expect the unexpected .

a little black chic .

2011-02-26T23:59:00.001+08:00

featuring two of my favourite Topshop pieces . . .

Christopher Kane for Topshop bodysuit + leather strap dress

Valentino my Valentine's Day please .

2011-02-14T21:04:00.000+08:00

over the weekend, i visited the Valentino Retrospective : Past/Present/Future exhibition with my girlfriend. i now fully understand how a designer's gown can cost up to five digits. my photos don't do Valentino's gowns justice so try to picture yourself in the midst of all these glass enclosed gowns... you'll be blown away. enjoy!

ring my bell-ell-ell, ring my bell .

2010-11-10T00:06:00.002+08:00

so, erm, hello. how do you do?

eek, i hate awkward introductions. i have to do it at work so let's just not bother here, shall we?

i was looking at my dressing table and realised that i have quite a lot of accessories. my bestie says my dressing table is like a candy bar - there's so many accessories to choose from. (i think she meant that as a compliment?) so i thought i'd share with you my staple daily accessory - R I N G S .

YSL arty rings - most beloved ones.

House of Harlow Sunburst ring aka "Spartan Ring" - as my colleagues would call it.

F21 knuckle rings

Diva; F21

F21; Topshop; some shop in Mount Dandenong (Melbourne)

Diva

Diva

random shop in Singapore; Camberwell Market; eBay

CK; Marc by Marc Jacobs; random shop in Singapore

i wish i could turn back time ; and return to happy town .
so please fly me away, i say .

guess who's back?

2010-09-12T17:19:00.000+08:00

yes, it's me! i've finally decided to surface from this deep hole that i was in for the past couple of months. i've been working for a while now; my job pays me peanuts but i won't complain (at least for now) as it gives me satisfaction. it's also where i want to be - amidst the film and entertainment industry. so... YAY!

i can't believe it's been 5 months since i last blogged. it actually feels a little strange to be back on blog-o-sphere and typing out an entry right now. but i'm looking forward to interacting with all my blog mates again. have missed you all! :)

so here's what i wore yesterday for a tea-time get together with my girlfriends -

i took that with my mobile phone's camera thus the shitty quality. it doesn't do justice to the romper so here's some shots that i took with my good old faithful Canon Ixus 70.

this gorgeous romper was a gift from my sister. i absolutely love the print and it was a good break from my usual black/white/grey/beige ensemble to work.

hope everyone's having a good weekend! till the next time :)

time stands still .

2010-04-08T00:54:00.000+08:00

let me start off with a cliche line: the chapter of my student life in Melbourne has been closed for a while now. a new chapter began when i moved back home to Singapore to embark on an adult life - one that should be filled with new responsibilities, challenges and most importantly, a career.

this new chapter hasn't been any bit of fun. it still needs a lot of sprucing and tweaking before it can be completed. the question, however, is: will it ever be complete?

people say that life is full of different chapters. i believe so. we make up our own chapters, our own stories, our own characters, our own lives. now, i need to make up my own story, my own new life back where i (think) i belong. i need to draft out my chapter and execute certain plans. more importantly, i need to sort things out.

it's all gonna be about me, i'm afraid. which is why i've decided to take a long break from blog-o-sphere while i pan out my chapter. i'm not sure when i'll be back and i'm sorry if this entry has sounded somewhat depressing. i just need some me-time to sort things out and blogging is not on my priority list now.

thanks for sticking around, my dear reader. and until then, i leave you with some photos of my belated birthday dinner with my girls two weeks ago.

as much as i loved the original pair that the girls got for me, they were tad too high for my liking. with that pair, i was standing at approx. 180cm. so i had it changed to the above pair which i'm more comfortable with.

it's quiz time everyone .

2010-03-30T01:21:00.001+08:00

i realise i tend to suddenly blog almost daily for a short period of time but then suddenly go missing again. i get lazy and tired, especially after a long day at work. so i salute those dedicated bloggers who actually work full time and still blog daily. how do they do that? i'd like to know if you're one of them.

***

Mez from Blithely Unaware recently did a quiz and passed it on to me. thanks sweetie but i'm gonna be honest, i suck at quizzes! i probably give the most boring answers so unless you are really bored or something, please kindly skip over this part and on to the next section of this entry.

How would you describe your style?

a friend just told me yesterday that they had trouble finding something for my birthday(s) because i'm a mish-mash of everything. it's true to a certain extent. but i love the masculine/feminine look the most - if you read my blog often, you'd know that i love pants. i suppose my love for pants comes from a deeper cause than just my superficial attractiveness towards it; i have eczema (a skin condition) and living in a humid country doesn't help much so i tend to scratch myself a lot, especially my legs and when i'm asleep too. all the scratching tends to leave scars behind and while some scars go away, i've gotten quite conscious of those remaining scars. pants are a great way to cover my legs up and... i can be slightly un-ladylike too =D (oops, did i even answer the question?)

What wardrobe item can’t you live without?

after the previous answer, i guess it's pretty clear aye? PANTS; without a doubt. oh but if i could also add, dresses. ah yes, definitely dresses too.

What’s on your wish list?

shoes, shoes and more shoes - Chanel pumps, Miu Miu bird platforms, Burberry knotted leather heels, Lanvin Oxford booties; clothes - Sass & Bide Circa Now and Higher Ground dresses; bags - Miu Miu coffer bag (since it first came out and i still yearn for it today), Chanel 2.55 and GST.

Who or what inspires you?

hrmmmm i'd say (as cliche as this will sound) Audrey Hepburn - for her timeless classy style - and Rachel Bilson - for her quirkyness - and all the amazing bloggers who churn out great writing, stories and/or fashion style. oh hail the internet for being such an awesome platform for all these possibilities! so yes, the internet is my inspiration too.

***

oh wow you've reached the end! *give yourself a pat on the back if you actually read through the quiz. if you did not and skipped that part, wells, alright give yourself a little pat on the back. afterall, i did give you permission to skip it. ;)

this entry is tooooo text heavy so here're some photos of this amazing dress that i got from the flea market i was selling my stuff at a few weeks ago:

the material is satin so it's really soft. and the prints are just too cute for words. all it took was $15 to make me a really happy girl with a new-old dress (:

ps. i'm so sorry if i haven't been checking out your blogs! i promise to do so within the next few days.
i don't think i say this often enough but, seriously, THANKS for all your comments. they make my day. (:

what sisters are for .

2010-03-22T23:51:00.000+08:00

you can choose your friends. but you can't choose your family.
for that, i am thankful each and every day for the family that i have.

today, i say my big thanks to my one and only sister who has always been there for me no matter what. i'm sorry i couldn't stay on in Melbourne with you, you know i would have loved to. i know it's been rather lonely but i'm sure it'll get better. hang in there. LOVE YOU AH MEI! (:

for my birthday last year when i was still in Melbourne and she was back home.

and this year, now that we've reversed places.

here's her explanation for the drawing:
"those white balls are hail stones by the way. i'm along the yarra river wearing my nice new navy harem pants from forever new. the similarities are uncanny aren't they. and those are balloons, not sperms. thankew very much."

if you would like to, you can read more here.

why hello there you four-eyed lady .

2010-03-22T00:34:00.001+08:00

here's a small fact about me: i'm short-sighted.

i've been wearing glasses since i was nine and only started wearing contact lenses when i turned sixteen. i was pretty much a geek back in primary and secondary school, sporting the awkward teen girl look with metal-rimmed glasses.

recently, i got myself a new pair of glasses after wearing my last one for almost four years. so here i am at a flea market last night (which had super duper poor response) in my not-so-new-anymore glasses:

please meet my very gorgeous girlfriend, Avon.

babe rocking out my glasses.

please meet my other very lovely babe (who can sing really well!), Liz.

i went home with pretty much everything on this table. how lame.

mom did that photo collage for me to show potential customers how the clothing would look when worn.

ps. A SHOUT OUT TO MY GIRLFRIEND, AGS, BACK IN MELBOURNE: YOU WERE DEARLY MISSED LAST NIGHT!

pps. the very lovely and talented Stephanie from pinkapplecore gave me an award! it's the first time i've got one and i've proudly plastered it on my sidebar! =D i would like to pass it on to thestylecrusader, Teacup Grunge, Blithely Unaware, Cotton Socks, and thetragicallychic because 1. i love their blogs 2. they've not been given this award.

pants o' pants, you're my second skin .

2010-03-20T01:41:00.000+08:00

i can't quite remember the last time i wore a cardigan but it must have been back when i was still in Melbourne. amazingly, i could actually wear one throughout today because the rain gods have been very kind to pour down on us for the past couple of days, giving us a nice and cool weather.

natural weather aside, the office that i'm working at blasts the a/c like it is trying to freeze us all. so spending eight hours a day in a bloody cold office calls for a cardigan for sure.

cardigan or not, pants are and will always be there for me. i heart pants, truly. (i think i might have been a boy in my previous life. hah!)

~~Shoes~~ (check)

~~Bag~~ (check)

Now i put on me shoes.

Then i do a little pose.

Oh yes, and smile!

wearing -
Silk Pants: Witchery
Top: Westco frill racerback
Cardigan: Witchery
Shoes: Wittner
Bag: Gossip (gift from my best friend, Bongla)
Accessories: Marc by Marc Jacob ring (gift from my other best friend, Hart), Sportsgirl faux pearls necklace, Forever 21 bird pendant.

i'll love you forever if...

2010-03-16T22:58:00.004+08:00

you'll give me ALL these shoes from Topshop!
honest. like, love L-U-R-V-E looooooveeeeeeee you long time.

okay how about this? i won't ask for all, i'll just ask for one. oh and have i mentioned that my birthday's next week! (surely turning a year older is a good excuse for some gifts. muahahaha)
will you? =D

WARREN Strappy Wedges

WISTERIA Chiffon Tie Wedges

Twist Knot Sandals by UNIQUE

LORNA Bow and Wood Platforms

ADDISON Wedge Ankle Boots

FOXTROT Pearl Bow Sandals

aside from my ridiculous request, aren't these shoes gorgeous? i can feel my toes tinkling just from the thought of wearing these.
my favourite would be... the UNIQUE sandals. rather Burberry-ish innit? lovely.
what about you?

An Education goes a long way .

2010-03-10T01:36:00.000+08:00

Jenny: If you never do anything, you never become anyone.

if you've not seen An Education, i urge you to. its storyline is simple: an English teenage girl who grows up in 1960s suburban London meets a man almost twice her age and begins on an unexpected journey into the beauties and vices of the world beyond her school life.

the delightful Carey Mulligan gave such a wonderful performance as the female protagonist that it is hard not to love every bit of the character. it is also hard not to fall in love with the fashion in this film because, well, it's the 60s fashion.

it's been a while .

2010-03-08T00:40:00.001+08:00

1.45pm this arvo, i received a phone call from a random number. this is how it went -

caller: "hi, may i speak to ms (insert my name) please?"
me: "yes speaking."
caller: "hi. would you like to meet some amazing girls?"
me: "sorry?"
caller: "we have some amazing girls. would you like to meet them?"
me: "sorry you've got the wrong number."
caller: "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. SZE!!!"
me: "O-M-G YOU!!!"

my dear friend got me fooled. i seriously thought i had just wasted my moolah picking up a call from some stupid sex scam shit. so if you ever wanna fool a friend too, perhaps you can try this out. ;)

we met up in town and spent the bulk of our time in Topshop because ... ... okay there are two things you should know about my friend: 1. once she steps into Topshop, she just grabs clothes off the racks and lugs them all to the changing room. 2. she takes bloody long to decide which one(s) she'll take.

BUT, YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU BABE. =D

please meet my crazy-arsed girl in the two dresses that she got after trying on a gadzillion items.

i really liked how this white maxi looked on her and she really liked it too. but after trying on both colours at least 2 to 3 times, she decided to go with the black one as it was 'easier' to wear.

wearing: brandless dress, Just Jeans leather belt, Wittner pumps, Mulberry bag, Sportsgirl bangle, Diva bangle, Casio Data Bank watch.

dining is about ambience .

