Bye-Bye November!!

So its the last day of November, and boy am I glad! This month has been nothing but stress, and drama at work. Sometime all I want to do is run out screaming, so what do I do to make myself feel better? Shop.

travels | #missingParis

It's been nearly 6 months since I was in France, where I was able to fall in with Paris. It just seems like yesterday I was just eating the delicious pastries from the local bakery. Ah.... 'tis the life. I've currently been hit with a bug of #missingParis. Every time, I look through my photos on my iPhone - I just can't help missing it. Here's my Instagram photos that I've conveniently hash tagged #missingParis.

shopping | Judith Leiber

Work has been super crazy, so unfortunately I have had no time to post.

On my days of I do love to indulge in some retail therapy.

shopping | Labour Day Haul

So this past Labour Day Monday, I decided to hit the shops to see what  I could scoop up.

Must-Haves | Coloured Denim

Hi! It's Charisse! Sorry, I've been MIA. It has been a bit of a hectic summer. So as summer comes to close, fall is here and what better way for me to start the month of September of my must-haves for a good transition to my favourite season!

accessories | First Hermès!

Ok, my mum wasn't to happy when she saw the box, apparently I should be saving, but this was too pretty the pass up!

My first Hermès scarf: Belles du Mexique.

accessories | Kelly Wearstler

There's nothing a little shopping can't cure. 

To be honest this hasn't been my best week, so I decided to start my Sunday with a bit of retail therapy.

accessories | Shoe round-up

I'm long over due for a birthday haul. So lets start of with the shoes I've acquired in the past 2 weeks..

Firstly I got the Marc by Marc Jacobs mouse flats, which I've been eye-ing every season, so when July came around, I took the plunge and purchased them. In all honesty they are the cutest flats I've owned, and the studded detailing gives it an extra edge.

accessories | DANNIJO x Falling Whistles

As usual as per my online shopping addiction I finally decided to purchase the Dannijo x Falling Whistles 'Brass Fringe' collaboration necklace.

Snap-shots| Mels & Matts Engagement

 I've said it before: my whole life has been completely consumed by work, but I managed to leave early to celebrate Mel's and Matt's engagement.

accessories | Super Early Birthday Gift.

Its going to be my 26th in about a month, and being a fan of Alkemie Jewelry, AND having my eye on a couple of rings after buying their Starfish Cuff, -which I love to death -(its definitely one of my favourite statement pieces.) I decided to take the plunge and scoop up two via shopbop.

Snap-shots| Birthdays

 If it isn't wedding season, its definitely birthday season for me during this time of year. Here are a few photos from 2 birthdays I've had in the past 3 days.

Snap-shots| Saturday Night

I just came back from the F___ party, and the new store is amazing! I completely envy their popcorn machine, photo-booth, DJs etc. My life for the past and next few weeks is all about work, so it was great for the whole team to relax!

travels | 8 days & counting...

So it has been a whirlwind week for me. In fact, I'm still soaking it in...

But I do have some big news... 1/2 of Champagne Wishes & Caviar Dreams is flying over the Atlantic Ocean. But where do you ask?

Find out after the jump.

Sunday-Funday | Snapshots

So a few snapshots on what my life has been like for the past few weeks: (which means: having no life, and actually getting my lazy @ss out of bed to celebrate C's 26th!)

Happy Birthday Charisse!

Hello! Hello!

Sorry for being very MIA lately. Life has been a whirlwind and truth to be told, I haven't been on top on the fashion must-haves... just a pin here and there. So what I've been up to, you may ask? Recently, I've been picking up my camera more often ever since I got it back from the shop. It is good as new. Not giving me problems, as of late, and I hope it stays that way. Life feels so empty without it.

Here's some shameless plug-in... I've been uberly busy with coding my website. But last night I launched the site! I'm pretty happy with it. Simple and clean. It showcases my photography with a bit of my layout design. I am available for photo sessions. Just give me a shout at hi[at]charisseang.com. Shameless plug-in ends...

sunday funday | Personalized Keepsake for the Handbag Addict.

When I graduated from Ryerson’s fashion program in 2009, I was looking for an extra special grad gift. I know I was talking with my mates about getting matching Tiffany bracelets (cheesy, I know), a holiday to Cuba (I passed, Cuba is definitely not on my vacation list) and then I came across a personalized keepsake created by French artist; Nathalie Lecroc, in the book “The Goddess Guide” by Giselle Scanlon.

Ombre Love.

Well, as some of you may know... I love love the ombre look! And so continues my ombre love when I stumbled these... Ombre Tights from BZR by BZRshop! How perfect are they to spruce up your wardrobe?

xoxo,

charisse

{images via BZR by BZRshop}

travel | travel keepsakes

 

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy

OK, so I know I am due for a blog post since it’s been over 2 weeks, but new job = long hours of training, and I’m completely exhausted by the time I get home, which is usually at 7:30 and I am in bed by 10ish. As C would say, I've morphed into a Grandma.

  

Let’s talk about souvenirs. When it comes to traveling I’m a souvenir fiend. Whether shopping for family, friends or me. I know I take a zillion photos on vay-cay but it’s the mementos that I bring back that hold so much meaning.

