BLEED FOR FASHION | Vancouver Blog

Reflect and Reset

2012-05-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

WILFRED DRESS, YSL SHOES, CHANEL BAG, ADAM BY ADAM LIPPES SCARF, CC SKYE RING, TOM FORD SUNGLASSES

It's officially my birthday and I'm starting it off by working overtime. Apparently the world doesn't stop just because you turn 24. Fortunately, I'll be spending the rest of the long weekend with my boyfriend. The best gifts to give and receive are the ones you can share with your loved ones.

Speaking of birthdays, they're a good time to reflect and reset. At 23, my inability to articulate or manifest a strong sense of identity left me lost. So today is day one of a better me. Psst, I'm writing again, sort of:

A new eve has dawned and with it the complacency has dissipated. The morning rays catch on an individual that's stronger; her skin resilient towards your acrimonies and your abysmal sense of criticism. Her hair has shed the scent of bitterness and hateful scorns. The anger has lightened into a barely opaque emotion and the happiness is beginning its way to settle into her out-stretched arms. She feels hope and finds herself seeing the future on the farthest horizon. Even as her spirit breaks free from the binds and chains, the bayonet of reality scars her smile with the realization that she's no longer afraid of the darkness that night may bring.

Stay tuned for next week's belated birthday shoot with Tessa—it's going to be a goodie.

PHOTOS BY BETTY OF SAVING BETTY (EDITED BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS)

XOXO,

Instagram Again

2012-05-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

...because I'm lazy. TGIF.

My 24th is next Saturday. Another year older, another year wiser. In order to be old and wise, though, you must first be young and stupid. Agreed?

P.S. Don't forget to enter my OBVIOUSLY CHIC giveaway here!

XOXO,

Those Were the Days

2012-05-07T00:10:00.000-07:00

H&M MOTORCYCLE JACKET, ZARA BLOUSE, T.BABATON SHORTS, DV BY DOLCE VITA SHOES, CHANEL BAG, VINTAGE CHARM HEADBAND COURTESY OF OBVIOUSLY CHIC, GUCCI WATCH

Asian Gossip Girl gone batshit crazy is how I'd best describe this outfit.

It gives me immense pleasure to share with you all the great news that the fashionista behind OBVIOUSLY CHIC boutique, and my fellow Blanche Macdonald classmate, Jessica Cote, is offering one reader a egift certificate of $100!

To enter, all you have to do is "Like" OBVIOUSLY CHIC and BLEED FOR FASHION on Facebook, and comment on this post with your name and email address. Open worldwide, the winner will be chosen by Jessica herself next Monday, May 14th. Good luck to everyone that enters!

On a separate note, lately I've been thinking about how people are who they are; never who you want them to be—and the only way to keep from getting hurt is to stop looking at them through rose-colored glasses. How can you expect people to stay real when you refuse to see or accept them for who they really are? Just another food for thought.

PHOTOS BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS

XOXO,

My Favorite Color

2012-05-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

SOURCE: INTERVIEW MAGAZINE

SOURCE: THE WEDDING CHICKS
Love the unconventional.

XOXO,

Monday Pick-Me-Up

2012-04-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

HANDSOME SWEATER, WU+SEN SKIRT, PRADA SHOES, CHANEL BAG, TOM FORD SUNGLASSES

A reminder to not give yourself the opportunity to regret:

"Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be–a roommate, a neighbor, a professor, a friend, a lover, or even a complete stranger–but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles, you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are sometimes the most important ones.

If someone loves you, give love back to them in whatever way you can. Not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen to what they have to say.

Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets. Most importantly, if you love someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow will have in store. You learn a lesson in life each day you live. Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday." — Unknown

PHOTOS BY BETTY OF SAVING BETTY (EDITED BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS)

XOXO,

Feeling Mint Green

2012-04-14T18:55:00.000-07:00

ACNE SWEATER, ZARA BLOUSE, RICH & SKINNY JEANS, CELINE BAG, BRIAN ATWOOD SHOES, MICHAEL KORS WATCH, HERMES & CC SKYE BRACELET

Every time I feel like I have some kind of hold on myself, some asshole throws me a curve ball and I fall flat on my face again. What I've learned, though, is that it's not about what happens to you; it's about how you let it affect you. If there's one thing I can definitely say, it's that I've got a wonderful support system.