2010-03-01T04:14:00.001+08:00

before my aunt left on Saturday morning, we made a trip to another restaurant on Friday arvo. since she had never been to Mount Faber, we decided to pay that spot in Singapore (with a very misleading name because it's hardly a "Mount" and more so a hill) a visit.

we ate at Black Opal - beautiful interior design and friendly service but it didn't fare so well in the food department. twas bummed out by that. and as if to bum me out even more, there was construction going on below the restaurant while we were having our lunch - the worst kind of dining-ambience killer i reckon! the manager couldn't do anything about it because the construction workers were rushing an overdue deadline to complete the cable car infrastructure. so yups! we had to sit through a drill-worthy lunch. not the best lunch i've had but thought i'd share the little beauties of the humble Mount Faber that made up for the not-so-pleasant lunch experience.

Shabu Shabu Beef Salad - the only dish that i enjoyed.

i love their toilets. do you see the dresser at the back? there's actually a fish tank at the bottom! they had pretty cute fishes in there.
(little fact of the day: did you know that there's a World Toilet Organisation and that it started in Singapore in 2001? it's no wonder you can find quite a lot of pretty toilets in this small country.)

wearing: handmade (not by me) dress, Sportsgirl necklace, random silver rings, vintage-style-inspired bag, Ray Ban aviators, Fossil watch.

now it's time for me to head to bed!
goodnight world .

oh hail food .

2010-02-25T23:32:00.005+08:00

you know how sometimes we need a friend or relative visiting then only would we make an effort to go out to dine 'properly'? well if you do, that's what happens ever so often in my family. with my dad and sister now living overseas temporarily, it's quieter around the house. mom and i normally just have simple lunches and dinners and well, that's it.

so, it's been nice to have my aunt in town because today, we made the effort to head out to The Fullerton Hotel to have a nice and relaxing lunch by the river. we were pretty impressed with the food at Town Restaurant so i suspect we might head back there again some day for their buffet lunch. as for today, twas ala carte.

we started with these:

Caramalized apples and Foie Gras.

Mussels in tomato sauce with garlic bread.

my mom, aunt, cousin and i then moved on to our mains respectively:

Soft-shelled crab tempura.

Cracked Pepper Cod with Miso soup and Japanese rice.

Grilled Salmon with prawn-filled mashed potatoes.

Duck's leg and breast with shredded duck wrapped in cabbage.

to wrap up our arvo nicely, we had the restaurant's tasting plate for desserts:

Vanilla ice cream with some kind of sponge cake that tasted really good.

i can't remember what this is.

Puny cheesecake.

Green tea cake that's been weirdly pierced with chocolate flakes.

i wore this dress with one shoulder off at first but decided to pull it up after lunch. i reckon it's nicer when worn as a boat-neck dress instead of a off-shoulder dress so... don't know what i was thinking when i stepped out of the house!

"i like big butts and i cannot lie, you other brothers can't deny." from "Baby Got Back".
but this one ain't such a big butt aye? haha.

wearing: brandless dress, Camberwell Market belt, Ray Ban aviators, JKC bangle, Sportsgirl bangle, Fossil watch, Chanel canvas jumbo, Wittner beige pumps (not pictured).

"huat ah, huat ah!"

2010-02-22T04:35:00.003+08:00

hoo! guess what? i managed to grab some photos of my trip back to Malaysia from my dad. there weren't a lot to begin with cos my dad was lazy to snap away too so here's a little of what my Chinese New Year (CNY) was like:

every CNY, we'd drive from Singapore to Nibong Tebal and it's always a looooonnnngggg drive (at least 10 hours!). so, toilet breaks and random stops are essential.
this was taken from the top of a small little hill. my dad had stopped the car to take some scenic photos (how enthusiastic he was at the beginning! hah. guess he later got sucked in by food too and forgot about taking photos). i can't remember where exactly this was but looking at the time the photo was taken, it's probably somewhere in between Malacca and Kuala Lumpur.

it's a tradition to get everyone together to "lo hei" (the act of tossing this particular dish called "yu shang" which is a Chinese fish salad) during CNY. apparently, the higher you raise your chopsticks, the better luck you'll get for the new year. haha.

we do it the 'kampong' style back in Malaysia. instead of sitting on chairs, we'd rather sit on random spots like this decorative piece (i think that's the purpose of it...) that runs along the back of the garden in my uncle's house.

mom once said, "you aren't a Chinese if you don't know how to use chopsticks." so she made my sister and i learn how to use them when we were kids but somehow, until today, i just can't seem to grasp the technique properly and still hold my chopsticks in the wrong way. shame on me. ):

mosquitoes are ALL OVER the place once night falls. my arms and legs were covered with mosquito bites and sores that i had to apply calamine lotion to all those spots to relieve the itch (thus making it seem like i love drawing white circles on my body).
this thingy (when i don't know what's the name for something, i just call it that) here is suppose to keep the mosquitoes away but it wasn't strong enough or something cos those damn insects just continued to buzz around and sting us every now and then.

Chinese New Year is almost over! ):
and so goes another Year.

gifts from halfway around the world .

2010-02-21T01:57:00.002+08:00

i'm back from Malaysia! i know, what ever happened to blogging FROM Malaysia?! (this is the part where i start with excuses.) 1. the internet at my cousin's place was shit. 2. i was too caught up with eating that i didn't even bother taking photos. 3. i got lazy.

bad/good excuses? you decide. personally, i think excuses are bad to begin with but that's just gonna work against me now aye?

anyhoos, it's been a while since i got something in the mail so twas really nice to find the postman outside my house today with a package marked for me! i knew right away that it was from the boy in Manchester. even though it didn't reach me on Valentine's Day, the wait was definitely worthwhile.

Topshop Premium Stripe Shorts

Compiled pictures of various dogs with stuff on them

hope y'all had a good week!

double happiness .

2010-02-13T22:58:00.004+08:00

this year's 14th February is a little different for the Chinese: 1. it's the first day (chu yi) of the Lunar Calendar which marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year; 2. it's Valentine's Day.

i always spend Chinese New Year with the family as it's tradition and as i'm originally from Malaysia, we always make a point to visit Penang (where i was born and dad's home town), Nibong Tebal (my mom's home town) and Kuala Lumpur (my dad's other home town) to catch up with the relatives and celebrate the occasion over reunion dinners.

on the other hand, i've never 'celebrated' Valentine's Day until the boy came along. even so, we didn't believe in forking out extra money to be part of a collective coupledom (if there's such a term) on one specific day.

with gaoster away in Manchester, this year's 14th February is pretty straight forward for me: family time. it's a pity the boy can't be around his family as well (one could say that Chinese New Year is the equivalent of Christmas where bonding with family is (and should be) of utmost importance).

so anyhoos, i leave you with a photo of my pooch Sushee and will update from Malaysia! 'til then, folks.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR (GONG HAI FAT CHOY) and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY PEOPLE !

going vintage .

2010-02-13T18:22:00.000+08:00

even though i've been back in Singapore for a week, i'm still posting entries about Melbourne. i promise to move on in the next entry but before i do so, i'd like to share with you my Camberwell Market finds:

Anne Stooke blouse with funny dancing people. $5!

vintage belt with various bag 'studs'. $20 (tad exy for this one but it's just too unique to walk away from.)

Rummage Style playsuit made from vintage fabric. $30 (brand new so decided to go for it.)

i've been drawn !

2010-02-12T03:23:00.000+08:00

a while back, a blog friend of mine offered her fellow blog friends to send some photos to her to get their portraits drawn. i love her artworks and when she 'announced' that she would love to draw us, i jumped on the wagon and sent her some photos. here's what the very lovely and superbly talented DollyAsylum (check her blog out if you haven't! she does heaps of cool stuff.) drew for me:

So long, Farewell Melbourne .

2010-02-09T01:22:00.001+08:00

i'm back in sunny, hot and humid Singapore. i'm not enjoying the weather but i'll just have to start getting used to it all over again. (i'm trying not to start the next sentence with an I again) ... the weather is really getting to me that i'm not in the mood to do anything but just sit right in front of the fan 24/7 (we have a try-our-very-best-not-to-switch-on-the-a/c policy at home because we like to go Green when we can) it'd be great if i had a pool in my house but na-ah, no such luxury.

***

twas sad leaving Melbourne and am still kinda sad that i'm not there anymore. the silly sister teared up at the airport when i left which made me even sadder but hey, that's just part of growing up - you gotta go different ways at different times in your life.

you also know that it's time for you to have a change of outfit after your friends see you and ask, "sze, how long have you been wearing this?" so yes, i finally realised i should put away my MNG cuff pants for a while and put on another pair of pants and tee. here i am, with some photos taken at my sister's place -

the draped pockets were the first thing that caught my eyes.

wearing: Supre striped tee, Witchery draped pocket pants, Sportsgirl necklace and bangle, JKC bangle, Fossil watch, Wittner pumps.

good times, good food .

2010-01-31T20:22:00.000+08:00

twas my last Sunday in Melbourne so i made every effort to get up early for Camberwell Market this morning. waking up on time was helped a little by the sun that was shining so hard into the bedroom that the room started to feel like a sauna. and here i was thinking, aww aren't you nice Melbourne, treating me with such wondrous weather before i leave you. BAAHH!

i found it hilariously amusing (and maybe slightly mean) to see my sister holding that expression throughout our whole time there. the heat was getting to her bad and i quote, "my thighs are gonna get an abrasion." she now knows NOT to wear her faux leather skirt on a blimey hot day.

after sticking around till the closing of the market (and getting ourselves some bargains which i'll try to post another entry on), we made our way to Miss Marples @ Mount Dandenong for lunch and scones. of all the scones i've had, Miss Marples has the best and i'll definitely miss it when i'm back in Singapore. but hey, that just means i've more stuff to look forward to when i do visit Melbourne again!

not so grumpy now aye?

with most of my clothes packed away, i've been finding some difficulty putting together a nice outfit whenever i head out. amidst this vanity trap, i've come to realise how lucky i am to have all the material things that i have and it's all thanks to the parents. i often wonder when one day i have a family myself, will i be able to provide for my kids as well as my parents are doing for me and my sister? but i shan't bore you with this self questions so this is what i wore today:

wearing: sister's Topshop cropped top (which i bought for her and wish i could keep for myself!), factorie denim skirt, Havaianas slippers, Sportsgirl bag.

ps. i'm coming home in 6 days' time, girls! (:

pps. and Roger Federer for the Australian Open 2010 win indeed!!! (:

tennis fever: Roger for the Win .

2010-01-26T15:56:00.001+08:00

yesterday's match between Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt was, without a doubt, awesome. although my sis and i were seated right at the last row of Rod Laver Arena, our virgin experience of watching a Grand Slam match live was definitely fantastic because of the atmosphere, excitement and of course Roger's presence. it would have been even more fantastic if we had managed to find Roger on the practice courts to get an autograph or even a photograph but no complains now that i've caught the action live.

wearing: Lover Altamont denim dress, Dotti scarf, Wittner pumps, leather bag from eBay, Ray Ban aviators, JKC and Sportsgirl bangles.

go, go GOAT!

now, it's back to being glued to the telly for more tennis.

ps. HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY to my aussie readers (: i hope you're having a jolly good time with yummy barbecue food and great cocktails!

plans hardly ever work for me .

2010-01-24T19:57:00.001+08:00

this week has been nothing but packing and moving and then more packing and moving again. it doesn't end today but it was a much needed break for my sis and i to just chill out for the day. the plan was to get up early and head to Queen Victoria Market to get our grocery done, then head to the Arts Centre Sunday Market to get some new pet bowls for my dog, Sushee, and finally to Chapel St to pop into American Apparel.

but did the plan stick through? BIG NO. because instead of waking up at 9am, we only woke up at 1pm. damn that snooze option on my mobile phone! so no fresh food in the fridge and no new AA tees in the wardrobe but at least i managed to get two new hand-painted bowls from the Arts Market for Sushee.

one of the many things to look forward to when i get home is seeing my beautiful dog every single day. i can't wait to be able to hug and squeeze her in my arms again, to bring her on her walks and to enjoy her company all over again. *cue: awww!

wearing: Topshop tee, sister's blazer, MNG cuff pants, Wittner pumps, vintage Chanel jumbo, Ray Ban aviators.

i recycled an outfit from here today and couldn't resist taking a photo against this huge ass warehouse door. don't you just love the colour? now, more warehouses and factories should follow suit and add colours to their doors too.

ps. i can't wait for tomorrow because i'm off to the Australian Open to watch my favourite player, Roger Federer, live in action! it will be a w e s o m e .

blacked out with Black Milk .

