The small little things.
Posted by ilyana | Filed under Fashion, Food & Nosh, Misc
I had quite the busy weekend! My cousin got married on Sunday so the whole extended family was camped out at my house scrambling to put together a dinner meal for the guests; the women were chopping up what seemed to be like an endless bag of onions while the men were just sitting down and sipping their coffee. Urgh, men. The only thing they’re good for is the occasional phonecall and when we need them to pay for our shopping >D I got your back, single ladies.
The best/worst thing about having your entire family over at your house (including the ones from overseas) is that they tend to bring over a LOT of food, not that I don’t appreciate food but one aunt bought 5 large boxes of donuts from KL so you can imagine how much of a feast we had in my kitchen! diet confession: I ate 4 donuts HAHAHA…shit.
Aah don’t you remember the days when we were kids and didn’t give a hoot about our weight? Everytime we had access to sweets or cake, we had no qualms about table manners and greedily stuffed our faces with as much junk food as possible, pausing only to savour the taste momentarily.
Hid got me some really cool chocolates and a bag of mints from South Africa! Cadbury South Africa, I LOVE YOU! You make Cadbury Asia look so boring! The Dairy Milk Question chocolate had a question printed on the wrapper, “Are you keen?” and the chocolate had the answers YES or NO imprinted on it so I can imagine this particular chocolate gets sold out very fast during Valentine’s Day lol. I think it’s really cute and tastes even better, it’s dairy milk chocolate with white chocolate creme in it! Hid told me I should give it to a special someone when he comes along but sorry I wait for no man when it comes to chocolate so I shared it with my brother haha!
I love looking at my mother’s vanity table not because of what she has on it but rather what my dad has. He’s got an extensive collection of watches he keeps in a glass coffret, most of them are wind-up watches instead of battery-powered which just makes his collection even more special to me! The man knows his watches as well as I know Prada lol.
One of my fave watches is the kooky colorful watch you see on the left. It’s called Crazy Hours by Franck Muller, a Swiss watchmaker known as the “Master of Complication” because of his knack for creating complex time pieces. Observe the haphazard numbers on the watch? Normally you would think it’s 5:10 but it’s actually 9:10! The hour hand actually jumps from number to number every hour, AMAZING.
My super early new year’s resolution for 2010: GET ORGANIZED AND PLAN AHEAD. The best friend and I got a moleskine daily planner each during the Kinokuniya 20% sale; we’re keeping it sealed in its original plastic wrap until 2010 hits! I think moleskines are the best notebooks/planners around, they cost a little more than what you would expect to pay for a notebook but they are the BEST. I used to be someone who refused to pay more than 10 bucks for a notebook but I got my first moleskine at a heavily discounted price and there was no looking back - after I finished using it, I bought another at full price. They last forever, inspires you to write more and looking at it makes me happy.
What are some of the little things that make you happy? Tell me in the comments!
Tags: fashion: accessories, food: chocolate, food: snacks, life, shopping
Golden Pink FOTD and my almost CHANEL.
Posted by ilyana | Filed under Fashion, Make-Up & Beauty
Golden pink FOTD:
Face:
MAC Studio Fix foundation in NC25
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach
Cheeks:
MAC mineralize skinfinish in Shooting Star (Limited Edition) - my fave bronzer!
Eyes:
MAC paintpot in Rubenesque as a base
Jesse’s Girl eyedust in Salmon Pink
Benefit lust dusters in Gogo Girl
MAC eyeshadow in Shroom as highlight
MUFE Aqua Eyes in 22L as my eyeliner
MAC Browset in Girl Boy
Majolica Majorca Lash Expander NEO
Lips:
NYX lipstick in Indian Pink
MAC x Hello Kitty lipglass in She Loves Candy
Lil note: I think Indian Pink + She Loves Candy is the ultimate shimmery peachy pink lip combo!
I like how if you take photos in the mid-afternoon, the sunrays aren’t particularly strong and the light seems to bounce off your skin creating the illusion of near perfect skin hahaha ;D I did this FOTD on Sunday when we went out to celebrate my mom’s birthday! We had lunch at the Straits Kitchen, Hyatt Hotel and er I think I murdered my diet many times over because I ate so much! It was really good food though so it was worth the extra pound I gained (omg I knowwwwwww)
I got my mom some beauty stuff - it’s a tradition for me to get her lipsticks/lipgloss every year so this year I got her a lippie from Estee Lauder (her fave brand), a dazzleglass from MAC Christmas collection (her fave lipgloss range) and a MAC eyeliner in Engrave.