I woke up this morning with my boyfriend's arms wrapped around me and our legs intertwined. After we said goodbye, I met up with Tessa and Matina. Instead of the usual brunch, we decided to eat dim sum at Jade Dynasty. Then we went onto Matina's amazing rooftop to take some photos, followed by shopping and long overdue catchup with David and Eunice at THE BOARD OF TRADE CO.

A beautiful day with beautiful people.

PHOTOS BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS

XOXO,

Laughter is the Best Medicine

2012-04-05T20:28:00.003-07:00

OAK + FORT CARDIGAN, SKIRT & SCARF, WILFRED FREE TOP, DV BY DOLCE VITA SHOES, LOUIS VUITTON BAG, MICHAEL KORS WATCH

Taken last Saturday with Alex, Matina and Peter, we were having too much fun in front of the camera. My outfit sucks so I like to refer to it as "hungover brunch attire", except I wasn't hungover. I spent the previous night at Guilt & Co. for dinner and the most intense game of Jenga I've ever seen, then topped it off with dessert at True Confections. Good times all around.

My days have been busy, but I'm not complaining, not in the least bit. Lots of changes happening at work right now. I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.

In other news, I'm thinking about getting another tattoo and bangs again.

PHOTOS BY ALEX OF TO VOGUE OR BUST AND MATINA OF ANGELA MATINA (EDITED BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS)

XOXO,

Something's Not Right Here

2012-03-22T00:00:00.017-07:00

OAK + FORT COAT, WILFRED SWEATER, WU+SEN LEOPARD BLOUSE, J BRAND JEANS, GUCCI SHOES, CHANEL BAG, HOUSE OF HARLOW 1960 NECKLACE, MICHAEL KORS WATCH

This outfit is a bit all over the place, and a good reflection of my life right now. If you've read my last few posts, then you know I've been struggling to process and find the proper means to communicate my emotions. So what do I end up doing instead? One of the things I'm best at: babble.

Let's talk geometry, shall we? The line begins and then it breaks as the circle is drawn again, leaving raw scars to reappear, continuing on the pain despite the volume of my scream. Prisms keep reflecting flighty sorrow and unprecedented disaster, smoothing the ripples over the planes that never shatter despite my attempts to destroy the pattern. Triangles are kept traced as the formulas are split and sharp edges cut deeper no matter how hard I try to escape. Squares keep multiplying as barred survival flashes teasingly before my eyes and keeps them open despite my efforts to will them shut. It's mathematics from a perspective I've never encountered; geometry within a different dimension. It's the shapes in which I bleed and the equations with which I weep.

P.S. There's a lot of symbolism in this. You have to figure it out in your own way.

P.P.S. I was never good at geometry.

PHOTOS BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS

XOXO,

Where the Tracks Lead

2012-03-18T15:03:00.005-07:00

LOFT 82 TUNIC, TALULA LACE BRA, HELMUT LANG SKIRT, SAM EDELMAN SHOES, WU+SEN SCARF, CHANEL BAG, GUCCI WATCH, T.BABATON HAT

The weekends always come and go much too fast. I almost pulled an Angelina Jolie in this skirt. Good thing I didn't.

PHOTOS BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS

XOXO,

Shameless Promo

2012-03-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

I'm amazed and humbled to be featured in the latest issue of Cinhte Magazine. I'll never understand why people are interested in what I have to say. Special thanks to Creative Director, Ciara Bird, for all her hard work.

I'm meeting with Tessa this Saturday. Maybe that's going to be how I get my groove back.

XOXO,

Once Upon a Time

2012-03-10T18:39:00.003-08:00

SOURCE: WE HEART IT

I used to look at a blank screen and eagerly and effortlessly fill it up with words and ideas. Now I look at a blank screen and draw a blank.

