March Muse

Reading: Comics! It's super unlike me to read comics and the last time I read comics was more than 15 years ago. Embarrassingly, I used to totally dig Sailor Moon and I read the comics then (seriously, the comics are much better! No judgement please!). This time, my sister showed me a really funny one called Saint Young Men and I have to read it because it's about Jesus and Buddha coming down to Earth to live as housemates in modern day Tokyo. It's hilarious and I love all the jokes (harmless really!) about these two religious icons. It's so funny I would laugh out loud reading it and I'm hooked. There's a total of seven volumes and I definitely would want all of them. Now I just need to go somewhere to find the rest of the volumes. Wish me luck on that as I have no freaking idea where I can find comic shops these days.

Watching: New Girl with Zooey Deschanel as Jess Day, the quirky school teacher who lives with three other guys as house mates. I love it cos Zooey's my March's girl crush and I started a series after my friend J told me I have to watch it cos he thinks I resemble Jess Day with my weird ass ways. So I downloaded the series out of curiosity and I'm hooked! The season just finished with 14 episodes and I can't wait for the new season to start.

Wearing: Navy blue polka dot skirt from Mango. I love the versatility of a classic polka dot skirt and this Mango one can take me from work (just wear with shirt or a slouchy tank and structured jacket) to weekend (with slouchy tees).

Using: Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo and Conditioner. These certified organic hair products are my all time favorites! Started by Horst Rechelbacher, the founder of Aveda (he later left the brand to start Intelligent Nutrients), Intelligent Nutrients does fully organic products using super safe, food grade ingredients. In fact, it's so safe that Horst actually took a swig of their hair spray in his mouth during a press launch as proof of its product safety. Anyhow, this shampoo and conditioner combo is such a winner with super fresh minty feel to leave hair thoroughly clean, soft and shiny. You can also use the shampoo as a body and even face wash as it's super mild! It's a total pleasure using them!

Burt's Bees Radiance Serum. This tiny bottle is jammed packed with the goodness of royal jelly, licorice roots, glycerin and tons of Vitamins (A,C, D & K) and amino acids. It promises to brighten your skin in four weeks and it works. In fact, it's been less than four weeks and I already feel that my skin is more radiant and even-toned. Zit marks also heal faster too! I absolutely adore this one and it's got a very light fluid texture that's quickly absorbed into the skin. You'll need only 2 to 3 drops each application. I highly recommend this one!

Drinking: Lemon Water. This is gonna be a new project. I'm gonna try and drink a glass of warm water every morning with the juice of half a lemon. There are tons of reasons to do so and it's great for health too! Not only does it detox you while packing in all the Vitamin C, it also maintains an alkaline pH environment in the body which is the ideal anti-cancer environment. Now the challenge is to wake up a wee bit early to guzzle down the goodness and that's gonna be a wee bit difficult!

Loving: The Clarisonic Mia! I simply can't gush enough about this little convenient contraption that thoroughly cleanses your skin with sonic vibration. It gives your skin a good micro massage with just a mere one minute a day. I really wish I had bought it earlier and maybe I won't be having so much tiny oily bumps on my forehead which thankfully, are going going gone with the Mia.

The Sakox Lollipop Pen. This is such an "act cute" pen with a fluffy pom pom fur ball but I really couldn't resist when I saw them in City Super in Hong Kong. I get attracted to colourful shiny stuff and I'm glad I got a purple one for myself cos it really brightens up my desk and make it looks all chirpy. It makes perfect gifts for your girl friends too!

Lusting after: The birdie ring from Twinkle Bird it's so cute!! I love all their stuff especially the cloud necklace! Things to collect slowly one by one.

January Muse

Reading: The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide by Francine Jay. I've been on a mission to declutter, downsize and pare down my stuff. When I told my friends I'm gonna TRY to be minimalist, they all burst out laughing, knowing that shopping and buying stuff seems to be my super power. But really, perhaps one of this year's resolutions (I don't do resolutions btw) is to buy very selectively and to give/throw away all the stuff I don't need. This book is awesome as Francine teaches you how to declutter, drilling down to the the psychology of why people hoard their things. I've been decluttering some stuff and I love the feeling of chucking out old stuff and reclaiming space. It's a wake up call that the stuff I chuck out is money too and it's all from my senseless consuming and buying. So from now on, I'm gonna be very selective in the stuff that I get. Wish me luck!

Also reading Time Out Singapore. I check in on Time Out Singapore every now and then to keep up with all the stuff that's happening in this sunny island of durian eaters. Great tips on where to eat, what to see, where to go etc. A must-read if you're bored of your routine and would want something new to do and see.

Watching: Animations from the Ghibli Studio! How I love Hayao Miyazaki's work! My dad started me on it when I was 9 or so when he took me to watch my first Miyazaki cartoon, Laputa, Castle in the Sky. I've been a fan since, with special affinity to Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service because they're my childhood favorites. I've been re-watching Miyazaki animations over the holidays. LOVE them!

Later this month, I'll also be watching Giselle by The Paris Opera Ballet. I can't wait!! And I've got pretty good ticket!

Wearing: Diptyque Do Son Perfume. I got the solid perfume version of this lovely Tuberose scent. Will blog more about it another time. It's super nice and I love the packaging!

Also wearing a lot of my Vamoose necklace. So pretty! Perfect for layering!

Using: The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Cream. I was done with my Ole Henriksen moisturizer and I'm switching a lot of my face and body care to organic stuff. I got The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Cream this time. It smells divine with a nice citrus scent and nice texture that's quickly absorbed. I just started using it for about 2 weeks now. Will blog more about it soon when I can speak more about it, but so far so good.

