The Merry Traveller

You Lose Some, You Win Some

2011-10-11T00:11:00.003+08:00

Sorry for the long hiatus again.

For the last 2 months, my world took on a crazy spin and often when that happens, I blame it on the crazy nature of work that built up into an insurmountable wall. But this time round, it's the complete opposite. On the 24th of August, I was laid off. I was with the company for a good 6 over years - loved my job, served my customers well and enjoyed the relationships I had with every single one in the office.

On the 23rd of August night, the Boy and I stayed late in the office to have dinner before heading home but then he disappeared on me for a good half an hour and I sat down at his desk and played "Fruit Ninja" on my iPad. When he reappeared, his eyes were red and brimming with unshed tears. He led me to a quiet corner and told me gently that something really really bad is going to happen.

"We (Customer Service Operations) are going to be laid off tomorrow. Let's stay back and collect our things tonight. It's likely they are not going to let us into the office tomorrow to pack come tomorrow morning."

I was strangely calm and composed. We spent the next 2 hours backing up our data and I fervently dumped everything important into a travel bag and frankly made a mess out of my already messy cubicle. At 11 p.m., the privileged few who also got wind of the news came back into the office and started crying. Finally we left for home and I did not sleep the entire night.

Next morning, we were one of those earliest to arrive. True enough, there were security guards preventing us from accessing the office. We were directed to meeting rooms in groups and the Vice President of Customer Service Operations murmured his prepared speech in cowardice, his eyes not looking up into the accusing eyes of ours. We were then given our severance packages and that was it. We were officially no longer part of the company.

We lingered a long while in the lobby of the office building, saying our goodbyes, getting each other's contacts. Some still managed a smile, some wept and the mood was sombre. However I was proud that all of us conducted ourselves in dignity. All 140+ of us. Some of us met up regularly during the period of our unemployment. Some just texted each other. Some commiserated on FaceBook but all of us were encouraging to each other and genuinely happy when one of us found a job. That was more than a month ago.

I was told that the current job market requires a 3 - 5 months search before landing with something. I was one of the very lucky few who managed to get a job within a month and this being the only job who called me up for an interview. The process to eventually land with a job was arduous. Amidst the trauma of being laid off coupled with the fear of being unable to provide for the family, you have to grit your teeth to do a decent resume and modify it over and over again, meet up with recruiters face-to-face, talk to recruiters over the phone to promote yourself, trawl through the 1001 websites of job listings and filling up personal information on every company's career page. The most disconcerting after that is the endless day and night of waiting. Waiting to be noticed, waiting to stand out from the others, waiting to be called. Frankly speaking, it is an awful feeling.

But someone told me that when one door closes, another one opens and it is true in my case. In a case of serendipity, I now work for another Canadian company (previous being Canadian too) and I am into my 2nd week of work. There is a steep learning curve and I am working hard to catch up but at least I have a job and I am grateful.

I just want to let you all know what happened to me during this period of inactivity and I am truly apologetic as I also owe "We Love Colors" a review for a pair of tights they had kindly sent my way. I will try my best to get that up soon when I can. I now no longer have the luxury of taking outfit posts as my photographer no longer works with me but I will strive to do so during the weekends when I go out with the Boy.

Thank you to everyone who reads The Merry Traveller for standing by me. I wish you never have to go through what I had gone through and if you had, I salute you for staying strong.

I get to travel now to Canada twice a year - January and July.

Can any kind folks tell me exactly what I need to bear through a bitter cold winter and stay cute and plus sized? If you can redirect me where to buy winter clothing and how to choose my winter clothing e.g. coats, gloves and boots, I will be very grateful! I have never experienced winter and I have no damn clue!

The Art of Being Foul-Mouthed

2011-08-17T18:53:00.015+08:00

I woke up today to an email that I found quite hilarious and it is fitting that I share this with you:

"Somewhere in Paris, far, far away lies a beautiful atelier called LOCHER'S."

Sounds all romantic and innocuous and hey, it mentions Paris! Read on ...

"At first glance they wouldn’t look out of place in your grandmother’s wardrobe, HOWEVER these little creations are anything but sweet and naive with their prudently placed potty-mouthed sayings along the needlepoint blossoms and birdies."

At this point, I think I gave a muffled choke and imagined myself wearing one of them pieces to church or visit a stern older relative who will be staidly sipping her tea as she scrutinized me meanly before her razor sharp eyes finally zoomed in on what my accessories may say ...

I also imagine that the same stern older relative will not be too impressed but hey, if the rebel in you is looking to rack up a commotion, this might be it.

Or if it is too in-your-face, how about a little sneaky cheeky?

I've went through and picked out my 2 favourite jewellery which would go nicely with my dresses. I like my accessories to either make a statement or extremely delicate - 2 sides of a pole. These are subtle and the first necklace carries a little amount of playfulness I enjoy in the things I own. The bunched up blue flowers will be a lovely contrast against my navy blue dresses. It is just the sweetest thing!

I also have to say that I also found some really cute totes that I would love to have. These are the type of totes that would bring me out for coffee with magazines in it, to the library and filled up with books, to a picnic on a fabulous day. Of course, with most of Locher's items, these also have a little extra dirty side to them. Have you spotted them yet?

Locher's is the brainchild of Nicole Locher who modernizes vintage elements she found in flea markets, hence creating unique little accessories that invokes mixed emotions (a smile to the Gen Y and a possible frown from the Gen X). What I found most fascinating about her is that her mother, herself and her daughter share the same birthday! To digress, the problem is whenever someone tell me his/her birthday, I inadvertently calculate backwards to the day their parents made love. Warped huh? Trust me, I know.

So if you are interested, you can get a 20% off the entire shop if you order before August 31st by entering the word DARLING in the "coupon code" field during checkout. They ship worldwide!

All images in here are taken from the website of Locher's.

OOTD: An Orange & Nude Palette

2011-08-11T13:24:00.008+08:00

I love serendipitous moments in Life. So the weather has been insanely warm in the afternoons and I knew for sure that I wanted to wear something light and cooling. I settled on the orange chiffon top and set about to steam it. To digress a little, I bought a garment steamer and I think it is the greatest invention of recent times! I no longer have to struggle with setting clothes on an ironing board and set about to iron creases painstakingly and flip them over to iron the other side, only to discover the first well-ironed side is now creased. I also never knew what temperature to set for what type of material especially with materials like chiffon, satin, silk etc. With the steamer, I just have to hang my clothes up and let the steam permeate through and it will be miraculously straightened to a wearable condition! I'm not very fussy so as long as I don't look like a slob, it works for me. I highly recommend this to girls troubled with ironing issues.

In case you are interested, I am using the Novita SS13 in blushy pink.

Now back to the outfit story. It was one of those days I knew that the easiest to put on would be to grab a black cardigan from the cupboard but that day, I refused. There had to be something else other than black cardigans! I turned the cupboard topsy-turvy but still could not find anything suitable and I was about to give up when I spied a hint of nude underneath a pile of clothes. I dragged it out and was very pleased with the colour combination. Of course the colour combination is old news and it had been done before but hey, to not step back into the old familiar pattern of matching everything against black requires some thought process.

And as I was heading out of the door, I also made a grab for the new coral necklace that I bought lying about even though I already had a necklace on. Halfway through the day, I put it on and felt surprisingly complete!

Nude, Asymmetrical Cardigan: Topshop
Orange Chiffon Tank Top: Dorothy Perkins
Black Jeans: Anusa in Bangkok
Coral Gem Necklace: Forever21
Gold Necklace: Green Petals
Ring: M)phosis

OOTD: Mint Ice Cream

2011-08-04T23:41:00.005+08:00

Wow I found some time to snap a few pictures of a lightweight blouse I truly love. I am head over heels with this unique shade of green, a colour I have never owned and its liberal sprinkles of lavender, cherry and orange flowers all over the blouse and it is a pussybow! You guys know how I like my pussybow blouses ...

When I lifted this blouse up from the rack, I prayed hard that I could fit in and when it went sliding down my body, I swore I gave a discernible whoop and did a war dance! Oh and it is a size 16 *beams*! I have in no way lost weight but the beauty of these blouses is that they are loose and I am able to wear a few sizes down.

Anyhow, this is a trying time at the office but I found myself missing this blog and dying to be back and so I will see what I can do to blog a lot more frequently!

Blouse: Miss Selfridge
Ring: M)phosis
Necklace: Forever21

Shanghai Dolly

2011-07-12T09:07:00.006+08:00

Hello, how is everyone doing?

I just wanted to take the time to apologize for my long and continued absence while I get my life back on track. There is a whirlwind of activities in the office and made it inconducive for taking my regular outfit shots. The personal life also took on a toll and there were many ups and downs. Many of you sent me tweet love and even emails to check up on me in which I am very grateful for. We may be online friends across distant land but you bothered. I wish you to know I am doing well as I march towards my 30th birthday next month, something I've dreaded for the longest time but decided to try my best to embrace.

View from the 26th floor of my hotel room.

Right now, I am in Shanghai on a work trip. I find it strangely liberating to explore the city alone yet filled with trepidation that I will lose my way. It is also boring to eat dinner by yourself so I ordered room service in for 2 nights in a row now. I expect things to get better as my Canadian friend will make his way down to spend some time roaming over the weekend with me.

I don't want to overpromise and underdeliver but I hope to update this space very soon again. Thank you for keeping me in mind and take care, every single one of you.

Off To Taiwan

2011-04-26T17:44:00.003+08:00

from luxuo.com

I know I haven't been around but my busy work schedule is still keeping me on my toes. I just want to let you guys know that I am taking a week off work to accompany my mother to Taipei to visit my aunties. The whole itinerary was determined by my uncle which means I don't have to do a scrap of planning and just get to go there and enjoy. I am hoping to eat up the local delights and take lots of pictures!

I am also excited about another upcoming trip in October. Originally, I toyed with the idea of going on a package tour to South Africa with some of my coworkers but I was kind of put off by the cost. Instead, I found myself a very sweet deal to go to Osaka, Japan instead! It will be my first time going Japan so I am mighty pleased about it. Looking at the Osaka Rail Map scared me (not for the faint-hearted) but I am lucky to have an underground veteran who will be accompanying me so all's good!

2011 looks to be a fruitful year for travel!

I'll see all of you lovely people when I get back and hopefully, I'll be rejuvenated!

Lotsa of Love to all of you!

OOTD + Dorothy Perkins Event

2011-04-18T21:07:00.012+08:00

My dear fashionable friends, I have not forgotten you! Truth is, I have been devoting myself to work and nursing yet another cold and preparing my trip to Taiwan but in the midst of schedules and illness, I still have a little time for fashion pursuit!

I recently participated in a search for Style Scout programme by FashionFastForward so I was given a little liberty to step into Spring with Dorothy Perkins at their Great World City outlet and take as many pictures as I like in the open! We each received a goodie bag, thoughtfully prepared little sandwiches and cakes (so that we would no doubt be able to clutch onto our shopping bags with one hand and sandwiches in another), cool beverages to soothe the rising temperature of the passionate crowd, style and makeup tips from Barbara Koh, the Deputy Editor of The Singapore Women's Weekly and Karen from Shisedo. What drove the crowd into an absolute frenzy was the 20% storewide discount! As it goes, everyone loves a good bargain!

For those in Singapore who missed the event, there is always the next and the next and fear not, I took enough pictures to share with all of us! I spied so many outfits I would so dearly love to own that I became quite fearful for the well-being of my ailing wallet!

Ever since Miu Miu came out with swallow prints in their S/S 2010 collection, I spy the emergence of swallow prints in more and more items. Fast forward a year later, is it passé you ask? My answer would be no. If something feels right, fits right then it IS right. For me, it feels quite apt to have swallows in Spring printed all over these white shirts no matter when it was first made fashionable. I do think they would go beautifully with brightly-coloured skirts, especially the pleated ones that I am currently so fond of.

No one should have any reason to shy away from colours this season. Look how beautiful this coral Céline-lookalike purse stood on its own in the midst of tans and blacks.

Maxi skirts and dresses are swishing fabulously into the fashion world. If so, why not let it be this brilliant orange maxi with bold floral prints? You can't see it from the pictures but it has a dipped hem (shorter in front and longer skirt train). I really love the gold threading, giving it a touch of maharaja glam.

Here is a perfectly paired outfit, ready to bring you to your lunch. It gives a whiff of uncomplicated elegance and for an outdoors picnic, an addition of a little straw hat and a big sunny smile would bring songs to the heart of onlookers!

The one in the little cute jacket and harem jumpsuit is Barbara Koh and the girl in a pretty blue dress and a coral cardigan was styled by her to show how easy it is to bring florals into play.

Barbara, demonstrating how the use of a scarf can jazz up an outfit and no one should be afraid of patterns and prints.

Bright spots of colours against a sombre background, signifying hope emerging from the dark. If you are one of those who have always opted for darker tones, you could play it safe with an edge by opting for this which would just slightly shift you out of your comfort zone. And yes, I like to take pictures of myself in mirrors.

Sneak peek of my outfit as I passed by the mirror again. I was quite overwhelmed to wear a "Style Scout - Hard At Work" badge!

Isn't that the most darling gingham blouse with embroidered details? The moment I saw it, I knew I wanted to pair it with the denim button-down skirt, basket in hand, straw hat in my hair. Obsession with straw hats? You'll see why later.

There is something irresistibly feminine about ruffles. They are an interesting touch for blouses if in moderation and is easily one of my favourites to transition from a day to night look. I chose the pants below for a more well-tailored look that will bring you from work (add a blazer or a cardigan for a meeting) to shopping (lose the outerwear) to drinks in the evening (switch of shoes from pumps to heels or bag to clutch).

I think the shoes with the intricate knot details are simply gorgeous and stunning. I have to say I love them best out of the shoes collection.

Here's a shot of my friend, Josie, who always knew how to look good and rock her look in lace, fringe bag, shorts and all!

The red eyelet dress I tried and loved last week, days before the attendance of the event but have no means to purchase. Ignore my black leggings, I was lazy that's what it is!

Finally, that's what I wore to the event. I really wanted to have a chance to wear out my new blazer because I FINALLY found one that fits reasonably well! I paired it with my nudish chiffon dress and turquoise chandelier earrings, some glittery bracelets. The rolled up sleeves kinda got unrolled in the process of tug and tussel but it looks way better with them properly rolled up. The straw hat was an impromptu grab from a mannequin nearby and weird as it seems, I like how just adding something like a straw hat instantly downplayed my look into something more fun!

How many of you had a dream to write? How many of you have flipped a fashion magazine, read the columns zealously and wish that you are the column writer?

I seriously do not know which bee got into my bonnet but I remembered a dream years ago that I would like to be able to find an interest I would work towards which is a combination of writing and fashion. It just seems like the most glamorous job looking at how Anna Wintour, Carine Roitfeld do it. Somehow, nearing 30 and fatter than that ambitious girl of the yesteryears, whatever I had once dreamt of became just a passing fancy, a vestige of youthful idealism. How it came to be that I chanced upon an email urging potentials to take the chance to be the next Style Scout to ultimately putting my information in for a shot became somewhat a blur because I honestly didn't expect to be shortlisted.

But I did.

That day, I felt like a (pretentious) fashion journalist noob walking around, snapping everything in sight, making notes in my head, being daunted by all the other glamorous beings holding up the Style Scout badges thinking how young, slim and fashionable they are. It was tiring but one hell of an experience and I am glad because echoing Robert Frost, I took that first step towards a road less travelled and it made a difference!

So people, I did it!

OOTD: The Orange Tangerine

2011-04-04T09:40:00.013+08:00

This is not technically an outfit of the day. I wore it to a wedding lunch reception and I also wanted to do a review of the dress of course.

I must have gone through the wardrobe, pulling out clothes, trying them on and then discarding them in a bunch in a bid to find a suitable dress that wasn't dark coloured but still appropriate enough for the wedding reception. Finally I settled on the ASOS Curve Cross Over Dress With Frill Detail.

Review of the ASOS Curve Cross Over Dress With Frill Detail:

The success of my ASOS Curve Exclusive Leopard Wrap Dress made me understand what is flattering to my body shape so when this Cross Over Dress with Frill Detail made its appearance, I knew I had to have it. Afterall, I begged for the Leopard Wrap Dress to be made in solid colours right? It would be hypocritical of me not to buy a piece and do a review on it.

I was disappointed.

This dress has a great shape for my body, that we concur. However, it wasn't made of a good material which is one of my peeves. The Leopard Wrap Dress was slinky and smooth to the touch and while I don't expect this dress to be of the same material, I did expect it to be a little more solid than this. The dress is soft to the touch but its discrepancy was quick to notice. It creases easily which means you have to iron it everytime you want to wear it. It was low cut and I have no problem with that, just had to sew up a little bit on the neckline to make it decent but the needle gets caught up in the strands of thread and almost made runs on the dress! I had to be extremely careful, distangling the threads when they got caught which is like 90% of the time. But my ultimate horror came when I was having dinner and accidentally dirtied myself. I took a napkin, dip it in some water and attempted to clear up the spots of mess and to my chagrin, the dress started balling! And when I mean balling, it means little bits of threads come together to form minuscule balls, most unsightly and I spent the rest of the night miserable because it embarrassed me on how low quality this dress is. It would have been well if this happened because you have overworn the dress but this is my first wear. The positive notes are that a. it has a great shape b. the frill detail was cute and feminine c. it has a good length for a dress. Would I buy it at full price? Absolutely not. Wait for a really good sale.

Bows for the ASOS Curve Cross Over Dress With Frill Detail:

I tend to be a bit harsh on this dress because I had high expectations of it from my wonderful time with the ASOS Curve Leopard Wrap Dress.

I find myself quite disappointed with ASOS Curve items recently. Almost a lot of their dresses are not what I wanted else it is lacking in something. Their quality had been appalling of late. I also found awesome stuff with good structure and material from other online shops like City Chic. If ASOS continues their crusade towards providing substandard items, this fangirl will one day lose her faith.

After the wedding lunch reception, we went to New Asia Bar which is located on the 70th level of Swissotel. We went about evening time so we had the best of both worlds - the evening and night view of the city.

Dress: ASOS Curve Cross Over Dress With Frill Detail
Bow Belt: Marks & Spencer
Bolero: Marks & Spencer
Lace Flats: ASOS
Bag: ASOS
Chandelier Earrings: Dorothy Perkins

Building A Capsule Wardrobe

2011-03-31T10:00:00.019+08:00

I've been mildly obsessed with the idea of a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is really a minimalistic approach to mixing and matching to create a wide variety of outfits. Susie Faux invented both the phrase and the concept back in the 70s. The owner of the London shop Wardrobe, she's a great believer that women require less quantity, more quality.

Items in a capsule wardrobe are usually classic, timeless pieces that can traverse fads and trends. Some capsule wardrobes have one or two trendy items that can be swapped out but the essentials pretty much hold their own. I've done a fair bit of observing what capsule wardrobe-rs have in theirs and read what most capsule wardrobe consist of. It must be remembered that capsule wardrobes have no room for ill fit or anything you don't have love for. Every piece pulled out and worn must look nothing less than fabulous on you and dressing up each morning will be a breeze.

Most capsule wardrobe-rs have shirts, tshirts, pencil skirt, pants, jeans, blazer in their mix but when considering how I should put together my own capsule wardrobe, I replaced a pencil skirt for an A-line and pants with more jeans since this capsule wardrobe must fit my lifestyle and my body shape and most importantly, what I feel great in. I haven't found a pair of pants or a pencil skirt that I feel that I look my best in so jeans and A-line skirts are pretty much my wardrobe staples. I also added in shorts based on the fact that I live in a very warm country all year round. In fact this post is inspired by a blogger who has a simple capsule wardrobe which she dresses differently by the use of accessories. She has a collection of the most gorgeous Hermès scarves and bags which she uses on all her outfits. Of course, I don't have the means for that type of high end accessories but if I do adopt a capsule wardrobe, it would mean much more conscious spending and less on frivolity and I sincerely believe that it is possible then to slowly build up more quality items.

I love all the items above, kept most of it simple so that I can accessorize them easily. I can honestly say that I can pair every single top in there to the bottoms and be proud to wear it out. You might see some items in there I already have since the best way is to build a capsule wardrobe from what I already have and then fill in the gaps. I concede it is impossible for me to give up my current wardrobe because I haven't really made use of it to the best I can so this capsule list that I've made up will currently serve as a useful vacation capsule wardrobe. I hope to get rid of more things in my wardrobe slowly and start to pare it down to this.

What do you think of my capsule wardrobe selection? :) If you are going to build yourself a capsule wardrobe, what are some of the essentials you must have?

OOTD: All The Denim In The World

2011-03-29T17:26:00.013+08:00

I'm back! Today I have the photographs of all the kind and lovely girls who took part in my "Dress Up Your Denim" challenge. It made me very happy to receive pictures and links to everyone's effort. Some even went on to do more than one denim outfit and I sincerely thank you for it from the bottom of my heart. I love you all and I think every single outfit is amazing and I couldn't help thinking how sweet, how gorgeous everyone look. I hope everyone had fun participating in my first challenge :) and sorry if you think I butchered your pictures a little to fit into my polaroid frame!

For this challenge, I used the switch of a single accessory to make changes to my original outfit of off-shoulder top, Stitch Pleat Panel Peg Leg Jeans (also seen here) and flats. Not only does it create different looks, it is cost-saving. And that is just with ONE accessory change, imagine if you had more accessories to play with! My favourite of the challenge was to use this sequin scarf to somehow create a lopsided effect around my top, making it into some sort of a temporary half sequin top! I really like the effect!

