DIY: Pocket Tee (UVSA Summit)

What a freakin' weekend I had! I spent last weekend with amazing company at Norcal UVSA 8th Annual Summit at UC Merced. It's a three-days leadership conference where you meet awesome people who share the same passion for the Vietnamese culture as you. I almost didn't go this year, but I am so glad that my friend persuaded me to do otherwise. Rest assure, this summit will not be my last. I shall see y'all next year. :) Thank you, Norcal UVSA Summit attendees, for making my birth month extra awesome!

Along with all of the friendships that I took away from the conference, I also brought home the hippest shirt. This year's summit shirt is too freakin' cute with the pocket tee design. Kudos to whoever designed it! I took it a step further with a personal touch by making it into a real pocket! A DIY pocket tee usually starts with a plain shirt. You would cut a pocket-shaped piece of fabric, and then you would put the two together. Unlike the other tutorials online, I made the pocket using the printed pocket as a template.

To achieve the same look, all you need is: a piece of fabric of your choice, scissor, needle and thread. It's that easy! If you are terribly afraid of stitching, then you can use adhesive tape instead.

Step 1: Cut a piece of fabric that covers the pocket template of the original shirt. It's better to cut a larger piece just in case you underestimated it.
Step 2: Stitch or use adhesive tape along the pocket template. Try your best to go along the edges so it looks clean.
Step 3: Cut along the top of the pocket template. Make sure you do not cut into the fabric piece. This is where the pocket comes to life!
Step 4: Use adhesive tape to seal the top edge of the shirt to the fabric. Again, this will give the pocket a clean look.

Tada! That is it. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pictures of each step, so feel free to comment if the steps are too hard to follow.

Until next time lovelies, peaceeeee out!

My ten cents #40: To be original, you gotta do you. Think outside of the box. Have fun. Be creative.

How I Wear It: Blue Shirt (VSA)

Hello loves! It's a new school year, thus, it is also a new year of VSA (Vietnamese Student Association). WHOO-HOO! I have been a member since my freshman year, but I literally had my heart on it before graduating from high school. VSA has been a huge part of my college life, and I definitely blossomed into a (hopefully) better person.

As a homage to my second family, I thought I should do another post revolving around VSA. I was inspired by my friend (Hello Crystal!) who sent me a picture of her outfit via Instagram that was inspired by this VSA-related post. It was one of the sweetest gestures and I was thoroughly touched. YOU ARE DA CUTEST, CRYSTAL! <3

Anywho, the purpose of this post is relatively serious. I haven't felt so intimidated by clothing before. When I got this shirt, I literally googled, "How to wear a blue shirt?" I was intimidated by the vibrant blue color for the following reasons:

1. I never had this problem before because I own mostly neutral clothing. I have a few pops of color here and there in my closet, but those pieces aren't too hard to incorporate into my outfits.

2. Blue's complementary color is red, so logically, I should wear red and blue. However, I am not a fan of red either, so I don't own many red pieces. That doesn't work out too well. (I am too darn picky.)

3. It's not a dress... so what am I suppose to wear for bottoms?! Blue denim is a little too matchy-matchy for my cuppa tea.

After thinking long and hard, I came up with a few options that work with me for various occasions.  

OUTFIT #1: This is, by far, my favorite outfit out of the bunch because all the elements are inspired by previous decades. I am no fashion-snob, or at least, I don't think I am. However, I absolutely adore the fashion sense from back in the days, and I am not surprised to see elements of it in the present. Taking an androgynous approach, I paired my vintage acid-washed denim jacket ($2.50) that was found in the men section of a church rummage sale with my high pony-tail and bold lips. As for my bottoms, I wore my white INC denim bottoms that I got from my aunt. I thought the white streaks in the jacket and the wording from the shirt complemented the bottoms well. I kept the shoes simple with my Kimchi silver toe-capped wedges that I got from Facebook. Lastly, I tied it all together with a new piece of jewelry: Forever 21 black/gold necklace that was on clearance for $2.50. I thought it was cool how the triangles from the necklace pointed toward the mountains on the shirt, which then points back to the necklace.

OUTFIT #2: For this outfit, I went with a more bohemian look while playing with layers. Instead of playing with its complementary color, I played with the relationship between yellow, blue and green. Even until this day, I am still fascinated by the way colors are able to mix to make a whole different color. From using food coloring to make pretty frosting to manipulating colors on PhotoShop, I think the concept is too cool for school (not really, I did finger painting in kindergarten with these colors. STAY IN SCHOOL, KIDS!).

