farewell!

I'm officially retiring this blog. It *might* be reincarnated elsewhere under a new pseudonym in the future should I find the time (hahaha) to do so. Thank you for indulging me over the years!

winter outfit.

It got CRAZY cold here over the last few days. I know the rest of Canada is telling us to stop whining, but the cold here is damp and seeps into your bones. I would much prefer dry cold, but that would also mean sacrificing our beautiful summers! Alas...

Zara wool jacket   |   BestBuddiesGifts headband   |   Ron Weasley sweater
H&M jeans   |   DKNY scarf   |   Plush arm warmers
Topshop boots   |   Givenchy Nightingale satchel   |   Harry Potter deathly hallows socks

How are you all staying warm this winter?

outerwear.

I'm a born-and-raised Vancourite, but I still suck at dealing with the cold rainy falls and winters. Maybe the solution is more coat and jacket options?

all from Zara

fall outfit.

We're having tonnes of rain and wind lately. How are you keeping warm?

Topshop chambray shirt   |   Topshop sweater   |   Alexis Bittar bib necklace
Alice.D leather tote   |   Tory Burch booties   |   Topshop skinny jeans   |   Topshop wool coat

regarding skin.

One thing I have noticed the last few months after I turned 31, is how much elasticity the skin on my face has lost. My eyes seem more hollow and my skin looks kind of dull.

For years I've sworn by La Roche Posay products, specifically the Toleriane Riche face cream, but I'm just not sure it's doing the job for me anymore.

At the tail end of winter, I picked up a face mask/cream from L'Occitane (lured in by their free hand cream samples) and received a schwack-load of samples and a free mini set as well.

Tonight, as I was washing my face and lamenting at how disgustingly dry my skin was (along with its dullness and saggy-ness), I decided to look at the mini set I got from L'Occitane again and opened up the Immortelle Precious Cream.

Usually, due to my dry, sensitive (prone to eczema) skin, I stay away from scented creams, but my first thoughts on the Immortelle are positive: it's not greasy nor heavy, the scent isn't overpowering, and it smoothed out my dry patches pretty well. How my skin will really react remains to be seen in the morning, but since this cream is from the same line as the mask I picked up, I don't think there will be any ill effects.

Have you noticed any significant changes in your skin as you've aged? What have you done to combat it? I would love some suggestions!

progress.

After ordering a Beachbody fitness program, they encourage you to submit before and after photos to be entered for weekly and monthly prizes. I'll spare you all from seeing mine in this public space, but I do want to share a different type of photo with you.

For the record, I have always hated shopping for pants. Three reasons: my short stature, lack of hips and butt, yet proportionally curvier thighs and calves.

About two Decembers ago, I walked into Urban Outfitters to buy a new pair of jeans. I started buying jeans from Urban Outfitters because the BDG Grazer style jeans were the perfect length for me. On this particular shopping trip, they did not have a pair that would fit me. Stubbornly, I left the store with a pair of jeans two sizes too small: a pair that I would have fit into two years prior.

I hung the too-small jeans up in my room to guilt myself into working out. It didn't work.

As mentioned in my previous post, it took a bit of nudging and an accountability group for me to really get moving.

In January, I finally mustered up the courage to put on The Jeans. They were still a little snug, but there was no fear of ripping the seams if I sat down. Two weeks ago, I actually had to use a belt.

There is still room for improvement. I still have some extra body fat I'd like to lose, but I won't lie about how happy I felt to be able to fit into The Jeans.

 

PS: I no longer shop at Urban Outfitters, as I do not agree with their business practices (i.e. blatantly ripping off designs without credit nor compensation).

happy.

A super belated Happy New Year and a belated happy birthday to me!

I spent my 31st in Portland. Here I am, nerding out at an entire bookcase of Agatha Christie books.

 

I've found it increasingly hard to get started on a blog post now that I've been quite absent for the past couple years. The reason is I'm just not sure where to start!

 

Over the past few months, I have taken big steps in changing my life. In October, thanks to my friend and coach, Kim, I started on a fitness journey.

