Learning to bargain (and getting ripped off!) & Wangfujing

Yesterday since I was feeling better and it was a beautiful day, blue skies, and great air, we decided to take a walk around our neighborhood. We are discovering that our neighborhood is pretty awesome & close to a lot of really great restaurants and other cool spots. We made our way over to Xiushui Market to do some browsing.

In China, you are supposed to haggle to get the best price. We know this. But, we aren't used to doing it. I feel cheap doing it.... LOL. Its sort of awkward... but I know if you don't, you'll get ripped off (which we did). We bought a 100% silk table runner. Its pretty, I didn't fall in love with it or anything but part of the fun here is using our Chinese, and bargaining with the shop owners in Chinese is pretty awesome, so we ended up buying this table runner, and a scarf, just for the heck of it, not because we particularly wanted them or anything. LOL! The table runner we were totally ripped off on.... she started at an amazingly high absurd price, so when we brought her down 70% we felt like we had done an amazing job of bargaining... unfortunately she does this for a living and knows we'd feel like we did a good job, so, we still overpaid by about $15... hahah! Its all part of the learning experience.

This is the table runner we were ripped off on.. its 100% silk, navy, with embroidered flowers.


And this scarf I actually haggled quite well, paid less than $5 for a 100% silk scarf. It has a really pretty pattern on it, but you can't really see it in these pictures.



And here I am with the two girls who sold me the scarf... we exchanged contact information for the future.

And how gorgeous is this painting? We love it.



After the market, we decided to take the subway to Wangfujing. When we were studying Chinese in the U.S., they always used Wangfujing Da Jie and Wangfujing Shudian (bookstore) in our dialogues, so we got a kick out of seeing it in person & sent pictures to our teachers back in the U.S. Its an extremely modern area.




The hubby "reading" a book (upside down) in the bookstore... sending it to his teachers for a laugh.


We bought a few movies in the bookstore... they were only $4 (US). I know intellectual property rights is a big deal, and that is why we bought these DVDs from a 100% legit store.


Wangfujing is the street where everyone goes to eat the weird foods... contrary to popular belief, I've only seen this sort of food sold on this street, I have yet to run into seahorse, or starfish, or scorpions in a grocery store...




We did not eat any of that interesting food, btw! After Wangfujing, we took the subway back home - stopped at a shop for some fresh flowers, made a stop at Beard Papas for some delicious fresh cream puffs.. and that was our day!

And the gorgeous view from our apartment!


Tonight we are going out with our new Chinese friend again - to the park where the Olympics were held - he says its beautiful at night, all lit up! pics to come.

Steph

An OOTD, Looking for a place to live, and I'm exhausted.

Yeah, I am pretty exhausted today! We went out from 9:00am until about 5:00pm looking at a long list of possible apartments to live in. That is seriously exhausting work! My husband is out with friends enjoying 北京烤鸭 － Beijing roast duck. You've probably heard of it as Peking Duck, Beijing is famous for it! I would have loved to have gone but I am seriously wiped out and wanted nothing more than to sit in the hotel room and go to bed early... so here I am. This will be a quick post because of how tired I am!

Here is what I wore around Beijing today:


After my first day walking around in jeans, I switched to wearing dresses and I think thats the way to go! This is the J. Crew double v-neck dress in "shadow," my Linea Pelle double wrap leather bracelet, and my J. Crew multi-strand mixed metal necklace. I wore gold sandals with it. Comfy summer dresses like this are the way to go in hot weather, and anywhere else you need to use a Chinese-style toilet... funny, but true, a dress is not only optimal for squatting but also for making sure your clothes don't touch the ground! Who knew I'd openly be talking about toilets and using the bathroom on here?! ha ha!

We went around to about 10 places today in our search for the perfect apartment, and my husband and I have it pretty much narrowed down to two. Both the apartments are great, they are just in different areas of the city and we are debating which area we should live in. One is in the business district which has great restaurants, both Chinese and Western style, as well as nice shops and just an over all new and modern feel to the area. The other apartment is in an area that feels a lot more busy, though I don't know if that is an accurate description - its in walking distance to school and also great shops and restaurants.

But, like I said, one of the areas feels really busy. Think TONS of crazy cars/drivers, bikers, and people walking every which way. Come to think of it, I am going to do a post on crossing the street in China. Its seriously an art form that I haven't quite figured out yet.. so is the driving here... there is a method to the honking. I'll just start with this: we follow the natives because there is no other way to do it. When we crossed the street yesterday we were literally in the middle of the road, buses passing us on one side and cars on the other, with barely a foot on either side of us between us and these vehicles. No one slows down or stops. I thought I was going to maybe die. lol.

