Product Obsession

The counter of my vanity in the bathroom looks like an explosion of face masks, cleansers, earrings and miscellaneous jewelery I'm too lazy to put away. Honestly. It's time for some... autumn cleaning.

a. caudalie - beauty elixir

If Caudalie had made this in some sort of 2 litre bottle, I'd probably purchase it. I love setting my make up with this because somehow this makes everything look super natural. Sometimes I just spray it on after applying my sun cream. 

b. mini conair straightener

I got this because I was tired of lugging around my regular-sized straightening irons after sleepovers. At first, I was kind of disappointed in the mini straightener but it somehow grew on me and I kind of prefer it over my regular one. It makes the best curls and that's really primarily what I use it for anyway.

c. essie fill the gap! ridge smoothing base coat

I can't say this is THE best ridge smoother since it's the only one I've tried but it really helps with the streakier polishes. 

d. essie lapis of luxury

Hands down my favourite colour ever. It has a dreamy jelly-like texture about it. 

e. l'oreal paris elnett satin hair spray

Travel size of course. I also own the unscented giant version of this hair spray. Pretty awesome hold and gives my hair great volume.

Talk is Cheap

To Do:
Listen.

F'real. No, really.

Exceptional.

Regular updates will begin soon. F'real.

A Quick Update

(aka a list of things to do/make).

I've been making soba like it was going out of style. Mostly cos that's all I have.

-thumb print cookies
-sugar snap salad
-scallopped tomatoes recipe

Almost Like Soft-Core Porn

(of the shoe variety).

rachel comey's carver from stuart & wright

It may be summer but apparently I want some pre-fall shoes already.

In all fairness, if not in the summer... when can a Vancouverite wear suede?

A Touch of Whimsy

Sometimes I think I have some sort of hoarding complex. There are times when I want to own something in multiples, even when there are no reason to own more than one. Example? There's this one copy of Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk and somehow, I found myself wanting to own multiple copies... Why? I don't know.

So, upon stumbling across this duck necklace at Forever 21, I felt a familiar sensation rush over me. Don't be alarmed when you see 15 of these babies dangling from my neck. Just kidding. Kind of.

March Favourites

(No particular order... I'm sure it's easy to figure out what is what).

a. Fresh Soy Face Cream
I was using the Josie Maran Argan Oil for a while, mixing it with my Clinique Moisture Surge but I ran out and bought the Fresh Soy Face Cream instead. It's alright - has a scent but doesn't last that long before it's undetectable. I just use the face cream alone without mixing the argan oil in because I find it a little too heavy.

Will I buy it again? Hmm. No. Okay. So maybe it's not a "favourite."

b. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
I love deluxe samples because well... they're adorable. This is a great primer. Hands down.

c. Caudalie Foaming Cleanser
My favourite cleanser now. And 2 months ago. Probably for forever.

d. Essie in Silken Cord
Best red.

e. Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation 764
So this foundation stick gives me medium coverage at best but I still really love it. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I was 764 and somehow got convinced to get 774. When I try to put it on... it gets very geisha like.

f. Daisy by Marc Jacobs
No matter how many scents, this is always the one I return to <3

Oh! Let's talk about Spring

via arabella ramsay

It's sunny today so I don't think I can really think about FW11 right now. I'm sorry. I just can't do it.

Let's think semi-summery.

You can't really see it but the outfit with the black maxi.. the shirt is amazing. Animal prints <3

Quickly Now

Oh. Wow.

A very good week so far.
-lunch date & delicious avocado + sprouts sandwich
-KFever Tuesday + Shanghainese food
-heart umbrellas
-unexpected returns

We Have A Winner

Uh. So you know how I was hoping that Karen Walker would save me from the so-far-so-disappointing FW11 collections I've seen?... She didn't.

It's okay. We've had our ups and downs.

So, thanks Eviana Hartman. Thanks for creating a scarily wearable collection.

Effortless, unpretentious. Everything a fall collection should be. 

A Delay in Sleep

YES, please.

