Thursday 15 December 2016

Christmas - Work, Pokemon and all that


Christmas is coming up so I've been quite busy at work wrapping up the year. It's had it's moments but I think it couldn't have worked out any better without me losing something I learnt this time around. As always I am reminded of small things that make life interesting if you choose to pay attention to them, as well as the fact that too many things are disappointing.

Onto Pokemon Sun, which is taking far less of my time than I anticipated. I am enjoying it (I think), but it is feeling very tedious. Also, I'm getting to about three-quarters through the game so I am feeling quite anxious about playing the reset game when Solgaleo comes along. This game is like what I think Christmas is about. It is usually about finding joy in miserable things - whether it be the winter of the Northern hemisphere, or the disgustingly humid heat waves of Sydney the past few days, I have had a bitter sweet year that I love very much.

Thursday 15 September 2016

New In | August 2016 (Burberry Shoes & Accessories, Versace × Rosenthal, Saint Laurent, Versace Collection, Burberry London, Vivienne Westwood)

I feel like I really toned it down this month in my shopping but clearly not enough. It's a little outrageous when I bought so many pairs of shoes.. but I'm pretty content with them. Anyway, this month I've also started trying to save aggressively. For what? I don't know, but at least I will be spending less. I've been doing ok so far but so tempted to shop :(


Monday 12 September 2016

The Cologne Diaries | ck one gold -Limited Edition-

11 September 2016

Hey, it's fashion week season but before we get there I really have to show off the new ck one gold Limited Edition fragrance I got last week. It's official release date was today, 11 Sep 2016 and will only be here for a limited time. This scent is bold and super fresh. The exuberant youthful energy is captured by its trendy bottle design and Calvin Klein's current obsession over unisex fragrances that celebrate our radiant spirit.


The fragrance breakdown:

top: fig, bergamot, sage 
mid: neroli, violet, jasmine sambac 
dry: vetiver, guaiac wood, patchouli

This fragrance is perfect for spring and the upcoming summer because it doesn't bog you down for the day. It's a light fragrance that exudes freshness and energy. The vibrancy in the sweeter notes like fig and neroli are grounded by more masculine scents like bergamot and guaiac wood. This is for those who aren't afraid. The famous Ck One bottle is dipped and dripping with gold - it's for those of us who can do no wrong. 

bold. gilded. unapologetic

Thank you Calvin Klein.

Wednesday 7 September 2016

Randwick Club - ZHU Canton and LVL4 Opening


Located on 135 Alison Rd, the Randwick Club had two openings last month in August, which I was lucky enough to attend with miss sennnaa. ZHU Canton is a modern Chinese restaurant with a bright set up and beautiful decor, serving all my favourites from Har Gau to Peking Duck. On the other hand, LVL4 is a hip and chilled out bar with more of an organic set-up for those who want some time off without all the extra stuff. All in all, the events were super lively and fun - and of course, accompanied by delicious food and amazing cocktails!

Sunday 21 August 2016

The Weekend Edit


Fred Perry x Raf Simons / Block Tipped Polo Shirt
Armani Collezioni / Chambray Bomber Jacket
McQ Alexander McQueen / Cuffed Chino Trousers
Dolce and Gabbana / London Low Trainers
ESTIME / 8to6 Nylon Backpack

Friday 12 August 2016

Masterclass | Burberry (Christopher Bailey)

'Masterclass' is the ultimate synthesis of creativity, leadership and entrepreneurship in fashion. These designers have transformed houses under their direction and thereby produced amazing results in products, branding and success.


Mr Christopher Bailey is a powerhouse in branding in his revolutionary approach to Burberry. Burberry has been revamped in the latter part of the 2000s to the iconic British luxury it represents today. Under his direction, the house relinquished negative associations garnered from the mid 2000s and began targeting a new group of consumers - those in their 20s with an attractive amount of upcoming disposable income. To do so, Burberry had to look back at what brought its iconic trench coat to the fashion hall of fame - and it was to bring trenches to popular celebrities and models. Modern, trendy and iconic faces of fashion like Cara Delevigne and Eddie Redmayne helped update this house and bring it to terms with its new target market.

Sunday 7 August 2016

New In | July 2016 (Burberry Brit, Church's, Vivienne Westwood & Saint Laurent)

Every year around this time I go crazy with my buying and I often justify it because it's sale time but I still spend way too much :( Haha but it's cool I've become much wiser with my spending in that I'm buying things that I can see myself loving years to come - or so I tell myself. However, sometimes I am very tempted by very seasonal pieces - by their innovative flavour and how they captivate my imagination.



Anyway, here are just some the the things that I got in the June/July hump-month shopping.

