Introducting the Fall / Winter Collection

Source: fuckyeahfashionn.tumblr.com via Liz on Pinterest

The J-man just walked into the room and commented on how sexy my legs look in those tiny shorts that I had on.

Now, before you close this page for its R-rated contents, please read on. Because what he said next made me want to clonk him on his big fat head.

"...compared to how unattractive you look in your long johns in the winter, when we were in Shanghai. I hated those things."

To clarify. I am a tropical girl. I have lived 24 years of my life on the sunny island of Singapore, where it is summer all. year. round. So when i moved to China (where i met the J-man), it was my very first time living and dealing with winter. I hated it. I hated the bone-chilling cold and the biting winds. I hated the idea of piling on layers that made me feel fat and claustrophobic (i had zilch winter fashion sense). Chinese apartments had NO central heating, so in order to keep our place relatively warm, we had to blast the heaters and radiators in every room. To save on electricity, i pile on layers at home (which explains walking around in unglamorous long johns). But I'm AT HOME! *whines*

Thankfully, I've upped the winter fashion sense a little. And praise the heavens for central heating, i have since ditched those unsightly long johns.

Source: None via Lara on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Cassandra on Pinterest

This winter, I am ONLY going to wear oversized knitted sweaters and leggings. I am loving the look! But also, maybe the leggings will give him nightmares of the long johns past.

What are you wearing this winter?

You say Rain Boots, I say Wellies/ Gumboots/ Galoshes

Just as I read Katie (of HazelandMare)'s haiku about rainboots,

Gilt Groupe sends an email with rain boot sales!!!



Some cute pink quilted ones...


And cute English plaid ones


Mustard colored lace-up boots! Gotta love the color mustard...


This was my very first pair. I got them from Target years ago, before I ever stepped foot in the US of A. I was living in China then, and a friend was going back to the States for a vacation. She asked if she could bring me anything, and this was what i asked for! I still can't believe how kind it was of her to bring it back for me! I wore them all around the streets of Shanghai, rain or shine. I remember the locals casting side glances and smirks at me on sunny days. But when it rained, I got the last laugh!

I miss them. Time to shop for a new pair! (*waits impatiently for payday*)

Jumping In the Bandwagon...

Harry Potter premieres tonight!!!
J and I decided against the midnight show, opting to snuggle in bed.

BUT.

We're so catching the first show tomorrow!



Meanwhile, a blast from the past..

I bring you Halloween 2007...





Apologies for the tiny photos, i grabbed them from FB!

On road rage

So this is the quote the J-man quietly showed me the other day.

"Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?"

George Carlin

I have serious road rage ever since I got my driver's license a few months ago.
It irks me when people...

1. do not use their blinkers when changing lanes
2. cruise at a leisurely pace in the passing lane
3. ride up my ar** attempting to speed me up even though there are ten cars ahead of me

dude? are you rushing to meet your maker?!


And then this makes me think of my dear friend R. She went ballistic on a man who drove recklessly next to her in an attempt to take over. They both stopped at a light, she wound her window down, and in her best psychotic impression, said in full Singlish glory,

"Wah! You very good! You number ONE! You WIN!"

Tight-lipped, the man stared straight ahead, and his wife who was in the passenger seat, looked very worried.

And then the daily morning dose of caffeine gives me an adrenaline rush. I just noticed I drive with my teeth clenched. So i gave up coffee as of today (not counting the 26 other previous attempts).



My friend A who drives in Shanghai, sent me this picture he took of his GPS the other day. The arrow with the circle around is his car's position. I DO NOT ever want to drive in China. Especially where people use their horns indiscriminately. I scared!!

By the way, have you heard George Carlin? He's a pretty dang good comedian!!

One reason why I miss Shanghai

Oh looky here! That's Owen in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead!!!
I think this was one of the first productions I watched as a theatre student in junior college. I don't remember much of it, only that it was an absurdist production, and was heavily adapted and Jonathan Lim and Brendan Fernandez were in it. hmm.


Aww wish I could go watch! Break a leg Mr Bell! It will NOT be bu hao! Now you gotta learn how to say hen hao!!!

H&M Spring Sale

Just got this in my email.

