Fluffy Stuff

Paris Paris Paris

2009-07-09T10:13:00.002+01:00

In a random food place somewhere in Passy

I went to Paris last Thurs for a long weekend break to meet up with a friend from Singapore who's there for work and to eat and shop to my heart's content. And what an eating and shopping marathon we embarked on. I left London with a half-empty suitcase and I returned with it bulging with goodies. My summer wardrobe is sorted; I don't need to shop for the rest of this year.

ShooStories: Lady Dragon

2009-07-08T16:07:00.002+01:00

#34

The Shoo: Peach Lady Dragons
Circa: June 2009
Where: my-wardrobe.com

The Story: I first saw the Melissa and Vivienne Westwood collaboration last year while wandering around Liberty. They were cute, but as I had my eye on another pair of shoes, I didn't think too much about them. It wasn't until last month when I saw a tweet about them when I remembered them. This time round, something happened. It must have been the heart-shape, the peep-toe and the delicious candy colours, but on impulse, I went over to my-wardrobe.com (which the tweet informed me was one of the few places you could still grab a pair) and quickly clicked and bought a pair.

Can I just say I absolutely love the customer service from my-wardrobe.com? They were super-quick with email communication and they arrived so quickly. The shoes were ordered late afternoon on Thurs, and they arrived the next day all prettily wrapped up. So quick were they in arriving that I had to change my already made outfit plans and wear them out to a birthday party on Friday night (where a girl complimented me on the shoes while waiting for the train) and to the Royal Ascot on Saturday. I can't wait for the next occasion to wear them.

Swarovski USB keys

2009-07-08T11:58:00.003+01:00

I went to Paris for a long weekend to catch up with a friend who was there for work, and also of course to eat and participate in les soldes. While there, I came across these squee-worthy Swarovski USB keys. They come in three colours - black, pink and white. The only downside? They don't come cheap: US$180 or 150 euro each. Ouch.

If you can't beat them...

2009-06-28T08:05:00.004+01:00

(Left to right): Gold Vincci peeptoe flats, patent grey Roland Cartier peeptoe heels, black jewelled Hollywould, wedges, gold Substance loafers, patent black Substance wedges, silver Havianas. Hidden underneath shelf: silver Repetto ballerina flats

I really do have too many pairs of shoes, and as I regularly rotate wearing them, oftentimes I end up not keeping them properly in boxes and strewing them all over the floor. The pictures from The Selby a couple of posts below have reminded me that if I'm not going to keep them, I might as well line them up neatly.

Sunday at Columbia Flower Market

2009-06-27T00:46:00.004+01:00

I've been meaning to post these pictures of my day at the Columbia Flower Market one Sunday a few weeks ago. I had no intention of buying any flowers, but after seeing all the beautiful colours and the low prices at the end of the afternoon, I couldn't resist and got myself 2 pots.

A very filling lunch of sausages and eggs.

Come closing time, people jostle to get flowers at discounted prices.

A little break of mint tea and biscotti at Carluccio's in South Kensington before evening service

One of my purchases at the market: cheery sunflower. Unfortunately it got a little squashed throughout the day.

Geraniums are becoming a favourite.

A most enviable shoe collection

2009-06-26T11:30:00.003+01:00

Owning shoes like these say one thing: I'm don't need to take public transport. Or I own a car.

From The Selby

Ruben Toledo for Penguin

2009-06-26T10:14:00.003+01:00

I'm always a sucker for prettily illustrated book covers, and will readily admit that there have been times when my choice in buying a book has been led purely by how much I like the cover.

Fashionologie reports that Ruben Toledo has taken on illustrating the covers of 3 classic books for Penguin: Pride & Prejudice, Wuthering Heights and The Scarlett Letter. This has gotten me really excited. With the assurance that the covers look fantastic and the stories within are equally fantastic, I've placed my pre-order for Pride & Prejudice (despite already owning the book) and Wuthering Heights on Amazon.

Yumi Kim for summer

2009-06-25T11:01:00.001+01:00

All pictures from Yumi Kim summer 2009

Are you ready for summer yet?

Mulberry to cure grouchiness

2009-06-24T15:23:00.003+01:00

Latest purchases from House of Fraser (L): Bayswater tote in metallic silver, (R): Mitzy purse. Pictures from Mulberry and Net-a-porter

Beware going for some retail therapy while grouchy on your lunch break.

Vera Wang and Herve Leger

2009-06-24T11:44:00.003+01:00

Vera Wang and Herve Leger can join my dream wardrobe too.

Vera Wang Resort 2010

Herve Leger Spring 2009

All pictures from style.com

3.1 Phillip Lim dream wardrobe

2009-06-23T15:58:00.004+01:00

My dream wardrobe is filled to the brim with 3.1 Phillip Lim, for all four seasons. *Sigh*

Fall 2009

Resort 2010

All pictures from style.com

Guilty pleasures (while at work)

2009-06-22T15:34:00.003+01:00

Michelle Obama's look book, via NY Mag

Pretty pictures with charming captions on It's Pretty Good

Stylish outfit pictures from new blog crush Park & Cube

Online shopping at ASOS. Much time and ££ have been wasted here.
Left: latest dress purchase, Right top and bottom: Want & need - sequinned ipod/camera holder and Steve Madden sandals

This June, I am into...

