Browsing Category

Featured

Featured Style

My Top 5 Spring Denim Trends

June 2, 2017

spring denim trends, alicia fashionista, mavi jeans, denim for curves, canadian style blogger

I’m sure this will come as no surprise to you, but I basically live in denim.   The fact that I’m in the Pacific Northwest and work from home or a shared office, means that the comfort of denim is kind of my jam.  And have you noticed how many fun spring denim trends popped up this season?  I find it so exciting and the perfect excuse to discover new silhouettes!  I had a blast visiting Mavi in Yaletown and shopping the latest for spring/summer.  They are my go-to for denim and have been for many years.  I just find their fits work well on me and that they consistently carry the classics, but are also stocked with the hottest new looks.  I very much appreciate that they keep their quality with the trendier denim too, always making them as flattering as possible.  My kinda people!

There’s so many new (or re-surfacing) denim trends at the moment, that I’ve rounded up my favourites below, as well as some inspiration to achieve the look.  All of the denim I’m sporting is from Mavi, and luckily they just launched an online store, so it’s even easier to shop!  I’ll try to outline as much about each pair below that I can, but if you have any questions about a particular style, let me know!

Embroidery

This is definitely the boldest trend in denim this spring, but I just love it.  There’s such a variety of embroidery styles and placement out there and I just think it’s so darling.  When there’s embroidery on jeans, it often requires there to be little to no give in the denim, so I opted for the look in a jacket instead.  Stretch in my jeans is kind of a must!

Wearing: Mavi Rose Back Embroidery Gold Denim Jacket 

Shop the look:

Read More

2 Comments
Featured Style

Breezy Gingham Dress

May 30, 2017

zara gingham dress, alicia fashionista, vancouver style blog, canadian lifestyle blogger, south okanagan blog, osoyoos oliver trip

Last summer, I complimented my friend’s jacket and she explained that it was from Zara but online, because there was better selection/size range and you could bring it back at the stores if it didn’t work.  The pain of returns by mail are my biggest deterrent from making online purchases (which saying it out loud, is probably a helpful thing for my finances), so this was a game changer.  Ever since, I’ve been intermittently browsing their selections, but had still somehow never actually purchased.

Recently, there was a pair of trousers and some tassel earrings that caught my eye (similar to these) but they were both sold out, so I made the mistake of signing up for an email notification if either one was restocked.  A few days later, the earrings appeared in my inbox, back in stock, and with a compelling call to action.  They were swiftly added to my cart, but I couldn’t stop there. I can never seem to purchase one single item. I’m from a retail background, it’s all about multis!  This gingham ruffle dress was also added to the cart because I knew this breezy frock would be a spring favourite.  I sure was right!

Read More

Beauty Featured Home

Fresh Balayage Vlog

May 18, 2017

brunette balayage, long hair golden balayage, alicia fashionista, chris weber, artel salon vancouver

The last time I consistently coloured my hair, I was 19, single, and testing out the theory that blondes have more fun.  And though, I ended up not being able to afford the upkeep, I always felt really confident with the lighter locks and look back at those years with such fond memories.  I’m obviously a natural brunette (those Asian genetics are strong within the Quan family) but truthfully, I feel the most ‘me’ with some lighter colour mixed in there too.  Maybe it even has something deep down to do with my mixed heritage.  I’ve truthfully never considered that until this very moment.

I recently shared what I learned about going golden balayage, but since the lovely Rosie left town, I was desperate looking for a new stylist.  I was so excited when THE Chris Weber suggested that I see him with the help of his friend Ali Eskridge.  You see, Ali just moved back to Vancouver from NYC and is building up her local client base and Chris is technically full and unable to squeeze in new guests.  Teaming up was a brilliant idea, and two senior stylists and 3.5 hours later, they created absolute creamy balayage magic!  If you’re also in need of stylist, Ali is your gal, she was beyond awesome!

