Life in nyc + travel update

As shared in this newsletter, I will be heading to Spain for a 9-day trip at the end of April. I’ve already started a spreadsheet, mainly making lists and working out logistics as well as bookings, and taken a few Spanish crash courses on the apps. Planning for this trip, so far, has felt like unlocking a brand new world, and I’m bursting with excitement even just imagining everything — the Spanish way of living, the culture, historic architecture, food, nature, music, and art… I want to do, see, and experience everything.

We’ll start and end the trip in Madrid, aiming for 3 days in each city for a total of 3 cities this trip. I plan to finalize lodging and booking Barcelona’s Sagrada Família early next week! After 144 years, Gaudí's famous creation, the tallest church in the world, is architecturally finished. I have Mirador Torre Glòries, Casa Milà, and Park Güell next on my list! As of right now, I’m torn between these three following options. Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and the Alhambra in Granada is also calling my name. A beach day at Costa Brava comes highly recommended since it can be done as a day trip from Barcelona. Help!

If you’ve been to Spain, I’d love your recommendations in the comments!

Leave a comment

Before I get into part 3 of ‘From My Wishlist to Yours’, I want to share with you a few apartment updates as well as what I’ve been up to in NYC this week!

First off, there’s a high chance that I will be renewing our apartment lease for the 4th year, and this time, it will be on a monthly basis for a few personal reasons. I’m actively looking for a 2 bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, so please send any leads my way!

I felt like I had been shopping a lot or I’d say I turned stress shopping into refreshing home and wardrobe update. I’m loving my new Dracaena marginata ‘Colorama’ plant (yes, it still needs a planter!) and all of the colorful and functional things, all linked here in last week’s March edit.

kitchen favorites - part 1

Last Saturday, we drove to Secaucus, New Jersey, to pick up this plant.

In my opinion, any NJ road trip has to start or end in Fort Lee, for really good Korean food! We had a delicious lunch at Busan Gukbap and grocery shopped at Mitsuwa and HanNam Mart. I made a batch of Kkakdugi (radish kimchi) using the Jeju radish I bought, and it was so good!

Saturday OOTD - wearing my new favorite Gap pants (men’s, size 28) *gifted

Then on Sunday, we got Drench Dips at Salt Hank’s (used to be $28, now $34!!!), and very tasty coffee at Arcane Estate Coffee. Yes, we did have to wait in 2 long lines!

While I won’t be returning to Salt Hanks, I’d be gladly standing in line for coffee at Arcane Estate again.

left: stopped by OUTLINE to pick up another Flore Flore top (I went with this green T-shirt called Pickle, size S!). They no longer give out their catalogue in store, and I find it frustrating since I had my email signed up and didn’t get one in the mail last time!; middle: PARK at KIMS coffee shop in LES, serving Loquat beans (a roastery from LA); right: the newly opened Nonfiction store, also in LES

Subscribe now

From My Wishlist to Yours - Part 3

• Part 1: totes, coats, and home things

• Part 2: corduroy pants, sweatshirts & cool jeans

Big totes

Cahu totes - left: Brown & dark green; right: Olive green

Flip flops

It’s a battle out of brands out there, and I’ve got to give the credit to The Row since they did it first!

left: Christopher Esber Jo flip flops; right: Black Suede Studio crystal jelly flip flops

left: A. Emery Kinto flip flops; right: Black Sude Studio Bae sandals

Soft shoes

Soft sneakers, especially white satin sneakers are having a huge moment this spring. I’m currently on the waitlist for the Moon Shoe from Jacquemus + Nike collab.

I popped into La Garçonne Tribeca Flagship (465 Greenwich St) and La Garçonne Men’s (504 Greenwich St) and tried on these incredibly soft laced-up derby. I love the contrast stitching, and the fact that the soles aren’t as flat as the Stella, my other top contender from The Row for soft leather shoes made for walking. These are unisex and look so good on partner’s thick and wide feet as well!

Derbies - left: Soeur Orso derby; right: Marsell Mobasso derby (unisex, pic worn above!)

