Your Eyes Deceive You Not ♥

 Sometimes you’re 23 and standing in the kitchen of your house making breakfast and brewing coffee and listening to music that for some reason is really getting to your heart. You’re just standing there thinking about going to work and picking up your dry cleaning.
And also more exciting things like books you’re reading and trips you plan on taking and relationships that are springing into existence. Or fading from your memory, which is far less exciting. And suddenly you just don’t feel at home in your skin or in your house and you just want home but “Mom’s” probably wouldn’t feel like home anymore either.
There used to be the comfort of a number in your phone and ears that listened everyday and arms that were never for anyone else. But just to calm you down when you started feeling trapped in a five-minute period where nostalgia is too much and thoughts of this person you are feel foreign. When you realize that you’ll never be this young again but this is the first time you’ve ever been this old. When you can’t remember how you got from sixteen to here and all the same feel like sixteen is just as much of a stranger to you now.
The song is over. The coffee’s done. You’re going to breath in and out.
You’re going to be fine in about five minutes. 

- The Winter Of The Air

Lovelies! I cannot believe it has been almost a year since I last went on my blog. I hope you are all keeping well and enjoying the start of the new year so far ♥

My life has just been an absolute roller coaster ride. Sometimes I'm in absolute awe at the top screaming my lungs out in amazement and happiness, other times I'm tearing up with fright from the tips and turns, holding my breath afraid of what will happen next once I reach the bottom of this free fall. Yet at the end of the day everything will be okay.  

But I am back and ready to blog'n roll.

The New Year brought me a new career along with rekindled love, friendship and of course new year's resolutions. This year I plan to:

     ♥ Save money - which doesn't necessarily mean to spend less, but to definitely spend smarter and control
         my shopping habits better
     ♥ Eat healthier - no more late night snacking
     ♥ Take sewing classes at Spool of Thread
     ♥ Walk home from work at least 3 days every week
     ♥ Read - I have had so little time for myself to indulge in books lately but I will push myself to make time

Speaking of shopping, my wardrobe has become a lot smaller since I started blogging. I've been evaluating, donating, and investing in basic, beautiful, and (most importantly) wearable pieces. There have also been a number of gorgeous additions that I can't wait to review and share with you along with some new skincare and makeup items that I have been loving.
Stay tuned ♥

xo
Lori

Front and Company Rummage Sale ♥

It's that time of year again: it's time for Front and Company's Rummage Sale! Time to get up nice and early for a cup of coffee on Main Street and roll up your sleeves while lining up to get into the gem consignment store for crazy deal goodies ♥

I've been able to go to every sale they've had for the past 2 years or so now and each time I've come home with amazing finds. One year I scored a pair of COH Jeggings and a pair of super cute Prada sandals while last year I managed to dig up a couple James Perse tanks, a funky Surface To Air top and a little Marc By Marc Jacobs watch. Despite the crowd and hectic atmosphere, it's actually quite fun. I love browsing through the accessories and stationary from their store next door (they usually have a table outside if the weather is nice - crossing my fingers for sun this weekend).

I'll definitely be stopping by this weekend (hopefully before) work to see what treasures are to be found! I hope you lovelies will have the time to stop by and do some digging (and share your finds)!

xo
Lori

New Side To Chinatown: The Board Of Trade Co ♥

Who would've expected to see such an amazing little shoppe around Chinatown? Just shy of being opened for half a year, The Board Of Trade Co is a concept clothing boutique that aims to highlight and support Vancouver’s growing creative community. Upon loading their website, you might find the face of their newly launched in-store brand Wu+Sen familiar - it's the beautifully stylish Lily from Bleed For Fashion! Click here to check out more pictures of Lily featuring Wu+Sen - aren't those photos amazing?

 

 Lily from Bleed For Fashion

The store's minimalistic and somewhat industrial decor is refreshing. Their collection of clothing are from up and coming designers around the world who limit the amount of work they produce - so you can be sure that you'll find that one special thing. I have a love-hate relationship with the sense of urgency that creates. If you spy something you love and don't pick it up chances are...well there won't be another chance. Did I mention each piece is gorgeous and packed with personality?



Upon stepping into the store I was immediately drawn to a pile of oversized, chunky, knitted cowl scarves in lovely rustic colors. The Board Of Trade Co has an extremely down to earth vibe with a sort of vintagy eclectic ambiance (I love it). The store carries clothing for women as well as men with a good collection of funky jewelry and accessories (I also fell in love with a pair of super cute tassel loafers).

The Board Of Trade Co was opened up by childhood friends David Lin and Eunice Quan (creative director of Oak + Fort) - probably two of Vancouver's youngest entrepreneurs. I believe I met David while stopping by today. He was very friendly and excited to hear my thoughts of the store. For some reason I was at a loss for words (my vocabulary just flew out the window). I did manage to sort of express how much I liked the look of the store and the creativity in the clothing. Well, hopefully if you ever read this David, I have everything lovely to say about The Board Of Trade Co!

