influence

lately, a number of my friends have been commenting on my wardrobe and how it its very much without color, or bright colors. It's true, you open my closet and you'll find many neutral tones, a large amount of black, white, grey, navy, and other muted colors. However, you'll also find some lilacs and blues, some yellows and reds. What I wear is very much based on my mood and how the weather's reacting, so naturally, in the winter, I'll be wearing a lot of the dark tones, and I bring out the brighter colors when it's all sun.
It's true though, you won't find anything too bright in there, it's just not my style. I won't be changing it anytime soon, and I still love my closet.

These comments, have provoked me to about how much the views of others affect my everyday doings and how I think though.

Now that I'm living at home and away from peers, I've grown into a new kind of independence (funny though, since I'm back under my parents' roof). I suppose it's all about the mental and psychological aspect. I've realized how much others had influenced me throughout the years, and it's pretty interesting. I'll still ask for others' opinions, no doubt, but I guess I've grown more confident now with my own decisions.

Now that I'm kind of stuck in this state of mind, I've seen that it started when I was really young. Everytime my brother presented his opinion to me, I'd kind of adapt it immediately...but I mean, he's my older brother. He's ridiculously intelligent, and I look up to him. It was also really easy to see with my previous roommate. She was older, more experienced, and I would always go to her for design opinions. I'd actually take whatever her opinion was and go with it.. much to the point where I started losing myself sometimes.
I'm also the type that really easily adapts and adopts certain behaviors or phrases...I guess I submerge myself in environments really quickly. During the summer, I heard so much of the phrase "super cute" and very swiftly added it to my everyday vocabulary. It was kind of ridiculous, and extremely annoying for others I imagine..
Just in the last semester, I acquired 2 pieces of plaid because my other roommate and her abundance and love for plaid...hahaha. I also started speakig like her and behaving somewhat like her..

I'm not saying any of these were terrible things, I mean it is what I am as a person. But now, I'm more aware of it, and I'm loving that I'm kind of out of any type of loop, except for being at home. Family should be one of the biggest influences in life anyway, no? Anywho, being at home does make me more grounded in my own self. It's quieter, easier to focus (sometimes), and it's home.

It's been an interesting change with the start of the new year, and I like it. The fact that there is a change, and what it actually holds. Still feeling good vibes for 2010, definitely. It's just starting (uhh already 3rd month in?), and so many good things have been happening already :)

I'm not sure the point of this entry, but it is nice to write about these realizations and remember it for later. Thanks Carolyn, for talking to me about it too :)

Meanwhile, I think everyone should go watch Formosa Betrayed. I really enjoyed it. passionately.

I get hungry for love and thirsty for life

The title is from Jason Mraz's The Sunshine Song - I was listening to that song yesterday on the commute home, and I just happened to love that phrase in the song.

I need opinions at the bottom of this entry, so you can skip through all this and go to the bottom if you'd like!

I'm thinking that this month is all about practicing compromise, tolerance, and acceptance..to embrace versatility and the possibility of ever-changing schedules and timing obstacles. Punctuality has always been one of the top values for me, and the thought of being late is one of the major stressors of my life, I swear, I get nightmares about it every once and a while. No worries though, so far, they've remained just dreams, because I do overestimate the time I need and I'm usually 20 minutes earlier than I need to be.

Nonetheless, the commute to school is going to force me to be ultimately prepared and to be able to think on the spot and face possible mistakes with makeshift mends with what I do have.

I have to say though, this extra challenge kind of makes life right now more exciting..school is back to being exhilarating and stressful, just with this first week. I'm sure many would agree.
Here's just a mini look into what my classes are about..

For my linebuilding class, which I need your opinions for, I have to create a mini collection of 4 accessories. I'm currently still deciding on what to do, leaning towards one theme of the 50 sketches I had done for homework. All of the students are going to be having a one on one consultation with our professor on Monday, and also getting feedback from the rest of the class. It's a chance to do something I really want to show, and I know I'll have to work terribly hard to make this happen.