Ultimately, I’d love to own a pair of black classic Channel ballet flats. I’ve always thought that bowls are too girly for me, but I think I will give in… loving these higher vamp styles!

Soft ballet flats - left: The Row ballet flats; middle: Pheobe Philo gathered flats; right: Jamie Haller ballet flats

Glove flats - left: Seour Balla ballet flats; right: The Row Stella flats

Share

For Spain…

I’m thinking flowy breezy fabrics, dresses or tank tops and skirts, and I’m feeling lots of colors and patterns this time. Below are links of things I’m eyeing and what’s coming in the mail next week (gifted items are marked with (*)).

left: Lido black bikini; right: Janessa Leone Teagan hat

left: Dries van Noten suede sneakers in tan; right: ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 10.1 Concrete/Feather Grey (I bought size 8 from the Asics website!)

Bondi Born* - left: Capri Silk Kimono Sleeve Maxi in Ecru Stripe (size 1); right: Makena one-piece (size 2)

TT Studios* - left: Kaylie tank (size S); right: Mikey jeans (size 26)

BEIS* - left: weekender in black; right: carry-on suitcase* in black

• Baserange is having their Archive sale, ending April 2. I love their bralettes, long-sleeved tops, cotton poplins, and trousers!

Baserange - left: long-sleeve tee; right: cotton poplin pants

tempted to pick up the new toggle tank in black from Still Here to pair with my new cotton poplin skirt from Banana Republic* (brown, size S). I also love how the model is styled on the BR website, with a slightly sheet knit T-shirt and flip flops. I caved and bought these in eggshell and black!

Here’s my attempt to add more colors to my wardrobe this year!

Flore Flore - left: pickle Car tee (size S, bought from OUTLINE); middle: brown Olivia long-sleeve (size S - 15% off from Ssense); right: navy Maggie long-sleeve (size S - 15% off from Ssense)

Some outfit inspo:

Auralee SS26

left: Khaite x Oliver Peoples 1967C round sunglasses; middle: Aflalo collarless leather jacket; right: Aflalo funnel-neck leather jacket

Spring weather gets me very excited for clothes, and I feel blessed every day getting to wake up in my favorite city and having endless things to do and be inspired by. I’ll do a dedicated Spain outfit post when my trip is near, and I hope to see you this Sunday on YouTube for vlog #142!

Subscribe now

Love,

x

An

How to measure your body for trousers and jeans

First off, if you haven’t already owned a measuring tape, get one!

While standing straight, measure your waist (at your preferred rise. For high rise, I’d start around the belly button or the smallest part of the waist!) and hip (the widest part of your lower body). For the inseam (crotch to ankle), it’s best if you measure your favorite trousers or jeans by laying them flat. Measure from crotch to bottom hem.

My measurements: 25” waist x 32” hip x 29” inseam. I mostly wear jeans size 26 now and would size up for trousers. Again, it really depends on the styles, and I typically do not commit unless I try everything on.

How to shop for trousers and jeans:

1. It’s always best to shop in person because you can try everything on. I’d recommend heading on your local department store or area where there is a high concentration of stores. Go with a friend or someone who has an eye for style. Then try on as many different styles from all of the brands available, starting with your waist measurement first. If you have more hip and thigh, prioritize what fits those areas first. It’s cheaper to get your pants hemmed or shortened than getting your waist taken in and then the hip and thighs adjusted. Leg lengthening or waist taken out is also an option, but you’d typically have about 2 inches of seam allowance to work with max.

2. If shopping online, always look for the measurements (Waist, Hip, Rise, Inseam, & Leg Opening) or sizing chart and compare them to your own set of measurements.

3. Get in the habit of inspecting every picture and read to learn more about the garment and brand that you’re buying. Product descriptions and reviews are helpful because they can help gage interests and whether or not you should go with your true size, size up or down.

