paulette in hayes valley

paulette

I get a lot of emails asking me about the best places to find macarons in the Bay Area but I never knew how to answer since I'd only tried the ones that BF buys from Masse's in North Berkeley. A friend and I ventured out to Hayes Valley in San Francisco the other day and the had the opportunity to try these colorful little delights at Paulette! They definitely lived up to the hype and were as delicious as they looked. I'd strongly recommend ordering online if you've always wanted to try them and don't have any in your area.

(left to right: earl grey, rose, vanilla, raspberry, pistachio, and lemon)

macarons!

raspberry macaron

earl grey macaron
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i'm actually not pigeon-toed by the way

01-30-1001-30-10
vintage slip (clothes contact in the mission), vintage duffle coat, vintage oxfords

Am I the only person who feels self-conscious about being photographed by another person? I don't think I mentioned this before but I finally bought a remote (along with the aforementioned lens) which I thought would facilitate this whole outfit photo process. Unfortunately that involves limiting myself to areas in and outside of my apartment where I can lug around a tripod without being seen by so many people. Okay, I honestly haven't had the time to try it yet but for the most part, due to my inability to focus well enough with self-timer, I've had to ask my friends to take my photos for me. Half of the time they come out but the other half they're just not good enough but I'm afraid to ask for more. I'll take what I can get anyway.

Even now, however, I can't keep a straight expression when someone else is taking my photo, hence the not-so-fierce goofy expressions that naturally grace my face on a daily basis. You see that second photo on the right? I'd call that a more accurate representation of what the people around me see everyday (rat's nest hair included). What else is there to say? I bought this slip from Clothes Contact in the Mission and layered it over another slip and a crinoline from Anthropologie for a little extra bounce. This remind me of that Rodarte x Target that everyone has, except I wasn't really in love with the original... I don't really know why but I wasn't very motivated to buy anything. I'm really obsessed with mustard at the moment and can't get enough! I love the details at the top, I wish I'd taken a photo without the coat. Today was such a nice day, too.

walking
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day off

yogurtland

eating

Yogurtland and BF's new hair. Have you guys been to Yogurtland? In my opinion it's a million times better than ripoffs like Pinkberry. It's way better to be able to choose everything that goes in your cup! I'm not too into mixing flavors so I always stick to my classic plain tart, yogurt chips, mango, and mochi combination. Oh, and my new lens came in! Merry Christmas, haha. Thanks for all of the comment in my last post, I'm glad to be back!
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Penang's Beaches

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My stay in Penang was absolutely beautiful. We had amazing views of the ocean from our hotel room, and with the really warm weather, what more could you ask for? I think Penang might now be one of my favorite travel destinations. White sandy beaches and lots of great food down Gurney Drive. Australians and Brits definitely agree, they are all over the place here having a good time, but only now are Americans just beginning to come. Everyone was telling me to try the famous Asam Laksa in Penang and I have to say, it is SO yummy! I can really take spicy foods, but not as much as I used to. Growing up, I put chili on just about everything haha! I also really like the soy bean milk they serve there a lot! Plus, we had an awesome taxi driver, Ali, who would fetch us here, there, and everywhere, all whiling giving us lots of good information as well as making us laugh just about every five seconds!!But we’ve definitely had other few crazy taxi drivers which nearly scared the crap outta me. But but all in all, I had a safe and wonderful time in Penang. And like I said, very easy dressing. High waisted denim shorts and tanks are my new best friend. After Penang, I spent the last 2 days in Thailand! Took so many beautiful photos. Can’t wait to take a look at them later! But now, I am back in KL for a bit! :)))
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thank you everyone

01-29-10
mm6 cardigan, acne hex jeans in dark cash (xmas gift), h&m top, zara scarf

heart

I don't think I'd realized how much my readers meant to me until today. On a day when everything that could go wrong happened I found comfort in the strangest of places: the blogosphere. I'm not going to lie, I'd always pictured myself as different from your average fashion blogger: I'd never planned on gaining such a significant number of readers nor did I go out of my way to attain it. It just kind of happened somehow and to be completely honest it really freaked me out for a while since it happened so fast (I forget I didn't actually start posting here until nine months ago.

I'm still in the process of growing up: I'm not as obsessive compulsive as I used to be and I've grown a lot as a person but old habits are really difficult to shake off when they're so ingrained in your every day being. I'm the type of person who will recopy notes when I make minor mistakes such as writing on the wrong line or incorrectly spacing things, I even write most of my notes on graph paper for optimal control. And don't even get me started on this blog... you have no idea how many unpublished posts I have sitting on my Blogger dashboard at the moment. Somehow, however, it's starting to wear off. Maybe I am ready to post "just anything" now no matter how mundane it may be. Wasn't I the one who called it a "lifestyle" blog? I can easily say I was totally full of shit (hah) since I obviously backed out but hey, I can get a second chance, right?

You see, I've come to realize that I really have been taking my readers for granted this entire time. As someone who is prone to the almost daily battles with self-doubt, I let my fears get the best of me and found it hard to believe that anyone could like me enough to take an interest in this little hobby of mine, whether it's my style or writing content. Taking a break from blogging really put things into perspective: it's not all about the number of readers you get but rather who's actually willing to stick with you no matter what choices you make concerning your blog. Why should I get freaked out about so many people looking at this when there's a select few who really geniunely care? Today, after a particularly difficult day where nothing seemed to work out, I received so many encouraging comments and emails that reading them actually caused me to tear up a little. I can't thank you guys enough for putting up with me, let's try this again, okay?

