Inspired: Cowboys & Indians



(images from weheartit, tfs, shopbop, topshop, style.com and polyvore)

I think I have multiple personality disorder. Currently I'm obsessed (on one hand) with everything Texas Cowboy giving off that carefree all-american rugged ranger attitude. I crave light denims, cowboy hats, harness boots, and ofcourse destroyed cutoffs. But then I'm also in love with all items that channel Pocahantas, and exude a more spiritual feel - fringe suede bags, feather accessories, bright earthy prints, and ofcourse, tie dye. Thus I was torn between making a Wild Wild West collage and a Neon Indian one.

Bah! But why should I choose? So I combined both of them into one and I think they compliment eachother very nicely. Tis the summmer to mix worn denim jackets with a tribal print dress and a studded fringe cross-body. Or why not don a tie dye dress with a pair of embellished cowboy boots? I think doing a DIY tie dye project is going to be on the top of my list when I get back to the US.

you can let it down, jump into the river baby







(H&M Top, Blouse & Shorts, Vintage Belt, Michael Kors Heels)

As of late I've been craving for a nice olive-y army green to compliment all the neutrals in my closet, but it's too hot to wear a jacket, and I don't think I'm ready to take the plunge and don an army green cargo skirt. On one of my weekly visits to H&M, I stumbled upon this amazing sheer army green blouse and it was truly love at first sight. It could not be more perfect in this unbearable humidity.

Never visit Shanghai in the summer. It's like visiting Paris in early August (when everyone is making good use of their month-long vacation soaking up the rays along the Cote d'Azur) - you just don't do it.

All I want right now is a nice juicy salad. If anyone knows where I can find a good crisp fresh bowl of utter yummyness in Shanghai, your wisdom would be greatly appreciated.=D

Now I will attempt to put together a salad-resembling concoction with the Chinese veggies & fruits in my fridge. I will let you know how it turns out. Wish me luck!


Music - Local Natives | Who Knows, Who Cares

Editorial of the Week: Alessandra Ambrosio for RUSSH










These pictures are absolutely incredible. Here, Alessandra is anything but commercial. I must admit I had my reservations about her abilities as an editorial model, but she sure proved me wrong. This is the first time I've stumbled upon work by Will Davidson, but I'm going to keep an eye open for him from now on. Absolutely amazing.

Music - The Submarines | Honeysuckle Weeks

The New Voguette


The choice to start a blog comes with a bundle of responsibilities. Ofcourse, it's a breeding ground for freedom of speech, and serves as a blank canvas upon which we leave our mark on the unexplored nether-regions of the interwebs. But a successful blog requires as much care and attention as a Yorkish Terrier. One must be consistent, thoughtful, creative and vigilant at the same time. It's rare that you find a fascinating blogger who lacks all the preceding qualities.

Thus, I've decided to make some changes to my blog. For the past year and a half, it has sufficed me to post whatever I felt like, when I felt like it. I've decided this needs to stop. I want to thank you all for reading my blog for this long, I was convinced that The Voguette would have gone to internet wasteland after 6 months. It's really a wonderful feeling knowing that at the end of an exhausting day, you can post something that people want to read and perhaps look forward to reading. So really, thank you guys.

I hope you will continue visiting after I terminate my sporadic and seemingly arbitrary posts. I really do think a little structure will keep me motivated to update more and explore fashion in it's entirety.

So here are my resolutions:

1. Update at least once every two days (as long as I have internet access, because right now, Blogger is definitely blocked in China... but you know... I work my magic...)

2. Posts will have more variety - instead of boring old outfit posts and random editorials, I'm planning on doing an editorial of the week post, as well as a "Now in Vogue" post which will feature a trend that I love, runway reviews, and a weekly mood board, of course there will be plenty of outfit posts, but they will no longer be the ONLY content on my blog.

3. Write more - I have a little confession - writing makes me nervous. That was the biggest hurdle I got over when I decided to start this blog. I'm sure you all notice that my posts are mainly pictures with some superficial four-sentence paragraph just to make the post look prettier. The truth is, I'm not very eloquent when it comes to words. But I guess that can only be changed with practice.

I'm publicly announcing these resolutions in hopes that you all will get on my back when I break any of them. Also because it would be incredibly embarrassing for me to break one now that I've published them. I hope these changes will also give you guys a better experience on The Voguette.

Till Next Time! <3

LOVE MUSIC -- Them:Youth




I want to be at a music festival more than anything. Prehaps its the lure of summer, and the thought of dancing into the night without a care in the world, losing yourself in the elusive sounds. I did a little collage of my favorite festivals around the world - I have yet to attend all of them, but these festivals have kickass line-ups from year to year. I've always wanted to go to Glastonbury, the 5-day king of all music festivals, but never found the time/money to fly all the way out there for a week. One day. The Pitchfork festival is going on in Chicago right now, too bad I'm on the other side of the world, for Chicago is a mere 4 hour drive from my home in Michigan. But I'm hearing lots of good things about it. I was actually introduced to Primavera Sound (in Barcelona) through a friend I met while studying in Paris. I booked my tickets immediately after looking at the awesome lineup (the xx, the Pixies, Wilco, Matt & Kim, Grizzly Bear, etc.). I saw lots of really great bands and it was phenomenal.

