Frocking Out: COME ON DOVER!

I was trawling through my now defunct personal blog (which I've also taken private) and found this old entry. Remember that scene from My Fair Lady where they take her to the Ascott races in England? Since I was 9 that has been THE ultimate frockspiration for me. I still dream of getting meself into the races and donning a bonny hat. Till then, here's an account dredged out of the annals of history when I attended our Malaysian version.

(I also found pics of Rocky as a puppy. You think he's cute NOW? You have no idea!)

October 17, 2005

Had a glorious time at the Selangor Turf Club ladies' day. Yes I went in a hat.. how could I not? Borrowed though, couldn't find one to match my dress.

Inheritance

This is the only thing I have that's from the grandfather I've never known. My mom's father passed away before I was one and when sorting through her jewellery recently, mom came across this 50's Ingersoll 24k Rolled Gold Mechanical Pencil. Back in the day, this was the corporate gift du jour. Today it's thumbdrives, keychains, and really really bit plastic pens. Ish.

"Do you want this? It was my dad's," said mom.

"MAD MEN! Oh umm... yes please," squealed me.

Because of course, as the Mad Men obsessed would know, a gold pen / pencil on a chain is the signature accessory of the incomparable Joan.

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It's enough to make you want to go all sexy secretary and sashay around the office. Now to out together an outfit that'll let me rock this baby (considering I don't have the curves Christina Hendricks has I mean, whoa!).

Frockspiration: Audrey & Ip

Beagles just don't have quite the same tone as a fawn do they? =P

Shopping Around: Genius Undies

It annoys me how many incredible solutions and conveniences we miss out on here in Malaysia. I've always known that the key to great nude under garments is to colour match it to your skintone. But until MySkins, as far as I know, no one's done it! And of course, it's based in the US. And of COURSE you can't buy it here and even if you could the shipping costs might be prohibitive and sending the stuff back isn't really an option.


But the site IS revolutionary and I hope lingerie makers take notice. Sure we love polka dots, lace and cute animals on our smalls, but when push comes to shove and you end up in a fountain what you REALLY want is a damned good invisible nude bra. So having a great basic range designed to be invisible with 20 skintones is an awesome idea!

Oh and speaking of problem solving undies, how about the Camelflage? We don't have that here either. *throws a lingerie-inspired tantrum*

Cravings satisfied

Nope I absolutely could NOT resist doing a tribute to Garance Dore's shot... or wearing all my cravings at once. Wheee!

Isn't it lovely when all your cravings are answered at once?

Satchel? Check!

Vintage Shorts? Check!

Tan accessories? Check!

Ahh,... now what do I want next?

Shirt: FOS (RM30)
Belt: FOS (RM17)
Shorts: Curve weekend market (RM29)
Satchel: Cambridge Satchel Company (RM350)
Shoes: Clarks found at Amcorp mall flea market (RM30)

Frockspiration: Something's gotta give

Remember my sudden love for sandy colours punctuated by blue? This adorable movie drove that colour combination home again.

Frock for thought: Can you be too hot to dress like a woman?

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Debrahlee Lorenzana is suing Citibank US for firing her. While her reasons are gender discrimination, it boils down to her being "too hot" because had she been less attractive she may not have faced all the problems she did.

Where do you stand on this? Are some clothes more verboten for some women than others because they simply look hotter in them?

Personally I find my perception of reality battling with my sense of fairness because life isn't fair. A girl with big boobs and long legs will garner more notice in just about anything than your average chick. And with that notice comes more censure. The same short skirt will look shorter on her, the same neckline more plunging.

Picture this, you're walking in mall. All around are petite girls, the typical Asian body cut. Slim but with flat chests and next to no hips. They're dressed in shorts an t-shirts as is the trend now. Then a leggy number with curves that go BAM steps out dressed in the same outfit. The others look like little girls, this one screams SEXY. All eyes follow her, women frown, men whistle.

It does happen doesn't it? So my question is, if that girl doesn't want all that attention, should she dress differently from all the others? Is it somehow her fault for not wearing something more modest?

And how far do we take this? Is it fair to forbid someone the demure turtleneck simply because (presumably) it really emphasises the silhouette?

Dressing for body type is something we all do. But somehow, dressing so you look LESS hot runs counter to intuition and seems... unfair. Why be penalised for being beautiful? And if you are told not to wear short skirts when all around you are in them do you, like Deborahlee, complain? You'll sound like a show-offy bitch by the way.

What's your take on this? Should dressing for body type include dressing down?

Review: Cambridge Satchel Company - 14" Black Satchel

Yes I caved. Almost immediately after this post about craving the satchel in fact. You see, Syen made a trip to Cambridge and she generously offered to pick up one for me (thanks babe!). I've been using it for a week and love it to death but there are few things you need to know.


The Good
It will make grown Englishmen squeal
"My god, that's a wonderful bag!" "I haven't seen those in ages!" "By gum, we all used to use these..." Yep this bag is the REAL deal. If you went to school in England around the 60s and 70s, chances are this was the schoolbag du jour. I just watched Prince Caspian and all the school kids were toting similar satchels. You'll feel wonderfully English and all that when using it.

It is beautifully made
Very sturdy, very strong with perfect stitching this bag will last and last. It'll also look better when it's battered. However, there is no lining, so if this bothers you, don't get it.

It's light
Despite the thick stiff leather, it IS light.

It's BANG on trend
Not that it matters to me. I've always loved satchels - just stopped using them awhile because I couldn't find or afford any gorgeous ones. Now I can and they're everywhere. Wheee!

The Bad
Not many models are available for immediate purchase
The reason why the satchel is a classic black instead of vintage brown is because vintage brown simply wasn't available. Nor was red. In fact for variety you may be better off ordering it online and waiting patiently for them to make it! If you can afford the shipping of about GBP20 that is. (I think that's how much it'll cost).

If you buy it in store, it costs more
The 14" is GBP73 online and GBP79 in store. Nowhere on the site could I spot this discrepancy. There is a definite slant towards buying online. For one thing, they wrap it up in brown paper tied up with string. Gorgeously vintage and Postman Pat in feel!

It's really not that roomy and has only one pocket
Alas, it isn't deep at all. The site says 3" and when you come down to it, that really isn't much. My advice is if you buy this baby at all, unless you WANT a smaller bag, just get the 15". An inch deeper and an inch wider may not seem like much but in my case it means fitting in a notebook or a netbook. This really is my biggest gripe. That and that there's no lining and hence no inner pocket.

You really have to actually BUCKLE the straps
Actually, this bothers me very little. I love the look of the buckles and can work them one-handed now. I would like an easier closing option, like a magnetic button though.

Conclusion
And that's it! I may still get the vintage brown in 15" one day - maybe in a year or so when (if) I finally toodle down to England. I'll try preordering it a few weeks ahead to ensure I pay online prices, get the model I want and won't have to pay shipping prices if I get it in-store.

Oh and one more Good
Despite everything. I really really LOVE this bag.

BAD! Yowls!
EDITED: Just found Tom Brown's Traditional Satchels, Oxford (via ParisB again) that look the same, sound the same and cost £20 LESS! Auuuggghhh!! No comparisons available, but if you want red, navy, black or brown.... Tom Browns has them. *waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaails*

Shopping Around: Chatterbeads

I'm so glad she's creating gorgeous jewellery again.I knew Wai Yee, but not well, when I was in Form 6 and found her again through her amazing blogshop, Chatterbeads. Her handmade creations have a whimsy and artistry to them that make them absolutely unique. I adore her earrings especially and wish she'd dabble more in my other favourite jewellery item - necklaces.

I'm considering buying these, wish I'd popped them into my latest order.

Isn't that bracelet a miracle of whimsy and fun colour? And oh she does gorgeous gorgeous bookmarks too:


Finally, here's what I bought from her. Can't wait to feature them on Frocking:

Tip: Styling too-long belts

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Hands up, how many of you know this trick? What's taken me so long to discover it? Why did any of you with your hands in the air TELL me? The long-floppy end of belts has been a bugbear of mine all my life. I actually used to envy girls with thicker waists simply because they didn't have this issue!

And for thicker belts, I'll just have to look out for strong, clear elastic - or maybe use fishing line. Good idea?

Beagle Therapy

Yes more shameless usage of helpless beagles! For what it's worth, they enjoyed it. ^_^

After a stressful week all I want to do on weekends is dress down and romp around with the beagles. They've gotten awfully manja (Malay word for pampering or love of pampering in this case) though. I sat down on the chair and both lept up for cuddles. Then when I got up...

They snuggled each other

Toby: I think I'm getting into this whole posing thing. *Strikes champion beagle pose*
Rocky: Huh? o_0?

Toby: Don't let the beagles of the world down, you!
Rocky: Oh fine *strikes champion beagle pose*

Toby: Why was I ever afraid of the camera?
Rocky: I'm booooorrreeddddd!

Top: The Kooky Thing (RM15)
Skirt: Amcorp Mall flea market (RM10)

Shopping Around: Vintage Shorts

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Some images inspire, they stick in your mind, and you think, "I want to be that girl". I blame this image for my current Vintage Shorts obsession. So far I've found two I like, at a price I like, but darnnit, I was too late and they were sold out! Here's hoping I'll find a pair soon.

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Frockspiration: Dusk Zone

From the moment I happened on her blog (she left a comment on Frocking *squee!*) I was awed. Blown away. Then I read her profile and found out she's 40 and has teenage daughters. As a friend's fiance is fond of saying - my flabber was gasted. If I'm half as awesome and living a life as full in a decade or so I will be a happy woman.

Ladies, meet Dusk from The Dusk Zone.





Oh, she takes all her pics using a tripod and a self-timer by the way. Jaw-dropping. I need more practice. And a tree to hang from. *runs out to plant a tree*

Perhaps the secret, besides fantastic genes, is all that flamenco dancing she does. Must take up dance again.

Inspired? You should be.