2010-01-19T18:19:00.001+08:00

i've been waiting for a printed collection from James Lillis and it finally came together a week ago! i must say he doesn't disappoint. even though i've been trying to cut down on my spending, i succumbed to temptation and purchased "The Anatomist" from the first Black Milk Printed Collection.

background image: "Resurrection" print from Black Milk
leggings: "The Anatomist"
i'm wearing: MyPetSquare dress/top, Black Milk wet look leggings, Tony Bianco ankle boots, Sportsgirl necklace and bangle, JKC bangle, Fossil watch.

i've been photo tagged !

2010-01-12T21:53:00.001+08:00

" T A G :
All you have to do is go into your 1st photo folder,
scroll to the 10th photo,
post it and the story behind it,
then tag 5 bloggers! "

i was photo tagged by the lovely Kirryn from Teacup Grunge. here it is -

18th December 2008.

this was back in Singapore when my best friend came down from Kuala Lumpur to visit me and her other best friend who has, over the past few years, become one of my closest friends too. we were in the bus and on our way to Sentosa for some beach and awesome jelly cocktail loving. and yup that's me when i get tired of smiling for cameras.

this photo tag thingy got me going through that whole photo album and reminiscing on those times. since there ain't no rules to the photo tag, i decided to share with you a bit more on that fabulous day i had with my favourite girls - Bongla and Hart Bart.

oh and i didn't forget about tagging so i tag:
- Bongla
- Dolly Asylum
- KittyCate Hart Bart
- aelie Amie
- bowsnhearts Death Wears Diamond Jewellery

// edit //
struck through the last three cos i just realised they've already been tagged. d'oh! it's been great looking at everyone's photo tag. this is actually quite fun!

it's not about world peace people .

2010-01-12T20:57:00.000+08:00

// warning: incoherent rant about to begin. //

location: shopping mall

scenario: sister and i are walking then we slow down while trying to decide whether to go left or right. i turn left, sister turns right; we aren't sure so we stammer for quite a while. after a couple of seconds of taking slow, uncertain steps, we decide to go left. then i see two girls, who were behind us all this while, stomp pass us and one makes a really loud "TSK" while the other one doesn't hold back with a "F*CK".

problem: really? is that necessary? i'll admit that i get irritated at times with people who walk really slowly, who can't decide which direction to go and who stand in my way. i'll even admit that i do let out a "tsk" once in a while when i'm really irritated under such circumstances. i'll also admit that i swear when i'm pissed off - i know it's a bad habit.

BUT to swear at someone who was walking slowly is, in my opinion, very uncalled for, rude and plain crude. it's not like it's a narrow corridor and there just isn't any space left for one to take a slight 'detour'. it's like driving - if you're in a hurry, then go ahead and overtake, but do it nicely. i suppose those girls were like some drivers who would flash their high beam lights or honk just cos they felt like they should.

i know it might have been slightly inconsiderate for my sister and i to have been walking slowly and uncertainly but is it wrong to not have eyes on the back of our heads and not have seen those girls behind us? was it wrong to take a slow walk so as to idle time? is it wrong to not wanna be in a rat race at all times?

it infuriates me to know that there are such rude and unreasonable people out there. people always advocate world peace and all that jazz. call me crazy but whatever happened to being c o u r t e o u s first people?

my last month in Melbourne .

2010-01-07T22:04:00.003+08:00

time flies; it's unbelievable. just a few days back, i was celebrating new year's eve with the sis and boy and then today, i was sending the boy off at the airport. it's still very strange without gaoster around but i'll just have to get used to it, at least for now.

so here i am, with only a month left in Melbourne, wondering where else i would want to go and what else i would want to eat and shop for. indulging in pleasures aside, it's also going to be a busy month of packing two and a half years of accumulated personal belongings while getting rid of furniture in the apartment. it'll also be a tiring month helping the sis to look for an apartment and then move into it. guess that'll be my month in a nutshell.

anyhoos, these photos were taken sometime early this week at Docklands with my lousy but much more sleek Canon Ixus camera (as compared to my sister's Canon EOS D40 but boy do i love that cam). feel free to judge but i'm gonna admit that i've been re-wearing this outfit for almost three days because 1. half of my wardrobe is already back at home 2. so i'm too lazy to work with minimal choices of apparel 3. my outfit's super comfy.

wearing: MNG cuff pants, Dotti singlet under grey top from Singapore, sister's blazer from Singapore, Chanel jumbo bag, Wittner pumps, Casio Data Bank watch, Ray Bans Aviator.

was it you who spoke the words .

2010-01-03T21:20:00.000+08:00

// warning: long entry filled with words and photos entails. //

with only four days left in Melbourne with gaoster before he heads back home and then off to Manchester by the end of January - the boy will be in Manchester for a year for his university exchange - i've been trying to spend as much quality time with him as much as i can. while i'm really excited for him, i'm dreading having to say "see you later" - i don't like saying "goodbye" as it comes off as bidding someone farewell for good.

it's gonna be really strange not having gaoster around as i've gotten used to seeing him every day since we moved in together. soon, i'll have to rely on Skype to 'see' him. i think the most taxing thing on our to-be-soon long-distance-relationship will be the time difference but i suppose him being in the UK ain't as bad as the US, so i take comfort in that. it'll be a challenging time for our relationship but we both have faith in each other so... fingers and toes crossed, i say!

***

yesterday, we were suppose to be headed towards Daylesford but only realised that we were driving in the wrong direction when we ended up in Waurn Ponds. it would have been silly to turn back so since we weren't too far from Great Ocean Road, we decided to take the scenic drive. funny thing is, we were just tossing the coin between Daylesford and Great Ocean Road the night before during our planning. i guess we were fated to see the Great Ocean Road (again cos we were there in 2008) yesterday.

i took heaps of photos and am quite pleased with them but i couldn't decide on which ones to upload. so, i decided to go with some photos of gaoster and myself - taken by my sister. with the boy leaving soon, i dedicate this entry to him: babe, have a great one in Manchester. i'll see you there (: enjoy!

you and i both .

it's 2010 alright .

2010-01-01T14:29:00.001+08:00

three years ago on new year's eve, i was lying in bed, crying my eyes out so hard that i can still vividly remember that feeling. my ex-boyfriend decided it was cool to blow off his girlfriend at the eleventh hour to spend it at a party smoking weed. yeah, how mature was that? it was painful for not just me, but for my parents too as i remember my dad coming into my room to try to cheer me up, saying, "come on, it's the New Year. come have a drink with your old man." needless to say, 2006 was the worst year ever.

three years on and on 31st December 2009, i was cooking a three-course dinner with my sister as we prepared an intimate countdown party for three - myself, sis and gaoster. we laughed, feasted, jumped around the balcony with sparklers in our hands while watching random fireworks go on display from different locations, and played mahjong till the wee hours. it might have been a very small and quiet affair but it was one of the best new year's eve for me.

salmon and avocado on white bread

baked potatoes stuffed with anchovy fillets, bacon, sage leaves, garlic and lemon zest.

tomato salad with cannellini beans, black olives and tuna flakes

baked blue grenadier fillet with bacon and rosemary

Simmone Logue sticky date pudding (all the way from Sydney!)

happy new year to you! i hope you had a great one and biggest thanks to you for being a reader, be it on a regular or random basis, THANKS! hugs and kisses, with a warped capsicum in hand (:

2009, the last of the notties .

2010-01-01T12:54:00.002+08:00

i'm sitting here, trying to think of the highlights of the last year, and i must admit that 2009 was a pretty good year for me. a good year to me is one that sees a gradual change and improvement of myself in certain aspects of my life. in this instance, it's my academic growth and achievement as well as fashion sense and style. besides that, my relationships with my family, boyfriend and friends have also strengthened in each of their own way.

it seems too good to be true innit? i know. nothing's perfect and there were inevitably some obstacles along the way, mainly procrastination and lack of discipline. and i'm normally not one who believes in reflecting on my life ONLY at the end of the year but since i've started this blog as a platform for my random musings and what not, i thought, why not write it all down for memory? so, here it is - my highlights and downers of 2009:

(: moving into an apartment with gaoster and adding it with our own homely touch.
(: graduating from Monash University with First Class Honours and having the whole family around.
(: starting this blog which lead me to getting to know so many wonderful people out there.
(: visiting Sydney three times!

): not writing my thesis to the best that i could have.
): hearing from gaoster that he'll be going to Manchester University for a year long exchange (even though i had highly encouraged him to do so)

i hope your 2009 has been a good one too!

until then .

2009-12-31T00:19:00.000+08:00

saying goodbye to Sydney/New South Wales wasn't hard; but only because i slept through most of the coastal drive that my dad took to get us back to Melbourne. now that i'm looking at photos of my time there, i wish i had stayed awake during the drive so that i could have (properly) bid farewell to the beautiful state. i don't know when will i ever visit Sydney again but i'm glad i had the opportunity to explore the city and state on three different occasions within a timespan of six months.

***

markets are a must-see for me whenever i travel to a city so it was with great pleasure to finally tick "The Rocks" market off my Sydney to-do-and-see list on my very last day there. there were plenty of cool and weird stuff to see but the best part of the afternoon was having scones at one of the tea shops.

three words: I MISS SYDNEY.

overrated Boxing Day sales .

2009-12-26T21:55:00.000+08:00

having never been to any Boxing Day sales before, i decided to brave the crowd with my family today. the crowd numbers definitely lived up to its reputation - there were heaps of people everywhere and i've never had to queue up to get onto escalators until today!

everyone wants a bargain. Myer, Sydney City.

there were plenty of sales but i came home only with a blue tank top, maxi dress and skirt from Supre - all for under $50. can't say i'm not happy with my purchases today but just quite underwhelmed by the sales. maybe i wasn't looking around enough but one thing's for sure - i don't shop well amongst crowds.

anyhoos, hope everyone's been enjoying their holidays and counting down to 2010!

nature's colours.

2009-12-23T21:06:00.001+08:00

twas an intensive work out for the bums and thighs at the Blue Mountains yesterday. we walked from one side of the mountain (starting from Scenic World) to the other side (Echo Point where the Three Sisters are at) and then back to the where we started from. after a whole afternoon of continuous walking and climbing of steep stairs, my calves are aching insanely at the moment. it's no surprise that the sight of stairs have become a major turn off to me now because with every step i have to take down a flight of stairs, i can feel my calves burning up and screaming out "stop torturing me already!" boy is this a clear sign of my lack of regular exercise. but at least i got some good out of the mini hike at the very gorgeous Blue Mountains: indulging in and photographing the beautiful sights.

do you like my Scrabble tiles rings? ("SZE" is the last part to my Chinese name) i think they're the coolest and it's thanks to the sis for getting them for me!

green sunny day in the Southern Highlands .

2009-12-21T22:25:00.001+08:00

one of the biggest difficulties i find in travelling is packing the right outfits; it's even harder when i'm not entirely sure what's on my travel itinerary. thus almost every single time i go away for a trip, i tend to look rather draggy. the good thing about trips though is finding interesting spots/backdrops to snap away while using them as a distraction from my blah outfits.

here's a couple of shots from this afternoon: we took a drive to Bowral and Berrimo in the Southern Highlands of NSW and it was the greenest drive we've ever had in Australia. there was so much greenery everywhere; it was just amazing. and of course, quirky shops in little towns always make my day.

this florist-and-antique shop in Bowral had so many interesting and gorgeous stuff.

check out my sister's coolass leggings!

we decided to leave our mark at this beautiful winery in Berrima by taking ridiculously cliched jump shots. but who cares when you can have a good laugh after that?

i would have loved to step out of this quirky shop with that red hat but the price tag held me back from doing so.

... more photos soon!

why hello there, graduate.

