British 10K London - SHOW ME YOUR MONEY!

Soooooooo...if you've been keeping up with me you'll know that I've taken on and am currently tackling a fear of mine. It may not be big and scary for others, it might even sound a little silly...but to me...it just is. Running. Over the past few years, I started, I stopped. Started and stopped. I've previously posted about my journey here.

In July, I'll be running the British 10K to help raise money for Cancer Research UK and need all your help to reach my target of £200. Even though it's a struggle, I'm running for those who can't and this race holds significance as I'll be running in memory of my late Grandma, whom I never had the pleasure of meeting...yet I know she was one of the most beautiful women. (I've posted about her here) A few months ago, my cousin projected the idea of running this race and I laughed. Laughed because I used to be out of breathe after 10 minutes of running and I'd quit. I've since dared myself to keep on moving, simply because I have the opportunity to. Please donate and help support a good cause for a better future, every little does help and it all makes a difference. Thank you all in advance!

To donate visit my Just giving page.

Success.

Siblings & I @ Jonnifer's wedding

I've read, heard and encountered many different perspectives of the definition of 'success'. A nice car. Money (enough to enable you to live a life of luxury). Material possessions. In my teenage years, in my naivety I was swept by this illusion. Swept and then swiftly knocked to the ground when I realised that success may be all these elements to some people...but real success lies way beyond 'things'. This post is a tribute to my parents - the people who moved to England with nothing (I'll refrain from singing 'a dollar and a dreaaaaam') but quite literally so.  Escaped from Vietnam on a boat in the pursuit of a better life, a turn around point from everything they ever knew. In and out of multiple jobs in a country completely alien to them, to make ends meet, create a better life for themselves and more than anything, support the family and survive. I'll always remember the photo of their takeaway van and have this image glued in my mind, a photo that represents and serves as a humble reminder of where everything began.

I thank my parents for their unmovable courage, strength and determination to face every life changing obstacle they've had to face, for a better tomorrow. All the risks they've had the courage to pursue, not knowing what tomorrow would bring yet powering on with all they had in them. For fighting for what they believed in. All this in the midst of being humble, kind human beings, raising their children to have good morals and values.

In my eyes, my parents are the real definition of success. Success is integrity and honour. It's knowing right from wrong and always doing the right thing, no matter how difficult or sticky the situation. It's being the best that you can possibly be, the power to be able to be the best version of yourself and working to your full potential to achieve whatever it is you wish to achieve. It's living ensuring the people around you survive another day, being kind, generous and giving a helping hand wherever it's needed and where possible. To have the power to get back up every time you get knocked down, even if you cry whilst you do. Most of all, it's having the courage to face life with open arms allowing love to overpower the power of fear.  The definition of success is all these elements plus the ability to support yourself, motivate yourself to keep on moving forward. Thank you to the two beautiful human beings we're blessed to call our mother and father, we'll know that we've succeeded in life if we're half the people you both are. 

LOST ONES

As I'm sitting on this coach, admiring the beautiful forests and fields of yellow on my way to Barcelona, my mind drifts. I came here to escape reality. Days have been filled with overindulging in food, catching up on sleep, a little sun bathing, deciding whether shorts or a pair of comfy Leigh jeans are the most suitable attire  (it seems we have brought the rain with us), reading Fresh off the boat on the beach front to the sound of the waves kissing the shore  (I LOVE YOU, EDDIE HUANG), bumping into Cambridge boys (definitely their first 'boys' holiday) on a night out and playing/sharing our love for Kendrick, getting a much needed massage on the beach from a cute Chinese lady. In the midst of all this, the realisation hit that as much as you want to escape reality...it follows you around like your shadow. 

I'm at a point in my life where I'm figuring things out...exploring. We're constantly pressured by society that we must have it all figured out by this age, finish university, find a job straight away, have a family and that the definition of 'success' is to follow this structure. We compare ourselves to those around us, friends, family, peers, wondering why we haven't got it all mapped out. What we forget to realise is the beauty in being a little lost, the beauty in discovering life's real treasures. The beauty in the unknown. At this current moment in time, I'm enjoying being a little lost and I'll let intuition guide the way. To my fellow lost ones, there is no set way, no 'right' way, as long as you continue to create your own path and stay true to your essence, things will unfold the way they're supposed to. Keep pursuing your passion and your art, keep that fire burning. 

If you give a little love...

..................you can get a little love of your own.

"We can't help but wonder how much difference one person makes in the world. We look inside ourselves, questioning if we have the capacity for heroism and greatness. But the truth is, every time we take an action, we make an impact. Every single thing we do has an effect on the people around us. Every choice we make sends ripples out into the world. Our smallest acts of kindness can cause a chain reaction of unforeseen benefits for people we've never met. We might not witness those results, but they happen all the same."

What you do, matters. Who you are, matters. 

Keep on sending positive ripples in to the universe.

Higher

Photography: Linh Doan

Faux leather 5 panel cap | ASOS

Sunglasses | Cobrasnake

Gold hoop earrings | Topshop

Jacket/mesh top/bag | H&M

Shorts | Nasty gal

Nike Free Run 2s

When London was sunny for a brief moment. These are my new running/run errands/do everything in trainers that I currently live in. Will be testing them on the road this evening! Can you tell I love black and white? Speaking of running, sometimes in life you have to be strong enough to walk away, run from anything and anybody who doesn't lift you higher or no longer serves your growth. The people around you are a reflection of who you are, anchors will only pull you back. Your gut already knows. Choose wisely. 

3 SHADES OF BLACK.

Taking the plunging leap of faith is always a scary one. Having had this concept swimming and lurking in my head for months, I finally got up and styled my first ever solo editorial for Pura&Ly Magazine Issue 2. A biggie for me just because although I've assisted many shoots, and always wanted to style one, I never plucked up the courage until now. Today we shot "3 shades of black" with the beautiful Sophie Allen, an editorial inspired by the concept of how each individual's perception is unique to their own being. How when we all look at the same thing; a situation, an image, a colour, a song, our perceptions of anything and everything at any moment are all unique. I love working with talented people who are on the same page and just get it. Wonderful shoot with talented people. Here are some behind the scene shots and a mini vine video - enjoy! (Stay tuned for PURA&LY Issue 2!)

Photographer: Izras

Hair & Make-up: Amanda White

Styling: Jessica Ly

Assistant: Michelle Pura

TAKE THE LEAP!

It's worth it - even if it doesn't work out the way you intended, you learn and you grow. 

AQUATASTIC.

My love affair with Aqua has started since the beginning (an Aqua piece was my choice of wear for the Pura&Ly Magazine launch party last year) and what I love most about them, is that they keep consistently getting better and better with each collection. I've just spent a good half an hour ogling over all the dresses, wanting near to every piece. ahhhhhh I would wear Aqua to every single event/outing.