Art & Flea: Love for Wes

I can't recall if I've ever put up a post on here about Art & Flea...but oh well, here's one.  I used to make it a point to attend all of the Art & Flea events that are held monthly, but I managed to miss a couple recently, for whatever reason.  Even so, I was able to attend the most recent one that was held on April 24, 2014.  The theme for this one, as there is a theme each time, was "Love for Wes," a commemoration of the director and screenwriter Wes Anderson.  The warehouses where the event was held were appropriately adorned with decor reflecting the theme, and people surely dressed the part as well.  I would have dressed to fit the theme, since I am someone who typically likes to dress accordingly for an occasion, but I seriously didn't have anything that would remotely fit the bill.  All in all, I had a good time at this event, as I typically do.  Although I wasn't able to take a photo booth picture, which I usually do at these events, mainly because I was too impatient to wait in the long line for it...next time for sure.  Below are photos I took while at the event (and one of something I bought while there), that I will take time to caption later, but feel free to ask me in the comments if you have any questions about them.  All photos taken by me, aside from the one I'm in (of course).  =]

HNL Night Market - April 19, 2014

It has surely been a while since I've attended a Honolulu Night Market, an event held monthly in the Kakaako area of downtown Honolulu.  I managed to make my way there this month, however, to see what there was to see.  As usual, there were lots of great local food trucks that represented an array of diverse foods, both sweet and savory.  Entertainment was also in abundance, with live musical performances, and a fashion show in the lineup.  But being the shopaholic I am, I of course had to check out the Pinch of Salt featuring local vendors that had clothes & accessories, artwork, and other nifty things for sale.  I did end up picking something out while browsing through these vendors, that I'll share either in a future post here, or on my Instagram account.  Below are some photos I took while attending Honolulu Night Market.  All photos taken by me, aside from the one taken by Ericka Bueno (the one I'm in).  =]

Too bad someone smudged the chalkboard. Haha.

Louis Vuitton Totally MM Damier Ebene - First Impressions + Pictures

As some of you may know, I got a new bag recently.  The bag I got was the Louis Vuitton Totally MM in Damier Ebene...and even though I filmed an unboxing video where I was thoroughly excited about it, I ended up exchanging this bag.  However, I did snap a few photos of it while it was in my possession, which you can see down below.  I had the bag for a total of 3 days before I went in and exchanged it, to which I tried it on numerous times in varied ways.  Aside from trying the bag on, I also tested to see how the things I usually carry around looked and fit into the bag.  I even wore the bag out for an entire day completely filled with the things I would normally carry (shhh...don't tell Louis Vuitton).  In my honest opinion, I find the bag to be incredibly practical, and is definitely ideal for an everyday bag.  That being said, here is my breakdown list of things I liked and disliked about the bag:

Things that I liked about the bag:
-It is finally available in Damier Ebene (which means treated dark leather details that won't patina or show age and dirt).
-It is the perfect sized tote for my height (I'm about 5'5").
-Ample room inside, with added pockets on the outside.
-The gorgeous red lining, which makes it easier to find things, and looks really chic as a contrast to the outside of the bag.
-There is a zipper that closes the large compartment of the bag completely shut.
-The hardware on the straps allow for the straps to fall flat against the bag (not just stiff and straight up).

Things that I disliked about the bag:
-The one I got was made in the U.S.A. (and so were all of the other 6 the store had available at the time).
-Even though all of my things fit into it comfortably, I hoped it would have more room so that I wouldn't have to puzzle my things in to fit nicely (there was no GM or larger option available for this bag).
-There was a gap at both ends of the zipper, which allowed you to see the red lining from the interior.
-It gave me a "mommy bag"/diaper bag vibe, that people I asked seemed to agree with...which I have absolutely nothing against, it just didn't seem enough like "me."
-The leather pull tabs at each end of the zipper will eventually begin to curl up (which I happened to notice occurring with people who own the Monogram Canvas or Damier Azur version of the bag).

All in all, the factors about the bag that I disliked were enough to cause me to change my mind, even though I was absolutely infatuated with it at first.  There were no concerns or issues in exchanging the bag, although I did spend a good hour or so at the Louis Vuitton store figuring out which one I wanted to get instead.  The "made in France" factor played a big part in deciding, since I was set on getting one that was French made.  I ultimately found one that I am surely in love with, and have no regrets towards it thus far.

