Style tips I wish I knew when I was 13

I have this one maxi dress from MNG that I love to wear. It never fails to garner a compliment, and I always bore people to death with how I got it at 50% off. I must have gotten it on one of my shopping trips with my mum. Whatever good looks you see me wearing, it’s largely developed by my mum. It wasn’t until I was a bit older that I figured out what a good thing it is to go shopping for clothes with her (besides the fact that she pays for the purchases :P). Numerous shopping trips with her has helped me figure out what works or doesn’t for me. Thanks mum!

That aside, here are some style tips I wished I knew when I was 13. 

1. Basics

Underwear, cardigans/pull-overs, tank tops and tube tops should only come in three colors: black, white and nude. You’ll be able to mix and match lots of outfits with tank tops and cardigans in these three colors. Also, get at least one pair of black leggings (which you must wear with tops that cover your butt, because these are NOT pants) and black tights (like leggings, but thinner and more sheer). 

Tip: There's a shop in Sungei Wang Plaza that sells a variety of tights from RM10 onwards. I get mine from there!

2. Jeans & pants

Skinnies, though bad for your blood circulation if worn over a lengthened period of time, have been proven to make you look hotter than you are. A pair of dark-colored jeans can also be overwhelmingly compatible with almost any type of top - fancy blouses, tank top, that camp t-shirt in XXL - so make sure you invest in a good, quality pair. I’ve only tried Levi’s and they work well for me. Great for every day wear and when an event calls for smart casual dress code. 

Pants: black slacks for presentations, interviews and what not. 

Tip: Wash jeans after 3-4 wears, or when it gets dirty. 

3. Tops & Tees 

You are allowed to wear shirts with funny words and quotes on it until you feel you’re too old for that. After that, your t-shirts should only come in neutral colors or patterns or graphics that you like. But you won't be buying much of these because you'll get many camp tees, so invest instead in blouses and a nice denim top! 

Tip: Get a tee in black and white. Can be short or long-sleeved, and will be a life-saver when you don't know what to wear. 

4. Dresses

The cheaper, the better. Make sure it’s not too short (because nobody wears too-short dresses ANYWHERE. I regret getting that RM30 HM one). If getting a maxi dress, stick with neutral colors or stripes - you’ll be able to pair it with various accessories for different looks! 

Personally, I like secondhand dresses and RM15 dresses from Cotton On. But if you’re on bridesmaid duty, splurge on something nicer. 

5. Never try on black dresses.

You will end up buying it, and have fifteen in your wardrobe that you’ll end up wearing once. Black is a universally flattering and slimming color that looks great on anyone, and black dresses are normally cut to fit very nicely. Therefore you will look great in any black dress of any brand and price. 

Bonus Tips

*No article of clothing (with the exception of jeans and underwear) is worth paying full retail price for. Wait for the sale season. 

*Everything in Forever21 is overpriced. Only buy something there if you cannot find it elsewhere. 

*Thrift shopping and bundle shopping is not to be looked down upon. Great treasures have been unearthed at these places. But stay away from underwear thrift shopping, no matter how tempting.

*Students: stick to the budget your parents gave you. 

Working people: Set your own budget. 

*My personal tip: Don't shop unless you have something you really want/need in mind. 

What is one item of clothing you wished you never wore when you were 13? 

All images taken from my Instagram. Follow me!

Tune Picks from BFM

James Blake - Overgrown

He is apparently one of the pioneers of dubstep. Cool, chill tune. The beat will feel off a bit, like he's singing out of time, but everything comes together almost seamlessly.

I don't wanna be a star, 

but a stone on the shore

Long door, frame on the wall

When everything's overgrown

King Krule - Rock Bottom

This dude, according to Zack (of 33RPM - I get most songs from this show), sings like a punk and plays the guitar like a jazz maestro. I guarantee you'll fall in love with this tune by the 30 second mark. I don't know what genre this is, though - jazz/pop/alt rock/swing? 

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Hey Joe

This. Song. Why has it took so long for me to find this? I don't know. But it's good stuff. Yes, the lyrics and story of the song is bad! But the song itself is good. I've heard of Jimi Hendrix, but I didn't know he sounded like this. 

It was a seriously good four-day weekend. I regret nothing. Also: God answered so many prayers this weekend. I feel spoiled!

Pacific Rim: Fun Things

(I watched Pacific Rim the other day. Nothing like a loud and scary movie [to me, anyway - I hate underwater depths and giant monsters of untracable origins] with little character/plot worth to while the evening away! Besides the stunning work done on the graphics, I was also particularly interested in the not-so-subtle nuances of superpowers in the world - see Russia, China, US and Australia throwing in their own Jaegers to defend a territory. Also, Hannibal Chou and the stereotype that the Chinese eat everything under the sun - it's a real likelihood if there were Kaijus! LOL. 

Here are 2 interesting articles I found this week riding on Guillermo Del Toro's newest movie:)

Cherno Alpha, Gipsy Danger, Crimson Something...ever wonder why the Jaegers are given such macho names? Ever wanted to build one of your own?

Thanks to Warner Bros, now you can.

Some awesome minded people have made Jaegers for their own countries, and someone compiled particularly hilarious ones on a tumblr. This one is clever (but I really LOL-ed at Rectal Thermometer)

Also, this mild engineering on how much torque needed to lift just one arm of a Jaeger is pretty interesting: 

And a final interesting fact: Del Toro locked up artists in his mansion for a period of time so they could get together to create the Kaiju (monsters) you see in the movie. Pretty interesting. 

The movie is worth watching. To me, anyway. Watch in IMAX or 2D for optimal experience!

going back 10 years

If you went back 10 years in time, what would you tell your past self?

Okay, first of all, I am not a fan of the whole altering time-space continuum thing. You're gonna create a loophole and allow for new things to happen within that dimension, and that would have some serious consequences, man!

But if I had to tell something to my 12 years old self, I would tell her: "Aisha, high school life will suck for you. But don't lose sleep. It'll get better in a few years' time. Just continue to do what you like to do and be yourself. Think positive and be positive. Remember that sometimes, girls will hate on girls for no clear reason (I personally think it's PMS). If you find girls who like your company and treasure you as a friend, keep them for life. Drop anything that's bad for you. Look outwards. Don't be so inward facing. You're not the only one facing problems in life. This is probably the hardest years for you (developmentally) but remember that puberty never killed anyone.

Ah, I am so smart.

country senses

In the middle of a hot afternoon, the pungent, heady smell of belacan.

A motorbike whirring past on the dusty street, soliciting waves from the fronds of the palm tree.

The wooden rumah kampong on stilts, aging gracefully with each day that passes.

Liquido

I would wear this at my weekly aerobics class!

Image from liquido.com.my

moodboard: sweet

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media of the week: july 2013

In this video below, Jessica Rey (a former Power Ranger) speaks on the perception and function of a bikini in the modern society. It's a really good watch, though some may argue that the facts are skewed to a certain angle. 

And this bubblegum pop tune below, I have been playing on loop. My guilty pleasure! Teehee. (Very Owl City-ish. But I'm not into Owl City) Is it just me, or can you also hear God in every line? 

No, I don't care who the mother is. I hate that architect guy. He reminds me of Tom from 500 Days of Summer. I don't find Barney Stinson at all cool, Robin is kinda cool, but I do like Marshmallow and Lilypad :3