4. When choosing fabric, I’d always opt for natural materials like 100% cotton, linen, cashmere, and wool. Cotton washes well, and linen is breathable. Cashmere and wool will keep you warm. Blends containing polyester doesn’t always mean it’s cheap or bad (think outdoorsy gear or sportwear - those fabrics can help enhance performance and increase durability!). Jeans made from 100% cotton are my fabric composition of choice because they’re rigid and durable. I prefer the natural authentic aging process and the structured look that develops in my jeans with wear. Jeans that contain elastane for stretch tend to sag and do not wash well, but I understand why it’s necessary for comfort. If you want clean, classic denim, opt for solid colors and avoid distress or artificial damage.

5. Always read the care tag before you do anything with water and heat. Get them dry cleaned, hand wash, or wash in machine with cold water and let them air dried. I own this steam station, and it’s amazing for all of my at-home clothing care needs.

I hope these tips help, but don’t hesitate to reach out if you need more help.

12 favorite trousers and jeans I love for spring

For reference, I’m 5ft5 and wear most jeans size 26.

Gifted items will be marked with (*). T-shirt worn throughout is from RLT size S: here.

1. COS Bay barrel jeans - wearing size 26 in brown. These fit true to size, but I’d recommend to size up for a relaxed fit like how they are on the model. I love that these are not too baggy and the brown color leans more smoky khaki and dark gray instead of the typical chocolate brown (I already own too many!).

2. COS Reprise straight jeans - wearing size 26 in black. I’ve been on the lookout for a pair on straight legged jeans with a slim fit and full leg length like this in so long, and these are it! I loved how snuggly size 26 fit and feel overall, but at the end, I decided to return and bought size 27 instead (just for a bit of room to breathe!). They’re high-waisted, snug around the waist but not too tight around my thigh.

3. COS cotton twill taper pants - wearing size 6 in beige. I love COS trousers, but I’d always make sure to try every pair on because their sizing is all over the place. The other reasons are because it depends on the style, fabric, and how you want the pants to fit. Overall, COS has done a pretty good job at making pants that are not too long (work for consumers with average height!). These have a relaxed fit with full length and a pleated front. The light beige color is perfect for spring, and I love the pocket with a buttoned flap in the back!

4. Clyque Hunter pants - wearing size M in black (fun colors, very similar here!). So glad I sized up in these because they’re perfect. What’s nice about pants with the adjustable drawstring waist is the fact that I can wear them however high or low waisted as I want. The crisp poplin cotton can be a bit tricky when it comes to washing and drying, but I do make sure to not wash them all the time. Currently, I’m patiently waiting for these size S to come back in stock because I’ve heard they’re the best dupe of these from The Row.

5. RUTI Slouchy soft twill pants* - wearing size 6 in Ecru. These are another great example of great pants to add to your wardrobe this spring. Currently, I have two of these same pants, one with the elastic waist in the back (pic above) and one with the normal waistband (linked, currently available the website). They fit the same, except with the elastic pair, you can pull them down to have them sit a bit lower at the waist! Honestly, I think this cotton twill material is the best material for this specific pant style (Ruti makes these in stretchy denim material, too, and you know that I don’t love stretchy jeans!). I love the multiple pocket design in the front, and lastly, do consider one or two sizes up if you want a slouchier fit and a slightly longer inseam.

6. Ruti On the loose work pants* - wearing size 2 in black. These are my #1 favorite pants from Ruti, and the curved-in leg design is so flattering and cool. These somehow make my lower stomach look flat, partly thanks to the thick elastic waistband and the way these pants are cut. The breathable, lightweight, and wrinkle-free fabric makes these the perfect travel pants, perfect to wear for road trips, on the plane, or to go hiking in them. After almost 2 years of ownign these, I am still very happy with size 2!

7. Donni Terry stripe sweat pants - wearing size S in black. I love everything about these pants and would definitely pick up every color and fabric if I could. This weekend, Madewell is doing 25% Insider sale, and these green linen stripe pants would have been my cart if they weren’t already sold out.

