My friend Catherine is a huge fan of Japanese fashion trends. She’s super skinny (understatement) and she’s been saying her next trip to Hong Kong will be a shopping spree for Japanese designer knock-offs or Japanese fast fashion replicas to bring back here in Canada.

Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake shows off her love for yellow (or, well, that’s what caught my eye initially.)

The use of colour and classic Japanese colour blocks/graphics puts her on my radar.

Readers: what do you think of this up-and-coming Japanese fashion designers’ work?

source: http://www.isseymiyake.com/

Jenny Wong

send it in a love note: @JennyYVR

This house, the Gilmore Steep, or so the neighbours eagerly informed me the morning after I parked moving vans stacked to the brim with green, durable Frogbox storage boxes on the sidewalk.

The story behind its name still remains a mystery to me as I couldn’t dig any truths from the people I’ve met, but the real question (well, to me at least) is: what happened to the late tenants? The sudden death of a family of five haunts me, my soul as I torture my brain to figure something up. Nothing clicks, none of it adds up.

I poked and nudged the neighbours and real estate agents until their hairs stood on end and even then all refrained to provide any insight, but one. A slender male in his forties who spends his days chopping wood and cutting down trees and his nights writing poetry by the noisy television. I admire his character based on the stories I heard the night I hosted a house-warming weeks ago. At first, I only caught a glimpse of his portrait but later that night, a stranger I could not recognize pointed him out and essentially shared his life story. I wasn’t one to judge but he blended so well with the tree trunk in his brown tee-shirt that I could’ve sworn his body became an camoflaged reflection of someone who was, but no longer remains a part of this world.

Fast forward to tonight, I worked out a deal with the neighbouring home owners on both sides of the one I stand in. We came to a consensus. But now, I wait.

Three more days of this, I tell myself. Only three more days.

I keep replaying the memory of myself leaving my own apartment in the core of Downtown Vancouver. Leaving behind a notebook and a pen.

My short-term memory dominated and even forgot to bring the jacket I had slouched on the back of my favourite chair by the door. The shortened version of Sherlock Holmes I intended to bring along on this three day experiment has already gone downhill. Within minutes, I can only sit back and stare out the window. Beyond the darkness, I couldn’t much, not even the slender male who lives across the street.

Should I initiate a conversation with this man, of whom I will refer to as James from this point onwards. There is something different in James that I don’t see anything comparable in anyone else in this neighbourhood. At first, I couldn’t pinpoint the root cause but with time, I began to feel an electrifying connection, one that resembles the connection I felt with my late parents. They died a horrific death, an accident. One that shouldn’t have even happened.

I can’t do this any more.

My breath quickens.

I need to calm down.

I need to gulp down a breath of fresh air, helium, oxygen as much as my throat is resisting the swallow.

I need familiarity.

I need the companion of someone that knows me better than myself.

Who do I turn to on this lonely, starry night.

I can almost see the end.

Jenny Wong

read it forwards, backwards.

does it still make sense?

Jenny Wong

rather than be hopeful, give hope to others. 

lend a helping hand, or donate your riches.

i’m supporting GLOBAL SORORITY.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1477497/global-sorority

http://kck.st/yOxJtx

Jenny Wong

APPLECHEEKS cloth diapers @applecheeksdipe

http://blog.applecheeks.com

based in Montreal, slayed dragons on Dragon’s Den, brought back the cloth diaper with much style and function.

[FASHION/ACCESSORIES]

BRAG COMPANY lingerie travel bags @thebragcompany

http://www.thebragcompany.com

must have for travelers.enough said.

LUCKY CHARM FANCY knit designs @luckycharmfancy

http://www.luckycharmfancy.com

girl with passion for knitting. she uses yellow yarn – that enough deserves a gold star from me.

ISN’T THAT KNIT accessories @isntthatknit

http://www.isntthatknit.com

another girl huge on knitting scarves and cowls. she created the snood du jour.

ANGELA MAHLER jewelry @angelamahler

http://www.angelamahlerjewelry.com/

in the process of creating more original designs, currently hosting blow-out/sale on her site.

LISBETH JEWELRY by sophie alden @lisbethjewelry

http://lisbethjewelry.com

simple and sweet pieces to tie your fancy outfits together

FORTNIGHT LINGERIE underwear @ilovefortnight

http://www.fortnightlingerie.com

for the modern lady after a good fit and design.

MIEL SISTERS underwear @mielsisters

http://www.mielsisters.com

for comfortable lounging

HANKY PANKY underwear @hanky_panky_ltd

http://www.hankypanky.com

tried and tested.

