Months later, and my lips are still dry and chapped.

I've been pretty satisfied with what I've been using, but I was at the drugstore the other day, and found this unconventionally-shaped lip balm. The label claimed to be a USDA organic product, so I had to get it. The shape is also great because it's less likely to lose because it's basically a big bright ball. It glides beautifully like the Nivea Kiss of Moisture I've been using. I also love that it's rich with antioxidants like vitamin E, shea butter and jojoba oil (no petrolatum or paraben whatsoever and smells like heaven).

Organic Lip Balm - Smooth Sphere (Summer Fruit) $2.99

Courtesy of Evolution of Smooth

I had an interesting time at the Baby, the Stars Shine Bright Tea Party.

So my friend, Phuong is really into the Lolita fashion subculture, which is a growing movement that started in Japan. The style is very much influenced by the Rococo and Victorian periods, and would look more "normal" on dolls. This subculture is expanding throughout the world, and I got a better understanding by attending the tea party. The New People mall in Japantown just opened, and one of the main attractions is the Baby, the Stars Shine Bright store, which is the first location in North America. BTSSB caters to "Sweet Lolitas," a particular sect in the Lolita movement that plays on the innocence of children. Phuong had to purchase at least $400 worth of merchandise in order to get an invitation, so she could meet her Lolita idol up close.

The is my coveted invitation, which is sort of like Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket because only 30 people got to attend. At the end of the party, I got it autographed by the BTSSB designer and model Misako Aoki, so it might just go on eBay if anyone is interested.

This is the designer for Baby, the Stars Shine Bright. As an aspiring design myself, I really think she has something going for her. This particular dress was seen in the movie Kamikaze Girls.

Unfortunately, I was stared down and did not fit in because I did not dress up. That being said, it was basically a Lolita convention. Phuong let me know that those who are very into Lolita-ism can very judgmental.

They served high-end organic confectioneries from local delicatessen, Miette. Their cupcakes, lollipops, and malt balls were delicious. There were also sun dried tomato, cucumber, and tuna finger sandwiches. I really loved the sweet lollipop tea as well.

Apparently at these kind of Lolita get togethers, you will always run into someone who has the same dress as you. It just depends on how stylize it to make yourself stand out.

This is the BTSSB Staff. Some of the employees have come over from Japan to help out with business. They basically are required to wear these Lolita fashions to work everyday. I guess you have to be really dedicated because I don't know if I could ever spend so much time being so elaborate for work every single day.

The whole thing was quite surreal. I've never been to a tea party before, so it was an awesome opportunity to try it out. And even though Lolita-ism isn't exactly my cup of fashion tea, it can be a good reference for my designs.

This show is driving me MAD.

There have been rave reviews about "Mad Men," and I just had to check it out. When it first came out, I didn't really see what the big deal about it was, until I rented the first 2 seasons and watched the whole thing in 4 days. I'm aching for the 3rd season to start. If you didn't know already, the show is about life in the 1960s where there was still radical political conservatism, racism, and sexism going on. It really gives you some interesting insight on life during this seemingly "perfect" period. I like how you can't really like a particular character because the more you find out about him/her, it makes you think twice. But at the same time, it makes you like him/her.

One of the reasons why I love this show so much is because of the fashion. The costume designer for the show, Janie Bryant, has really taken the fashion to a point where it no longer looks like costume on the small screen. Unfortunately, most of us dress pretty casually (and forget that we do), so I guess we're just waiting for a revival. Actually, they have a casting call in collaboration with Banana Republic going on right now. I might just enter it, but the chances of an overweight average-looking Asian like me making it are very slim. Then again, it doesn't hurt to try.

In Spring 2009, CB2 came out with a sofa called the "Draper." They took advantage of the sensation and ran with it. Unfortunately, this striped one did not sell well (not surprisingly), and was discontinued mid-season. However, you've got to admit this ad is quite hilarious.

Draper Sofa $799.00

Good thing they still have the Draper sofa because it's beautiful. The lines are simple with eco-friendly construction (certified sustainable kiln-dried hardwood frame, soy-based polyfoam, removable solid wood legs). I might just get for myself and with my discount, I can get it for about $500+ or $300+ as a floor sample. Oh, and you know Don Draper would totally sit on it any day (it's kind of my sales pitch). I've had a lot of men (straight men love Don Draper) and psychiatrists buy it and let's just say, they've got good taste.

Courtesy of AMCtv, CB2

I can always count on a nice gimmick from Moschino.

For Spring 2010, Rossella Jardini had a new take on print. Now I love prints, but there are a lot of bad attempts out there, which is why I'm happy to see a new rendition of this wonderful craft. Part of the gimmick comes from the unexpectedness of the placements of the prints, and that's how you do it.

For any man who doesn't feel great about his body, this cardigan will hide and accentuate what you want and don't want to show. Okay, maybe not; I just think it's funny.

