Friday, I'm in love

Cotton t-shirt (worn inside) - RM5, Old Navy at Giant (yes, really!)
Jacket - RM99, MNG
Jeans - RM95, MNG
Shoes - RM24.90, Bata Warehouse
Chainlink headband - SG$7.90, one of the malls along Orchard Road (heh, sorry, I can't recall more than that!)

I adore Fridays, especially ones where I stay in the office.

Now, I normally love going out on assignment, but somehow on Fridays, it's different. Everyone (at the office, people I have to meet) are so much more relaxed.

Consequently, one doesn't really feel like working, but alas, one has no choice in the matter.

I used to subscribe to the "if you wear something patterned you must wear something else that is plain so you don't clash" school of thought.

But I eventually got a bit more adventurous, and learned that when you match "clashing" patterns like stripes and florals together, it doesn't look as tacky if they have matching colour schemes.

Here I matched the grey from the t-shirt with the little grey flowers on the jacket. That it happens to match my watch is a happy accident.

I like to imagine that the skinny-leg jeans helped make it look a little bit more put-together for a smart yet casual look for the office.

And to finish it off, these lovely faux-snakeskin looking heels from the Bata Warehouse in Subang Parade. Though it didn't particularly match anything, I imagined it lent a touch of funky to the whole ensemble :)

And yes...I have a boo-tay and I'm not afraid to use it. Jeans look better on girls with a bit of meat on their bottoms, in my opinion. But maybe I'm biased.

Legs!

Cute men, WHERE? WHERE?
Some dresses accentuate your legs. Some shoes accentuate your legs. Wear both together and you look ALL legs. See why I call these my "stork shoes"?

I found this lovely, fully-lined shift dress in my fave vintage haunt, Amcorp Mall flea market. At RM15 it was worth buying then trying. Thing is it was about two-sizes too big. But no matter! There's a trick to shift dresses, simply turn it inside out and sew along the seams about a cm in. as long as you follow the curve and angle it right you should be able to take in shift dresses easily!

While not quite a dupe by Lalique, it does remind me of his lovely Art Deco dragonfly that I fell in love with at the Lourve. "Maybe one day you can buy the original" said my innocent colleague. "When I rob the Lourve you mean?" was my response for alas the original will very likely never be mine. Still who knew you could find Art Deco dupes in Diva of all places?

Dress: Vintage Amcorp Mall (RM15)
Shoes: Cats Whiskers (RM99)
Necklace: Diva (RM28)

The candy shop

For a second, let's pretend we don't know what 50cent is singing about in that song and think back to the days of those "pick & mix" candy stores.

I've been planning out various job interview outfits and they look so blah. I try to keep those simple because I don't want to come off too silly or like I'm trying too hard. I threw this outfit together after an interview because I felt like I needed to take a breather and stroll around in something that automatically puts a smile on my face.

Thinking of candy does just that :)


The dress I'm wearing is actually a really long tube top according to the mannequin at the store. But hey, I'm short and it's too hot for pants. It came in a variety of different colors but I picked out this one. It reminds me of dolly mixture candy. I'm not a fan of the taste but the mix of colors that make up each piece of those candy colorblocks are just plain fun.


This is the only thing I own from Cats Whiskers. I was so frustrated I couldn't fit my lady bumps into any of the pretty dresses in the store, but I didn't want to walk out empty handed. I'm glad I bought it as it goes with many things in my wardrobe. Plus, it reminds me of Valentine's day candy which I only buy the day after to get the 50% discount.



Some may find hair accessories such as this to be too kiddy. Who am I to tell you otherwise? It was sitting next to a plush Hello Kitty head hairtie for goodness sake. But I could not resist it's cuteness and the price tag. Come on! It's a heart shaped lollipop and I'm not middle aged yet.