8. Donni baby rib scallop pants - wearing size M in jet. I bought size S but exchanged to size M because I wanted them to be slouchier and longer. Go with your normal size if you like how they fit on the model. Last year, I finally had the chance to take the elastic waistband in, about 1.5 inches total, and that solved the dragging problem I had had to deal with ever since I bought these. I love styling black pants like these with casual T-shirts, oversized shirts, and flats or small heels. If you can’t decide on what to buy, make these your first Donni pant purchase because I guarantee you will not be disappointed. These wash very well and hold the shape really well even after excessive wear! I’m obsessed with how soft this fabric is, and the scallop hem is also a nice touch.

9. Agolde low slung baggy jeans - wearing size 25 in milkshake. I found these for 90% off at the Opitz Outlet during my trip visiting family in the Twin Cities last year. I love everything about these and are seriously considering getting them in black. I’m a true 26 in waist, but these in size 25 are perfect and incredibly flattering. I feel really good in them, so I’d recommend to size down if you want the hugging closer waist and hip fit!

10. Deiji Studios Bartack pants - wearing size S/M in off-white (bought secondhand from Beacon’s Closet in Brooklyn - found them on Poshmark, here, and very similar style, here). Again, these cotton twill carpenter styled pants are the types of pants I’d see myself reaching for every spring and summer. They come with a button fly, but I love that I can easily adjust them thanks to the drawstring cord at the waist.

11. Alex Mill Neil pants - wearing size 2 in military green (bought secondhand from TRR). I love the lived-in look, and this type of fabric would only get better with time. Size 2 fits me like a glove, and they’re very high-waisted and slim overall. If I were to purchase another pair off from the website, I’d definitely size up one size!

12. Levi’s Made & Crafted corduroy pants - size 26 (very similar, here, also here in green!). Corduroy pants are timeless, versatile, and cozy fall and winter staples, but they could work very well into anyone’s spring wardrobe. I got these secondhand from The RealReal for a really good price, so I’d say to keep looking if you haven’t found the right pair. The trickiest part for me is finding the right shade of beige, and these were the perfect beige shade for me.

Subscribe now

More spring pants on my list for your consideration:

Share

So there you have it: a total of 20 pairs of jeans and trousers that I love! Let me know your favorite spring pants and what style you would add to this list?

x

An

It’s heartbreaking to see the violence and terror happening in broad daylight on the streets in the city that I once called home. Minnesota is where the majority of my family in the US and close friends live. We are immigrants or children of immigrants. This time, it hit very close t…

Read more

Totes

1. Miu Miu Leather Tote - H: 12.75” W: 15.5”

2. Louis Vuitton LV Monogram Bucket GM - H: 14” W: 10.75” - petite bucket

3. Kallmeyer Suede Hobo - H: 13” W: 15”

4. Givenchy Leather Tote - H: 12.5” W: 21.5”

5. Louis Vuitton LV Monogram Cite GM H: 9” W: 15”

Read more

There’s no denying that I shop a lot, not because it’s my job but also because I do love shopping. If you’re an OG follower, you’d know that I also sell and consign a good portion of my wardrobe regularly. With fashion and personal style, I take it more as a life-long pursuit, always evolving and ever changing, rather than a passing fancy or fleeting trend, and that is the key to building a meaningful collection. It has to be slow, intentional, well thought-out, and sustainable, and I think I’ve achieved exactly that in 2025.

In this week’s newsletter, I’m proud to present you 30 best of things I have in my wardrobe and home this year, including beauty favorites and what I’m planning to wear for Christmas and New Year’s Eve this year. Thanks again for being a subscriber, and I’m grateful to have to here!

30 BEST IN WARDROBE

1. BUCK MASON Wrap felted wool coat - size M, gifted

2. AGOLDE Low slung baggy jeans - white, size 25, bought on sale from The Opitz Outlet in-store

3. KHAITE Austin boots - size 38, bought from Khaite sample sale 2025

4. LEMAIRE Piped loafers - cream, size 38, bought from The RealReal

5. COMME SI La classica shirts - brown, size S, thrifted from Beacon’s Closet & grecian blue, size M, bought full price online

Read more

NYC reached its peak fall this past weekend, and the vibe was really good out there. The NYC Marathon was on Sunday, November 2, and Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race. I finally got news on my parents’ immigration paperwork. Even though the process has been so slow, it’s one step forward. I hosted one of my best friends an…

Read more

*I’m typically an XS-S, size 26 in jeans, 38 EU/8 US shoes.

