Thanksgiving in Toronto

Happy Thursday! Christmas is just couple days away! Hope everyone's getting cozy at home.

This is a recap of our recent trip to Toronto during Thansksgiving. We were prepared for the Canadian cold! For those that didn't read my post on my Korea trip, we were mentally and physically not prepared for the freezing weather there and learned the hard way. We knew it could get pretty cold in Canada so I packed a petite friendly hooded down puffer coat from London Fog (it's 40% off right now! Only a few petite sizes left! Link below) and plenty of thick cozy sweaters.

 In Toronto, their Thanksgiving is in October, however the mall was packed when I went during Thanksgiving with many stores having Black Friday deals!

Also, there will be some drool worthy pics of some amazing eats we encountered during our stay, a must try for those foodies visiting Toronto.

Outfit Details:

My favorite all time Canadian brand, Aritzia had a Black Friday sale. With the Canadian dollar conversion rate in favor of the American dollar, I got this grey cashmere wool blend coat (here, it's still on sale right now) at almost 30% off! I wear it almost everyday now. I think it's so important to invest in quality stylish coats that you will wear time and time again.

Spilt Milk and Other Great Gifts for the Holidays

Happy holidays everyone. I love this time of year - even though it tends to get a bit cold. But to offset to dropping temperatures, there's an increase in holiday spirit!

I received this gift box from Spilt Milk and it's amazing! It's like nothing I've seen before and if you have a hard time finding a unique and creative gift for your friends (like me), look no further.

I love the whimsical and fun packaging. I got a really delightful and warm feeling as I was opening the package. My favorite is the Peppermint cookies and Creme Cotton Candy, which I happen to be stuffing my face with as we speak. The Christmas greeting card is hilarious, and I really love the thoughtful touch of adding in an air plant. I've been meaning to get a bonsai tree for a while now, but this air plant is a perfect first step towards developing my green thumb.

I've never received anything as unique as this gift box from Spilt Milk. All of the included products are carefully selected and really play well off each other. Check them out here - last day to order for guaranteed Christmas delivery is December 20th!

Safari Jacket with Cozy Scarf in Napa

Hello everyone! It's been a long time since I've updated. We bought a place and the move has been pretty hectic! It's slowly coming together and I can't wait until we organize and decorate everything.

We also went to Toronto for Thanksgiving, which I will post about in my next post, stay tuned!

Couple of weeks back, I visited Napa to get some last bit of Fall foliage and did a little bit of wine tasting. As it wasn't that cold, I wore a light safari jacket with a scarf. I recently bought high waisted jeans from ASOS and it pairs so well with boots, not to mention it really helps elongating my legs! I wore one of my all time favorite booties, the same I wore to London in this post.

Outfit Details: Zara Safari Jacket in Khaki (here), similar Ann Taylor scarf - currently 50% everything! (here), ASOS petite high waisted jean (here), Biala Ashton Wedge Bootie (sold out, but similar here)

If you've never heard of Rabeanco before, it was founded in Hong Kong and they source their leather from Italy. Their designs are simple yet elegant. It's high quality on a budget. I snatched this crossbody when I visit Hong Kong a couple months ago at almost 30% off! Check it out  here. 

Lazy Chic Sunday

I often find myself running errands or grabbing a quick coffee or boba on Sundays, so I throw on something comfy yet chic. I love wearing UGG boots since they're just so easy to slip in and keeps my feet very warm. Zara makes really stylish coats and even though it fits a bit long on me, it pairs really well with leggings to add length and balance. My favorites are HUE jeggings because they elongate your legs and also fit very comfortably! It really provides the lift you need in the derriere and the legs.

The Zara coat I'm wearing is sold out but there's another one from MANGO that I really like. The UGG classic cardy knit boots are also on sale!