I was gaining weight from lack of exercise, sitting in front of a computer every day, and eating out lots. In the past, I never had big problems with weight gain, and I ate A LOT. But, as I got a bit older, and my lifestyle became more sedentary, I started putting on weight more rapidly.

Last year was the heaviest I'd ever been and I knew I had to make a change. I was good at hiding my extra body fat, but I was depressed that my clothes didn't fit like they used to. Kim offered her help at the right time.

 

My lack of motivation to get moving was based solely on how hard I find it to be accountable to myself and create new habits (more on this later). Kim encouraged me to try a 30 Day Challenge program with Beachbody. I decided enough was enough, and investing $200 now meant a lifetime payoff of learning how to be healthier.

I chose to do a strength training program – ChaLEAN Extreme – because I lacked upper body strength and my goal was to lose the extra fat and tone up. It was probably the best decision I could have made! Not only is the program easy to learn, Chalene Johnson's attitude and positivity is just so infectious and inspiring! I am not the biggest fan of über enthusiastic coaches nor do I care for the boot-camp drill sergeants, but Chalene's got the perfect balance of encouragement and attitude that pushes you to work harder.

Anyway, all this is to say that since October 21, I have lost 11 pounds and reached my goal weight (the one that was on my driver's license!). I still have some ways to go in losing that extra bit of body fat around my waist and thighs, but I know I'm on the right journey; I just need to work a little harder at eating clean more often and concentrate more on core and leg exercises.

 

After starting my fitness journey, I have had a lot more energy as well and found myself feeling less upset and anxious over things out of my control. I have always thought of myself as an optimist, and more of a realist-optimist as I got a bit older, but it was hard for me to feel positive all the time these last couple years. There were days where I felt so consumed with negative thoughts that I just couldn't stop crying and feeling sorry for myself for hours or days at a time. I am not a mental health expert, and I am not advocating that exercise will help everyone, but for me, it has certainly helped.

I am definitely not perfect and I have fallen off my exercise routine this past week. I have finished the 90-day ChaLEAN Extreme program and I was half way through my Lean For Life circuit when I just couldn't find that motivation to do it anymore. I spent all of last week cheating on most of my meals and only did my daily squats (as part of a 30 day squat challenge) and biked every other day to not feel completely guilty. What do you do when you've lost that spark? You need a reset button. I decided to do Chalene's 7 Day Eat Lean and Train Mean Challenge.

As part of Day 1's workout, I practiced this dance routine. Watch it, learn it, and be happy!

 

snow day.

Today is a great day to wear my new "Be You" toque (or 'beanie' to non-Canadians) from charlavail!*

How are you keeping warm during Vancouver's extra-cold December?

*Unfortunately, all toques are now sold out, but she will be restocking in the new year!

isabel marant pour h&m.

We're only a few sleeps away from Isabel Marant's H&M collection!

This collection is full of wardrobe basics and some giant cozy sweaters that I hope others will find too crazy for their closets...

Exhibits A and B:

Seriously. I want them both.

If you're showing up bright and early Thursday morning, watch out for my elbows!

style spied... sort of.

My friend Adriana recently started contributing to the Girl of the Week feature on The Style Spy (congrats, Adri!). Before she got the gig, she asked me to pose for a sample shot, so here it is: an actual outfit photo of yours truly.

Moon shirt, vintage necklace, H&M belt, Topshop jeans, Deena & Ozzy purse, heels from Army & Navy shoe sale

I'm growing my hair out to donate and it's taking a lot longer than I'd thought it would! An Instagram/Twitter friend suggested fish oil. Does anyone else have any good tips?

yup, still alive!

taken from the Empire State Building observation deck on March 3, 2013

 

A lot has happened since December and I'm honestly not sure where to begin.

I had started a draft post in March after returning from my 30th birthday trip to New York. I don't think that post will ever come to fruition since all I have written is "I was", but if you want some suggestions for what to do (eat), I recently (as in TWO WHOLE MONTHS AGO), sent Elisse some New York ideas which you can read here. I also included my own photos; most of which never made it onto this here blog, so you're in for a treat!

