It’s been a really long time since I added some new fine jewelry to my rotation. I always have a really hard time since my skin is sensitive to nickel filled jewelry.

I get a lot of questions all of the time about the set of rings that I’m currently wearing and I always feel bad when I answer that they’re my mothers, meaning you guys won’t be able to get them.

Fortunately for this partnership with Mejuri, one of you guys will be able to win one of these 14k chain rings with a color pop of your choice! It's funny actually, how much of a black and white person I am, yet yellow just never fails to make me happy. Yellow is one of my favorite colors, so having this set on my hands have really lightened my mood every time that I see it. 

I hope you guys enjoy this photoset that I worked on for this collaboration and enter the giveaway. If you see anything else that you like please feel free to use this code: [Van10] for 10% off your order until 8/29/2016.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Photos by Sandra L.
Concept by Van Le
Giveaway sponsored by Mejuri

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Forever At A Time

It’s really funny how things work out sometimes. Times where you’re not even aware that time’s passing by. Times where nothing really moves forward or backward. And times where everything happens all at once.

If I’m being honest, Summer isn’t half as bad as I make it seem like, but sometimes I’m too used to dreading it that I can’t seem to find any reasons to like it. As much as I prefer Fall over Summer, I always take for granted that I am able to twirl around in a pretty dress when my birthday comes around thanks to the appropriate no-pants-allowed weather.

When I had to shoot this outfit in 104 degrees for Forever 21’s Pre-Fall launch was when I realized how difficult the transition from Summer to Fall actually is. It was the first time I wore pants in the past month, and I can’t even imagine how much getting used to it I’ll have to bear in a couple more weeks when the temperature starts to drop. Yes, laced tops will probably continue to be seen everywhere but not sure how my nips will handle the cold breeze without a bra underneath (tmi?). Of course, I'll miss the mini skirts and short shorts, but I'm definitely excited for the long oversized/ruffle sleeves like the Forever 21 top I'm wearing here lazily tucked into classic black cropped jeans. Watch this space, to see how I'll be layering this in a couple months.

I just feel like I’m constantly in a long distant relationship with everyone and everything that I love. My boyfriend is halfway around the world. I see my best friend once a year. And Fall is always far away and fails to never stay long enough. Yet when I get to see my significant other, my best friend, and even fall - it seems like I could spend forever at a time with them.

Top: Forever 21
Pants: Forever 21
Shoes: Forever 21 (similar here)
Bag: Chanel WOC

Photos by Sandra L.
Styled by Van Le

This post is sponsored by Forever21 for Pre-Fall 2016

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Celine Belt Bag Black Mini

I’ll probably never get tired of black bags honestly, and this Celine Belt Bag is a testament to that. Originally I had a hard time choosing between a white one and this black one, but even my sales associate told me, on multiple occasions, that the black just fits so much better with me. Regardless, I wholeheartedly believe that this is one of Celine’s most underrated bags, and it is beautiful in any color.

Like what I usually do with all my bag reviews (I know it’s been a really long time since the Chloe Faye), I’ll be talking about what I like and don’t like about this Celine Belt Bag (although it’s pretty much almost flawless, to me)

I actually got this one a few months ago, but already have been wearing it as often as I can!

To begin, one of the main reasons that I was attracted to this bag in the first place was it’s unique shape (which has kind of lost its appeal to me as my current boyfriend pointed out that it looks like a catfish, haha - stupid boys). I’ve always been a fan of small bags, but this one was just big enough to hold a decent amount of things without seeming too oversized. The fact that it wasn’t lined was something that I was not used to, but I really like the suede inners. The width of the bag allowed me to carry my DSLR, a laptop and a small makeup bag without it being too stuffed. FYI, there’s a larger version of this Celine Belt Bag -it comes without the shoulder straps and a slightly longer top handle.

Another part that I really adore about this bag is the tiny gold hardware all over the bag including the small Celine stamp at the bottom in the front. I really appreciate the fact that Celine decided to add feet (the metal parts on the bottom of the bag) to keep the leather from being worn out on the base.

Although the Celine belt bag is near perfection in my opinion, and as much as I love the versatility of the front flap going under or over the belted front, I do find that I often have trouble closing the flap when the bag is more full. I would suggest testing out if this would be a problem for you before you commit, since even closing the zipper wouldn’t really help if you want to carry the bag on your arm. Fortunately for me, the messenger strap drops the bag just enough for my hands to reach the clasp and close it with minimal effort.

Overall, I really appreciate how minimal this bag is and one that is unique to Celine’s handbag line as many people wouldn’t even be able to recognize it. Compared to many of Celine’s classic styles, it is also one of the lightest bags at a decent price point - making this one a must have in my life.

