Say No To Negative Thinking

I don't know about you, but some days I wake up with such negative emotions and anxiety that just glue me to my bed for hours of uselessness, until even the stillness in oblivion could not bear me and pushed me away. Lack of confidence, low energy, self-doubt... Negativity has been a haunting nightmare, worse than any imagination of wardrobe malfunction. 

I tend to indulge myself in these negative thinking. Some people combat this problem by immersing themselves in entertainment or substances. Perhaps sleeping and solitude was my distraction too, but as everyone knows, nightmares are a force to ignore, they linger somewhere in your room, patiently waiting for the moment you lose down your guard, and strike mercilessly.

So recently I decided to face this problem upfront, and to learn more about these thinkings. I started to ask myself "What do you really want?" "Who do you really want to be?" 

我並不是樂觀的人。幾年前曾經輕度抑鬱，兩年前漸漸變好。(也謝謝身邊的男朋友和朋友！1）
可是，誠實的告訴你，有時我仍會讓消極情緒和焦慮影響到。沒自信、自我懷疑... 這些消極、負面的思想其實一直在傷害自己。
有些人會選擇逃避、有些人會沈醉在負面的情緒中。雖然我不是什麼self help專家，我卻想分享幾點、對我非常有效的小建議：包括寫作、創作、和自己對話等等... 問自己「你真正需要什麼？你想成為一個怎樣的人？」好好了解自己，也許是心靈的最好解藥。

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Write It Down

Listen to Yourself, Know Yourself.

Sit down, grab a pen and a piece of paper, write down everything that you've been thinking. No matter it is about "what is in my working schedule?" "What should I eat for lunch?" or "How do I feel this morning?"; try to write down everything that is running through your mind. Writing is a process of self-listening; most importantly, you are also observing your mind. Get to know what is in your mind is a crucial factor to knowing what your problems are.

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Talk To Yourself

Be Honest, and Precise

When I was younger, I used to think that those people who whisper or talk with themselves are weird. (Boyfriend alert.) Only now I realized it is the best way to communicate with yourself. (He talks to himself even in his sleep.) Our world constantly make it difficult for us to concentrate in our mind. Try to talk to yourself in the morning, ask yourself: What kind of day do you want? What can I do in order to achieve it? In the evening, refresh your mind by listing the things you have achieved, your most enjoyable moments, and say goodbye to negative thoughts; you will begin to feel serenity and it definitely improves your sleeping quality too.

Just simply say "I know you can do better tomorrow!" "Thank you for being yourself." You will be amazed by the power of your thoughts.

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Learn To Be Happy Alone

Loneliness is a Blessing

“Paradoxically, the ability to be alone is the condition for the ability to love.” ― Erich Fromm.

Most people underestimate the importance of being alone. I am a person who loves personal space, most of the time I prefer having a cup of coffee and reading alone instead of hanging out with friends. (Yes, I am an introvert.) Meditating, reading, dreaming... It also means you have to refuse to look at your phone for some time. (What is it for anyway?) When you know how to be alone, you stay calm and peace in a quiet environment, you can take care of yourself and so you now know how to take care and love the others, too!

I am not a self-help guru, and I do spend a lot of time and effort to learn how to cope with negativity. I know how hard it is to cope with stress, at the same time I cannot deny - we are the only person who can thoroughly understand ourselves. Try not to focus on the past, and concentrate on here and now - What can I do for a better me?

Be ready to change, your life is yours, live it as you choose!

Photographer : Zuice Flower
Outfits : Ziztar

LOVES,

CHARLOTTE

What I Wear in Taipei

Other than the signature neutral tone in B&W that everyone knows I love (Playing with Black & White), there are days I can’t help but to be a little more colourful, especially when the sky of a sunny day just tells you to do so!

Here are four colourful jolly outfits I put on in my visit in Taipei last month.
 

跟很多人一樣，我的衣櫃中的顏色大多充滿著藍、白、黑和灰。 除了這些基本、「不會出事」的配搭，有時我喜歡找一些比較色彩繽紛的衣服，穿上去不只讓人、也可以讓自己有眼前一亮的感覺。怕穿得太大膽有反效果嗎？其實只要著重色彩的搭配，任何衣物穿在身上都會非常和諧，看上去讓人亦有舒適的感覺。
這次我特地準備了4套不同顏色的衣服去台灣旅遊時穿，看看下面我的色彩配搭小貼士和旅遊時的 #OOTD。

Top: mukmuk: wardrobe

DAY 1 : MELLOW YELLOW

Off-shoulder Top with Light Blue Denim Skirt

What I love most about this top is the cherry stitched pattern on the linen fabric. It reminds me of my childhood, like the little pattern on the cloth napkins my mum used to give me every day. I styled with a basic light blue high-waist denim skirt. As we all know, blue and yellow are contrasting colours - which may look bold and it's a tricky to wear them together. But when it works, it’s shockingly chic!

Tips #1

Pick The Pastel Tone

By choosing the pastel version of two colours, it instantly lessens the divergence of the two. You can see that they go pretty well together, and the look gives a sense of serenity and surprise. 

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DAY 2 : PASTEL BLUE

Palette Pattern Top & Skirt Set

As most of you may know, I love wearing a matching set. You will be amazed by the possibilities that you wear with the set, no matter it is to wear together or separately. 

Tips #2

No more than 3 colours

Most people find it difficult to handle when it shows more than 3 colours (even for me!) With less colours, you can play with shades and saturation of them. When in doubt, 1-2 colours are the safest. 

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DAY 3 : COTTON CANDY PINK

Umbrella Stripe top with Skinny Jeans

To go with the eye-catching colours of an unique design, like the umbrella shape tank top here, I tend to keep other items basic and simple. Basics like jeans, or white/plain t-shirts works really well - they are like good friends who everyone enjoys their company. 

Tips #3

Similar Colours are Good Friends

Different shades of the same colour or similar colours almost always look good together. Like Red & Pink, Pink & Purple, Blue & Green... Just experiment putting them together, and see which combination is the best for your skin tone!

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DAY 4 : BEAUTIFUL PATTERNS

Statement Pattern Piece

Let the pattern dominate your total look! The statement piece I am wearing is the Chiffon printed shirt, with lots of small details, leafs, feathers, birds... It is also very light-weighted which is good for playing with layers in the fall.

