STYLE PROFILE: Liz Ong

Urban Professional, Feminine Chic

-- The BFF in a colorful printed top and black high-waisted swing skirt (not pictured) - on a date with me at Rickshaw dumpling bar in NYC

Vital Stats
Name: Elizabeth Qi Tien Ong
Age: 28
Occupation: Nurse Practitioner
Habitat: Manhattan
Characteristics: Warmth, elegant/laid-back classic chic, infectious laugh
Hearts: Nanette Lepore, Banana Republic, Diana vonFurstenburg, stand-out dresses with feminine silhouettes, delicate jewels

My beautiful friend Liz Ong has a remarkably intuitive sense of style: she is excellent at zeroing in on absolutely perfect "major" items (handbags, special occasion dresses) and looking put-together, yet she isn't one to follow the herd and looks distinctly more elegant than the average chick. There is a timelessness and innate elegance to her look that transcend the trend-mills. This is because Liz goes for quality over quantity, fit over fits-of-impulsivity, and practicality with feminine lines. You know that feeling you get when you periodically purge your closet of dopey, superfluous purchases you made years ago? That twist of scorn you can feel on your face as you toss scrap after flimsy scrap of faded, shapeless whimsy into another garbage bag for the Salvation Army drop-off? Case in point - given the massive sweep of the current Minnie-Mouse-esque polka-dot trend, I decided to delve into a drawer of my bureau that rarely sees the light. You could call its contents "Cheap, Slutty Tops I Wore in College for 'Going Out.'" I vaguely recalled a top I used to rock. In my mind, it was a sunny yellow delight with black polka-dots and straps that criss-crossed in front, with a big plastic ring joining them at the throat. Hard to picture? Trust me - even harder to get into. Or breathe in. I gazed at my reflection, aghast at the sallow tone my skin took on in the dead-Crayon hue, how the material pulled across my A-cup chest but bulged at my waist; felt a cold trickle of sweat as I realized the plastic piece was choking me, Final Destination style. In spite of my best hopes, the top would never be chic.
Well, my guess is that Liz has very few of those moments.
When I told her I was writing a blog post about her style, she was flattered, but also wondered bemusedly what I meant, exactly, by "her style."
Offhand, I might summarize the equation as something like this: high-quality, well-cut basics (a flattering fit is a must)+ low-key hair and makeup + delicate, personally meaningful jewelry (real as opposed to costume) + comfortable shoes with a pretty shape or detail. Not too flashy for every day; no mess of giant plastic beads or oversized bangles - Liz tends to stick with her favorite pieces. Then really special dresses with a lot of personality for events.

Here's Liz kickin' it at home with her adorable doggy-man, Chopper:

Dress: Nanette Lepore; gold necklaces: Tendenza; gold-and-diamond bracelet, unknown; three-stone oval-cut engagement ring: Tiffany
Even back in college, Liz tended to select her clothes based on three key elements: flattering fit, comfort, and finally that "Ooh, special!" quirk factor that all women have and is totally different for each of is. This sounds like common sense, but as you can glean from my yellow-polka-dotted foray into madness, it wasn't a combination that defined my collegiate style. She always had a strong sense of what was her. Also, Liz's "quirk factor" is both discerning and unique. I specifically remember an awesome brown belt-bag (no, not a fanny-pack), a slinky strapless sheath in robin's egg blue, and a fantastic pinstripe suit-jacket from J. Crew. - all of which are still in rotation today. No random, unevenly seamed bargain tops here! Don't get me wrong - I love the chains. Personally I enjoy tempestuous trend experimentation and the occasional "disposable" fashion item, but as I get older/wiser, I tend to admire women whose aesthetic is more classic. Liz, like Kate Middleton, knows the power of a stunning garment that makes the most of her assets and, more importantly, makes her feel like herself. I've often gotten caught in the cycle of purchasing all-new gear for an event (weddings, birthdays) and then found little use for the outfit because it was either way over-the-top or not quite enough. Liz tends to shop with a sharp eye for "recyclability." Example: the gorgeous dress below with a large poppy print in colors that pop - pun not intended/cute husband not included. Shout-out, Steve! Notice that even though the dress is "fancy," she pairs a striking frock with laid-back flat sandals. The feel is sort of Mad Men's Joan Holloway goes to town, vamping sweetly for an evening of stiff drinks, flirting, and rapier wit. Shout-out #2, Steve!

