lifestyle blog – Stylishly Zen

The Mit Chit House

Published on January 10, 2022January 10, 2022 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

Since the pandemic started and we were forced to stay indoors more often than not, I have become more aware of open spaces, green space and natural light. In Montreal we are now back in lockdown, so naturally today’s featured project has many areas that I am currently missing in my life right now. It also checks off all of the boxes of projects that I am currently loving!

Located in Bangkok Thailand, The Mid Chit house by Looklen Architects features four different courtyards that extend beyond the double height interiors of the home.

The Mid Chit house is a new residence the is connected to an existing family home that is connected by an upped level enclosed bridge. Mid Chit means “close together” and it a beautiful example on the balance between private spaces and more public ones that invite the outdoors inside via courtyards.

Strategically placed skylights and windows allow daylight into the heart of the home, while natural materials and light colours give the home a natural airy feel.

The home is three levels entered around an open living and dining area that encourages interaction and openness within this family home.

The private level on the third floor houses the bedrooms that allow the residents privacy within their own personal space.

Light, airy and open while still allowing it’s residents privacy, Looklen Architects has done a wonderful job renovating a preexisting home to suit modern day. What are your thoughts on this stunning home? Let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today, I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

All images via http://www.dwell.com

Five Faves – March 2021

Published on March 15, 2021March 14, 2021 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

I has officially been one year since the world came to a screeching halt, and while lock down measures have loosened in some parts of the world, here in Montreal we have settled into a new normal. We are still under a curfew and restaurant dining is a distant memory, but hopefully with the vaccine roll out things will improve especially as we enter a warmer season. Maybe it’s all of the time that I have had to spend alone over the past year but the truth is that I am struggling. Some days are better then others but lately I have been feeling a little low. In order to counter these feelings, I have been searching for and indulging in things that I enjoy and brighten my day. Here are my five faves for March that I am currently loving:

Bala Bands – I have been eating a lot of junk food over the past year (potato chips are practically a food group for me at this point) so naturally I haven’t been feeling my best. I have been working out, but without access to a gym (they are shut down) my workouts feel limited and uninspired. When the lockdown first started I purchased the Melissa Wood Health fitness app and I loved her workouts but eventually I got lazy. In order to motivate myself to get back to feeling good I treated myself to a pair of Bala bands which Melissa often uses in her workouts. These 1 lb weights are great for both lower body and arm workouts and I feel strong every time that I use them. If you are looking to add some weights to your workout I highly reccommend these bands as they are both functional and stylish.

Sumo Oranges – My tastes have changed quite a bit over the past year. Black pepper and oranges are two items that I find myself gravitating towards on a regular basis. I had heard of Sumo oranges on Instagram a little while ago so I was curious when I saw them at the grocery store a short while later. They are not cheap but my curiosity got the better of me and I had to buy one to try. I am now completely hooked! For those of you who have never heard of a Sumo orange before, it is a cross between a mandarin orange and a naval orange. They are a larger seedless orange with a thick skin (which makes it super easy to peel). Sweet, juicy and filling and they re helping me to keep a lid on my previously mentioned chip addiction. Love it!

Hermes Tokyo Store – Hermes has always been one of my favourite fashion houses. Despite the astronomical prices I love the the history behind it, the quiet elevated luxury and elegance of the brand and the traditions that they have carried forward. This past week, Hermes entered a new chapter in its history by announcing a new bag made with mushroom leather. I love that the traditional leather house is making strides to evolve with the times and work with new materials while still maintaining brand integrity. Hermes also announced the opening of their new store in Tokyo and it is gorgeous! It is the brand’s first street location in Japan since opening the Hermes Ginza location in 2001 (all of the other Hermes stores in Japan are located in a mall) and they did a beautiful job designing this location. Bright and welcoming and quietly luxurious I am in love with the design of this store.

Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy – I have always been a fan of actor Stanley Tucci’s work so I was thrilled when I first saw the promo for this new show on CNN Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy. A great actor exploring one of my favourite countries sounded like a match made in heaven to me. Thankfully this show has exceeded my expectations. So far I have watched him explore Naples, Rome, Bologna and Milan and each episode has me dreaming of getting on a plane and exploring the world again. I can’t wait! If you are also suffering from a serious case of wanderlust, I highly recommend that you check this show out to help to tide you over until you can travel again.

