Selamat Hari Merdeka!

Happy Independence Day, ladies!

Frocking Around will celebrating the holiday by taking a break today. Have a lovely Monday off and Rock those FROCKS!

Love,
Kahani

ps. Bought a lovely vintage batek dress that's terribly muhibbah yesterday for RM15. WHEE!

Twinkletoes

So you know about the obsession with pretty tea dresses (and all things old, romantic, and Queen's garden tea parties), but these babies probably take the fetish to new heights.

(Or lows, if you want to be funny, cos they're on your feet. Hur hur hur.)

I found these babies for only RM10, at the Pasar Seni (Central Market) LRT station in KL.

They're really lightweight and will probably fall apart after two weeks, but I figure keeping them to wear in and around the office, they shouldn't be too badly damaged too soon?

And really, for the life of me, I can't bring myself to wear fluffy slippers, or worse still, those paper hotel room affairs that...well, I can't even describe it.

But it's just me--I'm fine with people doing it, but it's not something I'd do myself.

So ladies, tell me, do you go barefoot in the office, or do you switch over to something more comfy like slippers, or do you stay in those sexy killer heels?

Ye olde English fabric flip-flips: RM10, Pasar Seni LRT station

To the nines

At Syen's wedding dinner, we three ladies wore:

Kahani (middle):
I owe this gorgeous silk dress by Ted Baker of London entirely to Meldee (bless her eagle eyes). Until I met her, FOS was - to me - rack after rack of T-shirts and athletic wear. But since she pounced on this dress, complete with its original price tag (£120) at FOS for only RM40, I have gained a touching faith in the store. Now I approach one with the bated breath of a treasure hunter, hoping to match this find, or to score something as gorgeous as Mel's tea dress.


Dress: Ted Baker of London @ FOS (RM40)
Shoes: Vincci+ (RM70 after discount)
Earrings: Diva (RM23 after discount)

Meldee (right):

I've had this dress in my closet for a while now, but have never had the occasion to bring it out for a whirl. The print is a bit "aunty" (heck, my aunt gave it to me!) but given my propensity for things a tad old-fashioned I was quite happy to welcome it with open arms into my closet.

The material is light chiffon (I did say I have an obsession for dresses that move with me) and it's got lovely frilly sleeves. It also hides a multitude of sins (but sadly for me, the tummy is still visible due to bad angling)--however it is about a size too big for me. Ah well! I'll grow into it eventually.

Dress: Hand-me-down from aunt, free of charge + love (the best kind of price tag)
Shoes: RM59.90, some stall set up during a carnival at my (former) uni campus
Mini-fascinator (not seen very clearly, boo): RM10, A Shopaholic's Den bazaar

Guest diva Naesems (left):

I was afraid pairing the shimmery dress with the purple shoes would be a bit much, so I minimised on makeup and jewellery.

I love how the dress is short but not skanky and attention-grabbing without being overly flashy. The shoes (4.8 inches with platform) are a challenge to mix and match but oh, aren't they gorgeous?

The only downside of having a light shimmery dress is that when it sticks to your skin, every bump and bulge is visible. And the shoes, are a pain to walk in! They have been out on exactly two outings - a night of podium-dancing at Velvet (read: mistake) and a friend's wedding.

Shimmering silver dress: RM140 from Dorothy Perkins
Lux purple shoes: RM 260 (half price) from Aldo
Earrings: A gift from boyfriend's sister

Not to be missed accessories that Kahani desperately covets:

Summer sunshine at your door

I have never watched the show. I am certainly not desperate, nor am I a housewife. But when I step into this dress, I feel the urge to ask my dude to go tend the yard and pretend he's my hot gardener. What's funny is that he actually is hispanic and doesn't think it's as amusing. Boo.

My mother used to suggest me to wear more orange and yellow because it apparently compliments my skin tone. It was just pretty tough to find outfits in these colours that I would actually buy. I'm glad to have found this cute number. Call me crazy but you can't wear orange/yellow and stay in a crappy mood for long. It's not summer anymore but this dress sure helps bring back some of that sunshine.


