The Ensemble Project

Hiatus

2011-04-10T18:59:00.004-04:00

Taking a break from blogging for a bit.

Follow me on Tumblr here! :)

Lust Worthy Details

2011-03-09T22:09:00.023-05:00

"It's more interesting to have just a picture of a small detail - then you can dream all the rest around it. Because when you see the whole thing, what is there to imagine?" -Dries Van Noten

Saved the best for last...love the multi cuff detail on this dress!!! Does anyone know who this is by??

perfectly captured by Nam during Paris Fashion week.

Lemon Bars

2011-03-06T13:25:00.013-05:00

This past weekend, I decided to make these lemon bars as an ode to Spring. The recipe is an adaptation from one of Ina Garten's recipe that I got from one of my favorite bloggers, Smitten Kitchen. Enjoy! :)

For the crust:

1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the lemon layer:

4 extra-large eggs at room temperature

1 2/3 cups granulated sugar

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (3 to 4 lemons)

2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

2/3 cup flour

Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into the greased baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.

For the lemon layer, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.

Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Inside Out

2011-03-06T01:24:00.007-05:00

Took this pic with my cell while waiting for a friend.

I'm in love with this vintage red Versace bag I dug out from my mom's closet. The handles are so unbelievable cool. Black + Red has been my "go to" color combination the past couple of days. Seem so classic.

I'm wearing an old forever 21 leather jacket. It's actually worn inside out because I love the shearing detail and it reminds me of one of those amazing Rick Owens shearing biker jackets I can never afford. Hey- it's a quick DIY and a lot friendlier on your wallet!!

leather pants= twenty8twelve

boots= phillip lim

bag= vintage Versace

leather jacket= forever21

nailpolish= chanel nail vernis in blue satin

Ode to Opulence: Marchesa FW11

2011-02-16T19:20:00.006-05:00

I just came back from the Marchesa FW11 presentation and I'm still in awe of the beautiful gowns I saw. I took these pictures with my cell phone so excuse the poor quality. I will update better quality pics once the pictures are posted on style.com. For now, these will still do. Can you please pay attention to the stunning veils? I love how Georginia and Keren both incorporated them into the gowns. What girl doesn't love layers of tulle surrounding them?

stunning clutches.

tulle socks. a next diy project, perhaps?

such intricate details

poor models..they were all twitching because of their killer loubs

my all time fav. ensemble. the most wearable*

need these earrings in my life

Lanvin Lanvin ♥

2011-02-14T21:27:00.002-05:00

A notebook too pretty to write in.

Just Us Girls

2011-02-13T10:37:00.015-05:00

My girlfriends and I decided to spend the v-day weekend together over afternoon tea at Lady Mendl's at the Inn at Irving Place. We enjoyed a 5 course tea, consisting of baked goodies with fresh jam and variety of classic finger sandwiches. They also offered a whole slew of fine teas you can choose from. We ended our meal with a nice glass of champagne. Although the setting was very sweet and romantic, the place was so quiet that we had to be cautious of talking to loudly. After a series of glances from nearby diners, we left and excused ourselves by saying we were tourists. :) All in all, I couldn't ask for better company.

I wore a multi colored Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti pleated wrap skirt, leifsdottir top, a Alexander Wang cardigan under a State and Lake rabbit fur jacket, and opening ceremony boots. The Prada tote I'm carrying was actually a Christmas gift I got my mom...hehe. It's the perfect red shade for this occasion. :)

Parting Ways

2011-02-05T19:18:00.006-05:00

Chloe Satchel on sale now! click here if you are interested :)

Tokyo through my lens

2011-01-16T22:44:00.012-05:00

Here are some pictures I took on my trip to Tokyo a couple of months ago in October. It was my first time in Japan and although

I don't speak the language, everybody was super nice and helpful. The best part of my trip was when we went to Tsukiji fish market at 6 AM. We had the freshest tuna, and the man at the market even gave us wasabi, soy sauce, and green tea! You're always guaranteed a good time when you travel with your best girl friends!!

Shoe Sick

2011-01-16T13:07:00.013-05:00

Unfortunately, I had to spend most of this past weekend sick in bed. While being stuck in my room, I decided to do some re-

arranging and came up with this little set up. I must say I really do have a serious shoe sickness.

"I may really end up as the old lady that lived in a shoe!"- a la Carrie Bradshaw

Fit for an Ice Princess

2011-01-15T13:46:00.008-05:00

bows, ruffles, features, sequins...

I'm currently obsessed with these winter outerwear pieces by Moncler. Practicality aside, how insanely gorgeous are they?

images via Moncler

Ringing in 2011

2011-01-03T16:49:00.012-05:00

How i spent my new years in a nutshell....

* with amazing girlfriends, fun photo booths, and a night of just plain crazy fun.

Can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for me!

Happy New Years everybody!!

YSL Piggy Bank?

2010-11-06T20:19:00.007-04:00

genius.

"you've saved la rent"

coco rochas apt via VOGUE

I DO

2010-09-05T12:04:00.001-04:00

Can't Wait.