I'm also taking an Experimental Screenprinting class which i'm SUPER excited for. My art can start appearing on tshirts, bags, etc. and this whole process is just a foreign medium to me, but it's also something I think will be useful for the future.

Decorative Leather is also another class I'm taking, which I wish I had taken semesters ago. I could have definitely used the techniques and newfound creativity on stuff I could be doing for my collection, but never late than never!

On Wednesdays, I have my Portfolio class, which is holy sh*t hardcore, but I know our very eloquent, professional, and encouraging professor will make me want to be better and push me to do better just based on his words. The minute we stepped into class, he gave us a test to design 4 accessories for Lady Gaga. Talk about on the spot pressure!

My last class is a Mayan Art & Civilization class which also makes me super excited. I really do love my liberal art classes because they make me feel like I'm really going to college for a while. This class is really interesting already, hehe and my professor has a slight british accent? It's pretty intriguing.

The stress sometimes makes me moody and want interns to do some of the work for me. hahaha, one day, one day!

In other news, I really have the urge to make a school bag for myself. A big canvas and leather mix of a large satchel bag so I can just carry one bag to school and put all my stuff in it. I really want to do it, when I have time, so I'll keep you guys updated if that ever happens.

OKAY, this is where you can come in to help me!

This is a preview into one of the possible choices for collection. I'm going on a 'layers of luxe' kind of idea, and where the shapes are mostly inspired by John Galliano for Dior's 2007 Madame Butterfly inspired gold jacquard dress.

I'd like your opinions on what color story you're more attracted to. Both options include a creme cow hide, and elastic. The first one features a taupey grey and a burnt taupey rose suede with cocoa brown elastic, while the second one has a grainy deer lambskin and rusty mauve suede with creme elastic.

Potential Option 1:

I believe the color is more correct in the second image.

Potential Option 2:

I removed my designs for protection, if you're interested, email me!

I'm getting to the point where I'm so torn and starting to not like either combination. AHH. I need my pieces rendered by Monday, and I don't know if I'll be able to do double! While I really like the first choice, I think I can see the second one more on accessories.

I'd appreciate your imput, but I'd like for you to keep in mind that it's always hard to match color leathers, and I can say that no, I don't have the money to have them custom dye my leathers. So, I have to work with what I've got!

many thankss and love.

college life...or lack there of?

well i guess i'm actually just living a different type.

i ran into a friend from high school today on the way out of the city. we're both pursuing design and going to unconventional schools in the city. we talked about what we're doing nowadays, what we have to face, and our futures.

we're going to school for a career we don't need school in, and unfortunately, many people have told us that. i'm talking professors, mentors, and people in the industry. so we didn't listen to our parents and their friends, and go to school for a general business degree, or something completely different that would secure us a moola-making job in the future. (my dad pushed for me to go into pharmacy since thinking about college started becoming important.. uh oh i guess that would trace back to when i was born, and even more so when my brother decided against it too. i know i would never be good at that though.)

well, i guess i'm concerned. but i'm not worried. i believe i'll succeed. i don't know at what type of level, but it'll happen.

we both wondered what life would be like at a state university, namely one that most of our friends went too. we frequently take vacations there to visit, to have fun, to party, etc. it's so much fun there, and super exciting when you see friends.

i mean, if i went to a "regular" college i guess, i feel like part of the start of my weekend would probably be figuring out where the parties were that weekend, or where to go hang out. during the semester though, i'm usually planning when i'll be going to the work room to finish up the work that requires a lot of time because how i do really depends on the physical-what i do. these bags, shoes, and belts don't make themselves, you know!

though i suppose if i allocated my time more wisely, i'd probably have a lot more time for fun. and no, i'm not saying that everyone who goes to regular college doesn't have to worry about their exams, or that they don't care about their education.

i'm not saying that drinking doesn't go on in the city for us collegiates, but it's not the same. my school doesn't have frats, or individual houses with grimey basements. sure, we have clubs, and bars, etc.. (everything that costs more money?) but that constant community feel is just kind of absent. and you might disagree with me as well, but i guess i'm just more straight edge than you are.

