Military School

Temperature is decreasing. Fall has officially arrived. KLites, if you're travelling abroad for that year-end vacation, it's time to break out that Burberry trench or your favourite blazer to start layering up.

Military jacket or band jacket (whatever you call it) inspired by the late Michael Jackson causes quite a big stir when Balmain opened its 2009 spring show with one. Beyonce has one. So is Rihanna. This is the high-fashion investment piece of the year. The brass buttons and embellishments are to-die-for.

It doesn't have to be Balmain if you haven't got the moolah. I got this one from Zara and it doesn't shrink my wallet. Pair it with skinny jeans or pants for that sleek look or over a skirt to toughen it up. It's your call and here's mine:

More about this bag and everything vintage in the coming post






Military jacket - Zara
Black T-shirt - Zara
Black skinny jeans - Dolce & Gabbana
Suede ankle boots - Zara
Vintage bag - Absolute vintage (London)

Ooh La La!

I'm not quite done with the french look yet. I'm so obsessed with everything french that my parents thought I was being possessed by a french spirit. Well, they got that idea after I told them I started dreaming in french. Alright! I exaggerated about that dreaming part, but, admit it...the frenchies really do it better when it comes to the style department. How can I do a french look without donning a beret? Here's my own tenue du jour:

Je porte ma robe que j'aime beaucoup / I wear the dress that I love very much
Elle me va pour ainsi dire comme un gant / It fits me like a glove

Bodycon dress - Forever 21
Ruffled blazer - Topshop
Tights - Topshop
Suede ankle boots - Zara
Clutch - H&M
Sequin beret - Cotton On

P/S: The frenchies do not say "Ooh La La" but "Oh La La" instead when something is not quite right

Parisian Street Style

Ever since I've adopted the Parisian Street Style, dressing up for a casual day out is such a breeze. All I need are a few basic staples such as a simple T-shirt and a swirl skirt. What's next? Accessorize...accessorize....accessorize! Pile up on accessories like a glitter scarf and an oversize sunshades for that instant celebrity glamour. Effortless chic!

I can imagine myself walking down that cobbled Parisian street in this outfit

Taking in the french-based architecture

Having a cup of café au lait with a croissant or pain au chocolat at the boulangerie

This grouchy smurf T-shirt is a little something my sister bought from Bangkok.

It may not be a designer T-shirt but I love it so much that I try wearing it with everything. Jeans. Shorts. Skirts. Blazers. Vests. You name it, I've tried it all. It's almost as functional as a plain white T. It just goes with everything.

Tights and ankle boots may seem a little much for a tropical weather but we, KLites stay indoor with air-conditioner on a blasting mode all the time. So, why not?

Swirl skirt - Topshop
Tights - Topshop
Suede ankle boots - Zara
Croissant bag - Zara
Glitter scarf - Miss Selfridge
Aviator sunshades - Mango (MNG)

English Tea

Bonjour! Tout d'abord pour commencer, I'd like to wish everyone a "Happy National Day". It was a long weekend. Alors quoi de prevu? I was at the Mandarin Oriental with my mom and dad for tea. It was an English Afternoon Tea, to be precise.









A quiet afternoon serenaded by pianist and accompanied by pots of hot tea and coffee. A wide selection of mouth-watering pastries that came in a three-tier. Delightful macaroons and scones with clotted cream, strawberry and vanilla-orange preserve. It's a sweet life!













Traditional English Afternoon Tea has always been an elegant affair. Dressing the part is crucial. I was standing in front of my wardrobe thinking, "Floral dress or tweed suit?". Then, I spotted my favourite ruffled skirt.

Pink Cardigan - Zara
Yellow Silk Ruffled Skirt - Blumarine
Clog Sandals - DKNY
Sling Bag - Prada
Necklace - Forever 21

P/S: I look kinda odd and blown out of proportion in these pictures, except for my hair. I'd like to extend a special gratitude towards my all-time favourite hair stylist Jimmy Cheng (salon director whose works have been featured in various publications and TV shows) for his attentiveness. He's such a sweetheart and a real charmer. I'm smitten! Blush! Blush! I'm declaring my undying love for him on a blog post? He must be flattered!

