Rich Hot Blog

Beat the Heat in White Lace

July 31, 2018 No Comments

Shop similar // dress // shoes // sunglasses

We’re all out here in B.C. suffering through a heatwave, and if you’re like me (and many others in the lower mainland) you don’t have A.C. To combat the heat, I’m wearing pretty much exclusively white, breezy, and sheer clothes in an effort to ward off the possibility of heat stroke.

Not only is wearing white functional – it’s also one of the biggest trends of the summer. I paired this breezy and ultra-feminine Zara dress with my most comfortable pair of sneakers to keep my feet happy while I’m looking for the nearest ice cream shop with functional A.C. I love pairing girlie dresses with sneakers to dress them down just a little bit.

What looks have you guys been wearing to beat the heat?

Photography by Siobhane of The Wilder Soul Photography.

Skincare

Wyld Konjac Sponge – A Love Story

June 19, 2018 No Comments

I have super low maintenance skin – that’s a fact – and honestly that can make it really difficult to figure out if a skincare product is actually doing anything for me or if my skin is just being its regular self. And on top of that I’m looking for products that are natural AND look cute in my bathroom. It can make it really difficult to find something that I like.

Luckily, the angels at Wyld Skincare gifted me several of their Konjac Sponges and I fell in love with them. They’re all natural so obviously that’s a big gold star in my book, but they also offer a super gentle exfoliating experience for my skin.

My litmus test to see if an exfoliant works is the bridge of my nose – I find that the skin there can get flaky and bumpy and just rough in general which makes my makeup look really patchy in that area. After two weeks of using Wyld’s Konjac sponge (making sure to focus a little more carefully on the bridge of my nose) I found that the roughness of my skin was significantly reduced and my makeup applied much more smoothly. The rest of my face was left baby smooth and looking super dewy and radiant. Plus, there was no tight post-exfoliating feeling!

I’m loving that this sponge is gentle enough to use twice a day (perfect for anyone with sensitive skin), morning and night, and can be used with or without a cleanser. I use mine after my cleanser as a gentle exfoliant and then hang it to dry for use the next day. Each sponge lasts about four weeks and you can choose between charcoal or pink clay for different skin concerns. I recommend the pink clay sponge if you’re looking for something cute for your bathroom counter!

You can grab them online at Wyld Skincare!

Let me know what your favorite exfoliant is, and if you try a Konjac Sponge, how did you like it?

City Guides, Food, Portland, Travel

Eat Your Heart Out in Portland, OR

May 24, 2018 2 Comments

Honestly, this list could be a million miles long because everywhere I looked in Portland, there was another super cute and unique restaurant. Compared to Vancouver, the food scene in Portland is so much more casual and interesting and I am HERE FOR IT! We tried maybe 2% of the amazing eateries there so I think next time we visit, it’ll have to be a much longer trip so we can eat as much as possible.

The Waffle Window

The first brunch we tried in Portland was The Waffle Window and honestly with a name like that, there was no way I was going to be disappointed. If you’re not into a sweet breakfast, like my boyfriend, don’t worry, The Waffle Window has loads of savory options which were arguably better than the sweet options. I was super envious of Andrew’s gravy drenched waffle and I definitely stole more than just one bite. Sorry not sorry. They have a couple of tables outside, which is my preference, but the ambiance inside is super cute and I get total vintage soda-shop vibes from it.

No matter where you are in Portland, you can enjoy The Waffle Window at one of their four locations, which you can find here.

Pok Pok Noi

Another stand out eatery was Pok Pok Noi which bills itself as Thai drinking food – I love food, I love drinking, I especially love food after drinking so this type of cuisine is perfect! We ordered a ton of different dishes to try but the fish sauce wings were incredible. Get them spicy, not mild, you won’t regret it. They’re salty and just the right amount of spicy so they pair perfectly with a nice cold beer or cocktail. And I don’t know if I was just super hungry or not, but the spicy Thai peanuts they set out for us to munch on were also incredible so beg for extra of those.