I found this gorgeous Ark & Co. kaftan on Dailylook during the beginning of summer for about $8. I was looking for a cute kimono for layering purposes, but I ended up with this kaftan with the feminine high-waisted cinch. I kept the white bottoms for all of the outfits because I thought it really complemented with the white graphics on the shirt. Lastly, I wore my beat-up Candie's chunky boots (less than $1) that I love so much.






OUTFIT #3: Okay, I admit, I've dressed up a t-shirt to go out this one time because I was way too lazy to change. It was just once though, I promise! Actually... it's not too shabby if you chuck on a structured outerwear and some heels. I have been obsessed with this Line and Dot quilt-texted jacket that I got from Threadsence for less than $15. It's nice and thin, yet it is also relatively warm. I wore it during the summer in SoCal, and it was just perfect.

For this outfit, I played with the textures and let those elements be the star of the outfit. This help mute the vibrant blue a bit, so it can be worn outside a school function. On top of the textured jacket, I wore my Forever 21 mesh heels that I got from ThredUP for less than $9. To up its bada** level, I wore my heavy-duty necklace with dangling studs that I got from a garage sale for $1.25.

 

My ten cents #39: Stock up on at least one pair of white denim bottoms! I think it's the best way to wear vibrant colors on top if you aren't into the whole vibrant-on-vibrant action. If you are into color, then roll with it! If not, then I would recommend a trustee pair of white denim bottoms because it complements an outfit very well.

How I Wear It: Maxi Dresses

At last, a post that I promised a long, long time ago! I would like to apologize in advance for the short dialogue, so I'm making it up with some model-esque pictures if you don't mind..

 

I set up a mini photo shoot last Thursday, and I thought I might as well use that roll of photos for a blog post. I have been obsessed with wearing maxi dresses because they make me look supa tall as long as they fit me. Otherwise, I usually drown in them.

 

My favorite way of wearing maxi dresses is to tuck the excess fabric into my pants. That way, a long maxi dress is an easy fix considering my height. Unfortunately, this method only works well with maxi dresses that button up. I only button up starting from my belly button, and I leave the rest free falling. Add in a fan or natural wind, and you got a fabulous silhouette that is editorial and super chic.

 

I have tried this with both shorts and skirts (unfortunately, I do not have photos to prove my point), and they work beautifully. I recommend high-rise bottoms to achieve the look. Not only does the high-waisted bottom make you look taller by tweaking the proportions, but it also tucks in the muffin top and holds in the excess fabric.

 

In my book, floral will never go out of style; it's both feminine and youthful. When I found this gorgeous Forever 21 Floral Kimono Maxi Dress online and in-store, I popped on it even though it was not on clearance. Thank goodness for their student discount sale that day. I remember paying a little less than $20 for it. As for my high-waisted jeans, I grabbed it at Forever 21 for about $17; I'm confident that I will get my PPW out of it. Lastly, to bring the outfit together, I wore my Kimchi Blue toecap wedges that I got for $10 via Facebook.

Peace out y'all and until next time!

 

 

My ten cents #38: Real talk, I never felt so confident in myself. I never felt so confident in front of the camera before. Clothes have special powers, believe it or not. I am definitely doing me in this outfit: floral, high-waisted bottoms and strappy wedges are my essentials. Dressing a little out of the norm is my way of expressing myself artistically. Playing with layers, falling in love with my silhouette and feeling like a billion bucks. I DO ME AND YOU DO YOU. Good day!

082114:Take-me-back-to-the-broken-heart-tour-please Thursday

Our meet-and-greet photo with Rixton: OMG, I see you (and your hand), Charley! Hehehe. ;)

I hope y'all are ready for this super duper long post about my amazing experience at Slim's on Thursday where I met Rixton and indulged in their raw talent! From OOTD/OOTN, interactions with fans, thoughts on the venue to the itty bitty details that I will forever remember- I am ready whenever you are!

I'll start with a little background with the group and I. I randomly heard "Me and My Broken Heart" on the radio on my way to the thrift store. Half way through the song, I found myself dancing in my seat as if I've been jamming to it for weeks; the chorus is ridiculously chatty. When I got home, I checked them out and listened to all of their covers and originals. I was hooked. I watched various interviews and their segment on The Platform. Not only are they ohhh so cute and British, but they are so down to Earth and sweet! I quickly formed a fondness for Charley (who's on the far left in the picture above) and Jake (who's on the far right in the picture above); however, Danny and Lewi are just as lovely.

