Thinker Blogger Award

Argh! Sorry it took so long! The lovely Fashion Ivy nominated me for a Thinker Blogger Award and I'd been neglecting to answer these questions for quite a while now. So here I go...

What is the story behind the name of your blog and nickname?

Frankly speaking it took me ages to decide on the name of this blog. I finally decided to call it "Fashion Tidbits" because what I hope to do is provide small insights, a bit of this and a bit of that; tidbits of my interest in fashion, art, and style. It will always be tidbits because considering the fact that my background has absolutely no relation to the world of fashion at all I can't quarantee any major insider-information but can only share my small but sincere interest, excitement and curiosity I derive from this world.

What has been your best and worst blogging experience?

I think my best blogging experiences have involved getting that "first" comment (I think I had heart palpitations!) and on those days when I discover something and I feel as if "oooh! I'd better write about that on my blog!". Thankfully, I haven't had any bad blogging experiences, possibly spam but i enjoy deleting as much as I enjoy eating the delicacy!:P
Oh and also possibly the impending doom of writer's block....oh please...may that day never come.

What do you think/ want to happen to your blog in 2008?

I hope that readers will never tire of reading my blog and I hope to improve my commentary writing skills because I don't think I am that articulate as I wish to be.

So, there it is. I hope I haven't bored you to death. Now I'm going to nominate each of these wonderful blogs (I apologize beforehand if you've already been nominated):

Fruchtzwerg's Island
All of this is life
Chic closet
Madam Tam Tam
I <333 Design

Canine cafe

Here are the pictures that I took when I went to Cafe Bau House, which is a dog cafe situated in HongDae (홍대). A dog cafe is literally a cafe where you can have drinks and easy food while you hang out with the dogs who just wander around, sleep around, climb-on-the-chairs around- the whole cafe doing what they please. The dogs are owned by the owner of the cafe (some were probably strays) but occasionally there are dogs who are being baby-sat or hotel guests too. Aren't they handsome fellas and girlies? Overall, it's a great place to hang out and play with small and BIG, fluffy canines for dog-lovers (like me!). I tried not to chuckle too much about the arbeit students who are principally there to sponge up the continual flow of pee pee off the floors! :D

Happy b'day to moi

The big day is finally here. I want to thank everyone sincerely for all their early birthday wishes! Let me leave you with this picture that I took yesterday when I went to Bau House, a dog cafe in front of HongDae(홍대). I spent many an hour sipping my drink and hanging out with the dogs. I have a feeling that these cafes are entirely Korean creations. Will post more pictures soon.

One day left

till my birthday...or should I say 29 minutes left at this very moment. Unfortunately I don't know much about the world of make-up (I really wish I did though) and it's proper application processes. I tend to slap, smear my stuff on, but I do use a powder compact, lipgloss (though I am a chapstick girl at heart) and occasionally apply mascara. Today I got my first MAC purchase- Slimshine Lipstick in 'Ultra-Elegant'. I really wanted to try out that nude, natural look so I tried to get something similar to that without making me look like a hospital patient. Anyways, it's a lovely, creamy natural beige colour which was perfect for me because I was sick of ALWAYS getting pink-coloured shades for my lips.Has anyone tried these? I think that they're pure genius! I don't enjoy the taste of lipstick and I dislike the over-gooeyness of lipgloss but this falls right in between consistency-wise and it smells like chocolate! I am so in love with this right now. 'Bare' is also a lovely neutral shade and I recommend it fully!

Smelling happy

Well, I promised to show you what was in the birthday box so here it is. It's perfume by my favourite Ralph Lauren! It was a complete surprise for me, I truly had no idea.'Lauren Style' smells citrus-like and musky. Further research tells me that vanilla, gardenia and magnolia are the other key components and surprisingly I am not sneezing it all away (very glad I'm not!) because strong fragrances tend to make me sneeze and scrunch my nose up in a funny way. Since we're on the topic of perfume, I'm wondering what your favourite scent is? My nose can handle: Chanel No.5, Poison by Christian Dior, Poeme by Lancome (my mother's scent!), Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel and Green Tea by Elizabeth Arden. I have a really hard time picking the right scent for myself and I never end up getting any of the 'heavy-stuff' but opt for Eau de Toilettes that are light (but the problem with these is that the smell almost disappears as fast as you spritz it). Are there any other perfumes you could suggest for me to get in the future and that you think my nose could handle?