Pok Pok actually has five locations in Portland which you can check out on their website.

Denim, Fashion

The Best Jeans for Tall Girls™

April 21, 2018 No Comments

I was never a tall girl in elementary school or highschool – just slightly above average. Following a surgery on my back to straighten out my curved spine, I gained an extra two inches and became the designated tall girl™ that I am today. I thought that having to learn to walk and balance again would be the worst part, but that part of my recovery ended whereas my search for a pair of jeans that fit is ongoing. I’m not the tallest on the tall girl™ spectrum, but at 5’10 I am definitely tall enough that pretty much any pants end up not fitting. My usual issues are that the high waist doesn’t come up high enough and becomes mid-rise (no thanks – pls cover my belly button), or the length is too short and they become capri pants which is not great when it’s unintentional.

My first and most recent discovery for tall girl™ jeans are the BDG Twig High Rise Skinny from Urban Outfitters. Online, they offer two lengths: 29” and 33”. I fall somewhere in between, so I can wear both lengths and still have the waist come up high enough to be high rise and the leg be long enough so that they don’t look cropped. I purchased my pair in light blue and I’m already dreaming of a pair in black and every other colour they come up with. I’m so sold on how the high waist is actually a high waist that I’ll buy anything UO says is high waisted without a second thought.

Second on my list are the Topshop Jaime High Waisted Jeans. I owned a pair in white for several years before I dumped an entire cup of tea on them and stained them beyond repair. A moment of silence for my favorite pair of white jeans. These jeans also come in several lengths: 30”, 32”, and in some styles, 34”. When purchasing in store, I was told that the 32” length starts at a 27” waist, but online you can purchase the 32” length in waist sizes starting at 24”. These jeans are super stretchy and hold their shape so well, so don’t worry too much about the jeans loosening up over time. Another style I love is the Orson, for a straight leg jean.

Third is an old staple of mine: American Eagle. Not only do they have the most comfortable jeans and jeggings in the whole world – and no I’m not exaggerating – but they also offer long lengths. In the winter, my ankles are so glad for full length jeans because they’re finally warm. They’re not as high waisted as I’d like but the comfort and length factors are flawless enough that I can overlook this one little misgiving.

I’ve linked a bunch of my favorite styles below for y’all tall girls to check out!

Locally Made

Luna Nectar Moon Boost Serum – Your Lashes’ Saving Grace

February 8, 2018 No Comments

Ever since I was young I have been OBSESSED with long, thick, (this is not going where you think it’s going) fluttery lashes. Seriously – I used to wear strip lashes on the daily to get that super full look and I felt absolutely naked without them. While that might be for some people, it definitely was not for me. Firstly, it’s a huge hassle. Secondly, the strip lashes ruined my natural lashes and left them lifeless and sparse, which left me sad.

My saving grace was getting into lash extensions – they’re so much more convenient than gluing a strip of little hairs to my eyelids every morning and they don’t totally ruin my natural lashes. That being said, I’m still not perfect and I’m definitely not the perfect lash extension client. I tend to rub my eyes, sleep face down (sorry, can’t control this one) and just generally do stuff I should avoid with lash extensions.

In my quest for perfect, convenient, full lashes I’ve started using Luna Nectar’s Moon Boost Lash and Brow Serum. When Mia from Luna Nectar contacted me, I was devastated; I thought I would never be able to try the product because of my lash extensions. It was such a relief when Mia let me know that even lash extension wearers can benefit from Moon Boost. This serum is actually recommended for people with lash extensions! When you use the serum to keep your natural lashes strong and healthy, your lash extensions will last longer.

As the lash destroyer I am, I could not turn this opportunity down.

Luna Nectar focuses on using Eastern herbal healing principles and ingredients to bring us a super-charged lash and brow boosting serum that is all natural, vegan, AND organic. Check out Mia’s story behind this – it’s some seriously ingenious thinking. Moon Boost is also fragrance free which is amazing because I have the most sensitive baby eyes and any chemical-y fragrance can really irritate them.

