her waise choice { a Vancouver based personal style blog }

Process

2012-02-01T22:40:00.000-08:00

{photos by Paul Milaire & Roderick Fung}
I'm always curious as to how style-conscious people throw together an outfit for the day: for me, I typically look to a piece in my closet and gradually add (and sometimes subtract) elements until it is to my liking. A recent addition to my purse collection - thanks, Mom! - called for a simple and classic look punctuated with a few modern accessories. What's your process for getting dressed?

I can't wait to carry this bag with more bright colours into spring! D calls it an old lady bag, but I've always been drawn to structured, simple shapes and this one fits the bill rather perfectly.
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Wearing: YesStyle coat (last seen here), J.Crew sweater, Zara jeans and shoes, DKNY bag

Uncaped

2012-01-30T01:00:00.000-08:00

I purchased this jacket/vest on a whim last year, and it unfortunately became one of those items that was worn once (seen here) and never again. In another attempt to expand the variety of silhouettes that I am wearing and to not let anything in my closet go to waste, I took off the "cape" portion of the piece off and wore it as a simple vest. I love how drastically different of a feel it now gives off and it was ideal for a casual day of food truck lunching and a little bit of shopping.

Wearing: YesStyle blouse, labeless trench vest (wore it with attached cape here), J Brand jeans, Zara pumps, Tom Ford sunnies, Wilfred belt, BCBG cuff

Pajama Pants

2012-01-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

{photos by Paul Milaire & Roderick Fung}
I recently realized that I am a very safe dresser. Most of my friends wouldn't agree with this as my closet contains substantial amounts of bold colours and patterns, but in actuality I tend to only stick to a handful of silhouettes that have worked for me. While this may be a good thing, it has taken much of the fun out of dressing up. Finding a pair of 100% silk trousers for $10 at a consignment store a while back was the perfect opportunity to do a bit of experimenting: though it's not a big leap, the higher waist & looser fit of the pants were enough to give putting an outfit together some pizazz that hasn't been there in far too long.

p.s. In case you haven't noticed, this vest has become, hands down, my most worn piece this entire winter. I'm now thoroughly convinced that a black faux fur vest is a wardrobe staple.
Wearing: Zara sweater and shoes, YesStyle vest, thrifted blouse and Wilfred silk pants, Jacob belt (similar), label-less clutch, Revlon Colorburst in Fuchsia

Tuesday Treats

2012-01-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

{scoring gorgeous black and gilded gold bowls to store my current favourite baubles & lipstick}
This past weekend was pretty close to ideal: aside from getting to spend good chunks of time with family, D and my girlfriends, we were treated to gorgeous late afternoon sunshine on Saturday that was reminiscent of a late autumn day. It was also filled with neat little discoveries and indulgences - small things like the ones in these photos that do a lot to make life just a bit sweeter. I hope your weekend was just as wonderful.

{finding a new recipe and baking something delicious on a whim}

{the perfect fusion of sweet & salty - polished these off within the day and will probably make them myself!}

{sitting down with an unread book while drinking a Spanish latte}

{the best hot chocolate I've had in my life - from here. need I say more?}

Cold Front

2012-01-23T01:00:00.000-08:00

I'm sure those of us in colder climates have all experienced the struggle of creating interesting outfits in the winter time because it essentially consists of a coat and shoes. I rely heavily on accessories to make things interesting in these instances, and a few pieces that D recently brought back from a trip came together nicely around my favourite winter coat (last seen here). Sometimes I can't believe how well he knows my taste (or how lucky & loved I am)!

Wearing: Elie Tahari coat, 7 For All Mankind pants, YesStyle blouse, J.Crew sweater, Zara faux fur scarf, necklace, gloves and bag from D

Spring Floral

2012-01-20T01:00:00.000-08:00

I usually despise winter and the first onset of chilly weather is typically my cue to crawl into my cave and retreat until spring arrives. That's why I've been shocked that this year hasn't been too bad. In fact, getting snow in the last few days has been kind of nice and piling on the layers has made being outside feel peaceful. Finding this dress on sale the other day, though, was enough of a catalyst for that to change: since it's been in my closet, I've been longing for spring to come quickly so that I can slip it on and feel the warmth of sunshine on my bare skin.

Happy Weekend!

