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). 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photos by Michael Chan Photography

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Nothing is more suited for the romantic hallmark holiday than a beautiful dress, and I've been wanting this Self Portrait piece for awhile now.  

Self Portrait is known for their feminine designs and quality guipure lace, and I've been obsessed since I first saw them on a few of the girls at Seoul Fashion Week last March. I was so excited to finally be able to try them on at Holt Renfrew when I got back to Canada! Of course, given the design and price, I needed an occasion to be able to actually warrant buying it, and my friend's upcoming wedding gave me such an excuse. 

While I'll be wearing this dress during their nuptials later this year,  I figured I'd style it for the winter temperature, as well as a bit of fancy weekend wear (because who doesn't love getting dressed up for Galentine's Day brunch?). Layering dresses over turtlenecks (and pants if you're really brave!) has been the trend du jour for the past few fall and winter seasons. And with the camisole style bodice, this dress makes for easy layering. A leather jacket is another easy way to make such a feminine, formal piece more suitable for everyday wear. And you just look way more badass, which is obviously a plus.

To be honest, I tried to make a video of a few different ways to style this dress (because it is super versatile, even though it doesn't look it at first glance), but that didn't work out as well as I hoped. When I'm finally able to get a good filming setup, I'll definitely make one though! In the mean time, I'll just have to show you via pictures throughout the year.

Top: Zara (similar here)
Dress: Self Portrait
Purse: Chloe
Shoes: Steve Madden (similar here)
Jacket: Danier (similar here)

Linked up with - Walking in Memphis in High Heels -

Top 5 Tips for Styling an Oversized Jacket

Photos by Christopher Yoon

Trying to channel my inner Olsen twin all bundled up for winter. This outfit is the result of Boxing Day sales and a lovely gift from my sister. I saw this jacket at H&M a few months ago, and decided my search for the perfect wool, camel jacket was over. But I looked at the price tag and balked – $99.00?! My experience with H&M jackets hasn't been the best, and because this wool is pretty loosely knit, I was worried it would pill too fast to make it worth it. (I'm lazy and hate dealing with pilling, and then the jacket is tossed to the back of my closet to be mourned next season.) So I put it down and walked away, set on a more fitted, 4x the price coat from Club Monaco. 

Of course that didn't happen either, and with a friend insisting we go Boxing Day shopping, I dropped by H&M again. And lo and behold – one oversized, camel cocoon jacket in my size. I snatched it up, along with a pink, wool jacket (also the last one in the store), and my winter closet was complete. 

I posted this look on Instagram the other day, and a friend asked me if I had any tips for styling oversized jackets. Now that story time is over, read on to know how not to drown in the oh so trendy cocoon coat.

What are your favourite tips for styling an oversized jacket? Let me know in the comments!

Coat: H&M (sold out, similar here and here)

Jeans: 7 For All Mankind
Scarf: H&M

Sunglasses: Quay Australia

Boots: Zara (similar here)

Purse: Chloe  

1. Watch for bulk

One of the number one worries about wearing oversized anything is looking bulky. Layering too many thick fabrics together, or just wearing the wrong chunky sweater under a now too tight jacket is a recipe for disaster.

The easiest way to escape this is to not layer. But where's the fun in that? The amount of layers and what you can wear under a cocoon jacket is of course dependant on your jacket. You won't be able to wear as much under something more fitted. This particular jacket has drop shoulders, so chunky sweaters aren't a problem. If the oversized jacket is more tailored in the shoulder, you won't be able to wear as many thick layers.

As long as your shoulders and sleeves fit well, layer as much as you want. As soon as they start to feel tight and/or have limited movement, you'll need to wear something else under neath. Too tight shoulders = a bulky, ill-fitted mess.

2. Oversize everything

This tip is a little trick, but it'll create a really cohesive look.

With an oversized jacket, wear your favourite boyfriend jeans (I chose my baggiest – these 7 From All Mankind Josefinas), an oversized scarf, chunky sweater, or even oversized aviators. Ultra chic streetstyle, no?