Je ne sais plus comment m'habiller. So, I was rummaging through my wardrobe the other day, with the hope of finding any piece of familiar forgotten clothing. It was like shopping in my own wardrobe. I was not disappointed though. I found a dress, never worn, from aeons ago and started playing dress up with it.



I was channeling Wednesday Addams of the Addams family.

She was named Wednesday by cartoonist Charles Addams based on the well-known nursery rhyme line "Wednesday child is full of woe". I'm glad I was not a Wednesday child.

I guess I was in an artsy-fartsy monochromatic mode.

Quelques images d'inspiration en noir et blanc:

Il est Venner Äke, mon ami:

The Mane Thing!

I'm obsessed with hair accessories, especially headbands. I have them in every possible design and colour you can imagine.

Some people have shoe fetish, I just have headband fetish. Headband is the perfect accessory for a bad-hair-day. I have naturally thick hair that will make any hair stylist goes insane. My bad-hair-day is everyday.

Headbands with huge bows and flowers like those in the show, Gossip Girl has inspired me to make my own. Well, I don't really make them, I just spice up a 2 ringgit blah headband. It takes 15 minutes max to create one. It's a no brainer.

Step 1: Prepare all materials needed such as scissors, super glue, ribbons, and a blah headband

Step 2: Wrap the wide ribbon (colour of your choice) around the blah headband





and you'll get this:



Step 3: Wrap a second layer of ribbon (thin) sparsely around the headband



Step 4: Glue on the decorative flower of your choice.

You can either make your own decorative flower or buy a ready made one. Voila! You have a pretty headband.

I love this headband more than any other designer headband I've bought because it has something that no other headband has. It's that personal touch! I've made a few other varieties in my favourite colours, pink and lavender. Try it, the possiblity is endless!

I wouldn't need a Jennifer Behr headband anymore. :)

Turning Over A New Leaf (Page)!

If you've noticed the change in my blog template, it's because my blog is screaming for a make-over. I'm in a transition state from being a spoilt and ditzy girl to a prim-and-proper lady with substance. At least that's what I attempt to achieve. It goes without saying that pink used to be my favourite colour (it still is) but I figured too much of a good thing can be bad. Moderation is the key. Hence the minimal template. I opted for white to give my blog a simple and fresh feel. In other words, less saccharine.

In fact, I intend to change the way I blog as well, which means, less frivolous and more on stuff I'm passionate about. Fashion is not frivolous. So, don't expect me to shy away from my favourite topics such as the "Art of Fashion" and the "Science of Beauty". Very vain, you say? I believe there's nothing wrong with wanting to pay attention to my hair, make-up and clothes because my features represent who I am before I get the chance to open my mouth. Nobody would know how charismatic I am (or not) if he doesn't even want to approach me because of how sloppy I look. My visual statement should be something I'm confident with.

I base my style upon my favourite slang, BCBG, which stands for 'bon chic, bon genre'! According to late comedian Jacques Villeret, BCBG is 'beau cul, belle gueule', which translates into 'nice bum, nice face'. Who wouldn't like that?

I'm very much into lookbook these days. http://lookbook.nu never fails to entertain me. So, I've decided to create my very own on Polyvore. I picked several key pieces and categorized them into different themes, which later serve as inspiration for my next outfit.



Click on the arrow to see all the looks I put together:




Find me on Polyvore


I like mixing designer with high street brand. That is why Topshop still tops my list of places to be for quirky pieces. I have a wardrobe full of stuff from Topshop that the American girls would be so jealous. Apparently Topshop is the latest craze in The States. Setting up the 4-storeys boutique in New York costs approximately 20 million USD.

Sometimes I like spicing up basics such as a simple tank top or crisp white shirt with fun accessories. I'm into vintage too. Something old with something new. I hate wearing a completely new outfit from head to toe. I like to put on at least a single piece of clothing which has a story behind it to complete the outfit.

Here's my own Gossip Girl outfit, something I bet Blair Waldorf will approve of.





I'm obssesed with headbands, especially this one by Salvatore Ferragamo, can you tell?

