Stylepint

Perfect Sunday Preview: iPhone Holder

May 3, 2013

perfectsunday2

Ever have one of those moments when you wanted a free standing holder for your iPhone?

I do, all the time.

To watch movies. To listen to podcasts. To play games (cuz I’m super addicted to Candy Crush).

When I came across Perfect Sunday, I totally fell in love. With the cheeky iPhone holder, with the adorable wall decals, and all the quirky products that make this San Francisco/Seoul website so refreshing. This company has such a bubbly and cute personality that shines through all its products. Not many brands can say that, but Perfect Sunday has it.

But back to the iPhone holder.

There are several “characters” to choose from, but I love this laughing boy. The grin suspends the iPhone (without the case) in place. There’s an adhesive backing which allows your to place it on any smooth surface. I couldn’t decide if I wanted it near my desk, my vanity, or my bed…so I might have to get another set of decals for each place. It’s an adorable addition that cheers up any room or space.

On May 8, there’s gonna be a Perfect Sunday sale on Fab.com, so check it out here.

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Learn to Wait: Jack Wills Oxfords

April 8, 2013

jack wills oxfords

These shoes broke several of my personal shopping rules.

They’re not local, eco-friendly, or made in the United States
It’s expensive…the most expensive fashion item I have purchased EVER!
It took me over a year to purchase since my size (3 UK/5 US) isn’t often in stock

These shoes are exactly what I’ve wanted for a long time. Ever since I picked up a pair of Steve Madden oxfords in early 2010, I wore them everywhere to the point where it was falling apart by April 2012.

When I was looking for a replacement mid-2011, I found two brands that fit most of my criteria…Penelope & Coco and Jack Wills. After some debate, I decided on Jack Wills because it had a classic look that would be more versatile. Sure I survived without oxfords for a year, but once I got my hands on these oxfords, I’m going keep them around forever.

Guess you’ll be seeing more of these shoes in my outfit posts.

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A Shift in Perspective: Eco-Minimalism

April 1, 2013

ensenada stylepint

Hola! Oh my, how the months fly by!

I’m back from a recent trip to Ensenada (visiting missionary families and local churches) and it reminded me of why I’m choosing eco-minimalism. A couple times on this blog, I wrote about eco-friendly fashion options and brands. But it goes so much deeper than selecting an organic cotton tee or supporting companies that have sustainable initiatives. I want to live with less and streamline my lifestyle so I can focus on what’s important in life. I choose eco-minimalism because I want to do more to help my community and the world around me.

Sometimes, I need a wake-up call to stop indulging in an American consumerist mindset. When it comes to fashion, it’s really easy to follow trends and shop endlessly. There will always be new things to buy and consume. I have to make a conscious choice to slow down my consumption.

In Ensenada, I was humbled by the way Berenice (the girl in the photo with me) lived. She spends most of her days without relying on electronic devices. Her imagination turns everything into something truly entertaining, enjoyable, and fun. And fashion…well…it’s just not that important.

Coming back home, I was taken aback by all the excesses I surround myself with everyday. I’m being more mindful of what things come in and out of my life and home. With that comes a change in lifestyle and I guess what I’m trying to say is that this blog is changing its focus too. Less on passing trends and ever-changing fashions and maybe more on long-lasting classics and eco-conscious companies. I’m not exactly sure how it’s gonna go, but I’m making an effort to change.

The photo below of my Ensenada church family serves as a reminder of what really matters in life. We’re building a community to help make the world a better place. I just thought I’d share them with you too.

Happy April!

ensenada stylepint

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Go Eco: Indigenous Portrait Coat

December 17, 2012

stylepintr indigenous portrait coat

One of my ongoing projects has been looking for great companies to share with my readers.

I stumbled upon Indigenous, which creates organic clothing with a fair trade mission for the past 15 years. With stylish basics and warm outerwear, I had to test drive the Portrait Coat in XS. An asymmetrical button closure and a flared curve to the jacket…I admit, I am pretty taken with it.

stylepint indigenous portrait coat

With high quality construction and dense organic cotton fleece, I could brave cold Cali weather without a second thought. I wore this coat to cheer on my friends running the Spartan Sprint in Malibu a few weeks ago. It was about mid-40s and rainy…and I was quite warm and toasty. (Plus, my friends dressed up as Ninja Turtles and in this coat, I was Splinter. How perfect!)

stylepint indigenous portrait coat

When it comes to coats, I usually take my time selecting the perfect one because it’s the first thing people see during the cold weather months. I’ve always wanted a coat in a non-neutral color that wasn’t so basic and boring….and this Portait Coat is it!