Drinking: EveryDay Detox tea by Traditional Medicinals. I'm hooked on herbal tea and I'm drinking this one almost everyday. Traditional Medicinals makes really great herbal tea and I've got the night time sleep well tea as well for the occasional insomnia.

Loving: Hardly a sexy thing to love but I must admit I love using the NeilMed Netti Pot. The ceramic netti pot I bought in India broke long time ago and now I've replaced it with a plastic one from NeilMed. It comes with its salt mixture in convenient sachets and it does wonders for my sinus. I rinse my nose every night now. I know it sounds painful and uncomfortable to flush your nostrils but trust me, if you have sinus, this is a god sent! On top of keeping sinus at bay, ancient ayurvedic medicine also says using a netti pot balances the Ida (ying) and Pingala (yang) energy too.

Lusting after: The Dior Oui necklace. I love it. Plain and simple. Oui si vous plait!!

Decked for the weekend

Weekend stash:
-New Weekly (sorry, I'm addicted to tabloids, if the stars get $20million a movie, I want their privacy)
-Allure
-Monocle
-Gossip Girl
-Grey's Anatomy (OMG OMG I LOVE, LOVE it!!!)

Gonna be a stay-in weekend!

Matchbook Mag!

I have somehow gotten access to an iPad2 and I'm gonna use it to read my favorite online magazine Matchbook Magazine! Woot...I didn't get an iPad2 but the boy has got it and so he's obliged to let me read New Yorker (so much cheaper! $6USD a month as opposed to the exorbitant of about $17 per issue and it's a weekly and it'll mean $68 a month!!!) and Matchbook Magazine.

If you haven't read Matchbook Magazine, you MUST! Cos it's awesome! Click here to read. Totally love it and in the February issue, they have this cool check list of 50 classic wardrobe pieces. Good cos it reminds me of buying classics and not following trends, especially when I'm trying to not spend so much money. But then there're some items which I've replaced on their list cos I don't agree with them and have modified it to my own liking and they are...

click to see bigger image

• Loafers.....is now Platform Heels. I can't stand loafers cos it reminds me of old men and ah bengs on motorbike. It looks okay (marginally not okay in fact) on men but on women, they look blah...I mean just stick to flats, they're more flattering. And you need Platform Heels instead cos it's for the days when you need extra height but with the comfort of a hidden sole of the platform to make the arch more tolerable and easier to walk in
• Tall Boots....is now Nude Heels....Tall Boots are good but only in winter places. Own one pair or two but they're definitely not staple in our hot and sticky climate. But Nude Heels, on the other hand, is something every girl needs. At least a good pair and it's the shoe equivalent of the Little Black Dress in my book cos it goes with everything. When you have odd color outfit like say electric blue or shocking pink (especially this season since all the bright neon hues are back in), they'll blend in perfectly
• Polo Shirt has to go...and I'll take Basic Tank Top instead....I hate polo shirt...I just hate it. It's like t shirt pretending to be shirt. It looks nice on guys but it always looks a bit blah on girls. I don't own one (except when I was in my teens and even then it was given to me) and don't intend to own one. They're just not really that flattering on women. The material is too stiff to be figure flattering and they always cut a bit too short and hang around the navel/belly awkwardly and simply don't blend in with the body line and therefore should be exterminated from your wardrobe
• Stripped Pajamas....is now Spiffy Cargo Pants. Now seriously, someone has to explain to me why and how stripped pajamas made it to the list. Only Bananas in Pajamas wear stripped pajamas. You, on the other hand, are better off wearing a nice soft teddy as pajamas. Even old tattered t shirts are better options. So off the list they go and I'll say bring in the Spiffy Cargo Pants for days when you need to be smart casual with more emphasis on the casual bit. They should be well cut and not too baggy
• Navy Wool Blazer.....is now Black Tailored Blazer. First of all, wool is not good for our weather unless you enjoy having wet armpits. So no wool please...and navy, in my book, doesn't quite go well with blazer cos it's just blah and reminds me of communist. Imagine wearing jeans with the navy blazer. It's too much blue and not enough contrast. Then navy blazer with black pants. You look like you lost your black blazer and have to use the navy one instead. Get the picture? So it'll be black.

So there you go....but speaking of list, check out Tom Ford's essential list....applies to women too....

May Muse

Reading: An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin. Yes, that Steve Martin who's the actor. Father of the Bride Steve Martin. Someone told me he writes well and he wrote this book around arts and famous painting and I just have to give him a shot. Does he write well? Well, let's just say he's not the worse but I'm reading it for the insight into Arts the book offers....Oh the super gorgeous cover helps though! It's like a canvas...


Listening to: The Black Key. I've always loved them and I'm listening to Tighten Up. Love them! And they always have really funny MTV. Awesome band!


Wearing: D&G black lace dress. Super love this! Got it in Hong Kong and there're many ways to wear it! Pair it with a black slip dress underneath for a standard look. A nude slip for a bit of a twist. And wear it on its own with nice underwear for a wild night out.

Christian Louboutin Biana in nude. Finally a Louboutin! But this requires major training cos it's so high! It's the hardest Louboutin to walk in! My other two Louboutins are so much more manageable but I really love this one!!! Yet I have a feeling that I'm gonna fall flat on my face anytime.

CK One perfume....it's one of my favorite androgynous scent and every now and then, I love to revisit it when I'm in the mood for something light and as we inch towards the "oily face" weather and humidity, I wanted something citrus-y and breezy so I've been wearing CK One quite a bit. 

Using: Kiehl's Golden Berry Lip Gloss. Yummy color and very moisturising! What's there to not like? It's got the same texture as the legendary Kiehl's lipbalm #1 but with a gorgeous hint of color and shine.

