My 2025 Favorites

Friends, I’m back!! It only took me 8 years to open my computer and start writing again! I realized my last post was 2017 favorites. Oh how time flies! 8 years…. a lot has happened. Maybe before I delve in, a little life update - we welcomed our little piggie to the world in 2019, we got married in 2022, we moved to Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn in 2024, I changed my job at the end of 2025… Lots of life has happened. But the same me!! I feel creatively stimulated again, somehow, to document what are the little things I’ve loved in 2025. Here we go.

Savette Slim Symmetry pochette

I had always loved the minimalist look of Savette and finally when I decided to pull the trigger, they were sold out everywhere in the color I wanted (bone). One day, on my way to another store during my mini-sabbatical, I decided to stop by Bergdorf Goodman and wander around for a few minutes. As I was walking past the bag section on the first floor, there was a little bag sitting on the shelf that caught my eye. It is the Savette slim pochette, in the color I wanted!! ( I later found out it’s a shade darker than Bone, called Clay, but I love it nonetheless.) I immediately snatched it and have been loving it since! It can be dressed up or down, take it to a dinner with friends, to see a ballet, to Christmas party, or just a casual day out. It’s the perfect size (fits all my essentials), adds instant elegance, and helps balance your outfit. I’m sure I will wear her for many years to come!

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Paper Republic Journal

At the end of my mini-sabbatical this year, I decided to start a gratitude journal. My usual Smythson diary is great, but it doesn’t have enough space for a daily gratitude journal. I also wanted something smaller so it’s easy for me to take with me when I travel. Paper Republic became an easy choice. (I’m also mildly obsessed with watching journal related content on YouTube). I opted for the Portfolio in pocket size, chestnut color. I love the green ribbon contrast with the tan leather. I got an insert from Goods for the Study in East Village - a evergreen daily journal perfectly fits for my purpose. Ever since I started my gratitude journal on December 1, 2025, the day I started with A&M, my day ends with me writing down my gratitude or just things that made me happy that day. It’s been a month and I cannot tell you how much serenity and bliss the practice has brought to my days. I can’t wait to grow with the journal, to see the leather patinate, soften, and age, just like me and life.

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My Kindle

Matcha green all the way

I don’t know if I can call myself an avid reader, but having a kindle, having a matcha colored kindle, certainly helped me reaching for my books. I attribute my rekindled love for reading to my kindle, 1000%. I read 16 books in 2025 - not a lot to many people’s standards, I know. But I’m proud of my own progress and intend to keep the reading momentum going. I think having the prettiest colored kindle certainly helps. I bring my kindle with me everywhere I go now - leveraging the piecemeal time I have on the subway, on my commute to work, when I wait for my appointment, or a few minutes at night… whenever, wherever I can, I consciously remind myself to open the kindle to read a few pages.

Reading fuels our soul, helps with my mental clarity, or at a minimum, helps me be a more eloquent and articulate writer and speaker. Thank you for bringing me so much joy of reading, my matcha kindle. 💚

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Jewelry - Spinelli Kilcollin Ring and Cartier Clash Ring

As I grew older, I’ve become a ring person. This year the two rings that I’ve been thoroughly loving and are on heavy rotation are Spinelli Kilcollin ring and Cartier Clash ring. I love the mixed metal of SK ring and with both gold and silver in it, it basically goes with every outfit of the day. I like to play with the 3 interconnected rings as I think, and somehow they give me comfort and confidence as if to say, we got you!

The Cartier clash ring was a holiday gift I gave myself at the end of 2024. I’ve been wearing it non-stop in 2025! The craftmanship of the ring is second to none- every piece is connected but also flexible. I was in awe with the design and the beauty of the ring (the earrings are on my wishlist too!). It truly is a piece of art and it goes with everything.