A habit of sticking to what's pretty and classic is a great way to beat the trend machine. Now that fashion is so incredibly accessible, the trickle-down effect has mall stores slinging weak imitations of Chloe dresses, and our economy continues to be crap, it's smart to invest in pieces like this perfect polka-dot mini, below. Liz styles it differently depending on the occasion - this is from her bridal shower at Pastis - and gets a ton of mileage out of it. That day, she paired it with black tights and vibrant aqua-satin bejeweled heels. How I wish I hadn't jumped the 2004 gun on the ill-fated top but rather had saved my money for a polka-dot piece with staying power!

Here are two other memorable dresses. The first one, a floor-length bamboo-and-blossoms dream, is incredibly versatile - here is Liz wearing it at a wedding (with adorable sister-in-law Jenny and sister-in-law-to-be Lauren - hi girls!), but she also wears it for smaller parties or even to come visit me in Connecticut. Easy, breezy loveliness.

The second is Liz on her honeymoon, wearing a classic red Chinese qi-pao with elan. She also wore it to her rehearsal dinner with black patent Louboutins. Fabulous.

These dresses nicely represent definitive Liz Ong style. You can also find her in great jeans (hemmed to perfection), nice quality T's and blazers, and signature accessories like these:

* Gossamer-delicate necklaces and pendants - these are by Wendy Mink, on http://www.bluefly.com/:

* Jade Buddha on gold chain - hers is vintage; this is by 6 Lucky Wishes on http://www.sears.com/.

* Cole Haan "Air Talia" patent wedges - unreal. I definitely had to cop these for work once I saw Liz's. They are ridiculously comfortable yet sharp, professional, and gorgeous. The low cut creates the illusion that the 1" wedge is actually a higher heel, and the shiny patent is virtually impossible to ruin, plus they have Nike Air Technology for all-day comfort. Once broken in, these walk like a slipper. http://www.zappos.com/

* M.Z. Wallace "Jane" bag in cardamom: Yup, had to get this too (I'm a biter!) after falling in love with it at Liz's apartment. This bag is literally life-changing and worth its own post. http://www.mzwallace.com/

* Eric Michael sandals: just enough height; straps hold the shoes to your feet for busy city days of walking everywhere.

So there it is. Lusting after Liz's effortless swagger? Here's a recap: How to Dress Like Liz Ong! Go for classic, understated elegance with a decidedly feminine flourish. Keep accessories minimal; shoes should be graceful but have an underlying utilitarian comfort.
1. Casual, city-friendly shoes with just enough polish 2. Work - structured yet comfortable pieces with body-flattering silhouettes 3. Vibrant colors pop against tasteful neutrals 4. Quirk factor is key in accessories - the perfect leather bag, a ribbon headband with tiny rhinestones, a sturdy watch, and jewels with emotional value 5. Flirty, fitted dresses 6. Know how to pick those rare 'signature' dresses you seriously love for special occasions!

How to Know if You've Mastered Liz Ong Style! 1. Get invited to a great party, ideally on a rooftop. 2. Walk there quickly and efficiently because you wore your comfortable yet shiny wedges. No teetering fashion victim here! 3. Show up in a perfectly-cut dress that shows off your fantastic waist/legs/whatever. 4. Wear the clothes instead of letting them wear you. 5. After you finish partying, easily flag a cab with the sparkle from your sexy, understated party bag.
6. Hop in your PJs and get to bed on time.

I love you Fizz - hope you like your post!! xoxo

Whimsical August Baubles

Charms to Spare
It's almost September, and it's back to business at my school (today was the first day of staff orientation), which means I have tons and tons and TONS to do in the next week-minus-two-days. And which also means I'll probably expend more energy on blog-posting, as my procrastinatory powers have always been remarkable. Once I seamlessly avoided grading a huge stack of very important tests by seeking ALL THE STICKERS I OWNED, deciding I needed more boy-oriented stickers (dudes love stickers too), going to CVS to seek them, and sitting in the aisle to read magazines rather than going home to my duties. Anyway, don't worry - I'm going to write lesson plans, too. (I SWEAR! In case anyone from school is reading this and judging me...)
Back to work always signals a buttoning-up and a more straight-laced steez, but I'm still in the throes of this punk-rock girlie teen-witch accessory obsession. Above are a few of the items I'm currently rocking - don't worry, not all at once! - with some great bargains as usual. (In the top right hand corner - that's the recently captured green studded bag from my last post!)
From top left, going clockwise: gold-and silver-tone spike bracelets: Forever21, $10.80/e. (These are satisfyingly heavy METAL, not plastic, and the spikes are SHARP, which makes them super fierce - a major jump from the 3 inches of black silver-studded Hot Topic crap I rocked in college, but far more reasonable than the $465 Auden Design beauty I've been stalking.) Sorry about the glare: Gold-tone leaf ring: Aldo, $6.00. Silver-tone chunky abstract ring: Forever21, $2.80. Gold-tone chunky abstract ring: Forever 21, $2.80. Gold-tone and black-"enamel" love-knot earrings: Forever21, $4.80. Chunky and somewhat aggressive but still ladylike.