2009-12-19T23:07:00.003+08:00

i'm alive and kicking again. since the whole family got here, i've been so busy with activities that i've neglected this blog for a wee bit too long. i will admit that i've also been pretty slack with the photographing-outfits-or-wearing-interesting-outfits department; thus the excuses for my lack of updates and i truly apologise to you for that!

***

with the explanation of absence aside, a fair bit of exciting stuff has been going on; in particular my graduation ceremony on the 15th of December. it feels so strange yet wonderful to officially be a Monash University alumni/graduate now. i knew i would graduate from University one day but i never expected myself to undertake an Honours year because i'm not one who enjoys studying; to have done humbly well for my university education is something i feel really proud of.

i'm immensely grateful to my parents and sister for all their support and love. without them, i don't think i can be where i am today and i wouldn't ask for any other persons to be my parents and sibling. i'm also thankful each day that i have gaoster in my life: you're my rock and soul mate babe. alas, my closest and dearest friends (you know who you are) who've grown up with me, who've shared so much memories with and who've been there for me, i love you all.

goodbye, Menzies. you'll be missed.

ps. sorry if this entry was tad too sentimental for your liking! if there's one thing that has happened so far, this is the one that i have to 'record' down here.

pps. i'm back in Sydney again with the family so i'll try to update with some holiday peektures soon!

Sweet Welcome to Mooroolbark.

2009-12-09T20:58:00.004+08:00

Clayton. Boxhill. Mooroolbark. Doncaster. we covered quite a bit of distance on the road this afternoon and our stomachs did a lot of work too. from having a late English lunch, filled with meat pies, baked potatoes with cream and quite a few cups of soy latte at my mom's old friend's little cafe at Mooroolbark to an early Hong Kong-nese dinner, stuffed with fried fish, stir-fried long beans, fried tofu and more unhealthy yummy food. it almost seemed like 'getting stuffed' was the day's agenda.

wearing: Nique harem pants, factorie plain tee, Sportsgirl beaded vest, Topshop ship necklace, random silver rings, Sportsgirl gladiators, Mimco Glider Muse mini.

i heart Mink Pink.

2009-12-07T22:59:00.000+08:00

one of the Australian labels that i'm gonna miss terribly when i return home for good to Singapore next February is Mink Pink. i remember the first time i noticed this label, i was immediately drawn to its excitingly colourful prints and edgy yet feminine style. i love how Mink Pink infuses a little bit of grunge, skater and rock chick-ness into a world of feminine florals, ruffles, laces and flirty skirts.

as Mink Pink seems to be growing and entering the international market steadily, i can only hope that it will one day land in Singapore. but for now, i'll just have to 'stock' up on their stuff and probably rely on the internet and the sister once i'm back in the little sunny island i call home.

sky high, green lights.

2009-12-02T19:43:00.002+08:00

my mom arrived in Melbourne two days ago and only today did we finally bring her somewhere. as bad as that sounds, mom actually didn't mind that she had two full days to stay in and rest. so we brought her to Miss Marple's at Mount Dandenong this afternoon and had lunch and tea there. we had such a lovely time that i suspect we'll be going back up there again some time soon.

wearing: Bardot blouse, Ralph Lauren pants, scarf from Camberwell Market, Wittner pumps, Espirit watch, Tiff & Co. lock necklace, Chanel canvas jumbo.

colours and prints for the cheeky playsuits.

2009-11-30T16:18:00.004+08:00

as the weather in Melbourne has been grey and moody lately, i decided to chirp my (yester)day up a little with a girly outfit. i put on my Topshop playsuit and felt like i was ready to go out and take whatever the weather was going to throw at me. as silly as it sounds, i also kinda felt like a girl on a mission to turn the bad weather into a good one. although it continued to rain every now and then for the rest of the day, i was contented with the little bits of sunshine that peeked out between the clouds. mission (somewhat) accomplished, i say.

wearing: Topshop silk playsuit, Witchery stockings, Topshop boyfriend blazer, Wittner black pumps, Chanel vintage flap (not pictured), Diva rings, Sportsgirl "Life is too short, so wear high heels" bangle, Ferragamo Vara headband, Espirit watch.

playsuits aka rompers are, in my opinion, the cutest one-piece outfit that all girls should have in their wardrobe. it's easy and fun to wear, albeit not so practical when nature calls i must admit; furthermore, playsuits are generally pretty short and it gets a little tricky around wearing it without looking indecent. that said, i find the shorty short playsuits to be the cutest and cheekiest.

Topshop Claret Flower playsuit

Miss Selfridge Thriftbox Floral playsuit

Dotti Autumn Leaf shortie jumpsuit

Karina Grimaldi Adriana romper

Karina Grimaldi Tuxedo romper

Dolce Vita Joey romper

Sunner Florent romper

i wish i had a seven figure sum in my bank account now cos if i did, these would ALL be mine! sigh...

hey it's a little shiny and futuristic for now.

2009-11-28T15:44:00.001+08:00

it's funny how human beings like to ponder about and predict the future. from 'high' culture (scientific theories and arts) to 'low' culture (music and films), there seems to be an itching desire in the human kind's minds to explore the possibilities of what the future might be. while some belief that the future it may not even come because the world is going to end in 2012, others belief that the future it is an uber sleek and highly technologised world.

i personally believe in neither or rather, i do not wish to think about the future. it's much more worry-less and stress-free when one is living in the present and not conjuring up ideas for the future what lies ahead. but i do believe that there's no harm in being open to others' propositions of the future and i certainly find pleasure in admiring (and also laughing at) the fashion shoe world's take on the mighty unexpected future.

ETA: omg i just read through my post again and i repeated these two words, "the future", waayyyy too many times! that is one embarrassing writing for me and you to read.

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Swarovski-embellished sandals

jewels on fire?

THAKOON Mirror mosaic strappy sandals

everyone needs to look at themselves; even if it means from the feet. love this one.

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Robot 120 ankle boots

super high shine baby. this is amazing.

CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA Ziggy leather ankle boots

golden platforms will take you to new heights! love this one too.

EMANUEL UNGARO Very Hot strappy pumps

it's as if you'd need to strap yourself in as tightly as possible cos the future's gonna be a bumpy ride.

CAMILLA SKOVGAARD Leather cutout sandals

this looks like it's been made for running.

MARC JACOBS Metallic leather ankle boots

oh Marc, oh Marc. is it Aladdin or Star Trek?!

my pretty laced-up but blister-filled feet.

2009-11-26T17:07:00.003+08:00

it was Chaddy's VIP shopping night yesterday and it was really nice to be able to shop late into the night. but it sure as hell wasn't nice to have gone shopping in my Aldo Maune wedges.

wearing: Lover leather skirt, random Korean shirt dress, Diva accessories, Aldo wedges.

i wanted to wear my Lover skirt and when i put it on, i decided why not go all earthy? so i did and the Aldo wedges went really well with the whole look. it was kinda comfy at first but once i left the apartment and started to walk continuously in them, they started to literally bite into my feet. by the time i got to Chaddy, both feet had at least six blisters and a couple of cuts.

thank god for Target and by a stroke of luck, i managed to find a pair of nice sandals that still matched my outfit. they were real comfy and well-priced. i immediately purchased them and jumped right out of my wedges. my feet had merely been saved!

i couldn't resist these pair of heels from Sportsgirl. with the additional 20% discount on sale items, i paid only $56 for this. whee! i finally have a pair of plain black heels.

***

i also finally got my Salvatore Ferragamo headband in the mail. very happy with it!

Coco in motion.

2009-11-24T14:52:00.000+08:00

when fashion meets film, somehow something amazing always comes out of their encounter. watch the clip below and you'll get what i mean.

Stop Motion Film for V MAGAZINE #62 / Directed by Stephen Smith

fingers are for rings.

2009-11-23T15:48:00.003+08:00

accessories to me are one of the most important features to any outfit. you can be wearing a plain dress or tee and with just a necklace, earring, bracelet or ring, you add a minor yet evident element to your look.

i've always been a huge fan of large stone/cocktail rings and these days, it seems so much easier to find one as there's just so many designs out there. with Christmas just round the corner, i feel like spoiling myself by getting one of these beautiful rings:

Alex and Ani Holly Vintage Bohemian Cocktail ring

Alex and Ani Jade Stone ring

Gara Danielle Tigers Eye Druzy ring

YSL Amethyst ring

Samantha Willis 'Nevada' ring

oh Santa, if only you were real.

'tis gloomy rainy 'sun'day.

2009-11-22T15:52:00.002+08:00

it's been a week long of sun and terrible heat but the weekend took a turn for the better. i've absolutely missed the cold weather; gloomy overcast days also puts me in a mood to wrap myself up snugly. it was really nice to finally be able to put on a jacket and a pair of leggings... and to indulge in a hot drink without having to sweat it.

wearing: Topshop tee, Black Milk leggings, Gripp Jeans leather jacket, Dotti leopard print scarf, Bardot square ring, Calvin Klein gemstone ring, random stone ring, Titus watch, Hosan Collection brogues.

covered up.

2009-11-19T15:07:00.001+08:00

it's been three days since coming back to Melbourne and i'm missing Sydney already! good thing (and funny thing too) is i'll be going back to Sydney with my family next month to visit my aunt and her family. from never having been to Sydney in my entire life to visiting the city three times in a year... it's almost an overkill but hey i'm not complaining.

i had to cover myself up yesterday when i went out because i didn't wanna invite any stares to my red patches on my body. i had to search high and low in my wardrobe for something suitable for the terribly dry and hot weather too. so even though there has been a large divide on harem pants being yay or nay, i still like them and decided to go with it.

wearing: Bardot frill shoulders blouse, Supre harem pants, Forever New Chanel-esque necklace, JKC "Ripped off by Chanel" bracelet, Casio data bank watch, Wittner black pumps.

also got my bargain Wittner heels ($30) from ebay in the mail. it's gorgeous and i feel like Dorothy from Wizard of the Oz in this pair:

Sydney with gaoster: DAY 4 & 5

2009-11-17T19:52:00.002+08:00

DAY 4: we went on a whale watching cruise in the morning and then hit Bondi Beach to bask in the afternoon sun. we stayed in Bondi till night time and had takeaway fish and chips on the lawn facing the beach. but the camera's battery went flat and i couldn't take any more photos by then.

off we go and out into the ocean!

unfortunately, this is the best photo i've got of the baby humpback whale.

sun, sand, shades.

DAY 5: our last and hottest day in Sydney. we decided to pay Balmain a visit and randomly walked into Cafe Broom Tree on Darling St for lunch. we weren't expecting much but our lunch turned out absolutely delicious. there was also a little park at Balmain East wharf and with such a great view of the harbour, we decided to chill out in the park and snap away.

chicken schnitzel wrap with potato wedges. this was soo good!

vegetarian pizza with heaps of cheese.

wearing: Jayjays maxi dress (i know, Jayjays?! i never expected to find anything i would wanna wear from Jayjays), Mulberry sling bag, Sportsgirl rose gladiator, Jean Chantant wayfarers, Tiff & Co necklace.

ps. if you're wondering why the top of my chest is red, it's a result of basking in the sun at Bondi for too long. part of my legs are sun burnt too thus the choice of wearing a maxi. :( looks like i must pile on even more sun block lotion the next time i hit the beach again.

Sydney with gaoster: DAY 3

2009-11-14T21:00:00.004+08:00

wearing: Witchery maxi dress, Mulberry sling bag, Sportsgirl Rose gladiator, Tiff & Co locket necklace, Casio Data Bank watch.

twas suppose to go to Balmain this afternoon but ended up postponing that to Monday to visit Paddington Market. it was quite a disappointing trip. both gaoster and i just didn't/couldn't find anything we fancy and even when we did, the price was a tad too expensive for its worthiness in our eyes.

things picked up for me (only) when we dropped into Wasteland. there was so many pretty clothes! the best part was seeing a Lover leather skirt from the Love Bomb S/S 2008/9 collection. i've been coveting it since i first saw it last year but the price tag was too hefty so when i saw it today in my size and at a very good price, i knew i couldn't walk out of the shop without the skirt.

i never thought i would own this skirt one day!

a better picture of the skirt but i got the brown colour one.

i also got this Alice McCall dress from her Cruise '08 collection.

really really happy with my purchases today. :) just wish the boy had managed to get something for himself too... maybe another day.

