#AllForTheGram - Collaboration with Akanksha (@Aka_Naach)

India and I have been talking about collaborating for years now, and we finally did it! Scroll down for a brief comedic skit we did on getting the right Instagram shot (through the perspective of a friend vs. best friend). Y'ALL KNOW IT AIN'T NO ONE SHOT WONDER!

ANNNND OUR SKIT BELOW (Bloopers at the end):

#OneStar - Collaboration with Converse

True story and captured on my Instagram stories: My CEO Sanjay (not just a random uncle) was complaining to 300 of our clients at our annual user group conference about how he has to pay for Converse and I get it for free (through partnerships with the brand). The PR rep for Converse saw on my IG stories and sent him a code so he could redeem his own pair. It seemed natural then to take a picture, so here we are. Sanjay was way too excited for this.

#DenimOnDenim - Collaboration with Converse

I don't know if y'all already know this story, but back in grade 2 I wandered over to the 'senior' area and accidentally got hit in the face with an apple. Yes, some boy in grade 6 was throwing apples and it luckily hit me right in the moneymaker. My nose started bleeding and the vice principal made the boy apologize to me. Ever since then, I've been scared of being hit in the face by all kinds of flying objects, especially balls.

Converse Chuck II Lux Leather Low Top // Oak + Fork Denim Jacket H089 // Topshop Moto Ashley Boyfriend Shorts // Urban Outfitters Tee (Old) // Forever 21 Oversized Round Sunglasses

HERE'S A CODE FOR A FREE CONVERSE SHOE: CONVERSECANADA-0Y9IFZ7M-NOW-INTERNETTING

  • 100% off discount on 1 pair of regular price footwear on converse.ca
  • Promo code will not be applicable if cart contains more than 1 item
  • Promo code is one time use only

Let me know in the comments if you were the lucky winner!

#OliveJuice

I don't know how it works and it does have a semi-uncomfortable burning sensation, but ChinUp Mask rid 2 cm off my double chin after using it for 30 minutes. I also have a very ticklish neck, so it was hard to keep a straight face with the mask on, but IT WORKS.

#OnceYouGoBlack - Collaboration with Frank & Oak

I'm proud to partner with Frank & Oak for their new permanent women’s collection, which is now officially available online and in store! C-c-check out my entire look and all the new styles here: www.frankandoak.com/invite/TinaDao

Also for anyone that's never tried Shin Black ramen, guaranteed you won't go back once you've had a taste.

#Pink - Collaboration with Petite Studio NYC

Let's excuse my 10-day unwashed hair here and let's focus on this pink, velvet midi skirt from Petite Studio NYC. I keep caressing it because of how soft it is, and love how the knife pleats give it dimension. Only thing it's missing is pockets! 

#Monochromatic

My friend and I debuted our first single together called, "Joey, Your Poo Really Stinks" for our friend Joey's birthday 6 years ago. Here's a preview of the lyrics: It doesn't matter what you eat, Don't matter what you drink, Oh Joey, your poo really stinks, Your poo really stinks (x8). So if you're wondering why most of my Instagram captions are poo or fart related, it dates back long before I met them, and was only amplified with our friendship.

#Layers

Yes, I'm selling my Chanel bag. Yes, I just bought it 2 months ago in Florence. Yes, I still love it. Yes, it was an impulse buy (as with most of my purchases). Yes, it was an expensive impulse buy.

I've been eyeing the Chanel boy for years. When I set my eyes on this one in Italy, it was love at first sight. I loved the colour, the design, the soft Nubuck leather (at the time) and how much I was able to fit in the bag. However, I quickly came to realize that Nubuck leather is sensitive to pretty much everything. I find myself frequently ensuring the suede is all going in the same direction, and am afraid to wear the bag out in constant fear that I'll get something on it. The cost of the bag also has me wary of wearing it out, so in the end it's not worth the price I paid for it.

