Black Friday

I love doing cliché sometimes. If some Mondays I tend to wear blue shirts to play along with the 'Monday Blues' mood, yesterday I do it again when Black Friday returned into another round in the calender. I know that I'm not celebrating Thanksgiving due to religious matter, but going all-black H2T on the Black Friday seem to be fun nonetheless. It's not a new thing that I wear black on Fridays, coz it's the best day of the week to wear a color that doesn't being classified as 'real color' in the printing industry. And oh, I hope you know what is Black Friday means. If not, there's always Google.... ngggg!

So, I decided to go black all-around. From the shirt and trousers, the accessories, underwear and outerwear.... they're all black. For the accessories, it's all about 'reuse' what I have in my wardrobe again - my zipper boots by Jimmy Choo, the iPad case by YSL and the tote bag by SEED. The best thing, they're all in luscious, oh-so-intoxicating-smell leathers! What more could I ask for?

For the ensemble, other than my slimfit blazer from Asos - the rest is all Uniqlo. My +J wool slimfit trousers, the studded-cuff slimfit shirt and the crochet knitted tie with some V-dotted element. All highstreet at it's best. And of course, paired with the Lanvin tiebar, which is apparently not black. Errkkss... (you can see the close-up of the tie here). (You can't see my innerwear btw, just so to let you know. But I'm wearing my black Calvins, if you still wondering.Ahaks!)

I think I do made the fashion statement, huh? Somehow it made me think I look like a cool, dark, evil warlock! And nope, I'm not supporting the NZ's All Black either, who won the recent World Rugby, if you're asking...

Even my coffee is black!

Travel in White and Green

It's traveling time today as I took time to drive about 5 hours journey back to my hometown for the Eid-ul Adha celebration. To be honest, I'm not feeling like going home because it's just a short celebration - by Tuesday I'm back to work. But, given that my brother and sis-in-law is here - unlike last year that they left for their Hajj - I think I have to go back though for a short time. Plus, I'm having a big birthday celebration as well with my other two boys and my niece, so I think my presence is absolutely important! (and there might be a barbeque too, just like last year)

Anyway, one thing I hate doing when I got to travel is the packing. (DUH! what else??) However, this time I'm feeling quite at peace somehow coz I don't have any issues in thinking what I should bring with me for this short break. All my clothes are packed in just one weekender, while the other stuff like my IT thingy (netbook + iPad + eHDD) and the camera (and tripod + lenses) - they're all pack in other separate bags. Also, since balik kampung it's always a troublesome in getting a nice blanket for sleep (coz there's a lot of people in the house fighting for one!) - so I brought mine instead. Easy.

The results - all four bags are ready for travel, all in one theme: Off White!

clockwise from top right: Fashion's Night Out canvas-leather tote - Brahmin; weekender bag - Emporio Armani;

leather tote - SEED; pleather tote with side zipper - SEED

Another important thing prior travel is checking the fuel is in full-tank. I am delighted to say that I've returned to use Petronas fuel again after finding out their Primax 95 Extra is much better than the Shell Fuel Save 95. What a surprise, surprise... (at least now I'm doing my part supporting the local brand, huh?)

Btw, upon getting some waffles and mineral water at the Mesra store, the cashier reminded me that I won't be getting any plastic bags today coz it's Saturday. Thank God I spotted the lovely bag-for-life in green color which says : Going Green Starts Here. I said to myself, this is pretty cool... coz somehow if I posted its image in this blog, it could also read the same.

Going Green Starts Here - as in 'going green with envy starts in this blog'; coz I know by looking at my bags and shoes collection in here, some of you already turn a Shrek! Ahahaha!

Anyway, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha.

SEED Black 'n White Lace-up Brogues

New shoes for a new month.

Moral of the story from my previous visit to KL: always go to SEED @ Pavilion to find any new collection in store. Especially if you wanna find the pieces right from its latest catalogue. And man, did I just found a good 'treasure' recently? Yes, the lace-up brogues in black and white splendour. 

Totally lured by its cool factor : the wingtip and brogue details, the slightly chunky welted rubber soles that's very wet-season friendly, and above all - it's black and white color combo which has been my absolute all-time favorite. Given that they offer 20% off that last-day of promotion, what not to take it home? 20% off... mana nak dapat, memang untunggg laaaa.... ahaks!