Eating: Ho-e-sik  Creamy Cheese & Mushroom Spaghetti from Hong Kong...it's instant pasta and it's freaking awesome. Manufactured by the famous Doll company but it's only available in Hong Kong. I've been eating this quite a bit as supper while I was in Hong Kong and I intend to get my sister Becks to send me some cos it's super good to keep in the office. Easy to cook too!

Loving: Olympus Pen E-LP2! OMG! Super awesome camera! And I don't think I need another camera now. It's a mini DSLR with the power of big ass DSLR and I've got my photo blog up finally!! It'll be an ongoing thing for now...check out my new photo blog here! Well the next dream camera I want is the Canon 5D MarkII....okay, maybe a couple of new lenses for my Olympus first....

My new Macbook Pro 2011.....No need explanation right? Time to upgrade my old macbook anyway and I love Mac!

Lusting after: A Kindle....okay, I've expressed my disgust over Kindle numerous times calling it blasphemous to the literature purist cos when it comes to books, it's gotta be the good old hard copy on good old pulp! I want to flip the pages, smell the paper and feel the book! But then my sister Beck and my Mr Bear got a Kindle and I fiddled with it a bit and realized it's super cool. Mostly becos of the picture display with all the classic literature heavy weight authors and it looks so damn good....And come to think of it, I wouldn't mind loading newspaper like The New York Times and perhaps non-fictions since I tend to love to collection fiction....now they have a white version...dunno...maybe black still...or white? Black? White? Whatever but I'm still wondering if I should get it!

February Muse

Hmmm I actually enjoy doing my monthly muse...contemplating doing it twice a month actually...haha...Anyway, Happy Lunar New Year little bunnies!


Reading: I'm reading a lot of books at the same time. Thing is, I don't watch TV and I would very well not have a TV at home cos I simply don't watch it at all and books are a bit like my version of "TV programmes" cos I'll read a few books at the same time and they're a little like my different tv shows and this month, I have 2 great books (among the many more actually) I'm reading. First is Mao's Great Famine by Frank Dikotter and it tells the factual story about the horrible famine during Mao Zhedong's communist regime that led up to the cultural revolution. Dikotter did extension research from the official dossiers that many didn't have access too and later piece together the actual picture of what happened during the ghastly 50s in China where the biggest famine in the modern world took place and millions of lives were lost thanks to Mao's regime. It's such an interesting read that I could hardly put it down and the atrocity that the communist party did was so bad that reading it makes me cringed and at some part, it's so horrifying that I had to stop reading it for a bit...like how some boy stole a bun cos he was starving and to punish him, Mao's cadres ordered the father to actually kill his own son with a gun....gosh...it's so blood-curdling but I guess I would want to know what really happened. The thing that got me wondering is that, despite the atrocity of Mao's regime and his retarded, overly confident policies, why the hell was and still is so respected by the Chinese people??? You see him being glorified in arts and stuff and it's something I don't understand. You see him on t shirts and memorabilia but you don't see tyrants like Hitler getting glorified. I mean, think about it, you can't possibly not be crucified and get pelted with kosher food if you wear a t shirt with Hitler's face on it can you? So I don't know...but it's a hauntingly good read.

Then the other great book is Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. It gives an insight into the meat eating culture of the modern world and throws light on how our meat of today is being produced in factory farms and its implications on the environment and the world we live in. It's not really a book to turn you into vegetarianism but it's to give a clear undiluted picture of how the meat that ends up on your plate and later in your gut comes about. I think everyone should read it cos as the saying goes, you're what you eat, and would you want to know what you put into your tummy? It reaffirms me to be as vegan as possible. I've been a vegetarian for a really long time but then a year ago, I started getting back on meat cos my doctor said I ought to be back on meat and also, I was training in the gym and I went pescatarian eating fish and seafood and I was even eating a bit of chicken and sometime a slab of steak (oh no...). It feels wrong really and I feel guilty every time I tucked in and the other day, I felt gross marinating a piece of chicken fillet at home cos when I touched the meat and trying to take out the skin, I feel like a murderer. So this month, I'm gonna be back on my vegan diet. I don't care really and I don't even eat eggs and drink milk cos it's cruel...I'll get protein from soy powder and beans and now I'm eating mostly organic now. It's costly but it's worth it and I eat with a good conscience knowing no animal is harmed and it's healthier...I actually feel less healthy when I'm back on meat...big mistake. And I'm gonna stay vegan as much as I can. 


Watching: Black Swan...okay, I haven't watched it but I CAN'T WAIT!!! I'm supposed to watch it with Mr Bunny and it'll be after he's back in SG. BUT I CAN'T WAIT! I'm tempted to just go watch it first and then watch it the second time cos I know I'm gonna freaking love it, considering I did ballet and wanted to be a full-time dancer....But I love films by Darren Aronofsky! I loved Requiem For A Dream by him and it was hauntingly good (I actually watched it on a first date and freaked out the guy I dated then cos it was totally not a first date movie with it's freaky drug theme and an ending with Jared Leto's arm turning septic and had it amputated. LOL)


Wearing: Lancome Tresor in Love. I finally bought the perfume and I'm loving it. I've always been a Tresor fan cos when I was young, my grandma gave me a small miniature bottle of the old Tresor and I've always loved it and when Lancome came up with Tresor in Love, it's a modern day interpretation of their classic scent and it's lovely. It's younger and more floral and I totally love this warm, floral scent that's got hint of slight fruity top note of nectarine and the heart of warm sensual rose...

Also wearing my Tiffany Key!!! Another "Finally I bought it!" item. I've been wanting the Tiffany Key since last year and thing is, I just didn't buy it. I initially wanted the large pure silver one but they just look kinda big and good thing that I wait cos they came up with a small dainty one with a tiny delicate diamond on the center. I walked into Tiffany over the weekend with HL and yup, that's it, that's MY key and walked out with it in tow...settled...Love it!

