Archive for November, 2008

I want!

November 25, 2008 · Filed under home, Hong Kong · Tagged , , ,

G.O.D just released these doormats and what perfect timing! I wanna get one for my new apartment. It’s HK$150, about S$30. Not cheap but still ok lah, not exorbitant.

I’m deciding between these two but I think i’m more inclined towards the first one. Yipee, can’t wait!

Meanwhile, G.O.D also has these new spastic mouse (mice?). So funny bunny:


Speaking of my new apartment, I’ve just moved all my stuff over. Or rather the movers did. I just sat and held the doors open for them. :D

Pretty value for money for S$140, given that I’m currently staying in a 6 floor walk-up. O_o

My last night in Angelia’s place. When I return to HK on 10 Dec, I’ll be moving straight into my new place and hopefully, the place is done up as I visualise it to be.

Will be updating from SG next!

Comments (6) »

Yi Lian & Happiness is being a Mermaid go to Fash Bash!

November 23, 2008 · Filed under fashion & shopping, Happiness is being a Mermaid, Singapore · Tagged , , ,

I finally found some time to update Happiness is being a Mermaid and I’m happy to say that the dresses are coming back to SG (‘cept a few that were sold) with me to Fash Bash!

I’m returning to SG for about two weeks from 28 Nov to 10 Dec for both work and leisure. Need to be in SG for the Retail Innovation Summit from 2 to 4 Dec and then clearing my leave at the same time.

And when I return to HK on 10 Dec, I’ll be moving straight to my new apartment! So much logistics to clear before I leave next Friday. But yayy, can’t wait!

Meanwhile, here’s my profile on Fash Bash’s website:

Lowdown:

Date: 6 Dec, Saturday
Venue: The Cathay, 2 Handy Road
Time: 5pm – midnight
Stall no: 5 (*mumbles* I like round numbers)

So if you’re in the area, come by and say hi!

The vintage pieces I’m selling are real affordable. They range from S$48 to S$108. Well, times are bad. And to make the deal sweeter, I’m having a little promotion:

10% off 2 dresses
15% off 3 dresses
20% off 4 dresses

And if I really like you, I may go up to 30% off if you buy 5 dresses or more. Hahaha

Leave a comment »

Fluff stuff

November 21, 2008 · Filed under beauty, fashion & shopping · Tagged , ,

I’m usually not a me-me quiz person but since this one that’s going around now is such a fashion and beauty related one and seeing how I’m such a fashion and beauty whore, I’ll do it!

Name?
Yi Lian

Height?
5’5.

Age?
25

Tomboy or Girly Girl?
Both. They take turns to come out.

Describe your beauty routine?
Morning: Brush teeth (I don’t shower in the morning, esp not during autumn in HK!), cleanses, put on 3 layers of moisturisers, 2 layers of eye creams and then finish with sunscreen. Then makeup routine.
Night: Remove makeup, shower, brush teeth then night beauty routine. 2 layers of serums then 2 layers of moisturisers, 2 layers of eye creams, 1 layer of body serum then 1 layer of body moisturiser. HK is dry leh!

Describe your hair?
Straight bob with fringe with red and blonde highlights and dark brown base.

Describe your personal style?
Deconstructed on most days and vintage for some days. I enjoy mixing thrift, high street and designer together.

Do you…
Like metrosexual boys?
Not as my guy. I like my guy to be a men’s man. But I can’t do without my gay friends – love them to death.

Like accessories?
Of course! Love them so much that I created Summer Fly two years ago. Sometimes, I dress my outfits around my accessories instead of the other way round. 

Like high heels?
Yes though I hardly wear them. I save them for occasions such as events or client meetings. Moreover, I tower over Matt when I wear my heels so I try to be more considerate. hahaha

Like matchy matchy, or mix and match?
Mix and match – definitely. Hates matchy matchy. 

Spend a lot of money on beauty products in general?
Not for now as I’m still using my leftover from the beauty freebies from my previous job. But once they’re finished, I foresee “a lot of money” spent on them. :/

Shop online for clothes?
Used to do it a lot more but not anymore. I try to shy away from temptations as much as possible though I’m still a hopeless shopaholic. But that said, I spent an average of an hour a week shopping? Anything more and I’ll get impatient and frustrated. I’m just not a window shopper. 

favorite…?
Article of clothing in your closet?
Currently, it’s my CK Calvin Klein grey deconstructed dress.