Tips #4

Stick with the colours in the pattern

This is one of my favourite tricks - I always stick with the colour scheme I found in the pattern. Take this look as an example, there are pink, blue, beige and white in the pattern of the shirt, so I chose a white top and a navy pants to finish the look. It is the easiest way to find perfect colours to match, meanwhile you will never looked colourfully comical. (or is it comically colourful?)

Do you find these tips of wearing colours useful? Girls, do not be afraid of playing with colours. You have to experiment with different colours in order to find the best combination with your skin tone! I have never liked wearing eye-catching colours in my high school years. But once I tried, I can never go back!

Have fun playing with colours.

Loves,

Charlotte

From Vegetarian to Vegan #2

上回講到，我順利完成「30 天不喝牛奶」的挑戰後，成功把臉上的暗瘡擊退！
也再沒有長新的豆豆。朋友見到我也讚：「你的皮膚好好啊～」「皮膚好美！都是因為吃素的緣故吧。」我說，是因為再沒有吃奶製品（本身我也是個不吃蛋的素食者）。有趣的是，當你再不吃奶和蛋，你會發現市面上98%的甜品你是不可以吃的；90%以上的麵包也是不可以吃的。所以，吃甜的機會，大大減少了。什麼Crepe Cake、芝士蛋糕、Waffles也可以說拜拜。
轉為純素食後，也許，你會發現有些生活上的改變（麻煩）會出現；然而，而這些不只讓你更留意自己的飲食，而其他好處亦會慢慢影響到你呢。

在文章最尾有超簡單的牛油果吐司做法，我最近最喜歡的早餐！

If you have read my last article (Why I change from Vegetarian to Vegan #1), you may know that how effective it is for me to get a better-looking skin by not drinking milk (and other milk-related products). Of course, it might not be applicable to anyone, and it is true that it might because I am allergic to milk; however, it actually worth a try! Here I will talk about the changes after you changed your diet...

1. You have learnt how to read food labels

After you adapt a vegan diet, checking food labels is a must. 
Some food addictive, like whey and some emulsifier, which come from milk, are present in many cereal bars, breads, and granolas. You will be surprised how many foods, that you think they are without the usage of dairy products actually is not suitable for you(as a vegan), anymore. Like your favourite pieces of chocolate, pasta and even bread. So, you will be alert of names like emulsifier, whey, casein etc... For Chinese food, ramen also contains eggs!

2. You will have less and less absorption of refined sugar.

Believe it or not, over 90% of bread and 98% of dessert in the market contains eggs and milk. Crepe cake? Cheesecake? Croissant? Sorry, they are all made with eggs and milk. Even some of the loaf bread contains milk (especially those you can find in chain bakery). In a result, you found that you cannot have a bite of most of the birthday day cakes, pancakes are no longer an option in your brunch list, and ice cream is no longer your "instant" mood-booster, too. However, you will find yourself being very energetic after stop absorbing sugars, you may start to lose weight, your skin will brighten and cleared... There are just so many studies reflect that sugar has a negative effect on human.  

3. You may find it a little bit harder to eat with friends

Yes, when you going a step further switching from a Vegetarian to a Vegan, at first it might get harder when you want to eat out. It is actually quite difficult to order a vegan dish in most of the normal restaurants - 1) always cheese pizza, salad with cheese or hidden chicken or butter stock in Western food; 2) fried rice and ramen with eggs in Chinese food; 3) and beef broth & fish sauce are very common in Vietnam & Thai food. My suggestions are, going for a Vegetarian or Vegan restaurant (as most of the Vegetarian places will state clearly dishes are vegan or not). Or, look for independent restaurants and call them in advance to see if they can prepare vegan dishes for you.

4. You are more aware of nutrients

"Where do you get protein?" " Where do you get enough Iron?" The most frequent questions I've got.

As I have Thalassemia (地中海貧血) - which caused moderate Anemia, I often looked pale, easy to have fatigue and dizziness. Being able to get enough nutrients is really important, so I started to search for alternatives. No, don't listen to grandma, you actually don't have to eat red meat or seafood in order to absorb iron; instead, spinach, beetroot, and oatmeal etc are good sources to combat Anemia. My mother used to prepare Ginger and Red Date Tea for me - which is a powerful food for women (especially during period) as red dates are naturally rich in Iron. And it is perfect for winter days too! (And its sweetness is just so good...)

Besides, although people would think that eggs, dairy products and meat are the best sources of protein, there are actually much more vegan options! Ingredients like chia seeds, quinoa, beans, nuts and nut butter, or even leafy greens like Broccoli provides protein. My favourite ways to eat:  Add chia seeds and nut butter into my morning smoothie, having quinoa for lunch as a rice/noodles substitute, and cooked broccoli for salad. 

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Afterall, you may find yourself have become a semi-professional nutritionist! Here I am going to share one of my recent favourite breakfast recipe, which is the signature Avocado Toast! (Come on... you have to admit that you saved around HKD $90 if you make it by yourself.) Besides, after being a Vegetarian for almost 3 years and a newbie in Vegan, I know how important it is to satisfy your stomach... If you don't want to keep snacking and over-eating all day, you need to pay attention on how to get good nutrients in every single meal!

RECIPE

AVOCADO TOAST

Avocado with fresh Cherry Tomatoes

Preparation Time:
6 mins

Ingredients:
1 slice of Whole Wheat Toast
1/2 Avocado
4-5 Cherry Tomatoes
1/2 Lemon Juice
Pinch of Pepper & Sea Salt
(As needed) Balsamic Vinegar to taste

Steps:
1. Toast the slice of whole wheat bread.
2. Cut the cherry tomatoes into small dices.
3. Smash the avocado in a bowl, add cherry tomatoes and lemon juice, and mix them up.
4. Spread it evenly on the toast, and add pepper and sea salt to taste!

*I like to add some Balsamic Vinegar because I just love its sweetness taste bring to the tomatoes!

There you are - the super easy, fulfilling and delicious Vegan breakfast to start your day. The combination of healthy fats from the avocado and carbohydrates from whole wheat toast is great for nourishing your body. What is your favourite breakfast? Share with me in the comments below!

Have a perfect avocado day!

LOVES,

CHARLOTTE

3 Taipei Vegan Restaurants to Visit

Taipei, the top in the world most vegan friendly cities, a paradise for vegetarian and vegan.
No matter what cuisine you're looking for, there are always thousands of choices - Chinese, Western, Japanese, even Thai or Raw food, you can always pick your favourite among all. As a food lover (well, who is not?), I found some gems in this lovely city, and would love to share with you guys.