DIY: The Cold Shoulder

2010-07-29T17:27:00.011-04:00

One of my favorite blogs has to be by model turned street style blogger, Hanneli Mustaparta. (click here) I immediately fell in love

with this picture. There's something about the denim on denim combo with that buttery oak color of her Mulberry bag that makes her

outfit perfection. Although her shirt is essentially a loose fitting denim button down, the cutout shoulder is definitely an eye catching

detail that adds a touch of feminine sexiness. Can you believe her top is actually a vintage bodysuit?? I knew it was a one of a kind

so I took matters into my own hands and made my own version. Check out my DIY below!

I used my dad's old denim shirt. He's had it for years but I love how it feels so worn and oversize.

1) Fold over the shirt in half and pin down with straight pins to hold shirt in place.

2) Draw line with marking pencil along arm hole. (I used a bowl as a guide)

3) Carefully cut along the lines with a fabric scissor.

**Make sure you ONLY cut half of the line you drew. Start from the top of the shoulder to the center. If you cut all the way, it will

just become a sleeveless button down!**

Little Drops of Heaven

2010-07-11T12:24:00.000-04:00

After many attempts, I have finally found the perfect recipe for macarons! Although macarons are tiny lil things made essentially out of only egg whites, sugar, and almonds, their texture and creative flavor possibilities make them absolutely irresistible.

Beat egg whites until they begin to rise and hold shape

Fold in dry ingredients with a rubber spatula. Make sure there are no streaks of egg whites!

Pour batter in pastry bag.

Pipe batter on parchment paper. ( I drew 1 inch circles)

Bake for 15-18 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

I was so happy when I saw the little foots forming in the oven! :)

I made a lemon buttercream filling for my macarons.

All done!

Cream of the Crop

2010-06-21T09:00:00.005-04:00

{what i wore: Marni Top, H&M menswear strip pants, Miu Miu platforms, Ferragamo bag}

It's no surprise that the 90s trend of crop tops have made a comeback for sometime now, as

seen on Alexander Wang's runway back in 2009. But, I'm definitely not one to bare my stomach

and would not even have embraced this trend if it wasn't for this fun, silk Marni top I found on a

recent trip to my favorite vintage store in NJ, Mint. For a more conservative approach, try wearing

a crop top with a high waisted pants or wear it over a top or bodycon dress.

I paired the top with a highwaisted H&M pants I found on sale for less than $10! I love the

menswear stripe pattern and the bow tie is a nice feminine complement. My Miu Miu platform shoes

are an ebay score from last year. This outfit reminds me of the circus, but hey fashion is all about

having fun...right? :)

Houston was caught eating grass..oh man! :(

On another note, I'm selling a vintage Bally Bag on Ebay. You can see my listing here. If you have been following me for some time now, I have a similar bag in cream that I always carry, as seen here, here, and here! It's such an easy, convenient bag to carry around. As a thank you to my readers, I will be offering a 10% discount! If you are the winning bidder, just contact me on ebay to let me know you found the listing through the Ensemble Blog! Best of luck! :)

Tulip Folds

2010-06-03T20:26:00.024-04:00

I literally squealed with delight when I found this gorgeous, silk blouse tucked away at Decades Vintage. The different shades of blush caught the corners of my eye and I already had the perfect outfit in mind even before I went to pay. To modernize the look, I took the shoulder pads off, rolled up the sleeves, and paired it with silk shorts I snatched up at last year's Intermix sample sale. Every time I throw this blouse on, I'm so amazed at the construction and how well it has held its shape over the years.

{what i wore: vintage tulip blouse, alex lane shorts, valentino peep toe bow pumps, vintage bally bag}

Glimpses

2010-06-01T09:00:00.003-04:00

I've had several request to post pictures of my studio apartment and finally got around to taking pictures. If that sofa looks familiar, it's because I posted about it here a couple of weeks ago! I'm so happy with my purchase, and it's definitely more comfortable than it looks. It has a nice, soft hand feel and the deep plum color adds a nice richness to the apartment. Like my coffee table? Click here to find out how you can easily replicate the look!

If you have been following me since my Sweet Concoction Days, you probably know how much I love mirrored furniture pieces. I even took it upon myself to make over my storage bed bench by adding mirrored legs. You can find out how I did it here!

As my studio does not have a lot of closet space, I had to buy a clothing rack. These pictures are little snippets of my closet. I have 2 sides- one girly & femmy and the other side is a little more edgy. I purposely arranged my clothes this way because it's just easier when I get dressed in the morning and pretty much sums up how I like to dress.

I found these bookends at a flea market and spray painted them gold. I love how they turned out!

Crowne Crane Bedding Collection from Anthropologie

I bought this jewel tone plastic container from the Container Store a couple of years back to store my makeup. At just $3.00 a piece, it definitely was a great purchase.

I don't know what I would do without these Kinetic Go Green storage containers. Not only does it keep my refrigerator organized, but it really does lock in the freshness of my fruits and vegetables!