1/ Tom Ford sunnies (similar), YSL lipstick, bfrend bracelet, Wilfred belt (similar)
2/ Zara shoes, DKNY bag (similar), Chanel perfume, vnunes earrings
3/ Wilfred dress

Hello, Snow

2012-01-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

{photos by Tiffany Liao}
The first snowfall of the year always calls for going outside and enjoying it while it's soft and fluffy. Since I told myself (and you) that I wasn't going to sacrifice warmth for style this winter, I had to bundle up substantially for this little outing. This outfit may not look the warmest at first glance (or maybe it does - I can't even count how many times I've been teased by friends for wearing a ridiculous number of layers this winter), but it's got a few secrets hidden inside, namely a cashmere sweater under the cable knit, a pair of tights under my pants, and of course- warm, fuzzy socks wrapped around my feet.

p.s. A little birthday shout out to my oldest and dearest friend, Hilda! Here's to many more years of friendship. xox
Wearing: J.Crew sweater, Zara fur vest, YesStyle coat, 7 For All Mankind pants, random scarf from Venice

Soft Light

2012-01-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

I'd been itching to debut this lovely blouse (with pearl buttons on the back!) since receiving it from MontAffair a while ago, but since it's been way too cold here to stand outside without it being hidden under layers of wool, I haven't had a chance. A gorgeous (but chilly!) day last week provided just enough light inside and was the perfect excuse to facilitate an indoor shoot. Since I wanted to allow the blouse to stand out, I paired it with feminine basics, punching it up with just a few textures and patterns to keep the look from being too dull.

This top has since been sold out, but check out this pretty alternative! The site offers free shipping within Singapore and Malaysia and worldwide delivery for $10 SGD (about $8 USD).
Wearing: MontAffair top (c/o), Topshop trousers, BB Dakota jacket, Zara shoes

Skincare Secret: Oatmeal

2012-01-13T01:00:00.000-08:00

I guess this secret isn't actually really a secret: ever since I adopted this practice about half a year ago, I've been raving about it to nearly everyone I know. In short, using oatmeal to wash my face has eliminated my need for any chemical injected cleansers and it is now all I use. I do this once a day (in the shower at night) and follow with toner and moisturizer. It has normalized the oils in my skin and in the mornings I now just tone and moisturize. My skin has also evened out considerably and breakouts are more in control than they have ever been!

I first found out about oatmeal as a cleanser from bubzbeauty on YouTube and I think she does a wonderful job of describing the process. Simply watch this video to find out how you can get started!
Also, please note: I don't wear foundation so oatmeal cleanses my skin sufficiently at the end of the day. If you do wear it, I'd suggest using oatmeal in the morning before you put your make up on and using your regular cleanser to remove your make up at night.
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Other tips to keep your skin looking its best (most are probably obvious, but are good reminders):
- Wash your bed sheets weekly
- Wash your make up brushes weekly
- Drink your required daily intake of water
- Exercise regularly. Sweat = ridding of toxins!
- Get the amount of sleep that your body needs
- Be diligent in your skincare routine!

Have you tried it? Let me know in the comments! Still need convincing? Check out these nearly flawless reviews of oatmeal on Makeupalley.
Questions? As always, you can ask me on Formspring!

Brights

2012-01-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

{photos by Carmen Ng}
I think it's safe to say that style blogging helps to push the boundaries of one's sartorial comfort zone. Pattern mixing, colour blocking and bold lips are trends I might not have embraced so fully had it not been for this blog. However, it still felt a bit daunting to wear this very bright look that my chevron manicure (created by Carmen) inspired me to put together. Aside from a few strange looks, though, it was the perfect mood brightener and an ideal getup for the first sunny day we've had in what seems like weeks.

Be sure to drop by Carmen's blog to find out how to re-create a chevron manicure for yourself!
Wearing: Zara neon sweater and skirt, Forever 21 cardigan, H&M coat, Aldo shoes, MICHAEL Michael Kors clutch, J.Crew necklace, bfrend (black) and Lauren Elan (gold) bracelets (both c/o)

Tuesday Treats

2012-01-10T01:00:00.000-08:00

{a sparkly Christmas present and a neon sweater found on sale}
I always try to be realistic whenever a new year rolls around: I know that keeping a long and diverse list of resolutions is near impossible for me, so I mostly just want to use the opportunity to re-focus, carefully evaluate where I'm at and reflect on the past year. On a lighter note, I also spent the first week of 2012 re-organizing my home, finding comfort in cozy things, and enjoying a few new pieces of jewelry as icing on the cake.

