I was browsing through the French Connection UK (Canada) website, and I noticed something really strange/funny. Usually I just focus on the products for purchase but I always take notice of a site’s design when I browse, especially the graphics that are incorporated.
Check this out:
Source: FCUK Canada
Thoughts?
Last year, I successfully completed 40 days of lent; I gave up purchasing personal possessions. Other than a pair of socks that cost $4, I bought nothing else for myself (except for food, which I obviously needed to sustain my hyperactive lifestyle). Going through the experience last year opened up my mind to appreciating rather than owning, enjoying rather than wanting. I want to revisit that state of being again. I think it’s going to be more difficult this year because I keep exposing myself to fashion blogs and shows and forums and things to upgrade myself as a wannabe-fashion blogger. BUT, no excuses. I will do it and do it well.
I always hear people talk about shopping their own closets and I wonder how successful I would be if I tried it. In order to facilitate this “shopping”, I have started a wardrobe inventory spreadsheet on Excel. This is an ongoing project I have yet to finish due to the amount of work it requires, but I feel like keeping my closet virtually organized will help me make sense of what I have and how I can maximize my wardrobe capital.
Here’s my layout:
Current Value: This is set up to automatically calculate the sum of all entries in $. It’s right on top of the page to present a reality check.
Category: Assign a category for the item (e.g. blazer, dress pants, blouse, belt)
Dominant Colour: I like to sort by the main colour of the item for ease of mix and match
Brand/Designer: Self-explanatory
Place of Purchase: Sometimes I forget where I purchase things. It’s a good idea to keep track if you travel and pick things up all around the world (eBay counts too!)
Description: I try to describe the item in my own words and include any special characteristics (e.g. pleated, gold buttons, metallic finish)
Wear rate: This is the number of times an item is worn if you update this on a regular basis. It will show you just how much you love a certain pair of skinny jeans (dingdingding!!) or how much money you’ve wasted purchasing something you never ever wear.
Price: Obviously this is important information to capture!
Outfit ideas: Room to make other notes..
My spreadsheet is set up so I can sort by any of the above categories, giving me the flexibility to find out what the most expensive item in my closet is, how exceedingly often I shop at BCBG and Hugo Boss or how many darn blazers I already have. Oh, knowledge is power indeed!
Oh, memories!!!! More random photos I took and dug out from my external hard drive.
99% of my photos were taken with natural light or undirected lighting. I want to take a lighting class this summer and possibly invest in some box lighting. Or umbrella lights. But…. I don’t think I have ceilings that are high enough 
If I had my own place, I’d make sure it had 9+ foot ceilings….even if it’s a bitch to heat all that empty space.
That’s me! Hahaha..
These were taken circa June 2007. Right after going to the beach (Woodbine Beach), my best gal friends and I went to see Transformers. I thought it was the most awesome movie at the time, and then when I saw Transformers 2 last year I was sorely disappointed. Sigh.
I lose inspiration to dress up when it’s cold and windy out. I have yet to really try Justine’s winter layering tips (found here and here). It’s time to stop this laziness! Even though it’s snowing up a storm outside, I must bust out the skirts before Spring arrives. Does the cold slow your creative juices too?
Here’s how I spent my past week. Not studying! Gahah. Ok no more laughing, must really tie up the loose ends and be a responsible student. *game face* RAAAAWR.
Enjoy:
Looking through my external hard drive and found these old beauties:
All of the above were taken 2006-2007. Sigh. High school.
That’s all for now. Maybe more tomorrow.
Davis and I created our own valentine’s day on Feb 16th. We took the day off from work to make a quick getaway to the small town of Oakville (Ontario). It’s a quiet but chic little place with a sense of relaxation in the air. We got there late in the afternoon and the streets were bare although all the stores were opened. We spent a couple of hours strolling downtown and discovered many refined restaurants and boutiques.
After checking out the meat shop, we went across the street to a very quiet Second Cup for some apple cider.
