emerald

DIY skirt (worn HERE HERE and HERE), vintage shirt/necklace/belt/bracelet, colin stuart heels

Like I said before, this was the first article of clothing I've ever made semi-successfully... and it was under the supervision of a knowledgeable sewstress. Good thing, because the unknowledgeable me didn't know about how difficult a fabric brocade is for beginners...nor the sheer amount of IRONING a circle skirt requires during its making. Anyway, I love this skirt to death for its sentimental value and try to not wear to events where fashion people might critique my uneven hems and crazy sewing (not in a good way; absentminded chinese girl and sewing machine does not go together).  
Last night I finally embarked on making the perfect red velvet cake and came out with one delicious but ugly concoction and looking like I just murdered someone. Red food coloring + butter + eggs + brown sugar + vanilla = most scarily realistic-looking fake blood I've ever seen. Oh, also I loved all of the questions left in the comments section last time. In response to a comment requesting me to list bands that I like, I'll list a couple by genre but this list is super truncated... especially the metal/rock section since I still have no idea what the bf puts on 90% of the time in the car.   (random person at concert: "which Queensryche/Tesla/Priest album is your favorite?"  me: "um...the first one?") Don't. Laugh.
Rock/Metal: Slayer, Shadows Fall, (old) Metallica, Judas Priest, Pantera, Megadeth, most Dio stuff, Divide the Day, Danko Jones,  Beatles, AC/DC, Muse, Underride, Nickelback, Halestorm, Burn Halo 
Indie/Alternative: Death Cab for Cutie, The Stars, Frou Frou, Imogen Heap, 13 Senses, Switchfoot, Anna Nalick, The Fray, The Verve, Snow Patrol, Pinback, Marit Larsen, Alana Davis, Phantom Planet, Hush Sound, Of Montreal, Spoon, Aimee Mann, Coldplay, John Legend, Rilo Kiley, Mew, Iron & Wine, Charmparticles

Electronica/Syn-pop/Trance: Postal Service, Owl City, Opium Garden, Naked Rhythm, Broken Bells
R&B/Rap: NWA, Wu-Tang Clan, E-40,  T.I., Pitbull, E-40, Ne-Yo, Ludacris, Ying-Yang Twins, Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Eminem, Sean Paul, (old) Nelly, Akon 
Pop: Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, Natasha Beddingfield, Rihanna, OneRepublic, Taylor Swift
Foreign/Ethnic/Misc: Wang Lee Hom, Jay Chou, S.H.E., (old) Jay Sean, Panjabi MC, Oojami, Amina, Paul Dinletir, Natacha Atlas, Juanes, Michael Stuart, Don Omar, Shakira, David Bisbal, Mana, Rishi Rich, Raghav, Sergey Lazarav ...Also on my playlist are random Hindi/bollywood tunes, classical stuff (string orchestra rocks), and salsa/bellydancing music that I've performed to. Please don't judge just because I have the most random music tastes in the world. 
PS. any other questions, ask away. I will respond unless it's already in the FAQ section.

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questionaire

modcloth/lulu's dress as top, modcloth skirt, f21 tights, aldo shoes, free people clutch/wallet