Sydney with gaoster: DAY 1 & 2

2009-11-14T00:55:00.003+08:00

the trip shas been pretty good so far. we've been doing much more eating than shopping. it started off with Kawa Cafe at Surry Hills for branch BRUNCH on Day 1. because i forgot to charge the camera battery before leaving for Sydney, i had to settle for the wonky camera on my phone.

the foam on the coffee was sooo good! what makes a good coffee to me is a good fluffy foam.

i had the Vegan (roasted tomato, pumpkin, lettuce, hommus) sandwich.

gaoster had the French Toast with maple syrup and bacon.

our dinner was at Longrain Restaurant - fantastic contemporary Thai food. looooved our dinner but my camera wasn't powerful enough for the warm lighting in the restaurant so sadly, i don't have any photos.

Day 2 kicked off with yum cha at Marigold Restaurant in Chinatown. most of the dim sims were really good and it was really nice being served by polite waitresses as compared to the yum cha restaurants in Melbourne. i can never understand why some waitresses have to be so darn rude. no photos once again cos i was too hungry and dug right into our food, leaving only empty plates for show.

dinner was at Umami Restaurant along Bathurst St. it's a pretty small eatery which appears to be catered towards working people looking for a fast, easy and good Japanese meal during lunch time. the food surprised me really; cos for the price, it was a very yummy and enjoyable meal.

the restaurant can probably seat up to a maximum of 20.

Takoyachi aka Octopus balls.

small serve of Sashimi

i had the Unagi Don. the eel was sliced nicely and man was that sauce deelish!

gaoster had the Tofu + Seafood Don. the seafood portion was rather generous and pretty fresh too.

holidays always make me put on weight the most. but hey, at least it's good food all the way!

it's just you and me now .

2009-11-11T20:44:00.005+08:00

time flies when you're with someone whom you really care about, who is your soul mate and best friend, your lover and companion. it's been a great two years being in a relationship with gaoster. it surprises us both at times how far we've come and we only hope for the best that this will last for as long as possible.

today was our second year anniversary. the story behind our 'anniversary' is a funny one i reckon. he didn't 'officially' ask me on a specific day to be his girl. things just kinda got on naturally and we became an item. so when it came down to finding a 'day' to celebrate our year long relationship, we kinda just settled on a date that we thought would be 1. a nice date and 2. a date closest to the time things got more serious between us. thus came 11/11 - our anniversary date.

gaoster brought me to Movida at Hosier Lane (off Flinders Lane). the food was awesome, the ambience was terrific and the company was the best. i couldn't have asked for more.

wearing: The Rodeo Show Mirabelle dress, Wittner Venice heels, JKC "Ripped off by Chanel" bracelet, Mimco cigar clutch, Sportsgirl locket necklace.

what better way to continue with our celebration than a holiday to Sydney. so i gotta get packing soon cos we'll be leaving in less than 8 hours. wahee! Sydney, here i come!

Christmas gift ideas: serving the jewellery.

2009-11-10T22:41:00.002+08:00

coming from a non-Christian Chinese family, Christmas has hardly ever been a celebration. the only times we celebrated Christmas in its full glory was as a kid in London. for about four or five consecutive years, my family would fly over to London to join in the wintery festive season. Christmas celebrations with my mom and aunt's old friends were a plus too.

i remember the one thing that my sis and i looked forward to the most was putting up the Christmas tree. the tree was kinda tall and we'd always have to climb onto a chair to hang the ornaments. but as the years went by, the tree grew shorter or rather, we grew taller. it was always good fun spending Christmas with all the aunts, uncles and kiddies. everyone would bask in the joyous spirit and when the time came, we'd all gather round the tree to rip apart those presents.

yes, those well-thought presents that we kids got every year when we were in London... those moments of finally discovering what was under the pretty wrappers... those exhilarating times of playing with our new toys... those were the days indeed. *i'm feeling all nostalgic now.*

hmm not that 'glamourous' a tree aye?

***

as a kid, Christmas presents are of utmost importance. as we grow older, the importance of presents start to be outweighed by precious time spent with family and loved ones. while i do treasure and value the time i have with my family and loved ones, no matter the occasion, i also do believe in an annual 'treat' for those i love.

so i've been thinking about Christmas gifts and thought why not share them with the rest of you? Christmas is after all about sharing and giving. here's my little contribution:

i think one of the can't-go-wrong gifts for ladies are jewellery stands/holders. every girl loves a pretty thing to hold their pretty jewellery so why not indulge in all that loveliness?

from Urban Outfitters UK -

Bird Tree Jewllery Stand £10: here.

Elm Tree Jewellery Stand £16: here

Coat Rack Jewellery Stand £16: here

Umbrella Jewellery Stand £12: here

Peacock Jewellery Dish £5: here

Butterfly Hooks £9: here
something unconventional. hooks are always great for hanging chunky necklaces.

from Polli Australia -

Gum Tree Display $139.95: here

Bamboo Display $67.46: here

Coral Branch Jewellery Stand $139.95: here

and from Sportsgirl -

Twirly Jewellery Stand $24.95: here

the maxi is finally out.

2009-11-10T17:11:00.003+08:00

i've been waiting to put on my maxi dresses and today was a great opportunity to do so - the temperature was peaking at 34 degrees and there was hardly any wind so i thought, why not put on my maxi so that when i walk, i'll create some wind for myself. ridiculous as that sounds, it works almost all the time for me.

wearing: Lushous crochet back maxi, Sportsgirl beaded necklace, turquoise stones cuff bracelet, Sportsgirl rose gladiator, Mimco button clutch.

quite delighted to have purchased this on sale.
i believe they're still available at Sportsgirl for $29.95.

animalistic shoe kingdom.

2009-11-09T02:53:00.002+08:00

while some would like to believe that we, human beings, evolutionised from Adam and Eve, others would like to believe that the human kind evolutionised from the apes. i personally believe in the latter which allows that animalistic side to us to translate into so many things that we do. we're constantly amused with the animal kingdom - from television documentaries and sitcoms to fashion consumerism - that endlessly feeds us with so much information about the world that we share with them. in another sense, they're a great inspiration to our world too and by 'world' here i'm referring to the fashion shoe kingdom.

the shoe kingdom at the moment seems to be turning quite animalistic. there's heaps of designers incorporating particularly the leopard, zebra and cow prints in their designs. i've always been a fan of animal prints. i think they can look great when teamed really well. but with shoes, they're rather tricky. some are just meant to be hits while others are meant to be misses.

MISSES

ASHISH platform wedge from Topshop

there should be a limit to how much extra height anyone wants to put on for themselves. to add height in the form of countless spots and stripes... na-ah just ain't doing it for me.

leopard prints in particular are the biggest 'culprits' with the misses. it could be because the spots are too big, too sparse, too artificially coloured...

Louis Vuitton ankle boots

Charlotte Olympia platform heels

Jerome C. Roussea patent pumps

but i reckon the worst is when cow prints are used on a wide front ankle boots.

Luxury Rebel haircalf booties

i'm sure that's one way to rebel against luxurious products.

HIT(S)

Giuseppe Zanotti wedges

subtle yet apparant, this pair highlights the nature of the leopard's shyness (print 'hiding' behind in the form of the wedge). it is this characteristic of the majestic animal that makes it so enticing and seductive, which is evident in this pair. Zanotti definitely knows how to play with prints.

i wish i could find more "hits" but everywhere i looked, it's just "misses" after "misses". ah wells at least there's Zanotti's wedges and that's good enough for me now. :)

sunlight shining on our bottoms.

2009-11-07T17:01:00.005+08:00

boy was Melbourne in hot hot heat today! RAAHHH. by the time i woke up and left the house for lunch with gaoster, the scorching sun was out in full force. so after lunch, i decided to head to DFO Spencer St to do more window shopping and enjoy the air-conditioning.

wearing: Check Mate jeans, Bardot chiffon top, Chanel vintage flap bag, Wittner pumps.

ETA: if you can remember, i blogged about the Wittner Sultry just a while back. i've been quite upset that i couldn't buy it because my feet just kept slipping out. but i'm a happy camper now because i've finally gotten my hands on another pair - Aldo Maune. for some reason, my feet doesn't slip out that much in this pair. i did hesitate and had actually left the shop to think about it. but i succumbed after calling gaoster to tell him about the wedges and had gotten a thumbs up from him.

ahhh, i'm deliriously happy now!

***

when i came home, the sun was shining right at the building diagonally across my apartment and was reflecting into my bedroom. so i decided to goof around with gaoster and took some photos of our shadows. this one turned out the best we reckons. it has of course been edited on Photoshop.

we like the symmetry and contrast here.

took this photo of gaoster coupla days back after we'd just came back from the mall. i guess shopping with me must be really tiring.

oh yeah, oh yeah, you can fly now.

2009-11-06T21:02:00.001+08:00

today, i handed in my last essay assignment for my entire university life. as i dropped it into the essay box, i felt like a huge load had just been lifted off my shoulders. yet, it was kinda a sad moment too. as i walked away from the essay box, i wondered to myself how many times throughout my two and a half years at Monash University had i dropped my essays into that box. i also wondered if that was going to be the last i'll ever see it.

the fact that i'm done with this chapter of my life didn't dawn upon me until i got onto the bus and started reminiscing about the old days and in particular, my first day as an undergraduate. but the more i thought about it, the more i felt like this chapter of my life has had a good run and it's about time i close it. so fingers crossed that all goes well with the thesis and essay; until then, i will officially be able to join the ranks of adulthood (not so keen on that to be honest).

***

when i got back to the city, i decided to give myself a treat by doing some window shopping. nothing really caught my eye except for the newest collection at Forever New. i am totally, i repeat, t o t a l l y coveting the...

Fan Detail bustier dress

Floral maxi dress

Layered Floral dress

because i didn't get my hands on the above dresses (today), i came home and finally purchased these two items that have been put on hold for me by the very lovely Erica @ HoldMyGoldVintage on etsy.

Chain Cage mini bandage dress

Striped harem pants

i'm starting to feel like online shopping is way more fun than window/retail shopping. but who cares really, shopping is fun to me any time!

Friend in Fashion: Fashion giveaway

2009-11-04T11:11:00.000+08:00

the wonderful Friend in Fashion is collaborating with Alice Wark, a local designer, to giveaway a custom made dress or skirt from the designs below. for your chance to win, check it out here.

good luck!

Cages, dresses and skirts.

2009-11-02T16:56:00.000+08:00

i just got the ASOS newsletter in my email and immediately, the Caged dresses and skirt caught my attention. they are without a doubt unique and pretty darn special and even though i like the designs, i would think that a dress and skirt like that will take heaps of confidence and an occasion to carry off.

Organza Cage Crini Dress

Stud And Tape Cage Bandeau Dress

Crinoline Skirt

i really like the first dress. there's a whimsical touch to it that i reckon will make you feel like you're being teleported into the realm of fairytales when you don that dress. in that fairytale, you'd be like the queen with the amazing red dress and no one would dare to mess with you.. but as much as i like it, i don't think i'm ready to fork out 100 quid for a dress made by ASOS (i've come to realise they don't have the best quality apparels around). furthermore, i'm pretty sure i will only be dreaming of wonderland within my bedroom; that'd be quite a waste of that dress.

i really like the skirt too. it kinda reminds me of Prada. i think it's the shape of the skirt - that it cinches at the waist and has a huge volume waist down.

100 Skirts Exhibition - Prada's Transformer structure in Seoul, South Korea

Miuccia Prada is arguably the most versatile designer for skirts.

The Lady - Miuccia Prada

Prada Spring 2007

so if you're ready to transform yourself into a queen, you can get the dress here or the skirt here.

sweet mother of leggings.