在全球最Vegan-friendly的城市，素食人口比例很高的台北，素食餐廳的選擇本身就很多。無論是中式、西式、日式、甚至泰式或生機飲食(Raw Food)，各式其式，的確是「素食者的天堂」。這次我就分享幾家我到過的素食餐廳，的確每一間都有小驚喜。

Blossom Rena Vegan Cafe

100% Vegan Food, with Homemade Tasty Dessert & Pastries

The first meal after arriving Taipei was truly enjoyable. Spacious and beautiful interior, attentive waitress (clearly explain to us when we have questions towards the food), and abundant of options on menu.

The freshly baked tartar with french baguette as appetizer was so good! Following with the Quinoa Hummus Salad with Tempeh. I have never tried Tempeh before. Originating from Indonesia, the waitress tell me this soy-product is now a new "hit" in the vegan restaurant in Taiwan. It has a firm texture and nutty flavour which is great with stir-fry or chili. Meanwhile it is very high in protein, calcium and vitamin B12, which are a very good nutrient food for vegan. Earl grey latte (made with non-GMO soybean) and orange cake with cashew cream as dessert, we had a very delicious and fulfilling evening in the restaurant.

Blossom Rena Vegan Cafe
26-1, Section 3, Zhongshan North Road, Taipei

Plants

Plants-based, Gluten-Free & Whole Food Vegan Restaurant

Free from animal products, dairy, eggs, gluten & refined-sugar, you can enjoy wholesome and delicious food here in Plants. Made with fresh, local, seasonal, organic ingredients, the creatively blended smoothie is a great start of the meal. Many superfoods are added, like turmeric (still remember my Golden Milk recipe?), Acai, Goji Berries - making these smoothies filled with nutrients.

We love the seaweed salad and Korean kimchi pancakes. You can taste the freshness in their food! Apart from the cooked options, Acai bowl and raw cakes are also available - sometimes, the pleasure doesn't have to be "Guilty" at all.

Plants
1F., No.10, Ln. 253, Sec. 1, Fuxing S. Rd., Da-an Dist., Taipei.

Soul R. Vegan Cafe

Delicious Vegan Dessert even Non-Vegans Will Love!

Tiramisu, Chocolate Brownie and Soy Latte... Girls always have room for dessert! And this one doesn't feel like vegan at all! Without milk and eggs, these desserts are very satisfying with a rich flavour. The chocolate brownie has a very dense and fudgy texture, meanwhile, the cream in the tiramisu is rich and creamy (although it is not made with a traditional Italian recipe). End with a large cup of Soy Latte to satisfy my coffee craving. (You have no idea how hard it is to find plant milk in coffee shop in Taiwan! I will share a little bit more in the next article.)

Soul R. Vegan Café
No. 6, Alley 1, Lane 217, Section 3, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei.

Besides these western and photogenic restaurants (good for Instagram!), I have also tried some local restaurants for Chinese dumplings, soup and even stinky tofu! I love Taipei because you never have to worry where to eat - as there are always little vegan/vegetarian restaurant around the corner! (And it's cheap too!)


Have you been to Taiwan? Let me know your favourite restaurant and I will make sure to visit them next time!

LOVES,

CHARLOTTE

Playing with Black & White

Black and white, which one are you? 

Some like it black, some like it white. They are like the couple who never agrees with each other but they live in perfect harmony. It is punishingly hard to stand out from the crowd wearing these colours, as they are the safest choices among the cliches. But with a little creativity and details, you may just be able to do it! 

穿黑與白，不一定是沈悶的配搭。只要著重質地、比例上配搭花些心思，黑白也可以不一樣。
我嘗試配搭著兩款比較優雅和不同的造型，利用著兩款Statement的單品：黑色透視上衣及白色泡泡長裙，配搭了兩個和平時不一樣的Style。

The Black Daisy

All about layering & mixing different texture

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Top - Ziztar | Skirt - mukmuk: wardrobe

Flared sleeves mesh top with a black asymmetrical skirt. The outfit went well together playing off textures, the top being a great statement piece while the other part keeping low-profile. The little daisy flower stitch just stole my heart!

The WHite gown

Voluminous Statement White Maxi-skirt

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Top - Vintage | Skirt - Ziztar

Still remember my last post, How French Woman style their clothes? I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing your proportion. Here I styled a light weight crop top with the voluminous white gown to balance out the outfit. This statement maxi-skirt instantly brought the outfit to another level. The high-waisted fits of the skirt also made the legs look longer, I looked at least 5cm taller without heels here!

Every details make a difference.

Pay attention to finding your statement piece, feel free to mix & match with your creativity! Your imagination will always bring colours to your outfit, even they are in black or white. 

Watch my Styling Lookbook Video here!

Phographer : Ng Yat Lung

LOVES,

CHARLOTTE

5 Rules to Dress Like A Parisian Woman

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” - coco chanel

When it comes to style, French women always catch my attention. It is a world away from the 'cutey chic' Korean fitting, and just a notch more natural, more subtle than the typically pompous “American Appeal” style. So what makes the French Style so unique and ever-classy?

Here's few rules I observed...

每個女孩都該做到兩點：有品味並光芒四射。” - Coco Chanel
 

當再不是20出頭，我更著重要找到自己的風格。不同風格中，我最留意的一定是法國女生的天生的氣質美。彷彿她們總有最好的品味：不像韓國的可愛前衛、也不像歐美的流行時尚，卻擁有與別不同、又吸引的獨特魅力。在簡約的造型中總是擁有「不做作」的自信態度。她們知道應該投資怎樣的衣服、也知道如個配搭去突顯優點和修飾缺點。做自己，找出自己的獨特魅力，就是法國風的重點。
 

Blazer, Tee & Pants - Kitsune | Heels - About Arianne 

1: Less is Always More

It doesn’t mean you don’t have to buy anything. Rather, it is about finding the perfect items and stick with them. The cutting has to fit your body and the style should be timeless. One rule of thumb is that my daughter, or even my grand-children could still wear what's in my wardrobe, when the time comes, it will still be in-trend. It also means good investment!