2009-06-21T10:32:00.003+01:00

Wearing: Fascinators, open-toed shoes, new Vivienne Westwood/Melissa Lady Dragon shoes in peach, less bulky layers, clothes brought over from Singapore

Beautifying: Boots Organic Rosewater toner, Neal’s Yard Orange & Geranium body lotion, Clairol Herbal Essence Brilliant Shine shampoo & conditioner, Avalon Organics Peppermint shower gel, Prescriptives lipstick in Racecar Red

Watching: Story of a Man, Sons of Sol Pharmacy

Listening: Songs on shuffle in my iPod

Eating: at Gordon Ramsay, dinners out with friends to celebrate birthdays/farewells/no reason needed

Enjoying: longer days, playing with my MacBook, the line-up of summer events like Royal Ascot and Hard Rock Calling, getting a tan in the London sun (if it comes out)

A classic trench coat

2009-06-07T23:12:00.003+01:00

On the left: double breasted trench coat , on the right: classic double breasted trench

I had some spare time this afternoon, so I wandered into Harrods for some window shopping. I managed to persuade myself that I didn't need another matching set of Calvin Klein underwear, and was smugly leaving the building when I walked by the Burberry concessionaire. On a whim, I tried on the classic double breasted trench (pictured right), and am now in serious love.

Having always wanted a classic trench coat, am thinking this is probably the best time to buy one, since I actually live in a city that requires some trench coat-wearing. Now that I'm at home, I've been looking through the Burberry website and am completely flummoxed by the variety of choices in trench coats. How on earth does one tell them apart? Case in point with the two coats above, what's the difference?

New accessories love: Uterqüe

2009-06-04T12:51:00.003+01:00

All images from the website.

While looking through The Cherry Blossom Girl, I found this link to a new accessories label: Uterqüe, owned by the Inditex group, which also has labels like Zara, Massimo Dutti and Pull & Bear under its stable. The designs seem to be very much in keeping with the Zara / Massimo Dutti style philosophy, and judging by what I can see by the web shots, don't seem to be of shabby quality either. I can't see prices on the site, but am guessing they won't be entirely cheap.

I'm loving almost everything I see here. They don't seem to have a shop in the UK yet, and I'm seriously plotting ways to get myself to Portugal just to check them out. And of course to get a summer holiday in as well.

White walls no more

2009-06-03T14:10:00.002+01:00

Clockwise from top left: Hello May from AshleyG and Drew, I Like Your Bow from Belle & Boo, Yoshitomo Nara prints from eBay

I couldn't stop thinking about pretty pictures for my room, so I did a little online shopping on eBay and Etsy. As you can tell from my picks, I've gone for sweet, girly and dare I say it, rather childish in light summery colours. I can't wait for them to arrive!

Actually, if I was spending freely, I'd also be getting these fantastic Yoshitomo Nara postcards and these adorable glasses.

If you'd like to find out a bit more about the artists I've bought from, you can visit their websites: Belle & Boo | Kitty Genius

White walls

2009-06-01T17:45:00.004+01:00

Picture from Design*Sponge. Love the colour of the walls.

New illustrator discovery: Tadahiro Uesugi.

I love my room, but have recently been thinking about doing something to the bare walls. The trouble is it's not my house, so I can't drill holes and do as I like and put up pictures. On looking through Design*Sponge today, I found this charming sneak peek into a French designer's home and liked the arrangement of little polaroids in what seems to be her son's room (another view here). Perhaps I can do the same - put up little postcards-sized prints of Yoshitomo Nara or Tadahiro Uesugi artwork.

Get mugged

2009-05-18T12:36:00.006+01:00

(L): Pantone mugs, (R): Penguin Classic mug

If you have any designer or writer friends, these mugs from Pantone and Penguin Classics will probably make them very happy. I just love the bright colours, and think they'd be the perfect office mug to keep me happy at work.

Not interested in shopping? Pfft

2009-05-14T15:26:00.003+01:00

All images from American Apparel. Colours pictured are Orchid, Pomegranate and Royal Blue.

Remember when I said I wasn't interested in shopping? It seems the drought is over. I happened to poke around the American Apparel site recently and found the Le Sac dress, which can be worn multiple ways. The only limit? Your creativity, and I suppose, the ability to swathe yourself in fabric without it looking like a sack.

Methinks a visit to my local AA shop is in order this weekend. This would be the perfect dress to wear this spring/summer. Now the only decision: which colour to get?

Ve-ry quiet

2009-05-05T17:29:00.004+01:00

Wow, where did all that time go?