The store also got some similar brogues in different colors like in the catalogue such as the taupe/white combo, black and brown. Yet, the black 'n white one that's successfully tempted me to be taken away. :)

Mentioning black 'n white shoes, it's not my first pair I own those combo. Previously I've worn my perforated lace-ups by Giorgio Armani during an outing at South Kensington. [click]. And also, the very quirky loafers by Neil Barrett which I hardly wear coz it looks a bit like a dodo bird. Eeek! [click]

my perforated lace-ups by Giorgio Armani

Ka-Ching...Ooops!

Right after my breakfast with my bestest of friend at Hotel Maya during my birthday weekend last week, I thought it was still too early to go home as it's barely 11.00 am in the morning. Upon checking out from the hotel, I realised that I shouldn't miss all the best thing the city could offer coz I'm not here that frequent anyway. While I was around the Golden Triangle area in the capital KL, I thought why not go and visit my fav store at Bukit Bintang instead - where else, other than Pavilion and Fahrenheit88. The initial plan to visit my other shopping spot, 1Utama had to be shelved coz the lure of this two mall is stronger!

So, I parked my car at Fahrenheit88 since they offer the cheapest parking rate ever - RM1 for the first 3 hours, provided that I shop more than RM300 at Uniqlo, or some other stores in the mall. Not too bad, huh, especially when I do wanna get something from Uniqlo. Otherwise, I'd have to pay RM3 per hour, or worse RM5 if at other parking lots. So, okay... Fahrenheit88 is great enough (though had to be very early since the spaces are limited).

Anyway, long story short. Uniqlo - awesome! New +J collection is in store and I am loving the new slimfit trousers in wool/polyester mix fabric. It's like match made in heaven coz it's the best work trousers I've ever found out there in the market - though I do have to admit, it may raise some eyebrows as it does look a bit 'skinny'. Yikes! The good thing is, Jil Sander finally did it right with this final collection. And to me... it's ka-ching!

Next stop, Pavilion which is just across the street. Good weather that day, as if even lure me to get my wallet become thinner. What can I say I'm falling head over heel with the mall after finding out about it in my last visit. Goodbye KLCC, I found a new love! It's a supremo... At SEED, I thought I wouldn't get anything coz not many new stuff on the rails. But while walking out, this eyes of mine is really a very strong preying eagle-type coz I spotted something that just came out from it's Fall/Winter 2011 catalog. Loving it,  and... ka-ching! (what is it? tak yah la cakap..huhu!)

And then, this store and that store. Oooh, that look nice! Ka-ching! And, ooh, that look nice too! Another ka-ching! and more zruss zrass! (the sound of the swiped card, lol!). At last, alamak! After realizing I've been spending almost 3 hours in both stores, it's time to leave (otherwise, more ka-ching siot!!)

Anyway, on my way to the car, I stopped by to get some dessert at Gelato kiosk at Fahrenheit88. Fyi, gelato means ice cream in Italian. There's a lot of choices, and I end up getting the choc mint (coz the color is divine!). Oh, the ice cream is so authentic as it taste the same as the one I tried at Palermo, Italy back in 2009. Magnifico! (though have to shelve more than RM7 for a scoop, eeek!)

So, end of story... there's not many shopping bags carried home that day. But the amount spent on them is on the contrary. Ooops..! *good weekend*

the glorious Pavilion on the good sunny Sunday...

spotted this at Bernard Chandran window display, his new collection for the ladies...

Gelato, delish...!

ka-ching... ooops! :)

Shoe of the Day

My oh my. I'm still feeling extremely tired after last weekend spending in KL celebrating my you-know-what. If given a pillow right now, I would've doze off without I even care. My feet felt it deserve a huge break right now all because of me walking around too much probably - window shopping at KLCC (repeat: window shopping jer okay), and then roaming around at Pavilion KL and Fahrenheit 88 the next day for erm...a bigfat spending spree (abis la credit card zruss zrass!!) - it's all about walking here and there like crazy. I think I spend walking in each place maybe more than 3 hours, which I consider is too typical compared to me spending inside IKEA for almost 4 hours! (hey, banyak katil n sofa nak kena test tau, ahaks3x!). Still, I haven't updated what's happening last weekend, nor whereabout I'm staying for the night. Don't worry, I will... it's just that I need to find suitable time to wreck through all the photos to be edited. So, tungguu...!