2. Effortless = Comfort

The word “Effortless” comes to mind when I picture the Parisian woman. Effortless doesn’t only mean they look effortless, but also that they won’t wear anything that makes them uncomfortable. For example, a pair of chic flats is always the ideal daily wear. The good ones! Not the cheap ones you find on the streets. A good pair lasts forever - sophisticated, easy-to-wear, comfortable and always in style.

Top & Jeans - Kitsune | Heels - About Arianne | Bag - The Cambridge Satchel Company

3. Finding the Perfect Fit

Again, I can never stress enough: Never wear anything that doesn’t fit your body! If you’re a size M, don’t go for size S or size L because they just doesn’t fit your figure, even when someone tells you otherwise! Often it is not the style that is not working, but than the size and proportion are wrong. (See our following point.) However, I do admit that sometimes slouchy clothes like an oversized boyfriend’s shirt works really well. Well, that is if you don't mind the smell..!

4. Work your Proportion

Many Hong Kong girls underestimated the importance of finding the proportion of fitting on your body. There is a simple rule in balancing your overall shape. For example, if you are wearing a pair of culottes, which the boxy fit carries weight, you should wear something lighter in the upper part; if you are wearing a voluminous coat, a fitted bottom will balance out the top. So, no matter what your body shape is, you can almost wear anything as long as you have this rule in mind!

Jacket & Dress - Kitsune | Sneakers - Reebok

5. Wear Invisible Accessories

It’s hard not to notice the beautiful and faultlessly dressed woman on the streets of Paris. The thought of their figures and faces often accompany with something more elusive and ethereal - their fragrances. Scent is such a romantic memory.

Take the time to find the looks that work best for you, and try to find ones that can last a lifetime. Embrace your imperfections –  even if they are scars, freckles or wrinkles. It is okay to be imperfect. Maybe that is why Parisian women are so irresistible. They are so imperfect, yet comfortably so.

Let your natural self be beautiful, let go of your insecurities, let your confidence shine - That’s how they do it!

PS: Look at how I styled 3 classy, elegant yet effortless looks with Styling Tips!

Phographer : Ng Yat Lung
Venue : Make Your Choicesss Floral Lab

Loves,

Charlotte

A Night with Fashion

It is time for the annual CENTRESTAGE Fashion Show - one of the fashion events I look forward to attending each year. I always find these shows very inspiring; the passion and life our talented designers put into his or her work reminds me the importance of diligence and detail necessary in the field of arts. And this year's Elite show was definitely not a let down, assorted with lines of true excellence and charm. 
 

這是我第二年參與的CENTRESTAGE的時裝表演。我總是很喜歡看這類型的時裝展：在台上，你總可以看到設計師們如個把他們對時裝的熱情，從衣服、舞台設計、音樂、節奏中表達得淋漓盡致。短短的15-30分鐘，而每一次也是充滿啟發性的旅程。

Juun. J

Based in Seoul, the designer seems to redesign the classic tailoring. Evidently in how he overlap different items to create a new silhouette. Shirts, pants and blazers are constructed into a totally new style by mixing the classic items and street looks. A fanatic of white, I wish I could wear all the pasty items, the cutting and silhouette would look just perfect on me. 

FFIXXED STUDIOS

The Hong Kong based studio creates a ready-to-wear collection with a laid-back simplicity, crafted by modern cutting and a touch of fluid, eclectic aesthetic. The palette of colours in this collection would fit into any woman's closet easily. Reflecting on the “Every Day”, the Hong Kong based designers create a ready-to-wear collection with a laid-back simplicity, emphasised by modern cutting and a fluid, eclectic aesthetic. The color palette of the collection is also very beautiful. 

#whatcharlottewears - Classic Chic

Here I am wearing a parka-dot one-piece black dress by Uniqlo x Ines de la fressange and a pair of Camper flats. Simple. It matches unintentionally with my brother Calvin, too. 

ITo see more actions of the Elite Show, make sure you visit my Youtube channel for a Vlog! 
(And, show your love by SUBSCRIBING!)

Love,

Charlotte :)

From Vegetarian to Vegan #1

吃素接近三年了，一段不長不短的時間。從「食肉獸」到底「素食者」，主要是因為健康問題。 即使我不吃雞蛋，牛奶仍是我的最愛... 不過，因為一個原因，我決定要跟這個「長期最愛」說30天拜拜。
一直纏繞著我的問題，亦是女生最介意的問題，「暗瘡」。老實說，我的自我控制是超差的。由其是當這些美味的食物 —  塗滿牛油的麵包，芝士頭盤、沙拉、牛奶咖啡... 每頓飯也有奶製品！在歐洲旅遊的一個月，我實在吃太多奶製品。接著， (可怕的)事情就發生了。
是的，這兩年我也有暗瘡問題。雖然不是大範圍，但有些地方是很容易長暗瘡：下巴，額頭和臉頰。通常，我每1-2個月就有一次這個問題，我一直以為是由月經的荷爾蒙引起的。在旅途的10天後，我發現有些位置開始不停的長暗瘡，而右邊臉頰還有一堆小暗粒！記得有一個晚上，臉上突然感到很痛，痛了一個晚上... 第二天我看鏡子，天啊！臉頰上的小豆豆開始發紅和腫脹... 更出水。看上去就不止是暗瘡問題，還有受感染！我的皮膚看上去實在太可怕的關係，在旅途中的照片也沒幾張是拍自己的...
所以，回來之後的第一件事，就是開始「30 天不喝牛奶」的挑戰！另外，30天後，如果我的皮膚沒有改善，我應該可以以後也不用擔心喝牛奶皮膚會變差... 但結果卻讓我很意外，讓我在這分享這30天的歷程吧。

As some of you already know, I have been a Vegetarian for almost 3 years. Started from "All-to Nothing", I started a vegetarian diet from a "meat-lover", mainly because of health issues <Why I become a Vegetarian>. And yes, I have been avoiding one of my favourite foods in the past month, which makes ice-cream, yoghurt, cheese and even cappuccino - Milk.
 

30Days of Total Elimination - MILK

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WHY?

Because I've had too much Dairy when I was travelling in Europe in July. Honest saying, I am not good at self-control when it comes to these yummy foods - I will have butter for bread, different types of cheese are usually in the starter or salad, and finish with a cup of milk coffee... Sometimes I had pastries and gelato when I visit coffee shops or simply because it is delightful to have sweets in the day! That means I have dairy products in every meal. Then something (horrible...) happened.