One of my favorite possessions. A picture from my college gradation in a picture frame I made. =)

I have a serious problem when it comes to shoes & accessories!

Hope you all enjoyed these pictures and came away with some organizing tips for your own home!

Girl Time

2010-05-25T22:40:00.013-04:00

Now, it probably seems like I go to Terrain every weekend judging from my past posts (seen here and here) but I can't help but to bring visitors here. Everyone seems to enjoy their time! Styer's garden cafe is utterly idyllic and is found within a greenhouse. This past weekend my best girlfriends came to Philadelphia and I have been raving about Terrain for what seems like months to them and I finally got the chance to show them. I'm always pleasantly surprised with their menu since it changes with the season. If not for the decor or the food, at least come here for the coffee. They serve the best coffee and I found out that they get their coffee beans from La Colombe. I'm officially a fan.

fresh honey-wheat popovers served piping hot in terra cotta pots

(make sure you ask them for the bread when you got!)

butter drizzled in honey and lavender

Hummus Platter w/ Roasted Red Pepper

Artisanal Cheese Platter

Roasted beet and goat cheese salad with ruby grapefruit

Potato Gallette w/ flower shaped salmon

{what i wore: UO slouchy silk white blouse, Zara trousers, Greener Pastures Wedge, Jimmy Choo Leopard Clutch}

Effortless Throw-ons

2010-05-16T15:17:00.005-04:00

These are items that are currently making their way up on my wishlist.

The beauty of the perfect white tee is that it serves as the prefect canvas. You can add layers and layers of gold chain to channel your inner rockstar or wear it with a pair of skinny black jeans and a tailored blazer for a more sophisticated look. In my opinion, simple pieces with knockout accessories make the perfect formula for fuss free glam. Wear this outfit with your hair in a stylishly disheveled bun and you are ready for any turn of event the day may bring. Comfort and Style at its best!

1. Queens Wardrobe Trench

2. Fuji Instax Camera

3. BDG Slim Boyfriend

4. Square Leather Satchel

5. Greener Pastures Wedge

6. Matte Nail Polish in Plum

7. Alkemie Stingray Bangles

8. Bassike Oversized White T Shirt

DIY: Coil Me Pretty

2010-05-13T22:53:00.008-04:00

It's been a while since I posted a DIY. Here's my latest!

This necklace was inspired by an Anthropologie necklace I saw a couple of months back. I immediately thought it would make a great DIY project. The best part is that it only cost me $2!

cording you can find for $1/yd at any craft/fabric store

random pieces of broken jewelry

needle & thread

ta dah!

{h&m watercolor dress, diy necklace}

MOMA

2010-05-09T17:56:00.015-04:00

I'm baacckkkk..!!! So sorry for the long hiatus. Work has been a little crazy and I haven't found time to update my blog. These pictures are from a few weekends ago when I visited the Tim Burton exhibit at the MOMA. I snuck in a few photos even though there were no cameras allowed... shhhh :)

{what i wore: zara vest, anthropologie sandals, mixed vintage chain jewelry, chanel bag, UO jeans}

As excited as I was to see the exhibit, I was also anxiously waiting to try Danny Meyer's The Modern. My girlfriends and I had a

late lunch from the bar menu and we were all so pleased with each of our dishes!

salty butter

grilled diver scallops w/ roasted beets

upside down tuna tarte

grilled yellowfin tuna

Apple Strudel served with prune armagnac ice cream

The most delicious beignets ever! It is served with maple ice cream, caramel, and mango marmalade. It's the adult version of a funnel cake. No one can resist!

The weather was perfection! I'm in love with my new ring & nailpolish color (jade green) in this photo. I found the ring at a vintage store in Philly called Bella. (thanks Korina for the recommendation!)

If you know me, I never wear flats. This is the closest thing to "flats" I will wear. These sandals are so irresistible. Not only does it have a wedge, but the laser cut details on these leather sandals provide an instant cool factor. You can find them here.

Another score at Bella- a Jimmy Choo leopard print pony clutch. The really cool detail about this clutch is that the gold zipper that runs the length of the bag can unzip to expand the clutch even more!!

Till next time...I promise to post more often!

xoxo

Why don't you...

2010-03-22T22:22:00.013-04:00

make your own Hummus?

I LOVE hummus, and I probably have tried all the flavors out on the market- from roasted red pepper, to jalapeno, to even a cranberry and fig one! That's one of the reasons why I think hummus is so amazing. Not only is it easy to make, but there are so many different flavor combinations to test. But I must say that my favorite has to be a classic roasted garlic white bean hummus.

To make hummus, you start off with chickpeas, and add in tahini, lemon juice, fresh garlic, salt and pepper to taste, and olive oil. You swirl everything up in a food processor, and you have fresh, creamy hummus in under 4 simple steps. I have been using this recipe for quite some time now, but I decided to give this recipe a twist by switching regular garlic cloves for a whole bulb of roasted garlic and using white beans instead of the regularly called for chickpeas. I took this recipe even further by incorporating one of my favorite herbs- rosemary.

