Paris Neon

Camera died pretty soon after we arrived in Paris on Wednesday morning. Never in my life did I think that iPhone photos would be able to be the sole focus of a blog post but c'est la vie. Didn't even instagram this shit because I thought my wicked phone skillz with a z was enough.

Classic mirror in hotel room photo to try to show off my new brogues from Fratelli Rossetti. Mass asked why I bought Italian in France...good question, no answer. The Euro has been in the shitter so that's why? Paired with J Crew cords, Acne belt, Giordano shirt, La Fayette brand sweater (bought that day because it was flippin' freezing out). All this photo craziness happened in the worst hotel ever, Kube hotel. Design hotel meets extreme disfunctionality. This pic was taken in the bathroom beside the open shower (where Jo was showering...just kidding).

All week Jo and I had been digging the neon. Trying our luck to find the proper neon that was bright enough to blind. We made out somewhat successful from American Apparel nail varnish. These bad boys make appearances all over Paris. Pic taken at Les Cocottes. I literally go to the same restos in Paris time and time again. I'm damn loyal.

Met up 1/2 an hour late with friends for a 7 courser and proceeded to have the most interesting conversations about crime and Cordon Bleu in Paris. We love that everyone in Paris automatically thinks they're foodies. What is a foodie anyway? You love food? Don't we all love food? I mean I love to live and food keeps me alive...therefore I must be a foodie. Whatevs.

Told ya it wouldn't be the last. This time taken when food was done! Another fav of mine, Le Loir dans la Theiere. Seriously, saying that in french makes me sound like I'm not from Canada. And that I didn't take a WHOLE freaking year EXTRA of french then the mandatory OSSD requirement. I'm THAT good, yo.

What's Paris, without a little bit of tourism. *spirit fingers*

Yup, our hotel hallway. Didn't I tell you it was lame super rad?

Saving the best for last. I'm Chinese (in case you haven't noticed), with parents and family from HK and raised in Richmond Hill/Markham (which if you're from Toronto, you KNOW that's C-town central), and I thought Shang Palace at the Shangri-La was the most awesome-est deliciousness you will ever taste in your life. Convinced you of my credibility, didn't I? "She's from Richmond Hill, the equivalent of China!". Well don't take my word for it, just check it out. Party in my mouth, and everyone's invited (get your head outta the gutta).

fall in summer

Breaking out a fall item in the middle of summer in Paris. Fall is definitely my favourite fashion season and the f/w collections of 2011/12 have not let me down. Most notable are the chunky turtlenecks seen in Celine's et al runway collections. Paired with a pegged trouser and pointy kitten heels would make for a killer (and warm!) outfit.



My above sweater from See by Chloe will inevitably turn into my go-to chunky knit for time to come. Perfect combination of poncho/sweater/all around goodness.



Sweater by See by Chloe, Trousers by Jill Sander, Shoes by Jimmy Choo, Bag by Prada, Raybans

favourite blazer

It poured when we were in Paris a couple weekends ago. Stupid me forgot my jacket so while walking through Le Marais, we stopped in Kooples to gain some shelter and I found this ahhhhmazing blazer. I wore it immediately and couldn't take it off for dinner at night.



When I first went to Paris I used to love trying the most gastronomical meals but now I prefer eating the way the locals eat. We tried Le Verre Vole, a new concept in Parisian cuisine. Throw some tables and chairs into a wine shop and you've got this popular local joint. We loved it so much, we had two bottles of red that evening.

TO part I

ph by Vic

ph by Nick

BARON Y skirt (posted here), H&M shirt, FENTON necklace, GUCCI shoes

Sincere apologies for neglecting this blog for the past week or so; got caught up with real life! It's not to say that I didn't keep you in mind, I took plenty of pics along the way.

The first night I got back I surprised everyone and myself by staying up past 11pm (4am GMT). One of my most favourite things to do (in life) is get ppl together. I think a nice Chinese dinner always suits perfectly since it comes in a round table form. Post dinner came the soju at Yonge & Finch (secondary K-town in TO) and though I'm not a great drinker, I still had myself a great time. It was probably the company.

Took the occasion to wear my new skirt from Paris and I am still in love with it. It has so much volume without a tulle! These Guccis also made a debut because they were neglected and left at my parents place for the past 8 months. They're happily in London now.

Now that I'm back from hiatus, more to come...I promise. Thanks for the msges/emails! I truly appreciate your concern and feedback.

the day after

BCBG dress, PRADA shoes

The bride and groom held a sweet little brunch for the remaining guests at their quaint French village resort where their wedding was held. A nice breath of fresh air from the city (both London and Paris). Couldn't resist capturing a few pics before we went back.

Dress was bought last summer with my mom and sister on our shopping trip in NY. The victorian neckline speaks for itself and the skirt volume was just an added bonus. Black in the middle of summer has never been so appealing.