When I found out that they were having a tour and one of the locations is in San Francisco, I totally seized the opportunity without thinking of how I am terrified by the idea of driving there. The ticket to see them was $20.50 and the meet-and-greet portion was $20. I haven't been to many concerts, but this is the cheapest one so far and I don't remember having this much fun in such a long time! I mean, I woke up the next day feeling sore due to all of that dancing I did at the concert. SO WORTH IT. I literally let myself go and enjoy the moment.


Bebe Jumpsuit with cut-outs--thredUP: ($20-ish) FREE with referral credit
Forever 21 cut-out boots--Forever 21: $12.50
Quilted crossbody--Garage Sale: $2
Total: $14.50, Price Per Wear (PPW): ~$6 

OOTD/OOTN: Ahhh, concert outfits and I have a love-hate relationship. The most important thing about concert outfits is that you need to feel ridiculously comfortable in what you wear that day. However, I do not want to sacrifice style for comfort if I can have both. I initially paired my kimono dress with my trusty white denim pants; however, it became a hassle to keep it structured in a flattering silhouette. Furthermore, the likelihood of getting the dress stepped on or dirty was high. At the very last minute, I swapped out my outfit for this simple one-piece ensemble. Not only did it camouflage the bumps that needed some hiding, but it also emphasized the bumps that I needed... if y'all catch my drift. Hehehe. Another rule of thumb is to wear closed-toes shoes. I am speaking from personal experience because before the concert even started, a fellow fan stepped on my foot as she was practicing a dance move of some sort. As for handbags, stick with something small enough that won't be in the way when you are dancing, but big enough to carry a bottle of water (Slim's provides bottles of water for sharing, but I think that's unsanitary since I don't know where people's mouths have been... bring your own water if you are a clean freak like yours truly). I don't know if it's just me, but there was a unspoken agreement among the fans that there is absolutely no personal space. It freaked me out at the beginning because I wasn't used to it (One Direction's concert had chairs at the Oracle and I stood in front of the balcony-area during a Fitz and the Tantrum concert at Fox Theatre), but I guess it's part of the experience! Ultimately, wear something that won't hinder a full on experience.

HAIR+MAKE-UP: I wanted to do something spicy with my hair like curling it, but I know my hair plus a wee bit of sweat (from dancing) would unravel the curls, so I kept my naturally straight hair. I added in some treatment to keep my hair soft and fabulous. Easy peasy. As for make-up, however, it was a different story. I am an absolute noob when it comes to make-up. It is not my forte and it will probably never be. I must thank a couple of products for making the process a bit easier for me and they are now my holy grails. After moisturizing my skin and all of that good stuff, I started with Urban Decay's All Nighter: Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray followed by Urban Decay's Naked Skin Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup. Urban Decay really surprised me with how natural it made me look. I've been getting a lot of compliments with it and it feels amazing on my skin. I definitely recommend their line if you are at all interested! Eyebrows, eyebrows, eyebrows... you oddly shaped creatures. Apparently the tails of my eyebrows are completely missing, so I've been using the eyebrow kit from E.L.F in medium and E.L.F. eyebrow gel to fill them in. I can say that I am addicted to these products. They define my eyebrows and now, my eyebrows can finally frame my face. As for eyes, I skipped eye shadow because I had a lot of things going on my face, but Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara is all I needed to have wannabe falsies. My favorite lip product at the moment is Maybelline's Baby Lips Dr. Rescue in Soothing Sorbet. I love love love my lipsticks, but this line of Baby Lips is tinted perfectly! For a stronger shade, I added a thin layer of one of my Revlon lipsticks.


Forever 21 Plaid button up with shoulder cutouts--Forever 21
Forever 21 navy skater/circle skirt--Forever 21
Forever 21 opaque tights--Forever 21
Steve Madden combat boots--DSW

Shout-out to my cutie patootie friend, Ramandeep! Thank you so much for being down for a good time! I couldn't image that day without you. :') AND HOW CUTE IS HER OUTFIT?!

Okaaaay, now to the good stuff. We bought the VIP package which included sound check, Q&A, and meet-and-greet (more like a quick picture), in that exact order. Rixton sounded just like their recordings, if not better! I was thoroughly surprised of how great they are live. As artists and entertainers, they really know how to interact with their fans. I immediately felt comfortable around them, which definitely helped with the meet-and-greet portion. Even though I was extremely nervous, I wasn't starstuck. Like I said, the meet-and-greet was more like a quick photo op. I felt really rushed, but I wanted to take it all in as well. All I remember was putting my bag on the floor and running (or walking quickly) towards Charley and Danny since Ramandeep was between Lewi and Jake already. Charley said something about me looking (and feeling) excited, and boy was he right! Hahaha. After their manager (?) took the picture, Charley ever so slightly turned to me and said, "Hi," with the biggest smile followed by words that I don't remember. I totally got lost in his eyes and just said, "Hi," and walked away. Gah, now I feel dumb. Did I mention the fact that he was rubbing my back this whole time?! YES. I am so sorry Danny, but Charley had me at hello. That smile though.