Angelic lightbulbs & butterfinger pancakes

I feel a countdown coming. Two days left till my official birthday and I age another year. I know I always feel super special on 'my' day but I can't help being a tad grumpy about aging (sorry to whine about it). Anyways, I also know that since it's the holidays I am bloating like a bullfrog from stuffing myself with carbs all day. Today I had a lovely, nice-and-early birthday dinner with a close friend and because she said I should pick the place where we should eat out, I couldn't help choose another brunch cafe. I hope I'm not giving you the impression that I am one of those city-obsessed, Sex and the City-lover type of girl who spends her bucks on expensive brunches and Starbucks because I really don't! I just happened to feel like eating something rich to satisfy my sweet tooth so I picked Butterfinger Pancakes in Apkujung (압구정). Yes, my world is topsy turvy- I felt like eating brunch for dinner and so we did. This was the first time in my life I ate crepes. Crepe Suzette anyone? Coffee was at some modern cafe called 'Take Urban'. I had something made from a Costa Rican blend. The most interesting part of the shop was stuck to the ceiling. I thought to myself that: "those are definitely some cute lightbulbs". But the best part of the night was the sentimental gift ;) Check back tomorrow and I'll show you what it is.

Aching muscles

I'm still recovering from a one-day ski trip I took the day before yesterday. For a person who's never skied before in their life I think I pretty much winged it for my first shot. But advice for future first-timers out there- is to take lessons first! An introduction to the slopes (argh, why are they so steep for BEGINNERS???!!!!) by a buddy who has only skied twice before is not always the best option compared to forking over for some ski lessons. Nevertheless, it was all fun plus I didn't get hurt and now I am sitting at my computer here aching EVERYWHERE; bones, muscles, fingers, you name it! The slopes are definitely addictive next time I really, really, really want to learn how to snowboard and don't worry I WILL take lessons! The funny thing is, I've been away from home for one night and yet it seems a week has already past. What was waiting for me: dishes that needed to be washed, laundry and garbage to be thrown out...l-o-v-e-l-y.
While I was out skiing, guess what Natalie Portman was up to during the weekend? Promoting 'The Other Boleyn Girl' in Berlin, Germany in pretty frocks. Love everything about the sheer number by Rodarte! Who says 'no' to lace?
My violet, military-inspired jacket (below) is by a Korean brand: Zooc. How did you guess? It is a tad bit long on the sleeves but the fit in the shoulder region is exactly right so that's why I bought it. Plus, it was on sale! I am having camera-difficulties at the moment which is an euphemism for photo-shyness and my inability for self-timing which is restricting me from taking outfit pictures. Currently, I have no floor-length mirror either so nothing is persuading me. I'll be going out tomorrow for an early birthday lunch so let's see how I feel about it then.

My latest big, violet-coloured buy

and off we go a marching.... ho ho ho

Vege shoes

Natalie Portman's vegan shoe line by Te Casan has finally been launched. This fashionable and animal-friendly footwear encompasses a range of high-heeled mary-janes, enamel pumps and simple flats.
When she said 'simple', I guess she really meant it.

Ballerina bears

I thought that the age of scrunchies had come to an end, as I remember they were circa 90's era because I remember wearing them in a ponytail during grade school...but recently I happened to chance upon a particular one that reminded me of those Miu Miu Spring '08 tutu-like dresses. So before I wear this age-old trend in my hair again I decided I would give my teddybear keychain (which is currently dangling off my handbag) a fashion make-over. I figured he could at least live out my childhood yearning of becoming that ballerina that I could never be.

