Cubicle Chic

Wedding Planning || A Fashion Blogger’s Perspectives on Bridal Gown Trying-On

Jessica Koong — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 18:06:48 +0000

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

Updated 3/31/17* See bottom of the post!

As a bride-to-be, this is perhaps THE MOST exciting part of the entire wedding planning process! This is the part that I wish would NEVER end: and it’s the bridal gown hunting and selecting process! I knew I had to document this part of wedding planning on the blog and share the experience with you.

In this post, I will show you bridal gowns from 5 different designers in various price points. I let my consultant, Stacey, pick these out knowing what I like and don’t like and really enjoyed the process of trying on different gowns. At the end of the post I’ll reveal the designer of my ACTUAL GOWN but, of course, not the actual dress. I will have to reveal it after the wedding!

As far as the type of gowns I have been looking for, this is what I like and don’t like: I don’t have very clear and defined collar bones (I know, the weirdest body part to be NOT confident about…) so I try to avoid all strapless/tube tops. I also prefer tulle/organza over satin in any scenario. I wanted something airy and fluffy, but not overly princess-y. I wanted something that will elongate me and give me a very “bridal” silhouette, but also have something that will be memorable and not just “a bridal gown”.

The White Flower Bridal Boutique turned out to be the boutique that really understood my vision and had everything that I wanted in stock. They are located in downtown San Diego. If you’re a bride to be and are shopping for a gown, don’t forget to make an appointment and visit them!

P.S. This s not a sponsored post in any way, shape, or form!

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

The White Flower Bridal Boutique in San Diego, CA

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

The White Flower Bridal Boutique in San Diego, CA

Stacey Kerr is my wedding consultant at The White Flower. She’s been SUPER helpful, knowledgeable, responsive, and patient with me throughout the whole process. I’m SO glad I got to work with her!!

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

So, here are Stacey’s picks that I tried on! I also brought my own shoes (The Jimmy Choo’s you see to the left of the picture below!)

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

So, here are some of the pieces that I tried on thought I thought would be entirely and thoroughly ME, and a great fit for a fashion blogger’s bridal gown!!

1. Two Piece Outfit: Lea Ann Belter Top Arabella & Wtoo Skirt- Effie

I knew going in that I wanted to have something that’s less conventional. A two piece gown from different brands definitely checked that box! I love the top that hugs the body (super flattering!) and the bottom that is everything you can ask for a fusion ballgown/A-line skirt!

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

2. The Vintage Elegance: Wtoo- Lenora Gown

I also wanted to make sure I tried on something that I just wouldn’t even think of trying if someone didn’t pick it out for me. I wanted to make sure my pre-conceived notions were not blinding me from finding the perfect gown. So this was the one that Stacey grabbed for me – I loved the vintage and elegant design. But, as you can probably see on my face, it ultimately wasn’t something that I felt like I could be myself in.

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

3. The One That May Have Gotten Away: Essence Of Australia 2292 Gown

I had a little episode before I finalized the decision on THE dress. The first time I went with my entourage to the first boutique (which will remain anonymous), I actually ended up putting down the deposit toward an Essence of Australia dress. It wasn’t the one I’m wearing in these photos because it was a sample dress and they didn’t allow photos. But, I kind of got suckered into the “deal” because it was during a trunk show, and that they were offering something like (don’t remember exactly) 50% off. So, the next morning, I literally woke up and KNEW I made the wrong decision. Thank goodness it wasn’t too late and I was lucky enough to be able to reverse that decision. But I learned the lesson of listening to my heart and not my brain, and eventually found the dress that I LOVED at The White Flower boutique and hadn’t changed my mind since!!

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

4. The Unexpected Contender: Martina Liana 822 Gown

The moment I put the dress on I knew my first impression about the dress was wrong. This is one of those dresses that fit SO well and accentuate all the right parts of your body. It sounds weird but I felt like a goddess in this dress! The only caveat was that I wasn’t looking to look like a goddess… if that makes sense. I still needed my dress to be a tiny bit more conservative, and not show so much curves. But I have to say I didn’t expect the dress to make me feel as amazing as it did. I would recommend any bride who wants to look dazzling and sexy!

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

5. Made my heart flutter: Hayley Paige Lorelei Gown

I CANNOT gush enough about Hayley Paige gowns… She truly masters the whimsical and romantic look in EVERY dress she designs. I am a story teller and a content developer, I feel like I appreciate all things that tell stories, too. Hayley Paige gowns do exactly that. This particular dress I tried on was a slightly larger size, so it obviously didn’t fit perfectly. But imagine the sleeves perfectly tailored to my arms, and the top fitting a little more snugly… This dress was SO dangerously beautiful I was scared that I would change my mind about the dress I’d already committed to!