[BEAUTY/SERVICES]

VANCOUVER SPRAY TAN mobile service @vancouvertan

http://www.vancouverspraytan.com/

available to residents of the Lower Mainland – it’s a mobile service that offers sunless-tanning. as i recall, there was a “Tanning is Out” campaign sponsered by the Canadian Cancer Society.

never tried tanning but now i just might knowing that i’ll be in safe hands.

GOOD FOR YOU GIRLS skin care @goodforyougirls

http://www.goodforyougirls.com

skin care line for young girls hitting their teenage years – minus the toxic chemicals. adorable packaging that even I want to grab a few, or more.

SCOTCH NATURALS nail polish @scotchnaturals

a nail polish line that is vegan, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, toxic-free, fragrance free (major bonus!!) and paraben free. out with the toxins, in with the amazing shades. my faves available at vancouver eco fashion boutique body politic here.

[LIFESTYLE/SERVICES]

FROGBOX storage boxes @frogbox

http://www.frogbox.com

sustainable way to help you pack for a move. might be needing their services soon.

[LIFESTYLE/FUN THINGS]

LOVE + MARK’D stationary @loveandmarkd

http://on.fb.me/uOMhLK

cards that say something, customizable too. perfect for special occasions. designed and owned by Olivia Lovenmark of stylestruck.ca @stylestruck

[SHOES/TECHNOLOGY]

NIKE FLY KNIT SHOES sneakers @Nike

http://theoriginalwinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/nike-flyknit.jpg

nike’s latest. though stopped supporting this company after their continuous use of child labour in third world countries, i have to admit that this highly engineered product which uses yarns and fabric for a fit that is like no other (similar to a second skin as the article says) and comes in at only 34 grams – still baffled by this number.

more photos: http://woolandthegang.tumblr.com/post/18078927363/super-flyknit

[NIFTY FOR FIFTY] IS BACK!

On April 22 2012, get ready to shop with all goodies under $50 in vancouver, canada.

support local artisans and fashion designers all-in-one.

more details to come.

Jenny Wong

reminds me of the vancouver 2010 olympics – figure skater patrick chan.

Jenny Wong

my brother told me earlier this week that only the financially-stable celebrate such events but i challenge that statement.

in my youthful opinion i honestly believe that half birthdays are easier to celebrate in smaller families and are more economic too. more to spend on gifts, no?

well since february is the month of my half-birthday, here’s a list i spent a good day and a half plotting out. here goes:

1. buy and download Robert Murray (website: robert-murray.com and on twitter: robertsmurray) e-book titled “It’s Already Inside” and spend the day reading print-out copies of it and jamming/discussing the stories and lessons raised. Then find time to head to Simon Fraser University (website: SFU.ca and on twitter: @SFU) in Burnaby, Canada and visit the monument of Terry Fox. Bring some sandwiches and jugs of freshly pressed juice or mugs of Camino (best kept secret) hot chocolate for a picnic.
   PS: the first chapter is the hope-bringing story of Terry Fox, I almost forgot this wonderful story of hope and human character until the first chapter revived my memories of watching the media clips and the actual Terry Fox runs in elementary school.
2. buy and download the “Spark Kit” (twitter hashtag: #SparkKit) and Your Big Beautiful Book Plan (twitter hashtag: #YBBBP) by Danielle LaPorte and Linda Sivertsen (@daniellelaporte and website: daniellelaporte.com and @lindasivertsen and bookmama.com) and spend a weekend reading and jamming through print-outs of both digital programs. Stay indoors to have access to a laptop, Wi-Fi connection, and a notebook and pen for notes and some scribbling of random thoughts and ideas.
3. buy and download and work through Sarah Selecky‘s digital program found on: sarahselecky.com titled “Story is a State of Mind.” Also, purchase and read her book: “This Cake is for the Party” and “Little Bird Stories”. Last, but not least, spend an entire afternoon either on a couch or in a comfortable setting  (picnic idea still holds) and brainstorm and create some short stories and scenes prompted by Sarah’s daily #WWYW2Read (Write What You Want to Read) tweets and emails topics.
4. take a week off with one of every available and new pattern/kit from Wool and the Gang (website: woolandthegang.com and on twitter: @woolandthegang). shopping spree of their yarn, alpaca, and cotton would be living a fantasy.
   PS: their spring/summer 2012 collection sneak peak here 
5. three months 30-Day unlimited auto renew package of classes at Bar Method Vancouver studio (website: vancouver.barmethod.com and on twitter: @barmethod_van)
6. enough bags of popchips to hide underneath my bed for midnight snacking for a week (or more). website: popchips.com twitter: @popchipsvan
7. and if an angel wants to deliver something sweet, some of my favourite boutiques – LYNNsteven, nicole bridger, forsya boutique, body politic, obakki, erin templeton, fluevog, mint & berry, cocoon apothecary, wool and the gang, three bags full (for all things knit.)

that’s it for my half-birthday bucket list or wish list or whatever you want to call it.

i prefer to call it a list of things that make me happy, ignite passion and strong emotions.