Anyway. Today is the first day of November. Can you believe that we're all really speeding off so damn fast through 2011 that we almost come to the end of the year? Neither can I. I'm glad I clocked in to the office very early today - at 7.30 a.m. - which I considered a success, coz usually it's always 8.00 ++ (sometimes the 'plus' is unforgivable, yikes!). Talking about November too, back in the UK the guys are celebrating the 'Movember' - by which this month lots of them will grow their 'mo' (that's short for moustache) in the effort to raise fund to support the prostate cancer awareness. Just like October, where the ladies went pink to celebrate the breast cancer awareness campaign and hence is known as Pinktober. So, guys for mo for prostate cancer, ladies went pink for breast cancer. Make sense? If you ask me which part of the body the dudes over there grow their 'mo'? That I leave it to your imagination... nggg!

Btw, what am I wearing today? I'm in the mood for the lo-pro shoes again, and I've picked the patent leather lace-ups from Zara. Some people said it's a fashion faux pas and never a good choice to wear a patent leather shoes during the day coz the hi-sheen should only be worn for the evening. But, I say never say never (alamak Justin Bieber la plaks!) coz one rule in fashion is that - there is no rules. If you think you wanna wear it, so go for it. Who cares.

What I like about the shoes is the less eyelets for the laces, making it much simpler to tie. And the best part, it's a gradual tone black-to-brown, which made it really stand out. Upon attending the meeting this morning, it became the center of people's talk. Cantik nyer kasut? Apa ni, Jimmy Choo? Ni mesti sebulan gaji aku ni...

Haiyaa, I know that people here already known I wore the Choo, but apparently this one is not. It's just a highstreet shoes. Sebulan gaji? Hmmm.. if you gaji is around RM150 sebulan, then yes to that answer. Ahaks! (RM150 = £30, price during Sale).

The good thing too, I think it's brown back heel go well together with my brown leather bag from SEED. It's that what the fashion mag here said - sedondon. Huhu... :)

BigFat Riding Hood Meet Big Bad Wolf

Last weekend, after attending my cousin's graduation ceremony at Universiti Putra in Serdang, I brought my entourage - my nephews and nieces - to the Big Bad Wolf. Big bad what? Big Bad Wolf, the largest book sale event of the year held at the hall of Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), just nearby UPM itself. This is different compared to any book fest held in this country like the one I attended previously at PWTC and KL Convention Center, coz this event is selling book at discounted prices.

How much discounted? Too much, in fact most are at 75% off. Some are even at 90% I think, that's quite mindblowing. We're talking about the price tags around RM8 for most novels and storybooks, and could go up to around RM100+ for a complete set of a book series or encyclopaedia. Still... they're much, much cheaper than what you see at local bookstores that are selling the same item at full price! Totally insane...

And as insane as the name could be - Big Bad Wolf - its fellow Little Red Riding Hoods (the visitors) are a huge number that I can't imagine. I think it may reach more than 10,000 people in that hall that particular time I'm in. To be able to search for a parking space is a huge effort by itself coz they're apparently thousands of cars around. There're even many shuttle buses to transport the visitors who park their cars quite far away to the main venue in the hall. In fact, I can't believe to be seeing the queue at the main entrance which is actually for those people who wanna board the shuttle bus back to their cars!

So, talking about the books - they're the typical categories like the classic and modern fictions, art and crafts, cookery stuff, hobbies, children books that occupied almost a third of the hall, as well as one big table just for the 'Complete Idiots' books. And so many many more. It so amazing to see oceans and islands of books around... which is what I am crazy about too apart from buying clothes. (You know I have my own library at home, right?) As I mentioned, the price is insanely affordable. Mostly are priced at RM8 regardless of categories, which I think is within anyone's reach. I can see some even came out from the hall with boxes of books... proving that people are really taking opportunity of the price crash. Oh, don't get me wrong though - the books are not in bad conditions at all, if you're reasoning on the low price tags. They're in fact all new books, which is why I am soooo still bemused how they can offer people paying that low!

