What the heck is a "capsule wardrobe?" Sounds fancy. But don't let it intimidate you, as it's actually meant to simplify your life. Capsule wardrobe is a minimalist concept of keeping your entire wardrobe, well, to a minimum. It allows you to quickly pick, mix, and match items in your closet to create the perfect "ready-to-go" outfits. 
5 benefits of a capsule wardrobe:
1. Enhances Creativity - Depending on your mood, start visualizing a color or type of fabric that makes you smile (no judgments!) Experiment. Try things on! Most importantly your outfit should make you happy!
2. Improve your organizational skills - Keeping things organize the way it works for you is key. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to find that favorite navy cashmere sweater when you're running late. 
3. Become a better planner - Check the weather. It will give you an idea whether to dress in layers or shorts and sandals. Either way, you can be prepared in case there is a slight chance of rain, sudden drop in temperature, or heat wave!
4. Become financially savvy - Shop better by shopping smarter. You can cut down unnecessary buying, which means more money in the bank. 
5. Do good - Accumulating unwanted clothes is not only wasteful, but also harmful  to our planet. And if you choose to buy fast fashion, most likely, materials used are synthetic, which are non-biodegradable, hence, they are also non-recyclable. 
​OK. So now, let's talk fashion!
Take a plain white t-shirt and pair of denim jeans. What can you do to turn such a simple outfit to spruce it up? How about adding a leather jacket? A blazer perhaps ? How about switching the jeans for a denim skirt instead? How about accessorizing?
Basic is not boring. It's like a blank canvas. Basic is flexible. It could be anything you want it to be. 
By the way, here are 3 looks I found on IFCHIC.com that will hopefully inspire you to take basic to glam!

I came across IFCHIC.com over a year ago, searching for a Tanya Taylor Metallic Knit Palm Sweater  (totally obssessed) in my size. To my excitement, they did not only have my size, but it was also on sale! 

IFCHIC carries trendy, contemporary, and chic pieces from brands such as Tibi, MSGM, Frame, Carven, and Missoni, to name a few. They carefully curate their collection to reflect a modern woman with a unique style and appreciates great quality.

I am currently obsessed with their Summer dress collection. Check out what's new for the Summer! And don't forget to browse the Sale section. You will not regret it. Happy shopping at IFCHIC.com

xoxo! 

Everlane is an online apparel retailer, founded by CEO Michael Preysman in 2010. His goal is to keep customers informed through the philosophy of "radical transparency." This means Everlane openly shares the profile of the factories they use. Cutting the middle man, they are able to reduce excessive item mark-up. And with transparent pricing, a customer can basically see how much it cost to make a t-shirt or pair of shoes. They even provide different price points on sale items, allowing the customers to choose how much they want to pay.  For us who like to feel and touch the items before we commit, you can visit Everlan'es physical stores in New York and San Francisco. 


2. KayuDesign
Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, Kayu Handbags are handmade by local artisans from Asian countries, such as Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Some products are also made here in California. Kayu's mission is to support women artisans by providing opportunities to earn a living by weaving and working from home. Kayu's collection iof bags include tote, clutch, shoulder, and cross body. No single bag is the same, each is made out of natural and recyclable materials, with unique design, and a touch of love.

3. Cuyana
Cuyana's "Lean Closet" movement advocates for a minimalist approach to your wardrobe - "fewer the better, less is more" concept.
The women's apparel collection offers structured dresses, shirts with clean lines that are easy, and yet sophisticated. Bags and accessories design is simple, and yet functional, without sacrificing impeccable craftsmanship. Products are made globally in Italy, United States, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, and Turkey. Items are primarily sold online, but you can visit one of their store locations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York. They also carry selected men's travel and accessories that are designed for the modern man. 

Shopping at Santana Row, I stumbled Makers Market. The sign outside that said "Locally Made. Sustainable" caught my eye. I had to check this store out. And it did not disappoint!
Makers Market sells locally made items from bags, to shirts, jewelry, perfume oil, house accents, and as you can see below, smudge sticks! I picked up 2 bracelets by Joan of Artware, and a ring by Hawkhouse. Makers Market prides itself in supporting unique,  American made products. They have several locations in the Bay Area so be sure to check them out!

