Thursday, February 27, 2014

Preparing for my first 10K

One of my resolutions this year is to stay fit and healthy. To be honest, with the move and everything, I fell off the exercise wagon for the past two months. The bad winter we have this year doesn't help either. Thankfully, a friend sent me this article and it really inspired me to get back into running. I made a commitment by signing up for a 10K race in April. I know I am not ready to do a 10K yet but I am willing to push myself and see how far I go. For those who are new to running, 10K is approximately 6.21 miles. I started my training 2 weeks ago:

 

Week 1: 
The first week went really well. As you can tell, I increased my mileage by 0.5 mile every other day. This is the best way to build up your running endurance and overall, strengthen your core.


Week 2: 
I started off the week with a 5-mile run. Then I couldn't find the time to run during the week since my husband was on a business trip. I only did 3 miles on Saturday because I knew I had to put in a long run the very next day. I can't stress enough the importance of not overdoing it. There is always a risk of injury with any type of physical activity. You know your body better than anyone else.

At this point, I am pretty confident that I can push myself to the finish line =) I still have 6 weeks left to get ready and am very excited about my very first 10K. I enjoy running as it is one of the most affordable and fuss-free ways to stay in shape. Six months ago, I couldn't run a mile without stopping so I hope this post inspires you in some way.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Shopbop: Spend more & save more event

Shopbop is running a spend more, save more event. Details are as follows. This is a great opportunity to pick up some designer pieces up to 30% off. As always, Shopbop offers free 3-day shipping and free returns. Don't forget to use Ebates to get 3% cash back! Below are a few items I own and love as well as some on my wish list. Happy Shopping!

Includes All Full-Priced & SALE Items

Spend $250+ & Save 20%
Spend $500+ & Save 25%
Spend $1000+ &Save 30%

Enter Code BIGEVENT14 at Checkout. Offer ends Thursday, February 27, 2014, at 11:59 PM PST


 
..and a few items on my wish list:

 

Sunday, February 23, 2014

The midi


I've always been a great fan of midi skirts. However, being 5'2", midi length skirts and dresses are some what tricky to pull off. After seeing countless bloggers rocking the midi skirt, I wanted to try the trend myself. Luckily for me, this midi skirt from Chic Wish turned out to be perfect (also available in purple). I am wearing a size S in this post. The skirt measures 12" across the waist and the overall length = 25". When it comes to the midi length, it is all about balancing your body's proportion. For this outfit, I went for a casual look by pairing the skirt with a plain tee and a cropped denim jacket.

 

What I am wearing:
Skirt: Full A-line midi skirt
Tee: Forever 21 v-neck tee
Denim jacket: H&M - size 2
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Number One
Watch: Michael Kors runway
Shoes: Shoe Dazzle (similar - starts in size 4)

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The Foyer: Before & After



We moved into our new home less than 8 weeks ago. While there is so much to do still, everything is coming together really well so far. For those of you who don’t know *although I don’t think I said it officially on the blog* but my husband and I designed this house from scratch. While I feel extremely fortunate and blessed that we had the ability to do so, the process also came with lots of headaches and roadblocks. We plan to do a video home tour which we’ll talk more about the experiences. However, that video will have to wait until a later date. Work has been very hectic of late for both of us. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy a little sneak peek into our new home.



Products pictured:
Banquette Bench | Cylinder vases | Dried branches | Throw pillows | Wall decal | Faux fur rug



I wanted to create a warm and inviting atmosphere where guests enter the house. The beige and burgundy color combination does a great job of making this area feel cozy and welcoming. A little faux sheepskin rug pulls everything together. I really love the way this area turned out. It's modern and clean with a touch of glam. 

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Layers upon layers



Another week, another snow storm =) Winter doesn't seem to be leaving us anytime soon. Thank goodness for my trusty leather jacket and snow boots. I was actually pretty toasty in this outfit. Hope you all have a great week ahead and stay warm =)

 

What I am wearing:
Jeans: Old Navy the rockstar (30% off)
Denim shirt: *old* (similar, similar)
Snow boots: Timberland *old* (newer version)
Jacket: Soia & Kyo *no longer available* (similar, similar)
Scarf: H&M *old* (similar, similar)
Sunglasses: ZeroUV *old* (similar, similar)