This was what I wore yesterday to me and the bf's one year anniversary outing. After months of being out and about at music/fashion/government events (bf is a county attorney in addition to being a regular lawyer) we were happy to just spend the entire day together, dining on chocolate chip pancakes, cheeseburgers and red velvet cake (yeah I need to be eating veggies/whole grain/turkey/fruit for the rest of this week).  I chose an outfit that is quintessentially me: poufy skirt, lots of lace, lots of hardware and splashes of black/silver everywhere. 
Below is a little "about me" post in response to some emails I've received. Feel free to skip it if you're just here for the outfit inspiration.
I feel like when people read your blog, they feel like they know you personally because you've posted your daily outfits, inspirations, thoughts and experiences via posts. Many of you gals/guys know that I am a chemical engineering/biochemistry double major, work in the metal/rock music industry, and (of course) loves fashion. Lately I've gotten emails/questions about what came first, science or fashion... and whether I like one over the other better. Questions like these made me realize that some have pigeon-holed me into a 50:50 science/fashion gal, which I am not. I have been passionate about both of these subjects since I was very little in addition to many other things.  Today, I thought I'll like to share with the blogosphere a couple of my other hobbies/interests. I will also go more into detail what I do in my research for those that asked:
1. music:  I help out my bf in metal/rock-related music events by judging band competitions, taking photos, and helping him talk to the musicians. The reason I am sort of helpful is because I played violin competitively for 12-14ish years. I was brought up on Chopin and Mozart since I was in the womb (mom thought it would make me smart) and dreamed of conducting orchestras since I was 3. Nowadays I listen to not only classical and metal/hard rock, but also indie/alternative rock, indie syn-pop, electronica, pop, spanish rock, arabic trance/bellydancing music, reggaeton, rap (especially dirty south and bay area hyphee), and much much more. I listen to music pretty much 24/7.
2. Dance: I studied ballet and jazz but I sucked. I now find that I'm much more of a natural in salsa, merengue and other forms of Latin dancing. I also do a bit of bellydancing (and have performed twice on stage). I do clubbing/reggaeton as well.
3. Art: I love to sketch. I'm not very good buuuut I'm totally into fashion illustration and b/w sketches. I've never taken an long-term art class but I would love to some day. I taught an children's art class for 2 years though.
4. Food: I love to cook, bake and EAT. Some of my favorite foods include any peanut butter/chocolate combination dessert, gooey baked chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip pancakes (see below), brownies, pineapple, JIF peanut butter, hamburgers, fries/tater tots/hash browns, anything fried, sushi, pad kee mao, all sichuanese food (the spicier the better), anything with pesto, mellow mushroom pizza, and cinnamon rolls. I tend to eat pretty healthy on the weekdays (all whole grain, veggies, fruits, turkey) and let myself indulge when the bf's here on the weekends.
5. Research: I am trying to optimize the Fc domain on the IgG (antibody) protein to find greater resistance to trypsin digestion via the method of phage display. The human Fc gene is attached to a phage coat protein gene and therefore "displayed" on the phage coat surface, which can then be selected for after trypsin digestion. The Fc links between the phage and another marker protein that can be easily immobilized (ie. to beads). If the Fc domain is cut by trypsin, the link between the phage and the immobilized protein is cut and the phage is washed away. Therefore, only phage with uncut Fc domain linkers are left and able to reinfect bacteria and be harvested again... continuing the endless cycle of sped up natural selection. So far we keep getting lytic phage contamination so I keep restarting at round 1 which is super frustrating. I feel like that was a confusing explanation but I hope the science majors that were curious sort of understood? I'm still trying to understand the theory myself.
6.Misc: I am addicted to green tea/all tea (must be unsweetened!), xkcd comic, french revolution books, popular science books, social psychology books, philosophy books, orchids, being a messy person, and making nerdy jokes/references.

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sparkling blues

thrifted calypso top, papaya tank underneath, f21 shorts, colin stuart sandals, amrita singh bangles/necklace

I got this top a while back at Buffalo Exchange and never figured out how to wear it without showing my belly (no muffin top exposure please) until this weekend. I also FINALLY figured out what to layer underneath because I'm not too into the whole "exposed bra" trend save a slightly-too-sheer white blouse. That last photo capture was  a "wtf" moment during our photoshoot this weekend when 3 tricycle guys randomly passed us by in the alley way. This might be common in bigger cities like NYC (maybe?) but not for our part of Austin around UT campus. The "Juan in a million" on the back of the last cart just tops it off. On another note, my bf and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary this weekend so I might not have as many posts in the next few days. We will probably celebrate by eating an obscene amount of food and stay up the whole night exploring the city. There will no flowers or jewelry. We don't believe in giving gifts just because a holiday/event forces us to; we only give presents when something we saw reminded us of the other person. For instance, while browsing a really shady pagan shop for more gothic jewelry I found a silver pendant with a footprint stamped into "Pantera" and one of Tim's all time favorite songs is "Walk" by Pantera. We haven't given each other anything for Valentine's, Christmas and a whole bunch of other holidays and this won't be an exception. I am looking forward to an excuse to blow off all events this weekend in order to be alone with him, since lately I'm always agreeing to some local fashion event on our "together time." 
PS. I've typed up a post about some of the non-fashion/science things I do (since most people seem to think I'm 50/50 science/fashion) and I don't know if anyone would actually read it? Email/twitter/comment if you're remotely interested.