Speaking of appealing, I'll be back in my hometown Toronto tmr for a few days. Can't wait to show you pics of where I call home. Have a fabulous weekend.

paris wedding

LISA: ANDY THE-ANH dress, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN lady gres shoes, LOUIS VUITTON african queen purse, VINTAGE bracelet, CARTIER watch

MASS: CUSTOM MADE IN SHANGHAI suit, ETRO tie and pocket square, CAMPANILE shoes

Over the weekend we made a trip to Paris, subsequently followed by a trip to a small town close to Champagne for a wedding. I bought this dress last summer but haven't had a chance to wear it until now. The designer is a well-liked Canadian designer Andy The-Anh based in Montreal. Designs are typically very classic but with a slight edge. One day I will post another dress by him which I think is his signature, gives you curves like you wouldn't believe.

Mass and I rarely, if at all, match for a wedding/any other event that requires us to be semi-formalish. In fact, I think the contrast of his purple based etro tie and my bland yellow go very nicely together. What do you think?

RED meets NEW

BARON Y skirt and jacket, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN fifi pumps

After a frustratingly long eurostar train ride (a guy brought a WW2 bomb onto the train and they had to dismantle it before it could leave) we finally made it back to London early this morning. Pictures and posts to follow from the wedding.

We managed to squeeze in some shopping time. Above are a few of the items we managed to get a hold of, some infamous, some not so much...but equally as beautiful.

I don't own many pairs of Loubous. Though I find the arch of his shoe fabulous, I somehow don't end up buying as much of his stuff as I want to. I dragged Mass to one of his stores on Saturday and got these Fifi's. Been eyeing them for awhile. They're simple, classic, and timeless. Especially the skinny heel and the toe cleavage. Perfection.

Another not so known designer, Baron Y, is a designer we discovered in Le Marais on Sunday. His designs are so unique and one of a kind, it literally flies off shelves (as demonstrated by us clearing out his racks). The above skirt sold me with its volume and chicness. The asymmetrical cut adds so much flare which would match perfectly with a crisp white button up. Mass did the most damage however. He bought the above military/MJ inspired jacket which would look perfect with some bermudas. Not pictured is a pair of trousers he bought that had the most incredible detailing, including ponyhair on the pockets.

What's in the bag?

CURRENT ELLIOT jeans, AA tshirt and sweater, LA FAYETTE in PARIS shoes, LE MARAIS in PARIS scarf, HERMES KELLY purse

I wanted to really accentuate three of my favourite accessories so I put on a very plain outfit and tried to make them pop. I bought the scarf on my most recent trip to Paris and I absolutely adore it. I've somehow just started wearing it like a jacket. It's huge, like a blanket, the colour is fantastic, and it adds that necessary extra when I can't seem to find the right necklace.

The shoes I bought last year on a trip to Paris. Again, the colour is divine. We loved it so much, both my gf and I bought the same pair.

Finally, the bag. During my last trip to Paris I saw this Hermes Kelly in a vintage store (great store btw, will try to get a pic when I'm there this wknd...) and I fell in love with it. I didn't make the purchase then because I thought it was overpriced for some plastic. A few weeks later, my ebay purchase arrived in the mail from Tokyo. From a 1997 Hermes exposition in Japan. Although I won't be wearing it everyday, it's an absolute fantastic collector's piece.

The Art of the Basic

LISA: THE ART OF THE BASIC silk dress from Paris, VINTAGE YSL belt from Paris, MARC JACOB sunnies, DVF wedges, MULBERRY clutch borrowed from Mass, CLUB MONACO gold necklace, KENNETH JAY LANE snake ring

MASS: NICO DI DONNA shirt/pants/belt, LARDINI shoes, GIORGIO ARMANI sunnies, UNITED COLORS OF BENNETTON blazer

I picked up the dress and belt from Paris. The dress shop was this independent shop specializing in silk pieces in their most basic forms. Couldn't go wrong with 75% off. I went to meet one of my good friends to go to Christian Constant's restaurant by the Ecole Militare station. This area was familiar because we stayed there for the week in February. I was early so I wandered around trying to find the amazing food stalls and farmers market we frequented daily last time. I soon became distracted with this small and crammed consignment boutique of Chanels and other various designers.

After trying on at least a dozen belts, I settled on the above piece, simple yet classic. I only wish I had more time in there (they were closing in 10 minutes from the moment I started browsing) and wondered how I could've lived up the road for a week without ever realizing it's location. The store seems cheaper too than most consignment shops in Le Marais, most probably because of its southern location beyond the river. Definitely found themselves a return customer.

Mass and I unintentionally matched that day. However not close to as cute as the Japanese tourists I shot below in Paris.

Oh and in other news: you can now access the italianese simply by writing www.theitalianese.com!

EDIT: Mass started his own cigar blog (he has a slight obsession), check it out! http://www.cigarando.com/