Outfit details:

Cold Shoulder Midi Dress + Lace-up Flats

*Post update* Tory Burch is now having their online private sale up to 70% off, ends 10/21. My all time Kira cross body bag is also on sale, you can see it on me  here and  here

Happy Hump Day everyone! I wanted to share a couple of sales going on right now - Halogen lace-up flats are now on sale with 20% off! (here). They're a comfy chic way to play up any outfit. Also, Shopbop is having their fall event—25% off orders under $500 and 30% off orders over $500—early with code MAINEVENT16. If you're eyeing on that Tory Burch Bag, now is the time to get it! Also Stuart Weitzman OTK boots are on sale as well, good time to grab a pair since they never go on sale. I'm a huge fan of midi skirts and long dresses to provide a touch of elegance. The one I'm wearing I bought on ASOS that's currently sold out, but I found a similar one that I included in my outfit details below for only $30.

Details of my outfit below:

Relaxing Barcelona Style

Although Paris was the highlight of my Europe trip, I'm certainly excited to finally post about Barcelona! Looking back at these pictures make me miss it so much, and after taking this walk down memory lane with me I know you'll want to go right away! This is going to be a lengthy post so I hope it satisfies those who love eye-candy, drool worthy food and pretty buildings (who doesn't?).

Outfit details mentioned in this post: Marciano Floral dress (sold out, similar here, 20% off with code FALLFAVES), Wilfred maxi skirt from Aritzia (here), BCBGMaxazria hat (similar here), similar H&M maxi dress on sale now for $15! (here), Rebecca Minkoff sandals - on sale! (here), Soludos Striped Espadrille flats (here), Nordstrom Street Level cross body tote (here)

Overlooking downtown Barcelona on the top of La Pedrera. I must say this is one of my favorite works of Antoni Gaudi. I admire the beautiful irregularities and feel it's one of his most imaginative buildings ever.

Fall into Floral

I love wrapping myself in a wool coat that keeps me warm but still allows me to feel the cool breeze swoosh through my body. Even though the temperatures have started to drop, I haven't entirely stored all my summer clothes away. Wearing a halter top floral jumpsuit in the Fall with a warm coat is the perfect ensemble to enjoy the warmth during the day and bundle up at night. Especially with the unexpected winds in San Francisco, a coat is a must!

I splurged on my wool coat that I purchased at  Aritzia (the Babaton Howell coat in Camel) and it's been my go-to ever since! It was also my staple coat for my trip to Japan ( Kyoto and  Osaka). I also found an affordable alternative wool coat from Missguided that I really like! Here's a breakdown of my outfit below:

My Go-To Casual Outfit

Happy Friday! The weather has cooled down again since last week - it started with high 80s but has now dipped to the low 60s. However, San Francisco bay area is known for it's Indian summers so I hope it warms up a tad bit. It was nice having warm weather, since it made me feel like I'm on summer vacation again.

I want to share one of my go-to casual outfits that I often wear on vacation, but most importantly I also want to share more eye candy of my Paris trip! If you haven't noticed by now, I wear a lot of maxi dresses. I wear them all the time as casual outfits because they are casual chic with a touch of elegance. Check out some of my other posts to find out where you can get budget friendly maxi dresses here and here!

Shop my outfit:

Elegant Black Maxi at Eiffel Tower

Happy first day of Autumn! With the transition into Fall, it got a little bit colder these past couple couple of days around San Francisco and I definitely felt the cool Autumn breeze. It's supposed to get warm again this weekend though, so I hope everyone avoids getting sick with the sudden temperature fluctuation!

In continuation of my trip to France, I wanted to let everyone know that the black maxi dress I wore to the Eiffel Tower is now on sale at Banana Republic with extra 40% off (here)! Also, the Rebecca Minkoff sandals I wore are now on sale, although in a different color (the color I'm wearing is butterscotch). For those who are traveling to warmer places in the winter, these are very comfy and stylish sandals to walk in. They'll also come in handy when Summer rolls around next year!