Makeup line?
Shu Uemura though I’m currently not using anything Shu Uemura in my makeup routine. 

Skincare line?
Wah, hard to choose. I’ll pick La Mer.

Perfume?
Annick Goutal Mandragore.

Colours to wear?
Black, grey, white and red. I used to be a lot more colourful but there’s just something effortless and classic about solid monotones.

What is a trend you dislike the most?
Leggings under anything. I love leggings but not just with everything and anything you fancy. It’s hard to wear leggings right. And I don’t wanna be mean here but women with bigger than average thighs and calves should really keep away from leggings. They don’t have a slimming effect, they emphasise.

What is your fashion philosophy?
Always be confident in what you’re in. Confidence is sexier than the sexiest outfit.

What kind of shoes do you like?
Aiyo, so hard to pick! I like both ‘fierce’ studded shoes and feminine ballet pumps. I like extremes.

What is your biggest fashion problem?
I can’t wear nude even though I think it’s one of the sexiest colours ever. 

What trends do you think should come back?
Trends make their rounds. Don’t need to worry about their eventual return.

What one piece are you dying to add to your wardrobe?
I was thinking about one particular black dress from my fave store for ages and I managed to acquire it recently at 30% off so I’m happy – for now. What I really want now is a great winter coat from Max Mara. I’ll get it if I don’t have to pay bloody rent but I have to so… :(

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
45 minutes.

Would you ever go out in public without makeup?
Yep. But not as often as when I was younger. Not getting any younger you know.

If you had a fashion budget of 1 million dollars, where would you shop, and why?
OMG. PLEASE DON’T GIVE ME SUCH A THOUGHT. Erm, Alexander Wang, Max Mara, Jil Sander, Dior Homme, Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten, Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Givenchy, Lanvin, Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garcons, Max Mara, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Balenciagia, Junya Watanabe and Yves Saint Laurent. Is it in 1 million pounds???

Is there anything you absolutely CANT wear?
V-neck.

If you had to pick one designer to wear for the rest of your life, who would it be, and why?
Wah lau! That’s like asking me something about computer programming! Erm, shit. Ok. Jil Sander. Structural silhouettes, classic colours and high-equality materials – they’ll definitely last me for the rest of my life.

Comments (4) »

Matt, the TV star

November 19, 2008 · Filed under family, love, Singapore · Tagged , ,

For the past week, both Matt and I have gotten messages about seeing Matt on Channel 8 trailers. The boy’s had strangers asking if it was him that saw on TV and Matt would say, “no, no. It’s just someone who looks like me.” hahahaahah

But the truth is, yes, that’s him and my family on Channel 8 with him. A couple weeks back, Martin happily gave Matt’s number to his producer friend without asking Matt for his permission. His friend was looking for expats living in Singapore and when he heard from Martin that Matt stays with his girlfriend’s family in a HDB flat in heartland Tampines while his girlfriend is living and working in HK, he probably observed an interesting angle for his programme.

Matt was rather unwilling, seeing how he had to take time off work and truthfully, he had nothing to gain from this. Apparently, they hardly asked him about his job, so no coverage there at all and him taking time off work means earning less for him. Ah well, it’s over.

We really wanted Kirsten and Seth to be around for the filming in my parent’s place but the film crew was only coming by at 6pm and Sis was adamant about not breaking the kids’ schedules. HMPH. I really wanna see them on TV though. :( Anyway, I won’t be around when it airs on 21 Nov. This Friday! 8:30pm.

I really hope the producer kept to his words of giving Matt a copy of the programme (I’m kinda cynical when it comes to promises like that though). Anyhow, Matt said he would put me on Skype to watch it via webcam so I don’t have to wait! Yayyyy

So, there would be my parents and brother on the show with Matt. And me? I would only appear on photos. hahahaaha

Comments (5) »

Sunset from the office

November 18, 2008 · Filed under Hong Kong, love, work · Tagged , ,

That’s the view we’ve had for the past few days in the office at about 5:30pm. Now that we’re in autumn, the sky gets pitch dark by 6pm.

However, the weather’s really lovely in the day. Cool at 20 degree Celsius but clear, blue sky with bright, bright sun. I like how a cardi over is perfect for my adjustment to the temperature change but when winter rolls around in Dec, I’m really not quite sure how to dress for it. I’ve decided to wait till winter before I decide if I need a coat, since I’ve no idea how my body will take to it.

Hmmm, I really love the view. I would just stand there for a minute, look out, have a quiet mind and that would cheer me up considerably.

:)

By the way, before the day ends, happy 8 months baby!

Comments (2) »

My new and first apartment

November 17, 2008 · Filed under home, Hong Kong · Tagged ,

I’ve just signed the lease today so I guess it’s safe for me to share it here!

So, as of 10 Dec, I’ll be moving to my new place! It’s a two-bedroom apartment at Mid-Levels in Central. So yes, H&M is walking distance, amongst many other stuff like CK Calvin Klein (ah-hem), my fave condensed milk toast, Yung Kee Goose, my fave wanton mee in HK, beautiful art galleries and yes, Lan Kwai Fong, Soho and Hollywood Road.

And for Matt, a gym (or two. Or three), Subway and all-day breakfast cafes. Oh, there’s even a wet market that sells fresh and cheap meat, veggies, fruits and flowers! Yayyyy, flowers! These are not for Matt, of cos of cos. But the auntie in me.

I’ve all my luck to thank for in getting this place. Polly, my colleague whom I mentioned earlier, wanted to move out of her current apartment, which she’s been staying for the past 3 years. So she was helping her landlady looked for a new tenant. She heard that I’m looking for a place, asked me on the first day we were in Bangkok and I went to view her place on the same day I arrived back in HK from SG last week and so quickly, I’ve decided I wanted it and today, I’ve signed the lease!

Also, Polly is so sweet to leave most of her furniture behind so I’m really, really fortunate I can save a big bulk of money.

The landlady has kindly offered to do a small scale renovation so I get to choose whatever colours I want for my apartment. I can’t wait to be done with doing up the place and see how my new place turns out! I have the vision in my mind but let’s see if it turns out better or worse in reality.

Some pictures!


(Left pic): The view of the kitchen from the entrance of the apartment.
(Right pic): The view from the bedrooms and kitchen. I can see IFC!


(Left pic): View of the small room from the the room’s entrance.
(Right pic): Same for the bigger room.


(Left pic): The little area to the bathroom and kitchen. I’ve taken to calling it the creative space.
(Right pic): A small part of the kitchen.

I’ve got a mover to move my stuff on 27th Nov so when I return to HK on the 10 Dec from SG, I can go straight to my new place and suss out the cleaning, locksmith and broadband Internet stuff. Phew!

I can’t wait to see my new place!! As in, exactly how it will be after I have put my own personal touches to it. Can’t wait, can’t wait. And now, to acquiring household stuff! Woot! I’ve always been a sucker for buying household items and now I finally have the justification to do so. Pretty stuff, be mine!

I was telling Zikang and Esther, my very few Singaporean friends in HK, over the weekend when I met them that I’m gonna have a housewarming but I can only have four people over at any one time cos I don’t think each room in the apartment can take more than two people. hahahha, damn sad. But I’m just happy to finally have a place of my own. Maybe I can finally feel more physically and mentally settled in HK.

:)

Comments (11) »

All grown up

November 16, 2008 · Filed under love, my life, work · Tagged , ,

3am. And I was putting on my night moisturiser, looking at my reflection when reality seeped in deeper than it usually does.

“Wow, I can’t believe I’m having the life I’m having now.”

Not in a OMG-it’s-so-good-i-can’t-believe-it way. But tell me I’ll be exactly where I am right now in terms of emotional growth, career and romantic love 18 months ago and I would tell you off for bullshitting me.

I was 24 last year. And that was also the year I finally called myself a woman – a properly grown up adult. My adulthood came a little later than your average 21. The truth was that I never felt like I developed mentally nor emotionally till I was 24.

I went through heartbreak – like most women would in their lifetime but many deal with it in different ways thus, not everyone comes out of it the same. Some more cynical; some more hopeful. Some destroyed; some empowered. Some succumbed; some trumped.

I would like to think I took on all the positive cards. I went through loneliness like I’d never before, weak and depressive thoughts that I thought I never would. But I dealt with it like many of us do and did.

I came out of it still a hopeless idealist in love and more at peace in my own company than I ever was. And I thought maybe that’s it to growing.

I remember how I kept telling Karen how excited I was about my life cos I could literally feel anything and everything could happen and god, it so did.

I met and fell for a guy who loved and adored me so much that I never knew I could be loved this way. My dream of working and living in another city and travelling to many others fell onto my lap. And my dream of finding a lovely place of my own in a foreign city also fell right into my path.

