Jan
19
A day with Luxirare
So I’ve already let you in on my breakfast routine, but what about a day? Today I had the best day, so I just had to share. Rarely get to spend a whole day with my mom, so I was so excited. One thing about me I’m very close with my family. Blood relations, kinda hard to kick to the curb?? I often wonder what would happen if my mom started a blog. I would be so ashamed to keep blogging, because she is too smart. Kinda like a witch. She knows everything, but pretends she’s really stupid, so she’s even scarier. Can’t mess around with her, ever. I’m always eagerly awaiting her approval to my posts, because I know her answers are the right ones. In our culture, I see lots of kids rebelling against their parents, but why? Especially on TV, what’s wrong with kids nowadays??? Parents have years of wisdom ahead of us, they know a hell of a lot more than we do you know.. So if they say something is wrong, or you’re making the wrong choices, you better listen up. Parents trying to give us shortcuts because they’ve already made mistakes, yet we end up resenting them, so ironic. My mom and I have had our struggles (this is starting to sound like the joy luck club, sorry!) but recently we just got over this huge hurdle, and I feel so great because it brought us so much closer together. Super close with my dad too, but in a different way. My dad and I don’t talk so much, but we have a silent understanding. My dad’s the kind of person who only talks when he has to.
Let my mom do the driving today, wanted to take some pictures for you guys.
Earphones are from MUJI in case you guys were gonna ask me in the comments.
Today I took a day off to take care of stuff. I needed to find a parka because mine is ripping apart, went to A.P.C. for a black matte parka, hip length, couldn’t find it!
Agent provocateur right next door, but I prefer Kiki De Montparnasse.
I spoke briefly about rituals. One major ritual with my mom is going to Barney’s for a long lunch and shopping. Sometimes we buy stuff, sometimes we don’t. Been doing this since middle school, but because of my schedule I never have time, but today I really wanted to spend some time with her. I also asked her to come with me because I had to pick up some jeans, need her stamp of approval yana… Lost weight and the old jeans don’t fit me anymore..Dropped from wearing 26′s to 25′s…dunno why.
Crazy lady gaga windows. Didn’t really like Lady Gaga before, had respect for her though because I knows she hustles like crazy to do what she does, but I really liked her BORN THIS WAY album, heavy metal lover..good song. These window pics were taken a month ago I think, but since it was the same barney’s window I just wanted to share them. They were pretty wild, in typical Lady Gaga fashion.
Haha, love this pic, look at the crazy moto and the old lady chilling!
Barney’s has this new restaurant? It’s on the co-op floor, but the set up is extremely smart. All the menus are digital, touch screen, and on the table. The only problem is execution, my fingers had to literally bang the screen to order from the digital menu. Still, the idea is very good.
Years ago, walking in here, I wanted to buy everything. The craftsmanship and design so beautiful. Bags bags bags. But now, literally living with machines for three years and making my own bags, knowing every single production detail…All the fascination and curiosity I had for bags are gone. I used to think they were these magical objects, but now I know what goes on behind the scenes..so I kind of hate that. I can’t walk in here again and feel fascinated, will never get this feeling back…magic gone..good for my credit card though.
But damn, Celine, still magical. Got so much respect for Phoebe Philo, her designs are smart but I am 100% sure she lives her life smartly too. Kids, husband, running a business..she’s a hustler. Mom approved of both designs too. Love the patchwork coat and the shirt. Can’t afford either though!
So eager to have lunch, but I had to take care of biz first. Jeans were already picked out, but I needed a new pair of shoes, all of mine are worn. Don’t shop much nowadays but springs’ around the corner. Of course I went to check out Philo’s designs, so funny, everyone in the room was hovering around the Celine block, they didn’t really care about anything else. Right now there are three designers ruling fashion. Raf simons, Phoebe Philo, and Azzedine Alaia. Life, so simple: there are the best, and there are the rest. No point in chasing mediocrity.
These shoes were so incredible, but not casual enough. Still tried em on.