Our initial reactions after meeting the boyzzzz.

After the meet-and-greet, we were back outside of the venue to wait for the show to begin. You can imagine the fangirling that was happenin' around us. LOL.


Shoutout to SF's 99.7 FM [NOW!]

OPENING ACTS: The very first act was by a brother and sister duo, Michael and Marisa. I immediately fell in love with them and now, I'm patiently waiting for their album to come out. They mixed electronic with indie pop, so it was up my alley. I would not be surprised if they become more well-known in the future. The second act was by a rapper named T. Mills. I never heard of him before, but he had quite the fan base there. Although his music isn't my cup of tea, he really knows how to pump up a crowd. I couldn't help but dance my little butt off while saving some energy for Rixton.

As for the show itself, all I can say is that it was magical. They literally took me out of my stress and worries and that feeling is incredible and really hard to explain. I didn't take many pictures throughout the show because I wanted to experience it wholeheartedly, but this is my favorite shot of the night, and to top it off, Jake liked and commented on the same photo on my Instagram. #fangirling

If Rixton ever reads this (in my dreams), then I just wanted to say, "Thank you for sharing your passion and gift with me and the crowd."

I hope to see them again in the future, and I would buy another ticket in a heartbeat. If given the opportunity, I wouldn't mind visiting Slim's again because I loved the intimate vibe. Although the poles up in the front blocked my view of Charley, I appreciated Jake's dirty dancing. Hehehe.

Signing out with the last selfie of that night; am I attractive or whaaa?

My ten cents #37: Seize life. 

070414: May the Forth be With You, Friday

Happy 4th of July, loves! Hopefully y'all had an amazing day with some good company! Yours truly did not do very much today; I ran some errands with my momma, took my daily nap and now I am about to study for my biology midterm next week. My life sounds so fab, I know... hehehe. Anywho, I still got into the American spirit despite the lack of events today. I actually had a lot of fun putting these outfits together; I was thoroughly surprised by the fact that 1) I do own article of clothing that is colored! I didn't have to think very hard for this July 4th-themed post and 2) I would totally wear these outfits on any normal day. I think the combination of the two colors is classic chic.

I am a firm believer that everyone should own at least one white button-up. It is super easy to dress it up or down, and it is forever a classic in my book. You literally cannot go wrong with one, so I dedicated my first outfit to my white Banana Republic button-up that I got from a garage sale for a buck or even less. I paired it up with my Levi's high-waisted denim shorts that I got as a hand-me-down from my aunt, brown Pink and Pepper cut-out boots that I got from DSW for less than $15, and Forever 21 sunglasses that cost me $2. I sealed the deal by wrapping my Banana Republic plaid button-up that my older brother passed on to me.

For outfit numbero dos, I emphasized on denim to represent the color, blue. I used my trusty Gap denim jacket that I got from a rummage sale for $7, and I paired it up with my red American Eagle criss-cross top (which you can't see here, unfortunately) that I got from thredUP for less than $5, white Pins and Needles high-waisted shorts with lace trimmings from Urban Outfitters for $10 and Forever 21 mesh heels that cost me less than $9 from thredUP. Technically, these thredUP purchases were free given my referral credit, but that's how much credit I used up. (Thank you to those who have used my referral code!)

This is by far my favorite outfit out of the bunch just because I absolutely adore this blue Naked Zebra dress and its fabulous cut-out back. I got it from Ecothrift for $3.50. When I originally got it, I did not realized that it has a criss-cross thing going on in the back because the straps were all tangled up on the rack. I love the super sweet neckline and that drove the purchase. I was thoroughly pleased when I first wore it! I wanted to keep this outfit sweet and simple, so I paired it up with my off-white/nude heels that I got from Threadsence for $15. I was eyeing this pair of shoes for awhile, but I didn't buy until Athena, from Threadsence, told me about her discount code via Instagram. She was super helpful and answered all of my questions, so I thought I would pay it forward by telling y'all to use ATHENA20 during checkout if you want 20% off your purchase from Threadsence or Shopruche. The code doesn't expire until the end of July, so you still have plenty of time to shop away! As for the color, red, I got away with a rather generous amount of lip stick. I blended two different shades of red from Revlon and Mary Kay to get my desired patriotic hue.