Neon Attack!

Who would have thought I would go ga-ga for Neon Colours in my wardrobe? But, after seeing so much neon - how could I resist? So, last year I saw the Rebecca Minkoff MAC Clutches in Neon Pink but they soon disappeared right when I was about to buy it... fast-forward to S/S '12: BOOM! She brought it back... now the question... to buy or not to buy?

What drew me to the Neon Colours, is the vibrancy it has. It adds the POW to any outfit which is quite befitting for the summer. Since its is all about colours this season. What do you think of the Neon Attack?

I create a board on Pinterest for the Neon Attack. Follow me.

xoxo,
charisse
{images via Rebecca Minkoff}

travel | My travel "Bucket- List"

  

“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” - Mark Twain

  

Pyramids of Giza, 2010

Hopefully the majority of us have some sort of “Bucket List” we’d like to complete before our time comes. Mine range from the silly to the impossible. It’s a long list (ok, novel), and a lot has to do with travel.

travel | an empire state of mind

I left my heart in NYC. I fell in love with the rich architecture... the endless fire escapes and everything in between. I can't believe it's been 5 days. I was suffering with a withdrawal the moment I boarded the plane and landed in YYZ. Knowing that when I walk out of the door in the morning I am no longer just steps away from Dominque Ansel bakery or a 5-minute walk to Broadway Street. Ahhh... That is the life. That is the New Yorker's way.

accessories | Rose with a touch of Tan.

 Ok so I know I said I was on a bag-ban after purchasing my Rose mini Nikki from RM, but when I saw this beauty online and in-stock (my favourite words) I couldn’t resist.

travel | 4-day getaway

On Thursday, I'm flying off to the city that never sleeps and where the streets are just filled with yellow taxi cabs.

travel | For the (fashionable) traveler.

First things first, apart from Shopbop, Etsy is another online addiction of mine. You can find absolutely anything you want! From gorgeous raw quartz necklaces, to salt water taffy (I haven’t ordered either, thank you very much!) Secondly, I love personalized keepsakes. So while perusing Etsy a few days ago, I came across HarLex.

monday musings | Teacups are not just for tea.

 

For a girl who loves her arm candy, (my poison of choice are rings). I want a place to display, and have easy access to them when I’m getting dressed. 

accessories | A Photog's Needs.

As some of you may know I am an avid photographer and I cannot leave my house without my SLR especially when I go traveling. I think when I go traveling I am more concerned of which cameras I need to bring then secondly, what I'll be wearing. But lately, I've been really lazy lugging around my backpack full of my gear so I'm on a hunt to find a fashionable camera bag. Something that doesn't look like a camera bag from the outside and something that fits my daily life. And I've also come to realised after traveling for the past 2 years and lugging my camera bag, I barely use any of my other cameras I bring because I usually 1. leave the backpack in the hotel room and 2. I get lazy lugging my cameras in my everyday bag.

And so the hunt begins....

accessories | Beating The Mid-Winter Blahs

Overcast, not to mention freezing, throw in slush and you've got winter.

But for us in Toronto, we've got the sun and a lovely 9 degrees, and what better handbag tote around then my Rebecca Minkoff C YA Later clutch in tan?

travel | Take Me Away To.... Prague

“Not all those who wander are lost.”- J.R.R Tolkien 

Lennon Wall

At the end of the summer, I decided it was time to take a time-out from Toronto, and work.

T had mentioned she wanted to go traveling. She wanted Asia, and I wanted Africa, obviously very different ends on the travel spectrum.  We thought of places from South Africa, to South America, but couldn’t decide on a country both our interest could be met. It seemed that this trip wasn't going to pan out, then T’s uncle suggested Austria or Czech Republic. I had never once considered going to either country, since Ireland has always been top destination for Europe. But I decided to bite the bullet and do my research on both countries. 

accessories | totin' around

Totes are the perfect way if you are going shopping and you can just stuff everything there as you go. I'm completely in love with fieldguided's canvas tote bags. I purchase one called We've seen each other in a dream from Bicyclette. It's my go-to-bag for the weekend and it's also a perfect fit to lug your laptop if you don't have a bag. 

style spotlight | sass & bide Fall RTW '12

style spotlight begins with sass & bide, a beloved and well-respected Australian brand. And I begin to wonder how its the first time I heard about them. Either way... I am in love with their Fall Ready-to-Wear '12 collection. Lovin' the combination of the bold prints with the vibrant colours. Needless to say, if I could, I would own and wear everything in this collection. 

travel | dolce vita

The travel bug has hit me again. After only traveling stateside & west coast Canada last summer. I feel like it's time to break-free and fly across the ocean to Europe. But where in Europe do you ask? 

accessories | Hoarders: Rebecca Minkoff Edition

If you know me, you know I love handbags. 

Not just any though,I do have a weakness and affinity for Rebecca Minkoff . Particularly MACs and MAMs. Though throw in the odd Rocker, and Lovers Clutch and I'm good to go. 

A Minkette through, and through.