Using: Pukka Organic Rosewater. I got this from Super Nature too and you can either use it to flavor food (I add a table spoon to my water for a cooling treat) or as face toner. It's awesome as it's very pure rosewater and it costs a bomb ($89 bucks), but it's worth every drop of it cos the rosewater is distilled from roses grown at a high altitude to optimise essential oil content, the roses are hand picked at dawn and before sunrise to protect their valuable aromatic oils from being evaporated. They are then gently steam-distilled for optimum extraction of the wonderful fragrance. I use it mainly as a face spray. I pop one in my bag and use it as a face mist throughout the day. It really leaves your skin very very soft.

Love n Toast Lipbalm in Pear. With a scent and packaging so great, how can I not get addicted?? Plus it's super nourishing too. And the smell, ohhh the wonderful smell, is just heavenly. And yup, it's organic...and that adds to its divine quality! I'm sold!

Drinking: Water infused with Duchy's Organic Detox Tincture. I got this awhile ago from Super Nature and I've loved it since. It's got a very nice mild taste to it and it's detoxing. I add it into my water everyday and I think it might well be a mainstay for me...I love to know that the water I drink is also getting rid of all the bad toxins in my body...I'll drink more if I feel that the food I eat has got MSG cos I hate MSG and I think it's absolutely evil and drinking the tincture infused water makes me feel better

And Lemongrass House Lavender Aromatic Room & Pillow Spray. I was told that this is Lemongrass House's best seller with it flying off the shelves a lot and now that I've started using it, I've developed some kind of dependency of it cos it's so nice! I spray it on my pillows and duvet before I go to sleep and the thing about the Lavender scent from Lemongrass House is that it's the perfect Lavender scent. Some lavender scents aren't pure as they mix in other smell and they end up smelling cheap and nasty. Others are just too heavy with the heady French Lavender that's a bit too strong. The one from Lemongrass House is perfect for me, just nice and it's very very soothing and I can't get enough of their lavender anything (from shower gel to shampoo etc...), and it really helps when the quality of their products is really excellent.

Loving: My Lomography Diana F+ Mini....After buying the full size Diana F+, I had to get the Diana F+ mini cos it's just gorgeous...I haven't finished the entire roll of film but I would slowly take my time. I'm so hooked on analogue photos! I wish someone would buy me a Leica M8!! Dream on...but now, I'm just happy with the Diana F+ mini cos it's sooo cute and it's the perfect size to pop into my hand bag cos it's tiny

I'm loving SteamCream too! Not only does the packaging looks awesome, the cream packs some seriously good stuff in it to nourish your skin. I use it mostly on my hand but when my face feels dry, I'll apply a thick layer on my face before I go to bed and the next day? "Good morning soft skin!"

January Muse

Happy New Year people! Time really flies and it's 2011. It's creepy isn't it? And in a couple of days, I'll be back in SG and back to the grind :( Totally not looking forward to that :( And I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get the post holiday blues cos not only am I gonna be back work, I'm gonna miss my family too :( Mehhhhh, but meanwhile, here's my January Muse 2011....read on....

Reading: National Geographic....taking a break from the usual woman's magazines....I'm a nerd at heart and I love Nat Geo and I can totally sit there for hours to devour the entire mag
Wearing: My new TopShop little black dress with ruffling details! It's super nice and it fits the body super well and is very very flattering! I love the fact that it's got the deconstructive detailing on the front cos it makes this LBD a little edgier. I haven't got to wear it cos I got it a day before I left for HK
Also wearing Chanel double-C ear studs. Well, it'll always be a classic.
Drinking: Vitamin Water! I love it! They're super nice and I'm glad SG has it now! Better than soda pop for sure! And I like that it's not too sweet...I think my papa loves it too
Using: My electric blue Balenciaga "First" bag...I haven't used it for ages. Probably almost a year! So it's time and I'm rediscovering the soft leather and this small bag is what I call a "Big small bag" cos you can stuff lots of stuff in there...yeah, I even shove a small brolly in there! Erm, but I'll be using another bag soon cos a couple of days ago, I got a new Balenciaga City....in purple and with giant hardware...shhhh!!! I didn't dare to use it now cos otherwise my pappy would question me....
Loving: The Chanel Greige (grey+beige) nail color! Ohhhh Greige is my favorite nail color for now cos it's super duper nice. Just right. Dark enough yet it's a nice neutral that's so very versatile...I love the shade so much that I actually bought another similar one from Essie....The Chanel shade is 505 FYI
Love the Fresh Lip Treatment in Rose!!! It's soooo freaking good I'm thinking of buying another one to bring home since SG doesn't have Fresh. This lippy works! It's soooo moisturizing and it's sooooo smooth and doesn't feel sticky at all. And that hint of rosy pink is perfect too....THIS IS AWESOME!
Also loving the black kitty cat pouch from River Island. It's soooo cute!!! I stuffed in my nasal spray and inhaler and lippy!
Playing with: My brand new Lomo Diana F+ Mr Pink Camera!! This stunning lomo camera is so very pretty and the pictures it produces are stunning! Very artsy and dreamy but I'm gonna take a couple of rolls of film to get it right...now 2 rolls down! I can't wait to get back to develop them.

Don't let people happen to you....

I heart Fifi!

Finally got my little hands on the Fifi Lapin book! Fifi is Love! It's finally arrived in Kinokuniya and I literally ran to get it....You'll love this cos it's not your ordinary fashion book but one with lovely cute graphics, great designs and tips plus interviews with some of the top designers..it'll make a great Christmas gift for any fashionista! Some sneak peaks of what's inside...