So I bet you're wondering what bag I decided on in place of the Totally MM in Damier Ebene...well, you are gonna have to wait and see me talk about it in my much belated March Favorites video, that you can see (here) once I've uploaded it.  Although, if you follow me on Instagram (@thestyleminded), it's possible you might have already seen the pictures I posted featuring it.  Below is the embedded unboxing video of the Totally MM in Damier Ebene, as well as the few photos I took before exchanging it.  All photos taken by me.  =]

Christmas 2013 Haul

Hope you all have been having an exceptionally stellar holiday season.  For the few years that I've had my YouTube channel, I've always told myself that I would stray away from filming and/or posting things I got for Christmas.  However, I somehow felt inclined to do so this year, so I did.  Along with this post, there is a video I filmed on my YouTube Channel (click here to view) where I generally go over the things I got.  There may be more in depth reviews to come on specific things in the future.  As I get older, the more grateful I am for the fact that I still get gifts at Christmastime from people, although I'm convinced I'm far too old to still be getting them.  Please don't feel offended or think that I'm bragging by sharing these things with you all.  I would be very delighted if you all shared some things you got for Christmas down in the comments, or something you particularly enjoyed this holiday season.  Also, let me know if you're interested in me doing a review on any of the items I got.  All photos taken by me.  =]

Le Pliage Large Tote in Slate by Longchamp

 Silver Stainless Steel Watch by Emporio Armani

 Bracelet by Isabel Marant pour H&M

 Fragrances I got for Christmas: Fame Black Fluid by Lady Gaga, Our Moment by One Direction, The Beat by Burberry

 Nintendo 3DS XL in Blue + Games: Pokemon X, Super Mario 3D Land

Sigmax Face Brushes by Sigma

Metal & Rust

Hooray!!!  What can I say, I'm excited by the fact that it is officially fall, which is by far my favorite season in terms of wardrobe.  I love all the deep jewel toned shades, the elements of black, incorporation of leather, and all those other facets that make dressing for fall so fantastic.  In this look, I went with an incorporation of metallic, black, and cognac that primarily worked around the textured metallic top I got from Bamboo Sky.  Other elements of this look that really pulled everything together were the beautiful coated crystal bib necklace by Mixe Medium, the rust colored shorts by Rag & Bone, and my Alexander Wang Rocco bag.  I will be sure to get more fall related outfit and beauty posts as well as videos up in the very near future.  All photos taken by Taylor Miyashiro.  =]

Outfit Details: Textured gunmetal and black top from Bamboo Sky, rust colored cut off frayed shorts by Rag & Bone, Bag: Rocco Mini Duffel in black lambskin with black nickel hardware by Alexander Wang, Shoes: Areas boot by Jeffrey Campbell.  See other photos for accessory details.

Coated crystal bib necklace by Mixe Medium, silver stainless steel armor ring by L'Mond, tan claw wrap around leather bracelet by Kara New York, silver stainless steel mesh band watch by Skagen, gunmetal and black aviator sunglasses by Marc by Marc Jacobs (not shown in this picture).

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target: My Picks

The 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection that is being released tomorrow (September 15, 2013), has to be one of the most anticipated Target designer collaboration collections that I have ever come across.  There has been lots of hype building up to the release date, mostly contributed by the heavy press and media coverage showing glimpses of the pieces that are being released.  I have to say, as a fan of Phillip Lim, this collection is very exciting, and the pieces are definitely ones that are covetable.  Based on my personal aesthetic, there are a lot items I would definitely love to add to my wardrobe, particularly the leather motorcycle jackets, as well as the great assortment of bags and color blocked garments that are part of this collection.  This is a substantially large collection, encompassing over 100 pieces that range from menswear, womenswear, shoes, bags, scarves, and loungewear.  Being that this collection has such diversity, it isn't hard for everyone to find something from it that they like, especially when the price range is from under $20 - $300, with most of the bags falling under $50 price range.  However, I do warn you all that although the bags are amazingly gorgeous, they are very affordable for a reason, and that is the fact that they are made of manmade materials and not leather (I figured I'd mention that before anyone thinks otherwise...I'm a pretty firm believer in "you get what you pay for").  Nonetheless, there are fabulous pieces in this collection, and if real leather is what you are in search for, the leather motorcycle jackets fit the bill on that.  Though they are the most expensive items being released, I find the leather jackets are the best investment worthy items from the entire collection, at around $250 for the women's version, and about $300 for the men's version.  This is definitely a Target collection I will not miss, so you can be assured I will be camping out in the parking lot at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning.  Below, I have compiled images of the pieces I was able to find that I would be interested in picking up from the collection, so you can be sure to see a follow up post sharing the items I actually picked up.  If there were pieces you were interested in getting from this collection, I would love if you shared them with me in the comments, so I can keep an eye out for those in case I haven't given them much thought the first time around.  All photos taken from Refinery 29 (I don't own any of them).  =]

