new year, new start

Every year, I always start off really motivated trying to fulfill my goals. However, after a few weeks I start to lose sight of the big picture. However, this year is going to be different, this year I'm really going to be more responsible.


Here are my financial goals for 2011:


1.) Pay off student loans by June (I don't have much to go but have lots of fixed expenses).


2a.) Pay off my Christmas-spree by Feb.


2b.) To achieve the above, I will be going on a 2 month clothing ban starting immediately.


3.) Continue putting away $1200/month for condo down payment (due in 1.5 years). 


4.) Have at least $6000 of personal savings by end of the year.


5.) Bring lunch to work at least 50% of the time. This is a big one for me because I NEVER cook.


I really wish I could put more money into my personal savings, because I think I make a decent salary for a 25 year-old. But with rent, and our upcoming down payment, it makes it nearly impossible. Anyway, starting Jan 1, 2011, I will be recording my daily spending in my agenda. I will post a monthly recap at the end of each month to keep myself on track.


Now that we got the boring stuff out of the way, time for some of my new purchases!!! You won't be seeing anything new until at least March, so enjoy =)

Mulberry Alexa bag in Oak

Club Monaco wool shorts; Zara pants; Club Monaco pants

Wilfred free wool swearter; 7 for all mankind jeans x 2; Topshop cardi

Joie booties

- K.

UPDATE! and new direction of blog.

Hi guys!

I apologize for the lack of posts. I've been extremely busy and therefore have been too tired to post!! Firstly, happy holidays to everyone!!! Secondly, new years is in a few days, so happy new year!! I returned from my NY trip a couple weeks ago and have some goodies to share with you guys. And of course how can I forget Christmas gifts and so forth...

I have to get a USB cable for my new DSLR camera (Xmas present), then I will be able to upload everything.

Just wanted to let my readers know that there will be some changes coming to this blog. In the last few months I have been obsessed with my finances, and I will explain why in the new year. So, to add to my new obsession, this blog will partially be about finances as well.

For the time being, let me leave you with a few pics I took from NY.

- K.

my lucky day

So today I went to get some last minute items for my NY trip... and as luck would have it, guess what I found and in my size!!!

I have loved this skirt from the Lanvin collabo with H&M since I first laid eyes on it. However I am not the kind of girl who would go and line up to buy clothes... I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it in stores!! There were a few Lanvin pieces left at H&M all in larger sizes. Of course these were returns... but my skirt is perfection! I absolutely love it!




- K.

i am a sucker for silk

I've loved silk tops for a long time now; I love the way they feel on you, and I love the way they sit on the body. Silk tops can be casual-chic or dressed up, very versatile. The first one is from Zara ($69.90), it is the PERFECT button down silk top, much cheaper than the Equipment silk tops which retails for $188! The second is the Aritzia t. babaton silk top ($98), I believe this top was sold out before, now it's back in stock! Also comes in red and black solid colors.


Now I really need to stop spending!! I've been reading a lot of financial blogs lately, thinking of ways to make extra money. Any ideas?




- K.

jeffrey, you stole my heart

What can I say? I originally thought I had to order them online but a tpfer told me she saw them at Browns shoes!! 




- K.

these boots are made for walkin'

These boots are so freakin comfortable! I got them at Zara's summer sale (orig. price $279), I scored them for $80!! I have my eye on a couple more pair of boots from Zara, AND my new obsession Jeffrey Campbell Pixie!!!

- K.

my next big investment

...well to me at least.


I have a lot of random makeup, from Chanel, to Dior, to Bobbi Brown, to Benefit...etc, you get the idea. I have decided that I am going to consolidate everything, gradually. So today, I went out to MAC and bought 2 palettes; one for eyeshadows and one for blush. To fill the palettes fully would run me well over $300, so I am going to do it gradually; I'll buy 2-3 per month (but will likely buy a large chunk at Duty Free when I go to NYC in Dec). 


I also need to invest in some brushes, I also have very random brushes, from Sephora & Bobbi Brown. Not that I don't like them, I just want all of them to be uniform, likely from MAC.

Since this post is about Beauty, I'd like to talk about a few of my favorite items.


