layered paper

Coffee first.

2014-03-16T12:30:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, all is right when you have the most perfect cup of coffee on a sunday morning.

happy heart day!

2014-02-14T16:11:00.001-05:00

Picking up some goodies for my valentines! I hope your day is filled with a little romance ;)

her story.

2014-01-24T12:17:00.001-05:00

Even though she no longer believes in happily ever afters, it's still hers to write.

the coffee is never strong enough.

2014-01-21T12:08:00.001-05:00

I've been struggling on my new years reflection entry for over 3 weeks now...struggling is starting to become an understatement. I've got my points down...but nothing is coming out right. The perfect amount of vagueness that just pulls at your heart strings, to applaud last year's triumphs...if I can call it that. If I had not been writing this on my laptop, then these words would've been bleeding out in red.

So, I've decided to find a little quaint cafe and do this old school style...with a pen on paper and a good cup of coffee, with absolutely no distractions. 1.5 hours later.....still nothing, although I did write some other devastatingly good stuff. My head cannot wrap around my words, my words cannot wrap around my heart...which, ultimately equates to a BIG FAT FAIL. But nevertheless, it was an afternoon well spent doing what I love most...writing.

The upside was that I did get to try a great cup of cortado for the first time. I've been on a mission to find the perfect cup of coffee...but nothing compares to the coffee that I had in Rome. It's perfection is still etched in my head.

lazy day in bed.

2013-12-27T14:43:00.000-05:00

After all the christmas and holiday festivities...this is just what I needed. A day to do absolutely NOTHING. Catching up on sleep, listening to music and re-reading one of my favourite books of all time.

I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays with their family =))

current skincare routine UPDATE.

2013-11-22T13:53:00.000-05:00

My last skincare post was over 2 years ago, back when I had dermatitis. I felt like anything and everything I used on my face irritated my skin. Since the dermatitis (a type of eczema on my face) has disappeared for now, the texture of my skin has severely changed *sulks*. I've been religiously working on my skincare regimen and slowly restoring its texture. Now that my skin is less sensitive, I've been on a skincare kick and trying out a ton different products. I've been incorporating a lot of chemical exfoliators, serums and retinol too really boost the cell turnover. With the use of retinol comes the need for SPF, something that I've found to be a nuisance in the past. Maybe it was the fact that I just didn't come across the right one...until now.

Below are some of my holy grails. I don't use every product everyday but it's all worked into my routine, depending on what I feel my skin needs on that particular day. However, these products have all been tried, tested and loved!

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels - This has been a skin game changer. I'll use it for 2 weeks straight, then about 2-3 times a week after cleansing. It's easy and simple and does wonders for the skin.

Bioderma - I have bottles of this stuff stocked at all times. I use it to remove my eye makeup and my makeup prior to cleansing. It's so gentle and refreshing...i cannot live without it.

Kate Sommerville Exfolikate - On days when my skin feels dull and lifeless, without fail...this chemical exfoliator brings everything back to life. Since my skin is sensitive, i leave it on for about a minute and rinse. My skin feels baby soft and literally glows after using this.

SK-II Treatment Essence - I've made it my mission to hydrate, hydrate and hydrate some more! For me it is essential that I use a essence on my face prior to my serum and moisturizer.

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector - the only sunscreen that I adore to death. It's not greasy or too mattifying. An important criteria for me in the SPF arena is that it does not interfere with my makeup/application. I use it as a primer sometimes and really helps my makeup stay all day.

Standstill.

2013-11-21T17:44:00.000-05:00

Nestled in a cozy cafe, Frank’s voice fills the room…and by Frank, I mean Sinatra.

I can’t say this much for life but THIS MOMENT, at this particular moment...

For a second…everything feels perfect. Life is good. It could always be better. Or worst. But at this very particular moment…I'm content and even more so, grateful.

Most days, I feel like everything is moving around me at 1000 kph, I'm being pulled in 300 directions and all I want to be is at a standstill. Me, my thoughts, my words, the perfect music to define my mood…this bowl of hot piping mocha. There needs to be more hours in a day, I need to have more moments like these. At end of the day, the most important relationship is the one that you have with yourself. Forget that for just a moment; nothing else ceases to exist but you.