don't take this as if i'm complaining though, i don't hope that my lifestyle is filled with college life hard-partying and drinking. i'm not into that either.. but it's interesting to think how different my life would be. what things i would be exposed to, and what kind of people i would meet.

these little 'college vacations' are a good enough taste for me.

i know i have it good too, where i'm at. there's cultural events everywhere, and everything's attainable with such easy access. everyday is different, and there's definitely more exposure to different and new things and fresh opportunities. who doesn't want to be in the city?

of course i'm no longer a new yorker anymore.. i'll be commuting. so that's mad bummer.

well, whatever. life's been good to me. i'll enjoy whatever it throws at me, or whatever i can catch. tehe (Janice, i know i'm a total corndog)

this isn't where i go to school, but can you guess which city it is!? it was one of my recent "college vacations"

belated new years update

so i'm more than a week late on any sort of New Year's resolution presentations.. and although cliche, I feel like it's necessary. It's always nice to have a tangible reminder, and I feel like having it publicized makes me more motivated to stick to them.

On the night prior to my birthday, my roommate and I began making a list of things to do and accomplish before my next birthday. While that list is so much longer...and much more entertaining, I condensed it into a more cohesive and shorter one for my resolutions.

I think they're pretty typical to the usual resolutions everyone makes, but here they are anyway.

1. Get in shape! Lose fat!
Be active: at least 1 hour of work out 6 days a week
(I'm being pretty lenient? But I feel like if I start of setting the bar too high, I'll be less reluctant to do anything..and surpassing expectations are always good? hahah, having been on vacation though, I don't think I've been true to it.)

2. Stay Positive
More smiles, and tears only for happy things!
(I think I already broke this one. Haha, it's okay, there's a continuous renewable aspect to these in my book)

3. Be more meticulous
Think about everything before acting upon anything. Be more neat and organized.
(Shoot, I made this same resolution last year. I think I improved, but there's always room for more!)

4. Fall in love with myself. Just kidding.
More like stop caring as much about what others think about me. Be more confident?

5. Take better care of my body
I don't think I eat unhealthily, but I'm talking about pampering where I'll be more diligent with my moisturizing, etc. I'm terrible with that.


we'll see how everything goes, I guess!

Anyway, I feel good vibes about 2010. I already started the year off pretty well I'd say, with my trip back to the motherland; Taiwan.

This year was different, I signed up for a camp that taught me all about Taiwan's history, politics, culture, and media. It was a really great experience because I've learned so much, saw so many beautiful things, and made some really amazing new friends. I think it was also an experience that allowed my level of independence to grow another step, because I've never been in Taiwan without family, even if it was only for 5 days. But after the camp, in which we were all so saturated in, especially without outside media, I met up with some of the friends, and actually navigated through Taipei alone to successfully meet them! It was really fantastic :]

Not to mention that I think vacationing in Taiwan for me is really such a luxury. All my meals were basically under $5, and amazingly delicious, and there's hair washing, great shopping, and family.

as the holidays are rolling in

and it's also hell week.

i'm only allowing myself to blog because i've decided that it's time to rest, and work can be carefully allocated for tomorrow!

sketching, the most intense class i have has kept me busy for the past i dont know how many hours because of the amount of work that comes with it (along with the meticulousness needed for it too!) and i've also got my liberals to worry about - a modern art final and a research paper for my film class. i've gotten bags, belts, and boots, out of the way thankgoodness, and soon it'll all be done with.

meanwhile, holiday cheer is in the air around campus and it's really just a great thing to see. i personally haven't had a christmas tree in so long that this festiveness my friends have provided really is like a breath of fresh air, and a really good one at that.

I suppose it's also fitting to put up a wishlist..my birthday and the giving holidays are this month! But instead of making it a wishlist wishlist, it's more of a 'this is what i want to attain so i'm going to push myself to be more successful kind of" so don't blame me for the materialism that has intensified ever since I came to this very materialistically-focused school :\ I can't help it. And I've also become super interested (i won't say obsessed yet) with make up. I won't go into how it's like ooh a way of expression, but hey I like looking pretty? AND i rarely buy it.

