CHICKENS FOR MY LOVE

Iylia and I had our 2 year anniversary over the past weekend. Because he has been good to me and put up with my endless ramblings, crazy singing, met with my constant food cravings, and just basically be a great buddy and boyfriend, I awarded him with a box of Chicken cupcakes filled with Nutella courtesy of Kustom Cupcakes!

We are the sort of people who’s more into humour than romance. Our couple style is spending special occasions with Nandos rather than at a swanky restaurant – for instance, Iylia met with my only birthday request last year, which was to have Nandos catered at my party! Iylia reckons that I love Nandos (chicken) more than I love him. He even made this remark over dinner one day (at where else but Nandos, of course):

I: “I think Nandos can make you happier than I can,”

H: “No, it can’t.”

I: “Well, has Nandos ever made you upset?”

H: *cricket squeaking from somewhere out of the restaurant I hope*

Okay, you get my drift.

I love Nandos. I love chicken. So I thought it would be a good laugh to gift him with chicken-topper cupcakes!

We also had a nice brunch at Toast, over in East Perth, which was where my OOTD pictures were taken. I am in love with the dress – the prints, the cut, the fit … You guys have to go get one if you’re over in Australia!

Hat & dress – Valleygirl, $14.95 (on sale) & $29.95 // Brooch – Accessorize, $9.95 (on sale) // Heels – Mollini, $38.90 (on sale from Style Tread)

How was your weekend? I can’t believe it’s going to be May so soon! Where’s 2013 rushing off to??

O, HAPPY DAY

Last Sunday, I met with my cousin, Nazurah, for Northbridge’s O-Day. I had been seeing publicity press for it on my social media engines and was really buzzed to check it out. I even made sure I did (most) things We Love Perth advised go-ers to do!

Meet Nazurah who’s seen sporting a Sportsgirl metallic-threaded jacket, necklace from Colette and Longchamp tote in a lovely shade of blue!

OOTD for O-Day

 Top – Kmart, $15 // Skirt – Ally Fashion, $10 // Necklace – Forever New // Clutch – Dorothy Perkins

We kicked things off by having drinks at tea for tú which was sneakily located behind the tú boutique. The cafe is cozy and unassuming. We both took advantage of the $5 coffee + macaron promo they had on specially for the O-Day.

 After some much needed catch-up and food fuel, we were ready to take on William! (Pun)

Just next door was The Uniform Shop – a pop-up store housing merchandise created and designed by the fashion students of Central Institute of Technology. As I was entering the store, something from the window display caught my eye, and I just knew I had to have it.

Look at me go all possessive on the canvas tote as though it was officially mine. I haven’t even paid for it then!

A few shops down was another pop-up store: Montage, which consists of handmade goodies and creative things like cute cards (can’t post them up because they’re meant for someone and I don’t want to be ruining the surprise!).

It then started to drizzle, like that’s ever going to stop us from exploring, and I was so looking forward to try ice cream delights. I have read from somewhere, some months ago, that Delish Ice‘s Salted Malted Caramel is a must-try – but every time I’d raced myself to the fabulous baby blue pop van at the occasional street festivals, I’m beaten by the comeback, “Sorry, it’s sold out”. But no, not this time!!

It was a windy day and it had just stopped drizzling so it was definitely chilly for everyone else. I insisted on having (and sharing) the ice cream and I’m glad I did because it was so good. Cold? What’s “cold“?

We also took a walk along the Perth Cultural Centre to browse through the designer markets.

Nazurah commented that I looked too serious. I told her, “Shopping is serious business“. You mean that isn’t common knowledge??

She then proceeded to take a picture of me being more relaxed at my “sport”. I was still chuckling inside at her remark.

Unfortunately I didn’t go home with any of the vintage stuff I saw that day like that polka dotted number on the top right hand corner (because it was a size too big for me).

At the top of my list for O-Day was Class Photo-taking at the set-up installed near PICA.

Naturally the only coolest kids in class

I also happened to be the wonkiest one

Nazurah and I had a blast at O-Day wishing we had more time to fully capture what Northbridge had to offer. I regret missing out on No Lights, No Lycra which is basically where you can let loose and dance in the dark without feeling awkward that someone’s sniggering at how bad (or really enthusiastic) you are at it! 

Nevertheless, we did walk away from the hustle and bustle of the happening William Street feeling …

YAY FOR NORTHBRIDGE O-DAY!

–

All images taken with our iPhones

THAT DRESS FOR LESS

Ever since I saw Nicole Warne post this picture of her at the MBFWA on Instagram 4 days ago, I cried to myself, “I need that dress!!!”

Haven’t you felt that way before? When you see someone wearing or holding something you like, and it’s just instantaneous love?

I love the cut and the colour, and yes, obviously the Gary Pepper Girl got it right by pairing it with red lipstick.

Imagine my delight when she blogged about her outfit a few nights ago. This meant I could track down her dress! Yay!! Right? No, you’re wrong. Because imagine my horror when I saw that the dress retails at AUD955. My gosh. I certainly don’t have that kind of money to splurge on anything!!