The two pieces in the center, I simply adore. Definitely playing favorites with these two these days. (Also, see the two-tone bar ring from 2 posts ago.) The first one, a custom piece from C'est Magnifique in the city, has been getting a surprisingly significant amount of play lately - I believe I've mentioned it in a few posts now. Funny, this bauble had my heart from Jump Street even though I bought it in a far less macabre accessory mood about 4.5 years ago. I'm just real down with the double-double-toil-and-trouble of it, and the detail of the partially oxidized silver adds to the freaky feel. Plus I like the eye-dea (ha, ha) of a "third eye," and an old post (2009 "A Ring Thing") explains the Arachne myth involving the spider, which perhaps you've heard. I like to think that wearing it spikes my creativity and inspiration levels.
The gigantic, shiny gold fish ring truly has my heart at the moment. It takes up/wraps around +1/3 of my index finger, the detailing is excellent, the fish is really happy but still a tad dark and creepy (I suppose not unlike myself), and it's generally a heavy chunk of wonderfulness. Symbolism? Just keep swimming, essentially. (Smiley face.) I also like that it's the kind of gold-tone metal that doesn't fade and end up looking like I've raped and pillaged some dentist's-office spoils, but instead takes on that kind of soft, burnished patina. And the price? Drumroll please: $4.80. Really beats the $6,600 Max and Chloe version as well as the Anaconda $3,200 one. I'm "hooked." (Oh my God, stop me.) Other symbolic meanings of fish, from various mythologies and cultures: change, transformation, creativity, femininity, good luck, knowledge, happiness. My father says that Buddhists also link fish to freedom. Way better than a fortune cookie, if you ask me.

Note: I'm really hoping that earlier today during orientation, my C.E.O. (as we made eye contact during his welcome-back speech) didn't notice that I was gazing lovingly into the eyes of a huge, funky-ass fish on my hand. Doesn't seem like the best way to get noticed at one's place of work.
Anyone else into charms, talismans, and good-luck trinkets? I'm also currently favoring a gold four-leaf clover on a thin chain, one of the only delicate pieces I'll eff with lately. I believe jewelry takes on its owner's wishes, dreams, strength, and all the rest. As autumn comes to Connecticut, I plan to let my hands do the talking - and I don't mind if they sound a little bit like Stevie Nicks.

xo

Green Dream

Way back when I started this blog, I had no particular aim in mind except to try and excise my burning, consuming desire for an amazing green bag, in either a forest, jade, or an emerald hue. That first post was meant to serve as a mere soapbox where I could wax obssessive without alienating anyone. (Even in the haze of fixation, I'm aware that there is a limit to how much others can hear "I really want to find the perfect deep jade bag ...") I've been on the casual and not-so-casual lookout since then, with no success.

Most of us are picky about that oh-so-powerful sartorial siren, our handbag. Besides a couple of pretty smashing vintage pieces on "loan" from my mother, I have 6 that are truly quality "forever" pieces: a well-broken-in tan Michael Kors with brass hardware (a bit heavy but otherwise perfection), a gray MK slouchy small shoulder bag (gift from hubs), a slouchy, butter-soft, coal-black Marc Jacobs with gold hardware, an oversized L.A.M.B. enveloppe clutch, an MZ Wallace work bag, and a chocolate-brown Botkier which was also a gift from the man. Other than that, I dabble a touch here and there with fun, cost-efficient purses - vintage thrifted clutches, a bright print canvas tote, etc.

However, on occasion, an extremely specific yet not totally clear image (like a Tarot card reading) will sear itself into my brain and stay there, hence the green-bag mission. Seemed simple enough, but not so much. When seeking a less classic or more trendy item, the variables become high-stakes for me, as I do (contrary to all evidence) attempt to watch my spending, and despise any excess in an otherwise well-edited closet. I wanted something relatively unique. I'm really not one for lots of brand-name/logo splashing; I like a midsize purse that can fit all my essentials but doesn't enter Mary Kate mega-tote territory. Just the right amount of hardware rings my bell, as well as a standout shape. Excellent interior pockets / organization are a must. A handheld is fine but I like having the option of wearing it on my shoulder.

