#QuarterCentury - Collab with North of Heaven x Andrew So x Judy Lim Makeup

Quarter century milestone [✓]. But really, I'm a 75-year-old grandma trapped in a 16-year-old body. For this special milestone, I collaborated with Van (Designer of North of Heaven) to design a glam (but NOT prom) dress that still aligned with my simple style. Because I rarely get the opportunity to dress up, I thought it'd be fun to step out of my comfort zone.

This was my first time working with a designer, and it was amazing to be able to have creative input into the dress design, as well as see it come to fruition. It was also the first time getting my hair and makeup done for the shoot, and Judy (Judy Lim Makeup) was an incredible sport considering I'm extremely picky. My face is also set to derp by default, so shoutout to Andrew for being able to capture decent non-derp angles of me. 

This entire experience encompassed many firsts, but an incredibly fun one at that!

#Thuglyfe My attempt at a more 'street' look with the dress

#BTS Van being the perfectionist she is <3

Dress designed by North of Heaven // Zara strappy heels (old) // Aritzia Mackage Kenya Jacket (Similar) // Converse All Star Shoreline Slip

SHOP THE POST

Check out their work! // Photographer: Andrew So // Hair and Makeup: Judy Lim // Dress design: Van Tran

#CatVideos&Chill - Collab with Arm The Animals

Cat videos and chill/churros/cheese/cheerios/chicken -- that's my ideal Friday night. Now try saying THAT ten times over.

Jokes aside, I've collaborated with Arm the Animals, who aims to support small, struggling animal welfare organizations that help rescues. A portion of the proceeds towards their apparel goes to helping with shelter, food, vet bills and other basics all rescues need. Feel free to check out some of their other clever designs on their website or Instagram!

Aritzia TNA Snowbasin Hat (Similar here and here-ish) // H&M Coat (Similar) // Arm The Animals 'Cat Videos & Chill' Boyfriend Tee // Topman Oxford Sport Shirt (Similar and on sale) // Zara Ripped Jeans (Similar) // Vince Paeyre Leather Sneaker (In black)

SHOP THE SIMILARS

#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!

#RedWedding

HAHA misleading title, but with 2-ish weeks away until the Game of Thrones season 6 premiere, I thought it was fitting. That's all.

Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Classic Q - Hillier' Hobo (Similar in black) // Salvatore Ferragamo Boots (Similar) // Zara Zipped Moto Jeans (Similar here and here) // Zara Biker Coat (Similar in khaki) // Urban Outfitters BDG Tee (Similar) // Ardene Mirror Aviator Sunglasses

SHOP SIMILARS

#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! :)

Review: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipsticks

Haven't done one of these in awhile! Anastasia's liquid lipsticks recently came to Canada, and obviously I took advantage. There are many shades I was eyeing that are currently sold out, so expect a part II to this the moment they're back in stock!

Also, you may have noticed I changed my blog layout again. Why? The short answer: Indecisive Tina can't decide on a template. The long answer: The last layout didn't allow me to add click-through links in the Outfits, Beauty and Travel galleries, so it was more difficult to view older posts. This one does, but I'm not completely sold yet. It may or may not change again in the next couple weeks... But for now let's get to the review!

Swatches left to right: Pure Hollywood, Carina, Craft, American Doll, Vamp, Heathers

PURE HOLLYWOOD

This pale mauve nude is a complete dupe of Tarte's Namaste from their Tarteist Lip Paints, but with a hint of more rose. Make sure you're not sick while rocking this shade or you may be wondering why people are avoiding standing next to you.

Yay or nah? Nah. Love the shade, but 4 hours post application it started sinking into my lip lines. It resembles how pruny your fingers get after a long bath - Not a cute look.

CARINA

Described as an 'intense watermelon', this shade would pair well with any skin tone and complexion.

Yay or nah? YAY. I usually avoid reddish pinks because I feel it's the indecisive middle child of Red and Pink, who can't decide which team she wants to play for. However, I am absolutely in love with this shade and 100% will be adopting it into the lipstick family! 

CRAFT

A gorgeous sangria plum, Craft is perfect for those that shy away from dark lippies, but still want to fit in. 

Yay or nah? Yay-ish. The feeling is bittersweet with this one! I am so in love with the shade, but it unfortunately bled onto my skin throughout the day. 4 hours into wear the colour started seeping outside my lip lines, and every hour after that I was constantly checking the state of my lips. Guess Craft is just a pretty face...

