Insta-Mondays

Wait for it....it's the 2nd rendition of Instaweek! *round of applause*

This past week was CNY and we celebrated at a Chinese resto (really! we did!). Food was decent, not spectacular but it all comes down to the company anyway. This is me and Jenn (she's been here in London with me since the beginning! Can't believe its almost been 5 years...)

Can't have CNY without a CNY outfit and bbt. Red plaid, red necklace, red socks and of course, red underwear. Awesome. The bbt, on the other hand, was not.

Carrying around a heavy DSLR can be a huge pain sometimes. Lately all my photos have been shot with this Fuji x10. Ultra perfect.

This past weekend my gf and I went to tea to celebrate her birthday (followed by mandatory boozing afterwards). We went to the Hyatt Churchill to try their Sex and the City tea. Kinda cliche but surprisingly those burgers and hot dogs were delish!

Had dinner with gfs on Friday night and saw this beautiful mommy to be. We had to take 3 shots because you could not see she was 7 months pregnant at all!

That's this week's rendition, folks. Stuck on lockdown in the library these days. Hopefully I'll find some mildly entertaining things to take photos of. There may be pictures of my highlighters next week. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Happy Monday!

Trending topic

That's my sister above, right. Some people say we look alike, some not. Whether or not our physical appearances match, there is one thing that we definitely are not identical in: our fashion style. Notwithstanding our 6 year difference, she is much more laid back than I, often wearing simple solid colours. When I was at home, I noticed her Clarks shoes and asked her about them. Apparently in the early 20's world, Clarks are having a major comeback. Clarks, Hush Puppies, Toms etc. These are all solid, sturdy brands that have been around for ages and yet all it takes is for a couple kids in University to start buying them and they become the hottest thing.

I wish THESE were the trend when I was younger...would've been 10x more comfortable than those hideous white platforms from Stitches (remember those?!).

Anyway, back in London I started noticing these shoes on everyone in Shoreditch and got to browsing around online for them. I found a great bargain here on Hush Puppies. £50! (PS. for all you mothers, there are also some good deals on kids shoes on there).

Of course, browsing online isn't the same without reverting back to what you know best. On net-a-porter, while everyone was busy perusing Karl's new collection, I noticed that the Isabel Marant Dicker boots are back in! I tried for months to get my hands on pair with no success.

And while I'm at it, here is my updated list of favourite shoes and their accompanying designers (clicky on their linky!):
Alexander Wang, he who never fails
Jimmy Choo, this unbelievable ICON collection.
Christian Louboutin, the man who made sex on heels.

Happy shoe shopping!

white in winter part 2

Apologies for the slight delay in this post. Like I said 2 days ago, I love white in winter. Whoever created the rule of no white after labour day was, in my opinion, a fool.

Over a weekend of furniture shopping, Mass and I stopped into a little nook in the London Bridge area where he was originally looking for a flat.

Perfect shopping outfit: flat boots, long coat, and a scarf to keep warm while walking over the tower bridge.

Also wanted to show you the incredibly awesome iPhone case my bf got me for Christmas. It adds about 5 pounds to my bag, but totally worth it.

Fratelli Rosetti boots, Ralph Lauren shirt, Guess white jeans, Acne belt, Burberry scarf

white in winter

Big fan of white and tan / brown during winter. More photos from this outfit tomorrow...

This week's Instagram

Laird London Hat. Best hat shop in London.

Giving self / mirror portraits some love.
CA4LA hat, All Saints leather jacket, Alexander Wang vest / boots, harem pants from Rome, Johnstons scarf, cashmere gloves from one of my loves! (oOowee I rhymed), awesome iPhone case from my bf

Presents from Vienna. Eating these chocolates in my Wolford tights...yum yum!

Details details.

Got these trousers tailored by my very trusty tailor in London, Orhan. Genius with all my clothes.
Filippo Catarzi hat, See by Chloe jumper, Wilfred coat, Brooks Brothers trousers, Cesare Paciotti brogues, gloves from Intermix, and awesome socks

I went back home for the hols with 3 pairs of gloves (I love winter accessories) and came back with 6. WOOHOO!

