I had an appointment with my dermatologist today, and I would like to say that I have immense respect and curiosity for dermatologists. The fact that she prescribes me medication to treat acne scarring while simultaneously injecting Botox into the forehead of the middle-aged peroxide blonde next door is mind-baffling – simply because these are all intimate matters of appearance that a dermatologist must address.
One item I ended up buying from my dermatologist today (and oh, it’s frightening how many facials, creams and lotions a dermatologist may recommend for you) …

I have a confession to make: I always joke with my friends that I love Korea for its gorgeous pop stars and incredibly cheesy television dramas, but ever since I was a wee little one, I’ve been fascinated by the traditional Korean dress — the hanbok. I relished school trips to the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco because they have a hanbok exhibit — silky, marvelous garbs adorned with precious jewels and gold embroidery.

Confession: I know I’m Chinese, but I could never see myself wearing a qipao, a traditional and well-known Chinese dress. I think it’s because I’ve seen too many cheap fetish versions for Halloween — aptly named “Sexy China Doll Costume” or something similar. Hm, no.
However, NE Tiger, a Chinese luxury label, presented its 2009 Haute Couture collection at China Fashion Week with traditional Chinese motifs and modernized silhouettes — a collection that could represent modern China itself with its eastern and western influences.
Of course, the traditional high-necked qipao is still evident in these designs, …

A few years ago, people thought eco-fashion was only for yoga-loving tree huggers who wore hemp shirts and organic cotton T-shirts with peace signs. The words “organic,” “sustainable” and “green” just didn’t carry the fashionable and trendy connotations that they do now — and luckily for Mother Nature, the blossoming of eco-fashion into mainstream society has resulted into many stylish offerings for fashionistas.
For example, award-winning designer Phillip Lim created an eco-friendly line of clothing called “GO GREEN GO” by Phillip Lim, sold at Barney’s. All of the pieces in this …

China is a country founded on the past and tilted toward the future. Amid the art deco skyscrapers are sensational ancient palaces and temples in bright colors rivaling those of Missoni prints. All women wear high heels no matter how much they have to walk (image is very important over there). Children go to school from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in hopes of gaining entrance into the top universities — for some, it’s their only escape to a better future.
My father came from a poor farm village in China, and …