Under Construction

I haven't forgotten to post! Instead, I've been a busy bee, working on a new site =) 

Hope to have it running by the end of the week! - Stop by again soon <3

9 more days of March - will it be this year's first purchase-free month?

With the exception of an almost moment of weakness at Danier Leather, so far, so good.

This is a big year for non-material expenses - circumstances have resulted in two trips lined up for my husband and I: New York in May, and Korea in August. Both will be expensive trips so I don't plan to buy anything (except in Korea where I will go crazy over skin care products since it's much cheaper there than in Canada) but have decided to spend my money on experiences since I don't know when I will be going there again, any time soon.

I'm also trying hard to let go of more stuff. One of my wardrobe goals is to be able to consolidate 2 exterior drawer units in my room, into my closet so that we can have more space and options when we finally decorate our room. So far, I've managed to remove one drawer and still reuse the fabric containers in my existing closet unit.We live in a condo so space is precious and I just want clean lines and very little clutter. 

All in all, the more months I'm able to have, purchase-free, the better successes I'll have in most of my 2016 goals. I'm hoping that March will be a no purchase month to motivate me through the rest of the year. 

And I repeat, gifts don't count. 

Getting ready for Spring!

Spring is just around the corner and a number of us on our forum are beginning to think about our Spring wardrobe so we're not tempted to shop outside of what we might actually need. 

I know I have enough in my closet, and I know they are Spring appropriate - I just need to think about it and come up with ideas while I'm not trying to rush out the door. 

I started off with my most Spring looking top - my mint green sleeveless blouse from Banana Republic. For simplicity, I just put together 7 outfits for each day of the week. What do you guys think? Any suggestions? What would you switch out? Would love to hear your thoughts! 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday - Business casual

Saturday

Sunday

What was once ruined and unwearable, is new again!

2 years ago, I was really hooked on the GAP's broken-in khakis - I loved the fit and comfort, and the casual cool vibe it gave off. Some materials and color were even office appropriate so I purchased 4 pairs. They are now on my 'do not buy' list because I can see myself getting them in every single available color and material. 

My favourite pair was in a beautiful pale blue color called Sandstorm, that I only got to wear 8 times before tragedy struck. I got a stain on it and for some reason, I decided to try to get it out with bleach. Why? You ask - I don't know. Not only did I use bleach, but I haphazardly applied it and obviously my pant ended up with bleached out splotches all over it. To this day, I still wonder what was going on in my head. 

My beloved

I was devastated. I kept it in my closet and desperately attempted to make outfits with them so they would hide the bleach stains. I debated back and forth about whether to get rid of them or keep them and dye them a different color. It saddened me to think about dyeing them since the color itself was why I loved them so much. So there they sat for more than a year, when finally I decided to just go for it. 

What color, I wasn't sure, but the first step was to bleach them and prepare it for possibilities. 

The blank canvas

The eventual color I chose was a beautiful purple, and with the help of my husband, now have a pretty amazing 'new' pair of pants that I know will fit me great. I can't wait to break them out and make new outfits with it!

New love!

After 3 packs of RIT dye

My favourite things from our 'KOREA, curated February 2016 discovery box'

I was really excited to receive our first ever, subscription box from KOREA, curated. I've been following a number of subscription boxes on Instagram and chose something that both my husband and myself can enjoy. My next subscription box may be a girls only thing, shh ;) 

Simple detail, but I  love that the box isn't taped.
It's packed in another box with all the ugly shipping details and when you open it, just leaves a very clean box. 

I did a reveal post when we received it, as well as an unboxing video that you can check out here (my first youtube reveal of anything), and here are some of my favourite things from the February 2016 box. 

This cell phone charm - I love it because it says 'luck' in Chinese, and I am Chinese, so you know... ALSO, an added plus for me is that I'm a bit obsessed with gold hardware on my bags lately, so if I don't put it on my phone, I can always hang it from my bags.

I also like the packaging for it - a simple, slim, black box that slides out. Again, I love packaging designs.