In conjuction with my style reinvention (nothing drastic though), I went scouring for some new stuff. Last weekend saw me shopping around Pavilion. My sis swears I'm there every weekend. Come on, I'm not there THAT often. Then again, why wouldn't I wanna be? It has everything I want. First, they have the hugest Topshop. Second, they have Bebe (my current fave). Anyway, here's why I scored:

1.Vintage bag, Zara



2.Ruffled Blazer, Topshop





3.Silk romper, Topshop





4. Bodycon skirt, Topshop



5. Tunic, Bebe



I just love the beads detail of this tunic.



The damage? With some other accessories here and there, it's a total of 1200 bucks!

Sunny Side Up!

Yay! Summer! Summer! Summer! Wait! It's summer here all year round, but KL is no LA. KLites do not appreciate warm weather like Californians do. While they are blissfully prancing around in skimpy bikinis and basking under the sun for that golden tan, we run for cover. I may not enjoy the sun as much (being fair & lovely is every Asian's dream) but I do enjoy the sea and sand. The best way to enjoy them, of course, is to stay at a beach resort with my family.

Our room at the resort had a deck from which we could see the beautiful walkway towards the beach. As soon as we dropped our luggages on the floor, we opened the screen door, walked out onto the deck, sat on the armchairs and had an ice-cream while watching the birds sucked on pollens from the bushes of flowers.

The fun part of staying in a resort was being able to enjoy both the pool and the beach. I was laying on a chaise lounge, slathered on some SPF 45 sunblock and pretending to read French Elle when I was actually eyeing on those gorgeous blonde guys.



It was also a day of splashing into the waves and let the water enveloped my feet.



We finally had enough when I was not comfortable walking around in my wet red Victorias's Secret bikini and sand in my feet. I quickly got into shower and dressed before meeting everyone for dinner. I wrapped a handmade turquoise scarf around as a tube top and a tie-dye cotton cover-up around my waist. I totally loved this outfit.



The resort dining room was a large deck facing the beach and the calm sea. We trooped into the open-air dining room and sat down at a table covered with red-and-white gingham cloth. We ordered almost everything on the BBQ menu. Grilled snapper & squid, BBQ beef & lamb, chicken wing and hotdog. I tored fiercely into the meat with my fork, took a few bite and left most of my food untouched. I was so mesmerized by the view that I was mentally taking photos of everything and shoved them into my memory. I draped my cloth napkin over my uneaten hotdog and started snapping away with my camera.





The luxury of watching the sunset while having our dinner.











After dinner, we dropped by the beach bar for a drink.



The beach bar was a hut fashioned from bamboo, with wooden stools.





My sis ordered some beers and clinked the bottles with me. "To parents-free session," she toasted. Ditto! We decided that the bar was a little noisy, so we moved to the pool for some quiet heart-to-heart. It had been a long time since I took anything with alcohol. I was beginning to feel tipsy after several swigs.







At the end of the day, it was not about how much booze we had or how naughty we got but it was about not having to look at the watch and did absolutely nothing. A truly relaxing day. It just felt good to be alive.

This post just wouldn't be complete without more vain pics:

The Lion City!

It has been a long time since I last crossed the causeway to meet up with some "old" friends I've known and loved for almost a decade. Yves has returned from The United States for a couple of months now and I finally got to meet up with him last weekend. Days before we met up, he called up and said that he was coughing and his fever had just subsided. I had the intention to enter the city, armed with N95 masks and Tamiflu but I quickly brushed the thought away. How was I gonna enjoy myself if I was being so reserved? Swine flu or no swine flu, I knew I was gonna have so much fun hanging out with them. Even if it meant having a party with them at the Loyang quarantine chalets.

Yves, along with Rosie is my greatest friend. Back in college, Yves was my partner in crime. My mom was very strict back then. I was not allowed out and my curfew time was rather early but she would give me the green light at the mere mention of Yves's name. Whenever all of us got together, we can never be normal. We did all sorts of wild and crazy stuff. We loved getting silly (we still do) but we never crossed the line.