Two of the best things about this outfit. The shoes and the dress bodice.


Dress: Forever21.com US$24
Pretty pretty shoes: Cutesygirl.com, Madden Girl US$15

Not only did I love the colours of this dress, I absolutely adore the front detail. It has some light boning along both sides, features a sweetheart neckline and a ruched bodice to give the dress some texture on the upper half. I work at a middle school, so I like that the fabric is 97% cotton. I can just chuck it in the washer without worrying about crayons or juice ruining it forever.

Ah, the shoes. OH, THE SHOES! I am not much of a shoe fanatic but I had to have these. A black ribbon forms a dainty bow and the scalloped edges make them that more precious. And if you look closely, there's roses etched unto the front of the shoes. Heck, even the in-soles have glittery lace on them.

I apologize for not posting last week as I've been a pretty busy bee starting my new job and all....but here's another pic of the shoes for you to swoon over because I'm nice like that :P

Lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer

Summer in Australia is a beautiful thing. Being young and in love, there is an added headiness in the air that I really do believe I'd be unable to feel anywhere else in the world.

That day, Mr M (I've decided to call The Significant Other that, since he is actually well out of boyhood, though at times his actions say otherwise) and I were headed to his parents' place along the coast of New South Wales from Melbourne for Christmas, and we'd stopped halfway in a charming country town called Bairnsdale.

The sun was out, the wind was high (with a bit of a chill to it, hence the cardi!) and oh, love, sweet love was more than enough to get me through the long drive.



It takes so little to make me truly happy--sunshine, fresh air, love.

And of course, a pretty dress.

Dress: AU$12, Deborah K along Swanston Street, Melbourne
Cardigan: RM19.90, a factory outlet clearance
Shoes: RM35, Mod at Subang Parade
Belt: AU$0.50, Red Crescent Society
Aviators: RM29.90, Forever 21

Pocahontas does paisley

I'm getting pretty good at spotting my size on the racks. Yesterday I picked up a dress that I was so confident would fit me perfectly I still haven't tried it on. Not until it was washed and hanging on the line did it occur to me to see if it fit. I just know it will!

This one (which I also thrifted without trying) fits me like it was made for me. I have a weakness for paisley, and if you haven't noticed yet, I adore shift (edit 07/09/09: just learnt that if it's this form fitting it's a sheath not shift dress!) dresses for their classic lines and simplicity. This one's skirt has an assymetrical quirk that made me hesitate though. Would I love that it came to a pointed triangle in front? Would I hate it?

As it turns out, with a killer pair of heels I adore it! It looks funny when I'm in flats though. A simple pair of bronze hoops (not too big), throw my hair in a french braid and I'm good to go! A dress like this is a statement on its own.

This is Rocky looking curious and slightly concerned at my odd behaviour. Beagles have set routines and until now, having his owner set up a camera and pose all over the garden wasn't part of the morning rush. He'll get used to it.

Dress: Vintage @ Amcorp Mall Flea Market (RM5)
Bronze Hoop Earrings: Creme Brulee (RM5)
Heels: Cats Whiskers (RM99)
Beagle: Priceless

Classic Creme

This is one of those dresses I totally adore for its classic, ladylike prettiness.

I've only worn once it before, to my grandmother's 71st birthday 'do the family threw for her last year at KL Sheraton.

I'm just absolutely gunning for another occasion to wear it--it's a little formal for work, though I suppose I could get away with it!

However it's the kind of dress I'd wear with pearls (I had drop-pearl earrings my aunt got me as a gift when she went to China) and high, high peep toe shoes, or perhaps patent mary-janes?

Any suggestions how to dress it down for work?

Dress: RM99, some shop in Summit, USJ Subang Jaya

Elf Dress

In case you haven't noticed from this dress, I am quite the fantasy buff. This dress was christianed by my colleagues. "Ooh pretty elf-dress!" they chirped - which made me love it even more.