For a music-lover, there's nothing like the feeling of getting new music. I was lucky enough to have a chance to interview the boys from Them:Youth, a hip 4-man indie rock band hailing from West London. Them:Youth first came on my radar when I saw them on We All Want Someone To Shout For, one of my favorite music blogs. I was more than estatic when they contacted me and offered to give an exclusive track to all my readers! Fever Rising, which is not scheduled to be released until August, is the artful mix of garage band rock and britpop vocals, and it's thrilling bassline keeps you dancing all night long!

Well, what are you waiting for? Give them a listen:











So here it is, my exclusive interview with Them:Youth, enjoy!

How did your band start?
It was a college thing first of all really.. just playing some parties to friends and then escualting from there.. we have always had a firm belief that we have something special

Who are your most prominent musical influences?
Our influences seem to be changing like the wind at the moment.. we listen to anything from the Rolling Stones to DJ Shadow to the Brian Jonestown Massacre and a whole lot inbetween.. finding other new music is a big thing for us..

Favorite spot in London?
Got to say Richmond Upon Thames as its where we spend the majority of our time.. its also got some history with the Rolling Stones being the house band at the Crawdaddy Club there at the start of there career...



British style has always been heavily influenced by music - as a band, how would you describe yours?
I would say we are male divas.. style and image are a major part of what we do.. I think it will get more flamboyant as we go which iam excited about.. love the Brian Jones mid/late sixties look...

Best places to shop in London?
Carnaby Street is still close to our hearts with its sense of nostalgia.. I would say Liberty's is the best shop in London just a shame we can't afford to shop there lol...

Favorite music festival?
Rock en Seine in Paris.. the Parisians do it with style

If you could pick 5 bands to headline at your own music festival who would they be?
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Chemical Brothers
Rolling Stones
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
UNKLE

The National Gallery houses some really amazing art, who's your favorite artist in there?
Pablo Picasso all the way.. think we relate to his art.. shame he's not around to do our sleeve...

You've released a lot of amazing singles, do you have an album in the works? If so, when can we expect it?
Yes... album is on the way hopefully in the new year.. it feels like we have been locked in the studio forever.. we can't wait for the world to hear the outcome.. we are very proud boys..

Do you guys have plans to come to our side of the pond? If so, where would you want to go first?
Hopefully we can get over very soon .. would love to get round the States.. think it would have to be NYC first as we are big fans of Sex and the City... then onto somewhere warm me thinks..

I'm absolutely smitten with Them:Youth and I can't wait to hear more from this talented foursome! I'll leave you with their video for Fever Rising & a bonus remix:





Lost my heart between the sheets of lightening






( Zara Blazer, vintage tank, H&M skirt )

Nudes are all I want to wear this summer. And the awesome sale at Zara made that all the easier.

Got tons of new music - I'm obsessed with Stornoway, Free Energy, Wild Nothing & School of Seven Bells. Good stuff, give them a listen.

Current reading classic Catcher in the Rye. Needless to say - amazing book. Love you Salinger.

Sorry for the short post, my laptop is out of battery life. :X.

take me to a place where time stands still







( H&M Dress, Michael Kors Heels )

AMAZING dress? I think so. I didn't even try this on before I bought it, I just grabbed it and bee-lined for the cash wrap. Good thing it fits... lol.

This is me passing time while I wait for the World Cup Final to start (ESPANNNNNNAAA):



Yes. I gave myself a pastel rainbow manicure. I'm in love with it! Also - got new glasses a while back, haven't been able to get a decent picture of them yet... but it will happen.


Really hope Spain wins tonight - I'm staying up till 2:30 am to watch the game here in China. Sadly, I still have to leave for work at 7:30 am... let's hope there's no overtime...

channeling africa






( H&M fashion against aids top, pants, and oxfords, random bracelets)

I know I always make excuses for my lack of updating - it's really only to make myself feel less guilty - but I've been extremely busy with my internship! I actually find myself enjoying it immensely - I mean, how wonderful is it to get paid for surfing fashion websites and looking for inspiration? I do that on a daily basis anyway!

I first saw this shirt on an H&M ad in the subway, and it was, quite literally, love at first sight. In an ideal world I would be brave enough to wear this crop with just shorts (and have the abs to do so). But it turns out I'm whimpy and opted for the high-waist look. Sorry that last picture super shitty, I have yet to master how to get a clear picture in mid-air - *embarrassment*.

In my editorial research at work, I discovered this photo from an absolutely captivating editorial which is actually for Oysho's spring summer collection (they just opened up a store near Hotel de Ville in Paris).






Currently Listening to:
Neon Indian - Should've Taken Acid with You
As Tall as Lions - Love, Love, Love
Local Natives - Sun Hands
Morning Benders - Cold War
Dr. Dog - Shadow People


Oh and also, I gave into the whole tumblr craze... add me here!!