AMERICAN DOLL

A classic blue red that will even make Snow White jealous.

Yay or nah? Nah. The shade itself is beautiful, but the staying power is questionable. Red is more prone to bleeding, and I haven't found a red liquid lipstick that has not bled onto my skin. Granted, I normally don't use lip primer or blot my lips. I'm sure both techniques will help increase the longevity, but ain't nobody got time for that in the morning.

VAMP

Vamp is a deep burgundy shade bound to uncover your deepest, darkest secrets.

Yay or nah? Yay-ish-mish. Obsessed with the colour, not so obsessed with the wear. It lasted about 4 hours before slightly bleeding and disappearing on the insides of my lips. Pair that with Pizza Hut for lunch, and it's Vamp who?

HEATHERS

A brownish oxblood with potential to become a fall staple.

Yay or nah? Nah. With the shade being too similar to Kat Von D's Damned, and it being more susceptible to bleeding, Heathers weathers away, and will not be joining the liquid lipstick familia. 

OVERALL

I'm not overly impressed, nor am I overly disappointed. The quality is pretty standard among the other brands I've tried, with each one winning in certain categories and losing in others. Keep in mind my complexion can get pretty oily, so that plays a factor into the colours bleeding. Let's pit Anastasia up against rivals Kat Von D, Sephora and Tarte, and see who comes out on top! 

Staying Power: Kat Von D

Moisture: Anastasia

Price: Sephora

Variety of shades: Kat Von D

Application: Sephora

Who's my top pick? In terms of the quality you get for what you pay, Sephora. You can read a more in-depth review here!

Let me know in the comments some of your favourite matte liquid lipsticks!

SHOP THE LIPPIES

#NoFrills

I recently got accepted into rewardStyle, and am super stoked about it! I didn't think I would given that I'm fairly new to blogging, but am excited for the opportunities that may come of it. Also for anyone that has not seen We Bare Bears, watch this 5 second clip and tell me you're not obsessed!

Zara Frilled Poplin Shirt // Aritzia Babaton Cohen Pant // Zara Block Heel Leather Ankle Boots (LOVE this one)

#WeRunTheWorld

Who run the world? WOMEN! This outfit was to commemorate International Women's Day yesterday. There's a quote that says, "Girls compete with each other. Women empower one another". Since I started blogging 6 months ago, my favourite part about it is the opportunity to meet amazing, creative women that all support and empower each other through the same craft. These women inspire and motivate me to actively pursue my goals and not give up on this dream.

Aritzia Wilfred Limoges T-Shirt // Club Monaco Blazer (Old) // Aritzia Citizens of Humanity Rocket Indie // Tory Burch Robinson Adjustable Shoulder Bag (Similar) // Zara Lace-Up Pointed High Heel Shoes

#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!

#BohoChic

Not really, but the hair (inspired by Erin Elizabeth) made me feel like a bohemian princess. Definitely didn't turn out as well as hers did, but you can watch the fun tutorial here! Mother nature also decided to tease us with spring-like weather this past weekend. However, it was fairly windy out (as you can tell by my crazy baby hairs), so we were a little bit deceived. 

PS. My fly is indeed NOT open contrary to what it may look like :)

Aritzia Wilfred Blouse (Similar-ish) // Abercrombie & Fitch Straight Boyfriend Jeans (On Sale) // Zara Lace-up Ballerinas (Similar) // Chloe Medium Drew

#AnotherOne - with Chris Leung

Another photoshoot with Chris! This was actually on the same day as the #Caramel post, with a quick change in the car in-between. Outfit was inspired by Gigi Hadid, but if you were to do a 'Who Wore It Better' comparison, Hadid will always win. Also, feel free to check out more of Chris' other work!

Chris giving me some modelling tips...

#BeMyValentine - Collab with Andrew So x Chris Nguyen

Here's some Valentine's Day inspo for y'all! Although, since it's unfortunately going to range from -15 to -25 degrees Celsius this weekend in Toronto, wearing this probably won't be the best idea. I was already freezing my bum off during this shoot, and it was only -7.

Had a great time shooting with Andrew and Chris, even though it took way longer than I expected (4 hours to be exact). Check out some of their work on their Instagram (linked), as we wait for them to get off their lazy bums and make an actual website.