Now don't you wanna quickly get your own copy? It's super cute!

Books Galore

I can't stop buying books, I'm a nerd at heart I know...last week, I blew about $150 bucks on books (2 of which I've had before but happened to given away to friends, Joanie thought I was mad) but then I'm brought up in the culture that books are okay to spend money on cos my dad has always been encouraging us to read.

I remember when I was young, I would get scolding from my mom if I recklessly spend money on useless stuff and there's once, I bought a book of riddles or something like that from the supermarket...(yes, the supermarket...they do sell stuff like that anyway) and my mom took a look and started nagging and I recall very clearly that my dad came to my rescue and said it's fine cos it's a book....and I was encouraged to read as much as I can from then on....

Funny thing is, I hated reading while I was younger but then since about 15, I started making up for lost time and I went nuts with books and I couldn't stop since....I'm proud to say I have pretty decent taste in quality literature cos I'm a purist who don't read chick lit...but then again, at the rate I'm going, my room might just end up looking like the picture about with books EVERYWHERE....I can't stop buying or reading! But then again, if you look at the picture above, it's kinda pretty...haha.....I'm hopeless I know....

August Muse

A very much delayed Monthly Muse! But here it is...after all, according to Susan Miller the astrologist, August is a tumultuous month with lots of weird planetary movements...whatever that means...I think it means messy shit...but anyway, here's the monthly muses...

Reading: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.....Okay, I'm a laggard cos HL was already asking me to read it some time ago but I only got down to it now but omg, I totally love it. I'm now waiting for the movie to come and I'll probably watch it with Scotty or Joan...haha...they'll appreciate it...

Drinking: Fancl Powder Green Tea....I love green tea but I love the powdered green tea instead of the tea bag type cos it's got a richer flavor and more potent source of antioxidants. Oh, it's supposed to help you keep the weight and fat down by averaging about 3 cups a day....Fancl's green tea comes in nifty individual packaging that's easy to bring around...and it's got just the right amount for a cuppa. 

Wearing: Lancome Miracle....Look, I've resisted buying Lancome Tresor In Love. How I managed I couldn't know cos it's likely to be divine intervention that I managed to not buy a new perfume I truly like. So need substitute and while I was throwing out bottles of rancid perfume, I found a bottle of brand new Lancome Miracle that I forgot existed and it was courtesy of Aunt Shelley some time back....so use it...quite love it too...until I succumb to Tresor In Love of course...not so soon...

Also wearing Essie mint green and baby blue nail polish....I'm at a phase where I like "weirdo" colors and these two are perfect...my good luck colors too! 

Using: Keratase Bain Volumative shampoo....smells divine...great lather, nice volume and not drying at all....will blog more about it another time....

Carrying: Mulberry Roxanne in black canvas and leather....I'm giving my Balenciaga and Alexa some rest and rekindle my little romance with my dear Roxanne. This is a super rare one cos the coated canvas version was only made for one season (cos Roxanne fans complained the full leather one is too heavy)...thing is, with Mulberry now stop producing Roxanne, this will be quite a collector's item...haha...

Inhaling: Seretide Accuhaler....blahh....My bloody asthma is wrecking havoc and I was kinda out of breath and the respiratory specialist did some lung function test and said that the bloody GP gave me an inhaler with too low a dose and now I'm using this super cool, flying saucer-lookalike inhaler...it's a nice purple and looks like a compact powder...asthma has never looked this chic...okay, look, just trying to make lemonade out of life's lemon cos this costs like 50 bucks each damn it...

Loving: Pearl everything....I've got a hell lot of pearl stuff these days...I'm constantly wearing pearls...it's gorgeous and pearls bring me luck...

Subscribing to: The Daily Love! Oh how I love TDL! It sends daily inspiring quotes that are great food for thoughts. I follow them on twitter too and I totally love it...check it out here 

New Read!

Ohhh meet Michi! She's fabulous! The famous Aussie fashion blogger (check out her blog here) has finally come out with a book and it's gorgeous! I've been long following her blog for awhile now and when I saw this beautiful fabric-covered book from here, I grabbed it without thinking twice and later I knew it's an awesome choice when Ah Meow was laughing and giggling as she read it.

Michi girl is super witty and she talks of fashion, beauty, weather and all things in between in a very humorous way that fashionably cynical and irreverent . I simply love her sense of humor and she's got me in stitches all the time.... And the book is full of lovely water color/crayon/color pencil paintings iconic to her blog and how I love turning the pages! It's my current muse for sure! And it's one of those books you keep randomly flipping....Michi Girl is love!

Oh by the way, I'm on leave today on a Monday! It's awesome!!!!! Some people love to take leave on Friday but I'm all for taking leave on Monday cos Friday's always a bit of a semi-serious work day so it's a bit more worth it to take Monday cos it's a day everyone dreads...haha...And I'm looking forward to facial at Bliss Spa later at 2pm and after that, lash appointment to fix the lashes! Today is a pampering day! Woot! 

May Muse

Reading: Lady Oracle by Margaret Atwood...she needs no introduction...nuff said

Watching: The IT Crowd - British BAFTA award-winning Channel 4 comedy about a trio in a basement IT department. It's hilarious! BB introduced me to it and I love it!!! Click here to see my favorite scene

Listening to: Empire State of Mind by Jay Z ft Alicia Keys....okay, not my usual cup of tea I admit but then it's such an ear worm I have to listen to it all the time... "Neeeeew Yoooork, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do...now that you're in Neeeew Yooork, these streets make you feel brand new, the lights will inspire you"....

