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.

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! >.<

Living out of a Suitcase

Photos taken by Jade Amy Larey.

As some of you may know, I moved apartments temporarily last week right after my trip to Hong Kong, and will be travelling around Asia and Europe before I finally head home to Canada. In other words, I've been living out of a suitcase for the last two weeks, and will continue to do so for the next three. If there's one think I hate about travelling, it's all the packing and unpacking. I packed up the majority of my things and sent them back to Canada with my parents, and left what I would need for my future travels (and probably more). I also forgot about the stuff I needed dry cleaned, so there's even more coming with me to Vietnam than I originally planned for! I'm so last minute, and sometimes it comes to bite me in the butt (I don't even know what I'll be doing in Hanoi yet besides visiting Halong Bay). 

The weather also took a turn here in Korea, and fall suddenly set in. It's sweater weather in the mornings now... and I have... nothing. A lot of beach clothes for Vietnam, but that's about it. Let's just say living out of a suitcase is hard!

Since I refuse to unpack my larger suitcase, these shorts from Romwe have been my go-to for the last couple of weeks. I'm only bringing two pairs of shorts to Vietnam with me – these and a military green pair. Distressed denim works with everything (especially all my off the shoulder tops), so I figured why bring two pairs of denim shorts when one would work. Save space! Not only that, but this pair is the comfiest I own, and are super flattering with the high waist (my legs looks miles longer, but are still stumpy compared to Kendall Jenner T_T).

You may have also noticed I dyed my hair! To be honest, I wasn't going to because even in Korea, it's expensive (but still way cheaper than Calgary), and I was really worried about the results. My small town's salons aren't exactly known for  a good ombre. One of my coteachers recently dyed her hair though, and I thought it looks really good, so I asked her where she went and what the prices were like. I ended up going to LeeChard Pro Hair, and for a whopping 177,000 won, had my hair bleached, dyed, treated and cut. But isn't this rose gold ombre amazing?! LeeChard uses temporary dye, so it won't last long (ie, it was safe if I hated it), and I can redo the pink balayage at home. I loved the rose gold hair trend when I first saw it on the internet, but was too afraid to bleach my hair in order to get it. I might be addicted to it now though.

Top: H&M (similar here)

Shorts: c/o Romwe

Kaftan: Zara (similar here and here)

Sandals: Gmarket (similar here)

On Rotation

All photos taken by Jade Amy Larey

The last two weeks have been a blur, so I'm sorry for the lack of updates. Not only did I spend a week in Hong Kong (stories and pictures to come), but I also played tour guide for my parents who came to visit in Seoul, and had to move out of my apartment (and into my friend's until I actually do leave Korea).

Actually, I'm supposed to be in Paris and London in less than three weeks... and I haven't even looked for a place to stay yet. But hey, the flights and trains are booked. That's a start– right?

Anyways – my trip to Hong Kong was great, and it was fun to see my parents again (when we weren't trying to kill each other that is). Actually, Hong Kong is probably one of the few cites I'd really like to visit again – I had an amazing time there. This Shein off the shoulder top was on rotation amongst all the travelling, as well as while I'm living out of a suitcase, so I'm sure you'll see it often. The best part about it? It doesn't wrinkle (well it does, but only barely)!

Shirt: c/o Shein

Shorts: c/o Romwe

Shoes: Gmarket (similar here)

Purse: Botkier

The Sleeveless Trench

Photos by Jade Larey

So who knew golden light was so difficult to shoot in?! Okay, it's not, or at least it isn't when you have a neutral background. Throw in this lovely cedar backdrop though... and everything is looking very golden...orange. My photoshop skills aren't that great, but a little desaturation helped a lot in restoring a normal look to my skin (and not like I ate too many carrots) while retaining that golden glow. So if you have any tips (whether editing or photographing), let me know.

This has been my go-to Seoul outfit. Layering is always super chic, and this split front top is my favourite layering piece. Add a thin, sleeveless trench, and you have the perfect way to layer in this hot and humid weather. The length is super flattering (read, makes me taller) while remaining thin enough so as not to make it any hotter than it already is. Asia really is like a sauna in the summer - hot and humid - and Korea isn't even the worst for it. I don't know how I'll be able to handle Hong Kong in a couple of few weeks. Maybe splurge and take a taxi everywhere just for the aircon? But then I can't eat as much as I want since I won't be walking for miles... and we all know I'm going for the sole purpose of eating dim sum - mainly egg tarts and egg custard buns. I have a feeling I'll be wearing as little as possible - off the shoulder tops (of course!) and denim cutoffs.

Follow

Long Vest: Forever 21 (similar here)
Top: Asos
Shorts: Forever 21 (similar here)
Shoes: Zara (similar here)
Sunglasses: Gamiss
Purse: Zara (similar here)

Linked up with - The Red Closet Diary - Modest Mom - Style Nudge -

Bare It All

Photos by Katherine Son

Hands up if you like dungarees (me! me! me!). Hands up if you don't like to look like you're teaching kindergarten in them (me! me! me!). I actually bought this dress for the possibility of attending London Fashion Week, as Brexit happened and suddenly the UK became a little bit cheaper. That, and a one way ticket from London to Calgary is currently less than $300 (yay West Jet!). 

Either way, this is the perfect dress for hot and humid Seoul. Monsoon season is upon us, and the humidity is something akin to 100% (I exaggerate, but you get my point). While Seoulites are still barely baring any skin, I'm one to welcome a bit of fashion tape in order to stay cool. Because yes, I currently own a lot of dresses that need to be taped on in order to not have a bit of an accident à la the Super Bowl. I do wear this with a t-shirt most days, as is the trend in Korea. Anything slightly revealing is worn over a tee. Crop top? Worn over a t-shirt. Spaghetti strapped tank top? Worn over a tee. Slip dress? Worn over a tee (okay, that's the trend everywhere right now, not just Korea). I'm currently looking for the perfect pair of white sneakers to really get that Korean street look down with this dress.

Dress: Asos

Shoes: Zara (similar here)

Bag: Botkier (similar here)

Hair pin: Olive Young (similar here)

Follow

Linked up with - Garay Treasures - Style Elixir - The Red Closet Diary -

Simple Is Best

All pictures by Jade Amy Larey

Another day, another off the shoulder top. Sorry, I'm like a broken record. My favourite trend is just on repeat every weekend. I swear I'll wear something different this weekend. Maybe. 

On another note, this navy and white top is a cute addition to my otherwise white blouse collection. It's true, I own a lot of blue and white tops (and dresses), and I guess even with the multitude of options Gamiss gave me, I couldn't help but choose such a classic colour combination. While boyfriend shorts are the easiest way to wear this top (or any other off the shoulder top for that matter), I'm already envisioning it tucked in with some high-waisted skirts for the fall. 

To be honest, I'm not very creative when it comes to styling off the shoulder tops – I love the simplicity of them and don't want to pair them with anything but basics. Any ideas?

These sunglasses are also the bomb. I love the Dior "so real" sunglasses, but can't justify spending nearly $700 on them. Especially when they aren't the most flattering shape I've tried. Enter this $4 pair from Gamiss. The larger size is super flattering on my wide face, amd the metal rim reminds me of the Diors. Win-win.

Top: c/o Gamiss

Sunglasses: c/o Gamiss

Follow

Linked up with - Garay Treasures - Style Elixir - The Red Closet Diary -