However, just because it wasn't a right fit for me currently, doesn't mean it won't be for you! Baby Chanel is looking for a new home, so if you're interested holla at me via @carousell (my username is simplyteee)!

Photos: Chris Leung (@iofmine)

Club Monaco Tommie Merino Sweater // Topshop Striped Shirt (Similar here, here and here) // Abercrombie High Rise Girlfriend Jeans (Similar and on sale at AE here) // Chanel Chevron Nubuck Boy Large Bag // Vince Easton Nubuck Bootie (thanks Marshalls Canada!)

All about the angles:

#RAIN - Collaboration with Miss Pap

Figured it was appropriate to wear my first pair of over-the-knee suede boots when it was downright pouring out. (can you tell?)

Miss Pap Emily Grey Suede Over the Knee Boots // Topshop Dress shirt (Old) // Abercrombie Shorts (Old) 

#Twist

Has anyone seen the pilot episode of This Is Us? It was the cast that initially drew me in, starring Mandy Moore (c'mon, I watched A Walk to Remember 8x in a row), Milo Ventimiglia (I had a huge crush on him back when he was on Heroes) and Justin Hartley (who wasn't obsessed with Passions and Smallville) to highlight a few. The episode was decent, but the twist at the end had me keen on watching more. Crafted by the writer of Crazy, Stupid, Love, you can only imagine what the twist could be. And once you know there's a twist, it's impossible not to see it.

#Denim - Collab with Mavi Jeans

I've never owned a pair of Mavi jeans before, but I am pleasantly surprised by how comfortable they are! The fit is perfect, and even gives you a butt lift ;). I'm in the pool of asians with no bum, so that's a-okay in my books!

Mavi 'Alissa' High-Rise Super Skinny Jeans (Same here) // Zara Crop Top (Similar and 65% off) // Topshop White Blazer (Similar and 40% off) // Banana Republic Sandals (Similar here, here and here)

#Blanc - Collaboration with Daniel Wellington

I normally don't wear watches, but I'll always make an exception with Daniel Wellington. I like the simplicity and how lightweight it is. The blue hands won over my heart with this particular one I'm wearing, as it provides a subtle pop against the simple white face. 

Feel free to use code SIMPLYTEEE for 15% your next Daniel Wellington watch. Expires July 15th. Get it while supplies last. Accessories sold separately.

Side note: Who remembers Baby born? Still want one...

#Camel

Toe. Hehe.

I find it interesting when people meet me, and say I'm outgoing, social, and bubbly. I think I'm actually socially awkward, and a lot of times I feel quite anti-social. Fun fact: I was pretty much mute in school until grade 6. I only spoke to one other person (my best friend), but didn't speak a word to anyone else. I was put into ESL class because my teachers thought I couldn't speak English, but really, I just chose not to speak. Now you can't shut me up.

And there's your random tidbit of the day!

#Throwback

A #tbt from two weeks ago! Just came back from a mini work trip to New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and I already miss it. Downtown Philly has absolutely amazing food, people, architecture, and such a pleasant vibe -- enough to make me want to move down there! We stayed in Manhattan for a night, so got a glimpse of classic Times Square before heading back to Jersey. Not sure yet if I'll be doing a full blog post about my time there, but stay tuned for more details in my next post regardless! :)

#Ba-Ba-Brrr - Collab with CV Photography

If you're wondering why the weird title, it's because I feel like a sheep whenever I wear this faux sherpa vest, and because it was -20 degrees outside that day. Was I wishing I was Lenny Kravitz'ing it up with a large blanket scarf and two parkas, or better yet snuggled up in bed instead of being outside? Yep.

Aritzia Mackage Kenya Jacket // Aritzia Wilfred Chatou Vest // White Dress Shirt (Stole from the boy) // Topshop Petite Moto Ripped Jamie Jeans // Zara Block Heel Leather Ankle Boots (Similar) // Oak + Fort Hat C10 (Old)

Check out Cam's latest work on her Instagram or via her website, CV Photography!