Off Shoulder Top: Monsoon
Stitch Pleat Panel Peg Leg Jeans: ASOS Curve
Strands of Pearls Necklace: Accessorize
Sequin Scarf: Zara
Crochet Flowers Necklace: Bangkok Designer
Flats: Melissa

http://reizende-rundungen.blogspot.com/

http://www.mode-plus.com

http://melandtrolley.blogspot.com/

http://theblogofworldlydelights.blogspot.com/

http://jasiferlionsclub.blogspot.com/

http://amonkeyfatshionista.wordpress.com/

http://starcrossedsmile.blogspot.com/

http://theplussideofme.com/

http://aroselikethis.blogspot.com/

http://unerondeepicee.blogspot.com/

http://voluptuouschronicles.blogspot.com/

Review of the ASOS Curve Blossom Print Playsuit

2011-03-22T22:38:00.015+08:00

Item in question.

You know me. I am like an unofficial ASOS Curve fangirl. Nearly every piece sent me ooh-ing and aah-ing and even if they are less than perfect, I live with it, try to make it work as long as it is not disastrous.

So far so good.

So I was in a hurry to order last week because it was the end of a workday, I was ordering together with a coworker and we wanted to consolidate our orders and just sent it off. The order arrived yesterday (kudos for the fast shipping though). I brought it home today and wanted to try it on. If I actually want to do a review this fast so much so that I took the photos myself at home, it only means that it is either so good I can't wait to share or so bad I had to stop the world. Yes, it's the heroine streak in me.

First thing I noticed when I took it out of the package - the material. The material is cheap and it is noticeably cheap. It is the kind of material I expect to see from a Bangkok wholesale market where clothes are like £5 a piece, not from ASOS, not at £35. Seriously, I can get this type of material from Chinatown or any textile shop at a low cost.

Second thing I noticed as I was attempting to unzip the side zip for the first time, there was a teeny weeny hole right next to the zipper. Now this is a nightmare. If the hole gets bigger, it will affect the zipping of the playsuit. And what's more, this is its virgin unzip. Can you imagine more unzips to come? Not me.

Next, the sleeves. The sleeves are tight. Even with a bit of elastic, it is still uncomfortably tight. It is the kind of sleeves whereby you expect your blood circulation to be cut off after a while and your arms to turn purple-black and drop off.

Next.

You mean there's more?

Discolouration. I have experience with cheap material since I buy from Bangkok ever so often during my shopping trips. I know material like this is prone to discolouration so I scrutinized the playsuit and sure enough, I found a discoloured blossom print. The start of Spring became the end of this playsuit's dream.

How about the fit?

Having owned one playsuit from ASOS and loving it, it is hard to conceive that I'll hate this one. This playsuit is short on me and I am no model height at 5'5. I'm positive my granny undies will have its heyday should I bend over. Because it is short and the material is so thin, it keeps riding up my inner thighs which is superbly annoying and I am just prancing around my room! Comparing it to the Exclusive Vintage Inspired Playsuit, this fit is far less generous and is the tightest ASOS Size 22 I've ever owned. It also broached on my major pet peeve - clinging to my tummy. The bust area is generous though. The only thing I like about this playsuit which the other one also has is the back of the playsuit. It has a button-on strap over the neck to hold the shoulders in place and I just found it cute.

Would I buy it at a fraction of the price, let's say £9 on a major clearance? Not likely.

Hey, how many bows for this piece?

I really find it hard-pressed it to give it even half a bow. So it'll be none. Everything has a first I guess. From the extraordinary six bows down to this. On the other hand, the other two pieces I have from the same order are quite nice.

OOTD: Scallop Edges

2011-03-20T23:15:00.011+08:00

I walked into New Look, laid my eyes on it, made a beeline for it, dragged it into the changing room, cajoled its size 18 self onto my size 22 body and the rest is history.

It has the cutest little scallop Peter Pan collar, its material breezy with spring prints beautifully contrasted against its dark background. I am truly in love.

I wasn't sure what possessed me to match it with pinstripe shorts but I only knew that I was going for a hotpot that night and by its name, you can guess that it's a sweaty affair but I don't think it's a disaster, I'll be proud to wear this all hot days!

Peter Pan Chiffon Top: New Look
Black Spaghetti Top as innerwear: Marks & Spencer
Pinstripe Shorts: Kaylene
3 Wise Owls Necklace: By Invite Only
Flats: ASOS
Nautical Ring: ASOS

P/S: Happyness Magnet has entered a contest for a chance to win $100,000 for the wedding of their dreams with a celebrity wedding designer from Crate and Barrel! She needs to have 3000 votes in the next 10 days for a chance to qualify into the Top 100. I'll love to see her have a beautiful wedding if you can all chip in to help and vote for her here!

Dress Up Your Denim Challenge!

2011-03-20T22:07:00.007+08:00

Image taken from Zastavki

Thank you everyone for liking my "All Decked Out In Denim" post! I am a big fan of dressing up but I have a few pairs of jeans and denim skirts which I find so easy to wear but difficult to dress up. It is easy to wear a tee shirt and a pair of jeans and just head out but is it good enough to see you through the day and night, bring you from a casual lunch appointment to a hot night out with the girls?

My challenge to you fabulous people out there today is to dress up your denim bottoms! You can take your pick of denim shorts, denim skirts or jeans in whatever colour they are and attempt to dress it up so you can proudly wear that same outfit for both day and night, allow it to span from being casual to glamourous and vice versa! This is all in the name of fun and will help everyone who has the same problem as me have a glean into how others will use their creativity to dress up their boring denims.

Here are the challenge conditions:
a. Challenge starts from today and will end in a week from now.
b. You can make creative use of whatever accessories you have e.g. scarves, shoes, brooches or anything at all to dress up your denim to something you will be okay to wear for both day and night.
c. Challenge outfits must include a pair of denim bottoms - be it shorts, skirts or jeans, jeggings or culottes.
d. Send in your pictures to my email address - themerrytraveller[@]gmail.com by the end of next Sunday, 27th of March and include your name and your blog url. If you are posting this outfit to your own blog, your blog entry url as well.

Disclaimer:
I will be given free reign to resize your photographs into whatever fits into my template. The usual width for the photos that I use are 500px just as a gauge :)

Let's have fun everyone! Please feel free to spread the word around, the more people the more fun and you can use this shortened url - http://bit.ly/hLJ3FY to retweet to your friends!

OOTD: All Decked Out In Denim

2011-03-14T12:17:00.018+08:00

I've been loving a lot of denim lately and even managed to remix! In fact, I didn't realize how much denim I've worn till I looked back at my outfits taken on my camera. Here are 3 separate sets of outfits over the weekend!

Review of the ASOS Curve Stitch Pleat Panel Peg Leg Jeans:

I have already worn this pair of jeans thrice ever since receiving it in the mail recently. May I just say it is one of the best acquisitions ever for a bottom from ASOS Curve? It is super comfortable and unlike my skinny jeans, it doesn't cling to the skin (I can scratch the itch! Have you ever felt irritated because you can't get to the itchy bit when you are well clung by the skinny jeans?) and I can literally wear this everywhere. It is the one thing I would turn to religiously - to go to a cold movie theatre, to wear on a lazy day out, to do tomboyish actions, to dress down in for work. I know it is supposed to be some kind of a three quarters, as seen from the ASOS Curve model but let's face it, not everyone of us are equipped with a model's height so I am happy to let it remain as a pair of full length jeans. The pockets are big and can contain a ton. Usually when I go out for lunch, I have to have my wallet, my tissue, my cards etc and these pockets carry all!

Bowdicts for ASOS Curve Stitch Pleat Panel Peg Leg Jeans:

A well-deserved 5 bows! Well-done! Okay I am pretty positive that I can do a size down as it is super roomy but having it at the size I ordered, it kinda looks slouchy and I don't care if I look a bit stumpy. The comfort makes it all worthwhile! You can see me wearing them on 2 separate occasions in the pictures above. The black lace blouse is from Miss Selfridge and is a size 16. I can fit very rarely into smaller sizes but if you search carefully and not be daunted by the size tag, there are always room for pleasant surprises!

Lace Blouse: Miss Selfridge
Peg Leg Jeans: ASOS Curve
Ring: Diva for Miss Selfridge
Leopard print Loafers: Pazzion
Polka Dot Blazer: River Island (also seen here)
Pink Tank Top: New Look
Sling Bag: Pull and Bear
Velvet Flats: Melissa

Here, I am wearing my Dorothy Perkins Super Skinny Jeans (also seen here) - another pair that I positive adore because I feel it looks good on me and makes my thunder thighs and legs appear slimmer. It is comfortable enough but not nearly as much as the ones from ASOS Curve. Still these jeans make very regular appearances on days when I want to look sharp (and not slouchy).

I also want to make a special mention to my waffle ring, made by the lovely Georgina and purchased by amonkeyfashionista for a giveaway that I've won. Sweet chattermonkey sent me a package chocked full of cute little goodies from dollymixx, a beautiful snow white snood and a Joe Brown's blouse. A big hug to her!

Super Skinny Jeans: Dorothy Perkins
Blue Tank Top: New Look
Cardigan: Forever21+
Necklace: The defunct 'Addict' store from Far East Plaza
Shoes: Crocs (from the Boy)
Waffle Ring: Courtesy of amonkeyfashionista

The denim biker jacket made a comeback (last seen here). It looks like I have a penchant for mixing ditsy floral prints with the denim biker jacket. I know it looks like I seldom remix but here's proof that I totally do. 3 remixes just over the weekend. I'm thrilled because it means I am exercising more of my wardrobe! And if you think the last 2 set of pictures look odd and my boobs appear giant (no, it's not a weekend boob job), that's because I was toying around with my fisheye lens :)

Denim Biker Jacket: ZoZe from Bangkok
Floral Dress: New Look

New Layout But Still The Same

2011-03-14T00:04:00.005+08:00

Hello everybody. This weekend I got a bit agitated on how "unfriendly" my website seems to be in terms of searching and finding information e.g. if you want to look for all my clothes reviews for example, there isn't a clear way to find it without going through some trouble. I know the old website was overdued for a change but I just procrastinated for a long time. I finally did it! Taking inspiration from the bright pops of colour that are typical of Spring and Summer, I've also made my blog gone happy with the use of pastel colours and cute little graphics. Hopefully, this will help you to navigate my blog better!

I've also gotten around to do a proper "About" page. It has a little FAQ section in it which carries some bits of myself that people may be interested in. I am just assuming these are the questions that people might have but you know you can email me or tweet me if you have any question at all. Email address is themerrytraveller at gmail.com.

Also the "Reviews" on the sidebar carries all the bowdicts I've done so far and going forward and my outfits-of-the-day are under "Outfits" of course.

"Films" are my old film reviews that I did. "Food" carries all my gastronomic adventures and "Travel" denotes tales and photographs of places I've been to.

You'll also notice a "shop" which is categorized by the scary-looking crocodile. That link currently links to the main page of my blog but over the weekend, someone anonymous said she'll be interested to see my blogshop if I have one and I like the idea! I mean I am constantly in the process of buying and throwing and if there is an outlet that I can use to sell off the old clothes, I will be delighted to. I haven't figured out what avenue there is besides eBay, etsy or posting up on a blog page. What do you guys prefer if you are interested? So till I find a "shop front", the "shop" link will be just linking to my main page.

Is everyone able to view the blog fine? Are there any adjustments you'll like me to make?

P/S: I also know that my archives drop-down menu isn't working but I haven't figured it out yet.

OOTD: Leopard Crawl

2011-03-10T15:50:00.008+08:00

I have received some lovely packages, some from ASOS and one from Yours Clothing that I couldn't wait to show. Of course I told myself that I'll seek diversity in clothes soon (as in not to buy from ASOS all the time) but the free shipping internationally option is really good and their ASOS Curve range is really stepping up some notches to deliver chiffon options to the larger female population. We know chiffon is really unforgiving as it has no stretch and in the past, it would only be a case of envy because I have always had a partiality for the lighter and feminine fabric and it's near to impossible to find it in my size but it is no longer so. It would no doubt dismay those who hate that type of fabric.

And New Look, if you are listening at all, your online shopping site sucks. Between my friend and I, we have tried close to 7 or 8 credit cards and the transactions dropped before it could be processed. We called the banks and they have already authorized our payment ... except you didn't receive it. I even called to your UK line for help out of my own pocket several times but to no avail. You are losing a lot of international customers this way!

Review on the ASOS Curve Exclusive Leopard Wrap Dress:

When it arrived, I knew I would love it. The material is soft and silky to touch, a little slinky even. It is a wrap dress and is extremely flattering on my middle portion in which the tummy so often protrudes. Well perhaps the one reason for that is that the attention is being taken up by the deep v in front of the dress that shows a cleavage to its most glorious potential if you so desire. For those who seek modesty, hope is not lost because you can definitely opt to wear a bandeau with the dress and that should take no enjoyment away from the dress because it is that wonderful. I really love the free flowing skirt and the general shape of the dress. I have also decided to go against pairing black which I usually do and opted for a bright pink. I like how the colour combination brings a more fun feeling as compared to a solemn black and leopard combination. The dress fits me beautifully and I really have no complains except that I would love to have this dress over and over again in solid colours! It really is the perfect dress for work (preferably without the cleavage), for a date (definitely with some cleavage but not all), a wedding reception (again with some cleavage only unless the bride is showing off a whole lot more than you and you are forced to retaliate else it might make you pale much in comparison) and to parties.

Bows for the ASOS Curve Exclusive Leopard Wrap Dress:

If you are wondering why there are six bows, it's because I love it so I am rewarding it an extra special bow! The feather brooch can be worn 2 ways and so it can be used as a hair accessory as well. I do love something that has multiple uses!

Dress: ASOS Curve (here)
Pink Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins
Flats: ASOS
Gold Necklace: Soon Lee @ Haji Lane
Feathery Brooch: Bought from the street shops
Ring: Dorothy Perkins
Bracelet:ASOS

OOTD: Pleated Fancy

2011-03-04T22:05:00.009+08:00

Hello all you lovely people. It's been awhile and I haven't been as avid a blog reader and commenting on your posts as I should be but being sick twice in a row and in a short time span really sucks and saps the energy out of me trying to cope with work as well. Thank you for waiting for me and I should be getting myself back gradually to catch up with reading! Yes first time seeing me in the spectacles. I love them but they hurt me when I wear them from a prolonged period of time so I'm looking out for a nice new pair!

Review of the ASOS CURVE Pleat Contrast Skirt Dress:

When I first saw it, I was pleased with the colour combination. Who knows orange and nude colour goes so well together and the biggest biggest plus point for me is the pleated skirt. I love a good pleated skirt and if the bottom half of that dress is sold on its own, I would have grabbed it in a tiffy and in multiple colours if they have it but still on a dress, it's not bad. ASOS, if you are hearing this, make me some pleated skirts in a range of colours please because that was absolutely fabulous! I am not big on the sleeveless but with such a pleasing colour scheme, I was going to give it a go and thought of multiple ways I could have covered my arms without cardigans being my only option. For those who are thinking bomber jackets, they were also in my head but Singapore is too hot for them. Then, I found my little polka dotted capelet I had all these years. It was chiffon, lightweight, flirty and fun plus I really like how I matched it and it added a nice touch of difference to the dress.

Bows for the ASOS CURVE Pleat Contrast Skirt Dress:

Dress: ASOS Curve (here)
Polka Dot Capelet: Marks & Spencer
Lace Flats: ASOS
Gold Structured Bracelet: Soon Lee @ Haji Lane
Ring: Topshop

OOTD: Sailor Chic

2011-02-21T17:12:00.016+08:00

So ever since I changed a new pair of permanent contact lens, I get red swollen eyes often and my eyes became super sensitive to light. The doctor said I might be allergic to the contact lens material and advised me against wearing any contact lens for 4 - 6 weeks! Horror! I didn't really like my glasses to begin with and with a small nose bridge means they slide down pretty often but what can I do when eyes are so important in my life? You'll be seeing some outfit posts in the near future being totally specky and nerdy!

I breezed into New Look one day and found 2 completely beautiful blouses that I am in love with. The first being this New Look Striped Chiffon Shirt. I am a little obsessed with chiffon since last year and relished the chance of getting my hands on anything sheer because it works so well for hot weather and is breezy and easy. I also managed to think up at least 3 looks from this shirt so I didn't need to reconsider how frequent I will be wearing this! I paired it up with my lovely embellished necklace from Forever21 (shown here and here) because I had this major brainwave to match pink and blue that day. I was kind of pleased with myself because this year, I am trying harder to experiment with more unusual colour combinations that I normally wouldn't think of and this being one of my first. I'm really liking them!

If you need a short review on the shirt, I am a UK size 20 - 22 and size 18 fits me just fine with some room to spare and is even more beautiful in person than the website. I immediately thought of "Sailor Chic" when I saw it and would completely wear this with my beloved skinny jeans or with shorts. It is completely versatile!

I will also be excited to show you my next new buy from New Look soon because it was one of the things that I grabbed, raced to the fitting room only just to make sure it fits (because they are all size 18) and then I knew I had to have it.

Striped Chiffon Shirt: New Look
White Slip: from another Dorothy Perkins blouse
Metallic Accordion Pleat Skirt: Forever21+
Blue Skinny Belt: Dorothy Perkins
Lace Flats: ASOS
Embellished Necklace: Forever21

OOTD: Will You Be My Valentine?

2011-02-16T09:57:00.006+08:00

Well a belated Valentines everyone! I strongly believe that Valetines is not only for couples. When I was in high school, singles would also celebrate it as Friendship day and give each other flowers so we are never really alone. It is nice! Last year this time, I was single and we celebrated by going out for a good meal. Any reason to eat at all is good!

Valentines is a Monday and I had to work and I don't relish the thought of overcrowded restaurants so I went out the day before. My friends asked me to go out for a Sunday morning breakfast and so I did. It was decadent! To be truthful, I ate my day away literally. Morning breakfast and afternoon tea were courtesy of the friends and dinner was with the Boy. I was very stuffed when the day came to an end!

We were at Jones the Grocer for breakfast.

My best friend whom I've known for 17 years now. Shocking!

Her adorable son, so tiny and so naughty.

This little girl ran up to him and molested him all over because he was wearing a tshirt that says "I'm Rich!"

Milk Rocky Road, a combination of marshmallows, caramel and violet crumble and milk chocolate

Valentines, not without some heart-shaped objects. These macarons are made of rose, lychee and passionfruit.

Deep fried towered egg with sauce

Thai food is not without a bowl of sweet and sour spicy Tom Yam soup

Barbecued squid with sauce

Deep fried sweet and sour Garoupa with herbs

All these food and I didn't even showed you what I ate for breakfast! A special mention to my cherry earrings which I adore and spent a long time finding. They looked very real and I have people telling me from time to time how delicious they looked hanging from my earlobes!

Review on the ASOS CURVE Exclusive Vintage Inspired Playsuit:

The moment I saw it, I knew I had to have it although there are a lot of things that I saw and knew that I had to have. First of all, may I say I love jumpsuits and playsuits? They are like dresses to me - easy to wear, no mix and match required and I am really a boy trapped in a girl's body. I tend to hop and sit cross-legged a lot and dresses are sometimes too inconvenient. This playsuit has the most beautiful plethora of colours. I love the flutter sleeves, the neckline of the playsuit, the slightly ruched bodice and to top the cake, there is a lovely cutout behind the playsuit. Now in our hot summer weather, I appreciate cutouts like these to be cool and in all sense of the word, this is a perfect playsuit! When it arrived, the material was thin but I didn't feel that it is inferior because the material is meant to be thin and cooling. The floral prints are absolutely gorgeous and the bottom flares outwards so I can fit into my usual size 22 with ease. The only thing that I did wish for was for it to be a little longer. In its current length, I cannot bend down without exposing my rump for the world to see. But other than that, perfect perfect perfect! Very true to size and a well-loved piece to pass the hottest summer days with ease.

Bowdicts for the ASOS CURVE Exclusive Vintage Inspired Playsuit:

I still gave it a full 5 bows even though I wish it was slightly longer. I think I should have expected it to be short from the pictures on the website.

Fat Aus is also rocking hers here!

Playsuit: ASOS Curve (here)
Green Clutch: ASOS
Elastic Slip-Ons: Charles & Keith
Ring: Topshop
Cherry Earrings: Fred Flare

OOTD: ASOS Curve Peter Pan Dress

2011-02-12T23:54:00.014+08:00

I've been overwrought with jealousy upon seeing Topshop's array of Peter Pan collared blouses. ASOS had also been coming up with a fair amount of droolworthy Peter Pan tops and dresses but the only one they've made for the Curve nation is the embellished one which I wasn't really interested in. How is that fair? The Curve nation has every right to Peter Pan collars and scallop hem shorts!

When ASOS Curve finally came up with the Peter Pan Collar Jersey Dress, I knew this was the moment - the moment the Curve nation had been waiting for to snatch this up and I did too, in two colours because I simply couldn't decide which!

The funny thing is shortly after I took these pictures with my lace parasol bought from Beijing, I saw ASOS selling the same type of parasol in white! I bought mine at one-fifth its price so I am feeling this odd kind of satisfaction!

Verdict on the ASOS Curve Peter Pan Collar Jersey Dress:

I bought my usual size 22 and the first immediate thought is you can size down! And not just by one size. I am fairly confident of being able to fit 2 sizes down. The blouson sleeves were kind of airy instead of fitted and the waist was simply big for me. If I didn't belt it up, it looked kind of matronly on me. There is a button at the back collar which is there for you to undo if you need to fit your head in and it keeps falling out. However a cute dress is a cute dress, after I made the necessary adjustments to belt it, it looked much better and I love that it is knee-length on me because I can twirl in this! The boss told me I looked 1950s and I educated him on what Peter Pan collars are. Someone told me I looked like a schoolgirl which in his definition is a good thing because men like to think of schoolgirls in the most inappropriate manner. Another someone told me I looked pretty in which I told him "Always", earning a thumbs up for my confidence. The material is very soft and comfortable and I felt really happy in it the entire day.

