end of an era

I know I rarely post separate entries for collections (aside from Givenchy haute couture), but this is an exception. I would not call myself a Raf Simons stan, but man, was I drowned in a tsunami of emotions while watching his last show for Jil Sander! I have loved Raf's collections for Jil since I started getting into fashion. When I discovered menswear only a few months ago, his own label because one of my favorites. Raf has done such a great job at Jil Sander. He has this talent of being ahead of the curve with his masterful shapes and brilliant use of colors. Minimalist, yet always surprising, and never boring. I can't really explain it, but Raf at Jil, will be different from Raf at Dior, and it will definitely be different from Jil at Jil. It's like there's a certain aesthetic that Raf was doing at Jil and I feel like if he leaves, I might never see that again. So I'm in mourning right now.

Designers leaving is always so crazy. There's the consolation that Raf isn't actually going to stop designing, but still, that perfect mesh of Raf Simons and the Jil Sander label created a certain style that won't be the same again. I mean, just look at Olivier Theyskens. His work at Nina Ricci was so flawless and gorgeous. Then he left and now his work at Theory is so subpar. I know that definitely won't happen to Raf, because Dior is a much bigger house, but the style is definitely different. How will Raf work with it? I have a thousand questions, but all I can do is really wait. They haven't even announced Raf for Dior so I am probably getting ahead of myself.

Anyway, here's the flawfree last collection of Raf for Jil Sander. It may be hard to see through the tears, but the collection is absolutely amazing, which makes it even harder to deal with Raf's leaving.

Lizzy Grant

I stumbled upon Lana's video for Video Games last year and I didn't really pay much attention after listening to it once. I saw a link of it again a few months later and after re-listening, fell in love. Her name blew up soon after that and the news of her album, Born to Die, release was set for January (this month!!!). I've been downloading every song of hers every time they leak and I can already tell I will fall on love with the whole album. Her music video for the title track came out and has gotten 12 million views as of now.

Not only is Lana a fantastic artist, but she is also undeniably gorgeous. She was just recently signed to NEXT and is now officially a model. And really her whole aesthetic is just so interesting. She's been called the "gangsta Nancy Sinatra". Her voice is kind of raspy, sultry, seductive and it gives a whole new vibe to the songs. Can you tell I'm obsessed?!

December in pictures

The last month of 2011

This post is a failure because I hate taking photos and I hate being in them but that's why one of my 2012 resolutions is take more pics!

It's the most expensive time of the year!

I have said before that I really don't like gifts, but that's not entirely accurate. I really just don't like gifts that people have given me. It's like, if you're going to need to spend money on me, then at least get me something I like. Some Christmases I receive sleepwear. I would appreciate the thought, but I can't tell if you actually put any into it, because if you did, you'd realize that the only sleepwear you have seen me in are my 5 year old t-shirts from school. I am grateful that you at least thought of me and spent five dollars on this drugstore cologne and one dollar on this wrapper, but you shouldn't have. REALLY.

I sound extremely ungrateful, but I think if you're going to get me something I neither want nor need, then you've wasted your money and I would have preferred you just kept it. That's actually called being considerate in my book. Of course, I'll still act like I just LOVE that you gave me those 3 for 100 socks just to be polite, but then why do we have to feign enthusiasm when I could just tell you what I want and you tell me what you want! I want us to just mutually genuinely enjoy the gifts we have bestowed upon each other and contribute to the happiness of each other's holidays!

So to remedy this huge earth-shattering problem that I have, I decided I will make a "wishlist". I know I have made tons before, but this time it's for-realsies. Everything is affordable and realistic and should be easy enough to find.

But first, a few tips:
1. If you're unsure of what color to get, it's always BLACK
2. If you are doing rush shopping and have no time to look for the crap on this list, just go to a bookstore and buy me a book. I'm not picky, as long as it's good. Head to the classics or ask the lady what they'd recommend (Please not the Twilight Graphic Novel... because I already own it)
3. GCs are easy and I'd actually love them so I get to pick myself! Giving me the chance to shop is already a gift, really. So places I'd like: Topshop, Zara, any good salon (do they do GCs?), SM, Forever 21, a tattoo parlor (Maybe I'll finally get the nerve to do it) Those are just the recommended places!





Books
1. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
2. Compiled Works (Edgar Allan Poe)
3. The Idiot (Dostoevsky)
4. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
5. Ariel (Plath)
6. Dangerous Liaisons (De Laclos)
7. Mrs. Dalloway (Woolf)
8. As I Lay Dying (Faulkner)
9. The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Kundera)
10. The Stranger (Camus)
11. Subscription to American Vogue/ Vogue UK/ Numero/ Dazed and Confused
12. The Blind Assassin (Atwood)
13. The Death of the Heart (Bowen)
14. Clarissa (Richardson)
15. Infinite Jest (Wallace)
16. Lucky Jim (Amis)
17. The Naked Lunch (Burroughs)
18. Neuromancer (Gibson)
19. Possession (Byatt)
20. The Sound and the Fury (Faulkner)

Makeup
1. Revlon Colorstay for Oily Skin in Buff
2. Dolly Wink Eyelash #8
3. Skin 79 VIP Gold Caviar BB Cream
4. Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in 070 Soft Nude
5. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Tokyo or Antwerp
6. MAC Lipstick in Myth or Creme d' Nude or Creme Cup or Ruby Woo
7. Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Nude Blush
8. Maybelline HIP Ge Eyeliner in Black
9. Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Black
10. Wet n Wild Mega Eyes Creme Liner in Black
11. Make Up Forever Face and Body Liquid Makeup in Alabaster Beige
12. NYX Lipstick in Tea Rose or Fig
13. Setting Powder
14. Face Primer
15. Lip Concealer
16. Lip Primer
17. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Make Up in Nude

Wearable
1. Dr. Martens 1460 Cherry Red Milled Smooth
2. Lightweight Sweater
3. Studded loafers
4. Black rain boots
5. Classy ballet flats in Nude or Black
6. Yellow Gold Watch
7. Statement jewelry
8. Satchels / Bags

Online Buys (size 38)
1. http://parisdreams.multiply.com/photos/photo/187/184
2. http://parisdreams.multiply.com/photos/album/187/Shoe_Indulgence_NEW_STYLES_Part_2#photo=181
3. http://parisdreams.multiply.com/photos/album/188#photo=61

Etc.
1. Something to clean my jank ass dirty laptop. A screen protector? One of those expensive ass cloths?
2. 2 packs of Palty in Sakura Creamy
3. Liese (aka Prettia) in Sugar Apricot

In case you win the lotto in the next month:
1. Plane ticket to New York City
2. A coupon for Belo
3. Front row ticket to see Beyonce's baby being born


Actually, I just made this list because I never know what to ask for when people ask what I want. I want a lot of things, and I think it's easier if you have to choose from a list of many. Also, I don't want people spending on me unless I REALLY want it, so if you're going to spend money, might as well be something that will be thoroughly appreciated, right?

Okay, enough talking for me and enough reading for you! More buying buying buying!!!!

See you around the holidays!