Step 1: Wrap foil around a bulb of garlic. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil to prevent the garlic from burning. Place in a pre-heated 400 degrees oven and cook for 50-60 minutes.

Step 2: I used about 1.5 sprigs of rosemary for my recipe. It's up to you if you want to use more or less.

Step 3: Soak chopped rosemary in 1 T + 1t of good Olive Oil. Add salt & pepper.

Step 4: I think using canned white beans is perfectly fine. I don't have time to soak and simmer dried beans! Just make sure to rinse off the beans in cold water before putting them in the food processor.

Step 5: When the garlic is cool enough to touch, use either your hands or fork to remove the cloves. It should be easy enough to pop out the cloves.

Step 6: Add the rosemary olive oil mixture into the food processor.

Step 7: Add the juice of 1/2-1 lemon, depending on the size. (Tip: If it's difficult to get juice out of a lemon, pop it in the microwave for 1 minute and it gets the juices flowing. A little tidbit from Food Network!)

Step 8: Swirl , Swirl , Swirl!

All done and ready to be dipped!

Hope you enjoy my little twist on your classic hummus!

It's Like Sunshine on a Rainy Day

2010-03-15T00:06:00.015-04:00

This past weekend's rain storm didn't stop me from wearing my new Topshop leather heels. I instantly fell in love with the triple strap and wood heel detail, and have been patiently waiting for these beauties to arrive at my front day. The wait was so worth it!

I'm wearing a UO blouse, Zara trousers, long leather belt I knotted, Marni-esque necklace, and a Prada ombre tote. Mixing prints with a bold, funky piece of jewelry always makes a great statement.

How lovely is this swan vase? :)

Shoes Shoes Shoes

2010-03-10T22:06:00.005-05:00

Take your pick

2010-02-17T07:01:00.013-05:00

if you had to pick just one....

{image: http://www.mydailystyle.es}

Clearly, my obsession with these arty rings are not going away- as seen here in my last post.

As hard it is to pick, I would like to know which color/shape is your favorite?

DIY: Lattice Mirror Table

2010-02-10T17:27:00.025-05:00

Q: What do you get when you combine a mirror and a table?

A: The most affordable mirrored lattice coffee table!

As most of you know, I have another blog called A Sweet Concoction. I haven't updated in a while since I've been focusing most of my free time on this blog! That was my first blog and I'm still very much attached to it. I offered easy & affordable DIY interior decorating tips that anybody can do! One of my favorite entries was this bathroom makeover. I have decided, for now, to only update this blog regularly, but will also offer interior decorating tips as well!I want to say upfront that I do not have ANY experience in design. It's something I do for fun and that I enjoy very much! I think style and design go hand in hand so hopefully my tips will inspire some of you!

With that said, this entry is a perfect example of how I like to decorate. I try to look at pieces that I already own and "upgrade" them some how to create something new and improved. I quickly fell in love with this lattice mirror that I found at Home Goods for $99. I originally bought this for my old bedroom but decided to go out on the limb and make a mirrored coffee table out of it! It fit perfectly onto my coffee table that I bought to Philadelphia. It was a match made in heaven. :)

Enjoyed this entry? Please check out my DIY section from A Sweet Concoction!

Terrain @ Styer

2010-02-02T21:12:00.011-05:00

This past weekend, my friend came down to Philly to visit me. I've been dying to take her to Styer's Garden Cafe for brunch. Located in Glenn Mills, PA, it is about a 30 minute drive from the city. Terrain at Styers is Urban Outfitters 4th venture project, and this new home and garden lifestyle concept is executed so beautifully. Terrain is a greenhouse/retail store/cafe all in one. It carries a gorgeous blend of house ware items, garden related items, hand made soap, and even offers a full range of landscaping services.

The cafe is located inside a bright greenhouse space. The food was amazing! Fresh, local ingredients are only used, and the menu changes with the season. I ordered a beet & carrot burger with herbs and pesto goat cheese. It's by far one of the best meals I have had in PA. I will definitely be going back to Terrain soon...possibly this weekend??

{my beet&carrot burger}

{breakfast sandwich}

{olive oil poached chicken salad sandwich}

{inside cafe}

{what i'm wearing: UO jeggings, DIY Miu Miu boots, jacket&sweater from Korea}

how cool is this necklace holder?

I want those punch metal lanterns so badly!!

lemon tree!

check out terrain's website here

Ballerina touch

2010-01-25T22:23:00.025-05:00

Black and white with touches of dusty rose is the perfect girly color combination. From my early age of ten, I had my room

painted pink and since then I have never given up my ultrafeminine ways. High heels, billowy blouses, ruffles, and

layered jewels are staples in my wardrobe.

Mini polka dots are so fun and the black & white color makes it such a classic style.

♥ what i wore: rag&bone blouse, loeffler randall pants, prada booties, ann taylor necklace, vince leather jacket ♥

House warming

2010-01-22T07:00:00.004-05:00

It's been 2 weeks since my move and although I have finally settled in,

I still don't feel at home. Work gets in the way of my initial plans to immediately

decorate my studio apartment. It makes me really nervous/anxious/annoyed

that I have to put my design kick on hold.

