{GBF Life + Style} The Great Escape

 I'm refraining from making Charlie's Angels references about my recent Jigsaw London summer afternoon "tea party" photo shoot because that would take away from the quaint allure of spending a picturesque afternoon in Beverly Hills posing in floral perfection with two beautiful ladies. We shot at a park, an urban oasis centered in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in the city. Muffled sounds of life's hustle and bustle (and mufflers) surrounded us but didn't consume or distract us as we focused on the task at hand-playing with paper windmills, pouring air from teapots, and fluffing our dresses. It was one of the most relaxing shoots I've ever been on.

The lovely afternoon made me realize I don't need to travel thousands of miles or spend a gazillion dollars to enjoy an idyllic escape from the chaos of life. The right people, the right setting, and a fabulous dress will most certainly make for a great escape.

{on me} Jigsaw London taffeta prom dress | Aldo heels | Chanel necklace
{on Whitney} Jigsaw London tea rose dress
{on Jenny} Jigsaw London ombre rose print dress

Special thanks to Shari for the amazing photos!

{live fabulously}

 

{GBF Life + Style + Giveaway} Stepford Wives

My white KAHLO trapeze jacket screams Stepford Wife and is absolutely fabulous. Although mod-like in nature, the cut is surprisingly versatile and creates a nostalgic yesteryear layer to the outfit. I added some pops of color in the form of a neon yellow RD Style sweater tank, d.RA floral skirt, and kept accessories neutral and muted. I wore the outfit to the Restorsea party at Chateau Marmont yesterday followed by dinner with a lady friend at The Golden State. The Fairfax burgers and Scoops ice cream outpost is one of my favorite eateries in the area. The menu is small but everything is delicious, especially the sweet potato fries and the gourmet yet well-priced burgers. 

In the 1972 satirical novel The Stepford Wives, husbands brainwash their wives into submissive, mindless, and docile ideals relegated to their sole role in life-being the perfect housewife. Of course, at the end of the book, they're freed from mind control and predictably school the hubbies big time. The book left a lasting impression on me as it provides unconventional commentary on feminism, female empowerment, and the rudimentary minds (a sweeping generalization of course) of the male sex.

I can never be a Stepford Wife. Fiery Shanghainese blood runs thick through my veins which means any semblance of submissive docility is completely lost on me. But sometimes it's fun to dress like one. I can wear tea length dresses, trapeze jackets, and kitten heels for the rest of eternity but please don't ever ask me to fetch your slippers. 

jacket: KAHLO
tank c/o RD Style
skirt c/o d.RA
heels: Miu Miu
purse: Fendi
necklace: boutique in Madrid

{GBF x RD Style Giveaway}

I've been wearing RD Style practically everyday as the collection is stylish and super street chic. So I'm super excited to give away a fabulous piece from their collection to one lucky GBF reader! To enter, simply "Like" RD Style on facebook AND follow them on Twitter and Instagram. And don't forget to leave a comment and tell me what's your favorite RD Style piece!

Giveaway ends Friday June 28 11:59pm PST.

{live fabulously}

 

{GBF Life + Travel} New England Weekend-The Good, the Bad, and the Fabulous

Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Nature" essay comes to mind when summing up my tour de New England. Although the family road trip across New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine was not a practice in transcendentalism in the strictest sense, it did jolt me from the fabulous distractions that come with living life in the fab lane. I found myself immensely appreciating the simple things in life like watching a brood of chicken cross the road (the joke is on the tip of my tongue), playing with Daisy the heifer, studying the collections of sap from maple trees, and marveling at the luscious and quiet beauty of The Great Mountains.

Unlike Emerson, my weekend immersion in nature was not rooted in solitude as it was layered with family squabbles, unexpected detours, bouts of laughter, and delicious crustaceans. And although I'm back in the land of the fab, I hope to take more time to be one with my surroundings and appreciate it in its natural state. As Emerson so eloquently wrote, "But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from those heavenly worlds, will separate between him and vulgar things.” 

{The Good}

To lobster heaven and back

Serenaded into the night by the men of The Dartmouth Aires 

cabot cheese 

Dad's awesome sense of humor

friendly New Englanders

white picket fences

smalltown, USA

{The Bad}

realizing I've been consuming fake syrup (Aunt Jemima doesn't own any maple trees) instead of real maple syrup all my life

eating sushi in Hanover

{The Fabulous}

 nature
my Torn by Ronny Kobo tank and skirt set
bringing my neglected Fendi purse back into rotation
having breakfast with the family every morning, something that's been missing from my life for years
seeing my brother graduate from boy to man

{live fabulously}