Bowdicts for the ASOS Curve Peter Pan Collar Jersey Dress:

Half a bow is taken off for the size irregularity and the button that never stays buttoned.

Some other bloggers who have rocked this very dress: Rebecca, Morgaine, Stephanie, Gazel M., Claire, Fat Aus. If I have missed you out, leave me a comment and your link!

Dress: ASOS Curve (here)
Belt: Dorothy Perkins
Creepy Brooch: Topshop
Lace-printed Flats: ASOS
Vintage Cotton Lace Parasol: a street stall in Beijing
Bunny: Bought from a small grocery store for less than £1!

OOTD: Sick Girl's Diary

2011-02-09T09:04:00.009+08:00

I'm technically bluffing.

The outfit I am showing today was from yesterday and I have another outfit from a few days ago that I have yet shown when I first got my bangs but I was eager to get my verdict on the ASOS Curve Soft Frill Belted Dress out before I forget what I want to say about it and my bangs looked so horrible in the other photos. Pardon my pale look, I was pretty down with flu, fever, cough and bodyache but I had to go back to work to take care of some stuff. To make up for my lack in spirit, I whisked out a cute dress and was very grateful that I put on a warm cover because I felt cold the entire day.

I also wanted to gush about my necklace. You can't see it up close and personal because I forgot to take a picture of it but it was my singular, most expensive buy when I was in Paris in 2009. Later, I thought I lost it for good when I lost my luggage en route to Paris from Rome but the airlines found my luggage and redirected it back to me a month later and I was so happy to have it back in my life. The engraving on the necklace says "chaque baiser est un tremblement de terre". It is a quote from Lord Byron and means something like "every kiss is a tremble of the earth". Isn't it perfectly, wonderfully romantic and sappy?! In case you are interested, the necklace is from Sandrine Ziegler.

Verdict on the ASOS Curve Soft Frill Belted Dress:

I love the dress the moment I saw it. It is a gorgeous grey, it looks incredibly feminine with all the frills and the frills in turn, had a romantic notion that appealed to me. When the dress arrived, I was a little disappointed without even putting it on. Granted that I know that the dress is kind of chiffon-y and I expect it to be rather thin but the lining that was used on the inside feels like it is inferior and rather flimsy, something that I ,as a klutz, would rip apart. Fitting-wise, this dress is also a lot more snug and body-fitting. While I can say that I am able to fit into most of ASOS UK20 dresses but this is one dress that I am not confident of fitting myself into. Just as well that I got it in my usual UK22. Final verdict? This is a dress that is best bought during sales!

Bowdicts for the ASOS Curve Soft Frill Belted Dress:

Dress: ASOS Curve Soft Frill Belted Dress
Dusty Pink Sweater: Cotton On
Necklace: Sandrine Ziegler
Cross Ring: Diva
Black Gems Ring: M)Phosis
Shoes: ASOS
Belt: Marks and Spencer

OOTD: Fireworks

2011-02-05T02:04:00.009+08:00

Hello! I haven't been around as much as I should this week because:

a. I am growing out my horrendous bangs which I had my hair stylist cut despite his disproving and mournful looks as he took the scissors to me. But of course, it seems like it is a disaster so I am letting it settle and grow out a bit. I also did some straightening on top of it so the short bangs jut out like .. it doesn't belong to my head.
b. It is Chinese New Year in places where the Chinese people roam. For those in the know, this is the Year of the Rabbit. For those who are interested in our chinese culture, please feel free to read about Chinese New Year here. In a nutshell, I have been feasting all week, getting time off work, collecting red packets from my parents and married friends, entertaining my aunt who came to visit from Taiwan and whom I will also be hanging out with when I go over in April and visiting some friends with mandarin oranges. I know these may sound really strange or foreign but it is very much imbued into our Chinese culture! Parents give children red packets during Chinese New Year just like how parents give children money for Christmas and I can't really explain well far beyond that. My mother gave me an extra large packet this year (which means more money!) for me to make a new pair of contact lens but I had already spent that money on two new tops from New Look unfortunately (oops) and also on a Valentines' Day present for my boyfriend so I am broke once again.

Outfit of the Day is backdated till I find some time off and get some new pictures taken with the abysmal fringe.

This dress is from Dorothy Perkins from at least a year ago and it has a name! It's called the "Fireworks" dress, not inspired by Katy Perry whatsoever. I wanted to make a special mention because it can be considered a favourite because it is my go-to dress whenever I have no idea what to wear, when I feel down, when I feel happy and is a perfect summer dress for its short sleeves (which you can't see in the above pictures) and I've also considered that if I should ever need to run away, I will wear this very dress! Not that I really have a reason to because I am too old for running away now. The denim jacket is liked for its puff sleeves. I would have loved it if it is a size larger BUT this is a size 16, the last of its kind in the stores at that time and a proof that with a lot of squeezing, we can still fit into some objects of desire.

Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Denim Jacket: Dorothy Perkins
Flats: Dorothy Perkins
Bow Necklace: River Island
Red Acrylic Ring: Actually Actually
Heart-Shaped Ring: Airport
Huge Stone Ring: Diva

OOTD: All Pencil & Some Bows

2011-01-31T11:49:00.006+08:00

First of all, thank you for loving my peacock eye makeup! I was very pleased to be able to replicate what I saw on the magazine. If anyone is looking for a whole lot of colours in small portions, may I recommend the Coastal Scents 88 colour palettes? They are cheap (again, that's relative I suppose) and the quality is great, super easy to put on with strong staying power and brilliant colour selections. That's what I used for my peacock eye. They have other palettes too so you can check out and see what rocks your boat.

Following Claire's, Elizabeth's, Beth's, Valerie'sand Nicole's lead on pencil skirts, I've remembered that I had a pencil skirt from ASOS which I have not reviewed so I dug it out along side with some accessories that I had for years and never used.

I had these neck bows and suspenders in my wardrobe for ages. When I mean ages, I mean like 5 - 8 years at least and I've never once wore them! I feel determined to bring on the justice and let them see the sun at least once. Suspenders are so difficult for women with boobs. If I put them on each side of the boob, it looks way obscene. If I let them lay on my boobs, it looks odd and constricted. These pictures above are just for your viewing pleasure. I stuck with the red neck bow look because I think at least I looked like a huge present walking and that's cute!

Verdict for the ASOS CURVE Bengaline Tab Front Pencil Skirt:

This skirt is very elastic! It has an elasticated waistband and the material of the skirt itself can mold itself to your shape pretty well. I have never found a pencil skirt that fits so this is my first and I am pretty happy about it even though there's still some room for improvement. I feel that given the versatility of the material that it is made of can bring me far in the long run. I don't have to dress up for work so I always attempt to dress down with this. What I do wish for this skirt to have for more belt loops so that I can wear a belt over the waistband. It does have all but 2 belt loops (if they are even for belts at all) and if I put a belt over it, the belt will move around which is quite annoying.

Bows for the ASOS CURVE Bengaline Tab Front Pencil Skirt:

.

Thank you to dc and Hannah for more blog awards!

Skirt: ASOS Curve Bengaline Tab Front Pencil Skirt
Tshirt: Cotton On
Black Neck Bow: ?
Red Neck Bow: A shop off Bugis Village
Suspenders: Topman
Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

OOTD: She's A Flower Child

2011-01-27T00:31:00.016+08:00

If you remember me asking for ideas about how to dress for an 80s party last week, well, the party occurred.

I also said I'll turn up in colourful makeup but that didn't go quite according to plan. Suffice to say, my attempts at recreating this made me look that I was punched in varying shades. However I found another makeup inspiration in the form of Georgia Jagger from a Vogue British magazine a few months back and painted myself according to the colour hues I see on her and voila, I think they turn out pretty nice!

What do you think?

The source of inspiration.

Well because the colour tones took on blue and green, it immediately made me think of peacock feathers and plus Katy Perry's "Peacock" song had been resounding in my head recently so I decided to dress in peacock feather colours! And then the Forever21 headband was in my way so I snatched it up too and ...

Tadah!

I also have the beautiful navy blue ASOS Curve Embellished Scalloped Hem One Shoulder Dress I've been dying to wear and of course there is also the ASOS Portfolio Envelope Clutch which I bought in green on an impulse and didn't look back. A peacock-worthy outfit was born and the 70s flower child emerged.

I didn't intend to look like a 70s bohemian chick but somehow I just did so I went with the flow. If all else fails, I could say that I am living in the 80s with a 70s mindset. Talk about ways to wriggle out of the situation!

These are my gorgeous Evans lace tights. This is the only pair that fits me beautifully and I love them to bits. I am intending to grow my tights collection through Evans!

I love how I turned out except I wished I had a fitting black blazer instead of replying on my waterfall one because I felt it would look way better with a fitted blazer.

Verdict for the ASOS Curve Embellished Scalloped Hem One Shoulder Dress:

When I first saw the dress, I was head over heels over it. However the price deterred me from getting my hands on it as early as I would have like but still it was worth the wait. When it went on a discount, I bought one in mink. But then it got discounted further and unable to resist, I bought it in navy blue as well. This dress is heavy with all the beading. It fits just right with an inner elastic waistband, invisible to the eye so that the dress lies well on the body and does not float around. It couldn't really float around even if it wanted to, the embellishments are heavy. It would probably lay limped without the elastic band so for that, I am grateful. Although I think this dress looks absolutely gorgeous with one shoulder off but part of me still wish that they could have designed it to cover both arms so I need not struggle with an outerwear for it and disguise its beauty. All that was needed was to have both sides with sleeves and yet retain the scallop hems and it would be a perfection. Some people found this dress short but being 5'5, I found it long enough to retain my modesty and of course I had the lace tights on just in case. Overall this dress made me feel beautiful, polished and I know many others would say the same.

Bows for ASOS Curve Embellished Scalloped Hem One Shoulder Dress:

Even when I reached home after hours, my makeup held on well and I am so mighty pleased that I have to beg your pardon for my final bit of narcissism.

Dress: ASOS Curve
Envelope Clutch: ASOS
Waterfall Blazer: New Look
Headband: Forever21
Earrings: Topshop
Tights: Evans
Flats: Melissa Ultragirl Flocked Faux Velvet
Rings: Topshop and Miss Selfridge

OOTD: Of Peaches & Eggplants

2011-01-24T07:44:00.007+08:00

I found a bag of 5 boleros from a Bangkok shopping trip some time ago and I remembered feeling very pleased with the buys. Not only were they cheap but for a person who is insecure about her arms, these are the perfect lightweight throw-ons. Made of mesh, chiffon and tulle, they are the girly frilly type that I like. I also found a similar bolero from ASOS at the original price of £32 but I got mine for only £5. Okay, perhaps they weren't that cheap in retrospect but 5 boleros for slightly less than £25 and a whole bagful of potential looks is a steal in my opinion.

I also thought I wouldn't be able to use much of this Forever 21 gemstone bracelets in rose gold since it is kind of a hard colour to match but I have already found 2 uses for them. I was attracted by the beautiful colour and I just wanted to buy something to bring away from my Kuala Lumpur trip.

Oh and I tried to do the headband thing but a little unsuccessfully since it turned out into the mess as my hair is awfully layered and hard to stay in place but I still kind of like it and would use it on a bad hair day!

Verdict for the ASOS CURVE Frill Sleeve Fitted Waist Dress:

I sort of liked it when I first laid eyes on it. I said sort of because I wasn't sure. I mean I knew I would definitely go for the royal purple instead of the blue. The colour is brilliant and rich and complements any type of skin tone well. It had a tulip shape bottom which I cannot advocate enough how flattering it is for my body type. What I wasn't sure was the sleeves because they were too short for my liking and I wished they would have been longer so that I would not need a cover-up. The material also means that it is easily creased (just look at the pictures). When I sit down, it folds over and creates these multiple creases which are pretty annoying. But at the price of £9, I would still say 'Yes Please'!

Bows for the ASOS CURVE Frill Sleeve Fitted Waist Dress:

I have quite a lot of pictures to show for my Dinner and Dance in which I am supposed to turn up in 80s but as it is, I ended up looking like a 70s hippie flower child. More to come!

Dress: ASOS CURVE Frill Sleeve Fitted Waist Dress (here)
Peach Bolero: Bangkok
Headband: Forever21
Rose Gold Bracelets: Forever21
Patent Bow Belt: Marks & Spencer
Shoes: ?

OOTD: Enough Flair

2011-01-17T23:33:00.006+08:00

Well, this one day, I was sorting out my accessories and devastated by the state of neglect that had fallen upon the majority of them, I resolved to wear more accessories this year.

Here is a start.

Sometimes my boss cracks me up. He walked over to my desk that morning to say hello and stopped short in his track, awestruck by my accessories. No, he wasn't impressed by these beauties, he was amazed by the number of them. The first thing he asked when he composed himself was "Did you feel that you put on enough brooches today? Doesn't it bother you that you have to get up in the morning and you have to put on a bunch of pieces of flair?" which caused me to promptly burst out into laughter.

For those who are familiar with Office Space, you may have remembered the actors and actresses with many buttons pinned on them, the more buttons, the more flair.

Looks like I still don't have enough flair on me.

Black Shirt Dress: Kaylene
Red Patent Belt: Evans
Red Lightning Bolt Brooch: A Christmas Gift
Red Bottlecap Brooch with Apple Logo: Vintage
Red Plastic Bow Brooch: Vintage
Red Chili Brooch: FuncDeko @ Far East Plaza
Red Nara Face Brooch: Suam Lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok
Black Flats: ASOS

The vintage brooches I've listed are part of my childhood collection either bought or passed on to me. I still have some but that will be for another time.

Word Intensive Much?

2011-01-17T21:59:00.005+08:00

I have my heartfelt 'Thank You' going out to CurvyEveryday and Fatale Fashion for nominating me for 'Most Inspirational Blogger' award and 'Your Blog Is Breathtaking' award respectively. It feels nice to be appreciated especially since I had my doubts for starting up a blog that will showcase my face and body to the World Wide Web. The road to being brave is not an easy decision. The moment you decided that you are ready to present yourself to the world is the moment that you should expect that besides your supporters, there may also be a fair group of detractors. The detractors will serve to scrutinize every pore of your being with the purpose of tearing down the wall of self-esteem you have put up. Those who are not strong enough crumble and fade into obscurity.

I am not always strong but I believe that putting up a blog to share what I am wearing on an occasional basis to those who have the same passion for gathering inspiration is not wrong and it is this sense of self-driven purpose that brings me here today. From people around me in the blogsphere, I have learnt how Beauty is the most evident in the face of Confidence and I have also seen how frugal people need not compromise on the quality of their dressing. Everyday when I read these blogs, I only think of how big the world is, how people from far away are linked together so miraculously by the power of technology and how a passion for something helps us to cross paths albeit virtually. I've seen different lands from pictures even though my feet may not touch the ground there.

To all of you, a big 'Thank You'.

I'll like to pass the "Most Inspirational Blogger" award on to 3 other bloggers.

Bella of One Sister's Rant has amused me no end with her anecdotes of Life which really inspired me to want to write somewhat like her but sadly the episodes of my life are not half as interesting so for now, I am contented to bask in her humour.

Jeniese of The Jenesaisquoi has shown the fearless determination of a fashionista wanting to wow the audience with her outfits. She had spotted some bright dresses, body-hugging outfits that fitted her to a T and seriously made this prude (me) consider going sexy.

Evie from "One More" is one of the first few blogger friends I've got since starting out. She possesses a hawk instinct - swooping down on the latest trends, has an eye for anything beautiful and most powerful of all, her flair for thrifting good and chic deals which I am vhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifery envious of. She is a very genuine individual and I can find nothing bad to say about her except I wish she has more outfit posts!

I'm going to use the questions that Ariana over at Fatale Fashion has answered as a little bit more information to myself.

1. What inspires you?
I'm easily inspired. Beautiful things, minimalist fashion, warm spirits, wonderfully written books, artistically shot films and lovely crooning music are all contributors.

2. What is your favorite season and why?
I'll say it's Autumn. Having lived in Singapore all my life, I am a little tired of the heat but Autumn is the perfect weather of not too cold and not too warm and where the leaves shed to begin anew.

3. What are you most looking forward to this year?
Being thirty years old. Ever since I passed my twenty-first birthday, I've been dreading moving to the next level called "Early Thirties" but as of recent years, I've found less to fear and more to look forward to. I'm looking forward to how each of my old friends will change and how we will move on together. Age is a number.

4. If you could write a book about anything, what would you write about?
I would write a book about a fat girl's journey to falling in Love. Sure it would not be rosy, she will meet jerks along the way, suffer heartbreaks and buy her way to more Love but she is still a hopeless romantic, an idealist and a believer after the trials and tribulations. She may not find her perfect ending but she being she will not end badly alone either.

5. What is your greatest passion?
Words. I find words forming into sentences incredibly fascinating. I believe myself capable of getting an orgasm from well-formed words and sentences one day.

6. If you could change one thing about your life or yourself what would it be and why?
To apply myself more academically. I know I could do it but I was too playful at that time and didn't end up with as much education under my umbrella as I would like. If I had, I wonder if Life would be any different. I'm not regretting my Life but there is still a bit of curiosity there.

7. Lastly, what is your favorite novel?
"The Losers" by David Eddings. We think of David Eddings of this writer of fantasy novels but few knew and read his more contemporary works. "The Losers" struck a powerful chord in me maybe because of the protagonist's fall from grace as I felt I had at one time in my life. Many books had me but this was one of the first few.

I'll like to dedicate "Your Blog Is Breathtaking" award to everyone of you out there who struggles to make a difference to your life everyday and for this, you are a rockstar.

OOTD: Camel Tone

2011-01-12T10:44:00.011+08:00

Thank you to those who gave me ideas on what to wear for 80s. I am appalled you guys asked me to look like Cyndi Lauper! How the hell am I going to achieve that?

I did find some erm awesome makeup inspiration that I am going to attempt and I'll show you how I look in it.

I think I'm going to attempt this.

When I bought this Camel Pussybow blouse, I had a few instant lightbulb ideas on how to remix it. I shall wear it with skirts - solid colour skirts, printed skirts, skinny jeans and so it was from this blouse that my fashion resolutions sprung. If I cannot think of 3 wears for a garment, I shall not buy it. Camel seems to be the hottest colour of last season and even if I found myself usually shunning it, I was forced to re-look and re-think my perspective. After awhile, it grew on me. Not every camel/nude/tan tone looks good on me since I am a little tanned but I am all over this blouse since there are little bits of details that made it a winner - the subtle puff sleeves, the cool shantung silkish material, the smock gathers (means allowance at tummy!) and a perfect length for tucking in or hanging it out. The big plus is of course me fitting into a size 18!

Bows for the Dorothy Perkins Camel Pussybow Blouse:

These skinny jeans are a favourite from Dorothy Perkins. They are "Dorothy Perkins Super Skinny" and I love them the best from all my jeans collection. They have this in dark blue and black but I am so head over heels over the dark blue one that I bought 2 pairs because you know chub rubs kill pants and bottoms. I only wish I had bought more because this pair is pretty chub-rubbed.

I actually felt really inspired that day when I mix all my bracelets together. If you notice, there are times I chose to overkill with accessories just to make use of them. Somehow I think each of them went well with camel so I wore all. I was at work, ran errands after work and had dinner with the Boy. I felt chic the entire day and that put me on cloud nine!

Is there a particular piece of clothing that you have been loving and want to wear all the time?

Camel pussybow blouse: Dorothy Perkins (available here)
Super Skinny Jeans in dark blue: Dorothy Perkins
Purple flats: Dorothy Perkins
Rose-coloured gem bracelets: Forever21
Yellow leather bracelet: A shop off Far East Plaza
Gold Tone Bracelet: Myth @ Far East Plaza
Gold Necklace: Soon Lee @ Haji Lane

OOTD: Polka Throwback

2011-01-09T15:11:00.012+08:00

Does anyone know what is the signature look for the 80s? I googled and was horrified by the big bad hair and outfits so bad that it's good.

Or maybe I should just simply stop using ABBA as a reference.

I have this Dinner & Dance night coming up in 2 weeks and I have no clue what to wear! Part of me just want to wear my ASOS goodies that I procured during the sales but it will be fun to dress up too. If you have any ideas of what I could wear to an 80s party, let me know via comments!

And talking about the ASOS sales, I have been a very bad girl (always) and impulsively adding things to the cart. I actually bought both colours of the ASOS CURVE Embellished Scalloped Hem One Shoulder Dress and also a ton of the other one-shouldered dresses and I don't even like showing my arms because unlike CurvyGirlChic who looks amazing bare-armed, I have a condition called "Keratosis Pilaris" which is like acne on the arms and I feel incredibly self-conscious which brings me to the set of outfit pictures today. The ASOS Curve Tie Waisted Dress shows arms and I had to cover them up due to my insecurity.

Verdict for the ASOS Curve Tie Waisted Dress:

It is made of a much heavier material than I expected. The first thing I thought when I lifted up the dress was how heavy it was. It has its pros and cons. It is made of a very durable, solid cotton material but that also means that it is a trifle warm to be worn for hot, humid weather but would be perfect if anyone cares to layer this for the cooler seasons. This dress ran true to size and I was attracted by how much it seems like a serviceable frock in its simplicity. The one thing I didn't pay attention to when I was buying was the odd waist hem design as shown in picture 5 above. Did you notice how the waist hems didn't match? I thought it was a flaw initially and was getting all ready to email ASOS for help but then luckily, I took a close look at the item again and it appeared to be by design. I certainly don't know what the purpose is but I just found it very strange.

