allure

Growing old, together

2012-02-02T19:31:00.002-05:00

I think we can all agree that it takes a long time to grow an old friend and when you do happen to stumble upon that extraordinary someone, keep them close and never take them for granted. Tiffany and I have been friends for almost eleven years now and nothing has changed since. Although we did part for a small period after I moved away for university, we somehow managed to find a way back to our friendship. We have grown so much within the past few years, from little girls setting up their own garage sales in hopes of making a dollar or two to blossoming into two mature (so we think) young women. “Fun” to us meant sliding down a flight of stairs, sneaking into the sauna when we were underage, taking millions of grainy webcam photos, staying on the phone until past midnight, leaving long messages on each other's AsianAvenues, and running around in matching clothes from Siblings.

Our fondest childhood memory together would probably have been all the memories down Sheppard Avenue. We live only a few minutes apart and spent our high school years walking down the same street, every single day. Even though we saw each other every day, the conversations were endless and would sometimes go well into the night. Till this day, she still continues to be the person who I turn to when my days are glum and grey.

Sometimes we just need to step away from our busy lives and spend time with those who bring out the best in you. I’m blessed to have met such a warm-hearted and genuine individual, and our promise of friendship will never break. I imagine that someday, the two of us will be old wrinkly grannies taking morning and late afternoon walks down the park together (hopefully without the hunches). "Make new friends and keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold. A circle is round, it does not end. That's how long I want to be your friend." I want to thank you for being you.

What is your fondest childhood memory with your best friend?

Instagram

2012-01-29T00:16:00.001-05:00

{DVF Asher belt, jewelry pieces in my new jewelry box, with my best friend} {AxxxA Schmuck-Atelier "Silhouette" cuff, statement jewelry bulletin board, black & silver ensemble} {OOTD, snapshot of my dresser, with the person who never fails to make me smile}

Just some snapshots from the last few weeks that I would like to share since I haven't had the chance to post. Follow me on Instagram @aneym for some more random bits and happenings!

Wintry morning

2012-01-14T11:06:00.001-05:00

F21 sweater and skirt, Zara coat, Asos vintage style cocktail ring (buy here), Zara ankle booties, F21 statement necklace, cuff bracelets c/o David Smallcombe (buy here)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend so far! The temperature has dropped this weekend to the negatives and the weather is close to being unbearable. Best advice to all the Canadians would be to wrap yourself in a chunky knit scarf and layers of clothing. A down-filled parka, fur earmuffs, and mittens will be your best friend this winter! I took these photos this morning not realizing how cold it was and it wasn't a very wise decision. Hope it warms up within the next few days!

Shop allure updated

2012-01-10T13:27:00.001-05:00

Please visit my online blog shop - I have updated it with a few new things! Also, feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions!

A new beginning

2012-01-02T18:39:00.000-05:00

Talula Babaton wool coat, YesStyle blouse, J Brand "Palace" jegging, Zara faux fur stole and ankle zip booties (similar), Mango bag, The Bay leather gloves (similar)

Happy New Year everyone - 2011 was a wonderful and exciting year, but now let's ring in a new year and hope for an even better and brighter year ahead. Cheers to a new beginning!

I have been on a search for a pair of leather ankle boots for quite some time now until my eyes caught onto these on Boxing Day. These beautiful ankle zip booties were on sale so I picked them up almost immediately. Even though they are 4.5 inches high, I discovered that they are surprisingly comfortable and easy to walk in after taking a light stroll outside. I love the classic, chic and understated look with the gorgeous contrasted zipper and sole. I haven't had the chance to wear them out this winter break since the streets have been slippery, but I imagine that they will be my go-to shoes for Winterlicious 2012!

The winter break has come to an end for me and although I am jealous of those who have an extended break, I'm prepared to tackle my last and final term before I graduate. Time really does fly.

End of {2011}

2011-12-31T04:52:00.000-05:00

Just a brief recap of the year 2011. This year has been exceptionally exciting for me and filled with wonderful and unexpected surprises. I'm particularly thankful for being able to share these noteworthy moments with the special individuals around me. Sweet escape to Cayo Coco, Cuba with my best friend. Lucky by Jason Mraz – this song speaks to us. Visit from a childhood friend from miles away. A bittersweet end to a wonderful internship, which was an eye-opening experience at MasterCard Canada. Compilation of some outfit posts from this year, which further emphasizes my neverending love for neutrals.

Thank you all for being so supportive since my blog’s existence. I’m extremely appreciative for having such a consistent group of readers and frequent new visitors. This blog would be nowhere without your kind words and encouragement. I wish you all an exciting and safe new years eve – see you in the New Year!

Christmas bliss

2011-12-29T15:30:00.001-05:00

Photos taken from Fiona's Nikon camera

Gathered with the girls the other night for our annual Christmas dinner and secret santa gift exchange. It was a wonderful night filled with love, laughter, delightful food, and mindful gifts. I'm so blessed to have these few in my life and grateful to have been able to celebrate the holidays with them!

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. - Marcel Proust

Beautiful things

2011-12-28T14:20:00.002-05:00

Asos vintage inspired cocktail ring; H&M cocktail rings, Links of London Pegasus charm (gift); David Smallcombe cuff bracelets (c/o); Chloe Eau De Toilette (gift); Urban Decay Naked palette (gift)

A few charming gifts received and self purchases made within the last month. Lately, I have been quite obsessed with cocktail rings hence the number of H&M ones I picked up. They are the perfect hand accessory to pair with any dressy or casual outfit for Christmas dinners. I had just received the Asos vintage-style rhinestone encrusted ring this morning in the mail and I can't wait to wear it out!

Hannah

2011-12-28T12:28:00.002-05:00

Remember the Adore Me review that I posted here? Vanessa from Adore Me kindly sent me a lingerie set to review. I chose the Hannah to review because of its simplicity and femininity. The set itself costs $39.95 (inc. shipping and handling), which is not bad at all considering that you're receiving a push-up bra and panty.

Fit and Comfort: The bra fit just right with full coverage. The band is also quite stretchy so it provided a level of comfort. The Hannah Bra is perfect for everyday wear. It did not feel snug at all and rather comfortable with the delicate push-up padding.

Style: The Hannah Bra is beautiful with its soft, light padding and lace trim overlay. The slight push-up padding is also unique, which captured my attention since I've never seen anything like it.

Personally, there are three essential components to a bra and the Hannah satisfies all three, which are fit, comfort, and style. My wardrobe consists of a lot of lights and neutrals so this dainty bra will likely be worn many times.

Disclaimer: This product was provided courtesy of Adore Me. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This review was written with my own honest opinion.

All bundled up

2011-12-26T10:36:00.002-05:00

Talula Babaton wool coat, YesStyle blouse, F21 faux leather leggings and chunky scarf, Nine West patent pumps, H&M ring, Mango bag

Happy holidays! Hope you all received what you wished for on Christmas and spent a day of endless laughs and good food with your loved ones.

Just a quick post before I head out for brunch with two of my good friends followed by some slight boxing day shopping!

Christmas

2011-12-25T12:57:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! Wish everyone a safe and wondrous holiday and that you will be spending this special day with all of your loved ones xo.

Objects of beauty

2011-12-23T22:30:00.000-05:00

H&M sweater, Forever 21 lace scalloped skirt and statement necklace, Nine West patent pumps, David Smallcombe cuff bracelets c/o David Smallcombe (buy here), H&M ring

David Smallcombe generously sent over a gorgeous set of their popular cuff bracelets for me to review. I got them in the silver, rose gold, and yellow gold. As some of you might have seen from a previous post of mine, I have briefly reviewed Erica Anenberg's braille cuff. The only flaw in Erica Anenberg’s braille cuff is that it doesn’t sit perfectly on my wrist and I think it is vital for cuff bracelet’s to fit perfectly.

David Smallcombe's cuff bracelets are unique with its graceful curved, sleek design and beautiful 14k gold-filled combination (for the rose gold and yellow gold cuffs). The hammering also reflects light beautifully! The simplicity and elegance of the cuffs appealed to me the most and they’re subtle enough to be worn with any outfit.

What’s amazing about David Smallcombe's cuff bracelets is that they are tailored to fit making movement exceptionally comfortable. Asian girls, like me, tend to have fairly small wrist, so it’s often difficult to find bracelets or cuffs that fit well. My wrist is around 5’’ (maybe a bit smaller), which falls below the sizes listed on their sizing guide. Thankfully they do welcome customization so you can simply contact them and request to have the cuffs tailored to your wrist size.

They are definitely worth the investment given the quality and beauty! They are great for yourself or even as the perfect little gift for your loved ones.

Feel free to check out their website: http://www.smallcombe.com/

Or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DavidSmallcombeJeweler

Disclaimer: This product was provided courtesy of David Smallcombe. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This review was written with my own honest opinion.

