Pinch of Chic
outfit

Elegant Entrance

To point out at the title of this post…I thought it was quite fitting considering I went to brunch looking like this. Wouldn’t tone it down one bit either! #girlboss #alittlebitlame

Le Chateau Double Weave Notch Collar Wrap Coat
Anthropologie Laced Funnelneck Pullover
Urban Outfitters Porter Slouchy Ankle Pants
Zara Leather High Heels (Similar here + here)

Special thanks to Le Chateau for the coat.
/ Check out below for similar options!

Sometimes….Actually most of my evenings.. I find myself spending a lot of time in bed after work. Whether it’s laying on my side scouring Instagram and the interweb for relevant and irrelevant reads on my phone or other than editing… sitting hunch-back hamster-style in my blanket while hovering over my laptop doing the same thing.

I spend a lot of time doing researching and compiling countless mood boards…kickstarting my wonderful budding ideas, planning shoots, feeling out my creative industry and seeing who’s doing what, how they’re doing it and how can I get there in a similar way. I ask myself: ‘How can I fuel this burning desire for creative and success?’ Because how I see it… comparison is the death of creativity and passion. There are times where you really drown in the body of great work accomplished by others— that you forget where you left off. At that moment, you really need to check up on yourself. When you’re halfway through an idea or production of a project, you might find yourself tired or distracted when you view other work that doesn’t belong to you. This is where I try to steer my headspace and ask myself ‘why are you doing this?’ Because no entrepreneur doesn’t feel this way.

Other questions I have the tendency of asking myself are ‘How do I become better blogger? Or a better photographer and UX designer? Or better yet… entrepreneur?’ ‘How can I quantify social interaction other than using online analytics tools?‘

For one… blogging was never glorified before. The fine arts wasn’t as valued as studying medicine or engineering. Today, becoming a successful blogger is much more accessible and easier to get into the tech and fashion industry as long as you can carry the weight of social under your belt. With third party platforms which connect influencers to readers or brands to influencers, or the mere objective to grow a successful following on Instagram rather than your blog, it makes more challenging for others to favour you. What a f*cking mountain to climb, eh? This kind of line of work is competitive and expensive but it also should be truthful. Our job is to make it look glamorous but in reality it’s actually a ton of work… don’t forget the emotionally draining aspect when you’re doing most of the labour.

You have to love your work and the craft that you do to be able to fully complete anything— may it be thoughts, award-winning ideas, or the making of a project. Much like having a relationship with your craft. In this case it would be photography, design, creative directing and writing. When you’re pushing yourself to understand why you’re doing this, you’ll eventually arrive at the peak of creativity and the need of why. These reasons become your supportive rationale. When you choose to push yourself to think about why you are doing that, you arrive back to creativity. You should fuel your curiosity. With that in mind, it’ll eventually push you to practice and reach out. Remember how happy you are when you have fun and the progression you develop. For me, I try to be extremely cautious about how frequently I complain. This usually happens when I’m by myself rather than with others. Reality is, you will miss your weekends and evenings because it’s not just a part-time endeavour. If anything, your creative work is practically integrated in your life. In the choices you make when you dress up, the places you go, the nice furniture you pick up for your home or even the kind of food you want to eat while considering how aesthetic would it look under the iPhone camera. I live in abundance with ample of inspiration and triggers around me; therefore in retrospect, I should never feel sorry about myself.

‘Does the value of your self-worth and happiness spill from your job?’ – Susan Hang

Photography by: Artiese Studios

Cool Reads:

30 Under 30: 450 Gamechangers | Forbes
How to Be Powerful, Likeable, and Female | NYMag: The Cut

PS. Happy International Women’s Day! 
Google says: Share your #OneDayIWill to celebrate this day.

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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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Bell Sleeves Gal

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Urban Outfitters Bell Sleeve Top
ASOS Skaters Skirt
MANGO Strap Cord Sandals
Forever21 Brown Cross Body
Thrifted Brown Leather Belt
Goorin Bros. County Line Black Hat

Check out for similar items below!

Hello lovely readers! I see you eyeing at my bag and scratching your heads. Trying to figure out ‘Cynthia got her hands on a Drew bag by Chloe? But how??’ Simple answer. It’s actually Forever21! If you haven’t already seen it on other bloggers then low and behold, this ‘Drew’ inspired bag from Forever21 is only about $30! In three different colours too.

For me buying and wearing affordable pieces is always a good idea when it comes to dressing up for music festivals. When you’re actively smashing into sweaty, incoherent people in the attempt to find space to dance at a festival, It’s good to know your Saint Laurent Lulu bag is safe at home and that you’re just ringing out a F21 bag.. that in my opinion looks just as good! The day which this outfit was taken was for the Bestival Festival in Toronto. While neoprene crop top with crazy cut outs sounds cool and all. I opt for the bell sleeves and skater skirt for a flowy and comfortable feel. The rainy weather actually got me into wearing a lot of black which explains a lot. Fingers crossed for rain-free festival days in Toronto!