Outfit: Banana Republic Petite black maxi dress on sale extra 40% off! (here), Rebecca Minkoff gladiator sandals now on sale! (here), Brixton hat (here)

Chic Romper at Palace of Versailles

Outfit: LOFT off the shoulder black Romper ( here), Soludos Espadrille flats ( here), Brixton Joanna hat ( here), Street Style Shoulder Bag ( here)

Welcome to French royalty! Originally built by Louis XIII as a hunting lodge (as mentioned before, the French LOVE their hunting), it was later enlarged by Louis XIV into a royal palace to be a "showcase" of France. The magnificent garden was my favorite as it was beautifully maintained and I was glad there weren't any restrictions in roaming around because that's exactly what I did! I wore my Soludos espadrille flats again (I wore it on heavy rotation throughout my trip) and a chic modern black romper to offset the French classic architecture. It was a really sunny day and as there were a lot of grounds to cover, so my Brixton Joanna hat came handy to keep my face protected.

Fairytale Loire Valley - Baby Blue Midi Skirt

Outfit: Topshop Midi Skirt (here), Soludos Sandals (here), Ann Taylor cardigan (similar here, extra 40% off), H&M T-shirt (here), Street Level Beige Tote (here)

When I think of fairytales, castles definitely come to mind. A couple weeks ago we went to the Loire Valley, located in central France, and toured Chateau de Chambord and Chateau de Cheverny. They were both breathtaking and felt like I was in a fairytale myself! To dress the part, I wanted something flowy and pastel and this baby blue midi skirt did just the trick (I think I was trying to go for a modern day Cinderella). My princess sandals gave a feminine touch as it wrapped around my ankles, and it was also very comfortable to walk in!

Beating the Miami Heat

How is everyone?? These past couple of weeks have been quite busy with work and travel. We just came back from our Europe trip which I can't wait to show all our amazing pictures! Before our Europe trip we went on a short weekend trip to Miami. Couple years ago when I went, I also brought the same hat with me. I guess this hat is just so chic yet suitable for a city by the beach like Miami.

Outfit: BCBG Maxazria hat (similar  here), Wilfred Shield Skirt ( here), Topshop OTS blouse ( here)

Petite Friendly Maxi Dresses

Outfit: Cotton On Maxi (different designs here), Sam Edelman sandals (Sold out, but similar ones here only $29.99!)

I've been asked a few times where I get my maxi dresses that fit a petite frame, and actually Cotton On has been my go-to for most of them. Their maxi dresses don't sweep the floor, they're durable, and it's effortless chic. The length is perfect for my 5'2" frame - it shows off my sandals and I don't have to worry about the ends getting dirty since it doesn't touch the floor. It's also an amazing value for only $34.95, and with some designs going for as low as $15! It's a great staple for your wardrobe especially for the summer months. I also found a petite friendly maxi from Abercrombie that I wore to my trip to Napa in this post.

Summer Espadrille Flats

Tory Burch - Tivoli (sold out at Tory Burch but still 30% off), Color Block and Positano Lace-up, Vince Camuto - Delina

Extra 30% on sale items at Tory Burch with code EXTRA30! Lately I've been obsessed with espadrille flats - it's the it-shoe of the summer that gives a tomboy chic look. The jute material is very breathable and helps keep your feet cool. I purchased the Tory Burch Tivoli flat (upper left corner) and it's been my daily go-to for most of my outfits lately. I also purchased the Tory Burch Color Block flats and can't wait to play up my summer outfits with them. The Tory Burch flats ran a bit wide on the sides, but generally are quite true to size (I went with a 5.5 and they fit perfectly).

Another one of my favorites is the Vince Camuto Delina, the laser cut leather gives it a unique texture while it's simple yet chic. The current price is a steal at Neiman Marcus Last Call! 

Off the shoulder top with distressed shorts

Outfit: J. Crew Off the shoulder top ( here), Balenciaga shoulder bag, Topshop distressed jean shorts (similar  here)

Summer is finally here! Our trip to Singapore was nothing short of amazing food and plenty of sunshine. It was pretty humid and we got lucky we didn't get any rain while we visited. I couldn't wait to finally wear summer clothes, especially my off the shoulder top which is a popular summer favorite for everyone. I paired it with a pair of distressed jeans to offset the feminine top for a pop of edge.

