Polka Dotted Suave

Shorts: J. Crew // Shirt: French Connection // Shoes: H&M // Blazer: Dynamite // Necklace: Ell and Em // Earrings: Front & Co. 

Okay I'll admit it, I'm more than a little obsessed with this "Royal Ball" necklace that I recently bought from the online store Ell and Em. I find that the over-sized gold beads lend such easy chic, style, and charm to my everyday wardrobe and I find myself reaching for it over and over again. However, such repetition must be worth it, since I have received compliments aplenty on it- the latest being from the very sweet manager of the newest J. Crew store that opened yesterday in Pacific Centre. Part of my job entails getting to know the store managers within the mall, so it was nice getting to meet both her and her lovely staff (which includes a complimentary personal stylist). And I'm sure it was nice for them that I succumbed to these super cute polka-dotted shorts. I was also eyeing this amazing polka-dotted blazer; however, at the hefty price of $238, I felt that I couldn't justify such spending at the drop of a hat.

Oh and did I mention that I adore my new job so far? I love meeting new people and my job is all about being good at that. After the first couple days of training, I feel that I've gotten a good grasp of the many procedures that I'm obliged to carry out within my latest work position. However, it will probably take a few more shifts before I feel totally at home. So far, everyone I have met within the mall and in my workplace has been very friendly and charming so I look forward to my next shift! I think that the only downer of the job is that I'm required to wear a uniform (blazer/cardigan, dress pants, white shirt, and a silk scarf); in all of my previous jobs I was allowed to wear whatever I wished and, believe me, I took complete advantage of that freedom. Oh well, sacrifices must be made for better things! 

Shades of Land and Sea

 Blouse: Jacob // Necklace: Ell and Em // Skirt: Thrifted // Shoes: Aldo // Bracelet: vintage

Hello everyone,

Today I woke up bright gloomy and early for the first day of my new job. All in all, I had a wonderful first shift as my supervisor and colleague were wonderfully patient and kind while training me. My innate knowledge of the inner workings of the shopping centre in which I now work may have also helped a bit. So far, I am super excited to have started this new job working at as a Guest Services representative as it allows me to do one of the things that I love best: customer service.

In regard to this outfit, I managed to score this lovely silk skirt at a local thrift store recently. However, my laziness was main the reason for not ironing it, an omission that I currently am kicking myself for since it would have made a world of a difference in these pictures. 

Anyways, hope that this upcoming week and weekend get better weather-wise as I have quite a few upcoming plans, such as an outdoor BBQ, that require some good ol' sunshine to make them enjoyable.

Clash of the Patterns

Blazer and shoes: H&M // Shirt: Forever 21 // Pants: Joe Fresh // Wallet: Ralph Lauren // Necklace: The Hudson Bay Company // Earrings: vintage

 You know one of those days when you walk out of the house confident that you're wearing something nice but progressively feel less and less confident about the said niceness of that outfit? Well, today was one of those days. At first I loved the clashing patterns of the blazer and my new Joe Fresh pants. However, later on, I ended up taking off the blazer to make the ensemble less confusing and rolled up the hem of the too-long pants (short-Asian-genes problems).

I do, on the other hand, quite love this new wallet clutch of mine. After scoring my latest job, which I begin training for on Tuesday, I bought this little Ralph Lauren beauty as a small reward to myself (especially since I had been recently forced to use one of my mom's old wallets that randomly has a girl and the word "Mexican" inscribed on the front).

