Pinch of Chic
style file

Crazy for Love

Free People’s Crazy for Love Dress
Gap White Button Down Dress Shirt
Anice Stamped Initial Pendant Necklace
Danier White Leather Clutch
Vintage Gold Seiko Watch
Zara Black Thin Strap Ankle Sandel Heels

This was probably the last day that felt like summer before the cool Autumn winds blew in.
Time to crank out the trench and leather jackets. PS. Happy Belated Birthday Nancy! 

In other news, I shall present to you tricks and tips and mostly links to spruce up your wardrobe at a cost effective amount. For this #OOTD, I wore it to work and out afterwards (I’m lucky to have a flexible dress code at work– creative departments ftw!). It’s great for the beaches, light to travel with, you can definitely dress it up or make it a casual outfit for afternoon crepes and coffee in Kensington. I haven’t owned such an intricate piece until I grabbed this dress from Free People. For most of you that know, Free People is very expensive. I managed to grabbed this dress 1/5th of the cost (The regular price was about $200 or more…not including shipping, duties and taxes…ouch).

“But you can get this look for EVEN LESS with FREE SHIPPING. “

Found an item you love but it’s not fitting your budget? Always check other different online platforms– type in key words describing your item. Check sale sections of site with similar items, Ebay, SheInside, etc. Usually the website are American and haven’t updated the markdowns yet. I find that in-stores have their items marked down further and always check what the promotion is. 50% off Sale Merch?—That sounds better! I always tell myself…if it’s meant to be…it’ll come to you…at a reasonable cost. Always check if it’s a versatile and timeless piece. Can you wear it next year? Will it be out of trend? And last tip… look at the price. If it’s $30…can you wear it at least 30 times? Would your younger sister or friends borrow it? Counting the amount of wear vs. the price might give you a better idea of the value and worth of the item before getting it.

Photos: Nikki Tingson

style file

Back to Monochrome

H&M White Sleeveless Top
Winner’s Black and White Midi Skirt
GAP Gingham Navy and White Button-Down Shirt
L.A.M.B White and Black Jazmyn Heels
Anice Stamped Initial Pendant Necklace
Lacoste Concept Black Tote Bag
Fossil Rose Gold Boyfriend Watch
RETROSUPERFUTURE Lucia Black Sunglasses

Finally! It’s the weekend! I thought it would be cool to share three great things on my list that I’d like to get through the this weekend:

1.) Get a bike for myself to transport myself around Toronto,
as well as exercise and ride around High Park!!
2.) Go to Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery and get that crazy waffle cone ice cream in the Ossington Strip. Maybe sneak a macaron ice cream sandwiches or two…to share of course.
3.) Go to Taste of the Danforth, eat some more. And enter myself into the
‘Win a trip to Greece’ contest…and cross my fingers and toes!
4.) Perhaps ease my obsession with Bauble Bar and go ahead
and purchase a pair of their super adorable belly-ring-inspired earrings.
5.) Get back into painting and post more on this blog! 

Shout out and thanks to my girlfriend Nikki for playing photographer for me! And having the same love for food…ice cream in particular, unnecessary love for fashion and other knick knacks. Check out her on instagram for her latest and awesome looks! Expect a blog soon…I’m pushing her to do it, don’t worry! xx

Photos: Nikki Tingson

event

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

GET THE LOOK:

style file

Fringed Darling

Ann Taylor Striped Fringe Top
J.Crew Matelasse Drop-Waist Skirt
L.A.M.B White and Black Jazmyn Heels
J. Crew Panama Hat (Similar Here)
J.Crew Stud Earrings
Anice Stamped Initial Pendant Necklace
Danier White Leather Clutch 

Happy Sunday Everyone! As July is coming near to an end, I’ve probably done the most planning I’ve ever put myself through in a while in pursuit of making the rest of my summer more memorable than the last. More of which probably won’t begin until the new year. Other than planning outdoor festivities, patio dates and picnics– I’ve opt. for planning out more future design projects to work on. The last two weeks have been terribly nerve wrecking, stressful and somewhat daunting for me, as I had been accepted and planned to move out of Toronto to work abroad for one of my most admired studios. But as time passed, it turned out that home needed me more than I had wanted to chase after another ambitious wish. Keeping a balance between family and work is one thing, but when family calls– home is where it’s at.

I found myself pinching my arm and telling myself that moving forward and planning against my obstacles was the solution. We do what we can and I believe that working hard towards it always works out, one way or another. I’ll eventually get back to accomplishing my wish next time– most likely when I’m a better version of my current self. Until next time!

Hope everyone’s enjoying every second of their summer!

Photos: Max Kandler

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outfit

Cerulean Walls

Zara Blue Oversized Button-Down Tunic
H&M Brown Faux Leather Skinny Belt
J.Crew Friendship Bracelet
J.Crew Jade Etta Pumps
Fossil Rose Gold Boyfriend Watch
Danier Leather Red Cross Body (Tucked as a Clutch)

Happy Saturday Everyone! Throw back of my outfit from my trip to San Francisco. Sometimes a simple tunic with a skinny belt does the trick for early mornings when you don’t feel like putting in so much effort in what you’re wearing– especially for those lazy and indulge-in-breakfast days. You can pull out more of the tunic around the belt for some extra room after you’ve eaten and still look put together! I realized I’m wearing RBG colours…get it? #insertsdesignjoke Shout out to my stylish and ice cream-lovin’ girlfriend Nikki, since it’s her birthday today!
Photos: Max Kandler

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