Bows for the ASOS Curve Tie Waisted Dress:

Dress: ASOS Curve Tie Waisted Dress
Polka Dot Jacket: River Island
Necklace: New Look
Bow Flats: Dorothy Perkins

OOTD: Hello 2011

2011-01-03T22:33:00.015+08:00

This is not really my outfit today but what I wore on New Year's Eve. Some may have seen the Dorothy Perkins haul I posted here and it included a White Smudge Pleat Dress which I totally didn't see till I was already at the counter waiting to pay. It was hanging forlornly on a clothes rack with other garments and it was the only one of its kind. I wouldn't have noticed it but my eyes zero-ed in on it (Fate I should think!). I picked it up and it was just about my size (Fate again!) so I dropped the rest of the selections at the counter and proceeded to the dressing room to try.

It was Love at first sight.

I love the shape, the pleats across my bust, the fact that it had pockets and that the smudge effect could also be mistakened for a vague animal print so I can pretend to look fierce! I did have concerns about a larger girl wearing prints but I figured we can all learn to step out of our comfort zone once in a while.

The material was stretchable and really comfortable. If I didn't emphasize enough, the slight drapes across the bust give the dress details but in the most subtle manner and I like it. The pockets I love so much that I kept my hands in and forgot to take them out to show you my gorgeous red bow ring.

Some people hate it but a tulip skirt shape is one of my favourite designs because it gives me hips, making it appear like I have somewhat a little curve to boast of. The drawbacks are that the material itself is clingy and I found it unceremoniously plastering itself onto my tummy which I do not like although a bigger size should fix the problem ... except Dorothy Perkins in Singapore stops at size 20 whereas they carry up to size 22 online. Pfft. It was also a tad short so it wasn't very comfortable for me throughout the night since I was sitting on a high stool.

Bows for Dorothy Perkins White Smudge Pleat Dress:

Most of the previous New Year's Eves were a little low key and involved staying in or attending disciplined house parties since we found ourselves partied out during Christmas and this year was no different (or so we thought). We arranged to meet at Wala Wala for live music, dinner and some drinks. It should be a relatively quiet affair except ... we started drinking 5 hours too early before the crossover. During dinner, we polished off 3 drinks which we first thought would last us the entire night but nooo, they were all slipping down our parched throats in an hour. Subsequently, we ordered a bottle and started cheering for any reason at all. The live band was rocking that night. I found myself screaming out lyrics to The Killers' "Mr. Brightside", Florence and the Machine's "Dog Days Are Over" and even to "Auld Lang Syne". Because I had such a fantastic New Year's Eve, I truly felt 2011 started most gloriously with a bang!

No prizes for guessing who had pointy nips à la mode de Madonna under the influence of alcohol.

White Smudge Pleat Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Red Chandelier Earrings: Dorothy Perkins
Flats: Melissa Ultragirl Flocked Faux Velvet

OOTD: No Snow Can Wear Beret?

2010-12-30T18:24:00.008+08:00

I shall declare that this is one of my finest, most inspired moment just yet. I usually go for the soft feminine look, one that echoes my romantic inclination and a minimalistic approach to accessorizing because I believe "less is more".

However, I am a little jealous of all you people who get to layer in the cold, wear luxuriously soft coats and don on colourful leggings even if I do not envy how cold it can get. Singapore had been sporting a surprisingly cool weather and little sun and by cool, I mean it is still about 25 - 27 degrees celsius but comparing it to its usual 32 - 33 degrees all year round, this is winter for us and as good as it can get! So out comes my beret for some action. About 3 - 4 years ago, I wore berets frequently like a second skin and no one could understand this act of oddity in a climate like ours. I outgrew it and stored them away but seeing so much snow in all the blog posts made me dig it out again to relieve a moment of the past.

But of course sad lonely Murphy decided to intervene and made the day especially bright and sunny so while I look like a fool sporting a knitted beret and a cardigan to lunch, the lighting was great and it was well-worth the amount of sweat I had to endure for the latter part of the day.

Without further ado, I present to you - the Purplish Pink Leopard!

I wrenched the leopard print cardigan away from its rack the moment I spotted it. I do so want a leopard print cardigan in beige like the one H&M had awhile ago but it hasn't found its way into my life yet. For those who are freezing out there, hope the pictures of sunshine bring to you some warm memories of the past.

Pink Leopard Print Cardigan: Warehouse
Navy Dress: Walk With Grandam on Well-Lit Street (worn on its own on my first OOTD with my face on!)
Studded Shoes: A shop off Far East Plaza
Wooden Squirrel Necklace: Tatty Devine (seen here)
Purple Knitted Beret: Topshop
Black Bow brooch stitched with gems: Gifted (from Korea and seen here)

Fashion Resolutions 2011

2010-12-28T00:53:00.010+08:00

Image found on flickr by steev-o.

I am a fan of resolutions, even if it means that I don't get to keep them often because of my many excuses, procrastination and weak willpower. You may ask, "What's the point of making resolutions then if you do not commit to fulfill them?" Simple. Wanting to make resolutions show that I have a sense of yearning to want to better the year ahead of me. I still look forward to the future. There are still things that inspire me. It states the things I would like to do, to work towards even if it doesn't necessarily complete. Wanting to make resolutions or not is entirely a choice but personally, I find that when I have a list of resolutions all carefully thought out, it helps my mind to process what is important to me the following year and I am on the right track to the next on a pretty great start.

I have chewed through some personal resolutions for the next year but for now I am going to list my fashion resolutions for the year of 2011. I never had a list of fashion resolutions and this is the first and I'll like to share it with you. The resolutions are made based on certain intentions and I'll explain after I've finished listing them!

1. Buy only garments in which I see the possibility of wearing more ways than once, twice or thrice! If I don't immediately think of three separate ways I can visualize on how to remix the garment interestingly and differently, I'll re-consider buying it.

2. I intend to do an epic wardrobe overhaul. Sell, Sell, Sell the things that don't fit or which I don't want to keep. If possible, donate the things that I can't sell.

3. Alter things to fit, do not live with it!

4. Define key classic pieces I'll love to own for a long period of time and then choose carefully to pick out the best even if it means biting the bullet to spend more for quality.

5. Let's just wait out for the sales, shall we?

6. I shall walk more into the brick and mortar stores to try outfits. I shall not keep obsessing over ASOS Curve or any other online shops for that matter and attempt to buy the whole store down.

7. I will attempt to read more hair tutorials on how to put up hairstyles instead of sticking to the same straight hair.
.....
Okay, you are talking to someone who possibly has one of the most extensive wardrobes I've known from people around me. I am a self-confessed shopaholic and hoarder. I bet you that I can find fashion choices I've made lurking in the deep recesses of my wardrobe from 10 years ago. I've had almost every impractical category of items you can think of which I will never use in a million years, not in the country I stay, not in the place I live. I've a selection of coloured berets (Singapore, berets?), a boxful of fascinators and hairbands in varying sizes, thickness and designs. I've a good collection of scarfs which I collected and never worn because it is again, Singapore. I could easily name 20 pieces in my wardrobe now that I've never worn. I don't think that's all to the skeletons in my closet and I am not proud of it. It is a complete waste of good money but it made sense then to a girl who was (and sometimes still is) insecure about her weight, her lack of confidence and her limitation of fashion choices a long time ago over the span of years. When one of my close school friends wanted to get married about seven years ago, she picked out a theme colour of pink for the girls to wear for the evening reception. I scoured every nook and corner of shops that carried clothing in a state of panic. If I spot a pink dress and it didn't fit me quite as well as I hoped it would, I would still buy it because I never know if I would be able to find another that I would fit and just like that, I'll end up with multiples of something I don't quite need, don't quite love but yet unable to give up.

I just didn't want to be the only girl who couldn't participate in the pink theme because I couldn't find something that fits.

The wardrobe is now bursting full and more than half of that I've stopped wearing so I want to really gather the clothes bit by bit and find other fashion lovers who would love to wear the heck out of them and undeniably, it would be a relief to know that I can open up the wardrobe doors without fearing an avalanche. I've decided to use eBay as my avenue seeing that's the only way I know how. We don't have thrift shops here who will take care of our pre-loved clothes and sell them to eager owners so that's one option down. I've also found that charity here who'll take in our clothes handle them poorly, leaving bags of donated clothing, toys out in the rain so I am not sure about the option of donation. I'll sell whatever I can and think about how best to handle the rest later.

When I say "key classic pieces" in resolution point 4, I really mean investment pieces that I would wear over and over again and not want to have it disintegrate on me during the first couple of washes. I used to value quantity over quality but because I've been trying to shrink my wardrobe and I would like to have a efficient, functional wardrobe which would allow me to pick anything out of it and have me look great instantly. I have some idea but still await refining and mulling over whether it is just a fad or if it will carry me through the ages. I know for sure that I would like to have a well-fitted boyfriend blazer with a flattering cut. It is an old trend now but I envisage that years down the road, I still wouldn't mind being caught in a boyfriend blazer because I like it that much. Some other investment pieces include a pair of ballet pumps (I wear my ballet pumps to death!), a cardigan with embellished shoulders, a skinny belt in quality leather in tan and a pencil skirt which I think the ASOS CURVE Bengaline Tab Front Pencil Skirt could fit the bill for now.

The last of my 2010 Dorothy Perkins haul

I've recently walked into a brick and mortar Dorothy Perkins store after hauling myself out of the computer seat after months to actually go try clothes. In the end, I came away with a beautiful Camel Pussybow Blouse in size 18 which fitted perfectly, a size 20 White Smudge Pleat Dress with a perfect shape and a size 20 Animal Print Skirt which I definitely wouldn't have bought online not knowing if it will fit. The pros of walking into a brick and mortar is the luxury to try anything till you find the size that fits no matter how incredulous but I've also found that the pricing of clothes in the brick and mortar Dorothy Perkins store seems to have gone up since my last visit. What was originally £35.00 online is £47.00 at the shop so I won't be doing this all too often.

To end off, I'll like to know if you have thought about making any fashion resolutions and what they are. Share them with me, I would so love to know!

Image found from Google images and I know it's from etsy. Just couldn't find the owner!

OOTD: Have Yourself A Very Lacy Christmas

2010-12-26T23:10:00.007+08:00

Merry Christmas folks! Singapore celebrated Christmas earlier than those in United States or United Kingdom so I had fun wishing everyone around me Merry Christmas and then to my other friends overseas! I am very late to wish all my blogging friends but here's a wish that Love, Joy, Peace and Happiness came in your way during the festive season and you had a great time with family and friends wherever you are.

There are only a few girls in my department so I sent them an invitation to participate in "Have Yourself A Very Lacy Christmas". It is really easy, we all just have to turn up in lacy tops, skirts or dresses and everyone appeared in lacy dresses which is kind of nice! I wore a lace dress that I bought from Miss Selfridge about a year or two ago. At that time, Prada just launched their lace collection which kicked off the lace craze till today. The dress was size 14 and I fervently wished it was 2 or more inches longer and I had to wear a bandeau or an inner slip as the deep v also meant that there was a vulgar display of assets AND it was too tight around the bust to breathe properly but I felt compelled to buy it because I think the lace details are too pretty to miss. The things we women do to look good ..

I also overate on Christmas Eve during lunch and dinner. We had a potluck lunch and ordered in pretty much trays of noodles, a 4 kilogram turkey, 2 kilogram ham, 1 kilogram of Salmon Wellington, 2 kilogram of Shepherd's Pie with Tandoori Chicken Curry, a platter of cold cuts, a giant Awfully Chocolate logcake, sparkling drinks, marshmallow cakes, brownies, 4 tubs of Ben & Jerry's and if you feel like puking, yeah me too.

For dinner, we had a buffet hotpot. Basically, we were given 4 different kinds of soup bases which are chicken soup, duck soup, laksa and tomyam. You are free to take any kind and any amount of seafood, vegetable, mushroom, meat and noodle selections they had on display and dump it into the soup bases to cook it, haul it into your bowl and eat. To countdown, we ended up at Timbre @ Old School and sang along with the live band till midnight.

Lacy Dress: Miss Selfridge
Black Inner Slip: Marks & Spencer
Black Flats: Dorothy Perkins
Turquoise Earrings: Diva

OOTD: H & E

2010-12-21T23:54:00.005+08:00

I attended another wedding on Sunday and I knew this girl the day I started my current job. The third day we met each other, we set off to Canada together for job training. She was my room mate. We visited Niagara Falls together (it was our first time!), sat in the Maid of The Mist ride clad in the unflattering blue plastic ponchos, got very lost in Montreal and pored over the french signboards, embarked on the outlet mall mission at Buffalo in New York, ate our way through dim sums, desserts and pork chop rice in Hong Kong and scaled the Great Wall of China.

Dear Eileen, I sincerely hope you found the happiness you deserve.

This is a three-tier cake - first tier is sugarless, second tier is sugared and the third tier is rum & raisin.

One-shouldered Pink Dress: New Look
Translucent Black Shrug: New Look
Diamante Teardrop Earrings: Forever21
Red Furry oversized Clutch (seen here): Charles & Keith
Black Bow Ballerina Flats (not shown here): Dorothy Perkins
Bow & Tulle Headband: I forgot!

OOTD: Some Called It My Christmas Dress

2010-12-19T05:18:00.017+08:00

I couldn't wait to wear the dress the moment I saw it online that I had to make it mine. There were three colours to choose from and each equally appealing so I bought the red because I know I would wear it near Christmas, on Christmas or after Christmas.

When I had an evening that I was to go out for a movie and some drinks, I was eager to let it make its appearance and the number of people who asked me if it was my Christmas dress was unbelievable. One said "You look very Christmassy today" and another "Is it Christmas yet?" and yet another "Is that your Christmas dress?". Yes I suppose it is. It is one of my Christmas dresses.

It's a good thing I bought it early because in just 2 days or so, it was off the racks!

My second pair of leopard print brogues which you see from time to time. I seriously love this pair of shoes. I thought it would be difficult to match at first but I found everything to match it with. It could go with black, blue, red, pink, a versatility upon itself that surprised me.

Verdict for the Forever21+ Red Bandage Dress:
I was very worried initially. Forever21+ carries up to size 18 officially and though there have been many pieces which fit well for the size 20 and above, this dress might jolly well not been one of them. I am not a big fan of the tummy hugging sort. I knew the cut of the dress would be flattering but question is, would it be forgiving enough? I am sort of a calculated risk taker and decided to go for it and I am pleasantly surprised, this being my first dress from Forever21+. It fits me just well everywhere and has pleats running through the front. In my opinion, dresses with a pleated or a wrapped front helps to contain the tummy a little. It is not too loose, not too tight and not too short. The material is superb though a little heavy for Singapore's weather. I would imagine it doing very well for autumn and winter. It has merits that made it tolerable for heat and humidity which are the short sleeves and a slightly interesting cutout at the back for a spot of breeze. If one day the colour red is as celebrated as black, this would be my little big red dress, the classic statement that I would never tire of or go out of style.

Bows for the Forever21+ Red Bandage Dress:

Christmas Dress: Forever21+
Leggings that always roll down: Dorothy Perkins, 120 denier
Leopard Print Brogues: "Your Feet Look Gorgeous" range from New Look
Gold Bow Brooch: H&M (bought in Paris!)
Red Ring: Actually Actually
Polka Dotted Ring: Dorothy Perkins

Bowdicts

2010-12-16T15:57:00.007+08:00

Carrie Bradshaw's Wardrobe

It is really no secret that I am a shopaholic. In fact I have this fear of not having enough clothes. If someone hasn't come up with a word for that type of syndrome and ends with -phobic, they should.

I am ashamed because all these money could really be saved up for a rainy day or put to better use but to justify, Singapore is a dismal place for thrifting and there are scarcely places that have a decent size range with the big girls in mind and even if there is, the bigger size clothes are snatched up faster than you can go "Holy Molly". And we have ourselves no Primark. Instead we have unflattering clothes designed to emphasize our very fears and help your self-esteem plunge a new low. So ever since discovering the joy of online shopping, I've been throwing myself into its embrace, choosing to skim on other little things like the refusal to do my hair until I can bear it no longer or going shopping locally trying to squeeze into ill-fitting clothes and I work through public holidays to earn the right to more purchasing power. In case you are wondering, everything is bought with cold hard cash otherwise I'll say so.

Since it is almost impossible for me to just send back clothes that don't fit, I rely on my instincts, scrutinizing the details of a garment to decide if I need a bigger size or take the gamble for a smaller one. I also rely a lot on reviews from each and everyone of you who have perhaps bought the same garment and share your pictures with me so that I can see how it fits. I have relied many a time on Devon over at Fat Nurse for reference and saved myself some when I decide it is not for me. I've trawled Elizabeth's and Rebecca's blogs when I was trying to buy me a Beth Ditto Polka Dot Dress.

ASOS Curve is quite decidedly ridiculous to cloth women who are a most likely size 14 in their size 20 onwards garment. Forever21+ is a little better. At least the model is probably a size 16 - 18 and they sell up to a 3X anyway. But ASOS Curve, come on! So to cut the long story short, I have included a bowdict system for newly-bought garments which might help you to decide if it is worth biting the bullet for or if you are going to wait for a gigantic discount code.

Bowdict is just a mash of two words "Bows" and "Verdict". I'll use the number of bows to indicate my liking for that particular garment just like what you see for movie reviews. All bow scores are out of five.

The bow looks like this:

I've already started modifying some previous entries to include the bowdicts! All bowdicts are my own opinion and one is always welcome to agree or disagree! Afterall, not all bodies are made the same to fit the same.

OOTD: Khaki Funky

2010-12-15T22:29:00.016+08:00

Looking back at the photographs makes me laugh so hard ... simply because I looked awkward and the little leopard bow on my hairband somehow has this magical ability to make me want to act cute but not succeeding.

Disclaimer:
You might not want to proceed with the rest of the post straight after dinner. 2 - 4 hours time lapse recommended.

Shall we begin?

I look like I am about to hop and skip and gather berries if there was a basket on my arm.

I like the blurry effect so the picture is here.

Don't ask me why I decided to bend a leg. It was probably more in the line of "hey, I ran out of poses, can I be any more interesting?" In fact I am trying very hard to contain the spasms of giggles that would follow. See my face!

Just to show you my hairband.

My one of two pairs of brogues I own which I love to bits.

The morning I awoke to think that it is a very bad idea to mix the prints on the dress with my leopard-print bow hairband but I really want to wear the leopard-print bow hairband so I did. If people can wear stripes with polka dots, mix stars with hearts, I can wear leopard print with camo.

Verdict for ASOS Curve Khaki 50s Waisted Dress:
I am in between size 18 - 22 but have always bought everything from ASOS Curve at size 22 simply because I don't have the luxury of sending back clothes that don't fit unless I have extra money to burn. I'll rather it fit than not fit! I have a size 24 waist and a size 20 bust so it's hard to strike a balance. This dress fitted nicely on my waist but hangs too loose on my bust which is the reason why you see the neckline dip down to a gentle 'V' in my pictures. At 5'5", the dress length is just nice on me, verging on the borderline case of being a little short so I can imagine how short it will be for anyone taller. I do like the unpolished hemline with little wisps of straying fabric (there must be a term for it but I can't think it off the top of my head) because I feel rugged and tough. The cotton material is cool and comfortable especially for someone who is in a warm and humid climate. I never had a camo style printed dress so it is a good addition to the wardrobe but I can't say that it is a must-have so it is better to wait for the sales!

Bows for ASOS Curve Khaki 50s Waisted Dress

Check out Pretty Penny Mae's take on the same dress!

Khaki 50s Waisted Dress: ASOS Curve (here)
Sweetheart Necklace: From a Diva sale
Leopard Bow Hairband: Topshop
Brown Studded Brogues: "Your Feet Look Gorgeous" range from New Look

OOTD: Eddie's Wedding

2010-12-12T20:19:00.015+08:00

This is my first time having a full 8 course wedding lunch and the man of the show is Eddie who had come a long way in Love and finally receive the bliss he deserved.

The groom and the bride - Eddie and Lydia.

C'est moi, at the lobby of the Grand Hyatt.

I fell in love with the bag the first time I saw it but I wasn't quite sure if it is to be black or red but lobbied for the red in the end. It is furry, very roomy and if you believe it, I even put in a pair of high heels that I wanted to wear but couldn't.

You might have remembered the necklace from here.

Do you see my reflection in the shiny balls?

Greta and I.

The beautiful fir tree at P.S. Cafe was adorned with pretty little butterflies.

Had a cup of tea before heading home after the wedding lunch.

I have another wedding to attend to next Sunday and funny thing is that the colour combination that I intend to wear is exactly the same as what I wore for this wedding lunch, even the accessories I want to use are the same!

Verdict for ASOS Curve Tiered Pleated Rara Skirt:
I have plenty of good things to say about this ASOS Curve Tiered Pleated Rara Skirt. It makes me feel delicately feminine and the pleated tiers do their jobs of giving me a swooooosh when I move. My friends love the skirt on me and it is very easy to match. More often, people think it is a formal type of skirt, great for dinners and events but I would have no qualms pairing this up with t-shirts too! I sized up and now the waistband felt a little loose on me but nothing a few stitches cannot fix. It is the perfect skirt and I want to wear it over and over again. It is a little heavy because of the tiers though.

Bows for ASOS Curve Tiered Pleated Rara Skirt

Pearly Cuff Tunic in Pale Pink: New Look
Tiered Pleated Rara Skirt: ASOS Curve (here)
Ballet Flats: Topshop
Oversized Clutch: Charles & Keith
Embellished Necklace: Forever21

OOTD: Riverdance

2010-12-09T08:56:00.016+08:00

A few days ago, the Boy and I went to Riverdance at Marina Bay Sands Theatre. The Boy really had a fascination with Riverdance, we booked tickets the moment they were released and he had been looking forward to the day ever since.