2009-11-01T13:01:00.001+08:00

it's funny how i feel like i have a close connection to Black Milk by James Lillis. i suppose it's because i've seen his designs grow and expand into quite the "Leggings Kingdom" it is now. he's definitely got a cult following with fashion bloggers and stylish peep-ohs around the world and it's always inspiring to see photos of his loyal, happy customers (like me) on his blog. it's no surprise that James' label is going up up up, really. his designs are TDF and i can't think of any other 'big' (i say this because he has been featured in the media locally and internationally) designer who would personally take your measurements and sew them accordingly just for you.

buying James' leggings are like eating Pringles: once you start, you can't stop. at the moment, i own three pairs and there's definitely more that i want to own.

Black Spartans

Silver Cages

Spidermans

it's great to see that James is moving out of his comfort zone to create bodysuits. not only that, he's now coming up with 'proper' collections. so from his first collection (which i wish i had the moolah to get all), i got myself the most delectable piece - the Lace bodysuit.

there's an opened zipper that runs along the lace. how sweet is that?

you can get them all from James' online store: Black Milk

gem string party: make a statement.

2009-10-31T17:27:00.002+08:00

there's an unequivocal trend in the fashion world right now - it's all about making a statement with your shoes and necklaces; not quite literally, but some shoes really say something to me. like these three pairs from Wittner:

Very Lady

the shoe befits this name. the green 'gems' and panel have a Grecian touch to it that comes off quite ladylike.
i absolutely love this pair! love how there's a lace up effect going on here.

Vermouth

the colour won't explain why it's called Vermouth - an aromatised white wine in which herbs, roots, barks, bitters and other flavourings are steeped - but rather, it's those 'gems' that embody the various elements of the Vermouth that probably explains the name better.
i love the colour and that 'bridge' connecting the heel and the sole.

Vatino

the name for this one doesn't really make sense to me. but it doesn't really matter, does it?
i love the faux snake skin to the 'gems' and even to the strings.

Sultry

i've been dying to own this pair but when i finally tried it on yesterday (because they finally went on sale!), it just didn't fit. my feet's too slender in the front that when i walked in this, they just kept sliding out. :(

so, to cheer myself up, i decided to settle for this one:

Sportsgirl Rose Gladiator

perfect for the hot hot heat in Melbourne!

back in style.

2009-10-29T14:58:00.006+08:00

it's been a nice break from blogland but boy have i missed it. there were so many times when i was just so tempted to log back on and type away but i managed to control myself. so while i shouldn't be on blogland, i was however, thinking about what could potentially be blogged about when i came back.

following suit to many other very stylish and fashionable bloggers out there, i will try to take photos of my outfits and post them up here regularly. i also thought of an experiment that might be fun to take on: i intend to dress in leggings for one whole week and document it here! so, if you're interested, do stick around. :)

wearing: Mango jeans, Topshop basic tee with Nique racerback top, Topshop blazer, Chanel canvas jumbo (which i never know how to capture in photos), Wittner pumps.

EDIT: cos i didn't manage to capture my Chanel (which i've named Stella. i know, how weird right? you're probably thinking, who names their bags?! hah, i do but only with my Chanels.) in the photo, i decided to take a photo of it separately. it's so much easier that way for some reason.

Canvas jumbo from S/S 2001 if i'm not wrong.

hiatus no more. :)

hello goodbye, goodbye.

2009-10-29T14:23:00.001+08:00

a friend once said to me, "our theses are like babies. we carry them for nine months and then we give birth to it at the end of the term."

indeed. for nine months, all i could (and should) be thinking about was how i would nurture this 'baby' growing inside me. i fed it slowly, i talked to it in my mind, i planned its future on paper, i gathered as much information as i could to make sure my baby would become the best. but sometimes, i also just wanted to chuck it away. i didn't understand what was the whole point in nurturing this baby. i kept asking myself, is this really what you want to be doing? what is the whole point in feeding it what you're feeding? is that the best you can give? i've stressed myself out too much; i really wanted the best for my baby. will i reap what i sow?

it has indeed been a long and treacherous term, at times chokingly unbearable. if i had known it would be like this, would i still put myself through this?

another friend asked, "do you regret doing Honours? or is that whole experience wonderful?"
i said i don't but if i could, i would change my thesis topic and i would want another supervisor. and to my own question, yes i would still have gone through with this ridiculously mind-boggling period because giving birth is a feeling that's quite "wonderful", quite indescribable, quite out of the world, yet also quite painful.

i've given it what i could. now, its future lies in the hands of two strange persons. i can only hope for the best.

HIATUS MODE.

2009-10-09T07:33:00.001+08:00

image via squidsicle

with all the writing that has to be completed in the next three and a half weeks, i need to pull myself away from here. i need less distraction and more concentration. so i'll be back in November!
and 'til then, stay good amigos! ;)

eyelets, mirrors and gems.

2009-10-05T15:53:00.002+08:00

lately, there's been quite a rave going round the fashion community about Christopher Kane for Topshop's collection. i didn't quite understand it at first when i saw a photo of one of his designs on a blog. i mean, do we (girls) really need a large monstrous mouth positioned right at our hoo-hoos? i know this is fashion and we shouldn't take it too seriously but there's definitely a Freudian thing going on here.

upon seeing that, i sorta dismissed his design(s) but i knew i should at least check out the rest of his collection. oh it was love from there onwards. the eyelets, mirrors, gems, and sequins on dresses, leggings, tees, shirts, bodysuits, shoes, scarfs... *swoons* i've officially joined the CK rave community (i make it sound like it's some crazy ass clubbing event huh)!

Embellished Bodysuit

this will be my "congrats on completing your thesis" gift to myself!

Gem Shirt

Gem Corset

Gem Teeshirt Dress

Mirror Strappy Dress

Embellished Leggings

just 'cos i needed to add some colours here!
personally, i don't fancy the "flouro lime" colour but love the eyelets and mirrors on it.

The Man

Kane must have an animalistic fantasy of human beings being 'mauled' by fierce gaping mouths. perhaps a reflection of the fashion world? hmm, that's a thought.
image via alothmanblog.

seriously, why?

2009-10-03T23:08:00.003+08:00

do you ever look at some of the stuff that comes out from the fashion world and wonder, what in the name of god is that designer thinking?! who designs such a thing? but that's the thing with fashion and design innit? you can't always love and/or hate what you see. besides, as long as a design provokes any kind of reaction, it would be a good thing; because at least someone paid some attention.

i know everyone's entitled to their own opinions and thus, so am i. for me, designs such as these should go away, far far away, and stay as far away as possible and never ever be seen on anyone (unless that someone is able to don these designs in such an incredibly stylish way, perhaps i'll change my mind about them).

Forever Rock Cashmere Sweater by 291.

big, tacky words on the front or back of tops, bottoms and jackets. at least this one, the words are spelt correctly; i see waaayyy too many with wrong spelling, wrong phrasing, and wrong grammar. *shudders*

Life Aquatic Skirt by Erin Wasson X RVCA.

where should i begin.. the name given to the skirt or the fact that there's a 'fin' sewed to the middle of the skirt which incidentally, is positioned at the middle of one's butt?!

Wake Bike Short by Leyendecker.

i hope this one was made and designed only for the purpose its name calls for. because if anyone thinks this should be worn out to the mall or anywhere other than the gym and for sporting activities, i'm honestly speechless. these are way worse than 3/4 leggings. seriously.

Soulless Leather Shorts by Erin Wasson X RVCA.

my only issue with this pair of shorts is its length (might as well be a pair of knickers), its material (leather used for such mini shorts? i'm not saying it out but go figure), and its 'lace-up' style at the side (now this is truly lingerie-ish). ok i guess that was three issues. you get my point.

i know i was harsh on those designs but i really just can't fathom the ideas and intentions behind them. i won't do my head in with figuring those out because at the end of the day, it's simple, classy yet with a slight twist dresses such as this little one that sticks around for long.

Puff Sleeve Dress by Alice + Olivia.

*all images via shopbop.com

hello it's c u t e again.

2009-10-01T16:41:00.000+08:00

"Stand out from the crowd and give your earphones a makeover."
that's iBingz's - an Australian earphones 'accessory' store - marketing line. i must say, i'm totally buying it. see for yourself.

those lips... that strawberry... ooh and that ladybug! so many choices, but only one set of earphones.

tacky much? or cute much?
definitely the latter for me!

cute and funky makes my world go round.

2009-09-29T17:40:00.001+08:00

when the sis found out i'd bought those Marc by Marc Jacobs leggings for her, she squealed with excitement over MSN with, "FUCK DAMN COOL LA! KUKU TIGHTS! WHEEEEE!" i'm glad she had that kinda reaction. i'd be bumped out if someone didn't like what i'd gotten for them 'cos i always put in much thought into the presents i give.

anyhoos, the sis got so excited she started scouring for more MJ stuff. we both agreed that the new range of cartoon "Doodle" bags are pretty darn cute (and cool); so delectably cute that i don't mind owning one of them. see, i've started to move on from "cute" apparels and accessories to something more, as a friend says of my recent fashion sense, haute couturish. glamourous as that sounds, i'm not. my fashion sense has just become slightly matured and less cutesy. but when there are so many cool, cute and funky stuff around, it's hard to resist them. besides, no matter how old we are, we will always be a kid at heart.

Marc by Marc Jacobs funkydoodledoo bags -

some really cute as cool coin purses -

Lucky Brand Peace Sign Patchwork Coin Purse via Lucky Brand

Swarovski Elvis Coin Purse via Swarovski

Fontanelli Red Mouth Coin Holder via Forzieri

ah, the wonders of commercialism.

last of the September babies.

2009-09-27T19:49:00.000+08:00

to my sissy-poo:

oh and...

SURPLISSEEEE!

Marc by Marc Jacobs; Marc Doodle leggings is coming your way
(but at the end of the year, hua hua hua)

ha ha halloween .

2009-09-27T16:17:00.000+08:00

with Halloween around the corner, i've been getting quite a couple of emails on "what to wear for Halloween". Halloween always seems so fun yet scary at times (thanks to Hollywood movies) so i've always wanted to attend a Halloween party but just never seem to find the right friends and/or party. it's also not really a Singaporean/Chinese culture to celebrate Halloween. but over the last few years, Singapore has definitely picked it up and more and more people are getting into the mood.

so while i've been in Melbourne since 2007, it's been great fun seeing people dressing up as everything and anything during Halloween. needless to say, i'll only be 'watching' and not participating again this year. but if i could, i would love to go in this -

The Ivy Tunic Forest Nymph by The Bohemain Goddess at etsy.

it's truly a wearable art piece! i love it. and i can see where the designer got her influence from -

and did you know that there was actually a Tinkerbell movie released in 2008? i did not!

that dress beats this one HANDS DOWN.

image via zimbio.

rain rain go away.

2009-09-26T16:36:00.002+08:00

after a long day of rain yesterday, i managed to catch a really short glimpse of a rainbow that stretched across the sky.

the view from my room -

it was nice to see sunlight even though it lasted only for about three minutes.

not much of a view from my room but the rainbow definitely made it special for once.

and a few thousand miles away, my very good friend is celebrating her birthday today. it sucks that i can't be there for the third time but i make do with technology for now.

i bet you're having a damn good time! *wink*

MUACKS, SADAGOPS! ;)

peep toes and bare foot.

2009-09-24T21:45:00.002+08:00

i got back from school today and was pleasantly surprised to see a huge box sitting at the corner of my room. i couldn't believe how fast the shoes that i had bought from shopbop.com had arrived!

opening parcels in the mail is always like opening presents during birthdays and Christmas. it's always exciting to me, and of course disappointing at times. today, it was of much excitement. i did a trigger happy dance in front of the mirror when the shoes fitted perfectly. now, i just can't wait for Melbourne's weather to 'cheer' up so that i can bring these babies out for a walk.

i saw this at Myer and fell in love with it immediately so when i saw this on sale at shopbop, i jumped right at it.

i love it that there's a crane imprinted on the shoe and the leather strap is pseudo snake skin.

a desire for what has passed.

2009-09-23T23:47:00.000+08:00

"The sense of loss in nostalgic encounters is all the more powerful because it is predicated on the acknowledgment that the past is gone forever."

- Pam Cook

feeling: nostalgic.
writing: about nostalgia in Wong Kar-wai's films.
listening: BBmak's The Ghost of You and Me
wishing: the '80s and '90s were still alive
wondering: what happened to all these boy bands that i once loved so much.

what about you?

i've been apple-fied.