Super super sweet lady, bringing out shoes. Loved her, she helped me pick out which shoes..I had such a hard time deciding.
This close to buying both but came to my senses…
Felt so lucky today, they gave us the best table in the restaurant..didn’t need the menus though, mom and I, coming here for years, we already know exactly what we want. Fries, steak salad, penne arrabiata, and profiteroles for dessert. So excited to sit down, and this lunch was 3 hours long, with Pinot involved. So perfect.
Prosecco and some wine.
Fries here are incredible, if you come, please try it!
Barely touched my pasta, but I hogged all of my mom’s steak. Always what happens, what can you do?
Ready for dessert, table cleared, second round of Pinot.
The profiteroles here are mind-blowing.
The bill, OUCH! But gotta pay, she gave birth to me after all…
..picking up car, headed back to the studio to work..
Had to pick up new skinny jeans, Acne’s jeans are so great right now, I highly suggest…they are higher waisted which I like. Got blue and a faded black wash.
Probably gonna wear these everyday for spring.
Okay, going to get a little work done before I meet my friend for dinner tonight. See you soon. Thanks for reading.
Loved this post, thank you. Reflected all your design sensibilities, a sense of history, and your personality.
i enjoy your recent posts! they give us such a better look into your mysterious life.
I love hanging out with my mom! Now that i live 5 hours away, the only time i see her is during my breaks from college. great choice for the shoes, and love the washes for the jeans. Food looks so yummy
what a perfect day!
I’d like to spend more time with my mom.. she’s way too far from me since i moved in Paris.
But those moments are even more precious.
And you are so right about the Lady Gaga’s song “heavy metal lover”,
It will allways remind me of my last trip in NYC, and this trendy hotel we stayed in, on Rivington Street. It was perfect match.
Thanks for sharing
I want to learn how to make bags also! Buying them are much more expensive. I’m planning to get some acne jeans also, I heard so great reviews about them. And last thing, that dessert looks AMAZING! So hungry no.
E.
Great you get to spend time with your mom
. The current Merc SL is a classy ride, but I’m not sure if she will like the new one (coming this spring).
I love to do the same thing with my mother. In high school, we always used to go to my favourite shop. Now it doesn’t happen so much because she is busy with work and I’m busy with university. However every once in a while, one of those magical days does come by…
Glad you enjoyed your day with your mother!
I’m surprised they allowed you to take pics with the big camera. I second “heavy metal lover” very catchy and naughty, like “government hooker.”
it’s good that you are close to your family! i guess this is what all Asian does huh
I can relate to this post. I spend a lot of time with my mom and yes, like your mom, she’s smarter than me.
Ah, thanks for the tip on Acne’s high-waisted jeans! I’ve been looking for some good higher-waist skinnies for a while and haven’t found the right pair yet. I’ll give these a try.
And thanks for sharing your day!
I completely agree. Parents give the greatest wisdom. I’m not sure if it’s an only-child thing, since most of the ones I meet are also close to their mum and dad. Life is gooood.
Lovely post! Like others, very much enjoyed hearing about your day-to-day life and learning more about your personality. Gives a heart-y glimpse into the brain behind your mad-scientist-haute-couture-gourmand aesthetic (meant in best way possible). Your routine with your mom reminds me of my own with the addition of my sister as we’d spend an entire weekend shopping all over south florida, eat lunch, then stage impromptu fashion show in the living room in the evening. Best bonding times over food and new shopping spoils.
i LOVE this post! it’s sooo relaxing, easy easy…beautiful beautiful…like one of those perfect, sunny days…
So intrigued by this post, thanks for sharing your day!That lunch looked ridiculously good!
http://lilylovelock.blogspot.com/
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I really enjoyed the post. I think though kids need to rebel against their parents for a while to acquire independence and self confidence and then they get back to parental wisdom but in a more balanced way. Of course there is rebellion and rebellion.
I love your choices. I’d like to achieve a closet that is only staples… I have too many clothes I don’t wear. Jeans, a few shirts I love, T-shirts and a few shoes… 2 or 3 dresses. Instead I have too many that I will wear only once a year. what’s the point?
