August 30, 2013

sweet ambrosia


Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing LAST NIGHT Ambrosia Dress, Nasty Gal's Shoe Cult Minx Pumps, and La Mer wrap watch
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing LAST NIGHT Ambrosia Dress, Nasty Gal's Shoe Cult Minx Pumps, and La Mer wrap watch
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing LAST NIGHT Ambrosia Dress, Nasty Gal's Shoe Cult Minx Pumps, and La Mer wrap watch
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing LAST NIGHT Ambrosia Dress, Nasty Gal's Shoe Cult Minx Pumps, and La Mer wrap watch
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing LAST NIGHT Ambrosia Dress, Nasty Gal's Shoe Cult Minx Pumps, and La Mer wrap watch
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing LAST NIGHT Ambrosia Dress, Nasty Gal's Shoe Cult Minx Pumps, and La Mer wrap watch
LAST NIGHT dress. La Mer watch c/o. Nasty Gal Shoe Cult pumps c/o.

"Patience brings sweet rewards" is the very testament to the moment I'm living in. I've been working long and hard in bringing in a new Fall collection to LAST NIGHT, but it's been nearly impossible to find the perfect pieces to add to your closets. I was almost at a point of loss and defeat because nothing was working out. But patience, my friend...patience is a quality I count myself blessed to have learned, because it really has been the harbinger to my life's happiness. A windfall of new dresses I adore have fallen onto my lap and I get so antsy to share it with you whenever something new comes in! So for today's show-and-tell, I'd like to share with you one of my personal favorites, the delicately pink Ambrosia Dress - a beautifully refined "ladies who tea" kind of dress or a "bat your eyelashes from across the room at a gallery opening" kind of dress - whichever fun way you like to see it. What immediately caught my eye about this dress was its high end, luxe look that mismatched its gratifying affordability. Isn't one of your favorite secrets the little money you spend for looking like a million bucks?


August 29, 2013

hearst castle with lulu*s

Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Lulu*s at Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle by @honeynsilk
Hearst Castle by @honeynsilk
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Lulu*s at Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle by @honeynsilk
Hearst Castle by @honeynsilk
Hearst Castle by @honeynsilk
Hearst Castle by @honeynsilk
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Lulu*s, Le Sportsac, Giles & Brother, and Chloe & Isabel at Hearst Castle
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Lulu*s at Hearst Castle
Lulu*s shirt, Lulu*s shorts, sixtyseven boots c/o of Lulu*s, cool bracelet tag c/o Hearst Castle

Have you guys heard of this incredible historic beauty, Hearst Castle? I was shocked to stumble upon this while researching things to do near Paso Robles - how could I have not known that an actual castle this grand exists in the United States, let alone in California?! Princess dreams came flooding back to me as I clicked picture after picture, wide-eyed at this unreal discovery. Kyle has a distinct appreciation for architecture and pretty things in general, so I knew this would be a fun little surprise along the way home (and as it perfectly turns out, it's been a place to visit on his to-do list for quite some time, so secret brownie points to me). We sadly departed our wonderful B&B and drove through the hills that captured surreal views above rolling clouds, as far as I could see while clinging my grab handle for dear life.  As we neared the castle along the PCH, I had to double take, then confirm with Kyle, that we were seeing zebras grazing along the highway (safely behind a fence, of course). Per habit, I immediately googled "zebras San Simeon" and it turns out those zebras belong to the estate of Hearst Castle, as one of the only groups of animals left from William Hearst's private zoo back in the day. He not only had zebras, he had pet lions, giraffes, even polar bears! Like hashtagphuckyodog.  Getting to the estate was an adventure in itself, but it didn't stand to compare to the breathtaking grandeur of Hearst Castle itself, as it unfolded before us coming up the hill. The first step in, you can sense the liveliness and grasp the ambition in every luxurious and state-of-the-art detail of the time. Imagine all of the trees and flowers that had to be transplanted, all the marble and all the gold, and all of the painstaking details carved into the ceilings and walls. That was done and done at Hearst's passable request for something more comfortable than camping grounds to stay in atop this very hill. At Hearst's coveted invitation, the Hollywood and political elite frequented the castle, which they made their uninhibited playground. This estate at its heyday was the place to be.

I know exactly where I'll go when I travel back in time.

It's a blessing to get a chance to see a place like this, to feel a moment in history. We naturally left with inspiration to keep going so that one day we will come back here and take notes for our future floor plans.


August 27, 2013

wine country in lulu*s

Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Lulu*s Titania dress and Chinese Laundry flats
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Lulu*s Titania dress and Chinese Laundry flats
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Lulu*s Titania dress and Chinese Laundry flats
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Lulu*s Titania dress and Chinese Laundry flats
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Lulu*s Titania dress and Chinese Laundry flats
Lulu*s dress c/o. Chinese Laundry flats c/o Lulu*s.