You & Me

Oh, it has started!

creatures of the wind via style.com

Fashion week has started. It's usually an exciting time but Rachel Comey has already let me down. I don't know - maybe thinking about winter before FW10 is finished is a little bit too much.

But anyhow: Creatures of the Wind's FW11 collection is pretty whimsy-grandma-chic. You'd think I'd fall in all sorts of love with it but mostly I just love the outfit above. Better one than none, I guess.

Wow. That's a terrible... rhyme. Ugh. Forgive me. I'm out of sync.

Just Can't Get Enough...

(like that Gap ad.)

Portlandia

(via jenniferyumyums)
Okay. Not kidding.
This made me laugh pretty hard. I don't know. Call me a nerd.

I didn't even realize that it was a mini-series.

Pre-Weekend

t.b cashmere cape + wildred free tee

You Snooze, You Lose sale has started at Artizia.

The T.B cashmere cape was $49.99 + Wilfred Free tee was original priced.
I also saw the J.Brand houlihan's (cargo pants) for $149.99.

* * *

Anyhow. Had an early morning coffee date.
Now I'm about to head out to watch The King's Speech.
Maybe after, I will go to the library for a bit. Maybe.

Bootie Sale!

back zip boots from built by wendy

Anyone who knows me knows I have a strange obsession with brown shoes (and white ones, too). If a shoe came in an assortment of colours, I'd most probably pick the brown ones.

Another thing I fall victim to is the detail --- the strange ones. A tag, the lining, the soles....

And when a boot comes in a brown with an interesting (albeit, slippery - most likely) sole, I am hooked. I probably shouldn't be buying more boots or anything for that matter but at $84 (when it was once upon a time $280), I'd say it's a steal. 

Lunch Date

top left: white shoes weather

top right: sandwiches from meat & bread

bot. left: tomato braised veal, lemon caper, fried onions + pea shoots (sandwich #2: meatball - a little spicy but not over-poweringly so!)

bot. right: flowers <3

It was a good Tuesday.

Met up with D and sat outside Uprising drinking iced tea + hot chocolate + eating our sandwiches in secrecy.

I can honestly say Meat & Bread is currently one my favourite places. Walking in at lunch, it's bustling and unpretentious. Possibly the cutest sandwich spot around with a stellar menu. Oh. And the cute sandwich-assembly-line-worker-formation doesn't hurt either.

But the sandwiches are the real stars - I mean sure, it's a lot of meat but it doesn't make you feel gross afterward nor do you feel super thirsty. The ciabatta was awesome and not chewy like some other versions I've had before (elsewhere, obviously).

D and I both agreed we'd eat more sandwiches soon! Mmm.

Meat & Bread is located on the corner of Hastings/Cambie. 
370 Cambie to be exact. (Next to PUB 340). 
 

A Great Week

uni don from sea monstr

 -sushi + catch up

-karaoke tuesdays <3

-family dinners + fruit ninja challenges with cousins

-kimchi rice + poached egg
-watching Secretariat before homework time

-and

"I can't get you off my mind, so I have to talk to you"

<3

Oh, I never knew....

part 2 + part 3

Time to time, I'll notice some gossip blog or magazine (guilty pleasure) with a shot of Michelle Williams and I'll think, "Oh. Those [shoes/outfits] are nice..." But I never actually bothered to watch any of her movies mostly because I just half-discredit her for her role on Dawson's Creek.

Unfair, really, because I never actually watched the show. So it's not like I could hate her or love her (and even then, she's still just playing a character).

But I saw the above interview and she is incredibly well-spoken and intelligent and it makes me change my mind about this whole thing. I am going to watch Blue Valentine. It doesn't hurt that Ryan Gosling's in it. But that's not my point.

via i heart that

Just to prove my point: I don't think anyone else could wear that Chloe dress and look that adorable. Name me one and I'll buy you a cup of tea. Seriously.

So, Very Me!

via style.com

This collection is so incredibly me.
I want it all. Especially the 3rd outfit from the left.
Patterned pants, gray on gray? Yes, please.

Bring On the Pre-Fall!