I used to find solace in this keyboard. With every keystroke and hit of the "Publish Post" button, it was like a breath of fresh air. Now this keyboard has become my arch nemesis.

Writers block vs. being empty. What do you do when you're feeling uninspired?

XOXO,

Pastel-y

2012-03-01T11:29:00.015-08:00

H&M SWEATER, ZARA PANTS, ALEXANDER WANG SHOES, MICHAEL KORS WATCH, HERMES & CC SKYE BRACELET

Thank you for all of your lovely comments and emails. I'm unabashedly inconsistent, but this blog isn't going anywhere (for now). To those whose messages I have yet to respond to, I promise to get back to you soon.

It's been a while since I've done this, and I've gained some new followers as of recent. For that reason, let's list 5 (more) random facts about ourselves. I'll start.

Sarcasm is my talent. My parents are so proud.
My favorite pastime is reading books. I dream of one day having a library in my home.
My best friends, other than my mom, is Carrie and Mae.
I have a bad habit of treating people I love the most like shit. Sorry, boyfriend.
Despite studying Fashion Merchandising and working for a well-known Canadian clothing retailer, my long-term goal is to continue doing humanitarian work in the developing world. Nepal was just a small part of the bigger picture.

XOXO,

When Words Fail

2012-02-27T21:24:00.024-08:00

...music speaks. Last night my boyfriend and I attended The Fray concert at Orpheum Theatre. It was everything I hoped it'd be and more. Isaac Slade is an incredibly talented singer and song writer, and it was a dream come true to see him, Joe King, Dave Welsh and Ben Wysocki perform live. Not to mention Issac and I totally locked eyes, for just a moment or two.

As soon as they walked on stage, I fell in a state of perpetual amazement that I don't even remember what song they opened up with. All I remember was screaming my head off. The Fray is my all-time favorite band and their music speaks to me in a deeply meaningful way. With each and every song, my heart and soul fills with joy, peace and happiness; releasing the toils and snares and the many other earthly burdens we face daily.

XOXO,

Need to Get Away

2012-02-24T22:16:00.010-08:00

T.BABATON SWEATER, CHEAP MONDAY TOP, H&M LEGGINGS, SEE BY CHLOE SHOES, CC SKYE NECKLACE, GUCCI & MICHAEL KORS WATCH, HERMES & CC SKYE BRACELET

It's been 4 months and 8 days since my trip to Nepal. I wish I had written more in my travel journal, but I was focused more on getting out and experiencing things than stopping to capture a piece of the moment on paper. I was in a constant state of just being in the present. Not thinking, not doing, just... being.

When I came back, I came back with more appreciation of the roof that keeps me warm, the material things I can afford to consume, and my family, friends and boyfriend who are alive and well. But I feel myself loosing sight. I also find myself less and less interested in keeping up with this blog. I mean, do people even still read this crap?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

XOXO,

Keep On Moving

2012-02-19T16:50:00.018-08:00

H&M MOTORCYCLE JACKET, TNA DENIM SHIRT, T.BABATON SKIRT, YSL SHOES, CHANEL CLUTCH, MICHAEL KORS WATCH

Letting go will always be harder than holding on, but sometimes you need to stop holding on so you can start moving on. Just some food for thought.

Margaret Cho tonight. Bring on the laughs.

XOXO,

Rest in Peace Whitney Houston

2012-02-12T11:19:00.000-08:00

We will always love you.

XOXO,

This is What Makes Us Girls

2012-02-11T10:30:00.006-08:00

MUUBAAA JACKET, WILFRED FREE SWEATER, WILFRED HENLEY, J BRAND PANTS, GUCCI SHOES, OAK + FORT SCARF, MICHAEL KORS WATCH

A couple of things:

This is the first time in years my hair's been long enough to put up. You can't see the ridiculous amount of bobby pins I have in, but still, I'm making progress. Hooray!
Being told you made someone's day is one of the most satisfying feelings in the world. I love my job(s).
Money, wealth and relationships: they make things easier, but by no means do they make things better.
People will try to tell you how to look, act and feel. Don't let them.
I'm currently reading three books simultaneously: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Does anyone else do this?
Work hard and give yourself everything you've ever wanted. I'm looking at you, Céline.