• COS brown merino maxi skirt (XS), barrel wool pants (S), dark-red long-sleeved top (XS)

• GAP black 100% cotton sweater (M) *gifted

• Madewell suede tote, burgundy belt w/silver buckle (S)

• The Row black pleated Gala pants (S), black Owen city sneakers (38), cream Sam sneakers (39), black Milla satin slides (38) from the sample sale this year - watch The Row Sample Sale 2025 vlog

• Michael Kors Hamilton burgundy bag, black wool cape, Dawn suede ankle boots - IG collab post

• Kye Intimates Recline pants (3) and boat neck long sleeve (2) in charcoal from Sommer sale

• Flore Flore navy Hannah tank (S), white Dewi tank (S)

• RUTI black work pants (4) *gifted

• Calvin Klein barrel jeans in resin rinse (26) & cargo jeans (27)

You can always peek at what’s new in my closet, here (updated weekly!).

FALL OUTFITS

Sharing some of my favorite outfit pairings for fall!

OUTFIT 1 - Buck Mason felted wool wrap coat (M), pointelle Henley (XS), Japanese selvedge jeans (size 27. I’m a 26!), Madewell suede tote, Arket earrings, Khaite Hopper boots - secondhand here, Madewell burgundy belt (S)

OUTFIT 2 - COS knit pants (S), Prada cardigan from TRR - similar from Jcrew, COS, and Almina Concept, Kallmeyer trench from sample sale - similar from Toteme, Banana Republic brown loafers, Jcrew black tote, Calzedonia cashmere blend socks

@styleandsenses#ootd @Prada cardigan @Banana Republic loafers @COS knit pants #Kallmeyer trench @J.Crew tote #fall #westvillage #fallfashion

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

Read more

After 6 months of waiting, I finally have an office desk, and I am obsessed with it. For the longest time, I’ve been wanting to modernize my Brooklyn brownstone apartment, and this is the perfect addition while still keeping the space minimal and neutral.

The desk is a reproduction of this very popular USM Haller Unit, hence the lower price point. For transparency, this is a gift (a gifted collaboration in exchange for content) from Manhattan Home Design. I posted about their Labor Day Weekend deal, but hopefully they’d drop another discount code soon for the holiday season.

Noguchi table lamp Akari 1A

Hasami mug

Artek Aalto Stool 60 in birch

Snow Peak green lounge cushion

Rugs USA brown wool rug

Georg Jensen stainless steel plate

Yamazaki vanity mirror

STALOGY B6 notebook

Planter - handmade by my friend Carolina

My outfit - Comme Si brown shirt (S), Maryam Nassir Zadeth pants *thrifted from Beacon’s Closet

Share

I had the best 4 days in Copenhagen, and it’s really the perfect city for me where everyone is out there biking in their cute little outfits, good design everywhere, and no bad bakeries and cafes. CPH’s bakery scene is what NYC is trying to be, and I’m so pleased to say that it’s worth all of the hype. I cannot wait to get back and share more about my thoughts and opinions! Excited for Stockholm and Amsterdam next!

Here’s an easy outfit ft. Quiet Culture poplin set (size S) that I’ve been wearing on repeat. I wear a lot of black lately, as told by so many of you, but it’s really all what I’ve been feeling comfortable in. Tawnya, @thequietculture’s owner, is the nicest, and I have such a great experience working with her on this IG reel. I love supporting small brands because I get to really see the attention to details and the care that the brand founder and designer put into each piece that they’re selling.