{re-styling my bookshelves as a quick way to freshen up my room}

{floral candle holders found at a thrift store for mere pennies that add touches of gold}

{fully faux fur lined booties for chilly winter days}

{the larger counterpart to my favourite studded ring - a new cuff from David}

Dreaming of Sunshine

2012-01-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

It's been raining pretty much non stop for probably 10 days now. January always seems like the dog days of winter to me: the joy of Christmas has past and it's been cold for a while, but that first taste of spring still seems impossibly far from arriving. Here are some photos from several months ago that never made it on to the blog, hopefully to help serve as a reminder for those of us in colder climates that the warmer season is just a few, hopefully short, months away.

1. YesStyle blouse (c/o), YSL ring, Stuart Weitzman booties (c/o)
2. Zara sweater, H&M skirt and clutch, Forever 21 necklace
3. Zara trench, shoes and scarf (old), Topshop blouse and trousers

photos: David Howe (1), Judith Wong (2), Paul Milaire & Roderick Fung (3)

5 Minute Face

2012-01-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

I don't profess to know a lot about makeup - it's definitely been trial and error (with lots of error) for me over the past few years. However, I'm happy to have finally found a routine that's quick and does the job for me. Due to a few reader requests, here's a step-by-step on the make up I wear on a typical day and what I would usually have on in blog outfit photos. For me, it's all about defining my eyes and adding a bit of colour to my cheeks because I'm very pale. I use products with the intention of looking more awake, and I like to look fresh but still natural. If I'm in a rush, I'll skip out on the eyeliner. I hope this helps!

{start with cleansed, moisturized, bare -gulp!- face. conceal under eye area & redness - for me, that's around my nose & chin}
After trying a variety of products, including Laura Mercier and BareMinerals, I've returned to Bobbi Brown's corrector and concealer. I have very bad eye bags and this does the job better than anything else. The correcter serves to neutralize the blues and purples under your eye and the concealer blends it in with your skin. Still trying to find something for eye puffiness though - any suggestions?

{subtly line eye, curl lashes and apply lash primer & mascara}
MAC's fluidline in Blacktrack is my favourite - it stays put all day. I start in the middle of my eye and draw a slight cat eye towards the outer corner. I curl my lashes with Shu Uemura's curler, then put on Shiseido's nourishing mascara base, which makes anything you swipe on top work 10 times better!

{apply a dash of bronzer onto cheeks - I put it right on the cheekbone}
I've been using this NARS Danmari palette for my cheeks everyday. It's complete with some of the brand's most popular shades (including Orgasm) and the colours are great for a large number of skin tones. Here, I used the bottom right shade, Sin.

{finishing touches - I fill any bare spots in my brows, apply lipbalm & control shine with a bit of powder}
Applying Laura Mercier's Brow Definer (I use Warm) is a subtle way to make eyebrows more shapely. I've recently learned how big of a role well-groomed brows make to the overall look of a face so have only been doing this for a couple of months. Shiseido's Therapino Oil Balm is one of my favourite lip balms and Make Up Forever's HD Powder is a transluscent loose powder that gets rid of any excess shine.

{The finished look: ready to face the day!}
Check back next week for a post on my skincare routine! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me over on Formspring!

Pared Down

2012-01-04T01:00:00.000-08:00

{photos by Ying Yuan}
In my first and second years of university, I basically lived in variations of a uniform consisting of a blouse, a cardigan and jeans. Then, somehow I discovered the magical, much more comfortable world of skirts & trousers and this is probably the 3rd time I've put on a pair of denim since then. I think the lack of jean-wearing is one of the reasons why many think I am excessively dressed up all of the time, but the truth is: I just find denim so relatively uncomfortable! So, I'd like to officially mark the first (and quite possibly only) time in the entire life of this blog that a proper pair of jeans will have made it into an outfit post. Exciting, right? ;)
How often do you wear jeans? I'm curious!

Wearing: Zara jacket and faux fur scarf, Modcloth blouse, J.Crew sweater, 7 For All Mankind jeans, H&M booties, MICHAEL Michael Kors bag, Tom Ford sunnies, BCBG ring & silver bracelet, Lauren Elan gold bracelet (c/o)

Kickoff

2012-01-02T01:00:00.000-08:00

{photos by Roderick Fung}
Living in a soggy and cold winter climate is probably a personal style blogger's worst nightmare. It was supposed to be a dry day, but right in the middle of this photoshoot the rain started coming down hard. Roderick was a trooper and kept shooting, but as you can probably tell by the photos I was very uncomfortable because of my delicate calf hair shoes and quickly flattening hair. On a happier note, I've been throwing this vest over everything lately for a pop of interest and an extra layer of warmth. I'd highly recommend a black faux fur vest - it's so versatile and in my opinion, a little bit more special than the tan colour varieties!

