The Annual Meeting with Juanita

I’ve known Juanita since we were 7. We were Primary School classmates. She now lives in Zurich, Switzerland with her husband and 2 cats. We usually communicate online and send each other gifts. She’s quite the handy crafter and has made me many things – clothes and accessories. These days I get to see her once, if I’m lucky, twice a year when she returns to Singapore. Because time is precious, I always make an effort to take the day off work to spend it with her. Today, we had half a day and it was good!

We had lunch, she picked up a fantastic $10 pair of trekking sandals (carrying case included), bought fabric for dress-making (I spent S$57 for 3 dresses), had tea and then had dinner. I always look forward to just the two of us talking and catching up.

Rant & Raves: Counting my blessings

It has been a really busy and overwhelming period at work. To keep my balance in check, I actually plan what to do on my days off so that I don’t waste what little precious me-time I have. Today however, is one of those days where I caved in and just stayed for most part, in my room. On my bed. Partially affected by my arthritis, of course. I had planned to go to the gym and work on improving my 5km run-time. Instead I slept in and got out for less than an hour to shower, eat, read the papers, say hello to my grandma and that’s it.

So this rare, non-frivolous post is my way of coming to terms with what I’ve been doing to myself in the last 6 months. I wish I had more time to really live in wasted fashion, without a care and be a little more air-headed. Frivolity IS HARD! Life is still good even though it can always be better. Sometimes I lose sight of what I have when I get frustrated with a difficult period (that eventually passes).

Life has largely been revolving around work, gym and spa treats. I’m a control-freak that way and it’s so bizarre when I reflect upon it. I really love where I am in terms of my work (this is a blessing) but I can get UNNECESSARILY stressed out (this is THESUX). Then there’s the health issue. Rather than weight-loss, I’ve taken to exercising at least 2-3 times a week (depending on work schedule) to oil the engines, keep things going and just generally not rot and die. I hate exercise but I know I have to do it, so I do. My favourite thing ever is of course, my spa treats! I look forward to facials, massages and hair treatments. Sometimes alone, sometimes with friends. So this keeps me sane, somewhat.

I make a decent living so I can afford gym membership and beauty therapies, I’m not ashamed of being looked upon as indulgent. I’m not rich but I’m certainly not in debt, or living off anyone. That’s a blessing, right? I’ve always had a job for as long as I remember. I’ve also worked full-time for over 10 years now and believe me, when I say I know I’m lucky. Straight out of university, I had a job waiting for me. After I’ve served out my scholarship bond and wanted to move on, I found another job waiting for me. I landed both jobs with relative ease – one is conventionally respectable and the other is enviously exciting – both with their issues and merits.

Sometimes I want this. I want that. I want to be married. I want children. I want my own home. I want to eat 20cupcakes without gaining weight. I want to be taller. I wish I didn’t have limp hair when it grows longer. I wish I had a nicer body. I wish I could stop my joints from hurting when I try to open the door. I wish this and that. But I have everything I need – a nice place to live (air-conditioned room and hot showers), great friends (guy buddies who tell it like it is, gal pals to SPA-ty with), a job I enjoy (steady income, nice boss who gives me lots of autonomy) and most of all, my health (ok, this I cheat. I am actually toeing the line here but I am not bedridden yet).

Life is good. I need to remember that.

Rants & Raves: The Indie Rock & Roll Wedding

My friends Little & Joanne got married on the 6th of May at a lovely place called The Coastal Settlement. The e-invite to their wedding said the dress code was “Indie Rock & Roll”. I had such a lovely time and it was such a fun, casual and rowdy affair. The music for the night was courtesy of good friends from the local music scene – X’ho, Shelves and The Return (aka original line-up of the Force Vomit).

The bride eschewed the traditional all-white and punk-rocked it to her own beat. Everyone took their own spin with the theme and dressed the part! Even Noel and Stella’s 1-year old, Kate!

I wore my champagne pink Rodarte for Target dress with a distressed leather belt from Topshop. The flower barrette is from Accessorize and I paired it with my brown distressed leather boots from Rubi Shoes.

And here’s a parting shot of Joe with the bride and groom!

Oh what an awesome wedding! What a great couple!

(ps I stole these photos off Little’s facebook)

Rants & Raves: Morrissey

I kinda work in Music so attending concerts is practically part of the job and it’s no biggie whenever a new show comes to town. HENCE this Morrissey thing is an exception! By way of The Smiths, Morrissey is one of the must-see acts for me. I snapped up Early Bird tickets at $91 (saving $10, haha) and I planned my day off from work so that I could be one of the first in line!

The show was supposed to start at 8pm but Patrick, Lil Nat and I were there at about 4.30pm. We weren’t the first and there were many others who arrived before doors opened at 7pm.

My friends and I ran like the other early hoards to secure a place right in front of the barricades. This is funny for me because it’s usually other people who do that at my shows. (Like I said, this is an exception.) We waited for like a goddamn long time! The show only started at about 9.30pm! By then I was tired and thirsty and being squashed from all sides!

It was all worth it! I heard my favourite songs LIVE and went home before the crowd dispersed. So 8 May 2012 came and went.

Next up, Radiohead in November! My friends and I are going to Melbourne for it! We’ve got tickets for the show AND we just booked our flights. Oh gosh… I can’t wait… I need a holiday soon.

