DvF: My 1st Wrap Dress

It's not exactly my 1st. I bought one about 5-6 years ago, from the now-closed Belle Gray Calabasas boutique (owned by Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin). The dress was turquoise, sleeveless, and had brown lip prints on it. I paid almost $400 for it, and I wore it only once, to a friend's wedding. The reason I wore it once was actually a good one. It was because, not long after I bought it, I became 3 sizes too small for it. I wanted another one, but the quality of Diane von Furstenberg clothing appears to have gone down since I bought my 1st one, so I didn't feel it was worth paying $400 for another. Fast-forward to today: I was at Saks in Beverly Hills after my haircut. I combed through the DvF racks about 3 times and didn't find anything, so I ate in the cafe, ready to leave with nothing but my leftovers and the Clinique All About Eyes Rich cream I picked up from the cosmetics counter (I highly recommend it-I felt it work instantly!). Newly energized after my meal, I decided to hit the general women's contemporary section sale racks. There I spotted this: my 1st DvF wrap dress (I'll consider it my 1st, since I'd sold the real 1st one). The style is called "Julian 2" and the print is called "African tulip". I found a really nice sales associate to let me into the fitting room. I tried it on, and when I came out, I asked the SA for the price. She scanned it: $164.25! Down from $365. I wasn't 100% sure of it, but decided it was time to go home and bought it anyway. After going to dinner, I tried it on at home and took pics of myself in it for the moment of truth. I love its feminine fit, but the material is clingy and not very forgiving. Shapewear is recommended, but as someone who hates shapewear (too restrictive for me), I found acceptable middle ground (a regular slip over perfectly-fitting cotton underwear), which I'm wearing in the pics. I also recommend buying these dresses in a size up. I think I could've fit into the size 2, but I found that the size 4 fit just fine, due to the clinginess of the material. Also, I tried this dress on after eating buffalo wings and pizza and drinking a Coke, so I have an idea what it looks like on a bloated stomach (very useful to do, as many special events revolve around a meal).

What do you think, readers? Keep? Or return (I think I have 30 days)?

I Found My Birthday Present!

Every year, I allow myself a guilt-free expensive luxury purchase for my birthday. For my birthday, I allow myself to break a certain price barrier I would never otherwise break. The challenge is picking something that happens to be available for purchase at that time (October) that I really, truly want, not just something I have to get just because it's that time of year. Last year, I ended up buying a couple of things I liked, but didn't love that much (although they were practical, like the Christian Louboutin wallet, which I use every day now). This year, though, I told myself it won't be that way...and it won't. I found something that will be available to purchase in October--perfect timing. So what is this thing that will arrive in October? Here's a hint (image from bloggers.com):

Night of Filipino Entertainment

Last night, musical history was made at the Hollywood Bowl. In LA, we had the first-ever concert featuring traditional Filipino dance and music, as well as modern dance and music, featuring current celebrities of Filipino descent. I knew I had to attend this event. And I'm so glad I did.

The mastermind behind the event was apl.de.ap, a rapper from the Black Eyed Peas. In fact, all members of the BEP were there (minus Fergie). Also featured was Nicole Scherzinger. The event was hosted by Lou Diamond Phillips. apl.de.ap is very proud to be Filipino and incorporates many elements of Filipino culture in his work. While he rapped and danced, videos of real native Filipinos were featured in the backdrop. The BEP sang some of their great hits ("Let's Get it Started" and "Pump It" among them), and so did Nicole. People danced and sang along. I'm happy to say that the audience was full of Filipinos that supported their kababayan, as well as non-Filipinos that came with friends introducing them to the culture or that just came out for a great time. Judging from audience response (very loud, and it was loud, despite being an outdoor venue), people had a great time.

I'm not much of a hip-hop lover these days, but I'm still a fan of the BEP. I admire their persistence and hard work. They really did struggle along, playing the college scene for years, before they became as famous as they are now. In addition, they're grateful for their success. This venue was relatively small, considering how well-known they are around the world, but they signed onto it anyway, in thanks to the Filipino community for supporting them from the beginning. They even expressed their thanks to the audience and to Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (a non-profit Filipino organization) for supporting them from their early years.

My seat wasn't great, since I got my ticket kind of at the last minute, but I got some pics to show you. I apologize for the poor quality (from top to bottom: 1) marquee sign in front of Hollywood bowl); 2) dancers performing the tinikling, a popular Filipino folk dance); 3) apl.de.ap, with Filipino choir members in various forms of traditional costumes; 4) from left to right: Nicole Scherzinger, will.i.am of the BEP, and apl).

Happy 4th of July!

I will not buy those Louboutins...yes, they're on sale for under $300...but I don't need them...and I'm happy with my current collection...OK, crisis averted! Onward...

To my US readers: Happy Independence Day! I hope that, at sometime today, wherever you ended up, you took a moment to reflect on something wonderful about our great country. I admit that mine ended up being late in the day, after I learned that the Lakers signed Steve Nash=) But being that the Lakers are an American basketball team, that did lead me to think of how grateful and proud I am to be an American. I didn't end up going to the beach or Rose Bowl to watch fireworks, like many Angelenos did, but I did participate in a 4th of July tradition--barbecuing! Yum!

To my international readers: Happy 4th of July! I hope your day was good, whatever it was you did and wherever you ended up.

(Above photo is from freeclipartstore.com)