Chevron Striped Maxi

 Skirt: Ross // Cropped Fishtail Chiffon Blouse: Nordstrom Rack // 'Royal Ball' Necklace: Ell and Em // Bracelets: Forever 21 // Earrings: Front & Co. // Flats: Shoemint

Hello everyone,

It has been a productive week for me as I have managed to finish or get started on several of the major check marks on my summer break to-do list. For instance, I've been applying for various work positions as I am presently in need of more employment than just on the weekends. After applying for one position downtown, I was contacted a day later and received the opportunity to interview for the job. I wore this outfit in order to accompany one of my close friends to her job interview in North Vancouver as I only expected to be going for a nice breakfast and relaxing walk downtown. However, after getting a last-minute call, I had to prepare for a job interview myself! In desperation, I was forced to switch outfits from this one to my friend's work slacks and loose top. However, both of us felt very uncomfortable in each other's clothing (our sizes are similar but our styles are not). The only solution available to us? Go on a mini-shopping spree at Joe Fresh and H&M. I bought myself a simple office-friendly black blazer while my friend bought herself an entirely new outfit and wore it out of the store!   

Following the interview (update: I got the job just today!), we returned home and I was able to change back into my original outfit that is pictured above. I bought this chevron-striped maxi skirt long before the chevron-stripe faze hit the retail industry hard, so realizing that I had such an up-to-date and "trendy" piece in my closet was a pleasant discovery. Especially since it was actually warm enough outside that particular day to enjoy wearing a skirt. In regard to this blouse, I have for some reason found it to be ridiculously hard to style with any outfit since its sheerness and hi-lo design makes it difficult to pair with most other items in my wardrobe. However, a maxi skirt can never go wrong with a pretty cropped shirt, so I knew that I had finally hit jackpot. Lastly, I am in love with my newest statement accessory, this lovely gold-plated number known as the 'Royal Ball' necklace that I recently purchased online from ellandem.com. A style inspired by the ageless style of Jackie O., these metallic over-sized beads give one's outfit a touch of retro-chic and classic glam.  

English Bay Watch

Hat: H&M // Blouse: Urban Planet // Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters (via clothing swap) // Bag: Michael Kors // Necklace: The Hudson Bay Company // Bracelets: Aldo, Forever 21 // Sandals: Steve Madden

 Signature Sangrias at the English Bay Cactus Club

 One pretty lady.

First off, whatever happened to that amazing weather? As usual, that short burst of sunshine and warmth was quick to flee Vancouver, leaving behind a fleeting, foggy memory of the ability to walk outside without needing to wear a jacket or other arctic-weather-friendly gear. 

On this particular day, my bestie and I were fully aware that we didn't have much more time to enjoy that summer-like weather before the rainy season returned to our fair city. As a result, we decided to have a day on the town by hitting one very popular dessert spot, the much-hyped (and fairly so) Nero's Belgian Waffle Bar, and afterwards checking out the beach at English Bay. The waffles were as delicious as expected and the weather was even more wonderfully hot. However, the warm climate also seemed to bring out the horniness in many of the more under-evolved male homo sapiens within the area; my poor friend and I were subjected to more than one cat-call at the hands of some gentlemen with questionable hygiene. Nevertheless, we were determined to enjoy ourselves and make a day of it! I wish we could have had all day long to sun ourselves on the beach (in AK's case, probably hide under an umbrella while reading her e-reader) but I had to meet my significant other in too little time. So instead we settled for some people-watching and relaxing drinks at the new Cactus Club, which is conveniently located right on the beach at English Bay. Human scenery is never more interesting than at the beach on a hot day. Somehow, the combination of sun and sand really manages to bring out the good, the bad, and the downright weird. AK and I even sighted some elderly dude swaggering around in a kilt and nothing else, even though he was in serious need of some sunscreen for his disturbingly sunburned body.  

In regard to that day's outfit, I knew I had to accommodate for both the hot weather and the possible windchill associated with being near the water and in the cooler parts of the city. So I decided to wear short shorts with a sleeveless chiffon top. along with my newest straw hat, while carrying around a jean jacket (which turned out to be very useful as it was actually quite chilly in the most random places). While I adore bright colours and bold patterns, this top is more than a little daring in both departments. I personally think that the very attention-grabbing neon pink of my MK bag clashed a bit too much with my top; but, then again, retrospective criticism is all too easy and you need to be daring once in a while in order to live a little. 

Hope that that sunshine comes back very soon!  