The only option I have is to create a mini wish list . . .

a) Gold Leaf Mirror

b) Birdcut Sideboard

c) Antoinette Aubergine Sofa

d) Conure Rug

e) Bird & Branch Decoupage Chandelier

f) Silver Leaf Votive

g) Random Coffee Table Books

dear Anthropologie,

thank you for making that so easy!

So...just out of curiosity, what would be on top of your wishlist?

New year...new loves

2010-01-11T22:06:00.001-05:00

Happy New Years :)

It's been too long! These past couple of weeks have been hectic! For the holidays, I went on vacation to Korea with my best girlfriends and right when I came back to the states, I had to move to Philadelphia for my new job!

This is going to be a short post but I wanted to share some goodies I bought back with me from Korea. 10 days of non-stop shopping and great food can really take a toll on your bank account but it was soooo worth it. I can't remember a time when I had that much fun!

knit vest + leather jacket combo

owl earrings

leather skull bag

fur lined boots

funnel scarves

Oh, Korea- you have been so good to me! I can't wait to go back! :)

Snow day!

2009-12-20T01:18:00.001-05:00

{what i wore: cashmere funnel neck sweater, missoni coat, citizen jeans, prada boots, vintage bally crossover bag, and vintage lion chain necklace (worn as bracelet) }

We're currently in the middle of a snow storm! Snow is the best when you have absolutely nothing to do and you can cuddle in bed with a nice cup of hot tea and start to tackle the glossy stack of magazines waiting for you on your nightstand. total bliss.

Besides the snow, it was fuh-reeez-ing outside. I bundled up in this beautiful cashmere lined Missoni coat. The soft colors and the trapeze cut of the jacket make it very girly. I wore a cashmere funnel neck sweater underneath. It serves as a nice scarf too..don't you think? My boots are Prada from F/W 2008. Of course, leave it to me to leave the house in heels even if there is a blizzard going on outside! I love the metallic greyish silver color on these boots. It kind of has a snowboot-esque feel to them. It keeps my legs nice and toasty. ;)

keep warm!

p.s. Don't forget to check out the items on sale (below entry!)

{ On Sale Now! }

2009-12-18T21:21:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the slow down in entries this week. I recently got a job offer that requires me to move to a whole new city- Philadelphia! Outside of NY, I never experienced working AND living in another city on my own- besides going to school in Boston. So, apartment hunting has taken up a huge chuck of my time. I'm slowly starting to pack up my stuff (and I still need to pack for my upcoming trip to Korea!) and c l e a n out my closet. Here are a few things I'm selling! If you have any questions regarding the item or need more pictures, please email me at ckim8120@gmail.com - subject heading "The Ensemble Sale" would be extremely helpful :)

Salvatore Ferragamo Patent T Strap Sandals

I never got a chance to fully enjoy this gorgeous pair of sandals. It's too narrow for my feet! It's extremely sexy on and although the size is 6.5C, it will fit a 7 or even 7.5. It's patent leather and in EXCELLENT condition- never wore these outside. It's from 2007 Spring/Summer collection. (box will be included )

*asking price= $100

~~"Oh Deer" Black Peep Toe Pumps~~ SOLD

Let's face it, not everyone can afford Christian Louboutin's trademark red soles. When it comes to a cheaper alternative, this pair of "Oh Deer" pumps are great! It's made out of genuine leather and very comfortable to walk around in. These are also in great condition and worn probably twice.

*asking price= $35

Vintage Bally Drawstring Bag

I'm sad to let this one go but it's time to make room in my closet! You can wear this bag with just about anything and it's such a convenient lil bag. Personally, I like to wear this as a crossover. Who can resist those drawstrings? So cute!

*asking price= $75

Juicy Couture White "Heart" Blazer (size small)

*asking price= $40

BCBG Dress (size small)

Velvet lining and silk bow detail in back

*asking price= $40

BCBG cardigan (size xs/s)

silk/cashmere blend

*asking price= $40

3.1 Phillip Lim Tiered Edwardian Silk Dress (size 4)

Black silk dress with tiered eyelash detail along bodice. Dress has sheer long sleeves, a high neck, tapered satin cuffs, a hook fastening on neck, a zip fastening on back and is fully lined. 100% silk - description from the Outnet ( click link to see more detailed pictures) This dress is currently selling on the Outnet for $350, retail price was $875! It's seriously a beautifully constructed dress. I'm only letting it go because it's big on me.

*asking price= $250 ( never before worn dress!)

Rebecca Taylor Dress (size 2)

Chocolate and Turquoise can make such a pretty color combo- and this dress proves it. Add a lil sparkle to the holiday this season with this dress. The outer shell can be worn with a separate top.

*asking price= $30

I just want to let you all know that I will be leaving for Korea next Wednesday and will return after New Years on January 4th. If I can get your order in before next week, I will ship it out immediately. If I don't get the request until after I leave, unfortunately I will have to ship it when I get back.

