Be Inspired Every Day


SOURCE: KERI SMITH

XOXO,

Answers Part 2



PATTERSON J. KINCAID LACE TOP, PANTS & BELT, BRIAN ATWOOD SHOES, GUCCI SUNGLASSES, CLUB MONACO SCARF (WORN AS HEADBAND)

Do you speak Vietnamese? Have you ever been to Vietnam? I understand Vietnamese, but I don't speak it. I've been to Vietnam once. I plan on going again in 2014.

Are your nieces full Viet? No, they're half Caucasian. The funny thing is they speak better Vietnamese than I do, except it's more sad than funny.

Do you really wear certain outfits outside? Of course. It'd be a complete waste of time and effort if I didn't actually wear my clothes in public.

How does it feel or what is your experience when you are walking down the street, dressed the way you dress and knowing that people might be staring? I'm used to people staring at me, although I've never actually had a stranger negatively comment on anything I wear, not to my face anyway. Just remember to keep your head up high and your middle finger higher.

Favorite food? I'm a sucker for desserts and baked goods/anything carb-related.

Top 3 turn-ons and turn-offs? Turn-ons: Honesty, humility and humor. Turn-offs: Close-mindedness, lack of manners/common decency and excessive drinking.

Are you currently in a relationship? I'm not one to put labels on things.

Who are some of your favorite musicians/bands? Adele, Lauryn Hill, Lykke Li, Robyn, Sara Bareilles, OneRepublic, The Fray, The Script, I could go on forever.

Life motto? Expect the worst, hope for the best.

Your favorite lipstick/lipgloss brand and why. MAC, but only because I have yet to experiment with other brands.

How were you as a teenager? My parents would describe me as being an angel, but little did they know I was sneaking out, going to raves and getting high (sorry mom and dad). Side thought: Do you ever just sit there and marvel at how opinionated you used to be, and maybe still is? Age 15/16/17 and you couldn't possibly be wrong. It wasn't you, it was them. Adults including your very own parents just didn't get it. You were too cool. Now, you slap yourself on the forehead. Was it you all along who didn't get it? You thought you knew, but you had no idea.

Do you have any quirky hidden talents? Not that I know of.

Who are some of you personal icons/heroes? Aside from my parents, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Harvey Milk, Barack Obama, Ellen DeGeneres, just to name a few. There are some people who've mastered the art of giving others hope; showing them the light when all seems lost. These people are my heroes.

What's your most painful pair of high heels and how long can you stand and walk in them? I don't care what anyone says, I find the YSL Tribute platform pumps extremely uncomfortable. That doesn't stop me from wearing them, though. They're my "sit down and look pretty" shoes.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done to your hair? I had my hair bleached and dyed half blonde, half black before, Cruella de Vil style.

Are you really getting a half sleeve tattoo? I have a consultation appointment tomorrow.

How would you describe your style? My style varies on different days. I don't think we should limit ourselves to just one.

Best blogger friends? Mae of thereafterish (E-BFF), Michelle of FVNCY, Christina of Profresh Style and Sharon of elisharon. Love these ladies. I get inspired by them on a daily basis.

What's your biggest struggle in life? Reminding myself that life is worth living. I'm getting better.

Where do you go from here? I haven't figured out the answer to that yet.

XOXO,

Answers Part 1


SOURCE: WE HEART IT

What is your occupation? Sales Associate.

Was working for Gucci your first start in the fashion industry? No. I personally don't consider selling clothes/shoes/accessories translates to being in the fashion industry, but that's just me. I've been in retail since I was 16. I'm 22 now, turning 23 in May. Let's be honest here, I'm only in it for the discounts.

Who are some of your style influences? I love Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and Olivia Palermo.

Where do you get your eyelash extensions? I usually go to O-Forest. It's owned and operated by a woman named Kaori; however, the ones I have in currently I got done at Noir Lash Lounge.

Why did you start your blog? How long have you been blogging for? I started this blog in 2009 because I wanted to have an accessible place to surface my thoughts and post photos. Overall, I've been blogging since 2001 through AsianAvenue, CalgaryPlanet and Myspace.

What gets you through rough days? Knowing that I won't feel this way forever and that tomorrow is a new day.

What would your perfect day be? Anything that involves being with the people I love most and avoiding work as much as possible.

Do you model? No.

What do you like the most about living in Vancouver? The scenery.

Where are your favorite places to shop? The Bay White Space, Aritzia, Zara and H&M.

What camera do you use? Nikon D60 DSLR.

Makeup or flawless skin? What is your beauty routine? Well, first off, my skin is far from flawless. Growing up, I struggled with acne and often felt discouraged and self-conscious. Now, I get bi-monthly chemabrasions and spot treatments done at Yaletown Laser Centre to help with breakouts and scarring. I also use prescription creams and PRIORI's skin care line. In regards to makeup, I swear by i.d. bareMinerals Foundation and MAKE UP FOREVER HD Microfinish Powder.