We met up with JH (bride-to-be) and kicked off our gathering with a lunch at Pasta de Waraku (in Marina Square). The pasta restaurant with a Japanese twist was all the rage in Singapore. The restaurant was surrounded by tall glass windows, displaying mock-ups of the pastas they served. The dishes were so colourful, they totally whetted my appetite. Yves had Clam Soup Pasta while I chose something gratin-like. Ever wonder what is it like to complement a cheesy dish with a hot Macha? Well, it tasted.......different!







We loitered for a while and had a cup of coffee at The Vivo City before having dinner with others. Everywhere we went was just crowded. Just like Malaysians, Singaporeans loved going to the malls on weekend. The Chinese Restaurant we went to for dinner was great. Great food, great harbour front view and most important of all, great companies. We had so much fun catching up and laughing most of the time that my jaw still hurts.



Miao looked very much like a Japanese, don't you think? Can anyone say "kawaii"?



Wu kept telling me that I've shrunk a lot over the past few years. Maybe he was right! I looked like a dwarf standing between Leroy and Wu. I made them look like bouncers too.



After dinner, they suggested to go for a huge glass of Paulaner beer but I was so exhausted that my eyes were bloodshot. I crawled back to my hotel room and slept soundly instead.

Luckily, the hotel I was staying in was so comfy, relaxing and ritzy at the same time. I'm gonna bombard you with loads of photos:












The hotel looked even swankier at night:















The hotel had a seriously cool lounge. It was big and swanky, filled with comfy armchairs and ottomans, so that guests could feel like they were having their own private party at each table. If I was not so exhausted, it would be nice to order a cocktail or two and hang out with my friends, listening to some jazz music. It can turn into a sleepover party if everyone gets too drunk to reach home.





Swanky! Ritzy! Cozy! Don't you just love hotels? I know I do!

Like A Child!

Remember when you were a child and your parents promised to take you to the theme park if you ..........?
a) ate your veggie
b) got perfect score for your spelling test
c) helped with the laundry

Gone were the days when you were so carefree and all you thought about was what to do for the coming school holiday. As one grows up, hanging out with friends equals booze and caffeine. It's another story with me and my co-workers from my previous service at Malayan Pharmaceutical. We were not just co-workers, we're friends. I love them because they are nuts. If they are not nuts, why would they want to jump from the 32nd floor? They even loved doing it so much that they did it 3 times back to back. Watching them did that made my heart felt to my ass.





Hanging with them not only gave me an adrenaline rush, my blood was gushing too. They really got my heart pumping and I felt my blood pressure soaring. They got me into doing things I should've done 10 years or maybe 20 years ago. At the age of ......(well, never mind), I got into a Corkscrew ride (sounds like a pornographic movie title but it's actually a roller-coaster) bumper cars and a few other thrilling rides. Little did I know that those rides can be so much fun.

When I was a child, my choice was somewhat safer. I chose:



I love teacups! We were probably the Ribena berries inside



I have a soft spot for all things whimsical, like the Carousel:



and the Ferris Wheels:







When I was stuck in a Ferris Wheel's passenger gondola with the sarcastic Victor, the gondola immediately turned into a prison cell. Kidding! It was actually kinda fun. At least he was being nice to me for once.





He likes to act like a jerk but deep down, he's a real sweet guy. If I have to describe him in only 3 words, it would be Responsible, Charming and Caring (in a way I would never understand). He's like an 8 years old trapped in a 28 years old body. Everywhere he goes, fun is sure to follow. He's good looking (if you like the scruffy type) and the problem is ......he knows it. It irritates me to no end when his ego is blown out of proportion. Nevertheless, he's a great friend I know I can count on.

Mariaton, another great friend of mine is just as funny. She has a really good sense of humour. We're always laughing when she's around. She's probably the craziest microbiologist I've ever met. She's so kind that she'll go out of her means to help a friend in need. Something I'm not sure I'm capable of doing. Whenever something is troubling me, I'll pour my heart out when we meet because she's such a good listener. I'll feel so much better immediately after that.



I'm so glad that I'm blessed with such great friends I can feel comfortable with. I can be myself and act goofy whenever I'm around them, simply because they accept me for who I am.

My Father, My Hero!

This is my dad!



Oops! I got the wrong picture.



