OOTD: Leopard Crawl
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:ASOSLabels: ASOS Curve, Bowdicts, Brooches, Dorothy Perkins, Dresses, Leopard, New Look, OOTD, Outfits, Reviews, Soon Lee, Yours Clothing
OOTD: No Snow Can Wear Beret?
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)Labels: Beret, Bows, Dresses, Leopard, OOTD, Outfits, Tatty Devine, Topshop, WALK, Warehouse
OOTD: Khaki Funky
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 LookLabels: ASOS Curve, Bowdicts, Brogues, Camouflage, Diva, Dresses, Khaki, Leopard, New Look, OOTD, Outfits, Reviews
OOTD: ASOS I Bow To Thee
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 eggsThe 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 SkirtJersey 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 LaneLabels: Ang Ku Kueh, ASOS Curve, Bowdicts, Bows, Cakes, Food, Leopard, New Look, OOTD, Outfits, Reviews, Shoes, Skirts, Tarts, Your Feet Look Gorgeous
OOTD: The Leopard Within
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 worldLabels: bYSI, Dresses, Fashion, Leopard, Miss Selfridge, OOTD, Outfits, Prints
