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.
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.
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.
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
