Just last weekend, I was with my girlfriend in search of a crop top. Although the day was fun, our search for a cute crop top worthy of the few bills we had managed to scrape together was a fail. We walked up and down Hollywood Boulevard like a pair of out-of-place, daytime hookers, but no luck.

Now, had I known about this crop top, I wouldn’t have spent so much time in Hollywood looking for it. This watercolor lace crop top by IZESX has a zipper back and is the perfect mesh (pun intended) of color and see-through. The “watercolor” effect on the lace makes it pop, but it doesn’t go overboard and turns it into a mess of colors. Paired with a pair of black leggings and stunning heels, you’ll be sure to turn some heads.

IZESX watercolor lace crop top.

Hunky Japanese actor Ken Watanabe walked the red carpet with his wife Kaho Minami, a Japanese actress of Korean descent, for the premiere of Warner Bros.’s new film Inception, starring Leonard DiCaprio, Ellen Page and Marion Cotillard. The film opens tomorrow nationwide.

Kaho Minami and Ken Watanabe at the premier of "Inception." Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images North America.

Actor Ken Watanabe, writer/director Christopher Nolan, actress Ellen Page, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, and actress Marion Cotillard arrive to the premiere of Warner Bros. "Inception" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on July 13, 2010 in Los Angeles, Calif. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images North America.

My husband’s been dying to see this movie. We just saw Christopher Nolan’s 2000 film Memento (anyone remember that trippy film?) and we hear this new film is a mind blower too. Anyone else gonna watch?

Ken Watanabe, Ellen Page and Leonardo DiCaprio at the red carpet premiere of "Inception." Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images North America.

With the Jonas Brothers fan-demonium dying down, there’s room for a new boyband to win the hearts (and bedroom wall space) of young teenybopper girls all over the world. The gorgeous and talented boys of Allstar Weekend just might be that boyband.

Allstar Weekend is Cameron Quiseng, Nathan Darmody, Zach Porter and Michael Martinez.

The San Diego-based group is made up of lead singer Zach Porter, lead guitarist Nathan Darmody, bassist Cameron Quiseng (of Hawaiian, Filipino, Aztec, Polish and Irish descent), and drummer Michael Martinez (of Filipino, Chinese and Spanish descent). Porter and Quiseng have been friends since middle school, but Allstar Weekend didn’t form until Darmody met Porter later in high school. Porter and Darmody began writing and recording songs and posting them onto MySpace and soon after, Quiseng and Martinez completed the group.

Take a listen here:

In early 2009, Porter, Darmody, Quiseng and Martinez drove to Los Angeles to hand out flyers outside the premiere of Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. The band was also chosen to compete in Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing” contest. A little over a year later, the band is now signed to Hollywood Records and their high-energy pop-punk single “A Different Side of Me” has sold more than 100,000 copies and topped Radio Disney’s Top 30 Countdown.

Allstar Weekend's debut EP "Suddenly."

Allstar Weekend’s debut album Suddenly was released in stores and on iTunes this past June and they are currently on their first headlining tour “Suddenly Summer Tour” that will be taking them all over the U.S.

Check out the band’s official website for tour dates and locations.

Allstar Weekend.

An ex-lover of mine once asked me, “I don’t get it. Why do girls like skulls so much?”

Because they’re friggin’ cute. Duh.

Skull Stud Earrings. What a clever idea. Fierce and totes cute.

Emily Elizabeth skull studs earrings.

Made by Emily Elizabeth, these 14-kt. gold plated skulls are a 1/2 inch in size, just big enough to show off your inner tough girl but small enough to not scare anyone off.

You go girl.

Marie Louise Cleansing Clear Gel.

I’m a fan of the smoky eye. In fact, having rather typical East Asian eyes, I’ve been a fan of the smoky eye since probably as long as I’ve been wearing makeup. Face it, a smoky eye to me is like mascara to your average Caucasian — I do not leave the house without it.

The problem with the smoky eye is removing the smoky eye every night. It’s no easy task, trust me.

I’ve tried many, many makeup removers. Oily ones, stinging ones, all-in-one wipes, even Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. Needless to say, it’s a hit or miss proposition.

Now, I’m not going to say Marie Louise Cleansing Clear Gel is the best at removing makeup I’ve ever tried. It’s good, don’t get me wrong. All Marie Louise products’ nanotechnology and emulsification make their products reliably good. But what really sells me on it is the feel of the Cleansing Clear Gel. Squeeze a quarter size dollop on your hand and it looks like a clear gel. Rub your hands together to emulsify the gel and you feel the thick, viscous, rich quality. This is not your average gel. Massage onto your face and instantly you realize that this is a sort of oil in thick gel form. It’s like giving yourself a massage, but with a rich, creamy gel. As you massage it in, all the dirt, oxidized oils and makeup accumulated throughout the day are swept up into the gel. Then rinse or wipe off, and all you have is super soft, super clean skin — no stripping, no harsh cleansers (which, by the way, paradoxically increase oil production).

I know — oil removing oil? That’s right. This oil is the kind that removes oil and doesn’t leave an oily residue on your face.

