Talia Ruffled Tank Dress & Knit Kimono for Coachella

Happy Friday everyone! Here's the last look to my 2015 Coachella Style Series featuring a light pink, ruffled tank dress from Talia, worn with a knit kimono, bold cuffs, knee high socks, and riding-inspired boots. I love how cozy and feminine this outfit looks, and it doesn't sacrifice style. Is anyone going this weekend of the next? I'll be in the desert on Saturday ALL DAY for parties and festivities, tweet me! If not, follow me along with other lovely bloggers for our #BLOGCHELLA adventures! Thank you to the amazing Shawna of Bleudog Fotography for capturing the photos for my style series, she is seriously a phenomenal photographer!

Lara Racerback Dress, Talia Organic Loungewear Collection
Knit Kimono, Elison Rd
Cuffs, Raptor Jewelry
Knee High Socks, Urban Outfitters
Penny Boot in Whiskey, Sam Edelman
Photos taken by Bleudog Fotography. Talia Hankcock dress provided gratis by Kelly Kepner PR, Amanda was not given monetary compensation to compose this article and all opinions expressed are of her own.

Lace Duster & Bralette for Coachella

It's almost the weekend! Here's the third look of my 2015 Coachella Style Series, featuring a blush pink lace bralette and cream floral lace duster. I paired both with high-waisted denim shorts and camel colored riding-style boots with a peek of dainty knee high socks. This outfit has a romantic, country feel to it; but still fitting for Coachella with a bit more skin showing an a gypsy/boho-like belt. As always, this series was shot by photographer Shawna of Bleudog Fotography. Stay tuned for a DIY vibrant floral crown and how it looks with this outfit!

Lace Duster, Urban Outfitters
Lace Bralette, Forever 21
Zinc Belt, Raptor Jewelry
Denim Shorts, Thrifted
Knee High Socks, Urban Outfitters
Penny Boot in Whiskey, Sam Edelman
Photos taken by Shawna of Bleudog Fotography

Coachella Wide Fedora and Poncho Style

Hope you're having a great Wednesday so far! Here's the second look of my Coachella Style Series for 2015 shot by Shawna of Bleudog Fotography. I used the lace kimono and bralette from the last look layered underneath a yummy striped poncho. This look is my take on desert nomad meets bohemian babe; hence all of the various layers and the oversized fedora hat, with the entire look tied together with the AMAZING zinc belt. The poncho can easily be worn over any look belted or unbelted; and this is definitely a cozier, warmer look, perhaps to be worn later in the evening when it gets chilly on the festival grounds. I also have a huge surprise, hop on over to my instagram feed to see what it is!

Hat, Saks OFF 5th
Poncho, Morning Lavender
Lace Bralette, Forever 21Kimono, Bohemia Boutiques
Zinc Belt, Raptor Jewelry
Booties, GoJane


Photos taken by Shawna of Bleudog Fotography

Countdown to Coachella Style Series

I've done numerous shoots with wedding and lifestyle photographer Shawna of Bleudog Fotography, usually for a Swell Beauty tutorial, and we were so excited to get together this past weekend to photograph a Coachella-inspired shoot. Shawna set up the darn cutest Peruvian pillow nook which I would like to nap in every day if I could, and it would make for a fine camp out lounge spot if I was actually attending the Coachella music festival and camping on the festival grounds. I will be attending day parties on April 11 of weekend 1 and can't wait to share those adventures with you!

In the meantime, check out look 1 of my Coachella Style Series for 2015! I especially love this hat because of the wide brim which is great for shading my face from the hot desert sun; a big hat calls for big sunglasses which is exactly what these round shades were, and I especially love the two-tone gradient lenses which give this look an ultra-hippie vibe.

I styled a lace crochet top with high-waisted cloud washed shorts and completed the look with a lace kimono and booties. Can't forget to accessorize; Raptor Jewelry is more than fitting for any Coachella of boho/gypsy look; I love how this zinc necklace has such beautiful detail that really embellishes this outfit.

Hat, Vince Camuto from Saks OFF 5th
Sunglasses (Similar Pair Here), Unknown Brand
Lace Bralette, Forever 21
Kimono, Bohemia Boutiques
Drawstring Shorts, Michael Stars
Zinc Necklace, Raptor Jewelry
Booties, GoJane
Photos taken by Shawna of Bleudog Fotography

Happy Lunar New Year & Tet Festival at the OC Fair!

Happy Lunar New Year! The Vietnamese are celebrating the new year known as T?t in which festivities take place for three days with friends and family. The temples in particular are filled with people ready to welcome prosperity, fortune, and success for the new year. I especially love this Thai Nguyen Collections traditional Vietnamese dress, �o d�i ,  that I'm wearing because of the classic silhouette, but vibrant colors and patterns. Pick up your own TNC �o d�i for up to 70% off at the showroom:

Showroom Address
8907 Warner Ave #166
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Tel: (714) 766-4370
Fax: (714) 312-5904

Showroom Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 10AM - 6PM PST
Appointment Recommended

Stylist: Andrew Philip Nguyen
Photographer: Kevin Wong 

If you're in the OC area and are looking to celebrate, the T?t Festival at the OC Fair & Event Center this weekend is a must! Check out the site below for more info:

5 Traditions for T?t / Lunar New Year

With T?t / Lunar New Year just a day away on February 19th, I wanted to share five traditions that the Vietnamese practice in order to prepare for and celebrate the Lunar New Year which marks the beginning of Spring:

1.Clean the home prior to T?t to clear out the bad energy or luck, you don't want to clean on T?t because in doing so could sweep away the good luck

2.Fill the house with symbolic plants and flowers such as the yellow apricot blossoms, hoa mai; reddish, pink peach blossoms, hoa dao; or kumquat trees.

3.Cook three days worth of food since celebrations last three days

4.Pay off all debts so you are debt free by T?t

5.Parents buy their children new clothes to wear on T?t while visiting family to give their elders and family members new years wishes and receive red envelopes filled with money (Li Xi)

I shot the above look wearing a Thai Nguyen Collections '�o d�i' for our style series in which stylist Andrew Philip Nguyen put together a more modern, street-wear look, and I was photographed by Kevin Wong. See all my ao dai looks here, and there's still time to shop for your own traditional Vietnamese dress up to 70% off at the TNC showroom:

Showroom Address
8907 Warner Ave #166
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Tel: (714) 766-4370
Fax: (714) 312-5904

Showroom Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 10AM - 6PM PST
Appointment Recommended