2009-09-23T19:39:00.000+08:00

for the longest time, i've been using my Creative Zen Neon. it has served me very well and has also gone through quite a lot of shit such as me dropping it several times and thus it lacking in a couple of parts. surprisingly till today, it still functions decently, just a lil cranky at times.

so, it was time for an upgrade/change. and i'm the happiest girl today cos gaoster bought me the 5th Gen iPod Nano in purple (which happens to be the same colour as my Zen Neon)! i haven't had the chance to play around with it much but am definitely gonna have a good time with my new toy. the features are fantastic! here's a brief run through if you're interested in getting an upgrade yourself -

P U R P L E; comes in eight other colours; 2.2-inch display screen; voice over function that allows you to drive/run/walk without having to look at your screen as it'll read the artist/title out!

there's FM radio and Live Pause - allows you to pause, rewind and fast forward. how cool!

you can shake it to shuffle songs! totally random.

V I D E O; cool shit. now i just need to find something jaw-droppingly exciting to video.

i love this feature the most! the Pedometer counts every step you take. lame as that sounds, it actually counts the number of calories you burn from walking. G R E A T for shopping days!

for more info on the 5th Gen nano - visit the Apple website here.

perfect for summer.

2009-09-21T17:33:00.006+08:00

do you ever forget what's in your wardrobe? 'cos i do; especially with the clothes that are stuffed inside my overflowing chest of drawers. i tend to just grab whatever's on top and thus can forget what i have at the bottom of the drawer.

so it's nice to be 'reminded' of those apparel that i neglect every once in a while. i saw a David Lerner floral lace leggings on shopbop.com last night and immediately thought of my Aung leggings which are almost exactly the same. even though i was just going to the PO this afternoon, i took them out for a run.

David Lerner leggings (current season) available here, USD$110.

Aung leggings from A/W2009 collection, AUD$40 (i think)

i came across Burma-born, Australian designer, Aung, this year in June at the Bondi Sunday Market. a very humble and down-to-earth fella, Aung's collection are pretty basic but with a twist and are always full of colours. i was drawn to his acid wash and tie-dye basics so bought a couple (he even gave me a discount which was really nice of him!). these are a few designs from his S/S 2009 collection -

i'm wearing Aung's acid washed singlet dress with vintage belt, vintage top, and Keds.

ps. the model's tattoos are totally wicked!

for more info on stockists - here.

it's a l a z y day.

2009-09-20T16:13:00.001+08:00

i woke up feeling rather blahhh this afternoon (slept at 8am, woke at 4pm) 'cos i knew once i got up, it'd be back to more writing. so i carried out my usual routine once i sat down in front of the laptop - check email, visit Vogue Forums, Facebook, Blogspot, and open up thesis document. as always, there's something new everyday and the email from my aunt gave me a good laugh; it's as if she predicted i'd be sleeping and waking up, feeling like them -

animals amuse me, as always.

i wonder if these hurts.

oh bless his soul.

you're my best friend and my love.

2009-09-19T21:59:00.002+08:00

sometimes, i wish you never grew up; that you stayed a little fluffy puppy; that i could still carry you. but of course, we all grow up and you did too. i can't help but reminisce on the early days of your life and how much joy you brought for me and still do. i always look forward to the day i return home so that i can run happily and cheesily towards you and hug you till you squirm out of my arms.

SUSHEE

sigh, i wish i could be watching Lilo and Stitch with Sushee now. ):

blazers with broad shoulders.

2009-09-18T16:39:00.001+08:00

the thing about shopping online is you kinda never know what to expect in the mail when you receive your item. i recently bought an off-white Liz Jordan blazer from ebay and the description of the item wasn't the best but because i spotted it during the last few minutes of the auction, i decided to just go ahead with it.

i received the blazer this morning and realised it's tagged a size 16! blimey. that's four sizes bigger than what i normally wear. it indeed is a Boyfriend's blazer 'cos gaoster can probably wear it too. but anyhoos, i gave it a try and i think i'm gonna be bringing it to the dressmaker to get it altered 'cos - 1. there's shoulder pads, thus making my shoulders look broad instead of sharp in the Balmain way; 2. it's tad too big.

jesus christ! i need a tan.

broad shoulders - yes? no?

not so keen on the broad shoulders.. but still heart the blazer.

denim: love or hate?

2009-09-16T17:34:00.002+08:00

when i first saw this Herve Leger dress, i had, and still have, pretty mixed feelings about it. the shape and cut is gorgeous and very flattering (thanks to the model as well), and i love the rugged look as well as the 'slice' at the shoulders/upper arms. but there's just something that doesn't seem to sit well with me. i reckon it's the material - denim.

image via MB Fashion Week

as everyone knows, denim can either be a hit or miss, especially when it's made into other forms of apparel. so now, who can forget the horrendous matching outfits of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake at the 2001 American Music Awards?!

image via galleryworld

what were they thinking?! i know love can be blind but.. surely they could have gotten better stylists? ah wells, i sure hope they've got better stylists now.

side note: still wish they'd get back together one day. they're so cute as a couple albeit the awful matching outfits.

structured dresses and architectural heels.

2009-09-15T19:41:00.002+08:00

i've been a little slow with Mercedes-Benz (aka New York) Fashion Week so i spent a good hour catching up with it a while ago. there's just so many many many beyoootiful stuff to blog about but Ports 1961 really stood out for me. from the natural draping of the structured apparel to the "architectural" heels, there's so much to love about this label.

North African-born, Vancouver-bred designer Tia Cibani launched Ports 1961 in 2004 - a label that consists of many ready-to-wear classic apparel with a romantic and ethnic twist. she showcased her latest collection at the legendary tent on the first day of the fashion week.

images via MB Fashion Week

images via models.com

the sweetest thing -

i'm adding this to my Christmas wish list.

septembers are busy months.

2009-09-14T21:42:00.002+08:00

it's a month of birthdays, one after another. today, my babe turned 21! the surprise that we threw for her turned out very well and the night ended with a big laugh. =D

SURRR-PRISSSEEEEE!

everybody needs a big box of good treats once a year.

and you only turn 21 once, why not do something fun?

so once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!

how beautiful is that.

2009-09-12T15:42:00.001+08:00

Film as dream, film as music. No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.

- Ingmar Bergman

Bergman and Bertil Guve on the set of Fanny and Alexander

i just love this picture. there's something childlike and endearing about Bergman here; i suppose it's the mismatching socks on him yet matching to Bertil's red shoes. seeing this just makes me wanna take my red high ankle socks out and wear them, once and for all! and for some reason, i can totally see him being featured on The Sartorialist if he were still alive.

too much is no good.

2009-09-10T08:56:00.007+08:00

"Damn, oversleeping again.
Damn, I can't believe I did it once again

I can make it in time if i jump out of bed
If i skip to wear and get running instead
If i get on my feet, if i skip to hit snooze
If i don't care to eat and get running instead
I can make it in time."

- I'm From Barcelona's Oversleeping

it's frustrating to wake up, realising you've overslept and missed your class. it's the second time this semester and i do this almost every other semester. it's also worrying because while classes sorta allow you to skip, work will not.

in an attempt to solve this problem, i consult good ole google again. one website instructs this -
1. Set the appropriate alarm tone (done that. mine's a jarringly, annoying Nintendo Mario game soundtrack. yet, i just don't hear it.)
2. Set a reliable alarm at a reasonable distance (done that. my mobile is placed at the other end of the bedside table)
3. Refuse to snooze (okay guilty as charged)
4. Maintain a regular sleep schedule (erm, what schedule?)
5. Consult a physician (ah mine can't be that serious... can it?)

is snoozing my biggest problem? maybe "Snoozester", an online Free Wake Up Calls service, can help. it's hilarious and rather ridiculous what services there are available out there these days. but i can't seem to find a solution right now. i know 'tho that i need a laugh to perk my day up. perhaps you do too.

images via Cartoon Stock.

little pleasures in life.

2009-09-08T13:22:00.002+08:00

for so long, i'd go past a quaint little cafe called Mart130 while on the way to St Kilda. never once, i'd look out of the tram to notice it. so when my sister came down to visit in july, i'm glad i took the extra effort to look for nice places to go to for brekkies/brunch. needless to say (now), Mart130 came up in the google search.

it's funny how i don't make an effort to discover more of such places without a reason, such as the sister visiting. the nooks and crannies of Melbourne have yet to be discovered and whats more, i feel like i'm running out of time. yet, i just can't seem to find the time in my busy schedule at the moment to indulge myself in these little pleasures in life. so for now, all i can do is look back at the places and good food that i did enjoy.

if i remember them correctly... (clockwise from top left) Spinach, mushrooms and eggs; Spanish chorizos and eggs; Salmon, avocado and eggs; Bacon strips on french toast.

Mart130 used to be an old station master's building.

must look out of trams more often!

can't wait to go back there again, soon...

Mart130 (tram stop 130) -
107A Canterbury Road, Middle Park, Victoria.
Getting there:
Tram No. 96, towards St Kilda

lace-up is sex.

2009-09-07T16:53:00.005+08:00

what more can i say?

Givenchy Open Toe Lace-up Booties USD$1,195; Velvet Angels Snafu Lace-up Booties USD$325

Burberry Prorsum Cutout leather sandals GBP$430; Lanvin Lace-up platforms GBP$731

Christian Louboutin Supra Fifre 120 GBP$1,278

Christian Louboutin Deva 120 GBP$640

And its almost exact copy -

Wittner Vodka AUD$139.95

Wittner Soultry AUD$199.95; Wittner Vera AUD$169.96

are you hyperventilating now?
i know i still am.
*swoons...

every party needs cakes and balloons.

2009-09-06T13:06:00.004+08:00

yesterday, an old friend of mine turned 24, albeit that was four days early (his birthday's on 9/9/09 but cos it's a weekday, the party was held on the 5th). it was a pretty special one for him because he was born in the year of the cow and this year, according to the Chinese calendar, is also the year of the cow. furthermore, it was a once in a lifetime 09/09/09 celebration.
so to add to the specialness of his party, i baked vanilla cupcakes, topped with lemon and strawberry icing, just for the birthday boy!

nice and golden brown. time to move on to the icing.

ta-da! the finished product.
candy letterings read: "Happy 24th Birthday, Lippy"

this Snapware carrier case is fantastic. my cupcakes reached its destination in one piece, with no smashed icing or whatsoever.
and i'm sorry i gotta do this but...
RANT: a lady came up to me on the tram, asking where i got the case from. so i told her, "Southern Cross Station's DFO. it's a homeware shop called Matchbox." she gave me a puzzled look, and then asked, "where's Southern Cross?" so i explained, "Spencer St. it's a big factory outlet that you won't miss." she continued to ask, "is it Flinder's St station? Melbourne Central?"
at that point, i was thinking, OMG LADY. should i just draw a map for you? but i patiently answered, trying to explain to her where it is. for some reason, she got fed up with me and just rolled her eyes and walked off. no thanks, no nothing. i don't think i owe her a living or something.

party photos courtesy of Kein -

aren't these the cutest?!

Lindt Hazelnut chocolate cake in the centre.

delighted? indeed!

i just couldn't leave empty handed, especially not if there were such cute balloons!

blogshop till you drop.

2009-09-04T12:24:00.007+08:00

over the past three years, there's been a crazy spurt of blogshops in the Singapore online sphere. there's the thumbs up and down about this. it's a good thing because shoppers back home can get the exact apparel at a much cheaper price online than at the retail shops. furthermore, you get to shop in the comfort of your home. but with every online purchase, especially that of apparel and shoes, there's the down side of it not fitting. and what's more, there's the worrying part of postage - the parcel getting lost and postage prices.

the biggest downside for my sister's blogshop, on the other hand, is the competition. as compared to others who've been around a lot longer, (and thus having accumulated a faithful following even though some have pretty ridiculous prices,) my sister's blogshop is still a greenhorn in this 'industry'. but with what she's been bringing in, i'm pretty sure she'll be doing well with it some day soonish enough. (:

popthatlolly!

so if you're in Singapore, please visit and spread the word around! if you're in Australia or anywhere else in the world, please still do visit my sister's blogshop and if you're interested, shipping costs can be worked out accordingly (:

ps. me is proud of you, mei! woot woots.

let's play in high end style.

