A very Kate Spade birthday

No, it's not my birthday yet.

I'm not turning 25 until 27th of December, which is like a month away.

But...I got myself something already. Something I call "Early birthday presents"

(Happens every year since I can remember, though hahaha)

I've been waiting for them to arrive from the United States and yesterday, on Thanks Giving morning...

Kate Spade came knocking at my door!

I did some shopping at their friends and family sale last month (of course with a help from my friend since they don't accept international credit cards) and got myself these gorgeous stuff!  

Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you..

Little Bow Bridge Kennedy in natural!

This bag was love at first sight and has been on my wish list since I laid my eyes on fall campaign many months ago. Now it's finally mine!

I can't express in words... the color, the cube shape, the bow...this little thing is just PERFECT!

This bag is made of smooth natural leather with crossbody strap with a bow that adds a femininity to its cool masculine cube. The name comes from Central Park which has a bow bridge as its focal point. A sudden feeling of going to Central Park strikes me! Wanna carry this beautiful bag while taking a walk there...in autumn...someday!

Next is the eyeglasses key fob

With a crystal on the right of the glasses, this simply makes the cutest key holder ever. I doubt if I will use it, because it's just too cute! LOL

 And here is the 2012 calendar and schedule book, all original prints by Florence Broadhurst, an Australian artist. I've always been using Sanrio or Disney ones, it's time I grow up a bit :)

Inside there are iconic designs with an aim for each month. December, my birth month is to go for a spin. 

 And October is a month to be curious as a cat.  I wonder why. LOL

Last but not least,  I proudly present you...

 The signature idiom bangle 2012 "This is the year to.."

Every year this Kate sends out idiom bangles to encourage every girl to live colorfully in Kate Spade way. And 2012 is the year to...

Be curious as a cat

Lose yourself in a good book

Add a twist

Play your cards right

Make sparks fly

Wow, sounds to me 2012 is gonna be a great wonderful year!

Taking a time machine back to last year, I had an idiom bangle for my new year present. 2011 version is called "This year I will.."

This one has been my daily wear ever since I got it. My friend Kim Yang Jin sent it to me from Korea :)

It says...

Read the classics

Conquer the souffle

Learn to Cha-Cha

Take up the trumpet

Fall head over heels

2011 is gonna be over in a month and it's a shame I haven't accomplished any of those T^T Hope I do better in 2012, especially the"Fall head over heels"part!

So, here you go, my very Kate Spade birthday presents!

But if you think that's all, no, it's not!

Another parcel is yet to come and it's no other but my birthday present! What a greedy girl, but, well, it's the least I deserve for working so hard all year long!

Be sure to stay tuned and see what the last present is!

For now I'll go to bed, telling myself "I'm the happiest girl in the world!"

Thank you, Kate Spade, for making my life so wonderful :)

Happy Thanks giving and happy holidays to all of you! Cheers!

The Help

Say hello to the new look of my blog!

A big thanx to Por chan who did some work on photoshop for the header at our girly sleepover last Friday.

Hope you like it :)

It's 10 pm Sunday night, I'm exhausted from working Sunday and god knows I was so drunk last night going out with my seniors from Tohoku University! What I need now is a deep long sleep.

But I just have this strong passion to write about an outstanding movie I watched yesterday, NOW.

I'll keep it short and sharp as possible, so I can go have a peaceful sleep without carrying a burden in my heart. lol

"The Help"

An adaption of a novel by Kathryn Stockett, it is a heartwarming, inspirational story about a newly grad named Skeeters (Emma Stone) who wants to write about African American maids serving for white families in a southern town. Going through so many difficulties, this book "The Help" was published and really made an impact on the community, revealing scandalous, awful truth of how colored people were treated and how hurtful their lives were in 1960's right movement era.

I'm not a big fan of history so it was very shocking to find out about the hardships of being black people back in those days, making less than minimum wage, being forced to use separate outdoor bathrooms and having to face all posible racism one can imagine. The movie has both tear-jerking scenes and good sense of humor, supported by lovable and relatable characters.  Everyone left the cinema with teary eyes on smiley faces. This movie melted my heart because I also grew up being raised by nannies. I miss them (>x<)

And I just have to WOW about the delicious 60s fashion in the movie. My eye candy!

 Bryce in stunning floral dress.

 The classy cat-eye glasses.

The vintage one piece.

 I love this top! Can't find any fully seen images ;(

This baby blue dress is so adorable!

Another round of applause to, of course, the soundtrack. Call me anything you want, I'm a 24 year-old-girl who loves 60's music to the very best.  The disc runs twelve tracks lining up Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Franki Valli, The Orlans, just a few to name.  The new number by Mary J.Blige "The living proof" is my least favorite track,though. I'm just not very fond of this kind of pure ballad and prefer the groovy beat of 60's more.

Click here to listen

Very positive to see this movie's name in Oscar nominees.  Let me tell you once again, loud and clear, you can not miss this excellent film, guys!

All images from thehelpmovie.com

Inspiring books

Last Sunday I sneaked back to Bangkok to have an afternoon tea girl talk with my friends, and of course, shopping. YAY! The flooding situation is much depressing enough I need something to delight myself, don't I?

But my biggest mission was to pick up some books I've ordered at Kinokuniya book store.

Dolly Girl by Anna Sui Autumn-Winter 2011 collection book 
Along with this book comes a leather tote bag

This is what I love about e-mooks! They always come with something else to treasure!

I have been Anna Sui's loyal fan since I was 15 and still never get enough of this magnificent label.

Butterflies, roses, rock and roll, black and purple..

You can tell from the very first glance that it's Anna Sui's. Her originality is in every single pieces of her designs. That's how amazing she is.

Anyways, her line of Dolly girl's AW2011 are fabulous! Autumn colors with a touch of girly vintage looks from the 60's. 

My personal favorites of this collection are this knit cardigan with paired skirt in the print called "forest"

and this red short coat with playful golden heart buttons.

The next one is called "The Fashion File" by Janie Bryant, the award winning costume designer of the famous "Mad Men"  TV series.

She details how she enhances the retro-chic styles for each characters. It's truly fascinating to know how much effort she put to style Joan, Betty and Peggy into perfect looks. Working as a costume designer must be so much fun, but I bet it's not as easy as it looks. 

You can also read about body measurements, make-up tutorials, vintage and where to find, advises and helpful tips about fashion. This book will surely guide you how to look top-to-toe gorgeous in '60s-style. 

Know what the best part is? The illustration by genius barbie designer Robert Best! I absolutely adore them!

 

Last but not least

"Vintage Fashion Sourcebook" co-written by Emma Baxter-wright Karen Clarkson, Sara Kennedy and Kate Mulvey

This book depicts a framework of fashion history over the 20th century, explaining developments and movements of each decade, allowing readers to absorb trends of that specific period and why certain fashions were worn at the time. 

They make it easy to understand with keywords and pictures. In the last chapter there are useful information about vintage shops in England and tips about how to choose a vintage garment wisely. 

While reading, all I thought was "Why wasn't I born back then??" How envious those women got to wear beautiful dresses with matching hats and gloves all the time! La vie en rose! 

Such an enjoyable and easy-to-follow book. Best for vintage lovers who are eager to learn about the origins of their favorite pieces.

Hope you enjoy this book review and if you have any fashion books to recommend, I would really appreciate your comments!