My Daily Series – First YouTube Vlog is live!

Hi everyone,

I’ve been such a busy bee but I’m happy to be back! It’s so fitting to share my first vlog here with a Wednesday wisdom quote. I’ve been wanting to do this for quite some time now and although there was a lot for me to personally overcome, I’m happy that I pushed myself to take that step! Self-doubt or listening to other people’s doubts about you really kills more dreams than failure ever will. I’m so lucky to have a great support system, all my family, friends and loved ones are always so supportive. For me, it’s really the self-doubt. Growing up I was super introverted and it was only in my university years when I started to come out of my shy shell. After I graduated, I moved away to live in Seoul and that was one of the best experiences of my life because it pushed me to be comfortable with myself and the next thing you know, I’m now 90% extrovert and 10% introvert! Still, when I thought about making a vlog, there was something that held me back. A year into the pandemic and I finally decided to get over those fears and make time to put together my first vlog. It’s now live on Youtube!

I never doubted that it would take a lot of work, but it took A LOT of work. I loved every bit of it and it was so much fun to make. You know that I’m a very creative person so this is another creative outlet for me, especially during the pandemic. In this vlog, I give a sneak peek of the first home (I’ll do a condo tour soon!) me and my fiancé bought together, food adventures (you know I love my food) as well as ways I have been taking care of myself during these busy times.

Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. Quote by Suzy Kassem.

Here it is! Take a look and show me some love by leaving a comment to let me know what you think, give it a thumbs up and subscribe. Can’t wait to create the second one. If there’s anything that you want to see more of, let me know. Thank you so much for your support and for checking out my first vlog!

My Blanc Canvas

My leather jacket search is now over

Hi everyone,

Happy Friday! Hope you’ve been staying safe and healthy.
Did you pick up any goodies during Black Friday or Cyber Monday? I’ve been on a hunt for a classic leather jacket that can earn my loyalty for quite some time now. I wanted a timeless style that’s simple, something that’s not too cropped, with a bit of a relaxed fit but not too baggy and doesn’t have too much hardware.

Finally, the search is over, I found the perfect leather jacket!

When the Black Friday sales started, I checked out AllSaints and to my surprise, I came across the Elva jacket and it looked like it had all of the things that I’ve been looking for. I was excited but didn’t want to get too overjoyed because I wasn’t sure what size I would be and whether I’d be happy with the fit. So I was cautiously optimistic.

When I tried it on for the first time, it feel super luxe and was instantly in love! It’s such a beautiful jacket and the fit was exactly what I’ve been looking for, a bit loose without looking too frumpy/oversized.

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3 Ways to Style: Satin Slip Dress

I’ve always loved the look of a simple satin slip dress but it has taken me a while to find the right one. A lot of them are pretty but they’re not versatile enough. I really liked this A&F Satin Slip Dress when I came across it. The shape of the neckline is flattering with a slit on the side. The satin material is also great quality that’s double layered. I bought both the black pattern as well as the light coral in size small regular. I think I could have done the petite but it was sold out and I wasn’t sure whether the slit would be higher than it already is in the regular. My torso is long so I thought for this style, the regular would work best. Also, something to note is that there’s no zipper so I’d take that into consideration when buying the dress although I’m mostly a size small at A&F. It’s currently on sale from $99 to $45 + 25% off (was 15% off but now it’s an even better deal!). Such a great price for the quality that you’re getting. I styled this dress in 3 different ways to show how versatile it is.

Work Attire

Jacket  |  Aritzia Wilfred Chevalier Blazer in xsmall – super versatile, I have it in 3 colours.

Bag  |  ai Toronto Seoul Worker bag in Grey – check out my review of the bag!

Shoes  |  Aldo Faredien Sneakers – gives you both height and comfort for the long days at work.

Comfy Chic

Top  |  Zara Oversized Sweater

Shoes  | Abercrombie & Fitch Double Strap Faux Leather Sandals in Light Brown – the straps have a really soft touch and they feel very secure.

Bag | JW Pei Envelope Crossbody bag in Black – check out my review of the bag.

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Vegan Leather Work Bag

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Right before COVID19 hit, my work bag started to tear on the base. It’s a large tote with thin leather straps that I could throw over my shoulders. Even though it was strong and sturdy, I’ve always had a bad habit of overpack my bags. The heaviness started to wear out the bag. I’ve had it for quite some time now so I was due for a new one!

What I was looking for was something that is versatile, simple, and stylish that didn’t look like a “work” bag, lightweight with different ways you can carry the bag. Even though I’m currently working from home in our state of self-isolation and don’t need to get a work bag yet, but thought I’d started the hunt. To my surprise, I quickly found one that I really liked. 

ai was started by a mom with her 3 daughters. It’s based in Toronto and all products are handmade in Seoul, South Korea. I also have 2 sisters and the 3 of us all love fashion. One of my sisters and I lived in Seoul for a bit after we graduated from fashion school at Ryerson. We had such an amazing time there and made so many great memories. In a way, I feel very connected with the brand. I also love supporting local businesses so I was happy when I discovered ai Toronto Seoul.