For the summer, I have been loving this pair of white INC denim bottoms that my aunt handed down to me. I usually roll the sleeves (?) up for a more chill, capri-look. I paired it up with my Forever 21 polka-dotted ruffle top that I got from Goodwill for two bucks. I almost forgot about this top, but it made its comeback. Like the previous look, I relied on my lip color to be that spark of red. As for my feet, I wore my Forever 21 mesh heels that cost me less than $9 from thredUP.

For the last look, I recycled from the first look and wore my older brother's Banana Republic plaid button-up that he gave to me. I have been keeping it in my closet with the intentions of DIY-ing, but I haven't had time to play with it. In the meantime, it can be a legit dress-shirt dress. I just rolled up with sleeves, so the top won't look to bulky on me. I added in a thin white belt that I got from my aunt to define my waist. To match the belt I wore my off-white/nude heels that I got from Threadsence for $15.

My ten cents #36: The whole purpose of this part of my post is to give you a take-away message. I talk a lot (virtually) and you may forget what you just read, so "my ten cent" is my little advice to you. I usually generate this by re-reading (or more like proof-reading) the post and summarizing the most important part. For this post, I realized that you should wear whatever you like and whatever makes you feel good and confident, (but please do wear clothes!). When I started to "dress better" for myself, I started to grow self-confidence and I started to find myself beautiful. It is still weird to say that and admit it because it makes me sound conceited, but I spent a lot of my life hating my appearance and feeling inferior to girls that boys/men worship. It's okay though. I rather be a woman instead.

How I Wear It: Cut-Out and Sheer Mesh (Black) Dresses/Rompers

 
I haven't been feeling inspired lately and although little ideas have been popping up in my head (i.e.: I teased about "How I Wear It: Maxi/Midi Dresses" on Instagram), it wasn't enough to go through the motions of a self-photo shoot. (Rest assure, I will do it eventually, hehehe.) I do not understand how bloggers/vloggers do this daily because a simple post like this takes a lot of work, esp. since it's a one-(wo)man job in my case. Anywho, I was left at home alone yesterday, so I seized that opportunity to put this together. Although I wasn't going out physically, I totally checked out this 3-days weekend and was going out mentally. My favorite part about going out is definitely the "getting ready" portion, so if y'all are down, then come and get ready with me. Tehee. :)

There are two trends that I live for: cut-outs and sheer mesh. I find them sultry yet endearing and feminine. I am not huge on showing skin in obvious ways like short shorts and tube tops, but I am all for little cut-outs here and there. I feel like the little cut-outs are architectural details that leave one wanting more. Ultimately, they tease. It goes the same way for sheer mesh. Even though sheer mesh covers skin, its see-through component is daring.

 Outfit #1: Gold Deeets

I'm not sure what this type of cut-out is called, but it reminds me of the key-hole cut-out, but on steroids. It's a huge split on my back, but I like how the front of this H&M dress that I got for $10 is completely covered with a modest Peter-Pan collar. It gives balance to the garment. To bring attention to the collar, I paired the dress up with a gold statement necklace that I got for a $1.25 at a garage sale. To go with the gold theme, I added my Aldo tassel purse that I got from Goodwill last Memorial Day for about $5. Lastly, for a lil' more skin showin', I wore my strappy Charles David wedges that my momma got for me at a garage sale for $1. 

 

Outfit #2: Buckles for Days

I love this combination of side cut-outs and sheer mesh long sleeves. Again, they balance each other out, so it's not too scandalous. The side cut-outs on this Motel Rocks romper that I got from Threadsence for about $25 (I don't quite remember) are super flattering; it fakes an hour-glass silhouette. The price on this piece is def. out of my comfort zone, but I have been eyeing it for so soo long because it has my name written all over it. I snatched the last one thanks to Threadsence 30% off sale. For the whole shebang, I paired it up with my cut-out boots with brass-like buckles. I got it from Wetseal for about $10. I love this style so much that I got two pairs in two different colors, and surprisingly, the quality is pretty good. As for jewelry, I wore my tiered or dangling earrings that my mom got from a garage sale for about a buck.

Outfit #3: Silver Deeets

The reason why I love black garments so much is because one, it's super slimming and two, it is really easy to jazz it up with color. As a lover of neutrals, I naturally use other neutral tones to jazz up my black pieces. In addition to gold details, silver details work well too. Since the little chain detail on top of the front's cut-out is silver, I thought it would be fitting to go with a silver theme. I added my Jessica McClintock clutch that I got from TJ Maxx for about $10 and Kimchi Blue strappy wedges that I got from Facebook (originally Urban Outfitters) for $10. Like the outfit before, this Guess dress that I got from a garage sale for $1 also combines cut-outs and sheer mesh in perfect harmony!

