Never too late to pursue unfulfilled dream

At some point in my life, I wanted to work in a fashion magazine as a fashion writer or fashion assistant. I applied once but didn't really persistent in it. I ended up working in few fashion boutiques after completion of the short course in fashion design and dressmaking. Perhaps due to this unfulfilled dream, I signed up for a workshop on writing for magazine organised by the NSTP.

Last weekend I attended the said workshop. During the workshop, I made new friends and catched up with few acquaintances from the previous workshop. It was a good experience. I learnt a lot from the workshop especially on how to get an article to be published. The way the workshop was conducted was interesting as well. It was more of a practical/hands on basis which involved group activities, individual activities as well as homework.

So far with the knowledge I've gained from the two workshops, I think I have the basics to work on for my fashion projects - fashion blog or article on fashion. Now, I need an action plan and to work on it diligently.

Don't neglect your intimate pieces

Buying properties or investing in funds are automatically linked as forms of investments. But what is an investment to a fashionista? An LV bag? A pair of Jimmy Choo's? Yes and yes - but some may see this as indulgence. Whatever you may referred these purchases as, you purchase based on the quality and price you can afford (or save some money if you need to before purchasing any item). No matter how many beautiful clothes you have in your wardrobe, there is one thing that you should not neglect - intimate apparels. And you need to invest in them as well (maybe at least a few).

Why? I read a chapter on Lingerie in Instyle: Secrets of Style and it mentioned that lingerie is the foundation of an outfit. It can make the clothes look better. Furthermore, a good fitting bra will do more for your figure than anything you might wear over it. Therefore it is equally important to buy good quality lingeries to complement your wardrobe.

My first lingerie investment was the endless possibilities bra from Pierre Cardin. The straps can be adjusted accordingly and additional straps are given for other styles or ways. I have been searching for it in KL but finally found it (the right colour and size) in Ipoh. This was a good investment even though I am on a shoe string budget untill I get a new job. In the catalogue, it shows over 10 different ways of wearing the bra but I guess it also depends on the wearer's creativity. Must be fun to experimenting the bra.

I guess I will be building my lingerie collections soon as I know what is my next purchase. It looks like shopping trips are never ending. There is always something to buy to add on to current collection.

Half full or half empty?

With the recent unfortunate dismissal (maybe due to bad economy, redundancy, or whatever the management wanted to claim), I guess it is time for me to take a break and think about or reflect on my life. The last time I did so was in 2003 (if I am not mistaken).

I worked in a local publishing company specializes in primary and secondary school books. Whilst working there, I had turned myself into a workaholic - worked long hours, over the weekends and stayed over night in the office just to rush for deadlines. Then, I had decided to take a break from work and enrolled myself in a short course on fashion design and dressmaking in one of local fashion schools. This was a turning point of my life. I learnt a new skill and made some incredible friends, whom I still keep in touch with until today.

Let's fast forward to 2009. I am jobless at the time of making this entry but how do I view this? Half full - it's time to take a break and think about what I want to do for the next few months or maybe years. Or half empty - I would not be able to find a better job as what I had previously or the economy is so bad that I don't think I will find a job soon enough etc.

Despite all the worries on how to move forward, how to survive etc, it teaches me to be strong and be positive. I am glad that I took the short course in fashion design and dressmaking. Now I can develop my sewing skill and make good use of it. I am planning one or two fashion or dressmaking projects. As my previous boss, Steve, mentioned to me; in difficult times lie an opportunity. Maybe this dismissal is a blessing in disguise, who knows ;-)

To buy or not to buy

Despite the bad economy (as almost everyone worries about it) and the downsizing of my work place, I am in the situation whereby I should spend my money wisely. But being someone who loves fashion and likes to shop occasionally (does almost every weekend count as occasionally?) can resist such good offers by boutiques or departmental stores. Good offers I am referring to here is 70% discount.

Before losing my job, I shopped a lot. I was building my empire of necklaces - different types of styles and designs. Besides this, I bought some dresses, tops and bottoms. All these were bought during sales at one of my favourite boutiques, Cats Whiskers. I have shopped from outlet to another outlet.

This week itself, I bought one top after discount price was RM10.50 and one dress after discounted price was RM23.70. Still a good bargain, right? And how could I resist this? I love my sister's philosophy of shopping during sales; "It is about how much you have saved and it is not about how much you have spent". Let's say you bought a dress at 50% discount, it means that you have saved half of the price that you need to pay. Always think of how much you have saved. Such a great philosophy, don't you think?

However, at the end of the day, it is you who decide to buy or not to buy. In my case, because I have a part time job as a financial back up whilst finding a job, I invested in those two items. Furthermore, during this so called difficult time, I needed something to comfort myself (hhmm... you must think this is an excuse to shop!) to go through the emotional-financial roller coaster at the moment. Life goes on and I would like to go on with style.

Getting started

"Hah? You attended a workshop on 'Writing blogs'? That was the impression of one of my friends when I told her what I did on Saturday. I guess for her or maybe some others that writing blogs is easy peasy. Why do you have to spend your weekend and pay few hundreds for a workshop on an easy topic such as this?

The reason I attended this workshop was because I have been planning to have my own fashion blog, where I could show my creations and share fashion knowledge. In fact, the said blog is in infancy stage. Before I really started to work on it, I felt like I needed more info on blogs and blogging especially on legal part. The workshop organised by NSTP was very informative and beneficial. I am glad that I've signed up. No regrets.

Now, with that knowledge, I can start re-plan on the content and approach of my fashion blog. Looks like this will keep me busy for a while.