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Weather The Storm

I can’t believe that it’s August already. Where did this year go? So far, 2016 has been quite a slow ride in terms of personal growth but as my birthday approaches I’m starting to reminisce and contemplate more on what’s to come.

Without a fail, it has rained every year on the day of my birthday for the past 22 years with or without a weather forecast. Bummer, you might be thinking, but I’ve come to terms with this.

The rain brings back quite a few fond childhood memories actually, like the ones where I would run out to bathe in it with my sister, when we were little, back in Vietnam. According to my parents, it was terrible when I was born. We had a huge hurricane and the months following my birth was extremely difficult since they weren’t able to do business and provide for me. On top of that, I was always severely sick. But speaking of August birthdays, is anyone else a Leo? I don’t really fall for horoscope readings or superstitions but it’s scary how accurate a Leo description is about me.

Figuratively speaking, I’ve been weathering the storm all my life. So when a couple friends and I were stranded on the Brooklyn Bridge in the midst of a summer shower, I cheered them up and we pranced around without a care.

Top: Aritzia (similar here
Shorts: Derek Lam 10 Crosby
Shoes: Mango
Bag: Chloe Faye

Photos by Yuxi L.

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Lauren Manoogian Knit Skirt Two Ways

I don’t use Twitter often, but when I do, it’s not one of those generic quotes you can find on Google. "If you think you can do better, you probably can. If you think you deserve better, you probably do.” - 7/6/16.

I may not write blog posts as often as I’d like to, but when I do, I hope it’s not a waste of your time.

Most people have great taste, but no sense. It is unrealistic to own 5 Chanel living paycheck to paycheck, or having to restrain from eating well and living well. “Passion for fashion” was never about how many brand name things you can acquire, despite Pokemon Go convincing all of us that we "gotta catch ‘em all" to be the greatest ever was. In fact, the best interests in fashion actually come from our inability to have it all. It is rooted in the idea that fashion is endless, that helps us curate our style by being focused and selective. And why having nice things doesn’t always translate to having style.

In our highly commercialized and consumeristic society, we are encouraged to spend and buy as much as we want in order to obtain temporary gratifications. We debate about environmental issues and we show sympathy for unethical labor, yet many of us fail to think about how we can make a difference before directly blaming a bigger source.

It is unfortunate that we live in a world where creatives are always undervalued. Of course, it would be nice if we could all casually afford all the luxuries that we desire and justify a $500 pretty lace dress to wear groceries shopping. Maybe if we regard artists and designers as highly as we do for doctors and lawyers, Chanel and Celine could be prescribed and Zimmermann and Dion Lee could be afforded over the counter.

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with fast fashion, but there’s also no need to buy a new shirt every day. If one is really conscious about their clothes, one should treat their closet like a boutique. There’s no need for every single color of the same thing or an entire collection of a designer, but rather compose the entire thing with pieces that represent your style, that you can display season after season without worrying if it’s old.

Clothes are, in a sense, kind of like people. And I like to think good people never go out of style. A knit skirt like this is probably the least sensible thing to wear in New York’s relentless summer, but on cooler days I can get away with it because it has a tied waist that’s still relevant and a midi length that I just know will continue to last past fall. Plus these two outfits are just the bare minimum that this skirt can do. I can already see it turning into dresses and becoming a great layering piece for delicate knits. And I like to look at clothes the same way I look at people, I always try to see their utmost potential.

Look 1
Top: Aritzia (similar)
Skirt: Lauren Manoogian (similar) via Totokaelo
>Shoes: Chanel
Bag: Celine

Look 2
Top: Demy Lee NYC
Skirt: Lauren Manoogian (similar) via Totokaelo
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Chanel

Photos by Kara Ng.  (Look 1) Shun S. (Look 2)
Styled by Van Le

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Find Your Light

It's easy to make something beautiful even more beautiful, but it takes compassion, to bring out the beauty that's not visible to the eye. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but beauty is also standardized in our society. Ironic, and sad.

For me, there is just so much beauty in something that appears to be decaying. There's potential for complete destruction or a chance at revival. My obsession for industrial backdrops have taken me to the dirtiest of places, yet some of which have inspired me more than any movie-set cobblestone streets have, or probably ever will.

It's the same with people. Everyone has a story to tell and those who gets the shortest ends of the stick and overcome the craziest misfortunes are privileged to turn the ugliest into the most attractive. It's important to see the light in places we find ourselves in, people we meet, and the obstacles we encounter. My mantra is, your disadvantage should always be your greatest advantage, and true success is when you can turn your weakest characteristic into your strongest quality.

Dress: H&M
Shoes: Schutz Shoes
Bag: Chloe Faye Mini
Accessories: Anine Bing Bralette

Photos by Sandra L.

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