Spotted at a Zara warehouse sale, both the dress and I were looking equally dispondent at the time. I'd trawled through rack after rack and found nothing in my size. The dress, when dangling undone from a hanger, looked shapeless and forlorn. But the colours (green! ombre!) drew me, as did the silky knit fabric and even though it was a size too large for me, I decided to take a risk, buy it, and "Make it WORK" ala Tim Gunn.

I'm so glad I did! In person, the dress is jaw-droppingly lovely and very special. The front detail makes it grecian, the colours and flowing lines make it elven, and the oversized turtleneck makes it classic.

It took me awhile to figure out that the ties were meant to be fastened in front. I also had to take it in under the collar so it would fit around the bust better.

I couldn't very well not wear an evenstar with something called an "Elf Dress" now could I? Although I have the necklace, I thought it'd be more subtle to wear just the earrings. The dress is statement enough.

And I bought NEW SHOEESS!! I shouldn't have. But I've been wanting dark brown sandals for awhile and these are made by the same manufacturer as the Stork Shoes. So they're well made, sturdy and comfy. I couldn't resist!

Dress: Zara warehouse sale (RM50)
Evenstar Earrings: eBayUK (£5)
Shoes: Cats Whiskers (RM89)

More flattering Rat Race pics

I hope you can forgive my vanity but I did SO hate the pic I had to put up in the previous post. This one by phographer Gerald Blondel of LumiereArt is SO much nicer, isn't it? Although the fact that it's the only B/W pic in the entire album must mean I was terribly red. >_< And here's one of Meldee!

I have to admit anyone who can take flattering pics of suffering runners is the photographer I WANT! LOL!

Channeling Chanel

Coco Chanel's style of effortless elegance has swung back into fashion with a vengeance! Two movies, one yet to be released in English (although I'd love to get my hands on the French version) and one released last year on the life of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel has made her classic style very much in vogue.

Here's some ideas on taking elements from the movie and mixing and matching them affordably to create your own modern take on Chanel.


Little Black Dress & Pearls
These two iconic elements that symbolise elegance and class are both thanks to Coco. The little black dress (or LBD) was designed by Coco (as so many of her pieces were) for her own convenience. When she was in mourning, she created the timeless LBD that would take her to any event or function once dressed up or down with the right accessories. As for pearls.. well, she adored them.

Masculine Dress
Coco was revolutionary in her love for mixing and matching masculine with feminine. She found the tightly corseted overly fussy ladies dresses impossible "to think in". And yet despite her "masculine" oufits, Coco remained very feminine. Details like a black silk bow, the figure-hugging waistcoat, and beautifully cut jackets and skirts allowed women the freedom of male-dressing without losing an ounce of elegance or prettiness.

Here was my take on the masculine look.

Monochrome
White and black, cream and black, Chanel adored pairing the combination. Her love of monochrome has given us what we envision as the "classic french look". It's all due to her. She was also known for using less luxurious but more practical materials like jersey and tweed to craft her clothing. She used to demand why women could not be both elegant and able to breathe and move freely. She also believed devotedly in affordable elegance - something her label is now no longer known for sadly. Look out for two-tone pieces - cream cardigans with black borders or two-tone shoes for example. Or simply pair a white crisp shirt with black slacks or a skirt and a cute jacket. Make sure the cuts are unique or you'll look like a waitress!

White scarf
Although Hermes has become known for the square white silk scarf, an element that was teased and played with throughout the Coco Chanel (2008) movie was the long, elegantly draped white scarf. It was usually draped freely around the neck or shoulders.

Shoulder bag
Chanel even invented the shoulder bag so she could have her hands free! In those days most women used wristlet-like bags, or ones with tiny handles. Thus was born the classic Chanel 2.55 known for its quilted leather and chain & leather straps.

As an aside, rather than try and buy a cheap exact dupe, why not have fun with the style and pick up something that honours the style without trying to imitate.
This little purple quilted bag with a long cross-body chain and "leather" shoulder strap is a fun way to channel the look. I picked it up at Alice Wonders for RM39.90 (on sale).