Since I’m traveling, I want to keep our newsletter to-the-point this week by sharing what I’m wish-listing for fall this year. If you haven’t already, please consider upgrading to paid to support my work and have access all of An’s List weekly content. Enjoy!

Read more

As promised (in the IG post shared above), I will be sharing with you my shirt collection this week, specifically oversized buttoned-up shirts, including button-downs, of course! I started this wardrobe series last year, so check out my previous posts if you missed.

• My jacket & coat collection

• My sweater collection

• My trouser collection

My oversized buttoned shirt collection

1. Comme Si La Classica brown shirt $275 - Brown size S (unisex) - how I styled it

2. Comme Si La Classica blue shirt $275 - Grecian Blue size M (unisex) - how I styled it

3. Our Legacy light plaid flannel shirt - size M/48 - how I styled it - secondhand here or here

4. Our Legacy BORROWED BD SHIRT - Brat Pink Oxford size 46

Read more

I hope you’re well!

left - right:

• tried Pastéis de Nata at the new bakery shop, Lisbonata, in Crown Heights. They’re good, but my favorite version is still the Portuguese egg tarts from Xin Fa Bakery in Chinatown, Brooklyn.

• Checked out the new coffee shop, Blue Dove. They started from just a coffee cart selling at Union Square Park and are now expanding to opening a storefront in just a year. The shop is in SoHo, laptop-friendly with free wifi.

• My egg roll recipe - vlog coming Sunday 8/10 10 AM EST

• Another new coffee shop opening in Soho, Fast Times Coffee, located inside the Buck Mason store at Broadway & Broome.

• I love putting together dinner plates on days when I don’t feel like cooking - watch how I plate it HERE.

• Found my dream home entrance in Brooklyn Heights. A girl can dream, right?!

• I got to attend the Peach & Lily event in Midtown, in celebration of the launch of the MiniProtein Exosome Bioactive Ampoule last week. It gives you instant glass skin and is one of the products I know I will reach for all the time! If there’s a product that converts me to becoming hooked on the glass skin trend, it’s this mask! The result is insane!

• My favorite reading spot when the weather is nice and when there are no mosquitoes - on a hammock in my backyard!

• I’m obsessed with Sichuan cuisine, and I’d return to Jiang Nan in a heartbeat. I’ve been to the Flushing location twice. I had the lamb dish and string beans with white rice (not pictured: crab & pork soup dumplings), and it was a 9/10 lunch (a soup would have made it 10/10!). My other favorite dish to order here is the Grilled Fish, served on a giant hot plate, and it’s to share, of course.

Quick PSA - If you’re in NYC this weekend (Saturday, August 9 & Sunday, August 10), you should check out The Cactus Store’s very-last-plant-sale at 5 Essex Street. It’s where I bought my spiral cactus (2 summers ago, and RIP since it died from root rot last year!), but they have amazing and weird plants, those that are hard to find in the east coast. Apparently, the lot where the plant shop used to be got bought out, so they had to close the shop. But anyways, I plan to stop by and will buy something if the price is right, of course. The plant sale is from 11 AM - 7PM - more info HERE!

Thrifting in Brooklyn & what’s new in this week

For this week’s newsletter, I want to share with you some fashion items I’ve recently added to my wardrobe. Yes, I know I’ve already broken my shopping ban with the Kallmeyer sample sale. I bought 2 jackets for the fall, but they were too good to pass up. This week, I went thrifting and placed a few orders, in preparation for my up-coming Copenhagen and Stockholm trip (and maybe an East coast road trip before August ends!). I feel like it’s time to switch out my brown COS straw tote to something less-summery, so I hope that the new tote works out.

Read more

Last weekend, I somehow convinced myself that I could go back to my normal nightly skin routine, and everything I put on would sting. The next day, I had to be in the city, and I made another bad decision by putting sunscreen (on top of the already inflamed skin) and concealer on top (to conceal the redness). After about 2 hours being outside, I started feeling my skin cracking (picture the dry sand or mud crack texture the day after the rain! Yes! It’s that graphic!). I lost it right there!