My idea of luxury...

2013-10-08T10:26:00.002-04:00

I've told many that I'd update...and to be honest, I have....just somewhere else. I've had my love affair with my livejournal for over 13 years now. It's a place that I get to be my most honest self, on a more personal level. I seriously miss having the luxury to sit at Starbucks and having the alone time to update. I'll admit that ever since i've jumped on this instagram bandwagon that i've had even less motivation to update...

So this A.M. i'm sitting at a Starbucks that I use to come to study when I was in school...sipping on my cup of crack...aka. Salted Caramel Mocha that I have to have at least twice a day without fail. The trees are changing colours, it's pumpkin spice latte time and I just picked up a bunch of my fav autumn/holiday candles from BBW. The weather is a mix of indian summer days and chilly fall evenings. I've been so occupied that I've barely realized that my fav season FALL was happening (right now.) Summer has been a whirlwind of travels, mixed in with birthdays and concerts...that I have yet to blog about (forgive me). I'll be west coasting it to LA next week for some sun and relaxation with my BFF Nate and twinkie Trynh.

Yikes, with 10 percent battery left on my laptop, I just wanted to let you know that I've really missed this, me and you. Don't think i've forgotten ;)

25 FACTS ABOUT ME!

2013-06-20T14:11:00.002-04:00

I'm kind of an private person on most levels. I've decided to do this post so that some of you can get to know me a little better. This took longer than I had thought to write this and I had to stroll down memory lane. But this is me in a nutshell...