I’ve noticed that after three weeks of using the Moon Boost Serum in the evenings (I keep forgetting to use it in the morning, sorry Mia!) my lash extensions are looking way fuller than usual and I’m LOVING it.

Moon Boost also looks gorgeous on my vanity – Luna Nectar uses the cutest bamboo packaging which is beautiful, fair-trade crafted, and super sustainable. Even the boxes are made from recycled paper! That’s some serious commitment to the environment and I’m here for it.

If you want healthier lashes and brows, I seriously cannot recommend Luna Nectar enough – the company and the founder, Mia, are so genuine, down to earth, and innovative. Get the full and fluttery lashes of your dreams, without the irritation of hormone laden and chemical rich products, at Luna Nectar’s website or at one of their many stockists.

Japan, Travel, Uncategorized

Top Three Things to do in and Around Tokyo

January 21, 2018 No Comments

Last year, around this time, did I ever think I would be taking a spontaneous trip to Asia? No! I don’t necessarily enjoy spontaneous decisions or planning extensive trips in a short period of time. Now, it wasn’t exactly a spontaneous vacation in that we just picked up and left, but it wasn’t something I had been planning to do or saving up for specifically. My boyfriend and I just happened to stumble across a deal on a flight to Japan in mid-January that we just couldn’t pass up and as soon as we got the okay on our vacation days, we booked it. That left us with two and a half months to save up as much as possible and plan for our two week vacation. It wasn’t exactly spontaneous, but it felt spontaneous to me.

We spent only six days in Tokyo and twelve in Taiwan but I wish we had stayed in Tokyo the whole time. The time I spent in Tokyo was so relaxing and enjoyable that I fell in love with Japan, the culture, and the people there. That being said, there’s so much to do and see in Tokyo, there was no way we could’ve seen it all in only six days. What little time we had, we wanted to make sure every moment in Japan counted. Andrew and I were so lucky in that we have friends in Japan who were excited to see us and had planned to take us along to do some of their favorite things in Tokyo and the surrounding areas.

Keep reading to find out what my three most recommended activities in and around Tokyo are.

TENZAN ONSEN HOT SPRING

I learned on this trip one of the reasons why Japanese people love onsen so much: onsen can heal aches, pains and stiffness while also imparting an incredible sense of peace during even one visit. Visiting the onsen turned out to be the most unexpected and enjoyable thing that Andrew and I did in Japan.

Our Japanese friend wanted to make sure we tried some traditional Japanese activities and what is more traditional than the onsen hotspring? I had never heard of the Japanese tradition of onsen before and I was surprised to know that our friend had so much trouble finding an onsen which would accept patrons with tattoos so that Andrew would be able to go. I was nervous because, as in a traditional Japanese onsen, we would be separated by gender, meaning I wouldn’t be able to have Andrew there to talk to. We would also have to be totally naked around plenty of strangers.

Our friend, K, took us to Hakone, outside of Tokyo, famous for its onsen; it was one of the most breathtaking place I had ever seen. The bustle of Tokyo had fallen away and the streets narrowed until two cars could barely pass each other as we drove up to the onsen. It reminded me of the quintessential small Japanese villages in Studio Ghibli films. Different onsen hotels dot the hillside – most allow you to either come just for the onsen or rent a room and spend several days enjoying the hot springs.

The onsen K took us to was called Tenzan Onsen and was incredulously inexpensive – Andrew and I could pay each of our admissions and buy two little towels for about seven dollars Canadian. I was also delighted to find out that there was a tatami room dedicated solely to napping or quietly relaxing. The whole onsen was a designated quiet zone – any conversation was conducted in hushed tones. After washing thoroughly, there were a variety of different pools at different temperatures set into a rocky hillside with trees bending over them. I don’t have any photos of the onsen on account of the aforementioned nudity with strangers but if you check out their website or tripadvisor you can find tons of gorgeous shots of Tenzan Onsen Hot Spring (or just google it). If there were onsen in Canada of the same caliber of those in Japan, I would be there every weekend without a doubt. If you ever find yourself in Japan, make it a priority to try out an onsen, even just for an afternoon.