She loved it but what’s not to like right? Picking presents for your own mother isn’t hard but picking presents for your own wife…not so much because my dad didn’t get anything for her LOL so he said “You can have anything you want this year.” WHAT AN EASY WAY OUT RIGHT? Except my mom told him she wanted a new bag, like a real proper designer bag omg I almost fell out of my seat. My mother isn’t one to go for branded items but I think I may have brainwashed her a little >D
We went to every boutique in Ion from Yves Saint Laurent to Dior to Marc Jacobs where she fell in love with the Stam Bag which I immediately wrestled out of her hands “Sorry Mom this bag is for a different target audience i.e ME.” and then to Bally where she was completely smitten with a bag that reminded me of the Gucci Hysteria. She told me she was looking for a roomy elegant bag with a chain she can bring out for work or dinner so I was like “OMG WE SHOULD CHECK OUT CHANEL, IT’S LIKE THE MOTHER LORD OF ALL CHAIN BAGS!!!!” so I dragged my mom out of Bally and started my little conniving plan to somehow talk my mom into getting a Chanel bag we could share.
Omg you guys should have seen me in Chanel. I was completely oblivious to the world, asking the SA to bring out every bag I wanted: The 2.55 lambskin in black, 2.55 in Beige Caviar with gold hardware (LOVE LOVE LOVE), the Grand Shopping Tote (aka GST) in Black caviar (LOVE LOVE LOVE), everything! I even had two bags strapped on me at one point lol; it was crazyyy! My mom liked the GST a lot so I started my brainwashing session “Omg mom you have to get it - it is SUCH a classic, it’s going to last forever, it’s CHANEL you can’t go wrong with Chanel! It looks so good on you bla bla bla” but in the end my plan backfired because my mom told me the GST suited me more than it suited her baaahhhh.
As we walked out of Chanel and went to look at books in Kinokuniya, I hatched another conniving plan™ I talked to my dad and told him how perfect the GST was and that if he paid half and I paid half, he didn’t have to get me anything for my birthday for the rest of my life! He kinda agreed to it and we headed back to Chanel - at this point in time I was completely bursting with excitement BUT as with all fairy tales, they don’t really happen in real life because when we got back to the boutique there was this loooong queue at the entrance (URGH WHY?!?! CAN’T THEY JUST GO TO LV INSTEAD?!), my parents were too tired to queue by then so goodbye my pretty bag ;__;
I was telling my BFF, Dejiki, that I wanted to stay in bed for the rest of my life and whine about my almost Chanel lol (yeah like that even happened.) Anyway mom got the Bally bag in the end, it’s kinda cool so I’m going to try to steal it from time to time. I hope everyone’s had a good week so far, just a few more days and it’ll be the weekend again!
Til next time~
Tags: fashion: CHANEL, fotd: neutral, life, shopping
If the shoe fits, wear it.
Posted by ilyana | Filed under Shoe Porn
I bring you some shoe porn today since I, er, bought 3 pairs of shoes the past month. I knowww! This addiction is getting slightly ridiculous but they make me so blissfully happy whenever I look at them ~_~
If you know me well enough, you would know that my entire shoes collection are made of flats and skyscraper heels 4″ high and above. I’m no fan of kitten heels and anything below the magical 4″ number because I think kitten heels produce an opposite effect; instead of lengthening your legs, they make you appear thicker in the legs..kinda like a walking tree stump in heels - not so hot.
BUT BUT BUT! I will make the exception to my 4″ rule if a) the shoes are REALLY cute b) the heel height is above 3″ c) it’s well-made and I think my new pair of heels are just that ;D
AREN’T THEY JUST ADORABLE? *_* They’re 3.5″ high and come in this incredibly pretty pewter grey color. I got them at EARLGREYPARTY which is an online shop owned by my friend, Furry! She brings in a great range of shoes and clothes direct from Korea that don’t cost an arm, a leg and your first born child!
