Summer in Vancouver has always felt like a gift—long, golden evenings that stretch until 10 p.m., weekend farmers markets, catching up with friends over iced drinks, and the kind of outdoor time that doesna’t need to be ambitious to feel good. A simple walk through the neighbourhood often does the trick. I’ve spent many summers here, but somehow it still never gets old.

This year, I skipped the annual Celebration of Light fireworks. Not because I’ve outgrown the event, but because I’ve officially reached the age where battling crowds just feels… unnecessary. Plus, I still have vivid memories of past shows spent squirming on a picnic blanket, trying not to think about how badly I needed to pee. That alone is enough to keep me far away. I did, however, catch the replays on YouTube in 4K. No regrets.

On another note, my mom recently returned from Taipei, and I’ve been spoiled with her home-cooked meals. As someone who enjoys cooking for the most part, I didn’t think I’d tire of it, but I have. Not in a dramatic way, just in a “please let me eat something I didn’t make” way. It’s been a good reminder that I should probably expand my recipe roster beyond the usual go-tos.

And perhaps like many of you, I’ve been feeling the heaviness of everything happening in the world lately, here in Canada, across the border in the U.S., back in Taiwan, and especially in Palestine. It’s hard not to feel mentally worn down by the constant news cycle and sense of helplessness. I don’t have any grand takeaways or neatly packaged reflections, just that if you’ve also been feeling that weight, you’re not alone.

So, in the spirit of small joys and finding a bit of sanity in an increasingly insane world, here’s a little roundup of what I’ve been up to: the brands I’ve let go, the things I’ve embraced, and the bits of escapism getting me through lately.

August has arrived, and before the season slips away, I thought I’d share a few recent life updates.

Brands I’ve Bid Adieu To

Squarespace

I’m proud to report that I’ve officially moved my travel blog and photography website off Squarespace and over to Hostinger, and I’ve never felt more at ease.

The main reason? I was absolutely done with the constant CSS tinkering. For those unfamiliar, most of Squarespace’s templates are pretty locked-in. Once you choose a theme, you’re stuck within its layout unless you’re willing to get your hands dirty with CSS. And I mean really dirty.

Instead of spending precious time writing blog posts or editing photos, I found myself neck-deep in CSS forums, Googling fixes for things like awkward text alignment, pagination bugs, or how to make the navigation header semi-transparent. Every tiny design change turned into a mini project. Eventually, it became more maintenance than creative outlet, and that’s when I knew it was time to find something simpler.

Enter Hostinger: a cheaper, cleaner, no-fuss website builder. I rebuilt my entire site in a few clicks, no CSS required. The layout stays consistent across mobile and desktop, and I can finally focus on content rather than codes. It’s not that Squarespace is bad (its templates are beautiful, no doubt) but unless you’re fluent in CSS, the experience can get exhausting fast. (Major shoutout to tuanphan on the Squarespace forum, who generously helped troubleshoot many of my problems and probably deserves a medal at this point.)

If you’re a creative (photographer, graphic designer, blogger, etc.) just getting started and want a straightforward, affordable way to build your online home, I’d suggest checking out Hostinger. It starts at $2.99 USD/month compared to Squarespace’s $16. Your sanity (and wallet) will thank you. And no, this isn’t sponsored, Hostinger has no idea who I am.

Zara

This one was a bit of a tough break-up. I’ve been a long-time Zara shopper, drawn in by the affordability and the occasional pieces that leaned more unisex in style. I still think more fashion brands could take a cue and offer genuinely gender-neutral pieces, but that’s a rant for another day.

Lately, though, I’ve hit a point in life where shopping just doesn’t excite me the way it used to. Sure, I still like to look put-together, but these days, I care more about longevity than trend cycles. My wardrobe has gradually evolved into a sea of black, white, neutrals, and earthy tones, and I try to keep things streamlined and intentional.

Another big reason for the shift? The environmental impact. Fast fashion, including Zara, plays a major role in the global textile waste crisis. I just can’t ignore that anymore.

I’ve started looking into alternatives like COS, brands that focus more on quality and slightly more sustainable practices. That said, finding affordable unisex pieces is still a bit of a challenge. I may have better luck when I’m in Asia. For now, I’m embracing the joy of buying less, but better.

A Brand I’ve Welcomed Into My Life

For those who don’t know me, I take lip care very seriously. Hydrated, nourished lips are non-negotiable. So when I came across Ghlee, a Canadian lip care brand founded by Varun Sharma (who suffered dry and cracked lips in his youth), I was immediately intrigued.