Outfit #4: Minimalism

Unlike the previous outfits, this one doesn't need the extra accessories given its "natural" details. Just for the extra sass, I added a pair of mini dangling rhinestone earrings that my mom got from a consignment store for $1. For some odd reason, I had such a hard time making this purchase; it's probably because I have a skirt that mimics the bottom portion of this dress. What drove the purchase was definitely the deep-v open back. I do not own anything like this and I think it's so pretty. Unlike the back, I do have a shirt that has the triangle cut-out in the front. That type of cut-out is actually one of my favorites just because I do not like my midriff at all, esp. my muffin top. It is such a delicate and sweet spot, so the triangle cut-out is a good tease considering my natural midriff shape. Unfortunately, this dress that I got from Urban Outfitters for $20 is a little too big and very long (I am in denial of my height, obvi.). However, I oddly like how loose it is on me; it's not too loose that it will fall apart, but it's loose enough to create a flowy silhouette. Lastly, I wore my Enzo Angiolini heels that I got from a garage sale for $2 for that much needed support in the height department.

My ten cents #35: Sometimes more is... more. Coverage can be sexy when balanced with a bit of tease.

Haul + Review: Finders Keepers Dress and Cardigan from thredUP

Helllllllo all. I have good news: I am still alive! Hehehe. I know, I know, it has been a long time since my last post, but rest assure, I have been shopping! For those who don't know, I am a science-major student and that pretty much means that the closest thing I have to a boyfriend is my book that costs more than anything I would ever wear...A few weeks ago was my spring break and I wanted to film y'all a video to make up for lost time, but that week went by oh so fast. The quarter has already started and I just finished my first midterm of the cycle. I also started a new internship that has been keeping me busy. In addition to all that madness, this week is "Hell Week" for my VSA's Culture Show.
I am craving for a study break, so I'm writing this impromptu post! I apologize for my vintage iPhone (3GS, hehehe) Instagram photo quality, but I thought it's about time I share my referral code for those who may be interested, especially with the recent update from thredUP (X Collection).

As a quick summary-type-of-thang, I have a love-hate relationship with this online consignment store. I found out about it through a fellow Instagramer, and I was lured in with their 40% off coupon code as a first time customer. To make life a bit easier, I thought a pros-cons list would be efficient:
Pros:

1. Their items are on-point with their quality. I could not be happier with my items. It did help that my pieces were new with tags, but they are honest with their notes. I believe they do two rounds of inspections for quality control.
2. They carry amazing brands for an affordable price. I like to search up brands that I love or want to try out because I am a brand-junkie who will not pay full price for anything. They recently added their "X Collection" with higher end brands like Kate Spade, Prada and etc.; it is out of my comfort zone, but I'll check it out if I ever want to splurge.
3. The shipping/packaging was fast and ridiculously cute. Warning, it takes more than two days to get an e-mail with a tracking number. My e-mail regarding my tracking number came in about 4 days after my purchase (instead of the 2 days that was posted in my confirmation e-mail), but when I opened the tracking number, it said that my package was outside my door! Just be patient, it should be outside your door soon! Oh, also, they package the items in a cute polka-dotted bag (or box, depending on how much you get). I have a weird obsession with collecting cute bags/boxes, so my thredUP bag is still chillin' in my room.
4. THEY HAVE SO MUCH STUFFFFFF. This is also a con though...I swear, I used the filters and everything and I still couldn't get through it all. Le sigh, it's like a endless thrift store where you can shop in your jammies. I literally spent one whole day with occasional bathroom breaks (TMI, much?) to get through the site. I didn't order my few items until later that night...or next morning?
5. The referral code is too cool. Although I used my coupon code for my first purchase (you can only use one code per purchase), I plan on using a fellow shopper's referral code for my next purchase. By using the a referral code, you immediately get $10 off your purchase! Click here if you are interested in the code! (not a spam, I promise!) Once you use the code, I, too, receive $10 credit on my next purchase, so I can buy more clothes and do more haul posts. Wheeee, it's a win-win situation.
6. If you have any questions or concerns, contacting them is a breeze. I am huge on customer service. I don't mind supporting a relatively expensive business if their customer service is impeccable. I've worked retail before, so I value honest service. I did have a problem with my purchase (which I will discuss in the cons-section) and they immediately contacted me back.