XOXO,

Color Blocking

2012-02-02T19:24:00.008-08:00

SANDRO JACKET, H&M TOP, WILFRED BLOUSE, RAG & BONE/JEAN JEANS, GUCCI SHOES, MICHAEL KORS WATCH, HERMES BRACELET

What I've been wearing lately, if you couldn't already tell: layered tops and bold/printed jeans. I'm currently waiting to receive these in the mail. Every girl needs a pair of snake-print denim, right?

My parents and nieces are arriving tomorrow from Calgary for a 5-day visit. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family who loves me beyond any limit. Growing up, I didn't have the greatest relationship with my parents (or my sister for that matter, but that's a whole 'nother blog post). Yet, interestingly enough, me moving to Vancouver in 2007 really brought us closer together. It is said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and being 985 km apart definitely put things into perspective and made me realize how much my parents mean to me; not to mention how important it is to cherish the time we have together.

Having said that, here's to an amazing weekend ahead!

XOXO,

For the Love of Writing

2012-01-29T08:09:00.004-08:00

WU+SEN SWEATER, TALULA BOYFRIEND SHIRT, CURRENT/ELLIOTT LEOPARD JEANS, BURBERRY PRORSUM SHOES, T.BABATON HAT, CC SKYE NECKLACE

A spin-off to my post on December 12th, 2011:

"What happens when you fall in love with a writer? Lots of things might happen. That's the thing about writers. They're unpredictable. They might bring you eggs in bed for breakfast, or they might all but ignore you for days. They might bring you eggs in bed at three in the morning. Or they might wake you up for sex at three in the morning. Or make love at four in the afternoon. They might not sleep at all. Or they might sleep right through the alarm and forget to get you up for work. Or call you home from work to kill a spider. Or refuse to speak to you after finding out you've never seen To Kill A Mockingbird. Or spend the last of the rent money on five kinds of soap. Or sell your textbooks for cash halfway through the semester. Or leave you love notes in your pockets. Or wash your pants with Post-It notes in the pockets so your laundry comes out covered in bits of wet paper. They might cry if the Post-It notes are unread all over your pants. It's an unpredictable life.

But what happens if a writer falls in love with you?

This is a little more predictable. You will find your hemp necklace with the glass mushroom pendant around the neck of someone at a bus stop in a short story. Your favorite shoes will mysteriously disappear, and show up in a poem. The watch you always wear, the watch you own but never wear, the fact that you've never worn a watch: they suddenly belong to characters you’ve never known. And yet they're you. They're not you; they're someone else entirely, but they toss their hair like you. They use the same colloquialisms as you. They scratch their nose when they lie like you. Sometimes they will be narrators; sometimes protagonists, sometimes villains. Sometimes they will be nobodies, an unimportant, static prop. This might amuse you at first. Or confuse you. You might be bewildered when books turn into mirrors. You might try to see yourself how your beloved writer sees you when you read a poem about someone who has your middle name or prose about someone who has never seen To Kill A Mockingbird. These poems and novels and short stories, they will scatter into the wind. You will wonder if you're wandering through the pages of some story you’ve never even read. There's no way to know. And no way to erase it. Even if you leave, a part of you will always be left behind.

If a writer falls in love with you, you can never die." — Unknown

It's funny how we set qualification for the right person to love. Before we meet anyone, we create this ideal of a significant other. Then when we actually meet someone, we try to mold that person into our ideal—and yet, deep in our hearts, we know that the person we truly love will always be the exception.