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Clothes: Sacai Jacket and Rohe Knits

Sacai Jacket

Rohe Knit (picture doesn’t do it justice)

OK…. I’m not sure if I should be writing about some clothes for my 2025 favorites as I already have a pretty edited wardrobe and I love every piece I have in there. BUT, as I look back and think about if there’s any piece of clothing that brings me joy, it would be the Sacai bomber jacket. I actually got this jacket pre-loved from The Real Real. Sacai is a brand I absolutely love and adore, and I pretty much wore this jacket every single day during my 2-month mini-sabbatical. I love the shape of it, the contrasting colors, the patchwork. It’s such a fun jacket and it brings me so much joy every time I wear it.

Rohe is a new brand that I discovered this year. I started ordering a grey v-neck sweater from them, and… couldn’t stop myself after that. Every piece is made with impeccable quality, and the shape, the design details are what drew me to the brand. I love the burgendy funnel neck sweater, the two v-neck sweaters (yes I got a beige color after the grey) that I have and they have been on heavy rotation this winter.

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Shoes: Alaia fishnet Ballet Flats, MiuMiu Boat Shoes, and Khaite Nevada Boots

Alaia fishnet ballet flats; Miu Miu boat shoes

I have always called myself a shoe girl. My passion for bags have subsided in recent years, but shoes, shoes are life!! I always say, a good pair of shoes will take you far on your journal. And my sensitive feet (thanks to my bunion) are the best tester to the comfort level of a pair of shoes. My absolute love for work / everyday will always be The Row loafer. However, the three pairs that stood out this year throughout four seasons are the Alaia fishnet ballet flats (summer), MiuMiu Boat shoes (spring, summer and fall). and Khaite Nevada Boots (winter). The Alaia and MiuMiu are the hero shoes that unlocked so many of my wardrobe items - they make my outfits cool, interesting, unusual, and add the little something to a plain and minimal fit. They are pricy, yes, but to me, they worth every penny. And given how much I wear them, the cost per wear is nearly zero now. :)

Khaite boots is a recent purchase so I probably shouldn’t include them in the annual favorites. However, they are the most comfortable boots I’ve every worn - they don’t give any pain to my bunion, I can walk 10k steps in them, their low heels are extremely comfortable to a flat-always girlie like me. And, not to mention, they’re soooo chic and make every pair of pants look instantly elevated and put together. Definitely the best purchase of this winter.

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My Very First Kelly

I debated whether to include this in the annual favorites. If I’m being honest, I have not used the Kelly much since I acquired it in June. BUT, can we just admire the beauty of the bag for a second? It is a piece of art in and of itself. I know it’s vanity for me to say, I finally have a Hermes Kelly. But it is true, my Hermes wishlist has only one item and one item only. It’s a black Kelly. And I finally got it. I will use it slowly, savor it, admire it, treasure it. It is a dream come true and for that, I think it deserves a spot in my 2025 highlight.

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Breville Espresso Machine

I’ve made quite a few changes to my routines during the 2-month mini-sabbatical this year - upgrading my coffee routine to Breville espresso machine is one of them. It definitely took me a while to learn to dial in the machine and different coffee beans. Through a lot of trial and error, I felt like I finally found the one I love! I’m currently using the Toro coffee beans from Devocion, a local Brooklyn coffee roaster and they send me a new bag of freshly roasted coffee beans every time I run low. I’m so looking forward to my freshly brewed espresso / americano every morning - it has become my favorite thing to start the day.

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Pilates Class

2025 is the 2nd year I’ve consistently practiced Pilates. I’ve never been a big exercise person, never got into running, cardio, yoga, or anything consistently. However, Pilates is the only exception. It’s an exercise that I enjoy doing, my private class on Saturday morning is something I truly look forward to every week. It’s been an integral part of my wellness journey. And I notice the small changes through my practice - my core is stronger, I have less back and shoulder pains, and I have better endurance now… It makes me want to be the stronger, healthier version of myself. I know Pilates is something I will take with me into 2026 and beyond. Let’s all strive to be the better, healthier version of ourselves!

Happy New Year!