It's unreal to me that I actually experienced the most beautiful weekend ever in Paso Robles, when I went for my honey's birthday getaway. The destination held far more charm than it gave off through tripadvisor and even the drive up included marvelous hills and lush greenery along its windy mountain roads. This whole trip, by the way, was a complete surprise to Kyle. I'm not usually much of a trip planner - the gigantic responsibility of it all always overwhelms me, especially when I've never been to such a destination and no friends are able to offer first-timer tips. I'm more a 'we'll just see when we get there' kind of gal, but I wanted and needed to make this flawlessly special for someone whose romanticism and thoughtfulness goes beyond even the most practiced of Romeos. And so I planned, and searched for the best B&B that wasn't already fully booked a month out, and sought delicious foodie-approved restaurants to try (which Paso Robles is full of), and researched fun things to do where we could dress up. In the end, our B&B was largely gorgeous enough with its own private vineyard, garden, and pool to thoroughly enjoy through the night. We dressed up to explore the vineyards that laid behind our guesthouse and traversed steep hills and pokey weeds to examine the wine grapes that produced the fabulous, award-winning bottle of cabernet our B&B mama gave us. This delicate, billowy Lulu*s dress was reserved for just this magical moment, with the powerful, golden sun shining down on us and that astonishing kind of view laid before our eyes.

We stayed in Saturday night for a home-cooked birthday dinner by moi, during which I incompetently burned myself, but the resulting merlot buttered filet mignon was goddamn worth it. We watched an old movie in our robes and sipped our delectable wine. And for doing "nothing", we had the best time (at least I hope I can speak for the both of us). I've learned that staycations are a wonderful, simple thing that can leave the most lasting effects (memories, recuperation, or the cheek pain from smiling are just some forms). It's definitely becoming my favorite type of vacation. For any one in Southern California, I would highly recommend Paso Robles as the spot for a getaway that's only a captivating drive away.

Stay tuned for day 2 adventures along the Central Coast with my babe and Lulu*s! 

August 26, 2013

instagram mondays


1. Trying on my new RVN dress - can't wait to post this
2. Moroccan bowl at Native Foods
3. One of my favorite flower arrangements
4. Styled bun with CC Skye
6. Exploring vegan-ism: roasted chickpea wrap
7. Never without my jasmine green tea
8. On a date in Pelican Hill with my little man
9. On the train to vacation
10. Best chicken cobb ever
11. Polaroid memories of Kyle's beautiful birthday weekend in Paso Robles
12. Wake and bake Kentucky biscuits and fresh OJ at our B&B
13. Exploring Hearst Castle
14. La Mer watches at The Grove
15. Me, Sheryl, Martine (designer of La Mer), and Bollare Babes at La Mer's Customization pop-up at the Grove!

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August 25, 2013

sunday funday: Gypsy05 holiday


Take a look and be awed by the velvet-y suits and inspiring boho prints of Gypsy05's holiday collection.

August 24, 2013

easy dressing

Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Urban Outfitters dress, Left on Houston sweater, and Gorjana taner collar necklace
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Urban Outfitters dress, Left on Houston sweater, and Gorjana taner collar necklace
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Urban Outfitters dress, Left on Houston sweater, and Gorjana taner collar necklace
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Urban Outfitters dress, Left on Houston sweater, and Gorjana taner collar necklace
Stephanie Liu of Honey & Silk wearing Urban Outfitters dress, Left on Houston sweater, and Gorjana taner collar necklace
Urban Outfitters dress. Left on Houston sweater (c/o). Gorjana & Griffin necklace (c/o). Gold cuff from Little Black Bag (c/o). Lanalia sandals (old).

I've told you before how I practically only shop sale at Urban Outfitters, because I've always found some real, die-hard gems for so cheap. Anything from Yaya Aflalo (designer of Reformation) naturally goes into the shopping cart and this dress from her collab with UO was on sale for less than the price of a pressed juice in LA. Cash out and done. For a day lounging poolside, I threw on one of those cozy, essential-to-life sweaters that you want to keep forever. Remind me to buy at least five of this Left on Houston sweater because it's so perfect and I can't let it go.  

It's been real easy peasy over the last few weeks (well easy as easy can get for a self-employed 20-something). I've taken some time off from the scene and been focusing more on living and breathing and enjoying home and being happy. It's a glorified break and we all need it.  But I'm still working diligently in finding the best dresses to bring to LAST NIGHT and I admit it's been quite a process recently because I've either become too picky or I don't know what.  Either way, I can't wait to show you new dresses for the Fall!

P.S. What do you think of the new logo? Baby steps to a new blog redesign :)