4 Outfits to Get You Through Any Holiday Party

As the holidays approach, I've been slowly piecing together the looks that I'll be wearing for each holiday party, from the casual get togethers to the office Christmas parties and the more formal get-togethers I make family and friends put on so I have an excuse to actually dress up.

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). 

Seoul Fashion Week S/S 2017 - Backstage Moments with Gayeon Lee

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show does not show how hectic backstage is at a fashion show is. I mean it does, but it's a whole 'nother beast in person.

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 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! >.<

Maison on Granville

Photos by my Dad!<3

MLM LABEL DRESS | KEDS SNEAKERS | CELINE PURSE | H&M SUNGLASSES

In celebration of Father's Day, I present to you the photos I forced my dad to take during a family trip to Vancouver. He's gotten to be quite good under my tutelage! But seriously, after I returned from Korea (and realizing how much easier it is to have another person take photos of my for Instagram or the blog instead of a tripod and remote), my dad has become my go to photographer. I think he may have hated it/me at first, because I'd constantly yell at him to squat in order to make me look taller (tricks of the trade, I tell ya). Or I'd complain about his composition. But seriously, he's okay now! Even with a few months break, he still remembers how I like my photos taken. Happy Father's Day!!!! Love you Dad!

Millennial Pink

Photos by Piotr Filipek

ARITZIA DRESS | ASOS SHIRT (old) | CALL IT SPRING BOOTS | ZARA PURSE (old) | DANIEL WELLINGTON WATCH

Spring is one of my favorite seasons, especially when there's all sorts of different flowering trees, as I'm sure you know given how much I talk about cherry blossom season in Vancouver, and previously Korea. And what's more perfect for spring than blush hues?! Although apparently, we no longer call it "blush" or even "rose quartz." Yes, it has a new name. "Millennial Pink."

What does everyone think of that name? On one hand, I don't think a single shade could better describe a generation than "millennial pink." I remember when it first became a popular color for men to wear when I was in junior high (more than a decade ago!). And it made its return as Pantone's color of the year in 2016. It's a shade that's just forever in our hearts, so while I dislike the name and negative connotations associated with the term "millennial," I can't help but embrace "millennial pink."

As an added side, you can get 10% off your Daniel Wellington purchase with the code CASUALNCOUTURE!

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 -