Friday, February 14, 2014

Sparkles & Valentine's Day outfit idea # 3

Sometimes, it only takes 5 minutes to shoot my outfit photos. Sometimes, it takes a few tries to get them right. I think this outfit broke the record. It took 6 times to produce 4 decent photos. Yikes! The lighting was so off that we had to redo and redo. I hope you enjoy this look regardless. This is my last outfit idea for V’s day (see outfit # 1 and outfit # 2). The sparkles probably messed up my lighting :smiley: I picked this dress up for NYE but ended up wearing it on Christmas Day to a concert. It was perfect for the occasion since the concert was held at a local casino.So, you could say I had to swap my pajamas for something glamorous as this was no live casino online. My husband and I always celebrate Valentine’s in a very low-key way. This year is no exception. With this crazy weather we’ve been having lately, I just hope he’ll catch his flight back home on time tonight. Happy Valentine’s to all and don’t forget to take a moment to let your loved ones know just how special they are. “Love is not finding someone to live with, it’s finding someone you can’t live without.” — Rafael Ortiz

What I am wearing:
Dress: BCBG *no longer available* (similar, similar)
Earrings: Gorjana & Griffin *old*
Shoes: Bandolino (this year's version)

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Heart sweater & Valentine's Day Outfit Idea # 2


I don't know about you but I love taking pictures in the fresh snow. There is just something magical about it. Although, taking pictures in such conditions can be challenging. Today, I have another Valentine's Day look for you. This outfit is for those who prefer pants over dresses/skirts. This is just a simple casual B&W outfit with a splash of red. It's perfect for a movie date and grabbing a drink afterward. Happy hump day and stay warm =)


What I am wearing:
Sweater: Old Navy - size XS
Blazer: Banana Republic *old* (similar, similar)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Number One

Sunday, February 9, 2014

A burgundy lace dress & Valentine's Day Outfit Idea # 1



Valentine's day is just around the corner so I thought I'd put together a few outfits for the holiday. Honestly, my husband and I are so not Valentine's Day people. Our motto is Valentine's should be everyday. If you're a long time follower of this blog, you may know I rarely wear pink. It's my least favorite color. You certainly do not have to wear pink on V's day. If you're going out for a fancy dinner, this little number is perfect for the evening. It's one of those dresses that will make you look sexy and classy at the same time. I wore this dress to dinner with friends on NYE. I also wore it last week to church to celebrate Lunar New Year. Burgundy is a such an elegant shade. It's not as loud as red and it's not as boring as black. This dress is definitely one of my favorites in the closet. I completed the look with a pair of sheer black tights and black accessories. I hope you enjoy this post and stay tuned for 2 more outfit ideas later this week.


What I am wearing:
Jacket: Ann Taylor *old* (buy similar here or here)
Shoes: ShoeDazzle (almost identical for under $200)

Friday, February 7, 2014

Splurge vs. Steal: Designer Looks for Less # 3

Today's post is another series of Splurge vs. Steal. I wanted to share a few look-alike designer pieces that I found while poking around the internet. Hope you enjoy this post and have a wonderful weekend!
Splurge vs. Steal (under $50)


 Splurge  vs. Steal (under $55)



Splurge vs. Steal (I got these in store for under $50)

 
Splurge vs. Steal (under $50)

 Splurge vs. Steal (under $75)

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Sequin print



Is winter over yet? Dressing in extreme cold weather conditions isn't always easy. I have basically lived in turtlenecks and thick tights for the past month. This outfit is not exactly cheerful but let's look on the bright side, a fun print will always brighten up the day =)



What I am wearing: 
Skirt: FRS sequin print skirt c/o - size S
Top: Forever 21 *old* (buy similar here or here)

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Lysse Collection: Leggings - from day to night


Continued from my last post, today I am featuring 2 more pieces from Lysse. Leggings are a versatile piece that every woman should own. They can be dressed up or down for daytime or evening. For an evening look, I paired these sequin leggings with a tunic that is long enough to cover my bottom. I then finished off the look with a leather jacket to achieve that rocker chic look. If you're more on the unadventurous side like I am, these leggings are the perfect solution. They're fun yet understated. This look is perfect for a night on the town.

 

What I am wearing:
Leggings: Sequin stripe ponte leggings c/o - size S
Top: Express embroidered lace tee
Jacket: H&M (buy similar here or here)
Clutch: Kate Spade (buy this year's version)
Boots: Nine West Tilldawn
Sunglasses: Prada cat-eye



Nothing beats a pair of leggings on the weekend. I pretty much live in these leggings for the past few weekends. They are thick yet insanely comfortable to wear. I adore the ribbed texture as well. It's such a refreshing change from the traditional leggings. Gray is a neutral that can go with almost everything. A good pair of leggings is always welcome in my closet. Both leggings have waist measurement = 12" and 36" in length. If you're looking to add some leggings to your existing work and leisure wardrobe, I recommend you check out their site. With a vast selection, there is certainly something for everyone.



What I am wearing:
Leggings: Lysse twill ponte with seam c/o - size S
Top: Target flannel skirt
Vest: A&F *old* (buy similar here or here)
Sunglasses: ZeroUV *old* (buy similar here or here)
Boots: Ugg classic tall in chestnut