Also changed up my layout! I felt it needed a revamp. It may or may not change again, depending on if I find a better one. What's really cool about this one is it spews animated hearts when you like the post. How appropriate! 

Some artsy fartsy:

Some BTS and the sad moment when Chris lost the balloons:

Some bloopers aka derp Tina aka real Tina:

#Caramel - Collab with Chris Leung

I was really hungry during this second shoot with Chris, so if you can see in my eyes that I was craving some Nandos, you'd be absolutely correct.

These Aritzia Allant pants are the most comfortable pair of pants I own, and they've been on high rotation since I got them last week! I thought the Babaton Cohens were my go-tos, but I definitely prefer these. The material is thicker, so you can get away with wearing more than just seamless panties!

And here are some BTS shots of Chris working his best angles:

Aritzia Mackage Kenya Jacket // Aritzia Babaton Shea Blouse // Aritzia Wilfred Allant Pant // Salvatore Ferragamo Boots // Zara Scarf (Old)

#WinterWonderland - Collab with Andrew So

I attended my annual work retreat this past weekend in the winter wonderland that is Muskoka. We were definitely spoiled this year. Weekend was filled with amazing company, food, activities, an incredible improv comedy show by Bad Dog Theatre Company (HIGHLY recommend you check out), and breathtaking views of Lake Rosseau. 

Also got a chance to experience dog sledding for the first time! The dogs were adorable, I could barely keep my excitement in. Ariel (featured below), was a pure joy and stole my heart with her tenacity and heart.

Now onto actual outfit details... Shot by my awesome friend and colleague, Andrew So. He doesn't have a website yet, so feel free to check out his Instagram!

#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!

#Switcheroo

I'm excited, nervous, anxious and scared to be getting Lasik surgery tomorrow. It was something I've been wanting to do for a few years now, but the decision to finally go ahead with it was rather last minute. For 2 weeks leading up to tomorrow's surgery, I've been wearing glasses everyday, so I was completely blind during this impromptu shoot. Clearly I was indecisive on what sunglasses to pair the outfit with, as I started the shoot wearing Quay's 'My Girl', only to switch to the 'Cha Cha's half way through.

Stay tuned for a more detailed post-Lasik update in my next blog post!

Review: Tarte's Tarteist Lip Paint

I took a break from fuelling my liquid lipstick addiction, but when Tarte came out with new lip paints, I couldn't resist. I've been obsessed with the mauve/burgundy colour family, so I naturally swayed towards those shades. Below is a quick review of their new Tarteist Lip Paints!

Swatches left to right: Frenemy, Tbt, Namaste

Frenemy

This gorgeous burgundy shade is the love child of Kat Von D's Vampira and Damned. Damned is going to have to step aside, as this will now be my go-to dark lippie. The high pigment formula easily glides and paints the entirety of my lips with one application. 

Verdict: YAY! The shade isn't too dark that I'm hesitant to wear it to work, but also bold enough to make a statement. Be careful though with the initial application, as it can clump towards the end of the lip brush.

Tbt

Mauve this, mauve that. Tbt happened when Kat Von D's Lolita and Sephora's Marvelous Mauve decided to have a one night stand. It's a little darker in person, but a great staple if you're riding the mauve train and aren't able to secure the Kylie Lip Kit. 

Verdict: YAY, but I wouldn't put it at the top of your purchase list if you already have a similar shade.

Namaste

Namaste indeed. The search for the perfect nude ends here. This has been on high rotation since purchase. It's the right mix of nude and pink to prevent you from looking sickly, washing you out or looking like you have nothing on your lips.

Verdict: 10x YAY! Already thinking of purchasing my next tube.

Overall

If you're an avid liquid lipstick wearer, you know exfoliating and moisturizing your lips before application is crucial, especially with the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks. The same goes for Tarte, but post initial application my lips feel soft, as if I'm wearing a satin lipstick. The lip paint doesn't instantly dry on your lips, but rather lies comfortably on top. It eventually does dry matte, however, there is still a bit of transfer. The wear is about 5-6 hours, with only the inside of your lips losing pigment.

Compared to Kat Von D: KVD has a thinner formula, so I'll usually have to apply two coats for the desired look. With Tarte, I only need one. The prices are comparable, but KVD offers 2-3 hours more wear, and a wider variety of shades. 