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

Even thought I felt SO strongly tempted, I still didn’t change my mind. Thank goodness. LOL. And you may have guessed by this point, YES, I went with a Hayley Paige gown!! As a designer, Hayley Paige most closely represents my style and ultimately her dress really spoke to me as a fashion blogger. And I will be walking down the aisle in 8 days in it… I CANNOT BELIEVE!!!

3/31/2017 Update:

It’s been 20 days after the most dreamy day of my life, and here is the actual gown that I wore on my big day: the Hayley Paige Dori gown! It was perfect in every single way: the color, the fit, the way it moved, the way it made me feel.. I don’t think I could’ve possibly moved a better gown!!

Me, in Hayley Paige Dori Gown <3

Cavin Elizabeth Photography – http://www.cavinelizabeth.com

I hope the searching process of a fashion blogger’s bridal gown was interesting to read. Which gown do you like best and why??

All photography by Cavin Elizabeth Photography

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Looking Back So I Can Look Forward

Jessica Koong — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 16:30:00 +0000

Blazer: Tobi Adriana Boyfriend Blazer (ON SALE For $35, originally $105!) Dress: Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!) Boots: Marc Fisher Justice Suede Boots (On sale for $79.00!)

From me to you

Maybe it’s the new year, maybe it’s the 1.5 years under my belt in the blogging world, or maybe it’s me wanting more out of what I’m doing in my life… regardless, I want to really speak to YOU, yes, my Cubicle Chic reader, whose eyes are crawling these text right now. Thank you for your continued support. I will keep writing, bringing you more useful and relevant information!

My promise in 2017

I hope this blog has been somewhat interesting to you in the past year. I have swayed in different directions out of wanting to venture out, but also out of lack of focus. I have done different sorts of office-related writing, wanting to show you various aspects of my working life, but I’ve also having committed my number 1 blogging faux-pas – talk about outfits for the sake of talking about outfits. This, I promise you, will not be in my blog posts in 2017.

Dress: Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!) Bracelet: Gramerci Design

When I look back on 2016, I’ve really accomplished a lot on Cubicle Chic:

8 collaborations (product sponsorships)
11 photo shoots with 4 different photographers
43 blog posts (wow, really??)
2 sponsored event attendance
2 speaking engagements
2 featured articles
new logos for Cubicle Chic (thank you Michelle @ EM Branding & PR!)

Even in my own professional life, I’ve accomplished quite a lot. I got a new job, became more strategic in my role and responsibilities. I’m still getting acclimated in my new environment and learning a lot, but I am in an even better place compared to last year this time. I’ve also traveled for work to Germany, Boston twice, San Francisco, and DC, and I am incredibly grateful for all of these opportunities.

And People Matter

I’ve also met a lot of amazing people along the way… Natalie, who has become my go-to photographer (Stylenfuse), Sangyay who has essentially blown up over Instagram (ItsSangTime), Lisa (Everyday Elevated) whose questions make me feel SO worthwhile and always reminds me of why I started this blog in the first place, Jennie (xoyoonicorn), my high school friend who’s taking Casetify to new heights, and many many more people that I’ve met in 2016 that made it that much more special.

My Focus and Direction in 2017

Because of your response and feedback, the one post that turned Cubicle Chic on its head was 7 Pieces of Career Advice I’d Give to My 20-Something Self. This was what gave me the inspiration to write more about my professional journey, the trials and tribulations, and all my lessons learned. This is a topic I’d be exploring more on, as I adapt and learn in my new role at the new company. I invite you guys to share with me any challenge you encounter, whether be it salary negotiation, interview tips, or of course, how to dress for any business occasions. Let me hear what your everyday challenges are, and I will be your pocket consultant and see if I can offer some help!!

Dress: Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!) Boots: Marc Fisher Justice Suede Boots (On sale for $79.00!)

Coming up on Cubicle Chic in 2017

I have exciting stuff coming up in the pipeline. Many interviews with career women who are slaying and loving what they do. I will also be featuring more office appropriate outfits, if not exclusively office appropriate outfits. Lastly, for those of you who know that I am getting married in March, I also have some wedding planning snippets to share with you. So STAY TUNED!

Dress: Maison Jules Lace Trim A-Line Dress (also on sale for $54..99 at Macy’s!)

This Outfit Though…

Just really quickly.. I can’t tell you how much I love this dress I found off of Macy’s during the holiday shopping frenzy. I already know I’ll be wearing it to work, date nights, birthday parties, or just girls night out! It’s SO comfortable yet super flattering because of its structure. If you don’t know Maison Jules yet, you’re missing out big time! This is not a sponsored post AT ALL (I wish) and I am such a big fan of their pieces. They’re highly affordable and designed JUST for career women like me who need professional but chic options at the same time!