My 2017 Favorites

Le Labo

I discovered this perfume after I moved to New York and have been hooked ever since. I like its lab like packaging and sex-neutral scent (never was a fan of the too feminine and floral scent) and it has since become my signature scent. I now have a small collection of these perfumes (thanks to QZ who always gets me a bottle on special days). The Noir 29 is my absolute favorite and it's a perfect scent for year round use. My new-in is the Bergamot 22 - can't wait to wear it in the warmer days! 

Noguchi Lamp

I just moved in to a new apartment and have been looking for a desk lamp for my night stand. I was reading the book, "The New Garconne", and in one of the interviews, the owner of Le Garconne mentioned her favorite lamp was Noguchi Lamp which I immediately fell in love with. This paper lamp represents the best of Japanese design - elegant, quiet, minimal. I bought two and they compliment our bedroom so nicely. 

Chanel Card Case

This was a purchase from my trip to Paris earlier in the year. I've been using it every single day since. Switching to a small card case was a direct result of downsizing and trying to live a minimalist life as much as I can. The case holds all the cards I need. it's super compact and allows me to finally use a tiny purse - an added benefit. Did I mention how much joy it brings me every time I see the little double C? 

Soma Water Filter

This water filter was also a direct result of my zero waste effort. I'd been looking for a glass water filter for the longest time and found this San Francisco based brand. Not only does it look beautiful and sleek, it also reminds me of my favorite coffee maker, Chemex. It's made of RPA free glass and even the filter is made of coconut material and it's fully compostable. Now I have something that rests on my counter as a piece of art while providing clean and pure water for us to stay hydrated. 

Mason Jars

Oh where should I start? Earlier in the year I was introduced to the zero waste lifestyle. After reading the book "Zero Waste Home" by Bea Johnson, I was determined to upgrade all my pantry containers and Tupperware to glass wares, as a first step to zero waste. The glass mason jars not only are more visually appealing, but also more hygiene friendly and toxic free. i typically rotate between the Weck mason jars from Germany and Le Parfait from France. Both have the orange rubber band to seal and they make my pantry and fridge look uniformed and chic! 

Aesop Products

This Australian brand as continued to be my trusted go-to when it comes to daily hygiene and skin/body care. I use hand gel, hand cream, body wash, body scrub, face mask, mouth wash, deodorant, and so many more on a daily basis. Every time i pick up a brown bottle / tube with the lab-like packaging, it just makes my daily routine a little bit easier and more enjoyable. 

Smythson Diary

I've been using the Smythson diary for years. This year I upgraded from my usual Panama to the Soho diary which is A5 size and has a weekly planner on one side and a full-page for to-dos on the other. The reason I opted for the Soho was because I started having more and more to-dos in my personal life (totally adulting now) and I feel like I needed more room to better track and organize them (think about the bullet journal). I picked the Mara leather in maroon color for 2018 and I LOVE it! I find myself reaching for it everyday and it certainly helps organize my life more easily and with great style. 

Buly Body Oil

During our Paris trip in May, i went to the Buly 1803 store and picked up a few things. In addition to the famous hand cream, I've been thoroughly enjoying their body oil. It's great for hydration and massage. I opted for the lichen scent which was more of a grassy and less sweet scent. I would definitely try the signature rose scent next time. Being a sucker for packaging, I easily fell in love with Buly's medieval packaging that perfectly represents this century old brand. Not to mention that it is also an eye candy and compliments my home decor perfectly. 

Blue Bottle Coffee Subscription

Being the coffee snobs that we are, I can't believe how long it took us to finally get a coffee subscription from Blue Bottle. In QZ's words, good coffee makes you want to have a second cup. :) Blue Bottle does just that. The subscription service lets you decide your coffee type and mailing frequency. Our favorite is the single origin. It makes me look forward to the weekend morning ritual of making hand drip coffee so much more. 

Our New Apartment

My (our) biggest purchase in 2017 was undoubtedly this beautiful apartment. We spent a good amount of the year and so much effort renovating and decorating it to be a home that we love to spend our everyday life in. We couldn't e happier how it turned out - it's clean and simple, minimalistic and modern, and still looks homey and cozy. I'm so looking forward to spending a lot of time around the kitchen and lounging around the living area. And we love how all the new and old furniture fit in together. Here's a toast - to the start of a new chapter and a marvelous new year in 2018! 