Camellias
Perhaps my favourite design element to play with is the white camellia that Chanel so loved. You can find dupes of the stiff leather version that was designed by her, or pick up a flower pin like this to pin onto hair, jackets, dresses - the possibilities are endless. This little RM12.90 pin immediately jazzed up and feminised an otherwise plain and simple black outfit.

By the way, rather than go for large round pearls which are impossible to afford if they're real and look tacky if they're not, try irregular seed pearls like this. This necklace, bought at Paperdoll Boutique for about RM80, is of real freshwater pearls. Their irregularity gives them a far more genuine look while at the same time lowering the price. I find it a more modern updated version of the traditional string of pearls.

My outfit
This was the Chanel-inspired look I wore to work the other day. Sadly the day was too busy to take snaps of my outfit, but I adored every minute I sashayed around in it. It doesn't look that special on the hanger but I assure you it looked much better when worn. I didn't use the scarf or bag though or it would have gone from "homage" to "halloween"!

Jacket: Paperdoll boutique (RM75)
Dress: H&M London (£7 on sale)
Pearls: Paperdoll boutique (RM80)
Camellia pin: Suzanne's at the Curve (RM12.90)

Monkeying around

Kahani and I discovered this ladder one day when we were looking for new places to shoot (pictures, of course). And being her pet monkey (inside joke), I was vehement that I would climb it, in a pretty dress, to boot!

Today's pretty dress is my perfect day-to-night dress (we all know about Kahani's day-to-night dress!). I found it at the last fashion bazaar I went to, where my girl friend had also set up stall.

Being borderline baby, I love things that are a little cutesy, a little classy, and all girl--this dress epitomises me, but in a more professional way! It has ruching, a frilly skirt, and, come on, little hearts chasing each other all over.

How much was it? RM15.

Ta-daaah!

Meldee scores another one. *grins*

Dress - RM15, Primo Valore for Epoca the Shop (a Japanese franchise) at a weekend shopping bazaar
Shoes - RM59.90, Vincci

Stretching out those shoes - with ICE

This is a new one on me, usually I just pop on thick socks and stomp around in the shoes indoors until I break those babies in. Or bring a change for when they get too painful. Still if you're willing to try and mom isn't around to be horrified, you could give this method a try.

Runnin the Rat Race in Frocks!

Here we are, red faced but triumphant having run the Rat Race totally frocked out! For those who haven't heard of it, KL Rat Race is an annual charity run organised by The Edge. The idea is for participants to run in corporate wear (or at least clothes you would wear to work) & sneakers (so you dont' break an ankle in KL's pot holes). While not all participants adhere to the "coporate wear" rule, Meldee and I decided that it would be skirts and dresses for us!

Darned glad I ran in a skirt too. Anything else would have been too warm

SEE how red I am? And the dress is light-weight AND the day was grey and drizzly. If it hadn't been I think I'd have expired and been trampled. Pardon the godawful expression I think I was just about to wave and smile at the camera man - or just done.

I've been told my time was about 41 mins. WHEE!

Dress: Sungei Wang (about RM30 for 2)
Purse-belt: ASOS (£4)
Sneakers: Golla - eBay UK (£1)
Flower hairclip: Suzanne's The Curve Flea Market (RM25)

Meldee's Outfit:

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So hello! This is me, more walking than running down the streets of KL, in a pencil skirt to boot. Having spent most of the night before sitting around in my unmentionables lamenting to Kahani how I had absolutely nothing to wear, I finally settled on a combination I'd worn to work before, minus the sneakers.

I absolutely insisted that I had to run in something that had pockets, just to keep my identity card on me. Since none of my work dresses came in light cottony material and had pockets, I had to settle for this skirt.

Now, when I go thrifting, I am extra alert for things with pockets. I mean really, whodathunk a marathon of all things would cause me to rethink my wardrobe?!

Top: RM15 for 2, The Limited at FOS
Skirt: RM69.90, Elements (they have awesome work wear, by the way!)
Flower corsage: Off my RM10 Carrie dress
Sneakers: Puma, a gift from my cousin
Knee brace: Total fashion faux-pas, but what to do. I have a wonky knee from an old volleyball injury
Sunnies: Free gift from Style magazine

My time was not as great as Kahani's--I made it in 42 minutes 42 seconds!