*shipping is not included, and will have to charge $5.99,

*paypal preferred

Thank you! Ask me any questions! =)

Bits & bauble

2009-12-12T22:33:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I have another blog dedicated to all things interior design called A Sweet Concoction. Like this blog, I try my best to offer easy DIY "recipes" to enhance your home. (scroll down and to the left click DIY in the Labels menu) Here's a sample entry that I felt is relevant to this blog, since jewelry & accessories are a huge part of any ensemble:

I have collected quite a large jewelry collection over the years but always have a problem storing them. A while back I bought a jewelry stand on ebay but was too small and failed to keep any of my jewelry organized. Ideally, I wanted a stand that could store all my necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings at once- not just a stand dedicated solely to earrings. Therefore I decided to take matters into my own hands and create my very own. Instead of storing your jewelry in your vanity/desk, like most people do, show it off! Make your jewelry part of your bedroom design- it will add a personal touch. This is probably one of the easier sweet concoction recipe! Enjoy

.: Ingredients :.
- one large tree branch
- white spray paint, newspaper

.: Direction :.
1) Find a large tree branch outside that has lots of offshoots.
2) Clean the branch to get rid of any dirt.
3) Decide where you will be putting your branch. If the branch is going to be laying down on a piece of furniture, you will have to break off some of the smaller branches so that the branch has stability.
4) Spray paint *I used 2 coats*
5) After letting the branch dry, start hanging your jewelry! Below are some pictures of the final product. Hopefully, they will provide you with some inspiration.

it's a jewelry safari ;)

so simple yet effective!

Military influences+vintage glamour= The Perfect Trench

2009-12-07T12:00:00.001-05:00

We had our first snow this past weekend! The weather wasn't TOO cold so I thought my Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Trench Coat would be the perfect outerwear to prance around the snow in. Sonia Rykiel is the queen of Parisian Chic and this trench exemplifies that. The coat has a fitted bodice with double breasted button closures. The button flap chest pockets give off a military feel while the puff sleeves and skirted bottom keeps the trench feeling very feminine. Every time I put this on, I feel like I'm wearing a dress but in a jacket form! Of course, I can't forget the big, pouch pockets and the orange and white polka dot lining. (I can store anything in those pockets- my keys, cellphone, and camera.) Too cute! It's definitely one of my favorite coats in my closet.

please excuse Houston...he didn't mean to butt in ;)

{What I Wore: Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Trench, Zara distressed jeans, H&M funnel scarf, black Vince cashmere sweater, vintage Bally bag, and DIY Miu Miu Studded Boots}

DIY: Discovering My Perfect Miu Miu

2009-12-02T12:34:00.001-05:00

As an avid reader of Jane's Sea of Shoes, I remember the day she posted about these gorgeous, gasp-worthy pair of Miu Miu studded leather boots. Unfortunately, after doing some net-a-porter research, my heart dropped when I saw that it retailed for $870. (Note: Just this past weekend, it went on sale for $522!) I don't think I can justify spending that much money on a pair of boots, but when I saw another one of my favorite bloggers, pinkhorrorshow looking absolutely flawless in them...I knew another DIY project was about to happen!

image courtesy of Sea of Shoes

{The Process}

As the base, I used a pair of suede Forever21 platform boots. They are very similar to the shape and size of the actual

Miu Miu boots, so it was a perfect match! You can buy them here.

Note: I used 4 1/2 packets of the nailheads to finish the design.

{The Finished Product}

I'm not going to sugar coat it and say that the process was easy. It took me 3 days and countless hours of watching

Food Network to complete. But, I'm extremely pleased with the result! The whole project cost me around $50...

definitely beats the $870 price tag.

{The Ensemble}

Black, White, and Red- classic Chanel colors. I love the billowy, accordion sleeve detail on my Barron Duquette top. Flowy tops always call for skinny jeans and these jean leggings are a perfect fit, especially since they fit right into my Miu Miu inspired boots!

{what i wore: barron duquette top, citizens jean leggings, DIY Miu Miu boots, Chanel patent leather bag}

Shades of grey

2009-11-21T16:06:00.001-05:00

I think it's always fun to build your outfit around an accessory- you never know what you're going to come up with! I'm totally in love with my fringe embellished scarf. It has a pretty bead lining and it can add alot to an outfit through its play on texture. I paired it with a Forever 21 Dress (an exact replica of a past season Donna Karen dress) and black suede boots that are totally cute because of the slightly scalloped brim detail. My sky grey jacket is from Zara.

{accessories worn: vintage gucci bag, forever21 rings mixed with vintage finds}

How To: Perfectly Messy Bun

2009-11-18T12:09:00.000-05:00

I'm so happy I stumbled upon the Parisienne YSL Blog because they had a step by step guide on how to get that perfectly "i just got out of bed" tousled Parisian-style bun...and now you can too in 6 simple steps:

Step 1: Make your hair dirty. After showering, you can massage in either Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion or a homemade spray, made with one part sea salt, three parts water and a few spritzes of leave-in conditioner. Or you can just wash your hair less often and use a dry shampoo to keep your hair from getting greasy.