Okay. So I'm actually pretty slow at this pre-fall post(s).

But, yeah... Better late than never :)

via style.com

Amy Smilovic has outdone herself!

Everything is adorable and has a tad of whimsy. If you haven't already seen the collection, you must. It's one of those collections that brings a smile to your face cos it's not only adorable but it's completely wearable.

Pictorial Depictions of Happiness (Pt. 2) + Other Happy Things

possum umbrella from D

studying tools: red pen + ruler + iced gem cookies <3

tofu + pickled daikon (cut like french fries!) from well tea

subpar kimchi fried rice at well tea

oh, i already have this one :(

So much food!

Sidenote: Are crushes on osteologists nerdy? Yeah. Definitely.

Oh, project!

via natalie jost (via 100 layer cake)

Want to make some fabric tape of your own? Yes, please :)
Full tutorial available at ever-so-crafty Natalie Jost's blog.

Cos Several is Just a Few More Than a Few...

I will admit that I have more than a few scents. I keep amassing more and more. I won't lie: sometimes it's the packaging that wheels me in first... but I mean, how can you go wrong with a Marc scent?

Daisy remains my one true love. I have a good feeling about this "eau so fresh." And it doesn't hurt that it looks absolutely adorable.

via vivaglam x3

Sidenote: Another Mag did a great little video re: Daisy Eau so Fresh. Go check it out! via another mag

Food Overdose

faubourg (pronounced: fo-boor): traditional baguette + pastries + chicken salad sandwich

triple chocolate tower from faubourg

lemon tart from faubourg (it was like an inside out lemon meringue tart)

cheese fondue... so much cheese!

bailey's irish cream truffle pops from sweet e's

Ugh. So much food.

Homework is barely done. So, so full.

I think a run + homework time is desperately needed.

Craftiness

A friend of mine is getting married. It's so grown up --- or maybe I'm already old :)

Anyhow, I'm thinking Handmade Weddings might be a good gift for the bride-to-be before the wedding!

Oh, my new crush!

via h a n g l o o s e

Yes. I have a crush on the Korean boy featured on the Hangloose website.
Well. Him and whoever does the styling.

There are some beautiful, beautiful items on that site. Sadly, I don't read Korean and shipping internationally is just such a hassle. BUT! I know yesstyle.com carries Hangloose. Go. Go check it out!

Oh, Toronto!

picture via thank you, okay

L-R: Macaron Cake aka Marie Antoinette + Earl Grey & Grapefruit Tart from Nadege

I think it wouldn't be hyperbolic to say that there's a magical city (to each their own, obviously) that everyone envisions themselves living in - if only for a short while. And I mean magical as if anything is possible and all that grand stuff. I've had my fanciful share of these cities but Toronto will remain my true love. But most times, I just return to the reality that Vancouver is home.

I certainly try my best to make it over to Toronto once a year.

Why?

Cos there are some talented and wonderful people that go eat Korean food with me. (Here, go listen to Matt's music --> pink deadwhale). And also, Toronto has the best Korean food I've ever had. And an endless supply of foodie-drool-worthy establishments (e.g., Nadege). And honestly, this yearning for Toronto was really spurred on by Thank You, Okay's blog.

Oh. And Hoof Cafe. And possibly a million other places.

Honestly, any city that loves brunch as much as Toronto does deserves this sort of unrequited love.

Oh, Toronto. I miss you.
Perhaps we'll reunite sometime this year.

Crazy Cat Shirt Lady

lazy oaf crazy cat shirt via shop nasty girl

Honestly. Who doesn't need a cat shirt?

January Pt. 1: Pictorial Depictions of Happiness

mid-day individual kimchi hot pots + presents at pearl castle

milk soft serve + green tea soft serve from mazazu crepe at aberdeen

hot pot at cattle hot pot

bird studs from nise

TSFW: Birthday Outfit!

TSFW = totally safe for work.
In case you thought... it was like a birthday suit.

I've been very lazy. I will stop this immediately.

Oh, so creative.

Nearly done! from UPPERCASE gallery on Vimeo.