Sex and the City 2: The Breathtaking Fashion and the Inspirations

Happy Labor Day everyone :)

Savor this day! It signals the end of summer and the coming of school (for those who are still on vacation). For the observance of this labor day, I've done quite a few things to have fun and stay well rested (sort of). Kind of sad that summer's almost over, but there's not that much of a difference here in Southern California.

Well what did I do?

You guessed it! I treated myself to yet another must-see-fashionable-movie this weekend! My aunt has been wanting to watch Sex and the City 2 with her for a while now. Finally, this weekend, as we don't have much to do, I pulled up the movie for her. She loves this movie for its fashion. I actually gave her Sex and the City 1 DVD for Christmas once!

Here's what I absolutely loved about the movie. As mentioned in the NYFW Post, I love the style of this City. I feel like watching the movie gives me a better sense of what looks good, too. Again, who knew watching movie could be such a treat and have so many purposes!? Props need to be given to Patricia Fields! Every single outfit the qudrio (like trio, but 4) wore made me wish I was them. One of my favorite outfits had to be an original Carrie Bradshaw. Like I said in Tribal Love, I love the styles of SJP/Carrie Bradshaw, this is no exception!

doesn't she look stunning?

What I loved about this outfit is that it's so effortless and casual, yet so unique and exotic! Perfect for Abu Dhabi. Sure she's glowing in this picture, it may have something to do with the fact that she just saw her ex-fiancee "60,000 miles away from New York," but the outfit definitely brought more light!

Aside from the fashion, which I can go on and on about, this movie really opens my eyes about the places I could go with the PR career path that I've chosen. Samantha started out as a bar tender, but now she's grown into this amazing publicist. Just look at the fact that she's turned Smith into a huge star! But because of her expertise, her and her best gal pals were invited to an all-expenses paid trip to the exotic UAE with complimentary butlers and everything! One of the reasons why I chose New York to be my life's next destination is for the wide range of opportunities! I truly admire Samantha's professionalism...most of the time. Unfortunately, for Samatha, her promiscuity and albeit unprofessional urge has gotten herself out of a business deal of a life time. But hey, it IS only a movie. I will only set goals based on Samantha's competence and strength!

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Here's what else I'll be doing for Labor Day, going on a hike! Yay!

This organization I am rushing for will be going on a hike to Griffith park today! I'm super excited, I've been wanting to go there for a while, but never found a chance, too. I wanted to visit for the Haunted Hay ride, but I chickened out a bit, maybe this year! But Haunted Hay Ride or not, I'll be getting a taste of nature, and I'm super excited :)

Enjoy the long weekend,

XOXO,

Jo.

Coco Chanel: A True Inspiration

When it comes to girls picking their most inspirational designer, who wouldn't say Chanel?

Over the weekend, I was in the mood for some movies, and for some reason, I ended up watching Lifetime's version of "Co Co Chanel," which was released back in 2008. I'm so glad that I did! I actually learned a lot.

This movie really made me respect her not only as an artist, but even more as a woman. She came from a time when woman was strictly limited by "proper" social conventions. She didn't care for those limitations and went about her own ways. Most importantly, she was adamant about her own beliefs despite other's discouragements. She stayed true to herself, and maintained a DGAF attitude to the snooty, irrelevant criticisms. Somehow, Garbielle turned COCO just have the foresight of knowing what would be the best. Now look at her success now! With the signature double-C logo and the No 5 perfume, people would line up for hours just to buy her stuff. She built an empire, she established a brand, all while having a rather rough start, too! What I admire about her is her independence. She had a tenacity even when it comes to romance. Though she had a "love-of-her-life" she need no man *snap snap.* #girlpower

But in addition to the life lessons, I've got some fashion lessons from her as well!

I absolutely love Chanel quotes:

"You may have a date with destiny. That might be tonight, and you must be prepared to dress as pretty as possible."

That's something my mom had always repeated to me through out my life. And I completely agree! I guess my mom wasn't the only one who thought of it! Even though it's very superficial to think that if any opportunities--romance or career wise--do arise, one must be dressed nicely to welcome it. But they don't say "dress to impress" for nothing! For all you know, you could be running into the boss of your dream job on the street, and if you're dressed sloppily, they can automatically make a snap judgement, you wouldn't want that! so always be prepared!

"The poetry of fashion lies in the creation of illusion."

That cannot be more true! Even though she said that decades ago, it can still be applied today! For example, I am 5'8'', and if I want to maintain that tall illusion,  maxi dresses is my go-to solution.  Also, I don't have the straightest legs in the world. So to cover up this flaw, I try to wear things that falls below the knees, which looks a lot better than the shorter alternatives.

I even found a great example how popular fashion site, allwomenstalk, was able to pull together a few tricks to make shorter girls look taller! Those were all wonderful illusions!

"A woman can be overdressed but never over elegant."

Take Duchess Kate, for example, even though in the picture above, our beloved Kate is playing ping-pong and looking intense, I still think she looks pretty elegant. Why? She's a terrific dresser.

I think as duchess, she's already at he very top in terms of having elegance and social grace. Yet, whenever the world think she can't get any classier,  she probably can still amaze the world by pulling off something simple, but still looking classy and well, elegant! Here's one of my favorites:

This is a Jenny Packham teal dress our favorite princess wore to an Olympic gala. Her best accessory was simplicity and effortlessness.

However, drawing to the point Madame Chanel made, if one were to deliberately try to feign elegance with pearls, pastels, and tweed, or all kinds of accessories, without having consideration of the overall image, it might end up looking tacky and overdressed. There we have it, Chanel described a true and simple concept in a nut shell!

Lots of famous designers have the great potential to have as much influence as Chanel by creating breath-taking master pieces. But what distinguished Chanel from the rest of the fashion industry is her sharp wit, her tenacity, and an amazing talent.

Now that I've watched the movie, I have the urge to read the book as well!

I would definitely recommend this movie!

So what do you guys think of CoCo's beliefs or her life's accomplishments?! Please let  me know in the comment below. I'm very interested in hearing what you guys have to say :)

Xoxo,

Jo.