Getting my own place was one of the many thoughts that kept obsessing my mind. But I knew with all my travelling and the upcoming festive periods, I had to hold off my apartment hunt. Then, the apartment happened (more on this another day).

It’s truly lovely how when you’re keeping positive thoughts and sending likewise positive messages out, the Universe just does its bits to get you what you wish for. It’s times like that that makes me really believe in the power of karma.

Gawd, I’m getting all spiritual here. It could be the book I just finished – Eat, Pray, Love. A great book that Hanafi and Cat got me as a farewell gift. I swear, the book’s arrival could never be more timely. Was that a sign as well?

So what I’m saying is that, when you think you’ve reached the end of your personal evolution, fat hope. Whatever change you are going through, it’s always and only just the beginning.

;)

Comments (5) »

Extended SG weekend

November 13, 2008 · Filed under family, friends, Singapore · Tagged , , , ,

I flew to SG from BKK before heading back to HK last Friday through to early Tues morning. And it was a much-needed trip. This time round, I didn’t pack my days and I was happy I spent enough time with my family and Matt and some time with the girls, especially with Bern and Sue. I also managed to catch Karen, go to Topshop and got new highlights for my hair.

On Saturday, Sue and I brought Waffle to Sis’ place. Kirsten was so happy to see Waff. She kept going “Waffle! Waffle! Waffle!” When her neighbour Ruo Ting came around to ask, “Kirsten, come and play with me!” The prissy girl replied with, “I cannot play with you. I’m very busy you know.” O_o That from a 2 yr 10 mth old girl. Poor Ruo Ting, who was 4 years old, if I’m not wrong, pleaded, “Please Kirsten, you haven’t played with me for a long time!” Kirsten replied, “Cannot! I’m very busy!” and she sat there stroking Waffle…

Sue and I gave each other “Ok… Awkward!” glance. I was carrying Seth and as usual, he was like “whatevs!”

Super funny pic of best pals Waff and Seth. According to Sue, they were looking at me.

Super funny pic of best pals Waff and Seth. According to Sue, they were looking at me.

After that, Terelle came over as she had earlier heard a doggie was coming to Kiks’ place and they played up a storm while Seth was still whatevs.


I super love the pic of Seth above in his uniform.

After that, Kiks was hungry and a habit of hers is such that when she’s hungry, she’ll chew on her hankie. She went to her bedroom, pulled out the drawer and took out a hankie. Oblivious to Sue’s and my observations, she noticed a hankie peeping out of the drawer, walked back to the shelf of drawers, pulled the guilty drawer out, used one little finger to poke in the hankie, shut the drawer, stepped back and was finally satisfied everything was in place.

So anal!!! Fellow Capricorn Sue (and I but I’m not anal) was proud and said “well done!” as Kiks walked past. I later asked the helper to prepare Kiks’ milk and she asked Kiks how much milk she wanted and Kiks was like, “Hmmm… 180(ml).”

Sue and I exchanged incredulous looks and I couldn’t believe my ears. I went to the bedroom to irritate Seth but I could hear Kiks going, “Yi Yi! Where are you, Yi Yi?! I want Yi Yi to feed Kirsten milk.” -_-

She’s so prissy but I still love her to bits.

The next day, the kids came over to my parents’ place and after lunch (more on that later) with the girls, Bern dropped me off at my place and popped over to get my iPod and see the kids. Kiks was happily showing Bern her ‘painting’ and fave colours.

When I was at the salon the next day, Sis called and told me Kiks wanted to call Bern to tell her she got a mossie bite. And I was like “erm sure! Call her?” Aiyo, that girl!

Anyhow, Japanese ala-carte lunch at that place at Miramar Hotel in SG, complimentary of Sue and Pom! They both recently got promoted (congrats pals!!!) and gave us treats.

A proper pic

And then a not-so-proper one (tsk, Daph!)

Leave a comment »

I see him again

November 13, 2008 · Filed under love · Tagged ,

An arm’s length away
He moves
Just like how my mind
had imagined him to.

I ponder upon its reality
and just then
his muscles twitch
and nose sniffs.

The hand rushes out to touch
his flesh
his warmth
but hesitates and pulls back.

“Let it not ruin this dream.
Let it not.”

Leave a comment »

WGSN goes to Bangkok

November 13, 2008 · Filed under travel, work · Tagged , ,

So quickly, a week has came and gone. The last time I had a proper entry was the night before Bangkok and here I am, back in HK, done with BKK and done with SG. It feels bittersweet cos I was looking forward to the travelling part of my job and though I’m exhausted as hell now, it feels sad that they are all over (for now).

