Hello, just wondering is anyone out there?

It's 2022 and I realised the last post was dated in April 2019. Only two post in 2019! This was the longest hiatus, ever. And I apologise for this. There has been a lot going on; new life in a new city and country, the pandemic, just to name a couple of the reasons. In addition to that, with different social media platforms in the cyberworld, I was torn whether to keep blogging or just focusing on Instagram (although my Instagram at that point as well as at the time of writing isn't focusing on vintage or thrifting at all). 

Out of the blue, I checked out my blog (last night) and had a stroll down the memory lane. I felt life back then seems more interesting and fun (not sure if this was due to the pandemic). Perhaps I should give this another go? Just enjoy the writing process and sharing experiences...

I'm curious and wondering, is anyone out there still blogging? If you, somehow, by chance stumble upon my humble little blog, thanks in advance for your visit. 

Till my next post, I hope and wish everyone has a wonderful (and healthy) year ahead! 

frock me! vintage fashion fair

Hi everyone, apologies for the hiatus... I know I tend to go MIA once in a while... Anyway, I am back to blogsphere and hope to blog as frequent as possible.

Last month, I had the opportunity to visit Frock Me! Vintage Fashion Fair in Kensington, London. It was a total breath of fresh air and such as different vintage scene compares to Hong Kong. As I moved from one stall to another stall, I went ooh and ahh, drooling over lovely vintage pieces especially from 1930s, 1940s and vintage hungarian embroidered blouses. If only I don't need to worry about my purse, I would go for a shopping spree... 

I will let the photos speak for themselves....

What do you think of the fair? Pretty cool, right? There will be another vintage fashion fair tomorrow at Chelsea. For more details, check out their website. 

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Till my next post, stay chic!

wanderlust: when in budapest...

I have a little confession to make. Lately I have this obession of vintage hungarian embroidery top. Not sure how it started or is this just a phase, but for the past few months, I have been looking for it. Therefore my trip to Hungary would have given me the opportunity to find it. However, I have no luck. Well there is always another source to find, like on Etsy. 

Anyway, in my trip, I visited two vintage stores which I came across by accident whilst exploring the neighbourhoods. Oh wow, lucky me! I didn't even need to add into my itinerary. 

Humana

1052 Budapest

Károly krt 8

(Astoriánál)

My first encounter with Humana was in Spain. So it is no stranger to me. The interesting thing with Humana in Astoria or perhaps in Budapest, is their happy hour. The happy hour is a period of time when there is reduction on selected item, for instances, additional discount for winter wear such as coats and jackets. Cool move, isn't it?  

Szputnyik
1074 Budapest,
Dohány utca 20
Opening hours:
Mon to Sat: 10 am to 8 pm
Sun: 10 am to 6 pm

Szputnyik shop is well curated with both vintage and modern pieces for women and men from tops to shoes. They own an online shop as well. For vintage dresses, I think the pieces are mostly from 70s to 90s. Perhaps during my visit, pieces from earlier era have been sold out? The shop is still worth to visit. 

Hope everyone is having lovely weekend. Till my next post, stay chic!

outfit post: sage green and white striped vintage dress

Budapest is cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is even more beautiful at night; believe me, the night scenery is amazing. And it would need another post for this. 

Just like the other looks, for Budapest, I applied the same styling. I mixed vintage with modern pieces; pairing vintage dress with leather jacket and sneakers (for comfort). As the photo shoot required a lot of walking, I wore sneakers instead of vintage heels. 

Outfit: vintage 1950s dress, thrifted belt, leather jacket and sneakers

Photos by: www.withlocals.com

How time flies as 2018 is coming to an end soon. Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. 

Till my next post, wishing you a wonderful new year and prosperous 2019. 

wanderlust: when in prague...

What I like about when going vintage hunting or thrifting abroad, is that you won't know what to expect and what your's luck; are you going to find that special, one of kind piece? That the question keeps popping up my mind every time I walk into a vintage or thrift store, so does my vintage hunting trip in Prague. 

Initially I was planning to visit at least one store, which was Prague thrift store but I guess I was lucky to came across the other two listed stores. During my visit to Prague Thrift Store, I noticed most of the clothes are preloved, hardly any vintage. But who knows when you visit the store, you may find some lovely vintage pieces? Maybe you have better luck than me?

If you are looking for secondhand or vintage luxury branded items such as clothes, shoes and bags, do visit Vintage Gallery. For secondhand and vintage pieces, check out Secondhand Fifty-Fifty. It maybe a small store but they have pieces for ladies and gents. Worth to visit.  

Thrift Store 
Budečská 893/13
120 00 Praha 2, Vinohrady
Czech Republic

Secondhand Fifty-Fifty

Slezská 884/28

120 00 Praha 2

Czech Republic

Vintage Gallery
Ovocny trh 11, 
110 00 Praha 1, 
Czech Republic 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Can't believe that 2018 is coming to an end soon. 

Wishing those who are celebrating Christmas, Merry Christmas and have a wonderful celebration with loved ones. 