2009-09-03T19:21:00.004+08:00

as some of you might know, i like playing tennis and love watching tennis matches (especially those with Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray). so when i was flipping through Vogue October, i saw a C H A N E L tennis racquet being featured and was immediately trippin' with excitement.

now seriously, who wouldn't like to own one of this?!

for some reason, after seeing this, i took my pretty banged-up Babolat out and gave it a 'Chanel' makeover. i was imagining it to be a 'model' and was literally styling it. i even added some earrings but decided to take them off. now i look at the picture and can't help but laugh at myself.

"Hello, I'm Miss Babolat Chanel."

and of course, who else 'plays' tennis with more high end style than Andre Leon Talley? NO ONE.

Spartans vs. Spot.

2009-09-02T14:13:00.010+08:00

when i first saw Therese Rawsthorne's Spot leggings, i thought, "that looks very very familiar to something that i already have." if you guessed it, yes, it's James Lillis' fantabulous Black Spartans.

Therese Rawsthorne's MELT spot leggings

VS

James Lillis' Black Spartans

while there isn't really THAT much of a difference between TR and James' design (the placement of the contrasting fabric at the lower thigh/knee cap area), there is ONE thing that sets them both apart in a big way.

SPOTS. now, why would you use spots on leggings? if the leggings aren't sheer, perhaps it wouldn't be so irky cos it just looks like the spots are blending in with your skin! i couldn't help but feel a slight itch (like a rash) when i saw the Spot leggings.

so i emailed James and showed him the design. he too, agrees with me that it is kinda weird (and funny) and "spots aren't the go". at least now i know James wouldn't be making that same mistake with his collection! phew.

If you're interested -

Silver & Gold spartans via James' label: Black Milk

needless to say, Spartans wins the day!

because we can procrastinate.

2009-09-01T17:46:00.002+08:00

my lack of discipline results in:

my thesis looking as sparse yet simple as this picture.
a good thing? beats me.

yet here i am, blogging and blog-hopping.
so i might as well do this (via aubergine) -

I am currently...

excited about: dinner prepared by gaoster! as always.
worried about: not being able to finish her thesis' first chapter by tomorrow morning.
reading: "The 1960s: Modernity, Youth Culture, and Hong Kong Cantonese Cinema" by Poshek Fu in The Cinema of Hong Kong
creating: my next appropriate paragraph and at the same time, how i can sew a big bow to a LBD
loving: Chloe, Stella & Anna - my Chanel bags
hating: my pathetic 2GB per month internet plan
wondering: if i can and should stay on in Melbourne when i graduate at the end of the year
craving: for vanilla, strawberry and choc & chips cupcakes
listening to: All This Time by I Call Shotgun
watching: Talking About My Generation on Channel 10
desiring: for a Heidi Klum's body

what about you?

head statements.

2009-08-31T18:48:00.007+08:00

as a little girl, my mom would dress me up in pretty dresses that she had tailor made herself. i also remember how she loved to tie my hair up with a ribbon or leave it down with a nice headband on. over the years, mom's fashion sense rubbed off on me. one thing that really remained constant in my life through fashion is the use of headbands. they're an absolute accessory for a bad hair or moody day; pushing the hair back somehow lightens and brightens up my perspective. i know my mom doesn't really fancy my current hairstyle so whenever she sees me put on a headband, she'd be delighted and would always comment, "you should pull your hair back more often."

mom would like this.

my current collection brought over from S'pore.
in clockwise: Ferragamo, blue flower headband given to by my sister, colourful headband from Topshop, metal chain from Miss Shop, double brown pleats & black beaded both from Sportsgirl

so over the past few days, i scoured through online shops, in particular evilbay, for more headbands to add to my collection. i narrowed down from almost 20 designs to finally decide i will only get these few for now -

via sodamnkawaii on ebay.

what's a girl to do when she's been stuck at home writing her thesis for 3 days?
ONLINE SHOP.

battle of the ugly and the cute.

2009-08-30T23:26:00.005+08:00

as i've come to know from watching animal documentaries and reading National Geographic, the ocean is a mysterious place filled with many odd yet interesting creatures. so if not for the invention of film and photography, we would probably still be living in oblivion to the existence of such ugly and cute creatures in the ocean.

a baby stingray
this is probably more disturbing than cute.

the ugliest of the lot - Mr. Blobby!

hoot, hoot, not!

2009-08-27T20:05:00.006+08:00

before liz left about a month ago, she passed me a bag of hangers, a delicate laundry bag and a surprise gift (which i initially thought was something she accidentally popped into the bag).
i'm a fan of the colour red and especially leggings so when she got me a pair of red hot leggings with funky patterns, i was just too delighted!

it was quite tricky putting this on.

i finally decided to wear them out today and not to my surprise, got quite a lot of stares; i even had an old man smile to me when i stood up to leave the train! (that creeped me out a little bit.)
as any normal girl, i started to wonder, do i look horrendously shiteous in this outfit? are people staring cos they think the leggings are weird/ugly/awful? or is it cos it's cool and funky?
it definitely didn't help that when i met gaoster at Myer after class, he said, "you look like a Hooter's waitress."
SAY WHAT?!
i fully object to what he said cos i don't think i did! maybe the whole ensemble wasn't the most flattering and suitable with that leggings but i don't think it was of a Hooter's level..... is it?

EDIT: gaoster says it's the boots and the high waisted shorts that made me look like one. (oh yes, and just in case i've made him out to be such a horrid person, he has said to me, "i'm sorry! i take back my words!!")

Hooter-ish?

whatever it is, i still think they're an amazing pair of leggings.
thanks, liz. (:

eavesdropping is good fun.

2009-08-25T15:09:00.002+08:00

Girl 1: "Can lesbians get pregnant?"
Girl 2: "No, only gay girls can."

Girl 1: "We're going on our first date."
Girl 2: "Really?"
Girl 1: "Yeah, we've been shagging for five months, but it's still our first date."

Girl: "I'm on a new diet. I can eat only green food."
Friend: "There's carrot in your sandwich."

Boy1: "What is a hotdog?"
Boy2: "it's basically sausage rolled in a bread."
Boy1: "What? No meat?"

Woman 1: "I was eating an M&M the other day."
Woman 2: "What, the rapper?"

Girl 1: "That fat woman in front is looking at us like she wants to eat us."
Girl 2: "I wonder what we would taste like."
Girl 1: "probably chocolate. We are wearing chocolate deodorant."

credits: mX Overhead, August 25th, 2009.

it's about time she makes her apperance.

2009-08-24T13:28:00.005+08:00

since i was on the topic of funny/cute animals in the previous post, i thought, "why not put some funny photos of my dear sushee up too? after all, i've not blogged about her at all here."
so here we go. say hello to the resident dog on expect the unexpected -

spot the similarities?

moody pooch.

"ouch the flash, the flash!"

uncanny resemblance to gaoster's late grandfather.

"yes i love my walks!"

she ain't moody all the time.

in fact, she's quite the charmer most of the time.
it's hard not to love her, even when she's the naughtiest.
(:

animals in the mail.

2009-08-24T13:20:00.005+08:00

i just checked my email and received these buncha really cool/cute photos from liz; with a note saying, "take it all in! have a nice week ahead."
thanks babe. i'm sure i will now! (:

what's the world without animals, seriously.

it ain't chainless when you've got friends.

2009-08-23T21:29:00.004+08:00

circa 2008

you've shared with us and we've definitely supported you.
we will, for sure, continue to give you that support.
three cheers to the mahsip buds!

robe on, robe off; she's a graduate now.

2009-08-22T21:00:00.004+08:00

robyn's officially a graduate now.

hooray!

lemme indulge, lemme glee.

2009-08-21T20:46:00.005+08:00

glee (gle) n.
1. great merriment {syn: hilarity};
2. malicious satisfaction {syn: gloat}

i absolutely cannot cannot cannot wait for Glee to premiere on channel ten on September 17th! i just wished it would premiere on the same time as that in the US (September 9th) but wells, i shall not complain for now.
when i caught the sneak peak of the pilot episode about a month ago, i fell in love with the show. it's yet another cheesy American high school tv drama but it's the bringing back of the musical aspect in teen television that just makes me tap my feet and hum along with the characters.
i'm expecting quite a bit from the show so i hope it doesn't disappoint me and that channel ten doesn't take it off air (so ratings better be good! people need to watch it!).

fitness progress -
bike: level 1, 15min
tread mill: distance 1.2km, 15min
swim laps: 42 x10m, 30min
i've improved! :)

fashion is a religion.

2009-08-20T21:14:00.005+08:00

"A riveting and brilliant film that makes The Devil Wears Prada look like an episode of The Care Bears" - Daily Telegraph (UK)

every word above is true. The September Issue is indeed brilliant (kudos to director, RJ Cutler).
to be honest, i was not expecting much from this documentary film but Cutler proved me wrong with the way the stylistic and narrative elements were weaved together beautifully.
this cinematic following of Wintour was an eye opener but it's hard to feel for her cos even though she participates in the film, she doesn't exactly share much.
although the film's tagline says: "Anna Wintour and the making of Vogue", the story is, in my opinion, very much built around Grace Coddington, creative director of Vogue US.
she is the one who captured my heart and seemed like the only one who is genuine and real. her story is heartwarming and i couldn't help but tear up with her in the scene where she stood alone, starring out at a magnificent garden in Paris and reminiscing on her past.
she definitely had, and still has, a long run in the fashion industry together with Anna.

are you boy enough not to cry?

2009-08-19T19:07:00.002+08:00

guy mates always say i'm like one of them.
to them, i'm more a dude than a babe.
so naturally, the things they say or tell me are all in the name of fun; like what leonard did today while we were in the midst of lunch:

l: ehh i ask you. when you eat too much of this chilli powder, do you like shit out super painfully?
s: huh i don't eat that much of it.
l: wahpiang i tell you. i shat twice yesterday and they were damn hard and damn painful.

oh he doesn't stop there. he just went on and described his shit to me.
does putting up with such a conversation make me "one of them"?
ah wells, perhaps, perhaps.

but then again, gender expectations are pretty fluid nowadays.
just the other night, leonard passed me a link to a short film about a girl and her dog. he proclaimed that it's the best doggie film he's ever seen, at least that's in his opinion.
he also added that when i watch it, i'll "sniff sniff".

i don't know if it's cos i watched it from a film student's point of view that made me not enjoy the film. i reckon it's also cos i detached myself from the storyline as it frightens me to know how real that film is.
so no, i did not cry after watching it.
i guess there's always that boyness and girlness in everyone.

yeeha! it's a rodeo show here.

2009-08-18T21:35:00.006+08:00

after what seems like the longest time, i finally met up with robyn today over lunch at Degraves St for some hot, warm Mediterranean meatball soup.
since the girl's gonna be graduating this Saturday, we sorta went on a hunt for a graduation outfit. took us the whole afternoon to finally, finally, find what i'd say the almost perfect dress.
the girl looked great in it and i will get a snap of her this weekend.

so while robs got herself a very well cut & classy looking grad dress, i got myself a dress too.

quite delighted with it and no harm getting myself acquainted with yet another Australian designer. this time, it's a lady from Sydney who goes by Lisa Thai with a rather quaint label name: Rodeo Show.
these are my favouritest designs from her Autumn/Winter '09 (i think?) collection.

rodeo show baby.

fitness progress -
bike: level 1, 20min
swim laps: 22 x10m
time: 30min

eyes opened, eyes closed.

2009-08-17T15:40:00.004+08:00

credits: Yoshitomo Nara

the next two and a half months will probably feel like the worst.
my social life will and in fact, has gone down the drain as i move closer to conquering this last lap of university life.
this student life will definitely be missed; my sole responsibilities are placed just on delivering good results and making myself and my parents proud.
it frightens me to know that i'm still not on a comfortable track to completing my thesis but like Belinda has said, it ain't impossible.
so here's to reaching the finishing line!