Shirts with Stories

Apologies for my two-week absence! I've been mentally strained for the past two weeks because of finals and the SAT. Not to mention, both Diana and I are sick, but our ill bodies did not stop us from going out for a shoot! I am thrilled for this first literature-inspired blog post! My outfit was inspired by Kirsten Hubbard's Wanderlove. If you are a sucker for adventures and romance, then this book is for you! Make sure to read below for Diana's review on Wanderlove. There are many more to come. Enjoy! -Dorothy

A bit about Wanderlove first:

Wanderlove
By: Kirsten Hubbard

It all begins with a stupid question:

Are you a Global Vagabond?

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry to this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story.

-Summary from Goodreads

I am obsessed with adventures.

Yes, I'm deathly afraid of heights. No, I don't have enough common sense to travel around the world without the very real possibility of plummeting into situations that a little kid could warn you about. But that's not the point of an adventure, is it? To stay within your comfort zones, to test the limits with safety nets below you?

Wanderlove is about so much more than just traveling and adventures. It's about love, about trust, about running away and not running away. About staying still and not staying still. About watching the world spin around like a merry-go-round ride while you're standing in the middle, and as it sweeps you away into a land of endless confusion, you learn to eventually grab on to a horse and climb on, fighting your way through the hurdles of life. But, at it's heart, it's also a beautiful love story. There is no such concept as insta-love here. It is a fascinating and eternal and aching journey of learning that, yes, it's alright to fall back into someone else's arms, even after everything you've lost. It's okay to be afraid. It's okay to be angry. But you have to learn to discover the when, so that when the time comes, you won't miss it.

This story thrums with inspiration, pulsates with humanity, and rumbles with adventure. Surely, like any other book, it won't please the palate of every person. But I hope you read it, and that it makes you wonder and it makes you love.

Graphic Tee: Abercrombie//Olive Pants: American Eagle//Necklace: Forever 21 (click to enlarge photo)

I chose this graphic tee because 1)it matched the title of the book and 2)the graphic represents the main idea of the book.I love adventures-food adventures, amusement park adventures, spontaneous adventures, etc. I will always be consumed by wanderlust because I love traveling. It is a token to my happiness. The feeling of satisfaction I get from adventuring is unparalleled to anything else; it is distinct in how it affects me.

Simple yet meaningful graphic tees are great to have because they are so comfortable and easy to wear. I wear graphic tees when I'm too lazy to put together an outfit that requires more effort. 

 

I wore olive-green pants to complement the forest and nature colors on the graphic tee. Had I worn blue jeans, the outfit would have looked more bland. Thus, it is important to own several colored pants. Besides wearing different hues of blue jeans, colored pants like this one can make the outfit look like you put in more effort. 

Tip: An easier way to put together a nice outfit is to pair a simple top with colored pants. The color of the top should complement that of the pants. 

 

I accidentally left this necklace on the branch after Diana took this photograph...I didn't realize until I got home. *deep sigh*
This watch was given to me from my grandma, and it is so versatile. I practically wear it everyday. The earrings I got for Christmas this year from a classmate. Love them!

 A shirt can speak about your character; I tend to choose graphic tees that I personally feel connected to. It might seem odd, but hey, wear you and wear what you love. 

Have a wanderlustful week, everyone!

A BRRRand New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone! I can barely fathom the fact that it is already 2015. 2014 sprinted right past me, and every second it's running father and farther away. It is an understatement to state that this year will be insanely jam-packed. There is so much that is predictable about 2015. However, so much more is erratic and up in the air. Regardless, I'm thrilled for the imminent experiences and opportunities this year has to offer. Because Diana and I are students and we aren't ones with much free time, maintaining and updating Letrendary will definitely be a new challenge. Nevertheless, Diana and I will put forth our best effort to make Letrendary the best that it can be this year. 

Recently, it has been chillier in Southern California, and I have been enjoying it. For the past two weeks of winter break, I spent the great majority of it at home studying. Therefore, this adventure to Mt. Baldy was a treat to starting off the new year. It was especially notable because I had not seen snow for two whole years. Since I knew there was going to be snow, I made this week's post about layering for cold weather. I also added pictures of a few of my favorite hats for the winter. Frankly, I don't really wear my hats often. Although I have a decent number of them, I don't find myself wearing them as much as I should. Anyhow, hats are always a good idea to keep warm and add flair to any outfit. 