I don't eat cooked fruit..ie. I don't eat tarts, pies, danishes, raisin in my cookies etc...
Repetitive circular patterns make me violently angry. This was also the reason I couldn't continue taking biology in high school…cells made me angry!! Like stab someone in the thigh angry!!!!!!!!!!!!
People tell me that I speak super duper fast, ALL the time. It's something that I don't even notice until someone reminds me, so I try to slow down to 5km/h
I kinda hate animals. In third grade, when we asked what would I do if I was prime minister…My answer: Ban all animals!! I think this stemmed from a zoo trip in first grade. My favourite part of the zoo was the gift shop (maybe, also why I have a shopping addiction now).
I can't watch people wipe tables...*shrugs* especially at restaurants...it makes me gag. The bare thought of it makes me gag. The idea of people smearing oily dirt, flinging leftover food chunks around a table is not cleaning it! I cant bare to watch people wiping a table so I tend to look away…
I graduated from uni with a degree in business, majored in marketing, worked in advertising and fell in love with the world of PRINT!! (do not get me started on talking about printing)
I was kind of a math nerd as a child (math competition/leagues and all), always thought I was going to be an accountant, then later realized that I loved the creativity of Marketing more.
First job EVER, was handing out flyers for a fitness studio. (Yes, I stood outside for 8 hours). Now, I always take a flyer when handed one.
When I was 9, I had pin straight hair and my aunt permed only my bangs. It was my worst hair moment EVER! Still trying to live it down...but there are pictures =x
In my birthday pictures as a child…I rarely ever smiled. Every photo looked like a mug shot and my mom put so much makeup on me (blue eyeshadow, pink blush and red lipstick…i was a wig away from resembling like a clown!)....let's blame it on the 80's and leave it as that.
I didn't have hair as a baby but now i have more than enough for 3 people. I shed everywhere! I apologize incessantly at salons because I feel bad for whoever has to wash and dry my hair.
I won the 8th grade science fair with a science project that I whipped up in 3 hours the night before about shampoo. I beat out everyone including people who spent weeks building fountains and other neat gadgets. How I won, til this day, I still do not know.
I may be the least jealous person you will meet. I don't know why, but jealousy isn't my thing. Jealousy is not a good look on anyone!!
On a school trip to Mel Lastman Square when I was 8, I fell while hopping on one foot and cut my knee. I wore a bandaid every day for 2 years, I was known as the "bandaid" girl. The scar has faded but the memory of it is still here.
I randomly start talking with a british accent while talking to my brother sometimes.
I'm a messy person, but i'm OCD about my school notes. I can only use a certain type of blue pens, headings must be capitalized and hi-lighted. Sub-headings underlined with a red pen and a ruler. I use to write and re-write notes until they were perfect. Math problems had to be done only on pencil…I clearly have issues if you can't already tell.
My favourite part of going to the movies is watching the upcoming trailers for movies.
I NEVER EVER shave my legs or any part of my body…the reason is…I was on the bus once and saw a lady with stubble marks all over her legs. I'm sure it was a result of years and years of shaving….but I vowed to never shave again! Veet wax strips are my best friend.
I've kept a diary for as long as I've remembered. In my younger years…it was a literal diary, key, lock and all! I still have them and when I read back…the things I wrote were about boys, crushes and petty girl/friendship stuff. In my teen years, I started an online journal aka. LiveJournal. On it, I wrote about my deepest, darkest thoughts and feelings…things that I wouldn't even tell my own friends. I've met a lot of GREAT people on LJ, who have supported me through my low lows, celebrated my happiest moments, who have cried with me through my heartbreaks and brought smiles to my face. The concept is strange to people when I tell them that I have "online friends". These people know more about me than my own real life friends. You don't have to understand, it just is. I've known these friends for over a decade and have had the liberty to meet up with many of them on my travels. I hope to meet every single one of them one day. So to sum it up, I have "online friends" and love them to death!
I never went to Frosh week, as a freshman in University because I was "too cool for school". However, in my third year, I decided to volunteer as a Frosh leader. It was one of my best memories from university. I've seen my froshies make friendships that have lasted til this day and it's amazing that I still keep in touch with some of them.
I'm obsessed with the 'french vanilla' from Timmys. However, most places make them so watered down that it tastes like dirty warm tap water. I actually drive the opposite way to work in order to get my fix. I've dodged about 7 timmys that is on my way to work. What won't i do?
I drink copious amounts of fluids, sometimes at dinner…I have three drinks (tea, juice, coffee) in front of me but I cannot drink water to save my life. The only time I drink water is at the gym.
I'm really good friends with my ex-boyfriends to the point where I even become friends with their current girlfriends (whom, I grow to adore). The notion is crazy to some people...it does take some time however, I have nothing but respect for them and vice versa. I've been really blessed with having really great relationships/boyfriends. Even though it didn't work out, they are still some of my bestest friends that I can go to anything for.
I have an obsession with hair! It's my best feature in my opinion...my security blanket if you will and it's always something that I admire about other people. I'm kinda mesmerized by it like Chandler in the episode of Friends, when he saw Denise Richard's flowing locks. I actually love watching movies with Jennifer Aniston in it...mostly for her HAIR!

baking in the AM.

2013-06-11T12:06:00.001-04:00

I was given this fabulous Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Toffee Walnut cookie recipe from my friend who told me that i HAD to try it out. There is a quirk about me that you might not know, but I ~~can't~~ won't eat cooked fruit. The idea of it makes me quiver. Therefore, I don't eat pies, danishes, tarts, jams etc...you get the picture. I love oatmeal cookies and 99% of the time it comes with raisins *cringe* which I usually have to pick out individually...no bueno! I was excited to try this recipe out. I woke up bright and early on a saturday morning none the less, dusted off my baking gear to make these yummy goodies. Pictures can tend to deceive but they taste equally as good as they look...i promise! The toffee and walnut gives it the perfect crunch.

a little 'girl' time.

2013-05-31T12:29:00.000-04:00

Hello, it's been a while...

Over the weekend, I didn't have the luxury of getting an entire day off but rather getting off a little earlier on Sunday. Surprisingly, we managed to get A LOT done. We missioned to Pacific Mall to find the perfect pair of shades for summer. I ended up with 2 pairs. Of course…I got another pair of aviators (because, I don't already have enough, RIGHT?). I haven't purchased a pair of classic plastic frame sunglasses in awhile…so what did I end up with?! Plastic frame aviators!! #failedwithirony!! We then headed to dinner + movie (The Great Gatsby) which I looooved! My fav part of the night was after dinner, before the movie….we got our starbucks on and grabbed a bunch of wedding mags (don't judge us...) and sat in the corner of the travel section like we were 10 year olds at a public library. It's moments like this where I feel blessed to have such amazing girlfriends.