Put it all together for a super sweet look :)


Long tube top/dress - Vanity US$7.50
Black shrug - Debs US$5
Heart candy necklace - Cats Whiskers RM10
Heartshaped lollipop hair clip - Blink Sg Wang RM3.90
Shoes - Jusco RM33

Not a dress

Can one "frock around" if one is not technically in a "frock"? Of course dah-link! With some killer accessories and silly props one can frock around with the best of them! Just because I'm in a buttoned down shirt and black slacks doesn't mean I can't have a little pizzaz as well.

I love the cheeky addition of a sparkly "bow tie" necklace from Paperdoll Boutique. It hints at the tuxedo but makes it all so feminine, sparkly and pretty. Don't you adore how it even has folds and isn't just flat? I fell in love with this necklace on sight. I even called the owner of Paperdoll, Joaanna, and wailed at her for not being open to sell it to me! (yes I was there past shop opening hours). But she held one for me and it's MIIINEE. Jo even shortened it to the length I preferred nearly chipping her manicure in the process. Now that's customer service!

And of course what better way to jazz up an outfit than shiny red shoes? Yes, I swear they're red. They're just a really dark grown-up red so I can wear them around and not be accused of trying to get home. These shoes by Dorothy Perkins were a Christmas present to myself when I was in England. I loved them so much and when they went on discount I gave myself permision to buy them!

And now for some clowni-- I mean, frocking around:

My next assignment is WHERE?

(Gorgeous red moleskin is a pressie from someone who wants me to always be happy)

It may not look like it but this here pic is slaying some demons from my past. I've needed specs since I was 12 and I hated every living moment I had them on. In my ugly duckling phase they seemed to be this festering sore on my face that just made my ugliness a hundred times worse. So here's me in big fugly glasses and putting it up for the world to see. Take that you damned demons!

White shirt: Primark London (£3)
Black Denim Vest: Primark Belfast (£1)
Black Slacks: Spade (RM50 on discount)
Shoes: Dorothy Perkins London (£8 on discount)
Necklace: Paperdoll Boutique ( about RM60)

Grey matter

Sometimes when the weather outside is grey and gloomy, I can't help but dress according to it.

Doesn't always mean that monochrome or neutral colours have to be boring, though.

I totally love the cute holes punched in this dress for the straps, and the happy bow! (man, I really love bows)

The gold stud detailing on these shoes makes it a little different too.

These shoes may look painful, but I reckon they're one of my comfiest pair--I can literally run in them! Best of all, they feel sturdy.

And for what I paid for them, I am one mighty happy woman.

Dress - RM99, Blook
Shoes - RM15, Tang @ Asian Avenue, Sunway Pyramid

Cute as a bunny button!

This is a mini DIY post to present you with...the bunny button headband!


I love craft stores. There are desks and drawers containing oodles of random bits and pieces I have purchased over the years just sitting around. This results from a bad habit of buying small inexpensive things just because they're cute. I adore miniatures goodies!

Ah, but here's the catch of them all...especially if you're like me and have an obsession with small woodland critters. A bunny button! And no way was something this precious about to fall victim to being yet another dust magnet in my drawers. So rummage thru my bits and pieces I did...found some pretty polka dot ribbon, a bright red rose, bought a cheap (but comfy!) plain headband and there you go!

I love the combo I wound up with since it's pretty easy to match this with many outfits in the wardrobe. I told you I was nutters for dots :)

Bunny button: JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts US$0.50
Plain headband: Walmart US$1.50
Other stuff: erm, random stores over the years

Bow-ed over

Dress - RM15, Amcorp Mall weekend flea market
Belt - RM25, Cats Whiskers
Shoes - RM59.90, Vincci

I love bows.

I love bows in my hair, on earrings, on shoes, around dresses, on dresses...they're too cute.

I *dreamy sigh* love bows.

Oh, by the way did I mention how much I love bows?

Heh ok so vaguely loonly-type cooing aside, something just struck me while I was typing this out. That my belt is worth more than my dress! Heh.

I'd bought that belt that very same day, actually. Kahani and I had to get her jinxed shoes fixed, and while we were waiting, I overdosed on belts.

This dress actually came with its own matching cloth belt, but Kahani said it didn't stand out too well, so this belt actually gave it a little more attitude. Yes?