The problem with most Singaporeans is that because of our warm climate and high humidity level, people tend to dress for comfort. But because of this very same reason, comfort doesn't necessarily equate fashion or formal. It is common to find people going for musicals, concert performances and even wedding dinners in jeans and flip-flops. There is nothing wrong with jeans but it would be lovely to see everybody dress up as an effort. Now you may ask, why should we dress up? For some, being 'clean' is their best but personally my heart tells me that wearing my best is showing the person his/her value to me plus I feel really good about myself. The church-goers wear their "Sunday Best" to show God what he means to them so why wouldn't we do the same to the artistes we respect, the dancers we admire and the people we love during an important day of their lives?

Usually I have an occasional splatter of sparkle somewhere around me. It could be a shiny ring, a dazzling necklace, a sparky scarf, a glistening pair of earrings but you know that when I attempt to bring them out all together, this is serious. I want to shine!

Verdict for Forever21+ Sequin Skirt:
I felt lovely that day even though there were a few mishaps. If you don't already know, the more sequins I have on me, the more empowered I am by them. My mother thought I looked sparkly, colleagues thought I looked pretty and I am sure I walked with a skip in every step that day. One of the mishaps was that this skirt is generously adorned with sequins which is also a good thing but I have to say that many a time, I rubbed my arm full across it and had gotten many scratches as a result. In fact when the day was over, I looked like a self-mutilating victim but that won't stop me from wanting to own the skirt!

One of my favourite recent acquisitions. A stranger who was queuing up to buy fruit juice with me told me she thought it was dazzling.

Chloe had the same pair in a rose gold tone. I've seen this around for maybe a year but everytime I asked to try, they didn't have my size. There is another pair in a pewter tone which is a darker shade of gray. This is the silver colour which they made by request of many pleading customers. I had 2 weddings to attend to this month and I am tired of my feet hurting like hell in heels so am very glad to procure a pair of flats as such which twinkles like the stars. What could go wrong went wrong with the shoes though. I kicked a kerb and I could feel my heart breaking when I saw a few diamantes roll out. The claws of the diamantes also did not react favourably to carpeted floors. They kept getting caught in the carpet but I still love them very much.

Dinner at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Cafe at Marina Bay Sands before Riverdance. The Boy had the Caesar Salad.

I had the roast chicken with spinach pasta.

My favourite drink that comes only once a year - the Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha.

During the Riverdance performance, I was resisting the urge to tap my feet heavily and leap onto the stage. The dance spirit is so infectious! The dancers looked like they are genuinely having a good time. I am very impressed with the passion that the male lead dancer, Padriac Moyles displayed. There was fire in his eyes and a surety in his steps that only the most experienced and confident could reveal. There was a piece of instrumental music performed on the Uilleann pipes which is incredibly heartwrenching and powerful - Caoineadh Cú Chulainn.

The Riverdance Crew recorded their highest performance ever at the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, 200 metres above ground. They are applying to have this feat recognised by Guinness World Records as a performance on the highest stage in the world. (source)

I thought their costumes blended perfectly into the blue of the swimming pool and background.

Bows for Forever21+ Sequin Skirt

Pussybow Blouse: New Look
Sequin Skirt: Forever21+
Bird Necklace: Forever21
Shoes: Pazzion

OOTD: Pottering Around

2010-12-01T14:09:00.013+08:00

I set the camera on a 10 seconds mode and posed outside the apartment when I've double checked that there was no one around but it couldn't focus. A pity.

It was Sunday and I was going to catch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows so I wore the ASOS CURVE Cotton Crochet Trim Chick Dress. I was going to keep it for another night out. I have this habit of squirreling dresses away in the event that something major comes along, it wouldn't catch me unaware and in a frenzy to buy clothes but the "major" event never really did occur. I do have a stock of skirts and dresses which I can just easily extricate from the recesses of my wardrobe. I knew I had to have the bag when I spied it in a shop in Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Bangkok. The workmanship is good, the colours are easy to match, it is waterproof but I cannot be certain that it is the real deal. The price was pretty steep but still far lesser than the original.

I am very pleased with this set of outfit pictures because I made use of Zara's bright double-mirror dressing room and I took the pictures myself. I was never comfortable with outdoor outfit poses but once left alone in the dressing room, that's when I come alive.

Verdict for ASOS Curve Cotton Crochet Trim Chick Dress:
I am a size 20/22 by Dorothy Perkins standard and don't really know what size to order from ASOS as this is the first time but I figured that to be able to wear them is better than to wear them tightly or feel awkward or not able to wear them at all! This is a wonderful dress in terms of length. It ended nicely on my knees and has two front pockets which I love resting my hands and keeping my phone in. It had a elastic waistband so this dress felt larger on me and I am certain I could probably fit nicely into size 20 but it doesn't bother me. If the waist is too big, I'll belt it. The one grouse I do have is the sleeves, they are kinda too big and tends to flap around which I don't like but I could live with it although I also have this fear of dipping my sleeves into soup. I am also very afraid of catching the lace details around the neckline on my bag or accidentally tear it with my nails. I am very accident-prone that way.

This is also my first time in tights. I never could find tights to fit me. Not in Marks & Spencer or anywhere else so when Dorothy Perkins started carrying them in varied jewelled tones, I was excited. I even had doubles of the black and grey but the annoying thing is that for a plus size retailer, their tights only go up to XL (equivalent of a size 18) so I spent a very irritating rest of the day discreetly trying to stop it from rolling down my hips and landing in a pool on the floor. The quality of the tights are also quite good because all the tugging and rubbing haven't left any holes in them yet but I could jolly well do a larger size please. Would I wear them again? I have to because I have a few pairs but I would be sure to wear them beneath shorts or bicycle shorts to stop their descending journey.

Zara has some great stuff and their Winter collection is droolworthy but to stop my revolving eye (I overspent at Forever21, ASOS and New Look), I grabbed this camel tone dress (it was standing in my way) and made a beeline for the dressing room. I like the soft fabric, the shoulder details and the warm camel colour but do not like the way it hugged my tummy with passion and the length so it was a definite no.

Bows for ASOS Curve Cotton Crochet Trim Chick Dress

Cotton Crochet Trim Chick Dress: ASOS Curve
Purple Tights: Dorothy Perkins
Studded Brogues: "Your Feet Look Gorgeous" range from New Look
Ring: Topshop
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (authenticity unclear)
Studded Belt: Dorothy Perkins

Where Art Thou, Fairy Godmother?

2010-11-30T17:17:00.005+08:00

Since dreaming is cheap and doesn't hurt the pockets if it remains a dream, let the wishlist begin!

Simply Be has some simply amazing dresses that will bring you to parties with an extra swish!

Frock and Frill Lace Dress in Dusky Lilac is breathtaking! It has delicate flower embroidery all over and one hell of a detailed neckline with intricate design. Hell, I'll even wear it for my own engagement if I am due for one! I know I will feel beautiful in this but of course the pocket that has to fork out the cost after currency conversion doesn't. That pocket will feel very empty. Spot Mesh Prom Dress will bring me to all the lavish wedding dinners and brunches that I've been invited to .. so goodbye to frumpy Miss and hello glamorous witch. I've always had a weakness for lace and mesh and tulle.

I will sip my cocktails with grace (haha, quite impossible actually) in the Lace Dress. I will twirl around the room after a few drinks and smile serenely into an admiring (preferably handsome) face. It is just as well that they don't ship to Singapore. A lover of the bright and shiny and sparkly, the Aryn K's Sequin Cardigan will add the edge with a waterfall of gauze and sequins. I know this cardigan can be paired with basics easily and gorgeously with no effort required. Now, make them in bigger sizes, Aryn K!

Nothing more to be said - Fifi Lapin's brooches bring about an instant bunnychic.

Margaux Kent's book necklaces for the studious or the geeks or the whoever. Each book is so perfectly binded in leftover antique scrap leather and lined with lineless strathmore drawing paper. I'll use ink to draw hearts in all the pages because I know I have a lot of love to give.

Disclaimer: Nothing here is an advertisement. All things lovingly picked out are accompanied by a strong desire to possess.

Out Of The (Makeup) Box Part 1

2010-11-28T15:19:00.007+08:00

For most part, none of you had seen me extensively putting stuff or drawing on my face, eyes etc. That is because I wake up at 0530 everyday and had to be at work by 0700. There is simply no time for me to arrange my hair or do my face without being late so most of the time, I just try to look a little less scary at work before the boss steps in. If I have a choice, I'll love to look perfectly coiffed and well put-together but since I haven't mastered the art of sleeping early at all, my face will have to remain relatively bare during workdays.

But still, I love reading blog posts regarding what people use, what people put in their bags, what people have in their makeup bags, how others' apartments look like because I am a secret voyeur at heart! These are the makeup products that I am using the most frequently right now, very subjected to changes.

L to R: Cyber Colours Gemstone Foundation in 02, M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Medium

L to R: Anna Sui Face Colour in 501, M.A.C Mineralize Blush (Intenso), Chanel Powder Blush (55 In Love)

L to R: Nivea Pinkish Boost Lip Balm, Nivea Fruity Shine in Pomegranate, Anna Sui Rouge in 570, Biotherm Glossy Shine in 110, Sony CP SonCurvy Lip Silicone in 503

Sony CP Curvy Lip Silicone is a Japanese brand selling lipglosses which give you the pouty, full lips you desire. They are seriously amazing albeit a little sticky but sometimes in order to look good, you just have to suck it up!

L to R: L.A. Girl Disco Brites Turntable (NL88), Deejay (NL91), Rock n Roll (NL84), L.A. Girl Rock Star Groupie (132)

These L.A. Girl Nail Laquer are my new favourites. It just takes one coat for me to get the desired colour I want, easy to apply and supposedly they are infused with diamond powder to make it more long-lasting and it works! I am quite lazy and I often let the nails grow out till I put my mind to change the colours.

L to R: Boots No. 17 Eyes in Funfair, M.A.C Glamora Castle, Anna Sui Eye Colour Duo in 06, M.A.C LiquidLast Liner in Dress Khaki, Point Black, Inkspill, Blue Verizon and Aqualine and Sasa applicators

I have had many a trial with eyeliners. Smudge-free eyeliners to be precise. You see, in Singapore, it is warm and humid and so the eyeliners disappear into my oily creases faster than I can say "What the fuck?". My upper eyelid has this layer of excess skin that covers onto my lash line which means I need a whole lot of eyeshadow and liner to allow them to be seen. The other option is to close my eyes. More often than not, the eyeliners smudged badly, making me look like a woe-begone panda but of course that is until I found M.A.C LiquidLast Liners. They have claimed that it is "industrial strength" and they are not wrong. No amount of water, tugging and rubbing will get them off. It must be removed using eye makeup remover. I hope they never retire this product because my defined eyes are in their hands.

Watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 in a bit so catch you later!

OOTD: Peek.aboo

2010-11-24T15:55:00.006+08:00

This was an original attempt of desperation. Boyfriend jackets had kicked off a huge storm then and I was dying for the look but of course, I couldn't find a boyfriend jacket that would fit me properly. So I wandered off into a shop and found this. It was long and black and hey, I thought, I could make this into my boyfriend jacket! Of course the material was too soft to hold a proper shape but I found that I was able to button up all the way and it wasn't too tight for my tummy or hips. I look shapeless and the front was way too short. It would hitch up without an effort.

The original idea was to sew a line of tulle at the hem but I didn't have enough tulle to do that so I put off wearing it for nearly a year or maybe even more. That morning, I was in a race for Time before the Boy would pick me up for work and this dress was lying conveniently on a chair, waiting to be "worked on". I just slipped it on, threw on a belt and most importantly, shimmied into a petticoat and ran out.

The petticoat left my modesty intact so I was able to enjoy this very well-fitted shirt-dress all day, feeling great. A lacier petticoat hunt is on full motion!

This is an example of how a mistake turned out right.

Shirt-Dress: A shop from Far East Plaza
Brown Weave Belt: Dorothy Perkins
Leopard Print Shoes: "Your Feet Look Gorgeous" range from New Look
Petticoat: Mom's
Bracelets: A shop from Far East Plaza, Charles & Keith, Muse @ Far East Plaza

OOTD: ASOS I Bow To Thee

2010-11-22T11:21:00.020+08:00

Since I've discovered how reasonable ASOS shipping to Singapore has been, I've been very obsessively checking in everyday to see what new items they have and till date, I've already shared two shipments with my coworkers and it is very exciting for us to have packages to open up to during our mundane workdays!

I remember what Evie said about stepping out of comfort zone in her "Taking A Risk..." blog entry and decided to try to inch out of it. I used to be a "walking Christmas Tree" according to a friend when she saw me for the first time in office five and a half years ago. I made sure then I had colourful necklace, bracelets and earrings everyday then and was dripping with accessories although they weren't diamonds. Five and a half years later and nearly reaching thirty (ugghh), I have toned down a lot and chose to wear only a piece or two at a time. Basically my accessories are now stored in boxes now, waiting for the day to shine. I wore one of my regular necklaces these days and dug out not one, not two ... but four others to put on this day. Why the hell not, right?

This is my glitter-iest scarf to date for sure, a tribute to my sequins obsession and I grabbed it off the Zara shelf when I saw it, draped it over myself, felt pretty in it and brought it straight to the cashier. It works really well over plain tops, especially white ones. I am still looking for creative ways to wear it. Over dinner, it kind of felt like a bib on me. I was petrified of dripping soup on it.

This is the ASOS CURVE Jersey Puff Sleeve Zip Back Top in Black. It comes in two colours and if there is a sale, I'll get the other colour for sure. The jersey material is ultra comfortable, sweat-absorbent and does its job of keeping me nice and cool in the ever hot and humid Singaporean weather. I am always partial to the "Puff Sleeve" design because my shoulders are a little droopy and puff sleeves add a little definition to them. The invisible zip is just a nice touch. My basic black top criteria is that it must have subtle details to make it not too casual so that I can wear out in the evenings if needed, nicely-made because I wear the heck out of them. At £20, even though it is expensive after currency conversion, I can justify it because it has everything I look for.

This is a navy blue bow skirt on clearance at ASOS but sadly it is no longer available. On the model, it looks very short but seeing that the model is 5'11, I knew that the skirt length would be perfect on the short me and it is. When it was on clearance, it only had my size so I knew that Providence decreed that I should own this and pounced on it. Made of linen material means it creases slightly after wash and if I didn't hang it up but it doesn't bother me. I love the bow on the skirt but I wish it was stiffer so that it would be noticed. The waist didn't really fit that well but if I had gone for a size smaller, my tummy would be quite visible. The thing about tight-fitting clothes is that whenever I go on the subway, considerate beings would stand up and let me have their seats which embarrassed me no end so I try to stay away from the seating area most of the time. But at £6, there is absolutely no complaints from me. Zilch. One of the best ASOS buys ever.

My well-loved leopard print shoes are the reason I keep trying to match my clothes to it nowadays. It is flat and comfortable, allows me to run after buses, thieves and away from the rain! The Boy doesn't understand leopard print but ... the print, they spoke passionately to me!

The gold bearings necklace is a current staple and goes well on most stuff I own but I haven't worn the rings out in ages. The red felt ring was a handmade Etsy buy years ago and was twilled from 100% merino wool with a vintage button secured in. I have another in gray.

The entire outfit.

I found this pair of camel harem trousers which look pretty perfect in Dorothy Perkins the other day but alas, it doesn't come in my size. Dorothy Perkins should carry bigger sizes in Singapore. I would have bought it in a heartbeat if I could wear it.

* * *
In Chinese tradition, when a newly-born turns a month old, it is a cause for celebration. Parents would either whip up a storm and invite friends and family over or cater a buffet if they are too lazy. I was working on the day my coworker has a "one month old" celebration so he brought over some traditional sweets and cakes for those who couldn't attend the actual event.

Swiss rolls and cream cakes of various toppings

Fruit tarts

Chocolate and Coffee tarts with Love

Perplexing-looking cakes and dyed red eggs

The red cakes are known as 'Ang Ku Kueh' or a literal translation of 'red tortoise cakes'. If you look carefully, it has a tortoise-shell design on it. In reality, it is a steamed glutinous rice flour cake mixed with mashed sweet potato and filled with mung bean paste filling or finely-grounded peanuts. They have a symbolic auspicious meaning to it. Tortoises or turtles are viewed as creatures blessed with longevity so in serving these to guests, it is a hope that the baby would live to a long, ripe age. The eggs are dyed red because the colour red represents happiness and good luck. Eggs are significant because they symbolize fertility and the renewal of life. Also, their shape is traditionally associated with harmony and unity. Yes, we chinese are all about symbolism!

Bows for ASOS Curve Jersey Puff Sleeve Zip Back Top

Bows for ASOS Curve Navy Bow Skirt

Jersey Puff Sleeve Zip Back Top: ASOS Curve
Navy Blue Bow Skirt: ASOS Curve
Leopard Print Shoes: "Your Feet Look Gorgeous" range from New Look
Sequinned Scarf: Zara
Handmade Merino Wool Ring: 3FUN from Etsy
Lips Ring: a shop off Far East Plaza
Gold Bearings Necklace: Soon Lee, Haji Lane

Kuala Lumpur Getaway, The Last of 2010

2010-11-16T11:47:00.007+08:00

I disappeared into the city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia over the weekend with the Boy and we ate. Yes we ate.

My favourite mall has to be Pavilion because it is vast, full of goodness (read: huge Forever21, Topshop/Topman, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse) and has a lot of uppity boutiques that I am happy to just gaze through the looking glass.

Christmas came a mite early for Pavilion. They had elaborate decorations all over the mall and played Christmas songs even in the foodcourt.

Perfect time for me to get pictures of myself and my cute bag. I'm a tourist! Everyone was taking pictures so it's not awkward!

Rows of Krispy Kreme doughnuts!

The Sticky guys twisted the leftover candy into a lollipop and handed it out to the crowd.

Some blouse I tried at Forever21 with giant, puffy sleeves. I really like the bow over shoulder thing but that blouse looks horrid on me!

Petronas Twin Towers - especially spectacular in the night.

OOTD: Roses Turn Black And White In November Rain

2010-11-16T10:12:00.007+08:00

Pardon my squinting in the early morning sun. I can't seem to open up my eyes when I don't have enough sleep. The first time I saw the dress on the racks, I didn't love it. In fact, I walked past it a number of times without feeling slightly inclined to pick it up. This dress was in the shop exactly a year ago, near to the Christmas season and definitely meant to be a party dress or a date out. Finally one day, I ran out of things to try on the rack and eventually picked it out and went to the fitting room with it. Afterall, trying doesn't cost anything. The moment I slipped it on, I was enamoured with the the shape of the dress. It is a tulip-shaped dress, extremely flattering for those who are looking to have more curves. It narrows the waist ever so slightly, comes with pleats at the waistline to hide the love handle and flares out at the hips to give a curvy silhouette. Ever since then, I'm constantly on the lookout for tulip-shaped dresses or skirts. I wore this dress once to a party and there was a stranger who gave me unwanted attention so I'm guessing it works.

Usually this dress would never see the light of day (because it's out for party at night) but ever since I bought it, I've only worn it once and felt that it was too underutilized so I brought it out to be worn to work, paired with one of my new butler/rabbit waiter jacket. The jacket has small ruffles outlining the jacket, keeping it stern but yet just a little bit romantic. Ever since I've put it on, I couldn't help thinking of rabbit waiters serving dinner plates.

Oh and I know the slippers are totally off but I hurt my toe and couldn't cover it up so it had to be that way then.

The roses print on the dress looks like a watercolour painting.

And finally, finally, I received my first ever ASOS Curve order that took nearly a month to arrive. I received two shipments of ASOS Curve orders so far (the second order came via express so it was fast) and I am in love with everything I purchased except for this one skirt. I'll do a review for those interested in how garments from ASOS Curve fits on an extra large Asian frame like myself.

Black and White Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Rabbit Waiter Jacket: Miss Selfridge
Black Rose Ring: Off the streets of Bangkok
Silver Promise Ring: Gifted

OOTD: Deepavali

2010-11-08T19:16:00.011+08:00

I've been sick which is not a good thing of course. The virus had been circulating the office and infected the Boy and some of my coworkers. Even though I took my precautionary Vitamin C, it was apparently not enough to stop me from being infected too. I had plenty of rest over the weekend and felt a little better.

I have a total of about 3 denim pieces in my wardrobe, not including the jeans of course. We've seen one here and this is the second piece - a denim biker jacket which I bought from my last trip to Bangkok. I was attracted to it the moment I saw it displayed on a large-sized mannequin. First point of attraction, it is large which means I can wear it! Second, it has the graduated denim tone which I like. Third, it has three-quarter sleeves so it's wearable in Singapore.

I've seen plenty of people with the likes of Nicole Ritchie, Kylie Minogue, Rachel Bilson looking great by casually throwing a piece of denim on their back over dresses, teeshirts, jumpsuits.

Victoire J's look in Lookbook.nu. I am very taken with the colour of her denim jacket paired with her nude/pink colour dress.

Since little girls can look downright chic in the denim jacket so I figured why not me?

This necklace has a name - Mola. It is named after a friend's pet squirrel who went crazy.

There is something about lockets which can be opened to reveal a past, closed to hide secrets and kept near to the heart. I want to put my parents' pictures inside once I found some suitable ones.

