My Week in August 2013

If asked how to describe yourself in three words, and you're lost for words, just look at your Instagram feed. That is your personal publication, showcasing your little milestones and happenings and what catches your interests. Interesting, no?

When I was younger, I saw the music video for Faint and thought, man, I'd want to be in the crowd like that some day, rocking out to LP. And I did.

Linkin Park last Monday night was totally unexpected. I hadn't planned to go up till the very day when someone called up, offering an extra ticket. Of course I said yes! Luckily I was wearing jeans and tee to work that day :P Watching these guys was a dream come true. Did God hear my prayer to watch my favorite childhood band?  Yeahhhh. (When I was 10, Iona used to lock me up in her room after our tuition class to listen to Hybrid Theory because she thought I didn't have any real music education. Her opinions are not unfounded)

(Instavideo, watch here)

#ThrowbackWhenever: I was browsing through my Singapore trip images (from March!) and stumbled upon this pretty shot I took at Books Actually in Tiong Bahru (officially my most fave neighborhood in Singapore). Put it through Whitagram and Instagram and ta-daaa!

I think the prettiness of this picture lies in the Kinfolk magazine there. Fun fact: Kinfolk is an indie-ish publication which I didn't know existed until yesterday. Though I've yet to read any of its issues, I am drawn to their themes. Check out their Facebook page.

Cards I whipped up (thanks to Typo!) for the two interns who left. You cannot get too attached to the interns in the office. Once you've bonded with them, it's always time for them to leave, and you're left with a gaping hole in your heart (and office). LOL. I think I'm too emotional for this kinda stuff.

Footwear 101 - The Five Types of Shoes for Every Girl

Whenever I go shoe shopping, I don't. I try to restrict myself to the least amount of shoes possible due to space constraint at home (and also I'm too lazy to take care of them LOL).

Here is Footwear 101 - The Five Types of Shoes for Every Girl!



1. Flats

Oh, my goodness. Are these the best inventions ever, or what? Simple and easy to wear, comfortable to the point of being the next best thing to your pillow, every girl must have at least one sensible pair of flats for every day wear. You can wear them with almost everything - tees+jeans, a summer dress, blouse+leggings combo, and traditional clothes (baju kurung, cheongsam, etc).

Tip: Choose a pair in black - you won't regret it.
Ballet flats that look like ballet shoes make you look extra girly!


2. Sandals

Plenty types available in the market today: gladiator, open-toed, strappy, with a little heel...

I got these above at Cotton On for RM15 almost a year ago. Since then, it's been my go-to pair of shoes for when I can't decide what to wear. (These are the very ones that paired with all my outfits for four days in Singapore!) When the sole of one side almost tore off last month, I brought them to the cobbler, who gave them new soles (ahaha, geddit, new souls?) for RM10. In total, RM25 for a pair of sandals that I wear everywhere and anywhere? Best. Investment. Yet.


3. Sneakers

For some street cred (LOL). It's versatile and it'll make you feel 10 years younger than you actually are, so why not? I like Converse for its iconic look that has changed little over the years, but there's also Vans and Puma to look at.


4. Heels

Heels are a bit tricky. What type you need really depends on your profession/area of study.

I personally rarely wear heels to work, but I do have a pair of open-toed two inch black heels to go with some work/church dresses, and one pair of open-toed four inch black heels for fancy dinners and stuff. Again, black, it's everyone's favorite color for all the right reasons!

The other type of heeled shoes you can try for everyday wear are wedges (which are the most comfortable heeled shoes EVER) and strappy heels.

You shouldn't be wearing four-inch heels every day, because your leg nerves are going to get strained, and you'll put a lot of undue pressure on your tiny toes. And you could trip and fall and tear a hole in your jeans. (happened to me)


5. Slippers

Because they're the coolest things to wear at a pasar malam. And on holidays.



All images from me.

Aisha, the Freelance Writer in KL, Malaysia

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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!