ODAWARA CASTLE

I’m going to preface this one by saying that I’m a huge history geek and that my degree is actually in history, so Odawara Castle was right up my alley. It wasn’t a planned stop but on our way to Hakone, we noticed Odawara Castle sitting up above the city and just had to go investigate. It was a gorgeously sunny, but windy, day to visit the picturesque castle. There was so much to do including learning how to use throwing stars – which was super difficult – and dressing up in period appropriate samurai costumes. Our visit to Japan was a little late to see the sakura in full bloom, but at Odawara there were plenty of sakura blossoms left which meant it was a little busier than it may be at other times of the year. From the observatory at the top floor of the castle there are stunning views of the landscape on one side and of the sea on the other. The castle was imposing, but we soon found out that it’s not even the biggest reconstructed castle in Japan. We also found out that there are essentially no original Edo era castles left in Japan after the Meiji government ordered the destruction of all former feudal castles. I’ll skip the rest of the history lesson and just say that I cannot recommend going to Odawara Castle enough – or any reconstructed Japanese castle – if you are interested in history or just a stunning view.

Odawara is on the list of Japan’s Top 100 Castles which indicates its significance in Japanese culture and history. If you’re not able to make it to Odawara Castle, there are, of course, 99 other castles to check out across the country.

MEIJI SHRINE

Another of my favorite things that we did while in Japan was visiting Meiji Shrine. This time, it was something we had planned to do from the very beginning. It’s in the city very close to Takeshita street in Harajuku – it’s actually within walking distance. After a busy afternoon shopping in Harajuku we waited out a brief shower of rain before making our way to Meiji Shrine. Huge wooden gates frame the path to the shrine, towering overhead and melding perfectly with the natural surroundings. The walk to the shrine itself is a wide gravel road lined with enormous trees which block out the sounds of the city. This walk is best enjoyed slowly in order to admire the rows of sake casks along the way and to take a minute out from the bustling city.

The shrine itself was under restoration during our visit so some of the shrine was covered or closed, but there’s so much to explore including a museum and restaurant services. If you’re looking to take a break from the city, I can’t recommend a better place to go.

Stay tuned for another post coming soon (hopefully) about all the amazing things I got to do in Taiwan!

Gift Guide, Locally Made

Holiday Gift Guide 2017

December 21, 2017 No Comments

For that Person who’s always on time (or that person who’s always late and wants to be on time)

Berg + Betts

Berg + Betts is a Canadian based company dedicated to creating ethical and sustainable timepieces for the modern woman. Their watch straps are made using leather scraps which would otherwise go unused which reduces the amount of textile waste produced. Berg + Betts also sources their watch parts ethically from Dongguan.

They offer both a rectangular and circular watch face with a variety of strap colours. Berg + Betts also offers a double wrap style strap for their rectangular watches as well as a 2-year warranty and free shipping!

My top picks: the round silver and black for a classic touch or the rectangular black on black watch for an elegant minimalist look.

Medium Watches

Medium is another Canadian company, this one inspired by the Rocky Mountains. I’m absolutely infatuated with almost every single watch produced by Medium – they offer so many different styles, colours, and sizes that there’s really something to suit everyone’s taste. As a bonus, Medium also offers engraving to really personalise your piece for yourself or for a loved one.

My top picks: The Summit watch ($55 off right now!) in white and black is my top pick from Medium’s men’s watches where for women I would go with The Debut in black, rose gold and greige leather. If you’re looking for something classic or a statement piece – Medium is definitely a great choice!