Cropped White Blouse + Long Skirt

Cropped blouses and off the shoulder tops are really popular around this season. It's definitely a staple for any girl's wardrobe. I'm usually shy about showing too much skin especially my stomach, but this long skirt has such a beautiful silhouette with an elegant drape and flattering stretch, it paired well with my cropped top for a flirty and fun look. I really like the slit up the side, which ramps up the sex appeal. Summer's just around the corner and can't wait to soak up the sun and bring out the dresses!

Outfit: Topshop cropped blouse (similar one here), Aritzia Long Skirt (similar here), Tory Burch Kira Quilted Clutch (here)

Black Striped Dress in Meadowood

A couple of weekends ago, we went to wine country and indulged our inner foodies at The Restaurant at Meadowood. We expected nothing short of culinary amazingness and were surely blown away!

It was chilly and gloomy that evening with a light drizzle, but I ended up wearing a striped midi dress that was perfect for this elegant restaurant. The length of the dress was just right and I didn't feel cold wearing it, despite the chilly weather. I also brought along my all time favorite - my black curly wool jacket from Banana Republic. It never fails me if I want to add a pop and timeless style to any outfit. I also wore it in this post to dress up my plaid shirt. I've also wore this striped skirt from Modcloth to my trip to New York when we went to Per Se.

Outfit: YSL Medium Cabas Tote (here),  Modcloth Stripe It Lucky Skirt (here), ASOS Lace up heels (similar here), Banana Republic Wool Jacket (sold out but I really like this similar Grey boucle Moto Jacket from Forever 21 here)

Floral Maxi Dress with Lace

Outfit: Topshop Floral Maxi Dress (similar here), Banana Republic Wedge Heels (similar here), Marina Sequin Lace Crop Top (here)

Cozy Stroll

These couple of weeks have been hectic with moving and work. I'm really sad to be moving out of the city, away from the beautiful view of the bay bridge, will miss the scenic walks along the Embarcadero and being where all the action is. However, I'll be closer to work and maybe we'll move back to the city in the near future, who knows :) 

Spring is officially here! I love pastel colors and florals, it's my all time favorite design pattern that will never go out of style. Unfortunately, I've been behind on the floral trend that's been popping up everywhere. It's still quite cold to me and haven't had the chance to bring my floral rompers and dresses out. I've been wearing this cozy flurry Uniqlo jacket I bought awhile back on heavy rotation. It gives a playful look which I pair with high knee boots for some sophistication.

Outfit: Uniqlo Jacket (similar here), Corso Como Laura Boots ( here), HUE leggings (similar  here), YSL Cabas Tote ( here)

Sophisticated Plaid

Outfit: Abercrombie Plaid Shirt (similar here), Saint Laurent Cabas Medium Tote (here), Zara Distressed jeans (similar here), Vince Camuto Kain Pumps (here) and Accessory Concierge bracelet (current one sold out but I really like their selections here)

Last Bit of Winter

Outfit: Sorel Winter Fancy Lace Boots (on sale here!), H&M coat (similar here), Zara Pink sweater (I really like this similar one here),Banana Republic skinny jeans (on sale here!), Ann Taylor scarf (similar on sale here!)

Valentine's Getaway to London

Outfit: Uniqlo Wool Coat (similar here),  Banana Republic Skinny Ankle Jean (on sale here!) Tory Burch Kira Shoulder Bag (here), Biala Ashton booties (on sale here!), Banana Republic Grey Turtleneck (here), Sunglasses (similar here)

Taking Warby Parker for a Spin

The weather in San Francisco this past weekend was amazing! You wouldn't believe it's winter with the sun on full blast. It was also Super Bowl 50 this weekend, bringing hoards of people and endless events to the city. Since it was so sunny, I figured it was a great time to try out some new sunglasses!

I love a pair of well designed sunglasses that fit perfectly on my face. After having my fair share of no-brand fast fashion sunglasses to high end expensive ones, I was excited to go check out Warby Parker while looking for my next pair of sunglasses. I must say they have an array of designs with high quality craftsmanship that won't break the bank.