Now, this is my dad! Of course, my dad is way more handsome than Homer Simpson because that's where I get the genes from. I know! I know! I should learn to be modest. Still, allow me to brag about how wonderful my dad is. My dad is wise, knowledgeable, humble and looks like Homer Simpson when he sleeps. Just kidding about the last one.



My dad has a good sense of humour or "sick sense of humour" as my mom would prefer to call it. Still, he's the man I go to when I'm in a coulda-woulda-shoulda moment. He's always so calm and collected. He's always steady and rational no matter what situation he's in. He's able to find the silver lining in a storm. The only time I've seen him cried was when my granpa passed away. I've never seen him feeling so helpless. My dad is like M&M, hard on the outside and soft on the inside. He's such a hardass at work but pampers me and my sister a lot. I'm not ashame to admit that I'm a daddy's girl. He always call us his princesses. I just enjoy spending casual time with him and my mom and my sis. I get all teary eyes at simple things like watching a movie together as a happy family. We were watching Night At The Museum II together the other day and my dad went

Dad: That's Lincoln!
Me : Lincoln who?
Dad: Abraham Lincoln! That big white statue, the president of the United States.
Me : No, dad! It's Barack Obama and he's not white!
Dad: I mean he's the 16th president of United States.
Me : Oh! That! The last time I saw him, he was on a 5 dollar note (U.S Currency) and I'm pretty sure he's green. Not white!

My dad stared at me blankly (amazed at my witty quips and at the same time, wondered if we have the same pool of genes)

Talking about Happy Family, I enjoyed playing this card game called "Happy Family" when I was a kid. You know the one with "Mr Butcher, the Butcher Papa" and his family? You'll randomly ask a person if he has a "Mrs Butcher, the Butcher Mama" or a "Ms Butcher, the Butcher Daughter". If the other person has it, he has to pass it over. If he doesn't, he'll reply with "Sorry, not at home". Once you've collected all four members of a family, you'll keep them aside. The same goes for other families such as the doctors and painters until you've the finished all cards on your hand. The person with highest number of families win. My! My! Did I love that game! I'd love to play it again. It's like walking down the memory lane.



(Image taken from space-to-shop, a seller on ebay)

Anyway, it's not too late if you haven't bought a gift for your dad. Now, here's what I like

1) Montblanc pen. Not only something dad will like, so will you because this pen sure comes in handy when he writes you a big fat check. Do not underestimate the swift slip of a pen.

2) A round of 18-holes at the golf club. Since my parents are members, I save money on green fees and all I had to pay was for the buggy. I can even be his personal caddie for a day to save on my moolahs. It's the thought that counts, right?

Here are some photos from the golf & country club for your viewing pleasure:













It's not too late to say "Happy Father's day"!

P/S: I've not been updating because I have a new addiction. The Farm Town on Facebook. I'll update more often. So, stay tune!

Happy Mother's Day!

This is my mom! She's stunning if I may say so.

What did you get your mom on this Mother's Day? I love having my devoting parents around, especially now that we don't stay together anymore. I only get to see my parents over the weekend and this makes me appreciate them even more. My mom is the best mom in the world. I'm not gonna hide the fact that we disagree most of the times. Sometimes, I may not understand why she did what she did but when I'm in some trouble, she's always the person who makes thing okay in the end. I'm so glad that she clings to me even when I'm not behaving my best. Since the day I was born, she has given me everything I needed....and wanted. Being a demanding daughter, my mom has the most difficult job in the world. That's why I wanted to show her how much I love her on this mother's day.

When I think of what to get for my mom, skincare is the first thing that comes to mind. It's mainly because I'm a cosmetic chemist and we cannot deny the fact that eternal youth is every mother's desire.

If you've not gotten anything for your mom, it's not too late. If you have no idea what to get her, fret not. I have some suggestions. Celebrate mom with these gifts:

1. Skincare coffret (like this one by SK II)

I guess SK II needs no introduction. How about Strivectin? Strivectin is a stretch-mark cream turned anti-aging breakthrough. Strivectin was originally developed to reduce the appearance of stretch-mark. 93% of the subjects tested saw a dramatic difference. Now, it is said to make your skin appear firmer and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Note: It doesn't erase wrinkles though. StriVectin-SD has become a worldwide phenomenon and the no. 1 anti-wrinkle cream in Europe. Some even say it's better than Botox! That I'm not so sure.

