Spring Outfits | VIDEO

Now that spring has officially arrived, spoiling us west coasters with beautiful sunny weather and cool breeze, I can swap the sweaters and fleece leggings for flowy tops and short shorts. Whilst doing some light spring cleaning over the past weekend, I noticed that I've collected quite a decent number of new pieces for the warmer months. After all I did start my spring shopping early in the beginning of February. Here are 7 outfits for which I will be wearing this season.

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OUTFIT DETAILS:
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Outfit 1

top: Forever 21 

bottom: Bullhead denim super stretch shorts 

sunglasses: Quay

Outfit 2

top: Kendall and Kylie romper 

jacket: UO BDG denim anorak

Outfit 3
top: Forever 21

bottom: Hollister

Outfit 4
top: Kendall and Kylie 

bottom: Hollister

Outfit 5
top: ASOS peasant blouse 

bottom: Hollister

sunglasses: Ray Ban

Outfit 6
top: UO v-neck tee

bottom: UO scallop shorts

Outfit 7
top: ASOS cold shoulder shirt 

bottom: Bullhead denim super stretch shorts

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Things must go out to make room for new things that come in. That's why I'm a strong believer in cleaning out the closet every 2-3 months and either donating or recycling the unwanted garments. Aside from donating the clothes to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill, below are two sites that I've used before that gladly take unwanted clothing:

H&M Conscious
Give Back Box

January Loves

I've been meaning to share some of my current favorites ever since last month, hence the title --- and am so happy that I finally got this blog post up along with a video before mid-February comes around. What are some of your current favorites?

| STYLE |

Olivia Burton watch

I've completely fallen in love with this watch. The simplicity of the details is every minimalistic's dream come true. The subtle tan leather band paired with the gold face creates a very classy, yet chic look. It's such a versatile piece that I wear it every day!

Cat Ears Headband (similar)

This was a last minute purchase for my Halloween costume in October, but this has been super useful for keeping my baby hair out of my face when I'm doing a mask or just washing up before bed. I love that I've found a new use out of it, because otherwise it would've just been lost in a drawer somewhere. Bonus points for looking cute with these ears on when your face is covered in charcoal hehe.

Quay Sunglasses

The purple-orange lenses really set it apart from my other pairs of sunglasses. It has a fun and playful style to it, which is perfect for Spring and Summer. I also like that it's very light so I don't have to worry about having marks on my face after wearing it for a long time. I can't wait to wear this on beach days.

| BEAUTY |

Shiseido UV Protector

I've always dreaded putting on SPF, because of its' thick formula and artificial smell, but this product is AMAZING. It has a watery consistency, but goes on matte and absorbs quickly. It doesn't clog my pores and is perfect for people with oily and sensitive skin like me. I'm never going back to drugstore sunscreen after this. 

Urban Decay Lipstick in Sheer Berry

This lipstick is an old favorite of mine, and honestly it's one of the beauty products that I will always come back to. It's super moisturizing and has been a staple piece in my winter makeup routine. From the tube, it looks like a dark grape color, but it actually comes out to a pretty fuchsia shade, which complements  my skin tone as it brightens my complexion.

I'm Eyeshadow Stick in Falling Star

The eyeshadow stick is in this soft champagne color that's perfect for either everyday looks or girls night outs. I use it on my eyelids and on the inner corners of my eyes for a natural bright-eyed look. 

Body Butter in Cocoa Butter 

This body butter from The Body Shop smells like dessert in a jar. It makes me feel like I'm indulging in something sweet and heavenly every time I put it on before I go to bed at night.

| FOOD |

Belvita breakfast biscuits in Cranberry Orange

I'm addicted to these. I would grab one every morning before heading out the door during the weekdays. They're the next best thing to having a real breakfast. They only have a hint of sweetness and I find them to be super satisfying compared to a regular granola bar. 

Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares - Dark Chocolate Collection 

Not a bad word can ever be said when it comes to chocolate, especially dark chocolate. It's so hard to simply have just one of these. If you haven't tried their dark chocolate collection (contains dark chocolate with caramel, 72% cacao , and 60% cacao), I definitely recommend it. Being that I haven't had chocolate for a while, this is a very dangerous thing to have around the house.

