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.

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.

24 Hours in Seattle - A Mini Travel Guide

Seattle is probably one of my favorite cities... to eat in. While I mostly focus on the food (seriously, it's so good, I don't even remember to take photos of it - I just dig in), I do like to explore and try a new thing or two each trip. I've been on underground tours, and seen the Space Needle; explored Pike Place Market and visited the original Starbucks (and the much newer Reserve Roastery). Here's some of my must visits when you're only in the city for a day.

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.

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.

Seoul Fashion Week S/S 2017 - Ti:baeg

Can a dress be anymore perfect? 

Ti:baeg impressed at Seoul Fashion Week with it's feminine style, inspired streetwear, and traditional inspirations. I might need to make a trip to Doota for their upcoming spring collection - because this dress is the definition of perfection.

Common Ground

Photos by Katherine Son

Does anyone else think they move at the most inopportune times? It seems that now that I've resettled again, I've been asked to numerous events in my previous abodes. I guess I'll just reminisce instead... and maybe mope a little.

I went back to Korea in January to meet some friends, and while there was an unfortunate mishap for most of my pictures, at least my friend and I were able to shoot in the oh so instagrammable Common Ground. I swear, this is my shopping heaven – Korean designers, whole sale retailers, and restaurants alike set up shop in these bright blue cargo boxes. While I knew about this since I originally left for Korea back in 2015, I never actually made it there. What can I say, I'm lazy, and Common Ground is a bit out of the way being by Konkuk University. And, needless to say, I am so full of regret. There were so many cute and unique styles, with much better quality (and a better price) than most of the offers in Myeongdong or Hongdae. I'm always late to party. 

I was also invited back to Seoul Fashion Week, unfortunately, with the start of a new job (and just having spent a ton there two months ago), I couldn't make it this year. Hopefully they'll remember me next year. Or for fall. 

The pains of moving, right?

Sweater: Community

Skirt: Mango (similar here)

Boots: Call It Spring (similar here)

Purse: Zara (similar here, Fendi Monster (ie. the reason I bought this))

Linked up with -  The Pleated Poppy -

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.

Primary

All photos by Stephanie Ling

Three weeks of travelling the world and another two of travelling around my own city to visit friends and family, and I'm finally back to blogging. Happy Thanksgiving by the way! My family decided to visit my grandparents and aunts in Winnipeg... where you can order an entire roast pig for dinner. Needless to say we did. And we'll be eating leftovers for the next couple of months. Such is Thanksgiving, right? I don't know what's more interesting – roast pork or a week spent in London and Paris?

So London was amazing... -ly cold. When I packed my bags in Korea, Europe was having a heatwave... Vietnam was having a heatwave... Korea was having a heatwave. So I packed two pairs of pants (because my menopausal mom is the only one who doesn't always freeze on long haul flights), and a lot of skirts, dresses, and my favourite off the shoulder blouses. And two days before I left Korea, winter decided it was going to come. And I froze. And had to buy a sweater. The European heatwave died the day I arrived in Paris, and I froze, despite said new sweater. I'm actually really surprised I didn't end up with more than a sore throat upon arriving back home... because it's freezing here! Where is the beautiful fall weather I remember?! Winter is coming, and probably earlier than I'd like.

Either way, I forwent the sweaters in London while my friend and I grabbed afternoon tea and wandered around Soho and Covent Garden. I opted for this heavy knit halter and widelegged pants, which were surprisingly warm while walking around. And the colours are pretty visible when you haven't seen each other in a year, are in the crowd of people snapping the palace guards, and have no way to communicate once you leave your hostels. All the carbs from tea may have also helped keep me warm. The resulting sweaty mess I become is my excuse for eating more, because obviously you sweat when you work out and are burning calories, therefore, by eating carbs and sweating, eating carbs must burn calories. Does anyone else get carb sweats instead of meat sweats? Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, Chloe is definitely cheaper in Paris than Canada, hence the new arm candy.

Top: Aritzia (similar here)

Pants: Aritzia (similar here)

Shoes: Zara (similar here)

Purse: Chloe

Rings: Seoul's gold markets (similar here)

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 -