Step 2: Next, pull together your hair and hold it straight up.

Step 3: Then twist your hair down to a few inches above the crown.

Step 4: Wrap your hair around itself until it forms a loose bun, right on top of your head.

Step 5: Pin the bun in place with bobby pins. Anywhere from four to eight, depending on how thick your hair is. You want it loose but secure.

Step 6: Finally, pull loose strands of hair from the nape of your neck and around your face to make it look like you’ve worn the bun all day. Voila! The perfect bun!

A Chanel Find & Easy Chain DIY

2009-11-09T17:37:00.002-05:00

They say love finds you unexpectedly, and I think that also holds true for Chanel.

A few weeks back, I wandered into a consignment store near my house and...boy oh boy..was I in for a treat! Upon entering, my eyes went directly to this Chanel black/silver tweed jacket. I was able to negotiate an insanely good price for it and slowly but surely paid it off. Considering that it's from Chanel's Fall/Winter 2006 collection, it was well worth it...not that I even paid much for it. I finally picked it up this past weekend and I'm so in love with it- I wore it all weekend! It's in such good condition and it fits me perfectly- no alteration needed! It's such a fun twist on a classic Chanel jacket with all the dangling tweed strands. As you know by now, I'm all about mixing highs with the lows and I think this ensemble sums it up perfectly. My top is a DIY anthropologie corset top (see below for how I made this). I'm wearing black harem pants from Zara that I tucked into Chanel boots.

{see below for how I made this DIY chain top}

I bought these Chanel boots last year. Remember when Saks went crazy and marked everything down 75-80% last winter? I love how these boots are a mixture of leather and patent leather.

Probably my favorite nail polish color! I bought it at Urban Outfitters and I love it! (2 for $8 ppl!) FYI- it's called "grey 2."

Let me know if you have any questions. I will be more than happy to answer them!

Style crush

2009-11-04T11:00:00.001-05:00

I have a serious style crush on this girl- Miroslava Duma. She is an editor at Harper's Bazaar Russia. She has an incredible style and although petite, can pull off any look. She always looks gorgeous, but effortless at the same time. Look for yourself below... :)

Classic fall palette

2009-11-02T11:53:00.001-05:00

Seen on Missoni's Fall 2009 Runway, long hooded scarves seem to be all the rage this season. I picked one up at H&M and I love how you can create 3 different looks- loop it, hood it, or just leave it long. It's perfect

for a chilly autumn day. Because my outfit is mostly a muted palette of grays and neutral, I thought it would be fun to add this beautiful vintage Givenchy jewel-toned choker necklace. It adds a nice pop...don't you

think? :)

{what i wore: H&M silk cardigan, zara top, kova & t oxy leggings, vintage givenchy necklace, zara over

the knee boots, H&M scarf, YSL oversized muse bag}

DIY: Classic White Shirt Updated

2009-10-29T13:50:00.001-04:00

Alexander Wang Poplin Off-the Shoulder Shirt

When I first saw this shirt coming down Alexander Wang's F09 runway, I knew it would be the perfect DIY. It's such an innovative take on the classic white shirt. I love the deliberately oversized off- the- shoulder look, and the adjustable black straps sneaking out is such a tease! It's such a fun, relaxed, and chic look. Currently selling at $325, wouldn't you rather take 15 minutes of your time and make a similar version?

See below on how I made my version of Wang's shirt:

{what i wore: DIY alexander wang inspired white shirt, forever21 leather skirt, UO mixed chain necklace & forever21 long chain, ALAIA leather shoe boots }

Trend report: lace detailing

2009-10-28T16:14:00.002-04:00

From leggings and jeans to shoes and dresses, lace details have appeared everywhere. It's romantic and

feminine but in shades of black, its sexy & edgy and a little punk rock. I love challenging myself to create

different looks using a single piece throughout. By incorporating different accessories and shoes, you can

create different ensembles that portray a different attitude. Go edgier by pairing a sweet lace dress with

a tough pair of heels or opt for an embellished statement necklace for a more sophisticated look. Try not

to over accessorize- either go for a belt and keep the neck area clean or wear a show stopping necklace with

no belt. See below for some examples:

Tip: Use a belt and cinch to tuck in a sweater to create a 2 piece look.

{belts from top to bottom: nanette lepore (belt from another dress), forever21 leather ruffle belt, H&M embellished belt}

Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen: The Row

2009-10-21T22:53:00.001-04:00

It's been 2 years since this commercial has been released, and I'm still in love with the concept.

