Selamat Hari Raya and Happy Merdeka

Hiya. I know that it has been a while that I have gone MIA. Was busy with the move and now it has settled down a little. Would like to take this opportunity to wish all Muslims readers and bloggers; Selamat Hari Raya! Oh, and also Happy Merdeka on 31st Aug. Have a great celebration.

PS: Will try to start blogging actively again soon.

Note: photo of ketupat is taken from: http://www.freshfreestuff.net/stock-images/free-flower-ketupat-photos.html

i have got my eyes on...

Photo taken from: http://www.etsy.com/listing/80063304/vintage-purse-1950s-hand-beaded

Photo taken from: http://www.etsy.com/listing/75188078/vintage-white-flowers-hat-millinery

Photo taken from: http://www.etsy.com/listing/78415961/final-clearance-vintage-bally-black-peep

Photo taken from: https://picasaweb.google.com/111908007730797653412/PreOrderFashionShoes30?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite#5633178444498205890

How was your Monday? Good? Did you get any Monday blues? Mine was busy, busy and busy. My remedy for Monday blues is thinking about the next item to be purchased. Here I have listed few items that I would love to buy but there is always this question pops into my head: "Do I need another piece of bead bag, a flower hat, another pair peep toe shoes?" But the tan oxford heels, it is a must-have for me. I have been looking offline and online for a pair... And now the search is (almost) over.

Have a great week ahead!

PS: Hope there will be no interruption on posting for this week. If I did not post any entry, I might be too tired after work and I might be occupied with packing and all.

outfit post is back!

Saturday's outfit post is back! I am in the phase of brooch obsession, so I hardly accessorize with earrings, necklaces or bangles. At the same time, I wanted to test the brooch that I fixed couples week ago. (Click here to check out the post.) So far, so good. Still in one piece by the end of the day. Phew...

The look:
Thrifted top from Red Crescent thrift store
Vintage skirt from flea market (length altered)
Tights
Oxford heels
Vintage brooch from etsy
Woven belt
Socks

Hope you are having a great weekend!

busy, busy, busy...

Missed an entry yesterday. Sorry for this. I was too tired to do anything after work. Can not wait till the busy season of work is finished. Would like to de-stress by shopping on etsy but I am way too broke to shop...

So happy and good to know that weekend is finally here. Yay! Have a good weekend!

lazy day

It was not totally a lazy day as how I hoped it would be. Was up near 7 o'clock in the morning on a non-working day. Laundry, ran errands, some family time and then watched few episodes of season 3, Sex and the City. These may not sound like perfect itinerary for a day off but at times 24 hours does not seem to be enough, so much to do, so little time...

My ideal lazy day is thrifting in the morning followed by reading fashion magazines over coffee or ice cream in the afternoon whilst listening to some lounge music and have home made simple dinner and watch a movie in the evening. Another good way to spend a day off is sewing a dress for myself but i would not consider this as lazy day. What is your ideal lazy day?

a glimpse of ipoh, city that tin build

Ipoh, the capital city of Perak, was founded in the 1890s. At one time, it was the richest mining region of the world. During this period, many Chinese came to Ipoh to work in tin mining. In the 1950s, Ipoh was well-known as a hedonistic hotspot for entertainment and night life (cabarets, night clubs and theatre halls). the price of tin went downhill in the 1970s and unfortunately it affected the city. Attempts have been taken to revitalize the city and slowly the city is growing and developing again.

During my visit last weekend, I had a bit of walking around the Old Town bit of Ipoh. Took some photos of the surroundings of Jalan Bandar Timah (Tin City Road)...

These are just some old buildings. The studio photo is not ordinary studio with fancy entrance and display. Maybe it has been established since the 1960s? Perhaps I should take more photos of old buildings in Ipoh and take on a heritage trail. Whilst doing a bit research old Ipoh town, I came across these interesting websites; Ipohworld's World and a post on Ipoh heritage trail on ipohnkinta.blogspot.com.

What I like about old buildings besides its architecture is the beauty of paint-peeling walls - that old and abandon feel. And I also like bicycles as my subject in my photos. Don't know why, but I just love bicycle or bicycles against a wall, chained to a post or just simply placed under a tree and etc.

And anything to do with a cat too!

It is good to have a day off, tomorrow, in the middle of the week. For those who will be off for work tomorrow, have a great day and for those who will be working, happy working!

References:
http://www.world66.com/asia/southeastasia/malaysia/ipoh/history
http://www.ipohrun.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=103&Itemid=256

thrifting adventures and finds

Missed my outfit post last Saturday as I was in Ipoh over the weekend for family affairs. Managed to include thrifting trips into the visit. The usual thrifting spots are the Salvation's Army's thrift store and also Memory Lane.

It has become a routine to thrift at these places every time I am back in Ipoh, whenever I have the chance to do so. At times, I have luck finding great pieces either bag, shoes or clothes. Whilst, other times, I could find one or two items or nothing at all. This round, I was pretty lucky and almost broke...

1980s Arturo Chiang peep toe wedges

a collector's edition of STILETTO special Chanel 2005 issue from Novelhut

I am in love with the sewing machine legs or frame. I would like to use it as a table stand. The table would be an unique and lovely piece. Wish I had additional money to spend...

bags, bags and

more bags...

I was very lucky to come across vintage sewing book last weekend. Most of the time, many stalls offer vintage knitting magazines or books instead of vintage sewing book.

1950s or 1960s beaded bag

1950s or 1960s beaded bag

Besides tapestry bags, I am quite obsessed with beaded bags. These bags are one of a kind, so classic, elegant and feminine. I am imagining the previous owner of these bags paired these them with lovely cheongsam and strolling down the quiet streets in Old Ipoh Town...