3. Wear heels

Worried about looking short and squat in oversized clothing? The simplest solution is to wear a pair of heels.

Shoes are the one thing I don't recommend going oversized on while wearing boyfriend jeans and a cocoon coat. You want the heels to be elongating, and ultimately slimming, and a platform sole isn't going to do the trick. A slightly chunky heel like these sock boots is both trendy and slimming. Bonus points if you go for a pointed toe.

4. Add some height

While accessories can make or break an outfit, so can your hair.

To add extra height and help balance out the width of an outfit, tying your hair up can be a godsend. A topknot or ponytail are easy to do (especially if you're like me and fail at even the most basic of hair tutorials) and will give the illusion of looking taller. Oh, and it's the poor man's way of creating a mini face lift, creating definition and making the focus on your face, not how many layers of clothes you've piled on to beat the snowpocolypse.

5. Pay attention to length and never forget about the tailor

Where the hem of a jacket or shirt or sweater hits is important. That line can crop off unwanted weight, accentuate a waist, or make you look taller. This is different for everyone and different heights, torso length, and inseams is not something the fashion industry tends to account for. Especially fast fashion. For longer jackets (and even dresses), I find just above the knee to be the most flattering length universally. If the jacket or dress is longer, the hem should hit somewhere lower than the widest part of your calf.

But as I said, fashion retailers don't take everyone's body into account, so what's a girl to do? Take it to the tailor. A good tailor will not only hem your jacket, but can also suggest further adjustments (such as added darts for shape) to make sure the coat is perfectly fitted and flattering for you.

Linked up with - The Red Closet Diary - Fashion Should Be Fun - A Pocket Full of Polka Dots -

The Pleated Midi

Question: are you a mini or maxi girl? Or a midi girl?

 With winter coming, I've been slowly adding layers and length to my outfits. Cue the pleated midi skirt. Nothing I would have worn even a few months ago, but this gorgeous pink satin caught my eye on Asos. Sadly, I decided that since it "wasn't my style" and I was going to wait for a decent discount before buying it... and it sold out a few days later. 

Let's just say I learnt my lesson, and once my size came back in stock (ie. someone returned it) I immediately picked it up (I use Shoptagr for back in stock and sale alerts). It's even prettier in person! The colour is unique, and goes well with my currently blush filled wardrobe. Because on Wednesdays we wear pink, and obviously every other day.

Needless to say, the pleated midi skirt is my new obsession. It's super versatile, and the perfect transitional item in any wardrobe. Get grungy with some studded boots (Chloe anyone?) or elegant with a pair of heels and a blouse. And it shows off my shoes! How can you not love the midi trend?

Speaking of trends, pleated skirts seem to be on the up and up again. To be honest, they normally remind me of my old Japanese school uniform (since I did take a semester in Sapporo back in high school, and my skirt was just a grey, pleated midi skirt). But this season, it's all about luxe fabrics and colours, and the pleated skirt has been taken to a new level in velvets, satins, and metallic foils. The midi skirt doesn't get any better than 2016.

Since I was going to Banff for the Santa Parade, I layered some Uniqlo Heat Tech under this Aritzia sweater and brought out the faux furs. A faux fur jacket is a surprisingly warm option for cold weather, especially with some heat tech underneath. Add a pair of tights and over the knee boots (because trust me, they do work under midi skirts and dresses, despite what my own initial thoughts were) to make sure your legs are warm, and head out into the snow!

Jacket: Forever21 (similar here)

Sweater: Aritzia

Skirt: Asos (sold out, similar here)

Boots: Call It Spring

Linked up with - Elegance and Mommyhood - Posh Classy Mom - Michelle's Paige - The Red Closet Diary - Walking in Memphis in High Heels - Sydney Fashion Hunter -

5 Things to do in London.... and one thing not to do

A long time coming, I finally have a mini travel guide to London! Or at least my favourite things to do in London. Also, look at how pretty this post is. It maybe have taken a full week (over the course of a few months, because seriously, it took two days just to figure out how to make a text box) to figure out the coding, but it was well worth it, don't you think? Either way, let me know what your favourite things to do in London are? Or any misses? WestJet seems to be having seat sales there every fall, so you can bet I'll be going again (maybe I'll even make it to London Fashion Week this time). KLM is also having a flight sale to Amsterdam right now... I'm so tempted.