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pastel summers

f21 top/skirt, colin stuart heels, overstock.com bag, vintage gold jewelry

The temperature in the ATX officially shot into the 100-degree range and I seriously could NOT think of wearing anything other than a sheer sleeveless blouse and a breezy skirt. Creative? No. Comfortable? As comfortable as you can be in 100 degrees. Indiana (adoredaustin.com) mentioned in a recent blog post that she sometimes feel like certain outfits aren't blog-worthy. Well, I had second thoughts about posting this since it's just a simple blouse + skirt combination. In the end,I thought of all those mosquito bites I suffered while taking these photos and ended up posting them. Speaking of Indiana, I am stealing this picture above of me modeling at the Treasure City Thrift Fashion Show from her blog. I look a bit orange but that's the light and not fake tanning spray, I swear! The show was outside and I ended up being all smelly/sweaty in my opaque tights in 97-degree (I checked the thermometer at 9PM) weather after waiting in queue to go onstage for 1.5 hours. It was well worth the BO and shoe blisters because the proceeds go towards benefiting local charities.
In other news, I've officially decided to stop wearing "lab wear" to lab after establishing myself as not JUST a ditsy girly girl. The only chemicals I work with in lab is 1M H2SO4 (occasionally, for ELISA plates) and 100% bleach so I figure I'm relatively safe if I wear a lab coat when using bleach. Those of you in science fields have emailed me to ask what exactly do I work with: I am optimizing the Fc domains on antibodies... currently trying to make them more resistant to trypsin digestion. Applications would include oral delivery (instead of injection) of antibody-containing drugs. If you're not a science gal, don't worry about what I just said... just answering to the science peeps out there that are reading this blog

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far far away

UO skirt, vintage light blazer, vintage belt, vintage necklace/bracelet, gifted watch, aldo shoes

The title is due to fact that this outfit reminds me of the luxe pieces from the SATC2 movie. NEW SHOES! I tweeted about picking between these and some nude wedges a couple weeks ago... it was pretty much a 50/50 vote on them but I sprang for these in the end because the silhouette on them is so subtlely pretty AND it kind of looks like the stiletto I sketched for my business card (see above) about 3.5 months ago. See the resemblance? We were obviously destined to be together ;) PS. Some have asked about where I shop for vintage in Austin...all of my vintage items today come from etsy. I usually don't purchase my vintage items locally due to lack of a car; I usually buy them for low prices on etsy (and sometimes ebay). I am totally an online shopping proponent! However, lately I'm trying to cut down on online shopping since shipping's kinda ridiculous ... but it's so hard to NOT browse etsy/f21/modcloth/lulu's/topshop/asos/gilt!  
This weekend: I....walked in a show in opaque tights in (literally) 100 degree weather (not as glamorous as I'll like BUT I love the designers and they asked me to), decided that making 'smores with Reese's cups was the most glorious idea in the world, danced along to crap music at HEB (grocery store) so much I forgot to get 2 gallons of unsweetened ice tea (weekly grocery musts: red diamond unsweet tea + JIF peanut butter + spinach + nature's own double fiber bread) and had to go back for another trip in the same day, ate baby back ribs until my own ribs hurt, wanted to be cool and go to the fashion show afterparty and fell asleep with the bf at 10PM instead, got 8+ mosquito bites in a 10-min photoshoot, wanted to fast for the show and ended up eating chocolate chip pancakes instead and got to bond with the boyfriend over watching blockbuster movies in bed (finally saw Iron Man 1, now we can see Iron Man 2!!). How was everyone else's weekend?

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gilded

vintage blouse/belt/jewerly, asos clutch, f21 leather shorts/tights, bakers shoes

Any guesses as to what I did yesterday? Well today I'm going back to a different thrift shop for  a very different reason: to walk in a fashion show that benefits various charities around Austin. I'm very excited!! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go get ready for a couple hours of errands before the show. PS. is it weird that I bought a nude colored vintage blouse at the thrift store, the exact same shade as the one above... and the bf bought a navy colored tshirt exactly like the one he wore to the thrift store? I bet the cashier thought we were weird. PPS. 11AM pizza runs to mellow mushroom and ending up seeing a light show/dj spinning music at the restaurant was pretty cool. PPPS. isn't that above sign SO FREAKING TRUE???

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reworking the lace skirt

vintage blouse, f21 skirt, vintage belt/gold accessories, asos clutch, colin stuart heels

If you're in Austin, come see me model at the Treasure City Thrift Fashion Show. :) Today was simple: three cheese tortellini + basil butter sauce, green tea, French Vogue, and John Legend music in the background (I listen to almost every genre, but only the best 5-10% of it). Not much to write about except I decided to wear this skirt from the other day's post as a "petticoat" of sorts under this recently-purchased vintage blouse.... I kind of am digging it!!!!