It's friday again...hope you're all enjoying this bi-polar weather of ours! xx

summer travels.

2013-04-02T12:17:00.000-04:00

In addition to being busy busy with work...i've been planning a little trip to Europe this summer. What started out a simple trip to Amsterdam...now has me adding these cities to the itinerary. The best part is that my twinkie is flying in to meet me in London! Then we decided...let's throw in Paris since we've both been before. There we'll visit the eiffel tour, have some crepes, have coffee + macarons at L'audree and dinner on Champs Elysées...a little R&R!
I can't wait for the summer to come fast enough.

take me here.

2013-03-31T12:13:00.000-04:00

I'm in dire need of a soul vacation. Not so much the sun or the beach but more so the clarity and a little sun won't hurt!

lazy sunday + baking

2013-02-25T11:20:00.000-05:00

This sunday I decided to dust off the baking supplies and make some banana bread with our overly ripen bananas. It's been quite a while...thought i'd lose my touch. But 10 bowls, a mess and a half and 35 minutes later...fresh out of the oven banana bread is ready to be served. Hope you enjoyed your sunday!

my friend named joe.

2013-02-12T13:28:00.001-05:00

It wasn't until early last year that joe and I became good friends. Joe never fails to pick me up on those early-falling-asleep-as-I-drive-mornings or the get-me-through-the-afternoon-pick-me-ups. Joe and I were always friends...but I never really learnt appreciate joe until now! Before this, i could barely tell you if it was good or bad cup of coffee. As long as it wasn't bitter and required 10+ packs of sugar...I was good. I use to think that I loved cappuccinos...minus all the darn foam (having to scrape it off myself). I later discovered that it was lattes that I liked...instead of its' frothier cousin "the cappuccino". When i'm craving a bit more sweetness, I'll opt for a mocha! I use to cringe at joe's bitterness but now i've learnt to appreciate it...when I'm having a cup of watered down coffee. Whether i'm having it at brunch or after dinner with my dessert. Whether joe is vietnamese, italian or african; with milk, foam or cream...Joe aka. coffee is heart. Joe and I might have gotten off on the wrong foot, but I have a feeling that Joe and I are going to best friends for a very long time.

j + p wedding invitations.

2013-01-31T12:37:00.004-05:00

My BFF Phaly and his lovely bride Janenee tied the knot back in June and I got the honour of designing their invitations. I wanted to add "layered" paper elements and again add unique touches to their invites. Our starting point was with a chandlier motif that would be carried out through all the elements of the invites. When they told me they wanted "bling"...nothing else needed to be said. I decided to close the invite pocket by wrapping it with thin metallic gold thread strung with crystals (sadly, not shown here). We spent nights stringing crystals (200 strands to be exact) and there were some tears involved, i'm not going to lie. I'd like to call it "jewelry for the invites". Instead of backing the invite on traditional cardstock, I chose to use 'Unryu Palomino' japanese tissue paper that was delicate and sheer with soft gold fibres running through it. This created a soft romantic feel yet added a gold shimmer touch and texture to the invites. We added more bling to the invites by embossing a glitter rose pattern on the back of the RSVP card envelopes and hand-stamped return addresses using a metallic gold custom calligraphy stamp. Of course, that was not enough (go big or go home right?)...we sealed it all off using a custom monogram wax seal stamp in which we suffered some second degree burns while doing so. I have to say that Janenee was one of the most eager, on top of everything, easiest going, non-chalant brides that I've worked with....she did not stress over ANYTHING, wedding day included. I still need to photograph all elements of the invitation suite in full but photos don't really do the crystals justice....

cali lovin'

2013-01-17T00:10:00.001-05:00

My love affair with california... there are mornings when I'd trade our negative temperature weather for palm trees, beaches and a coast along the ocean in a heart beat. There's a little west coast girl inside this east coast girl.

all that glitters.