Monday Girl – This past year has me seriously reconsidering my career path and what I would like to achieve in the future. As I have been trying to figure out how to achieve my goals, I have been researching different career websites and support groups which is how I found the Monday Girl. They have an inspirational Instagram account (@mondaygirlto), a bi-weekly newsletter filled with career tips, job posting and ways to connect with likeminded women. I love it when women support other women both professionally and personally and I am loving this community that the founders of Monday Girl have created. If you are looking for a little extra professional motivation or to join a community of like minded women this may be one that you want to check out (www.mondaygirl.ca).

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today, I hope that you have a beautiful day and stay safe out there! XXS

Style Spotlight – How to Style a Sweatsuit

Published on February 8, 2021February 7, 2021 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Happy Monday Everyone!

It’s official, I am a sweatsuit convert. Pre quarantine I would NEVER have considered buying a sweatsuit. It’s not that I have anything against comfortable clothing, but I have always been more of a leggings girl and rocking a sweatsuit is something that I thought I had left behind in elementary school. But now after months of being in lockdown, the sweatsuit is my favourite item(s) of clothing in my wardrobe.

I think that my reluctance to rock a sweatsuit pre-quarantine stems from the idea that it can look dowdy and sloppy but, as many fashion forward beauties have showcased via social media it’s actually quite the opposite. Sweatsuits are really easy to elevate to fabulous street style, and if you have been struggling with the dowdy vs. stylish dilemma of how to rock a sweatsuit this post is for you. Here are my favourite ways to upgrade a sweatsuit:

Accessorize Intelligently

There is no need to go overboard but elevating a your outfit with a few choice accessories is a great way to elevate your look. Adding a chunky necklace or a gorgeous bag is a great way to enhance your look with a touch of glamour. By accessorizing intelligently with a few accessories your entire look becomes thoughtful not just thrown together and sloppy.

Add a Great Topper

I love how a sweatsuit looks when worn under a great wool coat. Whether the coat is plaid, solid, teddy, or puffer adding a coat over a sweatsuit make it looks styled, and the entire look deliberate even when paired with running shoes. I love a casual glam look and this is one of my favourites. Two of my favourite style inspiration stars Rosie Hunnington Whitely and Haley Bieber are queens at rocking this particular look. I especially enjoy the layered look when the top is a hoodie instead of a crewneck. You will frequently catch me rocking this look at the grocery store (it’s the only place we are currently able to venture out) as I am a true believer in practicing what I preach:)

Footwear Matters

It turns out that sweatsuits look great with a wide range of footwear, from boots to sneakers and most in between. I love styling sweatsuits with boots as I feel like it elevates the overall look but sometimes you just need to throw on some sneakers and still look like a fashion superstar. I find that the best way to keep the look stylish is to create a little bit of space between the bottom of the sweatpants and the sneakers. This works by pulling your socks over the cuff of the sweatpants, if it’s warm enough show off a sliver of skin via your ankle or if your sweatpants has a thicker elastic cuff at the bottom keep it visible so that there is a slimmer line going into a chunkier shoe. This helps to keep the look sleek and not frumpy.

Opt for a Sleeker Style

There is something very cool about dressy sweat pants, especially ones with pin tuck details. Pair it with a matching knit or sweatshirt. To keep things sleek, do a half tuck so that the entire look is more together.

