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Style Diary: Thailand Fashion

fabgab — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:23:07 +0000

Chanel is always a “DO” in my book. So when I was visiting a Thailand temple and I spotted this picture here, I couldn’t help but smile.

This was found outside the temple where the fashion police (monks) enforced the no showing of shoulders rule. Yes, the shoulders are not showing through this tee. But the fact that they wrote the famous fashion marking “DO” on top of the Chanel-logo-ed tee cracked me up. Next to the Don’t which I should have taken a picture of was a photo of a tourist wearing a short skirt revealing what they called her “too sexy” knees.

Speaking of which, they actually make you rent a long wrap skirt in the more strict temples in order for you the tourist who may have shown up wearing shorts, to cover up. Here is a photo of me at Wat Arun in Bangkok where I had to do just that.

I quickly caught on. And while I regretted not packing some longer skirts for the visit, it also gave me an excuse to pick up some souvenirs along the way. What better souvenir is there than a little bit of exotic fashion?

I bought this rust-colored silk skirt that featured elephants at the bottom in Thailand for about $10 or less. I just found through a little research that if you try to buy a similar skirt off of ebay they will run you around $25. So I guess I got a steal.

I kept it casual with a simple white cami and then wore the skirt again later that week with a sparkly sequin cream tee, both already packed from the U.S. with my new tribal looking necklace that I bought from the Hmong tribe in the mountains of Thailand. Tribal influence is huge trend for Spring 2012 by the way! The variety of silks that you’ll find in Thailand is on every street block and it is dizzying but fun to pick your favorite fabric.

With a little negotiation on prices (only optional with the street market vendors), you’re sure to leave with a deal especially if you are purchasing more than one.

I ended up buying the silk sarong that came with straps -sort of a wrap skirt if you will. Because of the language barrier, I couldn’t figure out how I’d wear the other flat cloth variety. But thanks to YouTube, I now know how I’m supposed to tie them – no pins or brooches needed! Check this out if you happen to have a flat cloth sarong, perhaps it will inspire you too. I’m thinking I could easily do this with a sarong I bought from Hawaii.

I can’t see myself wearing the sarong in NYC but I will save it for another exotic trip as it makes an excellent beach cover-up and is perfect for conservative cultures. I’m sure I’ll continue to wear it with a mix of Western influences as I want to add my own spin to the traditional dress similar to how this other fashionista did from WhatIWore2day’s blog.

It’s not everyday that I want to look like I did below.

Style Diary: Bari Brinker necklace

fabgab — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:19:57 +0000

Who knows better than you, what you want for Christmas?. That is why I am a huge proponent of wishlists, registries and even picking out your own gifts. Being such a fashionista and being so visual, I am a picky person when it comes to my own stuff. I have a very distinct style and know exactly what I want so I’m all for receiving gift cards, cash, shopping sprees or helping out with not so subtle hints. Take that with the fact that I’m not big on surprises and well you have a wifey who buys herself her own Christmas gifts for her hubby.

I had fun shopping for myself this past Christmas. And it was so easy given I work at Saks Fifth Avenue. During our Bari Brinker personal appearance and trunk show, I fell so much in love with a piece that I called my hubby and thanked him for getting me exactly what I wanted this year. (Yes i chose my own gift without consulting him first hehe)

It’s a one-of-a-kind piece and there is no other like it. Bari joined 3 brooches that he found while in Paris and attached them to this gorgeous genuine topaz surrounded by white sapphires. It’s so sparkly and such a statement piece. I couldn’t believe how beautifully they packaged it too. I almost thought they gave me the wrong package because the jewelry box was as large as a box you would receive for a sweater except this one when you opened it, was lined in grey silk!

Here I am with the designer at Saks.

And here I am wearing it for the first time at work.

In the above photo I’m wearing slacks from Tracy Reese, an Ann Taylor silk tank top with a cardigan from Express. I love the fur stole but can’t remember where I bought it and the purse is Hello Kitty that I’ve usedhere.

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Style Diary: Navy Lace Blouse

fabgab — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 02:42:08 +0000

I get tons of compliments on this navy lace blouse by H&M. It was a classic cut, somewhat inspired by Kate Middleton’s dress shown here.

Here I wore the top over the summer with a Calvin Klein pencil skirt and studded red flats from Zara.

I wore the top to work again with a pair of khaki slacks (not pictured here) and again today with a navy pleated skirt and rasbery colored tights.

Can you believe my outfit only costed $120 dollars? The colored tights were $1 at the dollar store haah The Juicy purse was a present that I’d be willing to sell for the right price. Let me know if you want to make an offer!

Fab Finds: Stocking Stuffers from Forever 21

fabgab — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:00:58 +0000

My mom still hangs our old Christmas stockings on the fireplace mantle -the ones that she made for me and my brother when we were in grade school. I love them. They’re hand-crafted with love and they carry with them years of stocking stuffer memories. What’s hilarious about my brother’s is that when she embroidered his name Christopher, she ran out of room and his stocking for the longest time read “Christ.” You know, as in the chosen one. Figures. So fitting given he was the spoiled baby of the family. For heaven’s sake…

Now that Christmas is around the corner, many of you must be hunting around trying to cross everyone off your list. Well if stocking stuffer ideas are what you need, here’s a holiday gift guide full of fab finds from FabGab and Forever 21!

This adorable pearl clutch bag will be perfect for any special occasion and only runs $14.80. The receiver will think you spent a fortune on it too!

Place either of these cutesy rings in a nice velvety ring box and instantly they’ll look like one-of-a-kind finds

If bunnies and bows aren’t your thing, how about this Chanel lookalike clutch? You can’t go wrong for just $10.80.

If you love nerds like I do, you’ll love this nerdy Forever 21 version of Domo. He had me at hello.

Or how about this glam but affordable necklace? Who can resist all this bling? Can you believe it’s just $12.80?

Finally, make the everyday special with these key fobs. They’re sure to brighten even the most mundane morning. $6.80

And there you go! Stocking stuffers at a steal! Holiday gift-hunting doesn’t have to break the bank after all.

Style Diary: Cynthia Steffe Cardigan

fabgab — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:43:08 +0000

I love my new Cynthia Steffe cardigan. It’s cozy, warm and perfect for the winter. It’s also the perfect throw on for the workplace because my office is so darn cold. I actually have a snuggie-like blanket stuffed into my cabinet for those days when the air conditioner is blasting in the office. But this Cynthia Steffe cardi is a much more fab option.

Here I am wearing it with my Forever 21 dress, Hello Kitty purse and necklace from Off 5th.

Today I wore the cardigan over my Saks Fifth Avenue women’s collection sheath dress with crystal necklace and Bruno Magli boots.

And before that I wore it with my Tibi dress, Ann Taylor coat and BCBG suede heels shown below.Lastly, you see it worn with a charcoal dress with the Gryphon coat that I’m selling (email me if you want it), bejeweled dress by Maggy London, flowered tights and Prada purse

Click here to see the rest of my style diary!