Happy New Year! Do you do resolutions?
Wearing: YesStyle vest and blouse, H&M jacket, Zara leather skirt and shoes, MICHAEL Michael Kors bag, vintage necklace (gift from a sweet friend, who got it at the Brooklyn Flea!)

Year In Review: Part II - The Outfits

2011-12-29T01:00:00.001-08:00

Thank you so much for reading my outfit diaries these past 12 months. Looking back, I'm absolutely astonished at how many there have been - can you believe this is only a fraction of them?! Have a fun and safe NYE and see you in the new year!

Year In Review: Part I - Gratitude

2011-12-29T01:00:00.000-08:00

{having so much fun at photoshoots, and developing friendships, with Paul and Rod}
It's been quite a year: between working with some incredible companies, being featured in a magazine for the first time and being truly forced out of my introvert shell at local events, it's been a milestone year for this little blog to say the least. I'm working on a 2011 outfit round up for tomorrow, but today I just want to share a few photos of what I'm truly thankful for. In addition to what's in the photos, I'm so grateful for all of my friends who willingly took photos for me at a moment's notice, my parents for keeping me constantly aware of reality and God for this opportunity that I believe truly came from Him. This is beginning to sound like an awards acceptance speech, so I'll end with this: thank you for reading my blog. I've been so blessed with genuine readers & supporters and I'm truly humbled that there are people who actually care about my minuscule little space on the internet! Here's to an even better 2012!

{meeting all of these girls - and many more - and growing a "blogger family"}

{wearing entirely inappropriate shoes for the pumpkin patch because I was too busy thinking about what footwear would look good with the outfit for blog photos}

{taking the camera out because of the blog, snapping photos of many occasions that would not have otherwise been captured}

{and for the boy in the photo prior to this one, who forces me to not take myself too seriously by doing things like refusing to take blog photos unless I dance in front of the camera}

Statement Coat

2011-12-27T01:00:00.000-08:00

Since our coats tend to cover up the majority of our outfits in the cold months, I think a good looking topper is key to remaining stylish. Even if you can only have one coat, I think you can get just as much wear out of a bolder choice as you can from a "safe" one. I'm particularly excited about this new piece, because the shape and colour are both classic enough to stand the test of time, but the oversized collar and great details make it a true statement piece.

Wearing: Elie Tahari coat, J.Crew sweater (similar), ASOS dress (worn as skirt), BCBG necklace and ring, Zara shoes, Michael Kors sunnies

Classic

2011-12-22T01:00:00.000-08:00

As much fun as it is to dress in bright colour and pattern, I never tire of going back to basic black and white. This dress from MontAffair is great for this classic vibe, with its feminine pleats and basic but timeless cut. I love that this Singpore-based online store ships worldwide for only $10. I'm currently eyeing this "Origami" dress - so much detail and it's only $30!

Wearing: YesStyle blazer, MontAffair dress (c/o), thrifted blouse, MICHAEL Michael Kors clutch, Stuart Weitzman booties (c/o)

Tuesday Treats

2011-12-20T01:00:00.000-08:00

{super shiny, pointy new flats to replace a well-loved pair that tore last month after 4 years}
To put it simply, the last few weeks have been hectic. Between multiple family get-together events, preparing for a Christmas meal with friends and squeezing in a couple of dates before David goes away for a bit, there sadly hasn't been much time to be calm. Here are a few little pieces of happy, and a couple of pretty things to remind myself to step back, take a breather and enjoy the things around me.

{spending an entire day decorating a gingerbread house (I baked the gingerbread using this recipe) with the bestie}

{discovering an amazing grilled cheese food truck - what could be better?!}

{36 roses from David for our 36 month/3 year anniversary!}

{an expanding collection of gold rings. clockwise: YSL, BCBG, Social Experiment (c/o), vnunes (c/o), BCBG}

Switched

2011-12-19T01:00:00.000-08:00

{photos by Mina Sadat}
Since wearing the same jackets in the winter can get boring pretty fast and buying a new one constantly is out of the question, I'm trying my best to re-invent my pieces. Last week, I quickly switched out the original sash from this cape with a leather one from another jacket - a subtle but much needed refresher to make the piece feel fresh in my closet again. For a few years I've also been toying with the idea of switching up the buttons on a pea coat for gold ones, and this might just be the year that I do it!

