Honeyed

creative direction CYNTHIA NGUYEN photography VINCENT KO in collaboration with GUERLAIN
and special thank you to Tobi

Something incredibly horrible yet interesting happened to me recently— I had found distinguished, fine lines under and around my little eyes. I mean, yes they’re not thaaat noticeable to others on a day-to-day basis. However, when you have to see yourself before bed and when you wake up every single day, you see a whole lot more than just a sleepyhead. The truth is, I’m actually aging. The even sadder part to that truth has been told by nearly everyone who is older than I and has warned me about how life and my skin complexion (as well as your metabolism) starts to go downhill after 25.

The problem is, that I don’t have a skincare ritual to speak of. It’s been really hard when your schedule is all over the place– sometimes, I get home from the office at 12am and just want to pass out or I’m in a rush and I simply want to spray some multi-purpose facial oil to revive my face from looking partially dead. And so, it looked like ‘now’ was a great time to get some sort of skin regime down— I wanted a simpler way to achieve and maintain good skin for myself.

I’m the kind of lady that loves products that includes scientific facts and natural ingredients.

I am delighted to share with you a collection that offers effective results in pro-longing the signs of aging, wrinkles and firmness. Thanks to scientifically proven facts (after ten years of research) and the properties of honey, Guerlain’s Abeille Royale collection offers all of the above mentioned in boosting skin. Another sweet and small mention I read about the line: “Inspired by the latest discoveries in neuroscience, the new Abeille Royale Repairing Concentrate goes even further and, for the first time, targets the damage suffered by the skin’s nervous system with exposure to UV rays and other external aggressions. So the skin can repair itself more effectively and fully.”


I’ve recently integrated the Youth Watery Oil into my skin care routine from Guerlain’s Abeille Royale collection. This light product’s formula combines the power of a serum, the richness of an oil and the freshness of a really good and lightly-scented perfume. I applying only a few drops on my cheeks and forehead, then blend the oil and little, creamy micro-beads into my skin. It’s made from Ouessant honey and exclusive Royal Jelly, sourced from an exclusive bee hive in France. A few drops of this youth-boosting oil leaves my skin feeling super plump, rejuvenated and smooth all day long— almost like a baby’s bottom..With the same love and respect for bees, independent Canadian brand, MYEL Design and Guerlain have partnered up to release a series of delicate and minimal jewelry. Featured below is their Essaim Silver Chain from their Alvéole collection.


LEFT TO RIGHT: Guerlain’s Abeille Royal Youth Watery Oil,
Guerlain’s Abeille Royal Replenishing Eye Cream.

DETAILS:

Dress c/o Tobi
Lack of Color Spencer Boater Hat
Honey Punch Off-Shoulder Ruffles Top
Lord and Taylor Woven White Mules

Sweet Escape

 


J.Crew Cotton Off-the-shoulder Top
Massimo Dutti Front Slit Skirt
Lack of Color Spencer Boater Hat
Yves Saint Laurant Nude Wrap Ankle Block Heels
Massimo Dutti Suede Cross body bag

See below for similar options!


I know I take a crazy load of time when it comes to preparing a blog post.. which is why I hold immense pride once I’ve curated and launched a post. Whether I’m told that I should stick to posting more frequently or to ‘just get a post out the door..’ I would much rather bite my tongue and hold back until I’ve produced an exquisite article filled with wonderful photos.

Photos that are not only simply taken against a wall and tweaked via post production but are well thought through with a direction.. a particular narrative. A narrative that my readers can follow along and immerse themselves in a different world. A world infuse with excitement and femininity. Creating an escapism for my viewers through my craft and lens is what I yearn to do and is the major…if not the sole reason why I blog. To share all this with you.

From the choice of clothing, to the colour palette, the location, the poses and expressions..along with the placement of each element.. on site or within the posting stage. I want to create that lush, warm presence in the curated landscape I’ve built up.. without being too far away from my own home. One day, I’ll have it down. The beautiful and editorial way of creating escapism. Just like Gary Pepper Girl, Tuula Vintage and Park and Cube.

Now you know why I take such a long, damn time to create a post like this…

I hope you genuinely enjoy this article!

Photography by: ARTIESE STUDIOS
If you get a chance, check out her new Barcelona travel guide.


 

Baby, Let’s Shoot


J.Crew Cotton Off-the-shoulder Top
J.Crew Rayner Trousers
Lack of Color Spencer Boater Hat
Call it Spring Aralle Heels (On sale for $30!)
Massimo Dutti Suede Cross body bag

See below for similar options!


Let me tell you… if you do decide to go out and shoot photos– don’t wear an off-the-shoulder top. Definitely not ideal as it’s quite difficult move around in with the elastic band around your shoulders being restricted. Cute yet not the most awesome idea for comfort and working efficiency.

On that note, I’m slowly being sucked into the “cold shoulder” trend. Considering snagging some dramatic ruffle tops/dresses. Maybe a piece in satin or silk if possible for a more elevated, chic, look. We will see…

On a “Chic Eats” note, I went to Smith (I totally dig their branding which Leo Burnett did and their site) on Church St. with my lovely blogger-pal, Vincent Ko. Ordered their crazy french toast, a massive and extremely dense stack of pancakes, accompanied by some scrumptious and bomb-ass donuts (which I highly recco getting if you ever find yourself at Smith restaurant.) Practically almost passed out after the big, carb, brunch consumption party…

Photography by: Vincent Ko


Buckle Up


Club Monaco Simonettah Sweater Dress
Jenny Bird Silver Thick Choker c/o (Similar here)
LuvAJ Crown Hoop Huggies Earrings

Womens Lack Of Color Spencer Boater Natural Straw Hat
Rayban Aviator Sunglasses
Zara Black Strap Heels

Check out more similar options below!


I personally never thought I would ever ride the choker bandwagon but I guess it doesn’t hurt to try. Of course Jenny made it more enticing for me to ease into this trend. I mean..go big or go home, or should I say go thickkk-er? It’s one big, shiny neck party.

Thanks to Instagram for bringing self-documentation to a more “acceptable” level as we known as taking ‘selfies,’ it’s not a subtle catch while mindlessly scrubbing through Instagram to find a bikini clad ladies and young teenagers decked out in the hot 90’s trend, now that it’s gone completely mainstream. Can I say, Throwback Thursday? #TBT? #circa1998? I also died when I landed on a online jewelry site that had their hero banner headline read out ‘Chokers..The New Flower Crown.’ It’s true. These things are making their way back into every girl’s wardrobe, thanks to ITgirls like Olivia Palermo and major fashion bloggers slash social media influencers like Kristina Bazan and Chiara Ferragni. We also can’t forget media’s favourite model of the moment, Kendall Jenner. At first I found it weird that chokers were making a come back but now they’ve taken over the spotlight. First knuckle and armour rings, then arm parties, now the chokers that come in all sorts. Dainty stretchy cord with gold tips which you often see attached to newly purchased clothing to display labels and price tags, velvet ones, gold ones.. even ones that come with little charms attached at the center. Nudge, nudge..someone make interchangeable charms for their line of chokers.. Pandora? But hey, you can wear them everywhere now.

You might not be a choker-kind-of-lady…

However.. I’ll have you know that you can wear chokers with your swim wear, formal attire and night out..in the daytime at office. The creative kind, obviously. Think about it?

Creative Direction: Cynthia Nguyen | Editorial assistance: Paul Van Winssen
In collaboration with Jenny Bird



Looking for Something?