My top picks from the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection.

Bag & shoes from the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection that I would like to get.

Clothes from the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection that I would like to get.

What's In My Bag? (Alexander Wang Rocco)

Happy Sunday y'all.  This was actually meant to be posted yesterday (Saturday), but needless to say I kinda forgot.  However, here it is...a much belated post of what is currently lurking in my Alexander Wang Rocco bag a.k.a. "Zippy," which has been my everyday bag for majority of the past year.  Here I have embedded my pretty long video sharing the contents of my bag, as well as a couple of pictures of the bag itself and the items in my bag all laid out.  I will be doing a post as well as a video completely dedicated to the details, contents, and components of this bag, so be sure to check that out as soon as I get that up for you all (hopefully in the next few days).  I will probably be editing this post in the near future, so I can put numbers on the items from inside my bag, that way they can be identified in case you were wondering what they are and what not.  But for now, you'll just be able to look at them.  All photos and video taken by me.  =]

 Alexander Wang Rocco Mini Duffel Bag in Black Lambskin with Black Nickel Hardware

Contents of my bag (will edit to add more details soon).

Summer Safari

Even though summer is coming to an end, it is always appropriate to dress for warmer weather here in Hawaii.  I really wanted to end off summer sort of transitioning my wardrobe with subtle elements for fall, which is what I aimed to do with this look.  For this outfit, I paired a basic white tank with these fantastic black & white geometric printed shorts that I scored from Old Navy, and just built it up from there.  Even though it was warm outside, the fact that my outfit was layered didn't seem too bothersome, as they were not heavy layers.  Elements that I feel really pulled this look together were my vintage DKNY blazer, the woven fedora I got from Old Navy, and my Alexander Wang Rocco bag.  Fall is surely approaching, and I can't wait to start dressing for that season.  All photos taken by Reisha Sakauye.  =]

Outfit Details: Basic white tank top by American Apparel, vintage black wool blazer by DKNY, black and white tribal printed shorts by Old Navy, woven fedora by Old Navy.  Shoes (not shown): black leather loafers by Calvin Klein.  See other photos for accessory details.

 Silver stainless steel armor ring by L'mond, raw crystal necklace by Mixe Medium, triangle pendant necklace from Forever 21, silver stainless steel mesh band watch by Skagen, Arena Giant leather bracelet in Latte by Balenciaga.

Bag: Rocco mini duffel in black lambskin with black nickel hardware by Alexander Wang, geometric buckle black leather belt by Ralph Lauren Black Label.

Colorful Kid

Me oh my, it has been such a long while since I've posted an outfit post here, which I definitely need to work on being more consistent in doing.  Anywho, summer is dwindling down and fall is becoming very present in the clothing options that are available in stores, even though it's pretty much summer all year around here in Hawaii.  Nonetheless, I've been trying my very best to utilize the brighter options I have in my summer wardrobe as I eagerly await all the gorgeous wardrobe elements of fall.  In this look, I really wanted to form the basis of the entire outfit on both the colorful nature of the shirt, and the transparent quality of the clutch (outfit details in the photo captions below).  I'm honestly one who is not all that daring when it comes to striking colors, but I have somehow managed to find ways to meld it into my existing wardrobe through the course of this summer.  I know fall is just around the corner, but I wanna squeeze a few more summer looks in before then.  All outfit photos taken by Reisha Sakauye, accessory detail shots taken by me.  =]

 Outfit Details: Colorful printed t-shirt by Little Tokyo from Sanki, cobalt corduroy shorts by American Apparel, Shoes: transparent white jelly shoes by Mel by Melissa for Forever 21.  See other photos for accessory details.  

Transparent box clutch on chain from Basique Threads.