*click on photos to enlarge*
Striped Sweater: Abercrombie / Denim Flannel: Polo Ralph Lauren / Charcoal Pea Coat: Nordstrom / Black Jeans: American Eagle / Boots: Franco Sarto / Charcoal Scarf: Saks Off Fifth

I wore 4 layers in this outfit. I first wore a v-neck t-shirt underneath my striped sweater in order to have a thin layer beneath it. On top of the striped sweater, I wore a denim flannel. For the fourth layer, I wore a grey pea coat. 

Tip for the week: Rather than just wearing a long sleeve and a thick jacket, layering sweaters, flannels, t-shirts, etc. is a smart way to mix and match different staples. Plus, you'll be warmer in the end. Another thing to keep in mind is that scarves are a necessity in this sort of cold weather. Never underestimate the difference a scarf can make! I'd say this specific outfit is adequate for 50-60 degrees weather. If it were colder, I would have traded out the striped sweater for a sweater that was thicker, and I would have worn a thicker thermal coat.

Knit Headband
(Nordstrom)

Classic Knit Beanie with Pom-Pom
My dog ripped off the pom-pom last night...*sigh*
(Saks Off Fifth)

Grey Knit Beanie
(Michael by Michael Kors)

Beret
I got this beret for Christmas several years ago, and I still love it because it's adorned with striped sequins and a chiffon flower.
(Juicy Couture)

Wool Beanie
(True Religion)

The cable-knit pattern on the beanie matches exactly with the thick cable-knit sweater I am wearing. Also, light pink and white are two colors that complement each other.

Cable Knit Sweater: American Eagle / Snow Jacket: Roxy / Snow Boots: The North Face

Thanks so much for reading! Have a stellar first week of 2015!

Welcome, 2015!

How have I utilized the 8760 hours in 2014? How have I changed this year-emotionally, physically, mentally? Am I a better person than I was at the start of this year? What from this year will stick with me the most as I move onto 2015?

There is greater number of days I've forgotten than remembered. It comes off pessimistic and melancholy, but it's true. For me, it's already befuddling to distinguish what happened in 2008 from what happened in 2009. Therefore, how much will I remember of 2014 ten years from now? Personally speaking, not much. Frankly, each year is becoming more critical and more stressful. Aware of the fact that there will be challenges in the imminent year, prepare to boldly handle those challenges.

Besides having resolutions specifically for 2015, it is also healthy to have perpetual goals that stick in the back of your head. I came up with one of my own back in 8th grade, and it's been my personal proverb ever since. It is simple: Work hard, and be humble, benign, and gentle. It's my abiding resolution, and it has stuck with me because I frequently analyze myself- my personality, my goals, etc. All this to say, goodbye, 2014. Welcome, 2015!

The Korean Hanbok 한복

Hanbok is a Korean Traditional Dress. The origins of the dress go as far back as the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-668 AD). The hanbok was originally designed for everyday wear in cold weather and nomadic life. The basic structure of the hanbok has 2 parts: Jeogori (the top) and Chima (the skirt). Underneath the jeogori and chima, it is normal to wear multiple layers of pants and dresses. Even up until the Korean War, Koreans wore the hanbok as their daily wear. When I see photographs of my grandparents when they were younger, they always were in their hanboks. Rapid industrialization starting in the 1960s changed all of that; industrialization provoked Western-style clothes to commercialize in Korea. Now, hanboks are only worn for special occasions like New Years, weddings, family celebrations, etc. When I was young, I remember wearing my hanbok on New Years and doing traditional bows to my grandparents, parents, and relatives as a sign of respect and honor. Of course, the incentive was to receive money for doing so. Therefore, the hanbok is an symbolic and meaningful article of clothing in my life. Although I am American, I am still by blood a Korean. 

Click to enlarge photos

I love this dress because it is a modern hanbok. It looks much more contemporary without the jeogori. There are so many minute details in the dress, and everything is handmade out of silk. Hanboks are pricy; they range from $140-$750. Real designer hanboks start at $1,100.

World-class designers such as Dior, Prada, and Armani draw inspiration for their designs from hanboks.

 

It is a Korean tradition to have a grand celebration for the 1st birthday of your child. This photograph was taken from my first birthday celebration. I recently watched my video recordings from that day. They consisted of me crying, while being dressed into the hanbok, and of me sleeping, while everyone sang happy birthday and my parents cut the birthday cake. It's perplexing to know it all happened and have none of it recalled to memory. 

 

Color is everything when it comes to hanboks. The colors an individual wore used to carry important implications such as class and age; red signified fortune and wealth. 

 

 

Very few people know, but I used to fan dance. I was an assistant fan dance teacher for young girls last year. 