Read More

Featured Life

The Thing About Motherhood

May 14, 2017

Something amazing has been happening lately.  A ton of my friends are having babies.  Like, a TON of them.  It’s all baby showers, newborn snuggles, jolly jumper snapchats, and shopping for fun gifts, because being an aunt is kind of the best.  And besides all the cuteness that now surrounds me (and takes over my phone storage), it has been incredible witnessing so many of my friends become mothers.  Their strength and resilience leaves me in awe and more often than not, I am left wondering how the heck they do it!

Since it’s Mother’s Day, I thought I’d do a post that was a little different.  I asked a couple of my closest friends (very last minute too, you ladies are the best) to share their stories instead.  To get things rolling, I posed the question, “How has Motherhood been different than you’d expected?”

What I didn’t expect in return, was to get so emotional.  I am beyond proud of each of these ladies (and all my mom friends, I wish I’d had enough time to ask every single one of them) for navigating this tough and life changing journey with grace and full hearts.

Today, Adam and I are having a little Mother’s Day brunch for our own moms (because nothing says thank you for sacrificing everything like scrambled eggs).  But, I also wanted to say a big Happy Mother’s Day to all of YOU!  New moms, and grandmas, adoptive mothers, those moms who have lost, the mamas to be, step moms, mothers-in-law, those longing to be moms, and even my fellow fur mamas out there!  Motherhood is simply beautiful and I’m so glad we can all celebrate that today.

xoxo Auntie Alicia

Read More

2 Comments
Featured Travel

10 Must Have Bites In San Francisco, CA

May 10, 2017

This trip was a year ago and I think I’m still full. On our flight home, I had to check my carry-on suitcase because it contained half a large loaf of sourdough bread and 3 jars of Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter.  I even found a bonus little note from the TSA when I got back, explaining that they’d searched my bag (can’t imagine why).

Your obvious statement of the day: San Francisco’s food scene is incredible. IN-CRED-I-BLE (claps between each syllable for emphasis). When I was there last April with Saschie and Kate, we legitimately ate 5-6 meals per day. Which, was indulgent, yes, but then we got to try as many dishes as possible AND no one ever got hangry. It was a decadent and fun way to travel.  Thank goodness for all those hills in the city.  Makes SF the perfect place to eat all of the things!

MR HOLMES BAKEHOUSE DONUT | 1042 Larkin St

They have more than just the famous ‘I Got Baked In San Francisco’ sign and cruffins.  But, I mean, cruffins ARE a huge draw.  All of their baked goods were so delicious, I especially devoured their donut…or two.  Okay, maybe I had two of their donuts.  Worth it.

Read More

5 Comments
Featured Style

Back In Business

May 9, 2017

Nothing keeps me going like a large Americano and new glasses!  I’d settled on an oversized pair of tortoise frames a few years ago (you guys have seen them a million times, I’m sure) that kind of turned into my signature look.  It was about time to branch out though, and give my face a chance to be seen once again.  Plus, I finally got my eyes checked again and the prescription changed ever so slightly, so it was definitely time.  I love these specs from Bonlook but they have taken some getting used to.  My other glasses are SO giant that they even covered peripherals, and now it’s confusing to my eyes.  Never considered this to be a thing, but starting out in shorter increments to avoid any headaches or strain.  They look adorable though, it’s nice to have slightly daintier frames as an option!

That’s about enough in terms of my eyesight today.  I’m far more excited to report that it is the FOURTH sunny day in a row here, which hasn’t happened here since probably September.  It is amazing and I barely know what to do with myself.  Good thing Adam and I cleaned up our patio on the weekend, I just might have to get out there and work outside!

Read More

4 Comments
Beauty Featured Vancouver

The Best Places To Get Pampered in Vancouver | #604Guide

May 4, 2017

where to get pampered in vancouver, where to get your brows done vancouver, best spas in vancouver, alicia fashionista, vancouver lifestyle blog, canadian beauty blogger

I don’t know if I’ve really explained this, but since I spend so much time in this city, I want to pass on more Vancouver guides and recommendations.  Whether you’re visiting or live just down the street, the beauty of a city is that there’s always something new to discover!  I created the hashtag #604Guide (that I see a couple of random other people have used once or twice…maybe I’m onto something?) because I thought the hashtag would be a cool way to collect ideas on Insta and then I’d create more comprehensive guides and lists here on the blog!

