Crushing on white

White is no longer boring! I've noticed a lot of recent style posts by bloggers featuring white blouses or tees with lace details.

Anthropologie had a 20% sale for Mother's Day last week, a perfect opportunity to add a few pretty white blouses to my wardrobe. I love that white goes with anything and these tops can be easily dressed up with pants or a pencil skirt for a more business appropriate look, or with jeans or shorts for a casual look.

Clipdot Peasant Top ($118)

Definitely a keeper. Feels very romantic. 

Point De Venise Top ($78)

Very flattering cut. The fabric is soft and it's very comfortable. 

This would be a great top for hot summer days. 

Cadi Clipdot Pullover ($78)

Cutwork Lace Tee ($68)

Still not sure if I am going to keep this. It looks cute but the fabric is very stiff 

and I'm not sure it'll hold up well after washing. 

Have you heard of the Paleo diet?

Matt and I met with a Crossfit trainer last week. We were hoping to do private training but his schedule is too packed, he's unable to train us. Instead, we will join the 4-week On Ramp introductory class, starting this Saturday. I'm excited but also scared! I've been looking at pictures of Crossfit women. In those pictures, they're lifting huge barbells, pulling a car (omg, really!?), crazy gymnastic moves and other moves that I can hardly see myself doing. Yes, that's what we are signing up for!

Jorge also introduce us to the Paleo diet. I've never heard of it and in the last week, I've been doing some research. I found many blogs touting about the benefits of Paleo and the changes they feel and see in their bodies. Paleo is a modern nutritional plan that mimics that of our hunter-gatherer ancestors - lean meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits and nuts. 

I found this description of Paleo on Whole Nine via Fitbomb, 

I eat "real" food - fresh, natural food like meat, vegetables and fruit. I choose foods that are nutrient dense, with lots of naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals, over foods that have more calories but less nutrition. And food quality is important - I'm careful about where my meat comes from, and buy produce locally and organically as often as possible. 

It's not a low calorie "diet" - I eat as much as I need to maintain strength, energy and a healthy weight. In fact, my diet is probably much higher in fat than you'd imagine. Fat isn't the energy - it's a great energy source when it comes from high quality foods like avocado, coconut and nuts. And I'm not trying to do a "low carb" thing, but since I'm eating vegetables and fruits instead of bread, cereal and pasta, it just happens to work out that way.  

Eating like this is good for maintaining a healthy metabolism, and reducing inflammation within the body.  It’s been doing great things for my energy levels, body composition and performance in the gym.  It also helps to minimize my risk for a whole host of lifestyle diseases and conditions, like diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

Fitbomb's wife, Nom Nom Paleo shares some amazing Paleo recipes on her blog. The pictures of the food looks amazing, and I'm thinking following a Paleo diet wouldn't be too hard for me. I've always thought of myself as one of those who live to eat rather than eat to live. But I'm starting to pay the price of my gluttony, my clothes are getting tighter and my family who haven't seen me in months weren't afraid to tell me that I need to lose weight.

Check out this Paleo food blog, I likey!

I've also ordered 3 Paleo cookbooks and I can't wait for them to arrive!

So begins our Crossfit/Paleo adventure! I'm going to work out at least four times a week (3 Crossfit classes) and cook more.

Objects of desire

At the end of last year, I spent time sorting all my clothes and I ended up donating 5 big bags (filled to the brim!) of clothes and shoes to Goodwill. And I still have one box of clothes at home, filled with clothes that are either brand new or worn only once, that I couldn't bear to donate and I'm hoping I'll get round to selling them someday. So this year, I'm going to only buy clothes that I love! If I don't love it, I'm not going to buy it. And I've learn the hard way that I shouldn't buy clothes that can't be returned.

Here's the list of items I would love to have. But ever since I started using Mint regularly to keep track of my expenditure, it has been hard for me to justify such big purchases. 

1. Booties (These are now in my shoe closet! I bought them for 50% less at a Stuart Weitzman sale!)

I really want a pair of ankle-length suede booties. I've seen lots of booties but they aren't cut the way I like it. I want a pair that is right at the ankles with a rounded (in this case, V) front. This way, they elongate the legs. These would be versatile, they'll look great with a dress and tights or jeggings. 

Stuart Weitzman "Greatneck" booties from Bloomingdales

2. Classic tall gray Uggs

For the longest time, I thought these are the ugliest things! Then a lot of my friends started wearing them (both short and tall) and I was convinced to try a pair. I love it, it's nice and warm! Call me a groupie, but I want a pair too! 

Source: Bloomingdales

3. Ballet flats

I really NEED a pair of ballet flats for the weekends coz I have nothing to wear on weekends. I can't wear the high heels that I wear for work and I don't want to wear sneakers. And it's so cold now, it's not sandals season. But it has to be comfy, I've tried too many pairs of flats that look great but hurt! Can't decide if I want the Tory Burch Reva in black or gold. Is gold too loud?

4. Macbook Pro or Air

I've been thinking it's time for a new computer. My 4-year old iMac still works and looks as beautiful as on Day 1 but it'll be nice to have the portability of a laptop. These babies aren't cheap though, hmm.

5. Dining table and chairs that I love!

I bought the dining table that I have now off Craigslist. It was the day I was moving in to my apartment, and I was in Half Moon Bay to pick up a Room and Board couch that I bought off someone on Craigslist. I was desperate for a dining set coz I was moving in and had sold the one I had (I wanted a new look!). While we were driving back to South Bay, I looked up CL posting on my phone and found a Crate & Barrel dining set that was going for $60. $60! Cheap, cheap, cheap! And it was in Mountain View, which wasn't far from my apartment. I called rightaway, got there, took a look and into the U-Haul it went! The girl that I bought the dining set from said it was the fastest CL sale ever! I'd called 5 minutes after she posted it. 

But what I really want is a mid-century teak dining table with 2 expandable leaves to accommodate 6 when I have dinner parties. And I really want Eames chairs! I doubt I'm going to make the plunge though, no more furniture hunting till I have my own house (hopefully by 2013?). 

Source: The Brick House

More Jason Wu for Target!

Target has posted a sneak peak the look book for the full Jason Wu for Target collection. It is super cute! I was gaga over the Missoni for Target collection. But let's be honest, it's not exactly understated. It's obvious that it's MFT! But this, I love, love, love! Understated elegance, clothes that you can wear everyday.

Additions to my "want" list!

Jason Wu for Target...I want!

Here's a sneak preview of the Jason Wu for Target collection that will be available in stores and online on February 5. Darn, I'm going to be on a plane back to San Francisco that day!

I love, love, love the collection. The blue dress, black and white handbag, striped sweater and baby blue skirt! Super cute!

Source: T Magazine

Source: Style.com

Source: Style.com