Happy #NationalPolkaDotDay!š“āŖļøā«ļø Polka dots are pretty much synonymous with Minnie Mouse, so itās no surprise that many Disney fans celebrate Minnie and her iconic style today. In past posts, Iāve talked about how I used to shy away from #MinnieStyle for the fear of coming off as too girly, which often reads as childish as an Asian American woman. But now that Iām older, Iāve become more comfortable with wearing girlier, feminine outfits that still feel like me.
And even though today is supposed to be all about dots, Iāve decided use today as a great opportunity to highlight #MinnieStyle altogether. So here are a few fun ways to #RockTheDots and honor Minnieās timeless style!
Another piece I immediately bought from the Uniqlo x Ambush Disney collection was this embroidered Minnie T-shirt dress. I practically live in this dress and shouldāve bought two because itās already getting pilly.š Itās basically a cute and comfy cotton mumu, so itās obviously been my go-to quarantine uniform. To add a few dots into the mix, I wore Baublebarās Minnie dangle earrings and a velvet dot scrunchie. And a #MinnieStyle outfit almost always calls for a bright red lip.š Iām loving how luxe this Pat McGrath lipstick feels!
For the last outfit in this lookbook, weāre going full throttle with dots!š“āŖļøš“āŖļø Thank goodness red dot dresses were trending in the last couple of years because now itās fairly easy to find a #MinnieStyle dress that fits my style. This Reformation dress feels so Parisian and will really stand the test of time. But to level up on the dots, I decided to wear this fun (and obnoxious) Minnie bag with a Parc Pack red dot bag strap. When wearing dot on dot, I like to mix the size and proportions of the dot patterns so overall, itās not too overwhelming.
Whatās your favorite way to #RockTheDots or don #MinnieStyle? Iām glad over the years, Iāve come to embrace Minnieās look. Itās a great reminder that I shouldnāt shy away from styles just because they donāt seem to fit me at face value. If anything, I can use my creativity to be inspired by those styles and put together outfits that still feel like me. So hereās to Minnie me!ā¤ļøš
It’s the first day of December which most likely means I’m already behind on holiday gift shopping. And if, like me, you haven’t quite gotten around to finding that perfect holiday gift for your friends, family, and loved ones, then I hope you’ll find this Gift Guide helpful!
I’m excited to share one of the two Gift Guides I’m putting together this year. But this Gift Guide is especially significant to me because all the gifts on this list are created by or support BIPOC! Even better, most of the shops included are considered small shops. So not only are you supporting BIPOC, but you’re most likely supporting a business that truly values your business.
FOR THE FASHIONISTA
Marte Egele Toy Ese Top Handle Bag in pink
Marte Egele: Toy Ese Top Handle bag, $120-$150 I learned about this brand through Melissa Soldera who showed off the Ese Top Handle bag. I immediately fell in love with the unique shape, but once Melissa raved about the quality, I was sold. Made in limited runs, Marte Egele bags are designed by Nigerian native Uche Egelecarefully and handcrafted by local artisans. So it’s perfect for the fashion lover!
Urban Native Era: Apparel, Hats, & Accessories, $14.95-$64.55 Urban Native Era is a brand that specializes in clothing design that that increase the visibility of indigenous peoples. The clean designs also make the apparel, hats, and accessories super versatile and wearable. Or pick up a stickers, patches, or pins for less than $13!
Sunflowers & Honeycombs Flower Earrings
Sunflowers & Honeycombs: Sunflower Earrings, $8-$15 *cue Post Malone’s “Sunflower”* You can’t help but smile when wearing these bright sunflower earrings! What I love most about these earrings is that they’re the perfect size to standout and make a statement, but not so big to be distracting. Bree crafts flower earrings and hairpins, but you can also find colorful sugar scrubs, necklaces, and sage sticks.
Warren Steven Scott: Earrings, $45-$70 If sunflowers are too floral, try Warren Steven Scott’s geometric shapes instead. As a member of the Nlakaāpamux Nation, Scottās designs with a modern image of fashion through an Indigenous lens. Go for a more classic looking metallic mirrored pair of earrings or choose something mismatched and colorful!
Second Wind: Face Masks & Chains, $38-65 Masks aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. So why not invest in a timeless mask handmade by master tailors? Everything about Karen Perez’s masks feel super luxe, from the sleek cut to the chic chains. And I love that all the colors are neutrals so they literally go with everything!
iluvit Upcycled Gucci Face Mask with Chain
iluvit: Face Masks & Chains, $25-$50 Time for the shameless plug! My mom and I also started our own little shop to sell handmade masks. Like I mentioned, masks aren’t going anywhere. And I love having a matching chain so I can easily take my mask off the second I get back into my car and not have to worry about where to hang it. With most of our masks and chain sets under $30, it’s an easy and stylish holiday gift! Did I also mention most are adjustable and reversible?
