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Joyce Chen

Joyce Chen

Hey there! My name is Joyce, and I’m a Taiwanese American student studying Foreign Languages and Literatures at National Taiwan University. In Taiwan, I work as an English tutor to 2 adorable preschoolers. When I’m not studying or working, I love to travel throughout Asia! Throughout the incredible journey life has taken me on, I never fail to take a step back and thank God for the opportunities I have been given and to reflect on my faith. I hope you enjoy this little piece of my life, and thanks for visiting!


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Summer Favorites

Summer is quite possibly my favorite season! Since I head home to California during the break, I get to escape the heat and humidity of Taiwan and enjoy the nice, moderate weather of the Bay Area. Even though working a full-time internship means I’m not necessarily free of any responsibility, there’s just something about summer that’s so calming and relaxing. As this year’s summer vacation slowly rolls to an end, I wanted to share some of my favorites that I’ve found myself going back to over and over again lately!

Clothes
Mon Chéri T-Shirt, Banana Republic
If you’ve seen my instagram lately, you’ve most definitely seen this shirt in more than a couple pics. I actually purchased this shirt from Banana Republic a while ago, but have been wearing it more often throughout the summer. A basic white t-shirt is always a good option since it goes with pretty much anything, and the simple “Mon Chéri” print just adds a little flirty vibe to every outfit. But what really sets this shirt apart? IT’S SO SOFT. It’s literally the softest shirt I have ever felt in my life.

Red Button-Up Canvas Skirt, J. Crew Factory
I fell in love with this skirt the day I saw it on the J. Crew Factory website. The bright red is the perfect pop of color in beautiful summer days. Just pair it with a simple t-shirt for an effortless, yet super stylish outfit! What I love about this skirt is that it’s also the perfect length. J. Crew is generally a more modest brand, so you don’t have to worry about skirts just barely covering your butt when you order online. At the same time, it’s not an awkwardly long length that makes your legs look short and cut off.

Lavender Slip-On Shoes, MIA at DSW
Everyone needs a good, reliable pair of slip-ons. I’m not a huge fan of wearing sandals or flip-flops in the streets (although I will admit I have been tempted to buy a pair of Birkenstocks once or twice…), so the next best thing for me is slip-ons! These lavender ones are super girly and perfect for summer outfits. I can wear them with a skirt or dress as an alternative to flats or heels, or with a basic t-shirt and jeans outfit to add a little feminine flair.

Makeup/Skin Care
Morphe 35N Eyeshadow Palette
Shoutout to my girl Kat for this palette! I have used it almost every week this summer and am still LIVING for it. The range of warm tones means I can do anything from a subtle, natural no-makeup look to a full-on smokey eye, ready-for-a-night-out look. Most days, I just do something in between for work, like an I-swear-I-put-an-effort-into-my-appearance-this-morning look. My sister can attest to this palette’s greatness as well, since she has often popped into my room asking to borrow it.

Suncut Super Water Proof Sunscreen, KOSÉ
Anyone who has seen me this summer, has probably heard me rave about this sunscreen. Even when I brought a tiny belt bag to the county fair, I opted to bring my sunscreen over my wallet, because it was just that important. This sunscreen has not only a high SPF, it’s super lightweight and doesn’t feel sticky like most facial sunscreens. I also have sensitive skin, so a lot of sunscreens give me an allergic reaction (not a good look), but this one has been amazing to me. Like any sunscreen, make sure to reapply every two hours to avoid any burning (and subsequent peeling).

Perfect Whip Collagen In Face Wash, SENKA
Since I am a working girl this summer, I’ve actually been wearing light makeup daily (usually I’m too lazy everyday during the school year), which means I’ve been putting my skin through a lot more. When it comes to face wash, I’m usually not too picky, but I’ve really fallen in love with this Japanese one lately. I’m a fan of really foamy face washes, and you only need the smallest amount to get a really nice lather. This one leaves my face feeling clean and refreshed, without feeling too harsh (again, I have sensitive skin!).

Food
Halo Top Ice Cream
I really wish this was available in Taiwan, because I can’t get enough of it. Halo Top Ice Cream is one of those things that makes me realize how basic some of my decisions are (can’t forget about my other love, La Croix), but I can’t help it if it’s really that good! Not that I usually feel any guilt about eating ice cream, but Halo Top makes me feel like my body is a goddess. With low-calorie, dairy-free options, what’s not to love! My personal favorite flavors: Red Velvet and Sea Salt Caramel.

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