Anyway, totally loving this event. I understand why it is located at MAEPS (which is also the location of the new Perdana University), coz I'm guessing the hall rental is lower compared to KL Convex which may cost them RM1 million to occupy those exhibition halls. (I know this from an insider!). Despite of heavy downpour, lack of parking space near the hall and the location of the hall that people need to climb the hill equivalent to two-storeys worth of building - somehow it never dampen the visitor's moods to go and visit it. I guaranteed, if they do it again next time, many people will still go to Big Bad Wolf book sale. And so am I - the BigFatBlogger. :)

Where on earth could you find people queue not only to enter a book fest or even to board the shuttle bus, other than at Big Bad Wolf event? Insane...

thousands of people filling up the hall...

thousands of empty boxes. you can just take 'em... carry the books you've picked, and pay at the counter.

ooops, gua punya kasut daaa... not really kasut, but 'shladiator' - the shoe+gladiator combo from Kurt Geiger.

okay, spot which one is the BigFatBlogger? so obvious, huh?

shirt by SEED, jeans by Topman, denim tote by Key Ng

the 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' priced at RM8. If I know this would happen, I didn't bought mine when I was in London before!

The books bought - Trump's Why We Want You to Get Rich. (Pokcik nak kayo, bleh?). The China Chic, coz I'm going to visit my friend in Beijing ... so it's better to get well informed on the chic places over there. And three cookbooks, including Jamie Oliver's Jamie's Kitchen priced at just RM25! Mana ko nak dapat rege camtu.... tak dapat punyer!

Oh, mentioning cooking, someone in Facebook put up this pix that she get from somewhere. The quote says 'A guy who knows how to cook is really handsome'. Well, I know how to cook... so, does it mean that...hehehe. (*mood sipu-sipu*) No komen. Gua handsome tarak, tapi sexy adaaa... bleh? Wahahahaha!

Weekend Break

Packed and ready to go. Tapi malas la plak nak travel...especially to drive all the way. Hmmmm.

Still, can't wait to spend time with the lovely ones. :)

Wordless Wednesday : It's All About Me!

Zamri, 2011 : T-shirt - SEED, Jeans and fingerless glove - H&M, basketball - Spalding

Auburn, 2010 - All About Him

Tauke Bag Seed?

I had a phone conversation with my niece who's studying up north the other day. She's like my own confidante, if I may say, or my gossip partner coz it's from her I can know all the dirts on what's happening around my family members. Oh, yeah.. a lot, like the TMZ online. And one of the topic we talked about recently is during which she went to my sister's house who just had her retirement and now renting in the city at East Coast.

My niece was saying, 'Su, you have no idea how messy Aunty Aini's house is. There're boxes everywhere! Mountains of boxes up to the ceilings. I dunno how to walk to the kitchen, coz I really have to maneuver carefully. And the bags... she has lots of bags, scattered everywhere that looks like it never been properly kept. I dunno whether she really knows how to keep everything tidy!?'

I was just lol-ed. I know my sister is like that, kinda frantic lady that is a complete opposite of me, who apparently is a king of keeping things orderly. I think that's what it takes to be a stockist I guess. For her being a top distibutor in the Tupperware business, that's why she got all those boxes in her house. And messy... well, she's like that for years! (I think all nurses are messy...opps!)

Anyway. Upon listening to my niece mentioning about the bags I then told her, "I got lots of bags too. But they're all kept properly in my wardrobe, not messing around like hers. And I think if Aunty Aini came to my house, she probably snatched mine without a doubt!" And I do mean that since my other sister also did the same. Last time when she visited the house, she snatched some. But thank God they're the bags that are in the category 'Preloved, to find a new love' list. Ahaks!

Talking about bags and scouring thru my bag collection in the wardrobe (and reminiscing some comments from the readers in the previous posts) it seems that one third of my collection is actually from SEED. No kidding. In fact my niece also commented 'Su, tu beg hitam yg dalam blog tu... itu beg baru ker?' 'Beg yang mana? Yang gambar sangkut kat pintu tu ker' I asked. [click!] 'Eheehehe... ye la!' (with guilty giggles...ehehehe).

And it's the truth, coz whenever I came across a good-looking bag at SEED, I will snap it that instant before anyone did. To me, SEED bags are the best-looking one from a highstreet label which can even rival Zara or He by Mango from the Western counterpart. Though the prices are slightly above the typical 'normal' spending range of people here... still, comparing conversion-wise and value-to-money, I think they're worth buying. Not all of them, but only some (you've got to skim the cream, right?) And that's why whenever I found a bag at SEED and me suddeny went ooh, that looks nice - I know that bag is coming home with me. Period.