2. Strivectin



Parkson was having a buy 1 free 1 promotion. I'm not sure if they still have it. Because I have the last set.






Think those are way too pricey? You can always share them. I know my mom wouldn't mind sharing them with me.

Now, what do I get for Father's Day?

Anyway, I'm getting ready for work. I'm wondering which look suits my mood better.

or

Thank god it's Friday. At least, I don't have to beat myself up for looking grumpy and not looking like a professional for another day.

Ciao!

My Chipster Superstar Contest!

Every girl wants to be a superstar. I dream that life is a movie in which I'm the star. My movie happens to be a fairy tale and of course the princess is none other than moi. With Chipster Superstar Contest, my dream came true! Above is my adaptation of the modern fairy tale.

I should've put the witchy stepmother as my enemy. In fact, I did put the stepmother as my enemy in the original version but in real life, I'm my worst enemy because I'm my own (worst) critic. So, I changed it and put my picture as the bad guy.

Please let me win the Macbook Air!!! I swear I'll stop being a bad guy if you let me win!! As if!

Time Passing, Beloved

I've been reading works by some great modern poets. No doubt big names like T.S Eliot and E.E Cummings are important but it is this particular poem by Donald Davie that totally reaches out and grabs me:

Time Passing, Beloved

Time passing, and the memories of love
Coming back to me, carissima, no more mockingly
Than ever before; time passing, unslackening,
Bitterly, beloved, the memories of love
Coming into the shore.

How will it end? Time passing and our passages of love
As ever, beloved, blind
As ever before; time binding, unbinding
About us; and yet to remember
Never less chastening, nor the flame of love
Less like an ember.

What will become of us? Time
Passing, beloved, and we in a sealed
Assurance unassailed
By memory. How can it end,
This siege of a shore that no misgivings have steeled,
No doubts defend?

Weekend Getaway!

There have been wobbly moments in my life lately and it's driving me bananas! What's a girl to do? Hide from the real world, of course! So, I ran off to an island with minimal necessities in my luggage. It's not exactly a remote island but an island where luxury is inevitable.

I need a weekend where I can just lay on chaise longue by the pool with a good book, an ipod and an icy glass of refeshing lemonade. When the pool looks like this, I don't need just a weekend, I need to stay here forever:

I got to wear my Victoria's Secret seashell bandeau top at last! I should've workout more to lose that flab. :(

From the deck, we could see the perfect stretch of sandy beach. Breathtaking!

Next to the pool is an archery compound



an outdoor gymnasium



and a "beach volleyball" court.



At night: Bars, Clubs and Cafeterias are just downstairs





There's even a Starbucks! All under the same building!

When I'm stressed out, I love staying in a hotel. Fluffy pillows, mini bar and jacuzzi bathtub overlooking the sea. What is there not to like?



I simply adore the spacious bathroom.



A nice bathroom is crucial because this is where I spend most of my time. I do a variety of things here: shower, get my make-up done and camwhore.





The hotel management people probably knew that my spirit had sunk to an all-time low. In order to add a little glitter to my life, they set up fireworks. It happened before my eyes through the window pane of our suite. It was so beautiful. The sparkle! The shimmer! It was almost like New Year Eve. I'll try to upload a video of the firework and you'll know how amazing it is to watch firework from a 23rd floor suite.





Some of you may have guessed which this amazing island is . For those who have no idea, here's the hint:

Apple: The Forbidden Fruit!

They say Mac users are pretentious people. Am I pretentious? Well....maybe! I just couldn't care less about that stereotypical remark. I like what I like.

My addiction for all things Apple began when they launched the neon-coloured iMac laptops aeon ago. I'm hooked ever since. No other brand can rival Apple. Only iBook, iPod and now iPhone are good enough for iRene. It only make sense.

I've been waiting forever for iPhone to arrive on our shore. Now, the wait is over!It was exhilarating as I ripped open the box. What a bliss!