The biggest endorsement I can give? It’s the middle of summer and my T-zone has started to run amok with oil production. But Marie Louise Cleansing Clear Gel not only doesn’t add to the oil slick on my face, I actually think it’s helping it.

We’ve always been a fan of designer Trina Turk. Known for her sophisticated sportswear and signature prints worthy of any Mad Men set, the designer, who learned how to sew from her Japanese mother, is debuting her spring 2011 swimwear collection as the “Mercedes-Benz Presents” designer at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami Beach on Thursday, July 15.

Two pieces from Trina Turk's Spring 2011 collection. (PRNewsFoto/Mercedes-Benz).

Another look from Trina Turk's swim collection.

If you know anything about the Trina Turk aesthetic, you know that she’s always been inspired by the cocktail party and poolside lifestyle of the desert. For her swimwear collection, the designer looked to the Mexican resort city of Acapulco in the 1960s and 1970s, an era known for glamorous getaways by Hollywood’s rich and famous and the international jet set. Expect her signature patterns, unique prints and cool color mixes, embellished with unique gold hardware inspired by Trina’s love of vintage jewelry and architecture.

The California native started her eponymous line in 1995 and from there the company’s grown to stand-alone boutiques in Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Burlingame, New York and Bal Harbour. In addition to women’s and men’s ready to wear, and now swimwear, Trina Turk offers a hosiery “guest designer” line with Hue, a printed fabric collection for the home with the venerable home furnishings manufacturer Schumacher, and Trina Turk home products, including rugs, pillows and tabletop textiles.

Asian American designer Trina Turk.

As a “Mercedes-Benz Presents” designer, Trina Turk joins the prestigious ranks of past designers including Asian American Monique Lhuillier, Badgley Mischka, Narciso Rodriguez, Red Carter and CHADO Ralph Rucci.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim takes place in Miami Beach, Fla., at The Raleigh from July 15-19. Among the many designers who will be presenting their Spring 2011 collections include Crystal Jin, designed by Asian American Crystal Eley, whom we featured in our Summer issue; Mara Hoffman Swim; and True Religion Swimwear.

For more Trina Turk looks from her spring collections, keep reading.

Trina Turk "Bellflower" cardigan and "Zafira" dress.

Trina Turk floral "Riot" romper.

Trina Turk "Prep School" blazer and "Clayton" short.

Trina Turk "Ain't Misbehavin'" dress and snake chain cabochon necklace.

My mama always told me cotton products were the best because they were lightweight and breathable. But when I think of cotton clothing, I think of underwear. Or undershirts. Or marshmallows.

The “Dylan” off-shoulder dress in white from VAVA by Joy Han makes me reconsider my preconceived notions of cotton. Made from 100 percent cotton, this romantic dress is designed with careful attention to detail. The ruffled collar and sleeves showcase the quality of the dress, and it has enough detailing to make it stylish without going over the top, giving it a timeless look. The belted waist is an homage to the empire waistline from back in the day, but it’s proportioned just right to give it a modern feel.

VAVA by Joy Han "Dylan" off-shoulder dress.

I guess my mom knew what she was talking about when she said cotton products were the best.

Last week, we introduced you to PaperDoll, the coolest indie band fronted by Asian American It-Girl Teresa Lee Chaisiri. And now we’ve got PaperDoll goodies to give away to our oh-so-lucky readers. (Thanks for the hook-up Teresa!)

PaperDoll.

Even if you’ve never heard of PaperDoll before, you’re going to fall in love with just one listen. And beyond their sound, the little Kid Robot-meets-Ultraman mascot emblazoned on their debut album Ballad Nerd Pop cover will make you wanna wear these buttons and tees everywhere.

PaperDoll debut CD "Ballad Nerd Pop."

Love these graphic PaperDoll buttons.

The PaperDoll mascot, complete with stylish shearling jacket and retro leather headphones.

We've got three of these cool tees to give away, one each of size S, M and L.

Just comment below — and retweet for an extra entry — and we’ll pick 10 lucky winners to win some CDs, buttons and tees, all courtesy of Teresa herself of PaperDoll. (You must have a U.S. mailing address to win.)

Good luck!

Gold & Citrus "De-Feathered" earrings.

If I were a baller, I would invest in these “De-Feathered” earrings because (a) of the 14-kt. gold-plated chains and gold-filled posts, and (b) thanks to the gold-plating, I know I wouldn’t get an ear infection. What’s anything worth if you haven’t got your health?

And these high quality earrings not only have bling in them and will save your life from potential gross-ears-syndrome, they’re also a step up from your usual chicken-feathers-that-have-been-dyed-to-look-really-cool feather earrings. These earrings are made from soft guinea feathers, which feature a lovely spotted texture.

As my friend Judy said, “Dude, those earrings are freaking pretty.”
Yes, indeed they are.

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of women complementing their outfits with cute belts and it’s a look that I really love! Belts help to turn what could be a boring ol’ summer dress to a fresh and stylish ensemble.

IZESX O-ring woven belt in cognac.

The IZESX O-ring woven belt in cognac is a great neutral-color that makes it easy to pair with just about any dress or shirt. Belts help to show off your sexy curves and this one is too great of a design to pass up.