Anyway back to the dress.

You recall my post on how dresses can be of historical significance? Well, this one made it's debut on my birthday this year.

With the bows (and it has a pocket! Aah! I love pockets!) I thought it'd be an apt dress for a birthday, what more my own!

This year's birthday was a marked improvement from last year's, where I was absolutely exhausted from work and went out for a huge dinner and shisha with my mates.

What I learned was, shisha+food+exhaustion= bad bad combination. I spent that birthday throwing up in a drain in SS15--and no, I did not partake in any alcohol!

So this year, my new colleagues got me a lovely cake, and I went out for drinks with them and had an all-round lovely day. Putting on this dress since then has made me smile--yes, it's that simple!

Dreaming of Venice

It was a tough week, so dressing is kept minimal and fuss-free. Jewellery is where I allow myself to escape.
This lovely glass pendent, infused with 24K gold, comes from the island of Murano in Venice, Italy. Hand-made by husky Italian men (well, the one who demonstrated the art of blowing glass was a husky Italian man, so why shouldn't my pendent be made by the same?) it carries with it the weight of centuries of expertise.

I only had two days in Venice - which isn't enough. One day, I will go back.

Pendant: île de Murano - €8
Top: Amore Boutique, Uptown - RM13.90
Skirt: Cats Whiskers, Uptown - RM12 (70% off)
Shoes: Cats Whiskers, Damansara Perdana - RM99

One of the many, many, many...

Whenever I see a fluffy puppy or a polka dot dress, I immediately think the exact same thing.

I. MUST. HAVE. EET.

Unfortunately, collecting dogs are out of my budget (for now, muahaha). So, polka dot dresses it is!

I have quite the collection of polka dot dresses but this is my favourite out of the lot. I came across many online stores with this classic pinup girl design but I found the best version ever from a vintage store based in the UK. I adored it the second I saw it 3 months back and just had to have it. And then I saw the price. GBP 69. *breathebreathebreathe*

I looked all over online for a similar copy but similar dresses could not compete the utter adoration I still had for this specific dress. The only way to purchase this very dress was through that website, as a designer named Tara Starlet only makes these dresses for that very site and that's it.

But, let me tell you. If eBay was a man, I would have its triplets. I searched eBay every day for 2 months and got extremely lucky one day thanks to an American girl who had purchased it but was too lazy to return it all the way back to London for a different size. So here I am with my gorgeous polka dot dress with an almost 50% discount! It was originally a tad loose around the chest and back and nothing a bit of alteration couldn't fix.

Behold, THE polka dot dress. You shall one day meet its many sisters on this blog, of course.
Dress - Dollydagger.co.uk GBP 69 (lucky on eBay for US$ 55...I usually wouldn't spend this much on a freakin dress but I know I would regret not having it in my closet)
Shoes - Payless.com US$15

(Photos by anna-rina.com)

Night & Day

Hey look, I can still pirouette!

I had to give up ballet 12 years ago, and it was one of the most miserable decisions of my life. But even if I hadn't fractured that bone in my left foot, time and lack of talent would have taken it away from me anyway.

I miss it and don't regret for a moment the decade I spent learning it.

In my line of work, dresses that can take me from a work day to an evening function are a treasure. This vintage find, with a jacket is more than proper enough for me to attend any meeting or interview. In the evning, whip off the jacket, put on a red lippie and bask in the compliments of Chanel and Zang Toi clad women.

It was missing a button and a belt when I got it. But that's easy enough to fix. God I love vintage dresses.

The detailing on the back of the dress is exquisite. Fully lined, pin-tucked skirt and lattice-work detail is something you just don't find anymore except on very premium bespoke tailored dresses.

Putting it on in the morning however is equivilant to yoga.

Dress: Amcorp Mall Flea Market - RM10
Belt: Deeper & Harder - RM25
Earrings: Voir - about RM25
Shoes: Primark, London - £10

Really frocking around

So we had no power in the office for a good two hours sometime last week. Having shown up at work already, what are two loony chicks to do?