Sadly, I didn't end up picking up one of those scarves (please still be there for next time!), but I will definitely be coming back in the near future for some serious shopping. Another super cool local shop to add to my list of favorites ♥

P. S. For you young creatives out there looking for a unique place to shop, this is a store for you.

xo

Lori

Last Minute Christmas Wish List ♥

Can you believe it? Only 5 more days until Christmas! Time goes by so quickly. I remember this time last year I was scrambling the streets of Beijing for trinkets and gifts and decorating my dorm room with ornaments and paper snowflakes (my roommate got quite the surprise when she got home that night). And now I'm here: home. Sitting with a cup of tea, my laptop and watching the lights on the Christmas tree winking and twinkling. Sometimes it feels like I never left Vancouver ♥

For the majority of my family and friends, Christmas shopping is complete (I'm not a last minute running around the mall kinda girl)! But hey a girl can dream of a few last minute surprises popping up under the tree.
Here are a few things on my wish list that are super easy (budget friendly) gifts to get last minute for anyone - best of all they can all be found in Vancouver!

These are adorably sleek and convenient for the moody coffee lover (like myself). Grind just enough beans for one cup of coffee - freshly grinding the beans right before they come in contact with hot water makes the difference in taste.
Find @ Homewerx 2928 Granville Street

Bistro Burr Grinder $99.99                             Bistro Blade Grinder $34.99

                          

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All Marble & Milkweed products are made by hand and with love in New York City. These pretty, aromatic and sensous teas make the perfect blend for a morning sip or an afternoon pick-me-up. Delicious both hot and iced (add a bottle of honey for some extra sweetness).
This simple lip balm is loaded with organic coconut and sesame oil and vitamin E for maximum lip protection and nourishing. Not to mention it's delightfully packed in a cute little silver tin!
Find @ Oliver and Lilly's 1520 West 13th (just off Granville Street)

 

Marble and Milkweed Organic Teas $16/2oz                              Marble and Milkweed Simple Lip Balm $8

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Whether you're young or old, a girl or a boy everybody can use a pair of cheerfully printed and colored Happy Socks. Happy Socks are high quality, super soft socks made from combed cotton. Designed in Sweden and manufactured in Turkey, the collection of socks features an almost endless variety of models and designs, crossing a wide spectrum of color combinations, materials and textures. Best of all, every pair is unisex!
Find @ Charlie and Lee 223 Union Street $13-$17/pair

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Those with a love for home decor will love one of these hanging mobiles from Vancouverite Stu Hughe's Celestial Visions collection. Elegant, beautiful and absolutely mesmerizing - perfect addition to any room. Each mobile comes pre-assembled in a box (simply remove from the box and it's ready for hanging). Available in gorgeous geometric spheres or darling dangling feathers and crystals. $40-$100

Find @ Nouvelle Nouvelle 209 Abbott Street (in Gastown)

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A holiday classic: these animal shot glasses come in both black and white, available in several animals and best of all can stand on their heads. Perfect addition to anyones collection or bar. These are super popular so make sure you get one before they're sold out! $30 each.
Find @ Vincent Park 4278 Main Street

There are tons of shopping haven cities out there, but to me Vancouver has it all. With more and more amazing boutiques and shops popping up around the city, I wouldn't want to go anywhere else to shop (okay, fine that's not entirely true, but shopping in Vancouver is still on top of the list)!

Some other great shops around Vancouver to go looking for stocking stuffers and trinkets:
Front and Company 3772 Main Street
The Hach 197 East 17th Avenue (just off Main Street and 17th)
Much and Little 2541 Main Street
Mr. Lee's General Store & Haberdashery 109 East Broadway
Old Faithful Shop 320 West Cordova Street

Happy last few days of shopping lovelies ♥

xo

Lori

Chic, Simple, Wearable: Oliver & Lilly's, I ♥ You

Many of my favorite little shoppes tend to stray off the path often travelled (like Hach and Nouvelle Nouvelle and Lynn Steven). Mum and I were hitting up South Granville last summer and we stumbled upon Oliver and Lilly's: an adorable little boutique just off Granville Street (and 13th). The store is cozy and very inviting with friendly faces who are always smiling and happy to see you! They have a beautiful collection of clothing in store by (some hard to find designers) Edith Miller, APC, Steven Alan, and Heidi Merrick (just to name a few). They also carry Alternative Apparel, gorgeous Clare Vivier bags, some fun sparklies by Charlotte Hosten, pretty scarves, socks, candles, tea and other fun tidbits.

