light it up

Bundled up against the rain and wind to catch the Festival of Lights before it ended. It was hard taking pictures in the rain, while juggling an umbrella in one hand and a large tote bag on your arm, but I managed to stay dry and take some pictures that turned out a lot better than I thought.

Plastic water bottles were cut up to create these lovely blossoms. This would make such a great DIY project.

In the middle of this shot, a couple appeared in the frame. Didn't want to re-take the shot, since there was people behind me, I liked how it turned out anyway.

The red balls of light looked like apples instead of Christmas ornaments.

A spot for those feeling a little romantic.

Happy Twenty-Twelve!

Spent New Year's Eve surrounded by friends and family, laughing and giggling, playing board games, reminiscing of fond memories and eagerly waiting for the new year to arrive. Midnight hit, and flutes of rose champagne were raised in the year as we toasted the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012.

Resolutions have been made, tentative travel plans laid out, and expectations for personal and professional goals set out. Hopefully, I'll have checked off a few things off my list before the world implodes on itself.

We played Taboo all night long. Good times :)

My friend's dog, Picco, watching us play board games.

luxury for less

I've been waiting for Joe Fresh to get their Fall/Winter stock after seeing these shirts in their holiday catalog and finally got them on Friday. The green silk shirt also comes in a soft bright pink, ivory and black but, I love the bright emerald green colour. It's so eye-catching and great for the holidays. The black lace shirt is very pretty as well. Of course, I'll have to wear a tank underneath or a vest over top for it to be suitable for work but I still love it nonetheless.

The price tag reads $49, but the shirt actually rung up on the register as $39. Quite happy about that! :)

gucci gucci, louis louis, fendi fendi, prada

 Already have a Gucci, so the next thing to purchase was a Louis.

Close-up of the image on the wallet.

Limited edition Louis Vuitton Monogram Zippy Wallet Illustré celebrates LV’s travel heritage with whimsical illustrations from 1909. Early Christmas present to me.

'Tis the season to whip out the credit card

November is usually the month of shopping events all over the city, which means early Christmas present shopping (well, this time around it was mostly for me, but next time!).

This year the GAP on Robson Street teamed up with The Style Spy to host a shopping party in store. Sweet treats were provided by Frankie's Candy Bar and Jones Soda, there were line-ups to the Blo braid bar, and the place was pumping with great music by DJ Ana. I bought a lovely metallic sweater and some thick sweater tights and got a swag bag which was great because I've been using the Goody hair spin pins constantly at work (the skoah products and the Louis Vuitton wallet were, of course, not a part of the swag bag, but was all purchased on the same day and I was too lazy to take separate photos.)

Afterwards, I stopped by skoah's 10-Year Birthday Party held at their flagship store in Yaletown where they were offering a free facial at their new South Granville location for every $70 purchase of skoah products. Love the skoah products! Stoked up on the Hydradew and the AHA mask since those are my go-to items that I use all year round to keep my skin moisturized and calm. Also got a few travel size products with my purchase: a small sample of AHA mask and a body lotion.These will be great for when I'm travelling, since my skin tends get irritated due to the change in environment (the recycled air in the plane, hard/soft water in the hotel and the air wreck havoc on my skin when I'm travelling).