H&M Metrotown Grand Opening

So it's kinda old news and I'm terribly behind I know, but yeah I went to this small opening the other week for a store you probably won't recognize.  Not many people came. HAHA I SO FUNNEE right?  The Metrotown H&M opening was probably one of the most attended store openings this year, with a who's who of Vancouver fashion elite schmoozing and shopping.

Since I knew that I was focused mainly on shopping, not blogging, I didn't bother bringing my camera, so sorry for the lack of store photos!  The layout though is pretty similar to other H&M stores, with a wide floor-length area for women and a downstairs floor for men and kids.  A DJ spun background beats, while waiters pranced the store floor brandishing all sorts of cocktails and nom-nom snacks.  I heard the martinis were delicious, but I was feasting on fashion only that night.  Here's some gratuitous changing room shots:

BOUGHT: this stellar silvery jacket, which I described to a friend as "tin-foil hotness."  I was a bit skeptical of this jacket at first, but my new shopping buddy Elisse convinced me otherwise!  Thanks girl!

Soft and wooly, this cropped coat came in a dreamy cream color and featured a great asymmetrical zipper and flared hem.  Sadly, I couldn't purchase it as I was a little too err, well endowed for it - trust me, never happens!!

BOUGHT: this "holiday" sweater was something both Elisse and I snapped up as it was just too adorable to pass!

BOUGHT: this sheer white bow blouse.  I think I snagged the last smaller size (sorry!), but so glad I did because at under $10, this blouse was a must-have.

Verrry cute jacket with a snazzy removable fur trim.  Loved the print, the fur, the buttons, but not the overly large size.

Skinny orange belt perfect for layering.

Have you checked out the latest H&M collections?

Shoppalu: my new favourite wallet drainer

Want to know one of my latest obsessions?  It's a great new online retailer right out of Vancouver called Shoppalu!  Recently launched this year, Shoppalu seeks to bring you the hottest vintage and new finds in apparel, shoes, and accessories.  What's really great is that they have a killer shipping rate ($8 in Canada and FREE for orders over $100!) and their website is a joy to use with a clean, simple layout and detailed product information.

When Shoppalu offered me the chance to try out their site, I jumped for it!  After carefully assessing all their vintage finds, and tearing out some hair trying to make a decision out of all the amazing things they had, I finally settled on this gorgeously vintage leather box satchel:

I LOVE how perfectly boxy this bag is with its hard edged structure and semi-glossy finish.  It's simple, business-like, and yet quirky in that way that only vintage pieces can be.  Plus it has tons of storage compartments!!

The only thing missing from this piece is a shoulder strap :(  I can see that there could have been one in the past, as there are 2 hooks on either side of the bag, however I don't know where I could find one - does anyone know??

 Don't forget to check out Shoppalu yourself!

How to care for your leather wear

When winter comes around, there are few things I look forward to more than chunky knits, hot cocoa, and my leather boots.  "Luckily" for me, Vancouver's climate allows for a rather long and wet wintry season, so I'll have plenty of time to wear my leather boots in all sorts of ways.  Although leather may have a tough reputation, it's actually quite delicate, and without some TLC your leather lovelies can quickly sour.  Here are a few good tips I learned recently on how to keep your leather supple and soft season to season.

• Always hang leather garments on wide or padded hangers to maintain their shape.  Use shoetrees in footwear and stuff empty handbags with tissue to help retain their shape.
• Never store leather goods in plastic or other non-breathable covers.  This will cause leather to become dry.
• Allow wet or damp leather to air-dry naturally away from any direct heat source.  Leather can be treated with a conditioner to restore flexibility while suede can be brushed with a terry towel to restore its look.
• In winter, promptly remove salt deposits from garments and footwear by sponging with water; follow with the above treatment for wet or damp leather.
• Avoid very humid and dry environments as well as direct sunlight. 
• Do not use waxes, silicone products or other leather preparations that will impair a garment’s ability to breathe.
• Wrinkles should hang out.  If ironing is desired, set iron on rayon setting, use heavy brown wrapping paper as a pressing cloth on right side of the garment and a quick hand to prevent overheating and shine.
• Avoid spraying perfumes or hair sprays while wearing your garment and do not apply pins, adhesive badges or tape. Wearing a scarf at the neckline will help keep hair and body oil away from the collar.
• Hems may be fixed with a tiny amount of rubber cement.  For best results, see a leather care professional.
• All products formulated for at-home use should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the garment.
  
  

Thank you to the Professional Leather Cleaners Association for the info!