I've been out and about: visit back home to Singapore in April, going for Singapore Day at Hampton Court Palace, quick weekend trip to York this last bank holiday weekend, and just generally going out and having fun. I've resolved to go out, explore and do more in England more this year so that the next time I go back for a visit and I'm asked what I normally get up to, I actually have something interesting to say beyond "Oh, going to the gym and eating dim sum."

Excuse the quietness while I'm out there in the real world. I'll be back soon enough.

I can't hear you

2009-03-24T17:23:00.002Z

I've had to turn off comments for the time being as I'm being hit by stupid spam comments by a certain 'ed'. I've reported the user profile, so hopefully that should get fixed soon.

Fashion takes a backseat

2009-03-23T14:00:00.003Z

You’re probably noticing the severe lack of fashion posts around here lately. For some strange reason, I don’t seem to be as fashion-crazy as I used to be. Whether it’s a combination of my personal situation not allowing me to shop as much, or I’m just not really digging what’s being offered out there at the moment (80’s style strong shoulders? Seriously? Sky-high shoes that are impossible to walk in? Honey, have you seen the cobblestones in Europe? Hell on a girl’s feet), or the fact that I’m in an environment where it’s completely ok to not recognise labels, I’m not feeling the urge to rush out and buy whatever the latest ‘it’ items are. I will admit that I’ve recently started a love affair with underwear, and have dropped some serious ££ on pretty but structurally sound undergarments. Right now, it’s all about ‘shopping my closet’ (a phrase that seems to be as ick-inducing as ‘troubling economic times’) and downsizing my skincare collection by finishing whatever’s sitting on my shelf, and trying out pharmacy brands. Surprising things I’ve learnt:

Caudalie’s Vinoperfect serum is fantastic, but as we’re entering Spring and Summer, the Boots No. 7 serum seems to be working just as well
I don’t need Kiehl’s Rosewater Toner. The Boots Damask Rose toner from its Original Range smells just as lovely and has a beautiful vintage packaging to boot
Neal’s Yard Lavender body lotion smells wonderful and feels satiny-soft on the skin, but the Body Shop Moroccan Rose body butter does a pretty good job too. (However, I’m totally in love with the Jurlique Rose body lotion, and am seriously considering re-buying once the body butter runs out)

Having said that, I did walk into House of Fraser last week and tew-tally fell in love with a pink Mulberry bag. Also, this 'no shopping' thing might change entirely when I go back home for a visit next month.

This March, I am into...

2009-03-12T16:16:00.004Z

Perfect for lounging around in the bedroom. Picture from ASOS.

Eating (or not): staying on a diet plan (saying no to cakes, ice cream, cheese, cookies, and carbs at night), healthy snacks from graze.com, Activia fat-free cherry yogurt, pears, newly discovered lunch spot Giuliano’s in Richmond

Wearing: Calvin Klein robe (pictured), pretty underwear from Elle MacPherson, Lepel, Chantelle and Wacoal (whee!), less layers as we enter Spring-like conditions

Beautifying: Nivea Natural Beauty scrub, Boots Original lemon body wash, Boots Original damask rose skin tonic, Original Source Bitter Orange and Almond body scrub

Watching: Season 2 of Gossip Girl, Heston’s Feasts, American Idol (sporadically), 10 Years Younger, Coleen's Real Women

Trying: at least 3 days a week at the gym, online dating websites (seriously, there’s a reason for this)

Planning: what to do, what to eat and what to buy during my visit home to Singapore in April (double whee!)

Long time no blog

2009-03-10T14:13:00.002Z

Yes, it's been a while since I've updated. I had to give up my laptop when I left my last job, and along with it went Photoshop, which I always use to edit and resize my photos. Although I’ve installed Gimp in the PC at home, I’ve been too lazy to learn a bunch of different commands. That shouldn’t stop me from blogging, but for some reason, I seem less compelled to enter a post with just text. What can I say, I’m a visual person.

It’s been a strange start to the year. I’ve been in a sort of limbo, as if I’m waiting for my real life to start. It’s funny how I equate a permanent job with properly getting on with life. In case you didn’t know, I was made redundant from my job in Dec, and for the past few months, I’ve been with two companies, while interviewing for a permanent job.

I’ve got my fingers crossed for this job; the role is interesting and will stretch my abilities, and while it’s in an industry which I’d never have considered working for, I’m discovering that there’s more to it than I’d originally thought.

On the homefront, we’ve been getting our bathrooms fixed, and this has meant the entire house has been covered in dust, which means the baking and cooking has come to a temporary halt. I’m itching to get back to baking though, as I’ve discovered some fantastic recipes that I’m dying to try out.

I haven't given up blogging (I will admit I'm all about the Twittering now), and will be back soon. While I get myself sorted out, I’ll leave you with some wonderful links which I’ve come across recently:

Before and after

2009-02-02T16:16:00.002Z

Our garden on a normal day

Our garden this morning

And it's still snowing!