H&M was my favouritest store when I lived in Shanghai. Their flagship store ran 5 storeys high. The basement was for menswear, ground floor for the younger crowd of boys and girls, 2nd and 3rd floor for the working ladies + more formal wear and the top floor for kids. Because of my petite frame, I fit into both womenswear as well as clothes for the kids. So in fact, 4 out of 5 floors of clothing and accessories were readily available to me!! Plus, I was earning a bigger paycheck, and the prices were always so affordable, H&M was pure heaven.



The most super comfy pair of $30 H&M boots that i ever owned and wear everywhere. Very scuffed, but well worn! I was almost tempted to buy another pair in brown 3 months after I had worn the black. They were on sale, and to this day I still kick myself for not buying them when I had the chance to.

There are a lot of petitions for H&M to open up in Charlotte, NC, but to no avail. The closest outlet is in Raleigh. A friend had told me it was nothing like the one in Shanghai, and was afraid I would be sorely disappointed if I went there. Nevertheless, going to Raleigh sounds like a promise of adventure, even if it was just to visit museums, galleries and get lost wandering around. I must plan a trip one weekend.

Check out Gisele Bundchen in the newest H&M Spring/summer 2011 collection - Bohemian Deluxe, with their Seventies-inspired assortment of maxi dresses and jumpsuits. I love all the soft pastel colours!!!

H&M Shanghai Flagship Store
Jialidu Building, 645-659 Huaihai Middle Road,
near Sinan Road
淮海中路645-659号嘉丽都大厦
Phone: +86-021-5383-8866

Thrifting: Bai Sher 摆什

1945 Wind-up Clock
Bought for 300RMB

Bought this baby to sit in our cosy one bedroom apartment back in Shanghai. We loved that it was like owning a piece of Chinese history, but when we had to move to the US, we couldn't take it with us because of the costs of shipping. So we gave it away to a dear friend, whom we know would treasure it as much as we did. The only thing about it was that we had to wind it up every day. Once, our part time housekeeper misplaced the key, and so it sat there on the shelf, feeling old and useless for about a month. I missed the chimes and the tick-tick-ticking. But then we found the key and all was good.

Bai Sher 摆什
(Vintage Furniture & Ceramics)
1/F, 886 Yan'an Zhong Lu, 
near Shanxi Bei Lu 
延安中路866号， 
近陕西北路
Phone: +86 138 1777 8455

City girl cries for her city bicycle

If only i could still ride to work every day, or ride just about anywhere.
I remember riding all around the streets of Shanghai, especially on weekends, to the Bund, to Changfeng (?) Park, to the Old town which was miles and miles away. What adventures!

Suit Over Brooklyn Bike Lane Challenges City Initiative

Even though i must agree, a two-way bike lane sounds a little extravagant, especially if they have to share it with cars. So how about we eradicate traffic lanes altogether and surrender completely to bicycles? i don't see the downside of workout-inducing, non-polluting transportation in a city. Eliminate private cars and install only public transportation 好吗？Ok so then we get exposed to the weather conditions. But then how do the 3/4 of a billion other Chinese do it?

Ride in style! Like this




and embrace the elements of nature. Even the Helsinki men do it!




All images via Riding Pretty

Oishii ne!

We miss our Japanese food!

Back in Shanghai, there was a nice little hole-in-the-wall eatery called 有马 (i guess that must be kanji) that is within walking distance from our apartment and from my school. princesszhing  do you know how to say that in japanese?

We would spend our Sunday /Monday lunch money there just because it was such great food at great prices. For about 50RMB (which is about SGD$10) you get a salmon don bento box set which includes a miso soup, a potato salad, 2 small appetizers and a great big bowl of salmon don. It's best to go during lunch because of the set lunches. Dinner is a la carte, and prices are a little steeper, but once in a while J and I will indulge ourselves in pure sashimi heaven. It was so good i could almost eat it every day! My work mates and I would go there on Saturdays (again!) for lunch before our afternoon classes. They have an upstairs section where you sit on tatami mats, but can cheat a little if your legs got tired / numb (they have a hollow under the table for you to stretch your legs out).

Best of all, you know that the food is authentic and Oishii! when the owner is 1) Japanese , 2) his customers are Japanese, and 3) they get super busy during dinner time even with the prices.

So everyone was sorely disappointed when the owners decided to up and move to another location, out of our walking range. We were happy that they were expanding their business and opening a bigger restaurant, but we really did want to keep our little Japanese delight close at heart (and at hand).

Here is a tribute to the owners of 有马 and to their awesome food:


Home-made oyakodon


And premix miso soup (sans shellfish)