Having an iPhone, I'm a changed person. I used to be guilty of not picking up calls. Now, my phone follows me everywhere I go.

To work:



and

To bed:





iPhone is my new flame! The Apple of My Eye!

*Blush* *Blink* *Blink* *Blush*


P/S: Guess who did I bump into while registering for the iPhone?

Our national badminton player, Wong Choong Hann!!! He was filling in forms at the counter next to me. He was so close I could almost smell his aftershave. Well, I was exaggerating. I couldn't smell his aftershave. Maybe he wasn't using any. At least he was so close I could hear every single word of his conversation with a friend over the phone. I was brought up with good etiquette. So, I don't eavesdrop. I distracted myself by talking to Wilson, the Maxis staff attending to me. Wilson is such a friendly and helpful guy. He even gave me his personal number, just in case I have problem with my phone. Sweet!


P/S: I may seem a little snobby and ______ (insert your own adjective here) in this post. The purpose is to make the post less boring. I'm not a snob. Really!

Shopaholic Abroad!

Comparing to Rebecca Bloomwood of The Shopaholic Series, I consider myself a rather sensible person when it comes to shopping. In other words, I'm not a compulsive shopper. If I'm planning to splurge a few thousand smackers on a designer bag, I'll think long and hard before making the purchase.

Alright! I admit it! I wouldn't be able to contain myself too if I was in a city like New York. What I love the most about shopping abroad is definately the outlets. Coach Outlet! Burberry Outlet! Jimmy Choo Outlet! Banana Republic Outlet! Unfortunately, these outlets cannot be found in the Kangaroo Land. If you're a designer-wearing snob, shopping in Australia is probably not for you.

We were on our way to the outlets in Harbour Town, Gold Coast and passed by some warehouses thinking, "No way!"







Harbour Town turned out to be quite a cool place, if you like sports brand or surfer's brand like Nike and Ripcurl. Other famous brands include Adidas, Calvin Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lisa Ho, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, French Connection, Lonsdale, Sheridan, Reebok, Rockport, Ben Sherman and Aussie icon R.M. Williams. There is even an outlet for David Jones. David Jones is an Australian luxury department store. The latest addition to Harbour Town is designs of New York footwear and fashion mogul, Steven Madden at affordable price. I love Steve Maddden. The 120 sqm Steve Madden Outlet was opened on February 19. I've missed it though 'coz I was already back in K.L. Have I mentioned that I love Steve Madden? Oh yeah, I did!







The place was so huge that it took a toll on my soles. My feet were killing me. There were rows and rows of more than 120 shops selling everything one could ever need. I was exhausted and starving! All I wanted at that time was McDonald.

Then, an outlet with the familiar blue signboard "Crabtree & Evelyn" caught my eyes. They have all the stuff which is not available here, like the Rose Water Shampoo and Conditioner as well as the Almond Oil Body Wash. I stocked up on tons of shampoos, shower gels and lotions. My favourite purchase is this soft sky blue sandals. I was in pure ecstasy by simply touching it. The sales assistant smiled at me and said, "Aww! It's such a sweet colour, isn't it?"



She even gave me tons of gifts and samples. She is the sweet one.



When I'm abroad, I have a habit of stocking up on beauty products that are not available here such as Nars Cosmetics:



Searching for this blusher was not an easy task. I went to a Mecca Counter at David Jones in Queen Victoria Building (QVB) and the sales assistant told me that they ran out of stock. He called up another Mecca Store in The Galleries Victoria (TGV) to check on it for me. Fortunately, they had the last piece. Walking from QVB to TGV was only a short distance. However, at TGV, the sales assistant was not able to locate that last piece of Nars blusher after 10 minutes of searching for it. She asked if I could wait while they re-order it for me. That didn't seem like a good choice because I told her I'll be flying off to Gold Coast the next day. She was kind enough to call up the Mecca Store in Gold Coast for me. Well, the point is, all sales assistants at Mecca Stores are very helpful. They'll ensure that you get what you want and leave the stores a satisfied customer. Two thumbs up!

Another personal favourite, Aveeno:



Australian products, Boa:



These products may be cheap but they are soo..good!!