For the Bath Aficionado

Bare Skin Bar

I could not be more jazzed to have found out about Bare Skin Bar and it’s founder, Cynthia, this year. Bare Skin Bar was created by women who want to produce skin care that’s both pretty and beneficial. Not only are the Bare Skin Bars amazing (seriously – they leave my skin softer than it’s ever been in my entire life) but they’re also handcrafted using ingredients sourced within Canada and are free of any animal testing. I could honestly go on and on about all great things that Bare Skin Bar is a part of, because seriously, there are so many!

My top picks: the Calming Bar and the Softening Bar. You can order online or find the Bare Skin Bars at any of these stockists (I definitely recommend checking out Gatley on Commercial Drive – so cute!).

For the Person Who Always Has a Candle Lit (so, anyone like me)

You + Me Candles

If you didn’t already know – I used to work in the mass produced home goods sector and, as someone who LOVES a good discount, was always buying mass produced candles using my employee discount. It wasn’t until recently that I started thinking about what was actually in those candles and whether it was healthy to be burning them at home.

When You + Me Candles approached me to collaborate, I was so happy to try out toxin free clean burning candles made with apricot and coconut wax. Mass produced candles pale in comparison to these hand made ones – the scent throw on these bad boys is actually incredible. They also have a line of room sprays which are DIVINE (seriously they keep my whole house smelling like I just cleaned vigorously).

My top picks: Vanilla Bourbon Glass Candle (perfectly deep and a little bit sweet) or Gun Smoke Tin Candle

For that Person with or Aspiring to have Perfect Skin

Midnight Paloma

This is another local Vancouver brand that creates skincare and body care products using charcoal to help naturally detoxify the skin. Midnight Paloma is natural, gluten free, and cruelty free. I originally waffled about whether or not to put Midnight Paloma under the bath category or under the skin care category, but I think that the real star of the line is the Charcoal and Rose Detox Mask, so skincare it is! You can mix it with your choice of water, honey, or yogurt depending on your skin’s needs (I like to just use water) for a detoxifying and hydrating experience.

Make sure to check out the gift sets for the holiday season!

My top picks: Charcoal + Rose Detox Mask (duh) and the Charcoal + Grapefruit Fizzy Bath Soak

WHYLD Skincare

Based out of California, WHYLD Skincare is one of the first companies I had the pleasure of partnering with. WHYLD’s core values are to create natural products of the highest quality that will actually work for your skin! WHYLD’s products are unisex, formulated to be effective on all skin types and the value for money is incredible – especially these days when a serum can go for $100CAD+. I received my bottle of Youth Activating Elixir back in June and I still have so much left! WHYLD is vegan and cruelty free and in my experience, their customer service is amazing!

My top picks: Youth Activating Elixir (the one that lasts forever) + Active Botanical Cleanse

Ativo Skincare

Ativo is such a brilliant female-led business run in the lower mainland. All of their products are made with natural and organic ingredients. I love the story behind the brand – at eleven years old the founder, Jayda, suffered from cystic acne due to health issues. Being WAY smarter and cooler than I was in my tweens and teens, Jayda actually did something about it and formulated a detox soap for her skin. I can’t even believe how awesome that is! I’m putting Ativo in the skincare category because that’s where their line started, but they have such a wide variety of products that you could probably buy all of your self care products exclusively from them and never be lacking!

My top picks: Makeup brush cleaner (because we all need to wash our makeup brushes more often) and the serenity stress spray (I need this more than anyone knows).

For the Blingy Person in your Life

Foe & Dear

You know me, I love minimalist jewellery more than anything. That’s why I chose to share a brand I only found out about last week – Foe & Dear. Each piece you buy is handcrafted in Vancouver and utilises materials from sterling silver to 14 karat gold to precious stones. What I love most about Foe & Dear is that there are so many beautiful pieces in every price range – you may think that buying a diamond is out of your price range, but think again!

My top picks: Classic Hammered Stacker (for broke me) and the Baby Diamond Stacker Ring or Cuff Bracelet (for bougie me)

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