Miu Miu mania

Screen sirens Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson are decked out in lovely Miu Miu for the new W magazine (US). Those cuffs and collars give those outfits that extra vampy edge, I reckon.Natalie's shoes are from her new vegan shoe line (more about that later) and Scarlett's shoes are by Miu Miu.Now, I really like dogs but does anyone know WHY the fella is in the shoot??? There's a concept I don't get.
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day!

End of NY Fall Fashion '08

Zee end is heere~
Yigal Azrouel, Tracy Reese, Tuleh, Proenza Schouler

Dresses divine...

Preen, Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors, Monique Lhuillier

Gettin' moody...

L'Wren Scott, Marchesa, Jill Stuart, J. Mendel

The Big Red Apple

I did not know that New York held such a signifcant part of the red-haired population of the world. Perhaps I shall consider moving to NY instead of Scotland if these pleasantries continue to occur... :P Pics from The Sartorialist.

Hunting for bow rings

A lot of people have been asking me about where I purchased my silver bow ring. Unfortunately my ring was bought at some random store on the streets of Daegu, Korea for a very nice & cheap price so I can't exactly link you to it, unless of course you come over here (and I do welcome that dearly!). But never despair! Though I couldn't find any similar to mine, a good search on the internet reveals that there are other bow-ringed possibilities on Ebay. Plus, if you're out for something a little more realistic-looking, Brooklyn-based designer Kiel Mead molds Forget-me-knot rings from actual real string for about US $65.

More & more NY Fall '08 picks

Ralph Lauren, 3.1 Phillip Lim, ADAM, Boy by Band of Outsiders

I'm back! I cannot believe how fast fashion is. I've been gone just over a week (mind you, to celebrate the New Year!) and Fall fashion is almost over. Another successful season in NY is coming to an end but before it all closes, check out more of my faves...

Badgley Mischka, Bill Blass, BCBG Max Azria, Cynthia Rowley, Carlos Miele

Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, Brian Reyes, Calvin Klein

Derek Lam, Doo.Ri, Douglas Hannant, Diane von Furstenberg, Halston

More NY Fall '08 Fashion picks

After some careful scrutiny, I have made a collection of my most favourite runway outfits offered by yesterday's designers. I was totally mesmerized by the wonderful colours on Alexander Herchcovitch's dress, also loved the twisted skirt from Costello Tagliapietra (look at the big blue bow Miss Woo!).

Abaete, Alexander Herchcovitch, Costello Tagliapietra, Costello Tagliapietra

Jeremy Laing, Alexander Wang, Alexander Wang, Juan Carlos Obando

Alexander Wang is the epitome of coolness, I swear. I wish I had the nerve to wear run-up tights like that in real life. Love the belt tie on the Juan Carlos Obando dress- very DKNY.

United Bamboo, Threeasfour, Sari Gueron, Ruffian, Lacoste

There were some really interesting designs from United Bamboo featuring those metal spring fixtures (I think they're springs???), LOVE the colour of the Threeasfour dress, if I ever were to go goth-I would go the Sari Gueron way and I thought that Ruffian hardly showed any ruffian-like clothes. Also, who knew that Lacoste could be so chic during winter?

p.s. Will be away for a week because of Korean New Years' if I have access to a computer I will try and post but if not, make sure to enjoy the rest of the collections and see you all next week!

Purple bag alert! (again)

From Queen Mab to the cool Longchamp and now this purple Escada (the cross-hatching reminds me of Bottega Veneta but I've noticed their brand below uses diagonal crossing)...when will these designers stop designing these expensive (= unattainable) purple lovelies???? Argh, I'm being tortured!

NY Fashion Week Fall '08 collections are here!

and the floral prints refuse to die... Jason Wu, Rachel Roy, Erin Fetherston, Nicole Miller

Bowed out

My recent purchases include a big, blue bow for my hair (still chanelling Chanel), sparkly black tights and a cute bow-ring!

Arm Candy

Lately I've been on a handbag obsession hunt, checking out all the handbag stores when going out and scouring the net for new information.I've found my new bag! It's the 'Fiesta' handbag by Loewe and it comes in a smaller shoulderbag version too.
I much prefer the bigger version, the link straps and I adore ALL the scrumptious candy colours!!! Yum!