FOR THE BEAUTY GURU
The Lip Bar Liquid Lipsticks
The Lip Bar: Liquid Matte Lipsticks, $13 For only $13, Lip Bar’s vegan & cruelty free liquid matte lipsticks are perfect beauty stocking stuffers. They work really well for the price point and one person even did a mask wear test and there was barely any smudging! My favorites are the darker and punchier colors, but honestly we need all of the colors.
Cheekbone Beauty: Liquid Lipsticks, $23 Another BIWOC beauty brand that has also gotten stellar reviews for their liquid lipsticks is Cheekbone Beauty. I haven’t tried any of them yet, but I can’t wait to get my hands on some of their high quality and cruelty free products.
Rare Beauty: Soft Pinch Liquid Blush & Eyeshadow Palettes, $20-$25 Probably one of the hottest beauty launches this year was Selena Gomez’s Rare. After trying out a few different things from the collection, I think my favorite products are the soft pinch liquid blush and the holiday eyeshadow palettes. And If you need some inspo, I’ve been obsessed with Rare’s Global Stylist, Cynthia Di Meo.
KNC Beauty Star Eye Mask
KNC Beauty: Lip and Star Eye Masks, $25-40 Self-care night never looked so cute! The all natural and retinol-infused star eye masks are so fun to wear and really depuff and hydrate my eyes. The collagen-infused lip masks are equally fun to wear and my lips feel so silky afterwards. The packs come in adorable matching pouches making these sets another great beauty stocking stuffer!
Scrubtious Inc: Dry Face Masks, $17-22 If masks are more your speed, try one of Scrubtious Inc’s dry face masks. Vegan and made of natural ingredients, the shop offers a variety of mixes that address different skincare needs. And as a first-time dry mask user, I thoroughly enjoy pretending I’m making a witchy concoction and manifesting brighter and softer skin.
FOR THE BOOK LOVER
“Bad Girls Throughout History” & “Legendary Ladies” by Ann Shen
Nevertheless, She Wore It by Ann Shen, $22.50 As a fashion and art lover, I’m so excited for Ann Shen’s newest book. Her books are such an easy way to learn about incredible women, who are very often barely recognized. Speaking of, other great gift options are her previous books, Legendary Ladies and Bad Girls Throughout History!
The Boba Book by Andrew Chau & Bin Chen, $22 Everyone might argue over who makes the best boba, but no one can deny that boba has become more mainstream, especially thanks to The Boba Guys. And this year, Boba Guys Andrew Chau & Bin Chen finally published a cookbook sharing step-by-step guides and recipes on how to make your favorite boba drinks at home. This book is a feast for the eyes and our bellies.
This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell & Aurelia Durand
This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell & Illustrated by Aurelia Durand, $14.99 Because of the importance of the BLM movement, this book is a great way to unlearn harmful habits and learn proactive ones. Packed with history and research in a digestible format, even the most unwilling will be able to learn something. Pair that with activities that challenge readers to reflect on themselves and how they fit into the world, it’s a great gift for everyone. Yes, if you’re daring enough, even for that stubborn family member that never seems to understand why this matters.
Gmorning, Gnight by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Illustrated by Jonny Sun, $22 I’ve added this book to my wishlist because who couldn’t use a little extra encouragement and love. Originally writing uplifting tweets before his name was widely known, Lin-Manuel Miranda has finally gathered his best words of encouragement into one precious little book. Plus, I love how cheeky the illustrations look!
FOR THE MODERN WITCH
“Black Mage” by Daniel Barnes & D.J. Kirkland
Black Mage by Daniel Barnes & Illustrated by D.J. Kirkland, $19.99 Since she who shall not be named revealed how problematic she is, find that same sense of witchcraft and wizardry with a racial twist with “Black Mage.” With the main character named Tom Token who is accepted to an academy through the “Magical Minority Initiative,” it’s obvious how cheeky the references are. And while it’s meant for kids, the nerdy adults in your life will also appreciate this fun story.
Heritage Apothecary: Smudge Sticks & Stone Candle Holders, $5-$105 Find an array of home & energy balancing products at Heritage Apothecary. I picked up the obsidian candle holder earlier this year and I love it. It’s beautiful and striking as a home decor piece and I gladly welcome the extra protection that obsidian is said to provide. Find a variety of affordable smudge sticks, cleansing kits, shells, crystals, and stones, which are the perfect gift for the modern witch.
Teas with Meaning Loose Leaf Tea
Teas with Meaning: Tea Blends, $22-25 Created in the heart of Oakland, Teas with Meaning is committed to providing organic loose leaf tea blends with a dash of magic. Kamilah Mitchell is a brain tumor survivor and began learning more about herbs after she was first diagnosed in 2017. She now uses her knowledge of herbs to make magnificently balanced tea blends. Plus, each season she offers seasonal blends!