So, after having quite a number of SEED bags - from the totes to holdalls - I'm becoming quite careful for my next quest of searching the bags from the label. Currently it's all about 'leather' only! No more PU, no more pleather, no more technofabric, no more canvas (except that Mulberry Picadilly lookalike); only leather. And I know exactly where to get the leather SEED bags! (Plus, I got discounts!)

Now with the overgrowing number, can I be a tauke bag SEED after this? Ehehehe.... (guilty giggle)  

Inspiration/Translation : Copy Isabeli

Have you seen the Mango Fall/Winter 2011 ad campaign featuring Brazilian top model Isabeli Fontana? It's absolutely stunning, and she looks phenomenal! Though it's very simple that Isabelli was shot by Terry Richardson against a plain light-colored background, yet it has somehow raised the bar for the fast fashion label to be ahead when it comes to the highstreet campaign.

One pix that I think is the most fantastic of all is this one which has been in most fashion mags lately. Isabeli looking very androgynous yet vampish in red lips with hair pulled back, and wearing a jacket which is somewhat looks ala the famous Chanel tweed and monochromatic from top to toe. Very chic, very stunning and you won't believe that the price tag of what she's wearing would definitely be dearer to the wallet of you ladies (the jacket is awesome. Trust me, I saw it in Mango @ Ipoh!)

[pix from mango]

For the guys out there who like the look of that monochromatic jacket... then you're lucky coz you can also translate that inspiration too. In my previous visit to SEED I stumbled upon this shirt, with the prints in irregular, monochromatic checks that looks almost tweed-like texture from afar. Though it's not a new design to me - coz apparently I saw Topman did the same thing last year, as well as Warehouse who made a Mad Men-inspired dress in the same prints - I love the shirt, nonetheless. The material is quite interesting, has slightly waxed feel. The fit is great, quite figure-skimming.

So. Try to copy Isabelli's look? At least the pose is almost the same, ha! :)

[thank you Padini for giving me the birthday voucher. It's truly worth it!]

The Skull that's Almost McQueen...

When this prying eyes spotted something that looks too good to be true, it can do no wrong. The previous visit to SEED has brought me to capture this one shirt amidst the other clothes on the hangers which I jumped to say, oh my, it's a McQueen! The skull 'monogram' that fills all over the shirt is such a mere resemblance to the printed skull on the famous McQueen scarves is what made me grab it to try on in the fitting room that day.

From afar the shirt looks similar to other printed shirts that you see on the the streets, but ogle it closer then you may came across the McQueen element of it. There're other designers who did the same skull monogram such as Commes des Garcons, as they did it on kilts and t-shirts as well for SS11. When I tried this one... it's an absolute perfecto! From the monochromatic black print on white base, the concealed buttons and the slim-fitting form - I have to say there's no way for me to leave SEED without grabbing this one home with me. 

So, I did....(esp after that 20% off with the voucher, how can I resist?!)

New Bag : Not a Bayswater, Neither a Piccadilly. But Almost.

It started off with an encounter at Padini Concept Store in Ipoh, where I spotted a bag from afar that looked quite familiar to the most desirable bag of all. From the look  I knew straight away that the bag is nothing but resembles a lot to the one by Mulberry. Either it's a Bayswater or Piccadilly, the one that I first saw ticked all the similarities, except for its color which is in brown/taupe combination that is quite a turn off. I do picked it up to have a feel, but then on I just wished somehow that the brand could make a black version since I think it'll look much sleeker.

Fast forward... bam!! I suddenly spotted what I wished for at PCS in Pavillion KL. The hot looking bag in the color that I once dreamed that the brand would do - in black! A mere conincidence, or I am just plain lucky; the bag is sitting nicely on the shelf to lure me to it. I think I can now named it as the SEED Piccadilly instead since the bag is quite similar to the Mulberry Piccadilly - though a tad smaller, by which it's still a weekender. The only difference is the material: if Mulberry is in all-leather (or once in denim too), this one is a combination of leather/canvas. (Or at least, I think it is leather coz it's so buttery soft).

Inside is appreciably roomy which suits to fill up your stuff for a weekend away from home. There's an inner zippered pocket for smaller items, and on the side is the adjustable strap if you wanna change the width for many stuff to fill in. The best part is of course, the flap cover with the lock - which is definitely gonna fool many people that it IS a Mulberry!

Do compare it here [click!] (surely many will be tipah tertipu bang! when they see this...)