BEAT THE HEAT

Summer hair inspiration for hot hot humid Shanghai weather.  Oh btw, I'm going back tomorrow (yey...18hr flight with the two kids...).  Can't wait to see my family and good old Xiao Long Bao!

OUTFIT DU JOUR - The grass is greener where you water it

 

They say "the grass is greener on the other side".  It may be true...at least it always seems that way (I can easily name a dozen of people who seems to "have it all" and didn't even really work for it...how annoying!).  But I believe in working hard to get what you want instead of wishing.  So you see, the grass is mostly greener if you water it.

And if good things do happen to fall onto my laps (adorable kids, good friends, free facials and shoes on sale in my size) , I'll just take it with a big smile!

p.s. Thanks to all the "aunties" and "uncles" who spoiled us with gifts and lunches/dinners on our last week in Montreal; we'll see you for Christmast!

Dress - Winter Kate; Belt - Vintage; Purse - Givenchy; Sandals - Modern Vintage; Necklace - Club Monaco; Ring - YSL

OUTFIT DETAIL

A quick snap of what I'm wearing today to an early Father's Day lunch with my daddy.  We're heading to our favourite Japanese restaurant Niji; they have the best sushi/sashimi combo for lunch specials!

RESORT '14 - Balenciaga

(Balenciaga Resort 2014)

I was really excited to see Alexander Wang's first collection for Balenciaga!  True to the House's signature volumes and structure, I'm really loving the "softer" couture look that Wang infused to the collection.

The other exciting part is most definitely the accessories!!!  We all remember how Nicolas Ghesquiere took the world by a storm with the Moto bags.  While it might not be as much as a statement piece, I'm actually really loving with the clean lines and pure luxury of totes and jewelry.

source: style.com

Paradise Island

(Grazia Italia June 2013)

I love luxe-boho for summer: colourful prints, flowy maxi dresses and bold ethnic jewelry...makes me feel like I'm on a tropical island vacation even though strolling down the pavement in the city!

SHOPPING - Last night on NAP

(Isabel Marant Jenny slouchy boots)

(Missoni Monochrome black & white zigzag scarf)

Oops!  Before I knew what was going on, I already clicked "Proceed to Purchase" while playing with Olivia on my laps and watching Little Einstein with Ayden (thanks to NAP's auto-saved credit card info)!  I guess I could have done worst...at least both at 50% off and pieces that have been on my "Wish List" for a while.

Btw, Net-a-Porter just started their 70% sale with new sale items and further reductions.

H&M X Isabel Marant

No f*%king way!!!  I just got news that Isabel Marant will bring her Parisian effortless chic to H&M with a collaboration due to release on Nov 14th 2013!  No preview on the collection yet but I can't wait!!!

City Getaway

Spent the whole afternoon with my best friend...and who says Mondays are the worst day of the week?!?

SPRING TREND - Tied around the Waist

It's like my junior high years again!  The "tie-your-shirt-around-your-waist" trend has started casually last year but in full bloom this spring.  I must admit, it's probably one of the most easy to wear and accessible trend (everyone has a shirt around and all you have to do is just tie a knot around your waist...nothing fancy).  And if Taylor Tomasi Hill is rocking it then it's good to go in my books.

So go ahead, try it out!

the Regimen

After my oxygen facial, I was introduced the Luzern Laboratories, a Swiss pharmaceutical grade line of skincare that is free of toxins and uses certified organic extracts.

I was prescribed to use the following regimen to complement my current La Roche Posay Active C lotion, eye cream and Anthelios facial sunscreen:

• Micro-Exfoliant Deep Hydrating Scrub - a moisturizing and ultra gentle scrub to erase dead skin to prep my face for the mask and serum.
• Pure Oxugen Radiance Mask - this mask is inspired by the Oxygen Facial itself!  It comes with a small bottle of the Serum Absolut V12, which allows customizable mask by adding a few drops of the serum into the mask before applying (apparently that's what estheticians do at professional spas already).  It left my skin smooth and bright!
• Serum Absolut V12 - a 15% pure vitamin C and antioxidant serum to brighten up my complexion, stimulates collagen/elasticity and serve as preventative measures for future signs of aging.  I've used it for three days now and it's not at all aggressive nor irritating given the 15 % L-Ascorbic acid.

Yup, after two kids and being in my early 30s, I think it's about time to give my skin all the help it can get and have a proper regimen.