Finally, and most importantly, I wanted to spend less than $100.00 on this pipedream. Which meant finding a piece whose fake leather did not have that chintzy, flaky look and feel - especially since I was going for a rich color.
After 2 years of keeping eyes akimbo, I had given up on finding the right item - when there it was, staring me full in the face at Aldo yesterday - I had just wandered in to see if they had good, cheap stockings for fall. I imagine my face went a bit slack as I gazed at it in surprise, sort of a "Well hellooo, fancy meeting you here" moment. Slung it on, took it off, unzipped, re-zipped, rationalized, talked myself out of it and right back in: "The 'hardware' is plastic and that's not worth it ... but then again it makes it nice and light ... and it's 'gunmetal' so it's fine... and look at this great detachable shoulder strap," etc. etc. Eventually the savvy, exuberantly flamboyant salesboy (I'd say man but he was really quite youthful) consorted with my inner savvy, exuberantly flamboyant salesboy. (Did retail for awhile when I was in school but proved to be far too misanthropic to last.) Between our mutual excitement and the modified "doctor's bag" shape, I was in love.

For $48.00, plus tax.

The color is everything I wanted: a deep, mossy, foresty-jade (kelly green would have been too Crayola/Oscar the Grouch), and the chunky studs thrill my post-punk, reluctant-yuppie-sneaking-Warped-Tour-throwbacks sensibility.

Success! - xoxo -

A Short(s) Styling Story

Lately I've been finding that I really enjoy shopping my own closet ... and also that I need to curb my gratuitous spending. (No, really this time...) Not that this is news, but it's an absolute necessity for many reasons. Consciousness of our dire economy, yes, of course. Additionally (and more confessionally), I think it may be time to upgrade to a "serious" camera.

One thing I can pride myself on is the fact that I very rarely spend crazy money on trendy items - or really any items. I avidly read the *actual* fashion bloggers, follow designers and burn through magazines, but I also make a teacher's salary. So really, shopping is not my friend -- but styling certainly should be.

I'm more of a dress-and-skirt person than anything else. Granted, some days a pair of denim cut-offs, wifebeater tank, and Rainbow flip-flops are all one needs, but I enjoy a dressed-up feel even when going casual. All the adorable dressy shorts out there appeal to me, and I was briefly interested in a finding a bangin' trickle-down copy (yes I know - supporting biters!) of a pair of 3.1 Phillip Lim black leather beauties -- when it occurred to me that I could probably work it out with a budget pair I bought a few years ago. They're high-waisted with belt loops and cuffed hems, in easy-peasy black. (The trick was to figure out whether I had misguidedly decided to throw them in my Salvation-Army-bound bag of wardrobe castoffs - success! They were buried in my "I Might Want This Someday" pile.)

This is NOT a "real fashion blog" by any means (I'm constantly humbled when I check out the talent and beautiful work of the fashionistas out there!), but it's certainly a blog that involves style, so I think I'll start tossing up some posts of outfits I've styled and worn, incorporating truly affordable items (I know, it's probably bad to give the evil corporation Forever 21 my money, but alas) and my own personal touches. Right now I'm really into feminine clothes with big statement shoes, especially wedges, and slightly bizarre, hardcore rings ... Think demure, dainty-frock-clad punk-rock witch. My BFF-since-college Marina ( http://www.makeuplovesme.blogspot.com/ )and I are currently super-interested in the work of Pamela Love. Check it out here: http://www.pamelalovenyc.com/ Note to self: save for one of her sick talon rings!

So here is a budget outfit with slightly dressed-up shorts!

Mustard tank: H&M, $5.00 * Black high-waisted shorts: Forever21, ~$23.00 * Filigreed gold(tone) drop earrings: Target, $9.99 (Side note: I know you can't really see these, I will post about them later.... I love them so much that I own 3 pairs just in case I lose them. People constantly ask if they are antique; they also assume they are gold with diamonds...) *Locket: Pendant, Forever21, ~$8.00, Chain, unknown * Tan belt: vintage (thrifted) * Spectator wedges: Forever21, $32.00 (so freakin' comfy ... I am really over stilettoes) * Bar ring: Random find at Bodytalk in Avon, CT, $4.00 (Clearance, down from $25.00, and an excellent copy of designer stuff) * Spider/eyeball ring: C'est Magnifique in the East Village (I think), NYC, ~$160.00, custom * Crappy purple manicure that I thought would look really dope and sparkly: drugstore disaster * .. and you can't see it but I got a new leopard-print hair-stick at The Icing for $2.00.

There it is. And now, since the remainder of summer is quite short itself, I'm off to procrastinate a little more aggressively and wear some more short hemlines before school starts!
xoxo (ps - that's my little babygirl Yorkie, Lilu, looking up at me in a perplexed manner!)