Jenny Wong

biodegradable products are the result of improved technology – better for the earth, environment and our health.

i haven’t reached the age of maturity as of yet to be indulging in luscious facial creams and masks to keep the wrinkles away. it’s near, though.

but since i’ve been dealing with a sudden skin flare-up, i decided to try out my face works i need to tame facial mask to see if it could calm down the redness.

and…lo and behold, it was the most relaxing 20 minutes i had to myself this week.

i felt the rose water absorb into my skin and works its charm.

by the time 20 minutes has gone by, i almost reached a state of pure tranquility and about to fall in deep, relaxing sleep.

unfortunately i didn’t have the luxury to do so and went on to eat breakfast and finish assignments.

apparently these masks are to be treated as temporary pick-me-ups and don’t exactly provide definitely or any sort of permanent facial treatment.

before a special event or when you are just feeling under the weather moments would complement it perfectly.

so be sure to grab a box to try out or a single either online at: myfaceworks.com or at a retailer in your city. they’re also on twitter: @myfaceworks and on tumblr: http://myfaceworks.tumblr.com/ though i can’t tell if something is going on as their last update has been a while.

i’ll figure it out.

in vancouver these masks are available at: beautymark (beautymark.ca and on twitter: @beautymark_) and at bombay brow bar (bombaybrowbar.com and on twitter: bombaybrowbar) as far as i know.

let me know what you think once you’ve tried, if you haven’t already.

Jenny Wong

website: woolandthegang.com and on twitter: @woolandthegang

this season, they introduce a whole line of new knits for spring summer 2012.

in the lineup includes scarves, dresses, and knit tops suitable for warmer  months.

below are a few hot picks:

included:

• coco sailor sweater
• tropical tunic
• sandy cruise tank
• sea star sweater
• rockaway dress

i recently put together an order of 4 kits totaling almost $400 CDN and right now i await their arrival.

now that this new collection will be available march 15 2012, i hope to grab even more kits if they are available as so.

maybe, just maybe, i’ll spend the last week of april taking a macaron class and a croissant demo at French Made Baking in Vancouver and devote the rest of my time to knit.

knit the night away, knitting session with my grandma, as always. 

Jenny Wong

Q: What’s one dumb thing that you used to believe in?

instead, i’ll admit two silly things i used to believe in.

one: that knitting is a sport for grannies – when i discovered wool and the gang knitting kits, i discovered a treasure chest: experimenting with new stitches, working on tension, but it was colourful yarn that sealed the deal. browse through my archives for images. website: woolandthegang.com and on twitter: @woolandthegang

second: that DIY (do it yourself) beauty recipes calling for coconut oil, beeswax, and more are safe for all skin types and won’t somehow mysteriously and magically not cause sensitive skin reactions.

WRONG again. i might be allergic to coconut oil or my eating habits as of late may be the cause but something has caused a sudden explosion of breakouts, scared me frighteningly. Whatever it is, I’ve decided to put my skin regime on hold and decided to revert to previously tried and tested products that actually, you guessed it, work.

now, you, my reader, anything you’d like to admit?

Jenny Wong

and if you’re interested: Danielle Laporte’s latest: YBBBP 

introducing a skin care line, Cocoon Apothecary, created by founder Jessica Burman, that made it onto my “Best of Experience 2011: Exquisite Beauty Buys for the Face, Body, and Hair” post at the end of 2011.

so far i’ve tried their rosey cheeks face cream, facial cleanser and even the argan oil (of which I gifted my younger cousin to help with eczema and stretch marks).

my cousin last told me that it has been been working, progressively and i haven’t got details on how frequent she uses the product, but i’ll find out.

this canadian line of skin care beauty products is safe for your skin,  website: cocoonapothecary.com and if you’re on twitter: @cocoonjessica. she tweets some great links and articles on natural beauty: the good and the bad of the beauty industry – and why we should not be wearing fur (considered an ethical faux-pas.)

if you’re in the market to treat your skin well, this is a good place to start.

latest releases are the: ancient mud facial mask which is sitting in my mint & berry shopping cart right now and still debating between the two face creams: orange blossom (newest) and rosey cheeks (tried and tested) – if i could, i’d go all out and get the entire line.