But what I do have are bargain-hunting skills.

I’ve found three dresses that boast similar styles and prints, and it’s definitely something I can afford at this point (although, to be honest, I am still contemplating if I should get one from here or push my luck further and scavenge at op shops instead)

Emily & Fin Strawberry Print Dress, $55.81 at Asos

Emily & Fin Oranges and Lemons Dress, $47.84 at Asos

Green Blue and White Floral Pleated Prom Dress, £24.99 at New Look

Parisian White Flocked Floral Skater Dress, £29.99 at New Look

Destination Floral Dress, $30.20 at Stephie’s Shop

Vintage 1950s Floral Printed Dress, US$52 at Etsy

I don’t know, something tells me they’re not quite right and I should just keep on searching. What do you think?

WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMY

And it’s true. Most of us tend to be harder on ourselves than what is really called for. My girlfriends and my sister have flaws that bother them, and because of this they feel ugly. I admit I do the same too, and that’s why it’s so important to keep reminding the people around us how beautiful they are, because to them, it is not as obvious.

This latest commercial is such a simple concept, as with the rest of Dove’s campaigns, but it definitely packs a powerful punch and hits home for me – I’m sure for many of you too.

“You are more beautiful than you think” – tell that to yourself the next time you are fretting over a feature that you aren’t a fan of, and smile about the ones that are.

60s FLAIR WITH X-PRESS FASHION

X-press Fashion Editor and Stylist Emma Bergmeier of the Dropstitch fame took me under her wing for the magazine’s latest Autumn issue.

I was so excited when she told me that the shoot will boast style of the sixties because the 50s and 60s era are definitely my vintage fashion favourites! The issue’s fashion spread was shot at Perth’s Council House, which is honestly a befitting backdrop because the Council House is celebrating its 50th birthday this year – yes! It was built in the 1960s by Melbourne-based architects Don Bailey and Jeffrey Howlett.

For those in Perth, you may recognize Council House as the colourfully-lit building along St George’s Terrace in the night. Council House is definitely a personal favourite of mine in this city because I am a sucker for all things colourful.

 

Here are some “Behind the Scenes” pictures I’d taken on set:

Picture-worthy experience of having to push the rack all the way across the City – and back

I am also really stoked because this is the first time I see my name printed in a fashion editorial!

My last name is spelt wrongly but it doesn’t even bother me. Just really excited about this! (:

I even scoured the whole of Hay St and Murray St in search of the X-press Fashion magazine. Finally found copies at the Flight Centre, along Barrack Street! Thanks Flight Centre! You can grab a copy there – it’s completely free!

Without further ado, here are the official print pictures from X-press Fashion’s Autumn 2013 issue:

Which outfits are your favourites? I am in love with the Gorman threads from #2 with the Starburst top and polka-dotted pants, and #4 in the style of Jackie O. Psst, I found a crazily similar daisy brooch from that outfit for just $11 on Etsy under FiveStonesVintage! Yay!! 

Thank you once again to the X-press Fashion Autumn ’13 team for the wonderful experience, and especially to Emma, for giving me this amazing opportunity!

–

All images taken with my iPhone except ”Council House At Night’ taken from here

SATURDAY AT STUDIO BOMBA

 

After work today, I invited Iylia for lunch with me at Studio Bomba. We shared a moist and gooey brownie with huge walnuts. The wise Iylia quipped as-a-matter-of-factly, “This is the best brownie I’ve ever had in Perth, seriously.”

Okay, so it turned out to be a spontaneous coffee+brownie session instead of actual lunch but that’s all right – as long as we had an excuse to spend time at the light and airy studio-cum-coffee bar.

Not sure if you noticed but I just had to take a bite off the brownie before I took this photo. Couldn’t resist. So yumm. I also really like the geometric divider because it reminds me of the old HDB flats in Singapore

In Malay, my mother tongue, “Bomba” refers to “Firefighter”. That bit of fun fact spun a short and sweet conversation with Leah, one of the two creative owners of Studio Bomba. She shared that Studio Bomba is actually a namesake of ‘La Bomba’, a character in an Italian film (I believe), which meant “the Bombshell”. Cute. And effective. Studio Bomba is loaded with tons of kitschy products that’ll make your eyes twinkle, make you fiddle, and make you go, “Ahhhh…“, as though you’ve just discovered something revolutionary. Well, at least that’s what it did to me.

I got the Tattly tatoos for Kristal and the Gold Heart stickers for myself!

My outfit for the day which was heavily-inspired by The Carrie Diaries (don’t you just love that show?!?):

Sleep early, kids! Otherwise you’ll end up looking like me in the morning – tired eyes, bad hair. Worst combi.

Dress – Kmart Girls’ Wear, $10 // 80s cropped jacket – Salvos, $4 // Sandals – Novo, $39.95 // Bag – H&M, $19

Studio Bomba is also a venue for workshops, special events and exhibitions, so be sure to follow them on Facebook for the latest updates!