Travel Diaries: San Francisco and San Jose [Part II]

A palm tree paradise in Palo Alto

Hello everyone,

Are you dreading the imminent and inevitable return of rainy weather to Vancouver as much as I am? It's at times like these when I like to look back at photos of myself and friends enjoying beautiful, warm weather in sunny California. Thus, the first drops of rain a few nights ago were what spurred me to write the second part of my San Francisco travel diary, which included day two and three.

The last full day of our trip dawned bright, warm, and early. We had just enjoyed a good night's sleep, much different than the first night in which we had felt dehydrated and disoriented by unfamiliar surroundings. Unfortunately, about a minute after we had gotten picked up, I realized that I had forgotten my Canon DSLR and that I would have to make do with crappy iphone pictures for the rest of the day (apologies in advance for the subpar pictures). 

The boyfriend and I were taken by our friends to one of their favourite diners, a very trendy place not unlike Sophie's Cosmic Cafe in Kitsilano, for breakfast before we embarked on our day-long road trip to San Jose. The drive there was spectacular- while we certainly enjoy gorgeous scenery here in British Columbia, I couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of the more arid Californian environment.

Breakfast at Boogaloos   

Snapshot of the landscape on the way to Stanford 

Our first stop would take us to the Palo Alto area near Stanford University, which is also where several Silicon Valley companies have placed their headquarters. 

The one horse I managed to take a photo of- though there were many beauties grazing around

We would stop at the Stanford Shopping Center, which was home to a large number of higher-end retailers such as Michael Kors, Neiman Marcus, Burberry, Tiffany & Co., and Louis Vuitton (to name a few). Below is the only picture of my outfit of the day, which apparently paled in comparison to my boyfriend's Jamba Juice. 

(More photos after the jump.)

Lace on Mother's Day

 Blazer: Dynamite // Blouse: Madewell // Pants: H&M // Necklace: The Hudson Bay Company // Shoes: Vince Camuto // Bracelets: Forever 21

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Although it's a rainy Sunday, I find that my spirits are flying high at the moment after spending some quality time with my mom and the rest of the family (excepting my eldest brother who is currently living in Hong Kong). While you should always try your hardest to appreciate the special people in your life, it's so easy to lose yourself in the ups and downs of daily living and to take your loved ones for granted. I admit that I'm more than a little guilty of having that attitude towards my mother. I'm pretty sure I complain about her more than I compliment her, even though she is undoubtedly an amazing woman of many talents and wonderful character.  

While I usually despise the way in which she nags me about the messy state of my room, how many shoes and clothes I buy, and random things about school and work, I know that everything she does is for the benefit of myself and the rest of my family. I know that she and my father have sacrificed so much in order to provide a privileged and easy lifestyle for me and my brothers. She has made me a better person in every way and I can always look back to appreciate how right she was about almost everything- from relationships to school to life in general (even though it sometimes pains me to admit it). More than anyone else, my mother pushes me everyday to be the best person I can possibly be, whether that be doing well in school (she was the one who made me such a huge nerd), choosing my future career path, or improving my often flawed character. Just today she wrote an email to my absentee brother in which she stated how proud she was of my writing abilities and of how fashionable I am (something I was astonished to read since I always thought she found my obsession with fashion to be frivolous and silly). Although I will never fully realize just how much I owe to my mother for everything she has done, I can only try my best to make her proud in any way I can. 

My mother, like so many other mothers, is a superwoman. She somehow manages to juggle work, taking care of my family, household chores, pest infestations, and a full academic workload (she's working towards an undergraduate music degree)- all while being a very involved, full-time mother. As well, I always know I can depend upon her to listen to my problems, offer me valuable and viable advice, and to be my biggest comfort when I am feeling down.

So I'm thanking you, Mom, for nagging me about the little things and those many, slightly questionable words of wisdom (ex. wearing mascara will make my eyelashes fall out, red lipstick and nail polish are only for prostitutes, never spend a cent without thinking twice about it, etc.). I love you so unbelievably much!