Painted Ultramarine

Amazing street art, Mission District, SF. 

It was a beautiful day in San Francisco today. Perfect for thrifting, trying new foods, and enjoying the city. 

I was in the Mission District today, with the sole purpose of unwinding and enjoying my last few days in the Bay. The area is full of amazing thrift stores and good food. Painted Bird definitely did not disappoint, and I was able to find a pair of high waist Levis at The Salvation Army (more DIY to come!). 

We refueled with fresh baked cookies (Anthony's Cookies) and Mediterranean food (Old Jerusalem Restaurant). The day ended with farewells to the Ferry Building, and happy hour oysters at Hog Island Oyster Co. Goodbye Bay Area, Southern California here I come!

Moss Green

I've been ogling over all the NY Fashion's Night Out pictures for the last hour, wishing I could have been there myself!


I'm so excited for Fall to come. Fall fashion is always fun; I love being able to layer textures on colors, on accessories, and incorporating my Spring/Summer wear into cold weather worthy ensembles.

This outfit is a combination of Fall/Spring wear, incorporating Fall earth tones with Spring worthy materials (chiffon, straw). I actually wore it on the plane ride to Pittsburgh and back since it is extremely comfortable and breezy.

Wearing: Hat - Zara, Top - UO, Skirt - F21, Belt - H&M, Sandals - Steve Madden, Bag - Thrifted Dooney and Bourke

Photos: Monica

Goodbye Land of Yellow Taxis + Steel City

Pittsburgh at night.

Spending the last few days in the East Coast has been refreshing, but now I am back in California. I will definitely miss the rustic brick buildings, little mom and pop shops, and even the musty humid air.

New York: Thrifting, central park, taking cabs/the subway, eating (ChikaLicious, Cha An, Wafels and Dinges, Shake Shack, The Halal Guys, Caracas Arepa Bar), SoHo, FAO Schwarz

Pittsburgh: Thunderstorms, bridges, Squirrel Hill (thrifting/eating), good company

The City that Never Sleeps

For the last 24 hours I have been trying to cram as much of New York as I possibly can. 

 I arrived last night, and was immediately whisked away to Cha-An, a Japanese tea room in East Village. We ordered a Zenzai and Black Sesame Creme Brulee, which were both sublime, as well as Sencha and Hibiscus tea. Close to midnight we took the subway to Times Square; the only way to describe it is - sensory overload. I felt so overwhelmed but in a good way. The night ended with a stop by The Halal Guys. 

Today we tackled SoHo then refueled at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. I'm not a burger kind of gal, but the Shroom Burger (a fried portobello patty covered in cheese) all washed down with a grape soda float is definitely my calling. 

It's only been a day but I absolutely love this city. 

Cha-An, East Village

Zenzai

Mornings in Greenwich

Wearing: Dress/Belt - Aritzia, Backpack - Thrifted

Topshop we meet at last.

Shroom Burger, Shake Shack

Old Soul

I have a thing for vintage film cameras. So the day before yesterday I stopped at a vendor at Carnegie Mellon  selling old books, DVDs, and vintage cameras. I'm no expert on vintage cameras, but out of the bunch of old polaroids, ansco box cameras, and range finders, I ended up purchasing a Kodak Brownie Starmite II. Its nothing fancy, but considering the fact that it came with its original packaging, user manual, light bulbs, film, and pristine condition, it was the obvious choice. I can't wait to see how it works!

I arrived in New York this evening. The eight hour bus ride was definitely worth it.

Goodbye Pittsburgh.

Squirrel Hill

I'm absolutely in love with Pittsburgh. The weather is nice and sunny, and not as humid as I anticipated (I'm used to the humidity in Taiwan/China/HK, so this is nothing compared to that). I'm sitting at 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill enjoying a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade (the guy literally juiced those little suckers in front of me), just a five minute bus ride away from Carnegie Mellon University. It's a quaint little area, with rustic brick buildings, and a number of places to sit, eat, and enjoy a good book. I still have to try Aladdin's Eatery, a mediterranean hot spot just a block down from here.

Earlier in the day I stumbled upon the thrift store here, Avalon Exchange. It is similar of Buffalo Exchange, in the way that they purchase used items and resell them at a higher price. The store is small, but very clean, and organized by size. I found a lovely oversized peachy cream Free People sweater, embellished with sequins and studs; I also picked up a square dark brown leather backpack, perfect for Fall. I am definitely going back tomorrow for the cowboy bolo.

Love the mens section; such a huge selection!

Eastward Bound

Traveling is always a thrill to me. I simply love airports and the excitement of being somewhere new. One thing that I always dread is packing; being the indecisive person I am, I need a whole day to narrow down what I actually need to pack. So yesterday I spent the whole day staring at my mess of a closet, throwing clothes together until I had a good combination that is travel friendly, versatile, and works well with humidity.

I am staying in Pittsburgh, PA and then New York, NY where I anticipate to thrift, eat, and explore the city. I can't even begin to express how excited I am for this mini vacation!

Flying Necessities: a good magazine (NYLON), double closure cross-body bag