My name is Chriselle Lim. I started off my fashion career as a wardrobe stylist, spending many of my early years learning the ropes at editorial shoots with prominent fashion books and celebrities. In December 2011, I founded T he Chriselle Factor to chronicle my daily musings and personal style. I also launched a YouTube channel that I update weekly. My dream is to encourage, educate, and inspire women around the world by sharing my personal style, runway trends, beauty secrets, and fashion tips and tricks that I learned from being in the industry.

Aside from traveling for work, running my own business, and building my production company CINC studios, I am a new mommy to my sweet daughter Chloe, and wife to my amazing and hilarious husband Allen. I also have a 2 year old Frenchie named Mignon! My life wouldn't be complete without my little family.

Dear Chriselle,

I wish I could give you a big hug and tell you that everything will be ok. You are so young, but you have so much fear and anxiety in your eyes. Just know that it’s perfectly normal to want to have it all figured out. You will eventually realize that the beauty of it all is not knowing what's going to happen, and just trusting that it will all work out…because it will! You just graduated high school, and you are about to move to LA and embark on the biggest journey of your life. In the next 10 years there are some monumental things that will happen, but most importantly the life lessons that come along with them...

Ch. 1 - CAREER
Congrats! You just got accepted to the college of your choice, and you are following your passion, but keep in mind this is just the beginning. This is where the work will actually begin. You were never one to slack off, but in college you will need to learn that “studying” may just not be enough. You were always very shy and reserved, but in college you need to get out of your comfort zone and start building your network. You will have to go beyond the books to make it in the fashion industry like you’ve always dreamt of. You will soon realize that in this industry it’s not only about what you know, but also who you know. So put yourself out there and attend as many events and social gatherings as you can and network. Although being social and networking has never been your favorite thing to do, it will eventually pay off. Through networking, you will soon land an internship that will eventually launch your career. You will actually hate this internship at first, but don’t give up. Show up on time, with a smile on your face, grab coffee for your boss, and always do more than what is asked because this is how you will leave a lasting impression, and this boss will eventually refer you to your dream job. Remember "the seeds that you sow now, you will reap later."

Ch. 2 - PASSION & MONEY

You are following your passion and you love what you do, but you will soon realize that the job you love doesn’t pay much, and you will become discouraged. You will get distracted and start looking elsewhere and other industries for the sake of making more money. But please focus on this - PASSION. Rather than what feels important right now: money, material things, and independence … focus on what will be important to you in the long run: passion. You will soon start a blog out of passion, and that little hobby will turn into more than a passion project. It will turn into a major business of yours. Blogging will not only take care of you and your family financially, but it will give you the opportunity to travel and experience the world like you’ve never had before. So please stay focused Chriselle, and although it’s tempting … do not get side tracked by other opportunities. Keep focused, stay true to your heart, and follow your passion.

Ch. 3 - LOVE
I’m not going to lie … your heart will get broken several times. But don’t let that discourage you from opening your heart because you will eventually meet the love of your life. You will go on a date with this guy and he will not be exactly who you thought he was going to be, but give him another chance. He recently had his heart broken too, so who he seems like on the outside, is not really who he is on the inside. Be patient and give him another try. I promise … it will be worth it. You two will eventually get married, and although I could say that “They Lived Happily Ever After”… know that marriage is just the start of another journey. You will soon learn about each other’s hurts, weaknesses, and strengths. Rather than picking at each other’s weaknesses, it’s a time to support one another and grow closer. Never take anything for granted because he is amazing and awesome. Not only is he tall and handsome, but he also loves to cook, will love your family like his own, make you laugh until your stomach hurts, and love you like no one else has ever loved you. Everything else will eventually fade, but what lasts is love.

Ch. 4 - SELF IMAGE
You have always struggled with your image, and spent the better half of your years trying to “fit in” and be accepted, but know that you are beautiful … there is no one like you. Rather than tearing yourself apart, and wishing you looked a certain way, I wish I could show you how beautiful you really are. Beauty is not about how tall you are nor can it be measured by a certain size, but rather how beautiful your soul is. You will eventually help other women around the world with fashion & beauty tips to help their own self image, so instead of focusing on what you don't have, build yourself up. You can only love others if you love yourself first.

Ch. 5 - BALANCE
You’ve always strived for perfection, and never settled for second place. I just want you to know that, you don’t have to be perfect. You will give birth to your first child 2 years after getting married (and after a heartbreaking miscarriage), and this will be a very challenging time for you. You will soon realize that you cannot do it all at once. You want to be the perfect mom, wife, boss, and friend. You never wanted to sacrifice your work with the fear of it “slowing down”, but know that life isn’t a race. I’m giving you permission to slow down during this time … you can thank me later. Not only does your daughter need you at this pivotal time, but your body needs time to heal too. Embrace each moment because within a blink of an eye, your daughter will no longer be a baby. Just know that you can do everything you want, but you cannot do everything at the same time.

Your life has just begun Chriselle, and I cannot wait for you to fully experience all of these things. There will be a lot of growing pains that come along with these monumental moments, but remember that with growth comes pain. So embrace it. You have a beautiful life ahead of you, and I hope you will take the time fully live each moment. I love you and I believe in you.

Love Your Older Self,
Chriselle

Chris (as I call her) and I have been friends since middle school. Sticky pics, braces, junior prom - we went through all of that together. We grew up in the same church (CKBC) and have been best friends ever since. Although I think of her as a little sister, she has taught me so much about being a successful business woman, an entrepreneur, and a digital badass (not to mention my personal style icon). I am in awe of how she's built her career with her own two hands and how she still manages to be one of my most supportive friends and confidants.