Seriously, if you’re looking for some great eco-clothing, check out Indigenous.

And a non-posed photo because I’m not serious all the time.

stylepint indigenous portrait coat

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Update on the Perfect Closet

December 15, 2012

It was on sale.

I’ll wear it all the time so the cost per wear will be pennies!

I just have to have it!

Those are a few things that run through my head whenever I make a purchase. But I never really need any of these things…and yet I want them so desperately. Why is that? Why do we always feel compelled to buy until we have no space in our closets, until we have to put away our warm weather clothes for the season, and still think we have nothing to wear?

The discontentment. The desire for more. Never satisfied.

When is enough…well, enough?

clothes

Last year, I wrote about my quest to craft the perfect wardrobe. I’ve done a lot of purging, organizing, shopping in the hopes of getting closer to my ideal closet. It’s in much better shape now than last year, but it is still evolving. The biggest struggle has been maintaining the self-control to shop only when necessary.

It’s the holiday season and everything everywhere is pushing me to consume, consume, CONSUME! There’s such a sense of urgency that if you don’t get it now, you’ll miss out. I had a nasty shopaholic relapse and went on an insane shopping spree. After the dust settled, I returned all of it. Sure, the items I got were nice but it didn’t hold my attention for long. It’s like cotton candy. You get a quick rush, but afterwards, you feel horrible, tired, and still unsatisfied…always searching for your next quick fix.

The problem doesn’t lie with the fashion industry (darn them for making such beautiful things), but with my own self-will and to know what I have and be content with it. The the lowest value doesn’t equal the best purchase. Quantity is no substitute for quality…or even designer goods for quality. I am still trying to find that balance to know when is enough really enough. When I can say, “I have a great closet already…all I need is a few items a year to enhance it.” Then I’m set.

And I’m almost there. A few key items and then, I’ll have a happy functional closet.

Perhaps 2013 will be a low shopping year.

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Explore Awesome with Icebreaker

November 17, 2012

icebreaker tech tee

I’ve been on a hunt for awesome eco-friendly and sustainable companies when I came across Icebreaker.

It’s an activewear company using merino wool instead of synthetics in crafting high quality garments. This New Zealand brand prides itself on being transparent and ethical from sourcing their wool to delivering the final product to its consumers. They have a Baacode on most of their items which traces the fabric back to its source farms. It’s pretty neat to see videos in which you learn about the farmers and their farms.

Curious?

Go to the Icebreaker website and enter the Baacode for my shirt: 458DDAE65.

icebreaker tech tee

As for the clothes, I got to try the V-Neck Tech Short Sleeve t-shirt in XS. The 150 gm is one of the thinnest and lightest weight fabrics they offer. Seemingly sheer with a burnout look, it has a relaxed fit and it feels fairly soft. I love that it’s a workout shirt but it looks and feels like a regular tee.

To test the durability and quality of this shirt, I wore it for 5 days while exercising. Between indoor rock climbing sessions and taiko drumming practice, this shirt really held up! Wicked away sweat and not even a twinge of smelliness. I know, it sounds pretty gross wearing the same shirt for 5 days in a row, but honestly…it still feels and smells brand new!

I was pretty skeptical at first, but now I’m a convert. A company that uses natural materials and has a vision to coexist with our environment…what more can one ask for?

Currently, the Explore Awesome campaign is giving away a few items until December 31, so hurry over and enter to win!

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Macy’s Fall Fashion Recap

November 14, 2012

stylepint mandi lane fall fashion macy's

I’ve finally gotten around to posting photos from the Macy’s Fall Fashion event with Mandi Lane.

Six bloggers created an outfit based on a fall trend and we got to compare our looks to Mandi’s model outfits. It was interesting to see how similar or different the looks were compared to the trend. My theme was the “Girl Next Door” and I added a bit of a tomboyish twist to it. I’ve been obsessed with madras and pageboy caps…so I had to incorporate it into my outfit. Unfortunately, I don’t get a chance to take a photo with my model counterpart.

Mandi was so entertaining and her vivacity really made the event super special. We learned a few gems about Pretty Little Liars from her behind the scenes knowledge…nothing about who A is…but just to hear how she speaks of the cast, it was a cheeky inside scoop.

After the event, I took a second glance at the Macy’s MStyleLab to snag some cool items that I missed the first time around. It’s events like these that really get your creative fashion juices flowing.

macy's mandi lane fall fashion