I love visiting coffee shops so it means, much more coffee, and milk. Even pastries.

Sour cream cold-soup and Burrata(cheese) for starters in Vienna.

ACNE? INFECTIONS?

Yes, I have acne problem. Although I don't have them all over my face, some spots are prone to acne - chin, forehead and cheek area. Usually, I have this problem once every 1-2 months, and I thought it was caused by menstruation.
Things started to get worse after 10 days in the trip. I noticed there are several new acne grow, and there is even a cluster of little acnes on my cheek! One night I even feeling very painful on my face... and the next day I wake up, I look into the mirror and I was so scared! The redness and swelling area are getting much worse. I was really sad and shocked. It is not only acne problem but some kind of infections. 
That was really sad, because of the acne problem I seldom take a lot of pictures of myself during the trip - my skin looks too horrible in pictures with redness and everything...

When I started my trip, my skin still look okay without a lot of pimples. But when it getting worse, I stopped to take selfies as I am not really confident.

HOW?

The 1st thing after I come back - is trying the Total Elimination Plan. After doing some research on the "milk and acne effect", and how dairy products causing clogged pores, excessive oil and even make a breeding ground for acnes bacteria, I decided to cut dairy out of the diet for 30 days.
It is not easy, especially for my love towards dairy products and food that includes dairy products (yoghurt & cappuccino!!!), but... I have to give it a try. I miss my clear looking skin!
Also, if my skin doesn’t improve, I can go back to have as much as milk as I want forever. (This was really in my thoughts...)

Plant-based diet. Pumpkin Salad I've made at home.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Things started to be better just after 2 weeks. The infected area is healed, and there is no more new acne. In order to detox, I also go back to my everyday morning run practice, I just love sweating and the refresh feeling. As you can see from the above picture, this was how my skin looks on Day 13.
And now, today is the Day 30, my skin never looked this clear for a year. No acne, fewer pimples, getting much better... So, the acne and milk trade-off works!

Day 13, acne are healing.

Day 25, after the morning run and sweating does help a lot on detox!

WHY MILK CAUSED ACNE?

Here are some reasons:
1. Too much hormone which is good for baby cow, but not for you, especially not for adults!
2. Dairy causes your skin to produce excess sebum (oil)
3. Dairy glues together dead skin cells inside your pores, so they can’t exit naturally, leading to clogged pores.
It is quite straight forward - if you want clear skin, cutting out dairy is one of the most powerful things you can do.
And countless studies and evidence showed how cows are cruelly treated in the production of milk. If it is not being produced in a natural way, this is not a "natural & happy" food when it goes into your tummy too.

Coffee with Milk and Yougurt was my favourite breakfast.

MY ALTERNATIVE TO MILK

Cut off dairy doesn't mean you have to sacrifice all the good food. I can still have my oatmeal, my cappuccino, and some of my favourite dessert. You just have to take a good look at the ingredients. And once you start researching the alternative, you will be amazed by how many plant-based milk options are available: Almond milk (and all kind of nut milk), Coconut milk, Rice milk. A little reminder is that - make sure you don't drink as much as Soy milk. Soy milk is made from processed and very often genetically modified soybeans, it could potentially disturb your hormones, especially for ladies. 

These are some vegan meals I made during these 30 Days. I even cook more because of the diet!

Yes, I have changed from being a Vegetarian to a Vegan. For milk? I miss it, but I like how I look with clear skin way better and to stand against animal cruelty and animal exploitation. It is not easy at the start, but it will gradually easier when you get over the addiction.

And I will share more about why a Vegan/Plant based diet is good for you and what I eat after adopting this lifestyle. Stay tuned and I wish you a better, clearer looking skin ever!

Loves,

Stay Dry in Rainy Days

Bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze... Who doesn't love them? Living in Hong Kong, is very hot and humid in summertime, with frequent thunderstorms and occasional typhoons. I remember when I was still in primary school, I used to wear my "Yellow Raincoat" a lot (the kind that you can even cover your big backpack) during rainy days because it was so convenient to move around!
And yes, I've found this classic, stylish and practical raincoat from Stutterheim (Stockholm, Sweden) last month! I am sure I can live with it for the coming 10 years... Here I styled this Navy raincoat with a daisy-printed dress from my select shop (mukmuk: wardrobe), and a pair of white sneakers from Reebok  - to balance the "Boyish" raincoat and sneakers with a cute one-piece.

今年夏天，香港的天氣除了異常的熱，更已經有4個颱風。
異常的天氣帶來大風和雨水，外出時總覺得很不方便。記得小學時下雨，媽媽總愛讓我穿上雨衣，黃黃的，可以把大書包也蓋起那種。長大後，一直在找要找到一件合心意又合身的雨衣；直到一個月前在Instagram看到 Stutterheim 的雨衣，一眼就愛上了。北歐的設計，實用、又經典，還要是我極喜歡，又百搭的海軍藍色。為了平衡這件Unisex的雨衣和 Reebok 白波鞋的男孩感覺；我就選擇內搭一條我店中的印花圖案的短花連身裙 (mukmuk: wardobe)。看著雨水在雨衣外滑下，很治癒啊～

Photo by Ng Yat Lung

Back to School Essentials

August, the last week of Summer holiday. 

I still remember the mood at the end of this month, I'm more like rushing all my holiday assignments, spending every single day with friends and enjoying the last week of "freedom and happiness".

However, a new school year always fizzes with excitement. We have new plans, new things that we want to achieve... Here is a list of essentials I wish I've prepared before the school year start.

又到了開學前的最後一個星期。記得當年還要上學的我，總是到這個星期才急急的把所有作業做完，再每一天也和朋友們約會唱K踏單車... 希望把最好一星期的自由和快樂好好利用。
不過，新的學年其實也是新一頁的開始。一連串的計劃、歷程才剛剛展開。「工欲善其事，必先利其器」- 雖則這個可能是購物的借口，不過有些東西我的確覺得是必須擁有的。例如：每天也會用到的環保水樽、餐具、飲管；上課用的文具、筆記本；一對好的眼鏡和電腦保護幕等等。這些小物，除了實用，其實也代表著你擁有自己的一個Statement、是屬於自己生活態度。

1. Reusable Water Bottle & Utensils Set

We tend to buy plastic water bottles whenever we are thirsty - no matter it is in the morning or after a sports lesson, because of it is so convenient. Even if more people tried to recycle, it still does not help a lot - studies show that in Hong Kong, we are disposing a large amount (5.28 million) of water bottle every single day! 
I strongly recommend that everyone should have bring their own "To-go" wares - from water bottle, to knife, forks, chopsticks... or even straw. It is a way more "fashionable" way of loving and protecting the world.