Compared to Sephora: Pricewise, Sephora is cheaper and I'd say the formulas on both are quite similar. 

If you have extremely dry lips, but still want to try a liquid lipstick, I'd recommend Tarte or Sephora. KVD has the driest formula out of the bunch, but also lasts the longest.

Let me know which ones are your favourites in the comments!

SHOP THE LIPPIES

#MyContactsPoppedOut - Collab with Chris Leung

Right when Chris and I parked at our shoot location, my right contact decided to pop out of my eye. I didn't have eyedrops on me so I wasn't able to pop it back in without irritating it. Anyone that wears contact lenses understands how weird it is to only wear it in one eye, especially when you're half blind. I contemplated taking my left one out, but with my eyesight being close to -8 that wasn't an option. #contactlensproblems 

This is my first time shooting with friend and photographer, Chris Leung, and it was also his first fashion shoot. Definitely won't be our last collaboration! Feel free to check out more of his work on his flickr account.

Aritzia Wilfred Free Lin Sweater // Club Monaco Chambray Shirt (Old) // Aritzia Wilfred Capucine T-Shirt // American Eagle Jeggings (Old) // Chloe Medium Drew // Salvatore Ferragamo Boots // Urban Outfitters BDG Ribbed Beanie

#Happy2016 - Collab with CV Photography

I had the pleasure again of shooting with Cam, from CV Photography, in her own mini studio. We were in the middle of a winter storm warning the day of the shoot, so why freeze our butts off when we can shoot inside? I told myself to avoid wearing black, but that was indeed the one thing I did. If you like cheese, skip to the end of this post where I highlight my top 3 best memories of 2015. 

Zara Dress (Old) // Oak + Fort Hat C10 (Sale) // Zara Block Heel Leather Ankle Boots (Sold out; Similar) // Aritzia Mackage Kenya Jacket (Sale)

Now onto my Top 3 Memories of 2015!

1.  Starting simplyteee

Finally starting my blog this past September was the best decision of 2015. I decided to erase all the doubts I had, get my lazy bum off the bed, and eyes unglued from watching shows, and finally do something I've always been passionate about. It's …

Finally starting my blog this past September was the best decision of 2015. I decided to erase all the doubts I had, get my lazy bum off the bed, and eyes unglued from watching shows, and finally do something I've always been passionate about. It's still a work in progress and I'm still figuring out what works for me, but I've learnt more about myself and my goals in the past 4 months than I had all year.

2.  Getting regrammed by American Eagle

 This was only my second shoot since the launch of my blog, so to wake up one morning with 150 additional followers and to be regrammed by one of the largest brands in North America, was largely uplifting. It was a sign that this was what I should b…

 

This was only my second shoot since the launch of my blog, so to wake up one morning with 150 additional followers and to be regrammed by one of the largest brands in North America, was largely uplifting. It was a sign that this was what I should be doing, and I questioned why I never started this earlier.

3.  Making SnowMax

 Non-fashion related, this took about a couple hours, but it was so worth it. My obsession with Baymax still lives on to this day.

 

Non-fashion related, this took about a couple hours, but it was so worth it. My obsession with Baymax still lives on to this day.

As I started scrolling through my Facebook timeline, I realized just how many memories were made in 2015. It was hard to narrow it down to the top 3, but the biggest accomplishment is definitely simplyteee. I started this journey as a personal creative outlet, and in doing so I have met so many inspiring people along the way. Collaborating with photographers, brands, and other fashion bloggers, and having the support of the local blogger community has only driven me to pursue more of my goals. Thank you to my family, friends (old and new), readers and followers for supporting me on this journey.

Here's to an even bigger year, with bigger dreams in 2016!

#ChickenBiryani

During this shoot I was craving chicken biryani, so I made it my mission to get some good biryani the next day. Now I'm craving some shanghai noodles and fried rice, so by the time you read this I will probably already be at Asian Legend.

Tip: Never write a blog post hungry. Also you don't want to know me when I'm hangry. :)

Club Monaco Moto Jacket (Similar) // A&F High-Rise Girlfriend Jeans // Urban Outfitters BDG T-Shirt // Salvatore Ferragamo Boots // Quay Invader Sunglasses