At last, a Cheongsam

It has taken me next to forever to find a Cheongsam that fits me and doesn't cost the earth. Most of the generic ones you see in stores are tight around my hips but far far too big around the waist. Plus you look like a waitress from the Tai Tong Group of restaurants. 

Shopping Around: Sole Lovely

It's a good thing I've temporarily solved my Shoe Obsession problem because you see... I bought another one. 

I've always been drawn to Sole Loverly in Bangsar Village 2, not JUST because its name resembles my other blog, but because the styles there are really my style. Unfortunately, the prices have never been very friendly and I've just eyed shoes like these wedges with ankle straps longingly. 

Then at last the price dropped by 30% and the last remaining pair was in my size. It's fate! 

I was assured the shoes were leather and the design original to Sole Loverly - I certainly hope so as even after discount they still cost RM145. But they are the comfiest things ever and have been since day one. Anyone here shop there? 

Here are a few other designs of theirs I like from their gallery:

Operation Shoes: SUCCESS!

At last, the Shoe Obsession has a solution. Thanks to Daiso, of course. Is there no limit to that shop's awesomeness? This shoe rack is only RM5 each (of course) and allows me to stack 5 shoes neatly in a space that would normally hold 3. Also, I've found "single" racks that are narrower and may allow me to fill the extra spaces in the corners.

Dressing Up

For me, part of a great night out is getting dressed. The luxury of pampering yourself, choosing an outfit that makes you feel gorgeous and carefully applying makeup... it all adds to the anticipation and the joy of the night.

Some of my favourite passages in books are long, elaborate descriptions of getting dressed. From Victorian corset lacing, Edwardian silk stockings and Prairie eyelash curling.

Frockspiration: The Tourist

I'll just admit straight up that The Tourist is a pretty bad movie, unlikely plot, not-too-great dialogue. But I LOVED it. The clothes, Angelina Jolie, Venice and Paris were all gorgeous (sorry Depp, I love you, but you just didn't look your best here).

I was incredibly taken by the fist outfit Angie appeared in:

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Did you know there's a kite-flying park in Kepong? Taman Metropolitan Baru / Kepong Metropolitan Park has a thriving community of kite flyers. Something I discovered as I circled the crowded carpark hunting for a free spot.

I was there for the Breast Cancer Welfare Association's "Fly a kite for breast cancer awareness" campaign. The "Pink Angel" kites were on sale for RM10 - which went to the BCWA. I thought the idea was just so adorable I had to go.

Ballet Inspired

With a visually impactful movie like The Black Swan out recently, ballet-inspired fashion is expected to make a resurgence. In fact, according to TiC, it's never really left and the catwalk's gone gaga for it which means highstreet will follow soon.

Sunnies

Initial plans of splurging on original Ray Ban Wayfarers were squelched by the simple fact that Malaysian stores don't carry much stock for them. If they were the right colour, they were way too big or too round. if they were the right shape, they were blue, red or white. Argh! All efforts by salesmen to coax me into buying something else failed miserably. If I'm going to spend over RM500 on a pair of sunglasses they are going to be PRECISELY the ones I want AND they're going to be the ones from Breaksfast At Tiffany's dammit!

Muffins

After years of never being able to bake, a new oven combined with copious amounts of the Asian Food Channel has resulted in mom turning into a baker. 

"I'm finally the mom you never had!" she crowed as she dished out banana and chocolate muffins. 

Guest Post: All I wanna do... #2

Here's Petra Gimbad's half of the night out we had. 

I was feeling blue and wanted to feel like ANYTHING but a protection officer/social worker.

Also, I wanted drinks. Who else could I drink neat tequila, vodka and whiskey with other than Kahani? (Boy. I made us sound like alcoholics)

Therefore, I suggested dressing up and meeting at one of my comfort zones – a pub where I could turn up looking like something the cat dragged in, but where I was comfortable enough to dress pretentiously.

This dress was found a few weeks before. That was a particularly hairy week – a younger cousin came to stay the weekend. Instead of bringing her around KL in the way that I promised, she followed me to work because of one emergency after another.

After dragging her to streets to chit chat with drug pushers, meetings to talk about child trafficking, wading through flooded carparks (and trying not to step on needles) and putting off watching ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ to go to a drug rehabilitation centre, I felt properly guilty.

She wanted to visit KLCC, which she had never visited. I begged her not to on a nightmarish Saturday for fear of the crowd and suggested Bangsar instead. She scored some cheap dresses for RM10 and RM20 at Cats Whiskers, so we were both happy.

It is always nice to splurge on people whom you love a bit, and it is also nice when it does not hurt your pockets. It is a precious gift to be related to someone whom you genuinely like.

My dress cost a little more. I love goddess dresses but generally, they do not fit – Malaysia is a hell hole for finding dresses in pretty colours, which is why I keep wearing black. This dress stood out because the pattern reminded me of snakes. Anything that makes me feel a little Angelina Jolie-ish, tends to look more than okay.

Giving the 'ol eyes a break

On Wednesday I had my vision corrected via LASIK and the operation was a complete success. While it's now perfectly fine for me to stare a screen I'd rather minimise it for this week, so I'm only writing the one post for Monday.

While this was meant to just be a quick announcement, my thoughts, as always, swiftly turn to thoughts of fashion. Namely sunglasses. The light sensitivity that initially results after LASIK dictates that you should wear them. However, the only pair I have are cheapie ones bought in a market stall a decade ago. My H&M ones from Milan were accidentally left in my car, which resulted in very unhappy sunglasses.

I plan to check out the Ray Ban Wayfarers that Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's, but they may not suit me.

Any other suggestions?

Edit: It seems there are variations of the Wayfarer designed for different face shapes. Cool! (I believe I'm round-faced)