Using: A'Kin Lavender Shampoo and Avocado & Calendula Conditioner. I've always loved the A'Kin range cos they're all pure and botanical based with super nice natural aroma. The Lavender shampoo is divine cos it's such an olfactory treat just washing my hair and it leaves hair soft and the good thing about natural botanical products is that though they're slightly slower in delivering results, the results are rather long lasting compared to their non-botanical based counterparts. Ohhh and it smells divine! BB said he kept smelling my hair cos the shampoo smells so nice....

Wearing: My brand new Pandora bracelet! Woot! Love it and I'm looking forward to adding nice beads to it slowly....
I'm also re-visiting an old perfume, Marc Jacobs Daisy......I left it at a corner for awhile and I'm wearing it again and loving the nice strawberry top notes...just got complimented by a cab driver this morning...haha...

Eating: I'm addicted to the divine Lobster Bisque at Secret Recipe. It's soooo damn yummy and it's only about 5 bucks can you believe it? I've tried some really expensive ones before at places like Les Amis and its equivalents but then they're not even as good as this 5 bucks lobster bisque! It's got a irich and creamy without being too heavy and the flavor is totally awesome. The only complaint is that it doesn't have lobster bits in it but then it's at 5 bucks a pop so I shouldn't complain! Yummmm....I'm always saying how I wish I can have it on a dispensing machine....

Loving: Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar. Just a bit of an extra update. I'm still at it on my ACV routine and I feel healthier...yes, it kinda work and if you must know the detail, well, let me put it tastefully-- You get more output...now go figure it out yourself. It's good, and I intend to go on with it

Lusting after: Giuseppe Zanotti's heels....OMG soooo gorgeous but then you know what? This is the kinda shoes I want but will never buy nor wear cos they're so gorgeous to look at. I once bought a pair of Sergio Rossi's gorgeous heels but then I hardly wear it cos it's just  not that practical to walk in gorgeous high heels...the whole Sex In The City Carrie Bradshaw in lovely heels thing only look and FEEL (most important) good on tv cos bring it to real like, you'll get bunions and all...okay, I shall just admire from afar, though I wouldn't mind a pair of Christian Louboutin nude heels though cos that's a classic and you can totally walk in "Loubies"....ohhh...I was laughing that day cos OGT told me some wannabe skank said and wrote "Laboutin" instead of "Louboutin"....haha....second class....

February Muse

Here you go for the must-haves of Feb..........

Reading: Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh....Time Magazine touted it as one of the 100 best English literature from 1923 to now...'nuff said...Okay, I need to finish off the last bit of whatever I'm reading...which is taking forever thanks to the bloody long hours I slog in now...
Listening to: Black Eyed Peas "The End"....in particular I Got A Feeling...in anticipation of my homecoming trip and 13 days of not working...I can't wait...so near yet so far! Oh....I'm absolutely LOVING Timbaland's Morning After Dark ft Nelly Furtado and SoShy....I just do not get sick of it....super catchy...Timbaland rocks....
Loving: My Mulberry Alexa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sooooo in love!!!!!!
Wearing: Sage roll-on perfume oil in Citrine...it's one of my all-time favorite and I dug it out to rediscover its nice soft feminine scent....also wearing my leopard print trench coat I pimped from Forever21...yeah when I touch down HK in approximately 5 days...woot....'
Using: Ichikami Shampoo, Conditioner & Treatment....from Watsons (where else?)...but this stuff kicks ass cos it doesn't contain Silicone like most shampoos do. Silicone is that stuff that makes your hair ridiculously smooth and tangle-free and no doubt it coats the hair and makes it manageable but in the long-run it's bad for your hair and is known to cause hair fall...so this one is good. You don't get that rather fake super smooth feeling but your hair feels light and it's got a nice Sakura scent...love it! Cheap too...about 8 bucks a pop I think...
Lusting after: Canon S90...I haven't got a camera for like years...been relying on my phone and I want this cos it's a semi-pro...a bit like a tiny DSLR in a compact point & shoot body....but then I sacrifice this for my Alexa....this one can wait....And I'm also lusting after the Tiffany Crown Key pendant too...Alexa has sapped me of my shopping budget.....this, too, gotta wait.....my initial intention was to get the Tiffany Crown Key pendant cos it's like a fraction of the price of the Alexa but then I ended up doing the reverse...now camera and necklace gotta wait...booo

Smoking....new cigarettes?

What does this look like to you? It's my new cigarettes...and I bought 3 different flavors so I'm planning to smoke myself to death! NOT! Cos look closer and you'll see the names said Leo Tolstoy, Rudyard Kipling and Ernest Hemingway!!! In each of these neat cigarette boxes lies a book!!! See!

Out pops the miniature book!

See!! I'm smoking in culture! Inhaling literature! And these cool stuff is by TANKBOOKS and they essentially make miniature handy pack of classic titles in ciggie boxes and their tag line is "Tales to take your breath away"! Now this is extremely clever! And I'm so gonna bring them with me to my family trip to Chiang Mai next month! And guess what? I got them at a steal at only $2 a pop (used to be $23 bucks) at the Kinokuniya bargain alley in the Liang Court outlet after my weekly pilgrimage to the best udon in Singapore! Unfortunately, I only managed to get three titles (erm...I kinda bought all of them):

 
 

Left to right: The Man Who Would Be King, The Phantom Rickshaw, Black Jack by Rudyard Kipling, The Snows Of Kilimanjaro, The Undefeated by Ernest Hemingway,  and The Death of Ivan Llych, Father Sergius by Leo Tolstoy

How I wish I can find more to buy!!!! This is officially the coolest stuff I've ever bought with $2!!!