Now that I've finally decided to just post something instead of overthinking, maybe I will get around to writing those other posts I've had brewing. Maybe.

Hope everyone in Vancouver is enjoying this awesome hot summer of ours!

salvage: follow-up

All photos by the talented Penelope Tse

last minute signage & balloon idea // me looking fairly fresh-faced considering the lack of sleep

 

Okay, I am finally getting around to sorting through photos and posting about the Salvage sale!

I had to take a couple days off after the event to catch up on rest. Then things got busy again, and finding time to tally up sales numbers, count money, and sort through the inventory (again) was harder than anticipated.

the sale was held at the Hot Art Wet City pop-up gallery // these shoes still need a home

 

Read more »

recently...

This past week through my phone:

grilled cheese at PHAT
rainy day at Science World
jellyfish at Vancouver Aquarium
lunch break at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden
ratty Chuck Taylors, worn out BDG jeans, stained H&M tee, comfy Joe Fresh flannel >> slobby Thursday at the office

salvage.

My apologies for being away for so long. Things I have been occupied with: enjoying the great summer we had in Vancouver, shopping, seeing these boys again, shopping, and more shopping. I have also been busy with work and organizing this upcoming event:

If you would like to contribute items to the sale, please let me know! Please also share the event on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or whatever your social media poison may be. Many thanks to all those who have already agreed to contribute to the sale! More details to come!

neon brights.

Who would have imagined that the retina-searing neon brights from my childhood would creep their way back into my wardrobe? Thankfully, this time around, neon is used sparingly and tastefully (unless you're being "ironic").

Here are some uses of neon I approve of! (Not pictured is the River Island purse I gifted to myself earlier in the year.)

clockwise from top left:
gorjana leather studded bracelet, zara shoes, zara messenger bag, zara box clutch, neon lights collar necklace, adia kibur stone necklace, sandy hyun studded cross necklace

Have you embraced the rebirth of neon?

summer prints.

h&m haul in april: i couldn't wear those sandals 'til two days ago!

It all started with one blazer (pictured above) and now I find myself wanting to add more prints to my wardrobe. I'm not talking dainty flower pastel prints; I'm talking big, bold, your crazy high school counsellor prints. Examples:

all from zara

Admittedly, I have some reservations about the pants. I'd probably have to do some crazy seven-days-a-week pilates again to have model-esque legs for those. Oh, and, you know... magically grow seven inches. Even Hermione Granger couldn't assist me in that department.

wedding season.

After entering (and passing) my mid-twenties, I found there were more and more weddings to attend each year. Luckily, I haven't run into the problem of not having enough dresses to wear (yet), simply by making sure I do not wear the same dress in the presence of the same guest list more than once.

just a small sampling: h&m / urban behaviour / supré / h&m / sharinio / buffalo shop

There are a few other cardinal rules I go by when it comes to weddings, and these are really just the anal retentive traits in me shining through:

• Don't wear a significant amount of black. It's a wedding - a celebration of two people's love (or whatever) for one another - not a funeral. I love black, but there's an appropriate time and place.
• Don't wear a significant amount of white. The bride might cut you, is all I'm saying. Unless the bride is not choosing the standard white gown, then by all means, go white!
• Leave the in-your-face cleavage for the club. Cover that shit up! This is a family affair. (Vegas wedding? Okay, whole other ballpark.)
• Forget the mega-watt makeup. You're not the center of attention today, so try not to detract from the bride (and groom). Look ravishing, but not too ravishing.
• Wear something that reflects your style and personality. Abiding by all of the above rules doesn't mean you have to lose yourself. Shoes and accessories are important!

Of course, the most important rule is to not act like a fool. Looking nice is super important, but learning not to get shit-faced at the open bar is an entirely different beast to tackle.

 

P.S. Don't wear jeans! Or t-shirts. Or baseball caps. Spleesh!

P.P.S. I am so anal that I would probably enforce a dress code if I ever had a wedding. I'm picturing a bouncer at the door...

adr for h&m.

If you haven't heard the news, street style favourite Anna Dello Russo is designing an accessories collection for H&M due in stores October 4.