(ps. I didn't mean to look like such a downer in the photo, it was 7:30am and I couldn't help it, haha.)
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Kuala Lumpur

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I arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday afternoon! I was so exhausted from the 22 hour flight, but I stayed up and went out with my relatives to an awesome Indian restaurant. I loved the banana leaf plates! The curry was so spicy and flavorful, I nearly melted. And wow, it is sooo warm and humid here. I love it! All I feel like wearing are super short shorts and cotton tees. Easy dressing, but having so much fun. I am not really near my laptop all day, but I am sitting here at a Starbucks in Subang Jaya posting this! I needed to cool off, so I grabbed a yummy Ais kachang and pineapple with my sister. We have been taking so many photos and enjoying the tropical climate! Will be hitting up Penang tomorrow morning. I can't wait to hit the beach and just relax! Will definitely keep you updated with more photos of my travels!
Also, recently I did an interview with Swanky Magazine. Read it HERE! You might have to translate! :))

xoxo, Natalie
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Shout Out Loud!

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Here are just a few shots from the Rebel Yell summer 2010 collection. All photos shot by photographer, Zoey Grossman!

I love the bright colors, hair flipping moves, and smokey eye makeup! We had the best time shooting in studio. I am lusting over the graphic tees, super soft hoodies and stacked on bracelets!
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Dark as Night

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Lace Dress and Slip: Vintage, Shoes: Bally

So this is my new dress that I love oh so much. Black lace is aaah! my fave! It gives off a dark, sultry vibe. I really lucked out on this one. The arms and waist fit perfectly, i couldn't ask for anything more. Because I usually wear fitted dresses, the flowing shape at the bottom feels new and refreshing to me. Everyone needs a little change and variation in their lives right? I get bored of just one look or one particular style. This little getup is different from anything I already have...it keeps things interesting.

Anywhoooo, my trip to Asia begins Wednesday. I'm feeling the need to get out of the USA right now and start converting my dollars into ringgits! I'm working on doing all the laundry, buying the necessities, packing everything, yada yada yada. Basically, I just want Wednesday to come along. But I'm trying to take it just one day at a time, why speed up time even more? Besides that, I do have some cool new work photos that I will share with you guys soon! :))

xoxo, Natalie
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Rectangular

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Top: Madewell, Shorts: Vintage Versace, Booties: Stefane Kelian

These shorts are a little DIY! I just snipped these old Versace mens jeans into the perfect black high waisted shorts. I cannot get enough of high waisted denim shorts! Love them to death. Topped them off with a wool/cashmere crop top! I like how when I stretch my arms out, it creates a perfect rectangle! A simple sweater with a really cool shape. Now I have to get a bunch of stuff done around the house before my 5 week trip to Asia. I feel like I have seen everything and done everything there is to do here in LA. I am going to miss the comfort of my own home, but I'm super excited to see so many new intersting things and eat really exotic foods! Of course I will be documenting it all on here!
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as close as i'll ever get to a makeup post

mac morange

mac fluidline

I get a good amount of emails and comments requesting that I divulge my makeup routine but sadly, it's really nothing special. For some reason I've only ever been comfortable with buying mostly MAC makeup since I first started putting anything on my face in high school. I've gone through various phases that may or may not involve unnecessary amounts of eyeliner but at the moment I'm most comfortable with the fastest routine I can come up with.

I typically start with the Clinique 3-step system (although I do cut corners by washing my face in the shower, hehe) and make sure to moisturize before anything since I tend to have flaky skin. I then apply concealer to any spots that need coverage before I finish it off with MAC's studio fix which is both a foundation and powder in one. Sometimes I also put on a little blush which sadly is no longer available since it is from the Fafi x MAC collaboration a few years back.

My eye make-up routine varies: when I want big lashes I go with Maybelline's Great Lash mascara (which in my opinion beats out all of the more expensive brands I've tried, even Diorshow) or if I'm really pressed for time, I skip the mascara and just put black eyeliner on the crease of my lower eyelids. I also like to experiment with the cat eye liner look on my upper eyelids every so often, except I haven't been able to recently up until today since I ran out of my fluidline eyeliner in blacktrak. If you like the cat eye look you should definitely try this. I prefer it to liquid liner since it is not as messy and applying it with an angled brush produces more precise lines than a pencil.

As for lipstick, I have a couple MAC shades that I like such as matte ones like Please Me (the pink one I usually wear) but today I also acquired Morange after catching on to the orange lip fever. A lot of you have asked about my red lipsticks: usually I alternate between YSL's Opium Red which is more neutral with hint of lustre and MAC's Russian Red which is a cooler shade with a matte finish. Oh, and finally, I have a really bad problem with dry lips (which BF likes to point out all the time) and I opt for the classic Rosebud Salve for routine conditioning. Okay, maybe not that routine, since the problem continues to persist...
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Barely There

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Silk Tank: Bebe, Shorts: Forever 21, Shoes: Via Spiga, Bag and Faux Fur: Vintage, Jewelry: Vintage, Sogoli, Elena Cruz

This past week has been so warm and beautiful, about 70 degrees. Downtown was even hotter, I was nearly sweating walking back to my car in the sun! Overall, it's been so nice with the warmth. I've been using it to my advantage by taking more early morning walks and by eating on the porch rather than in the dining room. As you can probably tell, lightweight materials have been dominating most of my closet space lately. I hate feeling bulky with heavy clothes! I do have a love for fur though, so I wrapped this little faux fur piece around my bag. It is definitely a tank and shorts set that will be in my suitcase to Asia the end of this month! The collage I made below inspires me to pack worn-in white tees, lots of shorts, and killer shoes. Can't hardly wait. Until then, I've got work to do.

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xoxo, Natalie
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Sheer

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Here is more of my work shot by photographer Lauren Ward.

My header photo is also from this shoot! I love the hazy photos and dusty rose colors.

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