What festival will you be attending or have already attended? Would love to see links to those outfits too! 

Photos by Verne Ho.

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Four Monochrome Ways

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Club Monaco Varsity Sweater (Similar here)
Urban Outfitters Mock-Neck Mini Dress
ASOS Midi Front Split Black Pencil Skirt
Thrifted Gold Tipped Leather Handbag
Zara Heels

Shop similar looks down below!

I guess the post should have been called four ways with the mock-neck dress. Oh wells..

Let me tell you, when I say this outfit can be worn 4 ways with the same items– it’s possible.

I started out wearing a mock-neck mini dress as a top piece that gave me a lot of upper coverage paired with a pencil skirt over for a more business appropriate place. A light varsity sweater to cover up the shoulders and take away from the fitted look, as well as go for the casual-relaxed look. Keeping in tune with this dark ensemble, I tossed on some minimal black heels.

From here and on… my outfit gets a wee bit outside my comfort zone, since I don’t normally like to prance around the public wearing skin tight clothing while baring my arms and legs. Surprisingly, not once did I go into a secluded area to change either. So call me bold..since I really just went for it and simply slipped off my pencil skirt in public. Something youthful and hilarious about doing that. From there I was ready to go out, with my sweater for coverage of course. I saved both the exposed arms and legs for for the rest of the later evening. Good for a busy Friday right? (I actually kept the skirt and sweater on eventually since the night cooled down and on top I went out for some good o’ Bang Bang Ice Cream) 

Versatility is something I really look at in a piece before buying. Can it be worn day and night? Every season? Every year? How about if I were to put it on top of this current item I already have? You get the gist of it. I’m all about finding items to build outfits on. Hope you get smart with buying your clothes too. Good luck!

Photos by: Arnold Lan

Ever worn a dress as a top underneath? Tell me about it below! x

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Airy and Distressed

OUTFIT DETAILS

Club Monaco Elizabina Silk Top 
Urban Outfitters BDG Slim Boyfriend Jeans
Forever21 Pinstriped Open-Front Blazer
White Leather Snake Embossed Crossbody (Similar here) c/o Therese
Yves Saint Laurent Wrap Strap Wide Heels in Icy (Similar here) via The RealReal

As many of you may have noticed I’m usually caught wearing either semi-formal and conservative pieces. If I’m wearing jeans, they’re often form-fitting and don’t look that worn out.

For me— it was quite the challenge to find a decent pair of boyfriend jeans, let alone a pair with what seems to be the right amount of rips and tears. Took me a couple years really. I found myself going through the GAP, J. Crew, even the thrift stores… contemplating if I should make my own pair. But most of which I found at thrift stores were either too large in length or width. I wanted to find a pair that wasn’t so expensive and that would fit nicely on my petite frame.

I’ve been frequently shopping at Urban Outfitters and saw that they carried a whole bunch of jeans, including boyfriend jeans and distressed ones as well. To own a wear of boyfriend jeans— I guess sacrifices have to made in terms of the unflattering fit around the rear aka no bum look… also known as border-line mom jeans. Right? But here I am today, finally a proud owner of a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans from UO.

On to how I wore out mine…

To maintain out my ultra femme and clean style, I paired my DBJ (distressed boyfriend jeans) with a flowy, white silk top from Club Monaco (in love with the lace up collar) and nude wide heel sandals that have wrap-around straps from Yves Saint Laurent via The RealReal for ONLY $115 which were retail for about $700. New in a box, with tags and dust bag. (SCORE!) I’m a huge fan of wide heels for good support and distant walks. My girlfriend and talented photographer, Therese also allowed me to borrow her adorable snake skin embossed cross body which she got from Asia to continue the light look I got going on. To tie the look altogether and contrast the light palette outfit, I wore my pinstripe navy blazer for a hint of dapper chic.

x

We all have different body shapes, so finding the right pieces to compliment and enhance our bodies is important. There’s no rush in fitting in the latest trends. I felt the same pressure when Zara and GAP started releasing a whole bunch of boyfriend jeans for a hefty $60-80 about one or two years ago. But I was able to hold back for a while and wait until I found a decent pair that as equally flattering and comfortable to wear. x

Speaking of The RealReal… I’d highly suggest anyone who’s interested in finding cost-friendly designer goods to go there. It’s an online consignment platform for all luxurious goods, from handbags, shoes, coats to works of art. Some things are second hand, vintage or even brand new. First timers even get an additional $25 off their first purchase!

Visit the link here!

Photos (Film and Digital) by: Artiese Studios

I want to give a shoutout and huge congratulations to my best buddy and talented photographer Arnold Lan for winning the Jubilee Project Fellowship in L.A and the Dreamjob Photojounalist competition to Norway. You have such a bright future ahead you. Way to go bestie! xo

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