Warby Parker | 3

Previous Warby Parker Try-Ons
Warby Parker | 1 , Warby Parker | 2 

I am a HUGE fan of Warby Parker, a high-quality and affordable eyewear brand that makes the process of finding the right pair ridiculously easy and fun. When I realized I needed a new pair of glasses, I couldn't be more excited as I picked out five pairs to try from their awesome Home Try-On Program - five pairs for five days, how cool is that? More details on the program here.

It seems like I'm always getting new glasses, as this is the third time using their service. My current pair, of course, is a Warby Parker classic, it's the Laurel in Tea Rose Fade, which I talked about in the post here. As much as I like the look of this one, it tends to slide off my face so I'm always having to readjust my glasses. I guess the frame was designed a little too big for me. My mom actually adores this pair and it fits her perfectly. Since she recently got a new eye prescription, I gave the glasses to her so she could have the frame for her new lenses - meaning that I get to pick out another pair for myself. Whatdoya know, a win-win situation hehe.

If you're looking to sport some seriously good-looking eyewear, I highly recommend trying Warby Parker. Their service is fantastic and when you experience their Home Try-On Program, it will make you never want to leave the house again for a new pair of glasses.

And finally, here are the five frames I selected for the Home Try-On. I'm leaning towards the last one  -Ames, what do you think?

Seymour

 Jennings


 Bensen

Vaughan

Ames

A Touch of Gold

essie nail care

essie topless & barefoot

the face shop gel touch nails (similar)

I'm going through some serious post-holiday blues now that the festivities are over and everyone's gone back to their regular routines. Let me take a moment here (or maybe just an excuse) to share this pretty gold nail polish that I wore to all the end-of-the-year events. The parties are over, but you can't stop a girl from having a glam moment from time to time, ya know? The gold nail polish, which is from a Korean beauty brand called The Face Shop, has specks of shine and gold that creates the prettiest shade of gold I've ever seen. The color is subtle, yet looks chic and glamorous in every angle. I love that I can incorporate the color into my everyday wardrobe without looking too over the top. The quality of the nail polish is amazing, as the gel-touch formula makes my nails smooth to the touch. I only need two coats and the color lasts for at least 10 days without chipping. The gold looks good on its own and is versatile enough to use with other shades. In the picture above, I used The Face Shop gold nail polish with Essie's nude shade in topless & barefoot. I used tape to create the two-toned style and I'm very happy with how well it turned out. Who knew that I had patience for this impromptu at-home nail session when I mentioned in an old post about my love-hate relationship with doing my nails. 

Holiday Gift Guide

I always come across a particular problem when it comes to finding Christmas presents, each year about two weeks away from Christmas and nowhere near getting my gifting completed, I still manage to convince myself that I'll eventually find the gifts I'm looking for. I have this stubborn idea in my head that the perfect gift will just come to me, and needlessly to say it almost never works out that way.  I just never seem to have a clear idea of what to get for friends and family. And when I start seeing the cut off Christmas delivery dates on the shopping sites, reality kicks in and the pressure for finding the perfect gift goes up sky high. I get super meticulous when picking out gifts for others because I want them to be meaningful as well as practical. If you're like me and still has some names to cross off on the gifting list, I put together a last minute gift guide that hopefully will give you some ideas. The guide includes some of my favorites things for this season and there just might be something on there for that ultimate baker, organizer, or trendsetter in your life.