We were both in design school together and she decided after graduation to start up her own online shop (such a risk-taker, I love it!). I think she has an amazing taste in fashion, she knows what we girls want so I highly recommend that you check her site out! The site is currently undergoing a major makeover but if you go to the website, there’s a special promotion going on where you enter your email address and you get to win some awesome discount coupons! Oh and she ships worldwide too, cool beans.
Let’s get over the cute and move on to the SEX. I LOVE MY NEW ANKLE BOOTS! I like the classic design, no stupid studs, no feathers poking out - just full on suede. It’s just sexy and timeless. This was the last pair in my size at the recent TOPSHOP sale, I tried them on with absolutely no intention of buying but once they were on my feet, that was the end of it lol. I ~HAD~ TO HAVE IT.
I love the spikey heel, I hope I don’t step on anyone when I wear the shoes out because it will probably hurt like a mother. Speaking of mothers, it’s my mom’s birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMEH! ✿ We’ll be having her birthday dinner at the Hyatt Hotel this weekend so I can’t wait for that! I hope she likes my present (I got her some lipstuff from Estee Lauder & MAC) Ok *COUGH* BACK TO SHOES.
So from the cute to the sexy, we now move on to the PRACTICAL. I don’t wear heels everyday because a) I don’t have a car b) I don’t have a chauffeur to drive me around c) I don’t want to kill my feet before I’m 40 and fabulous.
I bought these Papillio Birkenstock sandals online, they’re actually one size bigger (it was on sale so they only had one size left) but I don’t mind because they are extremely comfortable and they’re nice to look at! I am loving the metallic steel blue texture and the lil’ crystals embedded at the side ♥
In the shoes-I-can-never-afford category, Christopher Bailey’s Burberry leather ankle boots are my current faves! It’s crazy-chunky but that’s why I want it!
Til next time~
img credit: net-a-porter (Burberry boots)
Tags: fashion: earlgreyparty, fashion: topshop, shoes: heels, shopping
I SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST.
Posted by ilyana | Filed under Fashion
If you’re following me on twitter, you would probably know that about 2 weeks ago, I was tweeting about going dirt broke because I bought something ridiculously expensive and that I prolly had to eat soba for the rest of my life.
I didn’t tell anyone what I bought (save for my BFFs) and purposely kept it a secret because I didn’t exactly “purchase” it myself and I didn’t want to jinx anything because I didn’t receive it until yesterday.
OH YES I DID!
Tags: fashion: accessories, fashion: PRADA, shopping
KORRES
Posted by ilyana | Filed under Bodycare, Make-Up & Beauty
Has anyone checked out the new ION ORCHARD mall? I checked it out last weekend and although 20% of the shops there aren’t open yet, I’m impressed by it’s interior architecture and the range of shops available. I went to the luxury boutiques with my Louis Vuitton toting best friend (he owns an LV bag while I don’t even own one high-end bag, the world is such a bleak cruel place) and practically drooled all over miu miu.
Another note-worthy addition to our island’s freakishly small range of beauty brands is Greek brand KORRES, known for their famous Wild Rose range. I went in the store with absolutely no intention of buying anything but I was floored by their lovely, minimalist packaging and like the typical design + beauty product whore I am, I bought two travel-size items from KORRES to try out.
I like how they sell reasonably priced travel-sized versions of their best-selling products so people who are new the brand would be able to try out the product before investing in a full-sized product. Brownie points for that KORRES!~
Oh and another lovely plus point: They’re quite generous with their samples. I was given the entire Wild Rose range (in sample form, of course) to try out and I’m stoked!
My purchases were wrapped up in this eco-friendly fibrous bag which added a nice rustic touch to the whole KORRES branding (here I go again with the design terms, sorry guys I can’t help myself sometimes)
I bought the Guava shower gel and Rice Protein + Oligoelements Shampoo for Fine & Fragile hair.
The Guava shower gel didn’t really smell like guava lol; twas more of a musky amber and aloe vera scent(aloe vera was one of the main ingredients of the shower gel). I’ve been using this everyday now, there’s a slight masculinity to the scent which I love. It doesn’t dry my skin out and the scent lingers even after you’ve stepped out of the shower. I’d probably invest in a full size bottle once I’m done with my small bottle!
The Rice + Olighekiejwhatever shampoo was just okay for me, I’ve only used it once so I’ll update you guys if it really does anything for my hair. It’s got a funny scent which isn’t unpleasant but I just can’t put my finger on what it smells like…it was just weird lol.