Selfie with my new ai Toronto Seoul Worker bag.

First of all, I love that this bag is vegan leather and it’s PETA-approved. The colour and texture of the bag are beautiful. It’s super versatile and can be worn in 3 different ways with the 2 detachable straps that come with the bag.

3 different ways to wear the ai Toronto Seoul Worker bag.

ai Toronto Seoul  | Worker Bag in Grey ($165)

Take a closer look at the bag in the video below. Hope you’re staying safe & healthy. Thank you for reading!

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Vacation Looks: Excellence Oyster Bay, Jamaica

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I’m an over-packer when it comes to traveling but I’m one just of those people who like to have options for outfits because I dress according to my mood. Are you like me too when it comes to travel packing? Here’s a look into what I packed for my trip to the Excellence Oyster resort in Jamaica. I’ve never been to an all-inclusive resort prior and we had the best experience there. 

Swim & Cover-Ups

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Zaful Crochet Beach Cover-Up (one size, currently half off!) – I love this crochet cover-up, it’s so versatile to throw over a bikini or you can tuck it into high waisted shorts or a skirt. I’m 5’3 and even for me, it’s quite short when you wear it as a dress so I just mainly used it as a cover-up around the beach or pool areas.

Zaful Striped Smocked Bandeau Bikini Set (size S) – This smocked bandeau is so comfortable when lounging around or even worn under your outfits going from the poolside to a restaurant for lunch. It was a teeny bit loose for me so I didn’t wear it in the ocean, just in case, the waves were too strong (haha). If you’re looking for a patterned one, they have a cute sunflower style in black and yellow.

Zaful Tiny Floral Low Waisted Knot Bikini Set (size S) – This bikini has a lot more support compared to the bandeau and is great for swimming around in the pool or when I was by the beach. The ties come undone so it can be tightened. I could have done an XS if it came in a smaller size but this still fit comfortably. Not into the flower pattern? They have a lot of different colours in a solid style.

Aerie Swimwear (size S, currently 50% off) – I love Aerie swimwear, they’re such great quality and always have amazing sales. The rust coloured bikini with fringe ties has underwire cups that give it structure, providing a lot of support. This Lightly Lined Underwire bikini top is similar and a great one to add to your swimwear collection. I also brought the below red one-piece swimsuit. It has a Baywatch vibe to it! Aerie right now has 2 cute red ones with a strappy back detailing, one that’s a solid and the other with a pretty jacquard pattern. I always like bringing a one-piece swimsuit for the activities that involve a lot of movement.

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Printed Sarong – I got this turquoise & pink Paisley sarong when I went to Bali a few years ago along one of the beaches in Seminyak. I love bringing a square scarf/sarong because it’s easy to tie it around your waist or throw it over your shoulders whenever you need a little extra coverage. It’s both stylish and practical.

Mismatched Bikini – Sometimes I like to mix my solid and patterned bikinis for a different look. This H&M Balconette bikini top is so comfortable and the straps can be removed when you want to go with a bandeau style so you don’t get those tan lines. They have a lot of cute new colours. I would pair the yellow one with this H&M Flounce-Trimmed bikini bottom. So cute!

Canvas Beach Bag – H&M has some really great bags. This canvas bag was easy for me to take around to the beach and pool areas as it fits quite a lot. with a wide base As much as I love straw totes for a beach vacation, they’re not as easy to pack so I prefer something that can be flattened and folded up. I love these options from H&M right now, this woven cotton Tasseled Shopper is super cute or this Oversized Canvas Shopper for a more chic look.

Flowy Fringe Jacket – I got this H&M fringe jacket a few years ago and it’s light, flowy, and easy to pack without wrinkles. It’s perfect for the hot weather as the sheer polyester material keeps you cool. Here’s a similar one, H&M Jacket with Fringe in Black.

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Oversized White Dress Shirt: I love supporting Canadian brands and local businesses. This Frank and Oak white dress shirt is so versatile. I purposely got a medium so that it would have a loose, oversized fit. The shirt is made of 100% cotton so it’s breathable and has this crisp, slightly wrinkling look which gives it a relaxed feel.

Linen Embroidered Wrap Top: Linen and embroidery just have such a resort wear look. I always like throwing in one of these when packing. This wrap is also easy to go from the pool to a restaurant when thrown over a bikini. Love this one from Zara

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My Obsession Monday: Mini Friday by JW Pei Haul

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Who doesn’t love a good crossbody bag? Friday by JW Pei has been creepin’ up on my Instagram for a few months and I finally went ahead and ordered a few items to see if the quality lived up to how the bags looked in pictures.

Friday by JW Pei is a sister brand of JW Pei and they offer vegan leather bags incorporating recycled plastic with sustainability in mind.