Sitting pretty

I have a terrible weakness for floaty, dreamy fabrics and romantic, drapey cuts. And dresses that make me think of indulgent afternoon tea parties.

This was a dress I didn't fall in love with at first sight, but it certainly was like at first sight. After having tried it on, and worn it out to work, I think it may soon be one of my firm favourites to wear.

A big bonus (I know this sounds silly, but believe me, it's perfectly legit!) is that the chest area doesn't gawp open when I bend down to fill up media attendance sheets during events--if you only knew how many of my other dresses are borderline scandalous that way!

And as you know, I am quite a terrible sucker for branded goods that are marked down for whatever reason--this lovely Ann Taylor dress was only RM50.

Dress - RM50, Ann Taylor Loft at FOS
Shoes - RM20, VKI, Sungei Wang

P/s: The pose was inspired by the lovely Chloe Sevigny in a spread in Vanity Fair, I believe! Of course, she was about a million times more lovely, and in her beautiful garden--hence, the images of garden tea parties!

Treasure: Peter Rabbit Dress

I was thrilled beyond words when I found this dress sitting in the two-for-RM10 rack. Straight out of an English fairytale, this dress makes me want to hop in a boat and row to an island for a picnic, or don a white apron and scamper down a rabbit hole to find Wonderland. Another friend suggested ruby red slippers and a dog named Toto.

Sorry the picture isn't brilliant. It was taken via timer in my garden. Yes that overgrown mini-jungle is the garden my dotty parents have created.

So why is it the Peter Rabbit dress? Because that's the brand! I love the mother of pearl buttons and the delicately scalloped collar.

And there's Peter Rabbit himself! One day Mel and I will organise a Beatrix Potter party. We'll watch the movie, I'll wear the Peter Rabbit dress and she'll come as Jemima Puddleduck. ;)

Dress (Peter Rabbit): Vintage - RM5
Shoes: Nine West (RM160 on 60% discount)

You're my Cuppycake

Almost everyone knows that little ditty...I'm stoked some fabulous people made it happen in dress and bag forms.

I adore this dress and bag as individual items and I know the dots on the dress may not totally match the dots on the bag...but why make a separate post when I can show you more cupcakes at one go!

I like to keep this outfit simple since the dress alone speaks for itself. Why would anyone want to look at anything but this dress? A pair of blingy sunglasses and plain black Mary Janes are all I need for a sunny stroll in the park.



I got both the dress and bag off eBay from separate sellers. I knew I would regret not purchasing this cuppycake dress especially since it goes for way more at a few online stores. The dress is by Paperdoll Productions (what a fun name!). The colors of the bag are exactly the same except for the dots of course, and the cupcake print is smaller in size. Some lovely lady made this bag herself.

Even if I don't plan on heading out anywhere, I like to throw this dress on and parade around the apartment when it happens to be one of those days when things just aren't going how you want them to. The baby pink color and polka dot bows make me think about childhood fun and the cupcakes with butterflies on them remind me of fairy tales and dreams. The fact that I found a bag to match it made the whole world just a little sweeter for a while.


Dress: Paperdoll Productions off eBay US$40
Handmade bag: eBay US$20
Shoes: Payless Shoes US$12

They call me mellow yellow

D'you know those cute Little Miss shirts that are everywhere now?

Well, back before they were huge (here, and everywhere else), they were available in Australia, quite exclusively, in Just Jeans (this was almost three years ago now).

Well, at something like AU$49.95 a pop for a simple cotton t-shirt (I really wanted Little Miss Sunshine, what else?), I simply couldn't justify buying it, what with the exchange rate and all!

It so happened that one day I wandered in (oh, you know, those four beautiful letters (S-A-L-E) had nothing to do with it...tralalala..) and saw this dress hanging on the 70% off rack.