My favorite pieces currently in store (a few happily in my wardobe ♥) are:

 

 Heidi Merrick Desmond Leather Pant 

Clare Vivier Tropezienne Tote

I love the chic simplicity the store embodies (I wish my entire wardrobe consisted of everything from their store). It is always a major challenge for me to leave this haven empty handed. And if you can't make it to their store, fear not! They recently launched their online shop. And if you're unsure about sizing and fit, their staff are super helpful and knowledgeable and are always happy to answer everything over the phone or by email (don't worry they respond very quickly to email inquiries).

I haven't been down to South Granville too recently, but the last time I was taking a cruise down I noticed quite a few very posh boutiques popping up in the area. I'll definitely have to take a day to grab some lunch down there and visit all the new (and old) shoppes (Misch! Oliver and Lilly's! Anthropologie!)! Hopefully my piggy bank won't be in tears by the end of the day ♥

xo

Lori

A Pleasant Surprise

I mentioned the Rachel Comey Penpal boots in my previous post about the Roots booties that I purchased. To say it simply - the Rachel Comeys have been on my wishlist for a year now (too expensive to buy at original price, and they were sold out everywhere they were on sale) and up until I purchased the Roots boots I had totally forgotten about them.

Last week mum and I were shopping downtown, we stepped into Holt Renfrew (whoops that was a mistake) and they were having their sale! It was the first day and the shoe racks were brimming with sparklies and beauties and people! And then I saw them...my Rachel Comey Penpal booties in black and brown - yikes. After trying them on and figuring how much I really wanted and loved them, I was very proud of myself for putting them back and walking away. My mum tried them on too and she also really loved them (she's been boot hunting), but we ended up leaving to look at other boot possibilities for her.

After a couple hours of shopping around, mum said to me "we're getting those boots." At first, I really didn't believe her. We went back into Holt Renfrew (the shoe racks were noticeably emptier - though the amount of people shopping was about the same) and retried the boots together. After a good ten minutes of debating and pondering...

Cha-ching! Sold!

Don't they look gorgeous on Maggie? ♥

My mum was really happy with her decision since it would be a pair we could both wear. We decided on the brown together - since we both already had black boots and the brown was, without question, more unique and pretty than the black. She actually wears a size larger than me, but luckily with a light insole I can make these babies work. They are very comfortable and impeccably crafted (as all Rachel Comeys are) - I could marvel at the handsome wooden heel all day.

The final total came to around $280 with tax. They were onsale from $450 down to $249. There were a lot of gorgeous shoes that day. If only I had a million bucks to spend ♥

Expect the unexpected.

xo

Lori

Etsy & All Wired Up Jewelry Designs

I am an Etsy fanatic.

I could spend hours and hours browsing on etsy from one handmade gem to another and forget about sleep, work, food (well everything except my cup of chap or tea or coffee that I`m having while etsying)...yes I can get carried away. If your hobby includes anything related to art and creation or you have a love for anything vintage, etsy may come to be your best interweb friend. It's like ebay, but handmade. The shops don't feel commercial-like or have a marketplace atmosphere, but rather like you're peeking into someone's amazing tumblr photos, or a scrapbook collection of treasure. I love etsy (and you should too).

Some of my etsy favs:

 

Le Muse Asymmetric Top

Scout & Catalogue Scarf

Silk Tee By Rachel Rose

Light Texture Dest Lamp

So many items on etsy just take my breath away. I`m constantly amazed at what people can create today.

I stumbled upon Pennee, a couple months ago while browsing etsy for the perfect handmade gem stack rings. After long hours of jumping from shop to shop and getting frustrated because everything I wanted was totally out of my budget range - a collection of stack rings met my eyes and I fell in love. Then I looked at the price and bingo! Pennee makes a beautiful assortment of precious metal and gemstone jewelry for very affordable prices. And if you think not expensive means not high quality, you'll only be more surprised when opening the tiny parcel in your mailbox to a stack of well-crafted rings (or necklaces or pendants or earrings or bangles - she makes them all).

She also loves custom orders - so if there's something you want (specific style of ring, specific gemstone) that you can't find, send her a message on her etsy page and magic can be made. She also has her own little space on blogger -> All Wired Up Jewelry Designs and she is doing her first blog giveaway. All you have to do is put a hand in spreading the word about her amazing jewelry and you could win one of her most popular bangles - the Floral Pattern Bangle. Check out her blog for contest details.

I purchased a sterling silver stack ring set. It included an Aquamarine stack ring, Iolite stack ring, Burmese ruby stack ring, and a simple twisted wire band ring. I love mixing and matching for a different combination of rings everyday, sometimes I wear them all, sometimes 2 or 3, or sometimes just a single ring. They go well with all the other rings in my personal collection and are a great way to add a bit of sparkle to an outfit or magic to your fingers. I just never want to be without a ring on my finger ♥

xo

Lori