Summer is literally around the corner. This also means, travel and wedding season is upon us. I have rounded up my top picks for summer dresses. Not only they are made of natural fabrics, they are also classic, wearable, versatile and oh so pretty! 

​With the increased awareness for sustainability, the fashion industry seemed to have no choice but to jump into the bandwagon. Not only that it has become a popular topic among bloggers, vloggers, fashionistas, and the like the, but with documentary films such as True Cost, River Blue, Alex James: Slowing Down Fast Fashion, and Fashion Victims, one can't really help but to pay attention. 

In an effort to promote conscious consumption, fast fashion retailers, Zara and H&M, launched their own recycling campaign encouraging customers to drop off unwanted clothes in exchange, they will receive a discount on their new purchase.
But how much of our donations are actually recyclable?
According to an article on PRI.org, only about 5-10% of H&M's donated garments are recycled into new fibers, while less than 1% of the recycled fibers are being used to produce new clothing.

Although this is a good start, we still have a long road ahead of us.
As consumers, I implore you to shift your focus into "slow fashion," and become more conscious buyers. Let’s simply slow down. Ask yourself, "Do I really need another white t-shirt?" Or think the worst thing that could happen, "Will I die if I did not buy this now?” Too extreme? Yes, but I thought I'd throw it out there since it has helped me walk away from the Nordstrom sales rack from time to time.  

I also found two good resources if you opt to shop for sustainable fashion. Both sites provide a wealth of information on Fair Trade regulations, as well as list of eco-friendly fashion brands.

Fairwear.org is a non-profit organization working to ensure that clothing brands, manufacturers, factories, and all third-party entities are abiding by highest standards of labor code regulations. 

Fairtradecertified.org helps certify fair trade products and empowering farmers, and producers relying on natural resources through global fair trade model. 
By reading this, I hope that I have somehow helped you see a different perspective and see fashion in a different light.

I love this Plumeria jumpsuit by Madewell. So easy to wear, comfortable, and the red plumerias are so vibrant. And it's on sale right now!

This Vero Moda Gold Floral dress is so beautiful and flowy! It literally makes me feel like an islandl princess. 

Spring is here. Flowers are blooming. Time to take out the floral dresses, sandals, and wicker bags and put them to good use. It is a great time for reflection, to leave the past behind, and take time to literally smell the roses! Well, unless you are allergic to pollen, then we can skip the smelling of the flowers.
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During Spring season, most of us do a spring cleaning starting with our closets. We put away all the warm and heaving stuff collected during winter to make room for lighter or newer ones. As we put them away, let's be mindful that no matter how cold the past winter was, Spring always comes. As we carefully pack away our winter clothing, let's remind ourselves how they kept us warm while travelling to see our family and friends during the holiday season. How cute they made us look on the ski slopes. And hey, don't forget that dazzling NYE ensemble we wore to welcome the new year with hope and gratitude that brought us where we are now. 

Fashion reminds me the of the changes that come in every season. It makes me reminisce of the good times and bad. But most of all, it gives me something to look forward to. It gives me hope. 

1. Avoid shopping at fast-fashion stores. Do not get into the habit of purchasing trendy items at stores that offer knock-off items for bargain prices. Instead, focus on quality. Examples of investment pieces are: a classic black dress, white button-down shirt, black pumps, black/navy suit, or pencil skirt. These items are likely to last and withstand several seasons. You can also mix and match with a little creativity.
2. Shoes can make or break an outfit. With that said, approach shoe shopping with less emotion and more logic. Invest on a good pair that are comfortable, and versatile.
3. Handbags have now crossed the line from being an accessory to a status symbol dictator. But walking around in a $4000 Chanel bag with only $5 bucks in your wallet is not only pretentious, but is just plain silly. A wise shopper knows her/his priorities and will only make such purchases once her/his finances are all in order.