I’ve not tried out the samples I received but I can’t wait to! I’ve heard brilliant reviews on their Wild Rose brightening mask so you guys should probably check it out too! If you’re skeptical about spending money on a brand you’ve not heard of before, I suggest you check out their travel-size range which include body scrubs, body milk (their vanilla cinnamon one is d-i-v-i-n-e) etc.
Randomly, the photos in this entry were my first foray in taking photos with my dad’s DSLR. My dad’s had the camera for ages and I never had the guts to use it until now so here are some of the photos I took as I pranced around in my garden looking like a fool in stale make-up…not exactly a pretty sight haha.
*whistles* This is such a long entry, I’m almost proud of myself lol!
Coming up next on tea noir: A series of mask reviews to suit your every need! Moisturising, whitening, acne-killin’ - I’ve got it covered bitchez! Watch out for it ;D
Tags: Bodycare, KORRES, shopping
Yves Saint Laurent: A $60 tribute.
Posted by ilyana | Filed under Shoe Porn
YES I AM BACK from my self-imposed hiatus of laziness and work drama. I’ve just been really tired lately and the only free time I have to write entries are usually only on weekends but most of the time, my weekends are spent with my family (there’s nothing like some family love!).
I do feel guilty for not blogging here but please understand I take a lot of pride in this website, I am very particular (simply put, I am ANAL as hell!) with the content I put up - I shoot all my images (unless they’re from a fashion magazine, of course) and make sure they look pretty awesome before publishing each entry. It takes a lot of work so honestly, I would rather take my time to write a really good entry rather than create some slapstick entry in ten minutes with crappy images stolen from google etc.
OK that’s enough WHY-DOES-ILYANA-TAKE-SO-FRICKIN’-LONG-TO-BLOG? for today’s entry. Let’s talk about a slightly fiercer topic close to my heart: SHOES.
Their shoes, duh - like it wasn’t that obvious already.
Both of them are wearing the Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Two pumps; MK’s wearing the black leather version while lil’ Ashley’s going for a more subdued look with her grey suede ones. Either way I’m JEALOUS. I have been obsessed with these shoes ever since I saw Becki Newton aka Amanda on Ugly Betty wearing them on the show.
It’s just the combination of the thin, splindly 5 inch heel which is made possible to walk in due the platform at the front and the round toe that’s making me go absolutely ballistic for these shoes! Of course like all designer shoes, the YSL tribute two pumps don’t come cheap - they’re about a thousand bucks+++ a pair *whistles*
Now if you’ve got that kind of money or perhaps have a really fashion-conscious socialite for a mother who’s willing to dress you in the latest designer togs, good for you girlfriend BUT FOR US POOR MORTAL SOULS WHO CAN ONLY DREAM OF OWNING A PAIR OF SUCH BEAUTIFUL SHOES, THERE’S ONLY ONE THING WE CAN DO MY FELLOW SISTERS IN HARDSHIP: We wait for the high street labels to create shoe knock-offs.
In this case, the shoe gods have answered our prayers in form of these Miss Selfridge Eleanor pumps which is blatantly a YSL tribute two rip-off but with a $60 price tag hey who’s complaining! The shoes actually cost $99 but lucky me here got them on sale and in the last pair in my size too. Aah, the shoe gods must be smiling upon me.
I know, I know. I have this totally weird habit of shooting things in my garden lol and it’s not as if my garden isn’t pretty! I think it makes a nice natural backdrop against er, everything else haha.
The Eleanor pump only comes in one color: a lovely deep eggplant shade and my god, won’t it look hot when paired with some dark skinny jeans?
photo credit for the twinkly twins: Here.
Tags: fashion: miss selfridge, shoes: heels, shopping, yves saint laurent
Rock me in.
Posted by ilyana | Filed under Shoe Porn
The straps of my tribal-esque sandals finally broke after a year and prior to its death I spent so many weeks hunting for a replacement pair but ended up disappointed and frustrated because it was either the shops I went to had, well quite bluntly, a shit collection or whenever I found something nice, they were out of my size.
Then when my sandals died on me, I found these studded babies just 5 mins into shoe shopping. Shoe destiny is a funny thing.
Tags: shoes: sandals, shopping, studs
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