–

All images taken by my iPhone

TEA WITH BESTIE: HARVEST ESPRESSO

I don’t normally refer to Kristal as my “bestie” but I’m just saying it to annoy the crap out of her. That’s what real best friends do – just as how she used to hide my bedroom slippers in the weirdest of places a.k.a in the microwave oven sealed in a Ziploc bag. Also, balanced on the shower curtain rod in the bathroom. I know, right?

Anyway, I like times with my best friend because we can talk for hours on end, or not talk at all and still feel like nothing’s amiss.

Today we decided she needs a Hump Day treat after her crazy week at Uni so far, so off we went to Harvest Espresso in Vic Park.

It was my second time there, and I’ve been eagerly waiting for this day to come because I really loved what I had at my last visit:

Awesome latte made using 5 Senses Coffee and Seasonal Mushroom, Arugula and Goat’s Cheese on Toasted Brioche

Ugh, it was seriously good. Such a satisfying lunch.

So today, when I returned, I was hoping to get me more of that mushroom goodness. I couldn’t find it in the menu, and the owner, a lovely lady named Catherine, told me that was from the “Summer Menu”. They’re onto their “Autumn Menu” now. I got a little upset. And then I asked if it was possible for me to have Toasted Brioche with Wilted Spinach and Mushrooms as add-ons? Yes, definitely. Would you like to have some eggs as well? Oh yes. Poached eggs sound really good, I thought. And ta-daaa, I’m happy again :D

The brioche – I cannot even begin to describe the brioche except for I.LOVE.IT!! So much goodness in a slice!

My off-duty look. I didn’t even wash my hair because we’d really wanted to rush down to the cafe! Thank God for dry shampoo.

Kristal catching up on her revision for tomorrow’s exam even though this was supposed to be a stress-free outing >:[

We shared the sandwich and a scone too, which was buttery and simply crumbled in my mouth – yumm! To accompany our meal, it was a cup of Chai Latte for me and a Soy Chai Latte for Kristal.

Kristal loves pictures of me looking candid and ugly so I’m posting this in her honour

Dress – Kmart, $19 // Necklace – Lovisa, $7 // Clutch – Rubi, $5 // My expression – Priceless

Harvest Espresso can be found along Albany Highway in Vic Park. It’s located in a row of shops that’s a “blink and you’ll miss it” so definitely do keep a look out – a little tip: it’s only steps away from Victoria Park Hotel!

I am already planning for my third visit to this quaint cafe with Ophe (because I couldn’t stop singing praises of it the last time we met).

Just a friendly note that Harvest closes on Mondays! (:

–

All images taken with my iPhone 5 and filtered using PhotoWonder app

THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL

I like sharing good stuff with you guys but this one here is extra special because I feel it is my duty to share it with you. Uhm yes, cue the drama.

The Voice Australia has just kicked off their second season and everybody already has a hot favourite: Harrison Craig.

18 year old Harrison has had a stutter since young but completely floored the audience and the four judges (Seal, Joel Madden, Delta Goodrem and Ricky Martin – ahh! I love Ricky! Sorry I digress) during his performance of Broken Vow, an original by Lara Fabian, (Remember the song I Will Love Again featured in ‘The Perfect Man‘ starring Hilary Duff? No? Okay then, never mind. Moving on …) made popular by Josh Groban.

Watch this Kleenex-inducing video and just cry your heart out. It’s okay, you’re not alone.

OOTONG & LINCOLN

On Easter Monday I had a lunch date with one of my girlfriends, Ophe.

We jumped on this chance to head down to South Fremantle and finally visited the much-raved Ootong & Lincoln store.

Oh my.

I was so reveled by the entire place – the zebras, the food (I had Smoked Salmon with rocket, avocado, and poached egg nestled on potato and corn patty), the bicycles perched along the ceilings of the main entrance, the chairs that were so reminiscent of my childhood (No photos – Ugh, Regret!), down right to the young boy serving us (probably just helping his mom out given that it was in fact a PH here in Australia).

Remember them from my post here?

Rollin with ma homies

It was crazy packed when we got there and even as we were leaving, a long queue formed at the counter! It might’ve been super busy given that everyone was out and about on a holiday, but even so – definitely worth a visit if you are after something quirky, rustic and fun!

–

All images taken with my iPhone5 … because the camera charger I’d ordered off eBay hadn’t arrived. 

BIRDY

Because I am so efficient, I’m posting pictures from my Saturday night out at the Birdy Tour.

You may have heard of Birdy from her covers of songs like Bon Iver’s Skinny Love and Ed Sheeran’s The A Team.

All of 16, Birdy took centre stage today at the Riverside Theatre found in the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre alongside her band, and two other amazing artistes: Lakyn Heperi and Lewis Watson.

Seriously. They all sound really good live.

Lakyn Heperi

Lewis Watson

And …

then there’s me.

Top – Valleygirl, $15 // Palazzo pants – 1&20 Blackbirds from The Iconic, $25 // Necklace – Thrifted, $8

Okay, peace out Pals! Have an amazing Sunday ahead!

–

Concert images taken by me. OOTD image taken by my date, Emma the Dancing Queen.