1.) Makeup remover: From Sephora $14. For many years I always used the Bi-Facial from Lancome, great makeup remover I have to say. However, I find that it was too oily and in hindsight quite expensive at $34. I recently just stared using the Sephora brand makeup remover, and I have to say that I love it! I haven't tried it with mascara yet though because I have lash extensions, so I'm not sure if it's very effective with mascara.


2.) Powder: Chanel Mat Lumiere $60. I have used different powders while experimenting with makeup, I've tried MAC, Nars, drug store brands. Non of them compare to this! It is soft, and silky. It's just amazing!


3.) Eye Liner: Bobbi Brown Gel Liner $28. I love, LOVE this product! It stays on forever, absolutely amazing!


4.) Cheeks: Benefit High Beam $24. This product is so wonderful, one of the best sellers from Benefit. A couple dabs on the cheeks and your skin looks super translucent! This can also be mixed with your foundation, for an overall complexion enhancer.


5.) Brows: Benefit Speed Brow $16. Tames your brows in no time! Goes on clear, and really shapes your brows. I recently discovered this and I love it! However the down side to it is that one tube doesn't last very long.


My dream is to have one of those vanities filled with makeup, and makeup brushes, and perfumes. Hopefully by the time we move into our presale condo I'll be able to have my dream vanity!!




- K.

additions to my closet

From left to right:


1.) Old pink casual top from Jacob. I love that this top has a rounded edge at the bottom
2.) Gray & blue snood from H&M
3.) Casual yellow T from Club Monaco... I actually have this shirt in 2 other colors, so comfy!
4.) Talula lace top in white with a tinge of pink. Fell in love right when I saw this top, so feminine and cute! Loving the scalloped bottom and sleeves! 




- K.

it was meant to be...

So the story behind these shoes... It was really love at first sight. I bought them at Zara. A couple days later I actually decided to return them, as I was going through my whole "shopping ban phase". I never really let them go fully. Then I saw someone else wear them on their blog and that's when I knew I had to have them again. I couldn't find them in downtown, but on Saturday when I went shopping with my bff I was on a hunt!!! They were hiding... but I sure as hell found them!!! These wedges are awesome! I am not a high heel kinda girl, so the wedge heel is the next best thing. The flap can be worn up or down, they are just awesome!!!

- K.

yay or nay?

To the sweater that is...


Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! Hope everyone has a nice long weekend! Unfortunately for me, I have to work on Monday.




- K.

fall favorite

I absolutely love chunky knits for the fall. On a day like today, when it's not quite cold enough for a jacket/coat, it's the perfect thing to throw on. I bought the gray one from H&M and the ivory one at Urban outfitters. Love them both! I am still waiting for the Aritzia Wilfred Free one to come back in stock, I so regret not picking it up a month ago.




- K.

mexican goods

As promised, here is a post dedicated to the stuff i bought in Mexico. There's not much to buy that's not tacky, so I just opted for some turquoise silver jewelry; I've been very obsessed with turquoise lately, btw.

Loving the colors!!! I got 2 pairs of studs (I love studs, I will show my small collection soon in a post), 2 rings, and a wrap bracelet which is very Chan Luu-ish.

Here is a modeling pic of my large turquoise studs!

And my ring! Sorry the pic is a little blurry!


The last few days I've been doing some research of the Mulberry Alexa bag I planned to buy when I go to NYC in Dec. I've found out that the leather is not very nice and there's color transference on denim!!! Some people are saying that the leather feels cheap..etc..etc. So I'm not sure if I will still go through with this purchase. I love that bag, yes I do, but there are also other bags which I love. Last year when I went to NYC I contemplated between the Balenciaga Part time vs. Chloe Paraty. Part-time won, but I never forgotten the Paraty... perhaps I should get the Paraty as opposed to the Alexa? 


Oh and as far as my shopping ban goes, it's not going well at all. I guess I should've called it... "shopping restrictions" because I know I could never go on a full shopping ban. I have new purchases I want to show you guys in the next few days. Please stay tuned!




- K.

return from paradise

8 days in the Mexican Mayan Riviera...