1. S'well Water Bottle

2. Passport Holder

3. Bunny Snuggle Top

4. Muffin Pan

5. Floral Scarf

6. Tea Set in Gold Trim

7. Coloring Book

8. Ted Baker Wallet

9. ASOS Sheep Slippers

My West Elm Collection | Holiday Decor

Lately, I've been obsessed with adding fancy, decorative touches to the house that are fitting for all the end of the year festivities. West Elm, the ultimate home goods store that is all about classy and chic styles, has been my favorite place to have a look around. I constantly found myself making a mental wish list of all things sparkly...and rustic...and Mercury. I'm like a giddy school girl when it comes to decorating the home, and the holiday season is the perfect excuse for going overboard with fun and festive decor. It's only appropriate, don't you think? So after the umpteenth time of visiting the site and admiring their beautiful selection of things, I picked out a couple of decor pieces for the holidays. I know any experienced holiday shopper would know better than to buy anything between now and Black Friday (Cyber Monday too), but patience isn't one of my strong suits when it comes to shopping. The first thing I got was the set of the 6 Mercury ornaments. I fell in love with how glamorous they looked on the site. In person, they look just as pretty! Each of the glass ornaments is covered with silver and metallic specks, which look subtle from far away, but super neat up close! And can we just talk about the festive packaging it came in? I felt like I was opening a Christmas gift when I saw the confetti-like tissue paper tucked around each ornament. I hung the ornaments on the tree (and yes, I already have my tree up!) and they look as lovely as ever. I love that the simplicity of the detail doesn't get drowned out with the red and gold accents on the tree. It has the opposite effect actually, as they are quite eye-catching with its metallic-like finish and reflective glass.

To match with these ornaments and because I simply adore cute and dainty decor that can be put to good use for the home, I selected a couple of candle holders in various Mercury styles for the living room coffee table. Again, they feature the same glimmery look as the ornaments. However, these tealights have a dusted and aged finish, leaving random traces of transparent glass all around. When lit in the dark, the tealights sparkle and glow beautifully through the see-through areas. The flame reflects off the metallic glass, which creates a very warm and cozy setting. I placed my four candle holders around a simple plant on the coffee table, and voila I have myself a holiday centerpiece! I think any minimalistic would approve of my decor choice, yeah? They give the living room space a classy touch, and of course make the space feel so much cozier on a chilly night. 

In case you couldn't tell, I am loving these new additions to the living room space. The way that the Mercury-finished glass catches and reflects light is absolutely gorgeous and unlike anything I've ever owned in terms of home goods. Not to mention that the minimalist style is the perfect balance to the bright red and green colors that I have spread out around the house. What are some holiday decorations that you have in your home? Do you have a favorite among them?

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Mercury Ball Ornaments

Mercury Tealights

Florals in the Fall

Happy weekend! The sun's setting earlier and the leaves are changing colors, marking the beginning of fall. I went to the park on Saturday with my mom and we couldn't help but take some shots of the pretty colored leaves. Though the leaves have started to turn shades of yellow, gold, and orange, the weather has been unbelievably warm and dry. It looks like fall, but summer lingers in the air, hence the floral skirt I'm wearing in the pictures. Summer clothes in October? That's California weather for ya! I've been itching to take out my sweaters and cardigans, so this may be the last of the summer florals for this year. Chunky sweaters will be my go-to pieces once the weather cools down. Do you live for sweater weather? What's your go-to piece for the fall?

top: H&M

bottom: Forever 21

shoes: River Island

Essie in Topless & Barefoot

I don't do nail posts often, as the previous one was written more than a year ago! Don't get me wrong, I love nail polishes and tend to stand in the nail aisles for way longer than needed just to take in all the pretty seasonal shades. The idea of painting my nails gets me excited, but when it really comes down to it, I just don't seem to have the patience. There were so many times where my freshly painted nails didn't even last 5 minutes before I managed to ruin them with my clumsiness. It's frustrating and a huge downer to find them smudged after spending such a long time on them. My perfectionist side comes out when I do my nails. There can't be any finger marks and not even the smallest missed spots can go unfixed. I've accepted the fact that since nail polishes get chipped eventually, it's not worth doing my nails every so often. Plus I feel like I have to be really careful with my hands when I have my nails painted. Is that weird? 

But with all that being said, I'm going to do a sneaky post on this Topless and Barefoot Essie nail polish before it starts to feel like actual fall weather and everyone is searching for the perfect fall and winter shades. I'm a big fan of Essie's nail polishes, as the quality and smooth application are amazing. The colors last at least 7 days when used with a base and overcoat. I kept coming back to this barely-there color this summer, which is in a creamy soft shade that screams minimalistic. It's a staple piece in my abandoned collection of nail polishes, as it goes with everything that I wear. Neutrals just work with everything, I LOVE it. I've worn this color so many times in the past two months and completely left the rest of my nail polishes in the dust. You can't go wrong with an understated nude shade.