All Photography by Natalie Alvarado @Stylenfuse

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My Must-Have Travel Piece

Jessica Koong — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 18:19:24 +0000

Boots: Public Desire Backpack: ASOS Square Leather Backback

Who I’m thankful For This Season

Sorry I’ve been MIA on the blog for a couple of weeks now… life was kicking my butt with work-work, family business work (which took me to Amsterdam… did you see that on Instagram?), wedding planning, and prepping for all the holiday content that’s coming up. But tis the season of our collective favorite time of the year, aren’t you excited??

I do want to take a moment to say something, especially to YOU, my reader, who’s reading this paragraph right now. I don’t think there is anything better I can ask for, than to create a connection with you purely via words. If you think about it, that’s something amazing especially in a world where reading is becoming more and more archaic. Thank you for taking the time to read my writing, to care about what I have to say… even if you’ve never left a comment or a message, I want to give you a big virtual hug and say THANK YOU!!

Now Onto My Must-wear Travel Piece!

Two business travels back to back have left me even more convinced that this poncho is EVERYTHING a girl needs on a flight, especially when traveling through airport security and needing to stay light and compact.

Boots: Public Desire Backpack: ASOS Square Leather Backback

It’s made by Miilla, which is a wholesaler and their clothing is available through Poshmark. This poncho is absolutely high quality and is made of a microsuede-like material. It’s got pockets, and a hooded hat you can wear when it’s raining. The best thing about it is that when you are trying to sleep on a flight, this is essentially a blanket!

I don’t think there is any other outerwear you can wear that will top the utility of this poncho, let alone how cute it is! To be honest I never hopped on the poncho bandwagon in the last few years because they always looked…too much like ponchos?? I just never liked any styles of poncho until I saw this one.

So what do you think? Where are you traveling to this holiday season, and what do you always wear on your travel days??

Boots: Public Desire Backpack: ASOS Square Leather Backback Boots: Public Desire Backpack: ASOS Square Leather Backback

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post!

All Photography by Justin Tsai Photography

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I Tried Somethinng I Would’ve Never Reached For In A Store || Unboxing DailyLook Elite Box

Jessica Koong — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 15:00:00 +0000

As a Cubicle Chic reader, you’ve probably heard about me talking DailyLook’s regularly (see why I love DailyLook here). Today I want to take you through the process of unboxing a DailyLook Elite Box, including what comes in each box, and how I styled the pieces I decided to keep!

I’m a blazer girl, that bit is obvious. It’s just something that fits so easily into my work day as well as weekend wardrobe.

I’m also a dress girl, but I always look for dresses that cover up my midriff area because I feel the least secure about this area.

So when DailyLook Stylist Hana paired this loose blazer with this cotton dress (among other things) for me, I didn’t immediately think it was ME. But I know these people really know what they’re doing, so I went with the flow.

The Elite Box arrived within a few days in this neatly packaged box, with all the items they picked for me inside.

This has got to be my favorite part of the process, the literal un-boxing of the packages. DailyLook folks really take their time and effort in making sure every box is packed with perfection and care. You open the box and you will see the order confirmation as well as the ship-back labels along with a personal note from your stylist.

When I unwrapped the items and saw this blazer and dress, I was still a bit hesitant. The colors are gorgeous, and the material is definitely HIGH quality. I know these are really nice products. I just wasn’t sure about the fit and the style

The light bulb moment finally came when I put them on me. This dress fits SO perfectly, loose enough to be flow-y and comfortable, but shapely in the right areas that I don’t feel like I’m wearing a pillowcase. I was INSTANTLY a fan…. all thanks to Hana!!

If you want to try DailyLook Elite Box today.. you can use this code CUBICLECHIC20 to get 20% off your first Elite Box! Let me know if you do try it though… I’d love to see what items you end up with!!

There are two more promo codes you can use: HOLIDAY10 to get $10 off your styling fee for your first Elite Box, and a holiday deal is MYBOXTREAT which is buy 3 and get the 4th for free!

Have fun shopping!!!!!

All photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse

The post I Tried Somethinng I Would’ve Never Reached For In A Store || Unboxing DailyLook Elite Box appeared first on Cubicle Chic.

6 Typical Mistakes People Make When Thinking About Vacations | Jord Wood Watch Review & Giveaway!

Jessica Koong — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 21:52:15 +0000

For us career-oriented and ambitious types, talking about “how to think about taking vacations”, at first glance, sounds unnecessary and frivolous.