It's good to be home despite all the rain. Got some new purchases, will reveal soon =)

Sunny days are behind us

A couple weeks ago, I went to have a quickie lunch at an Italian cafe near my home. It was a nice hot summer day... now those days are behind us. I'm not ready to say goodbye to summer yet.... are u??




- K.

new items not purchased while on ban

I have a few items I purchased back in July that I never posted or have worn. I consider these items more dressy and I'm usually a casual kind of girl.

I love this t. babaton top, light and with a touch of girly ruffles. I'm very impressed by the new t. babaton collection, I feel like I should've bought more tops before they were sold out! The pants are from wilfred and I know this style of pants is controversial because not a lot of people can pull them off, I don't even know if I can! Harem pants look best with heels, and I for one love the look of heels but can never wear them!


Anyway the above picture was taken with me wearing the top! We were at Chop for my friend's going away party. She's moving to Hong Kong for a bit to be with her bf... if that's not love, I don't know what is!


ps. 10 days til Mexico!!!!!




- K.

eat.shop.love.

eat

shop

love

summer knit

crop vest & shorts- TNA; tank top - hollister; sunglasses - rayban; sandles - Michael by MK; bag - Balenciaga

Trying to get a tan =P


I've decided that I'm going on a shopping ban. This has proved to be very difficult for me in the past because I have 5 day weekends! Since I live in downtown, there really is nothing else to do but to shop on my days off. I'm going to try to save 3K by the end of the year. I say TRY because I have a lot of expenses between now and Dec... Mexico, NYC, Christmas. Wish me luck!


- K. 

i still play with barbies

The next best thing to a pair of Louboutins? A Louboutin barbie!!! The details on these barbies are so intricate, simply love them! They also sell just Louboutin shoes now on barbiecollector.com, I'm contemplating picking some up. But I'd rather just use that money to buy a pair for myself!




PS. Yes, I've changed the name of my blog, thought that it would be easier to remember =)




- K.

goo goo for gaga

Yesterday I went to the monster ball with my bff and it was freakin awesome! Lady gaga's outfits are always so outrageous, but I guess that's why we love her.

blazer - talula; dress - community; belt - aritiza; stockings - american apparel

I apologize for this pic.. I am not really a picture person.. I forgot to get my bff to take a pic of my outfit, and when I got home the bf was out... so I had to resort to taking a pic of myself in front of the mirror. My next outfit pics will  be less ghetto-ish.

- K.

new finds

As much as I like the sale season, I can't seem to ever find anything! The fall items are slowly trickling in, and here are some of my latest purchases.

H&M leopard scarf; Mackage jacket; Gucci flats

These few items essential for fall. I bought this great linen scarf at H&M for about $15! What a steal! Leopard accents are so hot this season, and since I can't bring myself to spend $715 on the Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse, this will have to satisfy my needs for now.

Mackage jackets, how can we go wrong?? This is the Elie jacket, apparently made exclusively for Aritiza (I love shopping there). The leather is a lamb I believe, and so soft & buttery! I cannot wait to wear this item!

Lastly, I recently purchased these Gucci flats. They are so cute, but not the most comfy shoes I've worn. Has the classic gucci bamboo detail and light gold horsebit, loves it!

Hope you've enjoyed my recent purchases. I have more coming this way! What have you guys bought so far for the fall season? I promise to do an outfit post soon... I just need to pick the perfect outfit for my debut though haha, so please check back often!



-K.

summersault into fall

It is just weeks away from fall and I'm getting excited! Fall is not really my favorite season but it sure is the most important season for fashion! Vogue of course is known for their fall magazine, I bought one the other day and it is at least 3 lbs, seriously. Along with Vogue, I also picked up Harper's Bazaar and Glamour, these should keep me occupied for awhile.

I love Jennifer Aniston btw, I think she's just gorgeous!


New season = new needs!! Now here are my needs for fall... I'm going to NYC in Dec, hoping to acquire a few of these items!

1. christian louboutin fifi satin & lace pump $725

2. mulberry alexa leather bag $1150

3. yves saint laurent arty dots ring $195

4. yves saint laurent arty ovale $195

5. tiffany paloma picasso marrakesh ring $2900

6. chanel mat lumiere luminous matte powder $60

-K.