Spring Haute Couture 2012: Cosmetic Hues

The Haute Couture shows didn't disappoint this spring. The models are gorgeously swathed in cosmetic pales, delicate lace details at Valentino and Elie Saab. Always something to inspire our imagination.

Inspiration for the sketchbook.

Elie Saab / Valentino via style.com

Heritage

Perhaps its the lack of Asian role models in mainstream culture or the fact that I was born Canadian that has attributed to the disconnect of my Asian heritage. Traveling to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia last year has proven otherwise...

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is like the Asian version of Thanksgiving, except you chow down on Chinese food and exchange red lucky envelopes. Or at least that is how we celebrated it in our family. Usually there's an overabundance of mooncakes that don't taste very good and Asian snacks littering the house.

How am I celebrating this year? Cocktails and dim sum of course. Happy Chinese New Year!

Workends

Workends are weekends that are work days too. Say that ten times fast. Since starting my business, I am constantly thinking about it; What to improve, what to add, new inspiration, what to change. There really is no off switch. Vacations, sometimes, okay most of the time, turn into opportunities to take photos and seek inspiration.

On that note, our official website is now live. You can view our full lookbook of fashion lingerie and accessories. The new styles will be available via the etsy shop. Meanwhile, take a peek at our facebook page for updates and sneak peaks.

Now to find that off switch?

www.loveatfirstblush.com

Valley of the Sun

A photo diary of my time in Phoenix and everything in between. I couldn't get enough of the burritos and Horchata drinks around town. They were delicious everywhere we went.  The extended vacation has helped refuel and recharge myself for 2012.

H&M leopard print tank

Franco Sarto Spike boots from The Artist Collection

Edge of Glory

The sun was setting on New Year's eve just as we touched down into Phoenix, Arizona. The weather has been good to us; we've been greeted by warmth and clear skies all week. Just a short break to spend time with the bf's family, it's been an enjoyable few days away from wintery Montreal.

We headed to Camelback Mountain for a short hike. It's a spectacular view of red rocks overlooking the valley.

the view of Phoenix, Arizona

Making Noise

A few weeks ago, I sat down with Sacha Jackson from the Montreal Mirror, a local arts and music newspaper here in Montreal. With her Blackberry sound recorder in hand, we talked about how Love at First Blush got started and the new collection, Nine Lives. Fashion-oriented and informal, it was an enjoyable conversation over a cup of coffee.

Thank you to the Montreal Mirror for choosing me as a Noisemaker in 2012. For the full article, please click here.

Wanderlust: Singapore and my top 5

I arrived in Singapore unprepared for the hot and humid weather. Packing my suitcase at 3am on the eve of Christmas, I forgot to check the weather forecast. Earlier that day, I was enjoying holiday dinner with family, then catching a drink with a good friend of mine in downtown Vancouver, so I barely had time to rest.

Singapore reminds me of a futuristic city. It's inhabited with a mix of Indians, Malays, and Chinese.  Everything is clean, high-tech, air-conditioned and within close proximity to a mall. Please don't try chewing gum or littering here as you might end up in jail.

My five days here were spent seeking out the unique, local, and undiscovered spots around Singapore.

Scroll down for my Top 5 highlights from Singapore.

omakase at Mikuni

Tuna Wasabi Tartare at Kilo

Here are my highlights of Singapore:

1. Haji Lane - the colorful shops and indie designers make this a favorite place of mine. I enjoyed checking out Soon Lee for their edited collection of clothing and Pluck for their homemade ice cream. Try the Lychee martini ice cream made with real alcohol.

2. Chinatown - Brightly colored and lined with red lanterns, I ventured around one of the cleanest Chinatowns I've been to. I found some small trinkets and lucky knots along the way. 

3. Little India - I found a bountiful selection of ready made saris, and summer dresses in the Tekka market. The Mustafa Center nearby is a 24 hour shopping center and was too overwhelming for me. You could get lost here.

4. Dining at Kilo - A recommendation from Tony, we decided to try this little joint featured on the Layover. It was a place where no taxi driver was familiar with and located on the 2nd level of an apartment building. The food was simple and uncomplicated. The ambiance reminded me of a little resto in NYC. Definitely a hidden gem.

5. Hawker Stalls - Finding cheap and good food in Singapore is easy, especially with the abundance of Hawker Stalls. You can find anything from noodle soup, grilled satay and local cuisine.

And if you're not bitten by the travel bug yet, here are last year's highlights from Hong Kong.