laura: cute home-made rings

Awhile ago, I posted a "tutorial" on my personal blog on how to make rings out of wire + fabric. This was just a cheap random project that I thought of since I had some wire and fabric at home... and was in a crafty mood. But Amanda is the one who is learning about jewelry-making in her design classes so I hope she'll be able to share some tips on how to ACTUALLY make REAL jewelry one of these days. haha.. but for now, you will have to settle for my home-made version here...

For the full tutorial on how to make these, click HERE!

The LBD: Will we ever get tired of black?

From as far back as I can remember, I knew that the Little Black Dress was the "it" item in every girl's closet. Maybe it was the influence of Spice Girls, where Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham) would have all these different variations of the same LBD. I have noticed that I go through these certain color phases throughout my life. For example, I have been in this navy phase for quite a few years now, and I am getting sick of it. However, black never grows old on me. Black is the type of color that shouldn't even be called a color. But it exudes such power and sophistication that no woman can refuse.

Dresses by Zac Posen 

What are your views on the LBD? Do you think you'll ever get sick of the color black? Or are you one of those rare people that just refuse to wear black? We love reading your comments, so please leave us some! 

amanda: rainy days don't have to be boring

The reason why I haven't been posting in awhile is because I've been so swamped with projects (and still am).. and this new york weather is not helping. One day it's pouring, the next day it's warm sunny, then it's cold and cloudy.. it's completely unpredictable!

I just wanted to share with you about how I like to dress on rainy days.

I don't have hunter boots like every other new yorker, but I do love using boots to pull my whole outfit together.

I don't know about you, but I just love to make rainy days more interesting by wearing a fun pair of tights. Did I ever mention I had a little obsession with tights? 

For me, rainy days usually mean a comfortable pair of boots, interesting tights, and some lace. Here is only a quick snapshot of what I wore today. My knee-high suede boots, my houndstooth tights (current favorite), my lace slip, and a grey shirt dress.

Check out this awesome slideshow of this year's best tights for the fall! It makes me want to shop for more tights! :)

What do YOU wear on a rainy day? Leave us a comment below!

laura: DIY Ring Box!

I've been super busy lately with my new job (and NEW LIFE in Hong Kong) haha... which is SO different from Canada, so apologies for COMPLETELY lacking in posts... however, I see Amanda has been doing an excellent job of updating everyone on her life in New York, so I'll do my part and show you a little DIY craft that I actually blogged about on my personal blog, but since it's relevant to style and fashion, I'll post it here as well =) Anyway, here it is:

I think many of you know that I love to wear rings. The majority of my rings are back in Canada, but I am starting to breed a little collection here as well (yes... breed...). Most of these are either made (from this post here) or bought for $1 or 2 in Hong Kong. Since they're so cheap, I didn't want to keep them all in a pile just in case they started rusting. I decided to find an effective and cheap way to store my rings (and to prevent me from always losing them too)... 

 I bought a box that I liked...

...and some peach-coloured felt.

It's easier if your piece of felt is cut into one long strip. My strip of felt was wider than the box I bought, so I simply took the excess on the sides, and folded them in so that the felt strip would fit perfectly into the box. Then I basically folded the strip of felt, accordion-style, until I had folds (like the ones below).

At this point, you could use a glue gun or sew a few reinforcing threads into your accordion shape to prevent it from coming apart, but I didn't bother. The key thing is just to make sure your "felt accordion" is dense and packed tightly together, because if it's too loose, your rings will just fall down the cracks. Anyway, all I did was just stuff my felt accordion into the box and make sure it fit snugly. Then I put all my rings in, and there you go! A cheap ring box!

Now I have no excuse to lose my rings. 

I really like this idea because you can totally stylize your ring box any way you want. If you try this, I want to see what kind of box you choose and what colour felt you use! I'm sure it would look totally different from mine. Anyway, hope you like this quick craft idea! :)

amanda: NYFashion week - Hervé Léger, Oscar de la Renta, Rodarte

So It's been a week since the end of New York Fashion Week. I've spent a lot of time looking through the collections and I must say some designers have really surprised me and some have left me disappointed.