#Lazy-ik

This is the epitome of a lazy outfit. I wanted to stay semi-warm and comfortable so I opted for my Nike Juvenates, a long coat, jeans, scarf, and a dress I tied into a t-shirt. I meant to wear the coat with the dress, but saw the weather and was too lazy to change out of the dress, so I tied it instead. :)

If you're curious to learn more about my lasik experience, feel free to continue reading! If not, you can simply scroll down to my lovely face.

My Lasik Experience

As mentioned in my last post, I'm now glasses and contacts free! It's a very strange feeling. The past few days I've been trying to rest my eyes, and stick to the recommended eye drop regime. My eyes are extremely dry, and I keep thinking I'm over wearing my contacts. My usual routine of removing my contacts before I shower or before bed, or putting them on in the morning, are now nonexistent. I think the biggest change is being able to wake up and simply see -- I can't begin to explain how amazing that feels. Still blinded by my phone every morning though.

How long is the procedure? The procedure itself was quite scary, and equally so even if I had known exactly what would happen next. It felt longer than 15 minutes, but the surgery doesn't surpass that. People waiting outside can actually view the process via a monitor.

What procedure did I qualify for? I qualified for bladeless lasik, so the first part of the surgery was the creation of the corneal tissue. It essentially feels like pressure being put onto your eye, to the point where you go from seeing an orange laser to just black. The second part is where the surgeon performs the laser vision correction treatment, and is where you can smell that infamous disconcerting smell of burning flesh. It is not your eye burning however, but rather the chemical reaction of the laser on the cornea.

Where did I have the procedure done? TLC Laser Eye Center in Mississauga. Dr. Dean Smith was recommended by my optometrist, so I didn't bother looking into Bochner or Lasik MD (both highly reputable places).

Did I take a relaxant? Yes, I was given one prior to the surgery. Lucky me, the relaxant didn't kick in until after, so I spent most of Friday in and out of sleep, excessively tearing and drooling. The 2 hours post surgery were the most uncomfortable, but once I was able to take a nap, things got better. The morning after, I significantly saw a difference in my vision. 

Is there pain during or post surgery? No, just uncomfortableness. They numb your eye with freezing eye drops, so you don't feel a thing. Some people feel a stinging sensation with the eye drops post surgery, but I didn't experience that. 

Would I do it all over again if I had the choice? Yes, the results are worth it. However, I am hoping that I don't need to go in for an enhancement. I would rather not experience the surgery and healing process a second time around. 

It's been 3 days and I'm still healing. They say your eyes may take 3-6 months to fully heal, so I'm taking it one day at a time. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!

#SnowProblem

Went into H&M looking for an ugly Christmas sweater to wear to a White Elephant exchange, and ended up snagging this cute holiday shirt from the men's section. It's been on high rotation since, doubling as pyjamas at night. The weather has been incredibly warm for this time of year, so it still amazes me that I haven't yet reached for my parka. Not complaining, but it would be nice to have a white Christmas.

Forever 21 Denim Jacket // Club Monaco Men's Cardigan (Old) // H&M Men's Holiday Shirt // Topshop Leigh High-Waist Ripped Jeans (Similar) // Browns La Canadienne Serena Boots

#Turks&Caicos

I wanted to share some highlights from my trip to the gorgeous Turks and Caicos (T&C) with bae and 2 of our friends. Got back 2 days ago and already missing the Caribbean sun. I aimed to come back a different race and although I didn't quite get there, still ended up with a bronze glow that I'm hoping lasts me through the dry Canadian winter.

Even as we were landing, you can see how turquoise the water is. At this point, I was jumping in and out of my seat, not able to contain my excitement.

We stayed at the beautiful Atrium Resort (booked through Airbnb):

After we got settled in, we knew the first thing we wanted to do was hit the beach. A local recommended Flamingo Beach, which wasn't too far from the Atrium. We only had a couple hours until sunset, so we made the most of our time there. I do want to note that I have never stepped foot on such fine and soft sand than until I got to T&C. It feels like you're walking on micro-foam pillows. I hate walking, but I will walk 500 miles if it's on this sand.