Back in Sydney, I particularly love a local boutique named Peter Alexander.It is a boutique selling cute and lacy sleepwear. Everything in there is so pretty, from the pink satin eye mask and shower cap with little bows to glam apartment sandal and lacy nightie. I got myself a travelling tote instead. At that time, I did feel like I needed a large bag to dump all my purchases in.



They had it in two colours, green and pink. PINK! They had it in pink? As in my favourite colour? The sales assistant told me that the ones in pink were all sold out. Damn! Bummer! Bummer! Damn! I try not to swear in my blog but that's the only way to show how disappointed I was.

Another of my favourite place to shop is Supre. Supre is the Australian equivalent of Forever 21. This fashion chain store can be found anywhere in Australia. "What is so great about this store?, you asked" The sizes. The sizes start from as small as triple XS (XXXS). Their clothes fit the petite asian frames like a glove. That's not all. The price starts from as low as AU$5. This store definately gives Forever 21 a run for its money.

Here are some of the stuff I bought in Supre. Actually, there's more!



Of course I wouldn't missed out on a chance to buy some perfumes at the Airport's Duty Free before coming back. My all-time favourite? Chanel No. 5! The 100ml EDP at least RM60 cheaper.

I Heart Barbie!

Barbie is a very powerful fashion icon with an international fanbase. Even a 5-year-old knows who Barbie is. Duh!

Barbie was born in 1959 which means she has just turned 50. The Big-five-O!!! Damn....she's old....but still very stunning. Barbie is not only a fashion icon but a beauty icon too. Wanna know her secret? No! I'm not talking about the plastic surgery. First, there was a Barbie loves MAC collaboration.

Now, Barbie loves Stila! Sorry, MAC!

1. Barbie Loves Stila Talking Palette

I don't know if this palette really talks but it's meant for the eyes.

2. Stila Loves Barbie Paint Can - 1959 #1 Ponytail Doll

3. Stila Loves Barbie Paint Can - 1971 Malibu Doll

4. Barbie Loves Stila Paint Can - 1980 Foxy Doll

5. Barbie Loves Stila Paint Can - 2000 Jewel Doll



This limited edition collection is created to celebrate Barbie's 50th birthday and is available at www.sephora.com. Each paint can features the look of an iconic Barbie doll from the past five decades. Now, you too can get the Barbie's signature look. I'm gonna get my hands on one of those. Are you?

P/S: Did you know that Barbie celebrated her birthday with a giant birthday cake crafted in her image at an event overlooking the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia?

Summer Down Under (Gold Coast Part 3)

Movie World is Hollywood on Gold Coast. However, it kinda reminded me of Hong Kong Disneyland...but better. Much better! They are similar in many ways. The fun rides. The long queues. The designs of shops.









These shops totally match my oufit, don't you think?







There are also shops with themes such as Harry Potter



Charlie and The Chocolate Factory



and even a Clinic. It's a real clinic.



Superheroes is a huge thing in Movie World, especially Batman. Batman and The Gotham City.







Characters that I love the most are Tweety and Bugs Bunny. I grew up watching them. Watching them again there brought me down the memory lane. In a 15-minute show, they acted, they sang and they even danced (Actually they lip-synced :P). It was marvelous. The major difference between Hong Kong Disneyland and Gold Coast Movie World is probably the spirit. There were actions everywhere. Parades and shows were well planned and scheduled.







My sis loves Sylvester. The mischievous Sylvester.





Now, let's visit Wild West Hill, the cowboy village with a twist.







Our dad got so caught up in the cowboy era.



The cowboy and cowgirl got dehydrated. It's about time to replenish!



We too didn't wanna miss out on the fun and became cowgirls for a day.





"Hey! Here's our ride. Ermm.. But where are the horses?" Sweat!



"Oh! Well! Let's try the thrill ride instead".



Time flies! The next show for the 4-D Shrek Adventure (presented in ogre-vision) in the Roxy Cinema was about to start. Gotta go!





Next on Sugar and Spice is Summer Down Under (Finale) where I'll tell you all about my utmost shopping experience in Oz.

I'll end my post with more photos.