New Year, New Quote

First day of the year and I feel compelled to write something more intellectual but alas! That blister between my ears hasn't got much cerebral power today...(and that blister's a bit disappointed by Sherlock Holmes movie cos it's supposed to be a totally smashing movie but it's really just very very average...but then Robert Downey Jr is smoking hot....awww)

But the other day while I was re-reading one of my favorite books, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, I was again reminded of this really great quote that one of the characters inside said and it's awesome...it's totally not the most optimistic thing but well, I'm not exactly a lover of the new year's day so, I naturally don't feel obliged to come up with something happy shiny and plastic...but this quote is painfully realistic...and here it goes

Author Ayn Rand with King Vidor (left) and Gary Cooper (right) who acted in the Fountainhead movie

"Men differ in their virtues, if any, but they're alike in their vices" -- Gail Wynand, The Fountainhead


"If you make people perform a noble duty, it bores them. If you make them indulge themselves, it shames them, but combine the two and you've got them" -- Gail Wynand, The Fountainhead

How true! Yes, no, maybe? And just a bit of background. Gail Wynand is a character who's the boss of a media empire and he's a bit of a very difficult, stoic and cynical man.....There's so much truth to the two quotes above...and I love it so much...mostly cos I generally have a hatred for mankind cos I think we're a disgrace (read my previous post here)...but think about it, it's nothing cynical or anything, the quote IS factual...and that's precisely why I love it...Thought I'd share it with you on New Year's Day! Happy new year everyone!

Interview with Miss B by Miss B

I've always said that one of my dream jobs would be to have my own talk show where I'll interview people and ask them crazy questions. (the other dream job would be Travel Writing, free travel hello?). Well the talk show obviously didn't happen and I'm dying to do interviews but there's nobody to interview. I don't know anyone famous enough to make it interesting. So boohoo. I'll just interview myself cos I'm that uninspired for now! (it's a bit naf I admit....)

Miss B: What's with your name? It's Bertha, how scary is that? How the hell did you end up with that name?
Miss B: Yes yes, I know...it's a love hate relationship with my name cos I grew up being the butt of all jokes. I still am you know? My lovely dad gave me the name. He apparently love the letter B and he flipped through the dictionary and saw the name "Bertha" and thought it's special cos he hasn't seen it around much. Well, dad, there's a reason why you don't see it cos people don't really name their female spawns Bertha cos it reminds people of a 7-meter tall German girl with a mustache...the type that works in a prison canteen you know? So there's a reason why you don't see it often. But yeah, I'm used to it by now...even with the very common mispronounciations. If I get a dollar every time someone mispronounces my name, I'll be a millionaire by now
Miss B: What did you want to be when you were young?
Miss B: Erm...there's once I wanted to be a teacher so I can write on the blackboard with chalk and whack all the bad students with a wooden ruler. But at some point, I wanted to be plumber I think...
Miss B: What kind of kid were you?
Miss B: Two stages: Age 0-3, according to my mom, I was every parent's nightmare. Supposedly cried non-stop, threw tantrum, hassled everyone, swallowed a light bulb and almost choked to death. Age 3 onward: relatively good kid, a bit thick, loser in school, social outcast...something like the girl at the back of the class who's eating her own hair of sort
Miss B: What's your weaknesses?
Miss B: Nice hangbags, Chanel...now I want a Mulberry Alexa (am on waiting list which should hopefully end by January)...Perfumes (cult please), Japanese food, being too emotional, being irrational at times, sloth, vanity, impatience, enough?
Miss B: If you're not doing communications right now, what would you be doing?
Miss B: Hmmm...in the ideal world, I would be a features writer of sort but I've been there, done that when I just graduated, only to find that publishing in general, pays peanuts (the whole Carrie Bradshaw thing with Jimmy Choos and 947398439 shoes has got to be a hoax). But assuming money isn't an issue, I would still be a writer of sort. If not, maybe I'll be a theater actress...again, things that don't make money...I really do wonder how it would be if I live in a communist country...just wondering really cos I don't condone communism
Miss B: What's the biggest misconception about you? Do people think that you're a bit thick?
Miss B: Well, you're kinda right that people do think that I'm thick and dense as a brick cos I think somehow I do look mildly stupid. They also think that I'm floozy and flakey cos I joke a hell lot and love to laugh and take the mickey out of every damn thing. But actually, I'm a god damn serious person. My closer friends would know that. I'm serious like Margaret Thatcher with PMS and I think the whole floozy, clownish persona, according to my psychoanalytical friend, is to diffuse the fact that I can be rather intense and most people can't deal with it
Miss B: Have you got any secret talent?
Miss B: Other than the fact that I've got the amazing talent of busting my credit card limit within a short span, I actually CAN move only one eyeball at a time. I can isolate my right eyeball and move it ONLY while the left stays put. Oh, I can do voices too. I can do Bart Simpson very very very well. So well that you would actually think that I'm the voice-over
Miss B: Any pet hates?
Miss B: Hair in food, whiny people, rude people who openly belittle people around them, people holding up queue asking dumb question or insisting that the 50cent discount coupon is valid,
Miss B: Favorite things?
Miss B: My cat, my bedroom, my nice sheets, weekends, free shopping vouchers, the feeling you get while you pack your suitcase before your holiday, airport after you check-in and about to board the plane, long night flight (yes, I'm one of those who love long flight as long as it's a night flight and everything's dark), the rush I get from inspiring book, the excitement of good music, witnessing kindness (specifically whenever I see this old man in my block feeding the stray cats), the couple of hours of "ME TIME" before I go to bed where I read and write, feeling of ocean and the salt on my skin after, Fifi Lapin drawings, Beluga whales, cute cartoons where everything's happy, The Little Prince
Miss B: Craziest thing you've done?
Miss B: Other than falling in love with an asshole while in total denial, it would probably be skinny dipping after a spliff somewhere in Ibiza (which actually makes it not crazy)