And there you have it – my favourite sweat suit looks and how I like to style them. Let me know what you think and how you like to style your sweatsuits in the comments below. Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today, I hope that you have a beautiful and stylish day! XXS

Photo Credits: http://www.pinterest.com, @charlotteemilysanders, @rosiehw, @styleandthebeach

Inspiring Interior – Jenna Lyon’s Loft

Published on December 28, 2020December 27, 2020 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

I hope that you are currently enjoying a much needed break filled with good food, laughter and relaxation. The holidays are looking very different for me this year as I am unable to travel due to lockdown restrictions. Like it has been for most of this year, life is just different than what I am used to but I am determined to make the best of it. So despite spending the holidays alone (for the most part), I am enjoying getting back into the kitchen and trying new recipes, taking some time to work out everyday, watching some great shows (has anyone seen Bridgerton yet?) and working at getting both my mind and body in a more balanced state, as this has been a challenging year that I have let get the better of me on more than one occasion. Taking the time to relax and unwind has also given me space to feel inspired and hopeful again. One show that is currently providing inspiration on the creative front is Stylish with Jenna Lyons. For those of you not familiar with this American fashion gem, Jenna Lyons was previously the creative director for J.Crew. Her styling is both unique and inspirational and having binge watch the first six episodes I am now convinced that I too need to wear multiple shirts at once.
Aside from the inspirational fashion and interior design ideas that the show provides, I love that I get to see into Jenna’s home. I first saw images and fell in love with Jenna’s home in Althena Calderone’s interior book Live Beautiful. The mix of metals and marble, textures and colours, unfinished herringbone floors and oversized crown molding are both dreamy and inspiring. Seeing glimpses of her home throughout the show just further reiterates how fabulous Jenna’s style really is.
The elevator opens up to Jenna’s living room which is home to a gorgeous, modular pink velvet sofa. Jenna has then layered in different styles of furniture and pieces resulting in a space that is both cool girl chic and inviting. A cool feature of the space is the TV which slides out from behind the fireplace to the space between the mirror and art when in use. Genius!
The grand Venini chandelier in the kitchen is a showstopper that elevates the space. Unlacquered brass backsplashes and honed marble countertops round out the space. I never would have thought to combine all of these features but they work beautifully together.
While I am enamoured with the entire home, the master bedroom and en suite bathroom are my absolute favourite space within the loft. I have never really been a fan of wood panelling but it works perfectly in this bedroom and when combined with a warm and textured bed cover the bedroom becomes both elegant and cozy. Floating brass bedside tables and an ornate chandelier further elevate the space. Metal and glass doors allows views from the bedroom to the luxurious bathroom that is a marble lovers (aka moi) dream. From the grand use of marble, to the herringbone floors and the brass detail, this is by far one of my most favoured bathrooms that I have seen. The unlacquered baroque style bronze vanity legs were sprayed with salt water to speed along the oxidation process resulting in a beautiful green patina that complements the other features of the bathroom.
Last but not least, no home tour of a fashion superstar would be complete without a glimpse of the closet, and not surprisingly Jenna’s does not disappoint. Being a total shoe lover myself, it’s clear that Jenna is my spirit animal. There are about 300 pairs of shoes in there!
Jenna Lyon’s style has always been inspirational to me and her home continues to provide further inspiration with my own living space. Her style is the perfect mood for me to be entering 2021. What do you think of this space? Let me know in the comments below.

I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

All images via http://www.cocokelly.com

Five Faves

Published on October 12, 2020October 12, 2020 by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

I hope that your fall is off to a great start! Here in Montreal we are back on a partial lockdown which means spending a lot more time at home. Thankfully being in lockdown has given me a new appreciation for my home and it has forced me to actually work on my space rather then just dream about it. It has also forced me to learn how to prioritize my mental health and incorporate methods to relax and unwind into my lifestyle. This weekend is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada but due to the lockdown there are no gatherings allowed. While I normally enjoy a holiday meals with loved ones I have never been a fan of the standard turkey dinner. Seeing as how I am alone this year I decided to do something different, so I am channeling my inner Samin Nosrat of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and having beef ribs, jasmine rice and green beans along with a glass of my favourite red wine. I am looking forward it even if it is unique as a Thanksgiving meal. This year has been challenging in many ways, which has made me incredibly grateful for things that make me smile, that I enjoy and make me happy. Here are five faves that I am currently loving:

I have been a fan of Tracy Tutor since she first debuted on Million Dollar Listings Los Angeles. I have always been a fan of the show but it needed some powerful feminine energy and Tracy Tutor was the perfect addition. She has endless hustle, an incredible sense of style and is nobody’s pushover which makes for great television viewing. While her and I are in a similar age group she is who I want to be when I grow up. When I heard that Tracy had written a book I immediately ordered it. It’s an easy read, written with Tracy’s honest, hardworking, no nonsense attitude and encourages the reader to push forward despite the fear that they may be facing. And the cover is absolute goals. She looks strong, powerful and in control which is exactly how she wants the reader to feel all the while embracing their own personal fears. I enjoyed this book and will be referring to it often when I am having doubts about myself.