I first heard of Tatty Devine via an online accessories boutique, L'artichaut, which is now sadly defunct. Ever since then, it had been a prolonged love-hate relationship. If you are a fan of kitsch, then you would be enamoured by Tatty Devine which is an online kitschy heaven upon itself. Even though L'artichaut is no longer in operation, we can still find some pieces lurking in the Zouk boutique in Singapore for those who are interested and not too drunk to look (Zouk is a wildly popular club in Singapore) but the price could be pretty steep for those subjected to currency conversion like me. I would love to own a few of their Autumn/Winter 2010 which is inspired by "women who set the world alight".

My Tatty Devine Picks of the A/W 2010 Season:

Aviatrix Brooch in cream

Studded Jet Horseshoe Large Necklace

Gingham Neckerchief Necklace

I also want to show you a random meal that the Boy and I both enjoy on a regular basis - Butter Naan and Butter Chicken Curry.

Denim Biker Jacket: ZoZe from Bangkok
Floral Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Wooden Squirrel Necklace: Tatty Devine
Vintage-inspired Locket Necklace: Pull & Bear
Shoes: Birkenstocks

OOTD: Glitter Sleeves + Haul-To-Die-For

2010-11-01T23:37:00.012+08:00

I think I am definitely getting brave by today's standard of outfit post because it features quite a large picture of me compared to the teeny me in the last one - yes the one that my features are measured in millimeters. I can take full body pictures of myself with a face in it because ... I was in a dressing room so I might as well make use of the large full-length body mirror!

Last Christmas, I was mad for sequins and glitter. Okay maybe that is not quite the truth because I go ga-ga over them every single Christmas and I never get tired of the sparkly because they make me feel festive and brighten up my mood instantly. A special glow just seems to radiate the moment you don on the glitterati. Since Christmas is fast approaching again, I've decided to bring on the shiny just a wee bit earlier.

All that glitters is not gold.

No idea what this particular type of sleeve is called but I secretly acknowledge it as the 'pixie sleeve'. Pixies in storybooks seem to have sleeves like these.

Tadah! Thank you Topshop for the use of your lovely mirror and space.

There is much cause for excitement today. Guess what came in the mail?

The dream dress that I've been hankering after ever since it came out.

I pulled it on almost immediately but I should have seriously sized down for this. I know how people said to size down in their reviews (which I read very diligently) but having a thick waist made me reconsider and opted for one size safer. I'll rather it be big than not being able to wear it at all! Turns out that the sleeves are flutteringly (is there such a word?) big on me but I'm not going to go through the hassle of sending it back .. think of the postage I would incur and not to mention the potential horror of lost mail! In Rebecca's words, I'm going to wear it and love it. I'll have to think of some way to modify it into more wearable sleeves. The dress length is so so perfect though. Even the Mother likes it and asked why I didn't order one for her!

Lady Luck decided to shine thoroughly upon me today. I also received three gorgeous skirts. I ordered 2 skirts from Faith21, one in 2X and another in 3X but a friend ordered this nude mesh skirt with chantilly lace trim in size L from Forever21 that was too long for her and asked if it would fit me. I didn't even so much have to struggle into it! It had an elastic waistband and what could originally fit a size 12 by default now slips up my size 20/22 bottom with ease! The only problem is that the petticoat is clingy in the areas I don't want it to cling to but I was desperate enough to make it work so I worked the petticoat furiously to stretch out of its shape to fit me! I just just couldn't give the skirt up.

How does one give up a skirt like this? How?

The jeweled mesh pleated skirt in navy blue with sparkly bits all over, first seen on Chloe.

The pretty sequin skirt, also seen on Sonia and Chloe.

A few months ago, I lost the chance to purchase a tunic from Topshop with Leopard print collar because they ran out of sizes by the time I got around to it. I spotted the exact same design made with different (cheaper) material again and made a beeline for it. I would have preferred the more expensive one in viscose (only because I really like viscose) but I am not going to complain. If you can't tell by now, I am in no way a restrained shopaholic. The only time I stop is only really when I stop being able to feed myself. This, I emphasize, is not good but I am resolving harder to change it.

I freaking adore the collar!

I have an impending interview on Thursday. I hate interviews and get all stressed up about it but these clothes gave me a little comfort today. Wish me luck!

Glitter Sleeves Tee: Dorothy Perkins' last Christmas collection
Denim Skirt: Big Anusa from Bangkok
Sandals: Birkenstock
Red Bag hanging from the rail: Mango

OOTD: Walk The Dress + POA

2010-10-31T03:28:00.006+08:00

I thought I'll surprise you today by having a full body post! I finally got the Boy to take a full body picture of me without him laughing his head off or something. That's how I look and we decided to meet to go shopping (oh yes, he actually asked me out shopping!) in a hurry so I didn't give too much thought to what I was going to wear.

We also have ice-cream men in Orchard Road (Orchard Road is sometimes fondly referred to as the Shoppers' Paradise in Singapore). These ice-cream men sell scooped ice-cream which can be had with cone, bread or thin waffle slices. Chocolate is a staple flavour but sometimes we would also have corn, raspberry, coconut flavours available and they are most delicious and cheap. Here the Boy is holding two portions of scooped ice-cream with bread.

Some pictures of clothes during my window-shopping spree which I would dearly love to have in plus sizes. Well, perhaps sometimes it's for the better else the pocket would surely hurt. Clothes in display window are from People of Asia Company at Mandarin Gallery.

Dress: by Walk With Grandam on Well-Lit Street, a Thai designer whom I adore
Shoes: Dorothy Perkins
Bag: Soon Lee @ Haji Lane

OOTD: Eyeing Something

2010-10-27T18:47:00.006+08:00

Everyone must surely have a day they lack in inspiration. Sometimes I just throw on a teeshirt and jeans combination but mostly I ransack my wardrobe to see what lies forgotten and try to make it work.

Our object of affection today is a peach eyelet top bought earlier this year but have never seen the light of day.

I could wear it backwards. The button details are quite lovely and there's a diamante flower button to top it off.

My first thought was grabbing this bib necklace off my table. The necklace is new, bought only two days ago and meant to be part of an ensemble that I am going to wear to a wedding later this year. Isn't the necklace beautiful? I fell in love with it the moment I saw it on the mannequin. I think the necklace matches the peach eyelet top quite perfectly .... except it looks more appropriate for a tea party or another wedding event I've been invited to than for work.

I switched the "Wedding Necklace" out for a plastic white bow necklace. It's more casual but ... I'm not liking it. Something is missing ...

The final choice boiled down to .. THIS! A black bow stitched with gems is much more contrasting with the pale peach colour and plus it has blings. Anything with blings ace in my opinion.

I did wish I wore it with a plain black skirt instead of a zipped one but it's okay, I get to try styling it again the next time!

Pale Peach Eyelet Top: Dorothy Perkins Size 20
3/4 Cropped-Sleeved Black Cardigan with Scallop Frills: Zara
Black Zipped Skirt: Elle 1X, bought cheap in Bangkok
Pretty Bib Necklace: Forever21
White Plastic Bow Necklace: Sampeng market in Bangkok
Black Bow brooch stitched with gems: Gifted (from Korea)

iLight Marina Bay

2010-10-25T16:51:00.006+08:00

iLight Marina Bay runs from 15th October to 7th November from 1970 - 0000. It is Asia's First Sustainable Light Art festival illuminating Marina Bay, celebrating Singapore's nightscape.

Just like MessyCarla in her recent blog post, I act like a tourist sometimes and try to attend exhibitions or go around the city since there isn't really much to do in a small city like ours. There are only so many movies you can watch, so many meals you can have the whole day and so many shopping centres to break your legs. It is sort of nice to rediscover the place you live in. I live in Singapore all my life and every moment when my back is turned, I find the ground dug, the buildings torn down and something in its stead would spout out quickly like a mushroom.

The strange-looking building that looks like it supports a ship is Singapore's newest casino + hotel - Marina Bay Sands.

I would like to see your city. Show me yours when you are next a tourist in your own city/country :)

OOTD: The Leopard Within

2010-10-25T16:11:00.005+08:00

The Boy took one look at my dress and laughed. "How weird! A pink leopard!" he giggled.

This was easily one of my best and most unexpected finds (of 2009). I bought it about this time last Christmas and when everywhere was on sale. bYSI occasionally carries large-fitting pieces that I can slip in but most of the time, they carry till about a size 14. My other friends being size 14 and less wandered into the store which was having a megasale and I just flipped through the racks and found the dress. As always, the first thing I do in a shop which doesn't carry clothing my size is to look for either an XL or a L. I then tried to test the material with my hands, stretching it to see if it can remotely go around me. When I ascertained the possibility, I will then carry it to the dressing room. Viola! It fits me and the drapey front means that I get to hide my tummy.

The dress only cost SGD15 which is maybe like a USD10.

The black blazer is made from cotton and is a UK16 from Miss Selfridge. I hardly fit into any blazer at all because either the boobs or tummy are my obstacles. Since this is cotton, it means that it is a little stretchy. It would have been better with a UK18 but Miss Selfridge in Singapore does not carry up to 18.

The brooches come in a set of 3 and have gemstones printings on them. I am pretty sure I got them from H&M. This is the first time I've used them on any garment because either I forget I have them or I don't want to spoil the garment with pinholes.

Leopard-print Dress: bYSI
Cotton Blazer: Miss Selfridge
Brooches: H&M somewhere else in the world

OOTD: Denim Mad

2010-10-21T07:35:00.008+08:00

A still no head/face post only because I am the one taking the pictures and my short outstretched arms holding the camera could only incorporate that much body for a picture.

Just the day before, I was trying to give this denim tunic away to my friend. She gave me a few hundred bucks to buy stuff that I think would fit her when I was away in Bangkok. Denim is all the rage now by Bangkok standard and I spotted this easy-to-wear denim top on a sale. What really sold it was the roll-up sleeves and the wonderful well-mixed colour gradiation that gives it a little more "depth".

Putting together what I was going to wear the night before.

Did I ever say I have a really casual working environment? With the exception of hot pants and miniskirts and midriff-baring tops, we can dress as we like.

The friend didn't like the denim tunic, being the safe dresser she is and denim culture has not caught Singapore by storm as of yet so I brought it home and thought of giving it to my pregnant friend who will probably welcome it. As it is, I tried it on again and decided to keep it for myself cos it looks pretty well on me!

The Bow Necklace is Vivienne-Westwood inspired I think since it has her signature logo on it and I bought it because a. it is so cheap b. it would be suitable for beach holidays (not that I took any yet) and c. I adore bows in all shapes, sizes and textures! The necklace costs about 60 baht which translates to less than 3 SGD = 2 USD.

Denim Tunic: A shop from Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Bangkok
Black Leggings: Dorothy Perkins
Bow Necklace: Sampeng Wholesale Market, Bangkok
Bow Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

Annie In Other Hands

2010-10-19T13:11:00.004+08:00

I saw this picture and I want to post it because the girl holding the camera is impossibly chic and she has a fur bag and she is holding the same type of camera I use, namely the Sony NEX-5 (which I affectionately call 'Annie').

Park & Cube definitely looks better carrying my camera than I do.

Now I covet the 18-200 lens for my Annie and having it would make me the happiest girl in the world (for a while).

Have You Gone Too Far?

2010-10-18T12:34:00.005+08:00

So I was just browsing online as usual, stumbled upon Corpulent's entry and this makes me angry.

So Natasha Hughes think that other people should not be subjected to someone else's "rolls" and that it is not stylish and devoid of decency to expose the rolls.

So it is considered "decent" to expose if you have no rolls? I am sorry but my sense of decency seems to only elude the type of people I abhor like you, Natasha. Otherwise, I promise, I am the very epitome of "decency" towards the deserving and the non-judgemental.

The very words of Natasha Hughes:
"Who wants to be exposed to someone's rolls? Where is their sense of style, of decency?"

- "Comfortably Tummied" article on SMH

It is almost akin to say that you, Natasha, should not be allowed out of your house or should at least cover up your face well and properly before you leave home lest you scare and make the little kids cry with your wrinkles.

Now how does that feel?

If that feels like a personal attack, that's because my sense of decency has just done a skip, a hop just to get around you.

It's fucking swimming. We just want to have fun in the water. (photo credit)

The Current One & Only Thrill

2010-10-18T11:52:00.006+08:00

I've been thinking how best to show my hauls (well really, I've just been lazy). I was sent on an impromptu one day business trip to Bangkok but I extended a day so that I can get some shopping done. Bangkok is truly truly a shopping paradise even for plus size girls like me. If you know how to look, where to look, you can and will spend money! I also stayed at the super luxurious Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit which I normally wouldn't stay on my own money but since it has been paid by the company and it is a company preferred hotel, I am not going to say no!

The difference between booking on your own and having the company book it for you is big. I was treated like an exclusive guest and the check-in officer left the reception to show me around the hotel, bring me up to my room, introduce facilities and also shower me with unlimited Cappuccino/Latte if only I just call. Anyway because of the privileges granted to me, I am going to say that I had a fantastic time!

A music recommendation if enjoy the acoustic and a little jazz. I've been enraptured by Melody Gardot's "My One And Only Thrill" album.

My favourite songs are "If The Stars Were Mine" and "Over The Rainbow". I never get tired of hearing different renditions of "Over The Rainbow".

Beach Bums

2010-10-06T16:02:00.002+08:00

The Boy and I have a mutual love for quiet and uncluttered spaces even though I deal with a rowdy crowd much more effectively than he does. Think about jostling in the crowd for fashion steals or the fight for limited edition items. Of late, we've visited the beach on a much more frequent basis, choosing to takeout our drinks from McDonald's drivethrough and selecting a random spot to sit side by side, smoke and hold hands or giggle at couples making out in public.

We started out with the stony seats but loving the feel of soft sand under our feet, the Boy has packed away a mat, two foldable chairs and two cushions at the back of his car so that we can pull them out anytime and head for the beach. I've added slippers, shorts and a teeshirt because I tend to wear impractical things to work and really want to change out into beachwear to lounge. After a moment of thought, I've also packed in tealight candles and a warm rug for us to snuggle in together if we get cold.

But men, being them, just don't understand why tealight candles and a rug are needed.

Apparently ambience and setting are words that never appear in their dictionary.

Zoo-Manji

2010-10-04T11:22:00.004+08:00

I've been lazy I admit. I caught up on reading blogs but just couldn't find enough motivation to post an entry.

I present to you ... the Singapore Zoo. The Boy and I like the zoo alot and it gives us a good reason to exercise. We walked almost 6 hours non-stop except hiding from the occasional drizzle. Now we'll let the pictures speak from themselves.

This jaguar adorably licks its paws everytime it caught some meat but what I couldn't stop thinking about is how good it looks in its jaguar fur coat ...

Aye, tall friends

White tigers are so much more regal and more gorgeous than the usual brown ones. I promise this is not discrimination at work.

The hippo ate all the sunshine!

Then there are always flowers.

OOTD: Float Away

2010-09-23T08:31:00.009+08:00

It was warm and I want to wear something light, something that floats a little in the air when there is ever a breeze.

Chiffon blouse with blue streaks: New Look
Black tank top: New Look
Dark Blue Super Skinny Jeans: Dorothy Perkins
Alexa-inspired bag: Bagspace
Skull Shoes: Some shop from Far East Plaza

I'm going to walk the Singapore F1 Night Race tracks with the Boy today so I'll take some photos if they are any interesting!

I've also RSVP-ed for the Dorothy Perkin's Girls Day In party showcasing its latest Autumn/Winter styles. For those who don't know, Dorothy Perkins is my must-shop place. It is the first fashionable shop in Singapore catered for the plus-sized. I would have been dismally frumpy without them, possibly cast into dinner dresses dilemma, date dresses disasters and I have thus sworn my allegiance. The prices aren't exactly cheap, given that the prices are converted from pounds to SGD and even after pounds dipped, the exchange rate gadge used to price the clothes still remain unchanged but still, I find myself invariably drawn to the shop whenever I am near and whisk away something in glee. I even have a code for them. Whenever I tell my friends that I am going to find my friend, Dorothy, it really means I am heading for Dorothy Perkins.

At the Girls' Day In party, we get to:
preview the AW collection
get fashion tips from Singapore Women's Weekly Fashion Director
discover RMK's Autumn brown makeup collection
enjoy 20% storewide
savour canapes and drinks

I heart this delicate and glorious look with a tulle dress and bold, sparkly accessories.

What A BagHag Wants For Fall

2010-09-19T08:52:00.003+08:00

Wristlet by Eight Seasons on etsy

Grosvenor Satchel in Carrot & Tan

Dear Blog,

I promise to be good and carry the Grosvenor Satchel and the wristlet to death if I could only have them. They will be so perfect for all my outfits and I know that I will love and treasure them, till the next better bags come along.

Your faithful blogger,
themerrytraveller

Friday, I'm In Love / Saturday Wait

2010-09-18T11:34:00.011+08:00

It is a rare occasion I get a Friday off. Essentially, my work schedule runs from Mondays to Fridays but once every 2 months, I have to work a weekend which isn't really too bad but since I am the only one working the weekend, it tends to get lonely and cold in the office. If I'm working the weekend, I get Friday and Monday off so it's nice if you want to go shopping and not get caught in a crowd. In Singapore, it is very easy to get caught in a crowd because there are people everywhere.

I had to maximize my Friday for the weekend loss so I went about places and am proud to bring about my first full body without head "Outfit of the Day"! I took it myself and my arms are only about that long so I did the best I can.

I've been looking out for this dress in the post ever since I bought it off eBay and it's finally here, a perfect fit on me! It is supposed to be very popular (from what I read) and sold out at the stores but I'm glad to find it and bought it at a cheap price too! There is a red one that I'll like to have too but I suppose sometimes a long and hard search isn't nearly enough. It takes a lot of luck.

My Mulberry Alexa-inspired bag. I don't have the money to buy the real one and even if I do, forking out nearly SGD 2000 in cold, hard cash can cause wet perspiration. Well it's okay, I can live with the inspired one. It's surprisingly roomy but looks compact.

My sparkly LOVE ring that makes me sad because I wore it for the first time and already, one of the diamantes is gone.

The Boy and I found this old railway track by chance. I don't suppose any train runs on it anymore because I've sat and waited and no train came by at all. It is probably one of the very few places in Singapore that we can find a real railway track anymore.

This is Skinny Pizza located at Wheelock Place. My friends brought me to lunch at Cedele because they didn't feel like pizzas. Much as I also love the Carrot Cake at Cedele, we wanted to try the Skinny Pizza's desserts next door whose display proved more than a temptation for us.

Just look at the Banana Cake!

They have an interesting Tiffin Hi-Tea menu so I might come back someday and try it.

This is the Bitter Chocolate Tart. I really like it because I don't like sweet chocolates as much as I like them bitter. I have a very high tolerance level for bitter cocoa.

And this was the main attraction at the display window. It looks fluffy with strawberries between the sponge layers and had large, juicy strawberries (albeit sour) to draw the hungry crowd near.

The Boy fetched me and we were supposed to have dinner but couldn't think of where to go so we ended up at Island Creamery. Really? Ice Cream for dinner?

A friend brought the Boy to this ice-cream place. They have interesting local flavours including teh-tarik ice-cream. For those who don't already know, teh-tarik is 'pulled' milk tea.

I do like colourful cones with rainbow rice and chocolate bits. They make me happy just by looking at them.

You'll know when the durian season is in.

These are the available toppings for our ice-cream. Dear retro iced gems biscuits! I call it 'childhood food'.

Our choice of ice-cream: Papaya Sorbet & Pulut Hitam for me, Coconut & Horlicks for the Boy

The Pulut Hitam ice-cream does indeed taste like frozen Pulut Hitam complete with the coconut taste and was utterly delicious.

Dotty Bird Dress: eBay, New Look Inspire collection
Black Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins
Mulberry-inspired Alexa: Bagspace.sg
Sparkly Love Ring: A shop off Far East Plaza
Black Bow Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

Update:
As much as I love my Mulberry-inspired Alexa, the quality of the bag leaves much to be desired. After I wrote this post, I went back to admiring the bag which I owned for a grand total of 3 days since I received it in the post. Guess what? I discovered the bag literally fell apart! Besides missing a screw that holds the sides together for its compact look, the inline seams started fraying and split. Admittedly, I carry a good amount of things in my bag all contained within a bag organizer. It includes keys, phone, makeup pouch, compact camera, tissue, wet wipes, wallet, iPod, a pen and cardholder but I don't think the weight of all these should cause the bag to degenerate within a matter of 3 days. No bag had done so on me before and I don't think a bag designed to hold more things than that should. Pfft to you if you think I should treat my bag well and carry only the lightest of things like my phone, keys and wallet. If so, I don't need a bag in the first place. I will think thrice before buying a bag online again. I'm now determined to carry the bag enough before it falls into pieces right in front of my eyes!

Happiness Mantra #00001

2010-09-14T11:52:00.004+08:00

Photo by mactastic.

Happiness is when you get a gorgeous Marc Jacobs technical twill tote at a mere fraction of the price.

Scoring An Afternoon Scone

2010-09-13T12:02:00.005+08:00

Picture taken from Ezra Pound Cake.

A scone is so easy to take with you. We can easily put it in a pastry bag and they can eat it on the way to work. It's not going to crumble all over. There's no paper wrapping like a muffin, and it's also not as messy as a sticky bun.
- Jamie Golladay

I realized having a scone for an afternoon snack always make the day feel better for me. I like cranberry scones and Spinelli sells some awesome yoghurty ones that I cannot remember the name of. P.S. Cafe possibly has the best strawberry scone that I am thinking (lustily) of right now.

Saturday + Sweater Guards

2010-09-13T00:16:00.008+08:00

Ever since the popularity of the tv series, Glee, skyrocketed, so did the number of fashion eagle eyes who quickly drank in the old school fashion of Emma Pillsbury with her colourful cardigans, trimmed skirts, peter pan-collared white blouses and most of all, brought a huge comeback of vintage sweater guards and big enamel brooches.