Well, I need to cut this short - I am halfway delirious and falling asleep as I type. (Completely arbitrary highlight and italics, proof!)

SOON - more pictures from Beijing, a post on the art form of crossing the street - maybe I'll need a video of this, that may be the only way to capture it... and information on the apartment we choose!

I'll make sure to post really soon!

Steph

Loving: Shades of blue! A (sort of) OOTD post

Sorry I've been MIA (2 days! hah). I had to drive from my in-laws' house in Orlando to my hometown of Ft. Lauderdale so I could leave my car with my brother while I am in China. Then, my dad and I flew back to Connecticut yesterday morning so I can spend 2 weeks with my mom and dad!

So yesterday as we are 30-something thousand feet above Maryland somewhere, my dad asked me what class we are flying to China. "Duh, dad. Coach. Its the government - you think they are going to spring for us and pay for First?!" Well - my dad told me he has MILES and will use them to UPGRADE US!! Yesterday I called our airline to inquire... gave the customer service rep our confirmation number, asked if there were upgrades available for our flight and asked how many miles we would need. We were just 5,000 miles short for the both of us, so I hung up to decide what to do. We could easily purchase the missing miles for about $200 and I wouldn't hesitate to do that.... except two minutes later when I called the airline again, this person told me the last lady I spoke with gave me incorrect information and right now there are no upgrades available. The first lady totally got my hopes up!! Trust me I was fine traveling coach because we are going no matter what.... but she made me think I was thisclose to flying first, so when I called back my hopes were crushed! Haha.

Apparently I can get on the wait list - the airlines like to sometimes hold out on the upgrades until the very last day - you know, to see if any PAYING customers (pfft!) want to pay for first class tickets, and when no one does, they release the upgrades. I'm deciding whether I should risk paying $200 for the missing miles, then getting on the waiting list and hoping like heck that an upgrade becomes available! If one doesn't, then its like wasting $200. What would you do? What should I do?

OK so onto my OOTD! Sort of - I didn't take any full body shots! but I'm wearing dark skinnies, as usual, and gold sandals.



Anyway I love the rich blue of this Ann Taylor top! I bought it a few years ago and its proven to be a good investment. And, I love the shade of blue especially against the pretty turquoise of my earrings. :) Different shades of blue look so pretty against each other. Next time I'll get a full body shot for you guys - I am trying to finish this post and get out of the house!

My mom and I are going to run down to Greenwich Avenue so I can bring my pants into Lululemon to get them hemmed. I also want to check out Madewell... I have a feeling they have cute summery clothes. OH and my mom read in the NY Times about a store called Fox's - apparently its a store that gets designer surplus, so they sell designer clothes at huge discounts! Hopefully I have something good to report back!!

Anyway I REALLY want your advice about getting on the waiting list .... what do you think? Remember if I DON'T get upgraded, I will have wasted $200. Opinions?!! THANKS!

Oh, also my mom and I are definitely planning to see a show in NYC... the last few times we have seen Wicked, Avenue Q, Rock of Ages, and my mom has seen Jersey Boys. Any recommendations for us?

Talk soon!
Steph

OOTD! Anthro's Winged Victory Blouse REDONE: Blacklight Blouse

In Anthropologie's Winter collection (I think it was winter), Odille had the cutest little blouse out called the Winged Victory top. It was insanely popular and sold out very quickly. I am not a strapless sort of girl - I tend to stay away from them due to all the logistics involved (if you know what I mean) ... but, on a complete whim, I tried on the Winged Victory top and as soon as I did, I knew I had to have it - it went home with me that night!


I love the pop of green against the black, and the architectural detailing at the top of the blouse is just gorgeous and incredibly flattering. Its also a really secure feeling top so I felt comfortable enough buying this.

I know a lot of people missed out on this top the first time around, which is why I knew I had to post about it as soon as I noticed that Odille came out with a polka-dotted spin on the Winged Victory top with the Blacklight Blouse.


How darling are those polka dots? With the same pleating at the top, and the black, and, and, the pop of green in the pretty sash?!!! Available at at Anthropologie for $78. Several of the smaller sizes are sold out online, but don't forget to call Anthro's 800 number - they can track it down for you! (And tip... I notice my previous local Anthro store used to have many items that were sold out... you can always try there, its the Carmel, California location.)

Here I am in the Winged Victory top - I think this top runs big? I have it in a size 2 for reference. BTW, look at that sad little bow I made.... LOL. When I tried it on at Anthro, the sales girl tied it for me in this perfect little bow... that I can never seem to recreate!

I usually tie the bow to the side... notice the gorgeous bracelets, aka hair ties.. hey, I'm moving!