Till my next post, stay chic!

outfit post: navy dress with white buttons detail

The next stop of my trip is the heart of Europe, Prague, which is also known as Golden City. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Prague has its own charm; to me, it feels like a fairytale land - so magical and yet sometimes mysterious in its own way. My favourite spots are Charles Bridge and Old Town. 

Outfit: vintage 1950s dress, leather jacket, vintage heels and sneakers (last photo)

Photos by: Dina Deykun found through KaChick

This adorable 50s dress was purchased through Instagram. What I love about this dress is not only it fits perfectly but also the buttons details. The dress comes with two pockets too! Who doesn't like a dress with pockets? 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. Till my next post, stay chic!

wanderlust: when in vienna...

As Vienna is an interesting city with many beautiful places to visit, it is quite challenging to fit one or two vintage stores into my itinerary. Having said that, I came across Extrachön by accident when I was wandering around in the neighbourhood (District 7). 

The interior of the store is beautifully decorated with chandeliers and red carpet which makes one transports back into another space and time upono entering the store. The store is well-curated from dresses, tops to shoes and accessories. Worth the visit even it's just to check it out. 

Extrachön

Kaiserstr. 67

1070 Vienna

Austria

I wish I had more time to explore the vintage scene in Vienna. Nevertheless, this was a good start and I hope I will have the opportunity to visit Vienna again in the future. 

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Till my next post, stay chic!

outfit post:1940s dark floral dress

Hi everyone! Sorry for the hiatus; I am back now and hoping to be around (in the blogsphere) for a while.

Whilst I was away from blogging, besides work, I travelled to Europe for a 2-week holiday. It was an amazing trip and wonderful experience. First stop was Vienna, Austria. Vienna is a beatiful city; interesting architures, beautiful parks, good coffee and pastries such as sachertorte to name a few things that I have enjoyed in my trip. 

Outfit: vintage 1940s dress, leather jacket, vintage heels 

Photos by Virag Horvath found through KaChick 

A little story on the vintage dress; I bought it from Etsy about two years ago and I was sort of waiting for the right moment or ocassion to wear it. I guess whilst 'waiting' I have forgotten about it until I was planning for the trip. I think the dress really stands out in the photos and it is a really pretty dress. 

Hope everyone is have a great weekend. Till my next post, stay chic!

vintage woven shoes

This lovely woven vintage shoes caught my eyes when I first laid my eyes on them. I was hesitated at to check the size and then give them a try. I know once I have tried them on, it would be really difficult for me to leave them in the shop. However, after some serious thoughts, I finally decided to try them on... and the rest is history.

The label of the shoes is very light and the era of the shoes is unknown - maybe post 1970s? Regardless the era, these are cute pair of shoes; perfect for spring and summer.

Hope you are enjoying the weekend. Until my next post, stay chic!

wanderlust: when in paris... visit ysl museum

Not far from Eiffel Tower, just walk along the Seine River towards the Lourve Museum, do stop by at the YSL museum. The museum was opened in October 2017 and it is located at 5 avenue Marceau. 

The museum focuses on the couturier's creative genius and the process of designing a haute couture collection. It seeks to address the history of the 20th century and the haute couture traditions that accompanied a way of life tha no longer exists.  

The Haute Couture Salons

After purchasing admission, this is the first stop; sit back, relax and enjoy a short video compilation of Saint Laurent's fashion shows. The salons were where clients were received for fittings following the presentation of each collection. 

Style (far end, in the photo)

Here showcases Saint Laurent's signature syle which is borrowing menswear and adapting to the female body. 

The History of a Collection

An opportunity to look at sketches and ateliers specification sheets which contain all details for creating garment along with fabric swatches. In the same area, some pieces of past collections are displayed.

Skills 

Haute couture houses collaborate with skilled craftspeople such as weavers, dyers, printers, embroiderers, plumassiers, goldsmiths and silversmiths. This collaboration has created exquisite pieces. 

Exoticism 

Pieces that are displayed here showcase inspiration drawn from exotic locations; Morocco, sub-Saharan Africa, Russia, Spain and Asia. 

Homage to Fashion

Saint Laurent also explored the history of fashion through his designs; incorporating the old with new. 

The Studio
Saint Laurent's studio. 

Cabinet of Curiosities 

A wall of lovely accessories such as necklaces, earings, brooches.All these are made from different materials; wood, metal, rhinostones, beads, feathers, ceramics and passementerie. 

Graphic Arts

When Saint Laurent was a young boy he liked to illustrate texts that he liked, imagining the characters, their attitude, their clothing and the settings of their adventures. 

Aesthetic Phantoms

Saint Laurent sought out his aesthetic phantoms among the writers, composers, painters and dancers he admired and he enjoyed interpreting their art in his designs. 

Museum details

The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris 

5 avenue Marceau, Paris 16th arr 

Opening times: 

Tuesday to Sunday: 11 am to 6 pm

Open Friday until 9 pm

Last entry: 45 minutes before closing time

Closed on Monday and January 1, May 1 and December 25

Early closing at 4.30 pm on December 24 and 31

Full price admission: 10 EURO

Hope you have enjoyed this post and the little tour of the museum. Till my next post, stay chic!