Head Porter Laptop Case

My work bag situation has gone through a few iterations. Since I work in a profession that requires me to have a laptop nearby almost 24/7, having a durable, light and still chic laptop case / bag is of utmost importance. I started with two bags - one for personal use, the other one for work - laptop, notebook, power cord, files, snacks, etc. The two bag combo works fine when you stay in your home city but can quickly become a pain when I travel, because I almost never check in my luggage. Having to consolidate two bags every single time I board a plane made me quickly give up the two-bag idea. 

During my Japan trip last fall, my boyfriend and I were checking out this Japanese bag brand called Head Porter. They're known for combining great design with functional and light materials as a lot of their bags are made of durable nylon.  I already had one of their cases for my 15" MacBook Pro which I love, so I was hoping to find something this time for my 13" work laptop. And low and behold... after checking out the store for a few minutes I spot this super understated black nylon laptop case from the Head Porter Black Beauty line. It's perfect for a 13" laptop with two front pockets and a top narrow pocket for the cords. No fuss, light, durable, functional, kinda perfect. It can be easily slipped into my Goyard tote bag and I basically just throw in whatever else I need to carry. I've been using it every single day since I got back from the trip and couldn't be happier. 

What do you use for your work computer bag? 

10 Things 2016 Has Taught Me

1. Spend time with your family and loved ones as if it was the last day you have with them. 

2. Never doubt yourself. You may have things to learn or to improve, but you are the best version of yourself right now. 

3. We never know what's going on in other people's lives. So don't judge or compare yourself to others. 

4. When things get really hard and you find yourself unable to breathe, losing faith, self-doubting or not seeing any way out, take a deep breath and keep doing what you are doing, no matter how small or trivial it is. All your efforts will pay off in the end. 

5. One day you'll wake up and feel the heavy stone on your chest get lifted and you just know that everything is going to be okay. 

6. Everything does happen for a reason. 

7. Enjoy little things in life. 

8. De-cluttering is the most liberating and effective way to change your life. 

9. Avoid processed food. 

10. Try to produce less trash. Avoid plastics and disposables as much as you can. The earth will thank you. 

Happy new year! 

Home scents Part I - Santa Maria Novella, Diptyque, and Muji

As the days get colder and colder, my favorite thing to do on a weekend is to curl up on the sofa, have a warm cup of tea, and read a good book. What's essential to the whole ritual, however, is to make sure I'm surrounded by the scents that are soothing, relaxing and helping me to ease into the mood. I have tried and tested different home scents, from the scented candles, home diffusers, to home sprays and incense. Here are a few of my favorites that have become an integral part of my daily life.

Muji ultrasonic aroma diffuser. I've owned this for over five years now. Still works like new and I know I should probably get a bigger one, now that I think about it, but honestly the size of this one doesn't really bother me. I usually leave it in the entry way corner which adds some perfect light and scent when you first enter the home. My favorite essential oil to use is the Aesop Isabelle Oil Burner Blend which combines spearmint leaf, sage leaf and rosemary leaf. Super calming and gives the room a nice cooling scent. 

Santa Maria Novella Potpourri. I've bought boxes of the Santa Maria Novella Potpourri for... I'd say years, before I actually started using them. Why? Because I couldn't find anything that I love to put them in! My original thought was to get a vintage silver plate to house them....but I've been searching for years and still haven't found one that I like. So when I finally discovered Santa Maria Novella had opened up a store with full line of products in New York, my heart almost exploded. I picked up this super simple ceramic plate from the SMN store - I think the plate was supposed to be used for soap or something. Sometimes the simplest thing is the hardest to find. It fits perfectly with the potpourri that has been made using the same method and recipe for over three centuries. The mixture of buds, leaves, and flower petals typical of Tuscan hills now gives my home a distinct aroma and brings me back to a century old apothecary like no others. 