What's your favorite nail polish at the moment? 

FAVORITE Everyday Bag :: MZ Wallace Backpack

 || the ultimate city, travel, work, and all around everyday bag ||

I was looking for a new bag for fall, essentially one that I could easily carry on the daily commute to work. My mind was set on totes/shoulder bags, thinking they would be the roomiest and most practical. Being as indecisive as ever (and adding in a bit of impulsiveness on the side), the original plan completely went out the window, as I got a myself a city backpack. Because why not? Backpacks aren't just for school anymore. Okay, maybe I'm going through post-grad anxiety and found comfort in this cute little black backpack. 

Marlena by MZ Wallace is absolutely perfect -- from its design to its practicality -- it's everything I was looking for in a bag. The design of the gold hardware against the black nylon is really lovely, creating a classic and versatile look. On the inside, the bag is in this beautiful shade of red. The vibrant color adds an unexpected and unique edge, setting itself apart from most of the bags I've seen. I adore the color choices  - the gold detail against the sleek black, finished with the red lining - it's a timeless piece that looks effortlessly chic for every occasion.  

The American brand, MZ Wallace is known for its signature Bedford nylon, a high-quality material that's water and stain resistant. Because of this custom fabric, the backpack is super durable and lightweight. The level of detail put into its pocketing is amazing. For someone who likes knowing where everything is in a bag so I can quickly get to them, the Marlena does exactly that and more. Aside from the main pocket that's secured with a magnetic snap and a drawstring closure, there are 3 exterior pockets, and 5 interior pockets. There are literally pockets inside of pockets. It's pretty impressive. I was one happy camper finding pockets left to right, top to bottom. Now I just sound silly. Would it be going overboard if I told you that I organized my things about five times in the beginning because I got carried away with all the pockets? From technology to Metro card slots, this bag has all the bases covered. The main pocket that has the embelished gold-toned buckles carry my heaviest things (packed lunch, books, umbrella), while the interior hold my small everyday essentials (wallet, phone, sunglasses). 

Being that it was my first time hearing of this brand, I did a double take when I saw the price tag. But for the exceptional quality and style of this backpack, it's well worth it. It was quite a splurge for me, but upon getting it, I knew I would be (and have been) wearing the heck out of this bag. I haven't been able to part ways with it. Sometimes, I even take it out for a quick errand run just so I would have a reason to wear it. Kinda obsessed? No, just a bit attached because it's the best bag I've ever owned, and it's my absolute favorite piece of the year!

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SEPTEMBER BITS VIDEO || see the MZ Wallace bag in action & watch me talk about all the things I picked up in September! 

Outfits of the Week | Work

It's been two weeks since I started working at my full time job in the city. On my first day, I felt like the new kid at school. Take away the school part, and in comes the new land of adulthood. I felt like I was thrown into a world of successful business people, overhearing stories of their significant others, experience being a new parent, and such. It helped calm my nerves that I was met with such a warm welcome in the office, being in a completely new setting and all. Now that I have a 9-5 work schedule, my life feels like it's strictly routine, making me really appreciate the weekends. Gone are the days of spontaneous midnight baking and movie marathons. It also makes me miss school. I've had many moments where I miss the college life, and that felt like it was ages ago when I graduated only last month. Time is such a tricky thing. Anyway, surviving the first few days at my post-grad job, check. Feeling like an adult, uh not check. Most of the time, I still feel like a kid; a kid who mistakenly got shoved into the real world. 

With a new job, comes new clothes! I was pretty excited realizing that I get to give my wardrobe a few changes. After making some purchases for proper work attire and pushing my casual wears to the back of the closet, I have yet to accept the fact that I'm not a student anymore. Clothes are for making impressions. They can give you a confidence boost, but it's not a permanent thing. Sure, the dress shirts and blouses make me look like I'm dressed for the part, but really on the inside, I'm still as confused and scared as ever. You are not what you wear. But I'm a firm believer in having fun with your personal style and making a statement, all the while keeping in mind that the things that really matter are skin deep and they are the things the eyes cannot see. (I was reminded of this when I was on social media the other day).