These pants could've turned out looking like a Japanese costume, but everything else toned it down. However, I'm not sure I'd wear them because the print is too focused on the crotch area.

Now that's what I call a "suit." I like it because it's bold without being obnoxious. It's also a nod to the 1960s, when it was kind of the height of fashion for men. I can totally picture Bertram Cooper from "Mad Men" in this.

I could see myself in this look, except I'd lose the shoes and all those prints on the blazer. I love the color palette more than the look, which can still be a good thing.

What used to be fashion for 60+ year old women is apparently now hot for men. I think this particular jacket works because it is in a subdued color with a pop of appliqued flowers.

Those jeans are so badass and very D.I.Y.-able; it's another of those "why didn't I think of that?" situations. I can see myself now trying to xerox zippers and tears, transfer them onto cloth and sew onto jeans.

Courtesy of Style

I'm finally published!

We have this thing at work called "Staff Picks," every season in which all of the associates pick their favorite item and maybe get published on the CB2 website. The item I chose were the Abyss bed linens, and I guess my review was good enough. Hey, writing could be another career option if I really can't make it as a designer.


Courtesy of CB2

I can draw like a fashion designer now.

My instructor, Thalia Stratton, is really good fashion illustrator and has impacted my drawing greatly. She's a freelance artist who did work for Givenchy, Playboy Magazine, Neiman Marcus, San Francisco Ballet, San Jose Mercury News, etc. I'd say my drawings used to be very technical and quite bland to say the least, but now it's getting there. For the class, we need to come up with a portfolio of at least 12 pieces, and so far, I've done about 14. Ironically, doing all of this is quite therapeutic (at least it's not a 12-page paper). For a beginner, I've done a pretty good job, don't you think?

When I first sketched this, Thalia wasn't very impressed because of the ungraceful pose. I personally, really liked the pose because of that. I found the reference from a very provocative Valentino ad with model Iris Strubegger; mine is more on the demure side. I did this with charcoal, which is my favorite medium to work with even though it is really messy. I went into it with some white acrylic paint to give it some highlights.

Given that watercolor is not where my strength lies, I really worked this one. I found the reference from a Michael Kors ad with Carmen Kass. Originally, the pit area was supposed to be open, but the black watercolor bled into it, so I couldn't really implement my design. Thalia gave it some random smudges to make it "not look so hard."

I really struggled with this one because I had overworked it to the point where it was almost unfixable. Let me tell you, dry color pastel is a bitch to work with, but it does give color to a monotonous palette. The reference was a very simple black and white look from Harper's Bazaar, but somehow I managed to complicate it with an orange jumpsuit and purple stilettos. I originally added green for the background, but it looked like grass, so I remounted it and gave it some shadow.

This is one of my personal favorites and it really shows my knack for charcoal. The reference was an Akris (talk about awesome design) ad. I absolutely love the hard and soft color palette of the soft neutrals, blue and the stark black with the hard line graphic element. It will go into my professional portfolio if I apply for a job in the industry.

My earbuds no longer work, so I'm looking for new ones.

Apple In-Ear Headphones $39.99

I've invested in these for more than a year, and they've been good to me, but I had to be very careful with them, which was difficult because I'm such a klutz. What I'm looking for now is something not only functional but fashionable as well.

Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic $79.00

This is the new and improved version of what I had, but I can't use it because I have an "obsolete" iPod Nano 3G. It's hard to keep up with things that I don't want to keep up with, e.g., the iPhone.

GreenHouse Pig Buta Earphones $35.99

My sister actually got these as a Christmas present, but she re-gifted them for someone else, so I guess I'm going to have to get my own. They wouldn't be on top my list of being the most functional, but they're definitely cute.

GreenHouse GH-ERC-SNK Luxury Earphones $39.99

I think I would've liked these more a few years ago when I was in my dark and Gothic mentality. But even today, I'm very drawn to antiquated jewelry/accessories, and for someone who doesn't wear much of that, these snakes are very appealing.

GreenHouse Angel and Devil Earphones $29.99

The idea behind this concept is pretty interesting: the long-running angel vs. devil gag. These are adorable, but they're almost too adorable like something you'd find at Fisher-Price.

Elecom MM EarDrops Color Earphones $39.99

I love the simplicity of these earbuds. They make a big statement without saying a whole lot. I also like the fact that they kind of look like Skittles.

Radius Atomic Bass Aluminum Earphones $39.99

I checked out some of the reviews for these, and they've gotten an average of 4 out of 5 stars, which is pretty impressive. My problem with them is that there's are thousands of these in the earbud market, and I guess I'm looking for something more unique.

Elecom EHP-AIN50 EarDrops Rose Earphones $49.99

These are actually what I'm looking along the lines of: elegance, simplicity, functionality, and originality. They might be a bit too "feminine" (whatever that means), but I might just get them. They're neutral enough to complement my iPod.

Courtesy of Audio Cubes, Radius Earphones, Apple, Amazon