Boyfriend jean

2009-10-16T21:58:00.003-04:00

{what i wore: vintage lace embroidered top, anthropologie scarf,

bcbg trench, sam edelman bootie, AG boyfriend jean, beige chanel bag}

the boyfriend jean: I try hard not to follow every fashion trend that's out- especially if I don't

think it will suit my body type andand is not really my style. Maybe that's why I jumped on the

boyfriend jean trend so late in the season. I don't get the big hype of paying over $250+ on a pair

of ripped up denim- a trend that is bound to last only a few seasons. But when I was at Anthropologie

last week, innocently perusing their fabulous sale section I found a pair of AG boyfriend jeans at a

good price. I gave in andtried them on. I was honestly surprised by how well it fit my body, and it

didn't make me look like an oompa loompa! :)

"window" shopping in front of anthropologie

Following Lanvin's Footsteps

2009-10-13T21:55:00.001-04:00

DIY Jeweled Footwear

My mom has these pair of vintage beige Versace pumps that are jeweled with gold chains. I love them to

death but of course it's a size 6, and I'm a 7.5. Many times, I have tried to squeeze my feet into them and

failed miserably. So, when I saw these fabulous footwear coming down the Lanvin Spring 2010 show

last week, I knew what my next DIY project would be. :)

{old H&M jewelry}

{before pic of my black suede daniblack boots}

{after pic}

What I love about this project is that I can take off these book "anklets" and wear it with another pair of pumps.

I'm definitely going to make more...maybe one with a buckle! :)

DIY Button Down

2009-10-09T17:04:00.001-04:00

A few months back, I was rummaging through my closet and I noticed so many button down shirts that I never wear anymore. I sat down and came up with an idea by fooling around with the sleeves. Here's my take on the new button down!

{what i wore: DIY button down shirt, grey J Brands, Derek Lam sandals, white quilted Marc Jacobs stam bag, Forever21 cuff}

Off to the farm we go!

2009-10-05T22:05:00.001-04:00

{ Neon Peekaboooo }

This past weekend, ang and I went to a community farm near my house to pick some eggplants and corn but we got there too late because everything was already picked. :( I didn't realize it when I was changing, but I ended up wearing everything from Urban Outfitters. At the end of the season, UO has a $5 sale where everything is $5! Be on the lookout for those! I picked up both my neon yellow tank and the cutout knot oversized black shirt at the sale. I love the cutout & zipper detail trend that's on the fashion radar right now so this was definitely a cheap trendy purchase. My jean leggings are also from UO as well.

{ Check Mate }
{what i wore: forever21 checkered shirt, dolce vita riding boots, forever21 leaf necklace, michael kors watch, vintage gucci cross-body bag}

Lovely prints

2009-10-03T13:24:00.001-04:00

{what i wore: chanel bag, forever 21 glasses, unknown factory jeans, marc jacob purple butterfly shoes, kaylee tankus jkt, Tolani scarf, Hussein Chalayan drape shirt}

More detail pictures:

I'm all about discount shopping. I never EVER pay anything full price. I think it's because I work in retail that I've developed that mentality- hello employee discount!?? So, with that said, I'm always on the hunt. I'm the queen of discount shopping. These are a few of my favorite online shops: gilt groupe, hautelook, asos, h&m, forever21, zara, outnet, etsy (for some really cool jewelry pieces like this one), hsn (recently teamed up with Lucky magazine to feature some amazing designers- rebecca taylor, sam edelman, gerard yosca, tracy resse..just to name a few), and of course topshop .

One tip- if you have a twitter account, follow your favorite online shops. They often give discount codes to their followers. I know chickdowntown is infamous for that. (You can find my Tolani scarf that I'm wearing there as well!)

Mixing highs with the lows

2009-10-01T18:15:00.001-04:00

Hello hello, my name is Angie and I will be your co-blogger. Connie and I are venturing into the blogosphere with The Ensemble Project with no serious agenda in mind but to share our thoughts and ideas about fashion and style. Of course, I don't claim to be a fashion expert by any means (I WISH!!!) and I feel like I have much to learn and much to understand, but perhaps this blog can be a major instrument along that path. In terms of what I wear, I believe that style and fashion doesn't have to break the bank. Spending less money doesn't restrict anyone to the lower rungs of the fashion ladder. It is all about how it is put together and how one wears it! An outfit made from pieces from forever 21, h&m, and zara can look just as stunning as a pricey designer outfit. In short, the sum is greater than its parts!

So WELCOME, I hope you like our blog, and come back soon!!

Autumn florals + harem pants

2009-10-01T15:15:00.001-04:00

{what i wore: Zara tweed jacket and army green harem pants, Nanette Lepore floral blouse, Chanel 2.55 bag, vintage gold chain, YSL Sandals}

amaaazing amaazing YSL sandal finds at Neiman Marcus Last Call for $100. :)

As this is my first blog post (my fellow blog partner will be writing her entry soon), I wanted to do a little introduction. This blog will be dedicated to all things fashion, and how we like to put our ensemble together- hence the blog name, the Ensemble Project. My personal taste is feminine and romantic in nature but with a masculine touch. I like to pair two different extreme looks - something really soft with something dark and hard edge. I'm obsessed with texture and love when clothes turn to art. I'm a true believer that you don't need to be decked out in designer to look fabulous- splurge on bags and shoes and look for cheaper alternatives for your clothes. Although fashion is my first love, I recently got the design bug and started a DIY interior design blog called A Sweet Concoction. After all, style and design go hand in hand. Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy :)