Bali Dreams

H&M top, Zara shorts, Michael Kors bag, Steve Madden sandals

Bali, Indonesia has long been a dream destination of mine. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to tag it to our trip to Hong Kong earlier this year. In one word, Bali was simply Amazing. More than just beautiful beaches, it's a place with rich culture, friendly locals, and delicious cuisine. We spent a week on this paradise island and loved every minute of it.




Other than spending quality time at the pool soaking up the Bali sun, we spent most of our days exploring nearby regions - Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak. The narrow streets were bustling with motorcycles and people shopping at charming boutiques. From trendy clothing to furniture stores, you can find nearly everything in these small shops. My favourites were the boutiques with traditional batik. I was mesmerized by all the patterns and colors and wished I had the luggage space to buy a few pieces. As a compromise, I purchased a batik bracelet instead!









I think many of you would agree that trying local food is probably the best part of travelling. The food at the Padma resort where we stayed was amazing, but so was food at smaller restaurants around town! I'm Chinese and love my fried rice, so of course I had to try their Nasi Goreng. After all, it is Indonesia's national dish! The shrimp chips and sweet chili sauce perfectly complimented the meal.  It was SO delicious that my lack of sharing with the boy was justified :)





Our day trip inland to Ubud was the most memorable. Located in the central region of the island, Ubud is known as Bali's arts and culture centre. Driving through the town, we saw countless shops selling oil paintings, sculptures, wicker furniture, decorative mirrors, you name it! We stopped often to gaze at the stunning panoramic view of the rice terrace.  I could have stayed there forever.  Nearby at the Monkey forest sanctuary, I was tempted to kidnap one of the oh-so-tiny and cute baby monkeys... although I know his mother would have shredded me to pieces! We had a positive experience at the park but were warned they can be vicious. Not sure about vicious, but one fella was sure spoiled. He wasn't impressed with the size of the banana I gave him so he grabbed my hat in protest!

City(e)scape

Soaked in luxury dress, H&M cardi, M&S shoes

Yes, I have been grossly neglecting this blog, but no, I haven't abandoned it! With reflection on some recent events, I've shifted my priorities to focus on other aspects of my life. A sincere thank you to those who have asked about me and to readers who continue to drop by despite the lack of updates. I really appreciate it!

This easy print dress was a lucky find at a sweet little boutique called Violet Hill Boutique tucked in the beautiful Steveston Village, Richmond BC. I've always loved getting fish & chips by the pier on a sunny afternoon and now, there's another reason to visit. If you're ever in the area, you ought to check out this boutique! Speaking of simple pleasures, I miss walking around HK with J, scouting out shops with the best macaroons and going back to our hotel room to enjoy them. I'm already dreaming about our next escape... Before that thought, I shall share the long overdue pictures from Bali, Indonesia. Up Next!

Hong Kong Part I

Zara blouse, J Brand jeans, LV bag, Hermes belt, YSL arty ring

I'm back from nearly a month away. First, it was a wonderful time in Hong Kong and Bali with the boy. Days after my return, I was devastated by the news of my grandmother being hospitalized... followed by an unexpected trip to Beijing for her funeral. Without much time to adjust, I left for New York city to meet my dad. Nevertheless, here I am... back on the blogging train and starting with pictures from Hong Kong. No matter how many years away, HK remains a place where I feel at home. I spent a good chunk of my childhood living in the city and there's something about it that's luring me back in. During this visit, I realized that it's time to get off cruise control and get on with my career development. A possible move to HK? Time will tell.










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Time Travelers

Club Monaco top, F21 skirt, Steve Madden sandals, Michael Kors bag, Harriet Grey ring from BeautyMark

Like most girls, I both love and hate the humidity.  Despite walking around the city feeling like a steamed bun, the moisture acted like a miracle product giving volume and texture to my usually straight, heavy, and lifeless hair! It was also nice having the bestie do a French braid for me the night before our adventure into historic China. She flew over from Korea for the weekend and we managed to squeezed in all the major sites in 4 short days -- the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven to name a few. Together with J, we were the 3 musketeers roaming the through the city eating Peking duck, bargaining at Silk Street Market, and (sadly) getting scammed by pedicab drivers. It was amazing sharing a piece of Beijing with them.

Keeping wardrobe choices light, short, and breathable was key to surviving the heat on this trip. The yellow silk top was from a few seasons ago but I still love the pick-me-up color and the origami details. The cotton floral skirt has bits of yellow to compliment the vibrant colored top and I opted for simple sandals and belt in neutrals to avoid looking like I'm heading to the circus. One thing I missed? Sunblock on my feet. I have to live with a hideous sandal tan for the next little while!







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Bird's Nest

Banana Republic blouse, H&M shorts, Nine West Wedges, LV tote, Fossil Bangle

Birds often never return to nest once they've learned to fly. I, for one, love visiting Beijing - my birthplace and my "original" nest. I spent 5 years of my childhood in the capital of China. But now, I find it hard to keep up with Beijing's constant progress when the humble landmarks I used to recognize seem to be overshadowed by the waves of trendy shopping areas and skyscrapers being built every 2 years. From the famed Forbidden City to futuristic highrises, Beijing is a true blend of traditional and modern, and is home to nearly 20 million people! J and I fully embraced both the old and the new by playing nerdy tourists for most of the trip. This was my first time at the National Stadium, aka "Bird's Nest" since it was built for the 2008 Olympics. Despite the hazy weather condition, the structure more than impressed me. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be there during the summer games.

I love packing shorts during my travels for the endless options. Pairing them with different tops can create multiple looks, whereas one dress is often just one look and it takes up a little more room in the suitcase. I paired these neutral H&M shorts with a much needed pop of color in a breathable silk to avoid disappearing into the infamous Beijing haze. Although I'm not a huge fan of monogram, this Louise Vuitton Palermo GM tote was a gift. I've grown to love it for its practicality. The size and shape is perfect for everyday use, and it's also an iconic print and a "forever" bag. I could definitely see my future granny self wobbling down the street sporting this!

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Chasing the Sun

Silence + Noise Romper, Deena & Ozzy hat, Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses, Bebe vest, Steve Madden sandals, Michael Kors bag

Hello Cannes Toronto! I never thought I would say this about a Metropolitan city like TO, but my experience so far can rival South of France. The crisp blue water and blazing sun takes you to a warm and tropical place.  Well, only until you turn around to see the soaring CN Tower and his little brothers in the financial district, reminding you that we're in Toronto - Canada's economic capital. We spent a beautiful day by the harbour.  The Victoria Day long weekend brought festivals, shows, and plenty of people to the lakefront hotspot.  Who knew I'd be getting a tan here instead of in San Diego!

The last picture is from the Arts at the Heart artisan market at Yonge-Dundas Square, where vendors display their unique hand crafted items every weekend from May-Oct. The jewelery stand is filled with Bijoux's unique designs. I bought a pair of May's one-of-a-kind earrings for a friend's birthday coming up (R, if you're reading this. hint hint). There's so much of the city we've yet to explore, so off I go, will update shortly ;)







xo,

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PS. I can't thank you all enough for your visits and comments. More photos of my apartment will be coming up, I promise :) For now, there's always a glimpse into my Closet and Dining area.

From San Diego with Love

F21 top and ring, Michael Kors crossbody bag, Seven jean shorts,

Home sweet home! I spent the week in San Diego - A few days of work and a few more to shop, visit the zoo, and hang with my Honorary-Canadian/LA-fashionista friend Annette from The VersaStyle.  We spent the day shopping at the Fashion Valley, but shocked ourselves by leaving the place with absolutely nothing! Determined to do better, we made up for it by finding a few things on 5th Ave before having dinner at a quiant little Italian place.  The San Diego Zoo was a must, especially to see the Pandas! I'm just a little obsessed.... and I was pleasantly surprised by how active they were.  Zhen Zhen, a two-year-old girl and a little acrobat, did not stop running and climbing for the entire 20 mins I was there.  I'm sure Cirque du Soleil would love to have her! 









xo,

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