I love what you say about parents. I suppose I can understand why children rebel, but I didn’t really ever do that. Perhaps moving away from your parents encourages independence, though… Who knows.
It’s so nice having a tradition with parents, because, when you do it again, it is like reliving all of those moments at once.
+ what you said about bags is so interesting. Clearly not all of the magic is lost, though, as you still endeavour to design original bags, and a part of that has to come from curiosity, surely.
I don’t know if close family ties are an Asian thing, but I’m the same with my family. And not just my parents and siblings. But my cousins and aunts and uncles too. It’s crazy when we get together. Everyone is so loud! Haha.
I’m loving your recent posts lately. i feel like they have been more personal, and I can relate to you sort of. Haha. You’re so lucky to have that kind of relationship with your parents, especially your mom. Asian mothers always knows what’s up! This post really makes me want to have lunch with you one day. Hopefully. I believe you’re so creative and wonderful.
such a good post. thanks for the tour! but you are wearing those Nike shoes again. i saw that you got another question about them. I would also like to know what style they are or where you got them. I was looking online but couldn’t find them.
By the way I loved your description of your mom and the fact that you have such a close relationship. I’m the opposite: I was “close” with my mom and trusted her always when I was growing up, but came to realize in my mid-twenties, after some harsh reality checks, that she actually knew very little and had unnecessarily stifled my life and chances for happiness. We don’t even talk now and it’s incredibly liberating to know I’m free to make choices for myself, even as I mourn those years lost to her senseless brainwashing–religious and otherwise. But it’s a good thing that most parents aren’t like that at all (even though the average teen would disagree) and most kids actually do have lots to learn from them.
so hungry now love your purchases!
ah what are the name of the celine’s you purchased? they have been on my mind since the resort collection was posted. must call BNY and have them delivered to chicago for me…
you have a lot of money
Good to hear about your day. Your views on family are endearing, but at the same time I do wonder what your parents thought of you becoming a blogger/designer at first!
Your white iPhone makes me wish I hadn’t got the black one. Ugh. I love when you talk about hustling: I always get more interested in something once you’ve described it as hustling. Would love to hear more about how you hustle. (Or does that ruin the Luxirare mystique?)
Being told “Raf simons, Phoebe Philo, and Azzedine Alaia” are the best was so succint and nice to be told. But then I realised I’m a fashion plebian and only know Alaia through 1 dress and Simons by name so it meaned almost nothing to me, oops. I think Philo’s work is elegant though though there’s still something about her clothes that seems too high-end to emulate, I don’t know. Still thinking about the leather tees from seasons and seasons ago.
All the steak and wine and Barneys bags are tantalising/surreal. It’s refreshing that you walk into a store and think about bag mechanics though. Definitely what differentiates you from the other loaded girls blogging about shoes… (Actually I lie, I genuinely like your writing too.)
highly enjoyable, this post. thanks for sharing.
a 3 hour lunch….plenty of pinot…cool! long lunches are underrated.
acne….yes, the higher waist on their slim cut flex jeans is perfect. the only jeans brand i wear or want is acne.
Let’s hear it for lunch with Mom! I’m going to call mine today and schedule a girl’s afternoon getaway!
you must must must you absolutely must tell me where you got your black parka! please e-mail me, it’s perfect, exactly what I have been looking for!
Lovely post, I agree with the treasure of having good parents who are willing to share their wisdom and advice with us. I think as we get older and hopefully mature, we appreciate them and all that they have given us and continue to do so. Haven’t been to Barneys in ages, now I feel like I need a short trip there with mom.
Love these posts, it balances out the site – between these approachable, personal entries and the unattainable, gobsmacking creative entries.
This is so sweet, a perfect day! Yea for moms! <3 <3 <3
I just visited this blog again after months of forgetting to visit (and always meaning to check back). Is this still the same blogger? The posts seems so different to how i remembered.
Thank God you eat real food.
Loved this post. Makes me want to go on a mom & daughter date. Thank you for sharing…