Diptyque scented candle. This one needs no introduction. It has appeared in many of my interior photos. I'm not a floral scent lover, so naturally, my favorite scent of Diptyque are Figuier, Santal and Baies. Either woody or fruity, depending on my mood, Diptyque has accompanied me through many nights and days as a loyal friend.  

Fog Linen Handkerchief

I just came back from a two-week Asia trip (okay, I've been back for more than a month now but don't people say that you need a vacation to recover from your vacation? I did just that). Anyhow, thought I'd share some of the stuff that became so essential on my trip, so much so that they also became an inseparable part of my everyday life.

We went to China and Japan in the last two weeks of September. Unfortunately the weather in Japan during that time was still unusually hot and humid. We had to walk outside for a good amount everyday under 90% humidity and were always completely drenched in sweat. The best decision I made for the trip was to have brought these Fog Linen handkerchieves with me. They are 100% linen, light and thin, so easy to carry around. And boy, did it help wipe off all the sweat and help me to stay cool. It can also be used as a mask under pollution - I found myself reaching for it all the time when we were exposed to the terrible pollution in Beijing, and I know a few instances where I even used it as a face towel. It's the most eco friendly item to carry on a daily basis and, in my opinion, is so much cooler and more chic than the disposable tissues. It's very easy to clean - takes two minutes to wash every night and the next morning, voila, you have a clean, soft, and wonderfully smelling hankie to use! The pastel blush and blue colors are so in now that every time I take it out from my pocket, it becomes such a compliment to my outfit as well. 

I remember I always carried a hankie when I was a little girl. And then somewhere along the way, it was replaced by the disposable tissues for convenience. Now in light of the eco movement and the zero waste lifestyle I'm trying to adopt, I can't think of a better way than carrying this little guy again with me everyday as an essential. 

Daily Essentials

Summer is officially here! I know I've been so delinquent on the blog (which I'm not proud of) but here I am, back at it!! I wanted to start a new series called daily essentials - documenting things that I use on a daily basis, such as skin care, cosmetics, small goods, whatever it is to make my daily life a little brighter, a little happier, and a little more enjoyable. Today we start with the things I've been using and loving since the warm days started. 

Starting from upper left corner clockwise...

AESOP Herbal Deodorant. In summer, most of us swear by solid sticks to keep our underarm area dry and smelling descent. But we all know how embarrassing and annoying it is to find the stick marks on our clothes. I stumbled upon this Aesop Herbal Deodorant spray when I went to the store to stock up on body wash and hand wash and decided to give it a try. It has a pleasant herbal oil smell (sage leaf as part of the ingredients), dries up pretty fast after each spray and leaves no mark. Although it may not be as effective as antiperspirant when it come to preventing sweating, I found it pretty good at keeping my underarms dry so far (maybe it's the essential oil?) and it has been my go-to after shower everyday. 

DIPTYQUE scented candle. This one needs no introduction. I always make sure I have a few Diptyque candles scattered around my home. My favorite scents, amongst all, are Baies and Figuier. I keep one on my night stand and there's nothing more soothing than falling asleep with the light scent lingering around you... 

Living Proof Humidity Shield Spray. My hair is hopelessly fine and naturally wavy, which translates to a frizzy and sad look under high humidity. Every morning after I shower and blow dry my hair, I would always straighten and style it using my favorite Panasonic ion straightener. However, as soon as I step outside, within 10 minutes, it goes back to being flat and frizzy. I bought this Living Proof Humidity Shield Spray from Sephora and so far it's been working wonders! My hair is able to keep the volume and somewhat shape that I styled for most of the day. Very pleased with the purchase! 

Le Labo perfume in Santal 33. I can't remember how many compliments I've gotten since I started wearing it. My boyfriend got me this as a Xmas gift (by the way, if you go to their store, they will make the perfume right there on the spot for you, so neat!) and I've been wearing it ever since. It's very subtle and low key, and yet has this dreamy sexy feel to it. I've gotten so used to it that I can no longer smell it when I wear it. But every time I enter a room, someone always asks, what perfume are you wearing? 