1. GO TO AFTERNOON TEA

Quintessentially British, afternoon tea is not to be missed in London. There's a ton of options at varying price points, so don't worry if you're on a budget. My friend and I went to Muriel's Kitchen, which was a reasonable 17 pounds for a ton of food. Go on an empty stomach, trust me, you'll need all the room you can get.

For lighter fair, try cream tea (it's usually just scones, clotted cream, and tea – but that's all you need in life!).

2. SEE THE HORSE GUARD

Forget the Foot Guard and their marching – go see the Horse Guards! Every morning there's a changing of the guards at the Horse Guards Parade (11:00 am).

When we went, there were only two foot guards at Buckingham Palace, but after an hour of searching for each other and snapping pictures of said guards, we were surprised by the mini parade. It starts at Whitehall, but goes all the way to Palace (not that that's very far).

3. LOOK AT SOME MUMMIES...

And see what Cleopatra really looked like! Just kidding, the British Museum only houses the mummy of Cleopatra of Thebes, not the famous Eyptian queen.

The British Museum is free to get into, and has exhibits for everyone's interests. I went for solely for the mummies (anyone else facing their childhood fears in 2016?), but there's so many exhibits that caught my eye and resulted in me spending the better part of the day there (and I didn't even come close to seeing them all!). Bonus, there's free wifi, so you can try and catch a Mr. Mime while catching up on Instagram.

4. SHOP ALONG OXFORD STREET

Oxford Street was definitely one of my favourite haunts during my first trip. It was easily walkable from King's Cross Station (about 40 minutes) and has the biggest Topshop I know of. There's half of a floor dedicated to shoes, and another half for repurposed vintage items. Definitely not something you want to miss!

A new find was & Other Stories, a brand I've only heard of through the European bloggers I read. I quickly fell in love with their store and minimalistic designs. Please come to Canada!

5. GET LOST

London is a beautiful city, and there's no better way to explore a new place than to get lost... or at least walk everywhere now that Google Maps works offline. I stayed close to King's Cross, which allowed me walk nearly everywhere I wanted to go within an hour. I also chose to take a different route every time, despite usually ending up at Oxford St. or Soho.

You'll be surprised at what you find – like the Horse Guard, Platform 9/4, or a theatre showing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I'm a fangirl, I know.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Whatever you do, don't eat the croissants! They're not croissants, I swear. I don't know what they are, but they are not croissants (or my favourite, croissants au beurre). Trust me, you're better off booking a Eurostar ticket into Paris, the boulangeries are worth it if you want a good croissant (and good coffee). Stick with the scones and tea in London.

It's Sale Season! How to Shop Without Going Broke

It's sale season, and we all know what that means: impulse buying and clothing that will be worn once then forgotten about at the bottom of the laundry basket. Or is that just me? To be honest, I don't usually forget my new purchases for at least a few months (because I love them so much I'll wear them over and over for two or three months and then never want to see them again). I do tend to buy things I don't need (love, but don't need), whether it's a repeat in my closet (because I love it so much!) or just something I can't wear in my daily life (hi there bare shoulders – scandalous in Korea, frozen in Canada). So here are my top five tips to shop sale season without causing your wallet to cry... as much.

1. Budget

A good budget is key – if you’re like me, you like to buy things “just because they’re on sale.” A bit of self awareness will prevent a lot of impulse buys and wasted money. And don’t forget to stop once you reach it (or return things and try again).

2. Cash

I prefer to take out a set amount of cash to spend – it feels so much more like spending compared to swiping my credit card (especially compared to online shopping, I mean am I really spending anything by clicking a button and not having anything immediate to show for it?). I loathe handing over cash, because i can physically see my money leave my bank account.