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prep school

vintage blazer/necklace/bracelet, thrifted ralph lauren bag, colin stuart heels, asos blouse, wetseal skirt

preppy look!! quick post before I go to bed. This was an indoors outfit (shopping) so that's why it wasn't too hot to wear the blazer. Today was nothing interesting except a couple preparations for the Treasure City Thrift Fashion Show I'm walking in on Saturday. Laisa of SewLaLa came to my apartments to take my measurements and discuss details about it. I'm pretty excited to walk in a quirky, purely Austin-type show. Come (fb event HERE) if you're in Austin! I have been super busy so I might not have replied to some of you peeps' emails over the past few days. Research was supposed to be 18-20 hrs a week and it has turned into more like 30ish so I'm totally swamped right now between fashion/music events and research.
PS. Thanks GLAMOUR for featuring me again!!!!

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black metal

silence & noise dress, topshop tights, bakers shoes, assorted accessories

Yes, a call for back to black and silver was in place yesterday. Even though this isn't my most "fashion" outfit, this is a pretty good idea of what I usually wear out to rock/metal concerts at night. This weekend was ROT (republic of texas) rally, a time when all the bikers in Texas come to Austin to party, listen to music, and (of course) ride their bikes. We had to go down to the Red River district (home of Austin's metal and rock music scene) for a taste of the great music lineup. However, before the concert we dropped by Tran's elopement party (picture with her above)... doesn't she look so gorgeous in her white silk dress and liquid gold belt? I kind of went against traditional wedding dress code (although technically, this isn't a wedding... ) and went for black leather so we can hop straight from the party to the metal concerts without skipping a beat. I finally got to wear my black leather corset dress out without a top underneath! The pre-party (in front of friend's apartment) and at-party pictures (lake house!!!) are a hilarious testament of how much italian cream cake I ate (food baby again!) but I don't care. Let the haters call me fat and pudgy if it needs be... same goes for those that comment on how scandalous I look. I felt good going out matching my bf's metal tshirt and black jeans to the concerts. PS. I kinda look gangsta in that last pic?!?
Oh by the way, I got recognized at HEB by a blog reader today. She was so sweet/shy I didn't get to ask her for her name but to all those local Austinites, if you recognize me don't hesitate to say hi. I might be awkward if I was caught singing out loud to gross grocery store music or holding 3 dozen red velvet cookies with cream cheese icing (mostly for the bf, I promise!) but I'm actually quite friendly in real life. :)

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timelessly lacey

f21 dress, colin stuart heels, overstock.com bag, gifted watch (friend), vintage gold bracelet/necklace, buffalo exchange ring

(I KNOW I'M WEARING LACE AGAIN! oops.) I kind of promised I will do more of an edgy post today buuuut tonight was date night (watching Get Him to the Greek at the Alamo Drafthouse with le boy) and I wanted something romantic, girly and summery to wear. This new f21 dress (can't you tell I just fall for anything lacey, especially if it's white/cream or black?) was the perfect choice as it's sleeveless and so vintage-y even though I already have similar dresses ;). One can't have too many summery white dresses right? After date night I made the bf drive all the way to cedar park so we could pick up some jewelry pieces from a gorgeous jewelry designer friend of mine for tomorrow's photoshoot. She's moving tomorrow and can't take them there personally so I stepped up and offered to help get the jewelry there as well as help style the pieces for the shoot. More on that tomorrow and sorry for lack of specifics... I don't know how much I'm allowed to say about it so I can't mention names! I will provide behind-the-scenes pics if they allow us to do so tomorrow. Also, tomorrow night will be a fellow fashion blogger's elopement party (again, don't know if I'm allowed to be specific) with lots of lakefront partying, cider (I don't drink but that doesn't mean I don't like watching others partake in it), and LOTS of barbeque... plus lots of fashion industry peeps so it should make for an interesting night. I also need to squeeze in shopping for some shorts and cute lab wear (no mini skirts, at least not until I establish myself as competent). So that means I probably won't be able to post, comment, or reply to emails all tomorrow!

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angelic

f21 skirt/top, vintage belt, gifted watch, colin stuart shoes, thrifted ralph lauren purse ($30)

Oops a bit too much fried fish there for this tight little outfit (food baby pics again)! Anyway I took these a couple days ago and just got to posting them. Today was the first day I showed up to lab in heels after a fashion lunch... everyone was shocked after me showing in shorts (gasp), cute button-down blouses, and oxfords for the past 3 weeks. I had a fashion lunch with the gals today (surprise drop by from Anslee!! <3) and I'm thinking of having another evening fashion mixer/potluck at my apartment... leave a comment if you're interested!!! I will provide baked goods and sandwiches again! :) -Diya

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