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Four Favourite Things (April 2016)


1. Black Shirt

Modest and classy. Although the black shirt offers understated sophistication, it's still edgy and modern.

  

2. Cotton Handkerchiefs

A matte look is more versatile. Use this to dress up, down, left, right.

  

3. Small Lapel Pins

Small and fine details are always interesting. Preferably metal.

  

4. Low Cut Sneakers

Cool and easy.

  

Friday 1 April 2016

The Tie Dimple


Ever since watching Mad Men, I can't help but notice Don Draper's tie dimple (he usually has one). And now, I can't stop noticing it anywhere else and if I see a tie without a tie dimple I feel like something is wrong.

Tie dimple?

The tie dimple adds some flavour to your ties, whether it is a block colour or patterned. It enhances boring ties and makes busy ties modest. It really gives the tie more depth and interest. I mean, you wouldn't really want a pancake-ass pocket square..

If you dont want to look boring and inexperienced, go with the tie dimple. The tie dimple can be on the left, right, centered, however you like. It's there to give your look more variation.

Skill or accident?

Sometimes the dimple happens for you, but here's the trick. After you tie your usual knot (I almost always go with the windsor), pinch the tie from the top before you feed the last part through. Then, once you've pulled it through, the crease will be pulled through with it. Some people make the mistake of forcing a crease after feeding the tie through, which might look ok for 3 minutes until it goes away..

Simple right? It's kinda like an insider tip for something that will change the look. Really.

Boring
Not Boring



Boring
Not Boring


 Don't be boring.


Monday 29 February 2016

The Cologne Diaries - 2 (Calvin Klein) Review


This fragrance has been on my list for some time. Rarely do big houses push out unisex fragrances because in a way, it's harder to market since the demographic might be too big to catch everyone. Watch the amazing campaign below!

The Calvin Klein 2 has been a travel exclusive for a while. I love the visuals - they're fun and refreshing but still modest and not so in-your-face. The duality matches the idea of the fragrance, a perfect harmony of urban and nature. In effect, these visuals perfectly encapsulate the theme and energy of the fragrance. It is about #the2ofus.

Saturday 6 February 2016

On Structure and Vegetables

I haven't blogged for a while, hmm since summer school in New York last July. I guess I haven't because I felt too busy or just didn't feel for it. Irresponsible I guess. I do want though, and need structure in my life so I know that blogging is good for me if not anyone/thing else. I also felt a little disillusioned after travelling on exchange in Europe from August to January this year and seeing how fashion is treated over there. I don't want to go into it too much but would say I was disappointed - although I do still like it, maybe less so now, I just feel like I may have other priorities now. Anyway that has caused me to prolong my absence from here. But I want to come back. I want to because I want to be able to choose, despite demerits or merits. I still enjoy and like fashion, but more than ever I'm having more doubts on what is presented to us, and I think that's ok, I think I can reconciling this love-hate within myself. And I will be posting those things again soon.

Like I said, I really value blogging because it gives me a structure even though there are always busier periods and more peaceful times. Winging it has its benefits but I like to plan, I like to have a general idea, and then being spontaneous and flexible on top of that. I think that's what blogging for myself gives me, and that's what a hobby is. It is almost ritualistic like a job but there is still so much necessary freedom.

And on vegetables? I'm making more vegetarian choices, a day I never thought I'd see coming, well maybe I did but something that would happen much later. But I thought to myself, why later when you can now? I've had enough hamburgers to not need to have another one when I'm out, I can pick a vegetarian one. If I feel like I'm missing out, I might pick a meat option, but that hasn't really happened yet except from the really bad vegetarian toastie I got on the plane over a slider and mini hot dog, I really hate beans and lentils I think.

So what is 'making more vegetarian choices'? Maybe it's a cop out for a commitmentphobe or maybe I just want to emphasise discretion. I don't want to be too strict because I still wanna try interesting foods, meat or not. Anyway, I'm doing this because I want to, I want to choose. In a world of options, if we don't exercise choice, what are we but machines? I don't know if I will change the world, but I want to make a choice that I want to make.

Some of my friends confuse this as a trendy thing with 'clean eating', but no, I don't think vegetarianism is that healthy either because many dishes outside use so much more oil to make them taste better and fuller. Another conceptual difference is (and I'm not saying this is everyone), but someone who is eating clean can order a beef salad and not eat the beef, but I wouldn't order that in the first place because the meat is still consumed. That brings me to another point, that my recently vegan friend brought up. Just because you turn vegan doesn't mean you throw out all your leather goods, it just means that you'll choose not to buy more. Throwing them out does little good since they have already been consumed anyway.

And with that I have consumed a considerable amount of your time. But it's always good to think about things to think about when you're thinking about things, right? At least it usually is.