Holiday statement

2011-12-10T22:40:00.001-05:00

Asos lace dress (buy here), Zara coat, Forever 21 statement necklace, Erica Anenberg cuff (buy here), Chloe Elvire clutch, Nine West pumps

These photos were taken for Beauty Riot's Real Girls Wear: Holiday Party Looks feature. The intent was to showcase how I transitioned my lace dress (shown here) from being a summer staple into a classic holiday wear. Evidently, none of the photos above really exhibited my dress since I had my coat on (and it would have been absurd for me to step out without a coat in early December). However, I promise that this outfit (without my coat) will reappear in an upcoming post over the holiday break.

Expect to see a lack of posts until mid-December as it is exam season and I will be hiding away in the cubicles for the time being. I just wrote my first exam tonight and fortunately have a ten day gap before my next one. I hope everyone is thrilled for the holidays because I have been secretly counting down the days before Christmas (15!!). The Christmas gatherings, gift exchanges, love, glistening flakes of snow and festive lights are all that I'm looking forward too. The time of giving is right around the corner!

The golden hour

2011-12-01T16:09:00.001-05:00

Double zero sleeveless cape, H&M sweater and leggings, Nine West pumps, Mischa Barton clutch, Erica Anenberg braille cuff (buy here)
Gold pieces are a must-have in my wardrobe. I love mixing golds with blacks because the contrast in colours really underlines the beautiful gold pieces. I also think it is the perfect colour for the holiday season! I received my Erica Anenberg cuff bracelet in the mail yesterday and I'm astound at how gorgeous it looks on my wrist. The braille print on this 14k gold-plated cuff is remarkably breathtaking. "Love at first sight", which I assume is what is said in braille as well, is written on the reverse side of the cuff. Erica's line of braille jewelry definitely conveys both a powerful and inspirational message.

Beautiful things

2011-11-23T12:10:00.001-05:00

Pandora bracelet and heart charm (gift); Daisy by Marc Jacobs Eau So Fresh; MAC mineral blush "Warm Soul"; Chanel Peche Nacree

Alluring little gifts from my dear friends

Satin taupe

2011-11-20T01:43:00.001-05:00

YesStyle blouse (buy here), F21 faux leather leggings, Nine West patent pumps (similar), Chloe patent Elvire clutch, assorted bracelets
Celebrated my bff's 21st birthday tonight at E11even, an upscale and elegant restaurant, located in the heart of the sports and entertainment district. For my dinner attire, I mixed patents and warmer colours to complement the autumn leaves and weather. After receiving this YesStyle blouse, I have been tempted to order another one in a different colour. It evokes an effortless elegance with the collar drapes and subtle gathered fabric on the shoulders.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend - bundle up in cashmeres and knits because the temperature is only going to dip lower!

Adore Me

2011-11-18T13:25:00.001-05:00

I just want to dedicate this post to the introduction of Adore Me. I am positive that most of you are well aware of personalized showroom websites for clothing, footwear, and accessories, such as StyleMint, ShoeMint, and JewelMint. I was in awe after hearing about Adore Me, which is the first lingerie website that offers you a personalized selection of bedroom delicates that are handpicked by their stylists.

How does it work? All you have to do is take a short, fun style quiz that shows them what you love in the world of fashion! Once you take the quiz, they will take you to your showroom - or lingerie drawer, if you will - where you can pick your favorites and purchase them for $39.95 with free shipping and returns. If you don’t like them, then you don’t have to buy them. It’s so easy! Each month you will receive a new showroom full of lingerie that fits your taste.

Not only do they personalize your showroom, but they also provide a relaxing and easy-to-use website that makes browsing effortless. Malls and department stores can be so stressful and not very helpful or informative when you have questions about your intimate apparel. At Adore Me, they have a knowledgeable staff that can help you with any questions you may have about fitting and you won’t have to stand in line or be elbowed by angry customers. They want your shopping experience to be equally as smooth and engaging as the lingerie you choose!

You can sign up now, in advance at www.adoreme.com, before anyone else and take the quiz in November for your style profile and unlock all of the lace and luxury for yourself! For more information on Adore Me or lingerie in general, you can always contact them via Facebook or Twitter. Join now and fill your drawers with great deals and sexy selections picked just for you!

Structured pleats

2011-11-12T13:14:00.001-05:00

Ark & Co pleated tube mini dress c/o Alainn Bella (buy here), Zara coat, F21 necklace, Prada lucite heels, Pandora bracelet (gift from my best friend)
Wearing this elegant purple pleated tube dress that was sent over from Alainn Bella. I absolutely adore the structured chest and the criss-cross semi sweetheart neckline. It's a great piece for a holiday evening out with friends and family! Don't forget to check out Alainn Bella and enjoy 15% off using the code: allure

Oatmeal

2011-11-10T16:25:00.001-05:00

Forever 21 sweater, H&M pants, Aldo riding boots, F21 necklace and ring, H&M bangle, quilted white purse
Fell in love with this oatmeal coloured sweater almost instantly after feeling how light it was, but still enough to keep me warm. It wasn't until after I got home where I finally noticed the faint ruches at the back, which made it more appealing. With a few added statement accessories, I was able to transform this sweater into something than mere casual.

XXI

2011-11-09T21:07:00.001-05:00

Wearing Rare Opulence pleat dress
I celebrated my 21st birthday with my loved ones at Forte Bistro & Lounge two weeks ago. I feel incredibly blessed for having these wonderful individuals in my life and I can't thank them enough for making my 21st an unforgettable one. Although it was a fairly pressed evening with us scrambling to get back to the hotel in time to get ready for our Halloween night out, I enjoyed the moments spent at the restaurant and the photo memories that I'm left with.

As for the beautiful, ruffled cake, that I'm sure you are all drooling over, it was made by my thoughtful best friend (10 years and counting!). If you get the chance, check out her blog at made with love!

Insectia

2011-11-09T02:14:00.001-05:00

After weeks of distraction, I have finally gotten around to uploading some of my favourite pieces from VAWK's Insectia S/S 2012 collection. Sunny Fong did a fabulous job at conveying his "Insectia" theme throughout the show as the designs consisting of cocoons of gold did evolve through the show to finally unleash a beautiful butterfly by the show's closing. The gold-plated leaf pieces that was adorned on most of the garments added a nice touch and I was especially pleased with the cuts and construction of the suits, which added a "sexy" element. Overall, it was an amazing show that was beyond what I expected - I would buy all the pieces in a heartbeat if I had the money!

Noir

2011-10-27T22:11:00.000-04:00

Zara boyfriend blazer (similar), F21 top, H&M leopard scarf (similar here), H&M leggings, Aldo knee-high riding boots, Mischa Barton clutch, Michael Kors watch (buy here)

Gold embellishments + LGFW

2011-10-21T17:21:00.000-04:00

Asos one shoulder dress (buy here), Mischa Barton Clutch, Nine West patent pumps (similar), H&M bangles
Last night, my friend and I made our way down to LG Fashion Week to view their runway shows for the night. I wore an all black ensemble with minimal contrasted embellishments. This was a simple dress that had a lot of detail - from the tie bow on the shoulders to the pleated draped skirt. We had a marvelous time, albeit rather tiring evening, especially when you're lugging around bags and bags of takeaways (boxes of Kellogg's cereal anyone?). It was definitely a memorable experience, which I can't thank MasterCard enough for.

It's no surprise that my favourite pieces were from VAWK's S/S 2012 collection with inspiration drawn from insects. One would think insect-inspired fashion would consist of dark, creepy pieces, but this collection was filled with mesmerizing metallics and neutrals. Stay tuned for a collection of photos from the studio and runway shows!

Autumn crochet

2011-10-16T01:14:00.001-04:00

H&M crochet cardigan (similar), Forever 21 top (buy here), Forever 21 shorts, Zara patent flats (similar), Michael Kors gold watch (buy here), Mango bag

I was in astonishment last week when I stepped out to find that it still felt like summer, but with a slight breeze, in the middle of October. A pair of shorts and a lightly embellished top seemed appropriate, but I still wanted a hint of Autumn so I decided to layer on this rusty coloured crochet cardigan over top. I'm almost certain that this will be the last post with me prancing around in a pair of shorts (without tights) for a long while.

Now onto a wonderful piece of news.. Next Thursday, I will be attending one of the runway shows for LG Fashion Week so hopefully I will have some exciting photos to share with you. I've never attended a fashion show before, so when I was offered tickets to the runway show, I was overwhelmed with joy!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend so far - I will be spending most of it indoors since it's raining cats and dogs here in Toronto!

Midnight blues

2011-10-10T15:18:00.001-04:00

Zara coat, H&M sweater, F21 pleated skirt (buy here), F21 bib necklace (buy here), eBay quilted purse, Prada heels, H&M bangles

Wore this outfit out on Saturday to celebrate a girlfriend's 21st birthday. The weather has pleasantly surprised us all this weekend with a high of 25 degrees so I pulled out this elegant pleated accordion skirt for the night. The dim midnight blue is a great transitional colour into the fall season, which consists of warmer colours.

It's Thanksgiving here in Canada today so I'm wishing all of you a happy Thanksgiving! I'm blessed for having such kind-hearted and loving family and friends in my life.