It's Not Easy To Say " Goodbye."

Well, it's very sad that you lose a place where you are always welcome.  I just found out the deli I always go to was closed its doors.  Over these years I have enjoyed their wonderful food and friendly environment.  I've had such fun with everyone there, and here are few shots taken at the deli.

 Nothing can stay the way I want forever.  Time is moving, and people won't be at the same place.  I hope that all the changes are for  better.  Yet, I would feel down for a while, for it was one the only plece I felt at home. 

I want to dedicate this post to thank everyone at the deli for the good time they have provided to all the customers there.  Thank you all very much!  I will miss you all. 

My Grandma's Fur Coat--part1

It is late, but I hope you all had wonderful Christmas.  I knew I had, and this is what I got for Christmas!  This is my grandma's fur coat that I have wanted all this time.  She decided that she is not going to wear it anymore, so she let me have it.  It's so nice of her, and I love her very much.
Now, let's get back to reality.  This fur coat is georgeous, yet it is an old piece.  Even from this picture, you can see this need to be fixed.

First, the coat lining must be replaced.  This coat is over 30 years old, so it is expected.  If the damage is not as bad as this, stitching will do the job.  But for this, whole replacement is needed.

 Secondly, this is the part I hate, I have to stitch up all the holes and openings as shown in the picture.  It has been at least 30 years since the coat was made, some damages are expected.  Futunately, I don't see any tears or rips, but I see 5 or 6 openings.

So, I have to re-stitch all the openings by hand like this.  It takes forever! 
This whole process is not fun at all, but when it's completed, I'll be a happy camper. I will post up how it goes and let you know ASAP.

With A Little Help From My Friend

Some years ago, I was at my best friend's house chilling out and raeding his magazines. One picture in there cught my eyes.  A model was wearing Hulmut Lang painted jeans!  I loved the look at the first grance.
I pointed out the picture and show that to the friend, and a few minutes later, we decided to make our own jeans like that.

Next day, we got used Levi's form a thrift store, a paint blush and a plastic sheet from Walart, and oil paint form Home Depot, and we were ready.
After 1 hour of work in a hot August day, It was all done!

I did the front and, my friend did the back.  I really liked how he painted.  He got such a sensitive touch, and it enable him to paint this complex and bold pattern.

Luckly, I got to keep the jeans.  Today, I'm wearing the jeans with a Lieve Van Gorp long sleeve top, a vintage leather and knit jacket, a 70's belt with a big buckle and metal pieces, and US army tanker boots.
I could not have completed the jeans without my friend's help.  I've been very thankful about it all the time. 

Japanese Souvenir Jacket

This is probably the most memorable jacket I own.  It is a 1950's Japanese souvenir jacket, a true piece of art. 

I lived in Japan in the late 90's for saveral years.  I had a friend there who was the manager at a vintage clothe store.  I was at that store almost everyday after work, for that was like my oasis in a foreign country.
I met most of my Japanese friends there.  We could always get together talk about fashion for hours.  I have so many good memories about that store.
Anyway, that was where I found the jacket.  It was not for sale at first.  But I fell in love with it, and I knew that I was going back to the US eventually, so I would have to get it.  It took me about 6months to convince my friend to let me have the jacket, and I was really glad when I finally got it.

 This is work of art!  Back in 50's those jackets were very populer among US soldiers as for souvenirs from far east.  Japanese tatoo artists drew the sketches, and the embroiderers did all the quality needle work.  It is 100% hand made, and that makes each jacket so special.

I still keep in touch with that friend, and I think can of him and all the good friends whenever I wear this jacket.  I am very thankful for what they did for me while I was staying  in Japan.
Unfortunately, that vintage clothes store got closed down last year, but all the good memories remain in my heart forever. 

Last Minute Shopping!