These items are my recent-favourite and I always remind myself to make sure I got these before I leave home:
Memo Bottle - I love how slim it is to put in a school bag...
Klean Kanteen Insulated Tumbler - Best for Coffee!
Tiger Stainless Steel Bottle - Great for chilly weather.
Bucket Straw - Great concept founded in HK, Stainless eco-friendly straw
Knife & Fork from Japan

And yes, you alone will make a difference. Eco-friendly is the new black.

2. Note Book & Stationery

It is just so important keeping a notebook!
Not only apply to school life, but these two things are on the top list of my "essentials" list. Notes taking, writing down inspirations & thoughts, schedule planning, setting different reminders... Although we are now so convenient by accessing the phone, I still prefer the traditional way. I become more self-aware when I go through what is in my mind, making sure and visualizing what to do and what needed to be done. Extremely useful for creative inspirations, too! I like to draw a mind-maps when I am brainstorming.
And I love returning to my notebook regularly to see what were in my mind, what lessons I have learnt, and how I become the person I am today.

Recently I'm using:
Moleskine Ruled Soft Notebook - I prefer ruled because I just love a tidy notebook!
Muji Planted Paper Monthly Schedule Notebook
Moleskine Classic Click Ball Pen 1.0 White
HAY #HAYPENCIL - The best pencil with a cover!

3. A Pair of Quality Glasses

There might be a lot of cheap options in the market, but are you really seeing your best and doing everything you can to protect your eyesight?
Cheap glasses could cause eyestrains, skin irritation, or even harm your eye-sight. Imagine you are wearing your glasses every day but they do more harm than good to your eyesight? Go to a knowledgeable optician and he could explain to you what you need to know - get fully protect your eyes for a lifetime of good vision. They usually offer warranty and after-services so that you can always make sure your pair of glasses are in the best condition. Start to love and protect your eyes more from today!

Savile Row Eyewear London - Their Opticians are professional and helpful! I have been wearing this glasses for two years and they are still in very good condition. Love their collection of stylish yet classic frames from all over the world, too.

4. Decorated Laptop Cover

I have been searching for a protective cover for my laptop and last year I got this from cover-up - a real stone skin for your computer. It just "naturally" stands out! People keep asking where did I got this from... and I just love it so much. It is extremely thin and beautiful.

COVER-UP Stone Skin for MacBook Air 

What are your essentials? Are they more or less same to mine?

If you are looking for more outfits idea for school or work, click here for more inspirations! The secret of mix & match with ONE color!

I hope you enjoy the last week of holiday and have a fresh new start in September!

Loves,

My definition of Beauty + Day to Night Looks

Beauty - I think it is a combination of qualities. Feeling confident, work-life balance, enjoying happiness and surrounded by love. 

I feel pretty when I woke up at 6 am and go to a 30 minutes run before starting the day; I feel pretty when I have time to make myself a healthy detox smoothie, and I feel pretty when I'm cuddling with my boyfriend... Beauty is not just about how I look, it is from the inside.

Someday when I want to boost my mood of the day, I like to spend more time to dress up and get my make up done - it energizes me for the whole day by looking good! I think this is the reason why my brother and I co-founded mukmuk: wardrobe (Independent Clothing Store) 3 years ago. And, to "celebrate" this milestone, we collaborated with BareMinerals, an international renowned beauty brand, to create this special campaign "Be Bare, Be Stylish".

美，是什麼？

我認為是不同特質的配合：有自信、工作和生活的平衡、享受快樂、有愛與被愛的勇氣。無論是30分鐘的晨跑、有時間自己做一杯新鮮的果汁、和男朋友一起看在沙發上看電視劇... 也讓我感到自己很美。
「美麗不只是外在，而是從內而外的一種氣牆。」
當然，有時我也想作作打扮，讓自己看上去(和感覺上)也充滿活力。穿衣、化妝... 總是一件愉悅的事。這也是我三年前和哥哥成立 mukmuk: wardrobe的原因吧！
為了慶祝開店三年，我們跟理念很相似的礦物品牌 BareMinerals HK 推出了一個專屬女生的禮品盒。我也分別設計了三個不同造型，從日至夜，展現最自己的風格。

What is "Be Bare, Be Stylish"?
To create our own style, unveil our own beauty instead of following the trend. 

"Summer Beauty x Fashion" Gift Box Set
by mukmuk: wardrobe & BareMinerals

What is included?
1.     READY 14.0 Eyeshadow Palette (#The Bare Sensuals)  ***EXCLUSIVE
2.     Gen Nude lipstick (Color: Tutu) 
3.     3 Different Outfits [A] / [B] / [C]

Here I styled the 3 outfits we've chosen for the Box Set, with the eyeshadow palette and lipstick. Being inspired by rose, these eyeshadow colours are easy to go with day or night occasions!
 

---

For the Day

If there is only one thing I can to my face before heading out, it will always be my pink lips! It instantly brightens up the face - as I have a very pale skin tone, I always looking a bit tired even I get enough sleep. This lipstick is in a neutral shade of pink, which gives me a beautiful glow without too much colour (and go with any kind of outfit too!). The soft texture also keep my lips moisturized during the day.
And a little tip: I love to apply the lips stick on my cheek and blend it with finger tips, super easy and natural than using powder brush!

For the outfit, When it comes to summer, I always feel like wearing some pastel colours, and this canvas-inspired top & skirt set is my love in the first sight! Perfect for wearing together, the light texture keeps me from the heat during sunny summer day. Another outfit I am wearing is more like for the casual family or friends gathering, there are many possible ways to wear it. You can tie the knot in the front/side or even at the back. It is super comfy and every time I wear it I would think - "Well, I will keep this dress in my closet as long as I can!"

Here I used Gen Nude lipstick in colour Tutu (what a cute name!) and wearing Canvas Sleeveless Set / Linen Relaxed-fit Overall Dress

For the Night

Besides stripes, I think floral pattern is always one of my favourites. To create a romantic makeup look, I used this neutral-tone eye shadow palette to give my eyes more definitions. Using a light beige for the base on my upper eyelids, and a middle shade of brown at the outer-v of my eyelids; and finishing with a bright off-white on the tear duct to highlight. Only using three colours, it already gave my eyes a nice definition.