Festive Collective Pop-up Shop Nov. 2-27

Have you gotten your Christmas list together yet?  La Mama started bugging me to put together mine last month.  She was late this year.

My family likes to stick to a strict wishlist for our family gifts.  It sounds uber restrictive, but it's actually quite practical!  Also, we don't always stick to the lists - we're rebels that way.  I'll be sure to pick up some gift ideas for my list next week when this year's Festive Collective starts!

Proclaimed as a "one-stop holiday shop", Festive Collection boasts an amazing selection of local finds, like Astosatchel, Daub & Design, Even Design, Filou Designs, Irit Sorokin Designs, Mimosa, Ole Designs, and more!  You'll be sure to find gifts for everyone on your list: from the new baby, to the eco-conscious cousin, to even that hipster brother!  


What is the one thing that you're crossing your fingers to get this year?

Nikkei Centre presents: Fall Harvest Kimono fashion show

Last month I was invited to attend a unique kimono fashion show at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby for the Fall Harvest Festival.  Being a massive lover of kimonos, of course I agreed so it was with great anticipation that I entered the Nikkei Centre on a Friday night to a packed house of fellow kimono lovers.

The show began with musical performances and a dance performance by one of the pioneers of classical Japanese dance in Canada.  After a brief intermission during which guests were invited to browse the various craft and food stalls, the show began.

Oh my goodness, if only I could have the chance to wear something as delicately beautiful as a kimono!  Every outfit was made with gorgeously detailed patterns and colors.  The models were as lovely from the back as from the front as viewers were given glimpses of their beautiful obis (sash).  Everything from daily, to formal and all in styles between of kimono were displayed, with the show closing with an elegant bridal wear look.

Besides knowing that kimonos were pretty, I didn't know much about them.  Here are some quick facts I learned from that night:

KIMONO- once the daily garb in Japan, remains a symbol of Japanese culture and are often worn for special occasions including weddings and festivals. They are constructed from a single sheet of fabric that has been divided into seven parts and are traditionally hand sewn.
KOTO- is the national musical instrument of Japan, commonly comprised of 13 strings strung over movable bridges along a length of kiri wood and dates back to the 7^thcentury.
NIHON BUYO- is defined by The Japanese Classical Dance Association as “an artistic dance based on the tradition of classical techniques transmitted from an accumulation of four centuries of history and has carried on the craft transmitted from noh and other performing arts.”  For the Kimono Show, head master of the Nishikawa-ryu Mrs. Yoko Matsuno exemplifies this tradition with a classic performance based on the seasons.
SHISHIMAI- or Lion dance is often performed as a prayer for household safety and a good harvest.

The National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre is a multi-use facility at the corner of Kingsway and Sperling in Burnaby, BC. Officially opened on September 22, 2000, the Centre houses the National Nikkei Heritage Centre and the Japanese Canadian National Museum. The Centre’s mandate is to promote a better understanding and appreciation by all Canadians of Japanese Canadian culture and heritage; and an awareness by all Canadians of the contribution of Japanese Canadians to Canadian society, through public programs, exhibits, services, publications, public use of the facilities and special events. 


Thank you Nichola Ogiwara for the invite!

See more photos here...


And don't forget to enter my Birthday Giveaway!

Product Review: Philosophy Microdelivery Micro-massage Exfoliating wash

The Product
Similar to a micro-dermabrasion, Philosophy's Microdelivery Micro-massage Exfoliating wash promises to gently slough away dead skin cells, impurities and fine lines to reveal brighter, smoother skin.

The Guts
Star flower oil, which is very gentle and great for people with sensitive skins and with conditions like excema, while rice bran serves as an emollient and composes the exfoliating grains.

Price & Packaging
I only bought a teeny jar as part of a sample pack, but as you can see, the full size is 236.6 ml which is quite enough to last for awhile.  I've got about 1/8 of that size and I've been using this exfoliator for the last few weeks, exfoliating twice a week.  The price for this size is $25, which does seem like a lot, but other sizes are available for a lesser price point.

Effectiveness
You have to be sure to only moisten your face, not wet it before applying otherwise the product becomes very watery and useless.  There's no scent, which is nice, and the granules are very fine and pleasant on the skin. Other exfoliants I've tried have had large grains that scratched my skin, which I later found out can actually gouge lines into your skin, so now I always avoid those.  The product foams up slightly upon lathering and rinses cleanly.  After using this product regularly, I've gotten compliments on how bright and even my skin looks!

