Tis The Season

to go frantic with all the shopping. This year, the Tree will not make its appearance. I mean, it's just another two weeks to Christmas and I'm not about to put up the tree for two weeks and then have to pack it all up again. It's too much work. For this year, at least.

I've just about started my shopping and feeling my way around what needs to be bought and for whom. Managed to strike off only 2 items on my shopping list and that's just the beginning... I hate the idea of buying thoughtless gifts, so I try to pick up hints in conversations on what the person might actually want/need...  (within my means/budget of course!) But sometimes when you don't meet these folks as often, you'd have to resort to asking. I kinda dislike having to ASK because it seems I'm taking the easy way out... but then again, I would really rather ask and get them something they like, than not ask and end up gifting them something that they wanna give away! (or sometimes end up back in my house. teeheehee!)

Let's hope tomorrow's shopping trip will be more fruitful!

In the meantime, if you're looking to buy me something. Here's what I think I might want/need:
- Foldable umbrella (preferably in black, thank you)
- Kate Spade taxi off-duty clutch (which is currently on sale in the SG stores!)
- Clarins Hand and Nail treatment cream
- Smokey Eye-Shadow powder palette (no specific brand. almost outta my current one!)
- Loreal True Match blusher in shade 103

See, I don't need expensive gifts. Just sensible, "what-I-really-need/want" ones. TYVM.

Tadah!

Leave a girl alone for 5 minutes and this is the result:

Kate Spade Tada! gold-plated necklace

All Hail The Queen

The girlfriend's just completed her stewardess training in the UK and bought this pair of bling for me. It's so comfortable, I can't wait to wear it out! Thanks, D!

union jack slippers

here's a closer look at the bling

love the emblem too!

   

Why?

Why are Singaporeans so inflexible? Why do customer service personnels almost always have to "go by the book"? Can they not look at the bigger picture and in doing so, perhaps earn/keep one more happy customer?

I, definitely am not a happy camper today. Ordered a pair of size 37 Josie Ballerinas 2 days ago and when it finally arrived today (yes, finally. the delivery is another story altogether but let's leave that out for now) the sizing turned out to be too tight for me. Called customer service and was told they do not have an exchange policy. I'm like "Whaaaaat? Even if it's for the exact, same model of shoes? Just in a different size?" Further to that, I was advised to request for a refund, and then go online and re-order the same shoe in a different size. Sweet. They'll arrange a pick-up and then separately arrange for a delivery for my new shoes. WHY can they not do it at the same time? Like pick up shoes and then pass me the other one in the correct sizing, all within the same trip? BUT WHY? Seriously. People need to learn to be flexible.

So yes, I'm griping and whining about this. In the meantime, I've already gone online to re-order my size 38 (I would really just rather have gotten my refund and that's it. But I think the shoes jolly well deserve a second chance, although I wouldn't say the same thing about the online shop). I think there's lots to be improved on, Zalora. And while I'm at it... delivery was screwed the first time. I opted for delivery between 2-6PM. Your guy arrives at 915AM. I told him to come back in the afternoon between 2-6PM. He comes back at 215PM. I said I'll be back in 5min. He tells me he cannot wait and will call me back later in the afternoon; which he never did. I, had to call. He then tells me he will deliver it tomorrow morning @ 930AM. He decides to send the item back to HQ and indicate I had wanted re-delivery at 930PM the following day. I waited the whole morning for my shoes to arrive but they never did. Only to get a call at 11AM to clarify if I had wanted a 930PM delivery. Whaaaaaaaaat?

I can go on and on... but I've got better things to do in the meantime. So I guess this is goodbye, Zalora.

Persimmon Delight.

This arrived in the mail on Friday, just in time for Jo & Little's wedding this weekend! *beams* Totally loving the summery color. So bright and cheery, I bet the boyfriend will think it's "lovely!"

Essie: Cute As A Button

I have becomed

a shoe-whore! I cannot not take peeks into shoe shops online and not have my heart a-flutter. Oh, and I like nail polishes too. The yummy spring/summer colors make me so want all of 'em.

butter london: artful dodger



deborah lippmann: pop life



Do You See What I See?

5PM, 7PM, 730PM, 11PM. I want 'em all.

I ♥ Polka dots.



http://www.madewell.com/



It. Has. Arrived.

It's officially an awesome Friday. More photos to come...

Should I give TOMS a chance?

I'm not a fan at all. And I'm baffled at the number of people who's into TOMS shoes. Is it really because they care about the children in developing countries who's going without shoes? Or are they just following a fashion fad? I had no idea these shoes were so popular, until I started noticing it on the feet of people, and read about them in blogs and tweets.

At first glance, they appear like the kind of shoes a nun would wear (I mean, the simple, no fuss and frills kinda shoes... and apologies to all the nuns out there. No intention at all of being rude here.)

And then I recently came across one that made me look twice (only because I figured the 'bling' would make it less "nun-nny"), so I bookmarked it and decided to sleep over it for the next couple of days. But when I did return to the site, it's SOLD. And that was the last pair. Ah well...


TOMS Women's Glitter Slip-On

And then I browsed and realised, "Hey, whadyaknow! TOMS' got wedges too!"