Wearing: Zara cape and shoes, 7 For All Mankind pants, YesStyle scarf, Coach bag (c/o), YSL ring, Lauren Elan (c/o) and Joe Fresh (gold) bracelets

Polished Style: Black & Gold

2011-12-15T13:20:00.000-08:00

Up until several months ago, I never really cared to paint my nails. It took too much time, and I felt that the results didn't last long enough to warrant the effort. If I ever did do it, it was in classic shades like reds and pale pinks, and I would never consider designs. Fast forward a few months (and becoming closer with a friend who loves her nail polish!) and I'm happy to say that I'm becoming slightly more adventurous (black! dark green! navy!). I'm also now willing to do an accent nail in a more simple design.

{Sonia Rykiel top, YSL sunglasses, Forever 21 cuff, Kate Spade earrings, YSL shoes, Topshop dress}
I like the idea of being inspired by fashion for manicures. Clothes, shoes and jewelry are often expensive, so this a fun and cost effective way to integrate a little something extra into a look. It's also a great method to subtly test drive colour or a trend! That's why I'm so excited to introduce this new segment, Polished Style, on the blog; Carmen and I will create manicures that even the most averse nail polish wearers can try out!

This week we were inspired by black and gold, one of my favourite colour combinations of all time; these colours can be dressed up to look elegant or edgy depending on how you wear it. I've always enjoyed garments with subtle gold embellishments and this was the inspiration behind our first look!

{OPI Black Onyx, Martha Stewart Metallic Microbeads in Florentine Gold, Borghese Brilliante base/top coat, tweezers}
Hop on over to The Art of Nails to see how you can easily re-create this look yourself!
Stay tuned for more, and feel free to leave suggestions of what you'd like to see in the comments section!

Four Eyes

2011-12-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a little secret: I've been four-eyed since the fourth grade. I still distinctly remember that moment in math class when my teacher was testing us on our Times Tables and I misread the flash card, leading her to report to my parents that I should get my eyes checked. My world was shattered! I recall crying after being told by my parents that it was my fault for reading all my books in the dark. Nowadays I'm still not comfortable with my specs, especially because I'm blind as a bat (we're talking close to legally blind here) and the thick lenses make my eyes appear miniscule. At the end of the day, though, I am thankful for glasses that allow me to see at all. I also know that this is the fate for many so I wanted to share this part of myself with you. Do you secretly need glasses too?

Wearing: Joe Fresh sweater, thrifted blouse, Zara leather skirt and booties, unbranded coat from a local boutique, Coach bag (c/o), nails Deborah Lippmann Sarah Smile (use 'tulip' for 10% off!)

Camel / Caramel / Cognac

2011-12-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

{photos by Judith Wong}
I've been finding it a little difficult to create outfits that look well put together this winter: since keeping warm has been the most important factor for me, I've honestly become accustomed to just layering my coziest sweaters without much thought to the cohesiveness of a look. The result has been a toasty, but unfortunately often jumbled mess of fabric. Wearing different pieces in similar hues has been one of the easiest solutions to this, and is one that I will likely be using again and again in the coming months.

Wearing: Mackage coat (old), thrifted blouse, H&M jacket, YesStyle skirt, Coach bag, Zara pumps

Chained

2011-12-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

Under $10 Forever 21 Gold Oval Chain Bracelet, $6.80 Under $50 ASOS Chunky Link Bracelet, $28.13 Under $100 Lauren Elan Lucas Bracelet, $85 $100+ Kenneth Jay Lane Make a Statement Bracelet, $160.99
One of my favourite accessories is the chunky gold chain bracelet: it's versatile, a little bit edgy and makes a statement without being over the top. I scored a Joe Fresh one on super sale last year and have worn it a considerable amount, especially in light of its $2.50 price tag. I'm currently on the hunt for a replacement, and while I think this wear-with-anything piece is worth investing a bit more into, here are four options at differing (but still reasonable) price points. My personal favourite is the Lauren Elan piece for its unique clasp, and the fact that she can custom make them for any wrist size; I definitely wouldn't mind having it show up under the tree for Christmas!