It's Finally Spring!

 It's finally Spring time. Although here in Toronto, we do not have blooming flowers yet unlike in London which seems to be blooming now. One thing that is blooming here at home is the fashion all around town. At Holt Renfrew, Spring's fashion and trends are already out in full display. Of course there are the classic floral and printed styles in vibrant spring colours of red, pink, yellow, sky blue, greens and white. The trending colours for spring are the khakis in green and the classic beige. For spring, whilst it is still stylish to wear pink, it is also stylish and chic to wear khaki green paired with black or beige top.  I hope you get inspired by Spring as this is a season of new beginnings, new style and it is a time to move forward with hope, positivity and enthusiasm. 

 

 

 

 

 

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H Project: Uncrate Southeast Asia

 Let us take you shopping to see all of the wonderful products from South East Asia. Holt Renfrew Canada recently launched their fifth H Project called Uncrate South East Asia which celebrates the craftsmanship from South East Asian countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, among others. The products are carefully selected and curated based on their craftsmanship, sustainable fashion and contributes to economic growth in their various regions. Almost all of the products are handmade by the designer or the artisans and gives back to their communities. One of the products I purchased was the candle by Kandila Co. made with natural soy wax with Bergamot and Patchouli oil  poured in reusable glass. This company is owned by Filipinos living in Australia. They donate 50% of their profits towards children's education in the Philippines. I love it that these products are handmade, made from sustainable materials and most of all gives back to their communities. 

Shop Uncrate South East Asia at Holt Renfrew. 

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Love Beauty And Planet

 This week I will launch a new feature on the Blog called Environment Product that will focus more on environmental and sustainable products. During this time of climate change, I have been more conscious of products that are environmentally focused, based on sustainability, recyclable and reducing their carbon footprint. One of the products that I discovered is Love Beauty And Planet which are sold here in Canada at Shopper Drug Mart. Love Beauty and Planet believes in producing their beauty products, particularly shampoos and conditioners, made from natural and organic ingredients like Bulgarian roses, lavender from Provence, Ylang-Ylang among other natural ingredients. Their goal is to use the least amount of water, reduce waste and use recycled containers. Their goal is to continue their research and commitment in further reducing their carbon footprint and waste. As stated on their products, there are no parabens and no guilt, not tested on animals and use organic and naturally sourced ingredients from around the world. Their shampoo smells so good and very soft on the hair. I am sharing below their  6 Goals for Beauty and Planet.

1. Sourcing ingredients responsibly:  Examples of their products are Murumuru Butter & Rose and Argan Oil and Lavender.

2. Reducing waste : Their bottles are made with 100% recycled plastic with the commitment to further make their caps and pumps at least 50% made from recycled plastic by 2020. 

3. Saving Water: Use technology to use less water on their products, making these shampoos and conditioners fast rinse. 

4. Counting our footprints with honesty: I am impressed that this company is very conscious of their carbon footprint that they don't mind contributing to the carbon tax fund. 

5. Love beauty and people for the planet project:  They not only support the environment but they also support environmentalists. 

6. To brave and benevolent beauty: Their commitment to make naturally sourced products that will contribute to make us beautiful and also our planet long lasting and beautiful. 

To make you more beautiful and give a little love to our planet. 

- Love Beauty And Planet

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Discovering Jim Thompson In Bangkok

 During our visit to Bangkok, Thailand, we discovered the famous Jim Thompson Thai silk stores in the historic and luxurious Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. Jim Thompson was an American businessman and allegedly a CIA spy who helped revitalise the Thai silk industry in the 1950s and 1960s. He lived in Thailand in the now famous House On The Klong which is now a museum that displays his collection of Thai furniture and fabrics. There is a great mystery on the disappearance of Jim Thompson from Malaysia's Cameron Highlands on Sunday March 26, 1967 as his body was never  seen again. His legacy remains on the retail stores under his name all around Thailand continuing the high quality and design of Thai silk scarves, bags, clothes, accessories and home decor. A trip to Thailand will not be complete without bringing home one of his products as an elegant souvenir. 

 

 

 

 

 

Read about our visit to the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel. 

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Gucci For Home

 It's finally the New Year 2019, new beginnings, new trends both in fashion and for the home. One of the luxury brands that is expanding to luxury home decor and furniture is the brand new Gucci Decor collection ranging from luxury candles, throw pillows to furniture like tables and chairs. The whole collection is now in Canada at the Holt Renfrew stores. All decorated with Gucci floral wallpaper and mannequins dressed head to toe in nothing else but Gucci. I would love to have the throw pillows, the side tables and the chairs with the embroidery message "Loved" with the design of the bee. I am just thankful and feeling blessed that after many years of sharing on this blog that I can share chic, delightful and luxurious fashion, travel and lifestyle stories with you all. Here's wishing you all love, peace, joy, prosperity and excellent health in the New Year! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Christmas Windows Bloor-Yorkville

 

 It's that time of the year that every luxury shop at the Bloor-Yorkville area of Toronto are all decorated with Christmas cheer windows. Every window are so colourful and festively displayed their goods in creative ways. Despite the cold, I enjoy walking around Bloor Street, known as the Mile High, for it's kilometre long array of luxury shops to view all of these Christmas windows. Just seeing them brings joy and childlike enthusiasm to my spirit and mood. 

Holt Renfrew Christmas windows. 

 

 

Harry Rosen. 

Coach Christmas windows. 

 

 

Dolce & Gabbana Christmas window. 

 

Sephora Christmas window. 

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