This third dress has so many subtleties. There is a light mint layer beneath the emerald green top layer. Also, there are tints of red/purple on the green. The dress has a mesh of different colors. To add, there is a subtle flower pattern that can be seen in the right hand picture. 

Left: Traditional dress shoes / Right: Traditional Korean Fan Dance shoes

Thanks so much for reading.
Another thank you to Diana for the beautiful photographs!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Cheers to a Beginning

I am stepping out of my comfort zone, to say the least. I am ecstatic to begin Letrendary with my dear friend, Diana Chao. Both Diana and I have prior blogging experience, so we have finally come together to collaborate! Diana has a knack for photography, photo editing, and graphic/web designing. Therefore, the stellar website and the exceptional photographs are credited to her. As for me, I am not a fashion aficionado. Not even close. Rather, I admire clothing and culture and feel a need to expose the seen and unseen bits of it. I apologize ahead of time if your taste is not analogous to mine. Letrendary's mission statement is to expose diverse styles and cultures within our stupendous world. New posts will be every Monday, and I hope you will join Diana and I on this adventure.       

-Dorothy Kang

A Cultural Christmas

Is Christmas a cultural or religious holiday? What a thought provoking question. Although Christmas is a religious holiday at its roots, Christmas has really altered into a cultural holiday due to the plethora of non-religious traditions-putting up a tree, lighting the home, giving gifts, going to parties, etc. A quote from a news article stated: 

"There are significant generational differences in the way Americans plan to celebrate Christmas this year, with younger adults less likely than older adults to incorporate religious elements into their holiday celebrations. Adults under age 30 are far less likely than older Americans to say they see Christmas as more of a religious than a cultural holiday. They are also less likely to attend Christmas religious services and to believe in the virgin birth" (Olson).

Even for myself, I get caught up in the cultural aspect and subconsciously forget that Christmas is historically a Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I love that Christmas has become a global holiday celebrated in countries all over. It is a season of new hope, abundant peace, endless joy, and unconditional love. Christmas is so much more than the gifts under the tree or the lights hung all around our block. Hope, peace, joy, and love. May that stick with you this Christmas and all your Christmases to come. 

Merry Christmas!

This first outfit is a classic sweater, skirt, and tights look. Normally, I would wear this sweater with jeans, but the skirt added a pop of red and made the overall look more feminine and Christmassy!

  

I recently purchased this Christmas sweater. I love the sequined ornament because it adds the perfect amount of sparkle and Christmas to the outfit. My taste is not very glitzy, so it's just the right touch for me. This skirt is a favorite of mine because of the intricate lace detailing. Besides the lace, the color. To me, bright-red isn't as versatile year-round because it is commonly associated as a Christmas color. Therefore, I lean toward burgundy because it is a color more wearable throughout the year. 

 

Hanukkah

Hanukkah : חנוכה : means 'dedication' in Hebrew

While 83% of Americans celebrate Christmas, 3% celebrate Hanukkah. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the Jewish triumph over persecution. Historically, the Jews fought a 3 year war against the Greek-Syrians because the Syrian king, Antiochus, was forcing everyone in his kingdom to assimilate into Greek culture. After the Jews won the war, they had an eight day long celebration, which is why Hanukkah is eight days long. Adding to the history of Hanukkah, there is a Jewish legend that Judah Maccabee, the leader of the Jews fighting back, and other Jews witnessed a miracle in the Second Temple of Jerusalem. In the temple, there was only enough olive oil to keep one of the menorah candles burning for a single day, but the flames continued to flicker for eight nights. Because of the oil miracle, Jews eat traditional foods made out of oil, such as potato pancakes (latkes) and jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot). 

I may not be Jewish, but I love the history behind Hanukkah because everyone needs courage and hope to face oppression and repel tribulations; the best part is that we can overcome them.

Happy Hanukkah!

The colors of Hanukkah are blue and white because they represent the colors of the Israeli flag. Blue is often associated with the sky, faith, and truth. White suggests peace, purity, and light. 

 

I wore a white-collared sleeveless top underneath my light grey knit sweater to make the top look more sophisticated and preppy. Shiny metallic material is also woven into my light grey sweater, making it subtly shiny. I suggest to wrap a knit scarf if it is chilly, but it also looks fine without.  

 

I paired the knit sweater with my blue velvet skirt. Velvet is a very holiday-like material. It would be an awkward article to wear in the summer. Therefore, velvet is most in right now!

 

And that's a wrap! Happy Holidays, everyone!