Outfit: Zara boho short sleeve top (similar here), ASOS lace up pointed heels (here), Zara ripped jeans (here) and Warby Parker Winston (here),  Accessory Concierge bracelet (here) and Bauble Bar ring (here)

Sunny and Windy in Osaka

It was a bright sunny yet windy day in Osaka. After almost a week in Japan, you'd think my body's immune system would get used to the sharp winds. However, being outside for 10+ hours a day constantly, and having to wake up early, I grew physically tired. When we reached inside the Osaka Castle, I literally passed out on a bench on the 5th floor, ha. I would of slept more, but I didn't let my fatigue get in the way of my exploring!

I bought a really warm and snug fit turtle neck sweater from Abercrombie couple months back during their Black Friday sale. I've certainly outgrown this brand, it brings back memories of my college days. But over the years their style has certainly matured and couldn't pass up on an amazing sale. As if it's not an eyesore by now, I've been wearing my Aritzia camel coat on most of the days in Japan. Since I packed light, this was one of my preferred options.

Outfit: Abercrombie & Fitch Turtleneck Sweater (similar  here), Babton Camel Coat from Aritzia ( here), HUE Grey Jean Leggings ( here), Corso Como OTK boots ( here)

Tranquil Kyoto Part 2

Outfit: Zara Burgundy Jeans (here & mentioned here), Sam Edelman Petty Booties (here), Babaton Camel Coat from Aritzia (here), BEAMS Grey Hat (similar here) 

Tranquil Kyoto Part 1

I truly miss the tranquility in Kyoto. With the frequent hustle and bustle of city life, we sometimes forget the serenity and beauty of wildlife. No matter how stressed, worn out or unhappy, we should always find time to visit mother nature. Out of all the cities we visited in Japan, I must say I enjoyed Kyoto the most. It's just that peacefulness you get walking through the untouched parts of town or around the corner you can find a tree lined stairs leading to a shrine or around another corner you find a calm pond with a little bridge.

It was slightly raining and a bit cloudy but not enough to cause a fuss. Thankfully it wasn't too cold that day so I went with my classic wool peacoat that I splurged on from Aritzia. I know in a previous post I mentioned to buy a size up for layering. However, I felt since Japan wouldn't be too cold and I would mostly be wearing the coat in San Francisco, I didn't have to bundle up like a snowman! I can really enjoy the slim silhouette of the coat.

   

Outfit: Babaton Camel Coat from Aritzia (here), Uniqlo jeans (here), Ann Taylor scarf (similar here), Sam Edelman Petty booties (here)

Fuzzy Feeding Frenzy in Nara

Outfit: Aritzia by Sunday Best Mortimer Coat (Currently on sale here, but oak color sold out), HUE maroon leggings (similar here) and Corso Como OTK boots (here)

As you'll see in many upcoming posts, I've been wearing my Corso Como over the knee boots on heavy rotation during my Japan trip. It has the perfect combination of style and comfort!

A Warm Winter in Taipei

Happy belated new years! This is a long overdue post. 2015 went by so fast, I really don't remember what I did, but I guess that's what happens when you're busy and time just slips by. Most importantly, it was another year filled with lots of happiness, unforgettable moments, and loved ones being healthy. I spent the holidays traveling to Taiwan and Japan. I rung in the new years at Tokyo Tower, expecting for at least a countdown, but I'll leave that story for another post!

We first headed off to Taipei where we stayed for 4 days. On our first day there we ate 4 meals before noon! I haven't eaten so much in a long time that my stomach was getting a bit aggravated. Nonetheless just thinking about the delicious food we ate, I regret nothing and would do it again in a heartbeat.

The weather was unexpectedly hot and I didn't bring enough summer clothes. There were days that rained which got humid and then one day the weather got to 80 degrees, with the sun on full blast, it definitely wasn't winter.

Outfit: Ann Taylor sweater, H&M jacket (similar here), HUE leggings and Corso Como OTK boots (here)