Here I used READY 14.0 eyeshadows (The Bare Neutals) and wearing Floral Chiffon Double Layers V-neck Long Dress

If you're interested in this Gift box set, please visit (www.mukmukwardrobe.com) for more information. Limited quantity, don't miss the chance!

Loves,

Guiltless Outfit Ideas

Girls we always want to look at our best.

That's why we are always doing shopping. And thank you for the convenience brought by the internet, online shopping makes everything easier. But, sometimes we just own more than we need; and most of the time we like to save money from buying new stuff. How about selling our pre-loved items online, and at the same time shop for some goodies at a discounted price?

Here I styled my three looks for different occasions: Working, Evening Dinner & Weekend Date.

愛美是女生的天性、愛購物同樣也是...
所以我們的衣櫃的空間總是不夠用；可是又想買更多...

有沒有想過，即使愛Shopping，同時也可以支持環保？假若把自己以往心愛的東西，可以賣出去；同時又可以折扣價錢買到一些新衣服的話...（省錢！） 又怎樣？假若整個過程可以網上完成的話，既方便又簡單，吸引嗎？把Shopping帶來的罪惡感也減低很多！
這次三個不同的穿搭，包括時尚上班、晚宴Party及假日玩樂 - 全部items也是在Guiltess這個網上二手交易平台找到的 - 不但多不同的設計師款色，物品也保養得很好。假如你也對這個環保的Idea有興趣，不妨到Guiltless x Charlotteinwhite看看，code: CHARLOTTE5 還可以得到全單額外5%折扣*！

Stylish Working Girl

The skirt is the statement piece of the look. The pleated pattern of it is a love at the first sight. It is perfect for wearing daytime into nighttime as well. Just take off the white jacket and you're ready to go for a drink! And to make it more comfortable in work, I wear a pair of pointed toe flat - painless but still, it polished the outfit.

Elegant Classy Girl

Although I love casual outfit, when it comes to attending a wedding banquet or company dinner, I like to dress in a slightly more glamorous way. Loving its silhouette, this high-waist line dress also elongates legs, the cut out near waist line also instantly make the whole outfit look chic. Here I wear my lace choker from mukmuk: wardrobe & a pair of classic pointed toe pumps for extra height.
And this cute camera clutch! It is always fun to play with every single detail - I never "over-accessorize", but I pay attention of every single accessory I wear.

Sporty Chic Girl

This look is totally for the weekend. Again, it is my favourite tone on tone combination. A classic yet chic pattern on the knit dress - it also helps to define the colour palette for this look. Navy, blue and white - here I paired with these plain sneakers, a 3-D print knot bangle from my friend's brand Zoee, and putting everything into the silver bucket bag.

If you like to shop for some good designer pieces like what I am wearing now, look at Guiltless x Charlotteinwhite now - and use code: CHARLOTTE5 and get 5% off the order* when you check out!
Fashion can be sustainable, and everyone can be stylish and "guiltless" in shopping at the same time too.


[Collaborated with Guiltless]
*(except Hermes bag & until 30 Nov 2017)

Loves,

Alternative to Flat White

I am a coffee-person.
I always like to start the day with a cup of warm flat white, it just makes me feel so awake, and the creamy texture of milk is very delicious too. Sometimes I had one more in the afternoon in between works to refresh my mind.

從兩年前起開始喜歡上飲咖啡，暖暖的Cappuccino/Latte的綿滑口感總是讓人覺得很幸福。不過，最新因為正進行30天的純素Diet(不吃牛奶製品，如牛奶、乳酪、芝士等製品)，也想把咖啡停一停，所以在找一些替代品。
記得在維也納的一間純素cafê試過這種飲料「黃金牛奶」，其實即是薑黃奶，發現它非常有營養價值、濃滑的口感也很討好。除了可以抗炎、破壞癌細胞和增加免疫力，也可以令皮膚更好（減少粉刺等等）和解經痛！也分享了我的簡單黃金牛奶作法，三分鐘就完成了。

However, as I decided giving up coffee & dairy for a while (because of my skin and also give myself a detox period*), I have been searching for an alternative. Green tea latte or chai tea Latte with almond milk... and then I remember I've tried this drink in Vienna - Golden Milk!

Turmeric milk, also sometimes referred to as golden milk, is an infusion of either dry turmeric powder or fresh turmeric root in milk. Health benefits of having this drink are more than you think, here are some:
- Strengthen immunity system
- Improve digestion & Relieve bloating
- Better skin condition: reduces acne, lighten scars & removes fine lines
- Reduce periods pain
- Help preventing cancer etc...

For me, a cup of warm Golden Milk is very good to start up early morning, at the same time it cures my craving for coffee - as it has a natural spicy(pepper-like) taste, if you like the spiciness of Chai Tea, you will definitely love this creamy and comforting Golden Milk too.

Here is a little recipe for it (Very easy to make & it takes less than 3 minutes to prepare!)...

Vegan & Easy Golden Milk
 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of unsweetened plain Almond Milk (here I use Califia from Green Common) (or any kind of milk of your choices)
• 1/2 tsp of Turmeric powder (here I use Terrasoul from Green Common)
• 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Coconut Oil
• Pinch of Ground Black Pepper
• Some Agave Syrup (or any kind of sweetener of choice, like honey, maple syrup etc...)

First, warm up the milk in a small sauce pan in medium heat. Then put everything inside and keep whisking it. Then you can enjoy it immediately. And maybe sprinkle a little more of cinnamon powder on top of it too!

And it helps to sleep better if you have it as an evening drink too. Let me know what do you like to have for breakfast and if you like my easy recipe for Golden Milk too.

Loves,
Charlotte

My Best Buy from Europe

HAUL (noun.)
: all the products purchased by someone during a particular episode of shopping.

So, what did I buy from the long trip on July?

When it comes to shopping during travel, I am a very "precise" person - I make sure I won't buy too many stuff that I don't need (and need to worry if my baggage is too heavy!) However, July was the big SALE season in most of the cities I visited this time (Paris, London, Berlin and Copenhagen); so I got myself some pretty nice stuff from independent shops and random vintage stores. Also, my recommendations on which district/neighbourhood to visit if these cities!