Tom Ford lip stick. Ever since I purchased my first TF lip stick, I've been completely hooked. Being someone who doesn't wear a ton of makeup, my makeup regimen really just consists of tinted moisturizer,  eye brow powder, a teeny bit of eye shadow and finish with lip stick. Having possibly the driest lips in the world, most of the lip sticks either don't stay on for long or make my lips even drier. Tom Ford is an exception. It's very moisturizing (although I like to apply a layer of lip balm as a primer first) and stays on for a long time. An absolute essential! My new purchase is called "Something Wild" - sounds pretty exotic but it really is not. It's a lovely red that you can wear every day. It's not overpowering but still adds a nice pop of color. 

Happy summer everyone! 

Aesop

As someone who travels 80-100% for work, there are two things that I most look forward to coming home. 1) Make my own pour over coffee at home (I'll write a separate post about this). 2) Sleep on my own bed and use my favorite body products, among which, Aesop undoubtedly tops the chart. 

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Aesop has always shied away from the traditional marketing that other skin care brands do. However, every time you walk by / into an Aesop store (which by the way, is the best and most powerful visual marketing ever), you can't help but be drawn to the beautiful design of the store, the aromatic aura that you experience, the clean aesthetics of the brand, and the message about healthy lifestyle that the brand is trying to convey. For me personally, a sucker for packaging, I am especially fascinated by the uniform, lab-like, almost "boring" (to some people) packaging of their products. It brings your attention to the product itself, the ingredients that it contains, and the essence of what you are looking for in a product. 

From my first Aesop Resurrection Hand Balm and the Geranium Leaf Body Wash, I've been completely hooked. I've tried a fair amount of different hand creams, Aesop is among the most moisturizing and yet even better, it won't leave your hands greasy (we all know what it's like to leave a ton of greasy finger prints all over the place after we put on hand creams). Plus, the herbal oil scent is extra soothing (to me at least). The Geranium body wash has been my bathroom fixture for a long time. It not only motivates me to jump in the shower (kidding), but most importantly, it plays a huge role in my bathroom interior (again, here's why I'm a sucker for packaging). My recent find is this breathless massage oil. After a long day / week, there's nothing better than receiving a gentle massage from your loved one (or your favorite massage salon for that matter). And I can't think of a better way to do it than having it with this orange and jojoba oil that will truly take your breath away. 

Barbour Jacket

I know this post is way overdue and there is no excuse for my perpetual procrastination. (Okay actually there is, I've been working ridiculously long hours and flying cross-country for work lately!! sobbing...) So I thought I'd try to get this one out before the Barbour season is completely over. When it's changing season from fall to winter, New York gets a good amount of rain, sometimes accompanied by gusty winds. For those of you like me, whose weekend wear is all about comfort, you'd probably agree that Barbour jacket is the best outer wear for a late fall day out and about around town. 

Founded in 1894 in London, Barbour is so well known for its waxed jackets and its distinct British element. So much so that my "less" fashion forward boyfriend, who's currently residing in London, told me that his biggest fashion discovery was that every British man in the street of London wears this jacket called Barbour. :) 

I got mine a couple years ago from the Barbour store in SOHO. Without much hesitation, I went for the most classic Beadnell - I love its loose and slightly flare at the bottom cut, the huge side pockets, the plaid cuffs, the corduroy collar ... It has this easy but still put together look that makes it perfect to pair with almost everything - your boyfriend jeans, a denim shirt, a beat-up sweater, a floral dress, a pair of hunter boots... It feels as legit in a rainy day as it does in a sunny fall afternoon. I found my hand reaching out to it over and over again every weekend. If you get the fleece liner, which is what I did, it can very well last you into the winter. After a few year's wear, it has softened up quite a bit but still has a nice structure - it has truly become "my" thing. 

Who knows, if the weather is nice (or not), maybe I'll wear my Barbour for a stroll in the city tomorrow. 