It was a sunny day, and I was already sweaty. I started peeling the skin around my mouth off using my phone camera as a mirror, revealing the red skin underneath. I had a stick sunscreen and a pencil concealer with me, so I quickly covered it up so that I could make it home ok. Well, barely! On the train, with a bag of groceries on my left shoulder and a tote bag with my laptop on the right (both were heavy!), I had to stand since all of the seats were taken, sweaty. I kept my head down the entire time, but I felt like everyone was staring at me and my skin. It was so bad, and I wanted to cry. Summer in NYC is rough…

By now, I’m certain that I have Perioral dermatitis. The skin on top of my smile lines and around my mouth is red and raised, along with clusters of red bumps on the upper eyelids and outer lower corners of my eyes.

Treatment - I’m hoping I won’t have to go see a dermatologist for this! It’s looking somewhat better toward the later end of this week since the weather is not as hot. I found this article and would probably give Hydrocortisone 1% a try per my Pharmacist friend’s recommendation. This Ren recovery balm is still the only product that seems to help or does not make the condition worse, so I lather it all over my face every night. Makeup-wise, I’m pleasantly surprised when I find out that this Armani foundation and concealer hold up ok. I can still apply sunscreens and normal products everywhere else on my face, except my eyes and mouth area.

Some words of encouragement for y’all!

Favorite summer outfits I’ve worn lately

OUTFIT 1 - running errands in my neighborhood

pink shirt: OUR LEGACY secondhand from TRR | white shorts: vintage Chic from 10ft Single by Stella Dallas | navy hat: Ralph Lauren secondhand from eBay | navy socks: Calzedonia | sneakers: Adidas x Wales Bonner | cream boat-and-tote: L.L.Bean long handles, medium | necklace: COS

Read more

The highlight was probably the phone call home, catching up with my parents and my brothers. My brother and his wife recently welcomed their second child, so their daughter, aka my Goddaughter, was at my parents’. She waved hi to me this time, and it always put me to tear…

Read more

Subscribe now

In 2023, I stumbled upon the parade photos here where people were popping confetti and firecrackers on the street of Chinatown in Manhattan. It was right after we had dim sum at House of Joy, and it was such a cool scene to be in! Information from Better Chinatown:

• January 29, 2025, Wednesday 11:00 am – 3:30 pm - Sara D. Roosevelt Park at Chrystie and Grand Street (already happened!)

• February 16, 2025, Sunday Parade 1:00 pm - Chinatown, New York

  Festival & Booths 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM - Bayard Street between Mulberry and Mott St

I have the 16th of February marked on my calendar and plan to be in Chinatown that day at around noon. It’s also my birthday, so I’m not sure if I’ll be in town that weekend at all! I called home and caught a glimpse of my family and all of the relatives gathering and celebrating. If you watched my vlogs, I made some traditional Vietnamese dishes like Thịt kho trứng (shared in last week's vlog 60) and pickled some veggies. I love that there are a few Chinatowns in NYC, so I do make stops for grocery stores, bakeries, and soup shops. And I bought a Bánh chưng and Bánh tét (will be in vlog 61 out this Sunday!), called home, and that’s pretty much the effort I put in this year.

subscribe to my youtube channel!

Good tailored classic shirts

where to buy and how to style them

As shared in the sweater edit, I want to focus on one clothing category per edit, sharing with you my research, what to look out for in terms of styles and brands, where to shop, and how to style them. This week’s topic is shirts, specifically the tailored classic oversized shirts!