旅行就亂買？「下次就沒機會了、這些都很便宜啊、去旅行就別想這麼多吧！」有說中你的心底話嗎？我卻認為亂買的後果只有行李超重和荷包更傷... 所以我都會仔細考慮過才會入手的。讓我分享今次在歐洲 (巴黎，倫敦，柏林和哥本哈根)買到些什麼吧！大多也是從獨立品牌、Select Shop等等買到。我也發覺原來旅途上 最喜歡的活動，是發掘城市中一些比較有趣的小區：很多小商店、書店；特別的小餐廳、咖啡店等等聚集區域。文章中有這幾個城市中我發最掘到最「有趣地方」的推介。

London

This white top is from Emin + Paul. Attracted by its volume but lightness brought by the light fabric, perfect to pair with a pair of skinny pants. I've worn it a lot in the trip since I got it, as it is really comfortable to wear!
My another favourite lifestyle shop is Labour and Wait - I always want to purchase all their nice little things for my home. Shoreditch (East London) is basically the must-visit area whenever I am in London, as you could find many independent shops and designers there (also many of the hips cafès, too!).

Paris

This is the only item I got from Paris, a silver ring. (Eur35 > Eur 20!) Plus, it could be worn as a 2-side different style!
I am a huge fan of rings, and I like to wear several minimal yet special rings on hand when it comes to styling daily look. I found this little goodie in a Pop-up store in Le Marais, a small neighbourhood with different architecture of course, but the small lanes are alive with bars & restaurants, stylish fashion shops and hip designers, art galleries and museums etc... BigLove Cafè is one of my favourite place to eat in Paris, they serve good Italian food & dessert, and the interior is very lovely too.

Berlin

The open back dress - Loose cut, perfect length, with my favourite denim and showing a little but not too much skin. Perfect casual one-piece for Summer. It is from a concept store Kauf Dich Glücklich.
Last but my favourite is this nicest headband I've got from the weekend Fleamarket at Mauerpark. Every Sunday, this grassy field transforms into one of Berlin's most famous open-air flea markets. It is like a festival - besides over 100 stores, they have food stores/restaurant, also musicians playing for the public. From vintage to new designer brands & artists, there are more different stores than you can think!

So... What's your favourite neighbourhood to visit in these cities?

Loves,
Charlotte

A Day in Paris and "Food" Guide

This trip is a treasure.

Remember at the beginning of this year, I wrote a status on Facebook:
"Copenhagen, Berlin and Stockholm."

These are the cities I really want to visit someday, because of their cultural background and vibes. Some friends who visited these cities, My boyfriend immediately texted me and say "Let's go in this year, maybe in June or July!" So, this purely "for leisure only" trip is scheduled! So here are some of my favourite photos from the 1st day in this romantic city. Look into the article for my favourite spots!

這次23天的歐洲旅程對我來說是個很寶貴的禮物。
第一天，第一個城市，巴黎。因為沒有很多的計劃，我們每一天也是隨意的走在街上，有牛角包就吃吧、有咖啡店就跑進去吧；走得累了，就回家睡吧。文章中分享了一些我很喜歡的照片，也有我身為素食者給大家介紹如何找到身邊的(好味)素食店。(牛角酥、素牛河、咖啡等等...)

We do not have a lot of plans, but we walked a lot during the day. 

Eat at...

We started the day with a butter croissant in the corner of the street where our hotel located. That was probably the best croissant I've had(no wonder why people say they do not want to eat any croissant other than in France!); we have it at Le Pétrin Médiéval like 3 times more before we left Paris. Also visited juice bar Otium Paris & coffee shop Caillier Paris to satisfy our cravings. The coffee shop serves super good coffee and I love the quiet morning vibe of the shop.

I haven't eaten Vegetarian Vietnamese Pho since I became a vegetarian. And you know what, my dream came true during the very first day of the trip! Thank you to the mobile APP Happy Cow, they help to find vegan & vegetarian restaurant nearby, wherever you are, there are even ratings and comments by other users. And yes, that meal in La Palanche d'Aulac was awesome and several meals were very nice too! If you're a vegetarian, you shouldn't miss it when you're travelling around! (It is a worldwide APP)

Stay at...

We stayed in the 9th arrondissement, Paris. The district is rich in arts and cultural stuff (like if you like music, there are so many shops selling the bass, guitar or even sound system down the street at where we live!); and little cafès and nice small restaurant in the district too. If you are looking to a quiet yet interesting district to live in, this is a good neighbourhood.

All shoot on Simple Use Film Camera LomoChrome Purple by Lomography Hong Kong & Iphone7 Plus.

If you are going to Paris soon, I think summer is really a good season to visit as there are full of sunlight and weather is super comfortable. I hope you will enjoy eating and walking in this beautiful city (and enjoy reading my article and like the photos too!)

Loves,
Charlotte

Don't follow the trend. Follow me.

The only reason I wanted to start this blog www.charlotteinwhite.com

"To build a platform for sharing." 

To share what I'm passionate at - no wonder it is Fashion, Vegetarianism or Travelling, through my love of photography and creative ideas.

兩年前我開始在社交媒體(Instagram)上分享自己的衣著和日常創作、攝影作品。我一直喜歡和不同的人分享自己的創作，我就在想：為什麼我不建立一個平台，可以讓喜歡同樣東西的讀者也可以在這找到他們的靈感來源。

從來每一個人也是獨一無二的，我也相信每一個人也有獨特的生活風格。不要追隨潮流、也別盲目的追隨任何一個人；我希望在這裡，你也可以找到啟發到你生活的靈感——無論是衣著、素食、旅遊之上，從而找到屬於自己、自己喜愛的生活。

#whatcharlottewears, a hashtag in Instagram, to chronicle my outfits ideas and daily inspiration. Last month, when I look back into the hashtag, I saw there are over 300 posts. In these years, I truly enjoy interacting with different people through social media, sharing what I love and my lifestyle, to inspire people to live in a quality and beautiful way.

Don't follow the trend. Follow me. And why?

Because you are unique. There are no people similar to anyone in the world, so why are we always following someone? Be you, be original. It is not about following me or not too, or maybe I'm a role-model, that I always follow my instinct and ideas in life. I am special, so do you, too.

I hope you will love reading my blog, like what I've been sharing on lifestyle, and somehow I have given you some inspirations and ideas on how to live in an original and stylish way, too.

Loves,
Charlotte