Why, cavort around in a playground, of course! (we got lost coming back, but only slightly). Don't let this seemingly innocuous picture fool you, though--we got up to way more shenanigans than this!

Kahani: I used to climb all over jungle gyms like a monkey when I was a kid. Apparently I haven't changed much. =P

Meldee got her bum stuck on the little kids' slide. It's a bit hard to go "Wheee!" when you tersangkut-sangkut on a slide too small for you.

Kahani: I loooove swings. Swings make me happy. As Meldee observed, "Omg you actually look like you're having fun in this pic!"

Too big to sit on a bouncy elephant thingo? No sirree, not Meldee!



And of course...in a typically goofy move, Meldee gets her head cut off in the camera frame while Kahani looks on in indulgent amusement. Bless.

Meldee wears:
Corduroy shift dress - made by my aunt
Tights - RM12, bought online (sorry, can't remember where from!)
Leather ballet flats - AU$29.95, Big W

Kahani wears:
White T-Shirt: FOS - RM12
Smocked denim black strapless dress: Carts Whiskers - RM10 (on 50% discount)
Comfy black wedge sandals: Clarks - RM237 (possibly the most expensive thing in my wardrobe)
Belt: H&M Amsterdam - €7
Sparkly bow necklace: Paperdoll Boutique, Tropicana Mall - RM60 (about)

Vintage Colours

The green skirt is a gift from Meldee. I fell in love with the colours - like faded victorian wallpaper or decoupage immediately. Having some time that morning I selected the entire outfit to suit the colours and textures represented in the skirt.

In keeping with the gift of the skirt, both necklaces are presents from dear friends. The floating pearl necklace was bought in Central Market by Norwegian friends, Christina & Bjarte as a surprise gift. I love its delicacy and the warm lustre of the pearls.

The vintage silver locket was gifted to me by my dear friend Mary almost 10 years ago. She found it in the Victoria Market in Melbourne and as, like me, she's grown up watching the musical Annie and loves lockets, treasured it for herself. But when she saw how much I loved it, she gave it to me as a surprise gift. Mary is now living with her brand new husband in Melbourne. I miss her, but am glad she's so happy.

Skirt: Gift from Meldee
Lace Camisole: Curve Weekend Market - RM12
Dorothy Perkins dusky rose knit shrug: Ebay UK - £3
White rose stud earrings: Curve Weekend Market - RM10 for 7 assorted pairs
Necklaces: Gifts
Shoes: Cats Whiskers - RM99

Little Miss Proper

Pseudo-pussybow dress - AU$8 (from AU$79 I think), Target
Shoes - RM159 (but they were free because I won some contest), Hush Puppies

While I may be quite noisy and have my periods of cute-overdose, there are days that I like being prim and proper(ish).

I blame my somewhat prim and proper upbringing, in the UK and back home with my grandma and assortment of aunts.

This lovely thing I found on the racks in Target post-Christmas sale. It was marked down to a horrendously cheap price, but the fact that it was so cute alone was motivation enough to get it! (The $8 price tag sweetened the deal)

This dress hasn’t always been the luckiest for me though—during its debut Chinese New Year Day 2 this year, my cousin accidentally spilled an entire glass of Chinese tea on me, soaking right through. Thankfully, it didn’t stain!

On the second occasion, I can’t remember what happened, but I remember feeling really awful after, and going home to crawl into bed to weep a little weep.

This would have been its third or fourth outing—I guess third time’s the charm!

I won a RM150 Hush Puppies voucher in some contest in a local womens' magazine a few years back.

I went through a mad phase in secondary school where I’d enter contests like mad every month in any magazine—and I won more than once! My dad used to have to collect my prizes for me, heh. Aah, good times.

Needless to say, I absolutely hated all the other designs in store, so I opted for this pair, which was the cutest of the lot. They had another pair in powder blue which didn’t look as nice.

While they were insanely painful at first, they’re actually really kind on my feet now! Took a while though—I was sporting blisters and bunions for the longest time.