Miss B: Hobbies?
Miss B: Mostly I spend my time watching my nails grow really. But  I love surfing too. I wish I live by the beach but unfortunately I live on an island where the biggest wave you can find is artificial on a fake island set on a fake beach (Wavehouse Sentosa anyone?_) so I try to plan surfing trip. I play the cello. I love going to bookstore cos I'm a geeky bookworm (only good literature please). I love to write. I recently like to workout (endorphin is good). I love good movies
Miss B: What's your favorite color?
Miss B: Are you trying to psychoanalyze me?
Miss B: What's your favorite book?
Miss B: Love in the Time of Cholera's my favorite book and my least favorite movie is Love in the Time of Cholera. 
Miss B: Music?
Miss B: You don't ask a music whore what her favorite music is. I've got too many. I was the music director for my college internet radio so my taste is diverse. From classical, to alternative, to pop, to metal...I listen to everything except death metal really. But I tend to love digging out unheard of album and artist. One of my claim to fame is that I made Feist famous...long story for another time
Miss B: What's your fashion style?
Miss B: Anything that doesn't make me look like I work in a bank. READ: I do anything except corporate look (in a way I'm kinda screwed cos I do work in a corporate environment). But in general, I like the messy chic. Nothing overtly sexy cos I have nothing sexy to show to begin with. But I like the geeky cool look or I like to dress a bit like a cute boy and I think bag is pretty important. But occasionally I do like to dress like a girl and look pretty. In general, I can be wearing shit clothes but usually the bag will be a pretty rad one 
Miss B: Do you have a signature quote?
Miss B: Yes, I always say "Men are carcinogenic" whenever I hear shit stuff about the opposite sex
Miss B: Oh wow...that's strong, but what kind of guys do you dig?
Miss B: Jay Kay from Jamiroquai really. I have a thing for broody bad boys type and that kinda explains why I'm still on the shelf perhaps
Miss B: Met any lately?
Miss B: No, none. Zero, zilch. I think I'm most likely gonna be a nun and I'll wear a pink and purple habit. So if you know any cool men, drop me an email
Miss B: Name 3 celebrities you'd like to bang
Miss B: Jay Kay from Jamiroquai, Ed Westwick & Huge Jackman
Miss B: Got any girl crush? You dig Angelina Jolie?
Miss B: I do not dig Angelina. Yes she's hot but she's not the kind I like though she's dark. I find her rather psychotic. My girl crush is probably Alexa Chung. Not crush in a amorous kind of way but I think she's the coolest girl around. Funny, witty, smart, stylish, charming.

Sorry, I know I'm boring you guys, I'll stop now cos I need to go pee....

December Muses

Reading: Nylon Magazine...it's been my favorite for a loooong while. You don't get rubbish like "My husband slept with my maid" or "How to give good blow-job" trash. Pure good articles and good photoshoots on fashion, beauty, music and culture. Also reading Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates...been wanting to read this. Good thing I didn't watch the movie

Listening: Birthday by The Sugarcubes...Bjork's old band before she went solo. Morning in Rio by Sergio Mendes...a very nice Rio carnival spin to some very classics...energetic, vibrant and light

Watching: The Fantastic Mr. Fox. LOVE LOVE LOVE this animation! It's funny, it's cool and the animation rocks!

Using: Chanel Rouge Allure in Naive...very natural color, gives your lips a hint of shade and a very nice sheen. Very comfortable to wear. I wear it like a lip balm cos it's very moisturizing too.

Wearing: Fifi Lapin Limited Edition Brooch!!!! I just ordered this yesterday and I knew I MUST have it. Now I'm waiting for it to be shipped over....so exciting! Fifi Lapin is my alter ego! You might as well call me Fifi! Also wearing Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nile...very lovely perfume with a citrus top note that's refreshing and airy, definitely not something you smell on everyone everywhere

Loving: Alexa Chung! The ultimate inspiration, she's bubbly, charming, witty, gorgeous and with great fashion sense to boot...I love everything about her...I'm so gonna name my daughter Alexa

Eating: Meiji Poiful Jelly Bean...the best jelly bean out there really. Also eating Kanro Okinawa Salty Candy in Ume & Lemon flavor from Meidaya (sorry, can't find the image). It's super nice

Lusting: Mulberry Alexa Bag in Oak Brown Large. In a phase of my "Alexa Chung Mania", I want the Mulberry bag named after my favorite girl. Well, actually I just need an IT bag that's very practical and not too precious...Heard there's a waiting list now and the earliest that it's available is in January..bwahhh

November Muse

Reading: Fountainhead by Ayn Rand....Ohhh, it's one of my favorite books and I just have to re-read it to be inspired....

Watching: Grey's Anatomy Season 6...after so many seasons, it still hasn't lost its mojo unlike Gossip Girl...

Listening: 1)Ingrid Michaelson "Be Ok"...old album but still her best 2) Lily Allen "It's not me, it's you"...I'm STILL listening to it after so long 3) Rilo Kiley "Under the Blacklight"

Wearing: J Brand ankle grazer jeans, Juliet Has a Gun Miss Charming perfume...smells a bit like Stella McCartney but well, cool name, cool packing..., good old Tommy Girl Perfume...just suddenly like its freshness all over again

Using: Ettusais Eye Zone Massage Essence & Eye Zone tinted color essence

Eating: 1) My very own pasta! White wine cream sauce with clams, mushrooms and capsicum topped with freshly grated parmasen cheese...yum! 2) See's Gourmet Lollipop..simply divine! Pity Singapore doesn't sell it!