A Little Miss Sunshine dress is so much better than a plain old t-shirt, isn't it? And I paid less for the dress than I would have for the shirt! So all's well that ends well.

Moral of the story, folks?

When torn between a shirt and a dress, pick the one that uses up more fabric. Haha!

This hairclip, I found in my grandma's drawer (singular, not plural--drawers is an old-fashioned term for knickers or panties, so I certainly did not find this there). It's a little dinted and a bit worn for wear, but I think it's been around since the 1980s, which would make it as old as me!

I've usually worn it as a giant bow to clip my hair to the side, but today I felt like having it up, but not all prim-and-proper-like?

Yes, I am babbling. Bows, sunshine and happiness.

Dress - AU$29.95, Just Jeans
Shoes - RM59.90, Vincci
Hairclip - Inherited. By force.

Drama Queen

Somedays there's no help for it but to give in to your inner drama queen. Languishing in angst, wailing in despondency, and railing against life. Just be sure you're dressed for the occassion.

The top is actually a black cotton cheongsam by Blook I thrifted at the last ASD Bazaar. However the skirt is a little too skimpy for office wear so I popped on a pencil skirt over it and pulled the look together with my inevitable belt.
Red earrings are shockingly hard to find. These are lots of clackity fun as each drop moves when I waggle my head.

Cheongsam (blook): ASD Bazaar - RM10
Pencil Skirt (Miss Selfridge): eBay UK - £4
Earrings: Diva - RM18
Belt: Deeper & Harder - RM25
Shoes: Primark London - £10

Blue lady

See that terrible scrunched up face?

For all my happy moods, I can sometimes get awful grumpy. It's an awful affliction I've had since childhood.

No, really.

But in the case of this blog post, I wasn't actually grumpy at all--I just didn't know what pose to get into! Yes, I was pretty frocked out.

Anyway, I really love this dress. It was one of my first online purchases almost two years ago now, from one of the very first online dress sites in Malaysia (that I knew of at the time), Shopaholics Unite!

(in case you're wondering, yes, the chest area does yawn open a bit--I keep meaning to sew it up but I keep forgetting! I will snap to it this Friday night and close the gaps, if only so the guy sitting next to me stops letting his eyes wander. But it's not his fault, really, I imagine.)

Somehow, with a wraparound dress as ladylike as this, only ladylike jewelry will do. This lovely cameo necklace I picked up from the Accessorize warehouse on Bridge Road in Melbourne--three pieces for AU$10!

And at the risk of being terribly matchy-matchy, only cute, ladylike shoes would do the classic-ish outfit justice. These lovely heeled brogues I picked up at--of all places--the Bata warehouse in Subang Parade!

Now share with me, dear reader, where are your favourite warehouses, and why?

Blue wraparound dress - RM45. Or was it RM55? Shopaholics Unite!
Brogues - RM29.90, Bata Warehouse in Subang Parade
Cameo necklace - AU$10 for three pieces (so about AU$3.30 for this one), Accessorize Warehouse, Bridge Rd, Melbourne
Earrings - RM9 for three pairs, Diva

Use the wind!

It was an incredibly windy day. It was messing up my hair, causing my dress to flap and basically just getting in the way. "Use the wind!" ordered my skilled photographer tossing her head like Jay Manuel. Immediately, I sprang into the air. Always obey your photographer. Always.

I subscribe to the Cats Whiskers newsletter, which is bad news for my pocket but makes my wardrobe happy. The moment I set eyes on this dress, it was LOVE. I rang them up to reserve it, dashed down there that day, tried it on and it was even more perfect than I thought. Ten minutes later it was MINE.

That was meldee's first exposure to me in a clothestore.

"You shop with deadly military precision! Scawy..."

Sparkly red heart earrings! What's not to love? Now to get sparkly red shoes...

Pressie from my colleague. "It screams you!" she pronouced as she handed it over. Thanks dear. =)

Dress: Cats Whiskers (RM89)
Belt:Deeper & Harder (RM25)
Shoes: Primark, London (£9)
Earrings: Voir (RM25)
Hairclip: Pressie!