The last time I visited Venice was early Spring in 2015. Since that time, I always had a gut feeling that I would be back because to me, Venice was as captivating as a first love

Before heading to Venice in the peaked-tourist summertime, I was mentally prepared for all of the things Venice was known for in these sweltering months, overcrowded with tourist, humid temperatures and unbearable stenches from the water in the canal. In the back of my head, I knew that if I could love Venice even through all of these things that I hate most on travels, Venice would forever be my own little happy place.

Wearing: Urban Outfitters checkered top, RAEY slip dress, Common Projects sneakers and Proenza Schouler PS11 bag.

Wearing: T by Alexander Wang striped top, Aritzia skirt (similar), and Common Projects sneakers.

Wearing: Maison Du Soir kimono, Common Projects sneakers and J.W Anderson Mini Pierce bag (full post here).

Wearing: Style Mafia top, GRLFRND denim, Common Projects sneakers and J.W Anderson Mini Pierce bag.

We stayed in Venice for 5 nights and 4 days this time and that still felt quite short. Tucked away from the touristy areas, we stayed in a hotel that was more like a bed and breakfast (Ca' Amadi) and had a window that opened right out to the canal. It made taking naps so easy and leaving our bed so hard.

Every day, we got up at 7 am, to do what we love doing most in Venice (yes, even when the place was empty when were there off-peak season) —walk around to catch the sunrise over the Rialto bridge. If you ever get a chance to visit this magical place, I can promise you that this will be one of the things you must do. Watching Venice wake up is even more enchanting than the gondola ride for sure. Of course, I also made sure I had all the gelato I could.

We discovered some new lovely restaurants like Antico Pizzo and Osteria All Staffa— and revisited a couple of our favorites, Taverna Al Remer and Estro Vino & Cucina.

Two years ago, I left a huge chunk of my heart in Venice even without having to experience all of the romantic charms it had to offer. A part of me was always hopeful that not being able to ride the gondola will somehow bring me back one day, and it did! I woke up on my birthday, a little grumpy at Shun actually (because yes, it's not always sunshine and butterflies), but he somehow convinces me to get on the gondola and got the gondolier to sing happy birthday in Italian. Silly enough, that did the trick and I forgot why I was even upset that morning. I suck with words, but it was quite a ride and it’ll be a birthday experience that I won’t be able to top for a long long time. 

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Tropical Velvet

The last few months have basically been my awkward teenage years but in my personal style growth life’s span. With the rise of fashion in the form of Instagram attention bait, it’s been quite conflicting to “experiment” with trends while still staying consistent. But for someone as stubborn as myself, I still can’t see how a Gucci belt makes me any more fashionable than I might or might not have already been. Guess I’d rather toss my two cents back into my loosely hung pockets.

From untasteful details to obnoxious logos and patterns, I just can't seem to find any of it relevant in my life...but here I am.

I mean, what did you think tropical print with green velvet would look like? It's not the first time you've seen me in a decked out kimono, but this was my first time wearing one as a dress. Quite frankly, I had no idea that I’d ever wear something like this either. Funny story is, I had bought this kimono on a whim while planning a trip to India. I somehow thought the tropical print would be a tongue in the cheek kind of statement against some of India’s architecture - but my trip got postponed and I went to Venice to celebrate my 24th birthday like this.

Kimono: Maison Du Soir via Moda Operandi (similar here)
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: J.W Anderson Velvet Mini Pierce

Photos by Shun S.

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Gold

Everyone somehow confuses me for someone who’s “minimal” because of how selective I am about the things I choose to own and wear. Living in a big city doesn’t allow you to have much because your apartment bedroom is the size of a regular closet compared to 80% of other cities in the world with exception to Tokyo or Hong Kong and a few other cities I’ve yet been to.

They said traveling teaches you a lot, and while that’s true — travel also changes the way you live and your perception of personal belongings and their values. Material wise, gold has always been the standard monetary currency for centuries, but that’s relatively no longer true. At one point, you were highly regarded in the bubble of social media if your ‘aesthetic’ was minimal - but that’s all b*llshit to me, and you all know that.

To be honest, I really have no idea where this blog has been going these days. At times I find the outfit I’m wearing quite generic, and I really miss creatively thinking about how to style things. The more I force myself to blog, and document these outfits and photos, the more I’m confused as to whether what’s my personal style is anymore. But while I’m lost, I’m telling myself that I’m still finding my way, especially when I recognize that there’s something about this and that, that I don’t feel fits me.

So yeah, you might be thinking - floral top with cutout shoulders AND ruffles AND a metallic gold pair of shoes? Are you even on the right blog? Well, welcome to one of the outfits in which I too surprised myself I walked out of the house with.

Growing up, my mother has always taught me this one saying real gold does not fear the test of fire.

And as I’m turning 24 this month, this statement’s meaning becomes more refined for me. It’s a saying about being true to yourself and testing yourself over time because adversities are what makes you better in your very own ways. As a shoe person, I just couldn’t help but gift my self a gold pair of shoes that’ll walk me through to some bigger travel adventures this coming year.

Top: L'Academie
Pants: GRLFRND
Shoes: Valentino Tan-Go Gold
Bag: Chloe Faye Motty Grey
Accessories: Daisy Studs (similar here)

Photos by Hardy T.

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Couch Florals

I have a hate love relationship with everything that’s trending lately. As much as I’ve tried to ignore florals, they’re just somehow creeping up in my wardrobe one after another.

Of course, the term ‘couch florals’ is coined to summarize up prints that feel a bit more vintage - and I couldn’t help but title this post ‘Couch Florals’ because it reminded me of this flower-printed couch that my parents got when we first moved into our New York apartment.

Lots of good memories on that couch, like the time my childhood friend and I would use it as our stage and sing our grades school hearts out to Usher’s ‘My Boo.’

I guess the thing with what you want and don’t want, as I realized growing older, is that life doesn’t really let you choose, but it gives you just the option to make the best of it or not. And memories, especial dear ones, hold them close. So that when you are forced to reconcile with what you hate, you have something that keeps your heart soft.

Top:  Topshop via Nordstrom
Pants: GRLFRND
Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini Classic
Accessories: Fendi Bag Bug

Photos by Sandra L. and Christina L.

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