I recommend rosey cheeks line of must-trys for those of you who have not tried the line before, they’re favourites of mine. And if you’re on a budget, try this: winter protection skincare kit available at mint and berry (limited time offer) so get it quick.

investments in your skin also the largest organ of your body lasts a lifetime. the other stuff: magazines, books, dvds, music, phones – don’t. 

cleanse your beauty routine and start the year with cleaner beauty products (rated 0 on EWG cosmetics database)

PS: cocoon apothecary products (full range) also available at Mint and Berry website: mintandberry.com for international and canadian orders.

If you end up picking up a beauty product to try from this line, let me know how it goes for you via email or a short comment or a tweet @jennyYVR.

Jenny Wong

Julia Ramsay Knitwear Venetian Collection (http://juliaramseyknitwear.com/)

Julia Ramsay Knitwear Venetian Collection (http://juliaramseyknitwear.com/)

Julia Ramsay Knitwear Venetian Collection (http://juliaramseyknitwear.com/)

Stunning silhouettes and lines.

It’s amazing to discover what new designers create.

Their imagination, so creative, so wild.

So powerful.

Crazy, insane, talent without boundaries.

source: http://juliaramseyknitwear.com/

Jenny Wong

send a tweet: @JennyYVR or a note

personally dace styles are much too big/baggy for my physique (skinny minny, high metabolism, ra-rah) but if you ever find a piece that fits the way you like, snag it up – quick.

sizes go fast for this brand – especially at their online store.

i realize the raincoat i saw on their site once is now gone in my size. i look forward to another design of a same form/style soon again.

tweet dace at @daceclothing and website: dace.ca

my faves of S/S 2012: pink shorts (1st from the left on bottom row) and those printed shorts in the big image.

i’m a huge fan of all things printed and patterned and colour.

…that gray top in the middle row (1st from the left) is screaming my name.

another piece that’s got me excited for spring:

Christopher Blouse – at first glance i said to myself, “how does it pass as an office-appropriate blouse” and i realized: it doesn’t. but nonetheless adorable piece for the ladies.

Jenny Wong

paraphrased lessons/excerpts of wisdom from a few recent reads:

a great interview: short, blow-your-mind-away intro, refer to guest’s work/writing/interviews/actions, back-up question (always), and ask “how’d you feel when…” 

to focus: take a day to yourself and think of priorities, passions, and what excites you, pushes you further, makes you happy and excited

now, on internships: ask about job/duties/expected of you/for permission to do ___/for reimbursement in money or goods/services, tell them what you can do/commit to, trust peopl, give what you have to offer, and be creative with ideas and solutions.

a better you: work with people smarter than you are, ask for opinions from range of wise people, ask the experts, embrace silence, and rid yourself of negativity (or a negative person)

response to the infamous “i don’t know….” is: i’ll figure it out

to confront anxiety: ask yourself why exactly you feel the way you do 

on time management: ignore emails on productive days dedicated to working, writing, reading, studying, you know it. relax day and loose-ends day, hurrah.

how to apologize: short, defenceless, express real emotions/thoughts/feelings, allow the other party to speak their mind.

to acts of bad manners: call them out, always

stop hoping. instead, realize what you’ve done thus far. realize what you want and what awaits you.

thank in advance, you never know when the next opportunity knocks

motivations are temporary, be inspired permanently.

if nothing else, say one phrase: “thank you. i won’t let you down” PS: that video that ripped my heart open, so touching. so innocent, raw, full of emotion.

that’s all for tonight, readers.

Jenny Wong

for skinny-minnies (waist 26 inches and below): I would’ve recommended Dutil quintessentials jeans in the past but due to the lack of friendly service we’ve received on recent visits, save your time.

Opt for LYNNsteven (shop.lynnsteven.com and on twitter: @lynnsteven) in gastown for DL1961 (best fit jeans I’ve ever found) and the newcomer brand I’ve started to crush: James Jeans Twiggy Sienna to be exact – hello?! red skinny jeans? who can resist those. though i haven’t tried them on personally, yet.

here are some hot picks:

Nicole Bridger F/W 2011 Truth Pant

…and the Nicole Bridger S/S Appreciation Pants featured here.

Stewart and Brown Knit Panel Zip Pant

Wren Firework Pant (available at One of a Few in Vancouver, Canada)

Something Else – Button Side Pant (photo from One of a Few blog)

Rodebjer-wide leg pant

…and the same (or similar, i think) in yellow:

Jenny Wong