To be truthful, I found Emma's fashion sense appeal to me wildly particularly because I am a little of an anglophile and I imagine Emma's fashion to be very wearable in a cute little country house, serving high tea on checkered tableclothes.

Also, Emma's fashion sense makes it easy for me since I possibly hold a collection of quaint cardigans in every possible cut and colour. I am a fan of bright cardigans because I find them particularly effective in brightening up my sallow skin colour and uplifting a dreary mood.

Some of the bloggers I secretly admire e.g. Lilli of "Frocks & Frou Frou" and Emily of "Some Girls Wander By Mistake" wear their vintage sweater guards with such style that the idea of wearing one grew on me and the idea flourished quite obsessively in my head.

Emily on the left, Lilli on the right. Pictures taken from their blogs.

No one in my family of three (which really includes my parents and I) are old enough to possess any vintage sweater guards. My father definitely had none because it would make me glassy-eyed if he even knew what a sweater is! My mother had some dresses made by her sister when she was young but being always warm in Asian countries, sweaters were not as popular as lightweight chiffon dresses in the 70s so again, no sweater guards. I trawled etsy and eBay and found some nice ones but they were always too expensive inclusive of shipping. I tried to bid for a pair but was deterred as the prices started steeping.

I stepped into Beads Passion at Far East Plaza a few days ago to buy a plier set since I always try to repair my accessories that fell apart. My eyes fell onto a pair of resin daisies which look a lot like what Lilli from "Frocks & Frou Frou" had, except hers were in enamel and way nicer. It struck on me that I was at the right place, at a right time (when I wanted sweater guards) and I could make them with the right materials. I tried describing what a sweater clip was to the proprietor. She was very helpful but didn't carry the clips that would be suitable. She did introduce me some brooch pins and even though ideally I would much prefer to have clip-ons for convenience, I caved in and decided to do an experimental pair. I chose goldtone chain and gold brooch pins to go with the yellow of the daisies and bought a tube of industrial strength E6000 glue under the proprietor's directive because she said it's better than superglue if we're going to make our own jewellery. Since I bought all the essentials needed to make the first pair of sweater guards, I also chose a peachy pink pair of daisies to make a second pair just to make all these purchases justified.

What you need to make sweater guards:
1. 2 brooch pins - SGD1.60 each
2. silver or goldtone chains - a quarter of a metre at SGD1.00
3. E6000 industrial strength glue - SGD6.90 per 14.8 ml
4. 2 goldtone jump rings - comes in a pack of many at SGD0.90
5. A pair of resin daisies or cameos or anything that catches your fancy and are big enough - SGD4.20

Total cost = SGD8.40 (not including the glue and jump rings)

I tried the white pair of some cardigans that I had and I love how it looked on them. I think I am going to wear them tomorrow to start off my Monday with a happy daisy note.

Saturday was very well-spent. I got the materials for the sweater guards with my friend, Greta, when we were supposed to be really shopping for her purse and in the process of me picking up loads of supplies, I also inspired her to pick up her own. We started off making some simple victorian-inspired accessories in the KTV room, singing and gluing at sporadic timing that left the only man in the trio, Freddy, amused by our effort. The results were very satisfying. Greta left the KTV session with 2 new cameo necklaces, 3 cameo rings and 2 pairs of sparkly rose earrings. We followed up with a sumptuous Korean meal under Freddy's recommendation at Su Korean Cuisine and chit-chatted at The Coffee Connoisseur for hours.

Typical Korean side dishes but the beansprouts, anchovies, celery and spinach were so tasty, we had dish after dish and they are refillable!

The Kimchi soup is so flavourful, I'm thinking when next to go back.

OOTD: Ship Ahoy!

2010-09-09T12:59:00.008+08:00

No, I haven't been letting myself go (that much). I'm still trying to dress better everyday at work.

I've been buying things in twos and threes of the exact same recently. I recognize it is utterly wasteful but yet, I love them too much not to have an additional copy as a backup. I have 6 similar Cotton On tees I bought this month in 3 different colours which mean I have an average of two per colour. I have two pairs of the same stretchy Super Skinny jeans. And yesterday I just bought a pair of semi-formal black harem pants which actually looks great on my big frame and I'm saying that because I haven't managed to fit or look good in pants for years now. They only have one pair in the size I wanted at the shop so I called up every other outlet after that to reserve another ...

I went out yesterday with some girls from work after a long time. The problem with working in the west and staying in the east and having a boyfriend who works with you and drives you to and fro is that you get too lazy to go anywhere else in between. I know it sounds like a pampered behaviour but when you have tried squeezing with the crowds the past 5 years this way in trains and buses, you just basically have enough of it to call it a day and relax in the comfort of a car ride. The boy isn't working for this week which means I have no boyfriend transport to be lazy in and so I scheduled some dinners this week. Wednesday is for the work girls and Thursday is for my grumpy friend. We had a big dinner at Crystal Jade and moved to Intercontinental after for drinks. It had been a long time and I felt deliriously light-headed for someone who didn't consume an alcoholic drink.

Grey Halter Work Dress: PlusPink
Striped Knitted Jacket with gold chain and buttons detail: Topshop
Colourful Ship Necklace: Topshop

OOTD: The Ruffled Red Cardigan With Many Hearts

2010-09-01T18:03:00.004+08:00

It's really the outfit of today.

I contemplated between buying this same design in a regular black which I might wear more times versus this red one which is much more vibrant. I held both against myself, staring into the mirror for a couple of times and decided to go for the red. Black cardigans are aplenty but red cardigans as cute as this are far and few. Today I layered a simple black dress underneath these cute ruffles.

Cardigan: Zara
Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Necklace with Heart Locket: By Invite Only
Ring: Dorothy Perkins

I like lockets and wouldn't give up an opportunity to buy a lovely one if it comes my way. It'll be better if I know what to put inside my lockets but I am relatively clueless still.

The Start of OOTD: OOTYD

2010-09-01T11:06:00.005+08:00

OOTD: Outfit of the Day

I really am trying to dress a bit better for work just not to put the pretty things I have to waste. For those who don't know, I work in a really casual environment that almost everything goes as long as it is appropriate. However being 'appropriate' is really open to interpretation.

I have appeared at my job in shorts but rest assure, they are really shorts of a decent length (enough to cover my bum twice over suffice to say). We shouldn't appear in midrifts or see-throughs, none of which I am guilty of so I never really worry.

The thing is once you start getting casual, it's hard to get into the motion of bothering. It's way so much easier to roll out of the bed onto the wardrobe and pull out any 2 items as long as one is a top and another is a bottom. The want to coordinate started getting lost to me and the lovely pieces I've purchased pretty much only see their light of day when I know I am going out somewhere after work which is almost like never now.

I do feel slightly ashamed when there are impromptu meetups because I always look like I roll out of bed (of which I did but not aspiring to be) so this might be a good way for me to try dressing up a little again. Singapore is hot and humid so don't expect multiple layers and a whole lot of leggings and stockings although I wish I could fit in them because they are so fun!

Simple outfit from yesterday. FYI, I did put a little bit of thought into it, okay!

It is just a plain gray tee that I wore with my dark blue skinny jeans and a whole chunk of acrylic skulls necklace. I swear I love the tee so much that I bought multiples of each in different colours for fear they will run out. I also bought 2 of the same dark blue super skinny jeans because they look good surprisingly on me and are of utmost comfort. I am now seriously thinking of getting a third one. Yes, if you haven't noticed, I am quite the hoarder.

I love my greenish nails. It was easy to apply and it lasted into its second week despite the fact I suck at nail polish application.

Top: Cotton On
Bottom: Dorothy Perkins Super Skinny Jeans in Dark Blue
Necklace: Black Clover from Far East Plaza
Nail Polish: "Turntable" from L.A. Girl

Oh and in case you wonder, I will take full body shots someday but I haven't found anyone who won't laugh at me if I ask them to do the honour yet. My office is male-dominated.

Sweet Things Are Made Of These

2010-08-30T13:37:00.005+08:00

I always thought stickies are very normal candy. I mean yes, they taste good but so do a lot of other candies out there. I did find the designs of stickies very intriguing. Each piece of sticky candy is irregularly-shaped and has either wordings or graphics on it. Personally, I never bought it before and in the past, it was brought back by coworkers who went to Australia.

On my birthday this year, I received a bunch of sunflowers and a jar of stickies. The stickies I had are the rainbow-coloured sticky pillows of raspberry lemon flavour and some had 'Happy Birthday' on them. I didn't want to load on the sugar all by myself (if I have to grow fatter, let my friends grow together!) so I brought it round the office to share the joy. As it is, some coworkers are already big fans.

I would ask you to watch this video because it is amazing how Sticky candy is made!

Sticky came to Singapore last year and they can be found at:
The Central
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
B1-54/55, Singapore 059817

Movie Review: Taipei Exchanges

2010-08-28T02:43:00.001+08:00

In the middle of a weekend night, I like to cuddle up in my bed or potter around in my room while watching a film. Usually it will be a film which isn't too mentally taxing but yet something thought-provoking or a little fun to watch.

The pick of this weekend: Taipei Exchanges (第36個故事)

Maybe I've always wanted to be a cafe owner, baking merrily in my little kitchen space at my own pace, serving coffee and delicious cakes made with love to groups of friends catching up or to the unhappy individual or providing energy to the studious ones. Every night, I'll leave the cafe after work with the lovely aroma of coffee in my hair and dabs of flour in my clothes as I skip home. Okay, I can't really skip for prolonged period of time so skipping home, I concede is a big exaggeration on my part.

This is Doris, the owner of Doris Cafe. She studied art and held an artistic job for a while before deciding it was not for her and quit to open her own cafe.

This is Josie, Doris' younger sister who couldn't hold down a job and was ordered by their mother to help out Doris in her cafe business.

One day, Doris went up to the rural area to buy flowers for the cafe. She went into an accident with a lorry which was ferrying loads of Calla lilies. In payment for her spoilt car headlights, the lorry driver paid her with Calla lilies. When the cafe first opened for business, Doris invited all her ex-coworkers to celebrate with her and asked that they bring her a gift in exchange for the Calla lilies she was going to distribute as doorgifts. All of her friends, being artistic in nature, brought her quirky presents ranging from a fake giant cactus plant to mannequins to vintage rocking horses.

The cafe wasn't doing well initially but by chance, a patron came across a handwritten Thai cookbook (one of the presents brought by an ex-coworker) and asked to buy it. Josie was insistent that the book would not be sold because they only sell coffee. However she was agreeable to exchange the cookbook for something in kind. They needed to unclog a drain outside the cafe and Josie loathed the thought of it and a deal was struck. The man was willing to send his son down to clear the clogged drain for her in return for the Thai cookbook.

The idea took place in Josie's head. To give individuality to the cafe, they allow people to exchange for things in the cafe with something in return, something like barter trade if you may. Josie hoped to be able to exchange for a set of bone china and a car in future. She started giving out pamphlets inviting people to come into the cafe to exchange their unwanted items and brought in business for Doris.

People, being suckers for gimmicks and fresh ideas, started patronizing Doris Cafe and the business improved by leaps and bounds.

One day, a man brought soaps he gathered from all over the world to exchange for something in Doris Cafe. He doesn't know what he wants at that time so he just left them there. Finally he decided to use the soaps to exchange for love letters. Just exactly how will he do that?

The one thing I really like about this film is the emphasis on how every person's concept of placing a value on something (also known as the "inner value") is different. You may want a rocking horse badly enough to give up a guitar for it while others might not give the rocking horse a second look.

I also like the soundtrack which is full of soothing instrumental music to chill out to on a rainy day with a book in a cafe. Suffice to say, it also works well as prep music before bed and is not recommended for those looking to increase their pace in life.

Once Upon A Long Long Time Ago

2010-08-17T10:01:00.001+08:00

Once upon a long long time ago, about 13 years in precision, I could wield a musical instrument. But that I assure you, is not because I am musically-inclined. I wanted to be and so when the time came for me to pick an Extra-Curricular Activity in school, I chose the Chinese Orchestra which incidentally is one of the best and most popular nationwide.

At the age of 13 and impressionable from watching delicate chinese ladies playing the zither or a pipa in the drama serials, I wanted to be like them. I wanted to be elegantly strumming my fingers across the strings of a pipa or running my fingers across the zither in absolute enrapture while the handsome heroes stood nearby, mesmerized by my skill. Either Fate decreed or many other impressionable 13 years old all wanted to be the same heroine and chose the same instrument ... and I was assigned to Percussion. At first, I cried at home. There is no way I could hope to appear like a delicate femme fatale now, instead I have to appear the exact opposite. You can still be delicate in the Percussion team but that would look rather silly if you appear frail from just carrying the cymbals so I braved up, got all manly and strong and for the next 4 years, moved drums, yunluo, bianzhong up and down the aisles of the auditorium and concert halls.

It was also one of the best times of my life. I had a good time not because I was the most popular girl in school because I was not but during those 4 years, I lived and breathed music. I genuinely enjoyed classical chinese music and they delivered a certain placidity in my disposition. I felt proud to be part of a "family".

We were made to practise hard. Saturdays are ECA days so we spent the whole day in school but when preparing for concerts and competitions and events, we are usually back on Sundays. There were countless times during these years that I sat quietly behind the bianzhong, either doing my homework or catching a little nap before our turn or chatting with my group member, Liz.

We practised on a group basis before getting together for an orchestra practice. Our conductor, Mr. Tay Teow Kiat is exacting but passionate and there were times I hated him for going through the same music notes over and over again till we were sick but when we saw the results produced, I love him again. We had our alumni to guide us during group practice. It always amazes me even till now, their dedication towards guiding the young ones along. Our seniors range from Junior College students to postgraduate students to working adults and each of them definitely has their personal commitment and priority. Despite that, they took turns to come in on Saturdays and Sundays and some of them came religiously every weekend to check on our progress. They were my heroes.

I always thought I would turn out to be like them but as it is, having being caught up in a whirlwind of activities, I lost touch. I went back a grand total of less than 5 times and then I was out.

I went to Youtube and searched for my alma mater. I went through all the video clips fervently, looking for a part of me that I had lost en route to maturity. I remembered the songs we worked hard for, the parts I played in them and I let my memories flood through me and imagined how is it like again, to be thirteen and sitting behind the bianzhong, idealistic and filled with a passion that I could hardly feel these days.

Dunman High School's The Great Wall Cappricio, video posting is recent but these orchestra players must have belonged to the 1992/1993 graduating batch or something

Get Back In Ya Book, I Tell Ya

2010-08-16T01:45:00.000+08:00

Awesome photography creations by Lissy Laricchia. The protagonist in each picture portrays a familiar character we might all know. Each picture has a teeny weeny detail that will aid the guess. What a way to get back in your book!

Postnote: And I love the first buttercup yellow halterneck dress. I love the summery colour and the way it wrinkles.

Ephemera for Friday, The 13th

2010-08-13T10:50:00.000+08:00

Ephemera's Balloons and Champagne to chase away Friday, the 13th scares.

A Not-So-New Toy

2010-08-09T13:09:00.000+08:00

The Boy upgraded his iPhone to the newest (not necessarily the greatest) and he passed me his old one to muck around. Since I already have my BlackBerry data plan, I use the toy to play games and take blurry shots.

Yes, my not-so-new toy is called "Little Red Riding Hood" and I'm the big bad wolf.

Call Me Beautiful Instead Of Hot

2010-07-28T13:50:00.000+08:00

Having lost touch with a lot of blog friends by virtue of my negligence, by the circumstances of their present lives, by the shape the world is taking and all other combined factors, I've been recently going through the memories of them to and fro in my head and felt like retracing their virtual presence to remember them better by.

And I came across a quote in one of their blogs, last updated Valentines' Day this year:

“Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot,
who calls you back when you hang up on him,
who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat,
or will stay awake just to watch you sleep...
wait for the boy who kisses your forehead,
who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats,
who holds your hand in front of his friends,
who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on.
One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares
and how lucky his is to have you....
The one who turns to his friends and says, 'that's her.'”
- Unknown

Perhaps it is my current relationship that just passed the first month threshold that makes me all caramel sweet inside my heart but even I couldn't help wondering how much of the quote rings true for my guy.

I am happy to say that so far so good, after a series of hopeless dating and disgruntlement, I've landed myself with someone who cares a lot about me as far as I can see.

To the other men who have confused me emotionally by playing it hot and cold, to the men who stepped on my trust and to the others who found me too fat for you, thank you for not accepting me.

Dear Sumiko

2010-07-26T08:47:00.000+08:00

Singapore's very own celebrated version of Carrie Bradshaw has finally found her Mister Big at the age of 46.

Journalist, Sumiko Tan, editor of The Sunday Times and supervising editor of Life!, Urban, Mind Your Body and Digital Life reconnected with her Junior College crush, Hurricane, after 29 years and decided to take the plunge. Quoting her precise words "I thought, oh, what the heck, you live only once. Grab the chance. Be bold. Take the plunge" and that sealed the end of her singlehood. To be with her, Hurricane, is going to move back from home from Wales where he is currently an electrician and a chess teacher.

In 1980, they had one bad date and went their separate ways. He called when he was back studying from University of Canada but she had been curt. He sent her a birthday card, a Valentine’s Day card and a love letter which she had found while going through the old things after they had reconnected. When he returned to Singapore last year to visit his family, he knew where she worked and gave her a call. They missed each other's calls a couple of times but finally, finally, they got in touch again.

They met up for a date. It was then, he had a flashback of how he felt about her the first time. He 'remembered her facial expressions and the tone of her voice'. And there it is, 30 years since that one disastrous movie date at Capitol and a milkshake, they are getting married next month.

Sumiko Tan's columns where she mainly wrote about joys and woes of singlehood, are popular with any woman who can relate to them. The fact that she is single and successful, encourages many single women of the same plight through their darkest nights and days because they know they are not alone. Sumiko Tan fears wrinkles! Sumiko Tan feels awkward with children. Sumiko Tan watches television alone on Saturday nights too!

Now Sumiko Tan finds her true love. Some single women who have had Sumiko's columns as a source of comfort may see it a form of betrayal but there will also be many others who are happy for her. The way I see it, Carrie Bradshaw is not real. She is a fictional character conjured by Candace Bushnell in the novel, made popular by Sarah Jessica Parker on the big screen. But Sumiko Tan, she IS real. She is the living and breathing hope of any woman who is still on the wait for a Mister Big and has the courage to discard her fears and tears the 'Single' tag off her resume.

From her, I hope that if ever the right one comes along and feels right, please do not be scared and take a step forwards because you'll never know where this step forward may bring you. It could bring you to heaven or to hell. Maybe you'll find a he who will drive you to the end of the world and back and you'll be contented in the ride but somewhere along the way if you regret, you can always follow the path back. However, if you do not even take the first step, you are always at square one. Take heart, my single friends. One day, we can all be Sumiko Tans.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
- Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken"

The New Evolution of Autumnal Tones

2010-07-20T00:07:00.000+08:00

I hate shopping for Fashion in the autumn season because it means that my favourite London shopping haunts are going to be stocking up colours that fail to complement my very Asian skin tone.

You see, I am no China porcelain doll as often illustrated by China Chinese and Taiwanese. Instead, I belong to the half-fucked range of tan and yellow that I call 'sallow' and the yellows, oranges, browns only serve to make me look ghastly and if I may - lacklustre. In these colours, I feel my vibrant personality dulling and my face loses the sparkle. I am saddled by the choice of no choice and it is a horrible wait of a few months before the racks are once again, filled with the glitterati of an oncoming winter (read: Christmas) season. The baubles will then re-highlight my whole and lend their air of glamour to my fraying soul. It kinda rhymes, doesn't it? The last line I mean.

So as I was going through the leftover sale rack from GSS at Cotton On, I came across a selection of bright-coloured tanks going for a fiver each. I just took 2, one in a azure shade of blue and the other in tangy orange. It then came across my mind like a wave of autumn inspiration that I don't have to be defined by the London autumn season. I can adopt my own autumn colours! Something that is not merely the colours of Spring/Summer but convincing enough to be 'Autumn' in nature (Truthfully it's not like people in Singapore is going to know. We are way too defined by our lack of seasons that we have the freedom to go spring/summer at any time of the year). The two tanks became perfect for revolving my autumn fashion around them. They are basics which mean they go with everything and are cool enough to withstand the heat and humidity of our weather and yet, when paired with the different outerwear that I am so fond of collecting, made them warm enough for the sudden torrential downpours that we have recently.

The original azure blue tone I am talking about

I'm going out in my azure blue tank tucked into my cobalt blue skirt and nicely wrapped in my drapey sweater tomorrow. Let's see how autumn I feel in them.

Never had the thing for blue all my life but re-looking and considering the possibilities, they look gorgeous!

Picture from Anotherwordforpink

Some singer called "Lindsey Jones" has an album called Little Blue Dress. I need to listen to it. But isn't the blue dress against the backdrop amazing?

For those who don't know, Cotton On is this cheap outlet that sells basics ranging from streetwear, sleepwear to shoes and accessories.

Eating Hard in Penang

2010-02-02T17:32:00.001+08:00

At the risk of exposing my entire gluttony being, I bring to you pictures from the recent Penang getaway where we promised to eat at each stop and made no attempt to stop eating and test the stretchability of our tummy power.

The best of the rest is this char kway teow. At a hefty price of 8.50 ringgit a plate for the biggest plate (which is really not big at all), we would have screamed foul if it hadn't been so incredibly, mindblowingly tasty. It was the first stop of the day and set the precedent for every single meal after. At the end of the day, it won the unanimous vote of championship from our 6 greedy mouths.

