OUTFIT DU JOUR - As bright as a lantern

If you are like me and somewhat superstitious, a bright new outfit for chinese new year is a must for fortune and prosperity.  Most people wear red, gold and anything shinny (diamonds preferably), but I opted for a dark fuschia cashmere sweater dress.  Doesn't it remind you of a big fat chinese lantern?  Exactly what I was going for...Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

Dress - Design History; Scarf - Hermes; Earrings - Kate Spade; Boots - Hermes

BANG BANG!

Bang Bang!  I cut my hair!  Correction: my dear friend Xavier cut my hair.  And I love it!!!  Gave my boring straight hair a side-swept bang, some texture and lots and lots of volume! 

Do you lik-e too?

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Out for coffee

It was -18°C (-26°C with the wind factor) and we ran out of milk for my morning latte!!  Out of all days, I would have happily stayed home instead of venturing out in the cold.  Well, once out, might as well make the most out of it: a triple grande latte, choco chunk cookie and movie ticket please!

Coat - D&G; Jeans - Rich & Skinny; Sweater - BCBG; Bag - Balenciaga; Boots - Modern Vintage; Scarf - H&M

a trip to the far east...

(Hermes Silkypop bag)

(Kate Spade canvas tote)

(Hermes pink silk jersey scarf)

My family and I are traveling back to Asia this spring; Shanghai, Tokyo and Hainan Islands to be more specific.  While it will be hard for me to blog during my trip, I will try to document as much as I can to share with all of you on my way back!

One thing you might not know about me is that I actually travel light!  I tend to pack a few basic pieces and bold accessories that are compact and multi-usage.

Here are three essentials for savy travelers:

1.  Foldable bag with bright colour that can easily be stored in your purse for unexpected finds in local shops.

2.  Large tote in neutral yet feminine palette as a chic carryon.

2.  Silk scarf that can be worn in many ways (top, skirt, dress and even necklace!) that will enhance your complexion.

SURPRISE!

This morning, I woke up to a surprise birthday brunch!!!  I love all surprises that involve food!  On the menu:  lobster egg benedict and large latte.  Now, who's hungry?

BLACK is the new black

(BCBG blk hooded jacket)

(Hermes blk Paris-Bombay travel bag)

(MaxMara blk dress suit)

No matter what is the new it colour of the season, black is always trendy, flattering and effortlessly chic.  Needless to say, I own, wear and buy a lot of black.  Black is always the new black.

MAIN EVENT - Celebrating the big 3-0

 

Although not officially 30 yet, my hubby and close friends celebrated my birthday dinner tonight at Le Hangar, the latest resto by chef Louis-Francois Marcotte.  Being a local celeb chef with previous success of Le Local, I was really looking forward to this one.  The atmosphere is hip, raw and somewhat sexy; I knew I was gonna enjoy the evening the minute I walked in.  And the food didn't disapoint either!  What can a girl ask for more?  Great food, great company, great night!

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Got all my bling with me

When comes to jewelry, I think "more is more" and tend to pile on everything.  So for my birthday dinner tonight, I obviously piled on a few pieces too many...and why shouldn't I??  I mean who's gonna say anything?

Coat - D&G; Dress - Zara; T-shirt - Club Monaco; Necklace - Kenneth Jay Lane; Earrings - Swarovski; Cuff - Hermes; Necklace (worn as bracelet) - Hermes; Ring - David Yurman; Boots - Stuart Weitzman

GIRL CRUSH - Lara Stone

Lara Stone, Dutch supermodel, face of Calvin Klein, Muse of Karl Lagerfeld, regular at Vogue Paris; why wouldn't anyone be envious of her.  And to top is off, she is probably the model that made the "tooth gap" sexy.

OBSESSION DU JOUR - Alexander McQueen Knuckle Clutch

I almost fell off of my couch when I saw the Alexander McQueen 3D Leaves Knuckle Box Clutch's review on bagsnob.com today!  I've always admired the many variations of the iconic skull clasp clutch, but none of them prompt me to actually fork out my cash and buy it.  But this bijoux is a conversation piece!

Note to self: NEED TO OWN IT!!!

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Bulletproof

What to do when having a bad hair day?  Wear a hat!  That's why I have sooo many hats!! haha...well, now that I'm balding, the bad hair day situation seems more permanent than anything else! 

Which lead me to find this amazing helmet-like hat made by lou MISTRAOU, a french hat company that was inspired and named after le Mistral, a violent and icy wind in the Provence.  They had so many colours to choose from (but I still went for the grey...) and also available in leather (more than what I want to pay for a hat).  Anyways, love love love my new head armour! 

Blazer - Zara; Skirt (worn as dress) - Tristan; Boots - Stuart Weitzman; Hat - lou MISTRAOU; Belt - Hermes

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Hot & Cold

I hate shopping in winter time; never know what to wear.  Actually, whatever it is, it will be too cold for the few minutes to the car and too hot once in the mall.  Arrr...so do I keep my snood on or not?

Leather jacket - BCBG; Top - Heather; Jeans - Work; Pumps - YSL; Snood - Esprit

Collagen Drink?

Postpartum is painful enough with the changes in your body and hormones, and now, I have to deal with issues with my skin?!?  Ok, maybe its due to lack of sleep or just too much time at home fixating on my skin...I recently discovered fine lines on my face/neck that I never noticed before!!!  It's still too early for botox or demafill...but what to do in the meanwhile!!!  I'm desperate!

Recently, during my stay in TO at my friend, who also recently had a baby, she made me drink this Japanese collagen milkshake that helped her with skin texture and small fine lines.  After 3 days of trial, I was convinced and bought a can of my own.  The taste is "blah" but not unpleasant; definately worthwhile for the result.

Fine Hyaluron & Collagen is about $45 each and available at Sasa.com.  It is currently having a buy 2 get 1 free promotion and free shipping with purchase of $100 or more.  I should stock up...

no time to waste

Just like everyone else, my new year resolution is to lose weight - my pregnancy weight to be more specific.  After the holiday season and my recent eat-a-thon, here I am, faced with a huge stepback in reaching my original weight.  I mean I was already really close before Christmas, but now have just put back 1.4 lbs.  It may not sound like a lot, but trust me, I can feel it in my jeans!

Attack plan:

1) Chew my food:

I often eat too fast and feel overstuffed afterwards.  Instead of swallowing everything down, chewing will give my brain enough time to signal that I'm full. 

2) Drink water:

I don't drink enough water mostly because it doesn't taste much.  Not that I use to drink a lot of pop, but even juice is high on sugar and calories.

3) Cut 1/2 on desserts:

Limit myself to one dessert a day instead of one (sometimes two) dessert after each meal.

I know I should also include an exercise plan but food intake is actually the single most important element in weight lost.  Once I'll achieve the ideal weight, then I'll work on toning.

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Complexed

Just got back from our 5 day eat-a-thon from Toronto (our asian cuisine repertoire sucks).  Although the food never disapoints us, the shopping did!  I was hoping to score some incredible boxing week deals but there was nothing to buy!  How sad...

Ok, so not completely empty handed: I did get a few things including these gorgeous earrings from Fallon and this t-shirt dress from Montreal based line called Complex Geometries.  I guess I should be happy that we didn't end up spending so much...bigger budget for our upcoming trip back to Asia! 

Earrings - Fallon; Dress - Complex Geometries