For dinner, we headed to the Oliver and Bonacini at Oakville Place. We love the food at the one here in Toronto and its Oakville counterpart did not disappoint in the least bit. Literally everything I’ve tried from the menu so far has been superb. This time we had the Salmon Pizza, Spicy Sausage Penne and Cashew-crusted Chicken on Japanese Caesar. The chicken was a little dry, so I sent it back and it was replaced by a very juicy piece.
I feel pretty strongly about preserving Chinese culture in my lifestyle. I love celebrating Chinese New Year and there’s no better way to show such pride than wearing it on my sleeve.
After a big feast with my family, Davis and I headed downtown with a couple of friends in search for some entertainment. We walked by The Bier Markt and decided to go on in. There was a live band playing and people busting their moves on a small dance floor in front of the stage. We opted for a table in a relatively quiet corner to chat. I was impressed by their beer selection (as expected), but the mood and service was only mediocre. In risk of sounding like a bit of a snob, these things are very important to me when it comes to a good restaurant experience. The food, however, was not half bad and definitely picture-worthy. I was in a martini-type of mood so I had two rounds of Green Apple while the boys did beer. The Belgium chocolate fondue was delicately delish. We also had the spicy sausage flatbread and “a pot of moules”, aka mussels.
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. :]
It’s “Family Day” in Canada. Sigh. Why do I feel stupid every time I say “Family Day”? There’s just something…not right.. about having a day devoted to families. Just like Mother’s Day. Father’s Day. Valentine’s Day. Halloween (that’s right).
Weather has been yucky as usual, so I took my Dr. Martens out for a walk. I don’t wear these too often, maybe twice a month…usually on days with icy grounds that require extra traction.
I forgot I had a turtleneck until I discovered it at the bottom of my sweater drawer (yes, I have a drawer just for sweaters….it’s spill over to another drawer, in fact).
My neck felt a little too warm/restricted after a couple hours so I took it off and wore my t-shirt for the rest of the day.
I scored this skirt from Sears for $6. SIX WHOLE BUCKS.
It was clearance-priced for $11.99 which I already thought was a good deal (it’s a skirt with pockets! Very very hard to find skirts with pockets AND fit my tiny waist).
Then I used a scratch-and-save card (for clearance-priced clothing items only) and it revealed 50% off! I wanted to go back to the clearance rack and find more stuff but the cashier said I had to use it right then and there
Isn’t the colour just beautiful?
Scratchin’ my nose. Scratching, I swear. >_>
Skirt: Attitude brand by Sears
Boots: Dr. Martens from eBay
lol don’t you love my signature? I want to re-do it in MS Paint for extra ghetto impact.
I finally gave this shirt some attention today. The print made me feel very Canadian, eh. I got all patriotic from yesterday’s winter Olympics opening ceremony. Ya, our techie guys aren’t so great at hydraulics, but we’ve got amazing performers like Sarah McLachlan to make up for it.
Shirt: Club Monaco
Sweater: Random eBay purchase
Silk Scarf: Diesel
Pants: Theory
Spent the afternoon downtown with Davis to do some casual shopping. We stopped by Stussy and picked up a few sale items. Davis got me my first Stussy item! I just love cute skulls.
The back is even cuter.
Speaking of skulls, I have to say goodbye to my favourite skull, Alexander McQueen. Thanks for gracing us with such unreal creations. I will think of you whenever I wear this…
Hope everyone’s planning a fun Valentine’s/Chinese New Year celebration!
Tonight I’m staying in with my family to watch the opening Winter Olympic ceremonies and feasting on herb chicken from Metro. Tomorrow I’m going to help my mom cook up a crazy huge Chinese New Year dinner and stuff. I also have so much work to do and tests to study for, AHHHH.
I’ve gathered some links from around the web which I’d love to share with y’all. Enjoy!
That’s all I have this weekend. lol