That's me with no makeup... told you I'm not shy about that!

Close up of the pretty detailing


And here I am wearing J. Crew's destroyed skinnies, which I can no longer find on the site. I love pairing a really girly, feminine top with the destroyed jeans... I'm predictable like that;)


I love this top for a weekend night out, or date night, or... or... lots of things. Its just so pretty! I also think it would look gorgeous paired with a pencil skirt and heels.

Steph

RAVE: New MAC Purchases & an OOTD

This week my Chinese class and I had a farewell lunch at a restaurant near the mall. I, of course, took this opportunity to stop in at Macy's and check out some new products.

First, my absolute favorite purchase in awhile is a new blush by MAC. Its a MAC Mineralize limited edition (translation: hurry up and buy it before its no longer!) blush. I bought it in the shade Sun & Moon. Its amazing. Its a perfect blush for spring and summer. The color is hard to describe but its a great blush for a glowy look. Its the perfect mix of peachy, pinky, bronzey gorgeousness... its highly pigmented and goes on smooth. It works great with bronze eyeshadows. The MAC website calls it a neutral brown and a pink brown.



Trust me, you'll want to run to your local MAC to try out this blush. As soon as I put it on, I couldn't stop looking at myself... and believe me I am usually not that vain! Ha ha ha! Its just that pretty. I have fair skin with yellow undertones, if that helps. I do tan quite easily when I live somewhere where there is sun :)

My next favorite purchase is MAC's Lip Conditioning Balm with SPF 15. This stuff is amazing! I purchased it in the Soothing Beige color. I am usually a pink-lipgloss-wearin' kinda gal, but the SA convinced me to try it, and I am so glad I did! This color is one that looks much better on than in the pot.


I love the Soothing Beige. It is very versatile, works extremely well with bronzes, and it actually is pretty sheer with a little splash of color that just enhances your natural lip color. Its also supremely moisturizing, its not sticky, felt great on my lips and once it wears away my lips are left soft. It has a really light caramel-y sort of taste. And it has SPF 15. The only thing I can say is try it before discounting the color - its a GREAT color! I love this balm so much, I might go back and pick up one of the pink colors, too.


Finally, my last purchase was another gorgeous blush. Its a regular edition blush in the shade Springsheen. MAC describes it as peach with pearl. I think its a very pretty peachy tone, also has some pink tones in it... again, hard to describe but it gives a pretty peachy, golden flush to the cheeks.


This isn't the best pic, and it actually looks darker in person.

I'm still learning how to take pictures of myself in the best way to showcase my makeup, and, well, when I figure it out... there will be pics on here. Any tips for me? I can't seem to get it right.

And my OOTD... I woke up and had 15 minutes to be out the door for breakfast with friends.

The color of the cardi and the stripes in the shirt are actually navy.

I'm wearing a Banana Republic top, J. Crew Jackie Cardigan (not totally my style, but its chilly here), 7FAM straight leg dark wash jeans, J. Crew fireball necklace, and my wine colored Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Clutch. I love the red, navy and gold together! Subtly nautical. Gold sandals. And excuse the mess... I'm moving to China, people!

I also did the braid look & I'm digging it. BTW I am not wearing the new blush or gloss in this pic. I actually have barely anything on.. like I said, was rushing out the door!

Well that's its for now! In the middle of typing this post, actually, closer to the end than the middle... I accidentally deleted the entire thing. Yeah. Had to start all over again from scratch, and you guys know how long it takes to put in pictures and links! AHH!

Enjoy!

Steph

Shopping Your Closet

Don't you love that?

I pulled out a top that I bought on super sale from The Limited 4 years ago when my husband was in Iraq - that I have never, ever worn - and it just totally came together for my look tonight.

The top is perfect with two of this Spring's hottest trends: nude & lace.



I added to the look with my J. Crew gold & pearl necklace. On the bottom half, I wore dark rinse 7FAM skinnies with a pair of gold sandals I bought at Banana Republic last year. Yes - it was actually warm enough in Monterey to wear sandals. I would have taken a picture of the entire outfit but I was on my way out to dinner to celebrate my final Chinese scores! Which were awesome by the way - the best I could have hoped for :).

So, anyway, usually I would have taken a picture of the entire outfit when I returned home, but, somewhat embarrassing to say is there is not nearly enough light in this house for pictures right now - all the light bulbs in our living room have been dead for at least a week, but we've chosen to live in the dark instead of buy new light bulbs - you know, with all the effort that would require.

Now that Chinese class is over, I don't know what to do with myself!! Thankfully I still have this Vogue my friend in China sent me - I can read/study & learn the newest trends at the same time. Um, yay for Chinese Vogue?!


Until next time!

Steph