We were told that there is a good wanton mee and hor fun store just down the road from where the char kway teow is but we didn't know how near we were. It was barely 2 minutes before we sat down again in a different kopitiam no less and continued ordering.

The texture of the noodles in Penang is different from the ones in Singapore. The noodles here were springy and bouncy, a product of it being well-made and well-cooked. You know how noodles turn into a starchy lump when overcooked? These noodles are what I'll like to call as well-defined but it's probably the wrong term for it. The gravy of the hor fun is a little too starchy for my taste but overall, they are delicious. For one, I am impressed by the number of bones stewing away in the broth to give them the flavour.

Tzi Char, a mix of vermicelli and noodles, stir-fried.

Prawn noodles with hardly discernable prawns but the soup base is amazing.

I am not a big fan of assam laksa but I ate because it is one of the signature dishes of Penang.

Succulent, barbecued chicken wings but the ones in Singapore could be as good.

This wanton mee is cooked in a dark soy sauce as compared to the one we had earlier.

No One Is A Fashion Know-All

2010-02-01T20:31:00.000+08:00

I have considered Fashion as a philosophy of Life. And Philosophy is a big word to me. It deals with existentialism, knowledge, language, values and it thrives on such a broad spectrum that as long as you know how to justify, everything becomes some form of philosophy or another. Fashion is an expression of freedom, a form of inner knowledge to the insiders, speaks a language of its own to people who understand and like it or not, your clothes speak for who you are. Maybe not all of it but by a good measure.

I especially like posts which correlates clothes and fashion with thoughts -- linking them to the surroundings, harmonizing them with culture, tempering two wildly diverse natures into one, not unlike something like this. A good example would be the way how Rebecca Bloomfield (Confessions of a Shopaholic) gained popularity with "The Girl in the Green Scarf" column in Successful Savings -- being able to strike up a similarity between fashion and investment. I've never been a dismal dresser. Sloppy yes but never in a dismal way. You'll never go wrong with basics. You'll never manage to look wrong in a plain black tee with a good cut and a pair of fitting jeans and I'm waiting for someone to prove me wrong. You might look common but no, never wrong. And sometimes, being wrong might just turn out .. unexpectedly right. You only have to look at Anna Piaggi to know. I know how you might beg to differ and proclaim that Fashion can never be wrong since it's a right to express. But tell me honestly, have you never looked at anyone walking along the streets and think to yourself "Gee, it's so wrong!". I know I have and I am ashamed of it. Since I wouldn't be caught dead wearing it doesn't mean that others with more courage than I have shouldn't. And that is what fashion unbiasness is about.

Who came up with what's right in the world to wear anyway?

Anna Piaggi by The Sartorialist

This year, I have tried a little more actively to dress up. In the past and even for the most part of now, I would never bother to dress up much if it's only for work. If I'm going out with friends after or attending some party, that's a different story. Being in a job that allows maximum creativity and flexibility with no requirement of powersuits in the least (but draws the line at shorts), I am very lucky and should rightfully be capitalizing that right to its maximum potential. But I have not. If I know that I am going to meet very few people, I'll not turn up in my best. I'll probably just lug on whatever I see first in the mountain of clothes. I still don't think it's wrong because this method of dressing applies to possibly more than half the population living in Singapore.

People like my mother had told me repeatedly since young that it is nice to be able to dress well but it is unnecessary to if one doesn't have the means. As long as the clothes are kept clean and tidy with no holes, we should never be ashamed to appear in them. I have always scoffed at the idea (not in my mother's face of course unless I feel a desire to be whipped) but now that I am blogging about it, I think my mother is a more exemplary example of being more fashion unbiased than I am. Or maybe she is truly wise because Albert Einstein said the same.

If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies.... It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it.

I suppose that I do know inwardly that clothes do not make a flawed person more beautiful except externally just like how a beautiful face is only a pleasure to the eyes and a repulse to the soul should it come along with a mean spirit. But I've never been confident enough without appearing excessive because "just around the corner in every woman's mind - is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her". Most people silently attest to the fact that fat people let themselves go even if they do not spell it out for the fear of being labelled 'insensitive'. Yet I could see it in their eyes. And the fact that most fat people appear dowdy, unfashionable and slightly greasy strengthened that belief. You might be enraged at my generalization but I am not another stick-thin creature who rants but does not understand. I belong to the world of fat. But god knows I've struggled hard in order not to be another statistic to the mounting perception. The country I live in is also not very forgiving to the plus-sized. We have few alternatives to allow ourselves to dress properly, much less to wear them well. We have to shy away from the shiny windows of shopping centres and trawl the lesser known areas that sell clothes that fit and usually these clothes are meant for the aged and have no style to speak of. There are no pleats, cinched waists, form-fitting cuts, cute skirts, appropriate details, delicate tulle to speak of. Fat Fashion is synonymous to a tablecloth with a a hole for the head and two holes for the arms. I find it insulting that we are treated with less dignity so because of this pride, I cannot possibly let myself go. In recent years, we have been a lot better in this part of the world. At least, we are starting to see Dorothy Perkins which runs up to Size 20 and Topshop and Miss Selfridge which brought up their sizes from 14 to 16. Then there is New Look. Little independent stores start to carry passably fashionable items so we are in a much better shape than what would have been 5 years ago except that Dorothy Perkins, Topshop, Miss Selfridge, New Look all hail from UK and could be expensive for those who do not earn nearly enough.

Now and then, I think I'll add in my blog some cost-saving fashion ideas for the horizontally-challenged tested by yours truly because even though we're fat, we should not be taken lightly. We should be allowed to live well and present our best to who we are trying to impress.

People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile. -- Lee Mildon

Let's start first by accessorizing with a big smile!

Love Letters, A Lost Form of Adoration

2010-01-03T14:35:00.000+08:00

If there is a favourite scene in the Sex and the City movie, it would not be the gesture of Mr. Big fulfilling the promise of a giant walk-in closet for Carrie (even though that would come in as a close second). Instead, I found the idea of Mr. Big copying out love letters to Carrie sweetly touching even though he did not compose them on his own. One might say he lacks originality but I'll prefer to think that his Love for Carrie at that time could not be described in words.

I supposed I started taking notice of love letters written by well-known men to their lovers after that -- in every movie I saw, every book I read and every mention in papers as long as it was delivered in a honeyed tone. Yes, I've had love letters written to me in my younger days. Though our love is gone and we're no longer in touch, the little notes of yesteryears remained sacred and precious in a box. Though diabetically sweet in words and more so knowing that the man who loved me had such a romantic soul, it was still no comparison to the exulted adoration pinned down in words by the well-known men with the likes of John Keats and Beethoven. Reading their love letters require a strong heart because mine goes into exaggerated palpitations and feels like bursting into fireworks everytime I do (and the letters are not meant for me!). If there is a way one could possibly die from sweetness without the consumption of sugar, this would be it.

The third letter from Ludwig van Beethoven to the Immortal Beloved:

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.
ever thine
ever mine
ever ours

From John Keats to Fanny Brawne:

This moment I have set myself to copy some verses out fair. I cannot proceed with any degree of content. I must write you a line or two and see if that will assist in dismissing you from my Mind for ever so short a time. Upon my Soul I can think of nothing else - The time is passed when I had power to advise and warn you again[s]t the unpromising morning of my Life - My love has made me selfish. I cannot exist without you - I am forgetful of every thing but seeing you again - my Life seems to stop there - I see no further. You have absorb'd me. I have a sensation at the present moment as though I was dissolving - I should be exquisitely miserable without the hope of soon seeing you. I should be afraid to separate myself far from you. My sweet Fanny, will your heart never change? My love, will it? I have no limit now to my love - You note came in just here - I cannot be happier away from you - 'T is richer than an Argosy of Pearles. Do not threat me even in jest. I have been astonished that Men could die Martyrs for religion - I have shudder'd at it - I shudder no more - I could be martyr'd for my Religion - Love is my religion - I could die for that - I could die for you. My Creed is Love and you are its only tenet - You have ravish'd me away by a Power I cannot resist: and yet I could resist till I saw you; and even since I have seen you I have endeavoured often "to reason against the reasons of my Love." I can do that no more - the pain would be too great - My Love is selfish - I cannot breathe without you.

I thought it was very considerate of John Keats to burn the letters Fanny Brawne gave him. Others said this was done so that she would not be compromised in the days where it would result in a terrible scandal and destroying her reputation but as usual, the idealist in me believes that the act was committed to ensure that the letters were for his eyes only.

One day, I would write a love letter too -- in that degree and magnitude.

Movie Review: An Education

2010-01-03T02:23:00.001+08:00

Some people might wonder why I do movie reviews at a more regular interval than personal blog posts. That is because like how I feel about art imitating life, films (the well-put-together sort) reflects life. In a lot of films, I found cognition in my past experiences and they give a different perspective to what I had never thought about. In films, I cease remembering where I am, who I was and at times, it's a good thing. I pick and choose my films but it doesn't mean every good film will strike a chord and every bad one will be damned because the notion of 'good' versus 'bad' is relative.

I've read some Nick Hornby and the fact that he did the screenplay for "An Education" piqued my interest. "An Education" is based on an autobiographical memoir of the same title written by the British journalist, Lynn Barber. The fact that you can read the synopsis in Wikipedia means I don't have to write one.

In Jenny Miller (Carey Mulligan), I saw some of her in the old me but yet differing by a sizeable measure. She wanted to read English at Oxford, I wanted to study English at no matter where. She wanted to fly free and look at the world, wear black in Paris and babble French -- exactly every inch of me. She thought she knew it all and the excitement of truly living (or so she and I thought) at that moment was worth giving up everything for. When she had the chance to go to classical concerts, suppers, auctions and finally even to the land, she always wanted to be in, Paris, with her beau, David Goldman (Peter Sarsgaard), it was a dream-come-true. He was whisking her away from the boring existence of school life and suffocating familial rules like a whirlwind.

From her soft, brown eyes, we saw her regarding her environment with wondrous rapture and artless guile. From the time she met him with her in the rain, her shoulder length hair limp and dripping, school uniform clinging lifelessly about her to her gradual transformation that involves womanly floral frocks, beautifully-cut coats and carelessly done-up chignons, she is but a girl disguised. When he left cowardly when confronted about his marriage, she braved up to straighten things, something I wished I had the courage to do now that I look back (and no, my situation did not involve a married man). It wouldn't do to give up, she doesn't run away and hide to cry. She carried on to fulfill her purpose. She had by then discarded the disguise and assumed back her preppy identity.

In the last scene of her riding with a male student in Oxford, she narrates:

So, I went to read English books, and did my best to avoid the speccy, spotty fate that Helen had predicted for me. I probably looked as wide-eyed, fresh, and artless as any other student...But I wasn't. One of the boys I went out with, and they really were boys, once asked me to go to Paris with him. And I told him I'd love to, I was dying to see Paris...as if I'd never been."

Oh and definitely read Lynn Barber's "My Age of Innocence" at Times-Online.

Movie Review: Adam

2009-12-30T20:45:00.001+08:00

I like romantic comedies and I think it's to fill this empty hole inside me in which no man has occupied for the last couple of years. There had been vague interests in and from different individuals but none had been able to engage the full capacity in which I know it is capable of.

I look for signs which I know if they should never appear, indicate a possible failure right from the start. Number one, the quickening of the pulse. Two, the unbearable ache of thinking about the person. Three, clutching onto the cellphone with trepidation of missing messages and calls. Time after time, the pulse ceased to quicken, the thoughts diffused and then, it's time to wait for another. I never lost hope completely though and I think it's the romantic comedies and the novels that helped me to pull through the darkest hours, keeping Loneliness at bay.

It was Hugh Dancy who caught my attention and retained it long enough to read the catch phrase of 'Adam'. Even though his appearance in Confessions of a Shopaholic was airy but I maintain that the fault is, in no way, Mister Dancy's. There was no room to portray any depth in Luke Brandon's character because no offense to Sophie Kinsella, there is none. Luke Brandon in Confessions of a Shopaholic was a necessary prop as the knight in shining armour to save the spendthrift damsel in financial distress, Rebecca Bloomwood. So 'Adam' is a story about 2 strangers. One a little stranger than the other. Most of my friends know that I have an affinity for strange. I have attracted some strange men in life. I have been called odd and weird occasionally but non-offensively. I never saw being called strange, odd, queer, weird as insults or something personal. These terms only serve to emphasize differences and a lack of reconciliation with the usual and may I add, boring social norms. Stranger beings often found ways to surprise me, exasperate me and invoke more emotions than my regular amused tolerance bordering on condescension for predictable bores.

It was apparent that Adam, the protagonist in the movie had no way to discern subtle hints. He takes conversations at face value very explicitly and displays social ineptitude at every turn. He is aware of it but doesn't see any wrong in it. We saw him stocking his fridge with the same type of food: macaroni & cheese and a display of a neatly organized wardrobe and we didn't know why. Events in the movie would reveal gradually that his orderliness is not a genetic or acquired trait but a sustenance of a comfortable continuity he knows. Brutal honesty is not an indulgence of his but a way of life. He exercises no tact during conversations because he doesn't feel that there is a need to. In his view, if you don't know something, you ask questions and you'll question to the void to get an answer.

Adam's way of life has a name "Asperger Syndrome" which is a form of autism. People with Asperger display intense interests in certain subjects and for Adam, it is astronomy. He goes into an overdrive when talking about his favourite subject, not knowing when to stop because he does not know that his recipients are not interested. Adam does not adopt well to change. When his routine motion is rudely interrupted, he loses control.

No coy, no lies and in a literal way, we can say that Adam is born to be honest.

Quite out of the blue back in the apartment the next day after their midnight traipse to Central Park, Adam asked Beth if she feels sexually excited watching the raccoons because he did. Don't worry about going "Whaaat the fuck" mentally because I did too. I guess he had to do or speak something odd with Beth in order to bring his syndrome to light.

Yet Adam could be impossibly sweet, bringing his neighbour Beth to Central Park to watch raccoons at midnight, leaving a mug of coffee at her doorstep just because he knew she stayed past her bedtime, the willingness to allow her time to nurse her broken heart indulging in her crap talk of kisses and hugs but no sex and taking a sudden initiative to kiss her.

As with feel-good movies, a life-changing experience must occur. He upped himself and moved to California where he was offered a job with an observatory. We see him starting to accept social engagements and even offering to help with parcels which is an indication of improvement.

Hugh Dancy as Adam was credible. This is a pleasing role in which where his character lacks in social empathy, he draws it from his audience. The engagement of structured mannerisms and monotonous drones alluded a mechanism of thoughts, inferring on emotions. Then again, Hugh Dancy is such a pretty man that I am almost willing to believe anything he is acting. To digress a little, I'm glad it was Claire Danes he married because it could have been any of those simpering, insipid socialites or actresses but he got lucky. Rose Byrne on the other hand, is the kindly neighbour, Beth, who draws Adam out of his self-imposed exile, slowly but surely. She is a childcare teacher but aspires to write children books. Pairing with Hugh, I feel a little lack of chemistry, not the cosy warm couple I'll like them to be but maybe I live for warm and fuzzy. If you are looking to curl yourself into a little ball in your home and dream a little about love, Adam is a viable watch.

Adam, his mother, and his father were a family of talking raccoons that lived in the middle of New York City. They didn't really belong there, but there they were.

But Nagi .. I Just Found You

2009-12-15T20:49:00.000+08:00

I had a blast of a time watching the creative excellence of Nagi Noda's "Catwalk" for Laforet Christmas 2004. I had never heard of her prior even though I had previously viewed a directed short film of Mariko Takahashi's fitness video for being appraised as an "Ex-fat girl", featuring exercising poodles.

She was an incredibly unique soul with a penchant for playful and dreamy directives. She was signed on by Partizan, a renowned production company which represents cutting-edge directors, artists and photographers. It brought her to international fame and she mixed with the likes of directors like Michel Gondry (director of 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' and 'The Science of Sleep'). Notice how I used 'was'? It all came too late to me now since Nagi Noda had passed away due to surgical complications in September 2008 from a bad accident the year before.

She was 35 and was a visionary artist in her own right. The three steps she outlined with regards to work is a little change, a little more change and a little more change ... basically tweaking her way till she was satisfied.

Laforet Autumn 2004

From Aaron Stewart Anh who had the fortune of an evening's encounter with Nagi:

The drawing above was something she put down on the napkin in front of me - she told me it was the secret to the universe, but I shouldn't tell anyone. I think it's ok now. She said most of us look out at the world, but if you close your eyes and look up, you're looking at the universe through your mind, looking at the universe.

Maybe I'll try that. But Nagi, I just found you ...

A Blah Blah Food Talk

2009-12-05T00:12:00.000+08:00

Ever since I was informed to my surprise that I was selected as a finalist for the DBS Foodster contest, basically a culinary adventure at the expense of DBS Indulge Dining Program but at the price of what would be my contributed food reviews, I had been sitting and wondering about the impulse that helped me to be shortlisted.

People who know me and know me well would find it quite hard to believe that I could actually be bothered to succumb to marketing strategies. In my defense, the contest was made easy for anyone to participate with a few taps on their keyboards and a click of the mouse. To enter the contest, you just have to have a twitter account, follow @dbsfoodster and tell them why you should be a DBS Foodster! All without moving from the very comfortable chair you are ensconced in.

I love typing seriously. I have a morbid fascination of my thoughts forming into words and stringed into sentences and I become quite obsessed with it at intervals, not that I do it often now. Allowing those wild, random thoughts to take form in a structure and get it out of my system is strangely therapeutic because it means I don't have to remember them. I get to compartmentalize them, arrange them in no particular order and even have the option to file them away for future references. That way, the mind is kept clutter-free and I wish the same could be said of my room in real life. Clearly, my idea of neatness is mutually exclusive of what's physically in front of me and what's virtual in my brain.

Well back to the Impulse. It just so happened that I received an email, being a part of the HungryGoWhere portal, of what it means to be a foodster when pleasant thoughts of myself having meals with friends drifted into my mind. No doubt we couldn't claim that every meal we had together was the best and there were no promises of them culminating into gastronomical orgasms but it is the company that made the meal. The form of cognition we achieved when savouring fares and holding discussions strengthened our bonds and the best thing is that because Food is a basic form of necessity (like you didn't know huh) thrice a day, we could always be trusted to make time even if it is a paltry one hour lunch break. Voltaire once said that "Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity" and that pleasure stemmed from a combination of good food, pleasant company and merry chatter. Food and People walk together, like Carrots and Peas in your fried rice. Haven't there been some chinese story during your school days saying that if you eat alone, even with the best meal in front of you, it would appear bland?

And so something clicked in my brain and my contest line sprung forth in a rush:
"The true making of a @DBSFoodster lies in the ability to merry-make through their meals, for better or for worse and I am she."

There is an interview to be had (and I thought the contest was going to be easy and relaxed in the comfort of my own home!) so I'll head down for the experience. There are many other worthy finalists so I might not be the lucky one. However, not being a DBS Foodster doesn't stop me in my quest to seek merriment through food and company so I can afford to take things with a pinch of salt and let come what may!

The Flying Dutchman Part Deux

2009-11-23T20:56:00.000+08:00

The Flying Dutchman came and left in a whirlwind, literally speaking.

He swept in on me on our first date at Bar Stop. In between glasses of moscato, strawberry mojito, gin tonic and rum and coke, we were giggling and flirting outrageously. It wouldn't be fair to just blame the alcoholic influences, although it did help ... greatly. He was easy to talk to, being one with much more life experience than I had. His job made it easy for him to put anyone at ease. I was relaxed, the environment made it conducive for a first date, much much better than KPO down the road which was overflowing with a human crowd that I wouldn't have the nerves to go through.

He must have liked me since he asked me for a second date out. He was here for two nights so we agreed on nine outside Zouk. Nine came and went then Ten was here. I kept calling his hotel room to check where (the fuck) he would have been. Amidst the crowd of angsty teens queuing their way to a DJ show with their friends, I felt incredibly lonely. Awful thoughts rang through my mind.

I wonder if he got into an accident.
Did we say we'll meet at nine or did I imagine it?
Could he have found someone more fun and ditch me?
Was it a mistake?
Did he regret last night?

And basically, I was psychotically ripping myself apart inwardly. I was a bag of nerves. I felt silly for thinking that he thought the same way I did. No, I wasn't in love with him but at least I thought I was sure he enjoyed my company as I did his. Fucking caucasians, all of them the same. I felt used but I was determined to have a little more faith this time round. So I waited as long as I did. When I gave up hope, I tried to call my friends out but all of them were preoccupied and destitute, I reached the alphabet 'K' and dialed hopelessly. Turned out K was at the very same hotel I was standing outside attending a wedding dinner! Wait for me, she instructed so I did at the Piano Bar, having a bubbly peach which made me warm and uncomfortable. When she came to collect me, I could have wept with joy. She sent me home and we sat down to talk at the void deck even though she had church service the next morning. I could have kissed her.

Before she left, she asked "Don't you think it's God's Will that we were at the same place when you called?" I couldn't answer. I didn't believe in a God but certainly, it was a coincidence. When I was back at home, mentally tired out by the disappointment, I checked into my hotmail account and felt my heart leaped when I saw a new email. From him. It turned out that he left me an email earlier, saying that he couldn't make it because he had to replace a sick coworker to fly that night. He had emailed me from the airport, saying that he was planning on having the second fantastic night out with me and he was sorry that he couldn't due to the change in events. I whooped with joy, not because he said he might be back soon but because I didn't want to believe that someone would so cruelly stood up another no matter what the circumstances were. As I turned towards my makeshift bedside table, a title caught my eye which would sum up the night's events.

Have a little faith, it said.