2013-01-10T10:26:00.000-05:00

We all love calligraphy and while perusing on instagram (i'm obsessed, plus the main reason I switched over to iphone) ....I came across Cute Calligraphy. Who doesn't need a little sparkle in their life? I'm adoring these fab illustrations...who would've thought that calligraphy and fashion would look so great together with a sprinkle of glitter?! Perfect custom illustrated notecards for every occasion!

m + c wedding details.

2013-01-02T11:52:00.000-05:00

My lovely cuzzie got married over three months ago. It came and went faster than we had anticipated. The 18 months of planning...obsessing over every last detail. With every invitation project that I work on, I start by asking my brides a simple question, I ask them to describe their wedding in three words. She choose: Intimate, classic and simple. We had to scratch my initial vision since using black was a big no-no in the chinese culture. Instead we pulled inspiration colours from her bouquet. We decided on blush pink, dark brown and gold accent. Coincidently, I just finished another invitation project using practically the same colour scheme. Knowing my cousin every well, I know she's NOT the fussy, gotti, more is more type. She's quite the opposite (you have to know your bride!!!).

I knew that I wanted to start with a monogram design. I scoured and curated a selection of papers. Oyster shell pink lustre textured cardstock. Vellum bellyband. Swarovski-crystal monograms. I was in a paper heaven aka. Kate's Paperie in New York, looking for inspiration, something that would add the "wow" factor. And there it was. The most beautiful glittered paper that I've ever seen. It was the perfect shade of gold. The glitter was fine enough to not look tacky, the gold wasn't too yellow and the way it glittered when the light hit it...I knew that was it! I knew that I had to incorporate it into the design someway, somehow. I decided to use it to line the envelopes. Adding the wow factor without it being too much or overpowering. All it took was a subway ride, walk in the rain, a cab-ride and two stores later...it came home to Toronto with me. Wedding invites are a serious business...

new day, new year...

2013-01-01T11:21:00.002-05:00

Happy new years loves. It's been a while since i've updated on this blog! But since it's a new year...i'm making it my new years resolution to blog MORE and to be HEALTHIER in every way possible...mind, body and soul. I'm enjoying a cup of joe and red velvet cheesecake on news years morning in my PJs, in bed. Hope you're all enjoying yours ;)

the real test.

2012-11-05T00:41:00.002-05:00

Finally had the chance to take the marants out for a stroll and put them to the ultimate test...a day of shopping. I must admit that they pass the test and are super comfy!!

marants.

2012-10-31T06:23:00.001-04:00

I bit the bullet and did something very bad. I caved and got the highly coveted Marants! I had a love hate relationship with these. I went from hating them to loving them to wanting them. Of course then they became super sold out. Finally they are mine now and I'm in totally looooove with them. Now only if it'll stop raining so I can wear them out before the snow hits.

sunday = brunch day.

2012-10-14T20:40:00.001-04:00

What better reason then to pile on the jewels (think breakfast at tiffanys) and swipe on my fav colour of the moment. It's my first sunday off in a while...and the weather isn't dreadful for once.

Happy sunday xx.

autumn candles.

2012-10-13T02:49:00.002-04:00

This fall weather makes me want to do nothing but hibernate with a nice cup of hot coco. I'm currently obsessing over the holiday candles from Bath & Body Works and this is my fav one this year + their leaves scent. My room smells so delish that it's making me a bit hungry. Another reason I love fall is the return of my tv show lineups...time to hibernate!

shit mark & cynthia say...

2012-09-13T19:58:00.000-04:00

For my cuzzie's wedding, we decided to surprise them with a video. A video mocking "shit they say". The best man was such a good sport and starred in both roles. As talented as he was...we couldn't have done it with the ever-so-talented STUDKO. We shot on it over two weekends and it couldn't have turned out any better. I wanted to show everyone but had to say quiet as this was 'top secret'. Cynthia and Mark's reactions were priceless when we played this on their wedding day! From their wedding party to you, enjoy!!