My best friend recently gifted me this notebook. I love the pretty mint green colour and the Coco Chanel quote is always a perfect reminder. The notebook sat on my counter for a couple of days while I thought about how I wanted to use it. One morning while listening to a podcast while getting ready for work the practice of having a gratitude journal was mentioned. I had heard of this practice before but I had never really connected with it previously. This time though, the idea of gratitude journaling sounded like just what I needed, and I now had the perfect notebook to journal in. It’s too soon to call it a habit just yet, but so far I am really enjoying this practice. I find that for me the best time to journal is right after dinner. Everyday I think about my day and find ten things that I am grateful for. Some days are easier then others, but I have found that even taking some time to consciously think about how fortunate I am to live in a safe and comfortable home, that I have clean running water and food to eat and even the fact that I woke up in the morning. These are all things that I am incredibly grateful for and have often previously taken for granted.

I love listening to podcasts in the morning and I enjoy reading Domino magazine so I was thrilled when I heard that they now had a podcast. The first guest was one of my favourite designers Kelly Wearstler so of course I was immediately hooked. My favourite episode though was the recent one with design genius Jenna Lyons. I love Jenna’s work, from her time at J Crew to her swoon worthy homes that have been featured in Domino and in Athena Calderone’s Live Beautiful. I am so excited for Jenna’s upcoming projects which include a show on HBO Max and designing hotels. This episode in many ways reinvigorated my love of design and desire to learn and grow. Love it!

All of this extra time at home has me spending a lot of time in front of the television. While this is not ideal, and I am making a conscious effort to do other things like cook and read more, there are a few shows that I am loving at the moment. Emily In Paris has gotten a lot of buzz since it was released last week. While there is a lot about this show that could use some work (how exactly is she affording all of that Chanel on her salary?), there is also a lot to enjoy. Like many, I have dreamed about moving to Paris and experiencing all the magic that the city has to offer, and this show has helped to fill my travel dreaming heart while I am in lockdown. And while I didn’t love Emily’s outfits, her boss and Camille’s wardrobes more then make up for it.
Bad Boy Billionaires India popped up as a Netflix recommendation for me this past week and I was intrigued so I added it to my list. It is only three episodes with each one profiling a different Indian billionaire’s downfall. It’s eye opening and interesting and I binged all three episodes in two days. If you are interested in seeing how people around the world got too big too fast and were unable to sustain it then this show may be of interest to you.

This is Paris is a YouTube documentary that has gotten a lot of attention. I had heard that it was quite good and thought that I would check it out for myself. I loved it. The behind the scene insight on a celebrity that is often written off or badly characterized was intriguing and a great reminder that there is often more to people then what they seem or what they are willing to show you. While my life couldn’t be more different then Paris Hilton’s I connected with the subject matter in many levels and appreciated the insight that the documentary provided. It is a worthwhile watch.

All of this time at home has me focused on my environment and how to make it as enjoyable and comfortable as I can. One thing that many overlook is the scent of a home. I have been searching for many years to find a home fragrance that I loved. The standard ones from Glade and other popular brands seemed artificial, and I have lost count of the different brands of candles that I have tried in the hopes that something would stick. While browsing a home goods shop earlier in the summer I came across Laboratorio Olfattivo’s Zen-Zero fragrance and decided to give it a try. I love the combination of ginger, cedar wood and sandalwood and it leaves my home smelling fresh, cool and comforting. I will be picking up the Zen-Zero diffuser next to help to elevate the fragrance of my home even further. The scent makes me happy and has elevated my home environment, love it!

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today! I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS