Life's good in New York City

Trust me, I've been wanting to update this blog earlier but I always ended up being distracted by something else. There is just so much to do, see and eat in this city! Other than acting up as a tourist, occasionally I must stress, I've been buried by the amount of work from my summer school. By the way I forgot to mention that I'm doing Graphic Design in Parsons. Nothing related to fashion, too bad. But I am still glad that I came here!

The dorm that I'm living during the course of my summer school. After that I'll be staying back for an extra two weeks, homeless.

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One of the awesome restaurants that I've been to so far. Indulged myself in a sort of fancy dinner with Jessica at Social Eatz.

Can't get any more Asian with the napkin.

Jess had their legendary Bulgogi burger while I gave their spare ribs a try. I liked my dish but I just wish there was a side, for their Bulgogi burger it came with Kimchi fries, which was superb by the way.

Food aside, loved the interior and the ambience of the restaurant.

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Thanks to Jess, I was able to get out of Manhattan even on a weekday. We walked over to Brooklyn with the infamous Brooklyn bridge while watching the sun set. Since I landed in NYC, I've seen countless beautiful sunset views. Though it's different from experiencing it on the beach, the colour of the sky is still stunning each and every time.

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Just in case you've been missing my style shot posts, here's one to make it up for now.

Cargo Jacket: Zara
Top: Topshop
Black Skinnies: Topshop
Brogues: Monki
Bag: Zara
Watch: Casio
Accessories: MBMJ & Urban Outfitters (wish I could show a close up shot)

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That's it for now! Can't believe I covered all fashion, food and fotography topics in one post.

Before I Jet Off

Just a post before I continue my journey to the states. I was intending to have a quick update before my parents Skype talk me and so I had to write this post on the flight.

I probably just had the best flight food my entire life, ANA's Japanese cuisine was insanely delish that I almost wanted to gobble everything down at once. Can't wait to see what they have for dinner!

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As for most of you who still don't know where am I heading to, here's the post to reveal. I am heading to Honolulu, Hawaii for a semester! 5 months away from Hong Kong as an exchange student in this tourist's paradise.

Denim shirt: Pull & Bear
Tee: Versace for H&M
Leggings: Gap

I've been staying in Mich's place for the last two nights and only finally had my luggage set this morning. Though I still feel unprepared as I was pretty much really chill for the preparations that should be done for this exchange, nothing matters now since I am only 8 hours away from Hawaii.

The girls, Ronny and Michelle sent me to the airport this afternoon.

Turning those frowns upside down.

More updates once I've settled down in Hawaii, yes food posts as usual and also some stuff I during my short break.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Though today wasn't a good day, yet I would like to stay optimistic. Just lost my 2-year companion, iPhone. I've been pretty reluctant to get the iPhone 4S because of its casing design, much prefer the 3GS's. But for now, looks like I have no choice but to upgrade and move on. Hopefully that this lost will bring a little good luck in the other aspects of my life.

Merry X'mas everyone! Had a great dinner with my parents, well mainly it's because my parents are here with me in Hong Kong, as for the food, it didn't quite live up to its hype. Will blog about it soon nonetheless.

This is what I wore for my Christmas eve dinner.

Knitted sweater: H&M
Grey singlet: H&M
Nude slacks: Monki
Metallic Gold Brogues: Zara
Clutch: Charles & Keith
Glasses: Viktor & Rolf

So excited to deal with more admin stuff for my phone tomorrow, NOT. And again, Merry Christmas and enjoy the last day to fully blast all your favorite Christmas songs in a legit way.

Talk About Layering

A quick post before I passed out. It's the perfect time of the year to do layering, not hair, I mean layering different pieces to create a chic outfit that keeps me warm.

So this was what I wore for Yardbird on Friday night.

Knitted Cardigan: H&M
Denim Shirt: 5cm
Stripes Tee: H&M
Black Skinnies: Bandung
Suede Slippers: Topshop
Envelope Clutch: H&M

I have a face that its shape is like a bread now and hair, which is so long that I don't know which side to flip it to. Perfectly depicts my life as a hobo's university life.

Days after finals isn't easy and carefree, I am now working for COVER Magazine to earn some moolah before I fly away. First day of work is good, reminds me of the good times back in Tongue in Chic.

Will update more when I get my camera back.

Oh, and I got my brows done and myself a new pair of specs. As I've said, no camera no latest, recent updates. Boo.

Dear Santa, All I Want For Christmas

Counting down 10 days till Christmas and like everyone else, I have a Christmas wishlist too.

I decided to use the easy way to make the collage, Polyvore. I love how it shows the prices in HKD once you've made your picture. So here goes.

1. Converse Hi-Top Sneakers
2. Michael Kors Chronograph Bracelet Watch
3. Cambridge Satchel Company Exclusive To Asos 11' Yellow Fluro Cracked Satchel
4. Ray-Ban Clubmaster
5. Urbanear Red Headphone
6. Black Skinnies

The Cambridge Satchel is only something I want instead of need. I've been loving the neon yellow shade and since this version exclusive for ASOS is on sale right now, that's the reason it made it to my wishlist.

As for the others, they'll come in as being trendy handy when I'm in the land of warm sun and beaches. I think it's starting to be more like a Christmas shopping list than a wishlist.

So who's going to be my secret santa this year?

Because the weather's being indecisive

Top: Versace for H&M

Shorts: Monki

Stockings: Online

Socks: H&M

Boots: Monki

Watch: Casio

Photo credits to Michelle Lau

Hong Kong weather is like a fickle-minded old lady. One day it's above 20 degree Celsius, the next day you'll get strong, chilly wing blowing right into your face, forcing you to put at least three layers of clothing on.

This morning was sunny and a little warm, then halfway through the mid day, I started to feel the cold right in my bones.

Semester just ended and I still have a few courses to wrap up, finals to prepare, stuff to handle for exchange. Can't wait till Christmas eve with my parents here in Hong Kong.

What do I want?

Denim shirt - 5cm; Scarf - Versace for H&M; Watch - Casio; Bag - Charles & Keith

Yes, I've been saying that I'm interested in fashion and wanting to pursue a career in this industry since forever. Everyone has a dream job and a goal to achieve but how many of us are actually already putting an effort in achieving it.

You see those successful people out there, most of them started out at around this age. While here I am, having my ass stuck to this uncomfortable chair in my dorm, trying to understand as much biology as possible for the finals. The irony in it, I'm not even a science major.

Time management is crucial while you're studying overseas. Mom and dad are not here to tell me when to study and when to have fun. I have to balance it out all by myself and to be honest, sometimes I do get carried away by the non-academic stuff.

Anyhoo, I decided to ramble on this today because I am about to make a really expensive decision for the first time in my life. Will reveal it when it's the right time but if you followed me on Twitter, you'll probably know what I'm talking about.

So, back to the lecture videos and notes.

Flirt Around with Vintage

Back in Hong Kong, just struggled through a whole day of classes and I was so excited to leave my last class that I forgot to hand in my assignment. No fret, just have to drill it into my mind to hand it in on Friday then.

While I was home, mama sorted out the clothing that I don't wear anymore, either to be given to my cousin or donate it away. In the end, these two were some of the few pieces that I decided to keep. It's some vintage bargain that I manage to grab a few years back.

Top: Vintage

Belt: Vintage

Shorts: Cotton On

Watch: Casio

My post on my night spent on the streets for the Versace for H&M is selected as one of the entries for The Independent Fashion Bloggers's weekly roundup. Click the link to read more interesting posts from the other bloggers. 

Now, I need to get back on to the usual track, start flipping the books and meeting deadlines again. Can't believe I'm going to be out of Asia in a month's time! I need to start on my US visa like now, tomorrow!

As usual, some Malaysian food posts will be up, think something local that we chinese have in the morning. 

DIY Studded Collar

I don't really do DIYs because I prefer to keep how my clothing the way they are. But this DIY was inspired by one of those artistic pictures that I came across and coincidentally I have this one shirt that I'm having a love-hate relationship with it.



What you'll need:
Studs
Collared button down shirt

First, you'll need to find some inspiration. Trust me, I had all these images in my head when I lay down the shirt and studs on the table. It's hard to visualise all of it, so my advice it try to find some design that you might like on the net and make some changes while you're doing afterwards.

For me, I spent my first half an hour scrolling through Tumblr.

After having a little idea on how to start, you can now lay out the items. I used my Cotton On denim shirt, which I got it during sales. The colour has faded and it's no where near denim blue but I still love to have it in my closet. So I decided to put it up for a DIY.

The outcome! It's like a substitute for the collar tips trend and it spices up my outfit when I match it with a sweater.

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My 2-and-a-half-year long companion just died on me and the pictures for this posts were taken using my mom's Lumix GF-2. Still exploring all those function on the mini semi pro camera.

In exactly 24 hours from now, I'll be back in Hong Kong.

Week of Madness

Finally the week of madness has finally came and pass by. Right now I'm blogging from the Hong Kong International Airport. I actually wanted to write a post for the Thanksgiving but I only manage to finish packing at 1a.m and crashed on my bed around that time. Woke up at 5 this morning, called for a taxi with my lousy, out of tune canto. So here I am, waiting to board the plane.

Anyway, who say's you can only be thankful on the Thanksgiving. This year has been such a great year for me, I've learnt so much from the things that happened around me and the people that surround me. Also, I've met so much new people who are amazing and inspire me to do better in what I'm doing right now. Tried being different, took the risk and now I'm happier than ever. I do believe that one should follow their passion even if it sometimes require them to defy the norm (the norm in this case: join the banking industry).

Being an avid H&M fan, it was like a dream come true when Tongue in Chic shoot me the invitation for the Summer/Spring 2012 preview in the Hong Kong H&M headquarters. Dropped by the office to take a peek of the collection yesterday, met new people and pluck out my courage to talk to a blogger that I personally like. Found some really neat stuff from the collection and I can't wait to get my hands on them! Stay tune to TiC's page as I'll be posting about the preview and some of my personal picks soon!

5 minutes till boarding, 5 hours till touch down. Malaysian food, here I come!

Just a lil' sharing, surfed Lookbook just now and I notice that the orange colour wave is hitting us soon. However if you're not a big fan of orange, green will do fine as well. Hopefully I could do a style shot with these two colour in it soon.

Versace for H&M Timeline

One of the must-dos when you're in Hong Kong, ticked! Queued the whole night, waiting for the launch of Versace for H&M. First time I slept on the streets, my parents would probably call me up on Skype after reading this post and call me crazy. Well, that's the whole point. Me, Maggie and Ida decided there's no better time to do crazy stuff other than when you're in the university phase. I wouldn't say that I did that in the name of fashion, 'cause I wasn't too enthusiast in the whole collection. We did it because we thought it was crazy and we'll probably only going to do it once in a lifetime.

So it all started after we left Carnegie's.

1.45 a.m - Reached Central, found the line and got settled. All we had was a bottle of water.

3.00 a.m - Started a little reading but ended up having a long chat on job opportunities with Ida.

4.00 a.m - Stoned a while, decided that I should sleep since Ida was already treating my book as her pillow.

5.30 a.m - Woke up for a slight while then went back to sleep again. Felt shitty and thought, why am I doing this again?

6.00 a.m - Central was back to its usual busy scene. Hearing trucks and buses passing by, not helpful at all for me to fall back asleep.

6.30 a.m - H&M team started briefing on how the queueing system works.

6.55 a.m - Bands were handed out.

7.30 a.m - I went around and scouted for a few style shots.

8.05 a.m - Everyone was ushered into H&M.

This was the moment that we all been waiting for. After all, we weren't entirely there for the clothing. The first batch went in at 8.05 a.m and we were on the outside looking at the people, literally sweeping every single thing on the shelves. It was definitely a jaw-dropping moment.

Since we had more than an hour to kepoh (read: meddle) around, we talked to the people who bought not 2, not 3 but 7 huge ass bags of Versace for H&M and to know that they've spent HKD 40,000 on it. At the store front, they were even 'paparazzis' shooting away and interviewing the shoppers that came out of the store with more than 5 number of bags. We even manage to see people putting on masks so that they won't be recognise by their friends or colleagues if they picture happen to be published to the public.

Crazy huh? All three of us totally agree the night spent outside on the street was kind of justified.

9.10 a.m - Queued a while outside the designated area and started discussing on which item was worth getting.

10.15 a.m - Decided, paid and left the store.

It was good that we were pretty calm about the whole process. Maggie even helped someone to pick the stuff since she didn't have anything in mind that she really wanted to get. Me and Ida even chatted with a guy from the H&M's support office while waiting for our turns.

If you were wondering, some people did camp there as early as 7p.m for the money. I saw people exchanging the bands while walking to MacDonalds and they were paid for more than HKD500. The people that was bagging all the Versace for H&M products, no doubt some of them would actually sell them on the eBay or Yahoo Market.

Also, bumped into the all-time Lookbook celebrity, Camille and took a style shot of her as well. She's such a sweetheart!

By the way, some updates already done at the Shop.

What's On Your Feet This Fall?

It's been a dreadful week and I'm glad that it has come to an end and here it is, my lovely weekend! Though I have to confess, this is the first time that I tried making no plans for it 'cause I know my academic workload is not quite done yet.

Anyway, all I have been thinking of this week was about this topic that I am going to share and what good food to have this weekend, typical me.

I've been longing to write about these footwear but what I've been finding was the name of the footwear and finally, in a week, I came across the names. That week, just had to be the week when I'm busy preparing for my mid terms, life.


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Slippers from Topshop; worn here, the missing shoe found!

Slippers or some may call it loafers, is one of my new additions this fall. When I shop, there are a few reasons that I use to convince myself that it would be a good deal. In this case, I picked it because it reminded me a bit of Michael Jackson and my instinct told me that this is the item that I should get at that time.

As accurate as my instinct could be, I came across the Christian Louboutin Rollerball Spikes Loafers right after I got mine. There is a slight different, the front flap of slippers is actually shallower than a proper loafer design.

Credits: here

Wicked isn't it? This also reminds me of my spikey.


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Chelsea boots is the it winter footwear this year. This of course is on my wishlist right now, *hint hint*.

ASOS ALIBI Leather Chelsea Ankle Boot

My ideal Chelsea boot, much similar to Dr Martens 2976. Next up is also one DIY project I've found some time ago and have been itching to share!

Credits: The Style Crusader

Do you smell a DIY project from this picture? I do! So here you go, a DIY Sparkly Boots done by Steph and Trish from Le.Fanciulle.

Credits: Le.Fanciulle

The glittery trend has been going on for quite some time now, since it's a really simple and cheap DIY. I reckon it could even be done on your old pair of sneakers, cue from Miu Miu Fall 2011 Glitter Sneakers. If you happen to be one those who needs to rely on a tutorial for the sneakers, no fret, here's one!

So, what's on your feet this fall?


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Despite having to go through all the troubles to leave the credits and source everywhere for the right information to share about what I love, it's worth it after all. As cliche as it may sound, sharing is caring and at the same time, I get to stumble upon so many more wonderful, inspiring blogs!

Next week isn't going to be any easier and hence my apologies if I don't update as frequent as I would want to.

On the weekends, I'm a tourist

I've always considered myself as a tourist whenever I'm exploring new places around Hong Kong. I get intrigued by almost everything around the city.

After the lip smacking Butao ramen, I insisted the boys to go around the corner and look for the Central Police Station.

On the way up, this is also one of my favorite place in Hong Kong.

Mission accomplished! So apparently I've been passing by this building a thousands times whenever I'm heading down from Soho to LKF. Like I've said, the morning and night experience of passing by the same street is never the same.

A hawker street spotted in Central! Have you seen this? My first impression was, oh my, this is so Malaysian!

The boys, Clayton and Xiang Hui, who took the effort and time to join me in being a tourist around Central.


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Top: H&M
Shorts: PDI
Flats: Steve Madden
Necklace: H&M
Bag: Charles & Keith
Watch: Casio