XOXO,

First Giveaway of 2012

2012-01-22T01:22:00.039-08:00

WILFRED FREE T-SHIRT, CURRENT/ELLIOTT LEOPARD JEANS, CLUB MONACO FAUX FUR SCARF, WASTED EFFORT BODY HARNESS COURTESY OF WASTED EFFORT, MICHAEL KORS WATCH

It's my pleasure to introduce you to WASTED EFFORT, a Vancouver-based jewelry line where all pieces are lovingly cut, shaped, soldered and polished by hand. I'm madly in love with this Etheline harness ($145), and thanks to Marie Foxall, founder and designer of WASTED EFFORT, one lucky reader will receive the same intricate geometric brass triangle and chain harness. Yay, twinsies!

Are you in it to win it? Here's how to enter: "Like" WASTED EFFORT and BLEED FOR FASHION on Facebook, and comment on this post with your name and email address. This giveaway is open worldwide and the winner will be chosen next Sunday, January 29th. Good luck!

ETA:

Aaaaaaand the winner is... Robyn! Congratulations, you'll be receiving an email from Marie shortly. Thank you to everyone else who entered!

XOXO,

Reaching New Heights

2012-01-16T17:00:00.012-08:00

H&M FAUX FUR JACKET, LOVERS + FRIENDS BLOUSE & SHORTS, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN SHOES, GUCCI CLUTCH & HAT

Brunch on a Sunday with Alex, Matina and Peter equals a lot of catching up, lightweight bitchfest and laugh out loud conversations—taking Sunday Funday to a whole new level. I love my friends.

Thank you all for your lovely messages and well wishes on my new job. I've reached the halfway point in my in-store training; soon I'll be at Support Office. It's like tunnel vision. I got my eyes on the prize and everything else is simply a distraction that falls by the wayside.

PHOTOS BY MATINA OF ANGELA MATINA

XOXO,

Here's to the Crazy Ones

2012-01-13T10:26:00.008-08:00

H&M MOTORCYCLE JACKET, WU+SEN BLOUSE, VICTOR BANKS SWEATER, LEVI'S DENIM SHORTS, GUCCI SHOES, CLUB MONACO FAUX FUR SCARF, CHANEL BAG, MICHAEL KORS WATCH

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward. Maybe they have to be crazy. How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written? Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels? We make tools for these kinds of people. While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." — Steve Jobs

Ever read/hear quotes and think to yourself, "Wow. That sounds good." Then later on, you go through an experience and remember that one particular quote? There's a difference between loving a good quote and living it.

PHOTOS BY MATINA OF ANGELA MATINA (EDITED BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS)

XOXO,

Please Watch

2012-01-11T14:53:00.008-08:00

In continuation of the last one.

XOXO,

Meet Me at the Station

2012-01-08T15:14:00.014-08:00

TNA PARKA, WILFRED FREE SWEATER, ARMANI JEANS, GUCCI SHOES, CHANEL BAG, T.BABATON HAT

Friday's attire after being up since 5am. There's nothing like a pair of 5 3/4 inch platform sandals to keep you on your toes. Met with Tessa for lunch at Chill Winston, then some shopping at THE BOARD OF TRADE CO. I love picking at the minds of fellow creatives.

I was recently asked what I consider to be my greatest strength and weakness. Feel free to disagree: I believe my greatest strength is the ability to capture my emotions and feelings and translate it into a narrative stream of nouns, verbs and adjectives in as little words as possible. One of my ~~major, psychotic hatreds~~ pet peeves is when people just go on... and on... and on... and you're like, what was your point? I've also been told I can always see the best, brightest and most beautiful side of any given person. But secretly, my greatest weakness is that I can never see the good in myself.

On that note, I'm starting a second job tomorrow. New year, new career. I hope I don't fuck this up.

PHOTOS BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS

XOXO,

Another Instagram Post

2011-12-30T22:22:00.008-08:00

This year has taken me on a journey that I never really expected to go on. It has challenged, strengthened, matured and blessed me immensely. I experienced the true meaning of happiness and enlightenment, and I allowed myself to fall in love.

Change begins with oneself and grows from there. Forget New Years resolutions. Never wait till tomorrow to make yourself a better person or let the calendar dictate that for you. With that said, I wish you all a wonderful New Year and hope that 2012 brings you peace, joy, good health, prosperity and Christian Louboutin.

XOXO,