Of course, I want to use this blog to celebrate the good and the positive so here are some of the collections that I want to mention:

Hervé Léger by Max Azria

I've always been a fan of his work because it just amazes me how creative he can get with his signature bondage dresses. They are both sexy and edgy at the same time!

Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta never disappoints. He is just a master in what he creates every season. Did I mention I met him at Bergdoorf Goodman's on Fashion's Night Out? ;)

A lot of designers created neon yellow gowns this season, but I like how Oscar de la Renta made this one look so effortless. It makes me wanna give this bright color a try~

Rodarte 

I fell in love with one of Rodarte's famous looks a few years back at the Oscars. It was the pink gown Natalie Portman had on. It left me wanting to see more from this designer. So this is a glimpse of what he showed this year in New York. 

I love the kimono-esque silhouettes but for me, some of his other looks were a little bit too retro and tacky. 

amanda: NYFashion Week - Cynthia Rowley, Jason Wu, Suno

It has been an insane few days since Fashion Week started but I really enjoy the atmosphere of New York City when everyone is so pumped about seeing the new SS12 collections!

Let me share with you a few of my favorites in the past 2 days.

Cynthia Rowley SS12

I just loved how the combination of black and gold made the whole collection look so chic and expensive!
Nobody can say no to one of Cynthia Rowley's LBDs (Little Black Dress) or LWDs (Little White Dress). The styling was just right and I just enjoyed the way the finale was done at the end. Here are a few of my favorite looks:

I notice this trend of lines and symmetry throughout various SS12 collections. What do you think of it?

Jason Wu SS12

I have always admired Jason Wu because of his ability to create a type of delicate softness in his clothes with a hard and edgy inspiration.

In this case, he was inspired by a graffiti artist KAWS and even collaborated with him to produce that beautiful floral print seen throughout this collection. Though some of the looks I felt were a bit too retro, I did like many of the cocktail dresses and gowns.

Such as these:

Yes, ladies and gentlemen. NEON is back. :)

Would you wear neon? If so, in what pieces and to what extent would you wear bright neons?

SUNO SS12

I was not very familiar with this brand before this year. But they are the new up and coming designers who are talked about everywhere!

Here's a glimpse of their talent in the new collection! For some of you who know me personally, I do have a tendency to choose white lace dresses ;)

Amazing use of prints! Behind this brand since 2008 is filmmaker Max Osterweis and designer Erin Beatty. 

 From these collections, which is YOUR FAVORITE? 

Leave us a comment!

Don't forget to follow us on twitter as we give instant updates as certain collections come down the runway: http://twitter.com/allbeautyfull

amanda: Fashion Week - Day 1

Today is the first day of New York Fashion Week. 

It's been an exciting morning with shows from Nicholas K, BCBGMAXAZRIA, and Richard Chai. I will be giving a brief review of a few shows each day that I loved.

Enjoy some clips from the shows and tell me what you think (aka LEAVE COMMENTS!! :P)

I have to say that Nicholoas K was my favorite in terms of wearability. I can totally see most men and women wanting to wear their clothes. Love their use of chiffon in their maxi dresses and the cool leather jackets! Don't know who the designers are behind this brand?

Designers Christopher and Nicholas Kunz are a brother-sister duo that have 
started this brand since 2003.
These are a few of my favorite looks:

Aren't those coats just fabulous? Did I mention that I'm really loving the accessories too? ;) 

I am just amazed at the craftsmanship of all these complicated, beautiful dresses that feature interesting cut-outs and fresh pops of color! To see these runway shows in better quality, check out the youtube channel: liverunway as they show each runway more than once a day!

Want twitter updates about each runway show throughout Fashion Week? Follow us on twitter!! http://twitter.com/allbeautyfull

amanda: Fashion's Night Out 2011

Last year was my first Fashion's Night Out experience in NYC. 

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this concept. It is a mass shopping event in aid of promoting fashion and raising money for charity. Initially it was Vogue's effort to support the fashion retail industry and since 2009, it has been a great success as a global celebration for fashion.

Stores will open late into the night, parties, personal appearances by designers and models make this night spectacular and memorable.