Here's a sneak peek at her collection:

photo courtesy of H&M

I am so, so, so excited for this! ADR has such a great eye for anything luxe and extravagant. I'm marking my calendar! Are you?

Unfamiliar with ADR? Here are some of my favourite shots by Tommy Ton (Jak & Jil):

ADR in her Paris apartment

Milan & Paris fashion weeks A/W12

Milan & Paris fashion weeks S/S12

forever in our hearts; forever a canuck.

As I sit here with tears streaming down my face, I am filled with regret, a feeling I have tried to stamp out of me since my teenage years.

Early this morning I learned that my friend had passed away yesterday. The last time I had spoken to her was on New Year's day and it was via text. I'd said I would come visit her this summer.

I had a gut feeling that she was not well. She had been in and out of the hospital lots last year, but she never wanted anyone to know how sick she really was. When we'd been exchanging text messages about how our holidays were, she had mentioned she was sick Christmas day. Again, I ignored that pang of worry I'd felt. I didn't want to ask if she didn't want to talk about it, and I wanted to be naive and believe that she was fine.

In early January, I decided to deactivate my Facebook as I'd felt it was eating too much of my time and causing too much unnecessary strain on my mental well-being: see FOMO (fear of missing out). Looking back, as good as that felt for me, I realise now that it was how my friend and I interacted most of the time. I can't say that it was the best way, but it was easiest to keep in touch with her via that (evil) social network than it was to pick up the phone. This realisation fills me with so much regret. I could have texted her more. I could have tried to call or Skype her. I could also have sent her a Christmas card. I feel like a rotten friend.

I'm an extremely sensitive person - I cry watching movies, I cry over the loss of people I don't even know, I cry at almost everything - but I think it's a testament to how much my friend had touched my life that I am as upset as I am this morning. In truth, we were not super close - not in the best friends context - but we did share a certain bond. She was so funny, so full of spirit, and she always made me feel like I never had to apologise for who I was.

I'd first met my friend in 2007 after she'd come back from an extensive injury: I'd been subbing for her while she was on sick leave. At first I didn't know how to read her, but it didn't take long at all to understand her sense of humour and realise what a compassionate person she was. Even after I had left that office and the sister company, we still met up for lunch once in a while. She moved away two summers ago and I'd not seen her since. I regret not making an effort to visit her sooner. She always asked how I was doing and she always wanted to know what was new in my life. She was so selfless and caring.

It's true what they say about not knowing what you had until you've lost it. I didn't realise how much of an imprint my friend had left in my life in the few short years I'd known her. There were so few times I saw her without a smile. I will always remember her great laugh. I will always remember how she pulled me out from my office one day to run across the street to where Trevor Linden was having lunch. I will always remember how much she loved Alex Burrows and the Canucks. I will always remember the love she had for her two horses, Nitro and Silver, who I never got to meet. I will always remember how much she loved her dogs Logan and Reilly. I will always remember how excited she was to leave her office job and live away from the city on her own piece of land with Frank and with all the animals she loved.

I will always remember you, Melissa.

one small step...

a few instagram shots from my trip last fall

 

Following up on my last post about how I could go about changing my impact on the environment, I've decided to do Meatless Mondays. (What do the photos have to do with this post? Absolutely nothing. I just wanted to share some of my trip photos before I filed them away.)

It's only been my first week, but so far so good. Currently, for breakfast I am having dairy and eggs, lunch is completely vegan, and for dinner, I am allowing a bit of seafood. My reason for the 'seafood okay' rule for dinner is mostly because of my dad, but maybe I will transition out of that within a few weeks.

If you haven't heard of Meatless Mondays, it's actually a very simple way for us all to reduce our ecological footprint. I won't ramble on about it, but if you are interested, do Google it. :)

In the weeks to come, I will try to chronicle any tips, recipes, or restaurant suggestions that come my way. My vegan friend offered a great tip for my lunch this week: substitute tzatziki with hummus when ordering a grilled veggie souvlaki pita at Nu Greek. Verdict? Delicious.

Do you participate in Meatless Mondays? If you have any delicious vegetarian recipes, feel free to share!