Stay tuned for next week's installation of Instaaagraaam!

Familiar?!

My sister sent me this photo of Penelope Cruz in London wearing the scarf I have been raving about here

She probably bought it at the exact same place as I did. The girl's got good taste ;)

Via Just Jared

Classics

A VERY MCQUEEN HALLOWEEN - ALEXANDER MCQUEEN - A/W11 SCARF COLLECTION from BABETTE PAUTHIER on Vimeo.

I know there's nothing new about the Alexander McQueen skull scarf, it seems everyone including 'non-fashionistas' know and wear it. But, the above vid really accentuates the artistic dimension that went into its creation.

As you know, I am pretty simple when it comes to my style. I like sticking to neutral but accentuate with accessories and I will only spend money where I feel there is value for time to come. Pieces like the Alexander McQueen skull scarf has the best of both worlds: classic and value.

With so many brands knocking it off (like this one from Topshop, there is no doubt that buying the real thing will last you a fashion lifetime.

Admittedly, I bought a knock off Alexander McQueen skull box clutch from Topshop last year and have worn it once. There's something about fakes that make you forget you have them in your closet. You can buy your real scarf here or I have found some better deals on places like ebay and gumtree.

How do you wear your skull scarf?

Happy browsing!

Engagement Dinner

Greatest friends on Earth

The Ing Women


BFFs

My extended fam

As a final entry to my holiday excerpts, I wanted to show you a dinner my fabulous friends threw for us.

We chose a Chinese resto not too far from my parents house for our 10 course meal which was enjoyed thoroughly amongst some of the best friends I have in this world, missing only a few. It's funny because in London, if I tried to arrange a dinner for 2 weeks time inviting 24 people, it would be next to impossible to have everyone attend. But when your friends love you and have your best interests at heart, everyone is in attendance.

My wedding won't be for another year and a half or so, but these amazing people definitely helped me kick off the planning in good spirits. A very big thank you to my sister, Jody and Kenneth for organising everything.

I read something online the other day that goes something like, 'with true friends, you never have to try to be in their lives.' You just are. Thank you everyone.

Zara dress, Miu Miu glitter pumps, Portobello earrings

With a flowered floor started the runway which is romantic and quite sexual. the beginning was with taillers and skirts with different cuts, they are beige and then the runway change for white dresses made by crossing ribbons with a transparent fabric on the top. later it started show dresses with V-neck made by satin. Up to that time it hadn’t showed prints on the show, but in this collection there are two pieces with flower petals prints, and there are a lot of ribbons making the bodies of the dresses. He finished the show with black dresses with V-neck.

Riverstone has launched their new arrivals of lookbook winter collection 2012 for men and women.This is a latest casual wear collection of winter wear dresses for men 2012 by Riverstone.It is a very famous fashion brand in Pakistan which is well known among young generation because of latest and trendy garments to accessories by Riverstone.This winter collection 2012 by Riverstone has consists of jeans, tee-shirts, jackets, shoes and sweaters for men.Riverstone this casual wear collection has included total western clothes perfect for winter season.

Read more: Riverstone Spring Men Lookbook Collection 2012 http://www.friendsmania.net/forum/boy-men-fashion-dresses-pakistan/157499.htm#ixzz1jYOwLtLK

Why no Shanghai?

Why no Shanghai?

For anyone wondering why there isn’t a Shanghai hat, Atlanta-born Koch explained that they “didn’t find a perfect icon of a disappearing city memory that would work together with a hat” for the city.

And if she were going to design one, she would probably choose the buildings along the Bund to represent Shanghai. (Maybe these Shanghai scenes can serve as better inspirations?)

All hats will tour to InterContinental’s 22 hotels throughout China from November for display in the lobbies. The group is looking at putting them up for online auction afterwards.