Fat-shionista: My Style

I think fashion and me, we’re a joke. I don’t follow fashion, I don’t get it and fashionable things never fit me. Can’t really say I’m stylish either but I suppose I have my own.

If I had to describe it, I’d have to say eclectic, quirky and maybe bordering on costumey.

I love mass market brands as much as I love handmade, as much as I love vintage. I’m not a snob that way and neither am I worried about being labelled or pigeon-holed. Feel free to call me a hipster/clown/bag lady/disaster, I don’t care.

I like leggings more than I like jeans or trousers. I know I can definitely do bright colours. I love accessories. I am round and lumpy but I refuse to use painful control underwear to enhance my silhouette. I am more often than not, a bargain hunter. I am also mindful not to wear anything in season because I am afraid someone else might wear it better than I do (and they also do anyway). Hence… the madness that is below:

New SG adventures with Trees from NZ

At Awfully Chocolate in Katong

Last week, I managed to spend some time with Teresa from New Zealand who came to visit Singapore. Unfortunately, I could only take 1 day’s leave to hang out. We did get other opportunities to meet during the week when she came to visit me at work and I tried the best I could to take her to different places to experience Singapore’s east-meets-west, multi-culturalism.

Pedicures!! Look at the awesome bears on Teresa's toes!

Me being silly whilst waiting for a cab. Hooray for manicures!

Hello Kitty frames! CUTE!

In the time she was here, we did many different things! Shopped, went to Sentosa, did mani-pedi, ate cupcakes/chili crab/laksa in Katong/kaya toast in Chin Mee Chin, aura reading, had a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel, bought fabric in Arab Street etc. It was awesome! Come visit me some time! I like visitors! And I especially like meeting friends from Internet, in real life!

Aura Reading for $5. Believe it or not, up to you!

Froyo on Liang Seah Street. Best way to beat the heat!

Plus Sized Ladies Shapewear

Other than owning too many clothes, I am guilty of owning waaaaay too much underwear. I can go for almost a month without doing laundry (eeeks!) and still have enough underwear for a fresh change at least twice a day. Ok, I actually do my laundry at least 2x a month, so… that’s still kinda decent right?

I’m sure I’m not alone – I somehow missed the memo for Plus-sized girls about getting a nice pair of tatas and a full booty with my excess weight. I want to hold bits in, and pad other bits out. Heh! Luckily for me, I live in the first world and I’ve been faking it with really good underwear. I also like them matchy-matchy, do you?

So anyway, I was directed to the SimplyYours website and I think I stuck gold!! 60% off, end of season sale! w00t! If you’re a little skint like me (Chinese New Year’s approaching and I’ve got to stretch it a little to give out those red packets), you might want to do as I do – “Sort by Price lowest to highest” first.

Here are my picks!

Gok Wan Underwired Lace Body £17.50

Gok Wan Underwired Bra £14.00 (comes with matching undies too!)

Gok Wan Briefs £6.00

Eve Light Control Bodyshaper £12.00

Wonderbra Gel Strapless Underwired Bra £25.00 (Ok this is not on sale, but I actually do own it and I SWEAR BY IT!!!)

 

Ice Cream making class & Anime Festival Asia

Junmin, Licia and I signed up for an Ice Cream-making class through some Groupons that we bought. After the class, we headed to Anime Festival Asia 2011. It was a fun day but… all in the name of research for work. We’re trying to find new activities to capture the youth market for our own festival.

 

 

Yup! And this is what I wear on weekends when I’m just hanging out…

Running away

I’m planning to run away for about 4-5 days in November. I had a nice 2 week holiday in January when I went off to England. Then a short 5-day trip to Bandung, Indonesia in July. I’m hoping to get away for a short trip but I don’t know where and really, I don’t care.

This is one of my 35 by 35s. I plan to just pack a suitcase of clothes and go to the airport in the morning. Then draw lots and see which row I get. Buy any ticket on the next flight (under SGD1000) and run off. Luck of the draw! So I have to pack for both Summer and Winter! Ok, and maybe book accommodation online just before I board the plane.

I’ve had 2 people who have expressed interest in my crazy scheme so far. But I doubt they’ll go through with it. Firstly, they talked about how they had to pack their entire wardrobe. Secondly, they had reservations about it being “dangerous”.

Well… I might just go on my own and try my luck! And maybe try the power of 6 degrees of separation! I’ll blog as I go along and hopefully friends of friends will pick up the pieces along the way. Testing the karmic spheres here… What do you think?

London Weight Management Ad

Small kerfuffle on Facebook amongst my friends but gaining notoriety elsewhere in the Singapore cyberspace. Hopefully it’ll spread.

Let’s face it, being fat is not healthy for most people and often losing a few pounds here and there would do wonders to our self-esteem. But surely this is not for everyone. I’ve seen ugly skinny people and evil skinny people and unhealthy skinny people and depressed skinny people. Just because I’m fat, it doesn’t mean life is as desperate and miserable. Irresponsible advertising!! Preying on the insecurities of women and perpetuating the myth that losing weight is the key to happiness! GGRRR!!!!

Watch this video

 

Then click on this link to “An open letter to London Weight Management” by Anita Kapoor where she explains what’s wrong (especially good for those who didn’t understand the Mandarin used in the TVC)