Hurrah for perseverance!

I match the layout!

The fence and florals...I swear it was not intentional but hey, whatever compliments the blog right? It took me ages to get a nice shot for my post. It took even longer to figure out what style of strapless dress would look and feel good on me.

I have very few strapless dresses in my dress collection, all of which have been attained not too long ago. I've always loved the look of the strapless dress but I've had major issues with them. Either the neckline makes my neck appear non-existant...the top part pushes me back a bra size...or the dress seems to slip a lil lower, lower...and lower. Seriously, it's not sexy to fidget and pull up your dress in front of everyone every two minutes.


Hence, I am extremely grateful to have found a cut of the strapless dress that suits me. I adore this piece with pink carnations. The sweetheart neckline compliments my upper body and the 97% cotton and 3% spandex blend material give it just the right stretch to stay in place. Plus, the pleats around the back give Sir Mix-a-Lot something to rap about.

I dressed this pink number down with a polka dot headband and some casual black mary janes.

Close-up of the neckline and carnation detail

Dress: Forever21.com US$22
Headband: Wetseal US$3
Shoes: Payless.com US$10

Spinning on jinxed shoes

Somedays are just not good days. Even your shoes are against you. But a mad twirl on the roof, even on unlucky shoes, brings a giggle and a smile, and makes everything so much better.



Why are these light comfy, gladiator-style wedge jinxed?

To wear it I had to punch extra holes. The process was shockingly hard and resulted in bleeding fingers so I decided to take it back to the shop and get them to stab more holes intop the thing. Which was just as well. Since the back of the shoe's soles were unglued by lunchtime and flapping around.

Fortunately Cats Whiskers is opposite the office, where we lunch. I took the shoes in and the sweet girls there ran it down to the cobbler's. When it was done they willingly punched more holes - or tried to. The hole-puncher they used fell apart in the attempt.

BAD shoes.

And the FRONT of the soles was coming unglued by the end of the day. Argh!!

But they're pretty and very comfy. So with enough superglue, I forgive them. Even though the back of the right sole is coming unglued again. Sighs.

Top: Amour Boutique, Uptown - RM13.90
Skirt: Dorothy Perkins, London - £6 (Bargain Bin)
Hairclip: Suzanne, The Curve - RM25
Necklace: The Curve Weekend Market - RM80 (gift from mom)
Jinxed shoes: Cats Whiskers - RM69.90

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down...

...but I take comfort in the fact that these days are few and far between. I think.

I attribute the bout of mid-week moodiness to the descending of the monthly blues. I'm not normally hormonal and stuff, but combined with stuff going on at home, I have not been one happy camper.

But ah well! As the saying goes, this too shall pass :)

Cardigan (worn as a top) - RM10, Amcorp Mall weekend flea market
Skirt - RM4, thrifted at Bijou Bazaar
Shoes - A gift, from Sungei Wang
Bow (in hair--it's actually a little boy's bow tie!) - RM5, Daiso

I got this top over a year ago during one of my weekend forays to Amcorp Mall. On the hanger, it seemed boring enough, but closer inspection revealed charming vintage clear plastic buttons, a cropped and ribbed (ribbed?!) waist, and of course these big, puffy, gorgeous linen sleeves with incredible detailing on them.

I totally fell in love with the fine lace and beading--it's absolutely flawless.

Of course, one of my colleagues who came over to talk to me just had to say something inane. Today's comment was "Why are you wearing a tablecloth?" *pokes sleeve with finger* "My late mother had a tablecloth just like this one. Did you steal it from her?"

I count myself lucky. Usually his comments are insanely filthy and not fit for print, on other days he just does this pointy-finger thing and goes, "bachuu!" In his language, he refers to this video of a Korean officer dancing to girl group Wonder Girls' Nobody.

But anyhoo.

I wore this little boy's bow as a headband--something not really that unusual at all, as you can see from Style Bytes. The elastic's still pretty tight though, so some modification is required of me.