There’s something bewitching about Fuyuko Matsui. I mean that in both senses of the word.

Yes, she’s rather too beautiful and her art is strangely mesmerizing, but, more than this, she actually seems to have some occult power to interfere with electronic equipment. Arriving at her Tokyo gallery to interview her about her latest exhibition at the Yokohama Museum of Art, my main camera goes on the blink, only to completely recover after I return home.

You may well be thinking, “Idiot! He forgot to charge the battery,” but there’s no way I’d forget that with the prospect of shooting someone as appealing as Ms. Matsui. Indeed, I even brought a back up camera, which luckily was unaffected by whatever dark spell it is that she emits.

NYE 2012

Don't you find it funny that everyone always complains that NYE is so overrated then when it comes down to the day they frantically try to find something to do or their social life will come to an end? We kept it pretty minimal this year too. Went for a dinner at Splendido with close friends and ended up counting down with the restaurant staff.

Had the most awkwardly fantastic time with the literal street randoms at our hotel lobby party. I swear, the stranger people are, the more I gravitate towards them. Ended the night off with my sis coming to join us in what seemed to be the hotel party floor. At least that's the vibe the weed gave off.

Started thinking about what I was going to wear the day of. My sis was trying to convince me that the skirt was too big, probably so she could wear it instead. Who doesn't love a leather skirt? In an almost all Canadian born outfit, isn't life sweet?

Artizia (yes, AGAIN!) sequin top, Danier leather skirt, Theysken Theory boots, Portobello earrings

Christmas recap

My sis took a couple photos for me on Christmas day. Our mom and dad didn't seem to want to eat lunch with us (mom was napping and dad was busy playing was his new ipad) so we trekked off to Starbucks - somewhere we seem to go every year. Then we pick up all the friends we've invited to come along for our big family dinner (I swear every year we bring more and more friends...I say the more the merrier).

We eat, talk, open presents (tradition goes youngest to oldest, one present at a time), and at the end we engage in a long battle of wrapping paper fights. Don't know how this one began, but I do believe it gets more painful every time (perhaps due the increasing scale of Muscles United - see photo above). I wouldn't trade our family traditions for anything.

Wilfred coat, COS sweater, Current Elliot jeans, Theysken's Theory boots, Hermes belt, Johnston's scarf

Holiday Parties

Forgot about these photos we had taken at an annual holiday party in London with some of our friends at the Savile Club. Always nice to get a group of people together, dress em up, and have a nice meal.

This Giambattista Valli dress / top thing has been more versatile than one would've imagined looking at it! Especially to my conservative mother who was already questioning its usage when we bought it together.

I love a good pant suit when everyone else is in dresses. Exudes just the right amount of confidence. Mental note: need to get myself more pant suits.

Giambattista Valli top, Jill Sander trousers, Kurt Geiger pumps, BCBG necklaces

Holidays 2011

I took a huge hiatus from blogging over the holiday season to actually enjoy my time at home and spend time with important people in my life. It was the first time seeing my close friends and family since I got engaged so it was a thrilling time.

I have tons of photos accumulated over the past couple weeks and most of them are of me and the people in my life, rather than strict outfit posts. But, as we discussed previously, this blogosphere of mine has turned into more of a diary of the things I love rather than a documentation of my closet. So for those who are interested, here we go.

Above photos were taken on Christmas eve at my Aunt J's house. It is almost an exact science how we spend our Christmases together. Every 24th is spent there and the 25th is spent in rotation amongst the rest of the relatives. I'd like to say that we have a lot of traditions and though we don't spend a great deal of time together during the year (me especially being in London) we fully make up for it during the holidays.

When I'm around my family I become a bit of a nerd / loser. My jokes are super lame and cheesy and much like my father, I get loud and very sarcastic. They're all used to it by now.

I made my younger cousin flex in a pose with me above because I truly believe he has the biggest asian guy muscles. I even coined a team name for us, 'Muscles United'. Do you see why I'm the team representative? :)