I hope this Gift Guide encourages you to find presents that support BIPOC brands, shops, and creators this year! After what’s been a ridiculous year, I’m excited to support shops and brands that will actually value my business this season. What other BIPOC brands and shops do you love? I’m always open to finding a few extra gifts for myself! ABW
It’s the last day of the year and instead of making a list of practical resolutions, like how I should save more money, I’m instead reminiscing on the all the ways I wanted to spend my money this past year – aka my five favorite 2017 Disney collaborations!Ā There were so many great Disney collaborations that debuted this year, but I’ll mostly be focusing on apparel collabs because there’s no better way to show your Disney pride than to have it plastered all over your body. š¬
Last year, Coach released a special Mickey collection that sold out INSTANTLY.Ā I went to a Coach store around 1pm the day it released and the store was literally down to it’s last few items for each style.Ā So this year, Coach released another Mickey collaboration only in their outlet stores.Ā The assortment was reminiscent of the original collection, but included a lot more styles and variety.Ā You best believe I snatched up a bunch of the bags and maybe a jacket…or two. Well, one of the jackets was gifted to me, so that doesn’t count.Ā But regardless, this was probably my favorite collaboration of the year.Ā I wear those Coach x Disney bagsĀ soĀ often and the jackets I’ll keep forever!
Another collection I loved was the UNIQLO x Olympia Le-Tan āMinnie Mouse Loves Dotsā collection.Ā I’m usually more of a Mickey lover, but the Minnie graphics were too cute to pass up.Ā I especially loved the embroidered details that tied all of the pieces together.Ā I’ll admit, some of the shirts were too sweet for my taste, but I fell in love with the cropped tattoo-esque shirts with Minnie’s face and banners flanking each side of the collar.Ā I loved it so much, I picked up both the black and red colorways.Ā I also picked up a couple of the bags, but my favorite is probably the red structured Minnie bag.
This one, I’m quite sad about because THEY ARE ONLY SOLD IN BRAZIL.šš« I was actually so close to snagging something from this collection thanks to a sweet friend that offered to pick it up for me.Ā But I guess it wasn’t meant to be because my size was sold out in almost everything.Ā Anyways, Arezzo is a Brazilian shoe brand that released a super diverse Mickey inspired collection.Ā The range included espadrilles, classic pumps, and trendy slides.Ā I especially wanted the yellow Mickey ear slides because they areĀ perfect for a Mickey disneybound and add that great pop of color to everyday outfits.Ā Hopefully, someone out in the world is re-selling theirs!šš»
Cakeworthy released it’s first official licensed Disney collection earlier this fall and it is amazing.Ā Cakeworthy always delivers the coolest Disney streetwear clothes around.Ā Compared to many other small apparel businesses that create Disney-inspired clothes, Cakeworthy items always have that unique punk edge.Ā I immediately loved the Neverland denim embroidered jacket and the novelty Mickey pizza bag.Ā Both are a little out there, but super special pieces that can’t be found anywhere else.Ā I’ve known the brains behind Cakeworthy for a few years now and they are amazing people.Ā They always find that one thing that Disney fans want but doesn’t actually exist, and then make it into a reality.Ā Their ability to identify the white space within the Disney apparel world is what puts them ahead of the rest.
I know this one isn’t necessarily clothing, but I had to add it in after my boyfriend so thoughtfully gifted me the Pendleton Mickey wool blanket for Christmas!Ā After seeing it as part of a Disney Style gift guide, I immediate knew I had to have it.Ā Ā They also released a few kids’ throws which are adorable for families with younger children.Ā But for the adult that’s young at heart, the Mickey’s Salute throw is perfection.Ā It’s the ideal mix of Pendleton’s classic geo patterns and old school Disney charm.Ā And I am a total sucker for that timeless Mickey.Ā If I ever end up not using it (stab me if that ever does happen though because that would be a heinous crime committed against this blanket), I love the idea of framing it and making it this huge piece of artwork to hang on the wall!
So those are my top five favorite Disney collaborations from this year!Ā There definitely was a huge number of Disney collections, but these were the few that I really coveted.Ā And the fact that I had to narrow down my choices is exciting!Ā Compared to 2016, I felt 2017 was the year many designers and companies finally realized that people love Disney and Disney products!Ā Within the past few years, I think more people are finally comfortable showing their love for Disney in everyday life – namely in apparel!
I could be completely wrong on this, but I feel like Disney lovers would wear all their gear in the park or to some kind of Disney event, but that’s the only “acceptable” time to sport it.Ā But nowadays, I walk around work and see other co-workers wearing their Star Wars sweater or a Mickey shirt and I get a little excited.Ā I think we’re coming into an age of “Screw it.Ā This is something I love, so I’m going to wear it.”Ā And now more than ever, people are braver about showing off the things they love.Ā And in terms of showing off Disney Style, I’m all for it.ā¤ļø
Cheers to a great 2018!šĀ And to more Disney collaborations!š
It’s the last day of the year and instead of making a list of practical resolutions, like how I should save more money, I’m instead reminiscing on the all the ways I wanted to spend my money this past year – aka my five favorite 2017 Disney collaborations!Ā There were so many great Disney collaborations that debuted this year, but I’ll mostly be focusing on apparel collabs because there’s no better way to show your Disney pride than to have it plastered all over your body. š¬
A BIT WONG 