Portfolio Bags are going to be a hot trend for back to school. This is a great thing for me because I love satchel/portfolio like bags. Unfortunately, I have not found my "Back to School" bag yet. I might just go with  this Forever 21 Sophisticated Briefcase Bag in brown.
4. Colored Blazer: I am a blazer person at heart, but I have never worn anything but navy or back. I am hoping to try a colored blazer for once and add some color to my neutral wardrobe.
5. Round Sunglasses: I do not know what these sunglasses are called. I personally call them hippie glasses. These are perfect to have when you have a long face.
6. Armor Ring: I fell in love with a ring just like this a few months ago. It was less sparkly and had a black gem in the middle. It was sold out before I could get it. So not ring for Michelle. I hope they restock it soon.
7. Feather Earrings:  I have to say I have been obsessed with feather earring since I saw the on Aria from Pretty Little Liars. I plan on making some when I have time. I might turn it into a slave type earring.
8. Bustier Top: I am loving this inner wear is outerwear this summer. Since I have very loud  statement shorts, a simple black Bustier top doesn't overpower the outfit.
9. Beret: I would love a french style beret. It is a change from the common woven beret. It makes me feel  like a painter you see on TV or Madeline (the book) .
10. Peach/Coral Lipstick: I love the orange undertones, it looks very pretty.
11. Ombre Hair: One thing I am definitely loving right now is Ombre hair. I prefer the more subtle color changes more though. I'm debating on to get it or not. If I do, I might dye it from dark brown to light  brown.
12. Urban Decay Naked  Palette: Being a mono lid, it is very difficult for me to put on eye makeup. Although I barely use eyeliner, I do use a lot of  eye shadow. When I do, the I usually go for neutral colors and so this palette will be perfect for me. I hoping to try it soon.
13. Nude Pink Lipstick: I love the color of  nude lips, but my skin tone is very bland, so a nude lip might dull my face. But a nude lipstick with pink undertones will be perfect.
14. ClothesEncounters: They are actually a Youtube Channel that I am love with this month. I love Jen and Sarah and their sense of style. Here are their: Youtube & Tumblr.
15. Hello Hello - Ft Island -   As you know I am a sucker for Korean music and I'm currently in love with this song. It have been replaying constantly since I heard it on Music Core. It's so catchy. ^^


    Well there you have it, my summer loves. I hoped you enjoy.
                                                                      - Michelle Tran

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Farewell Harry,

   Target Fedora/ Forever 21 Black Blazer and  nude Oxfords/ Macy's Blue Button up/ PacSun Gray Bullhead skinnies rolled up/ Brown Cross body
    Today's the day, "an end of a era" as many might say. I have always been an HP fan, although I don't show it much. I grew up listening and reading the series. I still listen to the audio tapes nowadays when doing homework. I still can't believe it's gonna end, or has already ended. I personally haven't watched the final part yet, but I'm looking forward to watching it tomorrow.
   Well Harry Potter aside, I really wanted to look "manly" today, since I felt like I haven't dress boy-ish in a while.It was really hot so I tied my hair up into a ponytail and after my hid the tail under my fedora, that I got from Target. I really miss my A-Bob, but I don't want to loose my  hair length so this was the perfect trick to create it without loosing any hair.
    Today was the first day I went to the front of my apartment to take pictures. It was so much more nerve wracking than before. There were a lot more people walking pass this time, I was so nervous. They are stared at me like a was some weird kid posing for the camera. (Which I was.) I really need posing inspiration. My poses are getting really boring. I really appreciate how photography has helped me become more comfortable being in front of the camera, now I can actually pose. ^^

Friday, July 15, 2011

Do you perfer gifts over Roses?



F21 Gladiator Sandals and Navy Bow Dress/Express studded belt/ Beige high waisted school boy shorts


             Note: This post was originally meant to be posted on Tuesday but there was a problem with my computer so I couldn't upload/edit anything. My laptop is temporary fixed now so I can post this up. ^^ 
           The remote for my camera arrived this week! I was so excited I had to try it out.  As you can see I am not very good at concealing it yet. To tell you the truth I rarely go outside to take pictures, especially  of myself. It is ex specially awkward when my neighbor walks by, but I managed to smile and laugh it off.
          Most people I know would rather have gifts over a bunch of flowers "that are a waste of money and would die in a few days.". But I adore them, although they die easily, they're still beautiful. Personally I don't mind it having flowers die, even if they die I was able to have a moment of their beauty.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Independence Weekend


       Happy Independence Day everyone! I have to say I had a great weekend. I went thifting and got some amazing new high waisted shorts.While scrambling through the big Forever 21 near my city I discovered a cute torso cinched navy dress with peach bow patterns and a bow sewn on the neck line. A while later I began scooping through the kids section of Forever to find my baby cousin and I found a polka dotted dress in a similar style. I decided to buy it for her, so she can "match" with me. I also bought a gold chain with heart charms, and  I found myself a paper crane necklace to fill my love for "Asian" inspired jewelry. I stopped by Walmart and got a rollary cutter and a 23 in. Mat on sale for $9 each. I am so excited to use them!



                                                     I hoped everyone enjoyed their weekend! ^^

Thursday, June 23, 2011

There is nothing wrong to sparkle more than the others.





Blazer with Stripped Linning from F21/ Leatherette Satchel from Target/ Gold snake belt thrifted/Sparkled Dress DIY

      Summer is here! Time for relaxed afternoons and late mornings.  I don't want to be too relaxed though. You know what they say "The devil finds time for idle hands". This summer I'm jam-packing my vacation with Photography classes, Algebra2/trig tutoring, Art classes and community services. I can't wait. As many "Hypebeasts" might say "Summer of 2011, Come at me Bro"