Like I said, with a new surrounding and some more time, I'm planning on getting a job and making some cash monies, and eventually be able to obtain what I want :]

So here we go... perhaps you'll be interested too!

Make Up Forever Eye Liner Cream in Matte Black - $20
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P189502&categoryId=S10505&shouldPaginate=true


I'm really into cream eyeliners and have totally adapted to them more than liquid and just regular stick liners. I've heard this was a good nonsmudge one from the make up gurus on YouTube.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance - $17
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=EG30TXBBUPHOYCV0KQRQIGQ?id=P202625&categoryId=C10480



Sigma Brush Set - $89.00
http://www.sigmamakeup.com/products/701.html



Obsession with make up = obsession with the tools to make it possible!

MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study - $16.50

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT154&PRODUCT_ID=1573


I love using light colors now to highlight the inner corners of my eyes, it really brings out some depth that asian eyes lack :p

Shiseido Mascara Base - $23.00

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P173725&categoryId=B70


I heard this mascara base really brings out length and volumnizes your lashes even before applying any other favorite mascaras! I have their Maquilllage clear mascara and I use it as a base, and that works wonders too!

Stila Kitten Collection - $18.00
http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P247363&categoryId=C17603&shouldPaginate=true





New earphones, mine are dying.



Bumble & Bumble Brilliantine - $20.00
http://www.bumbleandbumble.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT70&PRODUCT_ID=178

Aveda Abundance Potion - $23.00
http://www.aveda.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY11541&PRODUCT_ID=PROD10351

Those are hair products that I hear are amazing... hahaha.

Ok it's definitely time for bed now, and I guess I just got too lazy to put up more pictures :p I'm a failure as a blogger, but I'll just say I'm pressed for time.

What's on your wishlist this year?

i'm so thankful for the luxuries i have, the opportunities i've experienced, and being able to pursue and do something that makes me happy. i'm also extremely grateful to my family and friends, and the love and interaction i've been able to share with them, the fact that we're living and we're healthy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

inspiration

Like I said, I've been learning a lot from my roommates, and the other day I was pretty inspired by her. Suddenly, I had the urge to really do something with myself. I currently don't have something in the world that's tangible or any substantial evidence that I'm going somewhere/done anything. I'm kind of really yearning for that to change!

Who provokes such thought in me? My roommate. I've linked her blog that features a bunch of cool places that she's been to and recommends. Many of these entries have been published in newspapers, and she also has her own handbag business, NoLaceAccessories. She's also successfully balancing school, jobs, and a social life. She's pretty rad :]

My other roommate is also working as a designer at a Canadian accessories company and is slowly moving up the work ladder!

I think a lot of things will change once I move next semester. I'll have more time to myself to do things, maybe start making my own things (bags and belts, anyone?) to sell, getting a part time job, etc. We'll see, but I'm feeling good energies.

Obviously, being in fashion, I'm inspired by what I'm immerse in everyday. In the beginning of the semester, I was all about the cremes, taupes, and off whites. I still love them, but now I've made a turn for navy. It may be the cold weather and the upcoming winter, but a great source is also a new buttery to the touch navy cow hide I bought at a recent flea market for my projects. I've already got patterns cut out for my self framed bag and my corset belt, both that are going to be paired with navy suede and some silver/antiqued silver hardware. Here's a more visual representation of the navy that excites me:

I'm so thankful for being around good people that influence me positively. They make me want to be better, to succeed, and to do things NOW. I mean yeah, I'm not one of those transformation stories where I've turned from bad to good...but I guess from good to better? hahah. I think growth and learning is the most important part of living. That may be my personal point to life...that, and being happy.

Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I guess it was a fitting time to mention that! I can't wait, my roommate and I, along with some of our friends will be engaging in some Pregiving Thanksgiving festivities before classes end and we all go home. I'm looking forward to some quiet times at home and spending time with the family away from the city, and I hope everyone enjoys their holiday too!