Ghlee’s star ingredient? Ghee. Yes, the same clarified butter used in Indian cooking rich in fatty acids and, it turns out, deeply moisturizing for your skin. I picked up their lip mask and two balm sticks, Chai and Mango Papaya, and I’ve been impressed from day one. The balms glide on effortlessly, feel buttery (in the best way), and smell incredible. I reserve the mask for a once-a-week treatment, and together, they’ve firmly earned their place in my routine.

I Played Link’s Awakening

Nintendo has always had a nostalgic grip on me since childhood, and The Legend of Zelda remains my favourite game series. So when I saw Link’s Awakening, a remake of the 1993 classic, on sale in the Switch eShop, I hit download without hesitation.

The game is adorable in design, almost toy-like, but don’t let the cuteness fool you. The dungeons? Absolutely no joke. Each one is a layered puzzle that demands exploration, logic, trial and error and occasionally, sheer stubbornness. Eagle’s Tower and Turtle Rock, in particular, had me lose patience at times, muttering to myself, and repeatedly backtracking like a confused librarian. But there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of solving a level without resorting to Google.

Link’s Awakening reaffirms why I love Zelda titles so much: touching story, memorable characters, just the right amount of whimsy, and puzzles that make you feel genuinely smart when you finally crack them.

A Vancouver Bakery Worth Rooting For

Every now and then, Vancouver surprises me with a bakery that gets everything right. And lately, that place has been Chez Nous.

Located in Yaletown, the space is cozy and charming, the pastries are generous (both in size and taste), and the staff couldn’t be lovelier. I’ve been twice in the last month already, once alone and once with a friend. Highlights so far include their Raspberry Pistachio White Chocolate Cookies, dangerously good Pistachio Babkas, and Iced Raspberry Matcha. Honestly, it’s the kind of place I could happily build a routine around.

That said, it’s hard not to notice how much the local dining scene is struggling. I recently read in an article that nearly half of restaurants in BC are either losing money or barely breaking even. As someone who used to be an active participant in dining out, I now find myself cooking at home more often, partly because of the sky-high prices and increasingly underwhelming portions.

But none of this is on the restaurants. They’re facing rising costs across the board—ingredients, rent, employee health taxes, permits—you name it. So if there’s a place you love, go and support it before it’s too late.

I Watched a Body Horror Version of Cinderella

I don’t watch many movies these days, mostly because so many feel like sequels of sequels or yet another biopic of someone we already know too much about. So it was a bit ironic that I found myself drawn to a story that’s been told time and again: Cinderella.

But this iteration, The Ugly Stepsister, is nothing like the rest. Told from the perspective of the stepsisters, Elvira and Alma, it’s a twisted, Norwegian body horror film that flips the fairy tale entirely on its head. I won’t spoil the plot, but if you enjoyed The Substance, this is very much in the same haunting, grotesque realm.

The acting is sharp, the cinematography eerie in a way that lingers, and a few scenes were so jaw-droppingly disturbing I ended up re-watching them. It’s definitely not for the squeamish, some moments will make you grimace. But if you’re in the mood for something dark, weird, and oddly moving, it’s well worth the time.

A Wrap on Editing Bali Photos

I’ve finally wrapped up editing the photos from my trip to Ubud, Bali!

I’ll be sharing a two-part blog post soon: one will be a pre-arrival guide with tips on what to pack, navigating the airport, and other practical bits; the other will be a more in-depth travel guide covering what I saw, ate, and experienced. It’s all coming together now, so stay tuned if Bali’s on your radar.

Support and Donate to Families in Gaza

I can’t wrap up this post without acknowledging what’s weighed heavily on my heart: the ongoing suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. What we’re witnessing is not a conflict. It’s a systematic, large-scale campaign of violence and displacement; an ethnic cleansing, being carried out by the Israeli state against a trapped civilian population.

The justification of “self-defense” since October 7, 2023, or claims of targeting Hamas militants hiding among civilians, often without substantial evidence, can’t possibly account for the starvation, bombings, and the staggering number of innocent lives lost. I don’t need to see more graphic images of malnourished children or obliterated homes to know that what’s happening is inhumane and unconscionable.

From where I am, all I can do is offer financial support to help Palestinians access food, water, and other essentials. I know these are hard times for many of us economically, but if you’re in a position to give, even a little, please do so. It can make a life-saving difference.

Here are two organizations doing on-the-ground work in Gaza you might consider donating:

• Humanti Project - A grassroots initiative providing essential aid to communities in crisis zones. You can support their Fund a Kitchen in Gaza campaign, which helps locate and fund food kitchens across Gaza that are distributing urgently needed meals to hundreds of thousands.

• Funds for Gaza - Urgent relief for civilians in Gaza which includes food, medical aid, and shelter where it’s needed most.

Until the next blog post—stay well.