I can’t compare myself to Angelia or Amy who travel more extensively and for longer periods than mine but this is the first time I’m doing this and I was counting the other day, I was in 5 cities within 3 weeks!

Manila/HK/Shanghai/HK/Bangkok/SG/HK.

There’s this perpetual tiredness that I just can’t shake off. And it doesn’t help that I just can’t bloody sleep on planes. But I’m sure it’ll get better over time. Well, I hope it does. It better bloody does. -_-

Anyhow, just an entry of the short 2D/2N company trip in BKK from 5-7 Nov:




That’s me and Jessie – one of my many fave colleagues in my company. She’s always so happy and funny. And above are Elaine (I mentioned her earlier), Polly (a fellow Singaporean) and Angelia.

We stayed at the Grand Millenium Sukhumvit, which is a way nicer hotel than I imagined it to be. The bed, pillows and sheets were really luxurious and I love the bathroom’s open concept that allowed me to watch CNN while I was soaking.

It was a great conference as everyone gets to meet everyone from the Asia Pacific teams of WGSN. It’s great to put faces to some names we’d been emailing for months. There were staff from Korea, Japan, India, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines and of course, Hong Kong, which also covers China. Our CEO and Content Director from London also flew down. So it was great to meet the extended family and our big bosses. Of course there are still the London team (which is massive) and teams from other cities such as New York, LA, Sao Paulo and other European cities. Those, I wonder when would we ever get to meet.

There were approximately 60 of us in Bangkok and I thought it was especially generous of the company to give us a room each and a lot of us actually got the club floors too! Among the 60, only 6 of us are in the content team while the rest are mostly sales managers.

So on the second day of the conference, during the parts where it really didn’t involve us content contributors, our content director had one-to-one meetings with each of us over breakfast, which was great cos all of us slept in instead of getting up to catch breakfast before the conference.

After which, Louise (the team’s new translator) and I had more than an hour to burn so we sneaked off to the pool:


The pool area was surrounded by spa music, the sky was a perfect blue and it was just the two of us lounging about. I was happy that I actually managed to get a light tan in 20 minutes but I think more than anything, we were stoked that the two of us whiled our time away at the pool while everyone else was in the conference. hahahaha

All of us commented how we didn’t feel like we were in Bangkok until the second night when we hit the night market. It was a trip out with the content team. We went to Cabbages & Condoms for dinner and well, it didn’t feel like we were in Bangkok either cos almost every diner was a Caucasian. The food was moderately good but still, I had better Thai food. But I’m glad we went there anyway, I’d always wanted to try it out after reading about it for years.

And guess who I bumped into at the night market?

I was so darn happy to see Sue!!!

I was so darn happy to see Sue!!!

I first saw Renyi, Sue’s bf and was thinking how familiar he looked then realised he’s Renyi then realised that he and Sue were supposed to be in BKK for the weekend and that’s when I yelled out Sue’s name. Gawd, you should see how I really tried to get into the stall even before I spotted the couple. I was eyeing this purple Smurfette T-shirt on the mannequin (see Sue’s right) but this guy… Gawd, he was such a queen! Honestly, I do love my gay pals cos god knows why, I just love them and I just need to have them in my life but I’d never met any one as queenie as this one!

You know how narrow the night markets’ stalls were. I was trying to get in but he was literally blocking the entire entrance and this is the scenario:

He saw a T-shirt that says “Mr Tickle” and he was gushing, “OMG! That’s totally me!” and went on to tickle his guy pal while going, “See? Tickle tickle tickle! Tickle tickle tickle!” I was appalled and couldn’t help but stare for a while. But I guess I had Mr Tickle to thank. That’s when I spotted Renyi. Hahahaha, thanks Mr Tickle!

Anyhow, I was catching up with Sue fast and furious while trying to watch where my fellow shoppers had gone while wanting to try on the T-shirt. Before I knew it, Renyi got me the T-shirt – I didn’t even know if I wanted it! But I do love it now. Thanks guys! I washed it once I got back to SG and wore it on Saturday for Matt’s and my movie date. 

And with that, I ran off to join the rest. So happy to see them! :)

But oh, guess what. I didn’t have a single massage in Bangkok. O_o Yes, I know. Like seriously.

Comments (2) »

« Previous entries
Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 119 other followers