Cons

1. Like numbero 3 in the pros-section, it takes a long time to go through everything. When I thrift shop, I usually make 2-3 rounds of the store to make sure I got a good look at everything so I can leave without regrets unless I'm in a rush. With thredUP's large collection of items, going though it all is tough. I always feel like there is something that I missed.
2. Like any online shopping experience, you cannot try on your clothes and with their vast selection of brands, it's hard to know your size. If you know your size in a particular brand, then you should be good. Unfortunately, I did not hear about Finders Keepers until now and the size chart I found online didn't help too much. My dress did fit like a glove, but the cardigan was a bit too big; good thing it's an outerwear, so it's not that big of a deal. You can return your items, but you would need to pay for shipping. With my coupon code savings, my return would not be worthwhile.
3. I originally bought 3 items: Finders Keepers dress and cardigan and Candie's pump. Unfortunately, my shoes were unavailable (it may be a sign that I have too much shoes), so I got my receipt back with a "Freebie" sticker. It didn't make sense to me because I didn't get anything for free...so I e-mailed them and apparently, they do another round of inspections before they ship out the items. If the item's condition is less than par compared to their notes, then they would refund you AND give you the item=making it a freebie. My item was completely unavailable (it may be due to size or etc.), so I did not get a "freebie." I did get refunded for that item, so technically I got free shipping because my original 3 items added up to $50; ehhh, I shouldn't be complaining.

I spent $12.30 on the cardigan and $13.20 on the dress, much thanks to the coupon code. If you are unaware of the brand, Finders Keepers, no worries-I did a bit of research for you. It's based in Australia and their vibe and price tag remind me of Topshop. From what I see, many of their pieces emphasize structure and minimalism, which I love. It's like wearing architecture on your body. The silhouettes are flattering, especially the dress: it def. flatters my oh so flat bust...hehehe.

Overall, I am happy with my experience and I would shop here again when I have a lot of time on my hands to go through everything. I guess it beats a trip to a thrift store? I definitely recommend it as a shopper. I haven't sold any of my clothes here, so I have no input on that aspect of the company.

 

Happy shopping!

 

My ten cents #34: Beware, just because it's cheap, doesn't mean you have to get it! Let it be a $100 or $10 piece, continue to be critical about what you buy!

Haul + Review: Artee Couture's Chambray Button-Up and UNIF's Harley Dress From Threadsence

Helllllo guys, it certainly has been awhile, but I'm trying to make it up to y'all with this mini haul from Threadsence. I am really excited with my pieces, so I'm super ecstatic to share my shopping experience with you and maybe you can find some gems there yourself! Fair warning, these pieces are a bit out of my comfort zone, but I think they are well worth it.

First of all, as a mini review about the company, I am surprised it took me this long to finally check it out. I heard about Threadsence before, but I assumed that the price range would be out of my scope without actually checking out the site. The regularly marked prices are out of my league, but I can definitely work with the clearance section. That works perfectly fine because I don't shop regular prices anyways. They also have a promotion called "Happy Hour" on Fridays and that's when regular prices are deducted by a certain percentage. I have yet to buy anything from Happy Hour, but I plan to do so after I save some money. A lot of sales are happening right now with President's Day and I definitely seized the moment. 

One of my favorite things about Threadsence has to be their shipping policy. Although my shipping option was standard, it was actually expedited instead. I ordered it on the 12th and I got it on Valentine's Day, which was impeccable timing. I definitely felt the love.

The only downfall about the site is that it doesn't work with Firefox. I don't know if it's just me, but I tried it before and after updating my Firefox, and it just didn't load. I was able to access the main page, but I couldn't navigate around it. I had to type in the website address including HTML to browse. I tried looking online to see if anyone had this problem, but I couldn't find anything. I ended up downloading Google Chrome and then it worked like magic. After getting the package, I can conclude that the trouble of downloading Google Chrome was worth it. 

Overall, I definitely dig the site and company. It's based in SoCal...Fullerton to be exact. If you live near there, then you can actually pick up your items without paying shipping fees. Unfortunately, I don't in that area. My pieces arrived in good condition and besides the technically problem, I am satisfied with my purchase from Threadsence. I am definitely becoming a TSaddict.

 

The two pieces that I got are Artee Couture's beaded surprise chambray button-up and UNIF's Harley dress. Again, I got these two items on clearance, but they were originally $48 and $112, respectively. I saw the chambray button-up first when I was browsing, and I thought to myself, "I can totally get this anywhere," but there was something about the beads that really intrigued me. I mean, you can get a similar shirt at Forever 21, but I feel like the beads are a little more ornate here. The shirt is relatively simple, so the extra punch from the details definitely talked to me. The snap-on buttons were also a nice addition to it all. The material is super soft, so it feels like my PJs, which is awesome.