Cuteness! Preettty self-explanatory there.
Also, socks are something I don't like to buy, so to get free cute socks, is awesomeness

Spicy instant noodles and aaaamaaaazing candy. The candy is soooooo gooood

This is what the spicy noodles look like.I can eat pretty spicy and like to get my hands on pretty much any kind of spicy instant noodles. This, was good. The spicy doesn't start immediately, but slowly builds up as you keep eating. Then, before you know it, your lips start to get numb and burn, and you can start feeling it in your insides. I chased it down with my usual beer of choice - Kronenbourg Blanc 1664. I don't recommend it if you're used to having heart burn and the like.

#ootd - my photographer has returned!

Some of you may remember that my husband, also my #ootd photographer (yes, he's a super sweet guy <3), was away for 6 months to go return to school and pursue a new career. He returned home in early February after passing with flying colors, and has already begun employment with one of the largest companies in his new industry. Many congrats to him!!!

And now, after settling down with a new work schedule and finally being able to spend a weekend together between both our work schedules, was able to spend some time to do a #ootd shoot. It also helped that our rainy Vancouver weather let up for an hour and we were able to head outside. 

Work has gotten even busier for me so I don't get home until after dark, therefore, moving forward, I'll try my best to keep up with daily #ootd posts but will try to do a proper shoot and post a 'featured #ootd' post when I have more time on the weekends and me and the husband have more time together. 

So, without further adieu, the return of #ootd! 

Jacket | Michael Kors

Top | Banana Republic

Jeans | Banana Republic

Shoes | The Wishbone Collection

Bag | Lauren by Ralph Lauren Whitby satchel

Watch | Seiko

Necklace | Swarovski

 

 

Bag review - Follow-up post about my Coach Bleeker travel tote

For Mimmy!

Ever since I got my Coach Bleeker tote,  I've only had a chance to bring it on road trips and it wasn't until early this year that I was able to take it on its first short distance trip on a plane. I was heading to Las Vegas for 4 days and 3 nights and didn't want to deal with checking anything in, so it was my carry-on and regular luggage, all-in-one. 

Between size and weight restrictions and what we can bring in terms of liquids and gels, travel can be hectic and I just wanted to show how this bag held up in case any one is looking for alternatives. 

The bag and cardigan were out of the bag for this photo, but it fits into the bag easily.

Everything in! (the above cardigan is in the Oliva Harris dustbag to protect it)

This is everything I packed inside the Bleeker, and for liquids, I just put it all into a ziplock bag, ready to pull out at security.

I also want to retract my previous comment about wishing the straps were longer - they are actually long enough to go over my shoulder, but they are still stiff. The more I use the bag, the more it's softening up, and somehow it seems to be making it lighter (but probably not since that's impossible haha). Also, the size dimensions are just right for putting it neatly in the overhead compartments, and since it holds it shape so well, VERY easy to pull out. 

I definitely recommend this bag for short travels to hold everything for your entire trip. If you're looking for just a carry-on bag, I'd go with something else since it's pretty sizeable and I could see it getting cumbersome because it still isn't a light bag and if it's not packed full, it's just unnecessary material. 

February comings and goings

Wow, I actually had quite a few items come in this month, but fear not, every single item was a 'love it' piece and I have been wearing them non-stop. 

Comings - 6

• Red Banana Republic sweater with side zip - I actually bought this for Chinese New Year since it's traditional to wear something red to celebrate and start the year off
• Navy Banana Republic sleeveless top - I love navy and find the color is a great base for me to build outfits around and this was super comfortable, a great length to act as a layering piece or on it's own, and also just really basic looking which I like
• Raspberry Banana Republic cardigan - love the color of this, and against navy, it just looks so good. A great pop of color to add to my wardrobe and a very easy cardigan to wear. 
• Pair of casual pants with zip detailing from Banana Republic - these are just super cool and I'm obsessed with zippers lately so these were great, and they were petite so the length was perfect to wear with flats and heels. Just fantastic and sooo comfortable to the point where I don't even feel like I'm wearing pants haha. 
• Gray sweatpants, also with zipper details, and yup, you guessed it, from Banana Republic - I was thrilled to find these and they up my lounge wear by 200%
• Orange satchel from Lauren by Ralph Lauren - I finally broke my bag ban and succumbed to this beauty. It was love at first sight and I've used it every day for work. I even go the extra mile to carry a separate tote to fit my laptop and other things in, just to carry her. 

Current budget left over for this year - approximately $700

February goings - 1

• I sold my Coach Poppy Madras bag to start my 'let go of 10 items' goal from my bag and wallet collection =)