1. COS double cuff burgundy shirt

2. Maison Margiela shirt - similar

3. Toteme shirt

4. Stine Goya shirt

5. same Maison Margiela shirt

6. Sezane Will suede shirt

Shirt styles from brands that I love

COMME SI La Shirt Classica

LMND Chiara Classic Shirt

Read more

Leave a comment

This week, I’ve felt the sudden urge to redecorate…

Read more

Subscribe now

If you missed our previous edits, catch up…

Read more

As I’m writing this week’s FW24 wardrobe series (last week’s was about sweaters), I’ve realized (while staring at my trousers and jeans pile, exhausted from trying on 25 pairs - more on vlog 28) that I’m cataloging what’s in my wardrobe. Cataloging, in a way, can help me with my spending and help me utilize these items better in m…

Read more

As promised, I’m back with more fashion content. This year, I want to start a fall-winter wardrobe series ft. pieces I have in my wardrobe, starting with SWEATERS (next week: TROUSERS!). I did a Fall Wardrobe series last year, so check out part 1 and part 2. Also, a kind reminder that it’s paid week and you might want to click expand to read to the end (it’s a long and really good one!). Your subscription helps make this work possible, and thank you for being here!

Read more

• WARDROBE NYC, happening now until Sunday, September 15, 2024, 5 PM at 260 Sample Sale (477 Broome Street) - Yes, it’s too late to go now because the coats and jackets (what Wardrobe NYC is known for and does best!) are all gone the first hour on the first day.

• Officine Générale, at 260 Sample Sale (148 Lafayette Street)

• Manolo Blahnik, starting September 18th, 2024 at Soiffer Haskin in NYC

• Christopher Esber, starting Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 260 Sample Sale in SoHo

• Khaite & The Row - TBD (you should sign up for this email newsletter!) - I’ll be going VERY EARLY THIS YEAR!

Subscribe now

Minnesota wedding outfit recap

Minnesota weekend trip was short but sweet, and I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. My grandma came from Vietnam, and I got to spend quality time with my uncles and aunts in ways I couldn’t ever have otherwise.

WEDDING HAIR, NAILS, & MAKEUP

For makeup, I did my usual Signature Makeup with neutral eyes, faux lashes, and pink blush (linked all products HERE!). For faux lashes, I’d recommend these (affordable, what I wore - pic below), these (investment, but worth it!), and these (for individual lashes, if you’d like a more natural and customized eye look).

For hair, I did ask my uncle to cut it short, so I wasn’t able to do the flipped ends like I wanted to in my vlogs. I was just too excited about my haircut and forgot about the hairstyle that I had planned. Styling short hair is easy because I just need to add a bend in the mid-shaft section, this pomade, and a bit of dry texturizing spray (watch my bob hair tutorial HERE & hair products linked HERE).

My nails are ella + mila’s Wicked Red.

Read more

How I plan for 2 wedding guest outfits

Keep in mind that this wedding guest dress curation is for a Midwest end-of-summer early-fall wedding. The wedding ceremony will be at church since we’re Catholic, and the party will be at a restaurant in the Twin Cities.

I’m building my looks based around the two pairs of heels that I have but never worn before. I do have some dresses as accessories as back-ups, but I want to buy and wear at least one new dress this time. It also just happens to be around the time when I’m making some edits to my jewelry collection. If you watch this Sunday vlog 17, you’d see!

Read more

Event dressing - wedding guest dresses

1. Twist drape dress

2. Black satin dress - comes in brown

3. Brown drop-waist dress - comes in black

4. Floral dress

5. Black-shirred dress - comes in gray. Similar and similar on sale

Subscribe now

My favorite wedding guest dress I’ve worn has got to be this floral dress. I wore it to my friend’s wedding in Minnesota in 2021 and my brother’s wedding in Vietnam in 2022. This jersey LBD (very similar here), worn here for a wedding in Dallas and here this past winter, is another perfect example of a good dress because I’ve worn it many times for different occasions. I found it on the sale rack at Saks Fifth a day before I had to leave NYC for that wedding.

• Browse more (updated weekly): Wedding/Occasion Dresses

• Subset, formerly Knickey, launched the Low-Rise Brief in 2 new colorways Spice and Cacao TODAY. I have their bras and a few pairs of undies, and I’d swear by the quality and am pleased with how well they hold up after years. Shop organic cotton innerwear and use my affiliate link here! Do you know they also have a recycling program?

• My Allbirds affiliate link will give you a free pair of socks, with purchase.

• Other links!

Read more