Buy or Ditch?
Definitely buy! It's a bit pricy, but I'm sold.

Final Verdict:  A+




Psst.. have you entered my Birthday Giveaway yet?

Obakki Holiday Collection 2011

Before you know it, it will be holiday season again and that means... holiday parties!! So what are you going to wear to knock the socks off your holiday crush and snag that ever important kiss under the mistletoe?  Obakki may have the answer with their super chic holiday collection.

Featuring a subdued palette of blacks, pale blush and creams, the collection slants towards a more loose, modern fit, rather than the usual sequin saturation that the holidays bring.  Refreshing in its simplicity, this Obakki collection sure has me wondering just when those party invites will be arriving!

PS. Don't forget to enter my Birthday Giveaway!

Birthday Giveaway!!

Hi Readers!  It's my birthday today and while I do not wish to disclose my horrid new age (ugh the joys of womanhood), I do want to give you all back something for being such amazing and awesome people to follow my little blog.   The years that I've been blogging have changed my life and has spanned a lot of changes in my life.  I've moved cities, graduated from university, got my first job, made new friends, learned some life lessons, traveled to new places, gone to great concerts, ate tons of awesome food, interviewed musicians, artists, and fashion designers, and connected with people in the great blogging community.  It's hard for me to find any complaints in my life, except to say that I wish there were more hours in the days so I could do more things!

To celebrate another year, I'm hosting a giveaway care of Vintage Funk and Junk, an online source for great vintage finds.  Perusing Vintage Funk and Junk's website is like visiting a virtual antique store.  You can tell that all the items here are genuine vintage finds and unlike that fancy local vintage boutique, the prices are actually affordable!  Plus, there's no sifting through piles of musty clothes and cartons as everything is nicely categorized for you.  Now that's my kind of thrifting!

To enter this giveaway and win the $35 gift card, just visit the store and let me know what you'd buy!  Since the gift card is eligible for US readers only (boo), I will also pick a second international winner, who will win a mystery gift pack from me!

For fun, I started clicking through it to see if there was anything worth buying for myself and I found TONS of things!  Just check out some of these fabulous items:

Genuine fox fur vintage navy pea coat, $85

Such a steal for a wool coat! Check out that classic double-breastedness and the fox fur - so luxe.  If you have to wear fur, make sure it's vintage so that no currently living animals are harmed.

Silver arrowhead earrings, $12.50

Very cool shape that would go perfectly with spring's tribal prints.

Vintage brass candy bowl, $10.50

Vintage glass Avon sachet dresser jar with ornate silver lid, $10

Vintage Art Deco glass dresser jars, $18.50

If you're more into home decor stuff, then these jars would look great as holders for rings, cotton balls, hair accessories, or whatever other odds and ends you may have!  They actually look gorgeous empty as well.

Chic patent leather vintage cluth with unique gold design, $26.50

Classy hard case vintage gold clutch purse, $32.50 

Perfect for evenings out, little clutches are an essential.  Both of these are classic enough that you could take them from your work party, to the house party.

Vintage peep-toe pump, $28.50

Vintage sky blue pumps, $25

Vintage grey lace peep-toe pumps, $28

Vintage riding style lace-up boots, $42.50

If you tried to buy similar shoes to these now, you would likely pay at least $70, but here you could get them for half off or more!  Vintage shoes are fascinating as the styles and colors just have this darling uniqueness that is hard to find in modern shoes.  Even the lace-up boots have a very modern look to them with their two-toned toes.

Are you convinced yet to enter?  You have until midnight, Oct. 24, 2011 to win!

Vancouver Beauty & Lifestyle Bloggers Meetup!

I never realized before I started blogging, but it's a pretty popular thing.  In Vancouver alone, there are a TON of bloggers in fashion, food, music, and pretty much anything else you can think of.  I'm always grateful to be part of such a vibrant, open community and relish chances when I get to meet the people behind my favourite blogs.

Recently, I was invited by Christine of MacNunu to be her "hot date" to a meetup of local beauty and lifestyle bloggers at Sanafir restaurant.  Of course I agreed!  It was an amazing night full of meeting awesome new people and finding lots of new blogs to follow.  Unfortunately, the lighting in Sanafir was terrible as they were going for "mood" lighting so sadly we bloggers were denied one of our favourite pastimes: taking food shots!

