Putting hair up with a Daiso Bargain

Yes more hair accessories from Daiso!

After this post  by Beauty Geek, I sat there, staring at the Goody Simple Styles site wistfully. We don't have cool stuff like this here. So imagine my reaction when I spotted this at Daiso:

Simplicity

Some days you just want to throw on a simple sundress. No fuss, no feathers, nothing.

And toss your hair in the sun.

Shopping Around: Gin & Jacqui Online Bagshop

Gin & Jacqui is an online bag shop after my own heart. Just read why she started it:

"Gin & Jacqie™ is a line of bags created by avid traveller and reluctant girl-on-the-go Jacqueline Ng.  In her search for functional everyday bags that are practical and stylish but do not cost a bomb; Jacqie discovered a niche in the market and decided to develop her own line of such bags. In a fast paced world where trends come and go, Gin & Jacqie™ is all about high functionality and performance without sacrificing style or quality. The core focus of the brand is well-made bags that are beautiful and appropriate be carried in any setting, be it the office, the mall or the resort, whatever your inclination.  The line focuses on classic shapes are complemented by an array of gorgeous fabrics and innovative detailing. Gin & Jacqie™ bags are made to be timeless and evergreen, to be as relevant today as they will be tomorrow."

Functional - check!
Stylish - check!
Gorgeous fabrics - check!
And she doesn't say it... but lots and LOTS of pocketses. Happy me!

Now I wish she'd develop her line of office bags (bag?) to include something classic, non-shiny and full of pocketses.

Here are some of my picks:

I, Jane

Now, where the bloody hell is my Tarzan?

Remember what I said about my love for khaki and old English explorer movies? I think perhaps they ran a little amok with this outfit. The loose, Victorian-inspired shirt and khaki capris had me cheerfully popping on the hat and boots for the shoot without a second thought. Tee hee!

Braided Ballerina Bun

This really is easy as pie. My one problem is I like a flatter bun, more spread out, less cone shaped. So here's what you do:

Frocking Out in Japan Day 2: Osaka

The schedule was so packed I ended up getting up at 4:30 to walk to Osaka Castle - or see nothing of Japan but work! I'm glad I did, it was worth it!

Frocking Out in Japan Day 1: Tokyo & Kobe

Just got back from a working trip to Japan that was a really jam-packed working trip. Am grateful I got a chance to go, but it kills me that I had next to no time to see or do anything but work. At least I got to take the shinkansen! And yes it goes very very fast. 

Hairstyles to try

With my success at putting my hair up I've been trawling the lovely Torrinpage's youtube channel for other hairstyles I'd love to try. So while I'm sharing this with you, it's also for my personal reference. ;)



I think I can do a version of the Pretzel bun shown here (below)! It's really cute. Much more fun than the usual twisty ones.

Frockspiration: One dress, many looks

Pic source: StyleBytes

I've mentioned StyleBytes in the past as one of the sources of inspiration for this blog, but believe me she's worth mentioning again. The blog has been taken over by someone else who I'm afraid is not quite up to Agathe's standards... actually I don't read her posts at all. But I still trawl through the archives and come up with new ideas just about every time. 

Today's one of the days I stay in the office to write and I popped on a simple cotton shift dress for comfort. I don't know if you have one of these in your closet, but if you don't you're about to see why they're really a girl's best friend. Granted you can't layer here in tropical Malaysia like you can in cooler countries (boo!) but for those planning a trip and want to pack light, this baby is the ultimate layering multitasker. See how Agathe works it:

Wistful

Dreamy powder blue just brings out my inner drama queen. Things have been rough so I figure, why not "channel it"? Don't worry, the photoshoots should start cheering up soon. Hopefully.

Guest Post: Suit Up Series - Off The Rack

Continuing our descent from the platonic ideal of bespoke, we come at last to that dark, dreary realm known as off-the-rack (OTR).   Here, fair readers, dwell the clothiers of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, churning out uniform garments fit for a uniform populace.

Here, gentlemen, is the arena of firms such as Dayang Trands, favoured by such gentlemen as Warren Buffett and—allegedly—Bill Gates.  (As an aside, please give Buffett your ears when he talks about investing, but please retrieve your ears when he starts talking fashion.  If you don’t believe me, please look carefully at Mr. Buffett’s attire and judge for yourself whether you should be listening to him on fashion.)  Here, also, can be found Hugo Boss, Giorgio Armani, Marks & Spencer, Pierre Cardin, etc.  

Crafty ideas: How to make a hair doughnut, and use it

It's incredibly easy to get this hairstyle. Honest! 10 minutes tops... and that includes making the sock bun.