T&C is known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters, so it's no surprise that the majority of our time was spent on the beaches. If you plan on visiting, ensure Taylor Beach is one of your stops. It's a local favourite, as well as mine. The water is still, shallow and crystal clear so it's great for snorkelling, paddle boarding or simple frolicking. The last 2 pictures below are of Taylor Beach.

If you know me, you know I love paddle boarding and will jump at the opportunity every chance I get. I did a lot of paddle boarding in T&C, and I find it's a great workout, a quick way to get an allover tan, and allows you to see more of the island. Also threw in a behind-the-scenes shot ;)

Below are details of a few of my outfits:

Forever 21 White Dress (Old) // Topshop Nude Midi Dress (Similar here and here) and Forever 21 Denim Jacket // Club Monaco Black Crop Top (Old), Aritzia Babaton Antoine Shorts and Quay 'Cha Cha' Sunglasses // Forever 21 Floral Maxi Dress with Slit (Old)

It actually took multiple attempts to do the couple's yoga pose. It's harder than it looks! Also, there's a really cute dessert place called Melt worth checking out. It's a little pricey, but recommend trying at least once. Get the brownie sundae if you plan on going!

Highly recommend Bugaloo's and Somewhere Cafe for lunch. Both are situated right by the water so you get the island vibe along with a spectacular view. The tacos and fries at Somewhere are a must try!

Conch is native to T&C and there is a large abundance of it. Every restaurant you go to will have conch on the menu, offered in various ways (conch salad, conch fritters, battered conch, conch pasta etc.). Bugaloo's catches conch right from the ocean and sells the shell to tourists. If you don't mind the shell not being polished, you can find many along the shoreline of all the beaches. 

Another cool thing you can do is rent a puppy for a couple hours to socialize them at Potcake Place. It's a dog rescue charity that aims to reduce the number of homeless potcakes on the island. They give you everything you need when you take the puppy out, and all the puppies are well behaved, not to mention incredibly adorable! We had the honour of playing with Hugo, who was only 3 months old.

On our last day, we quickly visited Chalk Sound, which offers the bluest waters I have ever seen.

We spent close to a week there, and it was some much needed R&R. The island itself is quite small, so there aren't a lot of people. The locals are all very friendly, and love starting a conversation with you. If you're looking for a place to party, T&C isn't for you. There's not much to do outside of water activities, and it gets very quiet past sunset. However, there is a Fish Fry every Thursday, which is comparable to a small night market where locals and tourists alike come together for food, music and pure fun. Local restaurants and gift shops close early to set up for this event, and it's a great way to meet new people and wind down.

The food is great, but there isn't a large variety. I can sum up what I ate down to conch and jerk chicken. Needless to say, I think I've had enough conch to last me a lifetime. Other great restaurants to check out are Caico's Cafe, Coco Bistro (reserve 2 weeks in advance), and Chinson's Grill Shack (best Jamaican patties and festivals). Already drooling thinking of it..

Overall, T&C is a great place to wind down and relax if you're a beach bum like me. Don't forget to pack on that sunscreen because that Carribean sun is strong!

#2Fast2FURious

Couldn't stop feeling myself in this incredibly soft faux fur vest from Aritzia. I decided to layer a jean jacket underneath for some added warmth and dimension. This is probably my favourite outfit to date, and is a perfect example where comfort and chic play Switzerland and aren't butting heads.

Aritzia Talula Romilly Vest // Aritzia Wilfred Free Tank (Similar) // Aritzia Talula Edo Jacket // Topshop Leigh High-Waist Ripped Jeans (Old) // Vince Camuto Dally Flat Espadrille // Chloe Medium Drew // Urban Outfitters BDG Ribbed Beanie