Pinch of Chic
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Shimmer Chic

Alice + Olivia Sequin Dress (Found at Value Village!!)
Forever 21 Collarless Faux Fur Jacket (See similar here.)
J Crew Collection Etta Plaid Studded Pumps
J Crew Gold Drop Earrings
Banana Republic Gold Link Chain Necklace (See similar here.)
Danier White Leather Passport Holder (Used as a clutch)

So you guys have a few hours before you start celebrating the start of 2015. Here’s my last minute scramble of a NYE outfit. Many thanks goes out to Anna for finding this stunning sequin dress by Alice + Olivia from Value Village. (Similar to Salvation Army.) Woo!

Thinking about New Years events always rings in old hollywood looks, glitzy pieces, and glamorous vibes for me. Just google ‘Great Gasby Daisy’ and you’ll get an idea of what I’m talking about. Unfortunately… not all of us are as lucky as Daisy Buchanan to own a blinding $200,000 headpiece from Tiffany’s. Celebrating new years eve can already be expensive enough, so why not take the cost-effective route for your outfit? I’ve brought in some big, fancy fur from Forever21, sizzling red lips, and lots of silver and gold. The lovely thing about new years is that you can step outside your comfort zone, throw on the most extravagant ensemble with as much bling as possible and get away with it completely. A great way to display all that sparkly bling you want to show off is to layer; for example your necklaces. Same goes with rings and bracelets. (You can give yourself an #armparty!) If you’re not into wearing so much jewelry because you don’t want to feel all that weight of the hardware, I strongly suggest finding a top or dress with a very ornate neckline, like the one in this post and putting on one statement necklace on top!

And that’s pretty much it! So take it easy, have some champagne but drink responsibly! Most importantly don’t forget your sparklers and to smile for all those lovely flash photos!

One more thing— darlings, this will be your bestest friend for any late evenings. I swear!

Every now and then I get asked by my parents– ‘What exactly is it that you do now?.’ And I struggle to figure out the right words to describe everything I currently do… a designer? A photographer who shoots here and there? A home-based blogger? I’m still in the midst of exploring my interest in UI/UX design, advertising and art direction…or editorial design. Which could potentially lead me to a fantastic ‘Lauren Conrad’ lifestyle and maybe my own reality tv series (just kidding). But no really, editorial design is still an option that could open me up to styling and fashion creative projects. But all in all, I only wish that there wasn’t so much pressure, especially on the kids that attend school to find exactly what your big time career should be. Being practical is a must, but getting hate for not having a ‘practical’ job is not good encouragement. My parents…sad but true, probably still don’t know what I’ve studied for four years in university, as I’ve heard them tell their friends, ‘Oh, she does fashion and arts’… when in reality, I’ve been a slave to the design– studying interactive, graphics, etc. and theory of design. PS. I have aggressively reminded them on an infinite number of times about what I do!

My new year’s resolution: I would like to try and pursue the things I like to do in my areas of interest, despite the judgment from my family and outsiders. I think one should be able to hold the freedom in their hands and begin to make decisions on their own to do what they love. Things will change over time– that’s exactly how I think people are able to grow, through their experience. And what kind of experience would it be without variety, as well as ups and downs?

I believe that the best of things will come to you when you work really hard– no matter the task. Here’s to the new year– bringing in love for you, your love ones, and love for yourself. Success will eventually come, but happiness for yourself should be your priority whatever is it that you’re doing. In this age, will are fortunate enough to create jobs for ourselves. That leaves plenty of room for the opportunities to do what you love and to further expand on that. As long as you can feel joy within all the hours of your day, including sleep, I believe that is where every human should be. xx

What are you doing/did to celebrate the last day of 2014?
Feel free to share your thoughts with me. I’d love to know!
Until next time! And happy new years to you and yours! xx

For more updates: follow this journey.

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Sid Neigum

WMCFW: DAY 1 Recap

In all honesty, I really didn’t anticipate on attending WMCFW at all. It wasn’t until a few days before fashion week was going to begin that my friend insisted me on going to experience the event for myself. With that, I decided why not..YOLO. I didn’t take it very seriously…In terms of… I had not planned for the event, I had not planned for my outfits..and I really had no idea what you were suppose to do.

In retrospect— Aside from the fact that Coco Rocha floated around my desk out of nowhere and exchanged words with me without notice the morning of, I would say that my fashion week kickstarted on a good note. I merely came out of the office in my work clothes and would walk over to David Pecaut Square where the majority of shows which I was attending was held. 

My first show was Sid Neigum. Upon my work schedule and last minute decision, my range of shows were carefully selected based on the hopes to make myself aware and see Canadian designers. The idea of going to a fashion show seems to be more worth wild seeing creative work over mainstream commercial clothes that i’ll eventually see in retail. 