 

TOMS Women's Metallic Tweed Espadrilles
(and cork heels are in fashion now)

  

TOMS Canvas-Rope Wedges, in Red

I've bookmarked these too. And I'm gonna sleep over it again. Hey, I work too damn hard for my money and just because it's less than $100 doesn't mean I should "just buy it".

I'm anal like that. Sometimes.

Sundays are for walking at a leisurely pace.

This morning, I woke up at 10-ish, without the repetitive beep of my alarm. I took my own sweet time to shower, to blow-dry my hair, and then to curl it. By the time I was done, it was like 12 noon. I took the train to town, had coffee and a donut at Dunkin' Donuts (for only $2.50!), and then started my 'shopping spree'. It was just all I, me and myself.

I had wanted to check out the Muji sale, the Orly Kiely collection at Uniqlo, and some knick knacks at Daiso, so Ion Orchard was the perfect one-stop-shop. First stop at Muji turned out to be a disappointment. There was almost no hint of an on-going sale, although there were random tags for items at a 20% discount. I had intended to buy a laptop bag but left empty-handed. My next stop at Uniqlo seemed more promising... until I spotted the sleeveless top I wanted, but they ran out of my size! Boo! But after much digging around, I finally found the elusive S! OK, for one of the sleeveless T at least. It would have been an easy fix for mum, the one I got in M. Hur hur hur... the beauty of having a mum who can sew!

Orla Kiely for Uniqlo

women Orla Kiely sleeveless graphic T/blue
my lucky find: the very last piece in size S

women Orla Kiely sleeveless graphic T/navy
loved the graphics prints so I bought it, even though it's an M -
I figured mum could fix that :)

women Orla Kiely long sleeve shirt/pink

I walked out of Uniqlo, $99.70 poorer. Spent zilch at Daiso. Then strolled down to Far East Shopping Centre but got stuck there for a bit because it decided to rain. And then I walked back up to Wisma, where I had tea and bread at Toastbox, before heading to Takashimaya. By then, it was almost 5pm, and time to meet the mother for dinner at Ikea, Alexandra.

Took two buses, reached Ikea about 6pm, had dinner. Bought 2 armchairs, 1 rug, 1 weighing scale. 1 happy mum. Came home, fixed up the 2 chairs, 1 even happier mum.

All that in one Sunday. I could do with more of these. But not everyday is a Sunday. I can only make the most of what I have. Hope your Sunday was well-spent too. Happy week ahead!

Hello, Kate!

This, shall be my companion for a while.

{dust bag}

New Shoes

I'm such a sucker for Nine West shoes. Also because I'm entitled to a 20% discount. And only because I've been spending enough to get that privilege card. Sadly, new shoes don't stay with me for long. I do not drag my feet but I think I spend too much time walking and rushing to and from shoots. Each pair costs an average of $130 and I keep going back because they're one of the most comfy shoes ever. I don't spend more than $200 on any pair of shoes because no matter how expensive they are, they will not live past 8 months I'm pretty sure. But that doesn't stop me from ogling at Tods loafers (Yes! I almost always have to go in and try the loafers just for kicks) or try on those Ferragamos.

Off-white Nine West loafers

5 seconds

was all it took for me to decide I didn't want the Bao Bao anymore. I held it in my hand and it felt "bleh", like it was too soft for my liking. The shape would not hold up. So no siree, I'm not about to blow S$500 on this.

Issey Miyake Bilbao Prism

Hello, Weekend!

Spent 1/2 of my day watching some period/modern drama <古今大战秦俑情> online. The boyfriend came by for a short while. Then I went out for dinner with mom. I wished I had more days like that. And just so this isn't one of those boring posts without photos, here's what I bought today:

H&M

Teal is my color (for now)

Purchased the last piece of Teal Blue Snakeskin Charmed Bracelet from Carrie K online and was all excited, anticipating its arrival. But when it did arrive...

my Carrie K package

I have to admit I was disappointed. For the amount I forked out (USD98), I was expecting the bangle to feel a little more erm, heavy. But it totally lacked its weight in silver. Even my USD60 Marc by Marc Jacobs ring felt heavier :/

Teal Blue Snakeskin Charmed Bracelet (USD98)

They have arrived.

No thanks to the cousin, who reminded me about Shopbop. I went in for a quick browse and ended up checking out with 2 items! Boo. But I have to say, they arrived in a blink and I love 'em!

bottom left: Marc by Marc Jacobs Pave Katie ring / black diamond
bottom right: Marc by Marc Jacobs logo band ring

currently drooling on...

House of Harlow: black leather garter bracelet in gold S$129.84 

Question is: to buy or not to buy.

Update: it's no longer listed on revolveclothing.com even if I had wanted to buy it. DAMN.

Added a Pretzel to my collection

pretzel charm, thomas sabo: $59.00 / gummies: foc

To remind me of the pack of cheeze pretzels L got us on his SQ flight. According to him, only business class travelers are treated to this, but he tried his luck anyway and got us a pack, while on an Economy ticket!

Snyder's of Hanover: Cheddar Cheese, courtesy of Singapore Airlines

Inside Beauty

I was browsing through Pinterest and stumbled upon two pins tagged with "ombre mani" (ombre is a French term meaning "shaded")... this was enough to get me curious, so I did a quick search and here's how you can achieve that look. I can't wait to try it out; some day.

photo via instyle.com

you're just 3-steps away from an ombre manicure. enjoy!