Your New Religion Awaits

Did you ever hear about that girl who has this big unconquerable infatuation with pleated pants?

I'm sure you have if you follow my blog. Who else loves pleats more than me? Who else dares wear pleated carrot pants more often than me? I'm probably the only girl in this world with a blog containing so many pictures of herself wearing carrot pants of all types! I'd like to be wrong. I want to meet fellow carrot pant wearers. Come forth, carrot pant wearers!

Let me tell you something: I'm here to help you attain pleated pant enlightenment. Overcome your fear of wearing these funny clown pants. Let me reach out to you!

Winter is all about layering and wearing unexpected bold prints! Cindy is all about wearing pleated pants. Follow Cindy to pleated pant paradise!

Sorry, I didn't mean to glare. But I also think it's weird to smile at nobody.

My beloved followers, if you think I've gone mad--rest assured, I have not. This behavior might just be induced by a 3 day old already-bitten-into Thomas Haas cake I found in the back of the fridge. Mmmm, 3 day old half eaten chocolate cake that somebody didn't want... Did you know that I once ate a slice of ham that fell on the hairy kitchen floor? Nothing a good rinse doesn't fix.

Girls Love Sparkly Things Like Diamonds. But I Will Settle For a Sparkly Jacket.

Another drab cold dark rainy day. People who prefer to be cozied up in their offices and homes help create some down time for us. Hey guys, what's wrong with a little wetness?! Get off your bums and march on in here for some holiday suits and shirts and some nifty alterations before you get snowed in later this week!!

I try hard to keep myself entertained while the city is in sleep mode. Posting on this blog is one way. And plus I've realized I've been gone from here for a little longer than I wanted to. So here I am.

Wow, news flash. It's already snowing in parts of Vancouver--a customer just told me.

So the holidays are just around the corner. Christmas music is playing in coffee shops, at the malls, on my Sirius radio and in my head. Christmas is fun especially when there is snow. Shoveling snow is one of my favourite winter pastimes. It's good winter workout.

Christmas is great because you get invited to go to parties and dinners, hence generating multiple opportunities for you to look dashing and unforgettable. What's a good way to make an impressive entrance that will make others green with envy? Wear something sparkly!

T'is the season to be decked out in sequin, metallic apparel, and sparkles. Guys can do this too!

I love sparkly clothes, not just the subtle kind, but the REAL sparkly kind. If you dare, wear sparkles to the office! Here's how not to over do it and still look cool and professional:

Sparkly jacket with shoulder pads (I'm so stuck in the 80's)

Crotch shot! Grey pleated pants rolled up (another 80's inspired pant)

Oxford style open toe wedges, a dash of modern retro. You won't believe that I only paid $16.99 for them on asos.com --they were on sale. They're super comfortable.

Shoes so cool, they knock my socks off! But I keep them on for some warmth at this time.

She`s So Blessed

Ayaka came in one day, inspired by pictures she saw online, to order two custom-made items: The first was a sheath dress and the second was a form fitting panel pencil skirt. We were all very excited, like giggly school girls. Girls love beautiful clothes so how could we have contained ourselves?

Ayaka needed these things custom-made for a really impressive reason: She's got a skinny waist and--well, a full behind not commonly found on *cough* Asian girls. She has a hard time finding clothes that actually fit her in both places at the same time. It`s custom-made to the rescue!

This is how we saved her:

Custom Made Wool Panel Skirt with Lining: SPECIAL PRICE $155

Custom Made Wool Sheath Dress with Lining: $280

Website in the Making (Part One)

One of my tasks today is designing suit samples for the new website gallery. Like my flower shaped memo stickers?

I love men's suits. I love how a suit can transform any average Joe into a million bucks. A suit screams power. A suit commands respect. But most importantly, a suit gives a man confidence.

The idea of designing and putting together men's outfits for a photoshoot brings me immense joy and carrying out this task will be a blast.

I am very big on classic looks that are coupled with a hint of modernism and elegance. Timeless pieces are forever popular, so investing in a great classic suit isn't a bad idea.

If you're a guy who loves to set yourself apart from other Joes, opt for some non-traditional key details on your suit or be even bolder and pick an interesting fabric--like a metallic cloth or one with a check pattern. Consider your colour options too.

I can't wait to show you what I have in mind!

Leather and Cashmere Go Hand In Hand

A long-time customer came in a couple of days ago, excitedly waving a piece of paper with a picture of a sweater printed on it. She asked us to help her replicate a look she found online. She wanted a similar look to what was on her paper. And so we made her wish come true. :)

Left: Balsam Custom Tailors creation for $70 + HST (Cutting and Sewing Leather Patches Only)/Right: Pringle of Scotland sold for $1,195 on net-a-porter.com

When The World Turns, You Don't Want To Get Left Behind

Hello World! I've got a happy announcement to make. As you know (if you've been following my blog long enough), Balsam Custom Tailors have been providing awesome quality service and products to customers since inception. I hope you agree. And if you don't quite, just know that we strive to deliver the best to you always.

This business was started 36 years ago in Hong Kong by my father who had begun his apprenticeship at the tender age of 16. During that time, it never crossed his mind that he would be coming to Canada, bringing with him the skills in traditional tailoring and his dedication to the art.

Our first store in Canada opened in Richmond, British Columbia in 1990 when I was 7. I used to spend the day after school watching my mom and dad run their business. Whenever I got tired, I crawled up to one of the big work tables and took a nap. My little brother did the same.

It probably is a surprise to my dad that I am helping to run this rarity of a business.

The old times are gone but not forgotten. I think it's about time we embraced the benefits of modern technology. Next time you try to look us up online, you'll find that you won't just be met with this blog but a real website!

I've been working with a Japanese designer who shares the same sense of style that I have in terms of visual aesthetics. I would LOVE to tell you more about it--but I think the finished project will speak for itself.

Keep following me for news and fabulous promotional offers to come!