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The first bag that caught my eye is their Camera Bag, which is, unfortunately, all sold out. Not sure if they’re bringing it back but I’ve always wanted a camera bag, just haven’t found one that fits both the price and look that I want until this. I love that this one has a pretty chevron stitching pattern. When I got it in the mail and tested out the bag, the zipper ran very smooth. The strap is detachable and adjustable in length which makes it very versatile. I also added the tassel ornament to the order so that it can add a bit more personality to the bag.

Friday by JW Pei – Tassel Ornament in Black 

Friday by JW Pei – Camera Bag in Black (Sold Out)

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My Obsession Monday’s: Sunnies & Glasses from BonLook

This is new territory for me as I’ve only left the 20/20 vision community in the last couple of years. Not sure if it’s the aging, starring at the computer (and my phone) hours on end or a mixture of both. Probably both.

When I started looking, I realized how difficult it was to find something that wouldn’t slide down my small nose. I probably tried on hundreds of frames before I stumbled across the Nadine at BonLook. The nose piece held up the frames, the medium size fit my longer face shape and the lenses were big enough that it covered the negative space around my eyes. I tried on all the colours that the Nadine had to offer and finally decided to go for the Pink Tortoise because it worked well with my fair skin tone. Fast forward a few months, last week I decided to go back to BonLook to get a pair of prescription sunnies too and went for the same style but in a different colour. I chose to go with the brown-tinted lense with the Bingal coloured frames. The Bingal is also like a tortoise-shell pattern but in yellow and brown. It matched really well with the brown-tinted lenses. If you have the same concerns as me, go into a BonLook next time you’re at the mall and give the Nadine a try!

Good for: Almond/oval face shape, small nose

Glasses: Nadine in Pink Tortoise 

Sunglasses: Nadine in Bingal

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Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

MyBlancCanvas

Lace Cami & Loose Cardi

The warm weather can’t come soon enough! Even though it’s May, it’s still been so chilly here in Toronto. Seems like I’m always living in layers no matter what season it is because you can never be too sure when it comes to the Canadian weather! I came across Jean Wang’s (from Extrapetite.com) Insta story when she shared these two pieces from Abercrombie & Fitch. I haven’t shopped at A&F since I was a kid and it definitely took me by surprise. I love how versatile they are and you know I’m all about versatility.

The lace cami is such a staple and can be worn on its own or with a cardi whether you want to tuck it in or leave it out. I got this in the small because I wanted it to be a looser fit and liked it so much that I recently got two more in the satin and chiffon finish as well. For the cardigan, it is in such a soft, cozy fabric and the boxy shape makes it easy to layer on with various different outfits. This top is quite cropped so I went for the medium size so it gave a bit more length.

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Lace Cami : Abercrombie  Clipdot (small)  |  Satin (x small)  |  Chiffon (x small)

Loose Cardi: Abercrombie Cozy Button Up Top (medium)

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I bought these two items before my trip to Jamaica and wore the cami with two different outfits. I’ll be sharing some photos from my trip shortly along with the outfits that I brought with me. Stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend!

MyBlancCanvas

KNOTTED SEQUIN SKIRT

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Happy Holidays!

It’s been so nice to take a little break over the holidays to spend time with family, friends and just let myself have some ‘me’ time. I’ve even been detoxing from social media too! How is 2019 right around the corner? Where did 2018 go? This year truly was a busy one and it flew by.

If you’re still looking for a NYE party outfit tomorrow or for the holiday parties that just couldn’t be squeezed into the last weeks of 2018, here’s a skirt that I love from Zara (act surprised!). It’s now on sale for $49.99 so drop by your nearest Zara store to pick one up or order online if you don’t need it until the new year. It is full of tiny sequins and let’s be real,  who doesn’t love a little sparkle! Scroll down below to see how I styled this skirt in 3 different ways.

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Look #1: Party Hopper

This is a great day-to-night look as it’s appropriate for work and then at night, you can throw on a statement necklace to dress it up.

Statement Necklace: J.Crew  |  Crisp Dress Shirt: Frank & Oak (favourite dress shirt)  |  Black Tights: Rachel Tights  |  Chunky Heels: Aldo

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Khaki Green & Swiss Dots

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The holidays are upon us! I’ve got all my Christmas presents done and even my cards are written too so I’ve been getting the house ready for the holiday parties and figuring out my festive outfits.

During Black Friday, I came across this khaki green shirt from Zara that I thought was cute for the holidays. It has swiss dot details all over that makes it fun and I can also wear it throughout the year for work, going out or even between seasons as well. The material is so soft and the roominess makes the holiday feasting more manageable (this shirt hides it all!). I paired it with these stretchy Uniqlo white legging pants (they are so comfortable) which I don’t need to reiterate why I need to wear stretchy pants over the holidays. This white and green holiday-themed outfit is great for the party where you don’t want to go too over the top and they’re pieces you can wear more than just once a year.

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