Okay, I'm super excited to tell you what I think about my new dress. The Harley dress from UNIF practically drove my purchase. I browse a lot and I am the type of person who adds things to her cart with the intention of buying, and then I would just empty it all out if it's not worth the hassle. When I saw this dress for its clearance price, I totally fangirled for a few minutes. I have always wanted to own an UNIF piece because it's a big statement and you need a big personality to wear it. My personality is quite timid and shy, but I channel my inner bad-a** with my clothes. If I had to explain my style, then I would say that I'm a dark flower...if that makes any sense at all. I love my girly patterns like floral and lace, but I have always had this dark side. There is something about chaos and testing the norm that I can relate to. I am a goodie-two-shoes, but I try to practice "Carpe Diem" as long as my actions aren't going against the law or anything.

The only size they had it in was a XS and I was really worried that it would be too tight. I'm typically a small and an XS is pushing it. For the first time, I actually used the size chart and measured myself. Surprisingly, the dress has some room left over! This purchased worked out really well.

OH, and the dress has pockets! HOW PERFECT.

Alrighty, now to tell you how much I actually spent on the two pieces. Again, keep in mind that the prices are not dirt cheap, but with what I got, I am very pleased. I got the chambray button-up for $9.50 and the Harley dress for $19.99! I saved a little over $130, so thank you, Threadsence! 

My ten cents #33: Trying new things or in this case, company, does not always end up badly.

THANK YOU!

Photo credits: Kim F.

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of “My Ten Cents.” (Whoooot!) I cannot believe time went by so fast. Although this blog is all about my take on self-expression through re-purposing fashion and creative DIYs, its roots lie deep in my personal past. This positive medium was inspired by a negative past. Like many people, I grew up with a low self-esteem and confidence. I was made fun of for the way I look. Compliments were unheard of for me. Like I mentioned before, I have suffered from acne for almost half of my life. Before then, I had a ridiculous overbite and even with braces, signs of it still linger. Growing up, I spent most of my summers helping my family outdoors, so my skin was several shades darker. Being Vietnamese, I have been mistaken as being Cambodian, Laos and Filipino. There is nothing wrong with those ethnicities, but I never fully felt accepted by my culture to the point where I felt like a disgrace. Harsh as it may sound, but I never felt comfortable in my own skin. 

Photo credits: Kim F.

During middle and high school, I started to play with make-up. Many of my friends used it and I thought it can be my holy grail to look somewhat presentable.  Not only was I bad at it, but it became a torture. With my acne, the make-up sometimes made me look even worst, and I thought that wasn’t possible.

Photo credits: Kim F.

 After calling it quits with make-up for awhile, I swapped it with clothes. Being my introverted-self, I did not have the courage to make a radical change. I slowly did it by switching my old flare jeans to some skinnies. I still remember my very first pair of skinny jeans and being a no-name pair, I managed to wear them out for 3+ years. It sounds lame now that I put it into words. By the time I got into college and with the glorious Forever 21 in walking distance from my campus, I became a little more creative. I thought to myself, “New school=new start.” Nobody knows me here, so I thought I might as well make the change that I always wanted to do, and that is when my wardrobe evolved. Although I lived on campus during my first year of college, I frequently went home on the weekends to go garage-sale-shopping with my mother. Furthermore, now that I am mobile, I went on adventures to the thrift stores more often.
                                  

Photo credits: Kim F.

In the midst of things, my brother also started to dress better and we ended up shopping together a lot. My family is quite artistic and creative, so I love shopping with my brothers because I get really good feedback about colors and fit. From there, we would show off our outfits to each other and of course, my outfits were always cheaper. We would break down our PPWs and that was when the idea of “My Ten Cents” started.

Photo credits: Kim F.

If you look back at my early posts, then you would notice that my poses were minimalistic. I was not comfortable with showing my face. I lack awkward poses and facial expressions. I would secretly take pictures of my outfits at 3 AM when my whole family is asleep. 

I had no idea that I would receive so much positive feedback about my blog. I still find it weird when I get compliments. From family, friends to strangers, I cannot thank you enough. Thank you for opening the link and reading my childish thoughts. Thank you for supporting me and inspiring me with new ideas. Thank you for helping me realize how much I love my culture. Thank you for helping me realize how much I love my skin. THANK YOU!