Dose of florals

Apparently my love for pastels and culottes run deep, just check out my last post here and here. Guess I do have a type, eh? While this outfit provides the appropriate amount of coverage to wear to the office, it does lend a more casual vibe so I would stay away from this if you work in a more formal setting. You could always file it away for brunch with the girls this weekend! 

Keeping it short this time - have a great week ahead and thanks for following as always! 

Top: Club Monaco (similar here)

Culottes: old

Sandals: Sam Edelman

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

What to wear when you're five snoozes too late for work

          

Dress: Chloe

After years of rolling out of bed 5 snoozes too late, I have learned that a work appropriate dress is the most powerful and crucial thing to have in your closet. A perfectly tailored dress requires zero mental effort and minimal amount of time - slip in, zip up and you're ready to go.  No need to worry about whether your top matches your skirt, or wonder where you placed that necklace you always wear with this shirt. By choosing to invest in an army of work dresses, I have managed to cut my bed to door time to under 15 minutes every morning. Another trick I've learned? The elevator is an amazing place to steal a couple more minutes to pull yourself together. I've found that it gives me just enough time to swipe on some lipstick, pull my hair back and stab in some pearl studs.  

So there you have it - my tricks to getting out the door in under 15 minutes. 

I've also linked to a few similar dresses below to help you catch a little more shut eye. I'm especially obsessed with this one! 

What to wear to on a junk boat trip

It is straight up a million degrees here in Hong Kong and combined with the 99% humidity means that being outside for any more than 5 minutes is utmost torturous. On weekends like this, the only logical thing is to sit take a cat nap poolside with a coconut in hand, in the lightest, airiest cotton romper and the biggest sunhat. I added a pale pink kimono here for extra protection against the sun without being cloyingly hot. It also makes for a perfect piece to throw on over your bikini on your next junk boat trip (aka Hong Kong's most popular way to spend the day out on a boat). 

Hope you are all enjoying the summer! 

Romper: Club Monaco (old but love this)

Kimono top: American Vintage (old but similar options below)

Shoes: Reebok (most comfortable shoes I've ever owned)

Backpack: vintage (but similar here)

Of Mercer

Calling all fresh graduates/summer interns! 

If you haven't yet, you need to get on the Of Mercer train. Specifically, their Starter Kits, which will take your closet from gringe-y/athleisure chic, to professional girl boss. AKA something I wish I had when I first started my career.  No more trying to figure out what to wear to your interview or first day on the job, all you have to do is pick from (1) basic, (2) business casual, and (3) business formal and voila, two days later you've got your first professional black dress (please, PLEASE note the difference between this and the LBD that you wear out clubbing), blazer/cardigan and a card holder.

And if you're just looking to add to your arsenal of work pieces, their clothing is stylish (hello jacquard pockets) while at the same time tailored and comfortable (two words you don't usually find together).  Aside from their impeccable clothing, they also have one of the most beautifully designed brick and mortar I've ever been to. It's the kind of space I'm modelling my future home/walk-in-closet/office/life after. So it's a good thing that everything in store, including the desks, name plaques and adorable stationary are for sale.   So if you haven't yet and you're based in NYC, definitely go check it out (even if just for future home decor inspiration!).

Have a lovely start to the week and thanks as always for following along!  

PS - For those of you wondering, I've been traveling around Scandinavia and Russia this past week, and if you're curious, remember to follow me on Instagram for more of my shenanigans! 

Blazer: Of Mercer (only a few sizes left, so get on it!)

Top: Prada

Pants: Club Monaco

Flats: Stuart Weitzman

How to wear to work: Off the Shoulder Tops

Since I last did a post on tackling crop tops and culottes for the workplace, I thought I'd tackle the other big trend this season -  off the shoulder tops. While off the shoulder tops are easy to pull off on the weekend, I'm always looking for fresh ways to bring the latest fashion trends into the office. And after some experimenting, I think I've figured it out.

As a rule of thumb, I tend to stick with a neutral, monochromatic palate when opting for non traditional cuts, and play with colors when I'm going for a more stereotypical conservative work outfit (like this button up/pencil skirt).  So for this off the shoulder ruffled top, I stuck with a white/cream combination for a more streamlined look and played with two versions depending on your office environment. For a more creative office, draping a light summer scarf over your top might be all you need, and for the more conservative environment, simply slip the straps up onto your shoulder for a cool, asymmetrical look. 

Top: Zara (I've linked to a few similar options in the widget below but am soooo in love with this one)

Pants: Zara

Flats: Stuart Weitzman (aka the comfiest pair of ballet flats I've owned)

Bag: Goyard 

How to wear to work: crop tops and culottes

Crop top/culottes, you've seen it everywhere - fashion magazines, blogs, even the chic receptionist at work has been rocking them lately, but you just can't seem to pull the trigger. Sure, it looks beautiful on a tall and lean frame, but let's be real here, is this just a mean ploy to make me look like a potato sack in public?  