What was great about meeting the ladies was that we were all from different walks of life.  Some us were getting married, others just graduating university and starting their adult life, but we all shared a love for makeup, fashion and girl talk.  Was lovely meeting you:

Sheila (organizer) - http://www.maddyloves.com/ (@maddylovesblog and @sheilapan89)

Alison - http://www.alison-elle.com (@allison_elle)

Jordana - http://highmaintenancewoman.blogspot.com (@mizzjblog)

Rosalia - http://style-love.blogspot.com/ (@stylelove2)

Christine - http://www.macnunu.com (@macnunu)

Yvonne - http://ohsovonnie.blogspot.com

Sarah - Msfwithsarah.blogspot.com (@msfwithsarah)

Kerrilyn - somethingaboutkerri.blogspot.com

Ashley - http://makeupkismet.blogspot.com (@wafflepoo)

Michelle - http://www.straight.com/ (@michdas)

Also, thank you to our fantastic brand sponsors for the amazing goody bag!

Vasanti Cosmetics
Nail Polish Canada
Marcelle Cosmetics
Artie Cosmetics
Shi-Nail Salon
e-beauty.ca

If you're a Vancouver blogger, you can find out about the next blogger meetup as well as other local fashion events and news on the official Vancouver Beauty & Lifestyle Bloggers page!

Eeee! Forever 21 collabo with Hello Kitty!

So I was super excited to find out that one of my favourite shops and my favourite cat are collaborating in one uber cute collection.  Set to debut November 18, Forever 21 will release a capsule collection featuring pieces inspired by Hello Kitty, mostly consisting of cardigans and a few blouses.  Everything in the collabo will be under $30 making it as affordable as it is covetable.  See you in the lineup when this collection debuts!

Spend on Trend recap

As I grow older, I become more inclined to seek out original finds and support local designers.  South Main is a growing hot spot for both original and local fashions and is a perfect way to spend a sunny weekend afternoon.  If your style leans toward vintage and your favourite online spots include Modcloth and Etsy, then South Main is for you.

To highlight this shopping mini-mecca,  SoMa (South Main) retailers got together for an annual event called Spend on Trend, showcasing the best of the best, from recycled cashmere sweaters, to handcrafted jewelry, custom leather suitcases, and even jewelry made from silver spoons!

Check out the highlights below:

You can see the rest of the photos here.

Thank you to all the retailers at Spend on Trend for showing me their lovely things:
Nostalgic Links
Toodlebunny
Vintage Creations
BuenoStyle
Not Your Nana's Silver
Five Left leather goods
L'arbre Love
Bronsino

Happy Thanksgiving!

Black tank: RW&Co

Floral tank: Artizia,

Green skirt: Aritzia

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian readers!  Take notice of this photo as it will be the last evidence of my pre-Thanksgiving-blimpness.  I'm thankful for many things, but I sure won't be thankful that my pants won't fit anymore.  What are you thankful for this year?

What is sleep: VIFF and saving sharks

Leopard top: H&M

Navy pleated skirt: H&M

Life is crazy busy these days.  Actually, a friend reminded me the other day that I say that all the time, so really, maybe life is normal?  Anyways, just wanted to let you readers know that I'll be taking a break this week from blogging, but it won't be to take long, indulgent naps (sadly).

This week I'll be busy reviewing films for the 30th annual Vancouver International Film Festival!! This just over 2 weeks long event is something I look forward to every year as I'm a huge movie buff.  Few things could be more enjoyable to me than getting immersed in a good story, be it on film, or in a book and this year I'll get to be immersed into 8 different films!  Since I'll be spending much of this and next week watching and writing about films, I thought I'd take a break this week on blogging.  Keep an eye out for my reviews on Schema's VIFF page!  Even if you're not in Vancouver, you can often catch screenings in your own hometown, so it's worth checking out!

In other news, I also wanted to share with you an important event I'll be attending this month.  Liv of A Beautiful Life, invited me to an evening of tasting and awareness for the cause of local charity, SharkTruth, an organization whose goal is to educate the public about the harmful effects of shark fin soup.

If you've never heard of this before, shark fin soup is a Chinese delicacy, often eaten at wedding banquets.  This practice has resulted in the slaughter of countless sharks, who are caught, stripped of their fins, and thrown back into the ocean - often still alive.  Sharks are now an endangered species, which is a terrible thing as they are critical to our ocean's delicate ecosystem.  It shames me as a Chinese person, to think of this pointless slaughter when there are viable non-harmful alternatives to eating shark fin.

SharkTruth seeks to inspire change with a special soup competition where chefs from around the city are challenged to produce tasty, shark-free substitutes for shark fin soup. Event details are online, so if you are in the Vancouver area, I hope to see you there!