But we all know burnouts are real, and that work-life balance requires true “time-off” from the constant hustling. As women, we have to deal with our biology (child birth) and social prejudice (the glass ceiling) that make us more susceptible to burnout. Let’s face it, it’s hard enough to think about work and climbing the ladder even if you’re away from your computer/cell phone/meetings. What we need is conscious and intentional effort to create a space that allows our body and brain to disconnect from work and recharge.

Over the years I’ve seen people either end up burnt out or waste away their precious vacation time by not planning ahead. Below are 6 common mistakes that can be easily avoided:

1. Not Taking Vacation At All

When deadlines are approaching, PowerPoint decks need to be built, and clients are waiting on your deliverables, taking a vacation just sounds flat-out inconvenient. If you’re one of the so called “work martyrs” deemed in a recent survey by Project: Time Off and Gfk, you’re probably even having anxiety about taking time off. it’s just too easy to leave it to the Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities to “require” you to be away. But think about it this way: if your vacation was given to you in its cash equivalent, imagine 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 4 weeks worth of your salary, would you just waste it away, and leave it to chance whether you benefit from it? Probably not. And that’s what is happening when you don’t take vacation that has been given to you as part of your compensation.

2. Not Planning Ahead For Vacation

Continuing on the point of leaving it up to chance to take vacation, people sometimes just mentally anticipate an “off period”, and don’t make any actual changes to get ready for it. What I mean by planning ahead for vacation is this: block that section of your calendar as soon as you have vacation planned so your coworkers don’t mistakenly schedule you in for group meetings. Finish your deliverables before you leave. Designate a person that will answer questions or resolve ad hoc problems on your behalf. Let people you work with know you’re going to be away. Which bring me to the next common mistake people make..

3. Not Letting Your Supervisor Know Early Enough

This is a simple point. As soon as you have made the decision to be away, you should give your supervisor a headsup. Have at least a phone conversation with them, if not face to face. And then, email them the dates you’re going to be away and your replacement plan in an email. Some managers will ask that you create an event in the group’s calendar so that everyone’s aware of everyone else’s schedules and whereabouts.

As far as when to do this, typically if you’re going to be away for just 1-3 days, it’s enough to give notice 2 weeks ahead. If you’re going to be away for more than a week, it’s generally recommended that you give the notice at least a month in advance. These are general guidelines though. Depending on the nature of your function, the dynamic of the team you’re in, and your supervisor’s tolerance for last minute changes, the ideal time for you to give notice may be different.

4. Ending up Working During Vacation

Just a little caveat to this mistake: there are times when a project you’re committed to really does need your support and response even during your vacation. I would even go as far as saying that’s a good thing because it shows that you play an irreplaceable role. But be careful here, because thinking you are irreplaceable can easily be masking the fact that you are not able to let go.

Unless you’re going on vacation alone, otherwise do this for the sake of your loved ones that you’re vacationing with. Stay off the grid for a bit and really be off.

5. Not Building A Cushion At The End Of Vacation

This is especially important if you’re traveling somewhere that has at least 3 hours in time difference. I always build at least 1 and a half day at the end of my vacation before I have to go back to work.

Vacations are meant to relax and recharge you. If you come back from it struggling with time zone changes, it defeats the purpose. So, fight jetlag by adjusting to the destination’s timezone a few days before you leave, and build just a day or two at the end of your time off to wind down and get ready to rock and roll at work again.

6. Planning For The Wrong Kind Of Vacation

It takes a little bit of self awareness and introspection to know what kind of time off truly relaxes you. Do you feel more energized spending a whole day at beach with nothing but margaritas and sun screen around you, or visiting museums in foreign cities to learn about new culture and history? To each her own but known what type of vacation you need at the time is important. To certain people, lying around on the beach all day might leave them bored and uninspired, whereas for others, museum hopping in a new city may leave them feeling overwhelmed and exhausted at the end of the trip. So know what vacation type you are, and what vacation type you need for the time you’re taking the vacation.

PRODUCT REVIEW: JORD WOOD WATCH (GIVEAWAY BELOW!)

If you’ve been looking at my pictures and wondering what is the piece of art on my wrist in the photos… let me tell you ALL about the amazing wood watch made by Jord. All the Jord watches are exquisitely made of real wood (you will smell it when you open the box), and I get a TON of compliments when I wear it!

I have teamed up with Jord watch to have one of my readers receive a $75 voucher, even if you don’t win, as long as you enter, you will receive a $20 e-gift card! If you want to be entered for a chance to win, please fill out a form HERE.

The contest will run until Sunday 10/16/2016.

Luxury Wood Watch

Disclaimer: I received a Jord wood watch as a gift in exchange for my review; all opinion expressed is true and solely my own.

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