Pinch of Chic
chic eats Toronto

Tinsel Town

creative direction CYNTHIA NGUYEN photography VINCENT KO in collaboration with LIVSSTIL

Happy 2017! It’s another new year and what does that mean?

The whole ‘NEW YEAR, NEW ME’ kind of stuff. Which equals new changes! Good changes? We’ll see.
Here’s to hoping it all works out well of course. With that being said— it was time curate a brief hit list to post on my little o’ blog.

Time is indeed too precious to remain comfortable and not to take some risks. So I made some goals…

Number one— For this particular blog, I wanted to explore and further develop my articles more creativity and editorially.
For that, I had to migrated from different blogging platforms… THOUGHTS???

Number two—  Realized that life is getting way too short for me to stick to basics all the time. Here I am, wearing sparkles from head to toe in broad daylight, out and about eating brunch at La Société on a regular Saturday morning. No, I was not performing a cover of Michael Jackson for Snapchat or Youtube. I decided for myself– I can enjoy a meal in public in a getup like this. Why not. Why shave off your years of youth without making at least a day or two outrageously fun for you and glorious for others to see.

Number three—I told myself to travel at least twice a year. I traveled to Europe for the first time just late last year! Yippee!

Number four— I [just] started working out. Confession, I don’t gym… at all. Only on a few of those blue moon days a year do I suddenly get that spurt of motivation that only lasts for about maybe 2-3 hours. But unfortunately for me… my metabolism HAS slowed down for me in the last year. I saw the shift in my weight, I whined about it for a bit before committing to change my lifestyle with regards to including time to do real fitness and choosing what I eat more mindfully. Next, I need a blender. Fancy shakes and acai bowls, here I come!

Number five— Start posting about interior. And get more furniture. I’ve lived in my home for just over a year now. (My home anniversary was December 14, 2015–YAY! Does such an anniversary exist? Who really knows.) Next thing is to print and frame my work, get a sweet rug and a couple of end tables.

Shop my entire look at LIVSSTIL

Brunch: croque madame, pain au chocolat, buttermilk pankcakes, mille feuille at La Société

rogue bag c/o COACH
oversized jacket in metallic RELIGION
cargo trousers in metallic RELIGION
the progress hat FALLENBROKENSTREET

in this photo
mille feuille La Société

And…..what are all your lovely goals for 2017?
Let me know in the comments below!
+ Happy new year, folks!

chic eats

Black Uniform

Brose Black Satin Tuxedo Blazer
Frank + Oak The Boy Tee c/o
Zara straight leg black trousers
Zara Pointed Toe Loafers
Nordstrom Gold Hoop Drop Earrings

I’ve always been so fond of the tee and suit combination… but for the longest time, I’ve had no success in finding a simple white tee. You know…a tee that has the right arm length for the sleeves, the feel and stretch of the fabric, the kind of flattering scoop neckline.. etc. You know the saying that it’s tough enough to find the right boyfriend? This case is pretty comparable to finding the right shirt to go with your beloved jeans or black straight leg trousers. This issue became so serious that I considered paying a visit to the male section at The Bay to find their pack of 3 white tees in XS for myself.. but would that be appropriate? Can I tear open the package just to try them on? Who really knows.

But fortunate for me and for the rest of you— Frank + Oak has finally launched their very own womenswear line!! The long awaited line of essential apparel for the ladies has now graced Frank + Oak‘s website with awesome sweaters, bags and even body care. Just in time for the holiday shopping!

Photography by Vincent Ko.

chic eats

Fly like Paper

American Apparel lightweight Dylan trench in Paperback
Ecru lab Shakepearean Luv silky button-down cami
Zara white wide leg trousers
Yves Saint Laurant Nude Wrap Ankle Block Heels
Sunglasses (Similar here and here)

Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that I have a brunch addiction. It’s pretty evident and real. And no, I’m not ashamed. Truth is, it’s an actual expense I put aside for…for each and every weekend, if possible. It’s the joyful time I look forward to each weekend while vigorously going over geo-locations and foodie blogger Instagram’s  for enticing food photos.

Had the great pleasure of kicking off my brunch adventures at Bar Reyna on Cumberland St. with Darlene of The New Girl. The space was nothing short when it came to interior and exterior decor and the food itself. Impeccable Greek fries with shaved feta, delicious oysters and tasty shakshuka. (If you’re looking for a good Shakshuka— I recommend the one served at the ONE Hazleton restaurant.) Oh, and a nice glass of mimosa of course. In a extremely odd way— it’s almost therapeutic for me when I’m sitting down and eating brunch…after a long period of shooting the untouched food. Maybe it’s just good food in general moves people like that..  Or maybe I developed this love for food through being raised by a chef as a father and stay-home mom that cooks phenonmenal Vietnamese food. Don’t be jealous! x

All in all— I love brunch. I have a shirt that says it. And no— an all day breakfast wouldn’t count!  

Photography by: Darlene Anderson

chic eats

Evening with La Société

MUSSELS
East coast mussels, fennel, cider, fresh herbs and grilled bread

RUSTIC TERRINE
Venison, pork, mustard and grilled bread

B.C. SALMON
Lentils, apple, spinach and créme fraîche

ROASTED LAMB
Ratatouille, olive, feta, and lamb jus

And of course wine!

Many thanks goes to the staff at La Société,
Andrew, Julia and Justin for the dinner. 
Photography by yours truly

style file

Impeccable Pinstripes

Forever21 Pinstripe Navy Boyfriend Blazer
H&M White Scallop Trim Tank
Urban Outfitters Pinstripe Navy Pants
AMIClubWear Denim Ankle Strap Heels c/o (ONLY $13.50!)
Kindling & Co Baguette Horizontal Rings c/o
Kindling & Co Tiny Initial Dog Tag Necklace c/o

See below for similar options!

Hello loves! It’s been quite a while since I wrote my last blog post. A lot has been going on in my life right now and it has shaped my schedule to be very restricting in terms of making time to write let alone photograph and post on my social media channels.

For the past month or so I’ve entered a new role at my new job. My new workplace has given me exposure to the other side of the city that I normally don’t ever visit because it’s all the way on the east end from where I currently live. This area I’m referring to is called the distillery District. Within this area includes lots of restaurants, stores, bakeshops and cafes. In this post I’m featuring a restaurant called Cluny. Here ordered the lamb veal with gnocchi and garlic bread as well as a burger. I’m honestly such a sucker for French restaurants that not only have decor on point but if food and I mean great food is involved– then it’s a ‘must-go see’ for me.

Can you tell that I’ve been taking most of my time or what time is remaining from my work schedule to eat well. But hey, you only live for so long… why not eat well, dress well and experience what you’d like to experience whether it’s with good company or good alone time with yourself.

I recently picked up called ‘love style life’ by Garance Dore. Within the early pages of her book she writes a snippet –” we want love. We want to feel beautiful. We want to be good friends, good partners, good sisters, the daughters. We want to know how to never buy the wrong pair of shoes again. We want to feel fulfilled but the work that we do whatever that work maybe. Most of all, we want to find our place in this world. And to be very stylish along the way, of course.”

While reading that little tiny snippet in her book, I found myself thinking about how I carry out my life to be this ideal lifestyle for myself or so I’d like to think. I now understand that it’s going to take a lot more than imaginable to reach this ideal life of mine while taking on so many roles as an individual. I also remind myself that there are mistakes to be made and big obstacles to take on which contribute to building a strong character and be one step closer to success.

Photography by: Carlo Calope


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