Celine Trio Bag

A few things that I came to realize as I get older: 1) I no longer take great interest in the latest and greatest trend of the season, the hottest items, the IT bags, the "must-haves"... 2) As my friend Serious Shopper said before, how do we choose to spend our time in the daily mundane life is the utmost important, and I agree 100%. 3) The things that interest me the most now are the ones that are functional, simple and classic. The ones that get the job done, beautifully designed, and you know will go with anything in your wardrobe or in your house. The Celine Trio bag is one of those things.

Cross-body bag is the one item that I suspect every girl has in her closet. Some own more than one. I, as no exception, used to and still do own a few. But the one that I reach out to over and over again of late is this Celine Trio bag. I got mine in Paris -  was looking for a black or a maroon color initially but stumbled upon this navy one. It's dark enough that it almost looks like black and still has a nice blue sheen to it. It's light and functional - the three individual pouches actually allow you to fit quite a bit of your daily essentials - I've tried to stuff my wallet, lip balm, mirror, lipstick, hand balm, tissues, keys, iPhone and a portable cellphone charger in it without it looking overly bulky. Its buttery leather gets better after every use. Its minimal design allows it to match perfectly with almost everything you're wearing. Use it as a cross-body bag, a shoulder bag, or just hold it as a pouch. I survived my one-week in Paris just carrying the trio. I take it with me to go to the museum, go to the market, go for a walk along the Hudson river, go get an ice-cream... It's my go-to bag on the weekend. It's easy, effortless, and so chic. I can't imagine my life without it. 

What's your go-to bag on the weekend?  

Eames Lounge Chair Wood

This one needs no introduction. Eames chair at its best. When I first moved in to my current apartment, I was looking for a single sofa/chair for the living room. Given the limited space that I have (which, is pretty much the theme for all NYC apartment, isn't it?), I had my eyes on this Eames Plywood Lounge Chair. Being one of the world's widely recognized and highly coveted chairs, the chair itself is a piece of art. I especially love the grains of the plywood, the simple design that connects the seat and the backrest with a spine, and the low-slung seat. Hailed by Time Magazine as the Best Design of the 20th Century, the chair continues to be an icon of Modern Design. 

My favorite thing to do when I'm lounging at home, is to sit on the chair, next to my fig tree, with a cup of coffee and a good book. It gives you a slight sense of ritualization that you feel like your day has become a little brighter and you are a little calmer despite the busy world spinning around us. 

Comme des Garcons Small Leather Goods

If we think about what are the things that we touch/carry/use everyday, wallet, card case, small pouch, keys (okay, I know, and cellphone) probably are the ones that top the list. If we happen to pick the ones that we truly love, they are the things that give us little (or big) pleasure and joy on a daily basis. 

My wallet evolution kinda took a sharp turn from the long/big spot-right-way brand name wallet to this very low key, hardly recognizable Comme des Garcons brown embossed zip wallet. When I was young, I used to think that having a big wallet stuffed with multiple credit cards, membership cards, receipts, you and your dog (or boyfriend)'s pictures, your business cards, the list goes on...was such a cool thing. It shows "I've made it! I'm in! I'm one of those young vibrant city girls who's having a busy life." Now years have gone by, as I'm trying to practice the concept of being a minimalist and simplify the things I have in my life, I realized I don't really need to carry that much stuff with me everyday. I'm now down to a handful of cards (1 driver license, 2 CCs, 1 bank card to be exact), and a few bills that I have in my wallet on any given day. Changing to a small wallet became a natural thing. This CDG wallet was a surprise find - I was looking for a small wallet and stumbled upon it. As soon as I laid my eyes on it, I knew it was mine. It has this subtle touch - the rich dark brown color, the embossed pattern, the zip closure, everything about it is just perfect. It can be easily slipped into your pocket, a small CDG pouch, a cross body bag... It's been a fixture in my bag for more than a year now and every time I take it out, I still feel the happiness that you get when you find something you truly love. 