What I wanted to share today was a list I’ve been working on that includes some of my favourite spots around town to kick back, relax, and get beautified!  Self care is so important and no matter what your budget or availability, you can definitely squeeze in a pampering session every once in a while!  From massages, facials, makeup, nails, and brows, you’ll have to read on to find out where you should treat yo self in Vancouver.

Read More

2 Comments
Featured Style

May Blossoms + Spring Tides

May 2, 2017

The blossoms mean something different to me this year.  Seasons past, the cherry blossoms in particular were a pretty pink city decoration.  I would admire them while I hurried my way from point a to b, or I’d be out of town during their most impressive, yet short lived display.  For the last month, I have taken the time to absorb and appreciate the blooms more than ever before.  I feel like I’m blooming too.

There seem to be some parallels between this spring’s florals and my business.  They showed up a bit late, thanks to an unusually slow and cold winter.  For many of the same reasons, I too have had a delayed start to the year.  My resolution to ‘come alive’ in 2017 meant propelling forward.  Finally putting all my ideas into motion, and shining bright as an individual in this industry.  What has become abundantly clear lately, is that, as per usual, I’ve been standing in my own way.  I got a bit caught up in what other people were doing and whether I ought to be doing that as well.  The world of blogging and influencers is a strange one.  Maybe I was feeling a bit lost in it and in turn, stuck.  And it’s tough being a one woman show, especially when your brand is, well, you!  I’ve since been finding some clarity, and it finally seems like things are coming together.  As always, it’s a gradual process though, and often two steps forward, one step back.

Read More

9 Comments
Featured Relationships

Our 10 Year Anniversary

April 29, 2017

The fact that the only other recent photo I have of Adam and I is a blurry iPhone selfie taken in the windblown back row of a mini van says it all.  Ten years!  I mean, holy smokes.  I don’t think I’ve committed to anything for a decade.

A million moons ago, when I was in 8th grade, I made the tough life decision to quit my piano lessons.  I was feeling bogged down by school, long hours at the dance centre, gymnastics, skating, the yearbook committee, the school play (I performed a really convincing ‘Boots’ in Newsies. One of my favourite Disney movies, and the film that launched my crush on Christian Bale), volleyball, and those regretful few weeks when I joined the basketball team (until I realized mid-game that I knew nothing about the rules of the game of basketball). High school was also just around the corner and really, did piano up my ‘cool factor’?

I had my usual Wednesday afternoon stomach ache on the way to my piano lesson, filled with extra anxiety as I dread having to say out loud that I wouldn’t be coming back.  Sitting in front of her on that stiff and squeaky bench, avoiding eye contact and instead fixating on those ivory keys, I finally spat out that I quit piano.  And as if that wasn’t terrible enough for a 13 year old, visibly disappointed, my piano teacher then informed me that I’d quit everything ever for my entire life, because “I was a quitter”.  Which, at such a young and fragile age, was downright mean (can you tell I’m still not over it?  I’m sure this will all come out to a therapist one day).  I feel like looking her up now to be like HA!  You were wrong Mrs.B, look at this shining example of something I didn’t quit for 10 years – wow, go me!

Though, I doubt that it would really be as satisfying as it seems.  Mostly, I apologize to my husband, for using such a momentous occasion to bring up the traumatizing piano quitting story.  It’s just that I have complete word vomit lately.  Last week, I met up with someone from a local company I’m collaborating with and though we only spent about 15 minutes together, I managed to ramble for the entire time, confessing unnecessary stories that pertained to the industry and even describe a video I’d watched on Facebook earlier that day.  I keep thinking to myself that I needed to stop talking, but the words kept flowing and I left our interaction wishing to forget it.  Maybe nervous rambling is better than an awkward silence?  Who knows.  I digress.

Read More