Finally getting around to the content relevant to this post title; below are my outfits for the week of July 20th. 

{ Monday }

top: ASOS

bottom: Vera Wang

shoes: BP.

bag: Urban Outfitters

{ Tuesday }

top: H&M

bottom: H&M

shoes: BP.

{ Wednesday }

top: Banana Republic cardigan, Express shirt

bottom: Uniqlo

shoes: Kimchi Blue from UO

{ Thursday }

dress: Ann Taylor

shoes: Kimchi Blue from UO

{ casual Friday }

top: Banana Republic

bottom: Uniqlo

shoes: ALDO

Warby Parker | 2

Round 2 of Warby Parker!

I tried Warby Parker's Home Try On for the first time back in September, but didn't end up finding a pair I quite liked. I did a post about it, which you can read here. I was so impressed by how fast and easy the service was that I ordered some pairs to try again! The idea of picking out 5 pairs to try for 5 days sounds super innovative and cool, and since I'm on school break right now, it gives me plenty of time to test out the pairs. It was the same excellent service this time around, as I received my order just a few days after it was processed. Two of the pairs didn't fit right, but that helped me narrow it down to the three pairs that are pictured below. I have to say, I'm really liking the last one, "Laurel", as the two-toned style gives off quite a fresh and clean look. What do you think, yay or nay?

Durand

Chamberlain

Laurel

Mini Winter Fashion Haul

Sometimes it's easier to show the content in a video than putting it in a blog post. It's also fun to do things differently every now and then. So instead of writing about it, I made a quick video of a small winter haul showing what I purchased for myself over the holidays! (Except for the cardigan, that was a gift from my mom). 

I do apologize for the lack of video quality as I'm clearly just diving into the creative side of the youtube world. 

Hope you're having a chilaxing weekend :) 

In the haul:

H&M: Sweater

A&F: Textured Sweater, Blanket Scarf, Belle Cropped Shirt

Nordstrom: Sweater Cardigan

Be bold, says the pillow

                   

I've always thought that throw pillows can make such fun and statement pieces for the home. With their endless designs and patterns, they bring a little bit of a personality to a room. I picked out a few that caught my eye when I came across society6. I was particularly drawn to their unique and customized styles, which I later learned that their products on the site are designed by artists from all over the world!

Warby Parker | Home Try-On

UPDATE: read my post on my second Warby Parker Home Try-On here.

For months I've been looking to purchase a new pair of eyeglasses, and then I stumbled across WARBY PARKER's line of eyewear after vaguely hearing about their free try-on program in a Spotify ad once. I did some research here and there and discovered some impressive facts about the innovative brand:

◆ for every pair they sell, another pair is given to someone in need ◆ they believe that eyewear should be fun, easy, and inexpensive ◆ the customers, employees, community, and environment are at the heart of the brand's decision-making ◆

Fast forward another couple of months, I got the chance (and time) to order a few pairs from their collection for the home try-on.The home try-on program allows you to choose any five pairs of eyeglasses on their site and you get to keep them for five days to see how you like them. After those five days are up, you simply pack everything up and ship it back to them with a pre-paid shipping label included in the box. Pretty neat idea, right? The best thing is that it's completely free because they pay for the shipping.

With so many of their simple, yet classic designs, I spent the longest time choosing the five pairs that I wanted to try. The fact that I wasn't sure what type of glasses suited me did not help. I'm never certain about what face shape I have. Guessing that I'm somewhere in the round-oval category, I chose glasses with angular frames, hoping that would help add definition to my face.

As for the service I've received so far, I can tell that they truly value their customers in the detail and care they put into every order. They made the process extremely easy. The delivery service was excellent - the box actually arrived a day early - and with all the different options I had for reaching out to them, it made me feel like I could easily contact them for help.

Being the indecisive person that I already am, I made it even more difficult for myself to decide on a pair by picking out ones with similar frames and styles. The one pair that stood out was the first one, Baxter. But it could just be that it's the only pair that is noticeably different from the others.
What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts/comments - the good, the bad - I'm all ears!


Baxter

Wilkie

Theo

Oliver

Crane

Is there a winner among the pairs?