The black Comme des Garcons leather pouch is another daily item. It's simple, sleek and super versatile. It's the perfect size to store your keys, your cellphone, your wallet, and you can even fit a small mirror and a lip stick. I carry it when I go see a movie, when I go to the grocery store, when I have brunch with friends, when I want to go for a walk. I also use it to store my passport/important documents/receipts when I travel. I bring it everywhere. It can be dressed up or dressed down, however you like it. 

Last but not least, the CDG neon blue card case. It actually has a even brighter inside - neon orange and green as the inside color. I'm normally not a bright color person, let alone THREE neon colors in one item! I think because it's such a small thing, its small size kinda balances out the bright color. I have my NYC metro card, my insurance card and what not in it. It gives my day  a nice kick to start when I take out the metro card (well, on the days I do use my metro card to get to work). It perfectly represents the fun side of the brand. After all, we all want to be that girl who's comme des garçons (like a boy). 

Marimekko Tea set

It's no secret that I'm a coffee snob - I'm very serious about my coffee and I can't function without my first cup in the morning. However, in my off days, a.k.a. the weekends, I like to have some tea for a change to help me ease into the weekend mode. Like what I do with everything else, before you become a pro, you start with the gears. 

Marimekko, the Finnish brand established in 1960s, is nothing but the direct opposite of a typical nordic design. They use all kinds of bright colors, bold stripes, large flowered prints, and distinctive patterns. Going into their store is like a kid going to a candy store - your mood will be instantly lifted 3 levels up. It's always a treat and happy experience browsing through their clothing line and home furnishings. However, being a minimalist that I am, when I decided to pick up a set of tea pot and tea cup from Marimekko, I naturally went with this black and white Rasymatto pattern. First instinct was that it would match the white backdrop of my interior and I'm always a sucker for polka dots. After getting it, I realized the clean line and serene character of the tea pot was actually inspired by Japanese design. It's made of stoneware with wood handle, which, unlike those delicate bone china, is something that's more suited for everyday use. It's simple, cute, and is the best compliment to any home and interior. And most importantly, every time you use it, it brings out a smile on your face. 

Smythson Diary

When it comes to stationary, I'm completely old-school. I like using fountain pens, notepad that has a vintage kick to it, and, diary that you actually need to write in (the i-calendar is only for work). For someone who likes to keep my work and my life separated, I like to use a diary to keep track of the things that matter to me in my personal life, such as, dental appointments! We all know how important that is!

I've tried many different diaries throughout the years. From the cute Japanese diaries to moleskin daily, to now my favorite Smythson diary. I came to realize that my life isn't as exciting and packed as I thought it was, so instead of a daily diary, Smythson's weekly diary is perfect for me. It's compact enough that you can throw into your purse. The light blue pages with Smythson watermark lightly printed, the perforated corners that can be torn off once the week is passed, silk back pocket, soft calf leather cover, and if you feel fancy, you can even monogram it... All the details are so spot on. I picked up this violet blue Panama diary for 2015. Putting in my personal to-dos, travel plans, appointments and writing a few words for the week has become my favorite thing to do to end/start the week. 

I've been trying to get a different color for each year and thinking that it must be satisfying and sweet to look at a stack of colorful Smythson's that have loyally recorded my life through the years. 

Stendig Calendar

When I first saw this simple, classic and yet shockingly beautiful calendar, I immediately thought, I need this in my life, right now. It's an art by its own and is perfect to decorate your wall with. After doing some research, it came at no surprise that the Stendig calendar is the only calendar in the design collection of the Museum of Modern Art. It was designed in 1966 by Massimo Vignelli. After 48 years, it still exemplifies the perfect modern graphic design. 

When I finally got my hands on this highly sought after piece (it's gone very fast, so place your order early for the next year!), I couldn't help but to praise its simple and classic design. It really molds into your interior decor and still has this quiet and compelling quality that draws your eyes to it over and over again. I hang it above my dining/working table, so now, every time I look up and see it, my heart is filled with content and happiness.