If you are not in one of the cities hosting this event, don't worry. You can still show your support by purchasing limited edition items from the FNO 2011 collection here. There is a list of in-store and online places to buy these fantastic t-shirts and tote bags for charity. 

I am planning my Fashion's Night Out and I will update you as the day draws near! In 7 days, major cities across the globe will be celebrating fashion!! 

Don't miss out!

amanda: from hurricane to fashion week

I am back in New York. Yes, it was perfect timing because my flight arrived at 7am and the airport shut down at noon in preparation for Hurricane Irene!

After a night of heavy rainfall and strong winds of 80miles/hr (sorry about the US units), I survived my first hurricane.

Now all the buzz about the hurricane is dying down because Fashion Week is starting in a week! I know, I know, New Yorkers sometimes care more about what they're wearing to face the hurricane than the damage it may cause.

 Click here to see what's in store for this season's New York Fashion Week.

I will be posting more about the runway shows as they become available. As Laura and I become busier with our own schedules, I would love to share more about what fashion is like from the point of view of a fashion design student in NYC.

Let us know what you think!!

Were you affected by this hurricane at all?

What do you want to see at fashion week?

amanda: Who doesn't love shoes? Introducing: Sole Society

I haven't had a chance to share this with you but one of my favorite kinds of shopping is SHOE shopping! I have to admit that trying on shoes is way more exciting to me than trying on clothes. I can get quite carried away with shoe shopping. Luckily, I'm on a tight budget so I've really cut down on this obsession. 

Recently I found out about a site called Sole Society. 

It's an awesome concept and I think I'm ready to try it out!
Click here to sign up and see what shoes they'll choose for you!
I think the quiz is quite accurate. I will give an update after I purchase my first pair.. all shoes are only $49.95 each!
Leave us a comment on how you found your results and whether you will join Sole Society. :)

amanda: floral romper to finish summer

So whileI am patiently waiting for Laura to come back to Vancouver, I decided to do some sun-bathing. The weather has been gorgeous so I was so excited to finally get to wear my floral romper. It's been sitting in my closet for months! 

I'm not typically a floral print type of girl. But I think this romper is cute. It ties up in the front like a corset and it has a skirt overlay to make it look like a short dress instead of a romper.

Have you gone sun-bathing this summer? What do you wear to lie in the sun? :)

laura: Hong Kong purchases!

Yes... as Amanda said... I am in Hong Kong right now, enjoying the humidity and sweat-inducing weather! haha. I just wanted to quickly show you the things that I've bought so far... everything I bought was SO CHEAP in comparison to similar items in Canada. It's ridiculous! Most of the items were bought at a place called Argyle Centre. (If you want to know more about shopping in Hong Kong, I wrote in more detail on my  personal blog here). Anyway, here are some pictures......

*side notes:

Some of my favourite items include the strappy black sandals that were $14 Canadian, and the crochet top on the left which was $5! I also decided to buy some "trendy" pieces like the two maxi dresses on the right. I wouldn't have bought those in Canada because they'd probably be too expensive and only last 1 or 2 seasons. I usually try to buy clothing items that I know I will wear repeatedly until someone tells me it's too old and forces me to throw it out. But since the prices in Hong Kong were so cheap, I decided to try some different styles and looks. Anyway, that's all for now! Let me know which items are your favourites =D

-laura :)

lauramanda: a photoshoot before we part again..

Our great apologies for the absence of posts in the past few weeks. Over the past few weeks, Amanda returned to Vancouver while Laura flew to Hong Kong. Yes, we have traded places. :P 

The last time Laura went to Hong Kong was 10 years ago! Within the past 10 years, Amanda has been back to Hong Kong 6-7 times. So Amanda is super excited for Laura to experience all that this vibrant city has to offer!

This is the photoshoot we did before we parted again.

High-waisted shorts with a loosely-fitted top make a great outfit for a night out with some girlfriends.

A nice pop of nail colour makes all the difference to a classy black and white outfit!

Does Amanda's top look familiar? It was unconsciously (because she didn't realize it at the time of purchase) inspired by two of Laura's cardigans mentioned here and there.

Though we are on opposite parts of the world again. We shall be reunited in no time.. Are you curious about what Laura will bring back from Hong Kong??