Hope everyone had a great weekend and have a good week ahead!

S.O.S.

Have not really started to pack my clothes but I need to go through them, one by one. Help! S.O.S. How I wish I have one or two fashionista friends to help to sort out my clothes, shoes, bags and etc.

Yay! Weekend is around the corner. Have a lovely weekend everyone!

mad about flowers

mademoiselle fleur

tough boho chic

a walk in the park

Sweet. Feminine. Romantic. Some of the words to describe floral prints. Styled few outfits of different looks; ladylike, eccentric and casual. Initially, I was not a floral prints fan but about couple months, I am in love with floral print skirts, especially the vintage ones...

stripes of colours

A fun and (slightly) colourful ensemble for work today. This was to break the monotonous of my work attire. Black, navy, grey and white are pretty standard colours for work attire. Luckily my job does not require very formal work wear yet can not be too casual either. I enjoy such freedom but at times I might overdressed... Anyway, overdressed is better than under-dressed, don't you think?

The look:
Top
Vintage skirt from Rara Vintage
Thrifted belt from Salvation's Army's thrift store
Thrifted shoes from Salvation's Army's thrift store
Necklace

tapestry bags: a sneak peek into the past

1960-70s tapestry bag from an antique shop in Ipoh

1980s (?) tapestry bag

Tapestry bags have been one of my obsessions for a while now. And for this post, I did a little research to share a bit more on these lovely bags.

Tapestry bags are made with a unique and stylish tapestry design. Tapestry is a type of textile art such as embroidery or needlepoint. These bags can be made of leather or composite materials woven with tapestry fabric, which is more durable than regular fabric.

Its history goes back to the 1800s, where at that time, hand woven tapestry has became an important part in fashion. One of the earliest areas for weaving tapestry was Aubusson, central France. Tapestry bags produced in Aubusson are acclaimed as the most luxurious created. The tapestry designs during that period were inspired and based on romantic scene, garden or country scenery. Frames of the bags were decorated lavishly with semi-precious stones, pearls, enameling, cameos, glass jewels, faux embellishments and many were cast in heavy embossed silver.

1950s (?) tapestry bag

Maker's label: Walborg

Close up of the bag

In the 1930s to 1950s, tapestry bags were made using machine. The French still maintained their position as the best tapestry bag producer or maker. Romantic portraits and countryside scenes were popular tapestry design during this period. As for the frames, they were mainly embossed brass but some were plated, celluloid, Lucite or as such material. A few had stones or other adornments.

Regardless what some of us may call tapestry bag - grandma’s bag or auntie's bag – tapestry bags has a long and interesting history. French tapestry bags are considered the best and treasured by today’s collectors.

Reference:

http://www.pickyguide.com/clothing_and_accessories/tapestry_bags_guide.html

http://www.go-star.com/antiquing/tapestry_handbags.htm

one

Will keep this post short and sweet. Bought this crochet lace collar dress at PTM, Shah Alam. As usual, I will alter the length of the dress to give it a fresh and update look. I hoping to do so in between sorting and packing my stuff. Keep my fingers crossed.

Have a great week ahead!

endless summer time

I am back to summer mood although autumn is few weeks away. It is never or will not be too late to be in summer mood over here. The sun shines almost throughout the year with occasional monsoon rain. I can save the layering for office wear as it can be slightly too cold at work due to air conditioning system/unit.

The look:
Hand-me-down top
Thrifted vintage culottes
Thrifted tapestry like bag from Salvation's Army thrift store, Ipoh
Thrifted belt
Necklace
Hat
Flat oxford shoes

Have a great weekend!

friday nite

It is Friday night and what are your plans? Partying all night long or staying in? Whether it is partying or chilling out with friends, hope you will have a great time. For me, it is a quiet night, resting but I have styled couple of girls' night out attires. First one is suitable for retro theme club (it screams the 80s, doesn't it?), the second one is partying in a posh club and lastly, it is pretty formal, perhaps enjoying fine dining or wine tasting.

Have a great weekend everyone!

missed

This outfit post was meant to be posted last night but I reached home late, almost half past eleven and I was pretty knackered, so... I did not make any entry. Watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 with a friend of mine. The outfit was pretty simple and minimal. Love the clean cut of the top.

The look:
Vintage top from Amcorp Mall
Pencil skirt from Mango outlet
Slim belt
Vintage shoes

Fashion Project: fixing a brooch the old fashioned way

One of the flower brooches that I bought from etsy was sort of faulty, without any secure pin. I knew this prior to the purchase but it is such a lovely piece that I thought to myself perhaps it can be fixed.

What you will need:

A tiny piece of felt material
A safety pin
A pair of scissors
Thread
Needle

Firstly, cut out a tiny piece of felt material and wrap around the tiny bar-like bit. Stitch the felt piece together. Then stitch the pin on the felt bit. To secure the position of the pin, stitch the head and the loop bit of the pin onto the back of the brooch as shown.

Though the fixing was not done professionally, at least it would give the brooch a second life. If you have a glue gun, you can use it to glue the pin. The way I shared here is for those who do not have glue gun. Perhaps I should invest one as it might come handy one of these days.

finds

My finds during SPCA Jumbo Sale yesterday were a book and a small velvet bag. I have not started to read the book yet but it looks interesting to me. A sneak peek of the book; it talks about the power of fashion, communicating with colour, fashion seductions, the masculine mystique: women in men's clothes to name a few chapters.

I bought a beaded clutch from Amcorp Mall flea market yesterday. No luck with vintage clothes but I was lucky to came across this lovely clutch. So pretty and classic. A great addition into my collection of bags!

Have a great week ahead!