I was at a shopping mall in the whole afternoon for Christmas shopping.  It was already pretty crowded for a Tuesday afternoon, and I couldn't imagine how chaotic it would be next week! 
I'm usually done with all Christmas shopping by the 1st week in December.  This was really a last minute thing for me.  All the guys at work had decided to get a Christmas gift for our boss, and here I was the one to pick the gift. 
Since our budget was $100, I couldn't buy anything fancy, so I didn't bother post it up.  I hope he likes it.  Anyway, our heart is more important than the gift.

To be honest, I don't like to go to crowded places.  I feel like I'm drawn in the sea of people.  This time, I was kind of busy checking out the seasonal display of each store while I was shopping.

  So, It was rather enjoyable.  I spent more time looking at all the displays.  After 3hours of walking and observing, I needed to sit down with a nice cup of coffee.

It was a cold enough day to wear a fur coat.  I was in a vintage python coat with fur trim worn with a 70's woman's polyester shirt and JPG pants. 
It was fun, but I will not be back for the next week!!

Christmas is Around the Corner

It's December, and I can see and feel Christmas everywhere. When I was walking down the street, I saw Christmas lights on trees, decorations in show windows, and people looked happier. I might work on Christmas Day, so I decided to enojoy this Christmassy environment while I can.

I found this Mr. Santa Froggy quite cute.  I was tempted to take a photo together. It's kind of funny how this pre-Christmas time seems more enjoyable than Christmas Day. Yet that's probably the only day our family members get together, so I would go home if I could get off the work. I miss my grandma.

I wanted to wear like 90's Dolce & Gabbana style, so I was wearing a oversized jacket with a pair of slim jeans. The Jacket was 70's corduroy bomber by Towncraft, worn with a pair of Levi's Premium jeans, 80's band t-shirt, and a fur belt. All these are from thrift stores. I strongly believe we can enjoy fashion with limited budget. The shoes were T.U.K. creeper that I got them on sale. Go cheep!!

Homage to My Mentor

Here, I would like to dedicate this post to, my mentor of fashion, Madame Anna Piaggi.
When I saw her photos for the first time, I was stunned by the originality and  brilliance of her style. She can wear any kinds of extraordinary cloths and use so many different colors. She puts all these together and turns into art forms. No matter what she wears, Anna Piaggi is always Anna piaggi. She is amazing!!
So, Madame Piaggi has been my inspiration. I know that I cannot copy her, but I would like to take the elements of her style into my own, so that I can be a better dresser than I am now.

This is my homage to Madame Piaggi. I'm wearing a vintage fur jacket, 70's red disco shirt, face print pants by Sandro, and Dr. Martens in red patent leather. The hat is a vintage piece I picked up at an antique shop. It seemed so like her, so I could not help getting it!
I am not anywhere near her, and I can never wear like her. I'll just polish up my style. I hope I will get to see her one day.  

Weekend

It has been very rare for me to get a day off in the weekend, so I was really excited!  I tagged along with my friend to spend a nice relaxing Sunday afternoon.
After we had lunch, we just went to all the stores to check out clothes, shoes, and accessories.  There, I found a pair of shoes that I couldn't get my eyes off!  It took me all my will power to back off, for I did not have enough money.  I am still thinking of those shoes while I am writing this.  If I eventually get them, I will post them up.  Anyways, time passed by like this, and I very much enjoyed my day off.

I love leather jackets.  I was very lucky to find this jacket at a thrift store.  As soon as I saw this, I just snached it.
I was wearing this with a GAP long sleeve T-shirt that I cut and shredded, customized Levi's, and vintage red boots.  I assembled the necklace, and sunglasses were Christian Roth.

Have to wait for a good thing to happen.

I'm getting a haircut!!  As much as I like how my hair looks now, I prefer to keep my hair short. 
My hair stylist had taken a month off from work, for she'd had a baby.  That's why I let my hair grow.
Now, she's back to work, and waiting for my turn.  This waiting area is kind of chilly! 
Wondering how much longer I get to sit here.

From Countryside to The World

Here I go!
I am new here. I am a guy with a regular job who wants to enjoy life and fashion. I may not be able to go overseas and report what's hot there, but I'll post up what I can do with the things I can get my hands on.