Sid Neigum as my first show was not only a safe choice to go see but an amazing one. Keeping it real with the monochromatic palette, he has immensely optimized the results by mixing textures and experimenting with geometric forms. Seeing this makes me think— now that’s intelligent design, taking basic material and pushing the envelope with it.

SID NEIGUM RECAP:

A collection that seems to exude more with less.

Giving black and white a modern transformation, the attention and play with texture was highly predominant and effortless in detail. Sid Neigum’s line can be described as contemporary cool, laced with chic glamour.

 

All photographs belong to Cynthia Nguyen. 
Please ask permission before use.

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Paradise Shorts (Veld Music Festival 2014)

OUTFIT DETAILS:

H&M White Sleeveless Top
J.Crew Hibiscus Floral Shorts
K-Swiss  White Flats
J.Crew Stud Earrings
Anice Stamped Initial Pendant Necklace
Thrifted Coach Leather Cross Body Bag
Fossil Rose Gold Boyfriend Watch
RETROSUPERFUTURE Lucia Black Sunglasses

Hope everyone had a great long weekend! I started out with no plans for the weekend…to attending one of Toronto’s biggest electronic music festival, VELD, family gatherings and Electric Island on Centre Island.

To give you non-EDM folks a brief intro on Veld Music Festival, it’s an annual electronic dance music festival that goes on for two days in Toronto at Downsview Park. Who plays at this thing? Over 30 internationally acclaimed acts that play a spread of different sub-genres of electronic dance music which is also known as EDM, including Armin van Buuren and Calvin Harris. With that many acts going on in just only 2 days, I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy at least one or two acts under the summer sky! One of the biggest reasons why I love outdoor music festivals and it’s totally sweatbox-free if you concert-goers know what I mean!

This has to be my third year in a row going– and I cannot tell you how much you’re missing out on if you don’t end up attending this festival next year. Think of it as the smaller scale and Canadian version of Tomorrowland. Youtube that right now! Just because… us Canadians love to have just as much of a good time if not more than any European! It’s funny how many people I met at the festival who’ve travelled from all over the States as well.

Here’s the odd ball part you might pick at me for.. is that so far for every year I’ve attended, I’ve gotten lost. Not because I was excessively inebriated or anything. Most likely because of my petite 5’0 frame sifting through the sea of about 30,000 people. In a matter of minutes, I ended up meeting so many amazing people in the process. Call it ‘because you’re an introvert and you can talk my way into a friendship in less than 5 seconds.’ but I’m reassuring you that you’re bound to make some lovely friendships with people all around with the music in the air! VELD is just one of those events you should probably attend at least once if you’re living in Ontario or just stopping by just to experience one of Toronto’s most live nightlife events and enhance your summer by just doing so, even if you don’t really listen to the music. It’s all about the experience! The extra exciting part for this year…. Armin van Buuren played. And for me, that’s hitting a soft spot I have for trance music. Props to anyone who went to his show in May 2013! On Day 1 / Saturday: Those that played alongside the king of trance (AvB) included Ingrosso, Bingo Players and W&W. For Day 2, the likes of Tommy Trash, ZEDD and Calvin Harris joined in to celebrate the last day of the Canadian festival.

I’d like to also thank my buddy Jamie Phongphilack, for everything! From capturing the highlights to making my weekend productive and great. Kept my outfit pretty simple with the white shirt contrasting the shorts. (Sorry Neon Bros and Gals!) Thankfully I didn’t get rained on! I advise anyone new attending a music festival to dress super comfortable and probably not in white since you might mysteriously get coloured paint on from some ambiguous party-goer. Flat shoes are a must! The kind you might want to throw away after! Wish I had brought a chambray for after the festival since the temperature dropped– You know when you’re in Canada when it’s cold in August, right? Or the fact it hailed the day before the music event. Overall, I got to see Armin van Buuren again and Maya Jane Coles on Monday. x

Photography by Jamie Phongphilack

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Eyelet Crush

Anthropologie Star Map Rancher Hat
Emily Woudenberg WWW Stud Earrings c/o E. Woudenberg
Anice Sterling Stamped Initial Pendant Necklace
Ann Taylor Eyelet Shell Shirt
J. Crew White Toothpick Denim Jeans
Aldo White Ankle Strap Heels
Vintage Coach Cross Body

 Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!
Especially to the lovely lady who gives me her unconditional love and care everyday since birth, which I call my mom. Today, I witness her reject gifted flowers, fancy festivities and cake for long and early hours of charitable work, peace and helping others. While working with her today, I got to see my mom care for others, aside from her own. Viewed as most purest-hearted human in my life, I give all my love to her!  And not just today. My outfit is also inspired by her ultra-feminine and light style since she has a mild obsession with dainty, white and detailed pieces.
Photos: Cindy Nguyen

*Small note–Just wanted to let you folks know that I don’t have a weird obsession with touching my new hat! Haha. I had to hold onto it since it was so windy outside.

xx


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