The Most Instagrammable Spots in Victoria

When visiting any city, I'm immediately on the hunt for the most Instagram worthy spots. It's the trend, what can I say.

That's not to say that that's my sole point for travelling - any traveller worth his or her salt knows you travel for the sake of traveling, not for the sake of the gram. But sometimes we just want a beautiful memory, and the beautiful shot to prove it. They say those of us obsessed with taking photographs are everything are really just afraid of losing those moments to time.

How to Wear Fall 2018 Trends

While winter has worked its way to the rest of Canada, it hasn't quite hit the West Coast yet (thankfully). I've put together my favorite fall trends that I'll be carrying into winter with me.

Summer Lookbook at Van Dusen Gardens

ZARA Dress | URBAN OUTFITTERS hat |  ROJU STORE purse

You can probably tell my favourite way to accessorize my outfit is with... a floral backdrop, as seen in many of my Instagram photos.

This started in the spring, where I'd randomly see beautiful bushes in bloom. It's probably the only reason I've fallen in love with Vancouver. Yes, there's mountains and an ocean, but nothing beats the amount of flowers blooming in the spring and summer. And ever since, I've been trying to take my photos in front of one of these bushes.

The Best Spots for Cherry Blossom Photos in Vancouver

BERSHKA TOP | BP. SKIRT | ZARA SANDALS | CULT GAIA PURSE


You know spring is finally here when the cherry blossoms start to bloom in Vancouver. They're our first signs that the rain is nearly at an end, and we have sunny days for the next couple of months.

Despite the cold spells (read snow) and rain storms (read wilted and rotting flowers), I've managed to find some of the best spots for all your cherry blossom photo dreams.

What to Wear This Valentine's Day

ZARA SWEATER | ZARA SKIRT | H&M HAT | MEJURI EARRINGS | BLONDO BOOTS | ZARA BUCKET BAG 

Happy Valentine's Day! To celebrate, the boy and I will be spending the day at the Vancouver Aquarium, and the weekend at the new Takashi Murakami exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

As we'll be walking a lot, I chose something comfortable (thick-heeled boots are a godsend), and of course, pink and red for those Valentine's Day feels.

5 Things to Do in Seoul If You've Done It All

When you visit a country for the fourth time, especially if you've lived there for a period of time, it's hard not to fall into old habits – staying in with friends and ordering takeout, going to you usual haunts, or just running all your errands (and by errands, I mean shopping to restock on makeup and skincare). 

Trend: The Denim Skirt

OAK + FORT TOP | ZARA SKIRT | CALL IT SPRING BOOTS | ZARA BUCKET BAG 

As the fall weather rolls in, I find my style changing from flowing bohemian, to something a little edgier. This season's biggest trends are checked blazers, and the baker hat... and while I do own one of the two, that post won't come for awhile. In the mean time, I'm stilling rocking summer's hottest trend: the denim skirt. Okay, I shouldn't say "still." Last weekend was the only weekend I wore one, having just bought my first in the beginning of September!

Dressed For the Beach

ASOS DRESS | HM SHIRT (old) | ZARA PURSE (old) | GENTLE MONSTER SUNGLASSES

A more modest take on this otherwise very revealing dress. I seem to have a thing for needing to tape my clothes down, but layering a basic tee underneath is the easiest way to fix that problem. But is is really a problem? This dungaree dress is the perfect piece for the beach, especially with the weather getting cooler. Who says you can't get dressed up for the beach?

The Little White Dress

FREE PEOPLE DRESS

I've had a slight obsession with the beach since freezing in Korea last year. I was in complete and utter denial there, and kept buying the beachiest, warm weather clothes I could... it didn't matter that it was -10ºC with 60% humidity (that's cold, even for a Calgarian!)! I've been taking advantage of the beaches here in Vancouver this summer, stocking up on new bathing suits (still obsessed with white one pieces), and new dresses.

This little white number has my two favourite style elements – a cold shoulder and a low back. I swear, if I ever get married, my dress will be backless! I love the surprise when you turn around... you can probably tell from my Seoul Fashion Week outfit last year and my recent art gallery outfit that this is an on-going thing for me. I actually really regret not getting my highschool grad dress with a low back (I had tried on a burnt orange halter neck gown with a plunging back) and instead opted for a BCBG cocktail dress instead, because then "I could wear it again." Guess what, it hasn't seen the light of day since. And it cost more than the gown! Oh well! For now, I'll keep on stocking up on all the backless tops and dresses. Let me know if you find anything good!