Have you always been inclined with fashion? For as long as I can remember I've always loved clothes, but it wasn't until a few years ago I stopped dressing like a hot mess, although I still have my moments.

How tall are you? 5'3".

How much do you weigh? 110 lbs.

Do you exercise? Diet? I don't exercise regularly, nor do I diet. I walk a lot, though. Does that count?

Favorite Vietnamese dish? Bun thit nuong cha gio (rice vermicelli noodles with grilled pork or beef and egg rolls) with extra nuoc mam (fish sauce).

What do your parents do? My dad is a chef and my mom is a retail store manager.

When are you coming to Toronto again? Maybe next year.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I don't know where I see myself, but hopefully I'll be alive, healthy, happy and thriving in a career I love.

Quality or quantity? Quality.

What fashion trends do you think are so over? I don't necessarily believe in "trends." I think it's just a word people use to try to convince others to buy shit they don't actually need. Admittingly, I sometimes fall victim to this. In terms of fashion, everything that goes around eventually comes back around anyway.

Favorite movie? Anything and everything that has to do with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp.

Of all the books you've read, what is the one that left the deepest mark in your mind? Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.

I'd like to know about your sister, who she was as a person and how she unfortunately passed away. Linda was a remarkable person. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother of two. She had just received her Master's Degree when she was airlifted to hospital following a kayaking accident in Golden, BC, and died of brain damage the next day on July 29, 2007. She was 27. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her and all the things I would have done differently. I miss her dearly. They say time heals everything, but time doesn't heal all wounds.

XOXO,

Up Close & Personal

Inspired by the beautiful Liana of Fashion Bag 411, I thought I'd do a Q&A. Leave your questions below or email me and I'll answer them in my next post.

XOXO,

Breathe Again


So here's the truth: I fuck up, I get lost and being a Taurus, I'm more often than not too stubborn to ask for directions. My sense of pride is both a blessing and a curse. I make life altering mistakes and don't realize it until it's too late. I give good advice that I can't follow and unfortunately, at times, I can be a hypocrite. I've never been one to shy away from admitting my faults; however, it wasn't until recently I started doing something about it.

I'm now making small changes that will hopefully lead to bigger changes in my pursuit of happiness. From booking my flight to Nepal, to making peace with old enemies, to weeding out the negative and creating space for the positive—I am a work in progress. "Heart don't fail me now, courage don't desert me." And remember, be better, not perfect.

XOXO,

Love More, Hate Less



FREE PEOPLE SWEATER, HELMUT LANG TANK TOP, H&M LEGGINGS, YSL SHOES

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan is a reminder for all of us that most of what we worry about every day is trivial bullshit. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected. The Canadian Red Cross has set up a special designation for disaster relief efforts in Japan. To donate, click here or text ASIA to 30333.

On a different note, as humans we all make mistakes. We dig our own graves and make our own beds, but what differentiates us from them is our willingness to rectify it. I'll elaborate more later.

XOXO,

Daydreaming of Warmer Days



CHEAP MONDAY TOP & JEANS, SILENCE & NOISE CORSETRY BRA, MIU MIU SHOES, CLUB MONACO HAT, MICHAEL KORS WATCH, CC SKYE BRACELETS

The weather has been absolutely crazy. First snow, then rain, then hail, then sun, now wind. Did I mention I hate wind?

Although I'm still getting over my post-vaycay depression and clinging on to my tan for dear life, I'm excited to announce SwimSpot, an online swimwear boutique that provides women with swimsuits, cover-ups and active wear for all body types, has so kindly offered my readers a chance to win a promotion code worth $100. Featuring brands including Luxe by Lisa Vogel, Ella Moss and more, SwimSpot also offers the Bikini Builder® which allows women to mix and match the perfect suit.

To enter, simply leave a comment below with your email address by Thursday, March 10th.

BTW if you didn't know, now you know. I hope to see y'all there. #ItGetsBetter


XOXO,

You Get Me



HAUTE HIPPE TOP, HELMUT LANG TANK TOP & SKIRT, BURBERRY PRORSUM SHOES

"A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master." — Eat, Pray, Love

This post is dedicated to my soul mates. The ones I don't need to explain or justify myself to because they just know. The ones who aren't afraid to kick my ass from time to time, tell me how foolishly I'm acting, then crack a joke so funny that I cry. I'd much rather surround myself with these few individuals and have intellectual conversations and debates that stimulate the senses and be mind fucked than surround myself by charlatan characters with obsequious personalities who say one thing while thinking another.

Some people are lucky to have fallen in love; others are luckier to have found their soul mate. I'm blessed to have found more than one. At a time in my life where I need unwavering support and unconditional love, these are the people who continue to hold me down.

On another note, thank you to those who have donated in support of my upcoming journey to Nepal. I'm eternally grateful and appreciative by the fact I evoke emotion through my blog (especially from strangers), whether it be good or bad. I welcome all opinions and feedback, as long as they're presented respectfully and with genuine interest and care behind it.

XOXO,

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