3. Make a list

Is there anything you need or are specifically looking for? Basics are always great to stock up on during a sale, but if you already have ten white tees, do you really need another just because of a sale? Take note of what you have and what you need, as well as what you want. Personally, I love sales to buy trendier pieces to try out. Most trends will stay around a year or so, so even though I’ve stocked up on off the shoulder blouses and dresses, I’m sure I’ll be able to wear them next summer as well (but we’ll see come September when the SS17 shows start).

4. Size 

Never compromise on size! You won’t wear something if it doesn’t fit you right (especially if you’re looking at shoes). If you can, always try it on before buying – the size might be off, or maybe it’s just one of those pieces that looks better on the rack.

5. Love it

You should love what you’re buying. A good question to ask yourself is whether you would buy it at full price. It’s great when a deal comes along, but if you don’t love it,  chances are it’ll end up forgotten at the bottom of your drawer after a few wears. Sale pieces can add up quickly, so always take a moment to reflect on how much you love what’s in your cart. 

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Black, White and Grey

Photos by Michael Masulli

You know you have an addiction when you're almost entirely in Asos. It’s one of my favourite stores to shop (online) at normally, and it’s really the only place I’ve been shopping at in Korea (besides checking out Zara when I go to Seoul). 

Anyways, I’ve been on the lookout for the perfect grey sweater, and I think I finally found one during Asos’ boxing week sales. Originally, I fell in love with a grey mohair one by H&M (the one I swear everyone on Instagram has), but I was unable to find it in Korea (I did find the black version though, I’m just not the biggest fan of black). When I saw this on the Asos website, I had to have it. It’s not nearly as thick as the H&M version, but I’ll be able to wear it even in the summer, so I can’t really complain (especially as I’ve kind of sort of acclimated to Korea’s cold in the last week). 

Speaking about the cold, I’ll be off to Japan this week, and Taiwan the week after! It’s actually quite inconvenient as I’ll have to dress for two different climates. Japan’s weather should be similar to Korea’s, but Taipei has been ranging from 15-20ºC lately. In other words, not only do I need to pack winter clothing, but I’ll also need summer clothing. And I’m only brining a carry-on backpack. Time to exercise my packing skills and hope Tokyo and Kyoto aren’t too snowy. Any share worthy packing tips for me?

Sweater: Only

Shirt: Asos

Pants: JBrand 

Boots: Aldo (similar here)

Layer up

I've discovered the secret to keeping warm in Korea. 

Layer up, and layer lots (more than you think!). Seriously though, I end up wearing four layers (not including a jacket) if I really want to stay warm (bonus, four layers means I don't even really need a jacket). Light layers is the way to go so that nothing is bulky - everything underneath my sweater is super thin cotton or viscose. Looser clothing also works better at retaining the heat. A cotton tank, viscose blouse, long vest and a sweater to top it all off. On colder days, tights or leggings underneath jeans is a must as well. 

While, I've had to wear leggings under jeans before in Canada, I've never really used more than two layers on my upper body. I recently had an open class though, and in the midst of  my "I need to dress professionally but my school is an icebox" dilemma at 6 am, I decided to freeze and throw on my go-to business outfit with a tank underneath, as the blouse is a bit low-cut for Korean standards. Given the 0 degree mornings, I decided a could easily throw on my favourite sweater and just take it off when the time came for open class. At least I'd be a little warmer. And you know what, I wasn't a little warmer. I was a lot warmer. Like, no jacket needed in the icebox warm.

The combination only seems to work with the added blazer - I don't stay warm with just a blouse and sweater. The great thing is, the blazer just peaks out of my sweater to give a nice bit of colour. Longer vests or even chiffon trenches are also great to layer underneath sweaters as I'm finding out. They look great, and go with the loose, flowing aesthetic I seem to love so much. Now, to pick some up in every colour.

Sweater: Zara (similar here)

Vest: Forever21

Boyfriend Jeans: Gap

Purse: Botkier

Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (old, similar here)