A plunging back is my favourite way to show skin.

FREE PEOPLE DRESS

The Open Back

Photos by Stephanie Ling

FREE PEOPLE TOP | AMERICAN EAGLE SHORTS | ALDO SHOES | CHLOE PURSE | MONKI SUNGLASSES

I'm lucky to have friends who are as into visiting art galleries and museums as I am. Even luckier because they're usually willing to take a few photos too (in all fairness, if they want photos, they know I'm always willing to take some as well). I think I changed outfits nearly five times when my friend and I decided last minute to check out the Vancouver Art Gallery! It was one of the first hot days of the season, so I wanted something cool and breezy, but not too casual. Silk tops are my preferred choice, and this Free People top is perfect with it's open back. I should probably go braless next time though....

Maybe next time I'll be staring at more than a blank wall! >.<

Dress Over Pants

All photos by Michael Chan Photography

KOREAN SHIRT | ARITZIA DRESS | ZARA PANTS | ZARA BOOTS | CHLOE PURSE

Since moving to Vancouver, I've rediscovered my two favorite things about the city. Food, and cherry blossoms.

One of these days, I'll put together a best Vancouver eats guide (because someone spent way more than her allotted budget eating out last month – what's wrong with me?! I spent my money on restaurants and not shoes!), but then again, I said I'd do the same for Korea... and that's still in the works. Yes, I am a procrastinator, what can I say. And forgetful to boot. Such is adult life – it's not different than high school (ha! I wish)!

Speaking of procrastinating, apparently I've procrastinated on the 90s. I've never been one to layer a dress over jeans (and trust me, I remember when that was a thing when I was in junior high), but this slip is so versatile, and it was so chilly outside taking these pictures, that I couldn't help it. Turns out, kick flare denim is the perfect pair of jeans to layer under a dress.

I've been loving my kick flare jeans this spring (seriously, I only wear these and a pair of black skinnies nowadays). I feel like they instantly add a focal point for any outfit, without detracting from it or making a statement. Plus I feel super French chic in them.

A Cozy Sweater

H&M SWEATER | UNIQLO TURTLENECK | ASOS SKIRT | ZARA BOOTS | ZARA PURSE

The last of the snow pictures. One must admit, these can't help but make me feel a little bit nostalgic. I'm pretty sick of all the rain in Vancouver (hereby known as Raincouver).

Lucky for me, Korea and Calgary taught me how to layer for the weirdly cold, rainy weather. My favorite way? Layering a light top under a thicker sweater. If in Calgary, be warned – you're gonna need two light tops under that sweater... and a jacket on top. While there's no snow in Vancouver, this outfit's been on rotation nearly every weekend. The pleated midi skirt is fun to run around the city in, and works well to tuck a thick sweater in. If it gets too warm during the day, I just take the sweater off to reveal a white t-shirt, or this thin turtleneck. Et voila! – no jacket needed. (Bonus points if you brought a giant tote to store your sweater!)

H&M SWEATER
UNIQLO TURTLENECK 
ASOS SKIRT
ZARA BOOTS 
 ZARA PURSE

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The Slip

All photos take by Hartej Virdi

ARITZIA TURTLENECK | ARITZIA SLIP DRESS | ZARA JACKET | CALL IT SPRING BOOTS | ZARA PURSE

The search is over! I've finally found my perfect slip... after more than a year of searching. Seriously, the slip dress trend started all the way back in 2014, and after much resistance (who else is always super resistant to trends... until they start to die out?), finally became obsessed around the end of 2015. My obsession was taken to a new level when I saw a crushed velvet, rust colored slip on Pinterest last fall. I immediately put my search for a black slip with lace trim on hold, for a rust colored one (preferably in velvet, as I must grasp at the last vestiges of the 90s trend I succumbed to so late in the game).

Evidently, I didn't find one in velvet (or I did, but it fit terribly and clung to all the wrong spots, as is wont with velvet). A random look through the last of Aritzia's end of season sale, brought me to the new season's styles though, and I left with far too much. Obviously I deserved it all.

...Pairing an oversized, masculine coat works to tone down the feminine slip. Layer over a turtle neck for extra warmth.

Linked up with -  The Pleated Poppy -