OUTFIT | lana blazer

I've been looking everywhere for a floor length blazer in white/cream, and I finally came across this lana blazer at Monki. I love wearing it because it's so big and out there; it's like dressing up in costume every time I put it on. Fun!

TRAVEL | côte d’azur

The quintessential Mediterranean playground. 

I should have spent more time at the beach.

OUTFIT | mesh cowl

My first artist trade! This mesh cowl was handmade by the multitalented Melyssa Yanga of { la lune child } blog. I sent her a small customized pouch, similar to { this }, for my part of the exchange. If it currently weren't so cold in Hong Kong I'd probably be wearing this piece all the time. The cowl features a sort of 'cloak like' fluidity, making it a great summer staple--especially in the more humid climates. It also has a subtle drape in the front--which adds a touch of elegance--and a hood in the back.

Lately I've been very drawn towards transparent/mesh clothing because of their versatility and their play on showing too much skin but at the same time, not. I already own several mesh pieces including a dress from American Apparel and a black mesh crop top from Monki, both form fitting, so it's nice to finally own a top a little more free and flowing, which allows for different styling opportunities. In the warmer months I'll be wearing this cowl as shown above: crop tank tops and high waisted pants, possibly thrown over a dress, or over a swimsuit for days at the beach!

PERSONAL | week one and counting

It's been about a week since my move to Hong Kong. I'm just getting over my jet lag, but I already feel a cold brewing inside, which means the next couple days would probably look a little something like this: eat, sleep, tv and repeat. Anyways, after the first few days of scrambling around and gathering my bearings (bank, insurance, license), I finally feel a little..settled. However, the cultural adjustment is a completely different story. First of all, the American conveniences I've taken for granted the last several years are now gone. For example, buying groceries was a breeze because everything you'd ever need is all located in one convenient location. In Hong Kong my shopping list takes me through at least three different supermarkets before it's completed. The reason for this being that there doesn't seem to be a price standard for specific types of food--a wedge of cheese at one market can cost $50 (~$6 USD), while the same wedge can cost well over $90 (~$11 USD) at another. It took some cross-checking and multiple trips to different stores before before my kitchen looked like it could sustain me for more than 2 days (it's quite hilarious how little my mom left in the house before she flew to the States; a few cans of cola colas and little pack of dodgy smelling chinese herbs).

Now that all the domestic issues have settled, I finally got a chance to explore my new city a bit. Yesterday, I paid a visit to Sai Kung, the neighborhood I grew up in. My Dad drove us back up our old street to our old house to see if anythings changed over the years. The guard turned out to be quite stuck up so we weren't allowed in the complex, but being there was comforting enough. And that beach is located just down the road from our old house, it was where my parents used to take me and Kelly to { play when we were kids }.

TRAVEL | nice photo diary

Looking back on my trip, I couldn't have picked a better endgame to my European tour. Nice, where the French go to eat gelato and play in the sunshine. The city undoubtedly lives up to it's Côte d'Azur name; I don't think I've ever seen waters this blue--are we sure this isn't just one big swimming pool? And the Mediterranean Sea backdropped against the building's red and white...it makes for a killer view. I dare you not to fall in love with it.

In fact, I loved the city so much I ended up only taking a handful of photos of it because towards the end of the trip, after two full months of traveling, I was tired from carrying around my camera from destination to destination. So after the first day of shooting atop the Colline du Chateau (overlooking the Nice Harbour and Old Town--gorgeous doesn't even cut it) and the Promenade des Anglais I ditched the cameras for next four days to enjoy the food, sun, and sights.

Priorities, you know?

ILLUSTRATION | botanical mania

I got sort of lazy halfway through painting both pieces. This was painted not long after [ this piece ], and before that I haven't picked up a paint brush in months--maybe even a year? I went into a sort of botanical themed painting frenzy. 

INSPIRATION | blue marble terrain

 

Flew over some gorgeous icy lands from my flight to Hong Kong. This was as about as far North as I've ever been and the landscape from 30,000 ft was absolutely breathtaking.

SHOPS | apartment

"Apartment takes minimalism to the extreme; the entire ground floor of the store is a white, empty space. The fact that the underground lair – accessible only by a discrete spiral staircase – is always busy is testament to the power of word of mouth. It is full of items that are wardrobe staples for the style-conscious Mitte set in Berlin – Cheap Monday skinny jeans, graphic print T-shirts and Rick Owens leather jackets."

[ Website ]

DIY | frosted card case

A super simple and practical DIY that takes little to no time to make. I bought some frosted vinyl and took apart a small paper envelope to use as a pattern. I made some incisions in each of the corners, folded them, and held it all together with a small screw-on stud. Use it to store your credit cards, metro tickets, small change, or cash.

OUTFIT | black

Blazer - H&M // Hat - Topshop

INSPIRATION | urban greys

Some details of New York City. 

I love how aesthetically pleasing big cities can be, and how you can always find something unexpectedly beautiful at every corner.