Well, I am happy to report back that even at a petite, pear-shaped 5'3", the bagginess of the culottes didn't drown out my frame. On the contrary, the high waisted nature of these culottes along with the "awkward" ankle-grazing length actually makes you look taller.  And when paired with a crop top, it actually adds height. 

Oh and if you're thinking of whipping this out for the office? Just make sure you find a crop top that provides full coverage like the one I have here. Save the skimpy, cut-out version for your next girl's night. And if your office leans towards the conservative side, I'd even throw on a cream blazer. So there you have it, fashion trends incorporated into your professional workspace. Cha-and-ching. See you next time!

Top: A.L.C. (on sale!)

Pants: Saturday Club (love this affordable suede version)

Flats: Stuart Weitzman

What to wear to work: Shirt Dress

     

Dress: Aritzia (old, but linked to a bunch of similar options below!)

Bag: Cole Haan

What to do this weekend: Floral Jamming

Mother's Day is pretty much synonymous with flowers and while my mother loves flowers just as much as the next, I thought I'd do something a little different this year. Instead of going to the florist and letting them do all the heavy lifting, this year, I treated my mother to flower jamming (which is really a fancy way of saying flower arranging) and had a blast! It not only gave us quality time mother-daughter time, we also left with a new skill and a beautiful bouquet of flowers for HKD 480 that would have easily cost double the price if I had bought it from one of those fancy florists. Plus we all know that any present is better when you're the one who made it. Just look at all the macaroni art she's still kept from when you were 5. 

There are a couple places where you can go flower jamming in Hong Kong, but the one we went to was Blush.  We had a wonderful time there - it was a very private session and the instructor was very insightful and friendly, stepping in when you needed assistance while giving you enough space to do your magic.   However, I've also heard great things about Tallensia Floral Art if you're looking for an alternative. Otherwise, you could always DIY at home by following this youtube video or this skillshare class, which even incorporates fruits and vegetables (a bouquet with swiss chard?! I'm definitely intrigued! Do report back if you end up making a vegetable bouquet!). 

And last but not least, for all the mothers out there, a very happy Mother's Day! 

PS - This also makes for a great activity if you're planning a bridal shower! Champagne, flower crowns and quality girl time? I can't think of anything more (#insta)perfect. 

Menswear Inspired

I was at drinks with a friend the other day where we bonded over how painful it was to get dressed every morning for work. And how without fail, you find yourself standing in front of your closet wondering just what in the world do I wear today.  Do I wear a dress? A skirt? Ok, a skirt - are we feeling more like a pencil skirt or an A-line skirt? Do I pair it with a blouse or a button up? Are we accessorizing with a scarf or necklace? Oh or maybe some dangling earrings! Wait but damn it, but where did the other one go? I guess we'll have to go for a necklace then... 

So many frantic questions and I haven't even had my cup of coffee yet.  

This inevitably led to an envious comparison against the much simpler way our boyfriends get dressed. They grab a button up shirt, which only comes in colors that will match with any one of his grey toned slacks, laces up the same pair of cap toe oxfords and is out the door in under five minutes.   

Sigh.

And so here I am today - frustrated and determined to reinterpret the corporate male's uniform so you too can catch a couple more minutes of shut eye. 

I took the tenets of their working closet - a suit, shirt and tie, and deconstructed it so you too can look put together without stressing over it. I started off with a pair of slacks - dark but in a jacqard print to keep things fun.   Which I then paired with a cream silk blouse instead of the typical crisp white button up for a more feminine touch. Then comes the all so important tie. Instead of the windsor knotted masculine classic, I looped a satin neck tie into a bow for a more ladylike look (plus I managed to turn my white blouse into the trending pussy bow shirt - double score for not having to buy another trendy piece from Zara!). And for the final touch, I topped it off with a structured vest to keep the outfit sleek and sharp. 

Top: Club Monaco

Necktie: Patricia Kwan

Pants: Zara

Vest: Theory

Summer Yellow and Tangerine Orange

Happy Monday! I thought I'd start your week off with something bright and cheery, because god knows we need all sunshine on deck to fight these Monday blues (+ dreary grey humidity here in Hong Kong). As if Mondays weren't bad enough, am I right?

Well, here are a few snaps from my latest trip to the West Coast where I was enveloped with so much sunshine I didn't know what to do with it. So I channeled it in an extra bright, overly upbeat, lemon yellow and tangerine orange outfit. Have I thoroughly annoyed you with my optimism and energy yet? Good.    

All joking aside, this outfit screams summer and is something I know I'll be reaching for on those sticky summer Fridays when you wish you were sitting poolside sipping margaritas. Just maybe throw on this structured cream vest to keep it profesh for the office.    

Camisole: TopShop (love this affordable version)

Cardigan: Club Monaco

Skirt: H&M (very similar version here for $35!)

Sandals: See by Chloe